"SHADOWS AND LIGHT: AN UNBREAKABLE BOND"

Written By: Stone Angel

 

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

AN:Here it is. The last vestiges of Shonen Ai in this thing. After this Chapter, everything changes. I will say no more. You're smart. Figure it out.

 

SHADOWS AND LIGHT: AN UNBREAKABLE BOND:

CHAPTER 6: WAITING

Heero awoke the next morning, rubbing his eyes. He looked down to Duo who was sleeping aside him. He looked to the clock on the dresser by the side of the bed. 6:25. 'I have to get up.' He looked back at Duo, shifting on the bed and shaking it slightly.

Duo immediately scowled in his sleep and moved his hands to protect himself from an imagined foe. "Papa. No."

Heero's eyes widened. 'Wow. His dad really did a number on him if he's having nightmares about him. I wonder what the best way to wake him up would be.' Heero pondered. An idea came to his head and he smirked. He leaned down and kissed Duo gently.

Duo stirred and moaned and his eyes fluttered open. He looked up at Heero. "Hee-kun?"

Heero smiled down at him. "You were having a nightmare so I woke you up."

Duo blushed then paled as he seemed to recall his dream. "Gomen, Heero-kun."

"Don't apologize, Duo. You did nothing wrong." Heero kissed him again.

Duo responded hesitantly.

The two lovers kissed for a moment before Heero broke the kiss and looked deeply into Duo's eyes. "So what were you dreaming about?"

Duo looked away. "My father. I dream about him a lot. We usually dream about things from before our change."

"Hey." Heero turned Duo to face him. "You have better things to dream about now, ne?" He kissed him again.

Duo smiled at him. "Hai. Ai shite ieru, Heero-kun." He looked to the clock. "What time do you have to leave for school?"

"I have an hour." Heero smiled. "What did you have in mind?" He asked in a sultry voice, barely pressing his morning erection into the side of Duo's thigh.

Duo grinned nervously. "Mou, echi! Cool down. I was talking about me making you breakfast. You hungry?"

Heero smiled. "I could eat." 'I could do other things, too.'

Duo grinned. "Yosha. What do you want?"

'Chocolate covered Duo-kun.' "Whatever you feel like making. I usually don't do much about breakfast. I normally just have a bit of cereal and some toast on my ride to school. It's up to you."

Duo grinned wider. "Alright. I get to have fun with this." He stood from the bed and stretched.

Heero stared at Duo's butt. 'I need another cold shower.' He thought. 'But the bed is so warm and comfortable.'

Smiling warmly, Duo looked back at him. "Just stay in bed. I'll bring breakfast in when it's done. It should only be fifteen minutes." He bent down and kissed Heero before tousling his hair and walking from the small bedroom.

Heero watched him go and then looked at the ceiling for a moment. 'Do I really have to go to school today? Maybe I'll call in sick.' Heero considered it for a moment. 'No. Duo would make me go. Oh well. I'll live.'

*

Duo looked around in the kitchen. 'Ok. What am I gonna make?' He rubbed his hands together. 'He's got bread. What about eggs?' He opened the small refrigerator and looked inside. There were a pair of eggs sitting in the built in egg holder on the door. He took them out and placed them gently on the counter. 'Ok. What can I use these for?' Duo spied the half empty bottle of maple syrup on the top shelf. 'Yosha! French toast!' He took out the syrup and placed it next to the eggs, then got a bowl out of the cupboard and cracked the eggs on the side of it, splitting the shells and letting the contents pour into the bowl. He took a fork out of the drawer and beat them until they were fairly homogenized. He then poured the yellow goop into the pan he had used to cook dinner the night prior. He took out two pieces of bread and placed them in the pan to soak.

'Ok. I wonder when Heero gets off of school. And he said he worked. Where? When? Today?' Duo walked to the sink and began to scrub the plate he had left there before he had gone on his hunt last night. 'Boy, that hunt sucked, too. I hate that. I need to hit the slums tonight. There are badder, healthier, and often fatter targets there. That trio was a welcome surprise. I'm still feeling better from them but it's almost all gone thanks to that sunlight. And the bum killed all my spirit for hunting last night. So it's decided. Tonight I visit the slums.'

He walked back to the bread soaking in the egg and flipped the pieces over so their other sides may soak as well. 'If Heero's free tonight, maybe we could go the movies or something. After the hunt, but not too late. I don't want to be responsible for his grades dropping. I wonder if he even likes movies. It seems I have to make a "List" as well.' He thought with a smirk. 'I love payback.' Turning on the flame beneath the pan, he began to cook his lover's breakfast.

*

Heero was considering going back to sleep when Duo walked in. He was carrying a large book serving as a tray and upon it a plate of something that smelled wonderful. Aside the plate was a tall glass of orange juice and a bottle of maple syrup. He cocked an eyebrow even as he smiled. "What is it?"

