It took me five minutes to retrieve my coat from my room. I practically ran up the stairs to get it. When I had returned, Heero raised an eyebrow. I bet he was wondering how I got back so fast. I am a man of many talents. I run those stairs everyday so that I wouldn't be late for class. It was a habit really.

"What?" I asked defensively. He was laughing at me on the inside, I know he was.

"Nothing, it didn't take you very long did to retrieve your coat." He said with a smirk.

"I am a man of many talents Yuy, you'll find that one out." I said with a smirk of my own. He was in for a handful. I was a rough one to handle sometimes. I was hardheaded, not to mention that when I wanted something my way, it had to be my way. Yea, I was weird. Did I care? No.

Heero raised an eyebrow at my comment. Shit. He took it perversely. Good goin Maxwell. Man was I to do?

"Well, if you are any type of artist, I would like to see your work. I am fond of the visual arts." Heero said as I stood there dumbstruck. He didn't take what I had said perversely? What was with this guy? He was pose to want to ravage my body and such, not be a total gentleman. What the hell, after all the years that I've protected myself, how he could break every barrier I had?

"So, where are we going?" I asked to avoid his comment. I was talented at the visual arts and I loved to sing, but I wasn't about to let him know that.

"I think a small café is in order. I don't want to go anywhere that will be crowded." He answered me as he unlocked the door to his blue 69 mustang. The car was a soft blue, it resembled Mia's car from the Princess Diaries movie. 1 I'm not good on describing cars, so sue me.

"Alright, it's been awhile since I've been to a café." I said as I sat down in the car. I wasn't lying. It had been awhile. Mueller used to drag my ass to the small café on the outskirts of town near the ruins of the church. But since things went crazy, I haven't been out much.

"Do you know the café on the outskirts of town, Misti Woods?" 2

"Yea, I know it. It's near the ruins of the Maxwell Church. I worked there when I was in high school." I was suddenly immersed in my memories of when I used to work at Misti Woods. The owner had known Father Maxwell and when I was old enough to work, he was more than happy to take me in. Howard was always an odd man. Sometimes, he's like a father to me.

"You know where the ruins are?" Heero asked me with a raised eyebrow as he parked the car.

"Yea, I lived in the orphanage before the terrorists struck." I admitted offhand. I don't know why I had no problem telling Heero, when I did when I tried to tell others. It just came naturally.

"You are the only survivor aren't you? I should have noticed the connection with your last name." Heero said half to himself, half to me. He sounded slightly amused.

We exited the car and made our way to the front of the café. Howard named it Misti Woods for a reason. The inside of the café was like a mini rainforest. It was breathtakingly beautiful and you never got over it, no matter how often you went there.

We entered the café and the old geezer was there to begin with. "Hey old man, how's the business shakin?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows.

Howard gave a snort. "It's alright. If only Hilde would keep up with the customers." Hilde was Howard's granddaughter. No matter how many times the man scolded the black haired kid, he always made it up to her by buying her whatever she wanted.

"You know you love her." I replied.

Again, Howard snorted. "Who's your friend?"

"This, my dear Howard, is Heero Yuy. He's my boyfriend." I didn't know whether to be embarrassed or proud.

"What happened to Chang?" I knew Howard could care less what happened to Fei. I shot him a look that said that I would tell him later. Howard understood my look, hell Howard understood everybody.

"You want a private part of the rainforest?" Howard knew I liked my privacy. I nodded a yes and he led the way. We found ourselves in my favorite part of the restaurant. It was secluded by trees and there was a small pond right beside the table completed with a mini water fall. No one could see us for the trees. I liked it like that.

"I'll send Hilde over as soon as I can." With that Howard sauntered off.

"What? Are you ashamed of me that you have hide me?" Heero asked me in a teasing manner.

"No, I am afraid that someone will come along and steal you away." I answered back.

Heero let out a laugh. It sounded like Christmas bells, it kinda warmed you up. God, I was falling fast. I had promised myself never to do this…but I couldn't help it. But I knew that I would get hurt in the end. It always happened that way. I would fall fast and hard and then the guy would let me fall hard on my ass. Heero must've seen the emotions playing on my face.

"Is something wrong Duo?" Heero asked, worried.

