Author's Note: Please don't take this story the wrong way. Just for the record, I was ill when I wrote it...
A Glimpse into a Soldier's Heart Part 6
VI. Crule Joke
One thing I hate about being a Gundam pilot, besides killing that is (but lets not go there, shall we?), is undercover missions. If there's another thing I hate about it, is going undercover in a boarding school. If there's a thing I hate most about it, is actually GOING to school. If you didn't get it yet- I! Hate! School!
Didn't have much luck with them when I was a kid, and I can't claim to be overjoyed by the fact that I am currently enrolled in one. One small comfort is, that I am not alone. Heero's stuck here as well. But God damn him - he seems to actually like it here! Well, not exactly like, because Perfect Soldier Yuy cannot be claimed to like ANYTHING, besides his all too precious laptop (may God also damn the one who invented that damn machine!), but getting to the point here- Soldier boy seems to be doing fine while I sit in class and mope. He does his homework (though he probably learned this stuff when he was three or something), he listens in class, he takes notes, he does EVERYTHING, including getting straight A's, as I continue to flunk one test after the other. Fuck him. And those tests!
And so, sitting in yet another totally useless and BORING class, I sigh and shift in my chair uncomfortably. This movement is usually accompanied by one of Heero's scowls, as he subtly hints me to sit down quietly. He says I must have needles up my ass for I never stop fidgeting in my seat. What can I say; I'm a restless piece of burning energy. So sue me! I just can't sit silently for forty-five minutes straight! It is sooooo boring!
But, back to here and now, as I move for the tenth time in the last five minutes, I am not answered by the 'death scowl'. Nope. He didn't even notice that I moved. That is also odd, for nothing escapes the attention of the great and all mighty Heero Yuy!
What's even stranger is the fact that he doesn't seem to be following the lesson as he always does. He just sits there (in the seat in front of mine), a pen in hand, but he isn't writing. He doesn't even bother to look up at the teacher, as he seems to be daydreaming. But Heero doesn't daydream! That's my job! He is the Perfect Student. He does NOT dream! This thing just doesn't happen people!
So I lean closer, over my table, and I look over his shoulder. Again he doesn't seem to notice and I vaguely wonder if he is asleep. Too bad I can only see the back of his head. I lean closer, and I note that his notebook is completely blank. Great, now who do I copy from when it's time to sit down and pretended I'm studying for a test?!
And then I see it. Oh oh. This isn't good... His fingers... clutched tightly around the pen... his knuckles... completely white... I swallow hard and hurry to lean back into my seat. Heero Yuy, Perfect Soldier, is upset.
I wonder what it could be?
I place a hand under my chin, thinking. What had bothered him so? Let me see... what happened today..? Math... we had a quiz... maybe he got an A instead of an +A? Nah... fat chance of that... History then? They discussed this Pearl Harbor thing... back in world war two... some dude said some nasty comments 'bout the Japs... Nah... Heero doesn't care about that... does he? Is this what's bothering him?
No wait, I saw him after class, he was fine. No white knuckled or anything...
That leaves PE class... we played basketball. He seems to kinda like it... he even admitted to it once (well, in his own weird way, which goes like: "Hey Heero, do you like basketball?". He shrugs. "You do, don't ya?" "Shut up baka! It does not matter!" Yup. He likes it alright.) Nothing happened during the game. His team won as usual... what then? What could it be?
A few giggles from behind cut my string of thought and I look up and see Heero tense. Gee... what's with him today? He seems really pissed now...
I turn back in my seat, looking at the two boys giggling behind me, one whispers to the other and they laugh again, both smirking in Heero's direction. I turn back to Heero and see him shift in his chair a little, as if suddenly uncomfortable.
Are they mocking Heero? My Heero? They dare to make fun of him?!
"What's going on?" I hear another guy, the one who seats behind me and to the left, ask the two smirking boys.
I train my ears to listen to what they are saying, but they are whispering very quietly, and too busy laughing in the process, that the only words I catch are: locker room, gym and small.
I frown. Locker room... gym... small? The locker room in the gym is small? What does that have to do with Heero?
Again they giggle and Heero shifts his weight again, trying to look like he is unaware of their mockery, but it is clear that he is. They also notice, and continue laughing. It goes on and on until the bell finally rings.
* * *
"Heero, wait up!" I call as I rush to gather my things, hurrying to catch up with Heero, who wasted no time in running out of the class. "Heeeeeero!!!!" I call after him, as he makes his way through the crowd of students filling the halls. But he pays me no mind, and soon, he disappears.
