Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Mistaken Words ❯ One Step Closer to Independence ( Chapter 49 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Mistaken Words

AN: Here's the next chapter I'd like to again thank my editors! You guys are doing a great job! Thanks so much for putting up with me!

Disclaimer: Nope I still don't own Gundam Wing!

One Step Closer to Independence

Heero sat up on his bed late in the night. He had been asleep for a few hours but had awakened suddenly feeling restless. He shifted to the edge of his bed with some effort hanging his feet over the edge. It had been a week since he had spoken to Ash, and in that time Heero had made some progress with his recovery, but he still wasn't able to walk on his own yet, he hadn't even been given the chance to try. Heero's eyes looked to the end of his bed in the darkened room, seeing the metal bars that had been brought in a day or so earlier in preparations for tomorrow. Leon was going to be coming in, mostly to watch but also to instruct Trowa in what was needed.

She had been on the outside through most of this, coming in just about once a week to check his progress and make sure nothing was being neglected. Heero hated those days, but he dealt with them and as time went on. He knew they'd come less often, and finally not at all once he was on his feet again. The soldier in him wanted to deal with this entirely on his own, he didn't want to be relying on others, revealing his weaknesses. Still at the same time he could see John's point, and despite his instincts Heero wanted to be back at one hundred percent. He didn't want to have to learn how to deal with a limb that was no longer working as well as another.

Sighing Heero rubbed at his right eye feeling that nagging ache rise up out of the blue, and he was glad for a moment that it was so dark in the room. His eyes tended to become really light sensitive when this pain came on, the ache had been common for him ever since he had first woke in this room a few months back. It and his still healing ribs were about the only pain he was left dealing with after all he had been through. The muscles in his body ached from the exercise he put them through earlier that day, but that was a pain he had always been able to enjoy.

Heero's eyes studied the floor below his feet, he wanted to be standing on his own, able to walk, to leave this room of his own free will, to be completely independent after so long. And he wasn't particularly fond of waiting either.

WMWMWMW

Trowa stepped off the elevator at close to two in the morning, the circus had done two performances that night, to accommodate the large number of crowds visiting the city during the high tourist season. Cathrine had asked him to linger a little after the shows, wanting to treat him to a late meal, in payment for the completion of a few odd jobs she had around her trailer. And because, as she said `You're my little brother, I have to make sure you eat right.' Trowa gave his head a slow shake looking down at the leftovers she had pressed upon him to take back.

Striding down the hall towards his room, Trowa suddenly stopped when he came to the room next to Heero's, and without really thinking he walked in there. He didn't often look in on his friend when he got back late. Heero was doing well enough now that he didn't need to be monitored twenty-four/seven. But Trowa felt drawn tonight and he always followed his instincts, the door slid opened before him revealing a room that was not completely dark. A bright glow from one computer monitor lit up the back of the room with a greyish white light. Trowa walked towards it placing his container on the table as he did.

Emerald eyes focused in on the monitor to find a scene unfolding that Trowa hadn't been expecting at all. Heero sat on the edge of his bed head down his hands were gripping the mattress as though he were considering stepping off the bed. Trowa didn't doubt for a second that that was exactly what Heero was thinking of doing, he was actually a little surprised it had taken Heero this long to try. Trowa turned back towards the door immediately knowing already there was an incredibly good chance this wasn't going to go as well as Heero wanted.

WMWMWMW

Heero's hands ached with the grip he had on the edge of his bed, he wanted to just step off and believe his legs would hold him without effort. But he knew enough to know that probably wouldn't be the case, there would be effort, and he could well fall. But he wasn't about to let himself dwell on that, he was going to do this, was going to stand on his own two feet. Drawing in a calming breath Heero slowly moved off the bed trying to keep most of his weight on his arms and against the bed. His arms weren't really better off than his legs, but perhaps with both he could remain standing.

His bare feet touched on the cold tile floor causing a shiver to run up his spine. The muscles in his legs bunched as his weight settled upon them for the first time outside of the pool. He remained like that for a moment, slowly moving more of his weight to his legs and off of the bed. The muscles burned but held him up. Heero felt his lips twitch up into a tiny smile as he released the bed entirely, he knew the next telling step was to actually try and take a step on his own away from the bed. His focus was completely on the floor and not ending up on it as he moved a shaky leg.

