Duo got up from his chair.
"That's okay.You need some rest. But you sure you don't want any dessert?"
Quatre asked, reaching for Duo's almost untouched plate.
"I got it, Quatre. You just sit and enjoy your dinner. Well, minna oyasumi~!"
Duo took his plate to the kitchen and wrapped it.
"Do you want me to bring you any pills, Duo~?"
"Don't worry, Quatre~. I got it~."
Duo placed his cup in the dish washer and almost ran to his room. He wanted to be alone all day. He's thankful for Quatre, who had asked him if he needs anything, thousands of times... But sometimes, he was glad the other three pilots were quiet, or simply didn't care.
"Thank god.. I don't want them to find out my ass was saved by our enemy..."
Duo quietly opened the door to his room and closed it softly behind him.
"Finally..."
Duo almost fainted on his bed. He was glad to be back to his friends, but...
An image of Zechs Marquise appeared in his mind.
"Why did you help me?"
He whispered.
Did he try to follow him on his Gundam? No. Duo checked his back every second while heading back to the mansion.. Then why?
"He must be up to something... He wouldn't just let me go for no reason..."
Duo's eyelids were getting heavy.
"Crap... I didn't change in to my pajamas yet... Oh well.. Not like I have pajamas.."
He giggled. Duo always slept shirtless, with loose pants. He was about to dive in his dreams, when he heard the knock on the door.
"..Who is it~?"
Duo muffled, annoyingly.
"Ahh.., Duo? ..Sorry... but Relena... is here...."
Duo twitched his eyebrow, still half asleep.
"..I thought Heero was with you guys.."
"... He is with us...but, Relena... is here to see you.."
Quatre sounded just as confused as Duo was.
".. Be out in a sec...."
Duo sighed and got up.
"What does Relena want with me?..."
"Hello, Duo."
When Duo reached the dining room, Relena and the other pilots were there. They looked confused as well.
"Uhh.. Hi, Relena.. What's up?.."
Duo sat across from her and smiled.
"Ahh... I will get some tea..."
Quatre got up and was about to leave when Relena called.
"Oh, don't mind me, Quatre. I just came here to talk to Duo."
Relena smiled and got up.
"..Sure... What's on your mind?"
Duo was getting worried. What's going on?
"Ahh.. we should talk privately... Excuse us."
Relena helped Duo up and gently pushed him towards the hallway.
"Wha-.. Wait.. what is this about?"
Duo turned back to the others. They were all coming closer to stop her.
"It's about Zechs."
Relena whispered to Duo. Duo stopped struggling and turned to face her. After a second, he nodded.
"Oh~! Why didn't you tell me it was about Hilde!! Jesus, I was so worried!!"
He turned to the others.
"Sorry, everyone. I got in a fight with Hilde the other day, and I asked Relena to check up on her while I was away for that mission."
Duo rushed Relena to his room.
"I didn't know Relena and Hilde were that close..."
Quatre blinked.
"They are hiding something."
They all turned to Heero.
"Why do you say that?"
Trowa asked, sitting back in his seat.
"She helped Duo up from his seat. She knew he was hurt."
"Well, of course! He has bruises on his face."
Quatre sat beside Trowa.
"Exactly. What is the first thing you say when you see someone with bruises like that? Just "hello"?"
The four pilots sat quietly, listening to the ticking of the clock.
Lilinpo ^o^