"SHADOWS AND LIGHT: AN UNBREAKABLE BOND"

Written By: Stone Angel

 

Please see Prologue for disclaimer, ratings and explanations. ^_^

AN:

 

SHADOWS AND LIGHT: AN UNBREAKABLE BOND:

CHAPTER 22: TRUST


Heero walked back into the house of his lover. "Duo-kun. I'm back."

There was no response. Heero silently crept into the bedroom to find Duo dressed in his usual attire, sprawled on the bed, an arm covering his brow and one eye. 'He was more tired than I thought. Then again,
he did stay awake for almost three days, protecting me. He needs his sleep.' Heero quietly stepped backwards to see Duo peek an eye open and look at him with a smirk.

"You're awake?"

"I am now." His smirk grew a little as he closed his eye. "So how is your shining model for society of a land lord?"

Heero smirked. "He's good. He didn't say anything about it. I just gave him the money and left. That was the end of it." He sat beside Duo on the bed. 'I won't tell him about the money Quatre gave me. He doesn't need to know. He would just feel guilty about it anyway. Why reopen closed wounds?' He pushed Duo's bangs out of his eyes and chuckled as they went right back.

Duo smiled at him. "My hair won't change. Trust me, I've tried."

Heero smiled down at him. "I'm glad." He looked away. "Martha and Elmer are in the vineyard outside the house." He saw Duo pale slightly. "You said you trusted them. Are you sure?"

Duo nodded and smiled wryly. "Ah. But old habits die hard, ne?"

Heero smiled sadly. "I guess so. Are you certain that they won't hurt you?"

Duo nodded again. "Hai. I scanned them. They are nosey and bothersome, but safe."

Heero couldn't help the possessive tone in his voice. "Good."

Duo grinned as he yawned. "Gomen nasai, Heero. I can't stay awake.

Heero smiled and stroked his hair. "It's Ok, Duo. Get some sleep. I'll stay here."

Duo smiled up at him as he closed his eyes and rolled onto his side.

Heero watched as his breathing became shallow but even as he fell asleep. He kissed Duo's cheek lightly before leaving the room to occupy himself until his lover awoke.

* * *

Duo yawned and rolled onto his back, stretching cramped limbs. 'Man. I haven't slept that well in days. Oh hell, I haven't SLEPT in days.' He looked around. He was alone in his room. 'I'd better go find Heero.' He checked his watch as he rose from the bed and walked from the room. 'Eight o'clock. I'd better go hunting.Not yet though. I wanna check up on Heero.' He looked into the living room to see Heero absently playing with a lock of his hair as he read from a history book.

Duo smiled and placed a hand on Heero's, stopping his actions. He smiled warmly at him when he startled slightly. "Don't. I love your hair too much to let you damage it."

Heero smiled up at him. "Yeah. Nervous habit."

Duo looked to the text. "Wow. Your teacher really skips around. You'd think she would at least try to keep it somewhat chronologically linear."

Heero blinked at him. "Hah?"

Duo smiled. "Follow a timeline. Not zipping from Eisenhower to the Colonial America."

Heero smiled. "Yeah. I don't really like her. She's...a bitch. There's really no other way to describe her."

Duo nodded. "I know a few people like that. How are you doing?"

Heero shrugged. "Well aside from being utterly lost about all the damn names I have to memorize_"

"I meant you."

Heero looked back up to him. "Fine. Back to normal."

Duo smiled and sat next to him on the couch. "Good." He picked up the book and took a look at it. "Ok. What are you having trouble with?"

Heero groaned and pointed to the list of questions at the end of the chapter. "I have to answer all of these. And I'm so lost it's bordering on funny."

Duo smiled. "Ok. America was founded as a Democratic Republic. All you have to remember is..."

* * *

Closing the book with a loud slap, Heero sighed. "Finally, someone who can explain this shit so I can understand it."

Duo grinned as he put an arm around his shoulder. "Glad to be of help. What about math?"

Heero smiled. "I finished it. But I don't have to turn it in tomorrow. If you want we can go over it after school." He put an arm around Duo's waist and smiled as Duo placed a soft kiss on his hair. He reached back and took the band from Duo's long hair.

