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"Slowly, Over Time "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, Drama, Tragedy, Romance, Yaoi, lemon, lime, language, sap, silliness, straight (?) Duo, confident/arrogant Heero, cock-blocking, character death (not Heero or Duo). An additional warning: this story is unlike any I've ever written, and though it will be sad, it will have a happy ending.
Summary: A sad, sweet 1x2 get-together fic. Heed
the warnings "Slowly, Over Time "
January 9, 2011, Diary of Yuy Heero I don't know what it was that caused me to break out of my routine and go to that bookstore/cafe. I went to work like usual that Monday morning, but something happened and when I went out for my lunch I was pissed as hell. I wanted to either fire or kill the employee in question, but my partner and co-owner of our business suggested I take a long lunch and cool my head. Maybe in my anger I didn't pay attention like I normally do, or I just didn't care like I normally do. Why do the rich only habituate rich places? I wanted good coffee, so I went to the first place I saw. A shop with a cafe front and a bookstore back. Not all that unusual, I guess. I was just pissed enough I didn't care to go to one of my expensive haunts, so I stormed inside. The place was small and neat, and the 'Specials of the Day' menu on the blackboard was all written in a very tidy hand. I could smell coffee more than anything as I moved to the counter and ignored the tittering girls in the corner staring at me. Really, sometimes women act so brainless. I didn't look at the menu board, I knew what I wanted. If this place didn't have it, I would be even more pissed. I looked behind the counter, and that's when I first saw him. He was petite, wearing a white-and-gray shirt with a large black butterfly on it. His half-apron was smooth and clean. He was very slender. And god damn it if he wasn't the most fucking hot person I'd ever seen, of either sex. Long, long hair pulled into a braid as thick as my wrist. Perfect bangs long enough to fall in his eyes. Eyes the color of irises at midnight. Pale, unblemished skin. Beautiful. I suddenly wanted him and not coffee. I forgot why I was so pissed as he moved to stand in front of me with a sunny-sweet smile. "Hi," he said. "What can I get for you?" I swallowed the urge to say, "You," and ordered my triple-shot hazelnut latte with no sugar added. I decided at that moment he would be mine. Though I traditionally had women, I'd bedded a few men before. This one was so perfect it honestly didn't matter to me he was a boy. He would be mine. o0o 0o0 Duo Maxwell sighed faintly as he wiped down the counter until it shone, casting his reflection up at him. It was almost one. Almost time for one of the shop's most regular regulars to come in. The midday rush was just beginning to abate. Out on the floor, his two employees helped customers in the cafe and the bookstore. Duo managed the place, and the owner, Fujihara Yuna, sat in the back office, door open enough Duo could see her. Perhaps she felt his gaze, and she looked up to smile at him. She rose and grabbed her empty mug. Stepping behind the counter, she filled it with black coffee. "Hey, you okay?" Six weeks ago, Heero Yuy had become a regular at the shop. A man who intimidated Duo a little and annoyed him a lot. He nodded and smiled. "Yeah. Kindergarten's out a little early today, so Shirozaki-san is bringing Juun over. Is it all right if he stays here while I finish my shift?" "Of course," Yuna said. "He's a good boy. Maybe he'd even like to help you a little?" Duo couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. "He probably would." Juun, only five, definitely loved to help wherever he could. At home he liked to help Duo fold laundry and wash the rice and do the dishes and dust the furniture and water the plants. Such a wonderful, good boy. The little bell over the door jingled, and in walked Heero Yuy. Tall and strong and beautiful, he strode in like he always did, drawing attention from every corner. Yuna rolled her eyes. "Here comes your un-secret admirer. Just say the word and I'll kick him out." Duo winced. "He's a customer," he protested weakly. A good one, too. Just . . . a little bit full of himself. Yuna 'hmphed' and stalked into her office. She didn't close