Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, have any relation to Gundam Wing, have no permission from those who created Gundam Wing to write this. This is purely for fun, to waste time, and to make other people happy reading and to spread the joy of slashy literature to all those poor unenlightened Fellow Man out there. I am making no profit from this.

Pairings: 2x1x2, side pairing 3x4

Summary: Heero was perfectly happy as a workaholic recluse, but then Quatre declared War on him and suddenly there's a sugar-high American at his door, messing up the house and showing him that maybe, he hadn't been that happy after all...

Roommate: Unwanted

Chapter Ten: Secrets Best Buried

Duh-dum. Duh-dum. Duh –

Oh, wait. Wrong soundtrack.

Duh-dum. Duh-dum. Duh-dum duh-dum duh-dum duh-dum duh-duuuuuum…. da-da-da-dum.

Perfect.

Of course, if Heero caught him at this, then it would be the soundtrack from Jaws that would fit better than the Pink Panther jingle, because Duo would be eaten alive.

Ooh… I wouldn't mind being eaten alive by Heero, if you know what I mean.

Shut up!

Duo shifted uncomfortably in his seat as images of being eaten alive by Heero in the (currently still desecrated) bedroom assailed him. He cursed the bunny in his head for always twisting his perfectly pure and innocent thoughts into – other not pure and innocent thoughts.

But you make it so easy.

I'm trying my best to behave here! Why don't you go back to wherever you were the past few days? I liked it better when you were quiet.

The Return of the Horny Bunny! Duuuum… duuuum… da-da-da-duuuum… duuuuum –

What the hell?

I deserve my own soundtrack, don't you think?

That's the Star Wars theme, you thief!

So? Return of the Horny Bunny sounds cooler than Return of the Jedi. Plus, I'm hotter. Well, with the exception of Ewan McGregor and that Hans Christian Anderson guy.

Who in the world –?

The Anakin kid. Handsome blond dude who goes way better with Obi-Wan than with that princess chick? Ring a bell?

That's Hayden Christensen! Hans Christian Anderson is the fairy tale writer!

Close enough. Can we get back to Heero eating you alive? It's more interesting.

Duo muffled a groan and buried his head in his hands, before remembering that he was supposed to be circumspect and not draw any attention to himself, which meant not acting like some madman. He sat back up and looked around, wincing as he saw no less than two patrons – and one waitress – staring at him oddly. Wonderful.

A soft murmur swept the little café, and Duo followed the direction of all those heads attempting to turn discreetly and looked towards the entrance. He whistled silently – he hadn't seen any girl that beautiful in a long time that wasn't in a magazine or on the internet. Beautiful with a flavour of little-girl sweetness, composed, impeccably dressed, perfectly groomed… he could see why the media had given Relena Peacecraft the nickname 'Princess', because if there ever was one, this girl was it.

And she was coming this way.

A nagging feeling grew in Duo's chest as she passed table after table, smiling and nodding politely to customers who looked up and smiled awe-struck at her, but never pausing in her steps, walking with a purpose. It couldn't be… could it?

He heard movement behind him, and it took every atom of willpower he had not to turn around and stare in disbelief as Heero's voice came: "Hello, Relena."

No. Way.

No way!

Heero Yuy knew the Princess? The most anti-social, tactless idiot in the world was close enough to the darling of modern politics and the paragon of diplomacy to call her by her first name?

"Hello, Heero," was the demure but slightly breathless reply. "I almost can't believe that you really are here. I thought for sure that you would change your mind at the last minute."

Duo choked. He was a master at reading people, and the scant few sentences that Relena spoke were enough for him.

The Princess had a crush on Heero Yuy.

Relena Peacecraft was the stalker that was after Heero? This was ridiculous. Beauty and the Beast was just a fairytale, it wasn't supposed to actually happen in real life!

You're just jealous.

Why would I be? She's a girl. Either he's not interested in girls and I have no reason to be jealous, or he's interested and I never had a chance to begin with and so have no right to be jealous.

He could be bi.

Yeah, and that still wouldn't be jealousy. It'd be depression, because if he can choose either her or me I think his choice is pretty much clear.

He could be asexual?

That'd be my vote normally, but faced with that perfection? What do you think?

I think… you should order some chocolate.

