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"Here's to Us"Written By: Presser Pairings : 1x2 Disclaimer : Gundam Wing characters aren't mine Rating : PG-13 except for part 12 which is NC-17 Warnings : AU, some sap, some fluff, some angst. Spoilers: None Feedback : Yes please!
"Here's to Us" ~ 10 ~ Heero drove home in a pleasant fog of memory. Duo is so comfortable in his own skin, in his environment. If only I could be more like that! He made me feel - what word am I looking for? - more able to relax, I guess. Heero reached his apartment just before midnight, feeling warm despite the chill in the air. Once inside, he fixed a cup of tea and curled his feet underneath him in the overstuffed chair in his living room, ending the evening by recalling every detail of his time with Duo. * * * Duo sighed for the fifth time as he kneaded dough for his parmesan cheese bread. He glanced in the mirror above him on the wall, put there so that he could see customers entering the shop while his back was to the door. The silly grin on his face he brought with him to The Emporium at 5:30 a.m. was still in place. I hope Heero will go out with me again, he thought. If he enjoyed the evening half as much as I did, then there's a chance this could develop into something more. And something more was what Duo was hoping for. * * * Rachel sat by the window at The Emporium munching an oatmeal-raisin cookie with a friend from her American history class. There were three other customers in the shop, a couple and an older gentleman with a cup of coffee. Duo stood behind the counter surveying the people, idly looking out the window. Rachel said goodbye to her friend and then rose and moved to the counter to ask Duo for more coffee. "Oh, sure, Rach. Here you go." He filled her cup and turned to put the coffeepot back on the burner. When he turned back around Rachel was still standing before him. "Well?" Duo sighed. "Rachel, Rachel, do you have any idea how tired I get of your well-meant intentions?" Rachel winced slightly. "Go have a seat. I'll fix some coffee for myself and join you." Rachel returned to her seat by the window while Duo poured a cup of java, then walked to her table and sat. Rachel put on her best circumspect look. "Okay. I'm gonna tell you about my date with Heero. But I want something in return. You have to promise me that you'll be my friend from now on instead of my matchmaker. I don't want to -" "Deal." Smiling, Rachel put out her hand across the table. "It's just that -" "Duo." "Huh?" He looked at her hand. "Shake my hand. I told you it was a deal." "You really mean it?" "Look, Duo, I think you're just about the nicest guy in the world, next to Jason. I won't deny that I've been trying to 'fix you up' with someone almost since the day I first met you. And I know that I can be a pain. But maybe I've taken my crusade too far. You and Jason certainly seem to think so. So I'm gonna make a promise to you to leave you alone." She saw the _expression on Duo's face change. "No, not completely, but like you said. We'll be friends, but I'll stop matchmaking where you're concerned." Duo hesitated, then smiled, taking Rachel's hand. "Deal." He sighed. "Now, let me tell you what happened last night." * * * "So you think he liked it?" "Hard to tell, 'cause he's so quiet, you know? And he stutters a lot. But when he's comfortable with someone, his stuttering goes away. I just realized that, because last night, after we got to talking at dinner, he spoke naturally, without any stammering or anything. I guess that's a compliment, that he was comfortable with me." "I think you're right, Duo. So what are you going to do now?" "Just see what happens. Let things move at their own pace." "Yeah, that's a good plan. I think that if you like Heero, then he's the luckiest guy in the world." Rachel smiled. Duo smiled back. "Thanks, Rachel. That means a lot." "Now I've got to get home and see about dinner for Jason and our children, Puff and Penny. Those cats will never forgive me if I'm late!" She stood and put a five-dollar bill on the table, then left. Duo waited on the couple, who ordered two slices of lemon pound cake to go, and then checked on the older gentleman who seemed to be enjoying his outing. As he was dusting his hands on his apron, the bell at the top of the door sounded. Duo looked up to see Heero Yuy peering around the edge of the door, both hands on the frame. Duo smiled. "Duo? Can I talk to you?" "Sure, Heero." Duo