Heero's knee gave way almost immediately, and he twisted violently trying to regain a hold on the bed to keep himself from falling, but it was no use. Bracing himself for what would be a painful impact Heero jerked in surprise when it didn't come. Instead Heero felt strong arms grab hold of him, and he stiffened having not heard the knock or the door opening. His head shot up to look squarely in Trowa's disapproving face.

“What are you trying to do?” Trowa ask in an almost demanding tone.

The former pilots eyes narrowed angrily, “What does it look like!”

“It looks like you're trying to injure yourself again,” was Trowa's dry response.

“Go to hell,” Heero growled.

Trowa opened his mouth as though to spit out a quick retort but instead sighed, “This pride of yours is going to get you killed.”

Remaining stiff, Heero moved to push himself away from Trowa back towards the bed. Perhaps he wasn't ready to walk on his own, but he would be able to if he held himself up with something, he wouldn't need Trowa's help for this. His progressed was stopped however when Trowa's hands tightened their grip. “Let go of me,” he growled eyes staring daggers at the hands holding him in place with so little effort.

“I don't want to see you on the ground,” the clown responded with a great deal of calm in his voice.

Heero's frustration and anger boiled at that, but he refused to struggle in Trowa's grip, he merely remained stiff holding himself as far away from his friend as was possible. His legs trembled because of this but it didn't matter. Trowa didn't seem to care what Heero was doing, he still wasn't going to let go; instead the taller man shifted his position so he was standing more directly in front of Heero, with a hand on both sides of the Japanese man. Slowly Heero raised his head to glare up at Trowa, only to find an indifferent mask concealing what his friend was actually thinking.

“You want to do this, fine,” Trowa told him in his usual emotionless voice, “But I'm not going to just turn around and let you fall, so we'll do this my way.” Heero's expression darkened at that but Trowa shook his head speaking before Heero could get a word out, “We've been doing it my way since the beginning, nothing's changed.”

That was a truth Heero couldn't deny, not that he wanted to just accept that and pretend like he wasn't pissed off, but his stance relaxed a little. His shoulders easing as the tension left him, and he allowed, more of his weight to rest on Trowa's arms which were now resting beneath Heero's his hands firmly gripping Heero's arms. “What brought you in here?” he asked suddenly, thinking a little clearer now, he realised how late it was.

“Intuition,” Trowa told him simply his lips twitching into a slight smirk he himself relaxing some. The former pilot began slowly stepping back, his arms remaining firmly held so that Heero could support himself. It was during moments like these that Heero realised again and again, just how much taller Trowa was, Heero's head wasn't even close to Trowa's shoulder. Height wasn't a requirement for the jobs Heero had performed, it wasn't something he had ever felt he needed. But still they had all been so close during the war, just when had the others grown?

They worked in a few moments of silence, Heero concentrating on the slow, difficult process that was walking. Each step took a great deal of effort for him, he did not want to misstep, he just wanted to be able to walk and move with ease, it had been so long. The silence between them didn't last that long, “You really should be sleeping right now, you won't be able to afford this for too much longer.”

Heero rolled his eyes his head down focusing on the movement of his legs, that and keeping his eyes in shadow thereby lessening the pain behind his eye. “Tell that to my mind…” he mutely sighed, his legs trembling more and more with each step that he took. It wouldn't be much longer before his legs wouldn't move at all. Sweat slid down his face from the effort, and his breathing was becoming short. He had no idea how long he had been working at this, but he wasn't surprised when his right knee finally gave out on him. Despite the fact that most of his weight was on Trowa's arms, the joint was no longer willing to support him.

Trowa caught Heero again, one arm slipping around Heero's side while the other held Heero's arm. The Japanese man hissed in pain as Trowa's forearm compressed against his ribs, but he couldn't seem to get his feet under him so he could stand on his own. “Sorry,” Trowa said softly, as he quickly slipped his free arm behind Heero's knees so he could lift him to gently place on the edge of his bed. Heero watched Trowa as he moved around the far side of the bed to walk into the bathroom, but was more focused on easing his breathing that what his friend was actually doing.

Letting his eyes fall closed Heero waited for the pain to ebb, from both his head and chest. His body felt shaky, and tired, his mind was ready for sleep finally. He wondered briefly how he'd be for tomorrow, no doubt sore. “Here,” Trowa's voice brought Heero back and he blinked looking up at the damp cloth his friend was holding out to him. Accepting the cloth without a word Heero pressed it to his face for a brief moment holding it over his eyes, it felt good. Not wanting to draw attention Heero began wiping at his face and neck, removing some of the sweat that coated his skin.

