Duo was thoroughly embarrassed. He was a Gundam pilot, for gods’ sake! He should not
have been unable to do anything! And Heero had seen... Duo felt tears coming and viciously
suppressed them, vowing that he would not let Heero see any more demonstrations of
weakness from him. The thought of Heero thinking him weak just pushed the tears out and he
started shaking with silent sobs. Duo was sure that the Japanese pilot would now hold him
in disgust, first the situation with Kito and now he was crying.
‘Oh, man! He probably won’t even want to be my friend anymore...’ He sobbed
harder. He was very surprised when he felt Heero’s arms tighten around him, holding
him closer. It broke the last of the barriers and he allowed himself to cry in
Heero’s arms, letting all the frustration out for the first time in a long time. He
still expected Heero to put him down in disgust, but he didn’t, his best friend held
him while he sobbed. When the tears had at last reached the end, Duo looked up at
Heero’s face with no little amount of trepidation. Would there be an expression of
disdain or anger at Duo? There wasn’t. Heero’s expression was unreadable, even
to Duo, but it held something of... was that tenderness? Duo dismissed the ludicrous
thought. Heero was the Perfect Soldier, there was no room for tenderness in his life.
"Daijoubu?"
"Hai. Arigato."
Heero nodded and continued to carry him to the nurse’s office. Duo relaxed and let
himself enjoy the sensation of strong arms holding him and the sound of Heero’s heart
beating under his ear. He sighed happily and sank into a half doze.
* * *
Heero looked down at the boy lying in his arms. Duo
didn’t weigh that much and Heero wondered if he took care of himself properly. He had
noticed that Duo’s appetite had been off for a while, perhaps he was ill? No, he
seemed fine. More than fine, beautiful... He shook his head then frowned as he felt Duo
start shaking. He was making noises that sounded suspiciously like sobs. Was Duo crying?
Masaka! But as Heero looked closely at the other pilot, he saw that he had his eyes closed
tightly and was biting his lip, trying to keep back tears. Heero felt something inside of
him awaken and he tightened his arms around Duo, following his instinct - well, part of it
anyway... His tightened embrace seemed to be the cue for Duo to stop fighting the tears
and he gave into them. Heero just held the sobbing boy close. When Duo’s tears
finally subsided, he looked up at Heero cautiously. Whatever he saw on his face seemed to
surprise the American, for he looked puzzled. Heero decided to ask if he was alright.
"Daijoubu?"
"Hai. Arigato."
Duo’s voice had been abnormally quiet, but Heero nodded. He continued to carry him to
the nurse’s office. When he next looked at the boy, he saw that Duo had a small smile
on his face and his eyes were closed. He looked happy and peaceful and Heero found himself
walking slower to lengthen the trip. Those lips looked so tempting... He was almost sorry
to see the door to the nurse’s office. Heero carried Duo inside and the nurse looked
up and stared. "What happened?"
"Kito slapped her, hard. It’s already bruising nastily."
"Well, why don’t you set her down there," she pointed to the pallet against
the wall, "while I get an ice pack and some painkillers."
Heero nodded and did as she instructed. Duo looked up at him and his eyes seemed to plead
Heero not to leave. He sighed and sat down next to the boy. It shouldn’t be
suspicious, Hellan-chan and he were supposed to be involved, there should be no problem
with him staying with Duo. Duo’s fingers sought his and Heero let him hold his hand.
The nurse smiled approvingly as she reentered the room.
"Here you go," she said as she placed the ice pack against the nasty bruise on
Duo’s cheek, handing the boy some pills as well and a glass of water, "it will
hurt, but please bear with it. I have some ointment that will help the bruise heal faster,
I would suggest you have Bakudan-kun put it on as it will probably be too painful a task
for you to tend to on your own. Why don’t you take Hellan-chan to her room, those
painkillers are going to take effect pretty fast, she’s going to be very sleepy very
soon. I’ll write a note to excuse you both from your afternoon classes."
Heero nodded and put the small jar of ointment in his pocket, picking Duo up once more.
The nurse nodded in approval of the move and held the door open for him. He carried his
partner to his room and set him down on his bed, locking the door. Duo still looked dazed
and in no little pain. The bruise covered almost the entire side of his face. Heero looked
at him narrowly then sat down next to him on the bed, pulling out the small jar of
ointment.