the door. Heero strolled up to the counter and immediately leaned against it. "Hey, beautiful," he purred. "Do you even need to ask what I'll have?" Putting on his traditional smile, Duo shook his head. "Of course not, Yuy-san. Do you want anything besides your latte?" "Croissant sandwich. Turkey, no cheese, no mayo." "Coming right up," Duo said, deliberately turning his back so he wouldn't see the obnoxious smirk on Heero's face at the words. "How is your day so far, Yuy-san?" "Better now," Heero said. Hearing the smirk wasn't any less obnoxious than seeing it. "I'm glad. How is work? Have you and your partner worked out your differences?" "Yeah. Chang's a good man. He came around to my line of reasoning. Everyone does." The insinuation was clear. Duo finished making the latte and set it down in front of Heero, starting on the sandwich. "You must be a very persuasive man." Duo started when a strong hand reached over the counter and landed on his. "It never takes me long. With anyone but you." Looking up, Duo found himself captured by cobalt wells. He slid his hand free. "Oh?" he said lightly, spreading a thin layer of mustard on the croissant. "Have you been trying to persuade me of something?" Heero chuckled and leaned back, sipping his drink. "Excellent as always. I've frequented every place in the city, and even though they charge twice what you do, none of them compare. Really, Duo, what is your secret?" Duo handed him the sandwich on a plate. "I love to see the smiling faces of satisfied customers," he answered truthfully. The bell over the door jingled again, and Duo looked up to see Shirozaki Mina-san walk in with a little boy holding her hand. She was the mother of a child at Juun's school. Juun, five years old as of two months ago, tugged his little hand free of hers and raced behind the counter, holding up his arms. "Daddy!" he exclaimed. Already smiling, Duo leaned down and grabbed him up, kissing his cheek. "Hey, Juun. How was school?" His son beamed at him. "We painted pictures. We were 'spozed to draw somethin' symmetrical. I drew ten butterflies, 'cos I know you like butterflies, Daddy. Sensei said my butterflies were the most symmetrical!" Duo looked over at Mina. "Thank you, Shirozaki-san." She smiled warmly. "It's no trouble. He talked happily the whole way over from school about how he'd get to help his daddy at work." "I did, Daddy," Juun confirmed. "I told her how I would run the till and count cash back for your customers!" Duo chuckled. "Tell Karin hi for me," he said to Mina. The woman waved. "I will," as she left. Duo set Juun down, and the boy immediately scampered back to Yuna's office. "I'm just gonna grab my stool, Miss Yuna!" he called to her as he grabbed it. She waved. "Be a good help to your daddy," she threw over her shoulder. Juun plunked the stool down and clambered up onto it. Now he could see the countertop. "What should I do first, Daddy?" "Why don't you ask Yuy-san if he needs anything else?" o0o 0o0 In the time Heero had been coming here, he hadn't learned much about his current fixation except that Duo Maxwell was gorgeous, stubborn, gentle, and consistent. He was twenty-four and had a five-year-old son named Juun. Who seemed to consider Heero his rival for Daddy's attention. The little boy sent Heero a fierce glare. "Is there anything else you need, Yuy-san?" he growled. "Nothing comes to mind," Heero said pleasantly, "unless your daddy is holding a whiskey-sour back there?" Juun gave him a completely indignant look. The little kid was cute, really. He had pitch black hair, but his eyes were the same color as his father's. It was obvious he loved his father more than anything in the world, and the feeling was definitely mutual. But Heero saw Duo look at Juun sometimes with sadness in his eyes. He had no idea why. All he knew was that he wanted to be the most important thing to Duo. To supplant this little brat. Or at the very least tie. He might have to settle for that. Duo dropped a hand on his son's head. "Sumimasen, Yuy-san," he said with a pleasant sort of smile, "that's at my night job." Surprised and pleased the young man was joking with him, Heero smiled. "Ah, the one you don't want your son to know about." Juun gave him a massively affronted glare. "My daddy doesn't have a job I don't know about!" He turned