oh... crap... it's Monday....
Jan. 3rd, 2005 05:15 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lavandarlizard2I'm still mostly braindead here, but another part anyway. Why, *why* do I have to go to work?! Oh. Yeah. Roof over head. Food. Internet connection. Right. *grumble*
BFB - Part 085c - Strange Days III
Standing at Duo’s door, I couldn’t help wondering that again.
Regardless of any apology owed, I was all set to be pissed at Heero, but that just vanished when I got a look at him. The hard-as-tempered steel Wyvern had been… crying.
Without thinking, I laid my hand on his arm and said, “Shit, Heero! Are you okay?”
He tried to glare at me, but it was just pathetic and he knew it, so he answered my question instead.
“Mostly,” he admitted. “He’s finally awake again… and he recognized me this time.”
“How is he?” I asked keeping my voice down to match his. And then I could have kicked myself; what a *stupid* question! I expected a more acerbic answer than what I got.
Heero sighed. “Scared. Angry. Confused. About what you’d expect.”
“Heero… I’m sorry…” I said quietly. “Dragons, I was all set to get pissy with you,” I admitted, still expecting righteous anger and fully prepared for the Glare of Glares.
“Go ahead,” he sighed putting his shoulder against the door frame. “You can’t be any angrier at me than I am at myself. Some guardian I am!”
Now he was just scaring me. “Heero, don’t be so damn nice about it! I can’t handle you when you’re nice!”
He gave me a mirthless grin. “That’s right; it’s your job to beat up on me, isn’t it?”
“Only when justified!”
He was about to reply, when we heard Duo cry out.
“Heero! Get it away!”
Just that fast, Heero was across the room. I stepped inside, wanting to also go to Duo, but recognizing that it wasn’t my place.
Heero landed on his knees on the bed, scooping Duo into his arms instantly. The Banshee clung to him, face buried in his shoulder, breath coming in fast shallow gasps.
“Heero?” Damn, but I wanted to help!
“Close the door,” he growled. “Get him some water please.”
I complied immediately, still listening with half an ear to the Wyvern murmuring gently to his – yes, *his* – beloved.
Damn. The facts had finally caught up to my heart. I hate when that happens.
When I brought the water to them, Duo had managed to climb down from whatever had panicked him, but he still trembled noticeably within the shelter of Heero’s arms, and he seemed… agitated.
“Nothing?” I heard him say, his voice strained and shaking. “You’re sure? Nothing at all?”
“Nothing at all,” Heero confirmed regretfully.
Duo looked up at me. “Fei! Did you… Did you see anything a minute ago?”
I blinked, mystified. “I don’t think so… What was it?” He looked… frightened.
“Fuck!” he wailed and buried his face in Heero’s shoulder once more. From the way his shoulders shook and his breathing seemed to hitch, I knew he was crying.
Ordinarily, the Banshee is not a sniveler. The only time I’ve ever seen him cry was when he got the news of his aunt’s death. Damn that girl and her fucking drug! Stupid bitch!
Heero held him and stroked lovingly at his hair and back, still whispering reassurances. “It’s all right, angel; it’s only the drugs. You’ll be fine once they burn out; I swear.”
“Heero, what’s going on?” I said after a moment.
Duo sat back, scrubbing his hands over his face to hide the tear tracks.
“Wufei,” began Heero stiffly, but Duo interrupted him.
“I’m fucking seeing things, Fei!” he blurted out. “I thought something was coming at me!”
“Oh, Duo…”
“That damned girl gave him Flunitrazepam. The doctor says it may take several days for it to work itself out of his system.”
“Flunitrazepam? Motherfucker!” I snarled. I’ve heard of it; we’ve had a couple of incidences of young Witches and Wizards being dosed with that shit. “Gods. Damn. Her.” I sat down on the edge of the bed, unmindful of Heero’s protective nature, and hooked my arm around Duo’s neck for a quick hug. “I’m sorry.” I offered the nearly-forgotten glass of water and Duo took it with a welcome sigh.
“I’m so damn thirsty,” he muttered.
“That’s good, though,” soothed the Wyvern. “It’ll help wash that crap out of your body.” He looked up at me. “Right, Wufei?”
I nodded, for once perfectly happy to back Heero up. Duo had leaned back into Heero’s arms again and suddenly I felt very… superfluous. I just… didn’t want to be there anymore. I stood up.
