Note to all: I've decided to take the same route with this fic as I am with my YYH one. I will be posting 'scenes' instead of chapters from now on. This means the parts I post will be smaller, but it hopefully means that I will be able to write more and faster, because that seems to be the only way to get my muses to cooperate lately. This will not effect the plot, it just really means shorter parts. It does mean though that I'm probably gonna stop getting a beta to read my stuff. Spelling and such should still be fine, but that's the small warning for you. Hope you enjoy the next part and hopefully I'll be posting more, more often now.
Touched and Bound Part 7
The night passed by rather quickly, with Duo's attack dying down to something that clearly resembled a simple nightmare. For most of the night he lay there peacefully, his breathing a bit labored but otherwise normal. Every now and then his body would jerk and he'd get another smaller attack, but it was rare if it lasted more then a minute.
The sun began to rise outside and I found myself relieved that his attack was over. Part of me wished that Mari had actually come home that night, but knowing her she was most likely still at her computers, completely oblivious to what time it was. I knew she was one of those people who could sit down and just lose themselves, the same way I could sit in a room and lose myself in the small amount of time it took me to memorize every detail around me. So she wouldn't be home for a long time, and I was stuck caring for someone that I knew next to nothing about, medically. I had no idea if putting him in the bed with a cool cloth over his forehead was a good thing, or if it would kill him. But so far, it seemed to be doing more good then harm.
I heard a soft moaning above me and realized that Duo must be waking up. I moved and stretched a bit, before standing up and turning to him. I'd spent most of the night on the floor, leaning against the side of his bed, so that if I dozed off the movement of the bed from his attacks would wake me. Now he was lying partially awake in bed, hazily blinking open his eyes and moaning softly as he seemed to get his bearings. After a moment his eyes focused and turned my way, then he gave me a look of confusion and surprise.
"What time is it?" He murmured, sitting up. He caught the wet cloth from his forehead in his hand and blinked at it for a moment, as if it were strange that he was holding something in his bare hand.
"Just after five in the morning." I sat back down on the edge of the bed and took the cloth from him, careful not to touch his skin as I did. Walking over to the bathroom I dropped it in the hamper, then crossed back to where he was now sitting up in the bed. He watched me the entire time, a strange look of something that could almost be called awe on his face. I wasn't sure why he was staring at me that way, after all what had I done? Yes, I'd watched over him for the night, but that was normal right? Did he honestly expect me not to care about someone having such a severe seizure?
"You stayed with me all night?" He asked softly, echoing a string of my thoughts.
I responded with a nod and walked over to the kitchen, filling a glass of water for him. I bought it over and held it out for him to take. "Your gloves are on the bedside table."
He blinked at me, then smiled a bit. Turning he took the gloves and slid them back on, then took the glass from me and gratefully emptied it. When he finished he didn't look up, but just sat there looking at the empty glass in his hands. "I suppose... I owe you an explanation, don't I?"
I shrugged. "No, it's your life. But it might help so I know what to do next time it happens."
Duo nodded slowly and began to turn the cup in his hands, rotating it slowly. "I've never really told anyone before. Mari knows, well... because she's experienced it. But... yeah." He took a deep breath and stopped turning the glass, looking up at me. I took that as a signal and sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting patiently.
"I... see things." He started, his voice slow, as he tried to find the right words. I waited patiently for him to go on and offer more of an explanation. As I listened I automatically watched his reactions to his own words. He seemed tense, nervous about telling other people. I could tell he'd been telling the truth: this wasn't something he told everyone around him, and part of me wondered how much the people at Branch 2 knew.
"I see... when I touch things, I can see what they've seen. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, but I know that people in the more paranormal circles would call me a 'touch-know'. If I touch something with my bare skin I can see what it's seen. And the longer I touch something... the more I can see." He paused and just watched me, apparently gauging my reaction.
Slowly, in my mind, things started to fall back into place. I distinctly remembered the second time I'd seen Duo, how he'd sat at the table which Middi had always sat at. How he'd been touching the table without his gloves on when I'd caught him, and he'd given me this almost frightened look. He hadn't wanted me to see his powers, that's why I'd surprised him. I wasn't supposed to have noticed.
