Chapter Two
"Ow!" Duo rubbed his head where the rather large acorn had dropped onto him. "Why is it always me?"
"You probably deserved it." Hilde grinned. Duo stuck his tongue out in response.
"It's fate. Every action has a reason behind it, so it's pointless getting mad about it, it couldn't be helped."
"You sound just like Dorothy," Relena commented quietly to Quatre. Duo and Hilde hadn't heard him: they were throwing bunches or red and gold leaves at each other.
"I'm just filling in. " Quatre looked at Relena closely. She had tears in her eyes. "You really miss her." Relena nodded. "She misses you too. She wrote to me. I think its still too painful being separated from you. Knowing her she's probably tried to write to you but ended up soaking the paper with her tears." Quatre drew Relena into a comforting hug.
"Thanks Quat." She smiled and ran over to help Hilde shower Duo with leaves. Quatre watched them with a smile on his face for a while then his mind drifted off and he thought about Dorothy.
~~ A younger Quatre laughed joyously as he ran through the shower of golden leaves. He stopped, face flushed, breath heavy with exertion, hair mussed by wind and eyes sparkling from elation. Something nearby had caught his eye. He walked over, bent down and picked the tiny vibrant red flower. He dashed back to his long haired companion and placed it in her hair. "For you." He smiled.
"Red. How very appropriate for me." Dorothy smiled back at her best friend. "But yellow is for friendship, not red. Red is for romance. Does this mean you want me to be your girlfriend?"
Dorothy grinned as Quatre pulled a disgusted face. "Ack! Iie! I just thought ... well red is your favourite colour. I thought you might like it." Quatre looked at the ground and shuffled his feet.
Dorothy jumped on her best friend and hugged him tightly. "You're so adorable Kitty-Kat!"
"Kitty-Kat?" Quatre untangled himself and stared at her in horror.
"It suits you." Dorothy held up her hands defensively and pouted, knowing Quatre couldn't resist her cutest face.
Quatre wavered and slumped his shoulders in defeat. Dorothy cheered inwardly. "If Duo and Wufei ever heard you say that I'd never live it down, so you better not let them hear it."
"Who?" She asked innocently, though the glint in her eyes could hardly be described as innocent. "Do you mean Duokins and Wuffie-wuf?" Dorothy smiled mischievously and Quatre burst into laughter.
Suddenly, the sky opened up and thunder cracked loudly. Dorothy and Quatre looked up at the heavy clouds just as the heavens announced the arrival of the autumn rains. They ran quickly to a nearby building to take shelter.
"Why did this have to happen to us?" Quatre grumbled.
"Everything happens for a reason, Quat. It's called fate." Dorothy had her pensive face on.
"Fate? Okay, so what's the reason for it starting to rain then?"
"Simple. We're supposed to play in it." Another mischievous grin crossed her features just before Dorothy ran off to jump in puddles.
"But we'll get sick!" Quatre tried to protest as Dorothy dragged her reluctant friend out into the elements.
"Maybe we are supposed to get sick then. Who are we to argue with fate?" Dorothy smiled and Quatre couldn't help but return it and join her in the mud. ~~
"Quatre!" The blond jumped as his name was yelled in his ear and his attention returned to the present and a curious Duo standing in front of him, his face barely and inch away.
"Gomen, I was thinking."
Duo sighed. "I've said it before and I'll say it again: thinking is bad for you. I called you name like fifty times Q-man."
"More like five." Hilde interjected. "Now come on Quatre, or you're going to be late for fifth period."
"Fifth period?" Quatre asked dazedly.
"Yeah, while you were of in la-la land the bell rang for the end of lunch. Get a move on!" Hilde was already on the other side of the huge lunch area and had to yell the last part.
"Hai." Quatre waved goodbye to Duo and ran to catch up to Hilde. Relena had disappeared off to her class already.
Duo grinned to himself. "Lucky for me, I have a free." He flopped back on the grass and sighed contentedly, watching the leaves from the tree above him fall softly to the ground, wafting gently on the breeze.
