The world has caught on fire from what I've been told.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero kicks open the door to his apartment, not caring that the top hinge pops loose. He's carrying an unconscious Dorothy in his arms, who is covered in soot, ash, blood, dirt, scrapes, bruises... Heero isn't unscathed, but unlike Dorothy, he won't be needing stitches. Just a shower. But there are more important things right now...

He ignores the gun that falls out of his pocket as he goes to lay her down on the couch, kicking the door one more time to keep it open for Duo. The kick is enough to knock the top hinge a little bit looser.]

Comments

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Dorothy..? [He stood so he could make sure she didn't pass out again] You okay over there?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[He massaged his temple with his free hand as he spoke, trying to fight off a headache. When he spoke, he wasn't angry, just firm and insistent. His voice was quiet. Tired.]

The Angels, Chang. I told you last time, they're the ones destroying the major cities around the world. Tokyo, Alexandria, London, Chicago... Shanghai defeated the Angels, but the rest of us... the outcome has yet to be determined.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She nodded a few times.] Yeah. I'll live.

[She licked her lips, and winced at how painful it was given that the bottom one was split and the top was dry and chapped enough that it nearly cracked as she spoke.] ... Ugh, can I even sit up...?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

So you'll fight again. [And damn it if he would just leave them to it. Sally might know of somewhere he could find housing at such short notice...]

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't try it, if I were you. You should stay still and rest. No way you can get better if you keep testing what hurts.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I just... hope we have warning next time.

... You're safe, right?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

Right. I know. ... I'm just already tired of lying down... [A short, slightly bitter laugh.]

[She wanted to talk about it, but knew better. They didn't know her position in this, nor did they realize that she knew theirs, and the longer it could stay that way, the better. Still... She tried more neutral ground.] Are you okay?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Safer than you, it seems.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

Hn. At least something is constant.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Huh? Me? Yeah, sure. Just a little scratched up. It looks worse than it feels. [Not that she could really have seen it, it just seemed like a good response to that. And dammit, where was Heero with that ice, anyway?]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She looked up at him and shook her head.] Given how bad it looks, that's good news. [She sighed. What about her? Who was it that attacked her? He had to be dealt with soon, but how could she...? No, the thinking was giving her a headache, as well as making everything else ache even more than it already was. And in her current state, she couldn't keep that from showing. She curled in on herself, but only a bit, and rubbed at her face with both hands.] ... Does Heero have any painkillers?

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

I'll go get some. I think he's getting some ice, too. [Duo made his way into the kitchen]

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[And enter a Duo.]

Dorothy said she— Oh. .. Who're you on the phone with?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero looked up at Duo, blinked, frowned a bit. Dammit, didn't Wufei tell him not to let Duo know last time...? Nevermind, it didn't count anymore. Besides, he wasn't in Chicago anymore, right?]

Chang, actually. [He shook his head, and decided that maybe changing the subject...] I forgot to make ice this morning. We'll have to wait for a little bit. [... Smooth. He mentally berated himself for that one.]

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

... Yuy? Who are you talking to?

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

What? Chang Wufei "Chang"? When did you hear from him? How'd you find him? Why didn't you tell me?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[He turned his attention back to the phone momentarily.] Duo.

[At which point, he looked back up at Duo. This would not end well, he could already tell...] He found me, and I didn't tell you because I was told not to.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[a short pause of OMGWTF] Why did you just tell him that?!

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

What— When? What the hell! [Duo was currently in a state of shock, but that was quickly giving way to anger and a small amount of betrayal — though whether directed at Heero or Wufei had yet to be decided.]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero facepalmed. He was not dealing with this shit. They weren't kids anymore.] Perhaps because we're all friends, Chang. Does it honestly matter that much?

[With a sigh, he stood from his chair and shoved the phone at Duo's chest.] You two talk. Sorry I didn't tell you. I wanted to.

[He went to grab whatever ice had actually formed at this point.]

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

That does not— [Talk? What?] Yuy? [He tried to keep the panic out of his tone, but he wasn't completely successful] Yuy?

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[It took Duo a few seconds to find his way out of the shock and raise the phone up to his ear]

Wufei?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Maxwell. [Wufei closed his eyes, all but daring his voice to shake] Please return the phone to Yuy.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[A while later, Heero came back, ice in a bag and a roll of paper towels just in case. He sat on the table near her.]

How are you feeling?

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Return— No. Fuck no. What— Where have you been? [Without thinking about it or paying attention to what he was doing, Duo found the nearest surface and leaned his back against it. He wasn't paying attention to anything beyond his whirling thoughts and the voice on the other end of the line.]