*

Duo looked back and felt as his hair was undone by Heero's insistent fingers. "Mou. If you're going to keep doing that, you have to braid it back later."

Heero laughed. "Yosha. Teach me. Later."

Duo smiled and gave Heero's middle a poke.

Heero giggled as he jumped. "No fair."

"I know." Duo grinned as he poked him again, making the ticklish boy squirm in his arms. He continued to tickle Heero without mercy until he was gasping and laying on the couch beneath him.

"Please." Heero chuckled.

"Say uncle."

"No. AHH!"

"Say it."

"Ok! Ok! Uncle!"

Duo grinned down at him in victory. "I win."

*

Heero smiled and took a hold of Duo's hair, stroking it softly, making Duo relax against him. He played with the long silky tresses for a few moments before he spoke in a serious tone. "Ne, Duo-kun?"

"Ah?" A relaxed answer.

"How come Wufei was with a girl? Er, woman."

Duo seemed confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I just kind of thought all, uh, vampires were gay."

Duo rose off of him with a smile on his lips. "Really." He sat back. "What would give you that idea?"

Heero shrugged. "Well you and Quatre and Trowa."

Duo laughed, a pleasant sound as it reverberated off the walls. "Heero. What would you say if I told you I wasn't gay?"

It took long moments for Duo's words to sink into Heero's mind. When at last they did, he felt his heart shatter. 'He... He...." "Na... Nani...?"

Duo smiled down at him. "I'm not gay, Hee-kun."

"Ok, Bi, whatever." He hazarded, hoping with all his wounded heart.

Duo smirked. "Nope. Not Bi either."

Fumbling with the pieces of his shattered heart, Heero was standing and backing away from his 'lover' before he knew what he was doing. "You.... You...."

Duo looked sad suddenly and approached him, holding out a hand to cup Heero's cheek.

Heero batted the hand away with a fire he had never known he could feel. "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!!!"

Duo looked alarmed. "Heero..."

Heero felt his eyes rain tears as he collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "You're saying… How could you...make me...believe...feel...like this...and then just...take it all away...lie to me...like that...?"

Duo cradled him in his arms, holding him tightly despite his struggles. "Iye, Heero. You misunderstand. I love you."

"Liar." Heero sobbed. "I should have known. I should have known that you were bad. I should have stayed away. How could you do this? How could you?!"

Duo silenced him with a kiss and Heero felt himself melt despite his attempts not to do so.

'Damn you.'

'"Heero, listen to me, Ok?! I need to explain things to you. They are not so black and white as you think."'

Heero nodded his consent and Duo moved back, releasing him from his soul-searing kiss.

After a long moment of looking deeply into Heero's eyes, Duo spoke. "Heero. Listen well. I am not gay or Bi. I care for neither women OR men. I couldn't possibly. I love you. YOU. You are the only person that I have ever loved. I feel attraction for either sex, but I could never love another soul as I love you. You are my true love. I am not homosexual, for I do not love men. Nor am I heterosexual, as I care not for women. All I care about is you. Had you been female, I would love you just the same. You are the one person with whom I can share my damned soul. Without you, I feel incomplete. I love you, and you alone. Do you understand?"

Heero felt his anger die at the proclamation. He remained silent for long moments.

Pleading and afraid violet depths gazed down into his own cobalt ones. "Please say something, Heero."

Heero wiped away his tears but they persisted for a new reason. He thought about all the things he could say, but all escaped him. He simply said what was going through his taxed mind. "Oh."

Duo smiled slightly. "Is that all you have to say?"

Heero nodded as he reached up and buried his fingers in Duo's hair, pulling him down for another powerful kiss. The two kissed for long moments before Duo pulled back, resting his head on Heero's shoulder.

His voice was husky and strained as he spoke. "Heero. ...I'll show you. I'll show you that I love you. That I trust you."

Heero was confused until Duo straddled his hips in a very suggestive manner. 'Duo... Is he going to....?'

'"Hai."' Duo lifted Heero off the floor and carried him into the bedroom. He fell back against the bed, Heero falling atop him. '"Heero. You showed me how much trust you had in me. Let me do the same."'

Heero was at a loss for words.

