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" Better Than Fine "Written By: Presser DISCLAIMER: This fanfiction is not written for profit. The author claims no ownership of the characters. Pairing: 1x2 Rating: PG Spoilers: The story refers to the final events of the series. Warnings: Post-series AU, light romance Summary: What do you do with a broken heart that never found the courage to say "I love you?"
Duo struggles to find the courage to confess to Heero, but before he can, Heero vanishes, leaving only a cryptic note that explains nothing. Weeks later, Duo finds a letter taped to his shower curtain. Who broke into his apartment to leave it? Why? Does this have anything to do with Heero's disappearance?
Better Than Fine answers these questions with
a surprise twist that will leave your pulse racing and warm your heart. "Better Than Fine " 3
The voice in Duo's ear was a clear tenor softened to a whisper. "Don't get the chicken. It's tough and dry as brushwood." Duo jumped.
"Geez, Wufei, why do you have to do that?"
Duo's fellow pilot slid smoothly into the seat opposite him at a hole-in-the-wall diner not far from the tobacco shop where Duo had spent his time before dinner. With a straight face he said, "Don't worry, you still have it. Not even Heero would have seen me coming." Duo rolled his eyes.
"So," Wufei said, unbuttoning his thick pea coat, "what is good here?" Duo pointed at the whiteboard above the kitchen window behind the counter. Neat lettering in black marker read, "Mack's Mac and Cheese, famous for decades." Unruly handwriting in red marker beneath this proclaimed, "You're nuts if you don't get it."
"Heart attack in a bowl," Duo said, "but you'll never have better."
"That what you're having?"
"Just coffee for me."
Wufei's response was easy, but Duo knew it was informed by a quick appraisal of his mood. "Sounds good. Bet you ate earlier too." Duo considered telling him Quatre had tried to fill him with buttermilk scones that afternoon but didn't. Wufei signaled to a waitress. "So," he said, "how'd you find this place?"
"When have you ever been one for small talk, Wufei?" Duo said it with a light tone he knew his friend saw through. Before Wufei could respond, a porcelain cup appeared before him.
"Anything but java today?" the waitress said as she poured thick, black coffee, hot and fragrant. Wufei shook his head. "Just wave if you want anything else, sweetie," she said and left.
"She could qualify for --"
"Preventers?" Duo said. "Didn't you just finish closing up shop?"
"Didn't know you kept up with such things since the war."
"I keep up with my friends," Duo said. Wufei regarded him for a moment, then he and Duo spoke simultaneously.
"Look, Duo --"
"Hey, I asked you --"
"-- you don't ever ask me --"
They both said "to dinner" in unison and chuckled. Wufei nodded, and Duo went first.
"Yeah, I asked you to meet me because I need your advice." Duo sighed. "The thing is --"
"You want to know if he's ever coming back."
Duo hesitated then said, "Yeah."
"I keep up with my friends too," Wufei said.
"Quatre told you?"
"Who else?" Duo winced. "But just me. Well, except for Trowa of course, and Heero's not here to tell, so..." Wufei kicked himself for saying that. He slid his cooling coffee across the cracked Formica tabletop as the thought hung in the air, then leaned forward on his elbows. "Tell me what you know."
Duo recounted his rush home from work three weeks ago, cursing himself for being late for Heero's special dinner and entering the apartment to find it dark and silent. He ended with his discovery of the note, skipping a description of the empty feeling that followed. Wufei listened without expression, then said, "Can I see it?"
"The note? Why would you think I have it on me?"
"Because I know you."
Duo grimaced as he pulled the note, already folded and unfolded enough to soften the paper, from his wallet. Wufei studied it. He flipped it over, then handed it back.
"You see something I can't? Hidden message?"
"He loves you, you know," Wufei said.
Exactly what Quatre said. Duo kept the thought to himself and said instead, "Yeah, I think he does, even though he's never said so."
"And you know Heero Yuy never does anything without --"
Duo held up his hand. "You sound just like Quatre, Wufei."
"Now that's a sentence that's never been uttered in the history of human speech," Wufei said, and added under his breath, "and I hope never will be again."
"Look," Duo said, "I do trust Heero, and I know he wouldn't do anything without good reason, especially just up and leave without saying -- without anything, really. But three weeks, Wufei. What am I supposed to think?"
Wufei stared deep into Duo's eyes. "I have a feeling things are going to work out. Just be patient." Duo's eyes grew quite wide. Wufei frowned. "What?"
"You," Duo said with genuine surprise, "have a feeling? You? Chang Wufei, the definition of the word rationalist, Mr. Practical himself, has a feeling?" Wufei glowered. "Well," Duo finally said, "this is one for the history books."
The waitress approached, a pot of steaming coffee in each hand, saw their cups were full and cold. "Check?" she said. "Please," Wufei responded. "Be right back," she said.
Duo felt for his wallet. "I've got this one," Wufei said. When Duo looked chagrined, he added, "You can owe me if it makes you feel better." ~ * ~
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