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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" ~ 9 ~ Heero left The Emporium in a hurry, almost stumbling over his own feet as he moved toward his car. He could hear his heart beating as he drove off. Odin would be proud, he thought. His big brother had always chided him for not being more outgoing. Sure, Odin, it was easy for /you/. You had a natural flair for being with people. Of course. You didn't have the stuttering problem /I/ have. Heero smiled as he drove. He had summoned the courage to approach Duo and speak to him first, instead of waiting for Duo to initiate the conversation. It was a step forward, and though it might seem a small one to most, it was significant to Heero. I wonder what I should wear? Casual, but not too casual. Would jeans be okay? Heero was still fretting over attire as he pulled into the parking space in front of his apartment. He cut the engine and reached into the back seat for the plastic bag of groceries he had picked up on the way to talk to Duo. After locking the car he headed up the stairs to his second-floor flat. He had selected the place because it was near the university library, but it had the added advantage of facing the quadrangle, giving Heero a pleasant view from his living room window. Once inside, Heero slipped out of his shoes, leaving
them by the door, then put his sack of groceries on the kitchen counter.
He set out a teapot and began warming water, then began putting away
the foodstuffs. As he put the last of the canned soups away, the kettle
sang. Heero A movie with Duo, this Friday night. I certainly didn't expect this! It was not long ago when I entered his shop for the first time, looking for nothing, really. I was bored, and thought the shop was interesting, a place to while away a few minutes before I returned to the drudgery of the afternoon work. I have trouble speaking at the best of times, but Duo's face completely obliterated any chance I had of sounding intelligent that day. His smile, his eyes, his soft shoulders. Heero sighed. What made him find Master Isoki? How did he know I was taking kendo lessons there? Did he seek me out? He certainly sounded glad to see me when we met there. I wonder if.... Heero shook his head, smiling at his thoughts. Probably nothing of the sort. I always build up coincidences into fateful happenings. And now he's asked me to a movie. He must be gay, or he wouldn't ask me out on a date. Right? But still, I must be careful not to offend. I'll wait and let him make the first move. Heero took another sip of tea and smiled again. He decided to browse through his closet and work on what to wear Friday night. * * * Duo didn't remember what happened after Rachel left, but he had apparently done dishes and closed up the shop. Had to be, he thought, 'cause I'm driving home now. He replayed the scene with Heero for the eleventh time, savoring every word, look, and the tone of voice. Is he gay? Duo thought. I mean, I don't hide my orientation,
but I also haven't shared it with Heero. He doesn't know anyone who
knows - or does he? Maybe he thinks I'm just asking him as a friend.
Maybe I /am/ just asking him as a friend. But it feels different.
I /want/ it to be Duo turned into his driveway. I wonder what I should
wear. Nothing too provocative, but not too casual, either. I want
him to - Duo stopped in mid-thought, pausing as he got out of the
car. What /do/ I want him to think? Duo walked to the front door of
his small house and let himself I oughta practice my kendo, but I'm just not in the mood. He took a frozen entrée from the fridge and pulled it from the box. I guess I want him to think I'm nice. But doesn't he already think that? There was that scene I created in the shop when I stumbled over that chair. Geez! He probably thinks I'm the world's biggest klutz! Or that I'm stalking him. Duo pulled the film up from one corner of the plastic tray and popped it into the microwave. No way he thinks I'm stalking him! There's nothing that would have given him that impression. I'm losing it if I'm jumping to conclusions like that! Duo looked at the microwave. Six minutes. I'm gonna go check out my closet. * * * Wednesday and Thursday came and went. Duo floated through baking and serving, waiting on customers and closing up shop with little on his mind beside Heero and the date coming up Friday night. Rachel and Jason came by Thursday and Duo just smiled when Rachel put forth her usual insinuations. The couple left with Jason shaking his head. "He's got it bad," he said to his wife as they headed for their car. Heero spent the same two days diligently hunkered over his computer, attempting to break security codes at various banking sites around the nation. The work came easily to him, and the pay was good. He was invariably congratulated by bank officials for showing them where their online weaknesses were and how to clean them up. But even though his mind was as sharp as always, his heart wasn't in his work. He found himself staring into the space above his screen and wondering what Duo was doing at the moment. * * * Friday afternoon. Heero sat at his desk, fidgeting with a pencil as he spoke into the phone. "Yes, sir, I'm glad you're pleased with my work. Hmm? Oh, of course. I'm always happy to be recommended to your business associates. Thank you, Mr. Mercer. Have a good weekend." Heero placed the receiver into the cradle and stood, stretching. He was nervous, excited, and too full of energy to sit still. He looked at his watch. Three hours! What should I do until it's time? Heero still hadn't decided on what to wear, though he had been through everything in his closet at least twice. He considered for the third time that afternoon whether he should dash out and buy another shirt to go with the grey cords he had chosen, then smiled at himself. This is definitely an obsession, he thought. I just need to relax. Maybe some deep breathing would do the trick. Heero moved from the office to his bedroom and opened the window to let in a cool breeze. Won't be long before it'll be too cold to do this. He removed his pants and shirt and put on sweatpants, then sat on the floor with his legs crossed. He rested his palms on his knees and bowed his head, making sure that his spine was straight, his shoulders were relaxed. Breathe in slowly, to the count of four. Hold for four