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"Permanent Press"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Fluff *nods*, sap *yeppers!*, WAFF *you
bet’cha!*, slight angst, moderate lemon Pairings: 1x2, 3x4 Summary: A young man with big dreams finds more than he bargained for when a handsome stranger walks into his local laundry mat. "Permanent Press"
Ch 4 He dropped by the grocery to pick up the things he would need before hopping a train uptown and navigating his way to Hiiro’s apartment building. There was a doorman that greeting him with a smile and admitted him without question making him wonder if Hiiro hadn’t left word that he would be coming by. The elevator had glass doors and rose swiftly giving him a nice view of the terrarium that adorned the center of the high lobby until he reached the fifth floor and the view was blocked by the passing of the buildings different floors. Hiiro was on the twelfth giving him time to become nervous and fidgety before the doors finally opened on a brightly lit corridor. He stopped more to gather his nerve than because the fresh flowers in vases along the wall were fragrant but they were nice so he inhaled deeply and took a deep breath. “Hi,” Hiiro smiled admitting him when he knocked on his door. “Did you have any trouble finding the place?” “Hardly,” Duo chuckled stepping inside. “You can leave your shoes by the door,” Hiiro instructed as he took some of the bags toward the kitchen. Duo felt a bit odd at first then realized since Hiiro was obviously of Asian decent it was probably only polite and did as he was bid. The carpet was plush and deep reminding him of the large fields of grass he played in after he’d come to Earth. “Nice place,” he complimented following Hiiro though a swinging door. “Thanks,” Hiiro smiled already unpacking the bags but Duo was so floored by the enormity of the kitchen he was momentarily stunned. “There’re pots and pans over the center counter,” Hiiro pointed out while Duo gaped at the array hanging from a rack on the ceiling. “The fridge is over there.” “That’s a fridge?” Duo chuckled walking over to peer into the massive appliance. “You sure there’re no lost mountaineers in there?” “Could be a critter or two,” Hiiro teased setting the vegetables and wine Duo had brought on a shelf. “I haven’t used it for anything but samples in ages.” “Eating out all the time isn’t healthy,” Duo scolded gently. “Well, then,” Hiiro grinned. “Now that you’re here I won’t have too.” The implication of future meals together made Duo smile but left him feeling awkward and oddly without comment so he turned his attention to locating the tools he would need. “I hope you like Italian,” he commented feeling mildly impressed as he set a two quart sauce pan on the gas stove. Nobody used gas anymore but it was definitely the way he preferred to cook. “I have a feeling I’m going to love anything you make,” Hiiro grinned taking two, heavy wine goblets from a cupboard. “Keep that up and I might think you’re flirting with me,” Duo chuckled playfully hoping he wasn’t being too forward but from the way Hiiro smiled and leaned close to fish a corkscrew from the draw beside him as he replied… “You just might be right,” sort of made him think he wasn’t. However, the sudden flush on his skin seemed to signal to Hiiro that he was making him uncomfortable so he backed off and got busy opening the wine. “Is there anything I can help with?” he asked while Duo filled the pot with water and set it on a fire. “You could chop the salad.” “That I can do,” Hiiro chuckled setting a goblet of wine beside his guest before tackling the vegetables. “Just don’t let me near a fire. The little beasts seem to hate me for some reason.” Duo snickered at the lame joke. “Can you jillion one of those onions for me?” “Sure,” Hiiro nodded picking the largest one up and smiling as he added, “As soon as you tell me what that means.” Duo laughed wiping his hands on a towel before taking the vegetable and selecting a proper knife. “It just means to cut it in long, thin pieces,” he explained doing so with a speed and precision that made Hiiro’s jaw drop and his eyes bug out. “You’ve been practicing,” he teased. “It’s something I enjoy,” Duo shrugged. “Good,” Hiiro chuckled. “Because I’m useless with anything in the kitchen.” “The