Tinfoil

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(a few weeks later)

“Ooooo!” Duo exclaimed to himself as he grabbed a flyer that had been taped to the door of their current safe house. He turned to the other pilots brightly and took them in, in a single glance. They were tired from their mission, cranky, sore and not nearly as hyped as Duo, few people ever were.
*There’s no way in hell they’d go with you.* he berated himself and slipped he flyer into his tight, jeans pocket discretely. *You’re a loser.* he muttered in his mind bitterly as his grin slipped a mere fraction of an inch. He let himself in the door and left it open for the others to follow. *It’s only eight a.m., I’ll catch some sleep and go out later this afternoon.* Duo told himself brightly as he meandered to his room. Somehow he ended up alone, which he guessed was a good thing really. He hadn’t been sleeping very well lately and Heero would’ve killed him if he kept him up all night. So he made up for the bad week’s sleep now by kicking off his shoes and inadvertently passing out on his bed fully clothed.

~~~~~~~~“We should wake Duo for lunch, breakfast, whatever.” Quatre said sleepily, wishing he’d taken a nap like Duo did. Although his time hadn’t been wasted. He smirked wickedly as he thought once more of the hard, strong plains of Trowa’s body and how well the two of them glided over each other when slicked in sweat.

“Brunch.” Wufei supplied.

“He probably won’t eat, but just the same…” Trowa trailed off.

“I’ll grab him,” Wufei offered as he finished setting the table and left the dinning area, stretching languidly as he went, enjoying the coolness of the air against the bare skin of his chest. *Duo doesn’t ever eat that often.* Wufei realized with a start. *In fact we’ve been at this safe house for a week and I can’t remember the last time I saw him eat…there was that…STUFF…a few weeks ago, but I never saw him eat after that or before that…* Wufei left the thoughts trailing around his mind in disorder for another time.

He walked to Duo’s room, his loose pants swishing around his ankles delicately, and tapped lightly on the door to announce his presence before opening it slowly. “Maxwell. Food’s ready.” Wufei said loudly to wake the other boy. He heard a low moan and saw Duo roll over in the gloomy room. The thick curtains were drawn shut and the cheery early afternoon sunlight couldn’t seep in. “Duo.” Wufei called again as he stepped into the room. *Lazy.* Wufei thought and ‘tsked’ out loud. He paused a moment to let his eyes adjust to the lowlight as the door slid shut, leaving only a slit of brightness behind.
“Duo its time to eat.” Wufei prompted as he moved forward to shake the slumbering boy. A low gasping sob halted his motion and caused his eyebrows to shot up in surprise. He pulled his hand back from where it hovered as the braided boy rolled over to face Wufei. He curled his shivering body into a tight ball as glistening tears rolled down from his clenched lids.

“Duo?” Wufei asked quietly as he knelt on the floor next to the bed. Pain and fear played over Duo’s cherub face as his breath came in sharp, short pants. He began to toss back and forth listlessly and Wufei watched in morbid fascination, trying to collect himself. He’d never seen Duo anything but happy. He didn’t know that American’s face could even look displeased, much less fearful, as it did now.
*What could he be dreaming about?* Wufei asked himself as Duo began muttering faintly in distress. Wufei leaned closer to hear what was being spoken…
*Is that….Italian?* Wufei wondered shocked. He ran a thumb across Duo’s damp brow and the braided boy shied away from his touch with a whine of fear. “Duo wake up!” Wufei insisted.

“NO!” Duo moaned aloud in terror. Wufei grasped his shoulders tightly and leaned over to give him a few good shakes.

“Duo wake up.” Wufei demanded, something glinted in the darkness and caught his eye as he leaned down toward the other boy. But before he could register what it was a strong hand grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head back painfully. Duo’s weight shifted forward and pushed him to the floor heavily, knocking the breath out of him. Any thoughts of fighting back died a quick death as Wufei felt the cold press of metal against the flesh of his throat.
*So that’s what the glint was…* Wufei commented nervously in his mind.

“Stay the fuck away from me!! Don’t you ever touch me again!! I will cut you!!!” Duo hissed furiously, his wrath filled violet eyes burning into Wufei’s startled onyx ones. “Leave me the fuck alone!!” he demanded as tears continued to roll across his cheeks and the knife pressed down harder.

“Duo!” Wufei managed to gasp out as the knife pricked his flesh. Duo froze and looked down at Wufei confusedly.

“Wufei?” he asked quietly and tossed the knife away as he let the Chinese boy’s long dark hair, loose from his clenched fist. “Oh gods Wufei! I’m sorry! I…I…I…” Duo stammered unsure of what to say.

“Are you alright?” Wufei asked still on his back with Duo perched atop his waist.

“I…What?…ME?…Are YOU okay?” Duo asked anxiously.

Wufei grasped Duo’s shoulders and pulled him down quickly to rest against his chest, as he enfolded his friend in his arms. He could fee the shock emanating from the other boy as his fingers met bare flesh, where the black long-sleeved shirt had ridden up, the skin raised with scars. He ran a gentle hand over his friend’s lower back as he hugged Duo around the shoulders with his other arm.
“It’s okay.” He whispered softly against the pale ear as his breath stirred the loose cooper spun strands of chestnut hair around him. Wufei thought for a moment about how nice Duo felt pressed against his body. “It’s okay.” He repeated when he felt Duo’s body begin to tremble harder. Warm tears fell against Wufei’s skin as Duo tried to hold back his sobs. “Duo, it’s alright.” Wufei soothed as Duo’s fists clenched against the bare flesh of his shoulders. Duo pressed his face into the crook of Wufei’s neck; his shuddering sobs muffled by the golden skin, his hands gripped the narrow shoulders for support. “It’s okay now.” Wufei assured him. He wouldn’t say it was only a dream, he wouldn’t say it wasn’t real or it couldn’t hurt. They were Gundam pilots in the middle of a war and chances are, it was real and it could hurt. He wouldn’t give empty comfort; he’d give what he could and no more.