Passing the cloth back to Trowa, Heero pulled his legs onto the bed and worked at slipping them under the covers. He lowered himself slowly to the mattress, as Trowa walked back into the bathroom to return the face cloth. The last thing Trowa did before leaving for the night was to pour Heero a cup of water and put it within easy reach. He then walked from the room without saying a word. Nothing was needed to be said. Heero let his eyes fall closed, and sleep quickly took him, stealing away the ache that filled his body.

WMWMWMW

Duo lay on his stomach in the center of his living room with his young son Erik, who was busy playing with his toy cars, but couldn't seem to do it happily without daddy there watching him. His little lips sputtered as he voiced the sounds he knew cars made as he drove the toys over the carpet, using the flow and pattern of the rug as his roads. Duo leaned his hand onto one fist a smile on his face as he watched what had been a quiet ride end in a three, four, five car pileup. Duo chuckled a little at that, knowing the only reason there weren't more cars piled up there was because they were out of reach.

“Oh!” Erik called laughing happily as he got to his hands and knees to get more cars, but these weren't added to the pile, instead Duo found them all lined up in a nice neat row in front of him. “You drive too daddy!” Erik giggled as he began lining up his once crashed cars in a similar way. “These ones first,” he said taking one of his own cars and pointing at a similar one in Duo's line.

The former pilot took hold of the car his son had indicated and began pushing it across the floor, mimicking the sounds Erik had been making earlier. It had been a surreal experience the first time he had lay on the floor to play with his son, he had felt awkward and unsure of himself. But Erik had just known what to do, and without thinking eased Duo right into these games. Driving his car up his son's arm over his shoulder and down his side Duo caused a fit of laughter that could be heard throughout the house. Above those happy sounds Duo's ears caught the sound of a baby's cry.

The new voice was that of his daughter Anaya, only a few days old she was beautiful, tiny, and exactly what Duo had been hoping for. The sound of Anaya's cries became louder as Hilde brought their daughter into the living room. Duo was already coming to his feet after ruffling Erik's hair who continued to play with his cars. They had been warned that Erik might experience some jealousy towards his baby sister, but so far Duo hadn't noticed anything. Both he and Hilde showered as much attention on him as they did before, he seemed indifferent, he liked his little sister, but playing was a little higher on his `things to do list'.

“Duo,” Hilde called as she walked into the living room carrying their red faced little girl who was crying her little heart out.

“Come here babe,” Duo said softly as he took Anaya from his wife, laying her on his arm snuggled close to his chest. Hilde passed a soother over to him, which he gently slipped into Anaya's open mouth. That didn't stop her tears immediately but slowly as the moments passed and Duo settled her blanket snugly around her Anaya began to calm, her little eyes closing.

“Already she's got you wrapped around her little finger,” Hilde smiled leaning in to kiss him soundly on the mouth.

Duo grinned, “I'm just a ladies' man.”

“Well what would my ladies' man, and my little man,” she said ruffling Erik's short wavy hair, “Like for lunch?”

“Grilcheese!” Erik piped up immediately jumping to his feet, a toy car still in hand.

“Sounds good to me,” Duo agreed walking towards the kitchen with his now sleeping daughter cradled tightly to his chest. Erik ran ahead laughing all the way, he was such a cheerful child, Duo hoped and prayed it would remain honest, and not just a façade meant to protect him. It was no longer solely that for him, though Duo knew he had a terrible habit of slipping into it from time to time.

Erik was first into the kitchen running ahead to hop into his chair, when Duo turned the corner he saw his son driving his car across his place mat. “Duo could you get Erik some milk?” Hilde asked as she began working near the stove.

Duo came up behind his wife, burring his face in her neck to kiss the soft skin there while his free hand snuck around the front finding its way up her shirt. Hilde laughed in surprise, one hand going to his arm to pull it out, while the other touched his face drawing him up so she could kiss his mouth. Duo pulled back after a moment a smile on his face, “Now I can get the milk.”

Hilde laughed, “Whatever makes you happy.”

“In that case!” Duo said excitedly.

“That would be appropriate in front of the children,” Hilde added smiling at him.