rest of the place is nice,” Duo commented adding the onion to the butter he’d been heating. “Did you decorate it yourself?” “Yes,” Hiiro nodded fumbling when he tried to copy Duo’s knife technique and sent a carrot skittering across the counter. “I’m afraid I’m a bit anal about keeping things neat and uncluttered,” he confessed grinning while Duo laughed at his antics. “Let’s me think more clearly.” “I can’t even find the floor in my place,” Duo chuckled. “But that’s partially because I’ve got ten years worth of stuff crammed in a closet sized apartment.” “Most of anything that’s important to me in on my hard drive,” Hiiro replied. The conversation came as easily as any other they had had making the time go by much too quickly for Duo’s peace of mind. It takes at least eight minutes to cook pasta but that night it seemed to be done in two and before he knew it the meal was over, the wine almost gone but the evening still felt so young he couldn’t bare the thought of going home. He had nursed his last glass of wine for the past hour while their empty plates sat on the table and they talked about everything from the origin of the giant green olives to how ion warp drives could be manipulated to emit pulse bursts thereby making it easier to identify solar anomalies. The conversation kept veering back to questions of a personal nature between the two until Duo felt as if he’d known him for years and started finishing his sentences for him. “…figured I’d fall at her feet,” Hiiro was explaining about a young woman that had tried to snare him in college. “No matter what I did she just couldn’t get it through her head that I was…” “Not interested,” Duo concluded tactfully pretending to sip his wine. “Yeah,” Hiiro chuckled. “What about you? Hasn’t there ever been anyone that tried to turn your head?” “A few,” Duo nodded sighing as he thought back. “But only one girl.” He smiled when Hiiro raised a brow and gave into his curiosity. “She was a childhood friend,” he explained. “It really hurt to break her heart but I’m just not…” “Attracted to girls,” Hiiro nodded. Duo nodded in return. “She never did forgive me.” “Sometimes people just can’t understand,” Hiiro commented draining his glass. Duo watched his throat swallow the last of his excuses to hang around and felt his heart sink as his mind flashed the late night train schedule in his mind. However, it was at that particular moment that a certain song came on the audio and Hiiro turned to smile in the direction of the melody. “I love this song,” he smiled closing his eyes as the tune filled the room. Duo wasn’t familiar with it but he liked the smooth, deep rhythm and the woman’s voice was simply divine. “Who is it?” “Sophie Solomon,” Hiiro replied suddenly turning a bright eye on him. “Do you dance?” “Dance?” Duo echoed blushing lightly. “Yeah,” Hiiro enthused rising to offer him his hand. “Come on, humor me.” “You’re completely insane,” Duo chuckled but let himself be pulled from his chair. It was a bit like being wrapped in sun kissed cotton when Hiiro’s arms slipped around him and pulled him close. The reaction inside him caught him off guard, he hadn’t thought it was possible to feel so utterly intoxicated from only two glasses of wine but he could barely feel his feet and the room was starting to spin. “Are you all right?” Hiiro asked gently as he slowly turned them around. “Fine,” Duo lied wishing his legs didn’t feel like jelly. The condition only worsened when Hiiro leaned close to his ear and whispered, “You’re trembling.” “I’m…” Duo breathed as the heat of his breath washed down his neck and continued down his spine. “It’s the wine.” “Oh,” Hiiro whispered moving slowly back his jaw. Duo shivered as his lips brushed along his skin but was wholly unprepared for the rush that went through him when Hiiro mouthed against cheek. “That would explain why I’m trembling too.” “Hiiro?” The gasping sound was quickly answered by a burning kiss that rocked Duo’s world completely off its axis. Everything swirled and melted together until he had no idea which way was up and didn’t much care. Hiiro’s arms were so strong, his mouth deliciously demanding and his hands seemed to know all the secrets of Duo’s body as they moved along his skin. “Damn,” Hiiro panted closing his eyes against the rushing heat as he crushed