Author's Note: Microsoft Word hates me, so I lost part of the document. But fear not, it was only my intro stating that I don't own Gundam Wing. Apparently Microsoft Word hates my introductions. So enjoy the story. And I still don't own Gundam Wing.

Trowa was hard to write because he's stoic. I just waged an internal battle between his emotions to get around his quiet demeanor. I'm quiet, so I know how it is to keep your emotions to yourself. Hopefully, you guys will like it.

Smokey Love: A Breakfast Escapade

Trowa stared at the wall opposite him, his one visible, green eye roving the kitchen disinterestedly. Duo stretched languidly along the back of the brown couch on which he was sitting, his skinny arms pulling his back vertically across the top of the couch. No students were in the lounge because it was only seven in the morning, one of the rare moments where students were sleeping instead of doing homework.

Zeroing in on Duo, Trowa shifted slightly. Duo pointedly ignored Trowa, glancing toward the locked kitchen door behind him. A cold chill ran up Trowa's spine, heightening the discomfort he was feeling around Duo. Although Trowa liked Duo, talking about his emotions was not his strong point. Hell, Trowa wasn't even sure if dating Duo would go over well. Everyone knew that Duo was talkative and cheerful, both of which Trowa wasn't. If anything, Trowa was more introverted, quiet and moody than all of the Gundam pilots except Heero. In fact, Trowa was half expecting Duo to make a crack about his silent demeanor to break the quiet. And like always, Trowa would stare emptily at Duo to mask the feelings pulsing behind his stoic heart.

Duo coughed, running a hand through his dark brown braid. Bored, Duo continued wrapping his braid around his finger, twirling it absently in his hand. Trowa's heart soared beneath his emotionless façade, rising further with each twist of Duo's braid. It was all Trowa could do to keep himself from impulsively pulling Duo's braid.

Trowa moved toward the front of the room, taking a seat on one of the three yellow armoires surrounding the television. Duo raised his eyebrows at Trowa's move, grinning.

"So Mr. Sentinel finally decided to take a break and stop standing guard by that window?" Laughing, Duo let go of his braid. All three feet of Duo's braid swung like a pendulum across Duo's black shirt, pulling gentle ripples across the tight fabric of Duo's shirt. Trowa straightened instantly, warning himself to keep a neutral expression on his face. Duo tugged at his black jeans, throwing his black shoes over the arm of the couch. Finally comfortable, Duo slid back against the couch, purring satisfactorily. It was almost as if Duo was tempting Trowa to reach out and sink his fingers into that irresistible braid. Or maybe it was Trowa who was imagining how sexy it would be if he was the first Gundam pilot to undo Duo's hair tie. Trowa's fingers itched with desire. Unfortunately, Trowa knew that touching Duo's braid at this moment in time would only send Duo reeling back into his shell. Damn that shell! Why did Duo have to be so protective of his braid anyway? It wasn't like it was a memento from his past, was it? As far as Trowa knew, Duo only wore his braid because it was convenient, right?

"Hello! Earth to Trowa! Earth to Trowa!" Trowa blinked, aware that he had spaced out for a few moments. Duo's hand waved frantically in front of Trowa's face in an attempt to bring him back to reality. "Mr. Soldier slacking off on the job?" Quipped Duo, a smile spreading across his face.

Trowa squirmed internally. Duo could be so dense sometimes.

"Just resting." Trowa said in an even monotone. Nodding, Duo moved to take the armoire next to Trowa. Duo stared at the three tables in the kitchen, rubbing his stomach.

"Trowa! I'm hungry. When are they serving breakfast?"

"Duo, it is only seven ten. Most people aren't up yet. Go read the sign on the kitchen door. I have no idea."

"But Trowa!" Duo's eyes narrowed, focusing their hungry sparkle on Trowa's one uncovered eye. Trowa melted faster than butter in a microwave, placing his arms across his chest to stem the emotions rushing through his body. Duo shifted slightly, assuming the patented slouch he adopted when whining and hungry. Pathetic as Duo looked curved into a small "c", Trowa couldn't help feeling sympathetic toward Duo's plight.

"Make something yourself." Trowa said, forcing himself to remain characteristically unsympathetic toward Duo's plight.

Duo's shoulders slumped in mock defeat, sliding down the couch's armrest. Trowa smiled briefly, quickly reassuming his stoic mask.