and gave his father a pleading sort of look. "You should kick him out, Daddy!" Heero swallowed his mouthful of coffee, ready to give the brat a tongue-lashing. Duo beat him to it. His expressioned went as stern as Heero had ever seen it. Which, really, wasn't very much. "You shouldn't speak about our customers that way, Juun. Where would our shop be without them? We'll always meet people in life we don't necessarily get along with, but we make do the best we can with a smile. Right?" Heero managed not to scowl at the thinly-veiled insult. Juun, the brat, picked up on it as well. He broke into a huge grin. "Right!" he chirped, giving Heero an evil look as he held up his arms. Duo obeyed without hesitation, lifting Juun and planting a kiss on his son's forehead. "All right you little troublemaker," he murmured, "why don't you go help Kenji-kun stock the shelves?" "But Dadd-y!" Juun immediately whined, "you were gonna teach me how to make espresso!" "If a customer comes in and orders one, I'll come get you right away, all right?" Duo compromised. That brightened the little boy up and he kissed his daddy - right on the mouth. Then he wriggled to get down and scampered toward the back, throwing Heero a triumphant little smirk. Really, Heero thought with something between a grin and a scowl, he was a cute kid. In some ways, he reminded Heero achingly of his father. Wish I could get away with kissing Duo like that. I'd probably get my tongue bitten off. He sighed and finished his sandwich while Duo cleaned up behind the counter. "Are you feeling better, Yuy-san?" Duo asked after a moment. Heero blinked. "How do you mean?" Duo didn't look at him as he measured some coffee beans. "When you came in here, I could tell you were bothered. Did you have an argument with your partner again?" Bemused, Heero drew his fingers back through his hair. "I don't remember exactly when I became an open book for you to read," he said, shaking his head. "No one else seems to find me easy to read. How do you do it?" Shrugging, Duo threw him a light smile. "I've always been like that. Are you two all right? Your business isn't in danger, is it?" "No," Heero promised, drinking some more latte. In all honesty he'd never tasted a better one. "Chang isn't unreasonable. Even when we argue, we manage to work it out. We're adults, after all." And he and Chang weren't the owners of the most successful hotel chain in Tokyo merely because of luck. They were both skilled and savvy businessmen. Duo had the most beautiful smile. It was mesmerizing. "That's good. You know, it's obvious when you talk about him how much you respect him. You should bring him here some time so I can meet him." Heero felt a ridiculous stab of jealousy. Sorry, beautiful. That will never happen. Chang was an attractive man, confident and skilled at handling people. What if Duo developed an attraction toward him? "Perhaps I will, one of these times." After I've bedded you and made you my lover. A customer came in and ordered some sickly sweet drink. Heero contented himself watching Duo work, though he couldn't help another round of jealousy at the woman who now absorbed Duo's attention. She was a regular, though not quite as regular as Heero, and obviously she thought Duo was attractive. As she talked and flirted, Juun came sailing out of nowhere and glomped his father's leg. "Hi, Kyo-neechan!" he sang. Kyoko. Right. That was her name. The worthless hag. She was probably at least ten years older than Duo. She gave Juun a bright smile. "Hello yourself, sweetpea. Are you keeping your daddy out of trouble?" Already smiling, Duo lifted Juun and settled him on his hip while he rang the woman up. "Yep!" Juun chirped. "He's teaching me how to run the store." "Would you like to ring her up?" Duo asked, taking his hands off the till. "Yeah!" Juun exclaimed. "May I, Kyo-neechan?" "Of course, sweetpea!" Kyoko said, handing her card to Juun. Quietly seething, Heero watched them interact. I'm pretty sure that brat does this on purpose. Knows I want his daddy so he acts like a little terror. He had no idea how to act around kids, so he tended to be awkward and a little rude. Duo talked Juun through how to do it, and Kyoko flirted nauseatingly the while. Heero wanted to dump her hot drink right down her blouse. When she left, Duo pointed toward