Affection

Chapter five: It only rains when I smile

Since last night and when Heero had woken up he started to realize the way Duo had worded his sentences whenever they spoke of Trowa. It was like on some other plane of existence he knew, but at the same time didn't. Or maybe he was just reading too much into it. There was one upside to last night though; Duo hadn't shown up too meet Trowa in the morning like he always did. Heero smiled brightly too himself at that. Perhaps he had been wrong the entire time about Duo's intentions and he only did want to be friends with his brother. Oh well, good riddens to that. It was currently lunch and while Quatre had decided to sit by himself two trees away from where they usually sat the rest of them i.e. Wufei, Trowa, and himself were still under the same spot eating.

"I don't understand what happened; yesterday everything was fine, but once we got to school it seems like he's been trying to avoid me the entire time, even in class." said Trowa waving his soda can around, causing Heero to duck since he was currently sitting between his brothers legs.

"I seriously doubt that he's going out of his way to ignore you for no reason." said Wufei throwing away his trash, for him it was normal to see Heero and Trowa in positions like that.

"The guy won't even make eye contact with me." said Trowa obviously perplexed by his new friends' behavior. It made Heero smile even more to hear how Duo was acting at the new found information of Trowa's intimate affections. Wufei had turned his head in Heero's direction at which point Heero stopped smiling.

"What are you so happy about?" asked Wufei arching an eyebrow while pulling a lopsided smile across his face.

"Me? It's nothing really." said Heero as he took a bite of his sandwich while closing his eyes.

"Oh yeah that looks like nothing." said Wufei nudging Heero a little.

"Yeah why are you so happy all of a sudden?" asked Trowa as he took a sip from his soda.

"My God is it such a crime to smile nowadays?" said Heero as he got up and walked halfway to the garbage can and tossed his garbage in the trashcan a few feet away from the bench.

"Yeah." stated both Trowa and Wufei at the same time.


The three of them had decided on going home, Trowa and Heero's home, and order pizza and watch movies the entire night till they passed out. But that plan was soon to be short lived for when the bell for the last class to end had rung the small group found themselves facing Duo. Duo was leaning against the side of his car in the front parking lot. At first he didn't notice them then turned his head and stared directly at Trowa and didn't break eye contact. Duo waved them over and they slowly walked over to where he was. They could hear music coming from the speakers of the car, beating loudly as the song continued to play; Duo leaned back a little and turned the music down just a bit.

"As much as I like the song Just Like You it's a bit too loud don't you think?" said Duo looking still directly at Trowa.

"I think Three Days Grace is pretty ok." Trowa crossed his arms across his chest while sending Duo a stare that clearly read "tell me why I should even bother talking to you" and Heero suddenly felt his pleasant evening slipping threw the cracks of the cement beneath his feet.

"Can we talk," briefly he glanced at Heero "alone please." Trowa seemed to have noticed the tone in Duo's voice that was bluntly stating that he had something important he wanted to speak about, but what about, Trowa had no idea.

"Sure. Wufei you and Heero walk home without me ok I'll be there in a little while." said Trowa as he walked around to the other side of the car and got in.

"We'll probably do some things before going, but other than that we'll be there." he waved.

"But-" started Heero, but the car had already taken off.

"Don't worry whatever is going on between them couldn't be too serious." said Wufei as he put his hand on Heero's shoulder. "Come on I'll take you out to McDonald's."


The entire ride was spent in silence; Trowa had no idea where Duo was taking him or why he had avoided him all day. Duo seemed to have something important on his mind, but what it was, was a complete mystery. Trowa watched Duo from his side of the car; he really was something to look at. He thought about what Heero had said to him last night right before they had gone to sleep. He wasn't quite sure why Heero had said what he did last night, but in the morning it had started to make him think, make him realize. Heero had just told him that it was ok if he went out with Duo. It was weird, never once did it occur to him that his little brother could read him so easily, was he so obvious? With Heero it had always been easy to read his expressions, but as the years progressed it just got harder with time. He hadn't realized that in such a short amount of time a person could change. Himself in general. It use to be that Heero was the only person on his mind. Now, Heero was still first in his mind, but it seemed that Duo was quickly becoming a part of that as well. He hadn't shared his sentiments on Duo with his little brother because he was afraid that Heero would feel replaced, but as it had turned out he felt that way any how. Seeing Heero curled up on his bed made him realize that.

