Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Born Again ❯ Between darkness and light. ( Chapter 4 )

BORN AGAIN

CHAPTER THREE-

BETWEEN DARKNESS AND LIGHT

* * *

A loud SNAP! echoed throughout the silent bathroom and a bunch of thick strings of dark brown hairs fell to the floor. A second snap! followed and a few more locks of hair fell to the floor.

Duo held the scissors firmly in his hand, his movements fast and almost angry as he worked. Heero was sitting on a small stool before him, trying to look up at Duo as the braided boy cut his hair.

"Stay down." Duo ordered coldly and pushed Heero's head down.

The boy sighed and kept his head bowed, his fingers playing with his little bear, which lay on his lap.

SNAP!

Duo continued cutting, his violet eyes bitter and angry as he worked. He cut along carelessly, throwing the long strings of hair down to the floor.

He had returned home less than half an hour ago, and for some reason he decided that the first thing he should do, was give Heero a decent haircut. He figured that if nothing else, the boy should at least LOOK like his old self.

"Itai!" The boy cried out as Duo tugged forcefully at his hair before chopping it off as well. He jumped up in his chair a little, whimpering in pain.

At the sound of Heero's voice, Duo stopped and looked down at his work. Heero was now rubbing the back of his head, wincing in pain.

Duo sighed and brought the scissors down, the anger slowly rushing out of him.

"Here, let me see that." He whispered, kneeling down behind the boy. He reached up two careful hands and cleared some messy hairs aside, already feeling the warm liquid cover his fingers. He had apparently grazed Heero's scalp while cutting his hair.

Tears of regret filled Duo's eyes and he took a deep breath, slowly turning Heero around so he could face him.

"I'm sorry." He whispered honestly, looking up at Heero's tearful and pained eyes. "I'm sorry, Heero."

The boy sniffled and mumbled something as he wiped his nose with his sleeve.

Duo sighed sadly and bowed his head. "I'm sorry..." He repeated with a pained voice. He reached up a hand to caress the back of Heero's head. "I'll make it better, kay?" He promised, looking up at Heero again. He pushed himself up and placed a gentle kiss on Heero's forehead. He retreated, looking down into Heero's eyes. "I promise I won't hurt you again."

The boy looked down at him lengthily, his tearful blue eyes glistering under the bathroom's light. He looked down at Duo's honest and regretful expression, his gaze following a single silver tear as it rolled down Duo's cheek. He turned his gaze up to look into the violet eyes again, and a small smile touched his lips.

Duo smiled back, seeing that he was forgiven, though his eyes still held deep sadness. He got up and returned to finish his job, cutting Heero's hair carefully, giving it some shape instead of chopping it off in a blinding rage.

He shouldn't let his aggression out on Heero. It was not the boy's fault. He didn't choose to be like this. He didn't choose to be kidnapped by the man who had raised him to follow his orders. It wasn't Heero's fault. And if it was, it didn't matter anyway, because Heero was gone. He couldn't blame it on the 'infant' who sat before him. He had no one to blame but the dead piece of meat lying in the city morgue.

But it still frustrated him to no end. He couldn't mourn for his dead friend, because here he was, sitting right before of his eyes. But then again, it was NOT the person he had been looking for, so he couldn't be happy to have found Heero. There was NO more Heero, but then again, it WAS Heero! The situation was very confusing and frustrating for Duo.

But even more than that, it was disturbing.

Sally had very timidly offered that Duo would consider letting go of Heero. That he should transfer him to some God damn institute and let a bunch of strangers take care of him. She said that it was for the best, because he couldn't possibly take care of Heero the way he is now. In a way, she was right. Dreaming about a lover while taking care of a child, was not such a healthy plan. Not for him and not for Heero. But he'll be damned if he'll leave Heero in the hands of strangers. He had gone through hell to find his love and he will not abandon him now, in his time of need.

No. He will not abandon Heero like this. He had refused Sally's offer (like she probably knew that he would) and took Heero home with him, saying that he will 'raise' Heero on his own. But when he got back home, the gravity of his decision finally dawned on him.