Huh?

Chocolate has anti-depressants in it.

Oh. Good plan.

He signalled the one of the few staff who were staring at what he presumed was Heero's and Relena's table, behind him, and held up the menu, tapping the picture of a very decadent-looking moist chocolate cake. The waitress nodded absently and walked into two table-sides on her way back to the kitchen, so busy was she looking at the young politician. Duo sighed.

It's not as if she's all that good looking, really, he reasoned. I mean, make-up does wonders for women. She'd be so much plainer without all the trappings, and if she wore jeans like any other normal person, she'd be just… any other normal person. Yeah. I don't see what all the fuss is about.

Besides her lauded intellect, her wonderful diplomatic skills, her poise, her grace, and the achievements that read like a list of every politician's dreams, she's not all that great, really.

Duo sighed again. Who was he kidding?

His subconscious tapped his conscious mind urgently at that point, saving Duo from sinking even deeper into his gloom. He paid attention to the conversation behind him that he'd been listening to on autopilot, and blinked.

Heero sounded… uncomfortable.

It was faint, and to anyone else – save for maybe the Golden Trio of Winner, Barton and Chang – there was absolutely no other inflection to that slightly nasal voice but politeness and a vague degree of interest. But Duo could tell.

Maybe Heero really didn't like the Princess in return. Was it possible? Duo strained to listen.

"And you should always try to make the other person happy, like doing and buying things that you think suits her – I mean, whoever your friend is. You should take the initiative and open up to her, too. You know, share your fears and secrets and everything. Oh, and –"

"What if this friend does not do the same? How should I ascertain how much I should… open up, as you say?"

"Oh, Heero, as long as you give me a chance, I – I mean, as long as you give your friend a chance, to spend time with you and so on, your friend will tell you everything, anything at all!"

Ooh, desperate much? the bunny said snidely.

Be nice, Duo told it absently.

"What if… what if I feel uncomfortable with revealing the truth about myself?"

"It's okay, you'll feel better after sharing things, you'll see."

"But… let us say that such truths are dark truths, that will scare any normal person. Let us say that the truth is something as terrible as… as murdering someone. What then –"

"Oh, no truth is that bad, Heero! It's all in your mind, it's all to do with your insecurities. You're not as bad a person as you think, Heero. Everyone imagines their sins to be the most terrible, but it's not, really. Heero, believe me what I say that you can never do anything that bad."

The worst part, Duo thought musingly, was that the girl did mean it, and she meant it sincerely, honestly, and it was all out of the goodness of her heart. She believed. The problem was that she believed in a mythical Heero, a – snort, snicker, chuckle – hero Heero, and each well-meant, earnest word only cut deeper.

It wasn't her fault; she couldn't have known better. But Duo knew that in her shoes, he would have known. From the very first time he had met Heero Yuy, he had known that there was a dark past to this man, and it was a darkness not to be underestimated, belittled, but it was also not to be feared. At least, Duo didn't fear it. If it was part of Heero, he would embrace it.

If only he could turn around right now and tell Heero that.

His cake arrived then, and Duo smiled at the waitress and thanked her before turning to the food. It looked so good, and so sinful, and so… fattening.

He really shouldn't be eating.

But it was such a waste, he'd ordered it already…

"Say, Heero, this is rather out of the blue, but would you like to accompany me to a charity dinner? Quatre and Dorothy will be there, too."

A dinner? The two of them? Duo stabbed unthinkingly at his cake and took an irritated bite. Somehow the image did not sit well with him at all – though, of course, Heero in a suit… mm.

"I do not think –"

"But Heero, it would be a lovely chance to improve your social skills, you'll need the practice if you want to make closer friends, you know." Relena's voice was sweet and coaxing. Duo's fork stabbed at his cake again, and delivered a gooey forkful to his mouth. "And it's for a good cause, for charity – it's for the orphans, the proceeds will be allocated to each orphanage in the city according to size."

"Oh… I see."

Don't fall for it, Heero! Duo thought fiercely, munching away at the cake for all he was worth. He felt a little bad, it was for orphans after all, and god knew how much Duo tried to do for the orphans back in his home city, but…

"We can sit with Quatre and Dorothy, you won't lack a conversation partner, but you can also talk to other people if you'd like. Say yes, Heero!"