~~~~~~~~Duo gasped as the coldness of the water splashed against his bare skin, then sighed as the shower warmed up quickly. He leaned against he wall thinking to himself.
*I can’t believe I drooled and sobbed all over Chang. He’s never going to let me live it down.* he thought dejectedly. The Chinese boy had patted his back and whispered softly to him a few moments before suggesting that he get cleaned up for lunch. *Stupid, fucking worthless, rotten…* He trailed off. Images and words played over in his mind, even though he tried to suppress them.
With a sigh he pushed down the memories and climbed out of the shower, which was getting cold again fast. The consequences of being the last to shower. But they all took ‘military showers’ [4] so it wasn’t too bad, the safe house just had a small water heater than normal.

“Duo the Doctors are on a live feed from the colonies. They have something important to tell us.” Quatre pronounced shocking Duo as soon as he opened the door.

“Alright fine. Lemme change.” Duo mumbled and headed to his room, his long, damp hair loose and thrown carelessly forward over one shoulder, dressed in his old, sleep rumpled clothes.

:::Make it quick boy!::: He heard Professor G’s crackly voice over the external speakers of Heero’s laptop from the dining area.

“Hold your fuckin’ Pale Horse!!” Duo hollered back over his shoulder irritably. “Fuckin’ plague bearin’ mother fucker!” Quatre heard him mutter softly as he slammed the door shut solidly.

He came out of his room dressed anew and neatly rebraided a few moments later. Trowa blinked at him in surprise.
“How…?” Trowa started to ask but shook his head instead and looked to the screen of the laptop where five different boxes should the five Doctors, each at a different location.

“That was fast.” Quatre commented, but went silent as he saw Professor G smirking.

“Of course, I might bitch, but when G says ‘jump!’ I say ‘how high?’ right back.” Duo replied jokingly.

:::And why is that boy?::: G hissed seriously from millions of miles away.

“Because you’re a fuckin’ prick!” Duo taunted cattily his enforced good mood broken.

::Please settle you’re domestic arguments later!::: Dr. J cut in icily silencing them both. They other pilots were stunned, but didn’t show it. Duo never showed a temper in anyway.

“I’m sorry Professors. I’m just a little tired.” Duo said apologetically as he rubbed a hand over his face.

:::I’ve got good news for all of you. The war is over.::: J said and paused to let it sink in a moment. :::The colonies, Oz, and the Romafeller Foundation have signed a peace treaty that all parties benefit from and we are very pleased with. The peace in tenuous for the moment, but we have high hopes. Your missions are over and you’re all free to live out you’re lives as you please. If you have need of anything let us know, but for the time being, you’re on your own, we’re emailing you a copy of the document now.::: J told the stunned boys. :::Goodbye pilots.::: J said and logged off.
:::I’m sure we’ll see each other soon.::: G told Duo with a smile as he too logged off. One by one all the squares went blank.

