Creature of the Wood
Chapter 11
-----------------------------
"So what WAS that all about, anyway?" Heero walked alongside Duo, the autumn wind kicking up the leaves around them and creating myriad whirlwinds of colour throughout the campus. He'd been thoroughly confused by Cathy, Trowa and Quatre... and it seemed that Duo had understood exactly what was going on. His assumption proved accurate when Duo started chuckling once more, hunching forward as he walked.
"Long story. Basically, Trowa and Quatre are lovers. If you didn't know that, you do now." Duo saw Heero's eyes widen just a bit, and half hoped that the other boy was tolerant of things such as this... if he wasn't, well... Duo was going to have a long line of cold showers in his future. "Apparently Cathy and Trowa had some kind of relationship in the past, and Quatre - in the most untactful moment I've ever seen him in, mind you - basically let them know that it was alright with him and that he didn't mind if they continued."
Duo slanted his gaze, watching Heero as they continued along the path. He hadn't responded to that, and seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, at least for a bit. Trowa had been right... it had just taken Duo a while to figure it out. It had started off as concern for an unawakened Fae, but now had progressed to something far deeper. He wasn't quite sure when it had happened, or why... but he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he was falling for the wayward Satyr a hell of a lot harder than just 'friendship'. However, it didn't seem like he was too comfortable with the fact that Quatre and Trowa were together, so things were NOT looking good.
Why did he have to be attracted to the most un-satyr-like Satyr he'd ever met in his life? Sighing softly, he turned back to watch his feet stepping along the pavement. It was just confusing, really. He hadn't really known many relationships back at the Hold that were male-male... but there were a few. Since he'd been here, he'd seen quite a few more, the most recent being two of his friends. There was nothing WRONG with it, per se... but there was a massive problem involved if the object of one's attentions didn't share the same view.
"Duo?" Heero was looking at him almost hesitantly, his voice soft... as if he weren't sure of his own words.
"Hmm?"
"We haven't been star-watching in a while... and tonight's going to be one of the last warm nights for a while. Want to go?" Heero was hoping the other boy would say yes. Part of him was still confused, but another part was overjoyed that Duo seemed to view Trowa and Quatre's relationship so well. He didn't care that up until recently this would likely have made him uncomfortable as hell. There was something about Duo that was just 'right' for him... and he enjoyed the time they spent together.
Duo stopped for a second, blinking. His trademark smile began to slowly spread over his features, and he nodded quickly. "Sure! Let's go grab a blanket or something though... we'll freeze laying on the ground."
* * *
Selena stepped off the trod, looking over the campus with one hand against her hip. This wasn't exactly the first choice they'd come up with for Quatre's schooling, but this is where he'd wound up after the Montessori fire. It was nice enough... but she could tour the place later. As she surveyed the area, her hands brought the thick length of flame red hair over one shoulder, braiding it and letting it hang down her back. Human seeming was unusual to her, but it came easily enough once she put her mind to it. Truth be told... she hated it. There was a reason she spent most, if not all, of her time at their family's home in the Dreaming. Unlike her brother, she didn't have much use for humans... then again, most UnSeelie didn't, except for the glamour they could give off. Quatre had seemed to enjoy being around them though, if only for curiosity's sake.
At least the humans here were helpful, as she found out while trying to locate the boys dorms. After about a half hour of searching, asking directions, and narrowing down the dozen or so buildings in the cluster, she stood in front of a large weathered stone dorm. Now to find her brother... and the one responsible for his pain. Two voices reached her ears from the path behind her, and she turned to look, her gaze flicking over the pair that was walking towards her. As they noticed the person in their way, both smiled slightly, nodding to her as they moved to step around.
"Excuse me?" She began, reaching out one hand towards them. They were Fae... BOTH of them! No wonder the humans she'd spoken to had referred to this dorm as the 'strange' one. If there were more Fae here...
"Yes?" The long-haired one responded, turning back to her and smiling.
"I'm looking for Quatre Winner... or for Mr. Peacecraft."