"Well –"

He's going to say yes! After all this time with Heero, Duo knew the nuances of Heero's speech, and this was his 'I know better and I really don't think this is a good idea but what the hell' voice. In his mind's eye, Heero waltzed with Relena hanging onto him, smiling into his eyes, and Duo couldn't take it anymore. He stood with a clatter, the screech of his chair being shoved back piercing in the celebrity-in-the-house silence.

And froze.

Oh, crap.

"Uh…" he gave the rest of the café a weak smile. "Sorry… thought I saw a mouse… but it wasn't, it was just a shadow!" he said hastily when some of the customers gasped and looked wildly around, and the staff looked caught between the guilt of those who slacked off during cleaning duty and the anger of the righteous who were sure that they had done a thorough job of cleaning up.

"Duo…?"

And here came the dreaded voice. Duo took a deep breath, plastered on a genuine smile of surprise, and turned. "Heero! Didn't see you there! And whoa – supping with the Princess? Man, you never told me you could go out and be social without melting!"

Relena looked a little confused, but nevertheless smiled at him with genuine pleasure. She stood up and held out a hand. "I assume you are a friend of Heero's? It is wonderful to meet you. I am Relena Peacecraft."

Duo took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he bowed over it. "Duo Maxwell at your service, Princess."

"Oh, please call me Relena. That terrible nickname is associated with the media, in my mind." Relena gave him a slightly embarrassed smile.

Damn it, it wasn't fair that she was actually nice, too! Duo had to smile back. "That name will never again pass my lips," he assured her.

Heero had stood up as well sometime during their conversation, and he made his presence known as his voice cut in: "Duo. What are you doing here?"

Duo rolled his eyes. "Having a nice cup of tea…" he trailed off as they all looked at his table, where there was no tea, only a glass of water and the remnants of the cake, "…that was magically replaced by a cake, but I couldn't resist," he finished, shrugging sheepishly. "What can I say? Chocolate is chocolate."

Relena beamed. "A man who knows his priorities," she agreed solemnly.

Really, he didn't want to like her, but… Duo sighed mentally. It was so much simpler in the drama shows and soap operas, where the wicked third party was truly wicked. "Yes, I most certainly do," he answered Relena, "and right now my utmost priority is to get back home. I kinda sneaked out for a bit of rest instead of doing my work, and if I want to get paid on time, well…" he shrugged lightly, grinning.

"At least the cake was worth it," Relena laughed.

"Oh, was it ever." Duo affected a satiated sigh that he hoped veiled the nagging worry in the back of his mind. Judging by Relena's amused smile, he'd succeeded, but Heero's eyes had narrowed. Damn. "Anyway, I really should go," he told them both. "I'll see you around, Relena?"

"Yes, of course," she said, nodding. "A friend of Heero's is a friend of mine."

Duo smiled at her as he fished out his wallet and pulled out a twenty. "This one's on me," he said cheerfully as he waved a waitress over, mentally rolling his eyes as three immediately hurried forward, had a short glaring contest, before one of them won and triumphantly came forth. He handed her the money. "For both tables," he said.

"Heero? You're leaving…?"

What? Duo turned around abruptly to see Heero shrugging on his jacket. "Yes, I also have work to do," he said.

"Then – about the dinner –"

"I… will get back to you on that."

Seeing the crestfallen look on Relena's face, Duo cursed himself for being weak to the ladies. Oh well, this was for Heero. With a silent sigh at his own masochistic stupidity, he interrupted. "What dinner is that?"

Relena turned to him, trying to mask her disappointment. "It's a charity dinner that I was hoping Heero would attend."

"A charity dinner, sounds like a worthwhile cause, don't you think?" Duo raised an eyebrow at Heero. "Good food, a pretty lady by your side, and all to help others – a pretty good use of your time and money, if I do say so myself. You should go. God knows you need all the help you can get, social-wise."

Heero looked hard at him, and Duo stared back steadily with a determined smile. He wasn't going to let Heero see how much it had taken him to say what he had. It wasn't as if he wanted a relationship with Heero, anyway; better to let these unwanted feelings die in the face of Relena's perfection.

Liar, the bunny said in a sing-song manner.

I don't want to get hurt again, Duo told the bunny – and himself – firmly.