their bodies together. Duo had never felt so completely protected in all his life, he never wanted to leave this place of absolute security and knew deep in his heart that he’d do anything make sure Hiiro was always with him. “Wait,” Hiiro breathed loosening his hold when Duo tried to kiss him again. “If we keep this up…” but his protest was cut off by another searing kiss. Duo melted into him so deliciously, his body answering every hungry desire he demanded from it Hiiro was lost before the second kiss. “Gods,” he gasped diving in for another and suddenly the decision was made for him when his arms snatched Duo off his feet. The small squeak that escaped the longhaired boy was quickly forgotten as Duo drank in every drop of passion, swilled it in the flames inside him and fed it back to Hiiro in a circle of heat that soon lit the night on fire. It was more than he’d ever hoped for, more than he’d ever dared dream and he opened himself willingly giving everything he was to this handsome companion who had so easily stolen his heart. There was pain but Hiiro was so gentle and patient it was more than worth it. He’d always known the first time would be difficult but for Hiiro he was more than willing to work through the pain and when it ebbed he discovered a world of decadent pleasure lying on the other side. Once found he couldn’t seem to get enough coaxing his handsome new lover into reenacting the dance over and over until they were both exhausted and drifted off to sleep quite happily on a righteous natural high. He awoke to the feeling of warm lips pressed against his own and the welcome weight of Hiiro’s body covering his and smiled. “Morning.” “Only just,” Hiiro chuckled. “What time is it?” Duo asked blinking bleary eyes open. “Almost seven,” Hiiro replied. Hm, he didn’t have to be at work till at least nine. “Mmmm,” Hiiro moaned when Duo kissed him long and deep but forced himself to pull reluctantly away. “You make it damn hard to care if I miss my meeting,” he grinned. “You have a meeting?” Duo echoed feeling just a tad put out. “Yes,” Hiiro confirmed pecking him on the mouth before pulling away completely. “And I’m late,” he explained grabbing a fresh shirt out of the closet. “Will you be all right?” “I think I can figure out how to lock the door when I leave,” Duo smirked looking entirely too sexy lying in Hiiro’s bed. “Damn,” Hiiro cursed jumping back in for one more kiss. “You’re late,” Duo grinned. “Let me take you out tonight?” Hiiro asked softly against his jaw. “I owe you one for making dinner.” “You drive a hard bargain,” Duo teased. “Pick me up at seven?” “I’ll be there at six,” Hiiro grinned stealing another kiss before dashing for the door. “Oh, leave your address on the pad by the phone!” he instructed then was suddenly gone. Duo laughed and sank down into the sheets loving how they still smelled of sex and Hiiro and all the wonderful things they’d shared but if he was going to make it to the office without sharing the sultry scent with the rest of the world he had to get a shower so he jotted his address down on the pad and got busy. Hiiro’s bathroom was as elegant as the rest of his apartment with a glass wall shower and separate tub/Jacuzzi thing Duo couldn’t wait to try out but there wasn’t time that morning. The wide, body spray showerhead was decadent enough and he got a kick out of using Hiiro’s soap. He had to leave his hair for later as it would take much too long to wash and reweave so he bundled it up on top of his head but was happy to find that Hiiro’s towels were of sufficient size to deal with it if he had. Recalling his new lover’s comments about liking to keep his place tidy he looked around for a hamper but didn’t find one so he went in search of a place to put the wet towel and stumbled across the laundry room. The fully equipped and quite operational laundry room. “He lied,” he whispered feeling suddenly ill. Had the whole thing been nothing but a scam to get him into bed? His head felt dizzy as he stumbled back into the living room. Hiiro had lied to him. He had a washer and drying right there in his apartment the whole time. Of course he did! He lived in one of the most expensive buildings in the city! How could he have been so gullible!? “Damn it,” he wheezed gripping his chest as a pain he’d never thought