Salvage Operations!
By:
TranscendentalFiction
Disclaimers: We don't own them. We just adore them.
Spoilers: Other than that they both survive, and the fate of Wufei's colony.. I don't think so
Rating: R for lemons when we get there. Minor language, and it's totally yaoi. Possible minor het.
Duo shoved a pencil under the edge of his cast, his eyes crossing with almost pleasure. There was just no way to really get to what itched. The itching translated to his scalp quick enough and he was scratching his hair like a mad man for a moment. Damn, but he wanted to wash his hair properly! He wasn't gonna ask Hilde to help with that though.
His papers, the plans for a new salvage operation lay spread out on the table, and he was trying to figure out how to get it accomplished with just him and Hilde. He bit his lip, tapped the pencil against his temple, opened his eyes a little wider, like was gonna help, and then started thinking about cobalt blue eyes. "Baka," he said, meaning his own stupid heart, then rearranged the papers.
The plain, very ordinary door seemed to mock him. All he had to do was raise one hand- one hand connected to a wrist that seemed impossibly slender joined to an arm that gave no indication of incredible strength- and knock. But it was hard, it was harder than bending steel with his bare hands- at least he had plenty of practice with that. He wanted to knock, this was what he had come here for, but he couldn't go the last step. He was afraid.
Heero stood silently on the front doorstep, staring at the entrance to his home. Violet eye's haunted his vision. His hand rose slightly, then fell, rose again and knocked once- faintly.
"Duo..." He whispered, licking dry lips.
Duo was all the way in the kitchen, far from the front door, but he heard the knock. Maybe he just imagined it, but it got him away from the work for a moment. He put his arm back in the black sling, careful of the still swollen fingers. The whole thing was stupid, getting his arm broken before a salvage operation that he and Hilde really needed the money from. He closed his eyes when he got to the door, laid his forehead against the door. Undefined self anger swirled like a fog in him. Heero. If .. He took a deep breath, stood up and grabbed the door knob with his working arm and jerked it open. Violet eyes went wide. His mouth dropped open, and oddly enough he stepped a little to the side, to hide his broken arm. "Heero?"
Heero stood silently for a moment. Just cherishing the sight of him. Duo, he didn't look at all different, he was still just as beautiful as ever. Heero's eyes tracked immediately to the broken arm, had that been an accident during work? If not- he would find out what had happened. How quickly that protective instinct reared its head. Heero wasn't given to inner monologues, but he was momentarily taken aback by the fierceness of his reaction to the sight of Duo injured- not an uncommon state back during the war.
"Duo" He said quietly, unconsciously rubbing his arm. His heart skipped a beat, Duo has spoken his name- ironic, when they had first met, Duo had been the one seemingly dying to hear Heero call his name.
"Uh, yeah. Uh," Duo fumbled for words, knowing Heero had seen his arm. "Wanna come in?" Heero's eyes were just the same as in his day dream. It felt so uncomfortable to not have words to fill in the space. "So, I like didn't know you were coming. Come on in, uh? You look, really good."
Duo blushed, and turned away quickly. Baka, Duo! Your hair is nasty, you look like.. well, like you haven't done much for yourself in a week. What a time for Heero to come! He took a deep breath and turned to see if Heero were going to come in. What if he were in trouble? Duo moved back to the door, scanned his eyes over Heero. No wounds, nothing immediately dangerous. And then the fear just sort of backed away and he grinned. "It really good to see you."
"Ah...you look...very good also." He replied, expressionless. Heero never really felt awkward, just sometimes unsure of himself. This was one of those times. He stepped up into the small house, standing on the plain entry mat. He gave what he could see of the house a very quick but thorough examination- force of habit- and then turned his eyes back to Duo- the only thing that really interested him on this whole colony.
"Is this a bad time for me to be here?" Where was Hilde? Heero had deep seated fears about Duo's relationship with his co-worker. She had qualities that were similar to the pilot's, she would probably be more attractive than the dark, abrasive boy that Heero had been- not even taking into consideration the possibility that Duo might not be attracted to men at all.
"What happened to your arm?" He slouched a little, still rubbing his arm slowly.
