Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
A/N: For some reason I really like this chapter. I was writing this listening to The Killers 'Read my Mind'. I love that song, makes me write sappy stuff XD
Now onto the story,
Posted on 20th Oct. 2007
“Wu!” Duo yelled into the phone the minute he got home. He was still hopping on one foot trying to shake his shoe off as he spoke to his best friend. “Wu! Wu! Wu, Wu, Wu!”
“MAXWELL!! SHUT. UP.” Came a very loud, very annoyed voice from the other side and Duo had to hold the phone away from his ear to keep his ears from getting damaged.
“How come you always make me feel unwelcome when I call you?” He said pouting slightly.
“Of course I make you feel unwelcome if you call me at midnight! Not to mention you have absolutely no regard for other people’s lives! I could be busy with something…”
“Uh oh…” Duo grinned widely, “Having fun with the missus?” Duo could almost hear Wufei’s face turn red on the other side and the huge vein that pops out on his forehead almost had its own sound. “Now, now Wufei… don’t be mad. Just stating the facts here… Don’t kill the messenger and all that stuff…” Next thing he knew he was talking to the dial tone. “Wufei you lucky dog!” He sniggered.
So he put the phone back in its place and hopped to his bedroom, not bothering to remove the half-off shoe. It struck him when he was halfway through a daydream concerning his kiss with the gorgeous blind boy that he had never actually talked to Wufei about his little problem.
“Crap.” He lay down on his bed so that his feet were still planted firmly on the ground and he was staring at the ceiling. “So Mr. Maxwell, what brings you here today? Gee I don’t know doc, maybe because I just found out I was gay? Why would you say that? See I met this guy who’s gorgeous and beautiful and fun to hang out with… he has really pretty hair and his fingers are long and warm and soft… he also has a really cute dog and he really takes care of her…”
He sat up and switched the lamp off. Now sitting in the darkness only broken by the light from the street he continued his monologue. “And when he smiles, he always raises the right side of his lip first… so he actually starts with a half smile that goes into a full smile… he has a fleeting dimple on his left cheek that only shows when he’s laughing really hard… and… and… I think Heero turned me gay.”
Duo listened hard for the other voice that he used to be his therapy voice but there was nothing coming. No comments even from himself.
“So I have two options at this point… I have a job in which if it gets out that I’m even marginally gay, then I’ll be fired immediately. But if I go and tell Heero it was a mistake… how would he react? Would he agree and say that it is best if we don’t get together… or will he pretend that’s how it is and then go home and be hurt?”
He imagined Heero smiling at him and then going to his cute little townhouse. Then he imagined him sitting quietly, running a hand through Aiko’s fur just looking sad…
That hurt. He didn’t want Heero to look like that. And not to mention, if Heero showed up right this minute and asked him to be his boyfriend he’d say yes after a lot of sputtering.
So this really was not an issue of what to do with Heero… it was the issue of what to do with his boss? Keep it secret? That’s the more immediate solution. He’ll deal with the problem of a job when it shows up. Right now, he had to think some more about Heero’s smooth soft skin, and his chocolate brown hair… and he still didn’t know what colour his eyes are…
With that Duo drifted to sleep, still hanging half off the bed, but he had the best sleep in years.
“Had fun with the missus?” Duo teased the next day when he saw Wufei enter. It was an instantaneous reaction. First his lips thinned and turned pale, in contrast his cheeks and his neck turned red and then the big vein made its appearance. “Uh-uh, no shouting in workplaces.” And he grinned widely to him who huffed and went to his own cubicle, booting the computer so forcefully that the CPU actually jumped a few inches back. Duo got up and leaned against the cardboard divider as he watched Wufei try to ignore him. “I’m sorry if my sudden phone-call destroyed the mood because God knows you don’t get enough already!” He didn’t even see the paperweight coming. It smacked him right in between his eyes and Duo grabbed his forehead where the rather large paperweight of a Laughing Buddha had struck. He didn’t feel the pain for a few seconds… but once it was there, Duo was howling. “You IDIOT! You could have KILLED ME! WHAT is WRONG with you?! OW!!” He yelled.