The statment was innocent enough, but Duo stiffened visibly. No one called him by his family name... he'd been using 'Maxwell' since he'd come to this school, trying to fit in a bit better. The smile faded slightly, and Selena noticed his nervousness as she raised a brow in question.
"Is there something wrong?" Peculiar... this boy knew them both, she was pretty certain. Otherwise he wouldn't have reacted that way.
"Wrong? No, no... nothing wrong." Duo cleared his throat faintly, looking back towards the building. "Quatre's room is in there, but he's resting at the moment. Second floor, third door on the right." He paused then, sighing inwardly as he remembered the one thing he'd been taught... never be afraid of who you are. "And... I am the 'Mr. Peacecraft' you're looking for." He had started to look away, then found himself thrown back, pain blossoming from the left side of his jaw. One hand came up, touching it gently as he looked up from where he'd landed, sprawled on the ground. Heero was standing over him defensively, levelling a glare at the redheaded woman, who was now fairly glaring at him.
"You're the reason he was hurt, you little-..."
"And just who the hell do you think you are??" The three of them looked up to see Relena standing on the steps of the dorm. Duo couldn't remember EVER seeing her that furious before in his life. The normally calm blue eyes were crackling like the sky before a thunderstorm, and if he didn't know better Duo would swear that she was halfway between her two forms as she moved towards them. Her gaze never left the strange woman who had just hit her brother unawares, and one hand drifted instinctively to her side as if looking for the hilt of a sword.
"My name is Selena Winner, and my brother was hurt because of HIM!" She moved forward, her hand mimicking Relena's actions. Within the span of a moment, both of them had slipped into their Fae seemings, and the swords had become very real to any who could see them.
"Oh shit..." Duo muttered, scrambling to his feet and pushing Heero towards the dorm. "Go get Quatre or Trowa, or SOMEONE!" He darted forward then, standing between the two angered women and trying to calm the both of them down.
Heero didn't think twice, he turned and bolted into the dorm, taking the stairs two and three at a time. Grabbing hold of the bannister, he swung onto the second floor landing and raced towards Quatre and Trowa's room, not even bothering to knock. Cathy was curled up on the bed and lifted her head to look at him quizzically as he burst in. Trowa had been walking towards one of the closets, and spun around to face Heero. "What the..."
"Quatre's sister is downstairs, about to get into a swordfight with Relena. Duo's keeping them apart, but I don't think she's going to listen to either of them!"
There was muffled cursing from the bed and a Quatre-shaped ball of blanket rolled off to stand shakily beside it. He let the blanket fall, his only clothing being a pair of loose fitting pants as he reached towards a chair to steady himself. "Take me down there."
When they emerged from the dorm, the sight that presented itself to them made all four stop in shock. The two Sidhe woman were still facing off, and from the looks of it, blows had been exchanged already. Duo was off to the side, his hair hanging loosely down his back, the lower edge slightly ragged. The tied off end of his braid lay on the ground between the two women, where it looked as though the last 6 inches or so had been sliced through. Heero winced faintly... there was going to be no end to the complaints after this was all over.
"Selena, STOP!!" The redhead's gaze immediately shot up towards the stairs, where Quatre was standing, looking towards her in confusion and perhaps a bit of hurt. "What... what are you doing?"
Selena darted towards the stairs, opponent forgotten as she laid eyes on her brother for the first time in years. Relena had started to move after her, anger still apparent in her expression, but Duo grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him, hugging her tightly. "No..." He whispered, letting one hand fall over the hilt of the sword, covering her own. "Let it go. You'd have done the same if I'd been hurt." Relena nodded softly, letting her younger brother lead her away from the knot of people on the steps.
Selena pushed past Heero and Trowa, moving to Quatre's side and hugging him gently. The words spilled from her lips, but it was a language that neither of them had heard before. When Quatre began responding in kind, Heero looked to Trowa and Cathy with a raised brow only to find the gesture returned. 'Arabic', Cathy mouthed, pointing towards the siblings as Quatre simply sighed, shaking his head and turning towards them. "We're going to go upstairs and talk... will you guys be alright for a while?"
