Disclaimers: Don't own ANYTHING, just borrowing.
Archived: Yume Maxwell-Yuy (www.geocities.com/maxwell_yuy2002/), if she wants this.
Warning: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff and sap, Romance, mild language, Duo's POV, kinda slow at the beginning, and long, but hey, Duo likes to talk, ne? slightly humorous, loooooooonnngggg.
Notes: I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time getting a mission to care for Quatre's niece and Duo and Heero finding each other along the way. It sounded fun to me. Excuse errors. Enjoy.
~!~!~!~!~
First Kiss Delayed
Part 1: Mission on Tuesday
~!~!~!~!~
I am in love with Heero Yuy, even after everything we've been through. The war, our past, and the little obstacles along the way.
Why do I say that I'm in love with the Perfect Soldier?
Think about it.
I love the way he walks with such grace. Never missing a step nor falling on his face despite all of the bends, cracks, and bumps. I love that mop on his head. Be quiet, it's distinctive and attractive, at least to me. It's as if the hair is the complete opposite of him. Unruly spikes jetting out here and there uncontrollably as he himself is contained mentally and physically in that perfectly sculpt body. I have to laugh at the thought of it. It's really funny. I love his pretty face, gentle curves, creamy, smooth skin waiting for a hand to caress it...
I love the way he communicates...not the silence itself, but his actions physically. That communicating. Just having his presence drives me insane because I can't have him. Not just yet.
But what got me head-over-heels in love were the gorgeous eyes. Pools of cobalt sending off cute glares (I love those too). Cold, but infact warm. If there's anything I've learned, it's you gotta read between the lines with this guy. Most people think that he's this cold, emotionless soldier, I'm not saying that they're wrong, I'm just saying that there's more to him than you may think.
And ya know what?
He loves me too.
Guess what the killer is.
We're afraid to admitt, feeling that if we get to close, it would be unbearable.
Unbearable to lose each other. Frightened to take the chance. Afraid to take the risk.
I don't think I can take another death of a loved one.
Solution? Like I said, don't get too close.
Heero's like a jewel in a museum.
A very PRECIOUS jewel in a very EXPENSIVE museum.
With lots of heavy security might I add.
One that no matter how much you want, you can only admire it though glass. Untouchable.
That's the killer. And I hate him for that, not to mention myself too.
But as you know, I'm a thief.
And I love jewels.
Prepare for a break-in. Shinigami's gonna get his prize.
~!~!~!~!~
As much as I love Heero and all, did I mention anything about my life at the time being?
No? How rude. Well, I'm on earth (in the USA to be specific, love that democracy, freedom all the way) and I work for the Preventors. Yep. I finally gave into that Po. Very persuasive gal. Got Wu-man tightly wrapped around her finger.
Oh, did I mention that Wufei and Sally are a couple? Gotta love 'em.
Quatre and Trowa are goin' strong too. One word: Kawaii.
If you're wondering about Hilde, and why I don't want her, it's because she's like my soul sister. Someone to hang out with and talk to. Don't get any ideas. She's like Quatre to me. A best friend and that's it.
Besides, as soon as the war ended, she married an Ozzie. What she sees in him is a mystery, but he's cute.
ANYWAY!
So it's just Heero and me who are the only single ones. The only ones not makin' out in the offices. The only ones without someone. The only ones alone. And I'm sick of everyone.
It's not like I'm deseprate. No. I went to a bar last night. Let me tell you something, I had FUN there. Back to the others before I get too wrapped up in last night...
Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for them and all. I just don't like not being at the center of attention as you can tell.
One would assume that *I* would be the first to snag Heero right after the war.
And normally I would, but it's alot more complicated. Believe it or not, which I hope you do...
Heero's rather delicate when it comes to these things. He doesn't like to be confused. That's why I'm not with him. I wanna give him some time.
Cause I love him.
Okay, I ave to admitt, EVERYONE knew that I liked Heero, save Relena. And nearly EVERYONE has given me a lecture about it. I just sat there and pretended to listen. Hey, I can figure things out myself.
~!~!~!~!~
Now my story begins when I finally stole the stone...
One day I was sitting in my tiny office, I like to call it my box. Don't ask. Over the past months, I've found it very comforting. Secluded in my own little box. As much as I like to socialize, I've grown on to my box. Normally, I would find it repulsive and stupid, but I really did like it. It seemed to be a good place to think things out.
Yeah, I liked my box also because it was right across from Heero's box. I can't believe he got a box. A war hero...in a box. It just cracks me up. But then again, look at me.
Okay, so I was just sitting thinking about the things of life just because I needed some down time. I liked to think in my box. Builds character...somehow. I like to think that I've matured some way. Hey, I've been gettin' that alot more instead of shut up Duo. I think I've grown alittle, but then who's to judge?
"Duo, Heero, can I see you in my office, please?" Une asked as she passed though the other smaller offices. What could Une possibly want with Heero and me?
I got up from my chair and headed out the box entrance/exit only to bump into Heero.
"Hey." I greeted.
He nodded back at me, "Duo."
We started walking to Une's office bumping into each other occasionally. So I walk crooked. Big deal.
"What do you think she wants us for?"
Heero shrugged. Social as ever. He's so cute...but I think I grew or he shrunk cause he looks a tad shorter, or maybe it's me.
There wasn't very much to talk to Heero about, but I still knew how to irritate him. Some things never change.
"So, you seen Relena lately?"
"No."
"Are you going to?"
"No."
"Do you want to?"
"..."
"Ahh, I see how it is."
"Duo, I don't want anything to do with her."
"Why not?"
"Hn."
"Whatever, Heero." I grinned at Heero earning a glare.
Grin and Glare. I like that, it just rolls off my tongue.
We arrived at Une's office a second later. The door was closed so I rapped one of my personal favorite tunes with my knuckles on it.
"Come in." We heard.
I opened the door for Heero, "After you." He entered the office first sort of givin' me that glare that reeked 'I-Can-Do-It-Myself', too bad. Some one actually cares. Just so you don't think that I just stood outside, I followed after.
"Yuy, Maxwell." Une greeted, "I have a duo, no pun intended, mission for you both. Sit down."
Heero and I sat.
"One of Quatre's sisters is in town," Une pulled out a sheet of paper. That's funny, usually missions required folders. Not just a single sheet of paper.
"And? What does it have to do with us?" I asked. I wanted to go back to my box...with Heero, but since I couldn't go with Heero, just going to my box alone was satisfying.
"Quatre's sister will be helping here and won't be able to care for her young. We need you two to-"
"Woah, woah, you want us to *baby-sit*?" I blurted out, I can see it now! Ex-Gundam Pilots caught in the park BABY-SITTING. That's great publicity not that I wanted any, but I think this was kinda degrading, "I can hardly cook eggs, and you're askin' me to baby-sit a kid?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking. No one else can do it that we trust. The child's father is on a business trip. Trowa's out on a mission with Wufei and Quatre has to take care of his sister. The things that she is witnessing is not suitable for a six year old."
Okay, I could see where she was coming from, the things that I saw when I was six, wasn't exactly G-rated, and I wouldn't want my kid to see them either. "Okay, then why the two of us?"
"I'm sure you're aware of Heero's social skills. No offense, but a kid needs a bright person."
So now I'm a bright person. Thanks. Oh well, I guess it's better than anti-social.
"We can't let Heero do it alone even knowing how responsible he is." Une paused, "You on the other hand, kids like, but as you yourself said, you can't even cook eggs. Why not have Heero Yuy AND Duo Maxwell take the task? It's only for a week. Tuesday to Tuesday, I think you two can handle it nicely. We figured 'Responsible and Fun' were a good match."
I liked Grin and Glare more.
I looked at Heero.
Heero looked at me.
What's the worse that could happened?
"Okay, what the hell? I don't got anything to do anyway." I said, "Heero?"
"Nimnu ryoukai."
"Great. The girl's name is Rachael."
"Girl???" Heero and I asked at the same time. How the hell am I suppose to deal with a little girl. I can hardly get along with Relena!
"Yes. Girl. She's six, likes teddybears, and cute things." Une informed, "Oh, and by the way, her mother won't be able to care for her during the nights either. You three will be sharing a safe house together for the days with her."
"NANI?!" Heero and I said in unison. Baby-sitting was bad enough, but having sleep-overs was even worse.
"Is that a problem?" Une asked in amusment, "You start tomorrow. I'll send your address tomorrow morning. Until then, you're dismissed."
Heero and I left the office. Note to self: Always find out what's in a deal, before you accept it.
Just then Heero tapped me on the shoulder.
"Nani?" I asked.
"You can't cook eggs?"
"...uh," I blushed, "No...?"
I swear he snickered at me.
I can't believe he did that.
~!~!~!~!~
It wasn't until about fourteen hours and eleven minutes later, aka 6:30 AM, when I was awaken by a very annoying noise.
The vidphone.
As much as I liked having the vidphone for all sorts of reasons, I hated it becasue they could see you too.
But what the hell. I picked it up.
"Moshi moshi?" I asked into the microphone in my froggy morning voice. I don't know if it's more sexy or more stupid, and I can't tell cause I'm fast asleep.
"Duo? Ohayo. You look awaful."
"Thanks..." I managed to mumble. It was Une, I didn't think she cared. I could see my reflection through the screen. I was a mess. My braid was tangled, I was sweaty, probably from the nightmares, I think I had bags under my eyes, and I couldn't even stand straight.
So I'm not a morning person.
"No problem. Doesn't look like you got a good night sleep." I agreed with her, I didn't. Damn nightmares keep me up half the night, the other I toss and turn. Good for your body physically, horrible for you mentally. How interesting. Une reached for something and showed it to me, "You see this?"
I squinted at the screen. I couldn't see anything that detailed this time of day, "No."
"Well it's all you need to know for your mission." That puzzled me...if it was for the mission, shouldn't I have already gotten it? "Yuy will be over to review it with you."
"NANI?!"
"Heero will be-"
"I heard you!" She sent Heero over here??? He can't see me like this! Hell, I really didn't want *ANYONE* to see me like this. She did this on purpose... "I got to go."
"Of course," I was about to hang up on her when she her words stopped me, "And Duo, Don't mess this chance up."
*Click*
I looked at the vidphone.
"What the hell?"
Oh well, no time for that! I had to get ready. Wouldn't want to meet Heero like this...
~!~!~!~!~
I had just finished my hair in record time.
Damn are my arms gonna be achin' later...
"Duo?"
I jumped. What did I see? A HOT Heero Yuy holding a bag in TIGHT blue jeans and that standard green tanktop. Mmm, so tasty. One question, what the hell was he doing in my bathroom?
My toothbrush was hanging out of my mouth, it must have been really funny.
