Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Pinball ❯ Introductions ( Chapter 6 )

Series: Pinball

Chapter 6: Introductions

Author: Niere

Rating: PG

DISCLAIMER: The series Gundam Wing and the characters therein do not belong to me. I'm just putting them in different situations to see how they react.

Summary: It's a world where everyone has psionic abilities…well, most everyone. Another contest is coming up and the undefeated Duo notices a new player, a null, a person with no psionic abilities. Just what is it about this boy and why can't Duo get him off his mind?

Author's Note: Have you ever heard the song Pinball Wizard by Elton John? I love the song. I was listening to it and was bitten by yet another plot bunny. This is based, loosely, on that song. (I've been told that this song was originally by The Who, but the version I know is by Elton John.)

**indicates "conversation" via manual alphabet, the system Duo is using to communicate with Heero** In other words, the conversation in "quotes" are verbal, and **stars** is sign language. I hope this is clearer now. I'll also try putting the sign language in italics, maybe that will help?

TK=telekinesis, the ability to move things with one's mind. TP=telepathy, the ability to send/receive thoughts. Empathy=the ability to send/receive emotions or feelings. Pyrokinesis=the ability to create/control fire. Pre-cog=the ability to "see" the future.

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**The guys are bringing us back some sandwiches** Duo signed as the two boys settled against the wall. **I hope that's ok What do you usually do for lunch**

Heero paused before answering. **I don't usually eat or drink anything here**

Duo looked surprised. **Why not don't you get hungry**

Heero blushed a bit. **If I did I might need to…** Another pause. **I usually wait until I get back**

"Huh?" Duo said aloud, his expression confused. He thought about what Heero had 'said', then it dawned on him. Heero was blind as well as deaf. He had to be led everywhere. Also, no one, other than himself, was able to communicate with the boy. Heero understood this, having to live with the disability, but no one else seemed to think about his most basic of needs.

Suddenly, Duo stood and pulled Heero to his feet. **come on** he signed **I'm going to show you around** He grinned at Heero's confused face. **is your chair always in the same place**

**as far as I know it is**

**good then you will be able to find what you need without help** He turned the dark-haired boy to his left, then counted off the paces. **four steps this way is the water fountain** He took Heero's hands and ran them over the fountain, 'showing' him the button that controlled the stream.

**but** Heero objected.

**it's ok I'm going to show you that next**

Heero looked thoughtful for a moment, then his face lit up with gratitude. He hadn't any idea of how to ask, so had taken precautions, no matter how hungry or thirsty he'd gotten. Duo frowned as his friend gulped down the water. He was angry that no one cared enough to see that Heero was taken care of during the competition, especially since he was unable to find what he needed on his own. It was more than simple negligence. It shouldn't matter that the boy was a null, this was pure cruelty.

When Heero's thirst was slaked, Duo had him trail his fingers along the wall back to his chair. **follow the wall in the other direction** Heero complied until they came to a doorway.

**here** Heero asked.

**that one is for girls** Duo explained, **you want the next one** They spent a few minutes as Heero familiarized himself with the layout of the boy's bathroom. This way, he would be able to return whenever he needed to, without Duo's help if necessary. **do you need me to leave you alone for a few minutes** Duo asked, slightly embarrassed. Heero nodded. **I'll wait outside the main door just knock on something if you need anything**

**knock** Heero asked, confused.

Duo smiled. He wrapped Heero's fingers into a fist and showed him what he meant. **I'll hear it and come**

**you'll hear it** Heero signed, then he sighed. **it's been so long I'd forgotten**

**I'll be outside** Heero nodded and Duo left him alone.

Duo stood outside the door thinking. Heero hadn't always been deaf? That would explain how he was able to communicate in words…using what was essentially proper grammar no less. What had happened to him? How did he lose his hearing? Had he always been blind, or did he lose that sense also? Duo couldn't wait to find out about his new friend.

