28-Apr-2003
Disclaimers apply. Thanks to Page for beta'ing my recent slue of fics. You're a true friend.
It was early the next afternoon when Duo set down his brush and stood up from the easel. "That's all for today," he stated blandly while stretching.
Heero looked at him with questioning eyes. He hadn't been working nearly as long as he usually did. Come to think of it, Duo had been acting a little different all day. He seemed distant- remote. He had been much quieter and even somewhat cold.
Was Duo still upset over last night? Ever since Heero had inquired about Duo's large expanse of knowledge on the Japanese culture, he had been acting detached and dazed. After dinner he had immediately retreated back to his bedroom, without even so much as a goodnight to Heero... or Saka for that matter. Duo never neglected his dog.
Maybe Duo felt he had to distance himself from Heero, to make last night seem less personal. He hoped this sudden mood change wouldn't last. He had really grown accustom to the teasing, laid-back persona that was Duo Maxwell.
"Tired?" Heero inquired, trying his best not to sound too nosey.
"No," Duo said, beginning to put away his paint tubes and brushes, "I'm going out tonight." Heero raised his eyebrow at Duo's back, watching him meticulously arrange his painting supplies. "I want to allow plenty of time to shower and change before I leave. You'll be fine here by yourself, won't you?"
By yourself. It resounded with a hollow ring through Heero's head. What was wrong with him? He had spent most of his life alone. He had grown used to it, even began to like his solitude. Had he really warmed up to Duo so much in such a short time that the prospect of spending one night alone bothered him? He assured himself that those ideas were quite ridiculous and that it was more likely that he was just uncomfortable staying by himself in a stranger's house.
Heero decided to ignore the tiny voice in the back of his mind that said Duo was no longer a stranger.
"I think I can mange," Heero said flatly, wondering where Duo was heading off to.
"Good." Duo packed away the last of his brushes and draped a cloth over the painting. "There's food in the freezer and leftovers in the fridge. You know your way around the kitchen, so just help yourself."
"I will," Heero mumbled to Duo's retreating back as he scuttled out of the room without so much as another word. Heero absently rubbed at the back of his neck. Why did he care about Duo's goings-ons anyway? Maybe this night away from human contact was precisely what he needed to get himself back to the old Heero.
Heero stared at the psychology book that lay long forgotten in his lap, the words fuzzy and melting off the pages through his eyes.
Did he want the old Heero back?
An hour passed before Duo once again emerged from his bedroom. Heero had moved into the living room, sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace while watching the evening news. At least, he was feigning to watch the evening news. The volume was down much too low and his eyes were staring blankly at the screen, as if looking past the pictures that flashed by.
Heero's attention shifted as Duo stepped in front of the television to retrieve his car keys from the coffee table. Heero eyed him from top to bottom, taking in all the details. Duo was dressed in loose fitting black slacks, a tight, form-fitting grey wool sweater, and his hair was in a low ponytail. Heero was briefly hypnotized by the free wisps of hair framing Duo's face that seemed to flow with his every movement.
"Date?" He hoped not.
Duo paused in retrieving his leather blazer and scarf from the closet. He shrugged, "I'm taking Trinity out to dinner. I owe her one for getting me into my last exhibit. She really came through for me. Listen Heero," he started, slipping into his coat. Heero noted how Duo had yet to even look at his face, much less meet his eyes. "There's a good chance we'll be out so late that I won't catch the last ferry, so don't worry if I'm not back tonight."
"Ok," Heero said, looking down at his hands lying limply in his lap. He wondered where Duo would stay, as if he couldn't guess. "Have a good time," he added encouragingly, though his heart really wasn't in it.
Duo paused with his hand on the doorknob, looking over his shoulder to finally meet Heero's gaze. "You sure you don't mind staying alone?"
Heero gave Duo a tight look, "Enjoy your date, Duo."
Duo lightly chuckled, floating out the door.
Open. Shut. Gone.
