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

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[Even if Wufei had an answer, he wasn't sure that he could have given it.]

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

That's how it is, then, huh? Guess I shouldn't have been surprised. All this time without you around and I almost thought you'd have missed m— us. Here. Something. It's not like we didn't do anything together. I guess it didn't matter as much as it felt like. Not to you, anyway.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Max— [a short pause to swallow] Maxwell, that isn't true.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Isn't it? That's all you keep telling me, is that it's not as important as I think it is.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

I will explain myself in a few days' time, and you can choose your response then. Please give my best to Yuy and Catalonia.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Fine. You better stick to the few days, though, buddy, or I'm finding a way and tracking you the hell down. [a pause, and then he hangs up the phone, closing his eyes and trying to decide how he feels about what just happened]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

((OoC: Lol. What would you call this madness, threadweaving? ^^;; ))

[Heero made his way back in, leaning against the wall near Duo, just watching him. If he didn't say anything soon, Heero would speak up first, but he could hope...]

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[Duo's not moving right now, just leaning against the wall where he ended up earlier, eyes closed]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Just another half a moment of silence, before...]

Duo? ... What happened?

((OoC: I hate EOPs... So mind-numbing, so boring... my eyes burn and my head hurts... D: [/sneak] ))

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[slowly (tiredly) straightens to stretch and gives Heero a half-lidded look]

Before or after Wufei showed how much he missed me?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

... He did. Does. ... It's Chang. [He struggles to find a better explanation, and fails... so he tries something else.]

I believe it's that he wasn't... ready to face you.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[In his best Wufei voice:] Wasn't the right time. [annoyed breath and he hits his head against the wall]

What the hell does that mean?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

Exactly what I said. He wasn't ready to face you. ... Didn't say it was a good reason, it's just what he's going on.

[He moves to stand next to Duo, one hand on his shoulder.] I apologize, though.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, well, unless it was your fault he ran off and stayed away for so long, you don't need to apologize. [rubs at his face, trying to reenergize himself]

How's your houseguest? She out again?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Rolls his eyes, dropping his arms back to his side.] I shoved the phone at you. Whatever conversation followed is at least partially my fault.

... Yeah. She's out. As she should be. She needs to rest.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[Shove off attempt failed. Duo gives Heero a slightly-blank look while he thinks about how to keep going with the situation]

If I say I forgive you will you stop acting like it's somehow your fault? [a little tired, a little (very little) amused]

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[A very, very faint smile, and a nod.] Yeah. Alright.

... You should rest, too. Today... hasn't been the best. For either of us.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[Hey, that got Heero an actual smile! Okay, not as much of one as the icon implies] You mean I don't even have to say it?

Yeah. I guess I should head out soon.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

[Heero rolls his eyes at the first bit, not even bothering to give that one a response.]

If you'd like. You're welcome here, though, if it would be easier. Dorothy isn't going to make it to the other bedroom.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

You sure you want somebody else around? I don't want to cause you any trouble.

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

It's no trouble. I appreciate the company, actually. ... Besides, you think I want to be alone with Catalonia for an entire night?

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

[surprised into a laugh]

Hang on, Heero Yuy's afraid of Dorothy? Did I just hear that right?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

I am not afraid of her, Duo Maxwell.

[maxwellian.livejournal.com]

Uh huh. So what's the word you'd use, mm?

[selfdetonation.livejournal.com]

Wary, maybe.