“Holy shit.” Heero responded in shock after a few long moments of pregnant silence. The others turned to him stunned. Then Quatre laughed joyously and jumped to his feet to throw his arms around Trowa’s neck and kiss him soundly. Wufei sat down heavily into a chair with his head in his hands. None of them noticed Duo go from the room quickly, but when the looked up he was gone.

“Where’s Duo?” Wufei asked suddenly and they all looked around them. “Duo?” Wufei called loud enough to carry through the house as he rose to his feet. He emerged from his room just as Wufei was about to call a second time. He didn’t say a word as he passed by the dining area without looking at them. They all followed him in alarm, noting the duffle bag he carried. He stopped at the back door and turned to face them.

“Well war’s over, see ya.” He stated evenly and went to open the door.

“Wait, were are you going?” Quatre asked placing a hand on the door to hold it shut.

“Any where but here!” Duo stated and tried to dislodge Quatre.

“Duo you can’t just leave.” Trowa stated simply.

“Why do you want to be anywhere but here?” Heero asked in his quiet voice.

“Get the fuck outta my way Winner! I do NOT have the time to play these fucking games!!” Duo shouted and pushed him harshly onto the floor. He tried to yank the door open but Wufei’s arm stopped him. “I will take you down Chang.” He warned softly as he stared into onyx eyes.

“What are you afraid of?” Wufei asked quietly and Duo’s eyes softened briefly.

“A Hell you can’t even imagine.” He whispered back as he pressed a Glock17P80 [5] firmly against Wufei’s temple. “Please move.” Duo begged softly. “I don’t wanna shoot you.” He stated almost in tears.

“Let us help.” Heero demanded and moved closer to the other two boys.

“Trust us Duo.” Quatre begged as he picked himself up off the floor. “We’re not going to abandon you.” He stated. Trowa looked at him expectantly. Duo hesitated a moment then nodded silently and lowered the gun.

“You have thirty seconds.” He declared softly and three of them ran off to different parts of the house. Wufei continued to lean against the door solidly. Wufei’s look plainly stated, ‘I don’t trust you not to run off, like I know you were planning to do’. Duo looked at him with a sad smile and raised the gun again. Wufei pushed against him suddenly and pressed his lips against Duo’s ear.

“It’s okay.” He stated quietly as he grasped the pale hand holding the gun in a white-knuckled grip and held it away from his body towards the floor. “It’s okay.” He repeated softly. Duo pressed his forehead against Wufei’s shoulder and gasped back a cry.

“I’m not going back!” He stated fiercely in a soft voice as the others returned, each carrying a small bag or duffle.

“Ready.” Heero stated and held a bag out to Wufei, then passed him his katana. Wufei stepped back and Duo opened the door. Together the five of them walked into the glaring sunlight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(later that night/early morning)

Duo dropped his bag heavily onto the mattress, which groaned and squeaked under its weight. He checked the closet and bathroom quickly; gun out, making sure they were alone. He walked to the door, which Trowa was just closing behind them. He slid the chain home and clicked the lock into place. Grabbing a chair from the ‘dining table’ he wedged it under the doorknob. He pulled back the curtains on the small window and checked the locks; then pulled a length of steel piping out of his duffle and wedged the window shut with it, then moved on to the window in the bathroom. Satisfied that the hotel room was as secure as he could make it, Duo sank tiredly onto the bed where Quatre and his bag sat.

“Duo?” Quatre stated as he peeked into the bag. “There aren’t any clothes in here.”

“I packed all the necessities.” Duo told him wearily and rubbed his eyes.

“There’s nothing but weapons in here!” Quatre chastised.

