Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Running Out Of Tomorrows ❯ Chapter 2

RUNNING OUT OF TOMORROWS

PART TWO

* * *

If L2 was infamously known for its poor and pitiable colonies, L7 was about ten times worse. Walking out of the small and shabby spaceport, Duo had to take a few moments to adjust to the humid and polluted air of the colony. The air was incredibly thin and moist, full of smoke and other unpleasant compound. The few factories the colony did posses were the cause for all the pollution. The sounds of heavy industry, along with the loud traffic and huge air-circulation vents that adorned the colony's structure, were almost deafening to those who were not used to their presence.

Walking down the busy and littered streets, Duo was horrified to see that some people, mostly industrial workers, were walking around with gas masks and ear plugs over their heads. He hurried to take a taxi, something that was considered a privilege in that certain cluster, and hurried to get away from the polluted street and into the safe haven of the cab.

L7-7283101's public hospital, the only hospital in the cluster that was somewhat decent enough to be called as such, was a tall and poorly maintained building. It was no better than the rest of the colony, and it seemed as it would collapse at the slightest tremor.

After Duo exited the cab, he could do nothing but stare at the horrible looking building, his mind unable to process that this is where he would find Heero, if at all.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to snap out of the shock and regained a more or less calm composer. He loaded his small travel-bag over his shoulder and walked towards the entrance. After a quick check at the registration desk, Duo was very much relieved to find that his ex-comrade was still alive. He was directed to his room and now here he was, standing in front of Heero's door.

For a long while, Duo just stared down at the knob. He wondered if he was ready to walk into that room and find out what was wrong with his friend. He suddenly regretted not calling Solo and ask him if everything is all right. He was suddenly flooded with this overwhelming feeling to be with his son, his joy and comfort. He didn't care if Hilde and her boyfriend will be there too. As long as he'll be with Solo. As long as he won't be standing here, in a poor excuse of a colony and a building, in a ward for the Terminally Ill, in front of a door that led into who-knows-what.

Getting himself back together, Duo took another deep breath and slowly, carefully, opened the door.

He was now looking into a room that must have held at least a dozen patients in it. A dozen beds were aligned by the walls at each side of the long room. They were separated by thin yellow curtains, which were nearly see-through. At the end of the large hall was a big window, over-looking the street bellow. In the near horizon, Duo could spot the large chimneys of various factories, black smoke covering the view. Clearly not a nice sight to be looking at.

He scanned the various beds with stunned and numb eyes, his hand still on the doorknob for he was frozen in his spot. The room itself was very dirty and held a foul smell of illness and various body fluids. The beds creaked and rattled as their occupants coughed and gagged, filling the air with sounds of sickness and despair.

Duo winced painfully as he looked at the tragedy in front of him, memories of a dark and haunting past suddenly running before his eyes. He had seen death and sickness before, but none of it horrified him like the sight he was seeing now.

Why was Heero here?

Thinking about his Japanese friend, Duo forced himself to ignore the horror and step into the room. His steps were slow and heavy as he walked down the passage in the center of the room, his wary eyes scanning each bed as he passed by it. His heart beat fast and painfully with each step he took, searching for his friend among the patients. No one bothered to even look up at him as he walked past them, his features pale and full of horror. They were probably used to their own sight and were not bothered by his sickened expression.

He reached the end of the room, nearing the window, but there was still no sign of Heero. There was only one bed by the window, and it was empty.

Duo turned around, giving the room another quick scan, but he could not see his friend. No one in the room even resembled the Japanese boy he remembered, and no one was as young as Heero was.

Maybe there had been some mistake? Maybe they were talking about a different Heero Yuy dying? Maybe it was one big joke... Or maybe it was too late? Maybe Heero was gone and the bitch at the registration desk just didn't know it?

Duo sighed and slowly sat down on the empty bed, running a hand through his bangs and closing his eyes. He leaned his head back against the closed window, trying to calm his racing heart.

He had come all this way and for what? An empty bed and a room full of sick people?

Duo opened his eyes again and looked around the room. Again, he couldn't find a sign of Heero. Shifting uncomfortably on the thin mattress, Duo reached up a hand to rub his tired eyes, sighing deeply.

Something caught his attention then, and he lowered his arm, blinking in puzzlement. He was looking down at a small and wobbly nightstand, standing close to the bed. Looking up, he could see that every bed had a small table next to it, with the patients' belongings. When he looked back down at the nightstand next to him, he registered that unlike the bed, the small table wasn't empty.