Heero stood and wandered over to the window, watching Duo climb into his car. He felt something nudge his leg, and looked down to see Saka also watching Duo's retreating vehicle. She pressed her nose to the glass, creating a small foggy circle with her breath. A deep, pained whine started from low within her belly, and Heero frowned sadly at her. He raised his hand, gently scratching behind her ears, feeling as if he could almost let out a similar noise of protest.
Suddenly, the house seemed eerily empty.
Heero couldn't concentrate. He lay sprawled out on the couch, a book of poetry directly in front of his face. His mind kept drifting off, and the words on the page were bleeding together. He was sure he had read the same line at least seven times. Growling, Heero flung the book across the living room, smacking against the stone wall. Saka yelped at the commotion, and Heero sighed, feeling guilty for his momentary outbreak.
He decided if he was going to survive the night, he had to keep himself busy. Heero went back to his guest bedroom, gathering up all his dirty clothes and towels from the hamper. After dumping them in a pile on the laundry room floor, he went into Duo's bedroom to gather up his load as well.
He hesitated at the doorway, his hand resting lightly on the knob. He'd never been inside Duo's bedroom before, and the thought had never occurred to him before about what it might look like on the inside. Heero pushed open the door, a cold rush hitting his face from within the bedroom. Flicking on the lights, he walked slowly inside.
It was an attractive room, much larger than the guest room he used. Heero was also quite surprised to find it garnished in mostly Japanese décor. There was a brick fireplace adjacent from the king-sized bed and an extravagant sort of bureau on the wall facing the bed. Heero walked over to it, examining the hand crafted cabinet doors. Once opened, they revealed a very large TV. Heero doubted Duo ever made real use of it.
There was a huge bookshelf, though still smaller than the one in the study. It was a rich brown, perhaps redwood. There were Japanese fans, woodblock prints, and watercolor paintings hanging on the walls, and the blinds on the windows looked to be made out of bamboo. The bed was lavished in colorful oriental patterns and small scenes of ancient Japan. To say Heero was intrigued was an understatement.
Heero noticed some picture frames on the bookshelf and walked over to examine them. There were pictures of Duo's sister Reyn, Duo posing in front of some of his pieces in an art gallery, what Heero guessed to be his parents, and...
Heero picked up the last picture in the row, bringing it close to his face. A woman with long, black hair and a dazzling smile stared back at him with eyes of a particular shape not much unlike his own.
"She's Japanese..." he said to the empty room, his fingers absently tracing the ornamental engravings on the frame.
A whiff of Duo's cologne floated by Heero's nose, breaking him out of his reverie and reminding him that he had no business in the bedroom. Feeling as though Duo could somehow find out, he replaced the photo exactly where it had been resting. Giving one last glance from the doorway towards the direction of the bookshelf, he flicked out the lights, shutting the door behind him.
By eleven at night Heero had finally managed to somewhat calm himself. He sat on the couch watching the nightly news while Saka snoozed at his feet. She pawed at the air, chasing something in her dreams, and Heero smiled down at her. He never thought he'd admit it, but he was glad for the dog's company.
Saka suddenly raised her head, instantly woken from her sleep. Eyes alert and ears pricked back she watched the door.
Duo was home. For some reason, Heero felt his heartbeat quicken at the thought. That meant he didn't spend the night with Trinity. Heero tried to ignore the tiny voice in his head that snorted with satisfaction.
Heero listened intently as he heard footsteps come closer to the door, then a sharp knock. Startled, Heero raised his eyebrow. Duo wouldn't knock at his own home. The knock repeated, and Saka took a few precautious steps towards the door.
Heero got up, padding softly to the door. He laid his palm against the cold wood.
"Who is it?"
The knock repeated once more.
Sighing, he slowly turned the knob, ready to run or fight at the drop of a pin. He was jolted to find a familiar face smiling sweetly at him.
"Reyn?"
"I'm not disturbing, am I?" She blinked innocently at Heero.
"You are disturbing, but if by that you mean are you interrupting, then no."
She frowned at him, punching him in the arm, "Well at least invite me in, you jerk!" Heero stepped away from the doorway, allowing Reyn to push through. He locked the door back behind her.
