Chapter 3 isn't as long as the previous chapter, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! I'm trying to write this as fast as I can so I can get onto the juicy bits ^_~ So, as always, let me know what you think by reviewing. Comments, constructive criticism, whatever; it's all good! Again, much thanks to Faith for beta-ing!
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. If I did, Heero and Duo would be an official couple, and the program definitely wouldn't be suitable for children ^_~
It Shouldn't Have To be This Hard - Chapter 3
"Mornin' Heero!" Duo called cheerily, slamming his front door and dashing down his driveway as Heero came into view around the huge fir tree. He'd only been watching through the door window for about half a minute – Heero was always exactly on time. The reason he watched for Heero every morning was because, when they had first started walking to school together, Heero didn't knock on his door and wait for him, he just carried on walking and, if Duo wasn't on time to meet him on the street, he'd be left to walk by himself. He had no idea if Heero was still like that or if, now that they had been friends so long, he would wait for him; but it had gotten to be such a habit, and he didn't see the point in breaking it.
"Morning," was Heero's short reply. Hey, at least it was a reply!
They briskly began walking the familiar route to school. Heero wasn't one for dallying about. About twenty minutes of endless chatter and periodic 'Hn's' later, and they were in view of Trowa and Quatre's street. Said friends were stood close together on the street corner, Quatre almost stepping on the brown haired boy's toes he was so close to him. Duo shook his head – why didn't they just get together? Then at least someone would be happy.
Quatre glanced up and caught sight of them (it was a miracle that he'd torn his eyes away from Trowa's) and waved. "Hey, guys!"
"Hey!" Duo called back. Heero and Trowa did their manly nodding thing.
"Duo, can I talk to you for a bit?" Quatre asked.
"Um...sure. You mean in private?"
"Yeah," Quatre nodded.
Trowa gave the blonde a look that Duo couldn't really comprehend (possibly something along the lines of 'Oh, my love, I cannot leave you all alone!'), then turned to Heero.
"Shall we walk on?"
Heero nodded in agreement, and the two set off ahead of them. When they had walked out of earshot, Duo turned to Quatre. "So, what do ya want to talk about?" He had a pretty good idea what it would be about though.
"I think I'm gonna make a move on Trowa." Bingo! Whenever Quatre asked to talk to him in private, it was guaranteed to be about one of two things: something important, or Trowa. Although Quatre would argue that it was always about something of importance, since he considered matters involving Trowa extremely important.
"Quatre," Duo replied carefully, "don't you make 'moves' on him every day? I mean, what about all the butt-squeezing and bicep-feeling?"
"Those are not 'moves'," he explained, looking at Duo as though he knew nothing. "Those are just accidents or friendly gestures. I'm talking about letting him know how I feel about him. Maybe kissing him…" he shrugged.
"Kissing him?" Duo echoed. He didn't really know what to think. Quatre had always been a forward person, but he must have a whole lot of guts to do something like that. He also felt kind of jealous; Quatre actually had the courage to do something like that, and, more importantly, his actions and feelings would probably be reciprocated. Trowa and Quatre would get together and he'd have to put up with the endless mushy love talk and the starry romantic gazing into each other's eyes. Although he thought that they already did the latter anyway. But he'd be there all on his lonesome, with a crush on someone as unresponsive as a wooden plank.
"Yeah," Quatre scratched at his ear absently. "I just get that feeling that, y'know, maybe he likes me back. Not meaning to sound big headed or anything." However, the smile he wore looked the tiniest bit smug. Well, Quatre was usually correct about these things. He had the right to be smug. "Besides, he seemed more…responsive to me last night."
"Responsive?" Duo said, a little sceptically. "You mean he was leaning into your 'accidental' butt-squeezing?" He smirked.
Quatre seemed to think about that for a moment before reply. "Yes, actually. Come to think of it, he was." Duo blinked, and shook his head before speaking again.
"You should go for it," he encouraged. "I think he feels the same for you, too." He paused for a moment before continuing. "So, you're gonna kiss him? Tonight?"
"I guess so," Quatre looked slightly nervous. "I'm going round to his house again, so it's the perfect time."
As they approached the school gates they saw Trowa and Heero waiting for them just inside. "Go for it, Q-man!"
"Thanks," Quatre smiled gratefully at the encouragement.
"Well, you guys look like you were having a fun conversation!" Duo commented as they came within earshot of the two silent boys. Quatre once again glued himself to Trowa's side, while Heero gave a snort that was almost a laugh, then motioned to Duo.
"Let's get to class."
* * *
"Duo!" He halted in his mad dash to get to the cafeteria before they ran out of lime jello as he heard his name called by a familiar voice. Spinning around he came face to face with Heero, which was odd, since he was usually first to the cafeteria.
"Heero? How come you're not at the cafeteria?"