He could not have Heero as a lover. He could not love him the way he had loved him for the past four years. He could only watch, and pray and wish and lust, but never ever touch. Heero was in no condition to be with him like that. And no matter how much Duo loved him, he knew deep inside that he could never love Heero the way he is now. Not in a romantic way at least. He only hoped that he would be able to grow to love Heero again... because he was too damn stubborn to let go of him now. And by what Sally said, he had to let go of him now, or never, before Heero will grow too attached. Duo knew he was being selfish, but he refused to let go.

Heero stays. Forever. No matter what. He will work hard, he will try hard, but he will not let Heero go again. That was a promise, and Duo Maxwell had NEVER broken a promise before.

He just hoped that he wouldn't start now.

* * *

Duo dug a teaspoon inside a cup of blueberry yogurt and lifted it up to Heero's mouth. The two were sitting by the dinning table, their chairs right next to each other. Duo had just finished giving Heero his haircut, giving him back his old looks, and now he thought about giving him something to eat. He had to carry Heero's sleeping form when they got back from the hospital, for the boy was still very weak and got tired easily, so Duo mused that he should get some food into him to help his famished body recover.

But once the boy awakened, he was restless, wanting to explore everything around him. He was restless while getting his haircut and tried to get up and touch everything around him. He was nothing like Duo had expected him to be. Although he had been abused for the last two years, Heero seemed to be quite cheerful, and he adapted quickly to his new surrounding. Even after Duo had accidentally hurt him, Heero got over it quickly and returned to his curious state of mind. He was so easily distracted that it was frightening. It seemed like he didn't even remember that Duo had hurt him. Duo figured that Heero probably didn't understand what he'd been through, and was simply happy to see that his situation had changed for the better. It was probably for the best.

"C'mon, open wide." Duo let out with a sigh, feeling ridicules for having to feed Heero like this. He was sort of expecting the boy to glare at him for this, muttering curses in Japanese and growling that: 'I do NOT need to be fed like a child!'

But then again... Heero was a child now, wasn't he?

Large and innocent cobalt eyes looked down at the teaspoon and blinked in confusion. They turned to look up at Duo, gaping at him with none-comprehension.

Duo sighed again and nudged the spoon closer to Heero. "It's for you." He said, his voice quiet and depressed. "Blueberry Special, your favorite. You used to thrive on this stuff."

The blue eyes just blinked and turned to examine the bluish substance offered to him. He looked up at Duo again, biting his lower lip in hesitation. "Yum yum?" He asked, his small voice uncertain.

Duo felt a painful ting in his heart as it clenched painfully, tears filling his eyes. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. "...yeah, yum yum." He whispered back, sighing sadly. He nudged the spoon closer. "C'mon, eat."

Slowly, hesitantly, Heero brought his head down and took the teaspoon into his mouth. He tested the yogurt with his tongue, and smiled broadly as he discovered the sweetness of the treat. He swallowed it eagerly, and looked up at Duo, blue eyes dancing, waiting for more.

Duo smiled weakly and dipped the teaspoon into the cup again. "Sally says that you should start with light foods, cuz you haven't had anything to eat for a while." He spoke as he served Heero another bite, and the boy took it eagerly into his mouth. Duo sighed, spooning some more yogurt from the cup. "So while you were busy drooling all over my new car seats, I stopped to buy you some." He continued blabbering, unable to take the silence anymore. It was funny, the silence never bothered him much when he was alone, but now that there was someone here with him, the silence seemed too loud to bear.

"I got you that silly Pocky thing too, I hope you'll like it. Oh! And I got us something cool for dinner, though I'm not sure if you're allowed to have it yet... I don't want you to get tummy aches..."

Heero just ate quietly as Duo talked on and on about stuff. He looked up at the boy from time to time, looking like he was listening, but Duo couldn't be sure that he was. He bent down to swoop his meal off the teaspoon, his gaze was always on Duo, looking at him intently as he spoke. The look in Heero's eyes gave off the impression that he was listening with great interest, swallowing every word.

Duo stopped his chatter and locked his gaze with Heero's captive cobalt eyes. The two looked at each other for a long time, Duo holding the spoon in mid-air. None of them made a move as they looked deeply into each other's eyes, only the sound of their breathing filling the air.

