Disclaimers: Don't own ANYTHING, just borrowing.
Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff and sap, Romance, mild language, Duo's POV.
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 errorz. Enjoy!
Reviewer's thanks at the bottom, and if you reviewed, you're in it! Heehee, I'm so hyper right now. Sorry about that. Not to mention the time it took to get this out. Blame it on my life -_-;. That's what I do. Anyway, so here's chapter 7. Enjoy!
~!~!~!~!~
First Kiss Delayed
Part 7: Monday
~!~!~!~!~
"What are we doing today?"
"What are we doing today, what are we doing today, what are we doing today, is that the only thing you think about is doing something, little girl???" I asked eating my scrambled eggs the next morning. Mmm...I like Hee-chan's scrambled eggs.
"I think about Gundams."
I glared at her half-lidded, "Besides that..."
Rachael shrugged.
"What *ARE* we going to do today Duo?" Heero asked.
"Not you too!"
"I'm just wondering."
I thought for a moment, I know Heero has at least ONE thing that he's wanted to do. I know that he's been holding back on us, but what?
"Heero, you should suggest something for us." I said.
"I wouldn't know what to do..."
"What have you been wanting to do all your life?"
Heero was silent. Then he finally answered, "I've never been to a real park before."
"A park would be fun!" Rachael cried and gasped, "Then we could have a picnic and play on the playground, and explore the trails! And play on the playground, and play on the playground, and play on the playground, and play on the playground!"
"Park it is." I replied, apparently, Rachael wants to play on the play ground.
"Duo, what's a picnic?"
You'd think a guy like Heero would know some of these words.
"Where you pack food to go and eat out like in a park or something." Rachael explained.
"Aa."
I picked up the dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher, "Rachael, help Uncle Heero pack lunch for the little picnic we'll be having later."
"Hai!" Rachael pulled Heero over to counter and told him what they would need.
~!~!~!~!~
"What are you doing Rachael?" I asked listening to the girl run around her room. Heero and I were sitting on the couch, Heero on his laptop, and I was reading the newspaper...sort of.
"Nothing Uncle Duo!"
Whatever.
"Darnit! Where did I put it???" Rachael asked, "I just had it yesterday, and I might even need it today!"
CRASH
"I'm going to see what she's up to..." I put the newspaper on the coffee table and walked over to Rachael's room, "Rach?"
"Yes Uncle Duo?"
"Are you okay in here?"
"Hai, I'm fine!" Rachael ran into her closet, "I found it!!!"
"Found what?" I asked leaning against the door frame. Rachael poked her head out of the door.
"One of my toys, that's all." she smiled widely, almost suspicious...but of course being the innocent kid she was, I dismissed the accusing thoughts. What would I be suspicious of? That's right, nothing.
"Okay, you have about..." I looked at my watch, 11:06 AM, "Thirty minutes before we're going to leave."
Rachael nodded, "I'll be ready."
I left and went back to the living room, "What was she doing?" Heero asked.
"Looking for one of her toys."
"She has so many, I don't understand why she would want a certain one, they're all Gundams too." Heero replied with a snort.
"Did you know that her favorite Gundams are Wing and Deathscythe?"
Heero cocked an eyebrow.
"Yeah, and she thinks that Wing's pilot is the coolest," I smiled and plopped down next to him on his left side and drapped my arm over his shoulder, "And you know what?"
"Nani?"
I leaned in closer to him and whispered as my lips brushed against his ear, "I do too..."
"Duo..." Heero barely said turning to me, "Demo...what about Deathscythe's pilot?"
I swear, he's flirting.
But hey!
That's okay, I want him too.
"What about him?" my words gently flowed through his ear.
"I think I--"
"Uncle Heero, you didn't put the drinks in the refrigerator!"
I pulled away from Heero.
Rachael walked to the kitchen and put three bottles of water in the fridge.
"Gomen..." Heero said.
Rachael bounced over to the living room, "Oh well, at least we have a drink." Rachael eyed us, "What are you doing?"
"Talking." Heero said typing on his laptop.
Nice, total truth. But, I REALLY wonder what Heero was going to say...
Damn.
~!~!~!~!~
"I think we should go now." I said a half hour later.
"Yeah! Let's!"
Heero shut his laptop off and Rachael grabbed the convinent picnic basket we had found in the pantry and ran out of the house to the car.
"C'mon Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero!"
I smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
"Wow! I've never been to a park this big!"
"Then consider yourself lucky cause Uncle Heero's NEVER been to a park."
"Uncle Heero, you have NO idea what you're missing!" Rachael said clutching the basket.
No, he didn't. That's why it's up to me to make sure he gets a little taste of childhood.
Heero watched the dogs and people riding bikes pass the car. He gazed at the kids playing soccer, basketball, and hanging all over the playground. There was a small pond where people were fishing at. All in all, the park wasn't really that crowded today which was good I guess.
I found a parking space in front of the playground, "Okay, everybody out. Rach, leave the basket here, we'll get it when we're ready to eat okay?"
"Hai!" Rachael jumped out of the car, "Let's do a trail first!" Heero and I got out of the car as Rachael pulled us to one of the many park trails, "Remember where we parked!"
~!~!~!~!~
"Sugoi! Look!" Rachael pointed to a long, thin, green thing slithering through the grass.
"It's a snake." Heero said bitterly.
"Yeah, isn't it cool?"
"It's a snake." Heero shrugged.
"Yes it is Heero." I replied.
The creature was a typical garden snake, harmless. I did something stupid and picked it up by the tail, "Rachael, if I ever HEAR you picked up a random snake like this, you're going to be in trouble despite who's suppose to take care of you..."
"I won't Uncle Duo."
"Good." I placed the snake's head between my thumb and index finger. I have had experiences with snakes when I was a kid so I knew how to handle them, mind you. Besides, it wasn't venomous, so it was technically alright. I held the snake in front of Heero.
"Duo, what the hell are you doing?" Heero tensely asked.
"Wanna hold it?" I let the snake slither through my fingers. I love these things, of course after Heero. I don't see why some people don't like them. They think they're all scaly, slimy, and crap like that, why? I look at them as an armless dog with no hair. I know, that sounds stupid. Oh well. Anyway! The reptile wrapped itself around my forearm and attempted to bite me, yeah, well these guys don't have teeth, but Heero didn't know that...The mischievous Shinigami grinned his trademark grin. Yes...Heero doesn't know that...heehee. Fun.
"AHH!!!" I shouted pretending to faint. I fell on the trail and didn't move.
"Duo!" Heero knelt down, "Duo get up." I heard concern fill his voice as I remained still, "Duo!" Heero grabbed the arm the tiny snake had 'bitten'.
Suddenly I popped and eye open, "Oi Hee-chan hold the snake for me, ne?"
Heero glared at me, "Baka."
"What's wrong did I scare you?" Heero folded his arms and turned away from me. Rachael, who just couldn't contain her sweet laughter, went off to check out something interesting while she giggled her seven year-old head off. While he was turned around, I wrapped my arms around Heero snake still on my arm, "Gomen nasai..."
Heero turned around and leaned into my chest THEN he saw the snake, his eyes grew wide, "Baka! And if you can't get that through your head, I'll say it in English, *idiot*!" [1]
I released the boy.
He's so cute.
"That was a mean trick Uncle Duo." Rachael said walking back over to us.
"Oh I know." I said.
"I don't think Uncle Heero likes snakes very much."
I made Heero look at me, "Are you SURE you don't want to at least touch it?"
Heero glared at the snake and tapped it on the head, "Hn."
I grinned, Heero definitely didn't like snakes. "Okay, okay, I get it." I put the snake into the grass and continued the trail, Rachael leading the way.
After the snake thing, Heero looked kind of nervous, ya know like cautiously walking to make sure he didn't step on something and being skittish. I guess that's partly my fault. Only one thing to do, I grabbed Heero's right hand, the boy with the phobia of harmless snakes looked up at me.
"Come on Hee-chan, relax." I said.
The rest of the trail, Heero looked ahead instead of down.
~!~!~!~!~
Later when we headed back to the car to get something to eat, Heero and I saw three boys playing basketball. They challenged us to a quick game.
"First one to ten by two's."
"Okay, let's go."
~!~!~!~!~
I tipped the ball to Heero, the teams were uneven, but we didn't care. So it was three against two, like that would be a problem. Heero dribbled the ball down the court and did an easy layup.
2 to 0.
The other boys dribbled the ball down the court. Their point guard should have passed the ball. I stripped him and scored a bucket.
4 to 0.
The second time the boys came down, they learned from their previous mistake and passed the ball to one another. Should of made their passes sharper. I intercepted the ball and passed it down court to Heero who ran ahead. He dunked the rock.
6 to 0.
The third time, they made their passes clean cut, if I stuck my hand out in front of it, I would of jammed my fingers. The middle boy passed and cut.
DENIED!
Heero rejected the pass then I caught it and scored another bucket.
8 to 0.
The boys glared down the court. The biggest one posted up against Heero. I didn't think it would be a problem until I heard Heero growl.
SKIT
I turned and saw Heero on the ground, "Heero!" I ran over to him and helped him up.