After a few minutes, he heard the sound of flushing, then water running as Heero washed his hands. As much as he wanted to go in, he waited, allowing Heero to do as much for himself as he was able. He'd learned with Jenny, the deaf girl in the orphanage, that doing things for themselves was important. Hovering and over-protecting, although it would make Duo feel better, would only make Heero feel more helpless than he already was. This was not something that Duo wanted. He wanted to help and protect his new friend, not hurt him even more.

Slowly, the door opened and Heero came out. He felt his way along the wall heading back toward his chair. It was obvious that he was nervous. **Duo** he signed, **are you there**

Duo grinned and tickled Heero's nose with the tip of his braid. This had become a distinctive way to let the boy know who was near him without frightening him. It was the same as when Quatre sent his 'emotional welcome'. Heero knew instantly who it was. Now they had to figure a way to let him know when Trowa or Wufei were there. Possibly the judicial use of their talents could be used. The guys control was good enough now that he wouldn't worry about them accidentally hurting Heero. He'd have to stick to using his braid, though, since his own talent would definitely cause harm to his new friend, and he didn't want that…not at all. He'd have to remember to discuss it with the guys later.

Heero grinned and grabbed the 'offending' appendage. He kept a hold of it as Duo led them back to 'their' spot. They were just relaxing back against the wall, when the others arrived.

"Hi Duo!" Quatre called across the stadium. Suddenly, all the machines began alarming. Quatre had inadvertently set them off again.

Heero's head shot up as he received Quatre's 'welcome', remembering what had happened the last time. **let me guess** he signed to Duo, **he set the machines off again didn't he**

Duo snickered. **yep, all of them this time since he was all the way across the stadium when he broadcast**

**oh no**

"DUO!!" came a yell from the administration office, as Dale came running out.

"Don't look at me," Duo called back. "My talent only works on people and you know it."

"I'm sorry," Quatre said, his head hanging in shame. "I forgot."

"Can we help?" Wufei offered. Trowa nodded in agreement.

"No, but thanks for the offer." Dale headed toward the platforms. "Try to remember from now on, ok? If any of the other officials were here, you'd all be expelled from the competition for this."

"I will," Quatre promised. "It won't happen again."

The boys went over to where Duo and Heero sat.

"Way to go Q," Duo laughed. "I've never seen them all set off at once like that. I guess you're stronger than you thought, huh?"

**hello Quatre** Heero spelled, sensing the embarrassment the teen was radiating.

Quatre's eyes widened. "How did he know?"

"You broadcast, remember?" Trowa offered.

"But, he couldn't sense me before unless I was touching him."

"If you knew he couldn't sense you, why did you broadcast?" Wufei asked.

Quatre's blush deepened. "I'd forgotten until he said hello just now."

Duo looked at Heero when the boy placed a hand on his thigh. **are the others here also** he asked.

**yes** Duo looked up at his friends. "Try using your talent a bit to let him know who you are, like I do with my braid and Q does with his broadcasting. Just keep it small so it won't hurt him or set off the machines again."

The boys sat in front of their friends. "Are you sure that's such a good idea, Duo?" Wufei asked. "Since he's a null, wouldn't doing such a thing sort of reinforce that fact?"

"He doesn't seem to mind Quatre using his talent," Duo pointed out.

"No one seems to mind Quatre," Trowa reminded him with a smile. The boy under discussion blushed again. "We don't want to hurt his feelings."

"I'll ask him about it while you go get lunch," Duo suggested. "Then, if it won't bother him, we can 'introduce' you when you get back. How's that?"

"Good idea," Wufei agreed. "We picked up some sandwiches and sodas for you." He left the bag with Duo and stood. "Now, if you two will come on, we'll go eat also." He gave his friends a wicked grin. "But you'll have to wait until later for dessert."

Duo looked confused at that statement, then laughed in understanding as Trowa and Quatre both turned a deep red. "Enjoy," he called to his departing friends.

"We will," Quatre said over his shoulder. "Don't do anything we wouldn't do."

