Running Smooth
by Juu-chan and Abandonment
Note: For all warnings, disclaimers, and notes, see Part One
- - -
Part Two: The First Night
- - -
Of all the things…
Duo's mind mumbled incoherently into the silence. This was a possibility that Duo had given up on long ago, but there he was. Depthless cobalt eyes, unruly hair, unornamented clothing, all so familiar even years after their last encounter. His eyes functioned although his mind did not. Duo gave the ex-terrorist a quick once over. He had become a man. His chest had broadened, he had grown, but the lean muscle structure remained, camouflaging Heero's true strength. His style of clothing had changed - instead of spandex and a tank he wore form-fitting jeans, a dark shirt, and a thick brown, unzipped jacket. His right ear was pierced through with a silver hoop and this, above all, caught Duo's attention. Piercings were not Heero's style - how had he gotten it? Heero carried with him a backpack, slung over one shoulder.
Duo forced himself back to the matter at hand. "What…" He blinked twice, paused, and blinked again, his fingers twisted the free hair at the end of his braid.
Heero broke the silence. "Duo, may I come in?" He gestured to the room through the doorway. Duo stepped backwards, allowing Heero to enter. Fumbling, he helped the second boy out of his coat and folded it across the back of the couch, placing the pack on the seat.
This time it was Duo who found his tongue first. "Well, Heero. Want something to drink? I'll make coffee." Without waiting for an answer, Duo moved to the small kitchenette, Heero following, and set to the task of preparing instant coffee. Heero sat at the small table and waited.
Soon the two were sitting across from each other, mugs in front of them. The longhaired male took another drink, searching his mind for something - anything - to say. "So," he began, "So … how have you been, Heero? It's been a while. I haven't seen you in, well -"
"Two years," Heero said without looking away from his coffee. He stirred it with his spoon and watched the slow circles the dark liquid made.
Duo winced. "Two years. How've you been?"
"Fine," was the monosyllable response.
Wonderful, Duo thought. Just wonderful. "What are you planning?" he said aloud. "Are you in town long?"
"I don't know," said Heero. "I don't have any plans. Coming was spur of the moment decision."
"Do you want to stay here?" Duo asked, quietly.
"I don't want to be a burden."
"You never were." There was another pause in the conversation as they sipped their cooling drinks.
Duo then rose from his seat. "This isn't the best time, I know, but I gotta go. I was just getting ready when you rang the bell." He pushed his chair in and explained. "I work nights at a dance club downtown. The hours are late but the pay is good. I'll get changed now. Make yourself comfortable, ok?" With a grin and an unnecessary shrug, Duo went to change.
Alone in the bedroom, Duo allowed himself a quiet, muttering monologue. "Nice to see you too, Hee-chan," he said, yanking clothes from his closet. "How've I been? Just fine, dandy. Everything was great after you dumped me. No problem here." He pulled up the pants and zipped up the fly. "And you? Missed me? Well, stay a while. Maybe we'll get it going again." Sighing, Duo rebraided his hair and then worked on his skin: dark eyeliner, glitter applied to his cheekbones, eyelids, collar, and shoulders, a touch of silver on his lips. Standing before the full-length mirror he tugged on his shirt and let out a heavy, long, exaggerated sigh. All he wanted was an explanation.
Then, Duo pushed open the door. With his joker-mask back in place, he exited his bedroom. Heero was leaning again a wall, head down-turned. When he heard Duo he looked up, his eyes widening a fraction in shock. Duo watched the expression with satisfaction. The leather pants, mesh shirt, and club makeup, he decided, had done their job well.
"Heero?" Duo asked. "Still there?"
Eyes hardening again, Heero nodded.
"Good. I still got it, don't I?" Without pause for a response, Duo continued, "Look: I'll be back around four in the morning. I may be late, but I'm always back before the sun rises. Do what you want while I'm gone. The TV's there," he swung his head in the direction of the machine, "but I doubt you'll watch it. If you're tired, crash in my bedroom or use the couch. If you're hungry, I have food."
Heero nodded again.
"Knowing you, you'll probably just sit and stare at the wall. You don't seem to have changed much."
Heero gave no response.
"Well." One last sly smile and Duo was gone, walking through the cold autumn air, looking out for a taxi to take him to the center of town.
- - -
False dawn was threatening as Duo returned to the apartment. His hair was falling loose from its braid, most of the glitter had been rubbed and washed away - it had been a long night. A long, tiring night. Duo tried not to think about it. Now was not the time. He unlocked the door and then eased it open, not sure what to expect. Tucking a loose lock of hair behind his ear, he called out to Heero. The male sat on the couch, spine stiff. He had a sheaf of loose-leaf papers in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. At the sound of his name he stood, placing his belongs to the side.