"Of course we will!" Cathy said, grabbing hold of Trowa's hand and dragging him down the steps. As the two disappeared and Quatre led his sister inside, Heero found himself alone on the stairs.
He looked off in the direction Duo and Relena had gone and sighed faintly. So much for the relaxing evening, he thought to himself, climbing the rest of the stairs slowly and heading towards his own room within the building.
* * *
Heero was curled up in the chair he'd moved over towards the window when Duo finally came back. His head was leaning against the glass pane, eyes cast upwards towards the night sky and the stars that seemed to hold answers he couldn't quite fathom. He turned as a hand fell lightly on his shoulder and looked up into smiling violet eyes. Duo stood there with two thick blankets draped over one arm, his head tilted to the side.
"I believe we were going to watch those stars from a much better vantage point, ne?"
Heero just smiled, nodding softly as he stood, letting the other boy pull him over to the door. He frowned faintly, watching the jagged edge of Duo's hair precede him into the hall. He hadn't even bothered re-braiding it yet, and on a hunch, Heero grabbed a small pair of scissors on the way out. He had a feeling that this was going to REALLY bother Duo once he realized what had happened.
They walked across the campus in silence, the leaves rustling beneath their feet as they made their way into the trees, towards the small clearing that they'd 'claimed' as their own. There were a few times when Heero started to speak, then thought better of it, trying to organize his own thoughts before making a fool of himself. To say that he was nervous would be a gross understatement. He knew that Duo didn't have a problem with boys liking other boys, that much was obvious... but it was far different when it was personal. He satisfied himself with watching the other boy as they moved through the trees. His hair flowed behind him like a veil, catching the moonlight and reflecting it back with a soft shimmer. He was completely oblivious to the effect he had on those around him... Heero knew for a fact that he wasn't the only one who's noticed the braided boy's charm. It had led to more than one scuffle when he'd overheard jealous mutterings from some of the guys whose girlfriends were smitten by Duo's looks and personality.
He must have chuckled softly, because Duo turned and flashed him a smile that almost made him walk into a tree. By the time they'd reached the clearing, Heero was fairly certain that the other boy was teasing him on purpose. He was ready to go insane, and Duo had never even said a word. Spreading out the blankets, the two of them then lay back, heads pillowed against their arms as they looked up towards the stars. Nothing was said, and the silence was just starting to get on Heero's nerves when he heard a wistful sigh from beside him. He turned his head to the side and saw Duo, fingers twining through a ragged chunk of hair.
"It'll take forever to grow it back." Came the soft whisper. Heero could swear that there was a hint of tears in Duo's voice. "No one really understood why I kept it long. Said it was stupid. Zechs understood, but his hair was always long too."
Heero rolled to his side, propping against his arm as he watched Duo. He was barely able to stop himself from putting an arm around the other boy in comfort. "Why *do* you keep it long? I never knew there was a reason behind it."
Duo let the lock of hair drop to his chest and looked back up towards the stars. "It was mine. No one could take it from me, not easily anyway. It wasn't something that was given to me, it wasn't something that I owed someone else for. It was mine, plain and simple. When your father thinks you're the biggest joke around, you take what you can get. I hated thinking that I owed him anything, so I never accepted his gifts. Needless to say, I didn't have much in the way of material things." He glanced back down to the multi-layered fall of hair and grumbled. "And now, I can't even hang onto that right."
Heero sat up, catching Duo's arm and pulling him to sit in front of him. "Let me at least help with this, okay?"
"What are you going to do?"