Duo wrinkled his nose, bangs a little too long and brushing over his eyebrows. "Yeah, the arm. Well, I kinda was moving this engine block, and it slipped. It was kinda big, and it sorta, well, my arm's gonna be fine. You want some coffee? Have a seat, ne?" Duo worked on gathering up his papers with one arm. It would just be too humiliating to try to take the other out of the sling in front of the Perfect Solider and the papers were a pain with only one arm. He noticed Heero rubbing his arm, watched it subtly to see what was going on. So he kept talking, hoping that would be a bit of a distraction. "Yeah, Hilde had to go get some shopping done today. Sometimes she's just gonna get outta here. So like what brings you to L2?"
Then papers all scrabbled, held to his chest with one arm, he just stopped. A crooked smile slipped onto his face. Heero was so beautiful. Seeing him opened Duo's heart like sunshine in the middle of winter. But it was sad too. It wasn't like anyone could put up with his chatter for long, not even Hilde. Duo wrinkled his nose, and memorized Heero's features all over again. Whatever brought him to L2, Duo would use it to save up lots more memories of his friend. After a sigh, he turned and dropped the papers on the counter. "Have you had lunch?"
"No" He replied, sitting down lightly on the middle of the couch. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, hair partially covering his cobalt eyes. So Hilde was gone, that was very good news. Duo seemed a little off- balance, was it because of his visit? If anything was bothering him, if he was having trouble with Hilde or customers or people in the neighborhood, Heero would find out and put an end to the problems. He should have helped Duo with the papers, but the former pilot of Deathscythe had pride- and Heero wouldn't want him to think that he was insulting his abilities.
"I came." He began quietly, stating it like a sentence in and of its self. His eyes turned beneath dark hair to regard Duo's face- shining with life, just the way he always thought of him. "To see you." That was enough. He didn't need any other reason.
"Really?" Duo's grin spread across his face, and he found himself surprised. It had been a while since he'd grinned like this, since the whole room felt filled with light. Then the smile faded and he found himself scratching his hair. It wasn't like Heero came to kiss him, or tell him how much he missed him. Duo grabbed up his pencil and scratched at the other end of his cast.
No matter which way it went, his heart swelled and he knew he was alive because Heero was here. Baka! When Heero left again, it was going to be bad. Duo's emotions flicked across his face without any respect at all for his privacy, but the tail end of the emotional rainbow was a smile. Heero was here. Everything else could wait. And he did want to know why Heero had come to see him. Maybe Heero needed some parts or something hard to get. "Hey, I can make some lunch. Or I could like take us to the cafe across the street."
Duo smiled, a grin growing again, as he waited, and considered causally tossing in, 'Ohand by theway, I kindathink I might inlovewithyou.' No matter how fast he said it though, Heero would figure out what he said, and he wasn't ready for Heero to leave.
Heero was quiet for a few moments before he answered. He didn't want to go outside again after he had put so much effort into getting through the door. He observed that he was hungry in a kind of detached fashion, what was more important was that the food was a good way to keep Duo in one place- where he could watch him. Just like he was watching him now, watching the myriad emotions play across that face. The sadness he saw made him want to clench his fists, the worry stirred his heart to anger, but the smile dampened his concern- for the present at least.
"Here is fine."
He let his hands fall onto his knees, sitting up straight on the cushion.
"Duo-" he cut himself off. He didn't know what he was going to say, the desire to say that name had come over him suddenly, without any warning. Duo- it sounded like music, and it meant the world to him. He had to say something, to avoid seeming suspicious.
"Is everything well?" His words were concerned, his eyes and tone of voice were the same as ever. "Don't play games with me, I want to know if your having any problems. Any problems."
Too much emphasis...He chided himself. Duo would certainly suspect something now.
Duo's face squished up, and he hurried for something to say. He turned to look at the kitchen, his braid swinging out behind his as he turned. Uh? Problems? I can't sleep half the time cuz I waking up thinking about you and it's pissed Hilde off. It wasn't like she was upset about him loving Heero. It was that she was pissed that he wouldn't tell Heero. Then Duo got suspicious. Hilde had told Heero about the broken arm. Duo closed his eyes really tight, his face towards the kitchen sink, away from Heero. What had that baka girl told Heero?
"I, uh, don't have any real problems, like, you know? My arm's broken," And he couldn't lie and damn now did he get started with this sentence! He especially could not lie to Heero. "I'm kinda in love with someone, and but, you know, it's not really," he was gonna say, it's not a problem, but it was. "Look, Heero. I'm okay. What do you want for lunch? Soup okay?"
