Fire in the Hole Part 18
"We won't be gone long," soothed Quatre. "I've brought up your music and books and your notebook."
"Thanks," Duo mumbled sleepily. He felt like over-cooked pasta, limp and wilted. How could he still be tired? He had to fight just to stay conscious, and he did not like being so vulnerable.
"Heero and Wufei will see to your needs, but they've both been warned not to bother you. They will bring your food and take away the tray. If you don't want to talk to them, you don't have to." He saw that Duo was almost asleep and bent to kiss his cheek. "You get lots of rest, Duo. See you soon."
~*~
Heero arranged the cut sandwich on the plate with a small dish of applesauce. Everything was purposely bland, in deference to Duo's recovery.
Outside on the porch, Wufei took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He snatched open the door and walked into the valley of death.
"I will make tea for Duo," he said briskly, ignoring the vicious glare from the other pilot.
"Suit your own fuckin' self," Heero muttered.
Together they carried trays up the stairs. Neither said a word.
Duo was curled in a chair by the window, headphones on and listening to music. He looked up and his eyes widened in faint alarm to find the pair descending on him.
"I made lunch," said Heero evenly.
"I made jasmine tea," Wufei murmured.
They looked at each other, just managing not to glare. "When you're finished," began Heero. "We'll come take it away," finished Wufei.
They left the room together.
Duo stared open-mouthed at the closed door. "Daaamn... Quatre, what did you DO to them?" he wondered aloud. Too weird!
The sandwich tasted great and the tea was perfect. In spite of wanting to inhale the food, he took his time and ate very slowly, savoring the flavors. He thought about calling down to request nutmeg and cinnamon for the applesauce, but decided he really didn't want to push his luck. He was getting drowsy again anyway.
He managed to brush his teeth and wash his face before crawling back into bed.
When Heero and Wufei came to collect the trays, he was fast asleep.
They glared silently at each other as they tidied the room. When Heero took a moment to draw the comforter carefully over Duo's shoulders, Wufei watched narrowly, but said nothing.
~*~
Heero slipped silently into the room. Duo was asleep, face down and thrumming gently, one hand dangling limply over the edge of the bed. His auburn hair had tangled itself into an impossible mess. The sudden, almost overwhelming desire to grab the brush and make it perfect again took Heero's breath away.
But he didn't dare touch him. Quatre and Trowa had made very clear what the rules were. However much Heero might hate it, he was bound by his assurance to Trowa that he would not do anything to bother or upset Duo. They never said he couldn't stand here in a shadow and watch the boy he loved, though.
::I love him.::
::Say it again.::
::Hn. I love him!::
::Isn't that a beautiful thing?::
::He's beautiful.::
::But of course! And you want to touch him sooo much.::
::Yes...::
::Why don't you? He's asleep, just a quick kiss. What's the harm?::
::No.::
::Why not?::
::I promised not to bother him. I hurt him, I frightened him, I tortured him with my stupid, cowardly, selfish behavior. I'm NOT going to hurt him again.::
::What if he chooses Wufei?::
::!!!!::
::He could...::
::No! That bastard raped him! He would NEVER choose that!::
::What about some of the things YOU did to him?::
::I never -::
::Never? Just because he agreed to whatever you asked? You're sure he WANTED to... He wasn't just... trying to please you..?::
::No...::
::Maybe he did... maybe he didn't... Maybe you're no better than Wufei... Maybe you're even worse...::
::Oh god...::
He put his back against the wall next to the door and slid down, wrapping his arms around his knees, just staring at the sweetest, most talented, most beautiful boy in the universe.
::He is my mission... If it takes a day, a year or a lifetime, he will know that I love him more than anything in this world. If he... if he chooses Wufei, then I will be a best friend... to both of them... My angel, my Shinigami... I'm so sorry...::
He swallowed and laid his head on his knees, not noticing the tears that trickled slowly from his eyes.
TBC...
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