Running Smooth
by Juu-chan and Abandonment

Note: For all warnings, disclaimers, and notes, see Part One.

- - -

Part Eight: The Decision

- - -

Three days since their conversation and still no change.

Duo lay in bed, awake, staring at the ceiling. This would be another bad day. Three days! he thought. There was no change in Heero, nothing from him at all. Duo had not expected miracles, but he had expected something. Now he was beginning to wonder why he had not kicked Heero out of his apartment.

His mood was tarnished further by the knowledge that he had to work later in the day. It was meant to be his day off, but the club had asked him - and Heero, as well, for reasons unknown - to work the night and take the next one off in place. Duo had not paid any attention to their explanation for why they needed him. He had been offered nearly twice as much per hour for the night, and that was all he had heard and the only reason he had agreed. As nice as the money would be in his pocket, however, it meant that he had to work.

With a frown fixed over his usually lighthearted, cheery features, Duo pushed himself out of bed. He pulled on a shirt, scrubbed at his teeth, and raked a brush through his hair, his movements half-hearted. As he stumbled out of the room he made a promise to himself: he would do nothing and go no where until the evening when he had to get ready for work. Go with the flow, he thought, get it out of my system. What's the harm in wallowing in self-pity for one day?

The smell in the living room was like a kick to the head. Duo paused, sniffed the air, and then followed the smell to its source - the kitchen. Then he froze again, this time staring.

Heero was at the stove, making pancakes, two at a time, in a frying pan. As Duo watched he slid a spatula under each in turn, deposited them on a plate half-covered in pancakes, greased the pan, and ladled on more batter.

"Almost done," Heero told Duo.

Duo said the first words that came to mind. "I didn't know you knew how to cook."

"The Internet," said Heero, in way of explanation. He continued, "The first few burned. These are a light golden color as the directions said they should be. They will all be done in a few moments. Take a seat."

The table had been set and a bottle of maple syrup had been put out. Duo sat, and wondered.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, leaving Duo confused. Afterwards, while they cleaned the dishes in the sink, Heero asked Duo if he had any plans for the afternoon. When Duo replied that he did not, Heero said:

"I'll be gone for a few hours. I plan to go shopping for food and to buy some appliances for the kitchen. Is there anything else you think I should buy?"

Duo was stunned. "What?"

"Is there anything most that you think I should buy while I'm out?" Heero asked again.

"No. Not really." Duo turned his eyes to the floor and shook his head. He did not understand.

- - -

Heero left to go shopping soon after breakfast.

The time that Heero was gone gave Duo time to think and he had used it. This was it, he figured. This was Heero's way of proving himself, his way of living up to the challenge he had been given. If it worked, if Heero did well, if it was what Duo wanted to see, then this was the first step to happiness. But if it went poorly, if Heero failed, if Duo saw that Heero - even at his best - was not right for him, then this was the end of their relationship. Which one would it be? Duo wondered. He felt mixed emotions, both anticipating and frightened of Heero's return.

After two hours exactly - Duo had watched the clock - Heero came back.

He let himself in, did not ask for help handling the bags that threatened to topple from his arms, and unpacked on his own. When the unpacking was completed he emerged from the kitchen and asked Duo:

"How have you been?"

"Fine. It's not like much had happened." Duo shrugged.

For a moment, Heero's gaze turned in towards himself in thought. Then, he said, "Duo, I need you to tell me something."

"What?"

"Would you like me to stay away from you at the club?"

To test him or not to test him? Duo wondered. He knew that if he gave Heero a direction, Heero would follow it to the letter. He also knew that Heero following orders was not Heero thinking for himself and therefore not what Duo wanted to see. "Do whatever you want," he eventually replied. "The ball's in your court, Heero, run with it."

"Basketball?" asked Heero.

"It's an expression. It means 'take control'."

Heero nodded and said, "We have four hours before our hours at work begin. Is there anything you want to do?"

After much debating by Duo and a few quiet comments from Heero they left the apartment - exactly as Duo had promised himself he would not do - to go clothes shopping.

"We won't buy much," Duo had said, "but you should pick up something more to wear to the club. Plus, my supply of glitter gel is running low and it's cheap at the store I want to take you to. This place is wonderful."

"This place" was an eccentric store, the majority of the merchandise punk-gothic in style. Heero choose a pair of pants and two shirts from the collection, and a thick chain that Duo insisted he buy. Duo picked up glitter, a fine multicolored loose powder and a gel of silver shards, and a silk black shirt with outrageous frilly cuffs that he "couldn't resist."

They split the cost.

"It's fair," said Heero. "We both have a steady income and are able to contribute."

"You bought more than me."

"In the future the situation may be reversed."

Duo nodded. Ethan would never make me split the cost, he thought, forking over the money. He did not know which option he preferred.

