| Baka bronchitis! ::coughs:: Keep me in bed for days and not let me breathe�. I�ll show you�. ::notices audience:: Oh, okaeri minna-san! I can�t stay long. ::coughs:: �Cause I�m still having trouble breathing! But my �.err�. �caretakers� have decided to give me a small break. Instead of raging about the injustice of it all (a la Wu-chan), I decided to do something *constructive* for a change! I therefore present this fic. The parts will be short as they are all I can get written before the �nurses� catch me. Ano, short is sweet ne? Enjoy! Title: A Gesture of Kindness 1/? Author: Lady DarkAngel [email protected] Archive: Lady DarkAngel's Gundam Wing Fanfiction Library http://ladydarkangel_1.homestead.com/Main.html, Darkflame�s (if she�ll take it�.) and anywhere else is fine, just ask me first Category: Yaoi, angst Pairing(s): So far 3x4 Disclaimers: Gundam Wing or Shinkidousenki Gundam Wing is copyrighted and trademarked by Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency and associated parties with all rights and privileges. The characters were used without permission for the purposes of entertainment only. This is not meant for sale of profit. Any characters not created by those listed above are mine and hereby considered the sole property and copyright of the author. Anyway, I�m just a poor college student. So can I play with them? I promise I won�t break them�..much. Rating: PG Warnings: Angst, severe illness, minor gross factor Feedback: Kami-sama, YES!!! [email protected]; any and all comments are welcome like the sweet ego-sustainers they are. Trowa was sitting in the living room of their current safehouse reading his favorite novel when he decided to do something about the sound. He had been aware of it in the background all day but had deemed it insignificant. The Heavyarms pilot wasn�t quite sure what it was, but it wasn�t threatening, merely annoying. It would go away soon. He tried to put it out of his mind and pay attention to the story. However, it didn�t go away. Finally exasperated, he looked up, searching for the source. Heero was at the table typing at his laptop as usual and making only minimal noises. Quatre was listening to music over by the entertainment system, the headphones completely blocking out any sound. Wufei was practicing his martial art techniques. All were being quiet. So what was making that sound? Trowa frowned. What is it, anyway? It almost sounds like coughing... Abruptly, Trowa realized that is *was* coughing, very deep and painful sounding. He looked around again and noticed that someone was missing. Where is Duo? Come to think of it, I haven�t seen him since yesterday.... He got up to investigate. He must have caught Heero�s attention because the other pilot swiftly glanced up at him, silently inquiring. The taller boy merely inclined his head, indicating that he should listen. The Wing pilot did and a slight frown creased his face. He stood as well, closing down whatever it was he was working on. As the two approached the door, they heard Quatre�s soft voice inquire, �Nani? What�s up?� Turning, he saw the remaining pilots both staring at them. �Can you hear it?� was all that he had to say. The Arab and Chinese boys nodded. Quatre said, �Aa, I think I�ve been hearing it all day but I�m not sure...� The blond looked around and got confirming glances from his comrades. They had all known about it, but hadn�t cared.....until now. By silent agreement, they split up to find the cause of the absent boy and discover what was wrong. --------------------------------- They searched the entire house and grounds with no luck. It was only when Heero checked inside the cave where they were hiding the Gundams did he locate Duo. The American was curled up at Deathscythe�s feet, shivering and coughing his head off. He rushed over and quickly checked the other�s vital signs. Pulse was sluggish and breathing was shallow and rugged. His forehead was extremely warm. Heero frowned as Duo opened his eyes. There was no recognition in them and they were slightly glazed. The Wing pilot called his name, but Duo didn�t respond. The empty violet eyes slowly closed again and repeated shaking and shouting did nothing to revive him. Damn. <This is not good. He could be seriously ill. We need to get him inside.> He raised his voice and yelled as loud as he could for the others. They came swiftly. Wufei was the first to arrive and by the grim look on his face, did not seem pleased by this turn of events. He stood close by but not interfering. The Shenlong pilot took a long evaluating gaze at his obviously ill comrade but said nothing. Trowa and Quatre ran in together a few minutes later, the blond boy gasping aloud when he saw his friend lying on the ground. He ran forward and dropped to his knees next to Heero. �Oh my.... Kami-sama, what happened? Is he alright?� he asked in an anxious tone. �Iie. We need to move him. He�s in bad shape. High fever and low vital signs.� As Trowa nodded and moved closer to help Heero lift the unconscious boy, Wufei finally spoke up. �It looks like he�s been here for a while.....