"Alright," Heero said finally, never once looking away from Duo. The American barely registered Relena's delighted little gasp and the look of pure happiness on her face; Heero's blue eyes filled his entire vision, intent and diamond-hard. "But only if you go as well."

Duo's eyes widened. "But I'm not –" worthy, not fit to walk in such high circles, nothing but a rat. He managed to bite off the rest of his sentence before it came out.

Heero shrugged lightly, still not breaking their gaze. "That is my condition," he said simply.

Relena's exclamation of 'Duo, please say you'll go!' was white noise, unimportant, as Duo stared back, trying desperately to figure out what Heero was playing at. In the end, though, he didn't have much of a choice. "Fine," he sighed, finally looking away.

"Oh, thank you! You won't regret it, the chefs they hired for this event are all from award-winning kitchens, and – I really shouldn't babble on," Relena said in a rush. "You just have to show up, I'll bring the tickets – I'll email you the details, Heero."

"Yes, thank you," Heero said shortly. He nodded to Relena. "I am grateful that you took time out to speak to me," he said cordially.

Relena shook her head instantly. "No problem, Heero. Anytime."

Heero nodded once, and gestured at the entrance. "After you," he said.

The girl blushed slightly, and moved forward. Duo fell into step behind her with Heero, all too aware of both the warmth of the body next to him as they navigated the narrow spaces between tables and chairs, and of the whispers and stares from the rest of the customers. They bid farewell to Relena on the sidewalk, and watched her board a pink limousine that was quickly lost to sight in the traffic.

"Pink," Duo said finally, when he couldn't take the cold silence anymore.

"She likes it," was all Heero said. "You came by car?"

"Uh… no," Duo admitted. "Petrol prices, you know."

Heero snorted. "And yet you agree to splurge on an over-priced dinner."

"Hey – you were the one who gave me no choice!"

"You could have said no."

"As if. You knew I wanted you to go, so you knew I'd say yes!"

"Why did you?"

"Huh?" Duo was lost. "Haven't we been through that already?"

"Why did you want me to go so badly?"

"Uh… because you should go out more often?" Duo tried.

"Is that all?" Heero's voice was unreadable. He turned around and started walking.

Duo jogged to catch up. "Well – because Relena really wanted you to go, and I felt bad for her. Because it's going to be a good experience for you. Because it really is for a good cause that I don't mind spending on. Take your pick, I guess."

"Hmm." There was no way to guess what Heero meant, or what he was feeling, as he said, "You would have encouraged me to go even if it meant leaving you all alone while I go out with a female acquaintance?"

Was that a trick question? Did Heero know that Relena – scratch that, of course he knew. Just because he wasn't interested in romantic relationships didn't mean he didn't know about them. He couldn't be trying to imply that Duo had possessive thoughts or something, right? He'd been so careful! No, there was just no way.

In that case, Duo had no idea what Heero was trying to say, so he went for the simple answer: "I have no idea what you're trying to say."

To his surprise, as he watched Heero out of the corner of his eye, Heero's lips twitched in a faint smile. "An honest and ambiguous answer."

Duo had to grin. "Matches your question perfectly, doesn't it?"

Heero's smile widened a tiny fraction. "You're… an enigma, Duo Maxwell."

"Look who's talking!"

They arrived at Heero's car. Pausing with his hand on the driver's side door handle, Heero tilted his head and considered Duo. He seemed to be coming up with and discarding various things to say, before he settled on: "So you like chocolate?"

"Love it," Duo said immediately, grinning, relieved that it wasn't a sensitive topic. "I thought you'd have realized by now!"

They got into the car. "I did wonder," Heero said as he started the engine, "but you hardly ever eat any."

Duo shrugged, a little self-conscious. "I'm trying to watch my weight," he said lightly. He was wrong – this really wasn't a good line of conversation either.

"I… see." Heero's answer was suspiciously thoughtful and mysterious, but just as Duo was about to demand that he say what he was thinking, Heero switched topics. "Do you own a suit?"

Duo groaned and smacked his forehead. "Nothing remotely resembling one," he said in resignation. "Lovely, I'll have to rent one then."

"You should own at least one," Heero said. "Just in case."

