Genre: AU, Romance
Pairings: 1x2
Warnings: Serious fluff, sap, silliness, animals talking, adult situations, some language
Disclaimer: Forgot it in the first chapter, so here it is. Don't own nothin' but these words!
A/N: The inspiration for the title of this chapter comes directly from Invader Zim, episode "Zim Eats . . . WAFFLES!" I didn't think Duo would like waffles, so it's steak for him. I know. That was random. Oh, and there's serious RELENA BASHING in this chapter. Sorry, but I do not like that dumb blonde.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 5 / Duo eats steak
Duo practically shook with jittery energy as Heero drove into town in his black Eclipse. He sat a little sideways in his seat, both his hands wrapped around one of Heero's and resting in the young man's lap. He was too nervous to sit without some form of physical comfort, and Heero constantly squeezed his fingers as he drove.
Soon he pulled into a parking lot and stopped, turning off the engine. Duo blinked, wrinkling his nose a little. "This isn't a restaurant," he protested.
Heero gently disentangled his hand. "I know, but you aren't really dressed to go out."
"Oh," Duo said.
Heero came around and opened the door for him, holding out a hand to help him out. Not like it was necessary, but Duo accepted anyway and happily bounced out. If he'd been in his other form, his tail would have been wagging furiously. He was nervous, but excited too.
They stepped into the clothing store—Duo may have been amazing, but he couldn't read so didn't catch the name. Not that he cared one iota. Clinging to Heero's hand with both of his he followed his master to the men's clothing section.
"What colors do you like?" Heero asked.
Duo gave them all a quick once-over. "I like red," he said, pointing, "and black. This one, too. What color is this, Heero? You don't have anything of this color."
"That's purple," Heero said, "and it would look good with your eyes."
Duo blushed, still feeling a little shy. "You really think so?"
"Know so, love," Heero replied. "Here, pick out some things you like, then you can try them on. I'm going to find myself a new pair of shoes."
Duo's heart jumped unpleasantly, and he gripped Heero's hand tighter when the youth began pulling away. "You . . . you're leaving?"
Heero leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "I'll just be right around the corner. I'll be back before you're done, just don't leave this section, okay?"
"Okay," Duo promised, swallowing his uncertainty. Being out in this form was new, and the experience was a little nerve-wracking. It would take some getting used to.
Heero slid his hand free slowly as if to give Duo time to get used to the idea, then he was gone, vanishing around the aisles of clothing racks. Taking a deep breath, Duo made himself calm down. Besides, if he lost Heero he could always sniff him out. He grinned a little at the thought, reassured. Heero had an unmistakable scent, one that mixed strength, confidence, and masculinity with spice and a faint hint of pine. Like mountain trails.
Feeling more relaxed now, Duo began perusing the clothing. At first, when he was a pup, clothing had baffled him. It just seemed like the most awkward stuff, and he couldn't divine its purpose. Eventually he got the hang of all the folds and protrusions of fabric. He was fairly certain he could even dress without help for all the times he'd watched Heero.
He heard the soft shuffle of fabric, so he wasn't startled when someone came close. He was, however, surprised to hear a voice.
"Hi," it said. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Female, probably Heero's age or a little older. Also wearing a tad bit too much perfume, though maybe only Duo's sensitive nose could tell. Turning, he actually bared his teeth a little before he realized he could not growl at humans in this body. Well, he could, but he didn't think it would be very well received.
"I don't think I need any help," he said slowly, hoping he didn't sound rude. He didn't like humans, and he especially didn't like girls. They were unbelievably obnoxious.
She smiled. "Let me know if you do, okay handsome?" she said, winking.
A little taken aback, Duo just nodded as she drifted off. Well, that was actually a bearable exchange. How come they don't annoy me in this body? he wondered.
By the time he'd picked out several shirts he liked and even a few pairs of pants, Heero still had not come back. Duo was feeling better now, though, so he wandered a little until he found what had to be the dressing room. A bored-looking woman with very gray hair and a slight paunch was behind the desk, and she let Duo into a room.