Duo's eyes turned to focus on Heero's mouth, watching the pale pink lips as they slowly parted, looking as if they were about to speak. He quickly darted his gaze up to Heero's eyes, waiting breathlessly for the boy to speak.

"Ahh..." A small sound escaped Heero's lips and Duo's heart missed a beat. He held his breath, waiting for Heero to speak.

"Anou..." The boy mumbled, looking a little uncertain. His hands were fidgeting and he shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

"Yes?" Duo whispered, encouraging him to go on. "What is it?"

"Uh..." Heero stammered uncertainly, and then suddenly jerked his head up and handed his bear to Duo. "Yum yum!"

Duo sagged back into his seat, sighing heavily. "Yum yum..." He muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"'engai?" Heero tried again, nudging the bear closer to Duo. "Yum yum? Oneg... uh... pwease?"

Duo didn't know if to laugh or to cry. All Heero wanted is for him to feed the stupid bear! God damn it! And here he was hoping for Heero to say something deep and meaningful. Or maybe something along the lines of 'Baka! I fooled you, didn't I? Only a baka like you would believe that I am nothing but a stupid baby! Ha! Bakayaru! Honto ni bakayaru!'

"Anou... ne? Pwease?" Heero mumbled sadly, sniffling while tears filled his eyes. "Ne?"

"It's a bear, Heero. It doesn't eat." Duo snarled, looking up at Heero with angry eyes. "It's just a damn stuffed bear!"

At the sound of Duo's angry voice, Heero flinched and ducked his head between his shoulders. He pushed himself deeper into his seat, raising his knees up on the chair and tucking them under his chin. Tears streamed out of his hurt blue eyes as he looked up at Duo with plea, the bear held in his trembling hands.

"I'm... I'm sorry..." Duo mumbled, berating himself, and not for the first time, for bursting out on Heero like that. He should learn to restrain himself more around the boy. He shouldn't let his aggressions and his frustration out on Heero. It wasn't fair to him.

But it was so hard... he couldn't bear to see Heero like this. Maybe he should have taken Sally's offer after all...

Sighing deeply, Duo looked up at his friend, a sorrowful look in his eyes. He looked down at the bear and then down at the cup of yogurt. He sighed again and picked up the spoon. He slowly brought it to the bear's mouth, making a face and feeling silly for feeding a toy.

Heero's crying quickly ceased and he looked up at Duo, a new light shining in his ocean blue eyes.

"I think he's full." Duo let out quietly, looking up at Heero with a faint smile. "He wants you to have the rest."

Heero tilted his head aside, as if confused by Duo's words; like he actually understood them or something, which Duo knew that it wasn't possible. But nevertheless, Heero brought his feet back down to the floor and looked up intently at Duo.

"How about you try to do this by yourself, huh?" Duo offered, reaching down to take Heero's hand in his. He ignored Heero's startled expression and lifted his frail hand up, gently placing the teaspoon in his hand, curling Heero's fingers around it.

Heero looked down at the teaspoon he was now holding, completely stunned.

"You gotta hold it tight now, okay?" Duo said, slowly letting go of Heero's hand. He saw the teaspoon begin to slip out of Heero's weak hold, and was about to take it from him, but then Heero's fingers tightened around the spoon and the boy brought it up to his face, studying it carefully.

Duo smiled slightly, relieve. He nudged the cup of yogurt towards Heero, smiling kindly at him. "C'mon, try it."

"W-watashi?" Heero questioned, clearly stunned by Duo's offer. His big blue eyes were looking at Duo in complete surprise.

"Yeah, you." Duo answered, gesturing at Heero. "C'mon."

Taking a deep breath, Heero blew out a few bangs out of his eyes and carefully dipped the spoon into the cup. He played with the yogurt a little, stirring it, enjoying the feel of the thick liquid against the spoon. After some time he carefully scooped some of the yogurt in his spoon, and then lifted it up.

He then flipped the spoon over and threw the yogurt to the floor.

Duo sighed. "No, no. Not like this." He rebuked, taking hold of Heero's hand. He sighed heavily, guiding Heero's hand up to the boy's mouth. "Like this." He said, carefully nudging Heero's hand to his mouth.