"Your cheek numb enough for this now?" Duo’s head turned slowly and he
blinked at him before registering the comment.
"I think so..."
Heero nodded and began to put the ointment on the injured cheek. Duo bit his lip as his
eyes teared up in pain and Heero tried to gentle his attentions. The ointment was soon
rubbed into the skin, but Heero found that he didn’t really want to stop touching
Duo. He’d never thought that the skin beneath his fingers would be so soft...and Duo
didn’t seem to mind, so he put some more of the salve onto the bruise. Duo seemed to
lean into his hand, Heero would almost swear the boy was purring. He figured that the
salve must have some numbing properties as well as healing ones. The American sighed and
leaned his body against Heero’s, looking very sleepy. Heero chuckled softly and Duo
looked at him blearily. His breath caught...Duo was so close, so approachable...those lips
looked so soft and inviting...
"Hmm? What’s so funny?"
Heero reminded his lungs to inhale. "Nothing. Why don’t you try to get some
sleep?"
"Don’t leave me, Heero..."
"I won’t."
Duo smiled at him sweetly and lay down on his bed. Heero figured that the painkillers had
a strange effect on his friend, surely it was only because he had taken them that he was
so sweetly clinging to Heero...He sighed and removed Duo’s shoes and pulled the
blankets up to cover him. He was about to leave when he remembered that he’d said he
wouldn’t, so he sat down on the chair next to the bed. He thought back on their
mission, they hadn’t accomplished anything towards its completion. He was a little
frustrated with that, but they still had time. The week of spring vacation was starting in
a few days - with most of the students gone, it would be easier to sneak out at night to
get to the OZ records. Heero looked at Duo again, he was curled up with his bruised cheek
showing starkly against his pale skin and white pillow. The boy found his anger rising all
over again at that proof of violence against his friend... and more. Well, he was
beginning to wish it was more. But Duo would never feel that way about him, he was sure of
it. This was all just an elaborate charade, a play of the ludicrous. Nothing would come of
it.
‘He looks so innocent and sweet and sexy like that... so desirable... so
delectable... and he’s all yours and yours alone...’
‘Not you again! I thought I shot you guys down after the last time!’
‘Hormones are impossible to kill, we are able to be suppressed for a while, but we
always win... eventually. Except that you’ve been suppressing us since before puberty
so we’ve got a lot of catching up to do! Especially with Duo so accessible...’
‘SHUT UP! He’s just my friend, this is just a game, and you are all going to
die!’
‘That’s what you think. Just look at him...’
Despite himself, Heero found his gaze drifting over to the sleeping form of his best
friend. Duo had kicked off the covers and lay slightly curled up, his skirt not covering
an indecent amount of those long, graceful legs. His shirt was partially off one shoulder
and pushed up to expose some of the lean muscles of his stomach. His braid was partially
undone - the tie having fallen out while Duo turned in his sleep - and wayward strands
fell over his face. He looked so...accessible...
‘Ah...just a friend you say, but can you deny that seeing him like this stirs
your-’
‘Don’t even go there!’
‘Don’t you wish he would...?’
‘That’s entirely besides the point!’
‘Not exactly...’
‘It’s not going to happen, you should just give up.’
‘We never give up, we just make strategic retreats.’
‘I suggest that you make one now.’
‘We suggest that you make him now.’
‘I’m going to take a cold shower.’
The hormones seemed to snicker as he commandeered the shower in Duo’s room. It had
been one of the things he had made sure of when he’d registered the two of them. It
would have been awfully awkward otherwise... Heero figured that Duo would sleep for a
while, so he gladly gave into the embrace of the arctic temperature water.
* * *
Duo woke to hear the sound of the shower running. He
wondered who would be... oh yeah, Heero was here. He blushed as he remembered his behavior
while under the painkillers, he hoped that Heero would dismiss it as being the effect of
the pills and not figure out how Duo felt about him. He sighed as he also remembered how
tender Heero’s hand had been on his cheek, the ointment had numbed the pain away so
he had been free to revel in the feeling of those strong fingers caressing his skin. His
reminiscing was cut short as the door to the bathroom opened and Heero stepped out. Duo
stared at the sight of the Japanese pilot damp from the shower and wearing nothing more
than a towel around his waist. He hoped he wasn’t drooling...
