Disclaimer: I lay claim only to my family, cat, house and car.

Sleepover!

Rascal

Chapter 18

"Hello?"

Good, you're home. I should be there in five minutes. Hope pizza is ok.

Milliardo couldn't help the smile. He'd been gone for over two weeks and even though he missed Heero terribly, he didn't think Heero would appreciate an impromptu visit at 9:30 at night. He did however have plans of showing up at his apartment tomorrow morning with breakfast. But I just landed about an hour ago. How did he know I was back?

"Pizza sounds great. See you soon."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So how did it go?"

Heero sat the box of pizza down on the coffee table and went over to queue up the movie he'd rented while Milliardo brought the drinks, plates and napkins from the kitchen.

"Well enough."

Milliardo sat down next to Heero who was already sitting on the floor, his back against the sofa and legs stretched out under the table. Milliardo made sure to sit close enough so they were shoulder to shoulder and he turned to shoot Heero a warm smile.

"So how were things here?"

"Fine. I….I called Duo. And the rest…."

Milliardo's eyes went wide in shock and his mouth hung open, speechless, but then his face morphed into a soft smile. He doesn't seem upset so things must have gone well enough. But he's still a little uncomfortable telling me so I won't press the issue.

"I'm happy for you."

Meow.

A lick on Heero's cheek from Rascal who was perched on the sofa at his left shoulder didn't even garner a reaction from Heero.

"I can't believe he was so accepting after all this time."

As Milliardo served himself he watched out of the corner of his eye as Heero grabbed a plate and put a piece of pizza on it and put it down on the floor next to him before making a plate for himself. Milliardo chuckled at the relationship between Heero and Rascal. The three of us are becoming quite comfortable with each other.

"He's your friend, Heero. You guys went through a lot together."

"But I abandoned them."

"Do you really see it that way?"

Heero just shrugged and looked down at his plate. Milliardo leaned over and gave Heero a quick kiss on the cheek, sending the mechanic's cheeks blazing.

"Anybody who turns you away is crazy, Heero."

Heero looked into the pale blue eyes and saw the sincerity of Milliardo's words. This man really wanted to be with him. And no matter how many times he came to this realization, it still shocked him. Milliardo offered a smile and turned back to take a bite of his pizza, groaning. Heero just chuckled and shook his head, preparing to eat his own slice.

"That good?"

"That hungry. We were stuck in this awful rust bucket for a week waiting for the target to show and all I had to eat for that entire stint in Hell was disgusting rations."

"Wuss."

"Face it, you wouldn't like it either. We're both spoiled with our three meals a day."

"I didn't say I liked it. I just wouldn't be caught dead whining about having to eat rations. There are worse things in life."

"Being away from you is one of them. I missed you."

Heero was thankful for his mouthful of pizza so he didn't have to offer a response to Milliardo's words. He knew Milliardo was being sincere and he had missed him too. It was just how easily Milliardo could say such things that caught him off guard.

Meow.

Rascal was back on the sofa and hovering at Milliardo's right shoulder. He reached up and scratched behind the cat's ear as the feline rubbed his head against Milliardo's.

"I missed you too."

"Next time take him with you."

"Oh, it couldn't have been that bad."

"That…..creature….is the most obnoxious and needy freak of nature I've ever encountered."

Meow.

"Quiet."

Meow.

Heero turned to eye the cat standing on the sofa behind him, his voice hushed, conspiratorial, despite the fact that Milliardo was sitting right there hearing every word.

"One more word out of you and I'm telling."

And with that comment, Rascal jumped down and went to eat his dinner. Milliardo watched the exchange in awed fascination. They really do communicate on a whole other level. I don't know if I should be impressed or concerned.

"Stop staring and start the movie."

Milliardo chuckled and did as Heero commanded, but not willing to let their evening go any further without one more question being answered.

"By the way. How did you know I was back?"

Heero had hoped that little tidbit of information would have escaped Milliardo's notice but he should have known better. So when he answered he kept his voice as casual as possible, with just a hint of disbelief, making it sound as if Milliardo should know the answer already.

"I hacked the system. Its security is a joke by the way. You should tell Une."

Milliardo's smile curved just a little more as he took another bite of pizza, relishing being home, with Heero by his side. This is what I've been missing in my life. And I never would have guessed I would find it with Heero Yuy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Why don't you just stay here?"

Heero just stared after Milliardo as he took their glasses into the kitchen, rinsing them and placing them in the dishwasher. How does he do that? How does he say such things so casually? Although he did run away as soon as he asked. Hmph. So maybe he's a little nervous too.

"I…don't know."

"It's already pretty late and it's not like you have to be at work tomorrow morning. So just stay here."

Milliardo was now leaning against the breakfast bar, trying to look nonplussed but Heero could see signs of tension in his jaw line and his stiff posture.

