What Happened At The Clambake

Quatre munched on a bit of steamed lobster and passed around the steamed clams 
while Trowa told a classic urban legend/ghost story he'd once heard from his 
friends in the circus.

"That never happened." Heero rolled his eyes.

"It makes a good story thought," Trowa replied, "doesn't it, Duo?"

The braided pilot didn't reply. He was lost in thought, his face troubled. 

"Duo?" Heero's voice took on an uncharacteristic tone of concern.

Duo stood up silently, then walked away.

"Wait here," Heero told the others as he followed Duo to another clearing.

"It was the fire, wasn't it?" Heero guessed. "Before we covered it with seaweed."

Duo nodded. "I thought I could handle it." he admitted. "It's been years since... 
But it still reminds me of it."

"It's all right." Heero said, reassuringly.

"No, it's not." Duo shook his head. "I should've gotten over it by now. I must 
be screwed up real bad, Heero."

"Why? Because you're still grieving over the loss of a group of people who were 
the closest thing to a family you had known in a long time?" Heero took Duo into 
his arms and stroked his hair. "Duo, after all you've been through, it's a 
miracle you still have the ability to feel anything. You've held together better 
than most people I know. Perhaps even better than me. I don't even remember what 
it's like to feel something for someone. I'm so programmed to be just the 
Perfect Soldier that it scares even me sometimes."

"But you do feel for people." Duo protested. "You may not recognize it, but I do. 
And so do the others. We all see how much you care about us when you rush to aid 
us during battles, or when you tend to our wounds. You came after me tonight. 
You're here with me now. So don't tell me you don't have feelings for me. Don't 
tell me you don't care."

"Duo," Heero asked, "would you mind if I kissed you?"

Duo shook his head. "No," he replied. "I wouldn't mind at all."

Heero stepped forward until he was right in front of Duo. Then, he leaned 
forward and touched his lips to Duo's. The kiss lasted for what seemed both a 
wonderful eternity and a sadly too brief few seconds. In that time, something 
warn and alive blossomed within the arctic circle of Heero Yuy's frigid soul. It 
was as if that one spark had always been in, waiting for the right person to 
awaken it.

When he pulled back, there was a light in his eyes that had not been there 
before. His dream of being the Perfect Soldier was, he knew, completely out the 
window now...

...and he didn't mind one bit.

Heero laughed.

"What?" Duo asked.

"I came here to help you and you ended up helping me." Heero replied, sounding 
like someone who has just been given a second chance at life. "Thank you, Duo."

"For what?" Duo asked.

Heero looked into Duo's eyes. "For giving me a soul." he replied. 

-----Owari-----