He held up the pair of scissors, bringing up one hand when he saw the moment of panic in Duo's eyes. "Relax, I'm not going to cut it all off... I'd never do that. I'm just going to even it up and make it so that you'll stop wincing every time you see it." He smiled then, bringing his fingers through the satiny fall of hair. Within a few moments of him just running his hands along it, Duo was nearly purring in his lap. Heero smiled, enjoying the expression of pure bliss on Duo's face. He seemed almost angelic in the moonlight, and he was glad for this excuse... for any excuse to be close to him. Leaning forward slightly, he smiles, letting his face rest just inches from the soft fall of chestnut waves. There was the slight hint of lilac, mingled with the white plum scent that he'd come to associate with Relena.
Heero just smiled, watching Duo relax fully against him. Occasionally, Heero would bring up the scissors, trimming off a few edges and making the Sidhe's hair appear as a source of pride once more. Once he'd finished, he laid the scissors aside and simply toyed with the long strands. Duo didn't seem to mind in the slightest, his head resting against Heero's leg. Heero wasn't sure if the other boy realized what he was doing, but at the moment he didn't care. Without even thinking, he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against the side of Duo's neck. He felt the other boy tense up and immediately pulled back, cursing himself inwardly at the lapse of sanity. "Duo I..."
He was hushed by the feeling of Duo's finger pressed to his lips. The boy was looking up at him in wide-eyed wonder, and for a moment Heero was afraid that he'd gone way too far. Closing his eyes, he bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry." There was no response, only the sensation of Duo moving away from him. Damnit...
"We'd better be getting back." Duo's voice broke through his reverie and he looked up to see the other pulling up the blankets. Sighing inwardly, he stood and helped, then turned towards the trees to head back to the dorm. He was stopped short by Duo's voice once more. "I hope we can catch one or two more warm nights before winter." He then saw the cheerful smile and violet eyes directly in front of him. "Oh, and Heero.." Duo moved forward then, pressing his lips against Heero's for just a moment. When he pulled back, the smile had turned into an impish grin. "Next time... don't stop."
Heero just stood there, stunned into immobility as the laughing boy disappeared into the trees. He brought up one hand, his fingers brushing against his lips, which still felt the faint tingle that had been left behind with Duo's touch.
* * *
TBC
Chapter 11
-----------------------------
"So what WAS that all about, anyway?" Heero walked alongside Duo, the autumn wind kicking up the leaves around them and creating myriad whirlwinds of colour throughout the campus. He'd been thoroughly confused by Cathy, Trowa and Quatre... and it seemed that Duo had understood exactly what was going on. His assumption proved accurate when Duo started chuckling once more, hunching forward as he walked.
"Long story. Basically, Trowa and Quatre are lovers. If you didn't know that, you do now." Duo saw Heero's eyes widen just a bit, and half hoped that the other boy was tolerant of things such as this... if he wasn't, well... Duo was going to have a long line of cold showers in his future. "Apparently Cathy and Trowa had some kind of relationship in the past, and Quatre - in the most untactful moment I've ever seen him in, mind you - basically let them know that it was alright with him and that he didn't mind if they continued."
Duo slanted his gaze, watching Heero as they continued along the path. He hadn't responded to that, and seemed to be lost in his own thoughts, at least for a bit. Trowa had been right... it had just taken Duo a while to figure it out. It had started off as concern for an unawakened Fae, but now had progressed to something far deeper. He wasn't quite sure when it had happened, or why... but he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he was falling for the wayward Satyr a hell of a lot harder than just 'friendship'. However, it didn't seem like he was too comfortable with the fact that Quatre and Trowa were together, so things were NOT looking good.
Why did he have to be attracted to the most un-satyr-like Satyr he'd ever met in his life? Sighing softly, he turned back to watch his feet stepping along the pavement. It was just confusing, really. He hadn't really known many relationships back at the Hold that were male-male... but there were a few. Since he'd been here, he'd seen quite a few more, the most recent being two of his friends. There was nothing WRONG with it, per se... but there was a massive problem involved if the object of one's attentions didn't share the same view.
"Duo?" Heero was looking at him almost hesitantly, his voice soft... as if he weren't sure of his own words.
"Hmm?"