Duo smiled and broke the kiss. "Heero. It's Ok. You can do this." He gazed into Heero's eyes, his amethyst depths visible to Heero only for the dim night light in the outlet on the wall that was the color of a candle's flame.

*

His adrenaline lending him the strength he needed as he extended his mind, Duo looked to the stereo, making the player play a song he liked from the CD already there, needing it to feel grounded in what
he was about to do. The sound made would be enough for him to distinguish between reality and memory, the present he cherished and the past he longed to forget.

Heero looked surprised as a song started but nodded and pulled the hem of Duo's shirt up.

Once upon a time
They called me the bleeder
Well swimmin' up this river
With sentimental fever
But this ain't my first ride
It ain't my last try
Just got to keep a-movin' on
If they catch me ever
They'll throw me back forever

Duo sat up and lifted his arms to aid in the task.

*

Heero threw the shirt to the floor and reached behind him, pulling his own shirt over his head with ease. He lay atop his lover, kissing his neck and then his clavicle as he moved down and enveloped a nipple with his lips, smiling when he heard Duo gasp. He moved to the other, learning quickly, remembering how Duo had done it before.

Duo was trembling lightly as Heero moved farther down, undoing the fasten of his trousers and sliding them down his legs.

Removing the boxers, Heero touched his lover where he never had, lightly running his fingers up his arousal.

Duo made a choked sound in the back of his throat but did not move, remaining still and letting Heero do as he wished.

Cupping Duo's erection, Heero began to stroke slowly, earning himself a moan from Duo's slightly parted lips as his eyes slid closed. 'He's so beautiful.' He took in the flushed cheeks, the shaking limbs and the small whimpers that escaped his throat as he turned his head to the side, his hair shimmering in the light. Heremoved Duo's watch, wanting his lover to be completely naked beneath him.

Duo gave him a brief confused look before he closed his eyes again and re-surrendered to sensation.

Heero smiled and removed his own shorts and boxers as well, all but ripping the material from himself. He returned to the bed and kissed Duo passionately, loving how he responded immediately. 'Duo-kun. I don't... I don't know what to do.'

Duo broke the kiss and smiled up at him. "Don't worry. I'll help you." He reached under the side of the bed and retrieved the lotion they had been using during their previous love making. He placed it in Heero's hand. "Do you remember what I did with this?" Fear emanated from him to crash lightly against Heero's senses.

Heero nodded and Duo smiled a nervous but genuine smile.

I guess I should be ashamed
But I forget to be vain
Well I did the best I could I guess
But everything just bleeds
They say you're only sad and lonely
And no one is impressed

"Follow your memories."

Heero nodded again and moved downwards on the bed watching as Duo's eyes became larger with fear before he hid it. 'The last time he did this.... The ONLY time he did this... I'd better make it good for him. I want to erase those memories and replace them with better ones, like he did for me with the scars. Duo-kun. We're both so scarred. Just differently so.' "Duo-kun. If I do anything wrong, stop me and tell me how to do it better, Ok?"

Duo smiled warmly. "You'll do fine, Hee-kun. I trust you."

Heero kissed a hip tenderly before looking back to the lotion in his hand. He liberally coated a finger and Duo propped a knee up and to the side for him. With one hand, Heero began to stroke Duo slowly, the other moving lower. He heard Duo gasp as he touched him and hesitated.

"Go on, Heero."

That being the encouragement he lacked, Heero nodded though he felt the fear coming off of Duo in waves as he gently pushed his forefinger into his lover.

Duo froze but said nothing, wide eyes staring up at the ceiling in an otherwise blank expression.

Heero waited for long moments, afraid that he had lost Duo to his memories. "Duo-kun?" His blood ran cold at the panic flowing from his lover.

*

Duo fought his memories.

Faces looming over him as a young boy.

Sshhhh....

Pain.

Money.

Help.

Life went on.

Boys don't cry.

I sent it off in a letter
I need somethin' better
Than a nail and a hammer
To put me back together
But this ain't my first ride
It ain't my last try
Just got to keep a-movin on
Got to keep this together
Maybe next time is never

He broke through them with a force of will he didn't know he had and looked down the bed to Heero's frightened eyes. He smiled as brightly as he could and did his best to reassure him. "Hee-kun, if you stop now, I'll kick your ass."