Duo was in love. Heero felt his eyes widen- he had not expected to hear that. Who was it? A murderous inclination swelled within his chest- then was quickly crushed, replaced by a creeping despair. All in vain, all in vain- he had come only to confront his fears and find that they were not unfounded. He was living a happy life his Duo- no! Duo wasn't his...he belonged to himself, and whoever the stranger was who kept his heart...Hilde probably. Heero stared straight ahead at the plain wall, his eyes dull and uncommunicative.
He wasn't hungry anymore, not that he had really been very hungry in the first place. Heero felt a dull ache in his stomach, his throat seemed thick. Duo was in love- definitely with someone else. He hadn't known where to go after the last war. Relena was concerned for him, but she was no comfort. Quatre or any of the others would have tolerated him, welcomed him even. But he didn't want any of the others, he wanted Duo...a flicker of sadness cast its subtle light over his eyes, like a raindrop breaking a still pool into many ripples.
Being coy was something that he had never learned. He stood up, his eye's on the floor, his shoulders drooping.
"I won't waste any more of your time, I'm glad you've found someone." It hurt to say it, but he meant it- on some level, all that mattered was Duo's happiness. But...a small voice insisted, why couldn't you have found me?
"If you need anything, you can always contact me."
He turned towards the door.
"Heero! Please," Duo turned, terror in his eyes. Oh, such a baka. "Please." 'I need something,' he wanted to scream. Why was Heero doing this? Coming and leaving like this? It didn't make any sense. He hadn't had enough time with the only one he could ever trust his heart to, because he'd already given it. How could he have offended Heero already?! The thought of just begging him to stay flashed like neon in Duo's brain. "Don't go, uh, Heero," Duo said, frantically trying to come up with a plan. God, if he just told Heero it was him that he loved, the man might leave forever and NEVER talk to him again. It had probably been the whole mention of love in the first place. Duo covered his mouth with his hand and refused to start crying. Work! Heero liked work! "Maybe you could help me with this salvage project? If it wouldn't be trouble? Come take a look at the plans, uh? It's gonna be real hard to do with one arm, and I just can't get it figured out!"
He scooped plan papers up against his chest, violet eyes peering over the top of the tangle of paper, and damn he hoped Heero didn't think he was gonna start crying or anything.
By:
TranscendentalFiction
Disclaimers: We don't own them. We just adore them.
Spoilers: Other than that they both survive, and the fate of Wufei's colony.. I don't think so
Rating: R for lemons when we get there. Minor language, and it's totally yaoi. Possible minor het.
Duo shoved a pencil under the edge of his cast, his eyes crossing with almost pleasure. There was just no way to really get to what itched. The itching translated to his scalp quick enough and he was scratching his hair like a mad man for a moment. Damn, but he wanted to wash his hair properly! He wasn't gonna ask Hilde to help with that though.
His papers, the plans for a new salvage operation lay spread out on the table, and he was trying to figure out how to get it accomplished with just him and Hilde. He bit his lip, tapped the pencil against his temple, opened his eyes a little wider, like was gonna help, and then started thinking about cobalt blue eyes. "Baka," he said, meaning his own stupid heart, then rearranged the papers.
The plain, very ordinary door seemed to mock him. All he had to do was raise one hand- one hand connected to a wrist that seemed impossibly slender joined to an arm that gave no indication of incredible strength- and knock. But it was hard, it was harder than bending steel with his bare hands- at least he had plenty of practice with that. He wanted to knock, this was what he had come here for, but he couldn't go the last step. He was afraid.
Heero stood silently on the front doorstep, staring at the entrance to his home. Violet eye's haunted his vision. His hand rose slightly, then fell, rose again and knocked once- faintly.
"Duo..." He whispered, licking dry lips.
Duo was all the way in the kitchen, far from the front door, but he heard the knock. Maybe he just imagined it, but it got him away from the work for a moment. He put his arm back in the black sling, careful of the still swollen fingers. The whole thing was stupid, getting his arm broken before a salvage operation that he and Hilde really needed the money from. He closed his eyes when he got to the door, laid his forehead against the door. Undefined self anger swirled like a fog in him. Heero. If .. He took a deep breath, stood up and grabbed the door knob with his working arm and jerked it open. Violet eyes went wide. His mouth dropped open, and oddly enough he stepped a little to the side, to hide his broken arm. "Heero?"