Dammit! Why does he always pull away? I know he's troubled, but he will not let me close! And now I have to sit all alone during lunchtime, because I ain't gonna sit with those jerks who dare to make fun of him!
Stumbling heavily into the cafeteria, I look around, hoping to spot my best friend somewhere in the crowd. But like I had guessed before, he ran off somewhere.
Taking my tray, containing one unwelcome 'Tuna surprise', I find myself a nice little corner and head there. Half way through my so-called meal, a couple of guys from my class come to sit in my empty table. Couldn't they find another place to sit at?!
"Hey, Duo." One of them calls and I send him one of my 'yeah, hi, whatever...' looks.
"Where's Heero?" Another asks, and two other boys look at each other, chuckling.
"What's it to you?" I shoot back.
Another guy bursts out laughing. "Just tell him Jason asked- 'what's up'?"
The other boys burst out laughing as well. "Yeah, tell him I asked, 'how's it hanging...'"
"What?!" I call, completely in the dark here. I know they're mocking him and me about something... but what?
I turn to look questionably at the first boy who had addressed me.
"Don't mind them." The boy says as he rolls his eyes, sitting down. "He got really upset, didn't he?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" I look at the other giggling boys, just about ready to smite them with all of Shinigami's might.
"Haven't you heard? EVERYBODY's been talking 'bout it." One of the mocking guys says, surprised.
"'Bout what?" Oh God... everybody is laughing at my best friend, and I don't even know why? Shit, Heero, I'm so sorry... some friend I am...
"Gee, Duo, where have you been? Didn't ya hear what happened after PE?" Another boy asks me.
I glare at him. "Obviously I didn't- otherwise I wouldn't be asking now, would I?!" What a jerk!
The boy doesn't seem to notice how angry he had made Shinigami (poor soul...) and so he only chuckles again, playing with his food. "Boy, you should have been there, in the locker room, when Ralph..."
"When Ralph what?!" I practically jump off my chair, planting two hands on the table. "What did that jerk do?!"
"Oh, nothing much." The first boy states simply. "If you ask me, Heero took it a little too seriously."
"Took WHAT!!!!!?"
"Ralph's comment."
"WHAT COMMENT?"
The boys blink at my outburst and I force myself to calm down. "Tell me."
"Well, lets just say that because Ralph saw Heero was unwilling to change in front of the others... he made a small comment about his... size."
His size?!!
I didn't realize I was just gaping at them until one boy cleared his throat, eyeing me to close my mouth, for my chin was practically touching the floor. I snap my mouth shut, but I am still shocked. Heero is upset because of... that? I don't know if to laugh or cry. That is what's bothering the Perfect Soldier?!!!!!
Humph! Maybe he is human after all... But it's still no excuse... just because he felt uncomfortable in their presence, doesn't mean they have to be so cruel to him... He might seem like he's this big-bad-I-kick-everybody's-ass boy, but what most people don't realize is that no matter how much he seems like his face is made of stone, his heart is as fragile as glass. Hurtful words do hurt him sometimes (not that he'll admit it, even to me, but I can tell, trust me, I can). Those stupid high school kids can be so immature sometimes... I swear, it's hard to believe we're the same age...
* * *
I didn't see Heero all day long. We had different classes and after school, he had probably disappeared somewhere. Kids talked about what happened in the locker room, and everybody made a big fuss about it. I managed to learn that Heero had nearly punched Ralph, but then retreated in the last minute. He probably thought it would draw too much attention and will risk the integrity of our mission. What an ass, I would have punched the dude for sure... But unfortunately, I was too busy washing my hair! I swear that thing is nothing but trouble sometimes. There are times when I wish I could just chop it off, so I won't have to deal with it anymore, but then I know that I'll regret it later, so I let it go.
But because of this stupid hair I had missed the chance of helping my best friend when he needed me! I was right there in the showers, and I did nothing! I didn't even hear what happened! I feel so bad about it... I hope Heero will forgive me...
It's already dark when he comes back to the dorm. I'm just preparing for bed, struggling to put some new sheets on it, as Heero storms into the room. Without even looking at me, he throws his books on his bed and heads to the shower.
I sigh and slump back to my bed. Heero is still upset.
Shit.
By the time he comes out, I'm in bed, tucked well in, gazing up at the ceiling. I turn my head to look at him as he settles in his bed, dropping his head down onto the pillow, sighing heavily as he slumps down on the cushion. I watch him as he turns to shut off the light on his nightstand, and then roll back to lie on his back.
