Disclaimer: Hah, you've got to be kidding!
If Only
Part VI
By: Penybright
Several days later, Heero was released from the hospital. He had slipped back into his lethargy, acting as if the rest of the world didn't exist. Maybe for him, it didn't. When Heero was ushered in the door, he was greeted by a fidgeting Duo, and a stoic Trowa. Trowa had just arrived that morning, and Quatra would be arriving sometime that afternoon.
The appearance of another of his comrades did not phase Heero, on the contrary, he seemed to see right through him. Trowa, for his part, reacted much the same way. Not a word was spoken between the two. Heero wandered past his two friends and sat numbly on the couch. Relena walked in several moments after him, carrying a small, paper bag.
"I'll be right back. Watch him," she instructed the two pilots, before walking briskly away. The silence was palpable. Duo began to fidget, the pressing silence fraying at his nerves.
"So, Heero..."
"Shut up, Duo," Heero snapped. Duo was momentarily taken aback. It was the first reaction he'd been able to get in three days.
"Go away," Heero said softly, turning his attention to the window on the right. Duo shrugged, and sat down in the chair across from Heero. Trowa remained standing, leaning lightly against the wall. Silence once more resumed, until Relena entered the room. She was carrying a glass of water and a small bottle. Relena set the glass down, and opened the bottle, shaking out two pills.
"Heero," Relena coaxed, trying to get his attention. Heero turned to look at her disdainfully.
"Your medication," Relena prompted, handing him the two small pills. Heero stared at the pills, in the palm of his hand, blankly.
"Put them in your mouth and swallow," Relena explained patiently, as she started to hand him the glass.
"No."
"Heero..." Relena sighed. "Take the pills, or you go back to the hospital, and they'll send you to an institution. Is that what you want?" she asked, her voice beginning to waver. Heero glanced at the three people in the room, popped the pills into his mouth, and swallowed them with a gulp of water.
"Go away," he ordered, slouching against the couch and turning away. Relena thought that he looked like a sulky child in that instant. Duo was about to argue with Heero, when the doorbell's chimes interrupted him. Relena gave a meaningful glance to Duo, before leaving to answer the door. Duo simply rolled his eyes, and got up to follow her. Trowa remained leaning against the wall.
Waiting on the doorstep, was a cheerful Quatre. His smile quickly disappeared when he saw the expressions on Duo's and Relena's faces.
"I had hoped it wasn't that bad," Quatre sighed, thanking Relena as she held the door open for him. Quatre was about to ask Relena something, when there was a loud crash from the living room. The three of them instantly dashed into the room. Shattered pieces of ceramic were littered across the wooden floor haphazardly. Trowa was no longer leaning against the wall, but standing several inches from where the shards littered the floor.
"Go away! Leave me alone!" Heero shouted, as he began to shake. He slumped to the couch, clutching his head.
"Go away," he repeated forcefully, shaking his head.
"We're not going anywhere until you tell us what's going on." Duo replied.
"Leave me be!" Heero shouted at Duo, squeezing his eyes shut. "Just go away."
"Heero, maybe you should go to your room," Relena responded evenly. "No one will bother you there."
Heero seemed to consider her words before backing warily out of the room, constantly watching them to make sure no one followed him. There was a loud bang as Heero's door slammed shut. Relena looked at the mess on the floor and sighed.
"I guess I better clean this up..."
The three pilots exited quietly, retreating to the study to discuss the current events of Heero's mental state with Quatre. Relena bent down and began to gather up the larger chunks of ceramic, making a small pile. As she worked, tears began to sting her eyes, and she attempted to blink them back. It was no use, and she began to cry openly, unaware that she was being watched.
Heero watched Relena cleaning up the broken vase from the balcony upstairs. He choked back a small gasp when Relena began to cry. She was crying because of him, he had caused her pain.
"I'm sorry..." Heero whispered somberly, before turning and retreating guiltily to his room as a silent tear coursed unnoticed down his face.
~ Well? Did this chapter fair better? I only have one more pilot to worm in somewhere... Thankfully I already have that figured out. Oh yes, and more Heero "torture" in the next chapter.