The boy made a face but swallowed the food. Duo let go of his hand and leaned back in his seat. "Now you try."

Again the boy made a face and then dug the teaspoon into the small cup of yogurt. He carefully looked up at Duo and then slowly brought his hand up. Only this time, he handed the food to Duo.

The braided boy chuckled bitterly. "No, no, Heero. It's for you, not for me." Once again he had to guide Heero's hand to his mouth, his eyes filling with tears. "You eat by yourself. This is not a game. See?" He guided Heero's hand back to the cup and then up to his mouth again.

The Japanese boy blushed sheepishly and took the spoon into his mouth. Duo sighed heavily and guided Heero's hand a few more times, until Heero got the hang of it. He leaned back into his seat, two arms crossed over his chest as he watched Heero's trembling hand lift the spoon up hesitantly to his mouth. He gently pick up his own food and slowly, hesitantly, ate by himself.

Duo's gaze softened as he saw how hard Heero was trying not to spill any of the yogurt. His heart clenched painfully at the look of utter focus and concentration in Heero's deep blue eyes, as the blue orbs carefully followed the movement of the teaspoon, the boy biting his lower lips as he tried to bring the spoon up steadily. Duo continued watching him with warm and compassionate violet eyes, sitting back in his chair, two arms over his chest. He was filled with a sudden sense of pride for his friend, watching him as he ate all by himself. He berated himself for feeling so good about watching Heero eat by himself, but he couldn't help it. The feeling was there if he wanted it or not. It mixed with the sadness that lay so heavily on his heart, making Duo shift uncomfortably in his seat.

He had no idea what he was feeling. One moment he was so angry and frustrated with Heero, and the next he felt all warm and happy inside as he watched his friend re-discover the world. He felt anger and contempt but yet pride and joy at the same time. He hated seeing this 'new Heero' while at the same time he loved him dearly. It was so confusing... and it came all at once. Duo felt torn, pulled back and forth between darkness and light. Hate and love. Hurt and joy.

He looked up at Heero, seeing the boy was about to finish his meal. He sighed sadly and closed his eyes. He had no idea what he was feeling, but he wasn't sure that he could handle having a baby-like Heero around him. Sally was right; this was not such a good idea. Not for him and not for Heero. What good will it do if he'll just keep snapping at the boy? This was not the Heero he loved and cherished, so why even bother?

Maybe he should take Sally's offer...

* * *

The sound of a chair being dragged against the floor made Duo look up and his eyes widened as he saw Heero prepare to get up. He quickly jumped off his chair and made his way towards the boy, before he will fall and break a bone.

But, surprise, surprise, Heero managed to stand up all on his own, using one hand to support himself against the chair and the other to hold his bear.

Duo smiled, happy to see Heero standing on his own two feet. His smile soon faded as he realized what he was so happy about. Since when did he smile when Heero stood up by his own? What kind of reason was it to smile about anyway? He never cheered when Heero stood on his own; he did it all the time! But then again... Heero wasn't the same anymore...

Heero took a small and shaky step forward, holding his arms up for balance. Another shaky step and another, and soon Heero was walking out of the kitchen, with no need of any help or support.

Duo looked up at him, unable to move or produce a coherent thought. He was too shocked to respond, and barely noticed when his feet carried him out of the kitchen as well.

He entered the living room, looking around for Heero. Again he was caught by surprise as he saw the boy walk around the large living room, trailing along the walls, touching and probing and moving and pressing everything he saw during his little exploration. He pressed all the buttons on the stereo and jumped in surprised as it came to life, lights blinking and music rocking. He quickly got over the excitement around the stereo system as he found the television. He sat down on the floor and used the bear's hand to flip through all one hundred and ninety nine channels. When he got bored with that he returned to walking around, moving and touching various artifacts, showing it to his bear and mumbling a few words to it, Duo's stunned eyes following him all along.

Suddenly, he stopped, standing in front of a large shelf in the back of the room. He frowned, tilting his head aside in a curious manner. His blue eyes shone as he studied a single framed photo, which stood on the shelf. He brought his bear up, showing him the picture, speaking to it something that sounded much like a question.