The room falls dark and silent.
I hear him sigh and I close my eyes sadly, feeling so sorry for him.
"Heero?" I dare to whisper his name, but he does not answer. I know better than to press on, but I do anyway. "I heard what happened today."
"Go to sleep, baka." He spits poisonously, and turns so his back is facing me.
"It's no big deal, ya know..." Oops! I should have said that!! Oh God! Oh God... me and my big mouth!! What a bad choice of words!!! FUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!
Heero snorts and I hear him punch his pillow. "Very funny, baka."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way... sorry, Heero."
Again he snorts and I hear him drag himself closer to the wall, back still facing.
"But you shouldn't be so upset. They're just a bunch of stupid kids."
"I said - Go! To! Sleep!"
I sigh deeply. "Heero,"
"Listen, asshole- I don't care what you have to say! So shut up and let me sleep!"
That did it. He never bursts at me like that. Sure, there's the occasional 'omae o korusu', the frequent 'death glare', the all too often 'could you shut up for a while?' and so on and so on. But never did he actually yell at me. And I was just trying to help...
I didn't think he would get so upset about such a minor thing (No! NO! Not minor as in minor! Gee, thank goodness I didn't say it out loud...). I mean, he's Heero Yuy for crying out loud! He does not get upset over some dickhead ditching his... manhood.
I watch him for a long while, as he just lies there, staring up at the ceiling, looking deep in thought. He sighs from time to time, his fists clutching as if he is about to hit someone. All pure signs of his troubled state. After a long while of suffocating silence, I decide that I had enough.
"Heero," I call quietly.
He remains still, eyes glued to the ceiling.
I push myself so I'm supported by one elbow, and I gaze over to his bed. "Heero, please don't be so upset. Those kids have no idea what they're talking about."
He turns his head to look at me, face startled.
I chuckle slightly; glad I now have his attention. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with you feeling uncomfortable in their presence. And it's stupid of you to be so insulted by their words when they obviously have nothing to base their assumption on."
He quirks an eyebrow at me, lips parting slightly as he sort of gapes at me.
I chuckle again. "Did they see you naked?" I ask slowly, knowing that I'm treading on dangerous ground.
He slightly shakes his head.
"So how can they tell?"
"I..." He chokes out, then stops himself, apparently thinking it over.
"Also," I let out before I can stop myself. "Haven't ever... ya know..." I'm gonna hate my mouth once this is out. "...compared yourself to others?" I am soooo dead.
Heero's mouth practically drops open and he gapes at me, completely shocked. "What?!" He calls, voice full of surprise and disgust. "Of course not! Why would I do such a thing?!"
I hold myself from giggling at his stunned features. "Relax Heero. It's not that bad."
"No, it is repulsing." He spits, turning away from me.
I shrug. "Maybe. But it's a guy thing... Weren't you even curious?"
"No."
I sigh heavily.
"And I know of no such 'guy thing'."
I roll my eyes. "Fine, Heero. Whatever. Just don't take it so hard. They were only fooling around. They didn't really mean to hurt."
He remains silent, still trying to prove to me that the big bad ass soldier is not affected by this little incident. We lay there in silence for some time, until I once again push myself up to look at him.
"Heero?" I call quietly, hoping he didn't fall asleep yet.
He doesn't really answer, but I know he acknowledged me.
"One more thing." I let out softly and smile a little as he turns to lie on his back, and I can look at his face. "Promise not to take it the wrong way?"
This time he turns his head to look at me, eyes shining in the dark, waiting for me to speak.
"I'll take it as a yes." I let out, smiling nervously. I turn to look him straight in the eye. "Heero, you're not that small."
I hold myself from laughing as his chin drops straight to the floor, eyes wide as space saucers. I only chuckle, and turn in my bed, back facing him so he will not see my smirking face.
"Night Heero." I let out with a fake yawn, snuggling into the covers.
"G...good...night... D-Duo..." He mumbles, his voice sounding as if something was caught in his throat.
I wait for a while after I hear him turn in his bed, and then I dare to turn around and look it him. I know it is dark, and I know I am more than willing to believe it, and so I must be imagining it, but nevertheless- Heero is smiling.
OWARI
Naomi: AHHHHHHHH!!!!! Whatever made me come out with THIS idea?!!!!!!!! Geez... I think I'm gonna go and see a shrink... I need help... badly...
Duo: I couldn't agree more.
Wufei: *smacks Duo over the head* Look who's talking! Dishonorable American! How do you know if he's big or not?!!!!?
Duo: *smirks...*