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

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She took them both, finishing the glass off quickly.]

Thank you, Heero. ... I owe you. Both of you.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero nodded.] We couldn't leave you there.

.... What were you doing there, anyway?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Maybe the silence would work just as well with Heero. She let her eyes drift closed...]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

Catalonia. Answer me.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She feigned snapping back to attention, mentally scrambling for a decent alibi. She wasn't so lucky this time, apparently. Did he just call her by her last name? That always meant trouble, coming from him. The last time he used it was to chastise her for leaving Relena's side for only a moment...]

A moment, Heero. It's... hard to focus like this. [A laugh, somewhere in the midst of humorless, nervous and maybe a little bit bitter.] I was meeting someone. [She frowned, shaking her head.] He never showed, though. At least he's safe...

[She could only hope that he'd buy that.]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero had no reason to suspect otherwise. He nodded once.] He should be, yes. And you're fortunate that we spotted you.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Dorothy's gaze dropped to the floor. How much longer could she keep this up? Heero was sharp. She'd have to really stay on top of it. Good thing she'd had practice in her lifetime so far...]

I know I am. I can't thank you enough...

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero watched her for a moment before shaking his head.]

Those are still some intense injuries for simply being outside.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[The look she gave him was one of hurt. Exhaustion. A little bit of betrayal mixed in, and maybe some pleading. Did she honestly feel any of those? Not one bit.]

Heero, what are you getting at? Why the suspicion? ...I'm tired, okay?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Understandable. ... Sorry, I was only concerned. [For things he thought she knew nothing of.]

You should probably rest some more. If you want to clean up... I wouldn't recommend a shower or a bath, but you're welcome to try. I'm taking you to the hospital first thing in the morning.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She nodded, looking back down at the floor. Her head was spinning, the pills were making her sleepy... She'd always hated the feeling of being confused, and this had to be the epitome of it. She wished it would go away.]

I... think I'll just sleep. ... Thank you again. And... Don't worry about contacting my parents. Everything will... turn out alright.

[She let her eyes slide closed, curling up further into the couch. Maybe if she just shut out the world now...]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero shook his head]

They need to know you're alright.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[... Well. If that was how this was going to have to work... She turned to face him, her eyes not only intense, but with some faint shine to them. Though the shine only lasted a fraction of a second, something about it stood out... ]

Heero Yuy. Look at me. ... You don't want to call my parents. You don't want to tell them what happened to any of us today.

[She held his gaze for a moment longer, then shook her head and looked away again. Her head was throbbing even more now.] I'm so exhausted...

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero blinked once, slowly, after she'd finished speaking. He shook his head a few times, and then shrugged a shoulder.]

Yeah. Sleep, then. [He stood, laying a hand on her shoulder briefly in an effort to offer a bit of comfort.] Yell for me if you need anything.

[And with that, he headed back toward Duo. He no longer had any intention of notifying Catalonia's family.]