"Trowa?" he heard the voice but it seemed sort of distant.

"....." he shook his head and realized that they had parked in front of the local park just a few blocks away from his house.

"You've been staring out that window for Lord knows how long, are you going to answer me or not, because I can understand if you feel uncomfortable you can just leave if you want I'll understand, really." Duo sounded slightly afraid.

"I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention or I actually sort of zoned out." Trowa smiled sheepishly in Duo's direction.

"You're joking right?" said Duo running his fingers threw his hair to the back and tugged slightly hard and then pulled his hand out and patted the back to make sure had hadn't pulled it out of it's braid.

"I'm sorry." Trowa unbuckled his seat belt and reclined his seat a little.

"It's ok, but what were you thinking about?" Trowa could tell Duo was not going to repeat what he had asked earlier.

"My brother." Trowa closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath and exhaled.

"Oh." he could feel Duo's eyes on him it sent a strange tingling feeling or more like he was slightly numb all over and was trying to shake it off.

"Duo, can I ask you something?" Trowa had opened his eyes and stared up at the roof of the car.

"Ok..." he sounded slightly cautious for some reason.

"Do you like me, I mean the thing is, I was wondering if by chance you'd want to go out with me?" he turned his had and noticed the look on Duo's face and wished he'd not zoned out earlier.

"You really didn't hear what I was saying earlier did you?" Duo smiled wide and Trowa figured that he really needed to start paying more attention.

"Um....I" he sat up and was mere inches from Duo's face staring into his unique shade of eyes.

"I think you need to improve on your listening skills." stated Duo, he didn't move, he just let his gaze rest on Trowa's eyes, while the smile he had on seemed to get wider.

"I'm a bit confused, but I think I agree with you, I do need to improve on my listening skills." Trowa had no idea how to assess the situation, here he was sitting in front of the guy he just basically asked out and what does the guy do, tell him to improve his skills.

"Let me make it a bit more clear to you." Duo slowly closed the gap between them and kissed Trowa softly on the lips. Duo had closed his eyes and had let his arms slid around Trowa's back and slid his left hand behind Trowa's neck. Trowa for all the while had no idea why he still had his eyes open. He liked watching the expression on Duo's face when he had just slightly opened his mouth and slid his tongue across Duo's lower lip. Duo had started to slowly pull back when he opened his eyes and noticed that Trowa's were opened and then turned just a tad red.

"That's was definitely clear." Trowa smiled and licked his lips.

"Were your eyes open the entire time?" Duo looked slightly embarrassed.

"Yeah, sorry, believe me I know how creepy that can be, but I just couldn't help myself for some reason." Trowa shrugged and pulled the little handle underneath his seat so that it was up right.

"So uh....do you want me to take you home?" Duo turned the key in the ignition and stared out the front window of the car.

"Yeah that's cool." Trowa put on his seat belt then looked back at Duo and noticed the huge smile on his face.

"I know this is gonna sound weird, but when did you realize that you liked me?" Duo had put on his seat belt and was just pulling out of the parking lot onto the road.

"I've been completely dazed since the moment you knocked me on my ass in the hall by accident." said Trowa slightly laughing.

"To be honest that wasn't a complete accident, I saw you pull up in the parking lot and went back inside so that I could "run into you", but you falling your ass, that was an accident." Duo smiled and Trowa was sure that by the end of the day Duo's face was going to be hurting from it.

"Well that's nice to know." Trowa couldn't help but keep staring at Duo.

"Since that moment all I've wanted was to be as close as possible to you. I don't know if that sounds creepy or not, but it's true. I called my friend back in L.A. and he said that I was probably just feeling insecure and wanted to latch onto someone as quick as possible so that I wouldn't feel alone or left out, but I seriously doubt that this is what that is. Is it wrong to want to be as close as possible to someone you just met?" they had just pulled up next to the driveway and were currently getting out of the car.

"I don't think so; I think it's perfectly normal, when you know that what you feel isn't just some petty insecurity, but something real for once. I'm sure that once in every person's life they meet who they're meant to be with, but it's up to them to act on their feelings and make things how they feel they should be." Trowa opened the door and let Duo in before closing the door.