“I’m glad it’s just temporary,” I said and took a step back. “I don’t want to bother you; you need to rest, so…”
“Fei!” Duo reached for me suddenly, and I stopped uncertainly. “You and Trowa,” he began hesitantly. “You helped look for me…”
“Yes…” So did everyone else. What we did wasn’t remarkable; Duo is my friend. I will always try to protect my friends. He curled his fingers at me, so I stepped closer, once again mindful of Heero’s protectiveness.
But Heero made no move to stop me, and Duo stretched up with an obvious effort to wrap his arms around my shoulders and give me a hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered in my ear. “My friend…”
I couldn’t speak around the lump in my throat, but he didn’t seem to require a response. I returned the hug, gently this time, both for his obvious frailty and for the sake of my still-uncomfortable scabs. In the midst of that, a hand landed lightly on my back.
“Thank you, Wufei,” Heero said softly. “You do your ancestors proud.”
I flinched. I didn’t mean to; I certainly didn’t want to. I caught a flicker of startlement on Duo’s face, and then Heero withdrew with a muttered apology.
“No,” I said quickly to both of them. “It’s all right, Heero. It’s just that my back is still sore.”
“What?” he said blankly. “What’s wrong with your back?”
I realised that neither of them had any idea what had happened. “Um… It’s not important.” Sure, like Heero would accept that as an answer.
Sure enough, his midnight eyes sharpened. “Wufei…” he growled.
“Wufei? What’s wrong?” said Duo at almost the same moment.
I practically lunged for Heero’s gaze to avoid the Banshee's. It wasn’t his fault! He was frightened and drugged and… and…
“Heero,” I said firmly, “it’s nothing, really. Nothing important at all.” I tried to convey with my eyes what I couldn’t say aloud: Duo had done something, but it wasn’t serious; it had been fixed and there was no reason for him to even know. Not right this minute.
A flicker of understanding crossed Heero’s face; a faint wariness.
But Duo had hold of my sleeve. “Fei?” Oh, ancestors; that pet name is my undoing every single time… “You were hurt?”
“It’s nothing, Duo,” I repeated, keeping my eyes on Heero, and was alarmed to hear the anxiety in my voice. ::Heero, dammit! Help me here!::
“Duo… If Wufei says it’s nothing,” he began, but Duo caught his breath sharply.
“It’s me! I did something, didn’t I?” His voice was at least an octave higher than normal. “I did something to hurt you!” he wailed.
I’d been watching him from the corners of my eyes, trying hard to stay focused on Heero, but that plaintive cry wrenched at me.
“Duo, please,” I began desperately, “it’s not a big deal.” And of course, then I had to finish it. “You just… just knocked me down, that’s *all*! It’s not terrible and certainly not your fault!”
I could have saved my breath. The Banshee was already into full panic mode, his face gone ashen and his breathing once more fast and shallow.
“Show me!” he gasped, and I gaped at him.
I couldn’t *show* him! I was still covered in those damned scabs; what clear patches I had were pale and tender. I looked like a fucking patchwork quilt. He would lose his damn mind if he saw that.
Heero, who should have *known*, goddammit, turned that incendiary glare on *me*. “Show us,” he demanded.
It was out of my hands at that point. Whatever happened from here on was on *his* head, goddamn imperious fucking Wyvern!
I sighed and shrugged out of my jacket. “Do *not* get excited,” I told Duo firmly as I unbuttoned my shirt. “It hurt for a little while; Mistress Loquinn gave me something for it, and now it’s just a minor annoyance. Duo,” I said sharply, and his eyes met mine. “It’s not your fault, and if you try to say that it is, I’m leaving and never coming back.”
Heero growled at me. ::Well, tough shit! You’re the one who insisted.::
Duo sank back against him looking stricken.
I crumpled my shirt in my lap.
Duo stared at me, at my chest, my arms. He swallowed; I could see him trying not to scream or cry or lose control, and it was… painful.
Heero touched my arm lightly, brushing at the scabs. “Blisters?” he murmured. I nodded. Duo drew a slow breath and let it out even slower.
“I did that…?” he whispered. “I hurt you that way…”
This time I growled; I don’t do it near as often as Heero, so it’s not as impressive, but I had righteous indignation on my side; Heero blinked at me.
“Duo, I tried to grab you in the infirmary when you were staggering around blind. It’s my fault. I should have known better. I should have spoken; I should have called Q or Heero. We were warned not to touch you. I shouldn’t have tried to touch you. It’s my own damn fault. Please stop looking at me like that!” It wasn’t until I’d finished that I realised that my voice had risen and that I was nearly yelling.