Duo pouted a little at that as he moved to a cabinet to remove a cup for his son, “That's no fun,” he said moving about the kitchen with his daughter still peacefully sleeping in his arms. “Here you go kiddo,” Duo placed the cup of milk in front of Erik who beamed up at his father his and still pushing the car back and forth on the table. Duo took a seat across from his son, leaning back in his chair as he looked down at Anaya.

“Are you going to the agency today?” Hilde asked, her back to her boys as she made lunch.

“Not until later,” Duo replied, “Quatre's shuttle lands in about an hour,” he continued checking his watch to be sure. “But he won't be able to make it to our wing until around dinner time,” Duo was anxious for that to happen, it had been a while since all of them had been together, he was also eager to reveal his plan to the others.

“So you won't be home for dinner tonight?” Hilde flipped the grilled cheese before glancing over her shoulder to her husband.

“There's a lot I need to do, but I'll try to get it done as quickly as possible,” Hilde wasn't a demanding woman, far from it. She understood the requirements of his job, and dealt with the times he had to be away very well. What with the kids and the business she ran out of the home Hilde always had more than enough to keep her busy, they both tried to keep their times apart as infrequent as possible.

Hilde smiled at him as she brought Erik's lunch to the table placing it before her son and receiving a customary kiss for her efforts. “Don't feel you have to rush, how's he been doing these last couple of days?” there was no reason to specify which `he' Hilde was referring too. They made a point not to mention Heero's name within Erik's hearing, their son was too young to understand who it was, but he was old enough to repeat just about anything that he heard his parents say.

“Short tempered,” Duo stated simply but if felt like an understatement, about the only person Heero didn't snap at was Relena. Duo would have expected the closer Heero got in his recovery the better mood he would have been in, but to his surprise it had been quite the opposite. He supposed—if he really thought about it—it did make sense, considering the closer Heero got the more he just wanted to have his independence, to be back where he used to be. “It's really just impatience,” he said after a moments thought, they'd all make it through, they weren't about to loose this friendship now. Duo hoped the gift he had would help Heero a little.

“How are things between him and Relena?” she asked then, returning to the stove to make some for herself and Duo.

“Getting better, she been spending as much time with him as her schedule allows,” which was becoming a little looser every month, Relena had not publicly announced that she's been planning to withdraw from the political circle. At the moment she hadn't wanted to cause any panic, she had spoken at length with all of them, and a consensuses had been reached. Withdraw after the matter of the Inner Circle had been dealt with, so people couldn't look back on it and assume it had only happened because Relena hadn't been there to mediate and protect.

“That's good to hear,” Hilde commented placing two more plates on the table, “Do you want me to take that little angel for a while?” she asked walking around the table and leaned down to gently stroke her baby's head.

“Nah, that's alright babe,” Duo smiled up at his wife lifting from his seat enough to kiss her, “You have to juggle her all day, enjoy a break.”

She kissed him deeply, “Thank you,” and went to get them both drinks.

WMWMWMW

Duo held the small wooden box in his right hand as he walked down the hall towards their common room. It was close to five o'clock in the evening, and only now had they all been able to meet. Quatre had had a hard time pulling away from all the diplomats, but with the need for a private meal with close friends, he had finally managed to slip away. Duo punched the code to their door, excited to see what everyone thought of his gift. The idea had come to him one night, and he hadn't been able to stop thinking about it since then.

Stepping into the room Duo's face broke out into a smile when he saw his friends lounging in the room. Quatre stood at Duo's entrance his business jacket and tie draped over a chair and the first two button of his white shirt undone, he looked relaxed. “Duo, how's Hilde and your new little girl?” Quatre asked smiling widely extending his hand to the braided man.

“They're both doing great,” Duo replied shaking his friend's hand firmly, “Hilde's dying to show her off.”

“I'll be sure to see them both before I go back, I have gifts for Anaya and Hilde,” Quatre assured moving back to the couches were Trowa and Wufei had remained.

“Have you been in to see Heero yet?” Duo asked then changing the subject, he couldn't wait any longer to show them all what he had had made.

Quatre shook his head, “Trowa thought it best to give him a little time to wined down before we go in to see him.”

“Things were really bad today?” Duo asked glancing at Trowa.

The brown haired man shrugged his shoulders, “Nothing significant happened today.”

“He's just getting more impatient,” Wufei commented shifting in his chair, “He doesn't want to rest until he's on his feet walking on his own.”

