Disclaimer: We all know that I do not own GW or anything to do with it…
Warnings: Yes, this has shounen-ai. Yes, it's between Quatre and Duo. Love it, huh? n.n;; If you do not like shounen-ai (though I really do not know why you would have read this far… but it has happened) then leave now. Please and thank you. n.n
Sorry about any grammar and/or spelling mistakes.
I really hope you all will enjoy this chapter. It's the last one so don't forget to let me know what you think, 'kay? That would be much appreciated. n.n
Um, yeah. Have fun. n.n;;
In the Hands of Another
Chapter Three: Awakening
He slowly awoke, his eyes trying to resist his commands to open.
Finally getting them to obey, he groggily shifted his eyes around the bare room, dully lit by a single light to his left.
He closed his blue eyes, still feeling tired.
"He's finally awake." He faintly heard someone say.
When the voice registered, he snapped his eyes open, the sound having triggered his memory.
"Quatre!" he shouted, trying to sit up, but he was held down by the one who had spoken: Heero.
"Quiet down, you'll wake him," Sally said sternly. The others had contacted her and explained Quatre's condition after they had gotten the unconscious pilots in their gundams. Naturally, she had met up with them and had treated the blonde pilot. Upon seeing him in person, she had been surprised he hadn't died already – as bad of a thought as that was.
"Sally?" Duo whispered in confusion, opening his eyes again to see if it really was her and not some trick his exhausted mind was playing on him.
She nodded in affirmation. "You've been asleep for a couple days," she explained simply.
Duo's eyes widened in realization and shock. "Quatre… Is he alright?" he asked, the thought foremost in his mind. He had to know if his lover was alive!
"He's still recovering… Over there," Sally told the worried brunette, pointing to the other end of the room. He didn't recognize where they were so he figured Sally must have led the others there.
Needing the reassurance, he sat up; this time meeting no resistance. What he saw didn't do much to calm his mind.
He didn't care if the others wished him to lie down longer, he needed to check for himself if Quatre was really breathing; from his current position he couldn't tell and it shot panic and fear racing through him.
Duo quickly stood up and rushed to his lover's side, despite the unsteadiness he felt from sleeping for so long.
He collapsed next to Quatre's bed and placed his hand onto the pale one cautiously, also checking for a pulse. The blonde just looked too fragile!
He blinked back tears at the sight.
Now he could see the slight rise and fall as his lover breathed, though it still seemed too shallow to him; not normal at all. His skin was still too pale as well. What had him the most worried was that he could not see the cheerful blue depths that he often found himself lost in.
However, placing a gentle hand underneath the blonde bangs, he was relieved to see that his fever had decreased drastically. It was still present – barely so – and no longer seemed life-threatening, especially since he was receiving proper treatment.
Duo sighed deeply. He whispered an, "I'm sorry," and kissed his lover affectionately on the forehead, forgetting he had an audience.
Duo turned his attention back to the other pilots, his usual bright eyes now dull and wearied. His long brown hair was loose from its usual braid and frazzled, needing to be washed. These were the least of his concerns, though.
"Has he woken up yet?" he inquired softly, almost fearing the answer.
"Yesterday he did, while still feverish," Trowa answered, unexpectedly.
"He called out for you," Sally said sadly, unintentionally making Duo feel even more guilty.
Quatre had needed him and he hadn't been there. He had been sleeping instead. Sleeping!
Sally recognized the look on Duo's face and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "He'll be well soon, don't worry," she added confidently.
Duo just refocused his gaze back to the injured pilot.
Everyone continued to watch the braided pilot and Quatre as they waited for a change in the blonde's health.
Hours later Quatre suddenly shifted his head to the side and groaned.
The others all thought he was waking until he didn't respond and kept tossing.
Duo tried to hold him still, but could only use one arm properly (his other now being in a sling) so Trowa – who was the closest – helped him while they tried to get him to wake.
"Quatre! Wake up!" they continued to shout, hoping the blonde would obey soon. The struggling was not going to help his condition in the least; he was bound to reopen one of his injuries and cause further damage to his cracked rib at this rate.