"I waited for you," was his simple reply.
"Oh." Well, that was new. Duo felt a glow of happiness that Heero had, for once, actually bothered to wait for him. Why the sudden change? Wait, unless he wanted something. Duo narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why?"
Heero shrugged in response. "I wanted to." Aw, that was sweet! "And I also wanted to talk to you about the Science project Mr. Smelton has set us." That wasn't so sweet. It was like those 'You've won a million dollars' letters – there's always a catch.
"Ok, but save the asking for later. Right now we need to get to the cafeteria before they're all out of jello!" That said, Duo resumed his mad dash, Heero following almost as fast, but still managing to look cool and calm as ever.
Luckily, they reached the lunch queue in time, and were soon sat at their usual table tucked into the corner of the room, Duo digging into his bowlful of quivering green goodness. A few minutes later they were joined by Trowa and Quatre. The blonde took his usual place next Heero, and Trowa the vacant space next to Heero.
"Ooh, Duo, you got lime jello! There was none left by the time I got there!" Quatre promptly pulled the bowl from under Duo's nose and, using his fingers, helped himself to a big glob of the green goo.
"Ew, Quatre, you are so gross!" Duo wrinkled his nose in disgust. "And that's my jello!" he added, grabbing the bowl back. Quatre pouted, causing Trowa to smile at him affectionately. How could someone smile like that at a person who was sitting there pouting, with their fingers covered in gloopy lime jello? It must be love.
After Duo had finished shovelling lime jello into his mouth, and had started to pick at the strange runny brown, meat-y substance that the cafeteria staff called 'beef stew', Heero began his lecture on their Science project.
"We're expected to work in partners and produce a 10 page explanation on the…"
Duo tuned out the monotonous drone and his mind happily skipped off into a world where Heero's voice wasn't emotionless and flat, but filled with passion and lust. His head would be thrown back in ecstasy, mouth wide, cheeks flushed as he…
"DUO!" Quatre practically yelled in his ear.
Duo jumped in surprise, banging his knees on the underside of the table, making his plate jump and, in turn, sending watery brown 'beef stew' slopping onto the table. Why did Quatre always jerk him out of his daydreams when he was just getting to the best bit? It was like he knew just what he was thinking, and interrupted on purpose.
"Heero was asking you something," Quatre told him sweetly.
Duo glared at Quatre, then turned to Heero. "Uh, sorry, I missed that."
Heero sighed then repeated, "I wondered if you wanted to come to my house tomorrow evening to work on the project?"
"Sure!" Duo replied enthusiastically. Yay, more time with Heero! Alone with Heero…in his bedroom…just like in so many of his fantasies…These thoughts sent his mind off on another trip to Heero-land and, for Duo, the rest of lunch passed by in a welcome daze that kept his mind off the so-called beef substance that he was determined to finish eating.
As they exited the dining hall Quatre bounced up to him. "Ooh, so you're going to be alone with Heero, in his bedroom!" he teased.
"Yes, Quatre, I know," he retorted in annoyance. "But it's not like I've never been to his house before. I go over there quite often."
"Yes, but this is your chance! I'm letting Trowa know of my feelings, so you should confess to Heero. It's the perfect opportunity! I can arrange to get you some candles to make a more romantic atmosphere. Oh, and some rose petals too. And I can help you with a romantic dinner, and also provide silken sheets for any 'after dinner activities'!" Quatre looked up at him with a cheeky grin.
"It's ok Quatre, I think you'll be needing all those supplies yourself, tonight," Duo replied, a little bitterly.
For a moment Quatre's face fell in disappointment but then, after realising what Duo had said, he grinned again. "I sure hope so!" Inwardly, Duo winced – why did his friend have to be so perky while he was wallowing in self-pity? It just wasn't right.
* * *
The four friends walked home together a usual. As Quatre and Trowa parted from them, Duo whispered discreetly into Quatre's ear, "Good luck!" Quatre shot him a small, rather nervous smile, but his eyes twinkled in anticipation.
The rest of the way home Heero and Duo discussed the Science project. Oh, the joy. At least Heero seemed quite willing to talk if it was on the subject of Science. In fact, for once, he seemed to be talking more than Duo was. Science wasn't a topic he had much to say on. As they turned onto their road, Duo spotted a large removal van parked opposite his house, furniture being shifted from it by two large burly men.
"Hey, the new family's moving in!" he pointed out, rather unnecessarily.
Heero glanced in that direction then, as Duo turned up his own driveway, called out "So we'll talk more about the project tomorrow?" although it was more of a command than a question. Duo just sighed and nodded.
"Sure. See ya tomorrow!"
'Why did I have to fall for such a nerd?' he wondered in annoyance, as he watched Heero's retreating back…and ass. 'Because you're an idiot, and he's bloody hot!" was his mind's only answer.