Duo shook his head slowly, he couldn't blame Heero; he had been at the mercy of the people around him, almost totally dependant on their care. Something Duo thought Heero had never experienced before, at least not for this long. “Is Relena with him right now?” he couldn't begin to imagine how hard this must have been for her.

“Yeah, she went to see him as soon as she could slip away from all the politicians. We arrived together actually,” Quatre answered, unbuttoning the sleeves of his dress shirt to begin rolling them up.

“So she hasn't been in there for too long…” Duo wanted to give her time with Heero before he went in to give Heero the gift he had brought.

“She did say that we should all come in once you get here,” Wufei told him.

Nodding his head, Duo's hands moved over the small box he was holding on his lap, now was as good a time as any to give the other pilots their gift. He wanted to see their reactions as much as Heero's. “I had something made for all of us,” he began then opening the box and removing a stainless steel chain, with two dog tags attached to it. He passed the first to Quatre and then reached for another giving one to each of the pilots while pulling out one for himself. “I was hoping something like this might remind Heero that we're still behind him.”

Trowa held the chain closely examining the dog tags, “AC 195, December 25 AC 196,” he read aloud while the others looked on, “May 4 AC 200, `We Survived!'”

“May fourth,” Wufei breathed leaning back in his chair, “The day Heero finally explained what had happened.”

“Duo where'd you get the idea for this?” Quatre asked clutching the dog tags in his hand as though he were afraid someone would rip them from his grasp.

“I don't actually know,” the braided man said slipping his own chain over his head, and pulling his braid through. “I just wanted something that I could give him that would show nothing has changed, nothing will change.”

Quatre's smile grew if that were possible as he placed his own chain around his neck, the others doing the same, “What and excellent idea!” he beamed.

WMWMWMW

Heero sat on the far edge of his bed, one leg hanging over the side. It felt good to be sitting without anything propping him, though he found it sometimes painful with his ribs, he had to sit completely straight to keep them from aching too badly. Relena stood in front of him, a photo album propped between them, partially on her arm, but mostly resting on his knees. They were all pictures Relena had taken over the years that she had thought he might like to see. And Heero did appreciate it, with Relena standing so close to him, pointing at each picture and telling him a little about it, he found himself able to forget the day completely.

“This was Léyul's first birthday, the press wanted it to be public, but Noin insisted that her first born was not going to be in the spotlight from birth.” Relena explained a smile on her face as she clearly remembered back to that time. Heero had heard about the birth of Zechs and Noin's son several years back on the news, also their daughter Farin.

Heero bent a little closer to one photo, “What's that on his head?” he asked pointing at a picture of Léyul who was smiling triumphantly for the camera.

Relena laughed, “That would be the birthday cake…” she smiled up at him, “I'm not sure if he even tasted any of his piece, it seemed to go everywhere but in his mouth.”

“Are they always like that?” Heero asked, he hadn't spent any time around young children.

She laughed again, it was such a light happy sound, it raised Heero's mood, “Well yes Heero, for the most part every child does that,” she smiled at him her eyes sparkling, “Don't you know it's fun to eat your food?” Heero looked at her with a raised eyebrow, he didn't find eating in general fun, looking back at the picture he slowly shook his head. Relena leaned forward and kissed him, “You're so serious,” she chided as she straightened to continue the tour of her photos. But before they could get and further there was a knock on the door.

Heero drew a little more onto his bed so he could better see who walked through, while Relena closed the album and placed it on the bed beside him. Duo was the first to walk through the door, he carried a small wooden box in his hand, and an easy smile on his face. Completely opposite to how he had first walked into Heero's room, the former pilot didn't feel any tension from his friends now, which was a relief. Relena's face broke out into a wide smile as she walked around the bed to throw her arms around Duo's neck.

“How's Hilde and Anaya?” she asked receiving a tight hug in return from Duo.

“There doing great!” Duo beamed clearly proud of his new little girl.

Heero felt his body jerk a little, he wanted very much to get up and walk over to them, not to have to wait for them to come to him. But he still couldn't walk on his own, he would have thought it was something that would have improved a little by now, but it seemed to be taking longer than everything else. He kept his dark thoughts and emotions well hidden, his expression remaining a mask, that to the others he knew looked indifferent. He didn't doubt more than one of them could guess it wasn't how he truly felt, but he also knew none of them would asked him about it.

