Call Close

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not owned by me, it is owned by Sotsuo, Bandai, and various other companies. This work of fiction is meant for entertainment only, no profit is made.

Call Close

Shai PeriHawk

There was a brief scuffle as the two men sorted out who would take a closer look at Relena's arm first. By the time they'd decided, her blouse was neatly folded on her desk and she waited patiently in her chair. For once, she was glad of the lack of visibility Duo had insisted on.

Her sudden calm had both men instantly on edge. After a brief exchanged glance, Duo took the lead. He tossed his (slightly) modified first aid kit on the antique desk without regard for the polished wood. Relena gritted her teeth, but said nothing. Duo looked over her shoulder to see that almost-amused look on Heero's face again, and almost lost track of what he was doing.

"Has anyone called about Pagan?" Relena asked quietly, drawing Duo's attention back to her.

He nodded. "Wufei says Sally's taking care of him," he reassured her. "His shoulder is a mess, but she's putting him back together."

Relena sagged in her chair, head down. Duo had the sudden urge to see her eyes. He grabbed her arm, just beneath the injuries. Her head shot up with a gasp of pain. Heero's eyes sharpened, but he made no move.

Duo struggled with his words. "How did you hide this?" he demanded, leaving the "why" for later.

She jerked her arm away and glared, her anger pushing aside the guilt in her eyes. "With great difficulty," she snapped. She reached into her skirt pocket, then slammed a pocket knife down on the desk next to the first aid kit. "You followed me everywhere. The downstairs powder room was the only place I could be alone, so I did it there. Showers were another matter entirely. You never asked why I walked into the stall fully clothed."

Duo bowed his head as guilt came crashing down. He rested two fingers on her forearm, barely brushing the skin, as if he wanted to touch more.

"Why did you stop?" Heero asked quietly.

Relena looked at him over her shoulder. She didn't answer at first, just stared. "I felt alive, worthy of being alive. I felt like me instead of some political place holder." Her eyes didn't leave Heero's as she spoke. She didn't move, as if content to have Duo hovering over her, barely touching.

Duo glanced at her sideways. "When did you stop feeling like you?" he asked roughly.

At that, Relena's eyes flew to a spot on the wall. He saw the pulse in her throat double in speed. She swallowed and her lips trembled as she answered. "In for a penny, eh? It started not long after the last time Heero threatened to kill me." Her fists clenched in her lap. She laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. "I suppose you'll have to-" she choked on the words, but pressed on, "report this. Say something to someone."

Heero snorted. Duo dropped to his knees, finally peeling the much-abused bandage from her injured arm. Small streaks of blood leaked from the scabbed over slices, proof of a rough day. That combined with the smudges of grease and dirt made Relena look tired and worn. Duo sighed and stood. "We need to get you cleaned up." He picked up Relena's pocket-knife and flipped it in his fingers. He leaned down and pressed the folded blade into her hand. "You won't use this on yourself again," he said softly. He packed up the aid kit and looked at Heero. "I'm going to run a bath. Bring her up?"

Relena stood to put her shirt back on so she could catch Duo. A shower would get her quite clean enough.

Heero's hand closed around her wrist in a gentle but unbreakable grip. She gasped in surprise, wide eyes on the Japanese man. "Heero," she started to tell him to forget everything she'd said, to make excuses.

"Stop."

"But-"

"No," he said firmly. His hand slid down to cup hers. He turned it palm up and studied the lines there. "I don't want to kill you," he said. He twisted his wrist and slid their palms together. "I don't want to you die."

While Relena gaped, Heero moved. He tossed her over one shoulder while he grabbed her shirt with a free hand. It took a few seconds for outrage to replace shock.

"Heero Yuy! Put me down right now! And give me-"

Her tirade cut off with a shriek as his hand landed in a sharp blow on her backside. He took advantage of her silence. "If you 're quiet, we can make it to your rooms without attracting attention," he said shortly.

Relena stilled, settling for glares at Heero's broad back. As she stared at the spot where shis shirt tucked into his pants, a completely inappropriate urge came over her. She debated the action all the way up the stairs and into her room. When he closed the door behind them, she gave in.

Her hand darted into the back of his pants. She gripped the top of his underwear in her fist and yanked.

Heero's yelp brought Duo running from the bathroom. Relena sat on the floor, rubbing her hip where she'd hit the carpet. Heero tried fruitlessly to fix his briefs through his slacks. Duo took it all in with wide eyes before he bent double with laughter.

"She- she gave you a wedgie!" he gasped through guffaws.

Relena covered her mouth to smother giggles. She really shouldn't be proud of herself. She looked at Heero through lowered eyeliashes. The former Gundam pilot shared a baleful glare between them. Finally, he appeared to make a decision and stalked toward Duo with dark intent. He was almost on top of the other man when Duo finally looked up through teary eyes. His jaw dropped and he took a step backward.

"Wait, Heeor, I-" his protest ceased abruptly as Heero's hand darted for his target. Both men turned bright red, frozen.

"Don't wear underwear," Duo finished weakly.