Duo had curled in on himself; legs drawn up, arms wrapped around his ribs. He looked like he was trying to memorize every mark on me. It gave me a chill and I shook my shirt out and put it back on.
“Stop it, Banshee,” I commanded. “Just let it go.” And to Heero, with a glare. “Damn it, you insisted!”
He hugged Duo close, stroking his hair, his back; just blinking slowly at me. “Yes… yes I did,” he said softly. “Thank you, Wufei. For being candid with us.”
He looked… Dammit, Heero looked as near to tears as Duo!
I threw myself to my feet. “Damn it; you insisted on forgiving *me*, Banshee! This is the same thing! Stop it! Just *stop it*; both of you! So help me Dragons, I will slap the both of you! DO NOT LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!”
Amazing, isn’t it, how quickly the emotions gain control when the mind goes out to lunch.
Heero was on it immediately.
“*Chang Wufei!*” he roared. “If you don’t stop whining, I am going to drop-kick your scrawny, piss-ant excuse for a Dragon butt all the way to fucking Beijing! We are *trying* to show concern for you, you goddamn *idiot*! Now shut the *fuck* up and let us finish!”
I sat down, stunned. There was nothing between me and the floor to sit on, but somehow… I failed to notice at the time. Duo’s eyes were just… huge. Like purple velvet dinner plates. Heero was… Forget it; I can’t even begin to describe the expression on the Wyvern’s face.
Dead silence. Duo stared at me. Heero glared at me. I attempted to get my damn mouth shut with little to no cooperation from my brain.
Then, a sound… Almost like a hiccup, but not quite. Just a tiny little noise. Then another, a little louder. Then a snort.
Heero and I both looked at the Banshee. His lips were pressed so tight together as to be white. His eyes were wet to overflowing. My heart sank even further, probably hiding behind my toenails. Oh, no…
...tbc...
BFB - Part 085c - Strange Days III
Standing at Duo’s door, I couldn’t help wondering that again.
Regardless of any apology owed, I was all set to be pissed at Heero, but that just vanished when I got a look at him. The hard-as-tempered steel Wyvern had been… crying.
Without thinking, I laid my hand on his arm and said, “Shit, Heero! Are you okay?”
He tried to glare at me, but it was just pathetic and he knew it, so he answered my question instead.
“Mostly,” he admitted. “He’s finally awake again… and he recognized me this time.”
“How is he?” I asked keeping my voice down to match his. And then I could have kicked myself; what a *stupid* question! I expected a more acerbic answer than what I got.
Heero sighed. “Scared. Angry. Confused. About what you’d expect.”
“Heero… I’m sorry…” I said quietly. “Dragons, I was all set to get pissy with you,” I admitted, still expecting righteous anger and fully prepared for the Glare of Glares.
“Go ahead,” he sighed putting his shoulder against the door frame. “You can’t be any angrier at me than I am at myself. Some guardian I am!”
Now he was just scaring me. “Heero, don’t be so damn nice about it! I can’t handle you when you’re nice!”
He gave me a mirthless grin. “That’s right; it’s your job to beat up on me, isn’t it?”
“Only when justified!”
He was about to reply, when we heard Duo cry out.
“Heero! Get it away!”
Just that fast, Heero was across the room. I stepped inside, wanting to also go to Duo, but recognizing that it wasn’t my place.
Heero landed on his knees on the bed, scooping Duo into his arms instantly. The Banshee clung to him, face buried in his shoulder, breath coming in fast shallow gasps.
“Heero?” Damn, but I wanted to help!
“Close the door,” he growled. “Get him some water please.”
I complied immediately, still listening with half an ear to the Wyvern murmuring gently to his – yes, *his* – beloved.
Damn. The facts had finally caught up to my heart. I hate when that happens.
When I brought the water to them, Duo had managed to climb down from whatever had panicked him, but he still trembled noticeably within the shelter of Heero’s arms, and he seemed… agitated.
“Nothing?” I heard him say, his voice strained and shaking. “You’re sure? Nothing at all?”
“Nothing at all,” Heero confirmed regretfully.
Duo looked up at me. “Fei! Did you… Did you see anything a minute ago?”
I blinked, mystified. “I don’t think so… What was it?” He looked… frightened.
“Fuck!” he wailed and buried his face in Heero’s shoulder once more. From the way his shoulders shook and his breathing seemed to hitch, I knew he was crying.