Heero sighed in relief and smiled warmly at him.

Duo moaned as Heero brushed that spot in him that made him want to writhe, but he stayed still. 'This is for Heero. All for him.'

*

Heero smiled in remembrance at the place that he was caressing, recalling how good it had been when Duo had done it. 'I guess he has this, too.' He pushed his finger against it and Duo yelped, his head tossing on the pillow. Adding a second finger, Heero smiled lovingly at Duo, though he knew he could not see through closed eyes, and finished preparing him.

He slid upwards on the bed and kissed Duo gently, still stroking his erection to keep him at ease as best he could. It was a shock to him when Duo wrapped a long leg around his hips, encouraging him to take it to the next step. "Duo. You ready?" The waves of fear were stronger now, threatening to crumble his lover's resolve.

Duo nodded and buried his head in the crook of Heero's neck, wrapping his arms tightly around him as if afraid he might let him go, his fingers frantically caressing the scars on his back.

'He wants to make sure I'm me.' Heero kissed his hair and then guided himself to Duo's entrance, waiting for a moment before pushing forward slowly. He stopped when Duo yelped in pain, his head moving from Heero's neck as if burned as he quickly stifled the noise by clamping his lips shut, his eyes squeezed closed, obviously not wanting to show any signs of pain. A trained reaction.

I guess I should be ashamed
But I forget to be vain
Well I did the best I could I guess
But everything just bleeds
They say you're only sad and lonely
And no one is impressed

Heero waited for a moment, unsure of what to do to ease the tension. He looked to Duo's eyes as they opened.

The deep purple orbs, in which he could so easily lose himself, were tainted with fear and shame but held a glimmer of hope.

"Duo." Heero kissed him tenderly. "It's me. It's Heero." He kissed Duo's hair. "Ai shite ieru. Duo-kun."

Duo seemed to take a moment to understand him and then nodded. "Sorry."

Sometimes I must confess
I do feel a little over dressed
Sometimes it's hard to tell the wishing from the well
Where you threw the penny and where it fell

Heero shook his head and kissed his hair, gently admonishing the uncalled for apology. "Do you want to stop?"

Duo shook his head and buried it again against Heero's shoulder. "Iye. Onegai, Heero."

Heero kissed his hair again and took a hold of Duo's hips, gently pushing the rest of the way in. 'Oh god! He feels like velvet. I guess his whole body is like silk. I knew it would be good. Just not THIS good. Duo-kun.' He waited as Duo held him tightly and adjusted.After a few moments, Duo's head fell back against the pillow and he smiled up at him. It was weak at best, and Heero was saddened by the tear tracks on his cheeks, but smiled down at him. Duo reached up and buried his fingers in Heero's hair, trying to reassure him that he
was alright.

It seemed to Heero that he was not the only one Duo was trying to convince. "You ready?"

I guess I should I should be ashamed
But I forget to be vain
Well I did the best I could I guess
But everything just bleeds

Duo nodded and smiled up at him. "Hai."

Heero kissed him softly and rolled his hips lightly, seeking that spot that would help his lover to forget his fears. He smiled to himself when Duo's eyes slid closed and he moaned loudly, wrapping both legs around him as he kissed him passionately. 'Hn. Mission accomplished.' He thrust against that spot, groaning at the new feel of being in his lover and loving the way Duo's hips were rising to meet his own as his back arched gracefully off the bed.

The picture Duo made, albeit unconsciously, was that of utter completion and beauty, small but incredibly erotic whimpers escaping him. The waves of fear that had been emanating from him only moments ago were gone, having realized that he was with Heero. That he was not being paid for this. He gave it freely.

Heero leaned down and nuzzled his neck, stopping when Duo placed a protective hand between him and his throat out of obvious fear. 'I won't, Duo. I promise. Trust me, Tenshi.'

Taking his hand away, Duo nodded hesitantly.

Heero licked the skin there, sucking on it and loving the flavor. 'He tastes like eucalyptus and rain. How does he do that?' He smiled as Duo moaned softly and he quickened the pace of his hips, sucking on
his lover's skin, careful not to let his teeth touch it and make Duo afraid. Duo's taste was like an aphrodisiac to him, intoxicating, making him want more and more. He reached between them and stroked Duo in time with his thrusts, quickening his pace as he did.

