*...* internal thought
----- flashback
**** identifies a break in scenes
[1,2,3,4,...] author notes at the bottom of fic
Author's note: again... wildly ooc, but if you've stayed with me this long then you're okay with that. ^_~ ano, I was emailed by a reader who asked me to 'increase' the pace of the present part of this fic... so I kinda am... there will be more about their past, just not in this part... um... and for this part... SAP warning!!! Or is it fluff? -_- My angst muse seems to be on strike...
A Class Act Part 8
A Flame Rekindled
[present time]
"You know, the others probably didn't believe one single word we said," commented Duo as he helped himself to his second slice of pizza. As the lawyer became occupied with the task of preventing melted cheese from slipping off his slice onto the floor, Heero took a quick moment to quietly observe his dinner companion from the corner of his eye.
The lawyer was unusually laid-back, his pose casual and relaxed in a way that was faintly reminiscent of their high school days. Clad in a simple pair of jeans and an oxford cloth, button down shirt, his lengthy chestnut-hued hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, he simply exuded a confident masculinity.
Heero was clad in a simple t-shirt and jean shorts, the dark blue hue of the shirt complimenting his eye color nicely. His own mop of hair flopped like usual on his head, the bangs falling a bit into his eyes reminding him that he needed to get his hair trimmed soon.
The two young men were in the estate's large den, surrounded by tasteful yet somewhat eclectic decor that still managed to maintain a somewhat homey atmosphere. They were sitting cross-legged on tasseled floor pillows, though the floor of the den was covered in plush carpeting. They sat across from each other, the open pizza box between them on the glass top of the coffee table.
The stereo in the background was tuned into a mellow rock station, playing both oldies and more recent songs while managing to maintain the serene mood. The overhead lights of the den had been turned off in lieu of the dozen or so vanilla scented candles that glowed from their spot in the far corner, augmented by only one small table lamp.
Somehow Duo had managed to scrounge up the tapers and probably believed them to be more conducive to a friendly, get to know each other again, atmosphere. The implied intimacy of the setting both appealed and repelled Heero, his heart and his mind warring with each other as the evening progressed. As he munched his own slice of pizza, he idly wondered if Duo remembered that vanilla was one of his favorite scents.
Swallowing his mouthful, Heero shrugged his shoulders and replied to Duo's statement. "So we said a couple of white lies about headaches. You're a lawyer, I would have assumed you were used to lying," he teased.
Duo pouted and threw him a wounded look even as he playfully warned, "I can still catch the end of the game, if I hurry."
Both Duo and Heero had pleaded off from the evening's scheduled activity, conjuring up tales of headaches and fatigue. Most of their old classmates had given them their sympathies, along with numerous suggestions of cures ranging from taking a few aspirin to holistic practices. A few had given them cagey glances, their expressions full of doubt and disbelief but had kept their suspicions to themselves.
Heero couldn't be sure, but he was almost positive that Dr. J had given the two of them a comfortably smug smile before leaving that evening. The retired professor probably thought his little machinations of the previous night was responsible for the two's temporary reconciliation. In a way it was, but Heero wasn't going to give the crafty old man the satisfaction of knowing his meddling was doing good. At least not yet.
And of course Hilde had given them both a suspicious and downright nasty sneer, complete with a raised eyebrow before she had flounced haughtily off, letting Relena drag her away. That had been a surprised relief, considering the fact that Heero would have barricaded himself in his room if the dark brunette had stayed behind as well.
As soon as everyone had cleared off, Duo and Heero had run out to a video store to rent a couple of spontaneous flicks, one comedy and one action. Throughout the two movies they had munched microwave popcorn, before their stomachs had informed them of the need for more substantial food. So they had ordered a pizza, their usual large chicken fiesta, complete with a couple of black-cherry sodas from their old pizza joint that was happily still around.
"I haven't fibbed like this since we used to tell my parents that we were going to the library to study," commented Heero, his concentration firmly on his pizza.
Duo thought about Heero's innocent comment as he took a long pull from his bottle of soda. Though eager to rebuild the old bond that was currently lying dormant between the two, he was also cautious about bringing up anything of the past. Licking his lips he nonchalantly asked, "Do you think your parents ever suspected we were actually making out by the lake? I don't think mine knew, or if they did they never actually said anything to me."
Heero shook his head, a faint grin playing on his lips. "Ten years ago I would have said no, but I got the courage a few years after graduation to ask my mother."
Duo gulped as his memory flashed with the image of Heero's loving mother and her sincere, maternal smiles. "What did she say?" he asked, his eyes widening.
Heero chuckled softly, causing Duo to involuntarily hold his breath. How he missed that sound and yearned to hear it everyday for the rest of his life. "Mom said that back then she figured whatever I was doing on our 'study' dates had to be good for me because I'd come back with flushed cheeks and a twinkle in my eyes. She said she was glad I was doing it with you and not some irresponsible boy who didn't respect me. But she did mention that I once came back from the library with my shirt inside out."
Duo groaned in mortification that was ten years past due. He could only imagine what had passed through Mrs. Yuy's mind. Heero laughed at Duo's embarrassment, the smirk on his face growing larger with each passing moment of shared remembrance.
