A Duo & Trowa story
"Wakey, wakey!" Something was tickling him on the chin. He tried to turn his head this way and that, but the tickler kept moving whatever it was to his chin, so Trowa opened his eyes.
"Good morning, baby," said Duo.
Trowa saw the handsome face shine down on him and saw what was tickling him. It was the end of that long braid of his. He smiled back. It still surprised him to see the former pilot of Shinigami sharing his bed.
"Whatcha want for breakfast?" asked Duo, looking very mischevious.
"Coffee and toast."
"Ahh, I can make you something better than that." Duo hopped out of bed without bothering to put any clothes on. He walked out of the room, humming a little tune to himself.
Trowa sat up and thought about how this had come to be. After the final battle with Marimeia's forces, he had thought that he and Quatre would have a quiet life together. Unfortunately, Quatre had family and responsibilities that came with it. Quatre felt especially responsible since he was now head of a large household, and an even larger fortune that demanded his time and energy. Now that the war was over, Quatre turned his energies over to other projects like the construction of more colonies & the possible terraforming of Mars.
There was no time for love, especially when his family didn't approve of their heir deciding to settle down with an ex-circus performer. Quatre offered to give it all up for him. But Trowa thought it over very carefully and decided that asking Quatre to give up his family would destroy their feelings for each other, so he left. Quatre had begged and pleaded with him to come back, but he had turned him down flatly knowing that talking with at any length would weaken his resolve. It had been very bitter to do so, but he felt it was the right decision.
It was a few months after this that he'd bumped into Duo. He had been roaming the colonies, wondering whether or not he should rejoin the circus and again become the masked clown. Walking down the streets one day in L2 colony, he had heard someone yell out his name. He had turned around to see the former pilot waving at him. He was wearing black pants, a black jacket, and that red shirt with the zipper. His braid was as long as ever. "Yo, Trowa, long time no see. Do you like coffee or tea?"
"Either is fine."
They went to the local coffee shop. They sat across from each other with two black coffees. Duo sipped his, then said, "How's Quatre?"
"He was fine the last time I saw him."
"You aren't living together?"
Trowa shook his head.
"Why?"
"Reality happened."
"Uh, could you explain that statement?"
Trowa briefly explained the situtation.
"That majorly sucks." Duo took a sip of coffee, then sighed, "Just like me and Heero. We split up, too."
"Why?"
"Well, it wasn't the sex. There was passion, sure. But we always fought or I'd yell and he'd glare at me. We both really tried, but I didn't fight one war just so I could fight another one on a different front. It was a mutual decision." Duo played with the spoon in his coffee, stirring and stirring. Then he stopped and said, "If you don't have a place to stay, my apartment's nearby."
"Thank you."
As they walked down the street to his apartment, Trowa thought, it's surprising how much I miss having someone to talk to.
"Hey, Trowa?"
"Yes."
"Can you still do those amazing flips?"
"Yes, Duo."
"I wish I could do those."
Trowa just looked at him.
"I'm serious."
"Well, they're not much use outside of war or a circus."
"I still think it's cool. Oh, here's my place."
Trowa looked at the apartment building. It was a tan, boxy five-story building with no saving architectural grace other than sturdiness. Trowa shrugged mentally. He'd seen much worse and though it wasn't pretty, it appeared comfortable enough. The neighborhood was nice with trees gracing the streets and a green, well-kept park nearby where children fed the ducks in the pond bits of bread.
As they entered the apartment building elevator, Duo looked at him with a wry smile. "Sometimes, Trowa, I wonder what you're thinking."
"Just observing."
"Observing, huh?"
Trowa noticed something in Duo's violet eyes. I wonder what it is, Trowa thought, I sense a general interest in my direction. What kind of interest? I wonder how long it's been since Duo's been with Heero, since he's been with anyone? I wonder if that's what he's thinking? Suddenly, the elevator seemed to grow smaller and fill with a low-level heat.
Then the elevator went bing! and the doors opened. "My floor," said Duo.
Trowa followed Duo out and went with him into his apartment. It was a one-bedroom and pretty bare, too. The only thing he saw was a dresser, a TV, a clock, a coffee table and a couch.
"The couch's not too bad. It's not bumpy and it folds out into a bed."
"It's very kind of you." Trowa sat down on the couch.
Duo turned to go to the adjoining kitchen, then turned back and said, "You know what's funny, Trowa?"
"What?"
"I was always jealous of you."
Surprise rippled over the calm surface of Trowa's face. "Why?"
Duo put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. "You see when you were with Heero that month, I wish it had been me that had rescued him that time. I'm more sociable, but you seem to have a knack at really communicating with people. Quatre told me that you even have a way with animals. Then when I saw you and Quatre together, I envied the quiet, happy life that you had with him. I thought yours would be the relationship that would last."
Trowa was quiet for moment, then said, "It's strange for you to say this because I felt jealous of you as well."
It was Duo's turn to widen his eyes and have his jaw go slack. "Jealous of what? The endless squabling, the jealousy, having a crazed girl stalk your every movement?"
"I meant the fire, the passion, the way you two were always excited by each other's touch. Quatre and I weren't like that."
"It's strange hearing that now."
"Do you miss Heero?"
Duo tilted his head to the side and said, "Not the way you mean. I miss the good times but if you're asking if I'd pick up where I left off with Heero, the answer is no. How about you and Quatre?"
Trowa shook his head no.
"I guess there was no happily ever after for us, huh."
"For people like us, does it ever exist?"
Duo plopped himself right next to Trowa. "Who knows? I'm really glad I got to talk to you. You're a good listener."
Trowa smiled. "People say I am."
"Well, you're welcome to stay as long as you want. I miss the company," Duo said. "I've got some leftover lasagna, want some?"
"That would be nice."
As he watched Duo walked into the adjoining kitchen, Trowa thought to himself, I miss the company, too.
Duo came in with a tray with a big plate of blueberry pancakes topped with a nob of butter and real maple syrup. "Doesn't that just smell yummy?"
"You cooked in the nude." observed Trowa.
"Yeah, but how are the pancakes?"
Trowa took the fork and cut a small piece with the side of his fork and tasted it. "It's quite delicious, my sweet." He meant it.
"You mean it? Cool, I followed the directions on the box and it worked." Trowa kissed him on the lips. They were sweet and not just from the syrup.
"What are you thinking?" Duo said.
"I was just thinking of how we met six months ago."
Duo lay down on his stomach and waggled his feet in the air. "Since this is our day off, how about we spend the entire day here?"
"If that's what you want, dearest."
"I just love it when you call me those endearing names! I do so want!" Duo moved the food tray off the bed.
His enthusiasm is so contagious, thought Trowa before his mind was thrust into a non-thinking mode.
The End
On to 'Nostalgia'
(:./mk/unexpected)