the bookstore counter. "Kenji is ringing up a few customers back there, Juun. Why don't you go ask him to show you?" "Kay!" Juun sang, tearing off for the other register. Heero shook his head. "I doubt I ever had that much energy." There it was. That sweet, sad little smile that crossed Duo's face sometimes when talking about Juun. "Yeah, he's a handful sometimes. You're pretty good with him, Yuy-san. Do you have kids?" "Call me Heero," he said for probably the hundredth time. "And no. I've never been married. Most of my longest-lasting relationships were with men." He smiled. To his pleasure, Duo blushed ever-so-faintly. "That's too bad. You'd be a good father." I'd rather you consider me a good lover, he thought with a smirk. And I'm sure your little brat would disagree. Not for the first time he wondered how it was Duo had married a woman. He was probably the least-straight-looking man Heero had ever seen. "What are you doing this weekend?" he asked, disappointed to see his latte was almost gone. Duo blinked. "I don't know," he said after a moment. "Juun wanted to go do something, so I suppose I'll - " "Why don't I take you both to an amusement park?" Though he didn't relish the thought of the Brat tagging along, if it was the only way to get to Duo so be it. Now his beautiful crush looked taken aback. "But . . . I barely know you and . . ." "And nothing," Heero said, waving a negligent hand. "I'm asking because I'd like to get to know you better, right? So I'll pick you up at noon, and we can eat something there. The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, so it will be perfect." Duo floundered for a moment. "That's very generous of you, Yuy-san," he murmured after a time. "But are you sure? I mean, Juun can be a real handful . . ." Believe me, I know, Heero thought with an inner scowl. "It's fine. He'll have fun on the rides." And maybe if he could get the Brat to like him, he wouldn't be such a cock-blocker. "Maybe you can get a babysitter for the evening and I can take you out for dinner." He could see in an instant he lost Duo. He drew back, turning to his huge espresso machine. "Thank you, but no." Were all single fathers this reticent? Heero tried not to sigh. "The amusement park invitation still stands." That brought Duo back, and he gave Heero a small smile. "Thank you, Yuy-san. We look forward to it." "Heero," he stressed. "If we're not to be strangers anymore, that's the first thing." The smile widened a tiny bit. "Hai, Heero-san," he corrected himself. The faint blush that splashed over his cheeks made Heero want to devour him. This weekend would not come fast enough. o0o 0o0 "Why do we have to go with him?" Juun whined. Again. Duo chuckled, amused and a little frustrated. "He invited," he said. Again. "It was a very kind offer." "But I wanna spend the day with you, Daddy!" Juun whined some more. "He'll spoil everything!" "How so?" Duo asked, now more amused. "He . . . he . . . he just will!" Juun exclaimed, stamping down one little foot. Leaning down, Duo kissed his forehead. "I'm sure he won't, pumpkin. Why don't you go get dressed? It's almost noon." "But Dadd~y!" Duo shook his head. "I'm sure he would be very disappointed if we cancelled at this late date," he said, cupping Juun's chin, "and he'd think Daddy was very rude. Do you want someone to think ill of your father?" Moisture welled up in Juun's big indigo eyes. He sniffled. "No, Daddy." "Me neither," Duo said softly, tickling Juun's chin. "Now give me a kiss and go get dressed. Put on something special for Daddy, okay?" The tears vanished. "Kay!" the little boy chirped, grabbing Duo's face between both hands and kissing him on the mouth. He scampered for the stairs. "I'll be right back! You tell Heero-niichan not to leave without me!" Duo chuckled. "I'm sure he wouldn't, pumpkin." Son taken care of, time for the father. He consulted his wardrobe. Being a single father was difficult and money was always tight, so his clothing selection was modest at best. He slid into some jeans that made his legs look long and slim and gave him the faint impression of having an ass. Not that he wanted women to look at him twice. Though he'd been married, he didn't plan to become so again. Kaoru had been . . . special. In fact, Duo was pretty sure he was gay. Pulling on a plain, dark green