Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little fun.
Warnings: Shounen-ai and nothing much besides that, I think. Heero's POV. Post anime.
Coming Home
Part 5
01,
Are you alright? You have been awfully silent. Not sick I hope.
02.
01,
I seriously hope you aren't sick. Please write when you can.
02
01,
Are you there? Please answer me.
02
01,
Did I do something wrong? Are you angry with me?
02
01,
Look, I'm sorry. I am not sure what I did but I'm sorry. Please answer.
02
01,
I treasure our little notes, I really don't want to lose our friendship. I apologise for everything I did.
02
01,
Please, I wouldn't mind if we were friends. Can't we be friends?
02
Heero repressed the urge to scream. Everyday, twice a day, 02 had written with notes that were similar to these. Confusion, desperation and sadness, so much sadness. It was all present from the short notes 02 penned. Heero's living room floor was littered with these discarded notes. He lost the heart to throw them away and found himself rereading them time and time again. 02 made him feel like he had been kicking puppies all day. God, he wondered how he could stand the guilt. There were times he was tempted to write back, just to tell him to stop writing, to stop everything. Heero knew he was hurting 02 and it felt like he was hurting Duo all over again. He really didn't like to be made as the bad person. Once had been enough.
The last note however, had a different tone to it. There was a strong sense of resignation and reluctant acceptance in it. But there was also desperation in 02 still wanting to maintain a semblance of friendship with him. Then why was Heero being such an ass about the whole thing?
His door bell rang. Heero leapt at the sound, grateful for the distraction it brought. He knew who it was. It was the Gundam pack. He quickly swept the notes into its box and hid it. It wouldn't do to have his friends realised he was belly aching over something akin to an Internet relationship.
"Hi Heero," Quatre swept in, followed by Trowa and Wufei. He took a look around and beamed. "You have been keeping this place nice and tidy."
"Nice… and… tidy?" Heero uttered. He felt like he was being questioned by his mother. It was rather disturbing.
"You're not dressed," Trowa observed, sinking into the seat next to Quatre.
"Not trying to back out of a reunion are you?" Wufei asked, his tone full of disappointment.
All of a sudden, Heero was pinned with looks of betrayal from all three friends. It was more than he could take. Even if he had considered faking illness at the last possible moment, he knew he could never go through with it now. Quatre's looks of disappointment could kill. It was kicking puppies all over again.
"Duo didn't come?" Heero asked, walking into his room for a quick change of outfits. Judging from his friends' clothes, it would be smart casual, somewhere expensive enough yet, relax enough for five teens to have a little fun. There was silence in the other room and he poked his head out.
Once again, his friends were giving each other that uncomfortable, I-don't-know-how-to-tell-him stare at each other. It was honestly getting thoroughly annoying.
"What?" Heero snapped, buttoning his shirt. "I am sick and tired of the looks you are throwing each other. Either tell me or stop thinking I can't see what you three are doing."
Wufei got up and walked over to Heero, standing right in front of his partner. "Duo is waiting at the restaurant. And," he took a quick look at his wrist watch, "we are going to be late."
Quatre and Trowa got up from the couch. Holding hands, they walked toward the door, Wufei following close behind. Heero stood there, staring at his friends' intertwined fingers and wondered why his heart hurt so much. They had all been happy when those two finally made their relationship official. It had been so obvious during the war with Trowa constantly spouting on how he 'felt for Quatre' despite him having amnesia at the moment. But now, there was something weighing heavily in his heart and he didn't what it was. Could Heero be actually jealous?
"Heero, are you coming?" Trowa asked.
With a mute nod, Heero followed his friends down. It was Heero's turn to be designated driver. Usually, they took turns to drive when going out together. That way, at least one member would always be sober while the rest got sloshed. Heero got the directions of the restaurant and started the car. The drive was a little quiet, which was a little odd for them and tensions rose strongly in the air. No one felt it more acutely than Quatre, who strove to fill the oppressive silence.
"So, aren't you bringing your new boyfriend, Heero?" He asked, all innocence.
Heero looked at the blond through the rear view mirror feeling the avid attention of the other two. "He… he's…" To lie or not to lie? Oh, to hell with it. "He's busy tonight."
"Oh, that's too bad. Duo told me he would like to meet him as well."
Heero slammed on the brakes and the car came to a screeching halt. Trowa and Quatre where thrown against the front seats while Wufei's safety belt jerked painfully against his shoulder.
"You. Told. Him. WHAT!" Heero turned, glaring at the blond.
Quatre paled considerably, and inched closer to Trowa for protection from the look that could burn and melt metal. "What? He asked for news and I told him about your boyfriend. What did I say wrong?"
From the narrowed stares he was getting from his friends, apparent the answer was 'nothing wrong'. So this was why Duo never lied. It would invariably come to bite you in the butt. Heero resisted the desire to bang his hand continuously against the steering wheel. This night was already shot even before it began. His hope of seeing Duo again, and perhaps trying to start something had already crumbled right before his eyes. Why was this happening to him? First 02, now Duo as well. Does God hate him that much?
"I'm going home," Heero mumbled, snapping off his seat belt.