possible lanced through him. He lied. It was all a clever hoax. A sudden thought ripped through his mind leaving him shaken as he raced to the bedroom and jerked the dresser drawer open. His heart ached more and more as he pulled one garment after another not finding one with a phone number written inside. “He planted it,” he groaned painfully, “No,” he breathed viciously shoving at the doubts that were clawing at his mind. “There has to be a reasonable explanation.” That’s right, it was just a misunderstanding. He would wait and ask him to explain then everything would be ok again. It had to be, his heart was already aching so bad he was sick to his stomach. There would be some silly reason for all this that would make him laugh and everything would be wonderful again. Decision made he gathered himself together and caught the train to work. When he arrived Silvia offered her usual friendly smile but it waned quickly into a concerned frown. “Are you feeling well?” she asked. “Not really,” Duo replied but pulled on a small smile as he added, “Stomach… does the snack machine have antacid?” “I doubt it,” she replied sympathetically. “But I could pick you some up on my break.” “Don’t trouble yourself,” Duo commented making his way down the hall. “I’m sure it’ll get better.” However, it didn’t get better. As he day wore on it got decidedly worse and before noon he was utterly incapable of comprehending anything on his screen and very much in need of a Rolaids. However, what he got was a visit from Wufei. “Hey,” he greeted when Duo bade him enter. “How’s it going?” “Slow,” Duo sighed scrubbing his palms over his face. “Hey,” Wufei persisted sounding concerned. “Are you ok? You don’t look so good.” “I’m fine,” Duo assured him though he felt anything but. “Was there something I can help you with?” “Quatre’s called an emergency meeting,” Wufei explained. Duo groaned internally but nodded and grabbed his jacket. When questioned his partner had no idea what the meeting was about but assured him it wouldn’t be too painful as Quatre rarely dropped anything detrimental on them without warning. It didn’t matter to Duo, all he wanted was for the day to be over so he could confront Hiiro so he followed Wufei down the hall until he heard a familiar voice and felt his heart speed up and his feet slow down. “…didn’t you tell me he’d be here?!” “Why are you getting so upset?” Quatre countered. “It’s only natural he’d be included…” “Duo?” Wufei inquired turning back and instantly reaching for his companion when he saw he was white as a ghost. “I wasn’t ready to meet him yet!” Hiiro cut Quatre off. “Hiiro,” Quatre sighed. “You’re behaving very oddly.” Wufei’s eyes grew round when Duo began to shake with rage and suddenly pushed past him bursting into the room and growling, “Little wonder!” “Duo?!” Hiiro gasped. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out!?” Duo snapped advancing on him while Quatre and Trowa backpedaled. “It’s not what you think,” Hiiro defended. “You want to explain why I found a laundry room in your apartment!?” “Oh, Hiiro,” Quatre breathed. “What have you done?” “If you’d just let me explain,” Hiiro tried again but Duo was so enraged all he could do was growl before storming out. “Duo! Wait!” Hiiro barked racing after him. “Did I miss something?” Wufei deadpanned. “Don’t touch me!” Duo snapped when Hiiro tried to snag him in the hall. “I’m sorry,” Hiiro replied backing off. “But if you’d just let me explain…” “What!?” Duo shouted rounding on him right in front of Silvia’s desk. “That everything you ever told me was a lie?!” The girl’s eyes grew very large but he didn’t even notice her. “You set me up!” “No…” “Damn it!” Duo swore clearly enraged with himself. “I can’t believe I let you sucker me into bed!” Upon this comment Silvia slipped from her seat and made her way down the right hand hall calling Duo’s attention to the paintings that lined the walls and it suddenly clicked. “Those are yours aren’t they!?” Hiiro looked hopelessly guilty but couldn’t deny it. “Yes, but…” “Son of a bitch,” Duo laughed ironically until a horrible thought struck him and he paled. “Are you responsible for the promotion?” “What?” Hiiro gasped. “Hell no!” “Fuck! I cannot believe this!” Duo suddenly growled turning for the elevator. “Duo! Please!” Hiiro begged