Duo stared at the cobalt-eyed male then cracked a fake smile, one that failed to reach his eyes, and took a step into the apartment.
"You're still up," Duo said, a statement rather than a question.
"Yes."
"Then you must be tired. You really didn't need to stay up for me, you know. Nothing was going to happen tonight. I'd rather talk tomorrow." The words came out more condescending than he had intended, but Duo trudged on. "If you want to unpack your stuff in the bedroom, I'll take the couch for tonight."
"No. I'll sleep on the couch."
"No, really, it's ok."
"I don't want to be a burden."
"I said you never were."
There was a pause and Duo sighed once again, giving up the battle. "Ok. Ok. You can have the couch. There are extra sheets in my room, I'll get them, but would you make up your own bed? Work was hell tonight, I'm tired and I just want to sleep."
Heero nodded once again, and Duo rolled his eyes at their joint monotony.
"Good." Duo retrieved the sheets, walked back to the living room to drop them on the couch, and moved towards his room. "I'll see you in the morning, Heero," he said, then stepped out of the room and closed the door.
- - -
Duo stared at the neon green numbers on his bedside alarm clock. The time flashed to 6:43. Still he could not sleep. Too many thoughts but no distractions, too many unanswered questions and too much left to say. Stumbling, Duo pulled himself out of the bed. He eased open the door and walked into the living room. Light from the city outside of the window illuminated the room, highlighting Heero's sleeping form. A glass of water forgotten, Duo let himself stare.
He's still beautiful, he thought, his internal voice a whisper. I can't believe he came back. Of all the things he could have done, he came here. Without warning. Of all the things. Of all the times he could have chosen. I wonder if maybe this time … Duo's thoughts paused and he watched Heero for a moment. Maybe this time, he thought, he'll stay.
The room darkened and Heero stirred. Duo's breath hitched as the other boy sat up, the thin blanket that covered him sliding down.
"Duo."
The longhaired male moved forward at the quiet command until he stood at the side of the couch. His words were nearly unaudible whispers that choked in his throat. "God, Heero. My God." There were more noises that were not even words.
They met in an embrace. Duo's silver tears flowed down his cheeks and Heero closed his eyes. Shifting, Heero pulled the smaller boy down onto him. The bedsheets rustled and the room darkened further.
- - -
Duo awoke to the harsh ringing of the phone. Grumbling, Duo turned to rise and promptly fell from the couch. He pulled the blanket down with him and it stayed wrapped around his waist as he rose halfway and crawled forward, reaching for the vidphone. Before answering, he turned off the visual.
"Hmm … who is it?"
Quatre's cheery voice floated out of the speaker. "Hello Duo, it's Quatre. Did I wake you?"
"Yeah," Duo said, and yawned. He glanced back at Heero's naked form - he had woken when the phone rang but when Duo had answered it he had settled back down to sleep - before continuing. "You did, but don't worry about it. What's up?"
"Well, Trowa and I are planning a reunion - it's been such a long time since we've all been together in one place. Wufei and Zechs are coming. Relena said she might be, if she can get time off work. Noin will be there, and Sally Poe … or should I say Sally Davis? Did you hear? She got married a month ago. Anyway, we were wondering if you could make it."
"When?"
"Three weeks from yesterday - that's the seventh, by the way - at our house in California. You have the address, right?"
"Yeah, somewhere."
"Good. It'll last for two days, with a formal dress party the second night. If you would like, you can stay longer - as long as you want, we have plenty of room."
"Hey, for the group I can get some time off work. Sounds wonderful."
"Perfect! The dress is casual dress, except for the party, of course. If you can't get a suit I'll lend you one, we were always about the same size. We'll send an e-mail with all the details sometime soon." There was a pause, and then Quatre continued, hesitantly, "I should tell you…" Quatre faltered and there was a muffled, whispered conversation on his side of the line, excluding Duo. As he waited, Duo stole another look, over his shoulder, at Heero. The Arabian's voice then came back on the line. "Duo, we've been trying to get in touch with Heero but we can't track him down. No one seems to know where he is."
It was Duo's turn to pause. Shifting somewhat but remaining in range of the receiver on the stationary appliance, he looked directly at Heero. The second male had given up on sleep and was pushing up to sit, blinking. "Actually, Q-man, he's here. He showed up at my place last night." To forestall unwanted questions, Duo ended the conversation. "Well, I'm in a hurry. Want me to invite Heero for you? Talk later, and say 'hi' to Trowa for me." Without waiting for a reply, Duo ended the call.
