Based on post/145031760400/photo-prompt-ahsimwithsake and a follow up to the previous chapter.
Sitting at the stoop of his modest house in Amarillo, Texas where he'd been stationed by Preventers during the latest training session he was hosting, Duo gripped unto his phone as if it was a lifeline. The internet was exploding, trying to catch a live stream of Relena's major speech. It'd been weeks since she'd gotten the girls together and weeks since he'd last seen her. Come to think of it, Duo made mental note that Relena had looked gaunt, her skin hanging off places as she'd lost major weight. He attributed it to work related stress, but now that the feeling sank in the pit of his stomach...
"Ladies and Gentlemen," The host's voice broke through his phone on a spotty reception he barely managed - "And now with us, Foreign Minister Darlian."
Duo's stomach somersaulted, it's contents threatening to spill on the sidewalk. It wasn't like him to be anxious, but now that he saw Relena on television - he felt this huge boulder on his very shoulders. So fragile, almost as if he'd been truly missing on so much in her life. "Thank you, Mr. Barnes and thank you, Citizens of the World."
Even in the face of whatever was bothering her, in Duo's eyes, she seemed fierce and determined. But the way her hands gripped at the podium, begging for strength and for health made for a frightening sight. "I wish I came to you with better news, but I'm not one to lie to my people. For months, I've been waging my own battle against a debilitating illness."- The mere words said by Relena made Duo gag. Memories flooded him, of Solo and all the others in L2 who died during his youth. He wondered if it was such a lethal illness plaguing Relena? But the wry, weak smile over her face also made him question it all. He promises himself, to guard her in ways unseen. She was the closest thing he had to a sister in this life and he wondered just how Quatre was handling the news. Odds were he knew and encouraged her speech.
"It isn't something physical," - Her voice echoed in Duo's ears -"But it is something that could potentially kill me if I don't take care of myself."
Words like depression and bulimia began being thrown around, anxiety and various other ailments that according to Relena, went hand in hand. Duo's jaw dropped, how could it be that the paragon of confidence had been so troubled?
"Oh Lennie..." He whispers, as numbers for help places crop up on the screen. He turns off the speech, pulling up his text screen and typing out a mere sentence: I love you. before sending it in her direction.