"I suppose I could camp out on your sofa tonight. Sure."

Heero actually felt good saying the words, but it didn't last long when he saw the disappointment in Milliardo's eyes. What's wrong? I'm staying. That's what he wanted, right?

"You don't have to sleep on the sofa, Heero. My bed's big enough for both of us."

Oh. That's what he meant.

Heero hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck as his cheeks burned. I don't know about this. Maybe I should just go home.

Milliardo saw Heero become very uncomfortable and so he pushed off the counter and headed back to his bedroom, retuning quickly before Heeroo could even get up and head for the door.

"Here you go."

Heero looked up to see Milliardo offering pajamas and a pillow with a soft smile on his face.

"Thanks."

Heero took the stack and just sat there as Milliardo leaned down and kissed him tenderly.

"Good night, Heero."

Heero heard the sadness in the whisper and he felt guilty as he watched Milliardo walk back down the hallway. With a sigh Heero started exchanging his clothes for Milliardo's.

Meow.

"I don't think so."

Meow.

"It's not that simple. I haven't been in a relationship in….this is different."

Meow.

Heero sighed again and reached out blindly to his side, scratching Rascal behind the ears. That bed was so comfortable. And Milliardo looked….sad almost. I don't want to make him sad, I just…..

Heero let his body fall sideways, collapsing onto the sofa, his head landing in the cushy pillow from Milliardo's bed with a growl. Then he caught the familiar scent of sandalwood and flowers and he felt a flutter in his gut. Milliardo…..

Heero stood up, the pillow firmly clutched in one hand and headed for the darkened hallway. Just as he was about to be enveloped by the shadows he looked back at Rascal who was still sitting on the sofa, watching him.

"Well, c'mon. I'm not going in there by myself."

Meow.

"Whatever."

Heero stood at the door and hesitated twice before lightly knocking and entering Milliardo's bedroom. He knew Milliardo couldn't be asleep yet, but the man made no acknowledgement of Heero's presence. Knowing Milliardo's bedroom layout, Heero navigated to the far side of the dark room and put the pillow on the bed before slipping in under the covers.

He settled into the softness of the bed laying on his side, his back to Milliardo. He lay there a few moments, just staring into the darkness, until his eyes started to insist on closing. Just as Heero's eyes closed, he heard the sound of satin sliding and soon found a strong arm around his waist and the tickle of soft breath on his ear.

Milliardo felt Heero's body stiffen at the contact, but knew he needed to give the man a few moments to adjust and hopefully he would relax. He understood Heero was hesitant about physical contact and he wasn't going to touch him. The fact that Heero was in his bed should have been victory enough. But Milliardo had no self control at that moment and decided to gamble.

It took longer than he thought, but eventually Heero's body relaxed and Milliardo smiled. And just as he was drifting off to sleep, he felt something warm cover his arm and then he felt fingers lacing with his own.

"Good night, Milliardo."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wufei spied Milliardo as he crossed the cafeteria and sat down to eat his lunch, greeting and acknowledging a few people as he went. Wufei closed his book and stood up, depositing his garbage on his way to see Milliardo. He stopped at the table and took a deep breath.

"So I understand your mission went well."

Milliardo looked up from his soup to see Wufei standing before his table. He offered a smile and gestured for the serious looking man to join him.

"Smooth enough."

Milliardo returned his attention to his soup, waiting to see what Wufei's true purpose was for joining him. It obviously has to do with Heero, but I wonder what in particular?

Wufei looked off to the side, not focusing on anything in particular, his hands clutching the book tightly. He just didn't want to see the smug look on Milliardo's face. He's going to be so full of himself after I say this, I just know it.

"I just stopped by to say 'thank you'."

Wufei waited for Milliardo to say something but no words or sounds were uttered, so he looked back to the blonde to see confusion written plainly on his face. Does he really not understand, or is he playing coy?

"For what?"

"Look…I don't know what you did or said to Heero, but I'm grateful. He's happy and he's not hiding anymore."

Milliardo regarded Wufei for a few moments and despite the urge to tease the always-serious man, Milliardo merely smiled and nodded.

"It was my pleasure."

Wufei blinked a few times, truly not expecting the subdued response.

"Well, I'll let you get back to your lunch."

Wufei stood up, still in a bit of shock at Milliardo's reaction when he heard the smooth voice behind him. Wufei turned to see Milliardo sitting there, a soft smile curving his lips.

"I think you underestimate yourself. You and the others mean a great deal to him."

Wufei looked into the pale blue eyes, trying to see any hint of sarcasm or mockery, but all he found was sincerity. Wufei tried to get some sort of response out, but his throat was completely closed to him even after trying to clear it, so he merely nodded to Milliardo before turning on his heels and exiting the cafeteria.

To be continued….