‘Gods, he’s magnificent! So beautiful...!’
He met Heero’s eyes and blushed, turning his head away. He heard the sounds of the
towel dropping to the floor and Heero getting dressed. When he felt the bed dip a little
he turned his head.
"Feeling any better?" Duo nodded.
Heero seemed puzzled by his silence.
Duo licked his lips and cleared his throat before he could vocalize his answer. "Um,
hai."
"Good. Your cheek is looking better, the bruise has gone to brown and green."
"Oh, great. How attractive," he muttered.
Heero’s mouth quirked up at one corner. "It could be worse."
"How?"
"He could have broken your nose."
"Nah, he wouldn’t have done that. It would have affected my features too much.
He wouldn’t want any flaws on his playtoy."
Heero’s eyes narrowed and he growled. Duo suddenly wondered if Heero was going to hit
him. "You are not a playtoy!"
"I would have been if you hadn’t come along."
"You would have found a way out, you’re a Gundam pilot."
"Heero, I was careless. I was taken by surprise and not given the time to pull my
thoughts together. He could have done something truly nasty to me and there would have
been little I could have done to stop him. I’m sorry to let you down. You’re
probably disgusted with me now."
"Duo, shut up."
Duo looked up, surprised at the quiet vehemence in Heero’s voice. "You are
giving into self-pity. You didn’t let me down and I’m not disgusted with you.
You’re my friend and - while I’m not happy with what that bastard did to you and
there’s no real way to make him truly pay for it - I don’t blame you for what
happened. Ok?"
Duo nodded, stunned. "So, you’re not angry with me?"
Heero looked at him, seeming to be slightly shocked. "Why the Hell would I be angry
with you?"
Duo bit his lip. "I was just afraid you were, that’s all."
"Well, I’m not."
Duo smiled and hugged him. "Thanks for staying with me, Heero."
"No problem."
"Shall we go and meet our adoring public now?"
Heero’s mouth quirked once more as Duo straightened his clothing.
"Sure."
* * *
Heero looked over at Duo as they walked towards the
library. It had been a few days since the incident with Kito and the student body had left
them alone, for the most part. The boys were treating Heero with a little more respect and
had pretty much given up on attaching Hellan-chan. It was a nice reprieve. The girls had
all been solicitous to Hellan-chan, making sure she was alright. The principle had kicked
Kito out of the school and the gossip mongers had had plenty of fuel with the entire
escapade. The fact that Heero had left Hellan-chan’s room with wet hair had been a
major addition. Heero was also getting a little fed up with it all. He found himself being
even colder to Duo than usual and every time he was, Duo would just laugh it off, but
Heero knew he was hurt. He wanted to apologize, but there had been no chance. After the
Kito incident, he found he was being watched so carefully that he didn’t think it
would be easy to sneak to Duo’s rooms at night. That wouldn’t normally stop him,
but the effect that a midnight visit would have on their reputation was a serious
consideration. The stress was taking a toll on both of them, actually. Heero had noticed
that Duo was even more flighty than usual and that he was also eating less and less. When
he saw that they were alone in the small library study room, he turned to Duo and decided
it was time to find out what was bothering the boy.
"Alright, Hellan-chan, what the Hell is eating at you?"
Duo jumped and turned wide, frightened eyes towards him. Heero’s heart twisted.
"Wha...What do you mean?"
"You’re not eating enough to keep a bird alive and you’re jumping at every
little sound."
"I’m just not hungry."
"The day that you’re not hungry is the day that I fail a physics exam. Now what
is going on?"
"Nothing, it’s nothing."
"Well, if you’re not going to tell me...This nervousness of yours is making it
very hard for me to concentrate. If you won’t let me help you, then leave so that I
can do my work."
"H...Heero!"
"Just go, Duo."
"But...!"
"Look, either tell me what’s bothering you so much or leave!"
* * *
Duo stared at Heero. He couldn’t believe what
he’d just heard! Why was Heero so concerned for him? His heart fluttered for a moment
before reality intruded. Heero was just annoyed because he was detracting from his ability
to concentrate.
"I...I can’t, Heero."
"You can’t?"
"I can’t tell you...it’s nothing that is of importance. Don’t let it
bother you."
"Too late."
"Sorry..."
