Looking back, I think I knew things were going to change when I watched that moving truck pull up outside the apartment complex door. So, someone had bought the apartment next to mine. A man got out of the drivers seat, followed by three more piling out of the truck. The first one I saw was a slim blonde, next to him stood a tall brunette, with his bangs draped over his eye. A chinese man soon joined them, and last came a man with a long braid.
At least, I thought it was a man. I couldn't see him very clearly, but he did look male, and when he called to his friends he certainly sounded male. He seemed to be the one that was moving in, since he was directing all his friends to take what boxes where. I sighed, thinking that although his voice sounded hot, that there would be (undoubtedly) something wrong with him. There was always something wrong with them, and where there wasn't, they were straight. I brushed my messy chocolate bangs from my face, sighing in the August heat. I briefly considered going out to help the four men, but they seemed to be doing fine, and besides, there were four of them. I wondered if they'd still be there by the time I had finished getting ready. I shrugged, glancing once at the setting sun, before heading straight for the shower.
A good two hours later I was picking my keys up off the hall table and giving myself a last glance in the mirror. Okay, I know I'm Heero Yuy, but damnit even though I don't have social skills I love clubbing! Really, you can get really physical with someone without having to use social skills. Clubbing was designed for people like me.
As I stared at the reflection even I knew I was looking good. I had rimmed my eyes with a hint of black liner. For a shirt I wore an open blue oxford that brought out the color of my eyes, underneath it I was wearing a black wife beater which was molded to my chest and matched the black straight pants perched on my slim hips. I smiled at my reflection, a sexy twist of my lips, before wrenching open the door...
... to meet four pairs of astonished eyes.
I had thought the man next door had finished moving, but obviously not. Now, with four jaws practically hitting the floor, I realized they weren't. I got a good look at all of them, and I decided that the man with the braid was definitely male. I decided to make the most of the hideously awkward situation.
"Heero Yuy. Which one of you will be my new neighbor?" I asked politely, while twirling my key ring around my finger impatiently. It took a good thirty seconds for anyone to reply before the man with the braid stepped forward and extended a hand.
"Duo Maxwell, pleased to meet you." He certainly was hot as he grinned at me. I was swooning when I caught myself and realized that he had to be straight, there was no way a man could be that sexy and gay. No way. Something always went wrong, I mean hey, it always had in the past. I shook his firm grip, staring into amethyst eyes, trying not to drown and ignoring the shock of electricity at the same time. It was damn hard.
"Pleasure's mine." I nodded to the rest of the group before closing my apartment door and smiling at all of them before leaving. I heard furious whispering as I descended the stairs. I mentally shrugged, it wasn't my problem to care what they thought of me. At the moment I had other plans.
The night had been one of the best. I danced with one of the hottest guys there, and had almost invited him back to my place, before deciding I shouldn't - not with the new neighbor and all! I returned to my dim apartment building at almost three in the morning.
Just imagine my surprise when I walk into our hallway and Mr. Maxwell is still shoving boxes through his door. I raised my eyebrow, waited for a few minutes and made up my mind. As he walked back into the hall to pick up another box he came face to face with me. I think he tried his hardest not to stare, but it wasn't exactly working. Although I couldn't honestly blame him. My body was flushed with dancing and alcohol, my hair more mussed than usual and my clothes smelling of sex, smoke and sweat. I pushed the thoughts away, deciding that he must be staring because of the impression I was giving him, which wasn't a good one. I cleared my throat. "Want some help with the last boxes?" He looked at me a moment in disbelief before beginning to shake his head. I leveled a mild glare at him. "Do you really think I have anything else to do?"
He started to say something before cutting himself off. The indigo eyes brightened as he nodded, "Yeah, that would be great. There are only three more boxes." I helped him with the last three, standing in his apartment for an awkward moment. "Thanks." He said softly. I laughed a little.
