Title: "Count on It"

Theme: #1 Back-to-Back

Rating: PG

Word Count: 912

Characters/Pairings: DY; Raider, Archangel mentioned

Author's Note: I don't love this one. Its one of those "What GS didn't show" things. It's set in Phase 50 after Yzak saves Dearka's butt. Written forever ago, I just never got around to typing it before now.

start-

"You're not beating me!" Yzak screamed, firing the gun he'd taken from the Buster at the approaching Raider. It struck in a flash of light, the enemy becoming no more than fine particles floating in the dark of space. There didn't seem to be any nearby threats. Except the Archangel…

"Yzak! What did you think you were doing?" Dearka demanded, his image appeared in front of Yzak.

The Duel pilot scowled at him, his sharp eyes not missing the red blood that slithered down his friend's face. "Would you rather have gotten blown up?" he snapped.

Dearka shrugged, his face hard in the dim red light of his damaged mobile suit. "You shouldn't have risked getting yourself killed just for me."

The silver-haired boy glared at him. "Enough of our friends are dead. I don't want to have to add you to the list."

Dearka blinked, surprised. He'd been expecting some sharp or sarcastic remark, not what seemed to be the truth. "Uh…" was all he could think of to say. "Well, um…we'd best get back to the battle…"

Yzak scoffed. "Oh yeah, and how are you going to do that with the Buster now no better than a pile of scrap metal? You won't get very far."

Dearka rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I know you like to feel important," he remarked sarcastically.

Yzak smirked. "Well, if you really want, I can just drop you off here on your own…"

Dearka seemed a bit nervous at that remark. He knew Yzak might actually do that. "Actually, I'd rather stick with you. It can be like old times. I've got your back, and you've got mine, right?"

"More like I've got your back, and you're a free-loader," Yzak muttered.

"Hey! I heard that!"

Yzak sighed. "So what the hell do you want me to do with you?"
The blonde smirked evilly, leering at Yzak through the screen. "I think you already know…"

Yzak groaned. "Not now, you idiot. You know what I was asking was where you wanted me to drop off the piece of junk you're flying. It's not safe, plus you need to get that forehead treated."

"Yeah, because I don't want a scar like yours," Dearka drawled. "But just land in the Archangel. I'll explain everything to them."

Yzak arched an eyebrow. Like they'd ever let him on the Archangel. He'd been the most adamant about destroying it, but then again, they had allowed both Dearka and Athrun on board.

The Duel cautiously floated to a halt in the main holding bay of the Archangel, releasing the thoroughly damaged Buster before docking itself. Yzak emerged from the cockpit a moment later, glancing around to take in his surroundings before making his way over to the Buster's cockpit. Engineers were prying it open, since it had been welded shut by multiple explosions.

Yzak waited a short distance away, watching them work with sharp eyes. Finally the cockpit cracked open, and a bloody, but otherwise fine Dearka squeezed his way out. Grinning his thanks to the engineers who had released him, he pushed himself Yzak's way, saluting lazily as he made his way to the small pilot's lounge, Yzak trailing silently behind him.

"Good to see you Yzak," he said with a genuine smile once they were inside, yanking off his cracked helmet.

Yzak wrinkled his nose in disgust as droplets of blood splattered everyone. "Would you mind being as kind as to watch where you bleed?" he snapped, his anger a cover for his relief. The only thing wrong with his friend was a nasty slash on his scalp that could easily be taken care of.

Dearka sighed as he floated over to the supply cabinet, pulling out a cloth, which he pressed to his head as he pulled himself onto the hard couch, leaning back with a tired yawn.

Yzak hesitated for a moment before settling next to him, pulling the cloth from Dearka's hand and inspecting the wound. It didn't seem too deep, and the blood was already starting to clot. He firmly pressed the cloth back onto the cut, ignoring the look of surprise on the blonde's face.

"Yzak—"

"Did you tell someone to get whatever doctor they have aboard this ship?" he interrupted sharply.

Dearka made a face. "They're sending someone, but with all the damage the Archangel's taken, there are people who need their attention more than I do."

"But you're a pilot! I'd think you'd get the first attention," Yzak protested.

Dearka laughed shortly. "Buster sure as hell isn't going anywhere soon, so I'm of no use." Dearka cleared his throat, glancing meaningfully at the other boy. "But the Duel's only out of power, not destroyed, and you're fine. Shouldn't you get back out there?"

Yzak shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere until I know you'll be alright," he said almost gently.

Dearka sighed, pulling the bloody rag from Yzak's fingers. "I'm fine. It's just a scratch. You got that scar, and you lived. I'll be fine. You just go out and kick some butt for me."

Yzak eyed him critically before nodding reluctantly. "Since I know you're going to be more stubborn than a mule, I suppose I can do that."

Dearka grinned, grabbing the Duel pilot's hand and yanking him close enough to plant a hurried kiss on his lips. "Then get out there and beat up all those idiots."

Yzak smirked. "You can count on it."

-end

Hopefully I'll be updating more frequently now, but you never know. -blah-

But until the next story!

xxravenwingxx