"EeEeO?"
"Hn." Heero turned and exited out of the bathroom. Thank God for that. I was only in a towel! Not that I care if he looked, mind you.
When I was fully cleaned and dressed (red turtle neck, black jeans), I greeted Heero, who was sitting calmly on the couch.
"What the hell were you doin' in my bathroom at 6:45???" I asked.
Heero gave me a sideways glance.
"Don't you ever knock?"
Heero snorted, "I did." he looked at me, "10 times."
I headed toward the kitchen slash dining room for my daily breakfast. "So, did you pick the lock or somethin' to get in?"
"It was unlocked."
"Oh...coffee?" I offered pouring myself a cup. Heero shook his head, "That stuff makes you hyper."
I shrugged. Who needed a gloomy Duo anyhoo? "Suit yourself."
There was a long moment of silence save the sips of my beverage.
"It's clean."
"What?"
"Your place."
I looked around. So it was. I didn't really realize how clean my apartment appeared.
"What were you expecting?"
"...um." I knew exactly what he was thinking. Everytime we had a mission together during the war, I always ended up trashing the place on purpose, but of course I made it look like my daily habits.
"Hey, I only messed up the other places was because it wasn't mine." And to annoy him. But I wasn't stupid enough to say that out loud.
Heero cocked an eyebrow.
"I'm not a clean freak, but that doesn't mean that I would want to live like a pig."
"Hn."
"So, what's up?"
That got him talkin'.
"Une suggested that I told you all of the details." I motioned Heero to go on. "We are to meet the girl with Quatre at the shuttle station at 0900 hours." Heero handed me a sheet of paper as I came to sit next to him, "We will meet Rachael with Quatre. Take her from there-"
"And basically baby-sit the kid and do whatever she wants as long as she doesn't get hurt or anything, right?" I finished folding the paper and with my sly hands, I slipped it back into his pocket. Heero only nodded. "That seems easy enough. Fun." I turned to Heero, "Have you ever even been exposed to a kid before?" I leaned in closer to him and his breathing unsteaded. It was very noticable and very unlike him too.
I just found a weak spot to Heero Yuy.
"I've seen them..."
"That doesn't count." I whispered.
"Then...no." Heero replied softly.
"Do you have any idea what they're like?" I looked into those gorgeous eyes.
"No..."
I leaned back on the fluffy couch. "Heero? Even if this is a mission, you can't treat this one as if she was some kind of base to blow up, ya know?"
Heero gave me another sideways glance, "Hai, I'm aware of that."
"A mission that Heero Yuy hasn't ever been trained for?" I asked outloud, "There's a shocker."
Heero glared.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine." Alright. Got one thing straighten out. I propped my feet on the small wooden coffee table and glanced around. Where did I put that darn thing? I grinned to myself. Oh yeah, I remember now.
I reached over Heero's lap, almost touching him. Not there yet. I stretched my arm out more, my braid falling into his lap.
Heero jumped, "Duo, what are you doing?" he asked.
My arm lowered it's height about an inch, elbow brushing over him gently, Heero gasped as I pulled out a rectangular object from under the cushion Heero was sitting on. I smirked.
"Found it." I said grinning and waving the remote infront of him. Flipping the television on, I chuckled. Resuming my earlier position, feet propped next to Heero, I turned to the screen infront of me. I could feel Heero's eyes drill through my back. I hated it when he did that. "Nani?"
"Hn." Heero folded his arms.
I began to flip through the channels when I realized something.
"Why are you here so early?"
"..."
~!~!~!~!~
Heero looked at the clock on my wall, "8:30, we have to go."
We had been sitting on the couch for over an hour. Hate to admit it, but my ass started to hurt. "Oh come on Heero, Rugrats is on then Sponge Bob Square Pants, followed by Looney Tunes only on Nickelodeon!" I said in an overly anxious voice.
"Baka."
"Can I watch it later in the safe house with Rachael???" He smirked and turned off the TV set pulling me by the braid out the door. Just before the door slammed, I managed to grab my bag that I had packed last night.
"Itai!"
K'so! Caught my fingers though.
I looked around the apartment complex. No Heero's car. "Dude, where's your car?"
"I walked."
"Oh. I guess we take my car." I pulled out the keys to my car and unlocked it. My midnight black convertable with a metallic shine. My baby. This kid better not spill ice cream on it.
Heero took the passenger side, and I sat on the driver side. We headed out for the shuttle station.
"Anything interesting come up lately?" I asked trying to have conversation with this guy.
Red light.
"No."
"No calls?"
"No."
"Not even from Relena?"
"How did you-?"
Green light.
"Relena's not as quiet as you. I could hear her talkin' to you on the phone in my box." I replied.
I enjoyed teasing Heero about Relena. It was fun. The only fun I was having with Heero so far. He was so cute when he was annoyed. I mean, Heero and I never really hung out or anything, even if his box WAS right across from mine. He was always obsessed with his work, and I was just, well...Duo. The only times we really got together was with Quatre when he managed to persuade us to do something with him, Wufei, and Trowa. No harm there. I didn't see a problem. Other than that and passin' him through the halls, we did occasionally have missions with each other. I love it when we did. It was the only real time I had with him...much like this one, but never as long as a week. Who knows what could come from it.
"Hn."
"What did ya talk about?"
"Why?"
"No reason. Just wanted to know if you were planning a secret wedding behind my back, Hee-chan."
Heero huffed, "Why would I do anything stupid like that?"
"What? Get married, or have a secret wedding behind my back?"
"Both."
"Don't tell me I don't get to be your best man..."
"I'm not going to marry Relena."
"Really? She seems convinced that you are, that is if I read all of her signs correctly." I lifted my hands from the steering wheel, "'Heero! Here I am! Come and kill me!'" I surved just missing another car and nearly throwing Heero from the seat with the jerk. I smirked, "Red light."
"Baka. Watch the road."
"I was, I was." I rolled my window down to see some cute college girls in a red sports car. I waved at them, "Ohayo gojaimas." I said.
"Hi!" the girls replied, "Can we have your numbers?" the girls made kissy faces at us, "You two are HOT!"
Green light.
"Gotta go." I said calmly stepping on the gas and taking off. I turned to Heero who was surprisingly blushing, "What's wrong? Never told that you were hot?" I asked.
"No." Heero replied facing the window.
"Well, they were right. You are hot." I said. I could see his blush deepen from the window reflection. "They were cute, ne?"
"..." Heero elaborately told me.
"Don't worry. They were probably lesbians." I joked. Heero coughed. I looked at him, "Nani?"
"Nothing."
~!~!~!~!~
"Duo! Heero! Thank you for coming!" Quatre greeted and hugged us both. Sometimes I hated him for being so touchy, but hey, whatever floats his boat. "Just in time too! They just arrived." Quatre lead us to his sister and niece. "This is my sister, Iria, and her daughter, Rachael."
"Hello Mr. Maxwell, and Mr. Yuy. I'm so glad to see you." She held her hand out to me. I shook it like the nice boy I was.
"Just call me Duo. The pleasure's all mine."
Iria held her hand out to Heero, then I assumed she remembered that he didn't like being touched because she withdrew her hand and nodded at him. Heero repeating her action. "Thank you for agreeing to take care of my daughter while I'm here. I don't know what I would have done." Iria said with troubled eyes. She seemed to be a nice woman. Nice figure, properly dressed, and tall.
"No problem, anything for a friend, ne Quatre?"
"Hai!" Quatre replied, "What are you waiting for, Rachael? Are you going to greet Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero?"
I thought Mr. Maxwell was bad, but UNCLE Duo was worse. Makes me sound old.
"Hello Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero. My name is Rachael. Pleased to meet you!" The girl held her hand out like her mother. I shook it politely. "I'm looking forward to being with you both!"
"That's great. I'll be sure that we have a fun time." I replied. Rachael was cute. Not Heero cute, but baby cute. She was dressed in a white summer dress with a wide summer hat. Blonde locks flowed passed her shoulders as aqua eyes peered up at us smiling.
"Now that we're aquinted, shall we depart on our ways? We have much to do." Iria said.
We all nodded and said our good byes. Ya know those 'You take care now,' and 'Don't give Duo and Heero any trouble,' also 'Be careful,' stuff like that. Then Quatre and Iria left us, but before that, Quatre slipped me his good-for-everything credit card. Fun.
"My niece is very, you know...expensive." Quatre said.
"No, that's okay, really."
"Duo, I insist. It's the least I can do."
Yeah it was.
"I don't know..." Quatre shoved the credit card in my hand.
"Take it!"
"Okokok."
So now it was just the three of us. Heero got all of the girl's luggage and managed to cram it all into the back of my car. I strapped Rachael into the back seat then opened the door for Heero.
"I'm not a little kid, I can open my own door..." he mumbled getting into the car.
"I know, Heero. I know." I shut his door and resumed to my side to start up the engine.
You'd think a guy like him would be grateful not having to worry about opening and closing his own door. Sheesh. I swear, he's been seeing too much of Wufei. Someone needs to get that stick out of his ass.
Why not be me?
"Wow. This is a nice car." Rachael said.
"You think? I picked it out myself." I replied backing up and heading to the safe house.
"Uh huh!" the girl said cheerfully, "I like it!"
I chuckled as she continued chatting, "Uncle Heero, why don't you talk?"
"Hn."
"He doesn't really like to, I wouldn't ask questions about it if I were you. Last time I- mmm!" I was cut off by Heero placing his hand over my mouth. You would think that he would act alittle nicer in front of this kid. But NO!
"Shut up, Baka."
"That's not very nice." Rachael said, "Mother says that you should let people talk if they want to,"
Heero removed his hand not because of the girl's words, but because I licked it.
"Hm...salty, yet surprisingly sweet."
Heero glared at me.
"But then again, Mother also told me that if I didn't have any thing nice to say, don't say any thing at all. What do we have planned today?" Rachael asked. She was so full of questions...more than me!
"Well, I figure we go to the safe house, hang out there until we get a feel for the place and I don't know..." I paused, "You like shopping?"
"Shopping???" Rachael repeated, "Of course! I love shopping!"
Heero leaned in toward me and whispered, "Shopping? How are we suppose to pay for it on the spot?" he asked.
I gave him my one thousand dollar grin, "Don't worry Hee-chan, Quat gave me his credit card for spending."
"Duo..." Heero leaned back into his chair.
"Nani? At least I'm not spending *MY* lunch money." I shrugged, "And if that doesn't work, you can always hack...you would do that for me right?"
"Hn."
Good boy. I knew I could count on him.
"What happens after shopping?" Aqua eyes asked.
