Wow, long time no see! I got overly occupied with school and work. Gomen. I hope this makes up for my absence!
Disclaimer: In my absence, I have not acquired the rights to these sexy little bums.
'Chapter 11 ~ Screw Romantic Heroes '
The moment I awoke, a voice in the back of my mind alerted me that something was amiss. Before my eyelids cracked open to welcome the light of day, a feeling of dread flooded over my resting body. I shifted slowly, kicking the heavy flannel comforter aside enough so my feet were exposed. A chilled breeze brushed over the unprotected tips of my toes and caused me to shutter. Then it occurred to me, why is there wind inside the house?
I cautiously peeked open one eye to survey my surroundings. The first thing that struck me as out of place was that the room was unusually dark for that hour of the day. The curtains had been drawn and the door closed for all but an inch. Secondly, the window was propped wide open and the rain soaked wind caused the closed drapes to dance wildly.
I wanted nothing more than to stay in the bed and continue to wrap myself in the warm solitude of dreams. However, before my head once again descended upon the pillow, something else came to my attention that struck as odd. My bedroom door, witch had remained ajar from the moment we arrived, was completely closed.
At first, my instincts offered that the wind had blown the door shut while I lay resting, but I dismissed the thought immediately. Had nature moved the heavy object, I would have awoken to the resounding impact. This was the work of a well-trained individual who knew how to tread lightly.
Immediately, concern for Duo flooded my mind and I leapt from the bed and threw open the door. The hall was still and, gazing into Duo's room, I found his bed made and the terrace doors closed. His walker still sat unused in the corner, collecting dust.
I began to panic.
The blood pulsing blistering through my veins, I randomly began pushing open doors, calling out for my love.
Each room was as empty as the one before and my mind flooded with worry. I couldn't arrange my thoughts. I didn't dare try to sort through all the worries clouding my mind.
I can't remember how or when I got downstairs but before my brain could catch up with my body, I was racing out the front door with the keys to the SUV Quatre loaned us.
The day was gray, overcast, and humid; a product of the past few days rain. Even at that moment heavy clouds threatened to burst in an instant. The car still being in the driveway was reassuring. Duo's body still hadn't fully regained his usual mobility; so he couldn't have wondered far without a vehicle.
He's never disappeared like this before! Usually he just waits by his window, starring out, until I take him downstairs for breakfast. I still can't believe he'd run away. Haven't I tried everything to make him comfortable?
This is not happening!
I will not lose him again!
The door of the jet black SUV swung open and I threw the keys in before hopping in the driver's seat and slamming the door. It was only then that I glanced down at my feet and realized I was still barefoot and in flannel pajama pants. I paused for a micro second to think if I should run back into the house and at least grab some shoes and a coat. The second passed and I shoved the key in the ignition.
The simple fact is; I just don't give a fuck right now. I can drive barefoot. (1)
The engine roared as I rev-ed the gas to warm up the car. The blasted piece of crap was just going to have to deal with the abuse. I'm sure Winner has a warranty somewhere.
Reaching down to disengage the park-brake, something caught my eye in the rearview mirror.
The car had been parked facing out into the street. Behind it lay the yard that connected to the beach and in the rain-soaked soil, footprints were imbedded.
Forgetting to turn off the car, I opened the door and peered into the mist that covered nearly everything. My heart strained as I tried not to get my hopes up.
Step by step and foot by foot I followed the trial around the side of the house to where the wet earth gradually mixed with sand. The engine became a low rumble in the background as my eyes adjusted to the surrounding fog and a figure became clear in the distance.
I breathed a sigh of relief and quickened my pace as I counted along the course sand.
Duo sat on the water line, the tide washing the dirt and sand off his bare feet. Long chestnut strands danced around him in the hazy ocean breeze, causing him appear almost ghostly in the pale morning light. His hands rested at his sides, fingers playing with the fine grains of ashen sand. I stopped dead in my tracks about a yard from where he sat, starring outcross the lake.
All I wanted was to reach down and scoop the violet-eyes beauty into my arms and carry him back to bed.
Unfortunately, my tongue spat out an ever so witty: "What the fuck are you doing out here?"
Why the hell did I say that?
I was wrong all this time. I'm the baka. Everything I want in life is sitting right in front of me not three-feet away and all I can do is spit out a demeaning phrase laced with anger.
What's wrong with me?
He just sat there, taking no notice of my presence or harsh words. My love continued to allow the cold wake wash over him as he stared into nothingness.
I lightened my tone and took a deep breath before trying to redeem myself.
"I was worried sick. How'd you make it this far on your own?"
Duo still remained silent and my throat started to feel dry and swollen. I stood looking down at his unmoving figure for what felt like an eternity, pondering over what I should say.
A long slender smirk formed on Duo's wind scraped lips.
I know that look.
I don't like that look.
"I walked, Heero. I can walk, ya know. Just not all that well."
His eyes seemed vacant, distant, void of all the life and spirit I've come to expect from Duo Maxwell.
Obviously, something has caused him to retreat into defensive mode. Shinigami's in control.
I stood idly, eyes turned to the horizon.
He's been frustrated with his injuries; I should have seen this coming. Duo's an independent person who's been accustomed to relaying on no one other than himself. We were both trained to suffer alone.
"I'm taking you back to the house. We'll have breakfast and talk."
Why does that sound more like a command than a request? Kami-sama, why can't I just speak with the compassion I feel? My tongue's a curse. (2)
"Talk?" He scoffed, eyes narrowing on an unfixed point in space. "Since when do we talk? I talk, you stare right through me."
Ok, I'm confused. Very confused.
"I don't understand."
"Christ Heero! You bring me into this overwhelmingly large house, help me hobble around all day, and hardly speak a word!"