Evening came and Heero and Duo dressed for work. Heero wore a new shirt - black, long-sleeved, the neckline a low V threaded together with a silver cord. Duo wore a long-sleeved red shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, tucked into skintight black leather pants.

As Duo was applying his make-up - no glitter on this night, but heavy eyeliner and a touch of silver to his lips - Heero came into the bedroom. He stood at the door of the bathroom, waiting until Duo asked, "What is it?" to enter.

"Is eyeliner suitable for this outfit?"

Duo looked Heero up and down in the mirror - chunky military style boots that Duo had lent him, tight, frayed blue jeans, and gothic shirt that revealed the muscles of his chest. Reaching for an oversized necklace he had looped over the towel rack, he nodded. "Yeah. Why do you ask?"

"I should do more to fulfill my role at the club."

"Look the part. I see." Duo dropped the necklace over his head, pulled his braid free, and adjusted the thick cross so that it hung straight. "Do you know how to apply it?" When Heero shook his head no, he continued, "The only way I can tell you is by showing you. Come here."

Three days had passed without any contact between them and now, touching Heero, Duo felt electricity run over his skin.

He's trying, Duo thought, his hands working. Heero doesn't know what to do, but he's trying. He cooked breakfast - frightening, but a nice gesture. He went shopping, gone for two hours, exactly, just like he said he would be, and that's no coincidence. He must have timed it - is he trying to be reliable? After all, I did tell him that, if anything, reliable is what Ethan is. Yes, that must be it: he's trying to be reliable in his own anal-retentive way. He asked how I was - that's showing concern. But he's being fair, true to himself, making me split the cost. He refuses to pay my way though life.

Is this what I want?

I'll give it another day, he decided. See if Heero's got any tricks left up his sleeve.

As they left for the club, taking the subway this time, Duo's old confidence came back to him. Things were looking up.

The night progressed. After a few hours at the club had passed without Ethan showing up, Duo assumed that he was not coming. He breathed a sigh of relief - he had been working at the front door since his arrival, filling the spot of a bouncer who was at home, sick, and there had been trouble with some kid trying to sneak in that Duo had taken care of. He was too tired to deal with Ethan.

Eventually his replacement arrived and Duo was allowed to escape into the club. He hung out at the back for a while, resting, and then spotted Heero making an equipment check. Duo watched, not thinking but only observing, until Heero was done. Duo then entered the dance floor and entertained his audience.

Duo was dancing with a young man, one who had probably used a fake ID to get in, when someone slid up beside him.

"May I dance with you?"

Duo froze, his head whipping to look at the intruder. It was Heero. With a smile, he nodded. "Sure."

"Hey!" said the young man in complaint, but Duo ignored him.

Heero wrapped an arm around Duo's waist, electricity sparking over Duo's skin again, and Duo pushed against Heero, straddling one leg.

"I didn't know you could dance."

Heero grunted.

As they moved Duo's blood began to heat and his heart began to pound. Turning so that his back was to Heero, he pressed against him, flesh hot, and leaned his head forward and whipped his head around, braid swinging in a full circle. Stopping the movement but keeping his hips in motion, Duo turned his head back and spoke.

"I want to try something. Pick me up, you know, like a groom carrying his bride." Sure, there were better ways to describe it, but none of them would have made Heero's cheeks darken in red.

Heero obeyed, literally sweeping Duo off his feet, and someone called out from the crowd.

Duo raised a middle finger in the direction of the voice's origin and said to Heero, "Drop the arm behind my back."

Heero did and Duo began to fall. His hands shot out, finding the floor. His body arched, legs bent over Heero's arms, hands spread on the ground. In a sudden flex of muscles he pushed into the air, flipped, and landed in a crouch. Ducking, he slid between Heero's legs. His hands found Heero's waist, holding them still, and he nuzzled the side of Heero's rear.

The flesh tightened as the muscles tensed. There was another call from the onlookers. "Bite!"

Duo did.

Then he rose to stand, his hands opening to lie, splayed, over the front pockets in Heero's jeans. He pressed his body against the other male's from thighs to chest and led their hips in a slow dance.

"Like?" Duo asked, whispering into Heero's ear.

"Is this just a tease?"

"You bet not. Twenty minutes. Backstage."

The room that Duo led Heero to after they met, exactly at the appointed time, had at one time been used as a broom closet but now stood empty. There was plenty of room - Duo knew this from personal experience.

"I'm late for my rounds," said Heero.

"Screw it."

"Screw me."

That night, they slept in the same bed.

- - -

Duo awoke with his mind made up, but he did not show this to Heero. He was enjoying the lavish attention and wanted it to continue for a little while more - one more day would suit him fine, and they didn't have work on this night. And so he pretended to remain indecisive, smiling within himself as Heero lay with him in bed, attempting small talk because he knew that, sometimes, Duo just wanted to chatter on about whatever the topic was. Breakfast was cold cereal. They went out afterwards, walking wherever their feet took them. At one point they came to a park, one of the few left in the busy city, and sat together watching ducks, feeding them grass because they did not have bread. They returned home and Duo hung out, watching TV, while Heero left the house to go shopping again. Duo suspected Heero was planning a big dinner - there was plenty of time.