“No yelling in the workplaces.” Wufei said smugly.
“God damn you Wufei. FUCK!” He yelled some more and then sat back down.
“I’ll be requiring that paperweight back Maxwell.”
“Not on your life! It’s mine now!” He exclaimed childishly before grabbing it and throwing it into a random drawer.
“Suit yourself.” He said and turned around, narrowly missing Duo flashing him both his middle fingers.
Until lunch time rolled around Duo kept throwing random objects over the divider like several pieces of balled-up paper, as well as pencil shavings. But for some reason he was finding it difficult to get him annoyed… and then, genius struck.
“Hey Wu?” He asked sweetly.
“What?”
“I need to pee.” Wufei turned around and fixed him with a glare.
“Then go?” He raised an eyebrow sarcastically.
“Will you come with?” He asked, “Pleeaaassseee?”
“How will my being there help you pee?” The eyebrow climbed up higher.
“I need to tell you something too… and it’s not safe here.” He whispered to him and he saw the light in Wufei’s eyes go on. No matter how much he denied it Wufei had a curious personality that ensured that if he was a cat he would be dead already.
“Okay. I’m coming.”
So they both headed to the washroom and headed to the urinals.
“Hey Wu… last night I went out with Heero again.” He said looking towards Wufei’s side knowing that the invasion of privacy bothered him but he had learned that with Duo, it was best to just ignore him. “And I found out I’m gay.” He said as he glanced down over the divider at Wufei.
“NANI?!” Wufei exclaimed. “Keep your eyes in your section you pervert!” He quickly finished up and covered himself as Duo smiled at him lecherously.
“Don’t worry Wu… you’re not my type. I like ‘em big.” He grinned and Wufei turned beet red and stalked out of the washroom. “Hey Wu! You forgot to wash your hands!” His only answer was a rather loud growl.
Mission accomplished.
So he went to the park that evening… and waited… and waited… and then waited some more. By the time it was midnight, Duo was frustrated and annoyed and somewhat worried as well. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Heero’s number.
“Hello?” Heero picked up on the first ring.
“Heero! Where are you?” Duo said quickly.
“Oh Duo… I’m at home.”
“Why?”
“Aiko’s sick, she couldn’t come… and I didn’t know how to contact you.” That’s right… he had Heero’s number but Heero didn’t have his.
“I’m coming over okay?” He said as he switched the phone off and took off running towards Heero’s house.
He knocked loudly, bouncing in front of the door. Maybe he’d get to kiss Heero again! He nearly drooled at the thought.
“Heero!!” He exclaimed as the door swung open… but he came face to face with a chest instead of Heero’s sweet face. “Eh?” He looked up and saw Trowa standing there with half his face covered by the long chestnut bang and his other eye glaring menacingly at him. “Uh… hi Trowa.”
He kept quiet and kept glaring.
“Trowa let him in.” He heard a soft voice from somewhere behind him and he gave Trowa a wide smile trying to look cute and harmless. Reluctantly Trowa stepped to the side and Duo walked in skirting widely around the glaring menace. “Hi! I’m Quatre! You must be Duo.” A petite blonde boy introduced himself to Duo and the first word that popped into his head was ‘Cute!’
Second thing that popped into his head was isn’t this the same Quatre who Heero said was the giant’s boyfriend?
“Nice to meet you Quatre.” Duo greeted back and then looked around. The house was decorated warmly, with pictures hanging on the walls and plants decorating the corners… but Heero and Aiko were nowhere to be seen. “Where’s Heero?”
“He’s downstairs with Aiko. I was just preparing some snacks for Heero, he skipped dinner. Would you like any?” He asked nicely and Duo wondered how this cute blonde angel ended up with Cyclops.
