Disclaimer:
Bandai,
Title:
Author: yami_tai
Pairings: 2+1x2
Rating:
R for language
Warnings: Shounen-ai, angst, humour
Spoilers: None
Summary: Set during the Eve wars, an argument makes
Heero realise a few home truths…
*********
“What did you do that for, Duo? You not only put yourself in unnecessary
danger but you also jeopardised the whole mission!”
“Yeah, so? I’m
still here, aren’t I? And if you hadn’t
noticed, the mission was completed successfully *and* I managed to save your
sorry ass! So don’t you dare tear a
strip of me, Mr High and bloody Mighty, when you should be fucking *thanking*
me!”
“I didn’t ask for your help, Duo. You should have just left me.”
“Yeah, well, newsflash, Heero, I don’t leave friends
behind when I know damn well that I can rescue them!”
“But you should never jeopardise a mission to rescue a
comrade, Duo. You’re a soldier, you
should know that!”
“Hey, do not lump me in the same category as you; I am
fighting only so others don’t have to and I am *not* willing to lose people I
care about along the way.”
“You can’t afford to let that sort of emotion get in
the way.”
“Can’t afford?
CAN’T AFFORD? Like I could
afford to lose you! Do not EVER say
that again to me! EVER!”
Heero paused, unsure of how to proceed. Somehow he felt that the conversation had
moved on from the original topic but he wasn’t sure what Duo was trying to tell
him.
Duo saw the flash of confusion and it only served to
add fuel to his ire.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, you’re an intelligent guy,
figure it out, Heero!” he spat at the other Gundam pilot before whipping round,
his long braid twirling around him, and storming out of the hanger bay.
Heero stared at the empty space of the doorway that
had so recently been occupied by Zero Two for a moment before his eyes widened
and he set off in pursuit.
*^*^*^*^*
Heero caught up with Duo in the mess hall. Duo had shrugged out of the top of his form
fitting flight suit to reveal the purple t-shirt he was wearing
underneath. He was drinking juice out
of a carton through a straw. Heero
glided in thanks to the zero gravity, noting that no-one else around.
Duo looked up and passed a weary hand over his face.
“What is it, Heero?
Because I’m really not in the mood for another lecture.”
“You care for me.”
“Yes, I just said as much, didn’t I? Weren’t you paying attention?”
“As a comrade?”
“Yes.”
“As a friend?”
“Yes.”
Duo shifted in his seat uncomfortably. He had forgotten how tenacious Heero could
be once given a problem to solve.
“As more than that?”
Duo hesitated.
“Do not choose this moment to start lying, Duo,” Heero
warned.
Duo lowered his eyes before saying, “Yes.”
Heero leaned across the table and gently raised Duo’s
chin with his hand. Duo looked
crestfallen.
“Duo, I… I am not adverse to us being more than friends.”
“You’re not?”
Hope burned anew.
“No. But until
this war ends, the mission must come first.
I hope you understand that.”
Duo shook his head ruefully; a smile playing across
his lips, as his heart beat faster.
“You know I don’t, but at this moment, I really don’t
care.”
“So how do we proceed from here?”
Duo shrugged.
“I don’t know… don’t have that much experience in this
area,” he trailed off.
“Nor do I,” Heero told him. “Do you think I should have a word with J about the thoroughness
of my training?”
Duo looked at him in shock at this unexpected display
of humour and Heero seized the opportunity to steal a kiss. The meeting of velvety soft skin promised so
much more as Heero ran his tongue along Duo’s lower lip before whispering, “Despite
what people may think I am a human being with feelings, you know. Oh, and Duo…”
“What, Heero?”
“…thanks for saving my life.”
“You’re welcome,” Duo replied with a grin.
“You know, I need to make some repairs to Wing
Zero. I could use your help…”
“You got it!”
~owari~