| “W-what?” Heero’s eyes went wide as he realized that Trowa was right. “What are you talking about?”
“Quatre always smelled like baby powder and cinnamon, but it was different and it was all him. You smell like that now.” Trowa’s voice was again soft. Heero’s mind whirled with this information. Had his ‘dream’ been some sort of reality? And if it was, why didn’t he feel guilty for sleeping with Trowa’s lover? “I…I don’t know. I never noticed it before.” Heero lied as his mind tried to produce an excuse. When nothing came up he cursed inwardly. “Wishful thinking I suppose.” Trowa mumbled but Heero knew he was still suspicious. “So about this plan, someone needs to contact Iria and we need to form the plan.” Duo began. “Do you think we’ll need the Gundams? Oz is still on high security, they have been ever since we…” He trailed off, but nobody needed him to mention Quatre to know. Heero thought about it. They wouldn’t need the Gundams once they were on the colony. In fact there was no way to take the Gundams on the colony, they would easily give away their identity. But they could run into Oz in space and they’d need away to defend themselves on the way to the colony and back to Earth. “We’ll take one or two Gundams. Deathscythe and Shenlong, we’ll need speed and distance combat ability.” “Cool.” Duo nodded as Wufei agreed as well. “Why don’t Wu and I call Iria while you and Trowa rest. If we expect this mission to succeed then we have to be at our best.” Duo slid off the bed as he and Wufei went to the door. “We’ll see you two later.” He promised and then they were gone. Heero looked at Trowa, wondering if the Heavyarms pilot was going to leave or just sleep in the chair. But Trowa didn’t move and the room was cast in silence. Finally the banged pilot looked up at Heero and if he hadn’t known better he could have sworn that there were tears in those emerald eyes. “Can I stay with you?” He whispered and Heero felt desperation and loneliness wash over his being. “If you want.” Heero nodded as he moved over in the bed. Trowa crawled in beside him silently and they both settled down. Heero felt awkward at first and could feel that Trowa felt the same. Clumsily, the Wing pilot wrapped his arms around Trowa’s body, and in return was held comfortably. When Heero closed his eyes he found himself in an empty chamber, Quatre was nowhere to be found. At that thought he noticed that he felt different, like a part of him was missing. “You need rest. You don’t need me right now.” Heero opened his eyes and came face to face with an already sleeping Trowa. But behind the slumbering pilot stood the flaxen haired spirit. Around the dead boy shone that same pale blue light as before. Heero was about to ask but Quatre stopped him. “I’m not going anywhere. You will need rest and I will only distract you from real sleep. Sleep well…master.” A grin crossed his sweet lips as he whispered. Heero smiled to himself then closed his eyes to sleep. Quietly Quatre turned off the light. *** Heero opened his eyes startled. “Whoa! Sorry!” Duo said from over by the door. “I didn’t mean to slam the door.” He moved over to the bed and stopped, studying his partner. “Say Hee-chan, you wanna teach me that thing with your eyes? How do you keep changin’ the color?” He wondered. “Color?” Heero wondered. He looked away from Duo and noticed that Quatre was sitting on the end of his bed and Trowa was gone. “Yeah, they’re normal again.” Duo shrugged. “Ah well, anyway, I already explained this to Wufei and Trowa while they ate something. Wu made me call Iria ‘cause Sally wanted his help. Iria agreed to help us and she gave me directions to Quat’s grave.” Heero heard Quatre sigh. “So what will she do to help us?” The Wing pilot asked. “Well, she said that once we get to the colony she can distract everyone long enough for us to get into the family plot and to the grave. She warned me that it’s a big family plot too, but on every tombstone there is a picture of the person. Once we’re at the right grave, we’re on our own.” He said. Heero nodded. “That’s all that she can do. If something goes wrong and we’re caught it’s best that she not be involved. Now, when do we leave?” He asked. “It’s about midnight now. We were thinking around six. There is a shuttle big enough for both Gundams planning to take off at that time.” Duo remembered. “Sounds fine.” Heero nodded. “It should take the day to reach the colony and by the time we arrive and are ready it should be dark…Duo, you don’t think I’m insane for this do you?” Heero wondered. Duo only smiled gently. “I think insanity comes with being human. I mean everyone’s gone crazy once in their lives.” He shrugged. “So no, I don’t /think/ you’re insane. And if you are then I am too for going along with it.” Heero smiled. “Thanks Duo.” He said softly. Duo winked. “Wufei and I will wake you up before we’re ready to leave.” With that he left the room, turning the light off. Heero turned to Quatre but didn’t say anything for a long time. He was content with the silence and he looked at the pale light radiating from the motionless body. It illuminated Quatre as if he were a nightlight. Finally Heero decided to beak the silence. “Where did you spend the night?” He wondered quietly. A satisfied smiled graced the dark blue lips. “I watched you and Trowa sleep. It’s something I wanted to do in life, I’m glad I finally got the chance.” He looked at the ceiling. “I used to watch Trowa sleep, he always looked so peaceful…and young. I’d watch you sometimes when I got the chance. Mostly when we were on a mission together. You looked disturbed in your sleep and I always found myself wanting to hold you, to comfort you and to make your nightmares go away…but I was always afraid that you’d wake up and push me away, perhaps say something to the degree of questioning my honor to Trowa.” A navy blue tear crawled down his pale blue cheek as his smile turned into a defeated wince. “It’s funny if you think about it. I wasn’t afraid of dying or of pain. I was more afraid to get my heart broken.” He wiped the offending tear away. “A heart is a terrible thing to break.” Heero whispered softly, making Quatre look up at him. “You taught me that. You were kind, not just to me, but to everyone. At first I thought kindness was useless to have in war. But then…you pilots became expectant in my life…I cared for you all. It was more than just respect…it was love, I guess. That of a family and I’d never known that before.” By this time Quatre had moved and was now lying beside Heero as he spoke. Heero looked down into deep aquamarine eyes. No more words were needed between the two lovers. A silent understanding that they both regretted not realizing that they had a chance to be together in life settled around them. Heero sighed and leaned his head on Quatre’s shoulder as the blue haired blonde loosely wrapped a cold arm around him. Slowly, Heero’s eyes drooped and his last conscious thoughts were about the cold comfort and the next mission. |