"Well, it wasn't like I helped much." His mouth quirked and he sat down heavily on a cushioned chair before gesturing to the couch. I almost shook my head before I caught myself, why not? "Are you sure you aren't too tired?" I asked cautiously.
He chuckled, "You're not the only nocturnal one here." There were a couple beers on the floor. He opened one with a pop before throwing one at me. I caught it deftly, which raised his eyebrows a little.
"I can hold my alcohol." He looked at me for a long moment before shrugging and going back to his beer.
"So, tell me about the building."
"Well," I started, slumping back on the couch to get comfy, "On the first floor there's Mrs. Greenheim and her husband, but I wouldn't go knocking on her door on Sundays where her husband goes to church because you might find her in some compromising positions with Mr. Woodly, who lives on the third floor." Duo snorted softly as I continued. "Next to her is Mr. Chadwick. He's a conservative bastard that one. He's very close-minded. I wouldn't talk to him much if I were you. In fact I try to avoid him. On the second floor there's Sarah and Liz, roommates in apartment 4. They're real nice to talk to. Next to them is James. The most bigoted, in denial, kinky bastard I've ever met. I won't go near him. Really, you should hear how he talks about gay marriage-" I stopped abruptly, realizing what I'd said and looked over at Duo. "I mean, well, I can stand him, uhm, I try to look at everyone's point of view-"
Duo cut him off, "S'alright. I'm pro gay marriage." I tried my best not to let my jaw drop at I stared into the twinkling eyes of the other man.
"You are?"
"Yep."
"Huh." I looked away from Duo, not being able to stand the intense gaze anymore.
"I mean really, if we want to get married, who do people think they are to stop us?" I glanced at Duo, meeting the sober, passionate gaze tentatively. Duo had said we. Did he mean himself and I just for the sake of example? Or was he speaking as a gay man?
My head hurt.
"Mr. Maxwell-"
"Duo."
"Duo. I'm sort of tired, do you mind if I leave?" I asked, not waiting for an answer before getting up from the couch and heading for the door.
"I can imagine from the clubbing." I froze in place, already aware that this was not going to be a good question. "Do you mind if I ask you where you go?" I turned around, seeing only innocence on his face before narrowing my eyes and assessing him carefully. I tried to keep my expression neutral.
"I'm not entirely sure if your clubs and my clubs would mix. You know," I paused, "different tastes." Duo's smirk came back full force as he got up from the chair and walked over to me.
"I see." We were inches apart, Duo's breathing hot on my lips. The gaze was intense and passionate, I thought Duo's eyes spoke pure sex. I felt my knees weaken. His very presence alarmed me, made me loose my judgment more than alcohol did. "What makes you think that?" He breathed low into my ear. Why did he have to be so fucking sensual?! I took a step back, the rush of cold air comforting, even as we both knew the distance was superficial so long as we locked eyes. My eyes narrowed for a moment, hardening into ice. A man I just met shouldn't be able to do this to me. "Because. I have to leave." was all I said, before turning and walking calmly to his apartment.
Duo let me go.
I spent the rest of the night very much awake and very much aroused. Needless to say the next morning my hands were sore.
It was a Saturday. I walked into the kitchen blearily to make myself some coffee when I heard a soft knocking at my door. I opened it, still half asleep to come face to face with that damn Duo who ruled my dreams. Thankfully, I was not fully conscious, or I think I might have slammed the door in his face rather than risk another night like last one.
Damn I needed to change the sheets.
Duo closed his mouth. I racked my brain for why he might be surprised. I realized I wasn't wearing a shirt and the boxes were quite low on my hips. Hmmm, maybe he actually was gay. Or maybe he was surprised that his neighbor woke up at one in the afternoon. Then I (belatedly) realized that Duo didn't seem very alert either, and judging by the pajama pants he was wearing, he had just gotten up too. Did he have a bad night?
Serves him fucking right.