"That's a pretty short list," Duo called back, grinning. "Lots of options left open for me."

Wufei groaned at the innuendos. He all but ran out, the other two hurrying after him.

Heero sat quietly, waiting for Duo to let him know what was happening. **what is so funny** he asked, feeling Duo shaking in laughter.

**them** Duo handed Heero a sandwich and opened a soda for him. **Quatre and Trowa recently became a couple** he explained, starting in on his own lunch. It was a real advantage being able to 'talk' using fingers. That way he could communicate even though his mouth was full. **they and Wufei love to tease each other about that fact**

**they are a couple** Heero looked confused. **I thought they were all boys**

**they are** Duo agreed, a bit nervously. **does that bother you**

Heero gave him a shy smile. **no**

YES! Duo thought. Maybe I do have a chance with him after all.

Both boys focused on eating for a few minutes. They were holding hands while they ate, just in case one of them had something to say. That was what Duo kept telling himself. It wasn't that Heero was holding his hand for any other reason, right? Of course, that wasn't the reason Duo was holding the other boy's hand, but who could blame him for taking such a small advantage of the situation?

Finally, Duo decided to broach the subject of talents. **Heero**

**yes**

**does being a null bother you**

**I'm not a null**

Duo stared at the other boy. **what is your talent**

**I…** Heero paused, then pulled his hand back, his expression fearful. He shook his head.

Duo reached for his hand again. **what are you afraid of**

**I can't talk about it** Heero shuddered. **he'll get angry**

**who will get angry**

Heero paused, then slowly moved his fingers into the proper position. **J**

Duo frowned. **does he hurt you**

Heero shook his head. **worse**

**what could be worse**

Heero refused to answer so Duo tried changing the subject. **do other people having talents bother you**

**not at all** Heero looked relieved as the subject turned away from Dr. J. **I like Quatre's talent it let's me know who is there** He grinned at Duo. **like when you tickle me with your braid so I know it's you**

**the other guys could do the same thing if you'd like** Duo offered. **Trowa is telekinetic and Wufei is pyrokinetic**

Heero frowned. **I'm not sure I'd like being set on fire or thrown into a wall just to let me know who is there**

**they have better control than that* Duo chuckled. *Wufei could just warm your hand or something and Trowa would nudge you is all**

**that would be ok** Heero agreed. **I'd like to know it was them and not some stranger** He looked thoughtful for a moment. **what about your talent**

Duo blushed. **I can't use my talent to let you know it's me or I would hurt you**

**what is it you do**

**I'm sort of an anti healer* Heero just looked confused. **when I try to heal something my talent goes in the opposite direction** **I can break things down but not put them back together**

Heero smirked. **not much use then is it**

**comes in handy in a fight**

**how**

**I can focus it on my fist and it helps me pack a mean punch**

Heero thought about that, then shivered. *remind me to never make you mad**

**not much chance of that** Duo reassured him.

**why not**

**because I like you too much**

Heero blushed, his face smiling shyly again. **I like you too**

Suddenly, Heero sat up straight. **what time is it**

**almost one**

**you have to go** He began to quickly gather the trash from their lunch. **J will be here soon since the younger ones are competing this afternoon** He pushed the bag into Duo's hand. **you can't be here with me or he'll be angry**

**I'm just being your friend** Duo argued. **why would he be angry about that**

**I'm not allowed to be around people**

**but…**

**I can still feel** Heero was shaking so hard it was hard to make out what he was spelling. **he already took everything else**

Heero climbed back into his chair, settling his face into it's usual lack of expression.

**Heero…**

**go** Heero spelled. He pushed Duo away.

Duo placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. Heero flinched.

//I can't go through that again! I'll go insane the next time!//

Duo staggered back. "Heero?" he whispered. He watched as his friend wrapped his arms around himself and bowed his head, shivering in fear. What did Dr. J do to him?

And why did he hear that last cry in his head?

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TBC