Ordinarily, the Banshee is not a sniveler. The only time I’ve ever seen him cry was when he got the news of his aunt’s death. Damn that girl and her fucking drug! Stupid bitch!
Heero held him and stroked lovingly at his hair and back, still whispering reassurances. “It’s all right, angel; it’s only the drugs. You’ll be fine once they burn out; I swear.”
“Heero, what’s going on?” I said after a moment.
Duo sat back, scrubbing his hands over his face to hide the tear tracks.
“Wufei,” began Heero stiffly, but Duo interrupted him.
“I’m fucking seeing things, Fei!” he blurted out. “I thought something was coming at me!”
“Oh, Duo…”
“That damned girl gave him Flunitrazepam. The doctor says it may take several days for it to work itself out of his system.”
“Flunitrazepam? Motherfucker!” I snarled. I’ve heard of it; we’ve had a couple of incidences of young Witches and Wizards being dosed with that shit. “Gods. Damn. Her.” I sat down on the edge of the bed, unmindful of Heero’s protective nature, and hooked my arm around Duo’s neck for a quick hug. “I’m sorry.” I offered the nearly-forgotten glass of water and Duo took it with a welcome sigh.
“I’m so damn thirsty,” he muttered.
“That’s good, though,” soothed the Wyvern. “It’ll help wash that crap out of your body.” He looked up at me. “Right, Wufei?”
I nodded, for once perfectly happy to back Heero up. Duo had leaned back into Heero’s arms again and suddenly I felt very… superfluous. I just… didn’t want to be there anymore. I stood up.
“I’m glad it’s just temporary,” I said and took a step back. “I don’t want to bother you; you need to rest, so…”
“Fei!” Duo reached for me suddenly, and I stopped uncertainly. “You and Trowa,” he began hesitantly. “You helped look for me…”
“Yes…” So did everyone else. What we did wasn’t remarkable; Duo is my friend. I will always try to protect my friends. He curled his fingers at me, so I stepped closer, once again mindful of Heero’s protectiveness.
But Heero made no move to stop me, and Duo stretched up with an obvious effort to wrap his arms around my shoulders and give me a hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered in my ear. “My friend…”
I couldn’t speak around the lump in my throat, but he didn’t seem to require a response. I returned the hug, gently this time, both for his obvious frailty and for the sake of my still-uncomfortable scabs. In the midst of that, a hand landed lightly on my back.
“Thank you, Wufei,” Heero said softly. “You do your ancestors proud.”
I flinched. I didn’t mean to; I certainly didn’t want to. I caught a flicker of startlement on Duo’s face, and then Heero withdrew with a muttered apology.
“No,” I said quickly to both of them. “It’s all right, Heero. It’s just that my back is still sore.”
“What?” he said blankly. “What’s wrong with your back?”
I realised that neither of them had any idea what had happened. “Um… It’s not important.” Sure, like Heero would accept that as an answer.
Sure enough, his midnight eyes sharpened. “Wufei…” he growled.
“Wufei? What’s wrong?” said Duo at almost the same moment.
I practically lunged for Heero’s gaze to avoid the Banshee's. It wasn’t his fault! He was frightened and drugged and… and…
“Heero,” I said firmly, “it’s nothing, really. Nothing important at all.” I tried to convey with my eyes what I couldn’t say aloud: Duo had done something, but it wasn’t serious; it had been fixed and there was no reason for him to even know. Not right this minute.
A flicker of understanding crossed Heero’s face; a faint wariness.
But Duo had hold of my sleeve. “Fei?” Oh, ancestors; that pet name is my undoing every single time… “You were hurt?”
“It’s nothing, Duo,” I repeated, keeping my eyes on Heero, and was alarmed to hear the anxiety in my voice. ::Heero, dammit! Help me here!::
“Duo… If Wufei says it’s nothing,” he began, but Duo caught his breath sharply.
“It’s me! I did something, didn’t I?” His voice was at least an octave higher than normal. “I did something to hurt you!” he wailed.
I’d been watching him from the corners of my eyes, trying hard to stay focused on Heero, but that plaintive cry wrenched at me.
“Duo, please,” I began desperately, “it’s not a big deal.” And of course, then I had to finish it. “You just… just knocked me down, that’s *all*! It’s not terrible and certainly not your fault!”
I could have saved my breath. The Banshee was already into full panic mode, his face gone ashen and his breathing once more fast and shallow.