I glanced over at his gloves, realizing that his powers perfectly explained everything about his weird behaviors. Why he always wore gloves, and didn't let anyone touch those gloves, at least not on the inside. The bed sheets in the chest made sense, and so did his strange reactions to people. It all seemed to snap together, fixing the puzzle so that the picture finally came into full view. It seemed so strange that all I'd been missing to the puzzle was a simple piece like this.
"It happens with everything you touch?" I asked quietly.
Duo nodded once more. "Every single thing. The gloves aren't so bad, because they mostly hold my own memories, so I don't mind the constant images from them, it's like memories running in the back of my mind. But everything else..." He stopped and shuddered a bit. "I wear the gloves so I don't have to see it. I hate seeing it."
"And the attack?"
Duo sighed softly. "I hate seeing it, so I use the gloves to block it. But sometimes it gets out of hand... I think there was too much going on in the hospital. I didn't even think about it, but that hospital was a high energy place. You know, a lot of people pass through there every day. That's a lot of images... and apparently too many for my gloves to block out. So it all hit me at once." He looked up at me and offered a nervous smile. "So I guess I looked pretty pale when we got out of there, didn't I? I generally start to get pale and slow just before it hits. Least... that's what Mari says."
I frowned. "But that meant she noticed before she left, and that she consciously left you with me." My frown deepened at this thought. Mari had willingly left me with Duo when she knew that he was probably going to have an attack. And yet she hadn't seemed to hesitate much. Had I missed some kind of silent communication between the two of them? Had this been planned?
Duo only nodded, confirming my suspicions. I frowned at him and stood up, walking over to the kitchen and double checking in the light now to make sure I'd gotten all the shards from the plate. Behind me Duo remained silent as he made his way out of bed. I could hear him standing up and moving about to get new clothes for the day. A second later the shower turned on and I knew he was in the bathroom. Part of me wondered how bad his power was, and if he saw the images from the water as it washed over him. Or when his feet touched the shower floor... how did someone live like that? How could one live when every time they touched anything it flooded their head with images and visions.
I focused on finishing washing and putting away what dishes were left, as I listened to the shower turn off in the bathroom. I was emptying the sink and wiping it clean when he walked up to the counter, dressed, with his hair rebraided.
"Does it bother you that much?" Duo asked me quietly.
"What?" I asked, putting the towels away. I noticed a second later that I was avoiding eye contact of every kind and I wondered if he noticed.
He leaned against the edge of the counter and crossed his arms, watching me. He'd noticed. "Does it bother you that much that Mari and I trust you?"
I stopped and turned to look at him, my eyes meeting his. "Yes. It does." I said shortly and plainly. I changed then, for a moment, because I felt any sort of emotion or feeling disappear from my face. I know my eyes went dead as I looked at him. "You don't know me. You don't know who I am, or what I am. And yet you trust me."
I watched him shrug it off with a small grin. "Then I guess I'm a fool. But my instincts tell me I can trust you, and they've never failed me before."
Sadly I couldn't argue with that. I'd lived the last year or so simply on my instincts and I knew they were usually right. So I couldn't argue with him, no matter how much I wanted to. I didn't answer him or make any comment, I simply walked over to where my own clothes were and headed for the shower, not saying another word. I know he watched my steps and my movements, but I had no idea what he was thinking about. Sometimes I just couldn't figure Duo out. Most of the time, in fact.
I stripped and let the water rush over me, closing my eyes and forcing myself to relax. I let my mind wander as I stood there, not even bothering to touch the soap or the shampoo. This shower was simply for relaxation and thought... and to get away from that curious look in Duo's eyes, but then I didn't like admitting that to myself.
My mind, given free reign to wander to whatever thoughts it wanted, wandered back to Duo. I remembered the first time he'd walked into my former place of employment and his manner at the time. He always had that grin on his face, a finely crafted mask to hide whoever he really was deep down inside. Standing in the shower, an odd thought struck me. I knew more about myself then I knew about Duo.
True, he'd just shared a major secret with me about him and his life, but most of him was still a mystery. A mystery hidden behind a mask that was carefully crafted to make you think he was willing to answer any question, thus there was no need to ask. I knew he worked at Branch 2, but I wasn't even going to start trying to figure out how much of Branch 2 was still in the dark, kept from me. But Duo... I didn't even know his relationship or connection to Mariemeia aside from the fact that she called him 'dad'.
