Situations II




The ball hit the ground resoundly as Duo dribbled up the court. The 
smell of sweat was intoxicating and his adrenaline was pumping hard. 
Todd was blocking him and left no room for an opening. 

"Duo,man, I'm open!" 

Duo looked around to see Mark waving his hands frantically while Heero 
tried to block him.He was about to send the ball flying toward Mark, 
when he suddenly felt it leave his hands.He looked up to see Todd 
dribbling it up the court.< Wow, he's good > Duo thought as he rushed 
to catch up. 

"Pass the ball!" Heero cried as he stood under the basket, but Todd 
seemed to enjoy keeping it for himself. Heero's eyes narrowed as he 
saw Todd playfully dodge Duo's blocks. 

Duo was panting roughly as he blocked Todd. It had turned to one on 
one and the other players were just standing around watching. 
Duo gritted his teeth as h continued to prevent Todd from passing the 
ball. 

Heero was angry.< How long is he going to play with Duo like that? > 
He asked himself.He flexed his fist and the sound of a knuckle popping 
echoed throughout the gym.< Aren't they getting a little too close > 
thought Heero, enraged. 

"Are you crazy. Just pass the ball!" 

Suddenly, all eyes are on Heero.Whispers ran through the gym. < Did
that guy just call Todd crazy? Uh Oh. > No one saw the ball suddenly 
fly from Todd's hand to slam Heero smack in the face. The gym went 
silent. 

"Uh, sorry man. I thought you asked for me to pass you the ball. You 
understand." Todd explained as he casually draped an arm over Duo who 
was staring at Heero's face in shock.Heero was standing there, his right 
trigger finger flexing anxiously.A murderous gaze lit up his face as he 
saw Todd's arm draped posessively around Duo.His left eye twitching, he 
slowly walked toward Todd. 

Duo looked from Heero to Todd.< Uh oh. Heero's gone beserk!>" Uh, Heero? 
It was an accident.No hard feelings,'kay?" 

" I understand perfectly." Heero said calmly, while not even paying 
attention to Duo. His gaze was fixed on the smirking face of Todd.
"Perfectly..." 

"Uh Heero?" Duo asked.Suddenly, he saw Heero's fist come flying straight 
for Todd's face, intending to do some serious damage.He moved without 
thinking, jumping in front of Todd to feel Heero's fist contact with his 
jaw. He let out a little yelp as he felt something give way and he feel 
back against Todd, who catched him heavily. 

A collective gasp ran through the gym.Heero stood there frozen, staring 
from his hand,to Duo and back again.Todd was cradling Duo in his arms as 
he looked up to meet Heero's gaze. 

"Is this how you treat your friends." Todd got up slowly and walked out 
with Duo in his arms, leaving Heero behind him, frozen in shock. 

*******************************************************

Duo opened his eyes to see Todd leaning over him with a concerned
expression on his face.< maybe a little too close > he thought, then 
shook his head,< I'm losing it >.He struggled to get up, raising a hand 
to rub the sleep from his eyes. "Ow!", he winced. 

"Let me see that." Todd asked as he put an icepack on Duo's cheek."Much 
better." Todd whispered. 

Duo shivered as he felt Todd's breath brush against the bruised cheek.
Suddenly, he remebered. 

"Heero.." 

Todd stiffened, and turned toward Duo. Duo's eyes widened as he saw 
for a second the hate in Todd's eyes.Suddenly, Todd smiled and Duo 
relaxed. 

"Is that your friend?"Todd asked. 

Duo winced, and moved his icepack to a better location."Yes."He said 
forlornly." I just don't understand..." 

"I don't think it would be...wise...for him to come to the party.His...
type...don't fit in well here." 

Duo stared at Todd in shock."What...type?" 

" Oh, the violent type. The type that would hit there friends. That kind
 of type." 

< Well, Heero was pretty violent, but...I just feel... whole around him.
That's what friendship is about.. isn't it? > Duo looked at Todd and then 
back at the floor. "Okay." 

******************************************************* 

Todd walked Duo to his room, a few steps behind him, watching as his 
hair swayed, calling him to follow.< Tonight is the night that I make 
him mine. > Duo smiled as he waved him goodbye and stepped through the 
door. Todd stood there, just watching the door where Duo vanished 
through. 

Smiling in anticipation. 

******************************************************* 

To Be Continued....