Duo pushed himself off the bed and came to stand by the small furniture. He looked down at it, his eyes scanning the various items it held: a few ragged pocket books, a small flashlight, a pen and a notebook, a small box of what seemed like tic-tacs or something, and other small items. He frowned as he saw a pink slip of paper peek from underneath the pile of books. Confused, he reached down to take it.

It was a counterfoil of some sort, with an 'Earth's Sphere Alliance' stamp on it. Reading more closely, Duo could see that it was a copy of some sort of payment, issued by the Earth's Sphere's government. Duo didn't have a hard time realizing what it was.

At the end of the wars, after the Marimeia Incident was over, all of the ex-Gundam pilots were offered an annuity, in gratitude for their efforts for peace. Since they did not fight in order to be rewarded, they all refused the "pension". Or so Duo had thought. Looking down at the pink pay envelope, Duo could see that it dated for this month, and it was signed by no other than Relena Darian Peacecraft herself. To top it all, the payment was issued for one Heero Yuy.

Duo's hand closed tightly around the pink paper, his jaw tense and his fists clenched. Heero was using the "charity money" from the government? But... but why? What happened? Why did he have to... why was he---

"Duo?" A feeble and hesitant voice whispered from somewhere behind him, and Duo froze in his spot.

A weak cough followed the feeble question, and Duo found himself slowly turning around to face the speaker. His numb violet eyes slowly widened in horror as they looked upon the person standing before him.

Heero was looking like a shadow of a person, more than anything else. His skin was pale and sickly colored, seeming lax and nearly transparent. His features looked inhumanly thin, his cheeks hollow. His eyes looked as if they were sunken deeply into his skull, dark and black circles all around them. His lips were pale and cracked, merely a ghostly image of once lush and blood-red lips. His dark brown hair, once thick and rich in its texture, dark hairs that used to glow under the softest ray of light, now looked ghastly and poor.

And to add to the frightening visage, were a pair of large and fierce blue eyes that bore holes into him this very moment. Heero's eyes seemed to be so large for his head all of a sudden, a colorful blue fire in a sea of grayness and death. They seemed like they didn't belong there anymore.

The young man standing in front of him was a frightening caricature of once a great and powerful soldier. The lean and fragile looking figure standing before him was what remained of the strength once recognized with Heero Yuy. Now, it was no more.

Gasping, Duo quickly staggered back, his eyes wide and stunned. He fell back against the bed, nearly missing it and tripping down. He could not look away from Heero as the young man looked down at him with a shocked and somewhat baffled expression. Duo was beginning to hyperventilate from the shock he was going through, and he struggled for control.

"Did I frighten you?" Heero spoke again, his voice a mere whisper. "I'm sorry." He continued sorrowfully, coming to sit on the bed, keeping some distance between Duo and himself. He handed Duo a paper cup that he had been holding all along. "Here, drink this."

Still struggling to fix his breathing, Duo nodded in thanks and took the cup from Heero, his hands trembling as he brought it up to his lips. Even as he drank, he could not turn his gaze away from Heero. The Japanese man was looking at him calmly, though his eyes shone in concern.

"Are you okay?" Heero asked slowly, taking the cup away from Duo, after the braided man was done drinking.

Duo took a few more deep breaths, trying to calm down. He closed his eyes and leaned down so that his head was between his legs. His breathing slowly relaxed.

"Should I get you some more water?" Heero's voice spoke up with concern.

Duo took a large gasp of air and shook his head. "No... it's okay..." He breathed, slowly rising up. He looked at Heero, offering him a weak and faltering smile. "I'm fine. Thank you."

Heero nodded slowly, and then coughed. He reached up a trembling hand and covered his mouth, letting out a few more dry coughs. He turned away from Duo's worried gaze, closing his eyes in shame.

"I'm sorry, I took your drink..." Duo mumbled, getting up. "I'll go get you a new one."

Still coughing, Heero looked up at Duo, about to protest, but he was too late, for the boy was already running out the door. Giving up on the protest, Heero concentrated on settling himself back into his bed, wincing in pain as he struggled to work his trembling hands and cover himself properly.

* * *

It was a while later when Duo returned with a new drink, looking more relaxed and composed. He handed Heero the cup and then carefully sat down at the edge of Heero's bed. He winced painfully as he noticed the boy pull away a little when their bodies touched, making sure that there will be no contact between them, even through the thin blanket. He sighed and bowed his head sorrowfully. He kept looking down at his hands as Heero slowly emptied his drink.