Duo grinned and sat by Heero's side, holding the makeshift tray out for Heero to see the steaming contents of the plate. "French toast."

Heero sat up completely and eyed the plate. He smiled at Duo and took the 'tray' from him, placing it in his lap. "This looks great." He said as he picked up the fork and knife that lay by the side of the plate. He glanced at Duo.

Duo looked on anxiously as Heero cut and took the first bite.

Heero stuck the food in his mouth and smiled. "It's delicious. People would pay good money for food like this you know?" He took another bite. "You could open your own restaurant."

Duo grinned. "Arigato. But I can't think of too many people who only eat in the wee hours of the night and not at all in the day."

Heero smiled and nodded. "Hai. Wacataio."

Duo stood up. "Eat up. I'm gonna go pack your lunch."

Heero grinned. "Thanks, Mother." He said, his voice dripping with lighthearted sarcasm.

Duo shot him a half-hearted glare before grinning and walking out of the room, waving a hand at Heero behind him. "Yeah, yeah, ya smart ass."

Heero chuckled, glad that Duo was becoming more and more confident around him. He continued eating and was nearly done with his breakfast when Duo walked back in and sat on the bed beside him again.

"Ne, Heero-kun?" Duo asked blushing slightly and looking at the floor, fidgeting with his hands.

Heero put the fork down, a small frown creasing his brow. "Nanda?"

"Anou..." Duo glanced at him. "Do you want to go out tonight? Like to the movies or something?"

Heero blinked before grinning. "Duo-kun. You don't have to be nervous about asking me out on a date. We've moved past that point already, ne?" He cupped Duo's cheek. "And, yes, I would love to." 'So much for having more confidence.'

Duo grinned and kissed the tip of Heero's nose, making him giggle at the oddness of the act. "Arigato. Do you work tonight?"

Heero took another bite of his breakfast and nodded. "Hai. But I get off at Nine o'clock. Plus I come home from school before I go."

"Cool." Duo said. "While you're out, I'm gonna try to sleep some during the day. I have a sleeping schedule, too, and right now it's all out of whack."

Heero giggled at the out of date term but didn't say anything about it. "Sounds like a plan. I'm gonna take a shower before I go. My neck itches."

Duo looked at Heero's neck. "I should have done a better job with your hair cut. You've got short little clippings irritating your skin. Gomen."

Heero waved it off. "It's nothing. I'll just wash them off. And I'm very thankful for the haircut. It had been a while since I had had someone else cut my hair. It looks much better this way."

Duo blinked at him. "You cut your own hair?"

Heero nodded. "I wasn't about to waste thirty bucks a month to have it done professionally. And my friends are all too crazy to be trusted with scissors." He said with a grin. He eyed Duo's braid. "I could probably cut your hair, too." He said, taking the plaited silk in hand and marveling at the softness.

Duo's eyes widened and he moved back slightly, pulling his hair from Heero's grasp. "No, that's Ok. I like it like this. Plus I'd have to cut it again every night. If I cut it, it grows back by six inches every day. In a week or so, it would be back to normal. It would just be a hassle to cut it. It's Ok, though. I've grown rather fond of it like this." He smiled meekly.

"Ok." Heero said, smiling. "I like it too. It's sexy as hell."

Duo blushed and looked down. "A...Arigato."

Heero smiled. "Well, I'm gonna go shower. Then I have to hit the road. What time do you want to go to the movies?"

Duo smiled. "I don't know. I don't really know what's playing and when. It's up to you."

Heero pushed Duo's bangs out of his eyes affectionately as he stood from the bed. "Yosha. I'll pick up a paper on my way home from school, K?"

Duo nodded. "Hai."

Heero bent down and kissed Duo lightly before walking to the bathroom to take a somewhat cold shower.

*

Duo flopped back on the bed when he heard the bathroom door close. 'Ok. So I'll catch a few Z's. Then I'll make Heero's dinner. Then I'll.... I guess I could fix Shinigami's security system after sundown. I need to do that. While he's at work, I'll hunt and shower. Then we can go have a night on the town. A few drinks, a movie, maybe a walk. Oi, when the hell did I become such a romantic!?' Duo wondered before blushing as he mentally answered his own question. 'Since I met Hee-kun.' He stood and walked into the living room to read until Heero made an appearance.