For several minutes, Duo tried on the clothes. It amazed him, how good colors could change his whole image. He found himself liking the way his human form looked as much as the canine form. Pleased, Duo finished. Most of them were too big, so when he went back out he selected the appropriate sizes.
Heero still was not back, so Duo wandered into the next section. This had to be women's clothing. The next held items he could not begin to imagine the purpose of. Stepping out into the traffic aisle, he half-closed his eyes and focused his senses. It would be easier if he could actually get down on hands and knees to sniff Heero out, but that just wouldn't be appropriate.
Focus, he told himself sternly, and concentrated.
-
Heero forced himself not to panic by sheer force of will. Just because Duo was not exactly where he'd left him did not mean he'd vanished off the face of the planet. But when he wasn't in the dressing room, either, Heero started feeling a little frantic. He retraced his steps, eyes darting about for any signs of his precious companion.
There! Duo was actually almost to the shoes, face scrunched a little in concentration. Heero picked up his pace a little, jogging toward him.
"Duo!" he called.
Duo turned, and Heero found himself imagining those velvety soft ears perking toward him. Grabbing the clothes from Duo's hand, he set them on the nearby bench and crushed the boy close, breathing deeply to calm away the last of his fear. He felt Duo's hands clutch the back of his shirt.
"Heero?" came the soft query.
"I thought I told you to wait," he murmured, glad that didn't come out sharp.
"Sorry," Duo mumbled, "but you were taking so long . . ."
Heero finally released him. "I know. I'm sorry, too. I saw someone I know, and he wouldn't shut his damn mouth."
Duo giggled a little, and Heero found himself thinking they were a matched pair. Both of them antisocial, both of them really only into each other.
"Found some things you like?" Heero asked.
"Mm hmm," Duo said, smiling happily. "Is this too much? I can—"
"No," Heero said immediately. "In fact, I'll have to bring you back to get you some more. This isn't very much."
"Do I have to wear shoes?" Duo asked. "I don't like them."
Heero smiled. "Yes. But you can wear light sandals. They're less restrictive."
"Kay!" Duo chirped brightly.
When Duo's hunger would not let him focus on anything but food and he started begging Heero to go, they took their stuff up front and Heero paid. Perhaps because Heero was his guardian, Duo didn't whine about the prices. Heero was glad, because it would have irritated him. Money wasn't an issue, and he wanted to spoil his companion.
Once in the Eclipse Duo wriggled into his new black slacks—they looked very nice—and a long-sleeved, v-necked shirt of crimson. In fact, he looked a little too good. Heero had never seen anyone so beautiful, the boy was exactly his type. If they'd met in a café or something Heero would have asked him out in a heartbeat.
"What?" Duo asked softly, looking a little uncomfortable.
Heero blinked. Reaching out, he lightly brushed fingers over Duo's pale cheek. "Nothing," he said with a smile. "You're just beautiful. Ready to go?"
Duo bounced a little in his seat. "I'm so ready it hurts!" He pointed to his stomach in explanation, grinning.
Chuckling a little, Heero pulled out of the parking lot. He took Duo to a steakhouse renowned for its juicy, mouthwatering dishes. As soon as they stepped in Duo reeled as though struck. Concerned, Heero steadied him with an arm to his elbow.
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah," Duo confirmed, licking his lips. "It just smells really good in here . . ."
"Come on," Heero said, guiding him forward, grinning.
The hostess gave them both a slightly suggestive smile. "Hi," she all but purred. "Just two?"
"Yes," Heero said curtly.
Duo actually stepped behind him, a look of familiar repulsion on his face. At this Heero had to struggle to keep from grinning. The girl led them to a nice table, giving them menus.
"Your server will be with you momentarily," she said, smiling and walking away with a definite slink.
Wrinkling his nose, Duo watched her go. "Why does she do that?"
Turning his sudden laughter into a little cough, Heero opened the menu. "It's called flirting, my pet. When people see someone they find attractive, they flirt. Sometimes more annoyingly than others."
"Oh," Duo said, frowning a bit. He was so adorable.