"Hm, I don't know, I'm kinda makin' this up as I go. Maybe Heero has something that he wants to do with us." I nudged the Japanese boy, "What do you think Heero?"
"Hn."
"What does that mean?"
"He doesn't care." I replied, "Want some music?"
"Yeah!" Rachael was so cheerful. I turned up the volume to the radio.
/Cuz it feels so empty with out me...Nah-/ I switched the channel. I didn't think that her mother would like it if I let her listen to the music I liked.
"What are you doing??? Change it back! I love that song!"
"Say what? You mom lets you listen to this stuff?"
"No, but I listen to it whenever I can." I looked at her from the mirror, and changed it back to the previous station.
/Cuz it feels so empty with out me.../
Surprisingly Rachael sang along, she knew the whole song. I chuckled, proper girl singin' Eminem. Hilarious.
~!~!~!~!~
Fifteen minutes later at the safehouse, Heero took all of Rachaels belongings to the smaller room as I looked around the place. I counted a kitchen/dining room, much like mine at home, a nice size living room complete with a fireplace, loveseat, full couch, and big screen TV, and a bathroom across the room that Rachael claimed, luckily it wasn't the master bedroom. On the other side of the house I found two doors. I opened door number one. It was the master bedroom. The I opened door number two. A closet. How nice.
Wait, where was the other bedroom?
I looked around. Maybe I missed the third door.
Nope. There wasn't a third door.
"K'so..."
That meant there were only *two* bedrooms, but there were *three* people.
See where I'm gettin' at here?
"Heero!"
"Nani?"
"Heero, there are only *two* bedrooms."
"I know." He knew? "I'll sleep on the couch." I looked at the couch. It wasn't exactly five-star, or four, or three, or- "Duo?" He waved a hand infront of me. "Duo?"
"You're gonna sleep on *THAT*???" I asked, "That's horrible Heero Yuy!"
"What? Do you want me to sleep on the floor?"
I paused.
"Hahahahahaha~!" I burst out into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Rachael poked her head out from her room.
I took in a breath, "It's no big deal..."
"Yes, it is a big deal, Duo." Heero stepped in folding his arms, "What's so funny?"
I was trapped.
"Heero Yuy cracked a joke!"
Heero turned to the door towards the car, "Baka..." he muttered.
"...I don't see how that's funny. It doesn't look like he made a joke." Rachael said. She was right. Okay, maybe it wasn't that funny. But for cryin' out loud, Heero Yuy CRACKED. A. JOKE! It's funny right? Or is it just me?
Heero came in with the bag I had seen earlier, and tossed it in the couches direction. I caught it in mid air. Shimatta, something hard was in there! And square...no! It's that damn laptop! I'll have to do something with this...
"Heero, you're not sleeping on the couch."
"Oh?"
"Oh. You can have the bed."
"I'm sleeping on the couch."
"No you're not. I'll sleep on it."
"I'm sleeping on the couch."
"No Heero, I insist that you take the bed."
"Duo, I'm sleeping on the couch." Heero moved forward and I blocked his way.
"Heero, buddy, pal, when someone offers you the bed, you take it."
"I'm fine. I didn't ask for it."
"Heero! Just take the damn bed!"
"I'm sleeping on the couch..." Heero growled.
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed!"
"Couch!"
"Be-"
"Excuse me Uncle Heero, Uncle Duo, but why are you arguing with each other?"
"Because you're UNCLE Heero won't take the bed."
"UNCLE Duo won't let me have the couch."
The girl sweat dropped. She must have been confused.
"But I thought that you two would be arguing for the *BED*, not the *COUCH*."
Heero and I looked at the girl. She was right. We looked back at each other. He stared at me with those cobalt eyes. I couldn't resist. I gave in. Whatever made him happy, even if I know it truly wouldn't. So why was he so obsessed with the couch?
Why was I so obsessed with him?
~!~!~!~!~
Some time later after I had gotten my bag from the car, I found myself sitting in the middle of Perfect Soldier and Rachael on the- no, HEERO'S couch. Watching more TV. It's not like I always watched it, but when I could, I did. I can't believe he wants to sleep on this thing.
And he calls *ME* the Baka...
Rachael was making random comments about the distortion in the cartoon animals.
"That is phyiscally impossible! How can a coyote run into a boulder, get run over by an eighteen wheeler, blown up about ten times, and STILL try to catch a stupid roadrunner??? Oh come one! He can't be THAT fast! The friction shouldn't cause THAT much smoke! What is he on??? NO! Turn the directions right side up!!!"
Funny, I thought kids her age enjoyed this stuff. Oh well. Time to tease Heero!
I raised both of my arms and placed them over the top of the sofa stretching them both around Heero and Rachael, fingers just passed Heero's exposed shoulder and over Rachael's head. Casual postion, no harm done. Either Heero was too ingaged with the cartoon playing, or he just ignored me since me didn't seem to notice or care. Didn't matter to me. I brushed my fingertips lightly over Heero's flesh for a brief second making it look like an innocent mistake.
No reaction.
I stopped momentarily then repeated my earlier action this time my touch was much more intentive. I could feel Heero tense then ease into the sensation. Fun. I kept brushing my fingers over his skin until it became a little rub. I could tell that he was liking this. He was practically leaning on my hand. Good. That meant I had permission to continue.
Next I caressed his shoulder adding my thumb gently. I looked at his face, half lidded, mouth slightly parted, and relaxed. Delicious.
I glanced at Rachael to see if she had noticed anything. Nope.
"What was that??? How can you hit the cat on the head and then just PUSH his welt down?! Gross!"
Well, at least I knew that SHE was paying attention. Back to Heero.
Heero's eyes were closed, my right hand was massaging his shoulder and tricep. He looked so relaxed. I thought it would be alittle more challenging.
"Duo..." Heero clumsily stumbled out in might I add in *pleasure*.
"Uncle Heero, did you say something?" Rachael asked looking at him.
I stopped my motions as Heero's eyes opened, "Nani...?"
"Did you say something?" Rachael repeated. Heero looked at me and I shrugged. What else was I suppose to do? 'Yeah, he was responding to me makin' physical contact with your Uncle'? I think not.
"Well," I glanced at my watch, yes, I was wearing a watch, "I think if we want to go shopping we should go now before it gets too crowded."
"Why?"
"Do you want to go later when there are large amounts of people who shove you around?" I asked.
"Not really."
"That's what I thought." I turned off the TV and pulled myself up helping Rachael to her feet. Heero still sat on the couch some what slumped against the backrest, "Come on, Hee-chan!" I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the seat.
"I can get up myself..."
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
Next thing I know, I'm out the door, drivin' the car to the nearest shopping mall, and being dragged along by a six year old. Go me.
"Let's go here!" Rachael exclaimed running up to shop full of Gundam Action figures and models.
"Uh..."
"Please???" She asked with puppy eyes. I hate it when people do that. Especially when Quatre pulls it on me to go to some stupid country club.
They are definitely related.
"Okay. Eat your heart out."
"What?"
"Go! Before I change my mind." I said. Rachael ran into the store admiring all of the mechanical structures.
"You're spoiling her, Duo." Heero said from behind me. We both were holding many bags of crap (well, I guess I should say little girl stuff) that she bought- er, QUATRE bought.
"I know, but how can you resist?"
"By not giving in."
"That's a good idea. I had never thought about that." I found a bench across from the entrance of the shop and sat down making sure that I could see Rachael. Heero joined beside me.
"I think you like this mission." Heero said randomly.
"Nani?" I asked, what could he be talking about?
"I think you like this mission."
"What makes you say that, Hee-chan?"
"The way you treat her." That was it? But I suppose this assignment wasn't that bad.
"I guess so, better to be watching over someone than destoying their lives, ne?" I was enjoying this also because I could spend time with Heero. Not just the little girl...if only he knew how much I liked him being next to me. "Are you enjoying yourself, Hee-chan?"
"..."
"Tell me the truth Heero. I know that you are. I just want to hear you say it. I mean, how often do you get to take care of a little rugrat without it actually being yours? Different, ne?" I looked directly into Heero's eyes, "Are you?"
"...hai." Heero replied shyly. That's what I thought.
"Me too." I whispered getting closer to him. I gradually leaned down towards Heero and he streched forward. Noses less than inches apart, his lips parted slightly, and Heero was going to be mine! I could feel the uneveness of his warm shaky breaths on my willing lips, when...
"AAHHHH!!!"
That woke us up.
Heero and I broke the nose gaze and looked up. It was Rachael.
"Rachael!" I said, Heero and I ran over to the store. What could have possibly happened? Why did she scream? What was wrong? Why now? K'so! I was SO close! SOSOSOSO close!
We reached the girl in no time, "Rachael, what's wrong?"
There didn't seem to be anything wrong. Then why-
"Oh! Look! They have Deathscythe Hell Custom and Wing Zero Custom in! Just imported!!! It's that great?"
I didn't know whether or not to slap myself for not finishing what I started, or damn my buddy Deathscythe to hell and Wing as well. Shimattashimattashimatta!
"K'so..." I cursed under my breath. I was about to kiss Heero in public too! Something that he would NEVER let anyone do! Ugh. Omae o korosu! Now where did that come from?
"I think Deathscythe looks the best. The style is so, what's the word? Sweet! But Wing is like the most powerful one. I can't choose!" Rachael held the two figures in front of our faces, "Uncle Duo! Can I PUH-LEEZE get them both???"
"Yeah, why not?" I sighed. I heard a very strange sound behind me. I turned around to hear Heero chuckling, "What the hell is so funny about this?"
"Nani?" blinking, Heero asked innocently.
"Oh no, don't play around with Shinigami, Hee-chan."
"Uncle Heero, who do you think the pilots are?"
"Um..."
Now I was chuckling. Heero glared at me. "C'mon Rachael, we still have the rest of the mall to see."
We paid for the models and left that store. Gods I hate Gundams now. I didn't think that I would ever have to deal with them again. First I disliked them for the fighting, but now...UGH! There's not even a word to describe it. SO CLOSE!
I don't know, it might just be the kid, or maybe it's me.
~!~!~!~!~
Heero, Rachael, and I had been walking around the shopping mall for about four hours now window shopping here and there. I SO feel sorry for Rachael's boyfriend when she gets older, at this rate there won't be anything to buy with her around not to mention that she's only six. She wouldn't even stop for a break unless I told her to. I never really understood the meaning 'shop till you drop', but now I do. No wonder Heero never liked going shopping in the first place.
Here we all were, getting ice cream. Yum. Rachael had asked for it as soon as she saw the vender. Knowing me I couldn't resist and bought her, Heero, and myself ice cream. Typical me. Ya know, I didn't know that Heero hadn't had ice cream before this, and if he did he claims that he doesn't remember.