*

Heero stepped out of the shower and studied his reflection in the mirror. 'My hair really does look better this way. I wonder if I could get him to cut it every few weeks to keep it this way.' He looked down to the scar on his lower chest. 'When do I tell him? Aw, it doesn't matter. He's gonna find out. And it's not a big deal. They're just scars. ...So why am I so scared?' Heero toweled his hair to dry it somewhat. 'I guess it's a self esteem thing. Like, on a subconscious level, I think I'm damaged or something. Marred. Ugly. He won't care though. ...Will he? Of course not. If he knows I accept him, even though he's a... He's amazed that I like...love him. He can accept a few little scars, right?' Heero continued to ponder the question as he brushed his teeth, then dressed and stepped from the bathroom.

He walked into the living room and saw Duo reading on the couch, fingering the end of his braid with one hand idly. His clear violet eyes shone brightly as he absorbed the text before him with interest, his hair shimmering in the light from the lamp, the corners of his delicate lips turned upwards only slightly. 'He really is beautiful.' Heero thought. He quietly and carefully walked sideways along the wall until he was behind Duo. He then stealthily stalked closer to the reading 'boy'. His intent was to surprise Duo by bending down over him and kissing him.

Duo turned a page in the book as Heero stepped even closer. Then, in a voice that was for the most part toneless, yet held a bit of humor, he spoke. "I can hear you blinking."

Heero laughed. "Oh, and here I thought I could surprise you. How long have you known I was there?"

Duo turned and grinned at him. "I'd say when you stepped out of the bathroom."

Heero looked hurt. "Aw man, no fair. Oh well." He sat by Duo on the couch and began to put on his shoes. "So what did you pack for lunch? And what can I do to repay you for taking care of me?" He asked as he tied the laces on his first shoe.

Duo's voice was happy. "Two pieces of that pie I made last night and the leftovers of the stir fry and rice. Oh, and do you want the apple pie my land lady made? I can't eat it and I don't want to offend her or fuel her suspicions by throwing it away."

Heero nodded. "Sure. But you never answered my question."

Duo blushed. "That comes later, ne, Hee-kun?"

Heero grinned even as he blushed. He leaned forward and kissed Duo passionately. "I love you, you know?"

*

Duo nodded as Heero continued to kiss him. He responded but his eyes strayed to the clock on the wall. Hee-kun, I love you, too. But your teachers are not going to love you being late, ne? 'Not that I'm not loving this. I just don't want to get you in trouble.' He added to himself.

Heero broke the kiss and looked into Duo's eyes. "Ok. While I'm out, feel free to watch TV, or shower or anything. Just don't answer the door or the phone. Walk me to the door?"

Duo nodded, grinned and stood up, Heero doing the same aside him. Duo walked towards the door but was spun around halfway there. He moaned as Heero kissed him again. 'He's never gonna get to school at this rate.' Duo thought. He walked backwards as he and Heero continued to kiss. He turned the door handle behind him with one hand and yelped when sunlight hit it, jumping to the side of the light, out of its way.

*

Heero startled when Duo had nearly screamed as they were kissing. 'What did I_?' He saw Duo shaking his hand to his side and looked back to the door. The door was only open a crack but it was enough for a vertical beam of sunlight to shine past and into the apartment. He closed the door quickly and walked to Duo who was still shaking his hand and was cursing in several languages. He took Duo's hand in his with some resistance.

Duo tried to pull his hand free, whimpering. "It's Ok, Hee-kun. It was my fault, I should have been more careful. It'll be fine in a little while. You don't need to_"

Heero shushed him and examined the hand in his. He turned it over and looked at both the palm and the back. Both had extremely bad sunburns, the equivalent to a human spending a day in a pool with no sunscreen. He gently ran his fingers along the palm and Duo hissed through his teeth.

"Hee-kun." He whimpered. "That hurts."

Heero released Duo's hand. "Gomen. Do you need to bandage it or anything? I have an aloe vera lotion. It’s great for this sort of thing."

Duo cradled his hand to his chest. "Iye. It'll be fine. Don't worry. It's not the first time this has happened. Oh, I almost forgot." Duo picked up a brown paper bag from the small table by the door and held it out to Heero with his good hand. "Here's your lunch."

Smiling, Heero took the bag and left the topic of sunlight for Duo's sake. "Where did you get to be so good at mothering?" He asked as he picked up his backpack, stuffing his history work and the small paper bag into it.

Duo grinned. "Just a gift, I guess. Now go. Off to school with you." Duo shooed him towards the door.

Heero placed a hand on the handle and turned back to Duo. He closed the space between them and kissed him briefly before moving back to the door and jiggling the handle to let Duo know he intended to open it. "I'll be back at Four."

Grinning, Duo took a step back and to the side of where the sunlight had fallen a few moments before. "Ja na."

"Hai." Heero winked at him and stepped out the door.