What can I say? He's miserable here and I know it. I've done everything I can imagine to make this place a home, but apparently I missed something.
"I'm sorry." I mutter, pathetically.
Those deep violet eyes turn to gaze up at me, still narrowed as if to drive right through my body. In his eyes I can see the pain he's trying to keep bottled up.
I can't live like this.
Screw pride. Screw fear. Fuck the consequences.
If I just give him the truth and declare my feelings, maybe this nightmare will wash away with the tide.
Anything would be better than gazing into those amethyst pools and setting eyes on such agony.
"Duo, I – "
"I called Howard this morning."
His eyes turned back to the water and my jaw clenched. I don't want to hear this! He's not going back out there again!
"No."
I shouldn't have said that.
"No?!" Duo's head snapped up to send me another irritated glare. "What the fuck do you mean 'No'? Look, I appreciate your helping me get back on my feet, but who made you my keeper, Heero?!"
A bitter gust of wind tossed about the loose chestnut strands framing his face. The water line continued to rise and the wake washed up to his knees.
The grains of sand on the tips of his lashes, the low glow of the fog highlighting the curve of his face; the body before me painted a perfect picture of masculine beauty. The sight was breathtaking, however, if Duo continued to site in the cold tide he'd probably catch pneumonia.
"Duo, please, just come inside. We can have this discussion over coffee."
He lowered his eyes again and spat, bitterly, "You don't drink coffee."
Fine. I've had enough. He doesn't have to explain everything, but I'm sure as hell not going to leave him sitting on the embankment.
Without another thought, I quickly bent down and scooped the violet-eyed beauty into my arms, getting soaked in the tide. He went ridged in surprise and then kicked in protest as I began to carry him back to the house.
"What the hell! Heero put me down now!"
I turned a deaf ear to his complaints as he struggled to force his way out of my grasp.
"Stop squirming."
"Fuck you, Yuy!"
Well, I suppose it's good we're communicating again. (3)
"Sit still."
"I'm not taking orders from you!"
"Stop being so stubborn."
"Screw you!"
With that, Duo's right fist collided with my jaw. I stumbled back out of sheer astonishment and lost my grip. He used the opportunity to roll from my clutch onto the sand and pulled back into a defensive fighting stance. The wind still tossing the loss strands of his hair and his eyes burning, he looked like a wild animal.
I reached up and traced my fingers along my jaw where Duo's fist had impacted. All I could do was stare at him in shock.
Why the hell is he fighting me?
"Cut the hero crap!" (4)
His voice was elevated and hoarse, like he was choking back…tears?
"Duo…I don't -"
He lunged at me. Duo came out swinging violently. Although awkward, his fist was difficult to doge.
Those physical therapy sessions must be working.
Finally, I managed to grab his wrist before another punch came close to my face. He wriggled for a moment, eyes dead locked with mine, before giving in and letting his body go limp onto the ground.
"I don't need your shit Heero and I don't need your pity. I'm not looking for someone to save my ass all the time!"
He struggled to stand again and I offered assistance but he pushed my hand away.
The whole scenario left my throat feeling dry. Even with out physical injury, every part of my body ached.
Goddamn it, I love him.
"Duo. I'm begging you, listen to me."
Ignoring my pleas, he turned his back and began to slowly shuffle away.
My brain shut down. Everything came crashing down and the world went dark except for the figure slowly wondering away. I turned back to the tide and with one small breath whispered into the wind:
"I love you, Duo."
For a moment, I just felt weightless. The world around me disappeared and all I could feel was the brushing of the cool wind on my bare chest. Just for a moment, I felt free. Then, I herd Duo's awkward footsteps cease in the distance and my breath hitched.
So this is love?
"You think I don't know?"
His voice remained low and strained with a harsh edge that cut through my heart. For a second I closed my eyes, as if to block reality and re-claim my abandon.
It only brought a brief darkness.
"Why do you think I left, Heero?"
I can't look at him. The sound of his voice is enough to tear me to shreds; if I look into his eyes I'll fall apart.
"I don't want a knight in shining armor to come carry me away every time I fuck up. I want my roommate and my best friend. Something was changing; I could feel it in the air, when the two of us were alone at night. I didn't want to risk the only home I had on a feeling. So I went with Howard."
Gathering my strength to keep the walled up tears locked away, I turned to him.
"Home?"
He let out a lengthy sigh, "Yeah, Heero. To me you're … home. I know I can always come back to you."
Our eyes met and my chest caved.
I didn't need to hear one more word.
I quickly closed the few yards distance between us and pulled his body to mine. He went ridged in my arms and lowered his gaze.
"I'm not sure I'm willing to take this chance, Heero."
Placing a finger under his chin, I raised his face to mine.
"Then let me."
Slowly, the centimeters between us disappeared and our lips touched gently as Duo began to relax into my hold. Every inch of my skin was on fire and my hands crept to entangle in Duo's soft tresses.
For an eternity we stood there, locked in a passionate embrace.
Home.
TBC….
(1) Ummm …. Driving barefoot is actually illegal in most states. Don't ask me why. I do it all the time ^_^
(2) Yeah, Heero's talking about his feelings. Get over it. Move on.
(3) Can ya feel the sarcasm?
(4) No pun intended, just read the title…. witch also has a random pun…. crap
A/N: Some romantic beach scene, ne?
This story is unbelievably emotionally draining to write. Unfortunately, that makes for short chapters. I think it might be ending soon simply b/c I think all the angst is giving me migraines. For those who are wondering what happened to the 5+4,3+4…I'll be getting back to that. THANKYOU soooo much to all who reviewed!
Review or I'll cry.
Oh and no pun intended in the title.