grasping his arm and everyone that was coming down the hall suddenly stopped when his back hit the floor. Duo glared down at his stunned, soon to be ex-lover and felt something give way inside him. He’d hit him, he’d let him drive him to the point he’d lost control and actually hit him. When he looked up into the shocked expressions of those standing in the hall, Quatre’s wide eyes bearing down on him with stunned shock glittering in their depths it was the last straw. He had to get away, far far away and he couldn’t get there fast enough. He tried not to cry, knew it was a futile endeavor but by the time he opened the door of his little apartment his eyes were stinging with tears of frustration and pain. If he could have simply lain down and died he thought he would but things weren’t that simple. He had a transporter to invent and that’s exactly what he was going to do. He’d packed and already called for a cab when the phone began to ring but it wasn’t until he saw Quatre’s number on it that he decided to answer. “What?” “Duo!” the blond gasped. “Oh thank goodness. I was afraid you’d already gone.” “I’m on my way,” Duo replied feeling somewhat bad for deserting him but if he’d only taken an interest because of Hiiro… “Please,” Quatre entreated. “At least hear me out. You need to know Hiiro had nothing to do with my promoting you. He doesn’t even work for WEI.” “He doesn’t?” Duo inquired as his world tilted again. “No,” Quatre breathed sounding relieved by Duo’s curiosity. “I’ve been trying to get him on the payroll for months but he’s not an easy man to influence. You probably already know he doesn’t need the money.” “That’s for sure,” Duo snorted asking on an afterthought. “How’d he get so rich anyway?” “His art,” Quatre explained. “His work is very valuable. Didn’t you think to look him up?” “I didn’t know he was past the sketch stage,” Duo sighed. Quatre was quite for a time then sighed as well. “There seems to be a lot you don’t know about him.” “No kidding,” Duo replied feeling ever more foolish. “Listen to him, Duo,” Quatre advised. “You might find it worth the effort.” “It’s too late,” Duo groaned. “He must hate me after I decked him.” “I think you had more of an affect on him than you know,” Quatre chuckled. For a moment the comment left Duo puzzled then he suddenly figure it out. “He’s coming here?!” “He only wants to explain…” “Shit!” Duo gasped not at all ready to face the consequences of what he’d done as he slammed the phone down. Hiiro would have to go home to find his address, that’d take awhile so he might still have time to… but his time was up as when he opened the door Hiiro was standing on the other side with his knuckles raised to knock. “Duo… please let me explain,” he begged. “It’s not like you think. I swear.” “Damn it,” Duo groaned backing away from the door. “Why couldn’t you just stay a dream?” he wibbled falling into his couch. “Damn, I can’t believe how badly I’ve handled this,” Hiiro sighed running his fingers through his unruly hair. “I never meant to deceive you.” “Did you know I worked at WEI before we met?” “Yes,” Hiiro confessed closing the door and coming further inside. “I saw you sometimes when I had meetings there.” “Liked the view so figured you’d sample the fare?” Duo chuckled sardonically. “Actually,” Hiiro replied tentatively sitting beside him. “I read your proposal and wanted to meet you and discus it but…” “What?” “When I saw you I… sort of chickened out.” Duo laughed but it wasn’t really a happy sound. “You were just so…” “Sexy?” Duo supplied sarcastically. “Unapproachable,” Hiiro corrected bringing a curious light to his eyes. “I’d never seen anyone with so much style and grace. You totally intimidated me,” he laughed. “That’s why you decided to stalk me at the laundry mat? You could have set up a meeting at work you know? Met me on equal ground.” “No,” Hiiro sighed. “It wouldn’t have been equal because you were still stuck working for that brainless twit Yantz.” Again Duo felt suspicion rise in his throat. “You really didn’t have anything to do with my promotion?” “No,” Hiiro stated quite clearly. “Quatre didn’t even know I’d approached you outside of work.” It was some small consolation to know he’d earned the job on his own but it still didn’t make up for everything. “Fine,” he sighed. “I won’t