walked to the door, and Heero opened it so that Duo could step outside. Heero pulled the door to, leaving it cracked open. "I was wondering if it would be okay if...that is, if you would mind if..." Heero fumbled for the right words. "It's okay, Heero. Just say it." Heero took a deep breath. "You need help." "Excuse me?" "I - I mean, in the shop. I see how busy things can get." He looked in through the window. "Okay, they aren't busy /now/, but when it's just after a concert, I see you having to hustle. I was wondering if you'd mind," Heero looked down, "if I - helped you from time to time." Duo's mouth opened. And closed. And opened again. "Heero, I don't know what -" "It's okay if you don't like the idea. I'll understand." "No, no, it's a great idea, it's just -" Heero looked up. "I've never heard you say so much at one time." Heero smiled. "I'm actually quite a talker among my family. It's with strangers that my tongue gets tangled." Duo smiled. "I think that's the nicest thing you've said to me so far." Heero raised one eyebrow. "I guess you're saying that you're comfortable with me." "I am, although I find that strange. It usually takes me a long time to get to know people, but -" Heero noticed the elderly gentleman looking around for Duo. "Hey, you'd better take care of your customer." Duo looked in the window and immediately opened the door. As he stepped through it, he asked Heero to come in and wait for him. * * * "More coffee coming right up!" Duo moved behind the counter and grabbed the coffeepot before making his way around the small eating area in The Emporium, laughing and chatting with each of his customers. As he poured the last cup in the pot, he looked up to see Heero shyly checking out a customer. There was no doubt in Duo's mind that Heero joining him on busy evenings was a big help. He had trouble remembering how he had ever managed by himself. Heero manned the counter most often, dishing up pie and cake, washing plates and glassware in the kitchen and occasionally checking out a customer when Duo wasn't available. Duo focused on the guests, refilling cups of coffee and chatting with them. The Emporium had always been known as a place for good desserts, good coffee, and good conversation, but Heero's involvement had freed Duo to take things to the next level. Every customer got Duo's personal attention, and as a result customer loyalty had risen. At first Heero had shown up on Friday and Saturday nights, then, as business increased, he came in around seven each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday till closing. Over the past six weeks he had become a part of the establishment, and all of the regulars expected to see him when they dropped in. Duo marveled at the man's willingness to help, especially since he refused to let Duo pay him. Their friendship had grown right along with the business. Duo now took Monday nights off, so that was their Friday night out. They often shared a quiet dinner, sometimes out, sometimes in front of an old movie. Duo had turned Heero on to classic film, and thoroughly enjoyed watching his reactions to the likes of Marlena Dietrich and Marlon Brando. These dates had been companionable, but only that. Duo felt more than just fondness for Heero, but was uncertain about how to ask for more in their relationship. He often wondered if Heero wanted more as well. This unanswered question was often on Duo's mind. "Hey, Duo! You a space cadet tonight?" Laughter sailed around the room as Duo shook himself and looked at the crowd before him. A collection of couples and singles smiled at him, and he smiled back. "Nah, just -" "Yeah, /we/ know what you were thinking!" "A piece of lemon icebox pie says you /don't/!" "You're on!" "Okay," Duo said, sitting down, putting the now empty coffeepot to one side. "Only yes-or-no questions, and only ten of them. Agreed?" Companionable noises told Duo the game was set. "First question," said a young man with shoulder-length red hair. "Animal, vegetable, or mineral?" "That's not a yes-or-no question!" More laughter. "Okay, I've got one. Were you thinking of business?" Duo shook his head. "Pleasure?" Duo raised one eyebrow and frowned, putting his index finger on his lips, then slowly nodded. "I guess you could say that." "What about cooking?" "Hey, that's business!" "But it could be pleasure, too. Duo says all the time how much he enjoys it." "No, not about cooking. That's three, leaving you with just seven