"I wanted to know if you had any coffee. Mine is still packed and I wanted to check with you before going seven blocks to the Starbucks." I nodded, becoming more awake as I stepped back from the door.
"I'm making some right now. You certainly wake up late."
"I had a bad night sleep." Oh, did he?
"Really? What's the matter?" He opened his mouth to say something before closing it.
"I had... dreams." Ooh. I notice you didn't say bad.
"And it was hot." I smirked at him, trying not to let him completely catch on that I knew what he was rambling about.
"It was hot here too." Was all that I replied with. He looked at me incredulously for a moment before calmly shoving his emotion away and putting on a stunning grin.
"We should get that fixed."
"Yeah." The coffee maker beeped. I grabbed a mug and poured him a cup. "Cream or sugar?"
"Both." I doubled over in a fit of coughing to conceal my amusement. Hmmm, both? Or was my libido just working over drive to find double meanings? I straightened and smiled at him, he looked back at me, a small sexy smirk on his face. I could almost see the wheels in his head turning. I wanted to run from the maniacal glint in those violet eyes. I turned away from him to grab the cream from the fridge as I shuddered. I hoped he didn't catch it.
"So," I started when I had both cups of coffee on the table, "what's your deal?" Duo gratefully accepted his cup, perking up at the smell of coffee. Before he took a sip he breathed deeply, letting his eyes flutter shut. I swallowed hard, sitting cross legged on my chair. He opened his eyes, took a sip then cleared his throat.
"Well, I work at the computer company down the road, Infinity. I was just transferred from Washington D.C. because I grew up here and I wanted to come back. I'm good friends with the head of the company, so he said it'd be fine if I went."
I breathed, "You know Quatre Winner?" He grinned.
"Did you see the blonde helping me unpack?" I nodded eagerly and his eyes narrowed for a brief moment. Something like, jealousy maybe? He continued, trying to keep his irritation out of his voice. "That was him." I gaped at him, wondering how in hell that little man could be the infamous Quatre Winner. Duo smiled slowly and I was reminded of a wolf flashing it's teeth. "Don't get any ideas. He's with the tall brunette."
I stared at him, mouth hanging open, eyes wide until I collected myself visibly. "Why do you think I'm interested in him? Or interested in men for that matter?" I narrowed my eyes threateningly.
That small smirk still lingered on Duo's kissable lips before he leaned across the table to come quite close to me. Déja vu, was all I could manage as his fiery eyes burned into mine and his slow breathing tickled my cheek. "I've met your type before." he whispered to me, "cautious and calculating of anyone you meet." He pulled back a little, so that his gaze was locked with mine. I could hardly focus on those pools of amethyst. I was drowning, falling. "You're just waiting for someone like me to make you loose control." There was a long pause, I tried to collect myself, make my breathing less harsh, tried to stop myself from imagining what color those eyes would be in the throws of orgasm.
I pushed violently back from the table, my chair hitting the tiles with a loud clatter. Duo stared at me innocently. My chest was heaving. I kept backing up, socked feet making little noise on the slippery floor. His eyes were still locked with mine, I could feel them pulling me in like quicksand. Why was I resisting? I knew Duo was gay now, and I most certainty knew he wanted me, but... there was something. I just couldn't...
"No." I breathed. His grin stepped up a notch, looking something between smug and feral. Something like he knew something I didn't know. I didn't like it at all.
"I knew you were gonna say that." Was all he said. He leaned back across the table, took a sip of his coffee and got up from the chair. For a moment I panicked, thinking he would come over to me. I backed up further, feeling the dull thud of the wall against my back. My breathing hadn't calmed down at all, my whole body was almost flushed with desire and rage. Duo's eyes flickered across my body as he took another sip of his coffee. "Spicy. Just the way I like it." My jaw dropped.
He turned and walked out the door waving and calling back a cheery, "You don't mind if I return the cup tomorrow do you?"
I tried to breathe normally, but it was difficult with a raging hard-on. The hell I don't.