quit WEI then.” “Good,” Hiiro sighed with great relief until Duo added… “Just don’t think I’m part of the package if you decide to work with us. Maybe we can start over and build a working relationship…” “No,” Hiiro exclaimed sitting up anxiously to face him more fully. “That’s just it. I came to the laundry mat because I didn’t want our relationship to be business.” “You got what you wanted,” Duo snipped. “Not if you’re not hopelessly in love with me,” Hiiro countered. “Please,” Duo begged pressing the heals of his hands to his eyes to stop the tears. “Just stop.” “I won’t,” Hiiro replied gently reaching to remove his hands. “Not until you understand. I know I messed up, I should have been honest with you from the start but I swear to you, Duo. Everything I feel for you is the truth. I love you and I’m never going to give you up.” Duo smiled in spite of himself snickering out loud when Hiiro’s face glowed with happiness. “I haven’t forgiven you,” he informed him but couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from curling. “Then let me make it up to you,” Hiiro grinned leaning in for a long, slow kiss. The incident was soon forgotten as the heat of make up sex burned away any leftover doubts. Hiiro took his time making sure Duo understood through his touch that everything he had said was true and Duo had no doubt whatsoever that Hiiro really loved him before it was over. He lay in Hiiro’s arms on his broken down old sofa and smiled knowing that soon his life would finally be what he’d always wanted it to be. He’d be free to pursue his dreams with four of the most brilliant minds he’d ever come across and share his days and nights with the most wonderful lover he could ever hope for. There was only one more obstacle to overcome and Hiiro solved that problem with four little words. “Move in with me.” “Already?” Duo chuckled. “I’ll never be able to sleep if you’re not there,” Hiiro sighed clinging a little tighter. “I’ve known you less than a week,” Duo reasoned. “Then keep your apartment but come stay with me. Then when you feel comfortable we can pack up your things and…” “Are you always this pushy?” Duo laughed turning his face up so he could kiss his nose. “I just can’t face another night without you,” Hiiro explained. “Please?” “I’ll stay tonight,” Duo agreed. “But we’ll have to see what happens tomorrow.” “I’ll rent movies and we can crash on the couch bed,” Hiiro grinned. “Then there’s a gallery opening downtown you might enjoy.” “You’re work?” Duo smirked. “Yes,” Hiiro replied sheepishly. “I forgot to mention I’m…” “A very successful artist?” Duo grinned laughing when Hiiro pinked. “Quatre told me,” he explained. “And I’d love to see your show.” “Really?” Hiiro beamed snuggling close. “As long as you don’t mind having your starry eyed lover fawn all over your work,” Duo chuckled. “Fawn away!” Hiiro enthused. “I can’t wait to show you off,” he grinned stealing another kiss. “You’re not worried about you’re reputation?” “You mean because I’m gay?” Hiiro snorted. “You don’t hang out with the artsy crowd do you?” he laughed. “They’ll squeal louder than a pit full of fangirls.” “Damn!” Duo exclaimed shivering fearfully. “Don’t ever say shit like that out loud!” Hiiro laughed along stretching up to kiss him again. “As long as you’re with me the rest of the world can go to hell for all I care.” “If we can open a gate between the colonies and Earth I doubt anyone will care about what we do in bed,” Duo reasoned. “I care,” Hiiro grinned wickedly rising above him. “Shouldn’t we be getting back to work?” Duo laughed shifting to accommodate his lover’s position. “It’s already past three,” Hiiro reasoned going to work on his neck. “Besides, I haven’t told Quatre I’d work for him yet so I’m not technically on the payroll.” “But you’re going too?” Duo breathed as his eyes slid slowly closed. “Mm,” Hiiro confirmed reacquainting himself with the delicate curve of Duo’s neck. “You were the missing piece,” he explained. “To everything.” Duo groaned happily enjoying the feeling of being complete for the first time in his life and knew without question that they would find a way to make all their dreams come true. However, for the moment he was happy to simply enjoy the ones that already had. owari :)
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