What Happened At The Clambake
Quatre munched on a bit of steamed lobster and passed around the
steamed clams while Trowa told a classic urban legend/ghost story
he'd once heard from his friends in the circus.
"That never happened." Heero rolled his eyes.
"It makes a good story thought," Trowa replied, "doesn't it, Duo?"
The braided pilot didn't reply. He was lost in thought, his face
troubled.
"Duo?" Heero's voice took on an uncharacteristic tone of concern.
Duo stood up silently, then walked away.
"Wait here," Heero told the others as he followed Duo to another
clearing.
"It was the fire, wasn't it?" Heero guessed. "Before we covered it
with seaweed."
Duo nodded. "I thought I could handle it." he admitted. "It's been
years since... But it still reminds me of it."
"It's all right." Heero said, reassuringly.
"No, it's not." Duo shook his head. "I should've gotten over it by
now. I must be screwed up real bad, Heero."
"Why? Because you're still grieving over the loss of a group of
people who were the closest thing to a family you had known in a long
time?" Heero took Duo into his arms and stroked his hair. "Duo, after
all you've been through, it's a miracle you still have the ability to
feel anything. You've held together better than most people I know.
Perhaps even better than me. I don't even remember what it's like to
feel something for someone. I'm so programmed to be just the Perfect
Soldier that it scares even me sometimes."
"But you do feel for people." Duo protested. "You may not recognize
it, but I do. And so do the others. We all see how much you care
about us when you rush to aid us during battles, or when you tend to
our wounds. You came after me tonight. You're here with me now. So
don't tell me you don't have feelings for me. Don't tell me you don't
care."
"Duo," Heero asked, "would you mind if I kissed you?"
Duo shook his head. "No," he replied. "I wouldn't mind at all."
Heero stepped forward until he was right in front of Duo. Then, he
leaned forward and touched his lips to Duo's. The kiss lasted for
what seemed both a wonderful eternity and a sadly too brief few
seconds. In that time, something warn and alive blossomed within
the arctic circle of Heero Yuy's frigid soul. It was as if that one
spark had always been in, waiting for the right person to awaken it.
When he pulled back, there was a light in his eyes that had not been
there before. His dream of being the Perfect Soldier was, he knew,
completely out the window now...
...and he didn't mind one bit.
Heero laughed.
"What?" Duo asked.
"I came here to help you and you ended up helping me." Heero replied,
sounding like someone who has just been given a second chance at
life. "Thank you, Duo."
"For what?" Duo asked.
Heero looked into Duo's eyes. "For giving me a soul." he replied.
-----Owari-----