The moment froze, time stopping briefly and Heero thought he might die it was so perfect. He kissed Duo one last time and stroked him quickly, feeling himself release when Duo shouted his pleasure into the night, tightening around him and holding Heero in an embrace that took his breath away. He fell to his side, exhausted, holding Duo tightly to himself with one tired arm so he moved with him and there
was no discomfort.

The two waited for long moments, catching their breath, neither saying a word.

At last, Heero moved back from Duo's neck and looked into his eyes, afraid he may be hurting.

Duo smiled lazily up at him. "Hee-kun..." He ran a hand through Heero's damp hair and nuzzled over his heart, cuddling his body against his when Heero withdrew.

"Duo-kun." Heero circled his arms around the exhausted and shaking 'boy' and kissed his hair again. "Ai shite ieru."

"Ai shite ieru, Hee-kun." Duo replied softly.

"Please stop shaking, Duo. Everything is Ok, ne? Ne?"

Duo nodded against him. "Hai... I just... I can't stop. Gomen nasai."

Heero kissed his hair again. "Ok. I didn't hurt you did I?"

His beloved shook his head. "Iye. I just... I don't know why, but I can't stop."

I guess I should be ashamed
But I forget to be vain
Well I did the best I could I guess
But everything just bleeds

Heero rubbed his back until the shaking eventually ceased and listened as Duo's breathing evened out and he fell asleep with the aid of listening to his heart beat. He looked down to Duo's face and saw a content smile on his delicate lips. He gently traced Duo's sleeping features, the soft, barely there widow's peak, the arch of
his eyebrows, the curve of his lips. 'Duo. I love you. Thank you for showing me what you meant. Thank you for showing me you trust me.' He smiled as well and followed his lover into sleep.

They say you're only sad and lonely
And no one is impressed

* * *

Duo awoke a few hours later with an intense hunger. He stirred, looking to his side to see Heero holding him tightly. Noting how cold he was, he realized that Heero, having been pressed against him, was shivering in his sleep. 'I have to go.' He kissed Heero's crown lightly before silently, smoothly and skillfully rising from the bed, careful not to wake his sleeping lover. He grabbed his clothes and his watch and silently padded from the room to dress in the living room. 'I can't have fridge blood tonight. I need to get something
live. Damn.' Having braided his hair, he walked out the door, grabbing his keys and walking to his car as he checked his watch. 'It's late. Or should I say early. I guess I'll have to call.'

With one last look at his house, he got in his car and drove towards a deserted place on the outskirts of town.

* * *

Feeling safe and secure, Heero awoke, his hand seeking Duo in the bed only to find him gone. He sat up and looked about the room. 'I didn't scare him away did I?' He thought about the fact that maybe Duo needed to be alone to sort things out after they... 'No. He just needed to hunt. He was kind of cool last night. He'll be back soon.' Heero smiled contentedly when he remembered the events from only a few hours prior. He looked to his abdomen to find it bare. 'I guess he doesn't... It's just feeling for him. No semen.' He blushed. 'I
guess that makes sense.' Yawning, he rested his head back against the
pillow. 'Wow. He's taught me so much about life. I'm so lucky. Duo-kun. Come back soon.'

* * *

Duo walked back into the house, his mind tired from calling red auras. 'It was worth it, though. Two in one night. Not too bad. I feel great.' He quietly kicked the door closed behind him and kicked off his shoes, heading straight for the bedroom.

The image that met him made him stop and appreciate it from the doorway, as if afraid to taint it with his presence.

Sprawled on his bed was Heero, the sheets kicked down to his calves. One of his arms holding a pillow to himself, the other searching Duo's side of the bed, seeking him in his sleep. His features were relaxed, a small smile curving his lips.

Smiling to himself, Duo sighed and merely looked upon his sleeping lover for a few moments. 'Hee-kun. I love you so much. I don't understand how you did that. And I don't care. I'm just glad it happened.' Duo carefully crawled into bed, holding Heero close to himself, allowing his now warm skin to warm the slightly cool boy.