"Nah, I'll never get the chance to wear it, unless something like this happens – once in a lifetime, so I'm fine," Duo said dismissively.

"Maybe," was Heero's cryptic answer.

Duo twisted in his seat to jab a finger in Heero's chest. "Okay, 'fess up this time," he demanded. "What sneaky thoughts are you harbouring?"

"Oh… nothing much. Just – everyone needs at least one outfit that they can wear to formal or semi-formal events."

"I work from home, I run in middle-class circles, I stay well away from any posh stuff – I don't foresee any formal or semi-formal in the near future. Or the distant future. Or in any future at all." Duo paused as he registered the road they were on. "And this isn't the way back to our apartment," he added suspiciously.

"We are going to Clark's," Heero said calmly.

"What's Clark's?"

"The place where Quatre brought me when he forced me to buy a formal outfit."

"Oh, hell no!" Duo smacked Heero's shoulder. "Turn around, now!"

Heero turned his head slightly, just enough to give Duo a steely-eyed glare. "Either you agree to this now," he said very precisely, "or I bring in Quatre."

Duo gaped. "You wouldn't!" he cried dramatically, hand to his heart. "Not Quatre! Anything but Quatre!"

"Be a man," Heero said solemnly. "Face your fate."

"Yeah, yeah," Duo grumbled as he settled back down. "You're violating the Geneva Convention, you know. This is cruel and unjust torture, plus you're threatening me with a weapon of mass destruction."

"Oh, not at all. Quatre's a weapon of very specialised destruction. He'll hone in on you and nothing else until his job is done."

"True, that. Alas! Foiled by a technical loophole." Duo was aware that he was grinning, and that all the tension of the past half-hour had vanished. Bantering with Heero always had that effect on him. Oh well, it looked like he had no choice but to go along with this thing. He couldn't bring himself to reject Heero, after all.

This would wreck his budget, though. He needed to cut some expenses, minimise the damage… this month was the month where his quarter-annual donation to the church's orphanage was due, he'd try his best to keep that amount normal…

Duo sank deep into his thoughts, trying to balance his expenses, and Heero let him have his silence. Only when he pulled over and turned the engine off did he reach over to tap Duo on the shoulder.

"What?"

"We're here." Heero got out of the car without waiting for an answer, and Duo blinked after him for a moment before scrambling up, grunting as the seatbelt stopped him. He unsnapped the belt with a muttered curse before hurrying out of his seat and after his roommate.

Clark's was an expensive-looking little boutique, nestled among other equally posh-looking shops on a lane that stretched to either side. Duo felt completely out of place as he followed Heero in, grimacing as he heard the little bell on the door jingle expensively into the hush of the shop.

The front area was like a little living room, with some catalogues on a low-rise table and leather couches to one side, and a counter on the other. There was no one behind the counter, though.

Seeing his chance, Duo said with false disappointment, "Oh dear, they're closed, let's go." He spun on his heel –

"Welcome to Clark's, gentlemen – Mr Yuy!"

He knew that voice.

"I never thought we'd see you again here of your own free will..."

Oh, god.

Duo spun on his heel and sprinted for the door, his braid flying out behind him. No way, fate couldn't be this cruel – "Ow!"

Heero's grip on his hair was firm. "You're not escaping, Duo."

"Heero, let go –"

"Duo...?"

Wonderful. Fucking wonderful.

Duo turned around with a bright, amazed, completely false grin. "Walt! What the hell are you doing in a posh shop like this? It's like seeing a duck out of water!"

"Ducks can walk on land, moron," Walt laughed. He looked the same, sandy hair, blue eyes. "You haven't changed! How've you been? Why did you leave so suddenly?"

"Oh, just wanted a change of scenery." Duo prayed that he wouldn't continue along that line of conversation. Of all people, he had to run into an ex-Sweeper? Thank the gods that at least Walt seemed to be unaware of the reasons for Duo's leaving. "And you? From mechanic to shop boy in a suit, there's gotta be a story behind that."

Walt grinned sheepishly. "Found myself a girl… figured that this looks better than being in dirty overalls and up to my neck in grease."

"Walt, my man, if the girl wants you to change who you are, she's not worth it." Duo patted his shoulder mock-solemnly.

"No, this was all my decision," Walt said hastily. "I just want her to see me at my best, that's all."