Seeing that Heero's attention was finally occupied in one place, Duo walked over to his friend. He came to stand behind him, just as Heero reached for the photo, curious blue eyes looking at it with awe.

Duo smiled gently as he looked down on the photo. He didn't have many pictures of he and the other pilots, and this was his favorite out of the few he had. It was taken at the New Year's Eve of AC 197, one week after the end of the Marimeia Crisis. There was this big fancy shamncy ball at Relena's estate, and all pilots were invited. Duo had taken the picture himself, and he barely had time to run back to the guys standing in front of the camera, so he settled for being in the front of the picture, sending a happy V sign to the lens, while the rest stood behind him.

He chuckled as he studied Heero's face in the picture. While all the others were smiling to the camera (well, except Wufei who was too busy sulking about Sally being late), Heero was pouting very unhappily as Relena, clad in a fancy red dress, wrapped her arms around him. It always made him smile when he looked at Heero's face in that picture. It was just too damn funny (not to mention cute), and one of the only none-statue expressions he had managed to catch on Heero's face while holding a camera.

It was such an easy-going picture, just a bunch of guys (and Relena) hanging out together at New Year's Eve. He had always cherished this photo, this single moment in time. They all said their goodbyes later that evening, parting as each of them prepared to carry on with his new life. That party was the last time he had seen Heero. He had disappeared soon after that. It was the last and most recent thing he had left of the 'old Heero'. And now that he knew that he had lost that person forever, it was the most important thing he had left.

"Nani? Dare?" Heero's small voice finally spoke, and Duo turned his head up to look at him. He saw the boy was still looking down at the photo in awe, while slowly running the pad of his finger over the picture. His eyes widened briefly as he reached Duo's cheeky face, smiling broadly at the camera. He gasped and snapped his head up, looking at Duo with stunned eyes.

"Uh!" He let out urgently, shoving the picture into Duo's chest, pointing eagerly at the boy's face in the photo. "Uhm! Uhm!"

Duo smiled sadly, slowly taking the picture out of Heero's grasp. He looked down at it one last time before turning back to face Heero's deep blue eyes. He smiled kindly and took a deep breath before speaking.

"Yeah, that's me." He whispered, showing him the picture and gesturing at himself. "Do you remember me? Duo?"

Heero didn't respond and grabbed the photo again, snatching it from Duo's grasp. He brought it up to his face, examining it carefully, lips pouting as he did. As he shifted the shiny metal frame a little, the light reflected off of it and blinded him for a second. Curious, he shifted his eyes to look at the shiny frame, and the blue orbs widened as they caught a glimpse of his own reflection. He darted his gaze back to the photo and gasped loudly.

"Dare? Dare 'im? Dare?" He asked with a distressed voice, showing Duo the picture once again. "Dare 'im?"

Duo looked down at Heero's finger as he pointed eagerly at the photo. His eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in pain. Heero was pointing at himself.

Slowly, he took a deep breath and looked up at his friend, eyes pained. "That's you, Heero." He answered softly, gently taking the picture out of the boy's grasp. "That's you before... before..." He sniffled, looking down at the photo in his hands, studying Heero's sulking features. A single tear escaped his eye and fell onto the photo. "That's you, Heero..."

The Japanese boy just stood there, looking down thoughtfully. His eyes were fixed on the picture all along, an unknown shimmer in his eyes. Slowly, he reached down a hesitant finger, and poked Photo-Duo's face, looking up uncertainly at the boy standing in front of him.

"Due?" He asked, voice faltering. "Yo Due?"

Letting out a bitter chuckle, Duo nodded his head and looked up again. "Yeah, that's me. Duo."

"Due?" The boy let out again, frowning.

Again Duo chuckled at Heero's accent and shook his head lightly, using his sleeve to wipe away the tears. "Not Due, Duo. Can you say that? Duo?"

Heero made a face, looking thoughtful. He bit his lower lip, looking down at the picture again. Frowning slightly, he turned his gaze up again ,his face unsure. "Duo?"

A wide smile touched Duo's lips and he nodded his head happily. "Yes! That's right, Heero, you got it. I'm Duo." He reached up to place his hand on Heero's shoulder. "And you're Heero."