It wasn't until a little while later he noticed another presence beside him. He looked over and his heart beat faster when he saw the other boy's profile. /Oh, Shit!/ "Hiya Heero," Duo grinned weakly.
"Hn," Heero grunted, acknowledging his greeting.
"So what ya doin'?" Heero just gave him a 'don't you think that's kind of obvious' look. Duo grinned again and shut up. /He's probably just enjoying the Autumn atmosphere, like me./
Everything was silent for a long while, a bit unusual for Duo, but it was hard to hold a conversation with someone you didn't know too well and who didn't really want to talk. Duo felt himself start to drift off to sleep when he heard something very unexpected.
"Duo, can I ask you something?" Duo's eyes snapped wide open at the sound of that soft voice. He looked over at the stoic boy in surprise. He, Heero Yuy, wanted to ask Duo something? The loud braided boy was lucky to get a greeting from him this morning. People like Heero, and Trowa too, knew everyone at school through their popular status, but barely recognised most of them aside from an occasional greeting. They were usually so aloof. It was a rare chance indeed for anyone, especially Duo, to have an actual conversation with Heero.
"Sure." Duo had never been one to pass up an opportunity. "Ask away."
"Well ... I saw something this morning and ... well ... um ..." Duo was even more stunned at Heero's stuttered words. Heero Yuy, floundering? Was he nervous? Was that even possible?
"Yes ..." Duo tried to encourage him to say something more. This, however, heightened Heero's nervousness, though he didn't show it on his face. He still looked as cool and collected as ever.
"I ... uh ... I've been wanting to ask you this all day. It's all I could think about. Please don't take this in the wrong way, I'm just curious, but ... are you gay?"
Duo stared at the other boy in shock. /What could have given it away? Am I that obvious in my attention to him? Or was it ... Oh gods! He must have seen me messing around with Quatre and taken it wrong. I can't face this now! I've got to get away!/ "Uh ... I have to go. Sorry Heero, bye!" Duo got up quickly and ran off.
Heero watched the quickly retreating figure.
/Fuck! I screwed up!/ Heero slammed his fist against the tree he was leaning against, causing a small shower of golden leaves. /I just wanted to know./ He sighed and leaned back against the tree. /I scared him off. I was probably too blunt. I mean, I barely know him, so why has it been bugging me all day? Why should it matter what his preference is? It doesn't involve me, I really don't care if people are gay or straight, so why has Duo been on my mind all day?/ Heero closed his eyes an attempted to relax and get his mind off everything, but it didn't work.
/Maybe I should apologise., or something, talk to him perhaps. He probably doesn't want to see me though. Wait ... why do I even care? It's not like we're close friends or anything. But I was really rude and abrupt. Argh! I can't get this out of my head! Why did I even want to know in the first place?/ Heero's eyes opened suddenly and he sat up properly. "Why did I want to know?"
"Know what?" Unknowingly, the bell had run while Heero had been trapped by his innermost thoughts. He looked around to see Odin, Midii, Sally and Trowa. Odin was looking at him curiously. "Know what, Heero?" He repeated.
"Nothing. What's up?"
"P.E," Midii informed him in her usual lofty voice. "You know, sixth period. You coming?" Heero got up and started brushing himself off.
"I'll catch up to you later," Odin said. "I've got to go see Ms. Haruno first." Odin dashed off and the others walked towards the gym and the change rooms.
"Still bothering you? The taller boy asked in his quiet monotone once they entered the men's change room and stared changing.
"Hai." Heero watched as the other boys entered the locker area. Duo met his gaze as he walked in and moved to the other side of the room as quick as he could.
"Looks like you pissed off Duo." Trowa was suddenly glad for the long fringe that covered half his face as Heero turned his already infamous death glare on his friend.
"He's not pissed off. He's upset."
"Didn't think it was possible. It takes a lot to anger Duo Maxwell and even more to get him upset." Heero looked at Trowa curiously, but his friend walked away without elaborating. Heero shrugged and walked out, trying not to stare at the long-haired boy as he passed him.