In his sleep, Heero wrapped his arms around him and Duo mentally chuckled to himself.

'Baka.' He kissed his hair and rubbed his cheek against his, beginning to purr despite himself. 'I'm glad we moved to that next step. The anxiety was killing me. Che. Like that can kill me. Still, all that worry for nothing. Arigato, Hee-kun.' And with that he waited for Heero to wake.

* * *

After a few hours, Heero yawned and stretched against him, opening bleary eyes to gaze up at him for a moment before smiling warmly. "Ohaiyo."

"Ah." Duo replied with a warm smile.

Heero looked thoughtful for a moment, sadness touching the beautiful blue depths of his eyes where, in Duo's opinion, it was not welcome. "Anou.... Dai ja bu?"

Duo smiled brightly to hide the fact that he was still coping. "Dai ja bu ka. Hekki hekki."

Heero smiled and ran his fingers through his hair. "Mou. It's up again."

Duo grinned. "Hee-kun, this mass gets in the way. I have to have it braided at least SOME of the time."

Heero pouted, looking absolutely adorable. "Wacataio, demo..."

Chuckling to himself and his lover, Duo nuzzled his hair. "Baka."

Heero smiled up at him. "Hai."

"Yeah, well this is one baka who has to go to school in an hour."

Heero pouted again but sighed. "Yeah, yeah, I know. And then I have to go to work tonight, assuming that I still have my job since I missed the last few days without notice."

Duo thought about that. "I'm sure I could find a way to...persuade...your boss if he wants to fire you."

Heero's eyes widened and he smiled. "You don't have to. I could just find another job."

Duo shook his head. "If you do get fired it will be because of me. I'll rectify the situation if I have to. I'm good enough at doing it for such a simple task."

Heero smiled. "Alright." He looked away.

"Nani?"

"Last night... Anou..."

Duo wanted to scream as he felt his breath hitch in his throat. 'I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS!!! EVER!!! *EVER*!!!!!!!!!!!!!'

"How did you do that with the stereo?"

Feeling completely relieved, Duo smiled anew. "I told you about that."

Heero shook his head. "You never said anything about telekinesis."

Duo chuckled. "It's all part of the 'Ki' thing, Hee-kun. It just works in different ways. It's harder to use that way. I can't always do it right."

Seeming to think on that for a moment, Heero stretched again. "Oh."

Duo kissed his hair. "Come on, you have to go to school."

Heero whined but nodded and rose from the bed, walking without shame to the bathroom to take a shower.

Suppressing a giggle, Duo watched Heero walk from his room, naked as the day he was born. 'He's so cute. I wonder if I can teach him the long awaited defenses that I've been meaning to and with which have yet to follow through. I hope he can do that tonight. The sooner the better. After Quatre's safe-housefiasco...' Duo shuddered, squeezing his eyes closed tightly against the memory of his friends feeding off his lover. He felt Heero's terror anew, as if it were happening again, his choked mental sobs, going unnoticed by him, but echoing through Duo's mind. 'I hate that stuff like this imprints itself in my mind with such ease. That was such a bad night. God. Does Heero know how close he came to dying? I had to stay in everyone's mind the whole time to make sure they didn't take it too far. They were so close to the edge. I was the only thing keeping them from killing him, they knew I would kill them if they did.' He shuddered again. 'It's over. It won't happen again. I'll be more careful from now on. I wonder if I can teach him how to use Ki. Probably not. But if I could... Hn. It would be weaker than mine, but he would be hard to kill. I may be able to give him some of my Ki. It's worth a shot. Hmmm. I'll ask him if we can do this today. I hope so.'

Standing from the bed, he walked to the kitchen to make Heero's breakfast. He passed by the bathroom to hear Heero humming to himself as he bathed. Leaning against the door, he smiled to himself, resting his head against the thin wood. 'Hee-kun. You were so gentle. No one else... Everyone just took me.... They didn't care... They just prepared me and...fucked me...whether I was ready or not...gave me the money and left... Heero... Arigato. Thank you for helping me forget my past.' He kissed the door and waltzed into the kitchen, quickly making some coffee and preparing a bowl of cereal.