When Heero returned he stood at the doorway leading to the kitchen, the single bag in his hand, and called Duo's name. Duo paused in his channel surfing, the television blaring an infomercial at him, and turned to flop over the back of the couch.

"I'll tell you when dinner is ready. Don't come into the kitchen until then." Heero paused and then said, as if remembering something very important, "Please."

Duo shrugged, turning to face the TV. "Sure, whatever."

Duo found it very difficult to keep his promise. First, it was his curiosity that urged him to enter. Then it was the smell - something warm, thick, something red. There was nothing good on television this late at night and so he had nothing to distract him.

When Heero reappeared in the doorway Duo jumped of the couch and rushed over. "Can I come in?" he asked.

Heero nodded.

Duo pushed by him and then froze in his tracks, standing there, staring. Heero had turned his cramped kitchenette into a romantic meal for two. Pasta with red sauce in a plastic bowl, salad in a wooden bowl that much have been new because Duo did not recognize it, dishes and cutlery set our for a two course meal, cheap wine glasses and a bottle of wine.

"I did what I could. It's not perfect -"

"Quiet, Heero." Duo looked over the setting again. "It's wonderful." He kissed Heero on the cheek and Heero looked down to the floor. Squeezing past, he pulled out a seat for Duo.

The sauce for the pasta was probably pre-prepared, the recipes were most likely taken off the internet, the storekeeper must have recommended the wine. Duo didn't care. Heero had tried to do the best he could, and trying was more that Ethan would ever have done. After the meal they sat, sipping wine.

"Ready for the dessert?" Heero asked.

Duo reached out, touching one of Heero's hands with his own. "Thanks, Heero, for everything," he said, and for some reason his eyes stung with tears. He smiled. "This is more than I ever hoped for."

Heero appeared speechless.

"So, what's for dessert?" Duo asked, breaking the mood.

It was chocolate mouse, piled in a long stemmed glasses, topped with shards of chocolate. Duo sighed.

- - -

Duo was working the decks, the following night, waiting for Ethan to enter. When he saw Ethan's lanky form come in the main door he called out to another employee, and she took his position. Duo fought his way over to Ethan.

"Good evening, pet," was Ethan's greeting.

Duo smiled. "Come on back with me. I want to talk."

"You won't let me dance with you - why not?"

"Maybe later. Come on, let's go backstage."

Convinced, or at least curious, Ethan led Duo through the crowd. He held the younger man's wrist tightly.

When the door closed behind them, Ethan used his hold on Duo to swing him around and press him against the wall. Duo was pushed against the plaster by Ethan's frame but before anything could happen he blocked with his free arm.

"I said we needed to talk, Ethan."

"What the hell about?"

"Would you back up? I can barely breathe."

Ethan did; Duo crossed his arms and began his practiced speech.

"I've been thinking a lot over the last few days. You're a wonderful person, and you've treated me well, but I think it's time for us to end our relationship. I can't see it leading anywhere, and I want to begin searching for a long-term partner. You need to let me go so I can do that. If we do this well we can part on good terms."

"Who is it?" Ethan asked.

Duo was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"Don't give me any of this bullshit about our relationship not going anywhere. I know that if your leaving me your doing it because there's someone else there. Who is it - that Japanese kid that was watching you the other day?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Duo said, lying without even a twinge of guilt.

"Tell me, you little slut, or I'll beat it out of you."

Duo began to feel fear. He had been trained as an assassin, but his strengths lay in guns and "accidental" death. Hand to hand combat skills were not his forté and he knew that Ethan was strong. At the moment, Ethan also looked very tall and his muscles looked very large.

"We knew each other a long time ago," he said, stammering. "We used to be together. He came back a few weeks ago and things just fell back in place. It's nothing against you, but what we have -"

"Let me guess: it's just special. What's his name, Duo? Where is he living?"

"You can't do anything to him. Heero's is stronger even than me, he'll protect himself."

"Don't you tell me what I can and cannot do, you little whore." Ethan reached out, as fast as a striking cobra, and grabbed Duo's braid. Using it as a lead he pulled Duo's head to the side. Duo yelped and Ethan pulled harder, further, forcing Duo to his knees. "You think he loves you? You - a stupid, pathetic, poor excuse for a sex toy? Not a chance in hell, my little pet. But even if you are right, well, I'll let you in on a little secret. I can't have you then fucking no one ever will." Duo was cowering just above the floor now, and Ethan had dropped to a squat, holding the braid to the ground.

Ethan's fist flew.