The boy frowned, looking down at the hand that rested against him. He looked back at Duo, face uncertain. "Heewo?"

Duo sighed. "Heero."

"Heero?"

Duo smiled. "Yes, that's your name. Heero. Heero Yuy."

"Ooy?" The boy let out, confused.

"No- Yuy. But I think we'll start with just Heero for now."

"Heero..." The boy repeated slowly, looking down thoughtfully. "Heeeeeee...ro. . ." His face suddenly lit up with a bright smile and he looked up at Duo, blue eyes dancing. "Heero!" He announced his name happily, and then suddenly, without warning, hugged Duo tightly.

"Wow!" Duo choked out, taken by surprise. He felt Heero tighten his hug around him and slowly came back to his senses. He brought his arms up around Heero as well, drawing the boy closer to him. "You're really happy to have a name, aren't you?" He asked the boy, looking down at his smiling face.

Heero did not respond and just nuzzled his face in Duo's broad shoulders. He was still holding his little bear, the small toy stuck between their bodies. After a few moments the boy detached himself from Duo's hold and the braided boy watched in puzzlement as Heero ran to the other side of the room and began pointing eagerly at the television.

Duo frowned, but when he caught a glimpse of Heero's curious and expectant blue eyes, he smiled and took a step towards him. "That's a television set, but you can just call it TV."

Heero frowned, looking down uncertainly, and then back at Duo. He pointed at the television again.

Duo sighed, but didn't lose his smile. "TV." He let out, keeping himself from elaborating the answer.

Heero nodded, as if storing the information, and ran over to the stereo system. He pointed at it as well, looking at Duo with his shining cobalt eyes.

Duo smiled. "Uh... radio." He let out after choosing the best and shortest description possible.

Again Heero nodded and ran over to the other side of the room, pointing at another thing.

Duo spun on his heel, to see what he was pointing at. "Chair."

Another nod and Heero ran off to the other side of the room, his bear flapping up and down in his hand as the boy ran.

Once again Duo spud on his heels, looking for Heero's pointing finger. He smiled. "Table. Coffee table."

Heero's hand spun up in the air until it stopped, pointing at something else.

Duo spun around again, beginning to feel a little dizzy. "Window."

A spin, and point and then: "Couch."

Running, spinning, looking, and a quick whirl and then: "Vase."

A run, a smile, a whirl and once more: "Glass."

"Armchair." "Remote."

"Newspaper." "Phone." "Plate."

"Headphones." "Pen." "Snack."

"Picture." "Ring." "Speaker."

"Chocolate." "Curtain." "Flower."

"Disc." "Bell." "Magazine."

"Car keys." "Wall." "Door."

"Carpet." "Book." "Pillow."

"Bottle." "Ceiling."

"Tape." "Fork." "Lamp."

"Armchair!" "Picture!!" "Chair!!!" "Glass!!!!" "Waaaallll!!!!!"

Duo fell down to the floor, the room spinning wildly around him. He panted, closing his eyes and trying to get back his bearings.

In front him, Heero stopped his running. He was panting as well, holding his bear close to his chest, looking down at Duo with his big blue eyes.

Still trying to catch his breath, Duo opened his eyes and looked up at his friend. He noticed the apology in Heero's dark blue eyes, and smiled up at the boy, assuring him that everything was fine.

A small smile of relief touched Heero's lips and the boy seemed to relax a little.

Duo watched him as he looked around him hesitantly, and he frowned as he saw Heero slowly raise his hand up. He pointed in the direction of the television. "TV." He whispered, his voice a little uncertain.

Duo's eyes widened, and he slowly straightened himself up, still sitting on the floor.

Heero's aim moved to the stereo system. "Ra-di-o." He stammered, looking down at Duo in question.

Still a little shocked, Duo managed to somehow nod his head and smile in encouragement.

Heero smiled as well, and aimed his hand at the other side of the room. "Cha-i-r." He changed his aim again. "Ta-b-le."

Duo's violet eyes lit up with a new light as he watched Heero as the boy slowly spun on his heel, pointing at each thing he had pointed before, repeating their names in the order taught.