"Fine then," Heero snapped and Duo shivered, Heero was pissed, "Leave me
alone or I tell Taski that you have a secret passion for him."
"You wouldn’t!"
"Wanna bet?"
Duo gulped and left the room, fighting back tears. He bumped into someone and kept his
head down, hoping that whoever it was wouldn’t notice his condition. His luck was
out, it was Chari.
"Hellan-chan! What happened?"
"Nothing..."
"Did he yell at you again?"
"No, he doesn’t yell at me. He just wants," Duo bit back a sob, "to be
left alone to study right now. He says that my nervousness is distracting him from his
schoolwork."
Chari stared at him. "He didn’t! Why, that unfeeling bastard!"
"Chari, please...don’t."
* * *
Chari was furious. Heero had gone too far! Hellan was
practically sobbing and still defended his actions towards her. It was his fault that she
was such a nervous wreck. If he wasn’t so mercurial in his attentions towards her,
she wouldn’t be so jumpy. Poor Hellan didn’t know from one moment to the next
whether he was going to treat her gently and with affection or if he was going to ignore
her and snap at her without the slightest provocation. She decided that it was time for
her little chat with Heero-kun.
"Hellan-chan, why don’t you go rest in your room. You look like you could use a
nap."
Her friend smiled wryly. "In other words, I look like Hell warmed over."
"To be honest, yeah."
Hellan sighed. "Alright. I’ll take your advice. See you later."
Chari watched the girl walk down the hallway and it struck her once more how graceful and
beautiful her friend was. And it was all unconscious, like her sweet temperament,
forgiving nature, and joyful personality. All of which seemed to be wasted on Heero. The
man had no idea what he had, and Chari was sick of seeing him abuse her friend. He was
going to get told off, once and for all. She looked forward to it.
* * *
Heero sighed as Duo left the library. He had been
trying to get the American to tell him what was bothering him. He had hoped that the
threat of making him leave would have broken through Duo’s abnormal reticence - the
boy seemed to delight in being with him, even when Heero ignored him - but it hadn’t
worked. Duo had left. He heard the door click and looked up, expecting to see that Duo had
changed his mind. It was Chari, so he went back to reading the chapter they’d been
assigned.
"You are really cold, Heero-kun."
He turned his head to see Chari glaring at him. He just shrugged and turned back to his
homework.
"I really don’t know what Hellan-chan sees in you. None of us do. And if it
weren’t for the fact that I know she’d kill me, I’d slap you."
Heero blinked, wondering what the point of the conversation was. Chari gave an exasperated
sound.
"None of us can figure out why she loves you and we’re agreed that you treat her
like dirt or less. It’s rather obvious, in case you hadn’t noticed."
"What’s obvious?"
"That she loves you. Anyone who watched her could tell in an instant. Her eyes always
seek you out if you’re in the room, they follow your movements. Whenever she talks
about you, she glows and her eyes brighten and get a dreamy look. Then, whenever you show
that you’re proud of her, she fairly explodes with happiness. And when you show
disapproval, she wilts and then gets angry. You don’t deserve her."
Heero was trying to think of how he’d fallen asleep and was having this surrealistic
dream. Duo in love with him? There was no way! The boy was an accomplished flirt and
actor, that was all. Nothing more. But Chari had said... He knew that those things
couldn’t be faked. Not all of them, anyway.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because Hellan-chan is my friend and friends help each other out! She loves you, for
reasons unknown and which you don’t deserve, so I’m trying to help her by
pointing this little fact out to you. I’ve caught her crying on more than one
occasion that she won’t tell me the reason and there is a bruise on the other cheek
than Kito left. It’s faded, but she still won’t tell me anything about it.
I’ve got my suspicions."
Heero looked at her incredulously. "There’s no bruise on that cheek!"
"You’ve never seen her before she puts makeup on, have you?"
"But...!"
"Look, I don’t know what happened to cause that bruise and it’s really
beside the point. Hellan-chan lets you walk over her without complaint so I’m doing
the complaining for her. If you don’t start treating her right, you’re gonna
find yourself in a shitload of trouble."
"What do you expect me to do?"
"Be nice to her, that’s not such a hard thing to ask, is it? Just spend some
time with her, sitting together or something like that. Quiet time. All she wants is a
little crumb of affection."
"Alright. I’ll be nicer to her."
"That’s not exactly saying much, now is it?"