long-sleeved shirt, he pulled a v-necked tee shirt on over the top. It was light green and gray with black artistic butterflies on it, strongly influenced by the Gothic persuasion. He loved butterflies because Kaoru had loved them. Sometimes he missed his late wife terribly. If you were still alive, Kaoru, would you have done anything different for Juun? The pair had gotten married young - seventeen. The first six months had been wonderful. Then real life settled in and everything had gone to hell. Then Juun came along and saved them both. Saved their marriage and their lives. "Daddy?" Juun queried from the doorway. "Are you sad?" Blinking fiercely, Duo waited until the threat of tears was gone before turning to face his little boy. "No," he said, smiling. Juun walked to him and patted his leg. "Please don't be sad, Daddy." Swallowing thickly, Duo leaned down and scooped Juun up, kissing the tip of his nose. "I'm not sad. Promise." "Pinky promise?" Juun asked, holding up a curled pinky. Duo hooked his own around it. "Pinky promise. What do you say we make Heero-san buy us some cotton candy?" "Yayy!" Juun exclaimed, bouncing in Duo's arms. "And a hotdog?" "Or two or three," Duo agreed. The door buzzer sounded. "That's probably him. Want to go answer it?" "Yep!" Juun said, squirming until Duo put him down. "If it's not him, don't answer it," Duo called, sitting on his bed to put on socks and shoes. "Kay!" Juun's voice wandered back to him. o0o 0o0 Juun had to drag a chair to the door to answer the buzzing. "Who iiiiiiiiiiis it?" he sang. "It's me, Juun," came Heero-niichan's unmistakable voice. Juun buried a giggle in his hand. Really, what a stuck-up man to think a little boy should remember him! "Me, who?" he inquired sweetly. "Is this one of Daddy's suitors? There are too many of you to keep track." There was a long pause. "Open the door, Juun." Juun almost toppled off his chair he was laughing so hard. "But maybe you're a robber!" "Juun - " short and hard and a definite warning. Reaching up, Juun unlocked the door. As soon as Heero-niichan entered he glared down at Juun. "All right you little brat, you're gonna get it!" "Eep! Daddy! Help meeeeeeeeee!" Juun shrieked with glee, tumbling off the chair and bolting to his father's bedroom. Teasing nii-chan was so much fun! He ran smack into his father's legs as he came out of the bedroom. "What's going on out here, hm?" he demanded with a little grin. Juun thought his father was the prettiest person on the planet. He knew Heero-niichan thought so too. I'm sorry if you don't like me, but I gotta find out if you deserve him. I can't let just any old person have my daddy, you know. "He's gonna eat meeeeeeeee!" He held up his arms. Like he always did, his father scooped him up, grinning. Such a wonderful grin. Juun wanted his father to smile all the time. "Really, Heero-san," he said softly. "What a terrible thing to do on your first time in my home." For the first time since Juun had met Heero-niichan, the man smiled. Not a smirk or a cocky smile. But a real genuine smile that lit up his blue eyes. "I have a thing for tasty looking boys." Juun wiggled in his father's hold, giggling. "Leave Daddy alone!" Heero-niichan advanced, a comical frown on his face. He stuck his face right in Juun's. "Who says I was talking about Daddy?" Juun giggled wildly, clapping his hands together on Heero-niichan's cheeks. "What a bad person!" His father chuckled quietly. "Then why on Earth did you let him in, Juun? What terrible judgment, first thing in the day." As they set out in Heero-niichan's car, Juun sat sipping the juice his father had given him. He thought his daddy looked very handsome, and so did Heero-niichan. In place of his business suit he wore jeans and a thin, long-sleeved sweater of a deep royal blue. Secretly, Juun was pleased Heero-niichan had suggested this outing. It's a good chance to get to know him. See if he's worthy. See what his intentions are. "Daddy?" "Hm?" "Are we there yet?" He heard his father snort. "We've only been in the car five minutes, Juun." "Is that a no?" "That's a no," his father confirmed. "Just be patient." "I'll get you as much cotton candy as you can eat if you don't ask that question again until we're there," Heero-niichan said. Juun brightened at that thought and resolved to eat so much