*

Duo stared at the closed door for a moment. 'I'm alone in someone else's apartment. Ok. This is only weird if I let it be. And besides, it's Heero.' Duo walked into the bedroom and retrieved the book with the dish and empty glass on it and began to wash them, having a difficult time as he could only use one hand. His task completed, he sauntered into the living room and clicked on the small TV, grabbing the remote and changing the channels. 'What am I gonna do all day? I hate daytime. It's SO boring. Ooh, Discovery Channel.' He read the caption at the bottom of the screen. 'Ancient myths and legends. Could be interesting.'

Duo watched the program for half an hour, scoffing at some of the 'facts' the documentary put forth. "That is such total BULL! The legend of the werewolf was not started like that. Take it from someone who was around back then. And the thing about silver was all made up for a movie back in the forties! It originated there! Christ, get your act together."

The program went to commercial with a preview to the next segment. Vampires.

Duo changed the channel, looking for anything but soap operas. 'I wonder what kind of movies Heero likes. Does he like popcorn? Soda? Candy? What am I gonna make him for dinner? Where are we gonna go after the movies? When is he expecting us to have sex? Why can't I think of anything else?!' Clicking off the TV, Duo lay back against the couch. 'Maybe I should just go to sleep. Watching TV would be pointless, as I can't seem to get Heero out of my head.' Duo closed his eyes, held his hand closer to his chest and tried to get some sleep. 'How did Heero go from being inexperienced to an incredible kisser in twenty-four hours? I mean, I was so distracted that I dropped my guard and got burned! What if we run into trouble tonight while we're out? How long does he usually have to work? Where does he work? I NEED TO STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS!!!'

Duo stood up and paced back and forth. 'I can't sleep. I can't watch TV. I don't fancy reading all day. Maybe I should work out and then try to get some sleep.' He looked around. 'It's a little cramped, but it'll do. Alright. Just a few katas, then I'm hitting the sack.' He thought as he removed his shoes and rolled up his sleeves.

Duo stood before the door, facing away from it and took a one footed stance, striking out with his other foot repeatedly. He kept his hands close to him to keep his balance. He then fell into a crouching stance and began striking at the air with fists and open handed attacks. Spinning on one foot, he did a round house kick in the air followed by a few blows. He did the same on the other foot. Following this was several aerial attacks, jumping high and striking downward. He then merely stood and evened out his breathing before bowing to no one.

He jumped back onto the couch. 'Nothing like a little exercise to clear one's mind. Now. I'm getting some sleep, even if it kills me.' He thought as he snuggled against the back of the couch. 'This can't be so hard. It's just a couch. But it has Heero's scent all over it.' Duo lightly sniffed the cushions. 'I can sleep. Just pretend Heero's sleeping here, too.'

And with that and the usual, faint lethargy daylight brought with it, Duo drifted off.

* * *

Heero sat in his history class, his head resting in his hand. 'This class is way too long.' He listened halfheartedly to the teacher as she droned on about the Revolutionary War era as he sketched a picture of Duo on a blank piece of paper.

"...Benjamin Franklin, John Handcock_" The teacher droned on in a monotone voice.

The class giggled at the last name.

The teacher glared at the students over her glasses. "May I remind you that this is a class room? Let's act like it, shall we? Now, as I was saying, in 1772..."

Heero looked back at the clock on the wall, tuning the woman's voice out of his head. 'In 1772, Duo was already...how old? Let's see... Twenty-six. Wow.' He looked back at the picture he was drawing. Duo stood with his braid hanging over his shoulder. His eyes sparkled as he grinned, his fangs visible. 'This is a pretty good picture. Maybe I'll save it.'

Heero was brought out of his thoughts as he noticed someone standing over him. He looked up.

His teacher was looming over him, arms crossed and tapping her glasses against a bicep. "Mr. Yuy. Might I remind you that you are behind in this class and that rather than drawing pretty girls, you should be paying attention? All the things that I am saying are going to be on next week's test. You might want to know them if you intend to pass this class."

Heero looked up at her through his bangs. "Yes, Ms. Parish." 'Go away. And this is no "girl". It's Duo. MY Duo.'

The woman glared at him for another moment before turning back to the front of the room and resuming her lesson.

Heero looked to his side a few rows to see one of his few friends, and his best one, Doug, giving him a sympathetic look as he shook his head at him. He nodded and rolled his eyes slightly before looking back to his paper. 'No wonder it's "Ms." not "Mrs." I can't imagine any poor guy wanting to get married to THAT.' Heero thought as he shaded the picture of Duo lightly. 'Plus, teachers shouldn't be allowed to give you a failing grade if their class is boring as fuck. Or lecture you on paying attention. I know for a fact most of us are going to fail. I want to go home. I want to see my Duo. Thank god this is my last class for today. I can't wait till I can leave.'

--------

I had a teacher just like that one. Goddamn I hated her. Oh and don't forget about Doug here. He's got lines later, being Hee-kun's bestest buddy. ^_^

Chapter 7

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