"What do you want Heero?"
"...what?"
"What flavor?"
"Flavor?"
"Yeah, the flavor of ice cream. You can't just have tasteless ice cream."
"Uncle Heero, you've never had ice cream?"
"No." Heero said. How can you never have had ice cream? That's so cruel to not let any one try the treat.
"Do ya like Vanilla?" Rachael asked.
"I don't know."
"Well, I want a double dip of chocolate and peanut butter cup!" Rachael ordered to the man behind the vender. She knew exactly what she wanted, "What do you want Uncle Duo?"
"Single dip cookies 'n cream if that isn't too much trouble." Rachael repeated it to the man as Heero still looked at all of the flavors. "Why don't you try strawberry? That's pretty good."
"Okay."
The man in the white gave us our desired cones with napkins wrapped securely around them as I paid.
"Let's go sit over there!" Rachael ran over to the fountains spruting water out in the center of the over-sized mall. She plopped down on the edge and started licking her treat. Heero and I naturally followed. "Uncle Duo, this is SO good! Wanna bite?"
"That's okay, go ahead and eat it yourself." I was enjoying my own flavor, "What do you think Heero?"
Heero investigated it from every angle possible, "It's pink."
"Try it!"
"It's pink."
"Just try it." I said.
Heero finally took a tiny lick, "It's...sweet."
"Yeah, do ya like it?" I asked, "Better than the food that we had durin' the war, ne?"
"Hai." He didn't need to answer me, I could tell that he liked it just as much as I did on acount that he continued to lick it.
"Why is this better than the food during the war?" Rachael asked.
"We didn't get treats like this. We were always so busy." I replied, what was suppose to tell her? We didn't have much of a life blowin' up MS? Riiiiiiiiiight.
"Oh." Rachael licked her hands, "Finished!"
"Good now go wash those dirty fingers." I said pointing to the restrooms.
"Okay!" Rachael ran off towards the restrooms. I turned to Heero who was still eating.
"Oi Hee-chan," Heero looked up as I continued, "You have ice cream on your nose..." I took the napkin that was wrapped around my cone and wiped it off getting closer to him probably invading his personal space.
He's so cute.
I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying that.
"Arigato..." Heero whispered.
"You're welcome." I whispered back touching his forehead with mine.
"Duo!" I pulled away and looked around and saw Hilde on the other side of the fountains. What was she doing on earth?
"Who is it?" Heero asked. I guess he couldn't see because of the water blocking his view.
"It's only Hilde." I waved at her, "Konnichi wa!"
Hilde made her way over to us, "Hi Heero!" Heero nodded continuing to finish his cone, "I think I saw you earlier, but I wasn't sure until I saw your braid. Can't miss that in a million people."
"Nope. So how's life in general?" I asked, Hilde hugged me and sat down next to me. I saw Heero glare at her. Eheheh...
"Great, my husband and I just moved into our first house!"
"Fun." I said.
"Yeah, isn't it? It has a pool and everything, you have to come over sometime." Hilde said, "How are you?"
"Eh, same as always. Nothing's really changed. What are you doing on earth anyway? I thought you'd be back on L2."
"Well, we moved down here, and I was just checking out the mall. It's great! We should get together sometime."
Heero grunted.
He's so cute.
Gomen, gomen, there's no other way to explain it!
I smirked at him, "I think that'd be a great idea to catch up on old times."
"I think so too." Hilde turned to Heero, "How have you been Heero?"
"Hn." Hilde looked at me.
"He says 'fine, thank you, what about yourself?'" I replied for him.
Rachael suddenly appeared at on Heero's side, "Uncle Heero, who's that?"
"One of Duo's friends." I heard Heero say in not the nicest voice he's ever used, but then again...what do I know?
"Uncle Heero, huh? Who is this Duo?" Hilde asked noticing the young girl, "She's such a pretty young lady, you didn't have a kid when you were 12 and not tell me did you?"
"Nani???"
"I'm Rachael, Nice to meet cha!" the girl put her hand out for the other to shake.
"I'm Hilde." she shook Rachael's hand, "What relations might you have with Duo and Heero?"
"They're taking care of me." Hilde looked at me and giggled, "What?"
Hilde calmed herself, "Nothing, it's just that I can't imagine Duo taking care of a little girl."
"He's doing a good job so far," Rachael said, "right Uncle Heero?"
Heero nodded his head. Well thank you both. I'm so loved.
Hilde glanced down at her watch, "Oh! I have to go, talk to ya later, look me up. Bye!" with that Hilde ran off to resume whatever she was doing. I watched her back until she was out of sight. I turned to Heero.
"Hee-chan, was it just me, or were you jealous?"
"Hn." Heero looked away and gathered Rachael's bags.
"That's what I thought."
"What are we going to do now? I'm tired of walking around here. I think we've seen everything."
"I believe we have, Rach."
"Rach? What kind of name is that?"
"A nick name. Get used to it cause you're gonna hear it alot from now on, okay Rach?" I ruffled her hair alittle not enough to mess it up or anything. "Hey! Uncle Duo!"
"Duo?"
"Hmm?"
"What ARE we going to do now?" Heero asked.
"I say we go back to the safehouse and order pizza or somthing."
"Sounds like fun!" Rach nearly yelled. Such little things excited her so much. I can't help but wonder if she doesn't get to do anything fun at her own home. At least she's living a better life, than the generation before, and not have to worry about being orphaned trying to survive like Heero and me. Now that I think of it, I'm quite envious of her childhood.
She's proof of what I've missed the first years of my life.
~!~!~!~!~
At around 6:00 PM, we ordered pizza and just chilled and relaxed, very uneventful. Rachael had been in her room sorting out all of the things she had bought today. Let me tell you somethin', it wasn't easy carrying all of those bags in. Heero was reading the newspaper at the dining room table and I was just lying stretched out on the loveseat dozing off. So I can't really exlpain what happened between 7 and 9. I was having a peaceful dream for once...
"Uncle Duo!" I heard a voice from above cry in anxiousness, "Uncle Duo wake up!" I popped an eye open, I could see a dim light from the dining room, "Uncle Du~o!"
"I'm up, I'm up. Nani?" I rose from the loveseat, it wasn't so bad. In fact it was rather comfortable.
"Can we watch a movie?"
"A movie?" I asked, my voice was alittle groggy. I looked out the window, "It's dark outside, so it must be late, which means that a young child like yourself should go to sleep right?"
"Please???"
"What time is it?" I didn't even bother to look at my watch, too lazy.
"Uncle Heero, what time is it?"
"Half passed nine." Page turn.
"I really wanna watch it!" Rach whinned.
"Don't you have to take a shower or something?"
"I already did when you were sleeping, so did Uncle Heero."
"I see. Well, if we watched it, we would be on Heero's bed, and then where would he sleep?"
"I'm not tired." Thanks alot for helping, I gave Heero a look, "I'm not."
"What movie?" I asked.
"'Curse of the Undead Yoma'."
"'Curse of the Undead Yoma'?" I searched my memory and recalled the movie. I frowned, "Isn't that alittle violent for a six year old?"
"But I really, really, REEEEEALLY want to watch it!"
"Okay." I replied. Rachael jumped up and down 'yeaing'. Damn. Shouldn't have let her eat that ice cream. "Go get it then!" Rachael ran to her room to retrieve the movie. I walked over to Heero to see what he was up too beside just reading the newspaper. "Hm, oi Hee-chan, what cha doin'?"
"Reading." He replied. I placed my hands on his shoulders and rubbed them.
"Wanna watch a movie with us?" I invited removing my hands and sitting next to him in a chair, I could have sworn he was upset at my action. Disappointed that I moved my hands.
"Hn."
"C'mon Heero. You can't just sit there while we watch a movie."
"..."
"Why not?" I plopped my head down on the table and looked up at him with sad puppy eyes, "Puh-LEEZE Hee-chan? For Rachael? For me? For the sake of your inner child?" Heero glanced at me. "Hee-chan...! Please?"
"What's it about?"
"A guy like you slaying yoma, very depressing, I assure you." Yes, I had already seen the motion picture. Hell, it was really old, it's like an antique! What it was doing still in stores, I don't know, but I have to admitt, I did like it.
"Nimnu ryoukai."
"Sweet!"
"I got it! And I brought some blankets too, I thought we might use them." Rachael walked over to the TV and put the movie in, "Are you going to watch from there or the couch???" Heero and I got up and sat on the sofa in the seats from earlier, Heero on the right, Rachael on the left, and me in the middle. I pulled a blanket over all of us. "It's starting!"
The movie itself was slow and dark, nice action though. Rach was on the edge of her seat chewing the end of the blanket. Arms stretched out like the first time we watched TV on the couch, I was tuned in and out watching the movie and Heero at the same time. Heero was interested enough not to fall asleep. He was slumped back against the couch with his hands under the blanket squeezing it firmly.
Fun.
Being the mischievious boy I am, I found his bare foot under the covers with my right foot. Gently sliding it up and down his ankle and calf muscle, Heero gasped. Like before, he visibly tensed and then relaxed. I decided to take it further and caress this foot with my toes and such. I started out slow getting faster and firmer each time until I was playing with it. Surprisingly, Heero responded phyiscally. He began to rome the lower part of my leg too. Occasionally, if you looked at the covers, you could see our feet poking out entwined together. I'd say he was enjoying this, wouldn't you?
"Ahh!" Rachael hid under the covers, "That was so scary! Um, what are you doing with your feet?"
Heero and I stopped, "Just alittle sparring. Keeps the legs in shape."
My statement was totally true.
"Oh." Rachael turned her attention back the the screen infront of her. Heero and I didn't have any more foot wars during the movie. Kind of discouraged ya know?
Before we knew it, Rachael had fallen asleep at the climax. Kids. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to her bed. "Oyasumi, Rachael." I said before turing off the light and shutting the door.
Heero was setting up his sleeping quaters on the couch, "Heero, you really should take the bed."
"I'm fine Duo." Heero fluffed his pillow.
"I know, but if you change your mind, you can always kick me out." Heero snorted at me, "Oyasumi, Hee-chan."
"Oyasumi." Heero replied as I walked into the master bedroom. Even if I did want the master bed room for the over-sized mattress, in truth I hated big beds, they make me feel small and lonely.
I closed my door and shed my clothes until I was in my favorite black silk boxers. I wasn't even gonna bother with a shower tonight. I could do it in the morning. Instead I jumped on the big bed and drifted of into a terrible world of nightmares...
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
I don't know what to say about this fic in general, demo, I do have the plot all worked out though. Yeah, really long, ne? I don't the other parts will be as long. -_-;
Archived: Yume Maxwell-Yuy (www.geocities.com/maxwell_yuy2002/), if she wants this.