cotton candy Heero-niichan used up all his money. o0o 0o0 Duo climbed out of Heero's expensive car and looked around, stretching. The amusement park looked half the size of Tokyo. "Wow," he murmured, already trying to imagine all the ways Juun would go wild. His son was bouncing up and down in his car seat. "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! Hurry, hurry! Let me out! I want to seeeeeeeeee!" As soon as Juun's feet touched the ground he bolted for the entrance. "Juun!" Duo yelped, grabbing for him. Heero was quicker. He snatched the boy's hand. "Whoa, where are you going, twerp? Stay by your father." Juun stuck his tongue out at him and yanked free, dashing back to Duo's side and hooking his little hand in Duo's jeans' pocket. "Are we going, Daddy?" All innocence. "Come on. Let's go have fun. Don't let go of me, okay? If you got lost in there, we'd have a hard time finding each other, and if you lost me I would be so scared and sad. We definitely don't want that, do we?" "No!" Juun exclaimed, looking aghast. "I definitely won't lose you, Daddy." "Good," Duo said, smiling. "If there are too many people jostling around, just hold either mine or Heero-san's hand, okay?" Juun gave Heero a glare as though he planned never to hold his hand, but he beamed his father a smile to shame the sun. "I'll make real sure to hold your hand!" he promised, tugging on Duo's jeans. "Can we go? I want cotton candy!" Duo chuckled. "How about lunch first?" "Kay! Then cotton candy!" "C'mon, monster," Heero said, ruffling Juun's hair and leading the way. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. It wasn't quite warm enough out to be hot, but not cool enough to be uncomfortable. In fact, Duo thought as Heero paid the entrance fee for them all, it was a perfect day. Almost perfect. The park was busy but not crowded so tight it felt claustrophobic, and Juun tried to look everywhere at once. At his side, Heero smiled faintly. "You look nice," he said quietly. Duo felt himself blushing at the appreciation in those cobalt eyes. He'd never been the target of another man's desire before, and he still wasn't used to it. "Heero-san . . ." he began, not quite sure what to say. He glanced down at his son and then leaned a little closer to the slightly older man, pitching his voice low so Juun wouldn't overhear. "This was a really nice gesture, but . . . is this a date?" No hesitation. A smirk spread across the other man's face. "Yes. I wasn't sure you'd catch on so quick." The smirk tempered a little. "I never really asked, but does it bother you? I know you had a wife." "That you're a man?" Duo said softly. "No. I've never been attracted to a woman before or since Kaoru. She was . . . special. I think . . . I might be gay." Heero snorted. "Well, don't push yourself. It's not like I'm going to take you on a date and then tumble you into my bed. As pleasant a thougt as that is." Duo knew he went red as a boiled lobster. He ducked his head, wishing he had half the confidence of this gorgeous man. Juun, he finally noticed, was glaring up at them. "Hey, Heero-niichan! You better not be picking on my daddy! I'll kick you in the shins!" Laughing so suddenly he choked, Duo set a hand on Juun's head. "What terrible manners. I'm sure you didn't learn them from me." "As if I have anything to fear from a pint-sized monster," Heero scoffed. Juun let out a little squeaking yell and raced toward Heero, who danced easily out of the way, taunting the little boy. Duo found himself smiling. You really get along with Juun well, Heero-san. I wonder what he would think of my dating a man? Heat flared back up in Duo's cheeks as Heero grappled Junn into a headlock. Dating. I think that's a little premature, he told himself, smoothing the front of his shirt. "Daddy!" Juun wailed, giggling. "Help me! Save meeeeeeeee!" Their antics were drawing the smiling looks of other women with children, Duo noticed. Reaching out, he patted Heero's arm. When the man let go Juun slammed into his father, squeezing his leg. Duo lifted him and balanced him on a hip. "Think you could settle down for lunch now, you wild little cabbage?" To his surprise, Heero snorted out a laugh. "Cabbage?" Duo smiled, flushing a little. He'd never seen Heero laugh. "His mother used to call him all sorts of vegetables. I guess we