"You came."

At the sound of Heero's quiet statement, Duo finally looked up, his violet eyes hurt. "Of course I came!" He spoke harshly, his features a storm of emotions: fear, worry, anger and confusion all wrapped in one expression. "Did you really think that I wouldn't? What the hell were you thinking, not telling me this before? Why did I have to find it out from this... this bitch on the phone?!"

Heero sighed and looked away, turning to face the window. "You carried on with your life. You have no need for a nuisance like myself."

"Goodness, Heero! That is so twisted!" Duo nearly shouted, struggling not to raise his voice. "You know that it isn't true! Is that why you disappeared on me like that?! Goodness, three years and not a word out of you! And why? Because you thought you'll be a bother!? Heero, I thought you knew better than that!"

Duo was now panting, a little worked out from his out burst. But Heero remained silent, looking out the window with an unreadable expression on his haggard features. He was holding the paper cup in his hand, resting against his lap, and when Duo looked closely, he could see that Heero was clutching the cup forcefully, his thin knuckles nearly turning white.

"How's your child doing?" Heero finally spoke again, turning to face Duo. A weak smile played over his pale lips. "It's a boy, if I recall correctly."

Duo couldn't help but smile at the mentioning of his son. He nodded. "Yes, that's right. His name is Solo."

Heero nodded slightly, brushing his fingertips over the edges of his cup. He looked down at his fingers, still smiling weakly. "I bet he has your eyes."

Duo chuckled, leaning back a little so he was more comfortable on the small bed. His body posture was now more relaxed. "Nah. He has his mother's eyes. But he's got my mouth, that's for sure!"

Heero chuckled silently, and then the silence returned. Duo sighed and looked away, deep in thought. Heero kept staring down at his empty paper cup, and sighed deeply.

"Heero," Duo began after a long while, turning back so he could face the other man. "What are you doing here? Why here of all places?"

Heero sighed, turning to look out the window. "It's the only place I can afford."

"Bu-but why? Didn't you have a job?! I mean, what the hell were you doing for the last seven years?"

Heero sighed, crushing the paper cup. "I got laid off."

Duo's eyes darted down to the crushed cup, his eyes shining sorrowfully. He took a deep breath, and gently laid his hand over Heero's. He looked up at him, his gaze compassionate. "What went wrong?"

"I got sick." Heero muttered bitterly, pulling away from Duo's grasp.

"Heh, guess you took too many sick days off, huh?" Duo tried to joke, and immediately berated himself for it. As tense as the moment was, a joke was not in place.

Heero seemed to think so too, for he kept silent and looked away.

"Didn't you have some sort of health plan?" Duo finally asked, his tone serious.

Heero sighed, and then chuckled bitterly. "It came with the job. I was fired because I was unable to function. It was before I knew I was sick, so I couldn't claim the money." He sighed and turned back to look at Duo, his cobalt eyes sad and bitter. "No insurance agency would take me because I was already ill." He chuckeld bitterly and then sighed, looking away. "It's a twisted paradox."

"That's why you cashed in the 'charity money'." Duo concluded.

Heero nodded and looked away again, bowing his head in shame. "It's enough to keep me alive."

There were a few long moments of silence and Heero sighed again. He raised his hand to push a few bangs out of his eyes, and then looked back at Duo, his blue eyes serious. "I'm glad you came."

Duo gasped, his head snapping down, as he felt Heero take his hand in his. He looked back up at Heero, his violet eyes stunned. He hurried to wrap his palm around Heero's thin hand and squeezed his hand lightly. Heero's hand was warm and gentle to the touch, and Duo found that it only made him want to hold that hand tighter. He smiled kindly at the young man, his violet eyes full of compassion. "Anytime, buddy."

Heero smiled and nodded his head gratefully.

There was an awkward silence after that, and Duo found himself searching for an excuse to look away from Heero's intense gaze. His eyes scanned the room once more, and then finally rested on a small tray of food that lay by Heero's nightstand. He let go of Heero's hand and pulled the tray closer to the bed.

Heero turned to look at what he was doing. Once he spotted the food, he made a little disgusted face and hurried to look away.

"Didn't you eat your lunch?" Duo asked, still looking down at the tray.

Heero didn't even BOTHER with an answer.

Duo sighed, trying to think of anything else to say in order to fill the suffocating silence. He reached for the spoon lying on the tray and used it to nudge a certain, uh, substance that lay on a small plate.

