Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Triangles ❯ Chapter 2

~Heero POV~

"NO!" Duo jumps between us, sheltering Relena with his body. "Don't do this, Heero."

Why would Duo protect her? He can rant for hours about how she always finds us, and he often does. I can accept that I moved too quickly with him...I'll have to give him time to get used to the idea. But Relena...there's no reason for him to care about her.

"Why?"

"Why?!? You have to ask? Because I like her. A lot." Duo meets my eyes as he says it.

"Duo, you don't have to pretend-"

"I may run, I may hide, but I never lie, remember?" Those beautiful amethyst eyes seem to burn into me, his voice is low, almost gentle. "Put the gun down, Heero."

I find myself lowering the gun. Memories of him shooting me to protect her flash through my mind. Even then? But why would he spring me from the hospital and help me raise Wing? He has to feel something for me. Something…I feel lost, and I look up at him for some kind of reassurance, the gun slipping from my fingers.

~Duo POV~

My breath comes out in a rush when Heero lowers the gun. But I feel like a heel, because he looks just a like a puppy, a puppy I just kicked. I start forward, to him, to do what, I'm not sure.

Then I see the gun slip from his fingers. It's all in slow motion, the gun falling, striking the ground, discharging. I hear Relena scream as if from a distance, and then I'm on the ground. I see Heero above me, and then Relena, but I can't hear them.

Just then it registers. I've been shot. Accidental, to be sure, but shot is shot. I notice the pain next. Each breath is an agony, the wound itself burns just below my rib cage. I can now hear Heero's panicked murmurs. And a ripping sound.

I manage to turn my head and see Relena ripping the sleeve off her blouse, and then pressing it to the wound. Smart girl. But then she tended Heero when I shot him. I hear her order Heero to call an ambulance, and feel the first stirrings of panic myself. "No."

At first I thought she didn't hear me, then she looks at me. "But Duo, you've been shot, you need medical attention."

Like I don't realize I've been shot. And yes, a gun shot wound to the torso must be tended. But the gut shot don't die immediately. "There's time… to get me…to a private…doctor."

"But…" Relena starts to protest, but Heero cuts her off this time.

"He's right. We can't risk anything more official. Where's your car?"

That's the Heero I know. Despite the pain, I smile. I can tell from their frowns that it confuses both of them, but I really don't think I can explain, not right now. Relena stares at me.

"Relena! The car?" Heero back to his impatient best. At least some things remain constants.

"Oh, right. This way." Relena points.

Heero nods. "Duo, this is going to hurt." Then he lifts me up. I scream and mercifully black out.

~Relena POV~

My mind is running in circles. Small orderly circles, but circles nonetheless. I do remember to grab Heero's gun before running to catch up with him, as he started off in the direction I pointed. I see the horrible pink limo, and feel a sense of relief.

Pagan thankfully doesn't question why an unconscious, bleeding young man is put in the car. He just starts taking us to a private clinic. The whole trip, I'm only aware of each of Duo's labored breaths. I keep pressure on the wound, ripping off my other sleeve when it's clear we need more bandages. Heero is a ball of intensity, as if he's willing Duo to be alright. I wish it worked that way.

Somehow I pull myself together enough to order the clinic staff around. They try to refuse me, but I'm not having it. I don't know if it was my orders or Heero's glare or the sight of Duo bleeding that did the trick, and I don't think I really care. All that mattered was that Duo was getting the care he needed.

Once they were cooperating, Duo was whisked away, leaving Heero and me in a waiting room. I sit still to let my mind run in the panicked circles I couldn't indulge earlier.

~Heero POV~

Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay. Everything's going to be okay.

Duo's going to be okay.

Maybe if I tell myself that enough, I'll actually start to believe it. I don't know if he'll forgive me for this one. This on top of the events of the day.

I look at Relena. She was so together and on top of it all, but now she's silent, absorbed. I'd guess she's panicking now, when it doesn't really matter. I suppose that's the best way to do it. She doesn't even seem to notice Pagan drape her jacket around her and place a cup of coffee in front of her.

He sets a second cup in front of me, his worry for Relena clear on his face. "Let her be. She just needs a little while to…" I can't think of the right word.

"I understand." And somehow, I truly think he does.

~End Part 2~