9
He wasn't quite sure how he got to the hospital. All he had heard was something about Heero and a car accident. Then next thing he was aware of was the waiting room of the OR. Heero's mother was there holding his hand, or maybe he was holding hers.
"Is he going to be okay?" he asked, coming out of his daze.
"They think so." Cheryl said, she stroked his hand, he squeezed back. They sat tensely and waited. Eventually a doctor came out to speak with them.
"Your son will be fine, no permanent damage, he will be in a wheel chair for a while though, and then he should probably do some physical therapy. But otherwise he'll be fine. We're moving him too one of the wards so you can come see him if you would like." They nodded and the doctor motioned for them to follow.
"So you're his mother and…?"
"Friend, he needs to come to." Cheryl insisted. The doctor paused, looked at Duo.
"Hm…well I guess that's all right, if you insist." Cheryl gave a tight little nod and Duo continued to follow them down the hall.
Heero was in a hospital bed, both his legs in casts. He didn't appear to be awake. His face was bruised and there was an ugly cut over his eyebrow and another by his ear. Duo couldn't see most of the rest of him as it was covered by the bed sheets.
"Sweetie." Heero's mother whispered, sliding into the chair by his bed, running light fingers over his hair line. He scrunched up his nose. Duo smiled at the adorable expression, the action felt like his face was crumbling. He mentally cursed his bad timing as Heero's eyes flickered open to greet his tears.
"Mom?" He asked voice thick and cracked. She nodded.
"I'm right here. You're safe. I love you." She continued murmuring to him and he just studied her face as if he would analyze every detail.
"I love you too mom." He said. She nodded again, smiling and crying.
"It's going to be alright."
Heero's eyes wandered farther a-field, taking in the room, and finally landing on Duo. His expression grew confused.
"D…Duo?" He asked. Duo stood, unable to do more then nod slightly, eyes glued to Heero, taking in his battered face and tired eyes.
"I'm here."
"Why?" Heero asked. Duo felt his gut clench and twist. He looked at Cheryl, she smiled at him. His gaze shifted back to Heero.
"Because I care." He said, moving closer to Heero's bed. Cheryl scooted over so he could kneel next to her. Heero shifted his head up and down in a slow nod, his eyes nodding shut even as he did so. "I love you too." Duo whispered oh so quiet, unsure if the sound would even reach Heero on the banks of sleep. Cheryl reached over and squeezed his shoulder, pulling him against her like she would her son, and rocking. Duo sitting partway in her lap, like a giant baby, and crying in relief of letting go.
The next few weeks were trying. Heero was in the hospital for a relatively short period of time. As soon as they were sure he'd be fine they let him go home. But he was in a wheel chair. Duo wound up being the delegated Heero pusher. Duo actually didn't mind, why should he? It gave him an excuse to spend more time with Heero. He did feel a little nervous though. He had admitted to himself that he liked Heero. He'd said it out loud twice. He had said it once to Heero himself, even if he hadn't been aware. That might have been the hardest part, he was unsure if Heero knew. He didn't act very different, but Duo was now hypersensitive to Heero's every slight need and change. It was as if he felt it was his duty to make sure his friend stayed safe and well till he was back on his feet. Relena often gave him pointed looks of exasperation and followed by shoulder pats and smiles of encouragement, but for the most part she kept a respectful distance. It was Hilde who tracked him down the second time.