"We haven't been star-watching in a while... and tonight's going to be one of the last warm nights for a while. Want to go?" Heero was hoping the other boy would say yes. Part of him was still confused, but another part was overjoyed that Duo seemed to view Trowa and Quatre's relationship so well. He didn't care that up until recently this would likely have made him uncomfortable as hell. There was something about Duo that was just 'right' for him... and he enjoyed the time they spent together.
Duo stopped for a second, blinking. His trademark smile began to slowly spread over his features, and he nodded quickly. "Sure! Let's go grab a blanket or something though... we'll freeze laying on the ground."
* * *
Selena stepped off the trod, looking over the campus with one hand against her hip. This wasn't exactly the first choice they'd come up with for Quatre's schooling, but this is where he'd wound up after the Montessori fire. It was nice enough... but she could tour the place later. As she surveyed the area, her hands brought the thick length of flame red hair over one shoulder, braiding it and letting it hang down her back. Human seeming was unusual to her, but it came easily enough once she put her mind to it. Truth be told... she hated it. There was a reason she spent most, if not all, of her time at their family's home in the Dreaming. Unlike her brother, she didn't have much use for humans... then again, most UnSeelie didn't, except for the glamour they could give off. Quatre had seemed to enjoy being around them though, if only for curiosity's sake.
At least the humans here were helpful, as she found out while trying to locate the boys dorms. After about a half hour of searching, asking directions, and narrowing down the dozen or so buildings in the cluster, she stood in front of a large weathered stone dorm. Now to find her brother... and the one responsible for his pain. Two voices reached her ears from the path behind her, and she turned to look, her gaze flicking over the pair that was walking towards her. As they noticed the person in their way, both smiled slightly, nodding to her as they moved to step around.
"Excuse me?" She began, reaching out one hand towards them. They were Fae... BOTH of them! No wonder the humans she'd spoken to had referred to this dorm as the 'strange' one. If there were more Fae here...
"Yes?" The long-haired one responded, turning back to her and smiling.
"I'm looking for Quatre Winner... or for Mr. Peacecraft."
The statment was innocent enough, but Duo stiffened visibly. No one called him by his family name... he'd been using 'Maxwell' since he'd come to this school, trying to fit in a bit better. The smile faded slightly, and Selena noticed his nervousness as she raised a brow in question.
"Is there something wrong?" Peculiar... this boy knew them both, she was pretty certain. Otherwise he wouldn't have reacted that way.
"Wrong? No, no... nothing wrong." Duo cleared his throat faintly, looking back towards the building. "Quatre's room is in there, but he's resting at the moment. Second floor, third door on the right." He paused then, sighing inwardly as he remembered the one thing he'd been taught... never be afraid of who you are. "And... I am the 'Mr. Peacecraft' you're looking for." He had started to look away, then found himself thrown back, pain blossoming from the left side of his jaw. One hand came up, touching it gently as he looked up from where he'd landed, sprawled on the ground. Heero was standing over him defensively, levelling a glare at the redheaded woman, who was now fairly glaring at him.
"You're the reason he was hurt, you little-..."
"And just who the hell do you think you are??" The three of them looked up to see Relena standing on the steps of the dorm. Duo couldn't remember EVER seeing her that furious before in his life. The normally calm blue eyes were crackling like the sky before a thunderstorm, and if he didn't know better Duo would swear that she was halfway between her two forms as she moved towards them. Her gaze never left the strange woman who had just hit her brother unawares, and one hand drifted instinctively to her side as if looking for the hilt of a sword.
"My name is Selena Winner, and my brother was hurt because of HIM!" She moved forward, her hand mimicking Relena's actions. Within the span of a moment, both of them had slipped into their Fae seemings, and the swords had become very real to any who could see them.
"Oh shit..." Duo muttered, scrambling to his feet and pushing Heero towards the dorm. "Go get Quatre or Trowa, or SOMEONE!" He darted forward then, standing between the two angered women and trying to calm the both of them down.