"Well that was certainly deep." said Duo as he tossed his jacket on the couch and took off his shoes.

"To be honest that came from Heero, although I'm not really sure where he got it from." Trowa took his shoes off and placed them in the closet.

"If that's the case, he's very insightful for someone his age." Duo sat down on the arm of the couch.

"Yeah he is." Trowa sat down next to Duo.

"So uh....does this mean we're going out now?" asked Duo leaning close to Trowa just a little.

"I'd sure hope so, why?" Trowa gave Duo a look.

"So that I can kiss you whenever I want." whispered Duo before he started to laugh.

"Sweet Home Alabama." said Trowa also laughing.

"My mom watched it last night and I couldn't help but say it." Duo leaned down and kissed Trowa full on the lips.

"You're something else Duo." whispered Trowa as he placed his hand on Duo's face and traced his lips with thumb.

"Is that such a bad thing." said Duo as he let his tongue slip out and lick Trowa's thumb.

"Absolutely not." they started kissing and Trowa knew that he was defiantly going to have to sit down with Heero and have a talk with him. For the longest time it had always been just the two of them and he was sure that Heero would feel slightly uncomfortable around them. It had just occurred to him that neither his brother nor Wufei were in the house.

"Tro.....I know that we've only known each other for like a week and all, but I want to....." Duo bit his lower lip, which Trowa thought was a cute nervous gesture.

"Only if you really want to." said Trowa already knowing what Duo was saying.

"I haven't been so sure of something like this since I decided I wanted to let my hair grow longer, which by the way everyone said was going to look stupid." Duo and Trowa started kissing more urgently.

"Well you definitely proved them wrong." said Trowa between kisses.

They managed to get off the couch and without looking where they were going they stumbled down the hallway and into the nearest bedroom. Duo and Trowa were lying on the bed and Duo let his hands slip underneath Trowa's shirt and pulled it up as Trowa lifted his arms so that Duo could take it off him. Duo let his hands slide up and down Trowa's nicely tanned chest and leaned down and kissed him. And as Duo started a little path down Trowa's chest Trowa started to take Duo's shirt off. Halfway down his journey Duo noticed the light sheen of small hairs on Trowa's stomach and smiled. He stopped momentarily and kissed Trowa on the lips again.

"You're absolutely beautiful did you know that?" said Duo smiling against Trowa's lips.

"Hell I'm nothing compared to you." whispered Trowa in Duo's ear as he started to lick the ridge of Duo's ears causing the other boy to shiver slightly.

"How cheesy."

"Oh shut up!"


Sitting at one of the booths at the local McDonald's Heero and Wufei were eating their meals in companionable silence or at least that's what Wufei hoped. He noticed that whenever Duo was around Heero seemed to just give of hostile vibes like there was no tomorrow. How could Trowa not tell? It was obvious Duo could sense it but never said a thing about it; maybe he was hoping that it was just some sort of misunderstanding. Poor guy, he had no idea that Heero hated him because of all the time he was spending with his brother. Not that he minded one bit. It was just more time for him and Heero to spend together. He just wished that Heero would talk to him more rather than just being there, but who was he to complain at least he got to be near him.

"Earth to Wufei!" he jerked out of his contemplative zone.

"What?!" Heero gave him a look that he'd rather not try to decipher.

"You were staring at me I was getting creeped out." stated Heero taking a long sip from his soda.

"Sorry. Anyways we should get going it'll take about an hour or so to get to your house from here." said Wufei as he picked up their trash and tossed it.

"Ok." said Heero as if he wanted to leave the place as quick as possible.

Once they got outside silence had ensued again and Wufei wondered whether or not now was a good time as any to just up and tell Heero how he felt about him. Granted it would make for an awkward situation, but as long as Trowa wasn't anywhere around he felt confident enough to say something and not worry about getting his ass kicked by his best friend.

"Heero I would like to apologize."

"For what?" said Heero as he narrowed his eyes in Wufei's direction.

"For what I did a few days ago, actually I want to apologize for what I did on your birthday."

"Ok......?" said Heero as he turned his attention to the stop lights and then they crossed.