both just kind of got used to it. Huh, pumpkin?" He touched the tip of his nose to Juun's. "Yep!" Juun chirped. "I called her Mama-Flower!" "And what did you call your father?" Heero asked. The smile really suited him. "Kirei-Papa," Juun replied, kissing Duo on the cheek. o0o 0o0 Heero watched Juun kiss his father. Beautiful Papa, huh? It suits you, Duo. You really are the most beautiful man I've ever met. "Sounds like you really love your father." "Of course!" Juun huffed, giving him an affronted look. "I love him more than anyone! I'm gonna marry him and take care of him forever!" Though Heero found the words sweet and a little annoying, Duo suddenly looked . . . like he might cry. "Daddy?" Juun queried, placing a small hand on his father's cheek. Duo swallowed so thickly Heero could see it from a meter away. He lowered Juun to the ground and gently pushed him toward Heero. "I'm going to use the restroom real quick," he said. "You two wait here for me." Mystified, Heero watched him disappear into the restrooms. He looked down at Juun to find the little boy staring at the ground, a troubled look on his face. He must have felt Heero's gaze because he looked up. He gave Heero a shaky smile. "I'm sorry, Heero-niichan. It hurts Daddy when I talk about forever." "Why?" Heero asked, squatting down to be on the kid's eye-level. Juun shook his head. "He gets sad sometimes. He'll tell you when he's ready. If you're worthy of him." He sniffed and lifted his chin. "I'm still not sure you deserve him." Heero narrowed his eyes. "I hate to tell ya, kiddo, but you won't have much of a say. Not if your father decides he loves me." Juun nailed him with a fierce glare. "And what about you, Heero-niichan? Do you love my daddy? Or do you just want him?" That, Heero thought, was quite a question from a five-year-old. You're a pretty special kid, you know that? Of course, you're Duo's son. "Do you really know the difference?" he asked. "Of course I do!" Juun snapped. "Love has nothing to do with want. You want someone because you love them. You should never love someone because you want them. Sometimes people come into the bookstore, and they want him. I can see it. It looks disgusting on them, and I hate seeing them look at Daddy like that!" Heero sighed. "You're really something else, Juun." He settled a hand lightly on the child's hair. "Your daddy's beautiful, and I do want him. But I wouldn't hurt him or push him into something he didn't want. I wouldn't hurt either of you." Juun's glare didn't lighten. "What are your intentions, Heero-niichan? I want to know. Don't lie." There was an astonishing and slightly unnerving wisdom in those big indigo eyes. He took a deep breath. "Adults don't really start out by thinking of intentions," he said honestly. "We see something we like and we pursue it. I suppose it's our way of finding out if we're compatible. I like your father. So now I'm finding out if we're compatible." Juun's eyes darted back and forth between his, the little boy seeming to weigh every word. "When I said Daddy had a lot of suitors, I wasn't lying," he said after a moment. "They always try to get me to like them first." He scoffed. "Adults are really transparent. But you know, you're the first one to answer me so truthfully when I ask their intentions." He hesitated. "I think I like you, Heero-niichan." To his shock, Heero found that statement meant something to him. It meant a lot. He smirked and ruffled the kid's hair. "Don't get too full of yourself, little monster." He glanced over Juun's head. "How about I win some big stuffed animal for you while we wait for your father?" "Okay!" Juun exclaimed, already racing for a stall. "That one, Heero-niichan! That big blue one!" Even on closer examination Heero wasn't sure what it was. Some alien blob, maybe. It was kind of cute though, so he agreed. He won it with ease, which made the guy behind the counter squirm. As Juun hugged the soup out of his new big plushie, Duo finally reappeared. His eyes weren't bloodshot as if he'd been crying, but he didn't look as happy as he had earlier in the day. Juun didn't seem to notice as he beamed up at his father. "Look what Heero-niichan won for me, Daddy!" He held it up. Duo looked surprised. "Well, hello. What a cute . . . fluff person." He gave it a hug. Juun giggled. "It's a