Author's note:
Hey all.
Yes I know I dropped off the radar a little the last two months, the reason being a rather lazy I had writer's block.
I've been trying to get around it by working on poetry (don't ask) and another plot bunny has demanded my full attention. So yes, this story has been suffering from gross neglect, and I'm afraid to say, will continue to do so for a while.
I will try to update this as often as I can get around to it, though it's permantly back burner at the moment. But don't despair, I have more stories coming your way soon.
So to recap before we go any further, Duo's had a bit of a breakdown, Heero gave him a sound talking to and Helen has been ever so kind. Next will be an appearance of a familiar face.
Thank you all for being so patient!
Predawn Light, by Hikishi
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing, but I do own a laptop, internet connection and a very overactive imagination.
Pairings: 1+2
Warnings: Language.
Genres: AU, Friendship.
CHAPTER TEN
Not long after their conversation, Heero left Duo's house to check in with his mother and go meet the rest of his friends. Duo was obviously tired, but stubbornly refusing to admit it or take a nap. Once off the porch he flipped open his cellphone and called Quatre; the blond was bound to be impatient for gossip.
-Heero. Have you been to see Duo?-
Quatre. Straight to the crux of the matter always.
"Yes. He's fine, before you ask. Tired, but I expect his sleeping pattern's out of whack right now."
He crossed over into his yard and went inside the house, calling out to his mother that he was home.
-What happened anyway? I've never seen anyone go off the rails like that before.-
"Oh. I'm not sure if I should say anything…"
-Why not?- Quatre sounded hurt and Heero threw his bag onto his bed and flopped down it his desk with a sigh, powering up his computer. -We're your friends, Heero. And Duo's too. I don't see why we should be kept in the dark.-
"Well, firstly, it's not my story to tell. And secondly, Duo's still very upset about it. I don't think he'd appreciate me blabbing his business all over the neighbourhood."
-That bad, huh?-
"Yeah." Heero turned to gaze out of the window at the empty park across the street. "Let's just say he had a very bad time in L2."
-Wufei wrote a note to apologise.-
"I'm not sure Duo even blames him anyway."
-Mm. but you know Wufei. He has that whole thing about him. It wouldn't be okay with him if he didn't try and make things right.-
Heero chuckled. Then abruptly stopped he saw a familiar car pull into their street.
"What the…"
-Heero?-
"Jay?" He watched in surprise as the car pulled up in his driveway and a short man with a receding grey hairline and rose tinted glasses stepped out of the car. "Quatre?"
-Yes?-
"I gotta go now. Jay's home."
-Jay? But I thought he wouldn't be back until the end of the month-
"So did I. I'll call you later, okay?"
They said their goodbyes and hung up. Heero made a beeline for the front door and got there just as his step-father walked inside, putting down his briefcase.
"Jay?"
"Heero, lad. How are you?"
"I'm fine." He shook his head to clear the cobwebs away. He watched as the man hung his jacket in the coat stand behind the door and parked his hat on top. "Jay, What're you doing home?"
"We finished early. The new prototype's complete now, and we're ready to unveil it. I've already got one in the car for you."
"Really?"
"Yes." Jay chuckled. "You and your friends can be the first to test out the console and get back to me on what you think. There's a couple of games with it as well."
"Darling!" Misato glided into his arms and bestowed a peck on his lips.
"Missy, dear, would you come on through to the lounge, I have some exciting news for you."
They swanned off together, leaving Heero standing in the hallway, thinking furiously. His father was home, and had brought his newest games console creation with him, just so Heero could test it out. None of the others really liked gaming, except…
Duo.
His new friend obviously liked video games. So maybe he could ask if he would like to come over one time and play. Heero bounded over next door and spoke briefly to Helen.
"Yes, Heero, of course Duo can come and play your new game. But not right now, poor thing's exhausted. He fell asleep right after you left, didn't even wake when I put Wufei's note in his room. He can come over on the weekend again if you'd like though?"
"That would be fine, Mrs Maxwell. I'll make sure my mom knows."
"Such a polite young boy. Thank you, for thinking of Duo. I know it's been hard for you boys. Duo is not the easiest person to be a friend to."
Heero couldn't help thinking as he walked away that Helen wasn't being quite as encouraging as she seemed.
Trowa dropped by barely an hour later with Catherine in tow. He sat on the window ledge smoking quietly, staring out into the encroaching darkness. Catherine did not tolerate his habit in the least so he simply stayed out of sight when he did it.
Neither of them were expecting for Duo to appear suddenly and scramble up the tree, nor to see Wufei clambering after him.
"Wufei?"
"I snuck out." He said quietly, settling himself next to Duo. Trowa did not wait to be asked, and simply handed a cigarette and his lighter. Duo didn't speak, simply lit up and took a drag, small tremors making the cigarette bounce up and down between his fingers. Wufei turned to him. "Duo…"
"M'okay." He replied shakily. "Jus' a bit tired still."
"Jay's back?" Wufei questioned, scowling as smoke drifted in his direction but not saying anything.
"Yes, just walked in this afternoon. The prototype console's completed. He brought one home for me to test."
"Your dad's home?" Duo broke in, looking worried. "Maybe I should go…"
Heero snorted.
"Why? It's not like you have to meet him right now or anything. He'll be preoccupied downstairs with mom and Catherine."
"He won't come up here?" Duo seemed very wary, almost frightened at the prospect. "Uh, I'm not very good with strangers." He muttered as Trowa and Wufei stared at him in confusion. No further explanation was offered though, the long haired teen just took another deep drag and gazed off to one side.
The silence dragged on for a few long minutes, broken only once by Trowa's cellphone ringing, the merrily tinkling of 'bring in the clowns' a rather unusual tone for the serious looking young man to have.
"Quatre…" Was the immediate answer as the tallest of the four companions flicked his butt out of the window and left the room, closing the door with a firm click behind him.
"I've been meaning to ask you Duo, would you like to come over again this weekend? We were going to have another sleepover, to make up for the last one. Plus, now my dad's home, we can play the new games console and tell him what we think."
Duo fidgeted. He took another pull of the cigarette. Everyone could see just how uncomfortable he suddenly was.
"I don't know…"
"Come on Duo." Wufei rolled his eyes. "He's not asking you to move in! Besides, Jay won't bother you. He doesn't get teenagers, so he'll stay out of the way."
The tree's other occupant looked down and away, his cheeks burning red with embarrassment. It seemed that the Chinese teen has hit the nail right on the head. Heero sighed.
"Look. I'll make sure we stay out of his way. All you have to do is play a couple of games and fill out a questionnaire. You can meet him another time."
"…All right." came the put upon sigh. "I'll let Helen know."
"It's going to be a Friday this time. I've got to go somewhere on Sunday."
Duo blinked, then cursed.
"ah…shit."
"What?"
Indigo eyes closed and Duo's head dropped.
"I have my piano lessons Friday nights…crap."
Wufei and Heero stared at him in astonishment. The black haired teenager blinked and asked in a shocked tone.
"You take piano lessons?"
And at the same time Heero chose to speak.
"That music late at night? That was you?"
Duo scratched the back of his head. He obviously wasn't used to this reaction. Heero wondered in passing if it was because of his lack of friends. He leant forward to hear the mumbled reply.
"Yes.. I take piano lessons."
"Who takes piano?" Trowa queried as he slipped back into the room. His only answer was a muffled groan of embarrassment as Duo hid his face in his knees.