Duo's smile faltered. It was back in place in an instant, and from Walt's continued cheerfulness he knew that his old friend hadn't caught that slip, but he was afraid that Heero, standing to one side, definitely had. Damn Heero and his sniper-trained eyes!

"So it's you who's here for a suit?" Walt was saying.

Duo nodded sadly. "I'm being subjected to high society torture. There will be harpies and leeches and sharp pointy toothpicks with sausages. I will have to eat and stab for my life."

"It's a charity dinner," Heero interjected blandly.

"It's a carnival dog show! Only without the carnival and the barking. Oh, wait, I take back that bit about barking."

"You were the one who wanted me to go."

"I wanted you to go, one person being fed to the sharks is enough, thankyouverymuch!"

Walt was laughing as Heero and Duo eyed each other. Heero's lips were twitching, and Duo found himself hard pressed to smile, too. Heero was becoming more and more gorgeous by the day, as he learned to relax.

Whoa, wait a minute. Where did that come from?

Don't look at me, the bunny protested. I only do tasteless jokes, not sappy corny lines.

Mwahahaha!

…what the hell? Duo and the bunny chorused.

Mwahahaha!

…that's it, I need to see a psychiatrist. And soon. I do not need two and a half personalities stuck in my head!

Wait, two and a half?

Yeah, you only count as half.

What!

You're a bunny, you can't have a full grown personality.

That's speciesm! And if I'm only half a personality – which I am not – then the mad laughter should only count as a quarter!

…I am not having this conversation with myself. Duo tuned back into the conversation going on between Heero and Walt. Apparently they were discussing which style and colour and cut would suit him best. Duo blanched. A suit was a suit; why the hell were terrifying things like 'satin' and 'ruffles' even being mentioned?

Walt disappeared into the back, and Duo found himself being led by the elbow into a dressing area. Heero released his elbow and gave him a light shove towards one of the doors. "Start undressing," he ordered.

Duo put a mock-horrified hand to his chest. "So soon in our relationship? We haven't even had one candlelit dinner yet!"

Heero rolled his eyes. "Walt's going to come in with suits soon, so stop wasting time."

"You just want me for my body!" Duo called over his shoulder as he ducked into one of the rooms and began undressing.

"Well I clearly don't want you for your intellect."

Duo burst out laughing, but quickly bit it back. "Your charming wit and dashing manners must earn you a lot of friends."

"I know, I can't think why. Is there a cure?"

Duo heard Walt's laughter enter the area, and fought back a small spike of jealousy. He didn't want anyone else to know of this side of Heero. Don't be stupid, Duo, he told himself, and called, "My torture devices here yet?"

"I chose the ones with the most ruffles just for you," Walt informed him through the door.

Duo opened the door wide enough to receive a hunch of suits on hangers, and closed it again. He hung them up on the walls with a groan. "I'm going to be here for hours!"

"Less talking, more undressing," Heero ordered from outside.

"Come in here and say it again, and bring a whip," Duo replied in the most suggestive voice he could muster. He pulled up the pants, and pulled on a shirt.

"The dressing room's not big enough for a whip to manoeuvre."

"Ooh, you sound… experienced."

Duo could almost hear Heero rolling his eyes. "Are you done yet?"

"Patience is a virtue, especially in bed!" Duo finished the tiny, tricky buttons, and pulled on the jacket. "Done."

He stepped out, and Walt whistled. "Man, Duo, you do clean up well," he said appreciatively.

It was Heero who Duo watched, though. Those blue eyes widened a fraction, and then a neutral expression settled on Heero's face. "Not bad," he agreed.

Duo sighed in frustration, but internally. He really wished that he could read Heero better, sometimes, but he knew he was doing amazingly well to be able to read the few expressions and tones of voice that he already could.

Walt and Heero exchanged a few words in a foreign language involving words such as 'slim fit' and 'cravat' and 'French cuffs', before sending him back in to try another suit. Joy.

There actually was a shirt with ruffles, which Duo absolutely refused to try on until Heero gave him that half-annoyed, half-amused look and said 'please', which was CHEATING, but it worked. Duo tried it on, and while he looked like a complete fop, he looked like a charming one (in Walt's words).

