Blue Forest Banshee by PlaidDragon
Part 15
Heero lay on his back looking up at Duo, seeing him more in silhouette with the light behind him.
::I should bring it up. I'm sure he wants to ask, but it would be better if I just told him.::
::But if he gets angry, I may not have a chance...::
::If I lay here staring for much longer, he's going to get nervous. He's already beginning to fidget with his hair.::
::I don't want to chase him away...::
"Duo, about your fainting spell..."
The Banshee jumped.
"Look, Heero, that was really embarrassing."
"I just wanted --"
"I really hate secrets and not knowing what's going on!"
"I understand --"
"People kept things from me when I was growing up, and I hated knowing that when I found out!"
"But --"
"And that whole thing in the garden. It was just humiliating not knowing!"
"That's why I --"
"I was startled, that's all. I didn't expect it, and I -- I -- I... Well, I didn't handle it like I should have."
"But --"
"And I told Q that. I explained and he said it was all right, but I still feel like a fool, creating a scene over -- over nothing! And I don't want it to happen again!"
"Duo, I promise --"
"So, I asked him, and he told me. I hope you won't be angry, Heero. I just didn't want to be surprised again. And he said you would probably tell me, if I asked."
Heero blinked.
"What?"
"You're mad, right? Dammit, I shouldn't have asked!"
"Duo --"
"I just hate not knowing!"
Again, Heero blinked.
Duo sat there, eyeing him warily, ready to leap up and run for his life, if necessary.
Heero cleared his throat.
"Um... Duo... What conversation did we just have?"
"Huh?"
Heero just hoped he was using the right words.
"Duo, what are you talking about?"
"Um... What are you talking about?"
Heero sighed and sat up, drawing one leg up to rest his arm on his knee.
"I am talking -- trying to explain, really -- about my scene in the garden."
Duo frowned, but relaxed. "Your scene? I'm the one who fainted."
"But you didn't almost frighten the life out of five people and kill a rosebush."
"Huh?" Duo said again, totally at sea.
Heero hung his head to avoid those bright eyes. "I yelled at Trowa and Wufei. I... I yelled, in general. I can be... loud... and I don't always censor my language..." He plucked a blade of grass.
Duo stared at him. "I thought we were talking about me..."
Heero glared mildly at him.
"Well, I'm the one who fainted! I'm the one who passed the fuck out when I saw Wufei! I'm the one who was so shocked; I left the damn building! And had to be carried, for godsake, to the infirmary! All because I didn't expect to see my friends as a cougar and a dragon! And you're worried about yelling at someone?!"
"Duo, you know how a Banshee's voice can wreak havoc..."
Duo's chin came up sharply. "A female's voice; yes."
"I don't have exactly the same ability, but when I say 'loud', I mean painfully loud. Decibels rather than frequency."
Bright purple eyes widened in obvious interest. "Really? Well, that's what I was talking about! I asked Q what you were, because I didn't want to be surprised, like I was with Trowa and Wufei. He said you're a Wyvern, but I don't know what that is, so he told me to ask you, and that you would explain." He stared at Heero, taking in his slightly confused expression. "He said you wouldn't be angry..."
"That's what you were talking about? You just wanted to know what I am?"
"Um... Yeah..."
Heero threw back his head and roared with laughter.
Duo stared at him for a moment, then when Heero showed no sign of sobering, he frowned.
"Are you laughing at me, Heero?" he demanded icily.
Heero stifled his laughter immediately.
"No! I'm not laughing at you! I'm -- I'm laughing at me!" He couldn't help grinning. "I was afraid you'd be angry with me, because I caused a scene! I got a reprimand from Q and had to have dinner with a pair of Fairies, and buy Master Kushrenada a replacement rosebush. I thought you'd never speak to me again!"
"Why would I be mad at you? Wait a minute. You had dinner with Fairies?!" yelped Duo. "Male Fairies?!"
Heero nodded, smirking. "Yeah. But only dinner."
Duo cut him a wide-eyed look. "For me...?"
Heero shrugged. "A little... I was worried about you. The Weres weren't doing anything except arguing. I didn't know what had happened, but you were out cold. I lost my temper..." He hesitated only a moment. "It was worth it to know you were all right, and that you aren't angry now."
"Oh... Well..." Duo didn't quite know what to say. "So... Will you tell me what a Wyvern is?"
Heero got to his feet, grinning. "I'll even show you."
"Show me...?"