Chapter Two: Fairytales
No one could have prepared them for that, nothing could have cushioned the blow; it was just salt on an already open wound. Their perfect day turned to a lovely ride to hell. The doctor watched them as their faces went from shock, then to bewilderment, finally to denial and resentment.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"I do not make a habit to joke about these kinds of things Mr. Maxwell."
"That can't be right!" Duo protested looking to Heero for backup, "You must have grabbed the wrong file! Or maybe the machine was fucked up; machines do that ya know… or… this is a dream a really bad dream, I'll wake up and be on my way to my wedding… It's-it's not right…"
The doctor waited for the braided man to wear out all impossible possibilities before presenting more of the damaging news, "No sir this is very real, and this will not go away. You are going to have some very difficult times ahead of you and from the looks of the crowd you have gathered in the waiting room you will not be alone along the way."
The woman's eyes softened and she sat down next to Duo placing her hand on his shoulder, "But I only have more bad news."
"What could you possibly have more to tell us?" Heero's voice was soft, and Duo took refuge in knowing Heero was as affected by this as he was.
"We won't be able to remove the tumor, eventually, Mr. Maxwell; there is a big possibility you will die from this tumor."
Silence. The room, she thought, was eerily quite, not even the machines beeping Duo's heart beat or other bodily functions would have broken the silence that had settled about the patient and his friend.
"I'm going to die?" Duo whispered, his violet eyes clouding over, this was not how he was supposed to die! He was supposed to go down in a blaze of glory, to be remembered for his actions, for his brazen inability to actually be defeated so that when he did it would indeed be big news. But he'd cheated Death so many times during the war, he'd even taken on Death's name and now Death had decided to exact a most fitful death, slow, painful and prolonged.
By this time Heero had pulled Duo into his arms and was simply holding him, the doctor then put two and two together, they were lovers. Two of the five greatest pilots were lovers? Not that she minded and plus it wasn't her place to judge two men of such stature. She watched Heero; odd that he didn't try to whisper false promises that 'everything would be fine' he only comforted his partner with his presence, a soon to be soothing constant in the rocky waters ahead.
The violet eyes spilled crystalline tears on to Heero's arm clutching at the other needing so badly for the release as his chest grew tight and his throat clamped up. Heero cradled the thin lithe body in his arms rocking Duo back and forth. Telling him that he was there and that he wouldn't leave, trying to calm the tears that gushed forth from the normally happy eyes.
In all this the doctor had to step from the room, feeling like a voyeur if she had remained and watch something so intimate. Even she a doctor of some twenty years was affect by this one man's struggle to hold on to life. She who had seen so many come and go and not one of them had managed to get past that mask of professionalism she always managed to hold. Dr. Sarah Tori sighed and brushed her dull red hair from her green eyes, that man was special she noted, he was the reason she had this job, to help people like him, even if it was through the most simplistic of ways.
She walked to the waiting room and a dozen pairs of eyes turned to her and she noted that everyone was indeed dressed for a wedding, men in their suits and tux's women in their jewels and dresses. She felt so guilty for having to ruin such a day with the news of certain impeding doom.
"I'm sorry…" she said slapping the file she still held against her thigh, frustration boiling to the surface, "I'm so sorry…"
"What's wrong with him?" Hilde asked; Duo was a close friend, one of the closest she had ever known, "Tell me he's okay."
"If I did miss I would be lying through my teeth."
Hilde paled as did every one else who was a friend of this Duo Maxwell; finally a Chinese man asked, "What's wrong?"
"Mr. Maxwell has a brain tumor," she replied dejectedly, "And there's nothing anyone can do."
"Today of all days…" Qautre muttered turning to bury his head in Trowa's shoulder, "They are both going to be so depressed."
Sarah sat down in a vacant chair amongst the group and they looked to her; Relena offered her a cup of the free coffee and she took it reluctantly, "Thank you."
"I let them alone to come to terms with what I have told them," she stated softly, "Please be aware that the worse thing you can do for him is to treat him like a doll, he isn't going to die tomorrow, he'll live for years most likely, but the last thing he wants is to be reminded of is of his death."
"Tell that to Yuy…" Wufei commented dryly, "He'll probably try and wrap Duo in a series of padded lies to keep Duo 'safe'."
"You don't know that Wufei," Trowa muttered.
"This is Heero Yuy we're talking about, of course I do, and you know he covets Duo like some sort of rare jewel..."
"Never the less… I had to tell you all as well, I've seen it happen, the patients just wither away under their loved ones 'watchful' eyes because they're afraid the slightest little action will cause them to keel over."
"We'll keep that is mind, Dr?" Une asked.
"Oh, my name is Sarah Tori," the woman smiled wearily, "Forgive me, today has been a whirlwind of a day."
oOo
The tears had stilled, now there were only wracking dry sobs as Duo remained partially lifeless in Heero's arms.
"Heero?" the voice normally so strong, so vibrant was now but the barest of whisper, "Heero, tell me this is all a bad dream and that I'm going to wake in your arms telling me this is all a bad dream."
"I wish I could…" Heero replied, "I wish I could Duo."
"I don't want to die!" Duo shouted struggling as if trying to beat something back. Heero only held on tighter, "Duo, Duo listen to me… Duo."
Duo's strength had been severely sapped from the seizure so Heero was able to quell his fitful actions; Duo sobbed again and clung to Heero.
"Duo eventually we're all going to die, I know that's not what you want to hear, but we've all nearly died enough to know that death is indeed inevitable, but I swear to you I won't let you suffer undue pain, I'll make sure you're comfortable and happy, I'll be with you every step, every breath, every minute. I'd take your place in a heart beat if I could… I don't know what to do know Duo… although I do see why you would be so bitter… we're heroes we're supposed to live happily ever after, but life was never like that for us. So we'll have to make our own happy ending yes?"
Duo chocked on a sob and if it was possible Duo clung tighter to Heero his arms around the others waist, his face hidden in the crook of Heero's shoulder and neck, "Promise me?"
"I promise Duo, we'll make our own endings."
"Good…" Duo sat back gingerly and scrubbed at his eyes, "As long as it's happy."
Heero kissed Duo's brow and pulled him back into a hug, this one was warm, loving, gentle, everything Duo needed and wanted.
oOo
Eventually Heero found the others and told them the news, they didn't seem surprised, but then again when the doctor tells them what did you expect? He sat down heavily and was presented with a cup of coffee he drank it and gagged, "It's disgusting!"
"I know… I thought that a bit of a pick-me-up would be appreciated," Qautre offered a half grin; "It'll keep you going until we get Duo back home."
Heero sighed and ran his hands through his bushy thick brown hair, "He practically cried himself to sleep, but he's resting now…"
"Didn't take it well? Then again who would?" Zechs replied with a grimace, "I bet tomorrow he'll be back up with that stupid grin on his face."
"That's Duo," Heero replied, "Duo won't let anything stand in his way of making every one else's life a living hell."
Hilde chocked on a sob as she laughed, "Damnit Yuy, don't make wise cracks at a time like this!"
Heero's cobalt blue eyes seemed to meet every pair that was turned to him, "What else can I do?"