Heero glared at her. She glared right back. Thankfully, the tableau was broken by the
sound of the dinner bell. Chari left him to his homework as he pondered what she had said.
Could Duo really...? No, it was impossible. Chari was just seeing things. He ignored the
little voice in his mind that reminded him that women tended to see these things more
clearly than men. It was just a fluke, this was just a game, there was no way... If only
it was true...
* * *
Duo got up to answer the knocking on his door. He
opened it to see Chari with a small triumphant smile on her face.
"What’s up?"
"Oh, nothing...I just brought you some food. I noticed that you didn’t come down
for supper."
"Arigato."
"How’re you doing now?"
Duo closed the door after her as she entered the room. He wondered why she seemed to be
radiating smug, but decided to answer her question honestly.
"Better. I took your advice and had a nice nap."
"Good. Tomorrow’s the last day before spring vacation, you know."
"Yeah, it’ll be nice. I heard that there was going to be some sort of basketball
game."
"Yep, it’s going to be a bit crazy tomorrow. The dance is right after
vacation."
"I know. Why is it going to be crazy tomorrow?"
"Everyone who hasn’t got a date will be trying to get one at the last
minute."
"Oh yeah... Who are you going with?"
"Taski, he asked me. I think it’s just because he wants to be around you.
I’ve already gotten a dress. The theme is sort of a medieval court type thing. I like
the dresses, everyone looks flat in them, so I don’t feel so self-conscious. Have you
gotten a dress?"
"Um...sorta..."
"Can I see it?"
"It’s not quite finished yet..."
"You’re making a dress?!"
"Yeah..."
Chari stared at him and he pulled out the almost finished dress. It was in the medieval
style with a stiff bodice and the whole works. It would be unusual compared to everyone
else’s dresses because the majority of it was black, the bodice was a black and blood
scarlet rose pattern, and there were a few accents of gold. It would look stunning on him
and he knew it, but he didn’t really think he’d have the chance to wear it.
Heero would never want to go to the dance...
"Hellan...it’s beautiful! However did you manage it!?"
"A little bit here and a little more there...just scattered time..."
"It will look absolutely wonderful on you!"
"Thanks, Chari..."
His friend looked at him and seemed to sense how tired he was.
"Why don’t you eat some supper and go to sleep, you look like you need it."
Duo smiled at her. "Thank you, my friend. I do."
"Sweet dreams!"
She closed the door after herself and Duo sank to the bed, putting his head in his hands
and giving into his tears. This was never going to end...nothing would be the same between
him and Heero, he knew it. He loved the cold pilot, but this mission was just proving the
small voice inside his mind right. There was no way Heero would ever love him or even want
him, for that matter. He felt his heart twist again and put the dress away. As he ate the
food that Chari had brought him, he wondered if they could leave before the dance. If he
wasn’t here when it happened, then he wouldn’t hurt to miss it. He sighed and
got himself ready for bed. He curled up under the blankets and winced as his older bruised
cheek scraped against the zipper of the pillow. He remembered Heero’s slap with
dreadful clarity, it was another reason why he knew that the other boy could never love
him. To Heero, he was too weak. That thought brought on the spate of tears that followed
him to sleep. Hopefully everything would be better tomorrow...
* * *
It was the last day before spring break and classes
ended early. The boys had agreed to a basketball game and Heero had volunteered to play.
He felt a little sorry for Duo, who could only sit on the bleachers and watch, but he
decided that it was probably better this way since there would be no distraction for him
on the court. He caught a few of the other boys giving each other significant looks with
gestures in his direction. It would take a half-wit to miss the planning to do something
nasty to him. He shrugged, let them do whatever, there was little chance of them actually
succeeding and even less chance that they could inflict any damage. Heero then
concentrated his attention on the game. With a few exceptions when he looked over to Duo,
who was watching with wistful eyes and cheering him on. Heero grinned at him before
sinking a three pointer.
"Go Heero!!!!"
It was actually rather flattering to have his own cheerleading section, even if it was one
person. It was also rather gratifying to realize that the other boys would have killed for
that one person to be cheering them on. Heero was starting to really like this change of
plans. That was before he missed the extended foot and the captain of the football team
crashed into him. He was left staring at the sky and wondering when they had started the
fireworks..