The all came around the bed together so they were standing in front of Heero, that irritated him, but he squashed it down deep inside himself. Relena returned to his side, moving the album further onto the bed and seating herself beside him. Quatre stepped forward then, extending a hand to Heero, “It's been a while,” he began with a smile, “You're looking better,” Heero shook his friend's hand firmly, but had no idea what to say in response to that, thankfully Quatre didn't seem to need one. Heero then began to get the feeling something was up, they were all standing there, and if felt like they were waiting for something. Having no idea what it was that they were waiting for, and not feeling incredibly social at the moment, Heero was content to wait them out.

Duo didn't wait long, still smiling he open the box he had carried in his hands and removed a chain from it. He didn't say anything as he passed it too Heero, they all watched him intently, waiting to see his reaction. Heero took the chain in one hand and reached out with his other to catch hold of the dog tags clicking together. They fell flat in his hand, one read AC 195, the other `We Survived!' Heero looked up at the others briefly before flipping the tags over to see what was on the other side. The first displayed Dec 25 AC 196, and the second May 4 AC 200. The first tag was easy for Heero to understand it was roughly the beginning and the end of the war, but the second, at least the date Heero couldn't realise the significance.

Relena had been looking at the tags over his left shoulder, “May 4th…” she mused at the date her head coming up to look at the others, “Wufei wasn't that…”

“The day we went in to see Heero,” the Chinese man confirmed with a nod of his head.

Heero glanced between the two of them before his eyes looked to the others, it was all starting to make sense for him. It was hard to fully comprehend the meaning behind all of this, he wondered whose idea this was, and did this truly mean everything could be put behind them? Heero decided not to over think it or to analyse every angle, he simply slipped the chain around his neck, seeing that the others were wearing identical chains and tags. Duo's smile grew, “I've been dying to show you those,” he laughed as the air of anticipation faded from the room.

He didn't know what to say, as he looked down at the tags he held in his hand, it was a symbol of what they had all wanted for months. As the seconds slipped passed and Relena leaned her head against his shoulder Heero came to feel that perhaps his silence was the right answer, or at least enough for Duo, who was beaming darn near from ear to ear. Chairs were pulled up to the bedside and soon everyone was seated, Heero felt comfortable and almost completely on level with his friends. He knew there was still a way to go before he felt equal to them, that everything was well and truly back to how it had been, yet moments like this were not unappreciated.

Thanks for Reading!

The Need to be Alone:

“Trying to prove something?” John asked with a raised eye brow, the expression on his face strangely hard to read. John had never struck Heero as a truly secretive man, he had always been easy to read, there was no mistaking when he was happy or disappointed. But at the moment Heero couldn't decide what John was thinking.

Choosing not to reply to the comment Heero instead focused his attention of making it back to his bed, there was more of a burden now to do it without faltering what with John watching him. The distance seemed so much further this time than when he had left his bed, but he pressed on supporting himself on the wall with each step. He was grateful to the fact that John did not feel the need to step out and help him but remain where he was just inside the room. When finally he did make it back to the edge of his bed Heero took a moment to catch his breath before hoisting himself up.

John stepped deeper into the room then the expression on his face relaxing though it still didn't tell Heero very much of what the doctor was thinking. “Care to tell me what happened?” Heero simply shook his head settling back on the bed feeling very tired but more than a little satisfied, he had proven to himself that he wasn't completely helpless. “I know you had a nightmare,” John stated then.

How could he know? Heero wondered silently continuing to study the doctor without any real expression.

“I understand from Sally that nightmares are common for you, that you'll even fight sleep to avoid them. Considering the life you've led this is hardly surprising,” he took a slow seat on the edge of the bed.

“It's not just me,” Heero corrected, they all dealt with their own demons.

“No, I know that,” John smiled gently, “But up until now you haven't had any...why?”

Heero eyed John for a moment wondering silently if there was any chance the old doctor would just let the matter drop. “Too many drugs...” he responded finally knowing that to be the simplest answer, and also that John wasn't likely to just let the silence be.

John blinked in clear surprise, obviously having not expected an answer, then that same smile returned to his face, kinder than Heero ever remembered seeing it still looked strange to him. “Ahh...” he breathed, “Do you ever talk about them?”

“They're not really worth repeating,” Heero told him quickly, he couldn't think of a time where he had ever related what he saw in his nightmares. He didn't want to put that burden on anyone's shoulders, least of all dwell upon them himself.

Morganeth Taren'drel