Heero recaptured his attention by asking, "Can you read?"
A forlorn look passed over Duo's face. "No. I've tried teaching myself . . . really, I've tried!" He added that last part as if afraid of disappointing Heero. "But I . . . I just don't understand!"
Smiling reassuringly, Heero squeezed his hand. "It's all right, love. I'll teach you. Here, I'll read the selections, and you tell me what sounds good, okay?"
That painfully sweet, chipper smile came right back. "Kay!"
In the end Duo wanted the biggest T-bone the place offered. It was one of the most expensive things on the menu, and it pleased Heero Duo was willing to let his guardian spoil him.
"And how would you like that cooked?" their waiter asked. He seemed a little charmed by Duo's innocence.
"Rare!" Duo chirped. "Extra rare!"
Smiling slightly, Heero placed his order. "Medium rare," he told the man, and he took their menus and left.
Before the meal was a soft, hot garlic bread. Heero worried a little about letting Duo have garlic, but Duo was far from a normal dog. And when Duo bit into it a look of sheer ecstasy crossed his face, so Heero let him eat it.
"What is this?" Duo asked, finishing his piece and grabbing another.
"Garlic bread," Heero answered, smiling. "Don't eat too much of it, you'll spoil your appetite."
Duo obeyed Heero, then lounged back in the seat. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course, love. What is it?"
"Who's the pink princess?"
Heero started. "When . . . ?"
"When you were talking on the phone yesterday."
"When Wufei called me? I forget how good your hearing is."
Duo smiled, looking pleased as he blushed a little.
"Her name's Relena," Heero explained, taking a sip of his water. "She's the daughter of my boss."
"At your part-time job?" Duo asked.
"Mm hmm. She took a liking to me and can't seem to understand that I don't like her."
-
Duo felt a flash of red-hot jealousy pulse through him. So a girl thought she could monopolize Heero, huh? His Heero! He found himself growling and forced himself to stop. The look Heero was giving him was full of amusement.
"Tell her to leave you alone!" Duo demanded.
His master snorted. "Believe me, I've tried."
"Try harder!"
There was a twinkle in Heero's eye. "Shall I push her off a cliff?"
"Yes!" Duo said at once, stamping his foot.
At this Heero laughed out loud. "As much as I have entertained the notion, I would go to jail, and then who would take care of you, my love?"
Duo had always, always loved to hear Heero call him those things. 'Precious.' 'Love.' 'My pet.' Sighing, defeated for now, Duo nodded. So this pushy human female was safe for now. Folding his arms on the table top, he dropped his head to rest on them and stared at Heero. His master seemed to sense his mood, because he smiled gently, reassuringly.
"No, she's not important to me, Duo. If I liked her any less, I would hate her. And the only reason I don't hate her is because she's not worth wasting the energy on. Cheer up, now, love. Look, here's lunch."
Duo instantly perked up, sitting upright to make room for the steaming meal. All thoughts but food left his mind as the sight of an enormous rare steak greeted his starved eyes. Trying not to salivate like a dumb mastiff, Duo grabbed the silverware he had spent much time observing Heero using and dug in.
"You're so smart," Heero's voice penetrated his bliss once. "No one would guess you've never actually used silverware before."
Duo glowed at the praise. He polished off everything on his plate, including the little pile of steamed and marinated vegetables. He didn't love veggies, but he liked them well enough. To his delight, Heero let him finish the last half of his steak, as well.
When they finished, Heero drove them out to their park. For a moment Duo thought his master would want him to change back so they could have their walk, but he opened Duo's door for him before he could ask. He hopped out, glomping Heero's arm. The pair walked down their trail together, Duo feeling ridiculously happy. He kept smiling all the time, not able to stop. Not wanting to.
Hand in hand they walked along the shore, listening to the birds call and waves lap the sides of its prison. Duo rested his head against Heero's arm, basking in the feel of his master's strength, warmth, and affection.
It would be nice if today never ended.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next chapter is going to . . . heat up a little. The action will start picking up (and hopefully the plot, too . . .)