Duo was... speechless. First of all, even he didn't remember the exact order of things Heero had so quickly pointed at, and second of all, he had NO idea the boy could learn so fast.

A small smile touched Duo's lips and he slowly rose up to his feet. By now, Heero had finished repeating the objects he was taught, and was looking at Duo in question, as if waiting for his approval. He was hugging the bear tightly, looking very unsure of himself.

Duo offered him another small smile and then pointed at the television.

Heero smiled. "TV."

Duo nodded and turned to point at something else.

"......window."

Duo's smile broadened as he saw that Heero could repeat the object's name even if it was in a different order, meaning he wasn't counting on his memory while repeating the name. He shifted his aim and pointed up again.

"Lamp."

Duo took a deep breath and shifted his aim again.

Heero chuckled and blushed shyly. "Heero..."

Duo smiled faintly and then shifted his aim again. He held Heero's gaze with his, violet eyes anxious and serious. He pointed.

The Japanese boy was silent for some time, just looking at Duo's eyes with his intense gaze. At last, he brought the bear closer to him and took a few steps forward. He stood right in front of Duo, looking up into his eyes.

".....Duo."

The braided boy released the breath he was holding and let his arm slump down. He smiled down at Heero, feeling the heavy feeling in his heart lighten by just a slight bit. He was about to say something to Heero, but then the boy took both his hands in his, still holding the bear, but he managed to lift Duo's arms. He gently placed them on his own slim shoulders.

He looked up into Duo's eyes, his own cobalt eyes shining. "Heero." He whispered, voice gentle, and then he placed both their hands up on Duo's shoulders. He smiled shyly at the braided boy, squeezing his hands lightly. "Duo..."

A joyous smile touched Duo's lips and he turned his palms so he was holding Heero's hands tightly. He looked down at the boy's radiant face, his violet eyes shining warmly. He was unable to look away from the boy's joyful features, unable to shift his gaze away from the beautiful angel who was looking up at him with the most expressive and shining cobalt eyes. Heero's lips were slightly parted, for he was still panting slightly, the pale pink lips curled up in the sweetest of smiles.

Duo couldn't help but wonder how soft they will feel under his own lips. He nearly leaned down to kiss the tempting pink, but he quickly dismissed that thought. It was no longer appropriate. He just settled on gently caressing Heero's tender cheek, smiling down at the beautiful boy.

Heero smiled back and leaned into Duo's caress, nuzzling his face in Duo's gentle palm while closing his eyes in content.

Duo's breath was taken away by the endearing gesture, and he had to force himself to breathe again. His heart was racing and his face was all red, but he had to keep himself in control. This was not the Heero he had fallen in love with. But then again... he wasn't so bad either. He shouldn't lose hope so soon. Heero can learn. He had just proven that. He might not remember all about himself and his past, but he still held some of the 'old' Heero's skills. He was a fast learner as he had ever been. And if he held those skills, then he must have more of Heero's qualities as well. All he needs was to discover them again, and with that Duo will gladly help. He will do anything to help Heero be his old self again.

Heero's memories might be gone, but his soul wasn't. One look into those incredibly blue eyes was enough to convince Duo of that. One look into those endless blue oceans and he could see that little boy he had always wanted to meet. That little boy who hid inside of Heero, behind the soldier mask.

No. Heero wasn't gone. Not completely. He was merely reborn. He was given a second chance. And it was at that moment that Duo decided to let him have that chance. He decided not to give up on Heero. Damn Sally and her offer; forget all about those damn doctors who said that he should let go of his love. He was the one who knew Heero better than anyone else. Better than the boy knew himself, even. He was the one who was destined to be with him, to find him and to help him.

His love for Heero shouldn't vanish just because of this minor setback. The flame should not be extinguished just because it was burning small. It didn't burn out yet, and he'll never let it burn out either. It will forever light the darkness in his life. Forever.

Heero was here to stay. He was his to love. He was here, because he wanted him to be here. There was still a chance. There was still hope. He will get Heero back. That was a promise, and Duo Maxwell had never EVER broken a promise.

He wasn't about to start now.

Part 4.

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