“Show me!” he gasped, and I gaped at him.
I couldn’t *show* him! I was still covered in those damned scabs; what clear patches I had were pale and tender. I looked like a fucking patchwork quilt. He would lose his damn mind if he saw that.
Heero, who should have *known*, goddammit, turned that incendiary glare on *me*. “Show us,” he demanded.
It was out of my hands at that point. Whatever happened from here on was on *his* head, goddamn imperious fucking Wyvern!
I sighed and shrugged out of my jacket. “Do *not* get excited,” I told Duo firmly as I unbuttoned my shirt. “It hurt for a little while; Mistress Loquinn gave me something for it, and now it’s just a minor annoyance. Duo,” I said sharply, and his eyes met mine. “It’s not your fault, and if you try to say that it is, I’m leaving and never coming back.”
Heero growled at me. ::Well, tough shit! You’re the one who insisted.::
Duo sank back against him looking stricken.
I crumpled my shirt in my lap.
Duo stared at me, at my chest, my arms. He swallowed; I could see him trying not to scream or cry or lose control, and it was… painful.
Heero touched my arm lightly, brushing at the scabs. “Blisters?” he murmured. I nodded. Duo drew a slow breath and let it out even slower.
“I did that…?” he whispered. “I hurt you that way…”
This time I growled; I don’t do it near as often as Heero, so it’s not as impressive, but I had righteous indignation on my side; Heero blinked at me.
“Duo, I tried to grab you in the infirmary when you were staggering around blind. It’s my fault. I should have known better. I should have spoken; I should have called Q or Heero. We were warned not to touch you. I shouldn’t have tried to touch you. It’s my own damn fault. Please stop looking at me like that!” It wasn’t until I’d finished that I realised that my voice had risen and that I was nearly yelling.
Duo had curled in on himself; legs drawn up, arms wrapped around his ribs. He looked like he was trying to memorize every mark on me. It gave me a chill and I shook my shirt out and put it back on.
“Stop it, Banshee,” I commanded. “Just let it go.” And to Heero, with a glare. “Damn it, you insisted!”
He hugged Duo close, stroking his hair, his back; just blinking slowly at me. “Yes… yes I did,” he said softly. “Thank you, Wufei. For being candid with us.”
He looked… Dammit, Heero looked as near to tears as Duo!
I threw myself to my feet. “Damn it; you insisted on forgiving *me*, Banshee! This is the same thing! Stop it! Just *stop it*; both of you! So help me Dragons, I will slap the both of you! DO NOT LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!”
Amazing, isn’t it, how quickly the emotions gain control when the mind goes out to lunch.
Heero was on it immediately.
“*Chang Wufei!*” he roared. “If you don’t stop whining, I am going to drop-kick your scrawny, piss-ant excuse for a Dragon butt all the way to fucking Beijing! We are *trying* to show concern for you, you goddamn *idiot*! Now shut the *fuck* up and let us finish!”
I sat down, stunned. There was nothing between me and the floor to sit on, but somehow… I failed to notice at the time. Duo’s eyes were just… huge. Like purple velvet dinner plates. Heero was… Forget it; I can’t even begin to describe the expression on the Wyvern’s face.
Dead silence. Duo stared at me. Heero glared at me. I attempted to get my damn mouth shut with little to no cooperation from my brain.
Then, a sound… Almost like a hiccup, but not quite. Just a tiny little noise. Then another, a little louder. Then a snort.
Heero and I both looked at the Banshee. His lips were pressed so tight together as to be white. His eyes were wet to overflowing. My heart sank even further, probably hiding behind my toenails. Oh, no…
...tbc...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-01-03 06:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-03 09:37 am (UTC)Heero and Wufei may carp at each other from dawn until dusk, but they're still friends.
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Date: 2005-01-03 11:44 am (UTC)Sure; why not?
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Date: 2005-01-03 11:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-03 04:56 pm (UTC)look forward to the next part. insane laughter is good, bit of mirth goes a long way for duo in this.
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Date: 2005-01-03 06:24 pm (UTC)Yay! I always wanted to be on someone's hazard list. ^^!
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Date: 2005-01-03 09:04 pm (UTC)I have to say I love getting home after a crappy day at work to find more BFB
*glomphugs*
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Date: 2005-01-04 05:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-04 05:26 am (UTC)Didn't listen, did you?
^__^
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Date: 2005-01-04 05:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-01-04 02:28 pm (UTC)