* * *
Duo was a little jealous that Heero could play and he
couldn’t. Usually they managed to win the game together. He sighed and cheered Heero
on. He grinned back at him before the three pointer and was perfectly happy to give Heero
his due.
"Go Heero!!!!"
Duo continued to watch the game and didn’t miss the foot or the crash. He was halfway
down the bleachers before his mind had registered that Heero was on the ground, not moving
and looking dazed. He knelt by his side to make sure he was at least conscious. He was,
but only barely. Duo was furious!!! He stood up and whirled around to the two who had
interfered and managed to hurt his Heero. He was a little mollified when they stepped
back.
"You..." he tried to think of a feminine to masculine insult, then decided that
it didn’t really matter. "Bastards!!!! What the Hell did you think you were
doing!?!"
Duo slapped them hard enough to rock them and was seriously considering beating them black
and blue when a familiar voice interrupted with a totally surprising remark.
"Pink smiley faces?"
Duo blushed as he realized that Heero was in a perfect position to see his underwear.
"Heero...!" he squawked.
There was a quiet chuckle and Duo rolled his eyes as he helped Heero up.
"C’mon, let’s get you to the nurse’s office."
He let the Japanese pilot lean on him with one hand around his shoulders, Duo’s arm
around his waist to help balance his shaky steps.
"Are you alright?" he asked worriedly.
"Fine, just got the air knocked out of me."
"And your head cracked against the asphalt."
"That too...itai."
Duo just shook his head.
* * *
After he had finished with the nurse, Heero headed back
to his room to relax and rest himself for a little while. He still tingled a little where
Duo had had his arm, but he tried to ignore that. Chari’s words came back to him. He
had never seen Duo that angry before... in fact... he blinked as he realized that he had
never actually seen Duo angry. He shook his head to dispel those disquieting thoughts and
lay down on his bed, trying to ignore the bustle in the hallway. The week after spring
vacation was being looked forward to by most of the student body. There would be a spring
dance with a real DJ. The girls’ corridor was fairly buzzing with the amount of
energy being put into finding or making a dress, getting a date, and discussing who would
go out with whom. The boys’ side was practically emanating nervous energy from the
guys who were trying to get their courage up to ask the girls out, anticipation of what
would happen after the dance, and resentment of someone else’s good luck.
Heero was uneasy in this atmosphere. It didn’t help that most of the guys lumped him
in the category of being resentful at, he had Hellan-chan, after all. Heero was trying to
decide what to do. On the one hand, if they attended the dance, it would take precious
time away from the mission. There was also the fact that Duo was actually a guy, but that
didn’t really seem to matter right now. On the other hand, not attending the dance
would blow their cover. The only people that weren’t going were the people who
couldn’t get a date and refused to go with their friends. He wondered how Duo felt
about it. He decided to go and ask him. As he walked down the girls’ hallway, Heero
felt rather self-conscious for the first time that he could remember. He was getting looks
that ranged from knowing to calculating to indignant that he’d dared trespass into
sacred territory. He knocked on Duo’s door.
"Just a sec, Heero."
There was some shuffling inside, then the door opened and a violet eye peered out.
"Come on in."
Heero nodded and entered the room, closing the door behind him. He was unsurprised at the
messy state of the room, typical Duo. He absently wondered how the boy kept track of where
anything was, much less located it when needed.
"So, what brings you to my humble abode?"
"I was wondering what you thought about the dance."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Whether you think we should go or not."
Duo looked at him, jaw dropped and eyes wide for a moment. "Are you actually asking
for my opinion?!"
Heero glared at him, wondering why he seemed so shocked. "Well?"
Duo bit his lip and looked away, Heero suddenly felt like he’d kicked a puppy.
"Duo, daijoubu desu ka?"
"I’m fine. Well, it would waste a lot of time, but if we don’t go..."
"Then it’ll look suspicious. That was my conclusion, as well. Since Hellan-chan
and Heero-kun are practically betrothed, it would seem odd for them not to be present at
such a gathering."
Duo nodded, his eyes distant.
"Have you been thinking about this, Duo?"
"Hmm? Why do you ask that?"
"You seem to have decided the issue a while ago."
"Nah, just thinking logically. I haven’t really thought about until you
mentioned it just now. It’s really the only way that makes sense."