Warning: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff and sap, Romance, mild language, Duo's POV, kinda slow at the beginning, and long, but hey, Duo likes to talk, ne? slightly humorous, loooooooonnngggg.
Notes: I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time getting a mission to care for Quatre's niece and Duo and Heero finding each other along the way. It sounded fun to me. Excuse errors. Enjoy.
~!~!~!~!~
First Kiss Delayed
Part 1: Mission on Tuesday
~!~!~!~!~
I am in love with Heero Yuy, even after everything we've been through. The war, our past, and the little obstacles along the way.
Why do I say that I'm in love with the Perfect Soldier?
Think about it.
I love the way he walks with such grace. Never missing a step nor falling on his face despite all of the bends, cracks, and bumps. I love that mop on his head. Be quiet, it's distinctive and attractive, at least to me. It's as if the hair is the complete opposite of him. Unruly spikes jetting out here and there uncontrollably as he himself is contained mentally and physically in that perfectly sculpt body. I have to laugh at the thought of it. It's really funny. I love his pretty face, gentle curves, creamy, smooth skin waiting for a hand to caress it...
I love the way he communicates...not the silence itself, but his actions physically. That communicating. Just having his presence drives me insane because I can't have him. Not just yet.
But what got me head-over-heels in love were the gorgeous eyes. Pools of cobalt sending off cute glares (I love those too). Cold, but infact warm. If there's anything I've learned, it's you gotta read between the lines with this guy. Most people think that he's this cold, emotionless soldier, I'm not saying that they're wrong, I'm just saying that there's more to him than you may think.
And ya know what?
He loves me too.
Guess what the killer is.
We're afraid to admitt, feeling that if we get to close, it would be unbearable.
Unbearable to lose each other. Frightened to take the chance. Afraid to take the risk.
I don't think I can take another death of a loved one.
Solution? Like I said, don't get too close.
Heero's like a jewel in a museum.
A very PRECIOUS jewel in a very EXPENSIVE museum.
With lots of heavy security might I add.
One that no matter how much you want, you can only admire it though glass. Untouchable.
That's the killer. And I hate him for that, not to mention myself too.
But as you know, I'm a thief.
And I love jewels.
Prepare for a break-in. Shinigami's gonna get his prize.
~!~!~!~!~
As much as I love Heero and all, did I mention anything about my life at the time being?
No? How rude. Well, I'm on earth (in the USA to be specific, love that democracy, freedom all the way) and I work for the Preventors. Yep. I finally gave into that Po. Very persuasive gal. Got Wu-man tightly wrapped around her finger.
Oh, did I mention that Wufei and Sally are a couple? Gotta love 'em.
Quatre and Trowa are goin' strong too. One word: Kawaii.
If you're wondering about Hilde, and why I don't want her, it's because she's like my soul sister. Someone to hang out with and talk to. Don't get any ideas. She's like Quatre to me. A best friend and that's it.
Besides, as soon as the war ended, she married an Ozzie. What she sees in him is a mystery, but he's cute.
ANYWAY!
So it's just Heero and me who are the only single ones. The only ones not makin' out in the offices. The only ones without someone. The only ones alone. And I'm sick of everyone.
It's not like I'm deseprate. No. I went to a bar last night. Let me tell you something, I had FUN there. Back to the others before I get too wrapped up in last night...
Don't get me wrong. I'm happy for them and all. I just don't like not being at the center of attention as you can tell.
One would assume that *I* would be the first to snag Heero right after the war.
And normally I would, but it's alot more complicated. Believe it or not, which I hope you do...
Heero's rather delicate when it comes to these things. He doesn't like to be confused. That's why I'm not with him. I wanna give him some time.
Cause I love him.
Okay, I ave to admitt, EVERYONE knew that I liked Heero, save Relena. And nearly EVERYONE has given me a lecture about it. I just sat there and pretended to listen. Hey, I can figure things out myself.
~!~!~!~!~
Now my story begins when I finally stole the stone...
One day I was sitting in my tiny office, I like to call it my box. Don't ask. Over the past months, I've found it very comforting. Secluded in my own little box. As much as I like to socialize, I've grown on to my box. Normally, I would find it repulsive and stupid, but I really did like it. It seemed to be a good place to think things out.
Yeah, I liked my box also because it was right across from Heero's box. I can't believe he got a box. A war hero...in a box. It just cracks me up. But then again, look at me.
Okay, so I was just sitting thinking about the things of life just because I needed some down time. I liked to think in my box. Builds character...somehow. I like to think that I've matured some way. Hey, I've been gettin' that alot more instead of shut up Duo. I think I've grown alittle, but then who's to judge?
"Duo, Heero, can I see you in my office, please?" Une asked as she passed though the other smaller offices. What could Une possibly want with Heero and me?
I got up from my chair and headed out the box entrance/exit only to bump into Heero.
"Hey." I greeted.
He nodded back at me, "Duo."
We started walking to Une's office bumping into each other occasionally. So I walk crooked. Big deal.
"What do you think she wants us for?"
Heero shrugged. Social as ever. He's so cute...but I think I grew or he shrunk cause he looks a tad shorter, or maybe it's me.
There wasn't very much to talk to Heero about, but I still knew how to irritate him. Some things never change.
"So, you seen Relena lately?"
"No."
"Are you going to?"
"No."
"Do you want to?"
"..."
"Ahh, I see how it is."
"Duo, I don't want anything to do with her."
"Why not?"
"Hn."
"Whatever, Heero." I grinned at Heero earning a glare.
Grin and Glare. I like that, it just rolls off my tongue.
We arrived at Une's office a second later. The door was closed so I rapped one of my personal favorite tunes with my knuckles on it.
"Come in." We heard.
I opened the door for Heero, "After you." He entered the office first sort of givin' me that glare that reeked 'I-Can-Do-It-Myself', too bad. Some one actually cares. Just so you don't think that I just stood outside, I followed after.
"Yuy, Maxwell." Une greeted, "I have a duo, no pun intended, mission for you both. Sit down."
Heero and I sat.
"One of Quatre's sisters is in town," Une pulled out a sheet of paper. That's funny, usually missions required folders. Not just a single sheet of paper.
"And? What does it have to do with us?" I asked. I wanted to go back to my box...with Heero, but since I couldn't go with Heero, just going to my box alone was satisfying.
"Quatre's sister will be helping here and won't be able to care for her young. We need you two to-"
"Woah, woah, you want us to *baby-sit*?" I blurted out, I can see it now! Ex-Gundam Pilots caught in the park BABY-SITTING. That's great publicity not that I wanted any, but I think this was kinda degrading, "I can hardly cook eggs, and you're askin' me to baby-sit a kid?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking. No one else can do it that we trust. The child's father is on a business trip. Trowa's out on a mission with Wufei and Quatre has to take care of his sister. The things that she is witnessing is not suitable for a six year old."
Okay, I could see where she was coming from, the things that I saw when I was six, wasn't exactly G-rated, and I wouldn't want my kid to see them either. "Okay, then why the two of us?"
"I'm sure you're aware of Heero's social skills. No offense, but a kid needs a bright person."
So now I'm a bright person. Thanks. Oh well, I guess it's better than anti-social.
"We can't let Heero do it alone even knowing how responsible he is." Une paused, "You on the other hand, kids like, but as you yourself said, you can't even cook eggs. Why not have Heero Yuy AND Duo Maxwell take the task? It's only for a week. Tuesday to Tuesday, I think you two can handle it nicely. We figured 'Responsible and Fun' were a good match."
I liked Grin and Glare more.
I looked at Heero.
Heero looked at me.
What's the worse that could happened?
"Okay, what the hell? I don't got anything to do anyway." I said, "Heero?"
"Nimnu ryoukai."
"Great. The girl's name is Rachael."
"Girl???" Heero and I asked at the same time. How the hell am I suppose to deal with a little girl. I can hardly get along with Relena!
"Yes. Girl. She's six, likes teddybears, and cute things." Une informed, "Oh, and by the way, her mother won't be able to care for her during the nights either. You three will be sharing a safe house together for the days with her."
"NANI?!" Heero and I said in unison. Baby-sitting was bad enough, but having sleep-overs was even worse.
"Is that a problem?" Une asked in amusment, "You start tomorrow. I'll send your address tomorrow morning. Until then, you're dismissed."
Heero and I left the office. Note to self: Always find out what's in a deal, before you accept it.
Just then Heero tapped me on the shoulder.
"Nani?" I asked.
"You can't cook eggs?"
"...uh," I blushed, "No...?"
I swear he snickered at me.
I can't believe he did that.
~!~!~!~!~
It wasn't until about fourteen hours and eleven minutes later, aka 6:30 AM, when I was awaken by a very annoying noise.
The vidphone.
As much as I liked having the vidphone for all sorts of reasons, I hated it becasue they could see you too.
But what the hell. I picked it up.
"Moshi moshi?" I asked into the microphone in my froggy morning voice. I don't know if it's more sexy or more stupid, and I can't tell cause I'm fast asleep.
"Duo? Ohayo. You look awaful."
"Thanks..." I managed to mumble. It was Une, I didn't think she cared. I could see my reflection through the screen. I was a mess. My braid was tangled, I was sweaty, probably from the nightmares, I think I had bags under my eyes, and I couldn't even stand straight.
So I'm not a morning person.
"No problem. Doesn't look like you got a good night sleep." I agreed with her, I didn't. Damn nightmares keep me up half the night, the other I toss and turn. Good for your body physically, horrible for you mentally. How interesting. Une reached for something and showed it to me, "You see this?"
I squinted at the screen. I couldn't see anything that detailed this time of day, "No."
"Well it's all you need to know for your mission." That puzzled me...if it was for the mission, shouldn't I have already gotten it? "Yuy will be over to review it with you."
"NANI?!"
"Heero will be-"
"I heard you!" She sent Heero over here??? He can't see me like this! Hell, I really didn't want *ANYONE* to see me like this. She did this on purpose... "I got to go."
"Of course," I was about to hang up on her when she her words stopped me, "And Duo, Don't mess this chance up."
*Click*
I looked at the vidphone.
"What the hell?"
Oh well, no time for that! I had to get ready. Wouldn't want to meet Heero like this...
~!~!~!~!~
I had just finished my hair in record time.
Damn are my arms gonna be achin' later...
"Duo?"
I jumped. What did I see? A HOT Heero Yuy holding a bag in TIGHT blue jeans and that standard green tanktop. Mmm, so tasty. One question, what the hell was he doing in my bathroom?
My toothbrush was hanging out of my mouth, it must have been really funny.
"EeEeO?"