Duo turned from the phone and when he looked back to Heero, the Japanese boy was sitting up. Duo faced him with a broken laugh. "Want to go to a reunion?" he asked. "We've been invited. It's in a month." Duo shrugged and stood.
by Juu-chan and Abandonment
Note: For all warnings, disclaimers, and notes, see Part One
- - -
Part Two: The First Night
- - -
Of all the things…
Duo's mind mumbled incoherently into the silence. This was a possibility that Duo had given up on long ago, but there he was. Depthless cobalt eyes, unruly hair, unornamented clothing, all so familiar even years after their last encounter. His eyes functioned although his mind did not. Duo gave the ex-terrorist a quick once over. He had become a man. His chest had broadened, he had grown, but the lean muscle structure remained, camouflaging Heero's true strength. His style of clothing had changed - instead of spandex and a tank he wore form-fitting jeans, a dark shirt, and a thick brown, unzipped jacket. His right ear was pierced through with a silver hoop and this, above all, caught Duo's attention. Piercings were not Heero's style - how had he gotten it? Heero carried with him a backpack, slung over one shoulder.
Duo forced himself back to the matter at hand. "What…" He blinked twice, paused, and blinked again, his fingers twisted the free hair at the end of his braid.
Heero broke the silence. "Duo, may I come in?" He gestured to the room through the doorway. Duo stepped backwards, allowing Heero to enter. Fumbling, he helped the second boy out of his coat and folded it across the back of the couch, placing the pack on the seat.
This time it was Duo who found his tongue first. "Well, Heero. Want something to drink? I'll make coffee." Without waiting for an answer, Duo moved to the small kitchenette, Heero following, and set to the task of preparing instant coffee. Heero sat at the small table and waited.
Soon the two were sitting across from each other, mugs in front of them. The longhaired male took another drink, searching his mind for something - anything - to say. "So," he began, "So … how have you been, Heero? It's been a while. I haven't seen you in, well -"
"Two years," Heero said without looking away from his coffee. He stirred it with his spoon and watched the slow circles the dark liquid made.
Duo winced. "Two years. How've you been?"
"Fine," was the monosyllable response.
Wonderful, Duo thought. Just wonderful. "What are you planning?" he said aloud. "Are you in town long?"
"I don't know," said Heero. "I don't have any plans. Coming was spur of the moment decision."
"Do you want to stay here?" Duo asked, quietly.
"I don't want to be a burden."
"You never were." There was another pause in the conversation as they sipped their cooling drinks.
Duo then rose from his seat. "This isn't the best time, I know, but I gotta go. I was just getting ready when you rang the bell." He pushed his chair in and explained. "I work nights at a dance club downtown. The hours are late but the pay is good. I'll get changed now. Make yourself comfortable, ok?" With a grin and an unnecessary shrug, Duo went to change.
Alone in the bedroom, Duo allowed himself a quiet, muttering monologue. "Nice to see you too, Hee-chan," he said, yanking clothes from his closet. "How've I been? Just fine, dandy. Everything was great after you dumped me. No problem here." He pulled up the pants and zipped up the fly. "And you? Missed me? Well, stay a while. Maybe we'll get it going again." Sighing, Duo rebraided his hair and then worked on his skin: dark eyeliner, glitter applied to his cheekbones, eyelids, collar, and shoulders, a touch of silver on his lips. Standing before the full-length mirror he tugged on his shirt and let out a heavy, long, exaggerated sigh. All he wanted was an explanation.
Then, Duo pushed open the door. With his joker-mask back in place, he exited his bedroom. Heero was leaning again a wall, head down-turned. When he heard Duo he looked up, his eyes widening a fraction in shock. Duo watched the expression with satisfaction. The leather pants, mesh shirt, and club makeup, he decided, had done their job well.
"Heero?" Duo asked. "Still there?"
Eyes hardening again, Heero nodded.
"Good. I still got it, don't I?" Without pause for a response, Duo continued, "Look: I'll be back around four in the morning. I may be late, but I'm always back before the sun rises. Do what you want while I'm gone. The TV's there," he swung his head in the direction of the machine, "but I doubt you'll watch it. If you're tired, crash in my bedroom or use the couch. If you're hungry, I have food."
Heero nodded again.
"Knowing you, you'll probably just sit and stare at the wall. You don't seem to have changed much."
Heero gave no response.
"Well." One last sly smile and Duo was gone, walking through the cold autumn air, looking out for a taxi to take him to the center of town.
- - -
False dawn was threatening as Duo returned to the apartment. His hair was falling loose from its braid, most of the glitter had been rubbed and washed away - it had been a long night. A long, tiring night. Duo tried not to think about it. Now was not the time. He unlocked the door and then eased it open, not sure what to expect. Tucking a loose lock of hair behind his ear, he called out to Heero. The male sat on the couch, spine stiff. He had a sheaf of loose-leaf papers in one hand and a coffee mug in the other. At the sound of his name he stood, placing his belongs to the side.
