Warnings: Yaoi
Duo?
Chapter 21: School Days
During the next few weeks, Heero seemed to be avoiding all physical contact with Duo as possible, with the exception of nights when Duo would pull him into the safety of his arms. Duo didn't notice this at first, but after about three days, Duo realized that Heero was avoiding him and became suspicious.
Heero was also going out more often and he sometimes came back with various school supplies.
xxx
"Duo, Quatre told me that school is to start for us in two days..." Heero started nervously as he paced in front of Duo who sat comfortably in the desk chair. He nodded slowly so Heero continued, "I'm really nervous about it already. But I never get nervous about anything, I don't know why this would be different." He sat down on the bed and looked up at Duo. "Did you go to Harrelson?"
Duo nodded. "Yeah, it's a good school," he said with a smile. "I'm sure you'll fit in right away. It's almost like a gifted and talented school, just with wider boundaries, they don't expect that much from their students, but they're almost always above average."
Heero's eyes widened in surprise. "Were you above average?"
Duo laughed bitterly. "Most are surprised when I inform them that I am." He arched his eyebrows. "I am very underestimated by my peers and teachers." He grinned. "Even my..." His voice and grin faltered. He looked down as his eyes clouded. "My parents... were surprised," he finished quietly.
Heero sighed sympathetically and got up to sit on the arm of Duo's chair. He wrapped his arms around Duo. "I'm sorry, Duo," he whispered.
Duo was confused at first that Heero had willingly touched him, but that was quickly washed away and replaced with gratitude. "Thanks, but I'm ok." He sighed.
Heero pulled away. "You sure?" Duo smiled up at him and nodded. Heero half smiled back. Duo then reached up and took Heero's waist and pulled him into his lap. Heero smiled. "You think I won't have time for you once I get into school, don't you?" he asked.
Duo blinked. He hesitated before answering, "Yes, I do..."
Heero kissed Duo's neck softly. "I'll make time, Duo."
Duo shivered as a chill ran up his spine when Heero had kissed him. He sighed. "Let's get to bed, you've got to get into a normal sleeping pattern, not staying up til 12 and getting up at 10." He grinned as Heero rose from his lap.
He glanced at the clock. "It's only 10:45..."
Duo nodded and also got up. "I know, that's good, you need more sleep if you're going to go to school." He wrapped his arms around Heero in a quick hug before turning off the light. Heero quickly dressed for bed and climbed in next to Duo.
As always, Duo pulled him close and told him goodnight before he promptly fell asleep.
xxx
Heero rubbed his eyes and glanced at the softly beeping clock. '5:00... Why am I up so early?' he asked himself as he turned the alarm off. He whapped his forehead. 'Duh, school...' He shook his head and looked around for Duo. Not finding him, he went ahead and got ready.
When he got downstairs, it was ten minutes before six. Duo was in the kitchen rummaging through Heero's backpack. Heero tilted his head in confusion. "What're you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing..." Duo said distractedly as he zipped up Heero's backpack.
Heero rolled his eyes and walked toward him. He smiled and kissed him. "I'll see you later," he said and picked up his backpack.
Duo nodded and smiled as he walked out the front door. He sighed when he saw Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, and Sally waiting for Heero outside the door. He walked slowly upstairs again and went back to sleep, although it was difficult without Heero.
'How pathetic am I?' he asked himself and he sighed. 'I can't even sleep well without him...'
With these sorts of thoughts swimming in his head, he finally fell into an uneasy doze.
xxx
Duo heard the front door being unlocked and raced downstairs. He'd been playing on Heero's laptop for most of the day as he waited for Heero to return.
Heero greeted him with a grin. "Hi, Duo."
"Hey!" Duo said happily. "Did you like Harrelson?" he asked.
Heero dropped his backpack behind the couch. "It was great! I really like it, but without the help of Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei, I never would've found my way around. It's huge!" He smiled and sighed.
Duo chuckled. "I'm glad you like it there."
"But I guess I don't really have to tell you about it, since you went there." Heero grinned.
Duo nodded. "True, true. But you can tell me about it anyway, I don't really mind. It has been a while since I've been there, after all," he pointed out.
Heero blinked. "Heh... You're right. I was actually asked a lot about this house and if it was true I was living with a ghost." He grinned.
"What did you tell them?" Duo asked curiously when Heero stopped.
"I told them yes..." He thought for a moment, but said nothing more.
Duo bit his lip and glanced away. Heero smiled at him and wrapped his arms around his waist. "I missed you," he murmured.
Duo smiled back and kissed him lightly. "I missed you, too."
xxx
Duo glanced at the clock and smiled. 2:30 means Heero should walk in any minute now. Duo patiently waited for about ten minutes when he decided it would be ok to get suspicious. Heero was very good about coming home by at most, 2:35 because school ended at 2:20 and it only took him five to ten minutes to get home, depending on whether he stopped to talk to friends or teachers or something.
But today, Heero didn't come home.