Heero came in the house, sighing as he walked into the kitchen. Ever the creative linguist, he stood in shock at the dead, bloody body of Duo that lay in the middle of the kitchen. The previously white linoleum was stained and crusty with his blood. Dropping to his knees, his hands began to shake furiously. "Duo...Duo...DUO!" He collapsed forward, screaming and rocking back and forth.
Trowa and Quatre ran down the stairs to see Heero rocking back and forth, muttering incoherently.
"Heero..." Quatre knelt beside him, pulling Yuy's face into his shoulder. "Shh. It had to be done, Heero."
"Why?" he asked hoarsely.
"Duo betrayed us," Trowa said softly. He stood behind the two, trying not to cry. "I'm sorry, Heero. There was no choice."
"I understand. He was my best friend, but I understand." He sniffled pathetically into Quatre's shoulder as the blond gently stroked his head.
"I'm sorry, Heero. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." The blond rocked him back and forth, crying softly. Finally, Heero managed to sit up, away from Quatre. His deep blue eyes were glazed with depression as he looked from Trowa to Quatre and back again. "I'll be all right, don't worry. I just...need a little while to get over it."
"Of course, Heero. We would expect no less. I will bring you some food in a little while, all right?" Quatre helped Heero off the linoleum floor, guiding him to the stairs. "Sleep, Heero. You need it."
"I know. I'm going." Yuy disappeared up the stairs, leaving Quatre and Trowa standing in the kitchen.
"Poor Heero."
"But Trowa, you know it had to happen. If it didn't, it might have been us on the kitchen floor in stead of him." The blond shrugged, wrapping his arms around Trowa's body and snuggling into his shoulder. "I had hoped...hoped that my training would never be necessary. I really had..."
"Quatre, don't think about it, all right? You should go to bed, too. I'll clean this up. Go, my love." Trowa pushed Quatre up the stairs gently. "Go to my room. I'll be up in a little while, all right?"
"Of course."