"Hn." Heero turned and exited out of the bathroom. Thank God for that. I was only in a towel! Not that I care if he looked, mind you.
When I was fully cleaned and dressed (red turtle neck, black jeans), I greeted Heero, who was sitting calmly on the couch.
"What the hell were you doin' in my bathroom at 6:45???" I asked.
Heero gave me a sideways glance.
"Don't you ever knock?"
Heero snorted, "I did." he looked at me, "10 times."
I headed toward the kitchen slash dining room for my daily breakfast. "So, did you pick the lock or somethin' to get in?"
"It was unlocked."
"Oh...coffee?" I offered pouring myself a cup. Heero shook his head, "That stuff makes you hyper."
I shrugged. Who needed a gloomy Duo anyhoo? "Suit yourself."
There was a long moment of silence save the sips of my beverage.
"It's clean."
"What?"
"Your place."
I looked around. So it was. I didn't really realize how clean my apartment appeared.
"What were you expecting?"
"...um." I knew exactly what he was thinking. Everytime we had a mission together during the war, I always ended up trashing the place on purpose, but of course I made it look like my daily habits.
"Hey, I only messed up the other places was because it wasn't mine." And to annoy him. But I wasn't stupid enough to say that out loud.
Heero cocked an eyebrow.
"I'm not a clean freak, but that doesn't mean that I would want to live like a pig."
"Hn."
"So, what's up?"
That got him talkin'.
"Une suggested that I told you all of the details." I motioned Heero to go on. "We are to meet the girl with Quatre at the shuttle station at 0900 hours." Heero handed me a sheet of paper as I came to sit next to him, "We will meet Rachael with Quatre. Take her from there-"
"And basically baby-sit the kid and do whatever she wants as long as she doesn't get hurt or anything, right?" I finished folding the paper and with my sly hands, I slipped it back into his pocket. Heero only nodded. "That seems easy enough. Fun." I turned to Heero, "Have you ever even been exposed to a kid before?" I leaned in closer to him and his breathing unsteaded. It was very noticable and very unlike him too.
I just found a weak spot to Heero Yuy.
"I've seen them..."
"That doesn't count." I whispered.
"Then...no." Heero replied softly.
"Do you have any idea what they're like?" I looked into those gorgeous eyes.
"No..."
I leaned back on the fluffy couch. "Heero? Even if this is a mission, you can't treat this one as if she was some kind of base to blow up, ya know?"
Heero gave me another sideways glance, "Hai, I'm aware of that."
"A mission that Heero Yuy hasn't ever been trained for?" I asked outloud, "There's a shocker."
Heero glared.
"Don't worry. You'll do fine." Alright. Got one thing straighten out. I propped my feet on the small wooden coffee table and glanced around. Where did I put that darn thing? I grinned to myself. Oh yeah, I remember now.
I reached over Heero's lap, almost touching him. Not there yet. I stretched my arm out more, my braid falling into his lap.
Heero jumped, "Duo, what are you doing?" he asked.
My arm lowered it's height about an inch, elbow brushing over him gently, Heero gasped as I pulled out a rectangular object from under the cushion Heero was sitting on. I smirked.
"Found it." I said grinning and waving the remote infront of him. Flipping the television on, I chuckled. Resuming my earlier position, feet propped next to Heero, I turned to the screen infront of me. I could feel Heero's eyes drill through my back. I hated it when he did that. "Nani?"
"Hn." Heero folded his arms.
I began to flip through the channels when I realized something.
"Why are you here so early?"
"..."
~!~!~!~!~
Heero looked at the clock on my wall, "8:30, we have to go."
We had been sitting on the couch for over an hour. Hate to admit it, but my ass started to hurt. "Oh come on Heero, Rugrats is on then Sponge Bob Square Pants, followed by Looney Tunes only on Nickelodeon!" I said in an overly anxious voice.
"Baka."
"Can I watch it later in the safe house with Rachael???" He smirked and turned off the TV set pulling me by the braid out the door. Just before the door slammed, I managed to grab my bag that I had packed last night.
"Itai!"
K'so! Caught my fingers though.
I looked around the apartment complex. No Heero's car. "Dude, where's your car?"
"I walked."
"Oh. I guess we take my car." I pulled out the keys to my car and unlocked it. My midnight black convertable with a metallic shine. My baby. This kid better not spill ice cream on it.
Heero took the passenger side, and I sat on the driver side. We headed out for the shuttle station.
"Anything interesting come up lately?" I asked trying to have conversation with this guy.
Red light.
"No."
"No calls?"
"No."
"Not even from Relena?"
"How did you-?"
Green light.
"Relena's not as quiet as you. I could hear her talkin' to you on the phone in my box." I replied.
I enjoyed teasing Heero about Relena. It was fun. The only fun I was having with Heero so far. He was so cute when he was annoyed. I mean, Heero and I never really hung out or anything, even if his box WAS right across from mine. He was always obsessed with his work, and I was just, well...Duo. The only times we really got together was with Quatre when he managed to persuade us to do something with him, Wufei, and Trowa. No harm there. I didn't see a problem. Other than that and passin' him through the halls, we did occasionally have missions with each other. I love it when we did. It was the only real time I had with him...much like this one, but never as long as a week. Who knows what could come from it.
"Hn."
"What did ya talk about?"
"Why?"
"No reason. Just wanted to know if you were planning a secret wedding behind my back, Hee-chan."
Heero huffed, "Why would I do anything stupid like that?"
"What? Get married, or have a secret wedding behind my back?"
"Both."
"Don't tell me I don't get to be your best man..."
"I'm not going to marry Relena."
"Really? She seems convinced that you are, that is if I read all of her signs correctly." I lifted my hands from the steering wheel, "'Heero! Here I am! Come and kill me!'" I surved just missing another car and nearly throwing Heero from the seat with the jerk. I smirked, "Red light."
"Baka. Watch the road."
"I was, I was." I rolled my window down to see some cute college girls in a red sports car. I waved at them, "Ohayo gojaimas." I said.
"Hi!" the girls replied, "Can we have your numbers?" the girls made kissy faces at us, "You two are HOT!"
Green light.
"Gotta go." I said calmly stepping on the gas and taking off. I turned to Heero who was surprisingly blushing, "What's wrong? Never told that you were hot?" I asked.
"No." Heero replied facing the window.
"Well, they were right. You are hot." I said. I could see his blush deepen from the window reflection. "They were cute, ne?"
"..." Heero elaborately told me.
"Don't worry. They were probably lesbians." I joked. Heero coughed. I looked at him, "Nani?"
"Nothing."
~!~!~!~!~
"Duo! Heero! Thank you for coming!" Quatre greeted and hugged us both. Sometimes I hated him for being so touchy, but hey, whatever floats his boat. "Just in time too! They just arrived." Quatre lead us to his sister and niece. "This is my sister, Iria, and her daughter, Rachael."
"Hello Mr. Maxwell, and Mr. Yuy. I'm so glad to see you." She held her hand out to me. I shook it like the nice boy I was.
"Just call me Duo. The pleasure's all mine."
Iria held her hand out to Heero, then I assumed she remembered that he didn't like being touched because she withdrew her hand and nodded at him. Heero repeating her action. "Thank you for agreeing to take care of my daughter while I'm here. I don't know what I would have done." Iria said with troubled eyes. She seemed to be a nice woman. Nice figure, properly dressed, and tall.
"No problem, anything for a friend, ne Quatre?"
"Hai!" Quatre replied, "What are you waiting for, Rachael? Are you going to greet Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero?"
I thought Mr. Maxwell was bad, but UNCLE Duo was worse. Makes me sound old.
"Hello Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero. My name is Rachael. Pleased to meet you!" The girl held her hand out like her mother. I shook it politely. "I'm looking forward to being with you both!"
"That's great. I'll be sure that we have a fun time." I replied. Rachael was cute. Not Heero cute, but baby cute. She was dressed in a white summer dress with a wide summer hat. Blonde locks flowed passed her shoulders as aqua eyes peered up at us smiling.
"Now that we're aquinted, shall we depart on our ways? We have much to do." Iria said.
We all nodded and said our good byes. Ya know those 'You take care now,' and 'Don't give Duo and Heero any trouble,' also 'Be careful,' stuff like that. Then Quatre and Iria left us, but before that, Quatre slipped me his good-for-everything credit card. Fun.
"My niece is very, you know...expensive." Quatre said.
"No, that's okay, really."
"Duo, I insist. It's the least I can do."
Yeah it was.
"I don't know..." Quatre shoved the credit card in my hand.
"Take it!"
"Okokok."
So now it was just the three of us. Heero got all of the girl's luggage and managed to cram it all into the back of my car. I strapped Rachael into the back seat then opened the door for Heero.
"I'm not a little kid, I can open my own door..." he mumbled getting into the car.
"I know, Heero. I know." I shut his door and resumed to my side to start up the engine.
You'd think a guy like him would be grateful not having to worry about opening and closing his own door. Sheesh. I swear, he's been seeing too much of Wufei. Someone needs to get that stick out of his ass.
Why not be me?
"Wow. This is a nice car." Rachael said.
"You think? I picked it out myself." I replied backing up and heading to the safe house.
"Uh huh!" the girl said cheerfully, "I like it!"
I chuckled as she continued chatting, "Uncle Heero, why don't you talk?"
"Hn."
"He doesn't really like to, I wouldn't ask questions about it if I were you. Last time I- mmm!" I was cut off by Heero placing his hand over my mouth. You would think that he would act alittle nicer in front of this kid. But NO!
"Shut up, Baka."
"That's not very nice." Rachael said, "Mother says that you should let people talk if they want to,"
Heero removed his hand not because of the girl's words, but because I licked it.
"Hm...salty, yet surprisingly sweet."
Heero glared at me.
"But then again, Mother also told me that if I didn't have any thing nice to say, don't say any thing at all. What do we have planned today?" Rachael asked. She was so full of questions...more than me!
"Well, I figure we go to the safe house, hang out there until we get a feel for the place and I don't know..." I paused, "You like shopping?"
"Shopping???" Rachael repeated, "Of course! I love shopping!"
Heero leaned in toward me and whispered, "Shopping? How are we suppose to pay for it on the spot?" he asked.
I gave him my one thousand dollar grin, "Don't worry Hee-chan, Quat gave me his credit card for spending."
"Duo..." Heero leaned back into his chair.
"Nani? At least I'm not spending *MY* lunch money." I shrugged, "And if that doesn't work, you can always hack...you would do that for me right?"
"Hn."
Good boy. I knew I could count on him.
"What happens after shopping?" Aqua eyes asked.