� Heero turned to see what had lead him to that conclusion, only to see a thin blanket and small pillow partially hidden behind the enormous Gundam�s leg. His frown turned into a scowl. The baka must have spent the night in here. He�s sick and he sleeps in a freezing cold cave. Naze? He returned his attention to the object of his thoughts and, with Trowa�s help, managed to lift him. The Deathscythe pilot was a deadweight and although Heero could have easily lifted him by himself, it was safer to split the load and pose less risk of injury to the already sick boy. Quatre ran ahead to prepare a bed and Wufei gathered Duo�s things from the cave. By the time they reached the house, he was moaning and the deep coughing had returned. They could hear the congestion from his fluid-filled lungs but he had yet to cough anything up. He struggled for every meager breathe of air. They lowered him onto the bed and Quatre stepped in with a thermometer and BP cuff. Trowa took his temperature while Heero took the blood pressure reading. Neither was encouraging. BP was 70/50 and temp 107� F. Wufei came in with a damp cloth and bowl of cold water. He handed the rag to Heero, who accepted it with a scowl. He backed away, as did Trowa and Quatre. Heero immediately grasped the implications of that action. Why me? he silently asked. Trowa must have guessed what he was thinking because he turned his mild gaze on the Japanese boy and said, �You probably know the most about medical matters. It wasn�t part of my training and I�m sure that it wasn�t in the other�s either. You should take care of him. We�ll help if we can.� A quick glance at the others confirmed the opinion and assignation of duty. Hidoi ne. Just because my training was more through then theirs.... How did I get this job? I have the knowledge but I�m not good at interacting with people. Especially with this joker. They know that we don�t get along, so why? He stopped and looked at the shivering boy lying on the bed in front of him. I can�t just ignore this.....ignore him. He could get worse and if he dies, there�s one less Gundam pilot to fight the enemy. Someone has to care for him, and I guess that it�s me. He is my partner, after all. It�s my duty to take care of him. Very well, ninmu ryoukai. --------------------------------- Wufei broke into a scowl the minute they left the room with its patient and caretaker behind. �How in the hell did he manage to get that sick without us noticing?!� he growled. He was furious and worried at the same time but would only allow the anger to show. Was it because we weren�t paying attention? I know I�ve heard the coughing since last night, but it wasn�t that bad..... I thought it was none of my business, that he had a minor cold. The Shenlong pilot gave the closed door an icy glare. Even though it was thick oak, he could still hear the painful sounding hacking inside. I thought sickness was weakness, but instead my attitude may have caused it to worsen. Injustice and weakness on my part, not his�. With a deep sigh, he wondered off to continue his meditation in the hopes of easing his mind. Quatre was also staring worriedly at the door behind them. He wasn�t too sure he�d the right thing. His uchuu no kokoro had given him the hint and it was almost never wrong but still�� He felt a warm hand rest on his shoulder. �No worries, Little One. Heero will take care of him.� The blonde Arab boy turned to face his tall lover. �Are you sure, Trowa? I mean, he�s not the best of us when it comes to personal interactions and he can barely stand Duo as it is. Maybe I should�..� The hand restrained him and emerald eyes gazed at him solemnly. �Heero must be the one to do this. Must I say more?� �Iie. I�m just worried that�s all. Duo�s so sick! This will get worse before it gets better�..� The hand moved from his shoulder to his cheek as Trowa drew closer and wrapped his other arm around his koi. Giving him a searching gaze, he quietly inquired, �Daijoubu?� �I�m not the one you should be asking.� Involuntarily, their gazes turned as one to the door and the friends that lay behind it. Nestling softly against Trowa, Quatre sighed and said softly, �I�m not the one you should be asking at all��.� (TBC) ^_~ Lady DarkAngel ---------- Chibi Duo's Babysitter Moderator of Duo's Sugar Intake Keeper of Duo's Nice Rear-end Co-Keeper of Shinigami's Wings (with Meela) Keeper of Heero's Homicidal Intentions Keeper of Quatre's Teacup Keeper of Trowa's Mask Keeper of Wufei's Sense of Honor Co-Keeper of Duo's Chatter (with Tomanaiya) Co-Keeper of Heero's "Hn" (with Tomanaiya) Co-Writer of Wufei's Rants (with Tomanaiya) Leader of the Inspirationally-challenged Muses: Alisande, Rynvi, and Kiagara Co-Keeper of a real-life hamster named Heero Yuy (Hee-chan)(with Tomanaiya) Keeper of the Hit List Acting GOD in Charge of The Anime Muse Adopiton Center and WSCT of the AMAC Proud member of SDDI, the Society of Defending Duo's Intelligence Member of the Society Against the Complete Bastardization of Heero Yuy Occupant of the Happy Hentai House Master Hacker of the Shinigami Organization Assisstant Mob Psychologist for the Shinigami Organization Happy to be a member of the DuoML Member of 1x2, 2x1 Fan Club and ML Lady DarkAngel's Gundam Wing Fanfiction Library http://ladydarkangel_1.homestead.com/Main.html |