I knew next to nothing about Duo, and he didn't know about me either. Still, in order to learn about me, all he would have to do is touch my arm-
I stopped as my eyes snapped open. Water hit my eyes and I blindly groped for the turndial and shut off the water. I reached past the shower curtain for a towel and wiped my face dry, blinking my eyes until they got over the shock from the hot water. All Duo would have to do is touch me to figure out what my past was. Why hadn't I thought of this right away? Had he thought of it? Why hadn't he mentioned it?
Would it work?
I quickly dried off and slipped on my clothes, not even bothering to do anything to my hair other than run the towel over it a few times so it didn't drip water. A quick glance around the bathroom to make sure it was clean and I stepped out, to find Duo straightening his sheets and tucking them away in the chest at the end of his bed, which filled the air with a slight scent of cedar. Part of me wondered how often he opened that chest, and it must not have been often for that scent to be there.
He finished putting away his sheets and looked up at me, and he must have seen something in my face because he gave me a questioning look. I stepped up to him.
"Your.. power... how far back can it see?"
Duo frowned at me and crossed his arms. "It depends on how long I touch the object. The longer I touch it the farther I can see back. But the images become faded the farther back you go... so it really depends and I usually don't know until I try."
I took a deep breath, realizing exactly what I was asking him. Before me stood the possible answer to my questions about this blank spot in my mind. The whole idea that he could so easily throw away that cover and reveal what I'd been missing this whole year was almost too much to consider. And I was letting my hopes up again, which wasn't a good sign.
"You could figure out me, then, couldn't you? All you'd have to do is touch me."
Duo's eyes widened and he took a step back, almost defensively. "Now wait one second. I... it's..." He stopped and frowned, but it was more of a worried frown then a disapproving one. "I haven't touched a human in a long time, and it's different then touching an inanimate object. The images are more vivid and... well..." He looked down and away from me, suddenly seeming like a young child. A young child who was scared. "And I don't like it," he finished quietly.
So that was it. He had thought of it before, how could he not have. But the reason he hadn't suggested it or done it was because he was still uncomfortable with his talent. And now that I thought about it, from what he described I'm sure I would have been hesitant as well. But still... No, once again I had raised my hopes for nothing.
"Trowa, I-"
He stopped as there was a knock on his door. Duo flashed me a helpless look then turned away and left to answer the door. And that, was that. Subject done and closed.
I couldn't keep the frown from my face as I went to put my things away near the couch. I should have known better. I should have known not to get my hopes up. A couple days ago I wouldn't have done such a foolish thing as hope like this, and yet I'd done it so many times in the last few days that I was loosing count. I suspected the change in my way of thinking and acting was directly from living with Duo. He seemed to have an aura around him of ease and light-heartedness. I knew that was all a part of the mask he projected, but it was still contagious and it had apparently infected me as well.
As I placed my old clothes away with the others Duo had lent me, I could hear him at the door. I stopped when I heard the other voice there, immediately recognizing it even though both of them were now standing in the hallway out of sight. I paused in my cleaning motion and listened, not even really considering it to be eaves-dropping. They were within ear shot. If they cared, then they would have made sure I couldn't hear.
"... the files?"
"No, not yet." Duo gave a nervous chuckle. "I left them in Mari's workshop and mostly just got to look at it today."
"Sounds like you. Well, here are the others that go with it, from her. She said you would need them." Wufei paused for a moment and I found myself slowly walking closer to the door, to hear them better and also because I found myself to be curious, and I wanted to see what exactly they were talking about.
"How are you doing?" Wufei asked, this time he spoke in a quieter voice, more caring and not to business like. I stopped near the door and I could see them in the hallway now. Neither of them were facing me, the angle being just right so I could watch them and not get spotted. I froze in my spot and watched, and listened. A part of me in the back of my mind rationalized that I was doing this because if I wanted any answers about Branch 2 I would have to get them for myself. Least, that what I told myself. In all honestly, the real reason I was listening eluded me completely.
Duo frowned at him and glanced down. "Mari told you, didn't she. She did notice then."