Heero didn't think twice, he turned and bolted into the dorm, taking the stairs two and three at a time. Grabbing hold of the bannister, he swung onto the second floor landing and raced towards Quatre and Trowa's room, not even bothering to knock. Cathy was curled up on the bed and lifted her head to look at him quizzically as he burst in. Trowa had been walking towards one of the closets, and spun around to face Heero. "What the..."
"Quatre's sister is downstairs, about to get into a swordfight with Relena. Duo's keeping them apart, but I don't think she's going to listen to either of them!"
There was muffled cursing from the bed and a Quatre-shaped ball of blanket rolled off to stand shakily beside it. He let the blanket fall, his only clothing being a pair of loose fitting pants as he reached towards a chair to steady himself. "Take me down there."
When they emerged from the dorm, the sight that presented itself to them made all four stop in shock. The two Sidhe woman were still facing off, and from the looks of it, blows had been exchanged already. Duo was off to the side, his hair hanging loosely down his back, the lower edge slightly ragged. The tied off end of his braid lay on the ground between the two women, where it looked as though the last 6 inches or so had been sliced through. Heero winced faintly... there was going to be no end to the complaints after this was all over.
"Selena, STOP!!" The redhead's gaze immediately shot up towards the stairs, where Quatre was standing, looking towards her in confusion and perhaps a bit of hurt. "What... what are you doing?"
Selena darted towards the stairs, opponent forgotten as she laid eyes on her brother for the first time in years. Relena had started to move after her, anger still apparent in her expression, but Duo grabbed her arm and pulled her back against him, hugging her tightly. "No..." He whispered, letting one hand fall over the hilt of the sword, covering her own. "Let it go. You'd have done the same if I'd been hurt." Relena nodded softly, letting her younger brother lead her away from the knot of people on the steps.
Selena pushed past Heero and Trowa, moving to Quatre's side and hugging him gently. The words spilled from her lips, but it was a language that neither of them had heard before. When Quatre began responding in kind, Heero looked to Trowa and Cathy with a raised brow only to find the gesture returned. 'Arabic', Cathy mouthed, pointing towards the siblings as Quatre simply sighed, shaking his head and turning towards them. "We're going to go upstairs and talk... will you guys be alright for a while?"
"Of course we will!" Cathy said, grabbing hold of Trowa's hand and dragging him down the steps. As the two disappeared and Quatre led his sister inside, Heero found himself alone on the stairs.
He looked off in the direction Duo and Relena had gone and sighed faintly. So much for the relaxing evening, he thought to himself, climbing the rest of the stairs slowly and heading towards his own room within the building.
* * *
Heero was curled up in the chair he'd moved over towards the window when Duo finally came back. His head was leaning against the glass pane, eyes cast upwards towards the night sky and the stars that seemed to hold answers he couldn't quite fathom. He turned as a hand fell lightly on his shoulder and looked up into smiling violet eyes. Duo stood there with two thick blankets draped over one arm, his head tilted to the side.
"I believe we were going to watch those stars from a much better vantage point, ne?"
Heero just smiled, nodding softly as he stood, letting the other boy pull him over to the door. He frowned faintly, watching the jagged edge of Duo's hair precede him into the hall. He hadn't even bothered re-braiding it yet, and on a hunch, Heero grabbed a small pair of scissors on the way out. He had a feeling that this was going to REALLY bother Duo once he realized what had happened.
They walked across the campus in silence, the leaves rustling beneath their feet as they made their way into the trees, towards the small clearing that they'd 'claimed' as their own. There were a few times when Heero started to speak, then thought better of it, trying to organize his own thoughts before making a fool of himself. To say that he was nervous would be a gross understatement. He knew that Duo didn't have a problem with boys liking other boys, that much was obvious... but it was far different when it was personal. He satisfied himself with watching the other boy as they moved through the trees. His hair flowed behind him like a veil, catching the moonlight and reflecting it back with a soft shimmer. He was completely oblivious to the effect he had on those around him... Heero knew for a fact that he wasn't the only one who's noticed the braided boy's charm. It had led to more than one scuffle when he'd overheard jealous mutterings from some of the guys whose girlfriends were smitten by Duo's looks and personality.