"Kisama..." Heero spat at the bigger boy. Heero's upper right arm was bleeding from the concrete.
SWISH
I looked up and saw the ball swish through the hoop. Dirty cheats. I managed to trip the large boy as he ran passed me. He skinned his knees. Serves him right. I cursed at the score.
8 to 3.
"Heero are you okay?" I asked.
Heero nodded. It was only a flesh wound, I don't think it was even that deep just a little scrape, but it was still bleeding. Heero checked the ball to me.
"I take it you wanna do somethin'?" I guessed dribbling the ball down the center of the court. Heero nodded again. I passed Heero the rock and plopped down at midcourt. Heero could take care of things.
I watched Heero dribble at lightning speed with his left hand. The ball pounded against the ground as he zipped through all of the boys, each and every one of them. He came back to the top of the key.
I knew exactly what he was doing.
He stood there waiting for a challenger. The big one that had knocked him over approached him.
"What's your little friend doing sitting over there?" He asked.
I waved and grinned widely, "Hey, I'm just chillin' here seein' that we're fixin' to win." I said and pointed to Heero.
Heero threw the ball at the backboard HARD. He caught it in his left hand and slammed it in the center of the orange rim. The chain net jingled as the ball passed through it.
10 to 3.
It was a dirty win. Damn 3 points.
We good gamed each other and Heero received an apology. Nice guys...kinda. I think I was alittle more upset about Heero's arm than the said boy himself was.
"Wow! I didn't know that you guys could play basketball!" Rachael exclaimed running up to us, "Ew, gross..." Rachael said looking away from Heero's arm.
Crimson was trickling down his fingers from the shallow wound. Heero didn't seem to mind, but I did.
"Come on Heero, let's go clean that arm up." I said gently guiding Heero to the restrooms.
"What about me?" Rachael asked.
"This will only take a sec," I handed Rachael the keys to the car...reluctantly, "Why don't you get the basket out of the car and find a nice place to eat?"
Rachael accepted the keys, "Hai!" the girl started walking towards the car.
"Matteo," I stopped Rachael, "I trust you won't drive away, ne?"
Rachael smiled, "I won't."
Heero and I headed for the restrooms.
[2]
~!~!~!~!~
"Itai."
Pause.
"Itai."
Pause.
"Itai."
Pause.
"K'so...!" Heero hissed.
"Stop moving then." I dabbed the injury. It was a little deeper than I thought. Heero was on the counter and I was cleaning his wound. I just got it to stop bleeding. Cleaning his wound reminded me of all of the other missions from the past when he really hurt himself doing something dramatic just for the assignment. I was always upset when he injured himself. This wasn't much different either.
"You don't have to do this, Duo."
"Oh, you know you like it and you know you want me to," I grinned, "besides, I don't mind." Heero's cheeks turned the slightest shade of red. beneath the red, I could see the bruise Heero had gotten yesterday. It was a light, light, LIGHT, brownish-yellow which meant that it would go away soon. Good, I didn't like it one bit.
"Why?" Heero asked after a while.
"Why what?" I gently dabbed the wound soaking up the last of blood.
"Why do you do things for me?"
I looked up at Heero, "What do you mean?"
"Why do you...watch out for me?"
Pause.
"You mean care?"
Heero nodded.
I grinned, "Because if I don't, who will?"
Heero frowned, I guess he knew that wasn't the real reason. "Duo..."
I sighed and threw the damp paper towel with the boy's blood on it away. This must be the place to tell him, I kinda wanted to tell him in a...uh...CLEANER area, but he brought it on himself. "Heero, I care for you because," I looked at the Japanese boy's eyes, cobalt looking at me expectantly, I took his hands in mine, "...because I--"
Someone decided to flush the toliet.
Shimatta!
I released Heero's hands.
A big bulky man walked out from the stalls and glared at us.
ZIP
The man pulled his zipper up and looked at Heero who was blocking the sink.
I nudged Heero off the counter, "Because I'm your friend." I said quickly to cover up the previous conversation, "And I don't think you could tend to your wound with your left hand is all." I pointed to Heero's arm. I knew he could though. He's not some weakling that's for sure.
The man loosened his glare on us, washed his hands, and left.
It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the entire truth.
"Oh..." Heero said almost diappointingly. Damn do I feel bad now, but...why should I? It's not like I did anything wrong.
Heero and I exited the restrooms to look for Rachael before another guy walked in.
~!~!~!~!~
"Uncle Heero! Uncle Duo! Over here!" Rachael waved from under a tree at the top of a hill. The hill was grassy and the tree provided excellent shade.
"Nice choice." I complimented, "I like it."
Rachael had spread the blanket out and set the food on it, "Don't just gawk at it! Sit down, I want to eat before the ants do it for me!"
Heero and I sat down next to each other against the tree and began eating lunch.
The park was peaceful and quiet. Not many people went to the park now a days. They were always busy and took it for granted. I visited this park alone in the night when only the sounds of animals were heard and no people. I love the park at night, it helps me to clear my mind, just like a cold shower often did.
The lunch that Heero and Rachael had made was all good. We had sandwiches and Heero prepared a salad. Who would of known that all of that food was in the fridge? We sat quietly with some small conversation. Rachael did choose a nice spot. On the hill we could see the playground, pond, courts, trails, not to mention my car, and whatever else was there.
Speaking of my car...
"Rachael, where are my keys?"
Rachael froze.
"You didn't...!" I warned.
The girl frowned.
"Rachael..."
Rachael smiled happily and jiggled my keys around her fingers, "Nope! They're right here!" Rachael handed me the keys and moved on to her salad. I would have glared, but she's just too cute...baby cute that is.
As we finished, Heero detected a soft melody.
"What's that?" he asked.
"What's what?"
I heard the familiar tune of a popular children's song. Rachael stood up and looked around.
"It's the ice cream truck!" She squealed. Heero looked over at the road and saw a petite rectangular car slowly driving towards the playground.
"Ice cream truck?"
"Yeah, Rachael, help me pick up this stuff." Standing, I said casually picking up the basket and collecting trash. Heero was eyeing the truck as children gathered around the automobile with their parents, "We can get some if you want."
Heero looked up at me and smiled.
That's the third time this week. Am I good or what?
"I want ice cream, too!"
"Do you think I would just leave you here and not get you any ice cream?" I asked Rachael.
Rachael made a thinking face, "I don't know...maybe."
I ruffled her hair, "C'mon Munchkin."
Rachael made a face, "Munchkin?"
"Hai, you and your Uncle Heero both." I pulled Heero up, "You're a Munchkin, too."
Heero cocked an eyebrow.
I grinned to myself.
He's so cute.
Rachael skipped to the ice cream truck as Heero and I walked patiently.
~!~!~!~!~
"Lessee...what do you want, Rach?" I asked the girl standing on her tippy-toes.
"I don't know, I can't see over all of these people!"
I lifted Rachael up and held her, "What about now?"
"Oh! I want that one!" Rachael pointed to an ice cream popsicle shaped as a Gundam. They had six Gundams to choose from. The ice cream bars were the type that stained your lips and had bubble gum eyes. Cute.
I laughed.
They even made Gundam ice cream popsicle...that's funny.
"What is it Uncle Duo?"
"Nothing."
Rachael folded her arms, "You tell me that I'm a strange girl, but sometimes you'll be standing there doing absolutely NOTHING, and then suddenly you'll start LAUGHING and no one's even said anything!"
She was right. I did do that.
I laughed again.
"See!"
"What's wrong with me laughing? Do you not like it when I'm happy?" I asked.
"No, you just do it at odd times."
I looked at Heero, "Do I really?"
Heero nodded.
"Do you think everything is funny?" Rachael asked.
I thought about the question for a moment, "I don't know, I never really thought about it."
"Then why do you laugh?"
I paused, that was a good question.
"Well, if you don't want me to laugh, do you want me to cry???" I asked.
Heero frowned, "Cry?"
"No! I just want to know why."
"..."
"Uncle Duo?"
"I don't know..." I said, "Guess I just like laughing."
Dropping the subject, she turned to Heero, "What are you getting Uncle Heero? I think I'll try something new and get a Sandrock ice cream popsicle."
I chuckled.
"There you go again!"
"Gomen," I turned to Heero, "See anything you like?"
Heero scanned the selection of ice cream, "I think I'll try a Deathscythe ice cream popsicle..." he finally decided.
"In that case, I'll get Wing."
Heero smirked.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
The three of us were walking along one of the sidewalks around the park eating our ice cream bars. Rachael was dragging Heero by the hand here and there as Heero was admiring the scenary. I was admiring Heero...sucking on my Gundam.
Ya know, I think that's kind of funny. I laughed.
"Nani?" Rachael asked.
"Nothing." I resumed eating the bar and watching Heero.
Heero was lapping up the melting Deathscythe using his tongue and slurping up all of the creamy substance. I tried hard not to think of dirty things. I had finished my treat and decided to chew on the stick to distract me from my non g-rated musings of the boy.
"Are you enjoying that Heero?" I asked.
Heero gave me a sideways glance, "Are you enjoying watching me?"