"Hm, I don't know, I'm kinda makin' this up as I go. Maybe Heero has something that he wants to do with us." I nudged the Japanese boy, "What do you think Heero?"
"Hn."
"What does that mean?"
"He doesn't care." I replied, "Want some music?"
"Yeah!" Rachael was so cheerful. I turned up the volume to the radio.
/Cuz it feels so empty with out me...Nah-/ I switched the channel. I didn't think that her mother would like it if I let her listen to the music I liked.
"What are you doing??? Change it back! I love that song!"
"Say what? You mom lets you listen to this stuff?"
"No, but I listen to it whenever I can." I looked at her from the mirror, and changed it back to the previous station.
/Cuz it feels so empty with out me.../
Surprisingly Rachael sang along, she knew the whole song. I chuckled, proper girl singin' Eminem. Hilarious.
~!~!~!~!~
Fifteen minutes later at the safehouse, Heero took all of Rachaels belongings to the smaller room as I looked around the place. I counted a kitchen/dining room, much like mine at home, a nice size living room complete with a fireplace, loveseat, full couch, and big screen TV, and a bathroom across the room that Rachael claimed, luckily it wasn't the master bedroom. On the other side of the house I found two doors. I opened door number one. It was the master bedroom. The I opened door number two. A closet. How nice.
Wait, where was the other bedroom?
I looked around. Maybe I missed the third door.
Nope. There wasn't a third door.
"K'so..."
That meant there were only *two* bedrooms, but there were *three* people.
See where I'm gettin' at here?
"Heero!"
"Nani?"
"Heero, there are only *two* bedrooms."
"I know." He knew? "I'll sleep on the couch." I looked at the couch. It wasn't exactly five-star, or four, or three, or- "Duo?" He waved a hand infront of me. "Duo?"
"You're gonna sleep on *THAT*???" I asked, "That's horrible Heero Yuy!"
"What? Do you want me to sleep on the floor?"
I paused.
"Hahahahahaha~!" I burst out into laughter.
"What's so funny?" Rachael poked her head out from her room.
I took in a breath, "It's no big deal..."
"Yes, it is a big deal, Duo." Heero stepped in folding his arms, "What's so funny?"
I was trapped.
"Heero Yuy cracked a joke!"
Heero turned to the door towards the car, "Baka..." he muttered.
"...I don't see how that's funny. It doesn't look like he made a joke." Rachael said. She was right. Okay, maybe it wasn't that funny. But for cryin' out loud, Heero Yuy CRACKED. A. JOKE! It's funny right? Or is it just me?
Heero came in with the bag I had seen earlier, and tossed it in the couches direction. I caught it in mid air. Shimatta, something hard was in there! And square...no! It's that damn laptop! I'll have to do something with this...
"Heero, you're not sleeping on the couch."
"Oh?"
"Oh. You can have the bed."
"I'm sleeping on the couch."
"No you're not. I'll sleep on it."
"I'm sleeping on the couch."
"No Heero, I insist that you take the bed."
"Duo, I'm sleeping on the couch." Heero moved forward and I blocked his way.
"Heero, buddy, pal, when someone offers you the bed, you take it."
"I'm fine. I didn't ask for it."
"Heero! Just take the damn bed!"
"I'm sleeping on the couch..." Heero growled.
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed."
"Couch."
"Bed!"
"Couch!"
"Be-"
"Excuse me Uncle Heero, Uncle Duo, but why are you arguing with each other?"
"Because you're UNCLE Heero won't take the bed."
"UNCLE Duo won't let me have the couch."
The girl sweat dropped. She must have been confused.
"But I thought that you two would be arguing for the *BED*, not the *COUCH*."
Heero and I looked at the girl. She was right. We looked back at each other. He stared at me with those cobalt eyes. I couldn't resist. I gave in. Whatever made him happy, even if I know it truly wouldn't. So why was he so obsessed with the couch?
Why was I so obsessed with him?
~!~!~!~!~
Some time later after I had gotten my bag from the car, I found myself sitting in the middle of Perfect Soldier and Rachael on the- no, HEERO'S couch. Watching more TV. It's not like I always watched it, but when I could, I did. I can't believe he wants to sleep on this thing.
And he calls *ME* the Baka...
Rachael was making random comments about the distortion in the cartoon animals.
"That is phyiscally impossible! How can a coyote run into a boulder, get run over by an eighteen wheeler, blown up about ten times, and STILL try to catch a stupid roadrunner??? Oh come one! He can't be THAT fast! The friction shouldn't cause THAT much smoke! What is he on??? NO! Turn the directions right side up!!!"
Funny, I thought kids her age enjoyed this stuff. Oh well. Time to tease Heero!
I raised both of my arms and placed them over the top of the sofa stretching them both around Heero and Rachael, fingers just passed Heero's exposed shoulder and over Rachael's head. Casual postion, no harm done. Either Heero was too ingaged with the cartoon playing, or he just ignored me since me didn't seem to notice or care. Didn't matter to me. I brushed my fingertips lightly over Heero's flesh for a brief second making it look like an innocent mistake.
No reaction.
I stopped momentarily then repeated my earlier action this time my touch was much more intentive. I could feel Heero tense then ease into the sensation. Fun. I kept brushing my fingers over his skin until it became a little rub. I could tell that he was liking this. He was practically leaning on my hand. Good. That meant I had permission to continue.
Next I caressed his shoulder adding my thumb gently. I looked at his face, half lidded, mouth slightly parted, and relaxed. Delicious.
I glanced at Rachael to see if she had noticed anything. Nope.
"What was that??? How can you hit the cat on the head and then just PUSH his welt down?! Gross!"
Well, at least I knew that SHE was paying attention. Back to Heero.
Heero's eyes were closed, my right hand was massaging his shoulder and tricep. He looked so relaxed. I thought it would be alittle more challenging.
"Duo..." Heero clumsily stumbled out in might I add in *pleasure*.
"Uncle Heero, did you say something?" Rachael asked looking at him.
I stopped my motions as Heero's eyes opened, "Nani...?"
"Did you say something?" Rachael repeated. Heero looked at me and I shrugged. What else was I suppose to do? 'Yeah, he was responding to me makin' physical contact with your Uncle'? I think not.
"Well," I glanced at my watch, yes, I was wearing a watch, "I think if we want to go shopping we should go now before it gets too crowded."
"Why?"
"Do you want to go later when there are large amounts of people who shove you around?" I asked.
"Not really."
"That's what I thought." I turned off the TV and pulled myself up helping Rachael to her feet. Heero still sat on the couch some what slumped against the backrest, "Come on, Hee-chan!" I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the seat.
"I can get up myself..."
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
Next thing I know, I'm out the door, drivin' the car to the nearest shopping mall, and being dragged along by a six year old. Go me.
"Let's go here!" Rachael exclaimed running up to shop full of Gundam Action figures and models.
"Uh..."
"Please???" She asked with puppy eyes. I hate it when people do that. Especially when Quatre pulls it on me to go to some stupid country club.
They are definitely related.
"Okay. Eat your heart out."
"What?"
"Go! Before I change my mind." I said. Rachael ran into the store admiring all of the mechanical structures.
"You're spoiling her, Duo." Heero said from behind me. We both were holding many bags of crap (well, I guess I should say little girl stuff) that she bought- er, QUATRE bought.
"I know, but how can you resist?"
"By not giving in."
"That's a good idea. I had never thought about that." I found a bench across from the entrance of the shop and sat down making sure that I could see Rachael. Heero joined beside me.
"I think you like this mission." Heero said randomly.
"Nani?" I asked, what could he be talking about?
"I think you like this mission."
"What makes you say that, Hee-chan?"
"The way you treat her." That was it? But I suppose this assignment wasn't that bad.
"I guess so, better to be watching over someone than destoying their lives, ne?" I was enjoying this also because I could spend time with Heero. Not just the little girl...if only he knew how much I liked him being next to me. "Are you enjoying yourself, Hee-chan?"
"..."
"Tell me the truth Heero. I know that you are. I just want to hear you say it. I mean, how often do you get to take care of a little rugrat without it actually being yours? Different, ne?" I looked directly into Heero's eyes, "Are you?"
"...hai." Heero replied shyly. That's what I thought.
"Me too." I whispered getting closer to him. I gradually leaned down towards Heero and he streched forward. Noses less than inches apart, his lips parted slightly, and Heero was going to be mine! I could feel the uneveness of his warm shaky breaths on my willing lips, when...
"AAHHHH!!!"
That woke us up.
Heero and I broke the nose gaze and looked up. It was Rachael.
"Rachael!" I said, Heero and I ran over to the store. What could have possibly happened? Why did she scream? What was wrong? Why now? K'so! I was SO close! SOSOSOSO close!
We reached the girl in no time, "Rachael, what's wrong?"
There didn't seem to be anything wrong. Then why-
"Oh! Look! They have Deathscythe Hell Custom and Wing Zero Custom in! Just imported!!! It's that great?"
I didn't know whether or not to slap myself for not finishing what I started, or damn my buddy Deathscythe to hell and Wing as well. Shimattashimattashimatta!
"K'so..." I cursed under my breath. I was about to kiss Heero in public too! Something that he would NEVER let anyone do! Ugh. Omae o korosu! Now where did that come from?
"I think Deathscythe looks the best. The style is so, what's the word? Sweet! But Wing is like the most powerful one. I can't choose!" Rachael held the two figures in front of our faces, "Uncle Duo! Can I PUH-LEEZE get them both???"
"Yeah, why not?" I sighed. I heard a very strange sound behind me. I turned around to hear Heero chuckling, "What the hell is so funny about this?"
"Nani?" blinking, Heero asked innocently.
"Oh no, don't play around with Shinigami, Hee-chan."
"Uncle Heero, who do you think the pilots are?"
"Um..."
Now I was chuckling. Heero glared at me. "C'mon Rachael, we still have the rest of the mall to see."
We paid for the models and left that store. Gods I hate Gundams now. I didn't think that I would ever have to deal with them again. First I disliked them for the fighting, but now...UGH! There's not even a word to describe it. SO CLOSE!
I don't know, it might just be the kid, or maybe it's me.
~!~!~!~!~
Heero, Rachael, and I had been walking around the shopping mall for about four hours now window shopping here and there. I SO feel sorry for Rachael's boyfriend when she gets older, at this rate there won't be anything to buy with her around not to mention that she's only six. She wouldn't even stop for a break unless I told her to. I never really understood the meaning 'shop till you drop', but now I do. No wonder Heero never liked going shopping in the first place.
Here we all were, getting ice cream. Yum. Rachael had asked for it as soon as she saw the vender. Knowing me I couldn't resist and bought her, Heero, and myself ice cream. Typical me. Ya know, I didn't know that Heero hadn't had ice cream before this, and if he did he claims that he doesn't remember.