"No. I was just thinking about something. Wonder how I got my first name?" Heero nodded. "I was on the streets when I was little, I don't even know how old I was. I guess my parents didn't want me. Anyways, I ran into this boy, his name was Solo. He took me in and taught me everything I needed to know on how to survive, from stealing to begging from the rich. He taught me how to care of the younger ones. He was training me to take his place as gang leader in case something happened. Later, the plague this city, everyone on the streets died…everyone but me. Solo was the first person to leave me that I can remember. So, I named myself Duo so I could live for the both of us. It doesn't matter about my parents since I can't remember them. But before Solo died…he told me to make something of myself. Then the police found the survivors of the plague and we were taken to the Maxwell Church. Of course I had long hair by then and I raised hell when Sister Helen tried to cut it. Father Maxwell came up with the idea to braid it. And so the Sister taught me how. I keep my braid so I won't forget those I loved and those who helped me. Of course people would adopt, but when they found out what a hand full I could be…well…they took me back. I preferred the orphanage than a regular household. Most couples thought me to be a girl and when they found out I was a boy, well they didn't want me anymore. So, I stayed there until the Church Massacre. That day…my best friend Midi was adopted that day. I ran that day…I was so upset because she was gone. She didn't tease and taunt me like the other children did. I came back only to find that the terrorists had bombed the church. I was sent to another orphanage on the better side of town. I stayed there until I was sixteen. I moved out and got a job here until I was eighteen. I work as a summer school teacher over the summers. They pay good money and it helps me with my major." I finished my tale and I looked at Heero. There was something unrecognizable in his eyes. I knew it wasn't pity. If it was, I would've walked right out of there.

"Wow. You're a strong person Duo. Most people would break down with a life like that. But you kept fighting no matter what the odds were. I admire you for that Duo." I could see in his eyes that he believed it too.

"Wow Duo. You snagged yourself a real good catch this time." I heard Hilde's teasing voice above us. I looked up and sure enough there was my black haired friend. Hilde gave me a broad smile and nodded her head in approval of Heero.

"Well, you know me Hilde, only the best. You find anyone yet?" I asked. I knew Hilde had her sights on one Lucrezia Noin.

"How are things with Noin?" I asked.

"Well, we're dating now. She finally came around." Hilde beamed. I knew she was finally happy. We had tried the dating thing…but we both realized that we preferred our own sex. We were really just suited for best friends.

"Great for you Hil. I'm glad that you found someone." I returned her smile.

"So…what will you two have?" Hilde asked whipping out her order booklet from her apron.

"I'll have a mocha and a turkey sandwich with extra mayo." I told her. I nodded at Heero for him to go.

"I'll have a hot chocolate with milk and a ham sandwich with mayo." Heero told her. Hilde wrote our orders and left us to talk again.

"So…what about you Heero? What's your life like?" I asked leaning over the table, looking him in the eyes.

"Well, I never knew my parents. They died in a plane crash when I was just a baby. My Uncle Odin Lowe took me in. He was my godfather…he also owns the company that my parents built. Yuy Computer Software Corporation. I plan on taking it back from my uncle once I graduate. I was pretty much alone as a child. Odin ran the company and I was left in the care of a nanny until I could take of myself. There's not much too really tell…I never got out that much as a child. Odin was afraid of assassins, so that's why I was always under lock and key. But I think he wanted discourage me from taking over my parents company. When I do graduate…it's going to be hell when I try to take the company back." Heero let out a long sign.

I smiled warmly at Heero. "And when you decide to take it back…I'll be right there beside you."

Heero smiled back at me. I couldn't imagine anyone locking him up just to discourage them from college. I am where I am today because I chose not to make the same mistakes as some orphans. Heero is where he is because he decided not to follow his uncle's wishes.

"I'm glad you will be." We were interrupted when Hilde brought our order to us. I thanked her and dug into my food. It had been a few hours since I last ate. I think last night was the last time I had ate anything. But I'm not sure. I looked up from my food and saw that Heero was gaping at me.

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry…it's a bad habit I picked up from the streets. Also I should tell you…I am the human black hole. I can never get enough to eat."

Heero smiled at me and shook his head. I could tell he enjoyed my company and that I was being…well me. I had never had anyone act like this towards me. Normally whenever I was alone with someone…they tried to make a move on me. But somehow Heero was different. He was way different. My thoughts were interrupted when Heero burst out with laughter. I raised my eyebrow at him.

"You are a man of many talents. You were right." He burst into laughter again. I knew my face was red as a tomato.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Heero: I never laugh out loud.

Fadedlullabyes: This is my story Heero…and unless you want Duo to die…I suggest you shut up.

Duo: I think she means it Hee-chan.

Heero: Duo I want you over here with me now. Duo shuffles over to Heero.

Fadedlullabyes: You can't protect him forever. Evil laugh

A/N 1 yea I kno…it's lame…but hey it gives you an idea of what the car looks like…

A/N 2 I would to think my friend Jimmy for coming up with this name…it helped a lot…

And thanks to all my reviewers! I'll the next chapter up after I move back into my dorm…which will be Tuesday….so hopefully I'll have it updated that night…if there isn't too much excitement…I have class the next day…