“Yes please, I’d like that very much.” Quatre smiled so brightly as though Duo had just offered him treasure of a thousand lands or something… He was already starting to like the little guy. As Quatre left, Trowa sauntered over.
“Quatre’s mine.” He stated simply.
“Yeah… I wonder why though.” He said and ducked quickly to dodge the blow that was no doubt coming. When it didn’t come he chanced a glance at Cyclops. He was staring at him. Then he saw the end of a lip curve upward. He didn’t stay to find out if he was amused or if it was his dangerous smile. He ran down the stairs and decided he’ll be safest with Heero.
He came upon Heero sitting next to Aiko who was lying on the ground. She really did look sick. She had her mouth open and her breathing was labored. Heero looked so lost and worried sitting next to Aiko’s stretched out body that Duo’s heart hurt. He was morosely brushing his fingers through Aiko’s coat and looked like the very picture of misery.
All of Duo’s energy seeped out when he saw Heero and he just felt like taking the boy into his arms and making him feel better. He walked up to him and sat down next to him, cautiously bringing Heero’s head in contact with his chest and then holding him tight.
“Shh… I’m here now.” Duo said as Heero started to struggle. Upon hearing his voice Heero stopped immediately and sagged against him. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She’s been like this since this evening…” He said softly and Duo hugged him tighter.
“Why didn’t you take her to the vet?”
“I don’t know if I should… it’s just… I mean…” He started biting his lower lip. “It’s going to cost a lot and Quatre always ends up paying…”
“And you don’t want that…” Heero shook his head. “Okay, how about we get her to the vet? And don’t worry about the payment, Quatre won’t be paying.” He smiled at Heero and placed a kiss in his hair. “Come on.” Duo got up and gripped Heero’s hands to pull him up with him.
“I don’t want you to pay either…” He started but Duo interrupted him.
“I want to. You’re my boyfriend aren’t you? At least I hope so otherwise I would worry how many people are allowed to do this…” He leaned down and kissed him softly. He felt a pleasant buzz in his belly at the contact but he stopped himself from deepening the kiss. Heero blushed prettily and Duo wondered what he would look like without those dark glasses hiding his eyes. “Come on, let’s go. Do Cyclops or Quatre own a car?”
“Cyclops?” Heero looked confused for a second before he figured the name out and he chuckled softly. “Quatre owns one, it’s in the garage. The Cyclops came with him. But its late, we have to wait till tomorrow…”
Duo thought hard for a moment… it was true that no vet’s office would be open at midnight but what could he do about it?
“I’ll be right back babe, k?” He said quickly and Heero turned red at the nickname. Letting go of Heero’s hands Duo ran upstairs to find a place he could make a phone call without being heard. “Sorry, Quatre I’ll be right in!” He said quickly when Quatre started questioning where he was running off to. Trowa just stood there watching.
Running outside Duo leaned against a tree and dialed Wufei’s number. “Wu?” He asked as soon as someone picked up. Next thing he knew he was listening to the dial tone. Huffing Duo redialed. “Wu! Don’t hang…” Beep. “…up. That little bastard.” Redialing he waited, and waited, and waited. No one picked up. “Oh yeah? Think you can ignore me? Let’s see how many rings it takes before you break.” He redialed again and let it ring. After his seventh call he finally got a response.
“What?!” Wufei yelled.
“I know it’s late Wu but there’s an emergency. Heero’s dog Aiko is sick and you know Meiran is a vet and there’s no other office open right now and he’s really, really worried and sad and I don’t want him to be sad and I was wondering if she minded taking a look at her.” Duo rattled off and then waited.
“Can’t this wait till tomorrow? She’s not fatal is she?”
“How would I know? I know she looks pretty damn sick. Not to mention, if you do this favour for me I won’t bother you for two days. TWO whole days! They’ll be your sweetest days ever.”
“Two MONTHS.”
“Your breaking my balls man. One week.” (1)
“One month.”
“Three weeks.”
“Deal. Bring the dog to my place I’ll wake Meiran up.”