"Sure am." I grinned. Heero slid the ice cream popsicle in and out of his mouth. Just great. Honestly, I didn't think he thought like that. "Stop it..." I said clinching my teeth.
Heero did the complete opposite of stopping. In fact, he pushed the treat in and out of his mouth faster and faster. Adding his tongue, Heero moved to the tip of the bar and teased the top as the melted ice cream dripped off his digits. He wants me. And Gods know I want him.
Who ever created the ice cream popsicle is a very, very, VERY sick man.
A very sick man who is probably also a very rich man too.
"Stop what?" Rachael asked turning around to face Heero and me.
Heero licked his fingers and acted as if nothing had happened.
"It's nothing." I said glaring playfully at Heero. I spotted a trash can and threw the chewed up stick away. When Heero finished, he did the same. Rachael ran towards the swing set, "Uncle Duo! Let's do this!"
The swing set only had two standard black swings, and Rachael had already taken one, that's disappointing...or maybe not.
I pulled Heero over to the set and instructed him to sit down.
"What am I doing?" Heero asked.
"Just hold on to the chains alright?" Heero cocked an eyebrow.
"Come on Uncle Heero, it's fun!" Rachael interjected swinging back and forth.
I placed my hands over Heero, "Hold tight." I pushed Heero.
Heero went forward and came back. I pushed him again giving me a reason to touch his ass. Heero figured out how to go higher and higher by using his legs, but I still helped him.
"Are you guys havin' fun?" I asked.
"Hai!" Rachael replied, "Aren't you going to swing with us?"
"There's no where to swing, I don't need to, I'm content watching you two."
There was a bench infront of the swings, I chose to sit on it seeing that Heero didn't need any help anymore. The bench wasn't exactly five-star. Every five minutes or so, I switched my posture moving from one position to another as well as sides. I sighed in defeat to get slightly comfortable and slid off the bench and onto the gravel beneath.
Rachael giggled, "You're funny Uncle Duo."
"Am I? You try sitting on this bench." I said pointing the beat up piece of wood behind me. Rachael smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
Fifthteen minutes later, I find myself locked in a staring contest with Heero while he was swinging. I couldn't help myself, I kept looking at Heero every few minutes more rapidly each time then I just got tired of moving my head. Resulting to one of my favorite things to do, watch the boy.
Rachael jumped out of her swing, "Let's do something else."
"Duo...how do you stop this?" Heero asked still swinging. I went up behind him and caught the boy slowing him down until he jumped out himself. "Arigato."
"You're welcome."
"What should we do now? I know!"
"Nani?"
"There's a Nature Center up at the entrance, can we go see it?"
"I don't know, they might have snakes there...and we know Uncle Heero doesn't like snakes." I intentionally said to tease Heero.
Cobalt eyes glared, "I'll be just fine."
"Does this mean we're going?"
"Okay."
Rachael guided us to the Nature Center. It was a large building that reeked 'save the animals', not that I'm dissin' the animals. No, I think it's good that the world has something to preserve innocent life. As many times I had been to the park I never really stopped to look at the Center. Maybe because every time I went to the park, the Center was already closed.
We entered the air conditioned building at around 2:30.
"Uncle Duo! Look at THAT snake!" Rachael pointed to a large boa constricter wrapped around one of the Naturalist working at the center. She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the small crowd gathered before the woman and snake.
"...Now kids, this reptile slowly wraps itself around their prey and squeezes it to death." the Naturalist explained. The children awed at the large animal. Rachael ran and joined the group of kids. Heero and I stood in the back.
Heero folded his arms and snorted.
"What's wrong Hee-chan?" I asked sitting down behind the children.
"Hn."
"Well then come sit with me!" I pulled Heero on the floor.
"Duo...!" Heero said in surprise.
The kids in front of us turned around, "SHH!!!" they shushed us.
I laughed to myself.
About five minutes into the lecture I looked at Heero, he was making faces as the Naturalist explained the process of a snake capturing and eating its prey, "Then they swallow it whole..."
Oh, I wish I had a camera.
"You really don't like snakes do you?"
Heero shook his head.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"That was SO cool when the woman fed the snake that frozen rat!!!"
Heero cringed remembering the visual.
"And then you could see it in its long belly!"
"Alright Rachael, we were there too, your Uncle doesn't need to hear it again." I said.
"Gomen nasai," Rachael apologized, "Can we see the bugs and lizards in the exibit??????"
Heero sighed.
"Don't tell us you dislike all creepy crawling things!"
Heero glared, "They're fine, it's just the snakes..."
"Well then let's go see them!"
After we finished Rachael's exploration and she grew tired of the Nature Center two hours later, Rachael dragged us back to the playground.
"Can I go play with them?" Rachael asked pointing to the children.
I watched as ten kids ran around the playground, "Alright, be careful though..."
"I will!" Rachael ditched us next to the pond.
"She's somethin' else, ne?"
Heero nodded.
"Would you like to join me on a little walk around this here pond?" I invited.
"Aa..." Heero replied.
I reached for his hand and he entwined his fingers with mine. The two of us walked around in silence swinging our hands back and forth . It was about 6:45 PM and the sun would be setting in half and hour or so.
I squeezed Heero's hand as he rested his head on my shoulder. I sighed not wanting to leave Heero's side...ever.
"Hee-chan?"
"Aa?"
"Did you know that you kick in your sleep?"
"Nani? I do?"
I snickered, yeah, Heero Yuy kicked in his sleep, amazing that he always manages to miss my shin thank Gods. "Hai, you do."
"Did I...kick you?" he asked.
I shook my head and pinched my fingers together, "No, but one time you THIS close to kicking my--"
"I get it." Heero cut me off. I chuckled at him.
He's so cute.
Duo bent down and picked a yellow flower from the ground, "Here." I handed it to Heero.
Heero looked at the flower and accepted, "What's this for?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to give it to you."
"What did I do for it?"
"You're telling me that YOU have to something before I want to give you a gift?"
"..."
I chuckled.
Heero smiled, "Arigato..."
When the sun began to set and Heero and I finished three circles around the pond, Rachael ran up to us.
Heero took his head off of my shoulder, and I released his hand, "Uncle Duo, Uncle Heero! Come play with me, all the other kids left to go home!" Rachael said.
"What would we play?" I asked.
"Hide and seek!"
"I know that game..." Heero said.
"You do???" Rachael and I asked in unison, so Hee-chan knew a kids' game, ne?
Heero nodded, "I had to during training."
No wonder.
"Alright, who's it?" I asked walking up to the playground. It was a pretty good size, the play place was made out of wood with chain bridges that linked four main structures together. Each fortress had at least five slides and a special feature.
Fun.
The first wasn't really a fortress, it was actually a life-size maze, Heero and I were barely taller than it. The second was lower than the rest to the ground, it had monkey bars and rings that you hang off of. The next was slightly higher elevated with a tire swing and a pole to slide on. The fourth was the last and the biggest. It was built like a castle, the top tower had a cone roof and was open save the four poles holding it up. It was right across from the bridge to the third structure. There was only one way in and one way out. I grinned to my self.
Double mint fun.
"I'll be it!" Rachael exclaimed. She claimed a bench as base and started her count down from 30.
"Come on...!" I pulled Heero into the maze. "Duck! She can still see your head!" I said as we walked around pointlessly.
"Ready or not, here I come!" I heard footprints headed our way.
Rachael ran into the maze getting closer and closer, "Where are you Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero?"
Heero and I ran...right into a dead end. I saw Rachael approach us. I jumped over the wall right when Rachael was fixing to get me, "Ja ne, Hee-chan!"
"Nani? Duo!"
Rachael touched Heero, "You're it!" I heard as I ran back to base.
Yeah, I ditched Heero. I know he's gonna be slightly pissed.
Heero and Rachael approached the base I was sitting on. "I caught Uncle Heero!"
"You sure did." I turned to Heero, "Oi Hee-chan I know you wanna get me back, don't cha?"
"Hn."
"Well, you'll just have to catch me then."
Heero turned around a began counting. Rachael went to the third fortress and I went to the fourth and sat down as I hid in the highest tower, I knew Heero would come looking for me...
No, I wasn't trying to be the damsel in distress.
~!~!~!~!~
"Ready or not..."
"Ready!" I said giving Heero a clear hint to where I was. Moments later I heard the bridge being walked on. I saw Heero walk by and popped out in front of him, "Hee-chan!"
"Duo...!" Heero jumped back into the small tower, he glared, "Don't do THAT to me!"
"Do what?"
"Leave me! You told me you wouldn't leave me!" Heero said, I didn't think it would a big deal to escape from a little girl, but Heero was referring to his dreams I know he was, and Heero was really upset, "And then you jump out of no where!"
"I didn't mean to upset you."
"Hn." Heero looked away.
"Gomen nasai..." I hugged the pouting boy.
"Baka." Heero calmed down and I rested my chin on his head. Heero turned around facing me and wrapped his arms around my neck. Hm...I like this very much.
"I know Heero..."
Heero looked up at me with patient eyes wearing a glare...if that's possible. Sometimes I wonder why he even bothers with it. I mean, I know he glares when he's upset or something, but it just doesn't work on me anymore. I just think it's cute now.