"What do you want Heero?"
"...what?"
"What flavor?"
"Flavor?"
"Yeah, the flavor of ice cream. You can't just have tasteless ice cream."
"Uncle Heero, you've never had ice cream?"
"No." Heero said. How can you never have had ice cream? That's so cruel to not let any one try the treat.
"Do ya like Vanilla?" Rachael asked.
"I don't know."
"Well, I want a double dip of chocolate and peanut butter cup!" Rachael ordered to the man behind the vender. She knew exactly what she wanted, "What do you want Uncle Duo?"
"Single dip cookies 'n cream if that isn't too much trouble." Rachael repeated it to the man as Heero still looked at all of the flavors. "Why don't you try strawberry? That's pretty good."
"Okay."
The man in the white gave us our desired cones with napkins wrapped securely around them as I paid.
"Let's go sit over there!" Rachael ran over to the fountains spruting water out in the center of the over-sized mall. She plopped down on the edge and started licking her treat. Heero and I naturally followed. "Uncle Duo, this is SO good! Wanna bite?"
"That's okay, go ahead and eat it yourself." I was enjoying my own flavor, "What do you think Heero?"
Heero investigated it from every angle possible, "It's pink."
"Try it!"
"It's pink."
"Just try it." I said.
Heero finally took a tiny lick, "It's...sweet."
"Yeah, do ya like it?" I asked, "Better than the food that we had durin' the war, ne?"
"Hai." He didn't need to answer me, I could tell that he liked it just as much as I did on acount that he continued to lick it.
"Why is this better than the food during the war?" Rachael asked.
"We didn't get treats like this. We were always so busy." I replied, what was suppose to tell her? We didn't have much of a life blowin' up MS? Riiiiiiiiiight.
"Oh." Rachael licked her hands, "Finished!"
"Good now go wash those dirty fingers." I said pointing to the restrooms.
"Okay!" Rachael ran off towards the restrooms. I turned to Heero who was still eating.
"Oi Hee-chan," Heero looked up as I continued, "You have ice cream on your nose..." I took the napkin that was wrapped around my cone and wiped it off getting closer to him probably invading his personal space.
He's so cute.
I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying that.
"Arigato..." Heero whispered.
"You're welcome." I whispered back touching his forehead with mine.
"Duo!" I pulled away and looked around and saw Hilde on the other side of the fountains. What was she doing on earth?
"Who is it?" Heero asked. I guess he couldn't see because of the water blocking his view.
"It's only Hilde." I waved at her, "Konnichi wa!"
Hilde made her way over to us, "Hi Heero!" Heero nodded continuing to finish his cone, "I think I saw you earlier, but I wasn't sure until I saw your braid. Can't miss that in a million people."
"Nope. So how's life in general?" I asked, Hilde hugged me and sat down next to me. I saw Heero glare at her. Eheheh...
"Great, my husband and I just moved into our first house!"
"Fun." I said.
"Yeah, isn't it? It has a pool and everything, you have to come over sometime." Hilde said, "How are you?"
"Eh, same as always. Nothing's really changed. What are you doing on earth anyway? I thought you'd be back on L2."
"Well, we moved down here, and I was just checking out the mall. It's great! We should get together sometime."
Heero grunted.
He's so cute.
Gomen, gomen, there's no other way to explain it!
I smirked at him, "I think that'd be a great idea to catch up on old times."
"I think so too." Hilde turned to Heero, "How have you been Heero?"
"Hn." Hilde looked at me.
"He says 'fine, thank you, what about yourself?'" I replied for him.
Rachael suddenly appeared at on Heero's side, "Uncle Heero, who's that?"
"One of Duo's friends." I heard Heero say in not the nicest voice he's ever used, but then again...what do I know?
"Uncle Heero, huh? Who is this Duo?" Hilde asked noticing the young girl, "She's such a pretty young lady, you didn't have a kid when you were 12 and not tell me did you?"
"Nani???"
"I'm Rachael, Nice to meet cha!" the girl put her hand out for the other to shake.
"I'm Hilde." she shook Rachael's hand, "What relations might you have with Duo and Heero?"
"They're taking care of me." Hilde looked at me and giggled, "What?"
Hilde calmed herself, "Nothing, it's just that I can't imagine Duo taking care of a little girl."
"He's doing a good job so far," Rachael said, "right Uncle Heero?"
Heero nodded his head. Well thank you both. I'm so loved.
Hilde glanced down at her watch, "Oh! I have to go, talk to ya later, look me up. Bye!" with that Hilde ran off to resume whatever she was doing. I watched her back until she was out of sight. I turned to Heero.
"Hee-chan, was it just me, or were you jealous?"
"Hn." Heero looked away and gathered Rachael's bags.
"That's what I thought."
"What are we going to do now? I'm tired of walking around here. I think we've seen everything."
"I believe we have, Rach."
"Rach? What kind of name is that?"
"A nick name. Get used to it cause you're gonna hear it alot from now on, okay Rach?" I ruffled her hair alittle not enough to mess it up or anything. "Hey! Uncle Duo!"
"Duo?"
"Hmm?"
"What ARE we going to do now?" Heero asked.
"I say we go back to the safehouse and order pizza or somthing."
"Sounds like fun!" Rach nearly yelled. Such little things excited her so much. I can't help but wonder if she doesn't get to do anything fun at her own home. At least she's living a better life, than the generation before, and not have to worry about being orphaned trying to survive like Heero and me. Now that I think of it, I'm quite envious of her childhood.
She's proof of what I've missed the first years of my life.
~!~!~!~!~
At around 6:00 PM, we ordered pizza and just chilled and relaxed, very uneventful. Rachael had been in her room sorting out all of the things she had bought today. Let me tell you somethin', it wasn't easy carrying all of those bags in. Heero was reading the newspaper at the dining room table and I was just lying stretched out on the loveseat dozing off. So I can't really exlpain what happened between 7 and 9. I was having a peaceful dream for once...
"Uncle Duo!" I heard a voice from above cry in anxiousness, "Uncle Duo wake up!" I popped an eye open, I could see a dim light from the dining room, "Uncle Du~o!"
"I'm up, I'm up. Nani?" I rose from the loveseat, it wasn't so bad. In fact it was rather comfortable.
"Can we watch a movie?"
"A movie?" I asked, my voice was alittle groggy. I looked out the window, "It's dark outside, so it must be late, which means that a young child like yourself should go to sleep right?"
"Please???"
"What time is it?" I didn't even bother to look at my watch, too lazy.
"Uncle Heero, what time is it?"
"Half passed nine." Page turn.
"I really wanna watch it!" Rach whinned.
"Don't you have to take a shower or something?"
"I already did when you were sleeping, so did Uncle Heero."
"I see. Well, if we watched it, we would be on Heero's bed, and then where would he sleep?"
"I'm not tired." Thanks alot for helping, I gave Heero a look, "I'm not."
"What movie?" I asked.
"'Curse of the Undead Yoma'."
"'Curse of the Undead Yoma'?" I searched my memory and recalled the movie. I frowned, "Isn't that alittle violent for a six year old?"
"But I really, really, REEEEEALLY want to watch it!"
"Okay." I replied. Rachael jumped up and down 'yeaing'. Damn. Shouldn't have let her eat that ice cream. "Go get it then!" Rachael ran to her room to retrieve the movie. I walked over to Heero to see what he was up too beside just reading the newspaper. "Hm, oi Hee-chan, what cha doin'?"
"Reading." He replied. I placed my hands on his shoulders and rubbed them.
"Wanna watch a movie with us?" I invited removing my hands and sitting next to him in a chair, I could have sworn he was upset at my action. Disappointed that I moved my hands.
"Hn."
"C'mon Heero. You can't just sit there while we watch a movie."
"..."
"Why not?" I plopped my head down on the table and looked up at him with sad puppy eyes, "Puh-LEEZE Hee-chan? For Rachael? For me? For the sake of your inner child?" Heero glanced at me. "Hee-chan...! Please?"
"What's it about?"
"A guy like you slaying yoma, very depressing, I assure you." Yes, I had already seen the motion picture. Hell, it was really old, it's like an antique! What it was doing still in stores, I don't know, but I have to admitt, I did like it.
"Nimnu ryoukai."
"Sweet!"
"I got it! And I brought some blankets too, I thought we might use them." Rachael walked over to the TV and put the movie in, "Are you going to watch from there or the couch???" Heero and I got up and sat on the sofa in the seats from earlier, Heero on the right, Rachael on the left, and me in the middle. I pulled a blanket over all of us. "It's starting!"
The movie itself was slow and dark, nice action though. Rach was on the edge of her seat chewing the end of the blanket. Arms stretched out like the first time we watched TV on the couch, I was tuned in and out watching the movie and Heero at the same time. Heero was interested enough not to fall asleep. He was slumped back against the couch with his hands under the blanket squeezing it firmly.
Fun.
Being the mischievious boy I am, I found his bare foot under the covers with my right foot. Gently sliding it up and down his ankle and calf muscle, Heero gasped. Like before, he visibly tensed and then relaxed. I decided to take it further and caress this foot with my toes and such. I started out slow getting faster and firmer each time until I was playing with it. Surprisingly, Heero responded phyiscally. He began to rome the lower part of my leg too. Occasionally, if you looked at the covers, you could see our feet poking out entwined together. I'd say he was enjoying this, wouldn't you?
"Ahh!" Rachael hid under the covers, "That was so scary! Um, what are you doing with your feet?"
Heero and I stopped, "Just alittle sparring. Keeps the legs in shape."
My statement was totally true.
"Oh." Rachael turned her attention back the the screen infront of her. Heero and I didn't have any more foot wars during the movie. Kind of discouraged ya know?
Before we knew it, Rachael had fallen asleep at the climax. Kids. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to her bed. "Oyasumi, Rachael." I said before turing off the light and shutting the door.
Heero was setting up his sleeping quaters on the couch, "Heero, you really should take the bed."
"I'm fine Duo." Heero fluffed his pillow.
"I know, but if you change your mind, you can always kick me out." Heero snorted at me, "Oyasumi, Hee-chan."
"Oyasumi." Heero replied as I walked into the master bedroom. Even if I did want the master bed room for the over-sized mattress, in truth I hated big beds, they make me feel small and lonely.
I closed my door and shed my clothes until I was in my favorite black silk boxers. I wasn't even gonna bother with a shower tonight. I could do it in the morning. Instead I jumped on the big bed and drifted of into a terrible world of nightmares...
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
I don't know what to say about this fic in general, demo, I do have the plot all worked out though. Yeah, really long, ne? I don't the other parts will be as long. -_-;