“Thanks man, I owe you a big one.” Duo said gratefully and hung up. He did a little dance of victory and turned to go into the house when he came face to face with Heero and Trowa. “Uh… I got us a vet.”
Heero’s blush deepened but he kept his face neutral. Trowa was smiling slightly. “We heard. Thank you.”
Duo almost fainted. Trowa thanked him. Trowa thanked him. Trowa thanked him. Trowa thanked him. “Eh… not a problem.” He quickly went to stand next to Heero looking at his beautiful profile. “Hi.” He said to him with a wide grin. Heero looked a bit puzzled, his nose scrunching cutely as he wondered about the seemingly random greeting.
“Uh… hi?” He answered, his head dipped slightly, his bangs falling over his glasses.
“Aiko will be okay now. Don’t worry.” He said to him, wanting to hug him but afraid of the one-eyed menace standing beside him.
“Thank you Duo.” He said softly.
“Anytime Heero.” Duo smiled at him and he compensated for being unable to hug him by brushing his hand subtly against his. “Let’s get Aiko and see what’s wrong with her.” Trowa nodded and left with Duo to get the dog while Quatre started pulling out of the driveway.
“Thanks Wu-man. I owe you one.” Duo said to Wufei as Meiran, his wife, looked over Aiko.
“About our deal… it includes nicknames. For the next three weeks I’m Wufei to you mister. Better yet, call me Master Chang.” He said and Duo stared at him. And then stared at him some more.
Then he burst out laughing. “Deal! No backing out of this! You are Master Chang!” He laughed harder doubling up when he looked at Master Chang’s royal outfit of a white tank top with a ripped edge and dark red plaid pajamas that looked a little frayed at the ends.
Heero was sitting quietly on a chair next to Aiko who was laid out on an emptied out dining table. “Is she okay?” He asked softly and Meiran hummed.
“I think she has something stuck in her throat. Let me get it out.” She looked towards Quatre. “Would you help me hold her mouth open?” Quatre looked a little worried at which Trowa stepped forward.
“I’ve worked with animals before, let me help.” He held her down by the shoulders as he gripped her mouth and opened it wide.
Meanwhile Duo was still annoying Wufei about ‘Master Chang’ and subsequently getting on his nerves. “MAXWELL!” He yelled when Duo grabbed Wufei’s loose hair and made a comment about the royal pony tail. Heero found it hard to stick to his melancholy mood as he listened to the constant bickering between the two of them. He smiled as he heard a loud whack and then Duo wailing.
“Ow! You man-abuser!” He yelled at Wufei who smirked at him. “Heero! Save me from this abuser! He has no respect for men I swear!” He huffed as he ran behind Heero’s chair and gripped his shoulders. “Beware Wu-man, or I will unleash Heero’s hotness on you.”
Wufei smirked at him. “I’m not gay so it won’t work.”
“Wanna try? Heero’s hotness is formidable.” Heero smiled shyly at Duo’s comments but Duo ignored him for now.
“Boys!” Meiran shouted. “I’m trying to concentrate here!” She looked apologetically at Quatre. “Would you mind playing babysitter?”
Quatre laughed at the thought of babysitting two fully grown men, one married, while Wufei huffed indignantly. “Let’s go children. Time’s a wasting.” Quatre said as he led them outside the dining room and into the hallway where the door shut behind them. Suddenly both grew quiet. “Guys? The point in bringing you out here was so that you can shout and yell without disturbing anyone.”
Wufei glared at Duo while he just stared at the door. “I’m going back to Heero.” He announced and walked right back in. Wufei looked at Quatre and he smiled back at him.
“So… you’re Heero’s friend?” In answer, Quatre nodded.
“She’s okay now.” Duo said to Heero as he watched Aiko sleep. Trowa and Quatre had left long ago after it was confirmed that Aiko would be fine. Turned out that she had swallowed Heero’s stress ball and I had gotten stuck in her throat. The ball was stuck badly enough that it was difficult to remove but Aiko had managed to breathe around it which was why she was wheezing. (2)
“Thanks a lot Duo… I was really worried about her.” Duo slipped his arms around Heero and hugged him tightly.