Heero stood silently for a moment. Just cherishing the sight of him. Duo, he didn't look at all different, he was still just as beautiful as ever. Heero's eyes tracked immediately to the broken arm, had that been an accident during work? If not- he would find out what had happened. How quickly that protective instinct reared its head. Heero wasn't given to inner monologues, but he was momentarily taken aback by the fierceness of his reaction to the sight of Duo injured- not an uncommon state back during the war.
"Duo" He said quietly, unconsciously rubbing his arm. His heart skipped a beat, Duo has spoken his name- ironic, when they had first met, Duo had been the one seemingly dying to hear Heero call his name.
"Uh, yeah. Uh," Duo fumbled for words, knowing Heero had seen his arm. "Wanna come in?" Heero's eyes were just the same as in his day dream. It felt so uncomfortable to not have words to fill in the space. "So, I like didn't know you were coming. Come on in, uh? You look, really good."
Duo blushed, and turned away quickly. Baka, Duo! Your hair is nasty, you look like.. well, like you haven't done much for yourself in a week. What a time for Heero to come! He took a deep breath and turned to see if Heero were going to come in. What if he were in trouble? Duo moved back to the door, scanned his eyes over Heero. No wounds, nothing immediately dangerous. And then the fear just sort of backed away and he grinned. "It really good to see you."
"Ah...you look...very good also." He replied, expressionless. Heero never really felt awkward, just sometimes unsure of himself. This was one of those times. He stepped up into the small house, standing on the plain entry mat. He gave what he could see of the house a very quick but thorough examination- force of habit- and then turned his eyes back to Duo- the only thing that really interested him on this whole colony.
"Is this a bad time for me to be here?" Where was Hilde? Heero had deep seated fears about Duo's relationship with his co-worker. She had qualities that were similar to the pilot's, she would probably be more attractive than the dark, abrasive boy that Heero had been- not even taking into consideration the possibility that Duo might not be attracted to men at all.
"What happened to your arm?" He slouched a little, still rubbing his arm slowly.
Duo wrinkled his nose, bangs a little too long and brushing over his eyebrows. "Yeah, the arm. Well, I kinda was moving this engine block, and it slipped. It was kinda big, and it sorta, well, my arm's gonna be fine. You want some coffee? Have a seat, ne?" Duo worked on gathering up his papers with one arm. It would just be too humiliating to try to take the other out of the sling in front of the Perfect Solider and the papers were a pain with only one arm. He noticed Heero rubbing his arm, watched it subtly to see what was going on. So he kept talking, hoping that would be a bit of a distraction. "Yeah, Hilde had to go get some shopping done today. Sometimes she's just gonna get outta here. So like what brings you to L2?"
Then papers all scrabbled, held to his chest with one arm, he just stopped. A crooked smile slipped onto his face. Heero was so beautiful. Seeing him opened Duo's heart like sunshine in the middle of winter. But it was sad too. It wasn't like anyone could put up with his chatter for long, not even Hilde. Duo wrinkled his nose, and memorized Heero's features all over again. Whatever brought him to L2, Duo would use it to save up lots more memories of his friend. After a sigh, he turned and dropped the papers on the counter. "Have you had lunch?"
"No" He replied, sitting down lightly on the middle of the couch. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands, hair partially covering his cobalt eyes. So Hilde was gone, that was very good news. Duo seemed a little off- balance, was it because of his visit? If anything was bothering him, if he was having trouble with Hilde or customers or people in the neighborhood, Heero would find out and put an end to the problems. He should have helped Duo with the papers, but the former pilot of Deathscythe had pride- and Heero wouldn't want him to think that he was insulting his abilities.
"I came." He began quietly, stating it like a sentence in and of its self. His eyes turned beneath dark hair to regard Duo's face- shining with life, just the way he always thought of him. "To see you." That was enough. He didn't need any other reason.
"Really?" Duo's grin spread across his face, and he found himself surprised. It had been a while since he'd grinned like this, since the whole room felt filled with light. Then the smile faded and he found himself scratching his hair. It wasn't like Heero came to kiss him, or tell him how much he missed him. Duo grabbed up his pencil and scratched at the other end of his cast.
No matter which way it went, his heart swelled and he knew he was alive because Heero was here. Baka! When Heero left again, it was going to be bad. Duo's emotions flicked across his face without any respect at all for his privacy, but the tail end of the emotional rainbow was a smile. Heero was here. Everything else could wait. And he did want to know why Heero had come to see him. Maybe Heero needed some parts or something hard to get. "Hey, I can make some lunch. Or I could like take us to the cafe across the street."