more." Three or four heads drew together for a pow-wow. The redhead looked up with a smile on his face. "Was it about love?" Everyone smiled. A few low "oohs" were heard. "I'll never tell!" Duo grinned broadly. "You /have/ to! You said!" More laughter. "Well...no. Not about love." Duo paused then added quietly, "exactly." "Hey, we're on the right track!" "Yeah, then it must be -" "Was it about Heero?" Rachel spoke from behind Duo, having walked up to the group in the middle of the fun. He looked over his shoulder and winked at her. "Hey, Rach! Looks like you came to rescue me, right?" Duo stood and picked up the coffeepot as everyone in the group protested. "C'mon, Duo, you said you'd give us ten questions!" "Yeah, well, I know how to quit when I'm ahead!" "What about the pie?" "Tell you what. I'll bring whatever's left in the freezer - probably just three pieces - and you can all fight over it with your own little forks." Soft cheers rose merrily into the air as Duo moved to the counter. As Rachel followed him Duo spoke in a low voice. "Why'd you have to /do/ that, Rach?" "Maybe for old times' sake. I don't know," she shrugged. "You have to admit I've been pretty good lately." "That you have, that you have. Uh, you want something to eat?" "Maybe just some coffee. Will you have time for a conversation?" Both looked around. "Should. It's not far from closing and most everyone here looks about ready to go. Just let me check on Heero in the kitchen, okay? I'll be right out." Rachel moved to her favorite seat near the window and pulled her heavy coat off, putting it over the back of the chair. By the time she had settled in Duo had arrived with two cups of java and a little ceramic pot of half and half that Duo knew she took with her coffee. "We're all set. Heero's finished with most of the kitchen work and said he'd watch the register for a while. You know," Duo said with a pleasant smile, "I was just thinking how great things are going lately. Business has really picked up ever since Heero made it easy for me to just be friends with my customers." "I'm not surprised. You may be a great cook, but you really shine when you're making conversation." "You think so?" Duo looked puzzled. "You have the art of making people comfortable down pat, no question about it." Duo's smile lessened perceptibly at the corners. "But," Rachel said, putting her hand on Duo's, "I suspect there's someone who isn't quite comfortable enough. Yet, anyway." "It's not that," Duo said, wincing lightly. "We're good friends now. We spend most every Monday night together. Heero's work makes it easy for him to be here four or five nights a week, and it's really opened him up. He's more relaxed with people than he's ever been in his life - at least that's what he says." "You're avoiding my point." "Am I?" "Look, I promised you I wouldn't interfere, and I've kept my word. But Duo, I -" "Why do I get the feeling you're about to break your promise?" "I see how you pine away for him, Duo. And he's completely oblivious. At least, that's what /you/ think." Duo's eyebrows went up a bit. "I'm going to keep my promise. I won't interfere. But I think a word of advice is appropriate here. All I want to do is tell you that it's okay if you go ahead." Duo wrinkled his nose. "With what?" "Take the next step, Duo. Let him know you care for him as more than a friend." "That's a big step. I don't want to ruin what we've got going." "But you don't want it to stay where it is, either." "Well..." "I won't pretend to know things I can't possibly know. But I know you, Duo, and I know you're longing for more in your relationship. How many men have I brought by here over the past three years?" "More than either of us can count, Rachel." "Enough that I can recognize that 'he's the one' look when I look at you." "Really?" Duo's mouth dropped open. "Really. You don't have to take my advice, but here it is anyway. Let him know you care. If he's only interested in friendship, then at least you'll know. I have trouble believing someone as gentle as Heero would ever run from you - not after seeing the two of you together this past month. And who knows? You might just get that 'something more' you're hoping for." Duo took a sip of coffee, hiding behind the cup. He put it down slowly, deliberately, then looked up. "Thanks Rachel. I guess that was something I needed to hear." "Good luck, Duo." She smiled. "Thanks." Duo sighed, then stood to collect their cups and utensils. TBC |