Duo stared at the cobalt-eyed male then cracked a fake smile, one that failed to reach his eyes, and took a step into the apartment.
"You're still up," Duo said, a statement rather than a question.
"Yes."
"Then you must be tired. You really didn't need to stay up for me, you know. Nothing was going to happen tonight. I'd rather talk tomorrow." The words came out more condescending than he had intended, but Duo trudged on. "If you want to unpack your stuff in the bedroom, I'll take the couch for tonight."
"No. I'll sleep on the couch."
"No, really, it's ok."
"I don't want to be a burden."
"I said you never were."
There was a pause and Duo sighed once again, giving up the battle. "Ok. Ok. You can have the couch. There are extra sheets in my room, I'll get them, but would you make up your own bed? Work was hell tonight, I'm tired and I just want to sleep."
Heero nodded once again, and Duo rolled his eyes at their joint monotony.
"Good." Duo retrieved the sheets, walked back to the living room to drop them on the couch, and moved towards his room. "I'll see you in the morning, Heero," he said, then stepped out of the room and closed the door.
- - -
Duo stared at the neon green numbers on his bedside alarm clock. The time flashed to 6:43. Still he could not sleep. Too many thoughts but no distractions, too many unanswered questions and too much left to say. Stumbling, Duo pulled himself out of the bed. He eased open the door and walked into the living room. Light from the city outside of the window illuminated the room, highlighting Heero's sleeping form. A glass of water forgotten, Duo let himself stare.
He's still beautiful, he thought, his internal voice a whisper. I can't believe he came back. Of all the things he could have done, he came here. Without warning. Of all the things. Of all the times he could have chosen. I wonder if maybe this time … Duo's thoughts paused and he watched Heero for a moment. Maybe this time, he thought, he'll stay.
The room darkened and Heero stirred. Duo's breath hitched as the other boy sat up, the thin blanket that covered him sliding down.
"Duo."
The longhaired male moved forward at the quiet command until he stood at the side of the couch. His words were nearly unaudible whispers that choked in his throat. "God, Heero. My God." There were more noises that were not even words.
They met in an embrace. Duo's silver tears flowed down his cheeks and Heero closed his eyes. Shifting, Heero pulled the smaller boy down onto him. The bedsheets rustled and the room darkened further.
- - -
Duo awoke to the harsh ringing of the phone. Grumbling, Duo turned to rise and promptly fell from the couch. He pulled the blanket down with him and it stayed wrapped around his waist as he rose halfway and crawled forward, reaching for the vidphone. Before answering, he turned off the visual.
"Hmm … who is it?"
Quatre's cheery voice floated out of the speaker. "Hello Duo, it's Quatre. Did I wake you?"
"Yeah," Duo said, and yawned. He glanced back at Heero's naked form - he had woken when the phone rang but when Duo had answered it he had settled back down to sleep - before continuing. "You did, but don't worry about it. What's up?"
"Well, Trowa and I are planning a reunion - it's been such a long time since we've all been together in one place. Wufei and Zechs are coming. Relena said she might be, if she can get time off work. Noin will be there, and Sally Poe … or should I say Sally Davis? Did you hear? She got married a month ago. Anyway, we were wondering if you could make it."
"When?"
"Three weeks from yesterday - that's the seventh, by the way - at our house in California. You have the address, right?"
"Yeah, somewhere."
"Good. It'll last for two days, with a formal dress party the second night. If you would like, you can stay longer - as long as you want, we have plenty of room."
"Hey, for the group I can get some time off work. Sounds wonderful."
"Perfect! The dress is casual dress, except for the party, of course. If you can't get a suit I'll lend you one, we were always about the same size. We'll send an e-mail with all the details sometime soon." There was a pause, and then Quatre continued, hesitantly, "I should tell you…" Quatre faltered and there was a muffled, whispered conversation on his side of the line, excluding Duo. As he waited, Duo stole another look, over his shoulder, at Heero. The Arabian's voice then came back on the line. "Duo, we've been trying to get in touch with Heero but we can't track him down. No one seems to know where he is."
It was Duo's turn to pause. Shifting somewhat but remaining in range of the receiver on the stationary appliance, he looked directly at Heero. The second male had given up on sleep and was pushing up to sit, blinking. "Actually, Q-man, he's here. He showed up at my place last night." To forestall unwanted questions, Duo ended the conversation. "Well, I'm in a hurry. Want me to invite Heero for you? Talk later, and say 'hi' to Trowa for me." Without waiting for a reply, Duo ended the call.
Duo turned from the phone and when he looked back to Heero, the Japanese boy was sitting up. Duo faced him with a broken laugh. "Want to go to a reunion?" he asked. "We've been invited. It's in a month." Duo shrugged and stood.