"I'll get you something if you really want Duo. Just don't expect any more favors for the rest of the day."

"Thanks Trowa. Do you know what there is to eat around this joint?"

Trowa nodded a quick no. Frowning, Duo shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well, I guess we'll just have to make do with what there is." Duo stood up and moved toward the fridge.

"Are you going to eat other people's food?"

Duo nodded. "As a kid, I learned to make do with what was in front of me."

"Fine by me."

Duo opened the fridge across from the kitchen door, removing a carton of eggs. Walking to a nearby stove, Duo placed the eggs on the stove. A few seconds later, Duo opened a draw and pulled out a frying pan and a plastic spatula. Turning on the stove, Duo cracked two eggs into the pan with a satisfying sizzle.

"Nothing like fresh eggs in the morning to wake a man up!" Duo grinned. "Hey Trowa, have I ever cooked you breakfast before?"

Nodding no, Trowa stood up to lean against the wall again. "Well I promise you, you'll never have tasted anything better." Trowa laughed internally, fondly remembering the mess of foods Duo used to eat for his meals when they were together in a safe house. Surely today wouldn't be any different.

"Hey Trowa! Do you like salsa on your eggs?" Trowa winced and decided to ignore Duo. "No response. Fine! Salsa it is. And while I'm at it, I'm just going to add a little mushroom, green pepper, and this random blue cheese I found in the way back of the fridge."

"Duo, are you sure the cheese is okay?"

"It doesn't smell bad, why?"

"Just curious." Trowa fell silent again. A few minutes passed before the unmistakable, heavy odor of eggs and cheese permeated the common room.

"So how long do you think it'll take Quatre to come back downstairs?"

"No idea."

"Well, at least we get to spend time together, right Trowa?"

Trowa nodded. "Cat got your tounge, Trowa?"

"Duo, maybe you should pay attention to those eggs you are cooking." The smell of burnt egg rose from the pan, filling the room with a sulfuric stench. Duo panicked, hurriedly switching off the burner and tossing the pan into the sink. Several inventive curses left Duo's mouth.

"Duo, it is okay. The fire alarm didn't go off, right?" A loud wail, plaintive and mocking, startled Duo into bumping his head on a cabinet. The alarm sounded like a young child gratingly taunting another child into submission.

"Up for breakfast, Trowa?" Smiling sheepishly, Duo shoveled a partially burnt egg into his mouth. Duo coughed a little at the taste, grimacing while the egg went down his throat.

"So? Official verdict?" Trowa couldn't help but smile for a second. Duo caught Trowa's smile and laughed.

"Not half bad."

"Okay. I think I'll try one too." Duo handed Trowa the other egg, waiting eagerly for his reaction. After one bite, Trowa put the egg down. "Duo, that is disgusting!"

"Hey man! Food is food!"

"Duo, I hear footsteps. We should go outside."

"I can't let all this good food go to waste Trowa!" Duo groaned, stretching out the first syllable of Trowa's name theatrically.

"Duo, you amaze me." Trowa sighed, walking out the common room door.

"Are you going to leave the dorm when there is good food to be had?" Shouted Duo.

Trowa paused, tempted to return. It wasn't every day that he got to spend time alone with Duo. However, the fire alarm was ringing and Trowa was pretty sure someone was moving inside the kitchen. Trowa tensed, listening as the kitchen door opened. A young girl with brown hair and pale skin stepped out, heading for the exit. Her white apron rustled with each step she took. She ignored Duo and Trowa as she left, briefly glancing over her shoulder to see if Duo and Trowa were following.

"We should leave." Remarked Trowa. Duo nodded reluctantly. "You are no fun Trowa!"

"We can always eat that food outside."

"Without forks?"

Trowa made a face, quickly replacing it with his stoic mask. "Without forks."

Duo smiled, ruffling Trowa's hair teasingly. Trowa's single, visible eye seemed to glare at Duo menacingly, as if it could melt Duo's hand with its anger. Duo recoiled, laughing.

"Let us go out this window." Duo opened a window next to the kitchen door, a mischievous shine filling his eyes.

Trowa could barely restrain his emotions, using a quick nod of his head to keep them under control. Duo grabbed the frying pan, climbing out the ground floor window on to the grass below.

"I've always wanted to eat breakfast outside!" Shouted Duo gleefully, pulling Trowa out of the window. Trowa followed Duo, shaking his head all the while.