Author: aomurasakiai
Warnings: AU, Angst, Sap, Shounen ai/Yaoi
Pairings: 2+1, 1+2, 2x1
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13
*Everything above may be
subject to change*
Fragile Faith: Chapter 06 – Choice
Duo woke up early the next morning and sat up on his bed. Threading his hand through his hair he sighed as he thought back to the night before when he was watching Heero sleep. No matter how many times he replayed that scene, one thought stayed the same.
'He *was*… beautiful.'
And Duo could no longer deny that. Somewhere along the way, he had passed the stage of wanting friendship to wanting more. It scared him and yet it excited him. Duo found himself contemplating whether or not he should go to the orphanage that morning, since he was still apprehensive of his growing feelings for the Japanese boy. When his cell phone rang the shrill sound pealed through the silent room, startling the braided boy. Reaching over to his dresser and fumbling for it, he finally managed to open it.
"H-Hello?" Duo said, in a slightly high voice.
"Good morning Duo. Sorry, did I wake you?" Lady Une's voice came through the phone.
"No, not at all Lady Une. I was already awake. What's up?" Duo was curious as to why Lady Une would be calling so early in the morning.
"Well I was wondering if you're going to come to the orphanage today? I'm taking the kids to the park for the day and I want someone to keep an eye out for Heero."
"Oh really… He doesn't want to go with you?" He heard Lady Une sigh.
"Before, he would follow us to the park, but he never played with the other kids. He probably thought it was silly for a teenager like himself to go on the swings or the teeter-totter so after a while I just dropped him off at the library or a bookstore and picked him up in the late evening. I gave him some money so he could buy whatever he would like but truth be told, I don't think he used any of it. Now he is refusing to go with us."
"And he never did before?"
"No. We do this every weekend and he's never complained."
"Well it's okay then Lady Une. I'll be right over."
"Thank you so much Duo."
"It's no problem. See you." Duo closed up his cell phone and exhaled.
"I guess it's out of my hands now," he said softly before getting ready.
~~~At the orphanage~~~
Duo waved goodbye to Lady Une and all the kids and closed the door to the orphanage. When he turned around he saw Heero standing in the hallway. He was still dressed in the same green tank top and tight black shorts. Duo was beginning to wonder if he had any other clothing. Deciding to break the silence Duo smiled at the other teen.
"Well it's just you and me, Heero. What do you want to do?" Instead of answering, Heero turned around and headed back to his room. Duo stood there, dumbfounded for a moment before hurrying to catch up with the Japanese boy. Once he got there, he was about to open the door when it opened by itself and Heero stood there once more with the CD clutched in his hand. He pushed past Duo and headed to the living room area of the orphanage where an old and slightly dusty stereo sat in the corner. Pulling off the cover Heero plugged it in and inserted the CD.
Skipping a few tracks he stopped on one particular song. Duo immediately recognized the piano melody. It was the track with the Japanese title.
"Hey… that's--" Heero stood up and went to the couch to sit. Duo hesitated for a moment before taking a seat opposite of the Japanese boy. He smiled and closed his eyes as the song progressed, letting the music notes wash over him… calming him.
"It's really peaceful," Duo heard himself whisper.
"Nukumori no Kioku." Duo's eyes opened when he heard Heero's equally soft voice.
"Huh?" Duo turned his head to face Heero who was staring at the CD case on his lap. The Japanese boy lowered his head even more, his bangs covering his eyes.
"Nukumori no Kioku." Heero repeated in a firmer voice. "Memories of Warmth." Duo's eyes widened as he realized that Heero was referring to the song title.
"So *that's* what it was called! Cool. Thanks Heero." Duo grinned widely at him. "Hey Heero? You eat anything yet? What do you want for breakfast?" Heero looked up, confused.
"What do… I want?"
"Yeah. Whatever you want. If I know how to make it, I will and if not, I'll take you out to eat."
"Whatever… I want…" Heero said so softly that Duo nearly missed it. The way his forlorn voice sounded was so heartbreaking to Duo. He kept silent and just let Heero think for a while as he did the same. He realized that this was probably the first real choice that Heero ever made for himself.
Being abandoned by his parents wasn't his choice. Coming here to an orphanage wasn't his choice. His daily meals, the other kids as playmates, the weekend trips to the library or bookstore… none of those had really been his. Sure it may have been his choice to stay behind this time, but… Duo had a feeling it wasn't for himself either.
"R…ramen." Duo immediately perked up at his answer.
"Ramen it is! I think I know a good place." He got up to turn off the stereo. "You need to change?" he asked, looking back at Heero. When he saw the subtle headshake he shrugged.
"It's alright. But, we're going to go shopping afterwards so you can buy yourself some new clothes. I'll pay for them, no worries." Duo said, grinning. Duo always saved as much as he could so he had more than enough to spare.
"Let's go." Before he knew it he had already offered his hand to Heero. The Japanese boy looked at it for a moment before taking it and pulling himself up from the couch. Duo grinned again to hide the fact that his heart was pounding in his chest and reluctantly released Heero's warm hand.
When Duo sat down to put on his shoes, he never saw Heero look down at his hand, slowly close it, and place it close to his chest.
tbc…