Heero spotted a corner of black cloth peeking out from under the bed and sat down -
wincing at the feeling of his bruised ribs - to ostensibly re-tie his shoelace. There was
a large amount of fabric and he could see a flash of scarlet. He pulled it out as he
straightened, smiling slightly. It was a dress.
"Not really thought about it before, hmm?" Heero indicated the dress on his lap.
Duo flushed. "Would you believe it was a Home Ec assignment?"
Heero raised an eyebrow. Duo blushed about the same scarlet as was on the dress.
"Well...ok, so I’ve thought about it a little..."
The Japanese pilot snickered and got up, leaving the other to continue the finishing
touches on the dress.
* * *
Duo sighed as Heero left the room, he was still
surprised that Heero had decided that they would go and that he had asked for Duo’s
opinion. He was also rather embarrassed that Heero had found the dress. Oh well, what was
done was done. He blinked as he registered the fact that they would be attending the
dance. He sank to the floor in a daze.There was a knock on his door and someone entered.
"Hellan-chan! Are you alright?"
Chari, his mind recognized. He was still in semi-shock and deliriously happy. Duo felt
hands on his shoulders and turned towards his friend.
"Hellan-chan! What happened?"
He felt a grin grow on his face and gave Chari a bear hug, laughing joyfully.
"He asked me! We’re going to the dance!"
Chari looked at him oddly after he released her. "You mean, you didn’t think you
were going?"
"Well, Heero doesn’t like dances. He generally thinks up of very creative ways
to avoid them."
"But he asked you to go this time?"
"YES!!!! Oh, Chari! I have never... I mean... He’s never... Gods, this is
wonderful!"
He threw himself down on the bed, hugging a pillow tightly to his chest and giggling.
Perhaps there was hope after all...!
* * *
Chari looked at Hellan’s joyful face and felt the urges to gut Heero for his past neglect and hug him for this show of affection. She’d never seen anyone look so deliriously happy about such a simple thing. Hellan’s eyes were fairly glowing and she was giggling. Chari’s mind began to formulate a plan. She’d seen the basketball game and the way those jerks had interfered. Frankly, Chari had been shocked at Hellan’s response - she’d never thought her the violent type, nor had she seemed to be strong enough to literally rock those guys back with the force of her slap. And she had also been taken aback at the expression on her face - Hellan’s eyes had been flashing fury and Chari didn’t blame the guys for stepping back. But all that anger had melted away when Heero had said whatever he had said and Hellan had just helped him up and taken him to the nurse. Any doubts that Chari might have had about the depth of Hellan’s feelings for Heero would have been put to rest this day. This just encouraged her plan...
* * *
Duo was in a daze for the rest of the day and woke up
cheerful in the morning. He knew that with the majority of the students gone, Heero would
want to concentrate on their mission. Duo didn’t mind, it just gave him an excuse to
be with Heero all day. Throughout the day, he noticed Chari walking around with a camera,
but it didn’t really make much of a difference to him. She was probably just taking
pictures while there were fewer people to get in her way. Heero didn’t seem to care
either, so he was fine. One hallway wall had been taken over by the pictures and info
forms of the couples running for the spring king and queen. Duo enjoyed looking at them,
it was fun to see the responses to the questions on the forms. He never got to see all of
them, Chari always ran into him and dragged him off before he finished.
His days were spent happily walking with Heero, making plans for the evening
reconnaissance. His nights were spent on those same reconnaissance maneuvers and working
on his dress. It was finished and all he needed was jewelry. When Duo had been coerced
into this mission, he’d allowed his ears to be pierced so as to better fit in.
He’d been wearing plain garnet studs up till now, but he felt that the dress needed
some more elaborate jewelry. All he needed was some time in town at the mall. It was the
last day before school started again when Duo readied himself to go jewelry shopping. He
was dressed in a black t-shirt, black jeans, and red vest. He heard a knock on the door
and, recognizing Heero’s knock, called for him to come in.
"What are you doing?"
"I’m going shopping."
"Why?"
"I need jewelry," Duo said as he turned to grin at Heero, "to go with the
dress."
Heero was staring at him and Duo suddenly realized that he hadn’t put his makeup
on...and that both bruises were visible.