“Not a problem. At all. Okay?” He said softly into Heero’s ear. He breathed his scent in deeply, loving how it somehow reminded him of home. Not his apartment… no… home… even though he didn’t exactly know what he meant himself.
He glanced up behind Heero and noticed the clock on the wall. It was 3 am. It was really late… or early. If he went home now he’d get home at 5. And he was really tired… but he didn’t want to intrude on Heero… not to mention, he didn’t know how comfortable Heero would be allowing him to stay over and he didn’t want to cause him any problems.
“Uh… Heero?” He squeezed the warm body in his arms once before letting go. “I have to leave now, it’s getting late. I’ll see you later okay?” And was it his imagination or did Heero look slightly disappointed that he was leaving?
Probably his imagination.
“Oh, okay.” He said and took a step back from Duo.
“I’ll give you my number…” He quickly pulled out a small notepad from his pocket and a pen and was about to write his number down when he realized… how will Heero read it? “How do I… uh… give it to you?”
Heero pulled out a cell phone in his pocket and handed it to him. “Could you put your number on speed dial on number 4? 2 and 3 are Quatre and Trowa.” Duo felt a small, irrational stab of jealousy at the fact that their numbers were before his but he squashed it knowing how stupid it was. Quickly he programmed his cell phone and handed it back to him.
“Here. It’s on 4.” He told him. Heero took the phone shyly from him and then they stayed there standing quietly. Duo couldn’t believe he was having an awkward moment with Heero. What was there to be awkward about? Nothing! So why did he feel like he needed to say something to break the ice? “Can I uh… kiss you?” He asked but smacked himself mentally right after because it sounded so lame.
Heero smiled just slightly and then hummed his agreement. Heart pounding, Duo stepped forward and kissed him lightly, pressing his lips more insistently a moment later when a mere brush of the lips suddenly didn’t feel enough. Getting bolder when he felt Heero’s pulse quickening he pushed against him until he had him against the wall. Twining his fingers through Heero’s he held him tightly as he licked those gorgeous lips begging for entrance. Heero opened his mouth and Duo dived in, feeling drunk on his scent and taste. He felt Heero pushing back against him and that brought Duo back to reality. He let go of his lips with a loud smack and took a step back, trying to calm his raging hormones and his through-the-roof heart rate.
“So I’ll uh… be going… now… see you… soon.” He said somewhat breathlessly and Heero nodded softly, his lips swollen from the kiss and his expression blissful.
“Bye, Duo.” He said as Duo stepped out and he closed the door behind him.
Duo touched his lips lightly as he started walking away from his house. That had felt incredible. In fact, even though he’d been kissed before it had been nothing like this. In that moment if Heero had told him to go murder a hundred people for his sake, he’d have done it. Hell, if he asked him now he’d still do it.
He stopped for a moment and turned to look at the house again. Funny, he had just left and already couldn’t wait to see him again. Just as he was about to leave he noticed something. He must have imagined it but he thought he saw Heero standing in one of the windows looking out. But Heero couldn’t see so… why was he standing there?
Then he saw Heero smile, touch his lips with his fingers and then his smile grew wider. Duo’s heart jumped in his chest when he realized that he was thinking about their kiss. That Duo’s kiss had made Heero smile like that. His heart thudding in his chest and his own silly smile on his face, Duo turned around and headed home.
1) Inspired by Cartman from Southpark :)
2) This actually happened to a friend's dog. She had one of those crazy stress balls that are difficult to hold on to, they're filled with water or something and they keep slipping through your fingers. Anyway, her dog tried catching it in her mouth and it slipped and it got stuck in her throat.
A/N: So here's my warning, my kind of vacation period in between classes has ended and I'll be stripped for time again, so I'll write sporadically. Unfortunately it means long waits for the next chapter... sorry!
Persephone