Disclaimer: Gundam Wing belongs to them, not to me (which is probably a good thing).
Title: Second Chance
Author: aomurasakiai
Pairing: Heero/Duo
Rating: PG
Warnings: Angst (ya.. can't avoid it with a challenge like that)
gw500 challenge: #27 - "disappointment"
Word Count: 769

Silently, a figure crept through an open window into one of the dark hospital rooms where another was laying, unconscious on the white bed. A fond smile appeared on the heart-shaped face as he saw that the other was recovering.

"Yokatta, Heero. You almost gave me a heart attack back there," Duo whispered. Hearing approaching footsteps from down the hall, the braided teen quickly turned and disappeared from the room.

A few nights later, Heero Yuy finally regained consciousness. Blinking up at the white ceiling, he immediately knew he was on the third floor, Room 384 at St. Mary's Hospital. As memories of the last battle entered his mind, bringing him up to date, he heard a soft noise by the window. Cobalt blue eyes closed as the owner tried to assess the entering person, trying to determine between friend or foe.

As usual, Duo snuck into Heero's room with no trouble. He was glad for his gift of stealth. Walking up to stand by the bed where his still unconscious comrade was lying, the same smile crossed his lips like it had done on the previous nights when he watched over the Japanese teen. Staring at the relaxed face for a moment longer, Duo turned to go.

"Where are you going, Duo?" The said braided teen froze at the clear, monotonous voice of Heero Yuy.

K'so! He didn't want to face Wing Gundam's ex-pilot now! However, feeling the other's stare burning a hole in the back of his head, he slowly turned around with his mask firmly on.

"Yo, Heero. Glad to see you're alive and kickin'! Well maybe not the kicking part but you know what I…"

"Duo." Heero's voice cut through his rambling, as always. Duo swallowed the rest of his words and grew quiet.

"Come here," the Japanese teen ordered. With a slight flinch, the other walked closer to the bed but still managed to keep his distance before Heero grabbed onto his wrist and yanked him until his knees hit the soft mattress.

"You were planning to leave," Heero stated. Staring into half guilty violet eyes, he knew that Duo picked up on exactly who he had meant. The braided teen lowered his eyes. It was true that he'd planned to leave once Heero had stabilized; maybe wait until he woke up, but the braided teen knew he couldn't stay any longer than that. He wanted the other teen to find his own happiness. Perhaps someone else could give the cobalt blue eyed teen a chance at a normal life, rather than himself who would most likely continue reminding him of the war.

Suddenly the grip on his wrist disappeared completely and he looked up to see Heero look away.

"Seems I was too hopeful," he said softly. Duo closed his eyes in regret. The room became silent as neither of them moved, both in pain given that their potential relationship was never going to happen. Duo heard the approaching footsteps of the nurse like he had every night and glanced up at the other boy.

"Gomen… Sayonara, Heero," and he made his escape out the window, tears escaping his eyes as he lost sight of the person on the bed when he made his descent. Turning away from the window, Heero also silently shed tears, letting them trail down to dampen the white pillow.

With his arms crossed over his chest, Heero listened to Relena make her speech from the gallery, partially hidden by the forest green curtain. In truth, another person preoccupied his mind… but he forced himself to focus since it was a final promise to the young woman. But, he couldn't understand why she made him promise to listen to it at least halfway. He turned his attention towards Relena, who was addressing the future.

"In this era of peace, we can only hope that humankind will not repeat the same mistakes of the past. May we all continue to live life without any regrets and pursue the dreams and people who will make us happy. Especially our soldiers who fought in either war or both because they deserve peace and happiness the most."

Heero lifted his head slightly in realization. Regret… peace… happiness… Duo. Why had he let Duo go that time? He wished to be with him and he had hoped for that when the war was over. Did Relena unintentionally imply that he should go find the braided ex-pilot? Somehow he felt it was deliberate. He had another chance.

With a small smile of thanks, he left the gallery, causing the curtain to flutter slightly.

Owari