"Heero, I...--" I cut myself off.
"Duo?"
"Nevermind."
"Ugh!" came an irritated sound. Heero and I looked where the noise came from, "Why are you two always doing this???"
I was about to release Heero when I realized it was Rachael, "Doing what?" I asked.
"This! You're always so close, then you stop! It's so *ANNOYING*!" she shouted waving her arms in the air, "Seriously, if you guys love each other so much, why don't you just admitt it and KISS???!!!"
One word: ...woah.
I was shocked, um...it's an awkward situation ya know? She was rather blunt, but yet again, she was right.
"Well????????????????" she asked impatiently tapping her little foot on the bridge.
Heero and I looked at each other meaningfully.
I laughed.
I was being TOLD to kiss HEERO by a SEVEN YEAR OLD.
This is not what I would expect from her.
"Don't tell me you're chickening out Uncle Duo..."
Are you kidding?! I've been for this for a very long time...I just didn't know what I was doing. I mean, I'm messing with Heero Yuy here and I think...I think I'm actually nervous. Yeah, that's it. Cause if it was any other person, I would have done it already, but with Heero...crap. I'm lost it thought again. Duo Maxwell, get back on track and KISS HIM DAMMIT! I told myself. I finally bent down towards Heero and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"What the heck was that?! That was so *LAME* Uncle Duo! I KNOW you can do better than that! Don't you think Uncle Heero deserves at least ONE good kiss???"
Of course he derserved better!
I looked down at Heero who was blushing freely.
Heero turned away when I didn't make any actions, "You don't have too if you don't want..."
THAT make me feel bad. It's not that I didn't want to or anything, cause anyone with a head could tell that I was indeed head-over-heels in love with the guy...
Like I said, I was just nervous is all.
It was going to be my first kiss with him.
And--
"Uncle Duo!"
I glared at Rachael who had sliced into my thoughts, what did she know about this stuff anyway? She couldn't even handle a little boy at the arcade! Not to mention she was only seven.
"You really don't need to feel forced to do anything...--" Heero almost pulled away, but I held him tight.
I closed my eyes and took his lips by surprise with mine kissing him gently then gradually working my way into it until we were locked in a passionate kiss both letting out over a year's worth of secret admiration and lust for each other.
He was so sweet, just as I had imagined him in my wet dreams--but even better. Sweeter than my favorite candy in fact. His lips were soft and tender and his mouth was not too dry, not too wet. My heart sped up about tenfold. I could feel the sunset in the background shining the last of the day's sunshine on my skin warming us, as if Heero wasn't warming himself! I didn't want to leave him.
On the other side, I tell that Heero was feeling the same way.
"Du...o......." Heero said between the gasp, his arms were wrapped tightly around my neck and I had encircled his waist pulling him closer until he was pressed up against me into a crushing embrace. Even so, it still wasn't close enough.
We were so wrapped up in each other, literally, we didn't even hear the soft click...
Heero and I parted panting for air. I bent down again and kissed him a second time, he kissed back and we started all over again, I lowered Heero to the wooden floor on top of him. Heero chuckled into the kiss opening his mouth inviting me in...
I did it.
I stole the stone, Heero Yuy was officially mine!
It took long enough...despite that............
FINALLY!!!
My heart felt so enlighten, I was truly elated. I wanted to jump up and down and run around the park and hell the world and colonies while I'm at it screaming at the top of my lungs 'Heero Yuy is MINE! All mine! Not yours! MINE!!!' to everyone who passed me. I really did. I was overloaded with joy.
I must have died.
I must have been rejected by Hades.
I must have been in heaven.
And Heero must be my angel...
"Oi! I said KISS not MAKE OUT!!!" Rachael said covering her eyes. "My virgin eyes! My virgin eyes!"
Heero and I pulled away for the sake of Rachael. It was the one of the hardest things I had to do this week. VERY hard. I didn't want to, and I could feel Heero sigh as we parted. As we did, I tugged on his bottom lip before I fully left him.
"Gomen..." we both apologized, Heero blushed as I pecked him on the forehead. You know, it's not so hard to kiss him anymore. Damn, why didn't I find that out sooner?
"You're forgiven."
"Rachael, does this mean you're okay with...us?" I asked remembering that we *WERE* both guys and some people don't really want to accept the fact that you don't have to be the same gender to love another.
Rachael nodded, "Hello, I have Uncle Quatre and Uncle Trowa already."
Oh yeah. Almost forgot.
"Let's go home." I said. I pulled Heero down as we slid through a tube slide together. Fun.
~!~!~!~!~
We got a bite to eat on our way back, tucked Rachael in, and went to bed.
It was silent in the dark until Heero spoke, "Duo?"
"Nani...?" I asked half asleep holding my new koibito.
"Tomorrow, Rachael is leaving back to L4..."
"...I know."
"That means our mission will be complete."
"Aa..."
Heero sighed, "What will happen to us?"
"What do you mean?"
"What will we do?"
"..." I didn't know what he was exactly asking. "We'll figure it out..." I kissed Heero on the forehead, "Go to sleep."
That night, Heero's question keep me up for awhile, what were we going to do? Would Heero go on being obsessed with his work? Would I just live my life as if nothing ever happened? What was the impact that this girl brought on us going to end like? But Heero and I would be together forever...
...right?
Argh. Why must I always question myself?
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
Heehee. They did it. I'm not really good with that stuff if you couldn't already tell -_-;. But I think I rushed the ending. Gomen! Yep, Rach will be leaving in the next part which also means hopefully the end, ne? Anyway, I hope you had fun in this chapter despite that. Hope to see you in the next as well! Ja ne!
~!~!~!~!~
[1]- I can't help it, I think Heero is afraid of snakes (but I love them). I don't know why, I guess it makes him seem more sensitive and cuter than he already is. Besides, I believe that everybody has *some* weakness (other than their lover). So I made Hee-chan skittish around snakes. What do you think about that?
[2]- Major basketball fan. I had to put that in. I love b-ball. Go Mavs! *waves flag* Er...perhaps I should wait until the season starts. -_-; heheh...
~!~!~!~!~
Arigato minna-san!
Foxfire: I'm glad you like the story. Funny? You think it's funny? Sugoi! I like humor and things that make me laugh, I hope you liked this chapter just as much. Oh, don't forget to update What Was Lost, ne? Arigato!; Nivella: Hey Nevs, so nice of you to drop by ^_^. Has your musing come back yet?; not tellin': Wah! Do you really check everyday for updates??? I feel so loved! I'll try to get the next chp in sooner for sure then.; Teira: Heehee, oh I know. Just if you ever baby sit a kid like her, be sure you crush is around ^_~; joe lil bro: How's life? Well, ya trashed my room and trying to steal a dollar from a friend as we speak (not to mention threatening to block her on AIM), other than that, psychedelic; shinigami angel: Hope this part wasn't too long of a wait for ya!; Gpilot04: Arigato! Glad you like it, just wanna make something that ya'll will enjoy! Thank you for reading!; Yume Maxwell-Yuy: Hey, hey, hey. How was you're day? I updated, how 'bout that lemon you were working on?; Sugar Goose: WAH! Keenspace is so psychedelic! Heehee. Now I'm hooked, I check up on Arcana like everyday--oh and Boy Meets Boy, it's so friggin' funny! And Arcana is so fun with Vincent and Holden mmm...arigato!; KittenHeero: I apologize for apologizing...-_-; it's a habbit. Gomen, but I can't help it! So happy that you liked the play place thing, my cousin didn't really think that it would work. *shrugs* I guess it did, ne?; Eternal-Sleeper: Wah, you changed your name! But stoic hyper was so fun. Wait...weren't there two of you...or am I confusing myself? Yeah, laser tag *does* make your teeth all green, it's so fun, I can't believe I didn't mention that -_-; LB: *covers face* Don't look at me that way! Jk. I read Duo's New Pet, you have to finish/upload another chapter! It was so kawaii!; CobaltPrincess: Arigato! Hope you're enjoying this chp too!; moonbunny317: But Hee-chan got ice cream today...sorta, oh and I know! Skiball has got to be THE worst game to win tickets. I'll tell you somethin', it's definitely NOT my favorite game in the arcade -_-; Heehee.; Clairol: Wow. Never knew anyone would look into my writing like that. So nice to have someone say that, very encouraging to write more fiction for more people to enjoy, ya know? I really needed that ^_^. Arigato!; Elle-FaTe2x1: No prob 'bout signin' the guest book, I still can't get over the pics on the warning page. So kawaii. Hm...will Rach ever know? I'm still debating. I'll let ya know as soon as I find out, ne?; diane: Wah! Do you really think that? Sugoi, ya know, I never thought that people would look into the minor detail of the story. It's nice to have someone who does. I mean, it's worth writing since it appears that people actually like it. Btw, I just enjoy reading your reviews so much! Arigato!; and Sakura Yuy: *pokepoke* Oi Saku-chan, when are you going to update To Learn to Live Again??? You must!
Arigato!
Ja ne!
Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff and sap, Romance, mild language, Duo's POV.
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 errorz. Enjoy!
Reviewer's thanks at the bottom, and if you reviewed, you're in it! Heehee, I'm so hyper right now. Sorry about that. Not to mention the time it took to get this out. Blame it on my life -_-;. That's what I do. Anyway, so here's chapter 7. Enjoy!
~!~!~!~!~
First Kiss Delayed
Part 7: Monday
~!~!~!~!~
"What are we doing today?"
"What are we doing today, what are we doing today, what are we doing today, is that the only thing you think about is doing something, little girl???" I asked eating my scrambled eggs the next morning. Mmm...I like Hee-chan's scrambled eggs.
"I think about Gundams."
I glared at her half-lidded, "Besides that..."
Rachael shrugged.
"What *ARE* we going to do today Duo?" Heero asked.
"Not you too!"
"I'm just wondering."
I thought for a moment, I know Heero has at least ONE thing that he's wanted to do. I know that he's been holding back on us, but what?
"Heero, you should suggest something for us." I said.
"I wouldn't know what to do..."
"What have you been wanting to do all your life?"
Heero was silent. Then he finally answered, "I've never been to a real park before."
"A park would be fun!" Rachael cried and gasped, "Then we could have a picnic and play on the playground, and explore the trails! And play on the playground, and play on the playground, and play on the playground, and play on the playground!"
"Park it is." I replied, apparently, Rachael wants to play on the play ground.
"Duo, what's a picnic?"
You'd think a guy like Heero would know some of these words.
"Where you pack food to go and eat out like in a park or something." Rachael explained.
"Aa."
I picked up the dishes and loaded them into the dishwasher, "Rachael, help Uncle Heero pack lunch for the little picnic we'll be having later."
"Hai!" Rachael pulled Heero over to counter and told him what they would need.
~!~!~!~!~
"What are you doing Rachael?" I asked listening to the girl run around her room. Heero and I were sitting on the couch, Heero on his laptop, and I was reading the newspaper...sort of.
"Nothing Uncle Duo!"
Whatever.
"Darnit! Where did I put it???" Rachael asked, "I just had it yesterday, and I might even need it today!"
CRASH
"I'm going to see what she's up to..." I put the newspaper on the coffee table and walked over to Rachael's room, "Rach?"
"Yes Uncle Duo?"
"Are you okay in here?"
"Hai, I'm fine!" Rachael ran into her closet, "I found it!!!"
"Found what?" I asked leaning against the door frame. Rachael poked her head out of the door.
"One of my toys, that's all." she smiled widely, almost suspicious...but of course being the innocent kid she was, I dismissed the accusing thoughts. What would I be suspicious of? That's right, nothing.
"Okay, you have about..." I looked at my watch, 11:06 AM, "Thirty minutes before we're going to leave."
Rachael nodded, "I'll be ready."
I left and went back to the living room, "What was she doing?" Heero asked.
"Looking for one of her toys."
"She has so many, I don't understand why she would want a certain one, they're all Gundams too." Heero replied with a snort.
"Did you know that her favorite Gundams are Wing and Deathscythe?"
Heero cocked an eyebrow.
"Yeah, and she thinks that Wing's pilot is the coolest," I smiled and plopped down next to him on his left side and drapped my arm over his shoulder, "And you know what?"
"Nani?"
I leaned in closer to him and whispered as my lips brushed against his ear, "I do too..."
"Duo..." Heero barely said turning to me, "Demo...what about Deathscythe's pilot?"
I swear, he's flirting.
But hey!
That's okay, I want him too.
"What about him?" my words gently flowed through his ear.
"I think I--"
"Uncle Heero, you didn't put the drinks in the refrigerator!"
I pulled away from Heero.
Rachael walked to the kitchen and put three bottles of water in the fridge.
"Gomen..." Heero said.
Rachael bounced over to the living room, "Oh well, at least we have a drink." Rachael eyed us, "What are you doing?"
"Talking." Heero said typing on his laptop.
Nice, total truth. But, I REALLY wonder what Heero was going to say...
Damn.
~!~!~!~!~
"I think we should go now." I said a half hour later.
"Yeah! Let's!"
Heero shut his laptop off and Rachael grabbed the convinent picnic basket we had found in the pantry and ran out of the house to the car.
"C'mon Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero!"
I smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
"Wow! I've never been to a park this big!"
"Then consider yourself lucky cause Uncle Heero's NEVER been to a park."
"Uncle Heero, you have NO idea what you're missing!" Rachael said clutching the basket.
No, he didn't. That's why it's up to me to make sure he gets a little taste of childhood.
Heero watched the dogs and people riding bikes pass the car. He gazed at the kids playing soccer, basketball, and hanging all over the playground. There was a small pond where people were fishing at. All in all, the park wasn't really that crowded today which was good I guess.
I found a parking space in front of the playground, "Okay, everybody out. Rach, leave the basket here, we'll get it when we're ready to eat okay?"
"Hai!" Rachael jumped out of the car, "Let's do a trail first!" Heero and I got out of the car as Rachael pulled us to one of the many park trails, "Remember where we parked!"
~!~!~!~!~
"Sugoi! Look!" Rachael pointed to a long, thin, green thing slithering through the grass.
"It's a snake." Heero said bitterly.
"Yeah, isn't it cool?"
"It's a snake." Heero shrugged.
"Yes it is Heero." I replied.
The creature was a typical garden snake, harmless. I did something stupid and picked it up by the tail, "Rachael, if I ever HEAR you picked up a random snake like this, you're going to be in trouble despite who's suppose to take care of you..."
"I won't Uncle Duo."
"Good." I placed the snake's head between my thumb and index finger. I have had experiences with snakes when I was a kid so I knew how to handle them, mind you. Besides, it wasn't venomous, so it was technically alright. I held the snake in front of Heero.
"Duo, what the hell are you doing?" Heero tensely asked.
"Wanna hold it?" I let the snake slither through my fingers. I love these things, of course after Heero. I don't see why some people don't like them. They think they're all scaly, slimy, and crap like that, why? I look at them as an armless dog with no hair. I know, that sounds stupid. Oh well. Anyway! The reptile wrapped itself around my forearm and attempted to bite me, yeah, well these guys don't have teeth, but Heero didn't know that...The mischievous Shinigami grinned his trademark grin. Yes...Heero doesn't know that...heehee. Fun.
"AHH!!!" I shouted pretending to faint. I fell on the trail and didn't move.
"Duo!" Heero knelt down, "Duo get up." I heard concern fill his voice as I remained still, "Duo!" Heero grabbed the arm the tiny snake had 'bitten'.
Suddenly I popped and eye open, "Oi Hee-chan hold the snake for me, ne?"
Heero glared at me, "Baka."
"What's wrong did I scare you?" Heero folded his arms and turned away from me. Rachael, who just couldn't contain her sweet laughter, went off to check out something interesting while she giggled her seven year-old head off. While he was turned around, I wrapped my arms around Heero snake still on my arm, "Gomen nasai..."
Heero turned around and leaned into my chest THEN he saw the snake, his eyes grew wide, "Baka! And if you can't get that through your head, I'll say it in English, *idiot*!" [1]
I released the boy.
He's so cute.
"That was a mean trick Uncle Duo." Rachael said walking back over to us.
"Oh I know." I said.
"I don't think Uncle Heero likes snakes very much."
I made Heero look at me, "Are you SURE you don't want to at least touch it?"
Heero glared at the snake and tapped it on the head, "Hn."
I grinned, Heero definitely didn't like snakes. "Okay, okay, I get it." I put the snake into the grass and continued the trail, Rachael leading the way.
After the snake thing, Heero looked kind of nervous, ya know like cautiously walking to make sure he didn't step on something and being skittish. I guess that's partly my fault. Only one thing to do, I grabbed Heero's right hand, the boy with the phobia of harmless snakes looked up at me.
"Come on Hee-chan, relax." I said.
The rest of the trail, Heero looked ahead instead of down.
~!~!~!~!~
Later when we headed back to the car to get something to eat, Heero and I saw three boys playing basketball. They challenged us to a quick game.
"First one to ten by two's."
"Okay, let's go."
~!~!~!~!~
I tipped the ball to Heero, the teams were uneven, but we didn't care. So it was three against two, like that would be a problem. Heero dribbled the ball down the court and did an easy layup.
2 to 0.
The other boys dribbled the ball down the court. Their point guard should have passed the ball. I stripped him and scored a bucket.
4 to 0.
The second time the boys came down, they learned from their previous mistake and passed the ball to one another. Should of made their passes sharper. I intercepted the ball and passed it down court to Heero who ran ahead. He dunked the rock.
6 to 0.
The third time, they made their passes clean cut, if I stuck my hand out in front of it, I would of jammed my fingers. The middle boy passed and cut.
DENIED!
Heero rejected the pass then I caught it and scored another bucket.
8 to 0.
The boys glared down the court. The biggest one posted up against Heero. I didn't think it would be a problem until I heard Heero growl.
SKIT
I turned and saw Heero on the ground, "Heero!" I ran over to him and helped him up.