He must have chuckled softly, because Duo turned and flashed him a smile that almost made him walk into a tree. By the time they'd reached the clearing, Heero was fairly certain that the other boy was teasing him on purpose. He was ready to go insane, and Duo had never even said a word. Spreading out the blankets, the two of them then lay back, heads pillowed against their arms as they looked up towards the stars. Nothing was said, and the silence was just starting to get on Heero's nerves when he heard a wistful sigh from beside him. He turned his head to the side and saw Duo, fingers twining through a ragged chunk of hair.
"It'll take forever to grow it back." Came the soft whisper. Heero could swear that there was a hint of tears in Duo's voice. "No one really understood why I kept it long. Said it was stupid. Zechs understood, but his hair was always long too."
Heero rolled to his side, propping against his arm as he watched Duo. He was barely able to stop himself from putting an arm around the other boy in comfort. "Why *do* you keep it long? I never knew there was a reason behind it."
Duo let the lock of hair drop to his chest and looked back up towards the stars. "It was mine. No one could take it from me, not easily anyway. It wasn't something that was given to me, it wasn't something that I owed someone else for. It was mine, plain and simple. When your father thinks you're the biggest joke around, you take what you can get. I hated thinking that I owed him anything, so I never accepted his gifts. Needless to say, I didn't have much in the way of material things." He glanced back down to the multi-layered fall of hair and grumbled. "And now, I can't even hang onto that right."
Heero sat up, catching Duo's arm and pulling him to sit in front of him. "Let me at least help with this, okay?"
"What are you going to do?"
He held up the pair of scissors, bringing up one hand when he saw the moment of panic in Duo's eyes. "Relax, I'm not going to cut it all off... I'd never do that. I'm just going to even it up and make it so that you'll stop wincing every time you see it." He smiled then, bringing his fingers through the satiny fall of hair. Within a few moments of him just running his hands along it, Duo was nearly purring in his lap. Heero smiled, enjoying the expression of pure bliss on Duo's face. He seemed almost angelic in the moonlight, and he was glad for this excuse... for any excuse to be close to him. Leaning forward slightly, he smiles, letting his face rest just inches from the soft fall of chestnut waves. There was the slight hint of lilac, mingled with the white plum scent that he'd come to associate with Relena.
Heero just smiled, watching Duo relax fully against him. Occasionally, Heero would bring up the scissors, trimming off a few edges and making the Sidhe's hair appear as a source of pride once more. Once he'd finished, he laid the scissors aside and simply toyed with the long strands. Duo didn't seem to mind in the slightest, his head resting against Heero's leg. Heero wasn't sure if the other boy realized what he was doing, but at the moment he didn't care. Without even thinking, he leaned forward and placed a soft kiss against the side of Duo's neck. He felt the other boy tense up and immediately pulled back, cursing himself inwardly at the lapse of sanity. "Duo I..."
He was hushed by the feeling of Duo's finger pressed to his lips. The boy was looking up at him in wide-eyed wonder, and for a moment Heero was afraid that he'd gone way too far. Closing his eyes, he bowed his head slightly. "I'm sorry." There was no response, only the sensation of Duo moving away from him. Damnit...
"We'd better be getting back." Duo's voice broke through his reverie and he looked up to see the other pulling up the blankets. Sighing inwardly, he stood and helped, then turned towards the trees to head back to the dorm. He was stopped short by Duo's voice once more. "I hope we can catch one or two more warm nights before winter." He then saw the cheerful smile and violet eyes directly in front of him. "Oh, and Heero.." Duo moved forward then, pressing his lips against Heero's for just a moment. When he pulled back, the smile had turned into an impish grin. "Next time... don't stop."
Heero just stood there, stunned into immobility as the laughing boy disappeared into the trees. He brought up one hand, his fingers brushing against his lips, which still felt the faint tingle that had been left behind with Duo's touch.
* * *
TBC
