|
"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" ~ 8 ~ "Damn." Duo pulled a pan of overdone shortbread cookies from the oven. "Second batch in a row." He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed, then shoveled the cookies into the trash. The bell on the front door jingled and Duo entered the shop to find Mrs. Dornan, his last-for-lunch-on-Thursday customer waiting patiently by the cash register. "Hello, Duo. I'd like a dozen of your shortbread cookies. My daughter is coming for a visit this afternoon, and I'd like to have something for her when she arrives." Duo patiently apologized for the lack of shortbreads and suggested the cinnamon snaps he had successfully baked earlier. When Mrs. Dornan left, Duo absently wiped the counter, then took his seat behind the table on the retail side. After fifteen minutes of staring into the air he decided to visit Miranda, hoping she had a bit of time to chat. But Miranda was busy with customers. Duo idly browsed. I'm a dope for thinking that Heero might be interested in me, Duo thought. Maybe I was too pushy when he came in last week. He slotted the fiction anthology he had in his hand and started toward the door when he saw Miranda helping Heero in the history section. He brightened, and moved casually to the comparative religion section only because it was shelved opposite the history section. When Miranda left, Duo made his move. "Heero! Good to see you again. You okay?" Heero's eyes grew wide, and he stammered a hello. "I was thinking about you the other day." "Y-you were?" "I was wondering if you might like to see a movie with me. The college has a film series, and they're showing /Lost in Translation/ on Friday night. It's supposed to be a different kind of role for Bill Murray." Heero paused so long that Duo began to think that he'd been too forward, and started to retract his offer when Heero blurted out, "I-I have to go. He laid the book in his hand across the top of the books in front of him and hurried from the shop. Duo's mouth fell open, his eyebrows creased over the bridge of his nose. He shelved the book on Christian Zen he had been holding and shuffled through the door, ignoring Miranda's cheery goodbye. * * * Rachel found Duo staring into space again when she dropped by the shop that night. "Duo? Are you alright?" "Sure, more coffee coming up." "Duo, I didn't ask for more coffee. Look at me." Duo focused on Rachel's face. "Something's wrong, so tell me." Duo shifted in his seat and sighed. "I really should check on the others who are here." He started to get up. "No one else is here, Duo. The other couple left ten minutes ago." "Oh. Yeah." He plopped back down in his chair. Rachel put her hand over his, and he looked at her again. Rachel started to speak when the bell rang. "You better see about your customer," Rachel said. Duo blinked twice. "It's Heero." Duo jumped up and turned quickly toward the door. Heero was standing there looking hesitant. Duo smiled broadly. "Heero! In the mood for some more oatmeal pie?" "N-no. I came to apologize." "Apologize?! For what?" "I was rude to you in the bookstore this afternoon." "Hey, don't worry about it. You were in a hurry." I'd like to go." "Go? Where?" "T-to the mo-vie you asked me about." Rachel smiled, her eyes wide and sparkling, but she didn't speak. "Cool," Duo said, silently letting out the breath he was holding. How about if I meet you at Stivers Hall at seven-fifteen? The film begins at seven-thirty." "Don't you h-have to work h-here that night?" "I know a guy who can probably sub for me," Duo said, making a mental note to twist his friend Trowa's arm if he had to. "So is it a...all right with you?" He had almost said 'date,' but managed to change the word, mangling the end of his sentence. Shit, how lame, he thought. "Yes." An awkward pause. "So I'll m-meet you at sev-en-fifteen." Great. I'll see you there." Heero smiled shyly and left the shop. Duo stood gazing dreamily at the door. "Duo! Didn't you hear what I said?" He shook himself and turned back to Rachel. "I said I'm glad you're going to the movie with Heero." "Me too, Rach." He spoke with a big grin on his face. Rachel smiled with one eyebrow raised. "What?" Rachel echoed him. "What?" Duo looked at her blankly then formed a small 'o' with his lips. "I guess that was..." "Pretty obvious," Rachel said, finishing his sentence. "Yeah, isn't it great?" TBC |