Reyn dropped an overnight bag on the floor, using both hands to ruffle Saka's fur. "How are ya, you silly dog?" Saka licked her hand in response, wagging her tail excitedly.
"Where's Duo?"
"On a date," Heero shrugged.
"Oh wait, let me guess. Julia Sampson? No? Must be a new one."
"An old one, I believe," Heero said, lifting her duffel bag onto his shoulder, "Trinity Peterson."
"Oh, her." Reyn made a face following Heero over to the couch were he deposited her bag. "I thought he was through with her. Although she's a little nicer than Julia, but it's almost like she's too nice."
Heero made an irritated noise, "Believe me, I know."
"You met her?" Reyn leaned casually against the back of the couch.
"She stopped by yesterday."
"What did you think about her?" She raised her eyebrow, intrigued.
Heero sighed, walking over to the fire to put more word in. "I guess she's alright. I only spoke with her for a few minutes." He grabbed the poker, absently stabbing at the logs.
"She didn't stay long?"
Heero rose, closing the grate, "I didn't stay long." He dusted off his hands, turning back to Reyn.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, surprisingly enough I wasn't scheduled to work this weekend. You know, I can't wait until you come back. The new trainee is so clumsy." She made a deep groan of disgust, "Just yesterday I nearly didn't stop him before he could spill a cup of coffee on the console. He makes me so..." Reyn trailed off, letting her annoyance fade. "Anyway, I thought I could use a vacation, too. So I decided to see how you and Duo are making out." Her eyes twinkled, "Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Making out?" She wiggled her eyebrow suggestively.
Heero frowned, motioning with his hand for her to follow him into the kitchen.
"He treats me like a kid, Reyn." He walked over to the coffee maker, stopping in mid step as his mind fully evaluated what Reyn had said. He turned to her with a questioning look, "Are you saying Duo's gay?"
Reyn pulled out a chair from the table, plopping down unceremoniously. "No."
Heero sighed, whether from relief or disappointment he wasn't sure. He turned back to the coffee maker.
"I'm saying he's bi."
Reyn giggled as Heero spilt coffee grounds all over the counter.
"Does that mean something to you, Heero?" She smiled at his tense back, quite amused. He ignored her, reaching for a nearby dish towel to sweep up the grounds.
After Heero finished making their coffee, they headed back into the living room to relax in front of the TV. Reyn immediately snatched up the remote, turning it to the TV guide channel. "The last ferry should have just docked. I suppose Duo will be pulling up at any time now." She flicked to some random movie on Showtime.
"I don't think so," Heero said frowning. "He said not to expect him home tonight."
Reyn sputtered in her coffee. "Not expect him home?! Oh don't tell me he's going to stay at Trinity's?"
Heero shrugged, setting down his mug on the coffee table and propping up his feet. "He didn't say."
Reyn took a sip from her steaming mug, her eyebrows creasing in aggravation. "He shouldn't have left you alone like this. What kind of a host is he?"
Heero crossed his arms, annoyed that Reyn seemed to possess the same sense of "motherly love" that Duo did. "I'm not alone. And besides, I told him it was fine if he went out. Why does everyone think I need a babysitter?"
Reyn smiled, reaching over to playfully pinch Heero's cheek like a little kid. "It's just because you're so cute, Heero! Just like a four year old!" Heero rolled his eyes, frowning at the contact. Feigning hurt, Reyn scrunched down further into the couch cushions.
"I still think he should've stayed here with you." She muttered into her chest.
Heero couldn't help but agree, but he never said a word about it again. Instead he found the night passing by quickly aided by the humor of Reyn's outrageous comments about the movie they were watching. When they finally trudged off to bed, Reyn opting for the couch, Heero had forgotten all about the absent Duo and where he would be laying his head to rest.
The next morning Heero awoke refreshed and energized. Reyn got up from the couch not long after him, and with her morning bowl of cereal she joined Heero out on the front porch. He was looking up to the sky, admiring the first sunny day that had graced the island in days.
"We should take advantage of the good weather," she commented, crunching loudly on her cornflakes.
