For rianax, who requested Hilde/Duo with foster kids/trash/jelly themes.
A Million Memories
by Maaya
They both have somewhat unusual eating habits. Not because of what they eat but rather because of the time and the combination. Hilde herself can openly admit how much she loves to mix cheese and marmalade on a sandwich. The fact she thinks popcorn is best to eat for breakfast is not a secret either. It actually amuses her how people like Heero gag at the mention of some of the things she likes. It makes her absurdly proud, like a kid who takes pride in eating ants just to frighten the other children.
Hilde also thanks any god that might exist, that she ended up living with Duo of all people. Not many other guys would ever try one of those recipes and ideas she comes up with. And no one but Duo would like them.
Their eating habits are also the reason why Hilde isn't surprised when she wakes up in the middle of the night, to find the spot beside her to be empty and that the lights are on in the kitchen. Yawning, she leans back onto her pillows again and considers going back to sleep. Duo isn't making any sounds so it shouldn't be very hard.
Ten minutes later, Hilde is still awake and staring up at the ceiling sourly. The light from the other room is making it possible for her to see the contours of furniture in the bedroom--the outlines are fuzzy and seem to be changing shapes in the not quite darkness.
Hilde is hesitant to leave the warmth of the bed but it's useless to stay where she is now. She's wide awake and annoyed. Not at Duo, but because she is awake at such an hour, when she has work in a few hours and would prefer to sleep until then. Beauty sleep and all that. She sits up and lets her feet fall onto the floor, pulling the covers with her to wrap around her body as she stands.
Hilde's and Duo's bedroom is small, she only needs to take three steps, and she has entered the kitchen, which is also their living room and hallway. One more step is needed before she can see Duo.
He is sitting on the kitchen table in only a pair of pyjama pants, his bare feet on a chair and a bowl with lemon jelly in his hand. He's holding a white plastic spoon in his other. He looks up at Hilde, who leans against the doorframe.
"G'morning," Duo greets with a smart smile, waving the spoon in her direction. "Want some?"
Hilde rolls her eyes but can't repress a small smile. She sits up on the table beside him with a clumsy jump; the blanket around her restricts her movements. "What do you mean, morning? It's not even four. And," she leans closer to Duo, grinning sleepily, "yes, I'd like some."
He gives her a spoonful. Hilde tastes it thoughtfully; lemon jelly isn't very bad night food, really. Even though she does prefer strawberry. She is on her way to say that, when Duo interrupts.
"This is typical orphanage dessert," he states, licking the spoon off.
"Oh." Hilde pokes him in the ribs to get him to offer her some more. She licks her lips appreciatively as he does. "I wouldn't know."
Duo laughs, that sort of quiet laugh that always makes Hilde unsure whether he is amused or thoughtful or mischievous, or a mix of all three. "I didn't use to like it. Haven't, until afterwards."
They sit quiet after that, and the jelly disappears with the depressing speed that desserts usually do.
Duo licks the last of the jam off the plastic spoon and flicks it towards the trashcan in the corner nonchalantly. A perfect throw. Score. He stands. "You coming?"
They go back to bed.
end