"Well.......I'm sorry about what happened or really what I did in kick boxing. I should have acted more my age and handled my feelings on a larger scale than that of a seven year old." he slightly down casted his eyes and felt like an idiot for not being completely straight forward.

"What?!" said Heero with the most adorably confused look on his face Wufei ever could have imagined.

"I like you Heero and I would also like the chance to get to know and love you." all Heero could think was: Wufei was, is, Trowa's best friend and if Trowa had ever known that his best friend held those kinds of thoughts towards his little brother he'd probably be dead by now. Heero wanted to say yes, even if for the sole possibility of hurting his brother the way he'd been hurt, but Trowa had done it unintentionally and it wouldn't be fair to Wufei if he lead him on.

"I'm really sorry Wufei but I'm in love with somebody else."

"Your brother......I know." said Wufei with a knowing look of acceptance.

"How?" Heero felt bad, the look on Wufei's face clearly said he felt like an idiot.

"Just by the way you two are with one another. I mean really, what two brothers, let alone two guys, would let another guy sit on his lap?"

"Oh......good point." said Heero gripping his backpack straps.

"Well I guess I could always look on the bright side."

"Which is?" asked Heero.

"If I can't' be your lover I can at least be your friend." Wufei didn't seem the least bit awkward or upset it was like he'd know already what the answer would be.

"I could always use another, besides, my other best friend happens to have a crush on my brother." said Heero.

"Geez, I know they say to find a common interest when searching for a friend, but really Heero!" the walked seemed shorter than it was and they were currently on the road where he and Trowa lived.

"I know, I know." they started to walk up the driveway neither of them noticed Duo's car parked out by the sidewalk.

"You know what?"

"I'm pathetic."

"Heero you're anything but-. Besides, you know if you ever need someone to talk to I'm here ok."

"Thanks Wufei." said Heero as they stopped at his front door. "you don't have to come in if you don't want to."

"No that's ok, besides I know you don't like being by yourself." Heero paused and smiled briefly, but brightly at Wufei, like he just realized how great a person Wufei really was.

Heero unlocked the front door and put his backpack in the closet by the door. He went and opened the blinds so that there was sunlight coming into the living room. He was just about to make his way to the kitchen when he heard the familiar sound of creaking that came from his old bed spring mattress.

"What the fuck?" said Heero as he walked past Wufei who was right at his heels.

Neither Heero nor Wufei had expected to see what they had when they opened the door to Heero's bedroom. At first Heero had thought that maybe Trowa had let the cat in that morning and now it was making a scratching post out of his old bed. That was quickly shoved out of the picture the moment he heard his brothers voice from behind the door.

"Who's he talking to?" asked Wufei looking at Heero who shrugged then opened his bedroom door. Both Wufei and Heero's eyes widen to the sized of tires then the look on Heero's face quickly switched that of complete rage.

"What the fuck do you think you're both doing in my bed, get the hell out!" Heero felt hot tears desperately trying to make their way out, but he held them back. "Fuck it I don't want to deal with this I'm going and I swear to God those sheets better be burned with I come back!"

Wufei followed Heero as he slammed the door shut and ran down the hall out into the living room and out of the house. He could see the tears falling from Heero's face and caught up to him. Turning him around Wufei wrapped his arms around the younger boy.

"It's ok Heero, it's ok" whispered Wufei.

"How the hell is it ok my brother abandoned me, my best friend has stopped talking to me, and I have no where to go!" Heero continued to sob.

"I'm still here Heero and you can stay at my house until you're ready to go back home."

"I don't want to be a burden on you Wufei."

"Trust me you'll be anything but-. Now lets get out of the middle of the road before we get hit by a car."


"Shit!" Trowa grabbed his shorts and threw them on just as fast as he could and ran out the door.

"Trowa!" Duo grabbed his pants and threw them on and took off after Trowa not even bothering to put his shoes on.

Once he stepped out the front door he found Trowa standing in the middle of the street. He had a dazed look on his face. Duo looked up the street and saw Trowa's brother and Wufei. Wufei had his arms wrapped around Heero, who was crying.


A/N: Well that's probably the longest chapter I've written so far! I'm proud!

THIS FIC IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

GAVIN DEGRAW

And as always: reviews are welcomed.