"A walk or a picnic would be nice."
Reyn made a sour face at him. "I was thinking more like shopping on the board walk."
Heero raised his eyebrow dubiously at her.
"Come on, it's the best of both world. I get to shop and you get to stroll in the sun." Reyn smiled pitifully, "I'll even treat you to a fancy dinner," she added in her sweetest, sugar-coated voice.
Heero shrugged, "Well, since you're paying. But what about Duo?"
Reyn started to drag him back inside by the crook of his arm, "We'll just leave a note so he doesn't worry. And dress nicely. You can consider the dinner a birthday present."
Heero blinked, "How did you know?"
"I'm very resourceful when I want to be." Reyn winked, tapping Heero on the nose. "No one can sneak a birthday past Reyn Maxwell. You'll be..." she paused to add up number in her head, "twenty-three in four days!"
Heero smiled, following her back into the house.
The restaurant served excellent food, and Heero couldn't deny he was enjoying the company. Reyn's constant state of high spirits never failed to put Heero at ease, especially in public settings that he wasn't very comfortable partaking in. He was glad Reyn had come, but still he couldn't keep his mind from wandering during dinner. Had Duo returned home yet? How had Duo spent the night- just a guest in Trinity's house or wrapped in her embrace all night? Heero sighed to himself. Thoughts like that were none of his concern, and it was Duo's business were he decided to spend his nights.
"Time to go," Reyn said, breaking in on Heero's somber inner monologue. "We should just be able to catch the seven o'clock ferry. I wouldn't mind staying a bit longer, but the next one isn't until nine, and we wouldn't want Duo worrying about us." Reyn picked up her alcohol, drinking the last swallow. "Ready?"
Heero smiled faintly at her. "Only if I get to drive."
"I was counting on it."
On the ferry ride back, Reyn and Heero stayed on the deck to enjoy the night air. Heero leaned closer over the rail, intrigued by the play of light and color the ferry made upon the water. He blinked at a faint ring of gold the boat spotlight was creating on the surface. It reminded him of something...
He looked over at Reyn to see her smiling contentedly, eyes closed and flowing, brown hair tumbling in the breeze.
"Reyn?"
"Hmm?" She swayed in the wind, seemingly not really paying attention to Heero.
"I thought you once told me Duo was single."
Reyn shrugged, still not giving much credit to Heero's conversation. "He is." She tilted her head back further into the caress of the air.
"But I saw a picture of his wife last night."
Reyn's eyes snapped open, her body suddenly going tense. Heero took a timid step backwards. Had he said something wrong?
Reyn lowered her head, leaning into Heero's general direction. Her gaze seemed to land on her hands tightly wrapped around the railing.
"Did you?" She said in a very somber voice.
"I..." Heero stuttered with the correct words, intimidated to see his always-cheery friend suddenly so overtaken with grief. "I... saw him wearing a wedding band when I first came here. Then last night I noticed a picture of a woman in his bedroom, and I just assumed-"
"Ayumi." Reyn interrupted him.
"What?" Heero blinked, confused.
"Her name is Ayumi. Ayumi Takanori," Reyn said through a sad smile. She lowered herself to the deck, sitting Indian-style. She patted the space beside her, beckoning Heero to sit.
"Don't you mean Maxwell?" He said, taking the proffered seat.
"No. Ayumi and Duo were never married."
Heero eyes widened questioningly. "Why not?"
Reyn stared out over the rippling waves, chewing on her bottom lip.
"Duo met Ayumi when he was about eighteen. When he graduated from high school he was offered an art internship in Tokyo by a large animation corporation over there. He thought it was a better opportunity than college because he could go directly into the field- run with the big dogs, so to speak- and in his spare time he could paint the scenery and wildlife of the land. So he packed up and headed to Japan.
"I didn't see him much for the next year with him being so far away and me taking piloting courses, but we did write to each other pretty often. It was the beginning of his second year there when he began to write about a woman he had met during one of the local art exhibitions. She was the curator of the museum hosting the exhibit, and when Duo met her I guess he... well, I guess it was love at first sight.