blob-man from space, Daddy," he said as though it should have been obvious. Heero snorted. "Duh, Daddy. Anyone could have told you that." That made Juun laugh harder, and Duo grinned. "Silly me. Of course. I hope I haven't offended the fluffy blob-man from space." Juun glomped Duo's leg. "Nope, you didn't!" Then he turned and tugged on Heero's hand. "I'm hungry. You said you'd treat me an' Daddy to lunch!" "Juun . . ." Duo groaned. Heero shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Duo. I did promise. All right, monster, what do you want to eat?" "Hot dogs!" Juun exclaimed, grabbing Heero's hand and tugging. Duo followed, seeming a little happier now as he carried the fluffy blue plushie. He only wanted a plain hotdog with mustard, but Juun wanted cheese and chili and relish and ketchup. Heero thought that sounded disgusting, but Juun gobbled it down with gusto. Then Heero gave him a big puff of cotton candy. "Remember how to eat it so your fingers don't get all sticky?" Duo said. He pinched off some of the pink fluff between thumb and forefinger. "Two fingers only." "Right!" Juun chirped, imitating his father. He carefully made sure the confection didn't touch his lips, either. Heero smiled. "What a good kid. Finish that off and you can go on some rides." "Yayy!" Despite his enthusiasm, Juun didn't inhale his treat. He savored it as they walked around the park, looking at the booths and playing a few of the games. By the time he finished his cotton candy, Juun was practically buzzing with excitement. "That one, Daddy! That one!" Heero eyed the spinning contraption. Duo looked at the sign. "You're too small to go alone," he pointed out. "But you get sick, Daddy," Juun said, looking worried. "I'll go with you," Heero said. Juun glared at him. "I can go by myself!" The woman standing in front of them in line glanced back. "He can go with my daughter, if he wants," she offered with a smile. "I know how kids can be." The daughter looked about twelve, and she was tall and skinny. Duo looked down at Juun. "What do you think? Want to go with her?" "Sure!" Juun chirped, capering to her side. Heero watched as they introduced themselves. Kids were so easy to please. As Juun and the girl clambered into the seat and were strapped in, Juun waved fiercely to his father. "I'll wave every time we pass!" he called. "You wave too, Daddy!" Smiling, Duo nodded. Soon the ride started up, and Duo leaned against the outside fence. As he watched the ride, Heero watched Duo. Took the time to study him in depth and at great length. Watching Duo had become a favorite pastime, and he liked to feel he was coming to understand some things about the young man. But as he gazed at him, he noticed something for the first time. "You know, you always look tired, Duo," he said after a moment. Duo blinked and shot him a quick look before obediently waving at his son when he went whizzing by. "I've stopped noticing, I guess. Raising Juun by myself and working full time and managing a household keeps me plenty busy." His tone was light, but Heero sensed something underneath. Something not spoken, and perhaps not even recognized by Duo. "You've gotta be careful you don't wear yourself out," Heero said, giving Duo's overall appearance a critical eye. Did he seem just a bit too thin and pale? "Let others help." Duo gave him a wan smile. "Others like you, Heero-san?" A hint teasing. "Yes," Heero said, moving a little closer to bump his shoulder against Duo's. Rely on me. I would completely support you if I thought you would let me. As the co-owner of the biggest hotel chain in Tokyo he was probably one of the richest men in the area. Financial issues never even occurred to him. "Duo, would you let me take you on a second date?" The expression on Duo's face was one of a man counting on being disappointed. "I can't. What about Juun?" He waved again at his passing son. "Bring him and come over to my suite. I have a big flat near one of my hotels. We can have dinner and watch a movie. Maybe play a game." Looking surprised and delighted, Duo smiled. "You can cook?" "No, but I'm real handy with the phone to order takeout." Duo laughed softly. "Then why don't you let me cook? I like doing it." Reaching over, Heero gently captured one of Duo's hand
and lifted it to his lips. "I can hardly wait."
tbc |
