This is a One-Shot ********* Back to Story Index |
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It was late and I was beginning to worry. He normally was home before midnight, never out this late, but even still there I sat at two in the morning awaiting his return. We, Duo and I, had moved in together only a few months ago because rent was just too high to live alone, and he seemed to be the only one who can put up with my odd quirks. I had yet to tell him that the truth was I wanted him near me, not just as a friend but as much more. That was probably why I must have picked up the cell phone and put it back down a million times before I heard the faint sound of the lock rattling.
I forced myself not to jump up and run to him, that would make it too obvious that I had been concerned with his absence. “Hey, Heero.” He plopped down beside me at the table and sighed heavily. I didn’t speak, just rose from my seat and fixed him a cup of day old coffee, with lots of sugar in it. “Aren’t you going to ask?” “No.” Even though I wanted to, I felt that it would be more wise to wait for him to explain. Duo took the cup from me without glancing up. “I couldn’t find it.” He took a sip and made a face, telling me it still tasted bitter, so I dumped more sugar into the cup. “I’m a failure ... I’ve looked everywhere and there’s no sign of it. She’s gonna kill me.” As usual, I sat silently by his side allowing him to spill out all his frustrations. “Why the hell did she ask me to find something that small?! Hmm? Now she’s never going to speak to me again ... fine -- I don’t care! If my sister wants to be so anal she can. Hell, she’s more anal than you!” I flinched a bit at his harsh tone, but I quickly glared at him to hide the fact that it had hurt me a bit. I watched as in a fit of anger, he rose and slammed his chair under the table. “See this!?” He pointed a long finger at a nasty cut under his eye. “This is what I get for trying to find that damned dog! On top of that work was a piece of shit ...” I joined him in the living room after he had collapsed onto the couch. My mind was racing trying to think of just what to say to him, but nothing came. “Heero,” “Yeah?” “Thanks for being you. It’s always nice to come home to someone who isn’t yelling at me or demanding anything from me.” I smiled softly at him. I wondered if I were to tell him how much I loved him whether or not that would be considered demanding. He patted the empty space beside him in a silent invitation and I happily accepted it. Duo was resting his head against the back of the couch, his mouth hanging slightly open. For a moment I was captivated by his peach-colored lips and the memory of kissing him when we were younger. Before I knew it, a smile was tugging at the edges of my own mouth and I was helpless to stop it from spreading across my face. “What?” “Nothing.” I picked up the remote and turned on the television, I felt like such a coward. Why couldn’t I say just three little words to him? We sat quietly for the better part of an hour before he leaned over and rested his head on my shoulder. I stiffened a bit wondering what he was up to, but as he draped his arm lazily about my middle, I relaxed. Cautiously, I returned the gesture by wrapping him up within my arms. His next move surprised me as he began to snuggle against my neck. Duo’s soft voice sounded against my neck and it took a few moments to register in my brain what he had said. “This is nice.” I smiled, silently agreeing with him. “Heero ... do you remember that kiss?” “Yeah, we were what? Twelve?” I laughed trying to make it seem as if it were just a memory to me. “Yeah ... I was thinking about it today, and I realized something -- I kinda liked it.” His arm around my waist tightened a bit in the form of a hug, and soon I found rich indigo eyes shining up at me. My heart was pounding deep within my chest and I was having a hard time trying to catch my breath. He looked so beautifully raw and open, and I was afraid that what was happening was a dream, that I was still in the kitchen with my head laying on the table sound asleep. “I have a confession to make ...” I found myself praying that if this were a dream, may I never awaken from it. “I’ve always been in love with you -- not as a friend, though. Love, love.” I stuttered for a few seconds before finally forming a coherent sentence. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Much to my disappointment, he pulled away. I wanted to reach out and pull him against me once again, to feel the comfort of having him in my arms. “Because,” he looked down at the floor as if he was reluctant to finish his sentence. “Well ... you see --” “Duo,” I urged gently but firmly. If you didn’t push him, he would slink away and never tell what was in his heart. “Okay okay ... I was afraid that you didn’t want things to be that way. You never showed any sign of how that kiss made you feel. It was as if we went on the exact same as before -- two best friends who were kind of opposite, but got along really well.” He sounded wistful, but I could tell that my apparent indifference had bothered him deeply. “Why didn’t you ask?” “Because, Heero ... it -- it doesn’t work like that. We’re both guys, if you had been straight and I had said that ... you would’ve always looked at me funny. Hell, even if one of us had been a girl it still may have had that affect.” He was up and pacing now, getting agitated by the conversation, which made me feel bad because I had been trying to make the weariness of the day melt away. I never professed to be much of one to comfort well, and Duo’s reaction was proving my theory, I fail at dealing with people. Duo stopped and looked at me. “Tell me this ... had I said that back then, what would have happened?” “I --” I hesitated. I wasn’t sure, my immediate response was that I would have gladly accepted his heart, but now I wasn’t so sure. Not that it mattered much now, because what I wanted at this moment in time was to be with him, as his boyfriend. “Well?” Instead of answering him, I purposefully made my way over to were he now stood and pressed my mouth firmly against his. His body instantly relaxed and it felt as though our bodies were melting together into one. As we pulled apart, he chuckled softly. “There’s only ever been you in my heart.” I mumbled a bit embarrassed. I knew I was blushing, and Duo’s grin only confirmed my suspicion. “I love how cheesy you are, Heero.” He kissed me on the bridge of my nose and then dragged me back to the couch. After a few moments of wiggling and scooting the pillows around, Duo’s head rested upon my stomach and my feet were propped up on the coffee table. “So, are we dating now?” “If that’s what you want.” Duo grunted, obviously upset with me. “Only if we both want it ... Heero.” “Then, yes.” “Good.” He yawned loudly and burrowed against me until he was comfortable. It didn’t take him but a handful of minutes to fall asleep. I sat there watching him, and absently played with the wisps of hair which escaped his long braid. “Sweet dreams, Duo.” He mumbled and snuggled against me, a grin dancing across his angelic face. I knew with no doubt that tomorrow when I awoke, he would be there by my side and would stay there always. ------------------- The End |