"At the end of his second year, Duo came home for a visit. He talked a lot about how working in animation was hindering his paintings and described how amazing the city of Tokyo was. But most of all, he talked nonstop about Ayumi.
"It was his last night of the visit when he came to boast to me about his new ‘gift' for Ayumi. It turned out Duo had bought wedding bands earlier that day in town and had made up his mind to ask her to marry him when he returned to Japan. I didn't know the woman at all, but seeing how happy she made Duo made me instantly like her."
Reyn paused, rubbing at the back of her neck.
"But... Duo never got to ask her."
"He didn't?" Heero whispered softly.
Reyn shook her head.
"While Duo was flying back to Japan, there was an... accident. One of those things you hear about all the time, but always think it could never happen to you... or anyone you know. Ayumi had been driving back to their apartment after working late one night, and I suppose she was really sleepy. She... she split her car in two on a bridge railing. It caused a five car pile up. It took the rescue technicians hours just to pry what was left of her car open, but by that time it was too late."
Heero's chest became tight. He couldn't imagine having to be Duo during that time.
"Duo gave up his job in the animation industry, and decided to move back here and pursue his real passion of wildlife painting. He said Ayumi would have wanted him to be happy... but..." Reyn looked Heero in the eyes, struggling for the right words. "But... I don't think he's ever been happy since, you know what I mean?"
Heero nodded in agreement. It would definitely explain the hollow look Duo tended to carry in his eyes.
Reyn frowned, pursing her lips out. "Ever since then, I've noticed Duo has a nasty habit of dating women that resemble Ayumi."
Heero recalled Trinity's long black hair and facial features and compared them to that of Ayumi's photo.
"Sometimes he gets kinda depressed, and he puts on the wedding band to remind himself of his loss. It was six years ago, but I guess to him it's like it was just yesterday." Reyn let out a long, pained breath.
"Duo's older than me?"
"Yep, he's twenty-five."
Heero turned, staring blankly out onto the water.
"He's the oldest twenty-five year old I know," Heero murmured into the breeze.
Duo glared at them over the top of the paper he had been reading, his glasses slipping on his nose. "It's about time. I was ready to send out a search party."
Reyn stuck her tongue out at her big brother, putting her shopping bags down to take off her damp shoes. Heero paused in the door way behind her to take his off as well.
"You shouldn't have dragged Heero around all day like that. You probably exhausted him."
"I'm fine," Heero put in quickly. Between Reyn and Duo he'd had enough babying to last him a lifetime. "You keep forgetting how long ago my surgery was."
"Heero's a big boy now, Duo," Reyn said, emphasizing her words with a sound pat on Heero's back. Reyn picked her bags back up, walking towards Duo on the couch. "Besides, you should have been with us, but you lingered too long over coffee and who knows what over at what's-her-name's place this morning," she said cynically. Reyn put her things down, flopping down on the couch. "I thought you two had broken up."
Heero still stood by the doorway, amused at their exchange.
"Trinity's just a friend, Reyn. She needed my advice on something." Duo took off his glasses, folding them up and putting them on the coffee table.
Reyn wrinkled her nose in a sour expression. "And this ‘advice' took all night long?"
"Reyn-"
Reyn sighed, throwing her hands up. "Yea, yea, it's none of my business."
"Think you'll remember that next time?"
"No," Reyn said, jerking the paper away from Duo's grasp. She slouched down, reading the headlines.
Duo turned to Heero as he moved to sit in a recliner adjacent from them. Saka bounded up to Heero, and he leaned over to scratch her head.
"How was dinner?"
"Nice," Heero commented, glancing up from beneath his bangs to look at Duo. He noticed how Duo was looking him over closely, his frown line deepening as he took in Heero's changed appearance. What was the matter? Didn't Duo like the way he looked?
"I bought him dinner as a birthday present." Reyn volunteered in between turning pages of the paper.
"Oh? When's your birthday," Duo asked Heero, his frown softening.
"Saturday," Reyn answered for him. "You should bake him a cake or something." She threw down the paper. "Is there any coffee made or do I have to make it myself?"
