Life in Three Steps Part 3
One Small Comfort
Twilight surrounded the Earth encampment. Nestled in a grassy clearing, bordered by thick timber stands, the abandoned warehouse that now served as a makeshift Operations Base loomed darkly against the dusky sky.
The sun had only moments before disappeared below the horizon leaving tinted traces of the sunset hues. Wispy clouds, streaked with colored layers ranging from dragon's eye red to purple and finally pale pink, were quickly becoming scattered by the constant wind.
Three campfires threw up wavy shadows over the tree line as their flickering flames made a feeble attempt to ward off the increasing dampness and night chill. Some thirty meters away five giant Gundams remained hidden, tucked in securely for their evening repose.
The Mecha's five pilots had received a warm welcome as both the war-weary soldiers and the displaced refugees showed their gratitude for the brave young men's role in the earlier battle.
Although the combat had been waged in space they all knew the importance of the victory. One more stinging blow had been delivered to OZ. One more venomous head had been severed, one more enslaving limb amputated.
While everyone knew this battle by no means ended the war it had rallied his or her hope.
If they could continue to cut off more limbs, slice through more arteries the resulting trauma might so weaken the one part that the whole of the murderous organization would be critically debilitated. If each pocket of resistance could cut away one piece of OZ perhaps in time the entire body would bleed to death.
The evening meal had been simple fare but the limited menu really didn't matter as none of the pilots had much appetite. As an ebony nocturnal blanket shrouded the camp and a canopy of stars blinked out one by one, the Gundam Masters had sought out some privacy as they tried to put the battle demons to rest at least for the night.
Heero sat alone where the forest's shadow-veiled fringes met the firelight's faint glow. He had deliberately moved away from the fire's illumination. Away from the people and the voices that no matter how soft their tone seemed to grate along his tense temples and bounce inside his head.
His back slumped against a tree trunk. His head was bowed as mental pictures of the fierce fight were replayed with terrifying clarity over and over again.
Rubbing his hands over stress-knotted muscles bunching up at the nape of the neck Heero tried to exorcise the troubling thoughts that would not let him have the simplest peace. So absorbed in this exercise in futility he did not notice Duo's approach.
"Do you want to be alone?" Duo inquired as his shadow falling across Yuy's face redirected his friend's attention.
Deathscythe's Master kept a measured distance not assuming that Heero wanted or needed his company.
Again Heero ran his hands over his face pushing sweat-damp hair from his eyes, "No join me." he invited patting the ground beside him.
Duo settled down using the same tree trunk for support. Tilting back his head Maxwell allowed his mind to wander, momentarily mesmerized by the shuddering leaves rustling fitfully overhead. Between the quivering branches Duo caught a fleeting glimpse of the moon rising for its nightly flight.
"It was rough today." he stated with a heavy exhalation knowing Heero understood exactly what he meant.
Heero nodded but offer no verbal response.
"I hope we don't see that kind of action again anytime soon." Duo wished continuing the one-sided conversation.
Heero's shoulders sagged further. Burying his face in his hands his lean body shook slightly as he fought fatigue and tears welling behind his tightly closed eyelids.
Noticing the sudden posture change Duo leaned nearer, "Hey are you all right?" he asked in a concerned tone, "You're not sick are you?"
"I'll be fine." Heero lied opening his eyes before the salty moisture spill over and ran down his cheeks betraying his false claim.
Duo leaned forward to better see his partner's misty blue eyes through stray strands of chocolate tined hair.
"Did you know pilots that OZ had recently pressed into service manned a large number of those Mobile Suits?" Heero whispered, "That most of them received little training before being sent into the fray?"
Duo shook his head, "I hadn't really thought about it." He honestly admitted.
"Well I have!" Heero snapped back catching Duo completely off guard with the harsh reply.
"Unfortunately OZ does not care about the innocence of people only their cause." Duo reasoned trying not to sound too cold in his observation.
"We didn't have any more choice than they did." Duo declared reminding Heero that they had become soldiers by the callous calculations of five scientists who had their own selfish agenda.
"We didn't make the rules, we just followed them. We did what had to be done so that the generals and damned bureaucrats would not have to get blood on their hands." Duo paused realizing that his sentences were beginning to run together. "We had no choice." he repeated lowly with a heartsick sigh.
"I don't know how much more I can take of this madness." Heero proclaimed as another shivering wave coursed over.
Now Duo was truly frightened for his friend. Heero had always been so strong in both body and mind. But for some time Duo had sensed that the carefully crafted facade Heero presented to the world had begun to crack.
This hint of vulnerability had stirred something deep within Duo's heart. The same protectiveness he had developed for the orphaned "street rats" of his childhood, the same sincere caring he had held for Father Maxwell and Sister Helen had been wakened once more in a most unexpected way.
Without a second thought, without considering the consequences or future implications of his actions, Duo cupped his hand under Heero's chin gently guiding his face upwards. With unusual softness is his own eyes Duo locked his sight with Heero's tear-glazed sight.
"It will be all right. I promise I will make it all right." he swore on his soul.
"I promise." Duo repeated then reaffirmed his pledge as he lightly brushed his lips over Heero's mouth.
Duo fully expected Heero to shrink back from the flirtatious gesture. He even gave strong consideration to moving away before Yuy's fist flew free in response to the presumptuous show of affection.
But to Duo's surprise Heero did not move. Whether Heero was held in place by shock, puzzlement or a deliberate desire not to withdraw he did not offered any resistance or threat of retaliation from the subtle caress. Instead his widened eyes were locked with Duo's loving gaze.
Duo's free hand wrapped about Heero's neck to steady his head. This time the full kiss was deeper, filled with more passion. Heero's arms slid around Duo's waist pulling them closer as his mouth parted to invited Duo's tongue to slip inside.
Breaths coming in excited pants and tongues entwining in eager exploration the friends, partners and, perhaps one day soon, lovers shared a magical moment. For one meager measure of time the war and all its suffering was forgotten. For that brief moment the hurt disappeared as they took one small comfort in their closeness.
When the kiss ended and their mouths parted with one last teasing taste Duo eased back enough to study Heero's flushed face.
Heero raised his fingers lightly tracing the tear tracks streaking Duo's silky cheeks. For the first time he was aware of how beautiful Duo was. Possessing both a striking outward attractiveness and an undeniable inner strength Duo Maxwell was far from his image of the vengeful Shinigami.
"It WILL be all right." Heero declared sure for the first time in his life he would not have to face whatever fate decreed alone.
He now had a soul mate. In Duo he could share his innermost thoughts and feelings without fear of ridicule or rejection. For the first time he was truly free.
Duo nodded in agreement as he, too, was experiencing his own self-awareness. "Together we can face anything." he announced with certainty of he and Heero's future as friends and lovers.
"It's getting late and we both need to sleep." Duo stated pushing to his feet. He offered Heero his hand helping him to stand. Intertwining his fingers with Heero's they once more shared a feathery kiss.
"Tomorrow will be better; I believe that with all my heart." Duo smiled Will you stay with me tonight?" he asked encouraging his partner with another kiss.
"Tonight and every other night afterwards." Heero announced his intensions to always have his koibito at his side.
OWARI
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