Today, the boys were outside playing basketball and the girls inside doing gymnastics. That was fine by Heero, sometimes the girls at this school could be quite annoying while they were watching the boys play. The teams split up. Trowa and Odin, who had returned already, were on one team. Heero was on the other.
Duo was also on Heero's team.
The game started. Both teams were fairly even, with one star player on each team, but soon it became almost a duel singularly between Heero and Trowa. That didn't mean, however, that the rest of the players on both teams didn't put in their share of effort, it was just that the two normally silent boys were taking it more seriously than anyone else on the court.
Second half commenced after a short break and the two athletes had each taken the role of captain for their team. Their typical silence and aloofness pushed away for the rest of the game as they directed their team around.
Soon, there was only a short interlude of time left for class — the girls had already finished and were now watching the last moments of the game. Heero's team were up by one and Duo had the ball.
"I'm open!" Heero called out to him. Duo was about to make the pass when Odin appeared and stole the ball, knocking Duo to the ground in the process. Odin made the shot and scored two points for Trowa's team, making them the winners as the final bell rang.
"Good game," the teacher called out and herded everyone on the court to the change room.
Duo was still on the ground, exhausted by the fast and furious pace of the game. "Need a hand?" Duo looked up to see Heero leaning over him, arm outstretched. Duo stared at the offer of help suspiciously for a few long seconds then shrugged and allowed Heero to help him up.
"Thanks." Duo walked towards the change room. Heero followed close behind. /Gods, I hope he doesn't talk about earlier!/ Duo prayed silently.
"You know," Heero commented as they changed, "you're not such a bad player. Why don't you ever join in a game with us?"
Duo snorted. "If every game you play is like that one, then I'm not so sure I can handle it."
Unexpectedly, Heero laughed. Duo smiled at the sound of that perfect timbre and had to consciously stop himself from drooling at the beautiful image of the stoic boy laughing in the middle of the change room. /He really should laugh more often, it makes him look even more gorgeous./ Duo silently berated himself for his thoughts and concentrated on the topic.
"Not every game is like that," Heero assured him. "It's rare that Tro and I are on opposing sides, there's too large a risk of injury to others if we are. I guess it's because we're both so determined not to lose."
"I noticed," Duo commented dryly. "You know, I don't think I've ever heard you talk so much, or seen you in such a good mood. Are you always like this after a game?"
Heero looked taken aback as he considered the question. /Was that a compliment?/ He tried not to dwell on it. "Hai, I guess so. I like playing sport, it makes me happy I suppose. The idea of victory and overcoming obstacles in battles appeals to me. However, you're avoiding the subject. Why don't you come play a game with us sometime?"
By this time, most people had finished changing and were leaving for home. Duo had also finished changing and stared at the door longingly, hoping that there would be something that would give him a reason not to answer the question he'd been avoiding. He sighed and decided to get it over with. "I don't think your friends like me much."
Heero looked a bit confused. But as Odin passed by them on his way out, he leered in Duo's direction. It was barely discernable, but both boys picked up on it. Heero frowned. /I never noticed it before, but Duo's right. I wonder why that is? Are they the same way with others too?/ "Odin can be a prick sometimes. But, I'd be glad to have you there. Trowa too. We're always up for a good challenge."
"I'll think about it," Duo replied evasively. Anyway, I've got to talk to Quat before he leaves. I'll catch you later Heero." Duo left the change room.
/That's the second time he's done that today. Do I make him that uncomfortable?/ Heero closed his locker and walked out. Trowa was leaning against the wall outside.
"What took you?"
"I was talking to Duo."
"I can see how that would take a while. Did you apologise?"
"Iie. I invited him to play a game sometime instead."
"Cool. He's pretty good. What'd he say?"
"He's think about it. Odin doesn't like him. Know why?"
"Odin can be an asshole sometimes," Trowa replied, not really answering the question. Heero got the feeling there was something more to this that he didn't know about. "I gotta go," Trowa said, walking a bit faster. "Cathy's waiting for me."
"Catch up tomorrow?"
"Sure." Trowa dashed off in the same direction as Duo.
/Man, what am I going to do about Duo?/ Heero wondered and walked home.