“Okay…” Duo started but trailed off. Everyone sat down and got comfortable as Quatre broke out some rations he’d brought and passed them around. Duo sat in silence a few moments

“Duo what’s going on?” Heero asked sitting down as well and speaking the question all of them were thinking. They all looked at him expectantly, looking a little pissed off.
Duo looked up blearily at them. They’d stolen a car, driven for almost 14 hours, he’d stopped once to make a phone call, and followed him without question to the middle of BFE [6] from the comfort of a house they could have turned into a home, now that the war was over. The only people he called friend. The only one’s he trusted with his life, his sanity, his soul.
Heero ignored him completely, as Heero was prone to do with just about everyone, or good old fashioned violence, one of the two. Trowa just seemed to treat him like a hyperactive ferret that hung around, it was there, and you couldn’t catch the damn thing to put it down, so just accept it. Quatre blew him off almost like he was too good to be around Duo or like he was a retard. Wufei…well Wufei had changed towards him lately. He’d been trying to spend around time with him, giving him these long apprising looks. Duo suspected Wufei had realized he was a hot piece a’ass and wanted to start a relationship. They never tried to spend time with him; never made an effort towards friendship beyond just being Gundam pilots together and usually turned his efforts away without even realizing it most of the time.
*An asshole, a keeper, a snob, and a snob with a stick up his ass……yeah, I lucked out.* Duo thought to himself bitterly. He never let it bother him. He brushed his feelings aside just like they did to him and let it roll of his shoulders like water and really……he was tired of it.

“It’s just…one of those things…” He said nonchalantly to their questioning stares. They blinked at him.

“Damn it Duo! I’m not in the mood to play games!” Heero declared angrily as they all started to voice their displease.

“NEITHER AM I!!!” Duo screamed wrathfully, shocking them to wide-eyed silence. “I didn’t ask any of you to come. I didn’t invite you. I tried to leave without you. So don’t sit there and look at me like this is some how my fault because you’ve gotten yourselves here, not me!”

“If you didn’t want us to come you should have said something.” Quatre offered angrily.

“God-fucking-Christ Quatre!” Duo swore as he jumped up and began pacing. “I thought the fucking Glock would have spelled it out enough!!”

“Do you want us to leave?” Trowa asked softly and Duo sighed.

“Yes. But at the same time no.” He sighed his response.

“What the hell does that mean?” Wufei asked testily.

“It means I’m fucking sick and tired of making all the fucking effort towards us being friends!!” He declared. “I’ve tried offering to do things with you people and you just…aren’t interested. I’ve tired doing the things you want to do, but I don’t always know what to say or what the hell is going on between Lebanon and Israel, but hell I fucking try to be included and it still gets me no where. I’m not going to have the energy to worry about trying to be friends with you guys and do all that I need to do. But here I am…With four guys who don’t know a goddamn thing about me, who I’m not even really sure like me as a person, and……and you guys are the only ones I can turn to right now and……I’m not even sure if I can depend on you……” Duo trailed off as he sat back down again and pressed his hands against his eyes. No one said anything for a few long moments.

“So what the hell have I been doing with my time?” Wufei asked his quiet voice angry.

“Please Wufei!! You think I’m stupid? You think I don’t see you staring at me all the damn time?! You’re trying to get me into bed with you!!” Duo yelled at him and the Chinese boy who blushed and turned away with down cast eyes. “Well I hate to tell you this Princess, but you are gonna be sadly disappointed!!”

“Why didn’t you say something sooner Duo?” Heero asked softly.

“Because I’m Duo. I’m always happy and nothing ever gets to me. I let everything slide.” He said simply.

“I’m listening now.” Wufei told him and Duo blinked in surprise. “I’m listening to you now Duo. And if I haven’t always done so I’m sorry, but I’m trying now.” Wufei told him softly. He looked at Wufei in surprise, then looked at the other boys around the room. They stared at him in rapt attention.

“I’m not going back. Not for anything.” he whispered almost to himself.

“Going back where?” Quatre prompted and Duo took a deep breath.

“Well it started out so simple…”

~~~~~~~~~~TBC~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[4] A ‘military shower’ is where you turn the water on and get completely wet, then turn the water off, soap up everything, turn the water back on and rinse. It takes half as much time and 50% less water than a normal shower. Not very relaxing, but efficient.

[5] Say it with me now… “Thanks Wikiapedia!!” The Glock17 is a 9mm Luger Parabellum semi-automatic pistol with a magazine capacity of 17 rounds. The Glock 17P80 is used by the Norwegian armed forces. The Glock17P80 is a different verision of the Glock17. The ‘17’ refers to the fact that this gun was Glock’s 17th patent, not the magazine size.

[6] BFE-bum fuck egypt=middle of nowhere.