Minutes of pleading and coaxing passed until Duo was finally able to get the blonde to wake from his nightmare with a startled gasp that also contained pain.
All of them were concerned for Quatre's condition, even if they didn't openly display it.
In his dazed state of mind, Quatre had immediately tried to get up from the bed, but caring hands held him down, not wanting him to hurt himself even more.
The blonde pilot let out another pained gasp and fell back, letting the hands stop him as he became limp, eyes tightly shut.
"Quatre…" Duo said the name lovingly – relieved to see Sandrock's pilot conscious, but still, he was afraid because of how much pain he was in.
At the sound of the braided pilot's voice, Quatre slowly opened his eyes, unsure if he had really heard him or not. He wanted his lover close to him, wanted the reassurance that could prove Duo was indeed alright. He had yet to see him and was extremely concerned for the energetic pilot, even in his muddled state.
"Duo…?" he questioned softly, unable to raise his voice above a whisper.
Deathscythe's pilot lightly held the blonde's hand, mindful of his injuries and, in a choked-up voice, said, "I'm right here, Quatre."
Duo's heart clenched when Quatre's eyes closed as he was forced to endure another bout of pain and dizziness. His earlier movements from the nightmare and trying to get out of bed had made it worse. In order to fully recover, the blonde first needed to get rid of the fever that still lingered, Duo realized.
"I'm sorry, love," he apologized contritely, tears beginning to well-up at seeing his friend like this. "I should have stopped them sooner." He was, of course, referring to the ones who had done this to him on their mission. The fact that neither of them had completed their given mission hadn't even crossed his mind, since he was so focused on the blonde.
"No…" Quatre was unable to finish as he licked his dry lips and closed his eyes, fatigue daring to drag him under again.
He managed to open them before it succeeded when he realized the panic it would cause Duo.
"It isn't your fault. I'm sure you did… all that you could," he somehow finished, trying to sound stronger so he wouldn't worry his lover as much – or he tried to at least. However, there was still a strain clearly heard in the quivering voice as he fought with unconsciousness.
The tears that had been threatening to slip down Duo's face finally did at these words. He wished for nothing more than to pull Quatre into a tight hug, but it was obviously impossible in the blonde's current condition.
Instead, he lightly squeezed the hand still in his grasp and smiled warmly at his lover.
He felt slight panic rise up once more when Quatre closed his eyes moments later. He realized that the blonde had become too tired to stay awake and had fallen back asleep, unable to help himself.
Duo hovered above his lover's sleeping form for a few minutes and then he flopped back into the chair beside the bed, exhausted.
Even with Quatre so out-of-it, the brunette knew he was recovering, slowly but surely. He just hated seeing him in so much pain and not his usual cheerful self.
Quatre was alive, though and, for that, he was extremely grateful.
The others had stayed silent during the lover's conversation, not wanting to interrupt, however, now that it was over, Sally suggested, "Why don't you get some rest?"
Duo started at the sudden voice, though it was spoken quietly and caringly. He had forgotten the others had been there. He hastily wiped the traces of tears from his cheeks as if they hadn't noticed them when they had first begun to fall. He had just been so relieved.
Sally stood next to Duo and tried to convince the braided pilot to get more sleep. Even if he had slept for a couple of days already, he had still exhausted himself beyond what he should have, emotionally as well. Also, he had only just begun to catch up with the two night's of sleeplessness.
Truth be told, he was actually tired, but he didn't want to sleep. He didn't want to miss it when Quatre next awoke. He wanted to be there for his lover, be able to reassure him, the both of them. It was still hard to believe that the others had found them in time to save the severely injured pilot. He didn't know what the outcome would have been if they had showed up any later – he didn't even want to think about it.
He had already slept through the calls Quatre had made for him, the calls that told everyone he needed Duo by his side. He had actually slept through his lover's pleas. He could not even begin to understand that. Usually he was attuned to the innocent voice, able to be there whenever he was needed.
He had failed Quatre.
He had failed his lover and friend.