Wufei grabbed his friend's shoulder tightly, ignoring the annoyed honking coming from other cars caused by a lone stationary car in the middle of a busy road. "You are not going anywhere. Let's go to this dinner now."
"Wufei…" Heero began with a low growl.
"Now," Wufei matched his partner's angry tone.
Heero started the car again and jerked the steering around in frustration. He didn't know when he had subconsciously decided to try and pursue Duo, find out the reason for his abrupt departure from their lives. He had supposed it was somewhere between when 02 first started writing him and he had immediately tagged it as Duo writing to fill his pathetic little fantasies. But, this confrontation with Duo was long overdue. He had intended to corner Duo and force the truth out of him, perhaps steal a kiss or two before…
Okay, so he was gay.
…before letting him get back to the rest. He had hoped to confuse Duo a little, keep him as off balance as Duo did him.
Now, he didn't know what to do. He knew he could explain to Duo about the whole lying thing to save his pride, but what if Duo didn't believe him? And why did he still dwell on 02? Wasn't that a closed case already? Damn, was he cheating on Duo even before anything has started?
It was wrapped up in thoughts like these that Heero drove to the restaurant. The rest of the passengers kept silent as he grappled with his own confusion. Once the car was parked, the others had a hard time coaxing him through the main entrance.
"I'll just say hi and leave," Heero muttered, sticking his hands into the pockets of his pants.
"You will do no such thing. I won't have you spoiling our one reunion in two years," Quatre said, angrily, grabbing hold of Heero's arms and propelling him forward.
Heero allowed himself to be pushed into the restaurant. He had learned earlier on that an angry Quatre caused for a cautious everyone else. They had seen Quatre at his worst, they wouldn't like to see it once again.
"Duo!" Quatre waved excitedly dropping Heero's arm and ran forward, hugging his friend tightly. "How have you…" He trailed off his eyes narrowing in concern.
Even from a distance, Heero knew Duo looked a mess. His hair was in slightly disarrayed, his once brilliant eyes were dull and his clothes seemed slept in, or hastily thrown on. But he was the most delicious thing Heero had ever laid eyes on. Suddenly, all the confusion and self doubt about sexuality and what ifs melted away. 02 was right, the only thing that mattered was love. There was question about it. That emotion burned brightly in Heero's chest as he drank in his long missing friend, now considerably more matured than that young teen of two years previous. Duo was on the cusp of being a man and Heero fully intended to be there with him to see that change. Once again he damned his subconscious for deciding things for him before letting the rest of him know. It was the whole let's just talk to 02 and think you're attracted to him all over again.
Oh shit, not thoughts of 02 again. Once again barraged with guilt, Heero rubbed the side of his aching temple. He had thought that admitting his feelings to Duo was enough to clear whatever confusion he could have had, but this whole… thing about 02. He cared for 02, but was he attracted? How could he be attracted to someone no one has even met?
A nudge from behind jarred Heero to move. He walked up to the table and held his hand out formally to Duo. He didn't know how to act actually. It was damn awkward. "Hello Duo," he greeted, remembering at the last moment to inject a smile in.
Duo flinched a little but reached forward to clasp Heero's hand. "It's been a long time."
Then the two stared mutely, uncomfortably at each other.
"Hey," Wufei reached forward and pulled at Duo's braid teasingly. "Forgotten us?"
Duo smiled wanly at Wufei and reached forward to hug the Chinese man. Heero was surprised that his partner accepted such a gesture from the American. He half expected Wufei to push Duo away. It was common knowledge at Preventors HQ that Chang Wufei's personal space was three feet in all directions. Violating it meant harsh repercussions. When all greetings were exchanged, the boys sat down at their table. There were moments of silence while they waited for their drinks to be served.
"So, tell us what you have been doing?" Trowa prodded Duo a little.
Duo raised bloodshot eyes to meet his friend's and shrugged almost tiredly. "Nothing much. Just set up some stuff so the kids have a place to stay. Quatre's staff did most of the work." When he gaze flicked to Heero's, the Japanese nearly gasped at the depth of pain there. What has happened to put that much hurt in Duo's eyes? Who had done it? Somehow, Heero suspected himself. As to why and how, he hadn't an answer yet.
Another round of silence as Duo's gaze dropped to his lap. Heero noted the other three were exchanging looks of confusion and helplessness in the face of Duo's dejection.
"What are you going to do next?" Heero asked softly.
Duo started, a little surprised Heero would address him directly. He shrugged. "Whatever the next bus takes me I guess. I had an opportunity here, but I think I might have been too late again."
"Duo, what's wrong?" Quatre leaned forward, catching hold his friend's hand. "You weren't like that a few days ago!"
Duo let out a shuddering breath. "Look," he got up abruptly. "I thought I could do this, but I'm wrong, okay? I'm sorry, but I have to go now. Tonight's on me, please, enjoy yourselves." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet, despite Quatre's protests.
Something fell as his hand pulled out the light brown leather wallet. Heero's eyes widened. Resting on the ground, a few feet from the table leg was a set of keys and holding it together was a familiar metal keychain, two figures entwined in an almost impossible position. He knew that keychain, he bought that keychain.
For 02!
tbc...