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Bedside Confessions
It should be me lying there. I'm the leader of this team, and it's my responsibility to protect my teammates. I should never have let you take that shot- hell, I'm the goalie! I get hit with flying objects every day! I'm the one with the three-inch battle armor- you didn't have so much as a chest plate.
I've got to stop thinking like this. I know what you'd say if you could hear me- "It's not your fault, Wing. It's Dragaunus." Well, it's ALWAYS Dragaunus, but it's my job to get between him and all of you. I should never have let myself get so distracted, but when I use the Mask, it's like I can't focus on anything else. Everything else disappears- including a big orange lizard with a blaster and a grudge.
Next thing I knew, I was lying on the floor, with you draped over me. Scorch marks on the back of your suit make me realize that you've saved my life again, but this time you may not get out of it in one piece.
I wonder how many times you've been in the hospital like this? At least one- losing an eye isn't something you recover from in a hurry. Funny how someone I know so little about has come to mean so much to me. I know what matters, though.
I never listened to Mallory when she told me not to trust you. I just somehow KNEW you were worth it, me, the overprotective control freak who had only trusted two people in his life- his brother and his best friend. Part of it was the way you saved my life when Dragaunus was about to deep fry me. I mean, you risked yourself for a guy you'd known for what, a full two hours? It's more than that, though. You were just- good, something I didn't understand at first. Even then, though, I trusted you anyway.
It only grew from there, as well. I went from trusting you with my life to trusting you with my soul, but it didn't stop there. You actually managed to earn the most elusive accolade of all- I'd trust you with my little brother. I've seen how he is when he's with you- happy and open, like I hadn't seen him before the Invasion. You've become his friend, his mentor, and the older brother I can't always be, when we're fighting the Saurians.
Damn it, Duke, I can't do this without you! I'm not Canard, the fearless leader- I'm just me, Wildwing. I need your advice on how to handle a situation. I need your skills at getting into anything with a minimum of fuss. But more than that, I need you. I can't open up to a lot of people, not even the four of you, for all that you've become my family. But you, I trust, I can tell anything to.
Dive needs you too. He's practically going out of his mind with worry- you've come to mean a lot to him, too. If he keeps pacing, he's going to wear a hole in the floor, and I pity the first person who tries to get him to sit down. In this mood, he's liable to snap at anybody, even Grin.
Speaking of everybody's favorite philosopher, I think I've witnessed a miracle. Grin is worried. This is worried for Grin, of course- but he actually snapped at Phil earlier. Just to tell you how essential you've become to all of us.
I think even Mallory is taking it hard. I don't really know- she hasn't come out of the gym yet, and I have this feeling we're going to have to invest in some more punching bags soon. She may pretend to hate you, but I think you've earned more of her respect than you know. And while we're on the subject of Mallory, I could use your advice on another matter. That, however, is not all that high on my list.
I had to chase Tanya out of here, earlier. For all that she's the one who knows medicine, she feels about as helpless as the rest of us. I can't say I blame her. She's done everything she can with the medical supplies, and now it's all up to you. So what do you say, are you ready to wake up yet?
No, huh? You really ought to wake up. There's all sorts of stuff to
see out here that'll never happen again. Phil hasn't mentioned the words
"publicity stunt" for hours- and he's even made dinner for us so that we
wouldn't have to leave the infirmary. And the most unusual thing of all-
your fearless leader isn't wearing the Mask. I don't want to short it out,
and tears tend to do that.
***
"Wildwing?" Wing looked up just in time to see Duke’s eye open a crack
"Yeah, Duke," he replied, trying not to start crying. "I'm here."
"I know. Shut up and let me sleep."
_God, Duke,_ Wing thought, _you sound like crap, but you've still got a sense of humor._
"Sure." Wildwing started to get up, but Duke wouldn’t let go of his hand. "What's the matter?"
"Stay here... Don't want to be by myself."
"Sure thing, Duke. I'm not going anywhere." Duke fell back asleep again, and Wing settled himself down to wait. _I promised you I'd be there for you, and I will,_ he told his friend silently.
_After all, what's our friendship about but trust?_