* * *
Heero stared at Duo. He had entered the room and heard
Duo’s plans to go shopping for jewelry to match the dress for the dance. He had
admitted to himself how damned gorgeous Duo looked in his outfit, but then his attention
had been snared by the boy’s face. Where there were two bruises. One he knew was
Kito’s fault, but the other... was his.
"Why didn’t you tell me!?"
Duo grinned nervously. "About what?"
"Don’t play games, baka!"
"You had more on your mind... and it wasn’t important... it doesn’t really
matter..."
"Duo no baka! Of course it matters!"
Duo stared at him as he held that pointed chin in an almost painful grip. Heero’s
other hand brushed against the injury he’d caused those weeks ago and Duo flinched
away. He seemed to expect Heero to slap him again and Heero felt his heart twist that he
could cause this beautiful, wonderful boy such pain...
He sighed, releasing Duo’s chin and going to the bathroom to get out the bruise
ointment. When he came out, he pointed to the bed. "Sit."
Duo sat.
Heero sat down beside him and began to carefully rub the ointment into both cheeks,
starting with the one that was his fault.
"Why didn’t you tell me, Duo? The real reason, this time."
"I didn’t think you’d care. It was a show of weakness and you hate
weakness..."
"I wish you had told me. I didn’t think I’d hit you that hard."
"You were angry and you never hold back as much as you think you do when you’re
angry."
"I didn’t mean to hurt you like that."
Duo looked slightly surprised and Heero felt his heart twist again - he owed the boy a
lot.
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I wouldn’t have said so otherwise."
Duo smiled warmly, it was more genuine than his manic grin.
"I’m glad, Heero. Thank you for helping with the ointment. I usually forget
until I’m too tired to put up with it."
"How did you manage to hide it?"
"After you’re done with the ointment, I’ll show you."
Heero nodded and finished soon after. Duo got up and came back with a cosmetic case and a
mirror. He handed the mirror to Heero. "Here, hold this."
Then he proceeded to apply the cosmetics in such a
manner as to hide all evidence of the violence done to him. Heero was a bit impressed. Duo
grinned again, his mood having risen with Heero’s apology. Heero was finding more and
more of the things that Chari had said that one day in the library were really true. Did
that mean that Duo really did... The aforementioned boy hopped up and put the cosmetics
and mirror away, returning and gracing Heero with another genuine smile.
"Well, I’m off! Want anything while I’m out?"
"Would you mind me coming with you?"
"Of course not! I’d love it! We could even get some lunch at the food court in
the mall. It’ll be great!"
Heero let himself smile as Duo dragged him off through the hallway and out to the mall.
He’d watch Duo today and see if he could spot what Chari had said was there. If it
was, he would make plans. He’d seen the one spring royalty form that Duo hadn’t,
and he knew that it was Chari’s doing. Heero had the feeling that the girl had some
sort of plan for the dance and that she had no qualms with rigging the voting. A small
voice wondered what would happen if what Chari had said was there really wasn’t. He
shut it up and let his eyes linger on the curve of Duo’s buttocks. Shopping, hm?
He didn’t have an outfit, come to think of it... He shrugged. He’d blow up that
bridge when he crossed it. Another small voice pointed out that that wasn’t the way
the saying went...
* * *
Duo looked back at Heero as they left the school. There
was a problem...
"Um, Heero? Do you think that we should act ‘involved’ at the mall? I mean,
well..."
"Yes. We might see some of our schoolmates there and acting otherwise would spoil our
cover."
Duo grinned and latched onto Heero’s arm, batting his eyelashes. Heero gave him a
strange look.
"Oh, Heero-chan!"
"What, Hellan-chan?"
Duo giggled. "Nothing, I just like seeing the look on your face when I call you that!
It’s a combination of shock, annoyance, and forbearance that is just priceless."
"Is it now?"
Duo looked up at Heero, the other boy had an almost mischievous look on his face.
"Heero, what are you planning to do?"
"Who says I’m planning anything?"
"You’ve got that look on your face."
"What look?" the tone was innocent and Duo blinked.
"Uh...nevermind..."
This was getting a little odd... First there was the apology this morning, then Heero had
volunteered to go with him, and now he was acting...normal. Something was up...[2] He
decided to enjoy the shopping in spite of Heero’s odd behavior. Or perhaps because of
it... Duo suddenly realized that he had tacit permission to cling and flirt with the
object of his affection...in a very public place...This was going to be great!
* * *