After twenty minutes of mix-and-matching, and various long, nasty looking pins, Walt and Heero agreed on a 'perfect' cut and somehow arranged for things to be tailored exactly to Duo's specifications. Duo just smiled and nodded and prayed for them to keep off discussing Duo's past, but thankfully it was all business. Duo should have known; this was Heero, after all.

The two of them disappeared off somewhere while Duo changed back. When he was done, he hurried back out, not wanting to risk leaving the two of them alone. If they made small talk, it would likely be about him, and he did not want that at all.

What he found, when he re-entered the main room, was far worse: Heero at the counter, keeping his wallet. Duo's jaw dropped. "You didn't."

Heero raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay, I didn't," he said. He nodded at Walt. "I will be back in two days to collect it."

Walt gave him a little bow. "I'll see you then, Mr Yuy."

Duo's eyes narrowed. "Heero Yuy…"

Heero gave him a little smirk, turned on his heel, and walked out. Duo spent two seconds gaping after him before coming to his senses and rushing out as well, calling a hasty goodbye to Walt, who was – again, the bastard! – laughing.

The Japanese man was already in the car when Duo barged out onto the sidewalk. Scowling, Duo got in as well and half-twisted in his seat to glare at Heero. "You're not paying for my suit."

"No, I am not," Heero agreed, pulling easily out of the parallel parking spot.

"I am going to…" Duo trailed off. "What?"

"I am currently driving, not paying for your suit. I have already paid for your suit. Get your tenses right, Duo."

"You know, your humour crops up in the most irritating places."

Heero ignored him with the calm of a monk.

"Look, Heero, I appreciate the thought, but I don't take charity, okay? Just let me pay you back –"

"It's not charity, it's an apology," Heero interrupted.

"What apology?" Duo said blankly.

"I tricked you into coming with me to the dinner. I owe you at least the materials you will need to attend it."

Duo blinked, not expecting Heero to admit it so easily. "Oh. Actually, it's okay, you didn't really trick me, I –"

"In that case, then since you graciously agreed to accompany, the least I could do is to provide you the materials you will need to do so."

"Wha…" Duo's jaw dropped. "You sneaky little…"

Heero was smirking. "Just give it up, Duo."

They argued all the back to the apartment, but Heero wouldn't budge. Duo finally gave up and decided that he would just have to try sneaking cash into Heero's wallet bit by bit until it was all paid off.

Of course, he didn't know how much it cost. Damn. He'd have to go back to ask Walt, and tell him to keep his mouth shut on his past. There were things there that he didn't want Heero to know.

But, you know… issues of pride aside, Duo had a warm feeling in his chest that Heero would do this for him – bring him to get a suit, help him choose one, pay for it, the whole process. It was almost like they were a couple.

"Oh, and Duo…"

"Hmm?" Duo looked up.

There was a faint smile on Heero's face. "Whatever money you put into my wallet will just be put back into yours."

Duo sputtered. "What the – okay, that whole mind reading is damn creepy!"

Heero shrugged, that damnable smile still on his face. "Just so you know." He headed to his study, opened the door, grimaced, and called over his shoulder, "And you're removing the ball from my study by tomorrow or I'm removing both of yours!"

"You need it more than I do!" he yelled back as Heero closed the door.

Yeah, definitely a couple.

Duo grinned to himself, but then he realized what he was doing, and it faded. Wasn't he supposed to just lust after Heero from afar? Wasn't he supposed to not get involved? Did he want to get hurt again?

And yet…

I'm already falling for him, Duo realized with resignation. So much for learning my lesson.

Heero was different, though. Heero wasn't a bastard, or a jerk, or anything like that. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, if it was Heero. Maybe it would be okay to try again.

But if he tried, and Heero wasn't gay, then he'd have lost someone who was fast becoming a good friend.

Damn it.

Good mood gone, Duo trudged to his room to begin his work.

He had a lot to think about.

A long chapter to make up for the long wait. (: Sorry that it's a bit dull, I know there's not much going on here, but it was necessary to introduce some new elements to Duo. Humour will be in short supply from now on, but as a trade-off you'll get more relationship advancements. Hope that helps.

More of Duo's dark past (or not so dark, really) coming up!

Ashen Skies
"Be a man. Face your fate."