"Kisama..." Heero spat at the bigger boy. Heero's upper right arm was bleeding from the concrete.
SWISH
I looked up and saw the ball swish through the hoop. Dirty cheats. I managed to trip the large boy as he ran passed me. He skinned his knees. Serves him right. I cursed at the score.
8 to 3.
"Heero are you okay?" I asked.
Heero nodded. It was only a flesh wound, I don't think it was even that deep just a little scrape, but it was still bleeding. Heero checked the ball to me.
"I take it you wanna do somethin'?" I guessed dribbling the ball down the center of the court. Heero nodded again. I passed Heero the rock and plopped down at midcourt. Heero could take care of things.
I watched Heero dribble at lightning speed with his left hand. The ball pounded against the ground as he zipped through all of the boys, each and every one of them. He came back to the top of the key.
I knew exactly what he was doing.
He stood there waiting for a challenger. The big one that had knocked him over approached him.
"What's your little friend doing sitting over there?" He asked.
I waved and grinned widely, "Hey, I'm just chillin' here seein' that we're fixin' to win." I said and pointed to Heero.
Heero threw the ball at the backboard HARD. He caught it in his left hand and slammed it in the center of the orange rim. The chain net jingled as the ball passed through it.
10 to 3.
It was a dirty win. Damn 3 points.
We good gamed each other and Heero received an apology. Nice guys...kinda. I think I was alittle more upset about Heero's arm than the said boy himself was.
"Wow! I didn't know that you guys could play basketball!" Rachael exclaimed running up to us, "Ew, gross..." Rachael said looking away from Heero's arm.
Crimson was trickling down his fingers from the shallow wound. Heero didn't seem to mind, but I did.
"Come on Heero, let's go clean that arm up." I said gently guiding Heero to the restrooms.
"What about me?" Rachael asked.
"This will only take a sec," I handed Rachael the keys to the car...reluctantly, "Why don't you get the basket out of the car and find a nice place to eat?"
Rachael accepted the keys, "Hai!" the girl started walking towards the car.
"Matteo," I stopped Rachael, "I trust you won't drive away, ne?"
Rachael smiled, "I won't."
Heero and I headed for the restrooms.
[2]
~!~!~!~!~
"Itai."
Pause.
"Itai."
Pause.
"Itai."
Pause.
"K'so...!" Heero hissed.
"Stop moving then." I dabbed the injury. It was a little deeper than I thought. Heero was on the counter and I was cleaning his wound. I just got it to stop bleeding. Cleaning his wound reminded me of all of the other missions from the past when he really hurt himself doing something dramatic just for the assignment. I was always upset when he injured himself. This wasn't much different either.
"You don't have to do this, Duo."
"Oh, you know you like it and you know you want me to," I grinned, "besides, I don't mind." Heero's cheeks turned the slightest shade of red. beneath the red, I could see the bruise Heero had gotten yesterday. It was a light, light, LIGHT, brownish-yellow which meant that it would go away soon. Good, I didn't like it one bit.
"Why?" Heero asked after a while.
"Why what?" I gently dabbed the wound soaking up the last of blood.
"Why do you do things for me?"
I looked up at Heero, "What do you mean?"
"Why do you...watch out for me?"
Pause.
"You mean care?"
Heero nodded.
I grinned, "Because if I don't, who will?"
Heero frowned, I guess he knew that wasn't the real reason. "Duo..."
I sighed and threw the damp paper towel with the boy's blood on it away. This must be the place to tell him, I kinda wanted to tell him in a...uh...CLEANER area, but he brought it on himself. "Heero, I care for you because," I looked at the Japanese boy's eyes, cobalt looking at me expectantly, I took his hands in mine, "...because I--"
Someone decided to flush the toliet.
Shimatta!
I released Heero's hands.
A big bulky man walked out from the stalls and glared at us.
ZIP
The man pulled his zipper up and looked at Heero who was blocking the sink.
I nudged Heero off the counter, "Because I'm your friend." I said quickly to cover up the previous conversation, "And I don't think you could tend to your wound with your left hand is all." I pointed to Heero's arm. I knew he could though. He's not some weakling that's for sure.
The man loosened his glare on us, washed his hands, and left.
It wasn't a lie, it just wasn't the entire truth.
"Oh..." Heero said almost diappointingly. Damn do I feel bad now, but...why should I? It's not like I did anything wrong.
Heero and I exited the restrooms to look for Rachael before another guy walked in.
~!~!~!~!~
"Uncle Heero! Uncle Duo! Over here!" Rachael waved from under a tree at the top of a hill. The hill was grassy and the tree provided excellent shade.
"Nice choice." I complimented, "I like it."
Rachael had spread the blanket out and set the food on it, "Don't just gawk at it! Sit down, I want to eat before the ants do it for me!"
Heero and I sat down next to each other against the tree and began eating lunch.
The park was peaceful and quiet. Not many people went to the park now a days. They were always busy and took it for granted. I visited this park alone in the night when only the sounds of animals were heard and no people. I love the park at night, it helps me to clear my mind, just like a cold shower often did.
The lunch that Heero and Rachael had made was all good. We had sandwiches and Heero prepared a salad. Who would of known that all of that food was in the fridge? We sat quietly with some small conversation. Rachael did choose a nice spot. On the hill we could see the playground, pond, courts, trails, not to mention my car, and whatever else was there.
Speaking of my car...
"Rachael, where are my keys?"
Rachael froze.
"You didn't...!" I warned.
The girl frowned.
"Rachael..."
Rachael smiled happily and jiggled my keys around her fingers, "Nope! They're right here!" Rachael handed me the keys and moved on to her salad. I would have glared, but she's just too cute...baby cute that is.
As we finished, Heero detected a soft melody.
"What's that?" he asked.
"What's what?"
I heard the familiar tune of a popular children's song. Rachael stood up and looked around.
"It's the ice cream truck!" She squealed. Heero looked over at the road and saw a petite rectangular car slowly driving towards the playground.
"Ice cream truck?"
"Yeah, Rachael, help me pick up this stuff." Standing, I said casually picking up the basket and collecting trash. Heero was eyeing the truck as children gathered around the automobile with their parents, "We can get some if you want."
Heero looked up at me and smiled.
That's the third time this week. Am I good or what?
"I want ice cream, too!"
"Do you think I would just leave you here and not get you any ice cream?" I asked Rachael.
Rachael made a thinking face, "I don't know...maybe."
I ruffled her hair, "C'mon Munchkin."
Rachael made a face, "Munchkin?"
"Hai, you and your Uncle Heero both." I pulled Heero up, "You're a Munchkin, too."
Heero cocked an eyebrow.
I grinned to myself.
He's so cute.
Rachael skipped to the ice cream truck as Heero and I walked patiently.
~!~!~!~!~
"Lessee...what do you want, Rach?" I asked the girl standing on her tippy-toes.
"I don't know, I can't see over all of these people!"
I lifted Rachael up and held her, "What about now?"
"Oh! I want that one!" Rachael pointed to an ice cream popsicle shaped as a Gundam. They had six Gundams to choose from. The ice cream bars were the type that stained your lips and had bubble gum eyes. Cute.
I laughed.
They even made Gundam ice cream popsicle...that's funny.
"What is it Uncle Duo?"
"Nothing."
Rachael folded her arms, "You tell me that I'm a strange girl, but sometimes you'll be standing there doing absolutely NOTHING, and then suddenly you'll start LAUGHING and no one's even said anything!"
She was right. I did do that.
I laughed again.
"See!"
"What's wrong with me laughing? Do you not like it when I'm happy?" I asked.
"No, you just do it at odd times."
I looked at Heero, "Do I really?"
Heero nodded.
"Do you think everything is funny?" Rachael asked.
I thought about the question for a moment, "I don't know, I never really thought about it."
"Then why do you laugh?"
I paused, that was a good question.
"Well, if you don't want me to laugh, do you want me to cry???" I asked.
Heero frowned, "Cry?"
"No! I just want to know why."
"..."
"Uncle Duo?"
"I don't know..." I said, "Guess I just like laughing."
Dropping the subject, she turned to Heero, "What are you getting Uncle Heero? I think I'll try something new and get a Sandrock ice cream popsicle."
I chuckled.
"There you go again!"
"Gomen," I turned to Heero, "See anything you like?"
Heero scanned the selection of ice cream, "I think I'll try a Deathscythe ice cream popsicle..." he finally decided.
"In that case, I'll get Wing."
Heero smirked.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
The three of us were walking along one of the sidewalks around the park eating our ice cream bars. Rachael was dragging Heero by the hand here and there as Heero was admiring the scenary. I was admiring Heero...sucking on my Gundam.
Ya know, I think that's kind of funny. I laughed.
"Nani?" Rachael asked.
"Nothing." I resumed eating the bar and watching Heero.
Heero was lapping up the melting Deathscythe using his tongue and slurping up all of the creamy substance. I tried hard not to think of dirty things. I had finished my treat and decided to chew on the stick to distract me from my non g-rated musings of the boy.
"Are you enjoying that Heero?" I asked.
Heero gave me a sideways glance, "Are you enjoying watching me?"