"Make it yourself," Duo said mildly. "And while you're at it, make me a cup, too."
"Some host," she said grumbling, getting up to head into the kitchen. "Where do you keep your brandy," she asked Duo as she navigated around his long legs.
Duo smiled teasingly at her, "I think you've had enough for tonight."
"Yea, yea," she gave him the bird over her shoulder as she turned the corner into the dining room.
Duo turned back to Heero, who had a slightly amused look on his face. He enjoyed seeing Reyn and Duo together. Obviously beneath all the banter was sibling affection.
"You're staring," Heero accused him after a few minutes of silence. It only faintly bothered Heero. All the painting sittings had made him grow accustom to being watched.
"Sorry," Duo smiled lazily at him, his eyes lingering on Heero's face. "It's just that... you look really handsome tonight, Heero. The color of your shirt brings out your eyes and your skin looks luminous. I've never see you like this before. You look..."
"Grown up?" Heero dryly supplied for him, smirking. But inside he felt a small flutter of pleasure. He would have never thought Duo would see him like that.
Duo laughed, but then seemed distant as a frown swept away his smile. He looked from Heero's face, to the flash of his muscled chest the slight unbuttoned shirt revealed, and down to his waist.
"Very grown up," he admitted, and then his frown deepened as he turned to watch the flames dance in the fireplace.
Heero cautioned himself not to take Duo's words to heart. After all, Duo had the same look about him as he did when he would paint Heero. He told himself that Duo wasn't really seeing him, just seeing paint being applied to a canvas.
It was late when the movie they were watching went off, and Reyn began to usher the men off of the couch so she could go to sleep.
Duo stood up, stretching languidly like a panther. "Good idea. You're half-way sloshed anyway."
"Am not," Reyn disagreed, laying down and snuggling between the cushions. A contented smile rolled across her lips.
"Are, too." Duo said, bringing the blanket up around her neck and tucking her in. Duo leaned in, kissing her cheek fondly. "Night, sis."
"Night," Reyn said yawning into her pillow.
Heero arose from the recliner, he and Duo both turning down the hall to go to their respected bedrooms. Heero stopped at his door, his hand resting on the knob. He turned to see Duo behind him, and he smiled back tentatively. He could see a questioning looks in Duo's velvety eyes.
"Good night, Duo," He said, turning to walk into his bedroom. However, he stopped when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. Heero tilted his head, looking Duo eye to eye.
"Don't you want your good-night kiss, too?" Duo's eyes laughed at him.
Heero's pulse began to quicken, but he kept his expression solid. Taking Duo's offer for humor, he turned his head to the side to offer his cheek.
Duo curled a finger under Heero's chin, turning his face back towards his own. Slowly, Duo leaned in to brush his lips against Heero's.
It was meant to be a light touch, Heero knew, a small caress. But his lips clung instinctively to Duo's warm, soft mouth, and as he kissed Duo, a tingling spark of awareness curled up in his stomach.
Heero drew away, catching the flash of surprise in Duo's eyes as he raised his head and took a step back. Feeling a small sense of satisfaction, Heero smiled coyly with hard-won composure. "Good night, Duo," he said quietly, opening up the door to his room.
Duo jammed his hands into his jean pockets and stared at him through narrowed eyes. "Good night, Heero," he echoed as he watched Heero disappear into his bedroom.
Heero closed the door behind him, leaning in against the cool wood and listening to Duo's retreating footsteps. He stayed perfectly still until he head the soft click of Duo's bedroom door closing.
Heero let out a long, shaky breath, turning to meet the darkness of his bedroom. He blinked, rubbing irritatedly at his eyes as Ayumi's picture suddenly came unbidden in his mind. Heero paused, his fingers still lying against his closed eyelids. With shaking hands, his fingertips lightly traced the outer edges of his almond shaped eyes, seeing in his head the eyes of the dead Japanese woman.
Suddenly Heero felt rather sick to his stomach.
End Part 4
TBC...
I am so ebil. EBIL I TELLS YA.
Kirei
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