He had failed to protect him, failed to treat his injuries properly, failed to be there for him, failed to keep the fever away.
Failed him in so many ways, far too many.
Another tear slipped down his already tear-stained face, despite his earlier attempts at hiding the weak liquid drops.
Duo leaned forward, ignoring Sally's hand, which had been placed on his shoulder again, and kneeled next to Quatre.
Taking a hold of the pale, uninjured hand, he started repeating, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
The other five all watched in shock at the open display of utter depression and the tears that continued to make their way down the brunette's cheeks as they fell on to the hand that he held like a treasure.
Almost two weeks later and Quatre was well on his way to recovery. Duo had been forced to get more rest, even with his unwillingness – Heero could be very persuasive. Even if Duo had glared as he fought with the Perfect Soldier, he really was grateful for the not-so-obvious way he showed how much he cared.
The braided pilot had also refused to leave the room in which Quatre recovered in, except for short amounts of time. That was no problem though since he was still able to sleep in the bed that he had first awoken in. He had been right in assuming Sally had brought them to one of her clinics. They had been extremely lucky that their mission had been on a colony which contained one of them.
Duo and Quatre found out that Heero, Trowa and Wufei had completed their mission quickly after getting Quatre in a stable condition. They had been fortunate that they had been able to finish it since the two lovers had obviously failed and had attracted so much attention. They would also have to retrieve their gundams once they were well enough. Until then, the other three often checked on them to make sure no one found out they were there.
As much as Quatre and Duo appreciated them for completing the mission for them, Duo was mainly just ecstatic about the blonde still being alive. He couldn't believe how close he had come to entering Death's door.
Currently, the Sandrock pilot was sitting up, leaning against the wall behind him. Duo and the others were all in the room watching him with an inspecting gaze as they gauged his health.
"So…?" the blonde urged excitedly, for, even though they had yet to answer his question, they were thinking about it; at least it hadn't been a definite no.
"Fine, but I am going with," Sally finally relented. Not liking the idea but knowing the exercise would be good for the stiff muscles.
Quatre grinned widely. This was obviously the right decision. "Thank you," he stated, trying to contain his eagerness and not just jump off the bed. While he was still well on the mend, his cracked rib was still sore as was the rest of his body from staying in bed for so long.
By Sally saying 'fine' it had enabled him to wander around the building. It wasn't big or anything but he just needed to do something to get out of the bed he so loathed, keeping him captive for the good part of almost two weeks.
It had taken him a while to convince them to let him take a short walk to stretch his legs, emphasizing on the good it would do his body.
And he had found it well worth it. The walk had been refreshing and exhausting at the same time. It had felt so relieving to get out of that accursed bed.
Duo and Sally had, of course, accompanied him, but he didn't mind. He wouldn't have enjoyed it as much if Duo hadn't been with him.
As Quatre walked back to the room he had been occupying and the other three pilots turned their gaze to him, it was then that he knew. He knew that everything would be alright by how they seemed worried over him. Everything would be fine. They would get through this together, even if they refused to admit their concern, they cared and everyone knew it. Their unspoken friendship would help them through the already bloody war.
He lifted his blue eyes up to meet those of Duo's and smiled at his lover.
Duo returned the reassuring smile without hesitation, glad of the blonde's attitude and that he was there in the first place.
Yes, everything would be alright now. He had not lost Quatre.
So, how was it? Was it disappointing? Good? …whatever? I can't think. But I really do hope you enjoyed this fic, and the ending. n.n I really don't know what to say.
Well, I will be posting more fics. I have a couple GW fics in mind, but I'm not sure when or even if they'll be posted. I already have an LotR that's going to be up pretty soon, but… yeah. If you wish for info on upcoming fics and whatnot you can go here: http / nightshadow131 .livejournal. com. Sorry 'bout the spaces and that ish, but… you know how FF . net is these days.
So… yeah. Hope you guys enjoyed and don't forget to let me know what you think, alright? This is the last chapter after all. n.n
Thanks for reading, and I hope to talk to you all again. n.n
Ja ne