*

As he stepped from the steaming bathroom, Heero smelled coffee so good that he knew only Duo could have made it. He smiled as he walked into the kitchen and embraced Duo from behind as he made the coffee at the stove.

Duo startled slightly but reached a hand back and ran it through his wet hair. "I have to get you a damned bell." He grumbled as he made a large cup of coffee.

Shivering slightly, Heero chuckled and kissed around the braid on the back of his neck. "Hn. Is that for me?"

Duo nodded. "Ah. You want cereal, too?"

"Arigato."

Smiling warmly, Duo turned in his arms and reached up, placing an almost child-like kiss on his cheek before moving from his embrace and making his cereal. "So, Hee-kun. After work, you wanna come back here and maybe we can actually get that self-defense course going?"

Heero chuckled. "Hai. We've been getting distracted from that, ne?"

"Hai." Duo blushed.

Heero smiled. "Yosha."

*

"After the math homework that I said I'd go over with you." He handed Heero a bowl of cereal and went back to pour some coffee into a paper cup, adding the sugar and milk that he knew Heero liked. He handed
Heero the cup and the two sat at the table, Duo leaning back in his chair and Heero quickly eating his breakfast. "After that? What did you want to do? I have to do some work in the vineyard with Elmer,
not sure when, maybe not even tonight, but aside from that... Should I drop by Record Warehouse tonight to ensure you are still employed? I'm not crazy about dressing up as 'Sara' again but I'll do it."

Heero chuckled. "Yeah, that was way out there. But it was a good act. No one would ever be the wiser unless they knew you personally. I don't think it's necessary, but if it is, would you mind?"

Something nagged at the back of his mind. Duo grinned. "Anything for you, Hee-kun."

Silence settled into the room for a moment before Heero cleared his throat and looked to the table. "Duo... Last night....."

"Hee-kun... Dameo. Onegai. You know of my past. That's what it is: The past. I can't change it and I'd appreciate not talking about it."

Heero nodded and said nothing.

Duo nodded as well and looked away to the floor. "I... You... I'm past it. Last night.... Hee-kun...... I can't thank you enough. Arigato gosaimashite."

Understanding what he meant, Heero nodded and smiled warmly. "Ah. Thanks for telling me what you meant about the whole thing. And trusting me. I didn't... You're not hurt?"

*

Duo shook his head and didn't say anything, obviously uncomfortable by the whole thing.

"I'm not necessarily...'Gay' either." Heero offered, changing the subject.

Duo looked up at him, smiling. "I figured as much."

"Ah." Heero smiled as he nodded slightly, sipping his coffee. "I'm Bi. But as you said, I only love you. I was never involved with anyone else either. You are my first."

Duo smiled brightly and reached across the table to tousle Heero's hair. "How can you be so damn cute all the time?"

Pouting for effect, Heero replied. "I can't help it. It's a curse." He smirked. "Or a gift. And besides, look who's talking."

Duo grinned. "Ah. Sao ka. And you love it."

Heero nodded. "Ah. I do." He took Duo's wrist and checked his watch. "Shit! I have to go." So saying, he stood from the table and walked to the bedroom to dress in more than a mere white towel.

*

Duo chuckled again at Heero. 'Baka' He leaned back in his chair and waited for Heero to reemerge. When he did, he rose from his seat and took him by the hand, leading him to the door and kissing him, a mere brush of lips on lips, before moving to stand in the safe corner of the living room.

Heero smiled sadly at him and Duo hated it but smiled brightly back at him. "I'll be back by Four. Then, after work, I'll come back and hang out for a little. You can teach me that martial arts stuff whenever."

Duo grinned. "Ah. I think I may be able to teach you to use Ki as well." He waved his hands in front of him when Heero's eyes widened with excitement. "I'm not certain, though, so don't get all your hopes up."

Heero merely smiled and blew him a kiss before quickly stepping out the door.

Duo listened to the sound of Heero's bike starting and driving away. 'Ok. I'd better go to sleep. I need to gather strength if I'm gonna give him some of my Ki. I hope it works.' He walked into his room and turned on a mellow song, crawling onto his bed and struggling his way out of consciousness, Heero and faces of times
gone past filling his mind.

************************


Chapter 23

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