"This looks like a very nice... uh. . . . mush." He commented casually, swirling the food with the spoon. He turned to Heero, arching an eyebrow. "Mashed potatoes?"

"It's a steak." Heero let out bluntly, eyeing the meal with disgust.

"Oh." Duo mumbled, looking back at the "steak" with numb eyes. He chuckled, and Heero did the same. Soon the chuckle turned into small giggles, which soon transformed into laughter. Both young men were now laughing, slowly relieving the tension that stood in the air. Their nervous laughter soon turned into a mirthful one, and they were both looking at each other, their eyes shining as they looked at one another, laughing in good humor.

"Boy, I wouldn't want to know what happened to THAT cow!" Duo joked, earning another mirthful chuckle from Heero.

"Must have been hit in a freak-falling-Gundam accident." Heero commented in a calm voice.

Duo's laughter increased and his eyes shone with delight. "Good Lord! Did I just hear ANOTHER joke coming out of you!?"

Heero chuckled and ducked his head shyly.

Duo smiled and patted his shoulder. It was encouraging to see that despite everything, the Japanses boy was in good spirits. Heero sure have changed since he had last seen him.

All of a sudden, Heero's laughter turned into a serious coughing fit. The small bed began rocking and creaking as the coughs attacked Heero's frail body, and the room was filled with his desperate gasps for air.

Panicked, Duo jumped off the bed, looking around desperately. "Heero? Are you okay? Oh God! Just hang in there, I'll go call a doctor!"

Still struggling to breathe, Heero shook his head weakly. "Duo. . . no. . . there's no need. . ."

Duo's eyes narrowed angrily, despite of the panic. "Why won't you let the doctor decide that? I'll be right back." He spat, already running towards the door.

"Duo. . ." Heero called after him, lifting up a trembling hand, as if trying to reach for his friend. "They won't come. . . don't bother. . ."

Duo growled, spinning around angrily. He stomped his foot on the floor, his braid flying up and down as he did. "The hell they will! That's what they're here for, no? To take care of you!"

Heero sighed and bowed his head. He took a deep breath and then coughed again. ". . .They won't come, Duo. They told me that themselves." Moaning in pain, Heero took another deep breath and slowly turned to look at Duo. He held the other man's gaze with his intense blue eyes, capturing the violet pools in a fierce hold. "I'm too far gone, Duo, so why bother? It's a waste of medicine. . ."

"No. No!" Duo called out frantically, his features nearly hysteric as he was hit with realization about Heero's grim condition. "I won't accept that, Heero! You hear?! This is UNACCEPTABLE! You're here because you need care and I'm gonna make sure that you'll get it!" And with that said, Duo hurried to run towards the door, pushing Heero's curtain aside.

Heero bowed his head sadly, and shook it sorrowfully. He took a deep breath and looked up at Duo's direction. His cobalt eyes held deep sadness as he spoke his next words.

"I'm dying, Duo. Nothing can change that."

Duo halted, his body tensing.

". . .that's why they won't treat me. That's why 'One Wish' came. I only have a few days left. . ."

Duo's fists closed tightly and his jaw tensed. His tense shoulders were now trembling slightly as he struggled to keep his cool.

"Duo, I'm dying." Heero repeated, as if to make sure that it will sink in.

"But... but maybe they can..." Duo mumbled, closing his eyes in order to squeeze out the tears. "Maybe somehow... I mean, there... there must be a way!" He suddenly shouted, whirling around to face the man on the bed. His violet eyes were tormented and his hair a sudden mess. Tears flooded his stormy amethyst eyes, leaking down his cheeks and to the floor. He sniffled, looking at Heero with plea. "If all you need is money, then... then I can... I'll..."

"Duo, it's not just the money." Heero muttered, still holding Duo's gaze with his intense blue eyes. He sighed and looked away for a moment. He was beginning to pant again, his breath labored in an effort to stop the pain, as it returned to his upper body. "Even if it was..." He let out between clenched teethe. "...It's too. . . late for that..." He coughed again, his body convulsing with pain. He closed his eyes tightly and threw himself into the thin mattress, hugging his abdomen tightly.

Duo watched him; feeling torn and lost, as he saw his friend struggle for self-control, taking large gasps of air in order to calm the pain in his body.

And all he could do was stand there and watch.

//"I'm dying, Duo..."//

Nothing could change that.

Part 3.

Back