Duo watched the water drip from the faucet. This would be the third time he had drained part of the water and put in new hotter water. Heero had left just seconds after saying he loved him. He hadn�t said a word. Just got up and left the room.
Drip�
Duo closed his eyes, feeling his hair about his shoulders. It wasn�t me, he had to remind himself. Heero�s the one who has a hard time admitting to his feelings. This is nothing I have done.
Then why do I feel so bad. This is my fault. I should have never told him I loved him. Duo picked up his hand from the edge of the tub and looked at the blood stained bandages. They were beginning to turn brown from the dried blood. He knew it was going to take a long time to heal. Each time he moved his hand the cut would open again, spilling more of his blood. This, too, is all my fault. If I had been paying attention to what I was doing, Heero would have never had to rescue me.
Sighing, Duo got up from the tub and pulled the plug on the drain. He must have been in there for two hours and god only knew where Heero went. Wrapping a towel about his waist, he opened the cracked door and headed for the bedroom. The carpet felt nice under his wet feet and he welcomed it. It was a nice change from the throbbing of his hand. Even on the drugs the hospital gave him, it hurt and it hurt a lot.
Clenching his fist, he could feel the wound open and the pain shot up his arm. But he didn�t care. This pain meant he could still feel pain and the physical was a welcome change from the emotional he had been feeling lately. Closing his eyes, a single tear rolled down his cheek and he opened the bedroom door.
The room was empty, save for the bed, bureaus and the bag of bandages in the chair in the corner. Sighing, Duo threw his towel on the bed and turned towards his bureau. He grabbed a pair of loose fitting cotton sleep pants and after looking through the shirts, decided not to wear one.
Grabbing a new roll of bandages, Duo headed out to the living room to replace the old ones with the new. It was a twice daily routine and it was time again to change them. It probably wouldn�t be a good time considering the fresh blood, but then again it would be.
With scissors in hand from the kitchen, he sat down on the couch as he heard the front door close. No need to get up, Duo knew instantly who it was. Heero. He listened for footsteps as he sat on the edge, leaning over the coffee table, taking off the old dressing. Winding it around his hand, he waited for Heero to enter the room, but was still shocked when he did.
�I wasn�t expecting you to come back.� Duo never looked up, but kept his eyes on what he was doing. �After that.�
�No need to get mean,� Heero said quietly as he sat next to Duo. �Let me help.�
Wordlessly, Duo reached over and let Heero put the fresh bandages on his hand. Heero was careful not to hurt Duo, but every movement hurt. Wincing in pain, Duo watched Heero as he concentrated on his work, not looking up except when he needed the tape and scissors.
Once finished the two were quiet for what seemed a very long time when Heero finally sighed. �I�m sorry.� Duo just snorted. �Listen to me Duo,� Heero said turning to look at him. Duo�s arms were crossed as he looked towards the TV in front of him. He had no intention of looking at Heero. �Duo,� Heero said again. �Let me explain.�
Duo turned his head to look at Heero. �Explain? You�explain what? There is nothing to explain. You told me you loved me then left. Period.� Duo threaded some hair behind his ear as he talked. It was drying quickly and would need to be braided again. �What needs to be explained is how I have tried and this is how you repay me!�
�What?� Heero blinked. �No, Duo, that�s not it! I left because I figured we both could have used the space. It�s been very stressful for you the last few weeks I bet. And I just needed some time to myself to get my shit together.�
Duo put his feet up on the coffee table and slumped back into the couch. The fabric was warm against his back and he pulled his hair together, bringing it over his left shoulder onto his chest. �It should have been me,� he mumbled.
�No, Duo,� Heero put his hand on Duo�s leg. �Why would you say that? Granted you were in the way, but I did it because I love you and I didn�t want to see you get hurt.�
�Really?� Duo looked up to Heero with tears in the corners of his eyes. He didn�t know why he was crying, just that he was and he couldn�t stop it.
�Ah, Duo,� Heero shifted on the couch, so he was right next to Duo. Heero wrapped his arm around Duo and Duo leaned against Heero�s chest. �Don�t cry; that�s not what I was getting at.�
�I know.� Duo sniffed and threw his arms around Heero. �You have no idea how long I�ve wanted to hear you say that. I�ve thought about it ever since we got together. Was this going to last or what? Did you feel the same way as I did? Then I heard from Hirde that I was just something to occupy your time until Relena got her act together��
�Huh?! Relena.� Heero almost cringed at the name. �No, I didn�t know. But after this whole thing, I realized where I belong. Here with you.� He kissed the top of Duo�s head, running his hand though the hair. �Do you want me to braid this for you?�
�You don�t know how to.� Duo sat up sniffing once more. �I�ve always done it.�
Heero shrugged. �I�ve watched you do it enough.�
�If you would like to.� Duo stood up. �I need to brush it out first though.� He went to step past Heero when he caught Duo�s hand. Duo looked down, the hair from his left side falling into his face. �What Heero?�
Heero said nothing, just pulled on Duo�s wrist until he fell forward onto Heero. Duo went to catch himself with his hand, but it was his injured one and by the time he went to switch hands, he fell into Heero�s lap. �What are you doing?� Duo sat up, pulling the hair from his face. �Heero I��
Duo stopped as Heero kissed him, their hands still locked together. Duo let himself melt where we was, he was never good at saying no to Heero. Heero wrapped his free hand in Duo�s hair, holding him where he was. Breaking the kiss, Heero looked at Duo. �I�m sorry I�ve put you through this. It was not part of the plan.�
�Plan?� Duo tried to get away. �Is that all I am to you?�
�No,� Heero held him fast. �I mean I never wanted to hurt you like I have.� Heero gave Duo another quick kiss. �Duo, I love you.�
�I love you, too.� Duo leaned forward kissing Heero. Long and passionate, he hadn�t kissed him like that in a while. Suddenly Duo felt relieved. Heero did love him and was here with him. That was all that mattered in the long run. Nothing else. And no one could take that away from him.