Wufei only nodded in response and I found myself quite surprised to see him reach up and place his hands on Duo's shoulders. I was even more surprised when Duo didn't step back away from him. After learning about Duo's power I would have thought he would shy away from physical contact me. But apparently Wufei was the exception. I found myself frowning even more at that idea, still not sure exactly why.
"Little brat," Duo murmured with a forced chuckle.
"Yes, she is that. She's as stubborn as her adoptive father."
Duo's head tilted up at Wufei and I watched in surprise as Wufei leaned in closer, almost to kiss Duo. At the last second Duo quickly stepped back, shaking his head and Wufei didn't follow the action any further. I on the other hand, found myself reacting without thinking. I managed to stop myself from moving, but only after I'd found that I'd advanced on the door more then a few feet and was nearly in their sight now. I quickly turned around and retreated back to the couch and sat down quietly.
I don't lose control like that. I never have. So why now? Why did I suddenly move forward when I saw the cop-contact of Branch 2 lean down to kiss Duo? Something about it bugged me, but that was absolutely ridiculous. Why in the world should it bug me if the two were going out or kissing? It was their choice to do as they pleased. So why had it made such a difference to me that I'd jumped forward so quickly?
"Trowa."
I blinked and turned, noticing that Duo was now standing in the room facing me, with Wufei standing just behind his shoulder. Neither of them seemed to have noticed my mess-up and that was perfectly fine by me. I completely turned toward them and regarded Duo with a questioning look, indicating he could continue now that he had my attention.
He responded with a somewhat apologetic look. "I completely forgot I had a ... Uhh... that I had to get together to discuss some things with Officer Chang today. But I'm under strict orders to not leave you alone, thanks to Quatre. So... You mind heading over to Branch 2 and staying with Mari for a bit? She might have some new information on the hospital... or other things."
I nodded, and stood up. He was overly agitated about asking me to go stay with Mari for a while. And from the way Wufei had frowned at Duo's choice of words for their meeting, my mind only had to put two and two together to realize what was really going on. Duo had a date.
Why did that word make my stomach clench up?
"No problem. They'll let me in at the front door right?"
Duo nodded. "The little blond guard puppy knows who you are now. He'll be good." Duo gave a wink at me and snickered, obviously not so high-strung now that I wasn't asking any questions about him and Wufei. "I'll call Mari and tell her you're coming. Thanks." He added the last word as an after thought and I mostly shrugged it off heading out the apartment door.
Yet, once again I found myself pausing as soon as I was out of their sight. I just stood in the hallway, listening to them once again, unable to make myself walk away. A part of me wanted to hear what they were going to say as soon as I was gone.
"Fei... you can't. Ok? It doesn't work like that. You just can't."
I frowned and turned back around, glancing back into the apartment. Once again Wufei was leaning close to Duo, looking ready to kiss him. But the Chinese officer got the hint this time and stepped back. He stood there for a moment, then reached down and took Duo's gloved hand in his, kissing his palm gently. From my angle I could just barely make out the smile that grew across Duo's face.
"I understand about your... talent. I understand it, Duo. But it shouldn't keep you from having a social life. You can't lock yourself in this apartment and hide yourself behind paperwork and an adoptive daughter for the rest of your life."
Duo's small smile wilted and quickly disappeared as he pulled his hand away and turned away from Wufei, heading for the kitchen. "Oh? How much of a social life can I really have when I can't touch people, Fei? That's a pretty sucky deal, if you ask me."
Wufei responded by walking up behind Duo and sliding his hands down Duo's shoulders to lightly embrace him. "As much of a social life as you'll let me offer." He said softly. Once again he kissed Duo, but this time he kissed his braid, just lightly, almost like you would expect to see a mother kiss their child. But for Duo, I had a feeling that gesture meant a lot more, because he leaned back in Wufei's arms and seemed to relax there, letting Wufei hold him.
I felt my stomach clench up again and my eyes narrowed, watching the both of them stand in the kitchen. The whole situation bothered me and I found myself stepping forward again, just barely realizing it.
But this time I did the only sane thing I could think of.
I turned away from them and quickly moved down the hall, out the door and walked all the way to Branch 2, never looking back.
TBC...
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