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 07 – Casually
Duo casually averted his eyes from Heero for probably the 9th time since they arrived at "Chang's Famous Ramen". Wufei, a friend of his from college, ran the tiny but successful restaurant when his father passed away a couple of years ago. Even though Wufei was only at the tender age of 22, his reputation was known citywide and sometimes people would drive for miles to come and dine there.
After placing their order Duo couldn't help but casually glance up at the Japanese boy who sat across from him at the small table. Heero would be looking around the restaurant, as if familiarizing himself with the environment that was completely different from the orphanage. Sometimes he felt that the braided boy was staring at him but when he turned to look, Duo would be gazing somewhere else.
It confused him but he dismissed it.
Duo was confused himself. He never thought of liking another boy *that way* before, but then again… girls never appealed to him much either. He always blamed his studies when his friends asked him why he hadn't found someone yet. His outgoing nature would have made it easy but he supposed that he was just… waiting for someone.
And now, it may be possible that the "someone" was sitting merely a few feet away.
Their order finally arrived and they sat in comfortable silence while eating. Duo was a bit surprised that Heero held the chopsticks expertly since he never recalled any over at the orphanage. But then again, he didn't know Heero too well to make any kind of conclusions. He hoped the he would be able to before the day was over.
Duo couldn't keep his eyes away from the Japanese boy. Heero had his head lowered, his half closed, almost bored-looking eyes were focused on the noodles. And the way he ate was so… methodical… like he was some sort of *machine* that it was almost scary.
"Heero?" Duo questioned softly. Heero gave no indication that he heard except that he paused in his eating and blinked, shifting his eyes upward.
"Do you… like the ramen?" Duo held his breath when Heero was silent for a moment. Right when he was sure that he was turning blue in the face, the Japanese boy nodded.
"Hai." And he resumed eating. Duo just deflated.
It wasn't long before they both finished. Duo paid for the meal and motioned Heero to follow him. Once they stepped outside, a nice, strong breeze ruffled both their hair. Duo just sighed and his eyes slid shut as he just enjoyed the warm weather. Unbeknownst to him, Heero was watching out of the corner of his eye. He quickly averted his attention though when Duo opened his eyes and directed them towards him.
"Well, where do you want to go, Heero?" A slight, one shoulder shrug was the response.
"Hmm…" Duo thought to himself. Well the mall wasn't too far off and he did say that he would get Heero some new clothes. A grin broke out.
"Let's go to the mall!" Without waiting for Heero's response this time, he casually took hold of the other boy's wrist and half-dragged him along. He forced down the blush that threatened to surface as he felt the soft skin that his hand was curled around.
When they came to a crosswalk Duo loosened his hold so he could casually make it seem like he was letting go. But as his hand slipped lower from Heero's wrist, the Japanese boy surprised the hell out of him by turning his hand quickly so their palms were together, interlacing their fingers a bit awkwardly. Chancing a glance from the corner of his eye, he saw that Heero's attention wasn't on him. Turning his head slightly, he could barely make out a very light blush on Heero's high cheekbones.
Trying hard not to smile too widely or give into the urge to dance about, he casually straightened his hand so that he was able to lace their fingers together correctly.
tbc…