"Sure am." I grinned. Heero slid the ice cream popsicle in and out of his mouth. Just great. Honestly, I didn't think he thought like that. "Stop it..." I said clinching my teeth.
Heero did the complete opposite of stopping. In fact, he pushed the treat in and out of his mouth faster and faster. Adding his tongue, Heero moved to the tip of the bar and teased the top as the melted ice cream dripped off his digits. He wants me. And Gods know I want him.
Who ever created the ice cream popsicle is a very, very, VERY sick man.
A very sick man who is probably also a very rich man too.
"Stop what?" Rachael asked turning around to face Heero and me.
Heero licked his fingers and acted as if nothing had happened.
"It's nothing." I said glaring playfully at Heero. I spotted a trash can and threw the chewed up stick away. When Heero finished, he did the same. Rachael ran towards the swing set, "Uncle Duo! Let's do this!"
The swing set only had two standard black swings, and Rachael had already taken one, that's disappointing...or maybe not.
I pulled Heero over to the set and instructed him to sit down.
"What am I doing?" Heero asked.
"Just hold on to the chains alright?" Heero cocked an eyebrow.
"Come on Uncle Heero, it's fun!" Rachael interjected swinging back and forth.
I placed my hands over Heero, "Hold tight." I pushed Heero.
Heero went forward and came back. I pushed him again giving me a reason to touch his ass. Heero figured out how to go higher and higher by using his legs, but I still helped him.
"Are you guys havin' fun?" I asked.
"Hai!" Rachael replied, "Aren't you going to swing with us?"
"There's no where to swing, I don't need to, I'm content watching you two."
There was a bench infront of the swings, I chose to sit on it seeing that Heero didn't need any help anymore. The bench wasn't exactly five-star. Every five minutes or so, I switched my posture moving from one position to another as well as sides. I sighed in defeat to get slightly comfortable and slid off the bench and onto the gravel beneath.
Rachael giggled, "You're funny Uncle Duo."
"Am I? You try sitting on this bench." I said pointing the beat up piece of wood behind me. Rachael smiled.
~!~!~!~!~
Fifthteen minutes later, I find myself locked in a staring contest with Heero while he was swinging. I couldn't help myself, I kept looking at Heero every few minutes more rapidly each time then I just got tired of moving my head. Resulting to one of my favorite things to do, watch the boy.
Rachael jumped out of her swing, "Let's do something else."
"Duo...how do you stop this?" Heero asked still swinging. I went up behind him and caught the boy slowing him down until he jumped out himself. "Arigato."
"You're welcome."
"What should we do now? I know!"
"Nani?"
"There's a Nature Center up at the entrance, can we go see it?"
"I don't know, they might have snakes there...and we know Uncle Heero doesn't like snakes." I intentionally said to tease Heero.
Cobalt eyes glared, "I'll be just fine."
"Does this mean we're going?"
"Okay."
Rachael guided us to the Nature Center. It was a large building that reeked 'save the animals', not that I'm dissin' the animals. No, I think it's good that the world has something to preserve innocent life. As many times I had been to the park I never really stopped to look at the Center. Maybe because every time I went to the park, the Center was already closed.
We entered the air conditioned building at around 2:30.
"Uncle Duo! Look at THAT snake!" Rachael pointed to a large boa constricter wrapped around one of the Naturalist working at the center. She grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the small crowd gathered before the woman and snake.
"...Now kids, this reptile slowly wraps itself around their prey and squeezes it to death." the Naturalist explained. The children awed at the large animal. Rachael ran and joined the group of kids. Heero and I stood in the back.
Heero folded his arms and snorted.
"What's wrong Hee-chan?" I asked sitting down behind the children.
"Hn."
"Well then come sit with me!" I pulled Heero on the floor.
"Duo...!" Heero said in surprise.
The kids in front of us turned around, "SHH!!!" they shushed us.
I laughed to myself.
About five minutes into the lecture I looked at Heero, he was making faces as the Naturalist explained the process of a snake capturing and eating its prey, "Then they swallow it whole..."
Oh, I wish I had a camera.
"You really don't like snakes do you?"
Heero shook his head.
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"That was SO cool when the woman fed the snake that frozen rat!!!"
Heero cringed remembering the visual.
"And then you could see it in its long belly!"
"Alright Rachael, we were there too, your Uncle doesn't need to hear it again." I said.
"Gomen nasai," Rachael apologized, "Can we see the bugs and lizards in the exibit??????"
Heero sighed.
"Don't tell us you dislike all creepy crawling things!"
Heero glared, "They're fine, it's just the snakes..."
"Well then let's go see them!"
After we finished Rachael's exploration and she grew tired of the Nature Center two hours later, Rachael dragged us back to the playground.
"Can I go play with them?" Rachael asked pointing to the children.
I watched as ten kids ran around the playground, "Alright, be careful though..."
"I will!" Rachael ditched us next to the pond.
"She's somethin' else, ne?"
Heero nodded.
"Would you like to join me on a little walk around this here pond?" I invited.
"Aa..." Heero replied.
I reached for his hand and he entwined his fingers with mine. The two of us walked around in silence swinging our hands back and forth . It was about 6:45 PM and the sun would be setting in half and hour or so.
I squeezed Heero's hand as he rested his head on my shoulder. I sighed not wanting to leave Heero's side...ever.
"Hee-chan?"
"Aa?"
"Did you know that you kick in your sleep?"
"Nani? I do?"
I snickered, yeah, Heero Yuy kicked in his sleep, amazing that he always manages to miss my shin thank Gods. "Hai, you do."
"Did I...kick you?" he asked.
I shook my head and pinched my fingers together, "No, but one time you THIS close to kicking my--"
"I get it." Heero cut me off. I chuckled at him.
He's so cute.
Duo bent down and picked a yellow flower from the ground, "Here." I handed it to Heero.
Heero looked at the flower and accepted, "What's this for?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to give it to you."
"What did I do for it?"
"You're telling me that YOU have to something before I want to give you a gift?"
"..."
I chuckled.
Heero smiled, "Arigato..."
When the sun began to set and Heero and I finished three circles around the pond, Rachael ran up to us.
Heero took his head off of my shoulder, and I released his hand, "Uncle Duo, Uncle Heero! Come play with me, all the other kids left to go home!" Rachael said.
"What would we play?" I asked.
"Hide and seek!"
"I know that game..." Heero said.
"You do???" Rachael and I asked in unison, so Hee-chan knew a kids' game, ne?
Heero nodded, "I had to during training."
No wonder.
"Alright, who's it?" I asked walking up to the playground. It was a pretty good size, the play place was made out of wood with chain bridges that linked four main structures together. Each fortress had at least five slides and a special feature.
Fun.
The first wasn't really a fortress, it was actually a life-size maze, Heero and I were barely taller than it. The second was lower than the rest to the ground, it had monkey bars and rings that you hang off of. The next was slightly higher elevated with a tire swing and a pole to slide on. The fourth was the last and the biggest. It was built like a castle, the top tower had a cone roof and was open save the four poles holding it up. It was right across from the bridge to the third structure. There was only one way in and one way out. I grinned to my self.
Double mint fun.
"I'll be it!" Rachael exclaimed. She claimed a bench as base and started her count down from 30.
"Come on...!" I pulled Heero into the maze. "Duck! She can still see your head!" I said as we walked around pointlessly.
"Ready or not, here I come!" I heard footprints headed our way.
Rachael ran into the maze getting closer and closer, "Where are you Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero?"
Heero and I ran...right into a dead end. I saw Rachael approach us. I jumped over the wall right when Rachael was fixing to get me, "Ja ne, Hee-chan!"
"Nani? Duo!"
Rachael touched Heero, "You're it!" I heard as I ran back to base.
Yeah, I ditched Heero. I know he's gonna be slightly pissed.
Heero and Rachael approached the base I was sitting on. "I caught Uncle Heero!"
"You sure did." I turned to Heero, "Oi Hee-chan I know you wanna get me back, don't cha?"
"Hn."
"Well, you'll just have to catch me then."
Heero turned around a began counting. Rachael went to the third fortress and I went to the fourth and sat down as I hid in the highest tower, I knew Heero would come looking for me...
No, I wasn't trying to be the damsel in distress.
~!~!~!~!~
"Ready or not..."
"Ready!" I said giving Heero a clear hint to where I was. Moments later I heard the bridge being walked on. I saw Heero walk by and popped out in front of him, "Hee-chan!"
"Duo...!" Heero jumped back into the small tower, he glared, "Don't do THAT to me!"
"Do what?"
"Leave me! You told me you wouldn't leave me!" Heero said, I didn't think it would a big deal to escape from a little girl, but Heero was referring to his dreams I know he was, and Heero was really upset, "And then you jump out of no where!"
"I didn't mean to upset you."
"Hn." Heero looked away.
"Gomen nasai..." I hugged the pouting boy.
"Baka." Heero calmed down and I rested my chin on his head. Heero turned around facing me and wrapped his arms around my neck. Hm...I like this very much.
"I know Heero..."