counts. Breathe out slowly, to the count of four. Hold for four counts. Heero repeated this pattern twice and then slowly stood, adopting the standing posture of Qigong. His mother had taught him the ancient set of breathing exercises designed to move energy through the mind and body in healthful ways, and nothing else helped to calm and center him as well. After twenty minutes, Heero broke from his stance and inhaled, exhaled. Alright, I can do this. It's no big thing. But it /was/ a big thing, and nothing he could do would convince him otherwise. He cared what Duo thought of him. Because I like him, Heero thought. Because I - The phone jangled, startling Heero. He frowned, assuming that it was a client calling at the end of the business day. He strode to the phone in his office and answered gruffly. "Hey, Heero, is something bothering you?" "Duo! I - ah - di-didn't expect -" "I was just calling to make sure we're still on for tonight." "Y-yes." Heero blushed. "O-kay, then. Good, good. So...I'll see you at Stivers Hall at seven-fifteen. You know where it is?" "Yes." "Great. I'm looking forward to it." "M-me too, Duo." "See you then." "Yes." * * * Duo hung up the phone and sighed. I'm such a dope! All I did was make him feel uncomfortable! Shouldn't have called at all. Now he /really/ thinks I'm stalking him! Duo pitched the cordless phone in his hand onto the pillows on his bed and surveyed the clothes he had laid out. Jeans, but good ones, not too flashy, and a deep teal turtleneck that complimented his light violet eyes. He had finally decided on boots for footwear. Hope he'll wanna go to dinner after the show. Man, am I hooked or what? * * * At seven-fifteen on the dot Duo pulled into a parking space on the side of Stivers Hall and hurriedly locked his car. He walked quickly to the front of the building and up the steps. No Heero. He jammed his hands into his pockets and began to pace. "H-hello, Duo." Duo turned and was greeted by a very uncertain Heero standing before him in the main doorway of the hall. Grey corduroy slacks and black penny loafers were topped by a black turtleneck. Duo smiled. "Oh, hi, Heero. I didn't see you." "I, uh, just got here, and w-was looking at the bulletin b-board ins-side." "Well, we're both thinking alike, I guess." Heero's eyebrows drew together. "Uh, the turtlenecks? We're both wearing turtlenecks." "Oh, right." Heero smiled shyly. Duo broke into a broad grin. "So, you ready for the film?" "Y-yes." "Great." The two entered the hall and made their way to the auditorium, where they took their seats near middle of the room, in the back. * * * As the auditorium emptied, Duo and Heero stood. Heero put his hands in his pockets as Duo stretched. "The critics were right; that was a very different role for Bill Murray. You could see a touch of his comic nature here and there, but it was mostly a straight dramatic role." "I liked it - the film as a whole." "I did too." An awkward pause. "Say, would you like to get something to eat?" "At - your sh-shop?" "Nope. I eat there all the time, and though it's good" - Duo smirked - "I had a nice quiet dinner in mind - that is, if you're okay with that." "I'd - like that." "Good. Do you like Italian? I know a great place." * * * Heero pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair. "I'm stuffed." "Me, too. The Fettuccini Alfredo here is fabulous, but it's got enough calories to last me all the way to Easter!" Duo smiled broadly. He was delighted to see Heero smile back. "You've got beautiful eyes, Heero. I mean, I'm not sure I've seen - I mean, the color is -" "Your eyes are nice, too, Duo." Both men stopped and looked at each other, then burst out laughing. "Man," Duo said, gasping for breath, "You probably think I'm trying to come on to you or something!" Heero's laughter subsided, and he took a deep breath and said with a smile, "That's okay with me." As soon as the words left his lips he blushed, his eyes scrunching up and his mouth dropping open. "I didn't - I meant no -" "Hey, it's okay. I probably shouldn't have said that. Don't know why I did." "Duo, can I ask you something?" "Sure. Anything." "How did you learn to cook?" "Hmm? Oh, that started with my grandmother. I'm the oldest of four kids, and my grandmother lived with me from the time I was three years old. Once my brothers and sister came along, she needed all the help she could get, so she commandeered me, at first for cleanup tasks, then more as she discovered that I didn't mind working in the kitchen. One thing led to another, and I eventually discovered that I loved making people happy by baking for them. I went to college, even graduated - I've got a degree in English literature - but baked my way through school in coffee shops and restaurants. After I graduated, my friend Miranda - she owns the Book Nook -" Heero nodded "- told me about an opportunity here. I packed up everything I owned in the back of an old Ford Taurus and never looked back. The Emporium's four years old, and I think I just might make it." "You seem to be doing fine. The shop's always full whenever I've been by." "It helps having a college nearby. If it weren't for lecture series and concerts, I'm not sure I'd still be in business." Duo took a small sip of wine. "What about you? What brought you here?" "Oh, my work can be done from anywhere. I work at home, testing online security for banks and savings and loans. All I need is a phone, fax, and computer and I'm set. I wanted to be near a college library because I love to read." "Really! Tell me who your favorite authors are." * * * "Oh, Duo! It's eleven thirty-five! I'm sure you have to be at work tomorrow. I'm sorry I kept you so late." The two men were standing in front of their cars outside of Carlo's, shivering in the night air. "It's okay. I've enjoyed the conversation." "I have, too." "Well." "Um..." "You think we could do this again sometime?" "I'd like that, Duo." "Me, too." Duo looked down at his feet. Heero pulled his hands from his pockets, crossed his arms and rubbed them with his hands. "So, I guess I should be going. Gotta do some baking not too many hours from now." "I should be going, too." "Thanks, Heero." "For what?" "For coming with me. It was nice." "I'm glad I came." The two shook hands awkwardly, avoiding each other's eyes, their hands lingering just a touch longer than necessary, then climbed into their cars and drove off. TBC |
