19-Sep-2005
Title: Wings
Author: Natea
Rating: PG
Pairing: Duo/Heero 2+1
Warnings: Shounen ai, Sap.
Duo shifted the folder of paper he was carrying to his right arm and grasped hold of the handle to the emergency door that led onto the roof. Stepping out, the bright sunlight was a marked contrast from the neon lit stairwell and he squinted, raising a hand to shade his eyes and scanning for the figure he knew would be out there.
He found Heero where he always was; his jacket spread out on the concrete floor, shirt sleeves rolled up to the elbow and collar button undone. Nothing that couldn't be fixed in a matter of seconds, but just enough to give off an air of comfort. He was leaning back, propped on one elbow and staring at the sky; focused on nothing and everything at once. They were high enough up here that the traffic on the street below was a muted rush; if you let it flow over you long enough it could become as soothing as the wind through leaves.
They let it flow over them as often as possible, weather permitting. The crowded canteen inside couldn't even begin to compare to their own personal lunch room. They'd tried the break room too but the scent of cigarette smoke had been too much to bear. Taking in a deep breath of air appreciatively Duo stepped out, letting the door shut with a distinct click behind him. He knew Heero had heard him, although he made no obvious signal. Walking closer Duo noticed that Heero had removed his shoes and socks too.
He dropped the old paper folder on the ground by Heero's arm causing him to look away from the sky and whatever had him so intrigued up there and focus on something closer to home. Heero merely snorted and pushed a wrapped object towards him, which Duo easily identified as his usual sandwich from the Deli two blocks away; the name of the store emblazoned across the napkin covering it. He sat down on a corner of Heero's jacket and unwrapped the sandwich, peeling back the two halves of the bun inside to remove the slice of tomato he knew would be in there.
"They never listen to me." Heero's tone was unapologetic but the gaze that he sent Duo's way was enough.
"I know, me neither." Duo bit into the bread and ham with obvious relish and leaned back, getting comfortable. "Easily fixed though."
"Hmm."
It went quiet again, even a momentary lull in the traffic moving past below, unaware of them sitting there; it seemed unnecessary to talk about the weather, and they'd come there to get away from work. Rolling onto his side, Heero picked up the piece of tomato that Duo had placed on the napkin and bit into it. He left a pickle in its place, which Duo snagged a moment later.
Finishing his sandwich finally, Duo lay down on his back to fully enjoy the sunshine while he had the chance, his arms behind his head to cushion it and his shirt unbuttoned. Heero's body was perfectly placed as a sun screen for his face and for a while he watched the breeze blow Heero's bangs about, whipping them into his eyes, his cheeks, blowing them straight back so that they lay against the rest of his hair for a while before springing back to their normal position. Eventually Heero lay down properly beside him and, the entertainment no longer there, Duo closed his eyes and relaxed.
It was a full thirty minutes later that either of them moved. Sitting up and stretching slightly Duo pulled the old folder towards himself and opened it up. It contained nothing inside but sheets of blank paper and he handed one to Heero, taking one for himself before closing the folder again.
"You got the pen?"
Heero nodded and passed it over before folding his paper in half lengthways and running a finger slowly along the crease.
"Not writing today?"
"No." Heero shook his head and smiled slightly.
Duo nodded, not really surprised; Heero had yet to write anything when they did this, although he would always bring the ballpoint. He watched as Heero's fingers folded the paper again, fashioning a small paper airplane from the page. Looking back down at his own sheet, he wrote something down quickly and handed the pen back before beginning to create his own plane.
The wind was stronger at the edge of the building, deflected from the street below. They launched their planes quickly and leaned against the surrounding wall in order to watch their slow descent. Another regret blown away by the breeze.
It had never seemed right to burn them. It was something too easy for them, too quick, leaving practically nothing behind in its place. Like it had never existed.
Only it had.
So they sent them out on the wings of chance instead.
The planes had finally disappeared and, nothing of interest below, Heero turned away and began walking back towards his jacket. Duo watched him for a while from his position by the wall as Heero brushed off the dust that the garment had collected and shrugged it back on, despite the heat.
"No regrets, Heero," he said, pushing away from the wall and heading over.
Heero smiled as he brushed a lock of hair behind his ear. He shook his head slightly. "Same time tomorrow?"
"Sounds good."
That afternoon Duo found himself getting distracted far too easily, the pull of the view far stronger than the draw of his work. Deciding on a quick five minute coffee break he sat on his window ledge and looked out idly at the scenery outside.
He knew he'd never ask Heero why his planes were always blank.
Someday Heero would tell him that himself.
The End
(:./natea/wings)