Heero looked up at me with patient eyes wearing a glare...if that's possible. Sometimes I wonder why he even bothers with it. I mean, I know he glares when he's upset or something, but it just doesn't work on me anymore. I just think it's cute now.
"Heero, I...--" I cut myself off.
"Duo?"
"Nevermind."
"Ugh!" came an irritated sound. Heero and I looked where the noise came from, "Why are you two always doing this???"
I was about to release Heero when I realized it was Rachael, "Doing what?" I asked.
"This! You're always so close, then you stop! It's so *ANNOYING*!" she shouted waving her arms in the air, "Seriously, if you guys love each other so much, why don't you just admitt it and KISS???!!!"
One word: ...woah.
I was shocked, um...it's an awkward situation ya know? She was rather blunt, but yet again, she was right.
"Well????????????????" she asked impatiently tapping her little foot on the bridge.
Heero and I looked at each other meaningfully.
I laughed.
I was being TOLD to kiss HEERO by a SEVEN YEAR OLD.
This is not what I would expect from her.
"Don't tell me you're chickening out Uncle Duo..."
Are you kidding?! I've been for this for a very long time...I just didn't know what I was doing. I mean, I'm messing with Heero Yuy here and I think...I think I'm actually nervous. Yeah, that's it. Cause if it was any other person, I would have done it already, but with Heero...crap. I'm lost it thought again. Duo Maxwell, get back on track and KISS HIM DAMMIT! I told myself. I finally bent down towards Heero and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"What the heck was that?! That was so *LAME* Uncle Duo! I KNOW you can do better than that! Don't you think Uncle Heero deserves at least ONE good kiss???"
Of course he derserved better!
I looked down at Heero who was blushing freely.
Heero turned away when I didn't make any actions, "You don't have too if you don't want..."
THAT make me feel bad. It's not that I didn't want to or anything, cause anyone with a head could tell that I was indeed head-over-heels in love with the guy...
Like I said, I was just nervous is all.
It was going to be my first kiss with him.
And--
"Uncle Duo!"
I glared at Rachael who had sliced into my thoughts, what did she know about this stuff anyway? She couldn't even handle a little boy at the arcade! Not to mention she was only seven.
"You really don't need to feel forced to do anything...--" Heero almost pulled away, but I held him tight.
I closed my eyes and took his lips by surprise with mine kissing him gently then gradually working my way into it until we were locked in a passionate kiss both letting out over a year's worth of secret admiration and lust for each other.
He was so sweet, just as I had imagined him in my wet dreams--but even better. Sweeter than my favorite candy in fact. His lips were soft and tender and his mouth was not too dry, not too wet. My heart sped up about tenfold. I could feel the sunset in the background shining the last of the day's sunshine on my skin warming us, as if Heero wasn't warming himself! I didn't want to leave him.
On the other side, I tell that Heero was feeling the same way.
"Du...o......." Heero said between the gasp, his arms were wrapped tightly around my neck and I had encircled his waist pulling him closer until he was pressed up against me into a crushing embrace. Even so, it still wasn't close enough.
We were so wrapped up in each other, literally, we didn't even hear the soft click...
Heero and I parted panting for air. I bent down again and kissed him a second time, he kissed back and we started all over again, I lowered Heero to the wooden floor on top of him. Heero chuckled into the kiss opening his mouth inviting me in...
I did it.
I stole the stone, Heero Yuy was officially mine!
It took long enough...despite that............
FINALLY!!!
My heart felt so enlighten, I was truly elated. I wanted to jump up and down and run around the park and hell the world and colonies while I'm at it screaming at the top of my lungs 'Heero Yuy is MINE! All mine! Not yours! MINE!!!' to everyone who passed me. I really did. I was overloaded with joy.
I must have died.
I must have been rejected by Hades.
I must have been in heaven.
And Heero must be my angel...
"Oi! I said KISS not MAKE OUT!!!" Rachael said covering her eyes. "My virgin eyes! My virgin eyes!"
Heero and I pulled away for the sake of Rachael. It was the one of the hardest things I had to do this week. VERY hard. I didn't want to, and I could feel Heero sigh as we parted. As we did, I tugged on his bottom lip before I fully left him.
"Gomen..." we both apologized, Heero blushed as I pecked him on the forehead. You know, it's not so hard to kiss him anymore. Damn, why didn't I find that out sooner?
"You're forgiven."
"Rachael, does this mean you're okay with...us?" I asked remembering that we *WERE* both guys and some people don't really want to accept the fact that you don't have to be the same gender to love another.
Rachael nodded, "Hello, I have Uncle Quatre and Uncle Trowa already."
Oh yeah. Almost forgot.
"Let's go home." I said. I pulled Heero down as we slid through a tube slide together. Fun.
~!~!~!~!~
We got a bite to eat on our way back, tucked Rachael in, and went to bed.
It was silent in the dark until Heero spoke, "Duo?"
"Nani...?" I asked half asleep holding my new koibito.
"Tomorrow, Rachael is leaving back to L4..."
"...I know."
"That means our mission will be complete."
"Aa..."
Heero sighed, "What will happen to us?"
"What do you mean?"
"What will we do?"
"..." I didn't know what he was exactly asking. "We'll figure it out..." I kissed Heero on the forehead, "Go to sleep."
That night, Heero's question keep me up for awhile, what were we going to do? Would Heero go on being obsessed with his work? Would I just live my life as if nothing ever happened? What was the impact that this girl brought on us going to end like? But Heero and I would be together forever...
...right?
Argh. Why must I always question myself?
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
Heehee. They did it. I'm not really good with that stuff if you couldn't already tell -_-;. But I think I rushed the ending. Gomen! Yep, Rach will be leaving in the next part which also means hopefully the end, ne? Anyway, I hope you had fun in this chapter despite that. Hope to see you in the next as well! Ja ne!
~!~!~!~!~
[1]- I can't help it, I think Heero is afraid of snakes (but I love them). I don't know why, I guess it makes him seem more sensitive and cuter than he already is. Besides, I believe that everybody has *some* weakness (other than their lover). So I made Hee-chan skittish around snakes. What do you think about that?
[2]- Major basketball fan. I had to put that in. I love b-ball. Go Mavs! *waves flag* Er...perhaps I should wait until the season starts. -_-; heheh...
~!~!~!~!~
Arigato minna-san!
Foxfire: I'm glad you like the story. Funny? You think it's funny? Sugoi! I like humor and things that make me laugh, I hope you liked this chapter just as much. Oh, don't forget to update What Was Lost, ne? Arigato!; Nivella: Hey Nevs, so nice of you to drop by ^_^. Has your musing come back yet?; not tellin': Wah! Do you really check everyday for updates??? I feel so loved! I'll try to get the next chp in sooner for sure then.; Teira: Heehee, oh I know. Just if you ever baby sit a kid like her, be sure you crush is around ^_~; joe lil bro: How's life? Well, ya trashed my room and trying to steal a dollar from a friend as we speak (not to mention threatening to block her on AIM), other than that, psychedelic; shinigami angel: Hope this part wasn't too long of a wait for ya!; Gpilot04: Arigato! Glad you like it, just wanna make something that ya'll will enjoy! Thank you for reading!; Yume Maxwell-Yuy: Hey, hey, hey. How was you're day? I updated, how 'bout that lemon you were working on?; Sugar Goose: WAH! Keenspace is so psychedelic! Heehee. Now I'm hooked, I check up on Arcana like everyday--oh and Boy Meets Boy, it's so friggin' funny! And Arcana is so fun with Vincent and Holden mmm...arigato!; KittenHeero: I apologize for apologizing...-_-; it's a habbit. Gomen, but I can't help it! So happy that you liked the play place thing, my cousin didn't really think that it would work. *shrugs* I guess it did, ne?; Eternal-Sleeper: Wah, you changed your name! But stoic hyper was so fun. Wait...weren't there two of you...or am I confusing myself? Yeah, laser tag *does* make your teeth all green, it's so fun, I can't believe I didn't mention that -_-; LB: *covers face* Don't look at me that way! Jk. I read Duo's New Pet, you have to finish/upload another chapter! It was so kawaii!; CobaltPrincess: Arigato! Hope you're enjoying this chp too!; moonbunny317: But Hee-chan got ice cream today...sorta, oh and I know! Skiball has got to be THE worst game to win tickets. I'll tell you somethin', it's definitely NOT my favorite game in the arcade -_-; Heehee.; Clairol: Wow. Never knew anyone would look into my writing like that. So nice to have someone say that, very encouraging to write more fiction for more people to enjoy, ya know? I really needed that ^_^. Arigato!; Elle-FaTe2x1: No prob 'bout signin' the guest book, I still can't get over the pics on the warning page. So kawaii. Hm...will Rach ever know? I'm still debating. I'll let ya know as soon as I find out, ne?; diane: Wah! Do you really think that? Sugoi, ya know, I never thought that people would look into the minor detail of the story. It's nice to have someone who does. I mean, it's worth writing since it appears that people actually like it. Btw, I just enjoy reading your reviews so much! Arigato!; and Sakura Yuy: *pokepoke* Oi Saku-chan, when are you going to update To Learn to Live Again??? You must!
Arigato!
Ja ne!