SUMMARY: Duo is paralyzed in a car accident. He’s sent to a rehab center to learn how to cope with being stuck in a wheelchair the rest of his life. One of the patients there, Sally, is dreadfully jealous of him. His cheery attitude and outlook on life cause her to reevaluate her own.

PARINGS: 1x2 (Heero x Duo)

WARNINGS: shounen-ai. OC. (original character)

DISCLAIMER: I don’t own and am making no money off of this.

&&&&&&&&

A NEW WAY TO FLY

The cafeteria inside of Shady Lane Rehab Center was full of patients, most of them in wheel chairs, gathered around tables or still in line. Sally was having trouble using her fork, which was attached to hand splints to scoop up peas. She finally managed to stab a few but couldn’t lift it to her mouth. She sighed in exasperation and closed her eyes to hold back tears.

Everyone at the table, except for her, was a paraplegic, or para for short. They ate and talked quietly with ease. It wasn’t fair! She was so tired of her miserable existence. She over heard a para complaining about not walking. Ha! At least he still had his arms! Unlike her- she was a quadriplegic. The tears were about to escape when she heard a cry of delight. How could anyone in this place feel joy, and at dinner, too?

She opened her eyes and peered about. Across from her, Duo Maxwell opened a McDonald’s bag. His impish, heart shaped face full of delight as he removed a Big Mac box, fries, and a cherry coke. He opened the box; the smell of fries and hamburger wafted over to her and Sally’s mouth started to water. She glanced down at her own pallid, healthy fair then watched yearningly as Duo dug into his forbidden feast, which his boyfriend, Heero, had brought him when he visited a little while ago. Sally glowered at him, but Duo was too enraptured in his food.

Sally was so depressed while Duo was so happy. Duo’s constant joy atlife had her seething. Duo, with his cheery playfulness, had shortly upon arrival, won the hearts of everyone and the attention of more than a couple of males. Before Duo, Sally had been queen; now her competitions boyfriend was even hotter and better looking than Ryan had been. Sally silently sighed, feeling the prick of tears. Ryan had been so handsome, a perfect varsity quarter back and very attentive to her, but after her accident, her sour disposition had driven him away. Duo’s boy, he came every Saturday, held him, talked to him…

“What makes you so special? Why do you always have to be so damn happy? You’re never going to walk again. Your friends on the outside won’t be around much longer. Soon your gook boyfriend will get sick of you and find someone normal and-and-“

Everyone’s heads swiveled to Sally. Her face was red from anger. How dare Duo be so happy when she was so miserable! What was there to be happy about? She gasped when those eyes, now hard, met hers. Duo’s expression was a dangerous one and Sally immediately regretted playing with fire.

“Never-ever insult Heero again! Just because you’re a quad doesn’t mean you can diss whomever you want. You’re life’s changed; get over it, gimp.” Sally’s tears flowed. Duo shook his head and went back to his meal.

The air condition came on, brushing over Duo’s slender, small body and causing goosebumps on his soft, exposed skin. He wore thin cotton baby blue top that teasingly exposed his tiny belly with its metal ring and short shorts with ankle socks. His thick, honey brown hair hung in along braid down his back, below his tight butt.