Duo smiled, a grin growing again, as he waited, and considered causally tossing in, 'Ohand by theway, I kindathink I might inlovewithyou.' No matter how fast he said it though, Heero would figure out what he said, and he wasn't ready for Heero to leave.
Heero was quiet for a few moments before he answered. He didn't want to go outside again after he had put so much effort into getting through the door. He observed that he was hungry in a kind of detached fashion, what was more important was that the food was a good way to keep Duo in one place- where he could watch him. Just like he was watching him now, watching the myriad emotions play across that face. The sadness he saw made him want to clench his fists, the worry stirred his heart to anger, but the smile dampened his concern- for the present at least.
"Here is fine."
He let his hands fall onto his knees, sitting up straight on the cushion.
"Duo-" he cut himself off. He didn't know what he was going to say, the desire to say that name had come over him suddenly, without any warning. Duo- it sounded like music, and it meant the world to him. He had to say something, to avoid seeming suspicious.
"Is everything well?" His words were concerned, his eyes and tone of voice were the same as ever. "Don't play games with me, I want to know if your having any problems. Any problems."
Too much emphasis...He chided himself. Duo would certainly suspect something now.
Duo's face squished up, and he hurried for something to say. He turned to look at the kitchen, his braid swinging out behind his as he turned. Uh? Problems? I can't sleep half the time cuz I waking up thinking about you and it's pissed Hilde off. It wasn't like she was upset about him loving Heero. It was that she was pissed that he wouldn't tell Heero. Then Duo got suspicious. Hilde had told Heero about the broken arm. Duo closed his eyes really tight, his face towards the kitchen sink, away from Heero. What had that baka girl told Heero?
"I, uh, don't have any real problems, like, you know? My arm's broken," And he couldn't lie and damn now did he get started with this sentence! He especially could not lie to Heero. "I'm kinda in love with someone, and but, you know, it's not really," he was gonna say, it's not a problem, but it was. "Look, Heero. I'm okay. What do you want for lunch? Soup okay?"
Duo was in love. Heero felt his eyes widen- he had not expected to hear that. Who was it? A murderous inclination swelled within his chest- then was quickly crushed, replaced by a creeping despair. All in vain, all in vain- he had come only to confront his fears and find that they were not unfounded. He was living a happy life his Duo- no! Duo wasn't his...he belonged to himself, and whoever the stranger was who kept his heart...Hilde probably. Heero stared straight ahead at the plain wall, his eyes dull and uncommunicative.
He wasn't hungry anymore, not that he had really been very hungry in the first place. Heero felt a dull ache in his stomach, his throat seemed thick. Duo was in love- definitely with someone else. He hadn't known where to go after the last war. Relena was concerned for him, but she was no comfort. Quatre or any of the others would have tolerated him, welcomed him even. But he didn't want any of the others, he wanted Duo...a flicker of sadness cast its subtle light over his eyes, like a raindrop breaking a still pool into many ripples.
Being coy was something that he had never learned. He stood up, his eye's on the floor, his shoulders drooping.
"I won't waste any more of your time, I'm glad you've found someone." It hurt to say it, but he meant it- on some level, all that mattered was Duo's happiness. But...a small voice insisted, why couldn't you have found me?
"If you need anything, you can always contact me."
He turned towards the door.
"Heero! Please," Duo turned, terror in his eyes. Oh, such a baka. "Please." 'I need something,' he wanted to scream. Why was Heero doing this? Coming and leaving like this? It didn't make any sense. He hadn't had enough time with the only one he could ever trust his heart to, because he'd already given it. How could he have offended Heero already?! The thought of just begging him to stay flashed like neon in Duo's brain. "Don't go, uh, Heero," Duo said, frantically trying to come up with a plan. God, if he just told Heero it was him that he loved, the man might leave forever and NEVER talk to him again. It had probably been the whole mention of love in the first place. Duo covered his mouth with his hand and refused to start crying. Work! Heero liked work! "Maybe you could help me with this salvage project? If it wouldn't be trouble? Come take a look at the plans, uh? It's gonna be real hard to do with one arm, and I just can't get it figured out!"
He scooped plan papers up against his chest, violet eyes peering over the top of the tangle of paper, and damn he hoped Heero didn't think he was gonna start crying or anything.