Propping his chin on one hand, Heero mused, "I wonder if I'd be able to practice such restraint if I was a father. I mean, could I trust enough in my kid's judgment and maturity even if I was sure something was going on?
Duo smiled at Heero, his expression soft and charming. "I think you'd make an excellent father, Heero. And your mother's trust was well founded. I still ache remembering how well you kept my adolescent urges in check."
As soon as the sentence was out of his mouth, Duo fought with the urge to bite his tongue. Here he had been afraid of destroying their fragile détente by bringing up old memories and then he had just plowed right back into one of the sticky topics of their past. He was anxious that his comment might remind Heero that when Duo had finally given into his adolescent urges, he'd been nowhere in sight.
However, it seemed his worry was for naught. Heero's smirk didn't fade, merely changed into a lopsided smile. His wonderful Prussian blue eyes softened even further as he murmured, "You weren't the only one struggling with urges, Duo. I had to keep us both in check."
Duo let out the breath he had been holding, hoping to conceal the expulsion with a rush of words. "Kami-sama Heero, but those dates in the Jeep were heaven and hell at the same time! As incredible as they were, I used to go home in such pain!"
Heero laughed at the grimace that Duo twisted his face into, even as he answered, "I'm sure we both took an infinite number of cold showers, Duo."
Duo's eyes took on a sorrowful expression, his face becoming serious and tinged with forgotten yearning. "I wish-" he started.
Heero shook his head even as he reached forward to place a finger on Duo's lips. The two men's bodies tingled where they touched, Duo on his lips and Heero on his hand. "Those are the good memories," Heero said. "They're still good memories, Duo. They always have been and always will be."
Heero lifted his hand away, but Duo wasn't having any of it. He reached out, capturing Heero's hand and turning it over. He pressed a hungry kiss to the soft palm, never once taking his eyes away from the Asian man. His expression was so raw, so open, filled with heartbreaking yearning and desire. Heero's breath was taken away, his eyes captured and held by Duo's, struck dumb by the wealth of emotion being openly displayed.
Heero stared into Duo's eyes, searching for something that remained nameless. Yes, Duo's yearning and desire, sorrow and hope were evident for the unsure man to see, but Heero needed something more. Deep down Heero knew it was assurance that he needed, understanding and trust that he was doing the right thing by giving Duo a second chance, that he wouldn't grow to regret this tomorrow or later. But beyond that, Heero knew he also wanted to ensure that Duo felt the same way, that this wasn't some sort of attempt at soothing an early mid-life crisis by completing a fantasy of the past.
*You don't get anywhere without taking risks, Yuy. That's your second rule,* Heero reminded himself.
An old, slow song suddenly started on the radio, jerking Heero from his thoughts. Still keeping eye contact, Duo suddenly rose, forcing Heero to come to his feet as well since he wasn't letting go of the captured hand. Voice rough with emotion, Duo said, "Dance with me, Heero."
Duo gently guided Heero around the small coffee table until the Asian man was standing in front of his ex-boyfriend. Drowning in each other's eyes, almost afraid to take them off each other, Duo gently captured Heero's other wrist and placed them around his neck. Releasing them, he encircled Heero's trim waist with his own arms even as he began to sway gently to the song.
Singing softly along with the song, Duo led Heero in a slow dance, their bodies moving together in a nearly forgotten harmony. "I've heard of true loves that lasted forever. I guess there is a way. And I've heard of true loves that needed each other. More and more each day," Duo crooned along with the music. Heero closed his eyes as Duo's velvet voice wrapped around him, reminding him that the taller man could still sing like an angel.
Being this close to Duo was a heady experience, no matter the history between the two men. Heero breathed deeply, the lightly spiced cologne that Duo was wearing mingling nicely with the lawyer's own unique scent. Forgetting everything that had happened between them in the past and during the last few days, Heero gave himself up to the moment, leaning into Duo's body and resting his head on Duo's shoulder. In response, Duo's arms tightened around Heero's waist, drawing him as close as possible, while still singing in his ear.
"You know and I know it's all because, I love you," sang Duo, his own eyes having closed by this point as he savored having Heero within his arms again. He turned his face into Heero's hair, smelling the aroma of scented shampoo and Heero's musk amidst the silken strands.
As the song drew into the last refrain, Duo stopped their dancing, content to hold Heero still, wrapped in his embrace. As the muted strains of the song danced through the air, Duo felt Heero stir and lift his head from his shoulder. Duo's eyes opened and he looked down to meet Heero's gaze.
Heero's mask had dropped completely, his gaze open and honest. Duo could swear that he saw his own remorse and longing mirrored in the blue orbs, his hope strengthening in his chest. His voice husky, Duo whispered, "How about it, Heero? Want to listen to the song and 'try it again'?" [1]
Silence stretched out between the two men for countless minutes, each searching the other's face. Heero could feel his heart racing, his breath growing quicker and shallower. His mind was screaming at him, warning him away from a third heartbreak, one that would be a repeat of the past. This man had broken his heart once before and if it happened again, Heero would have no one to blame but himself.
However, his heart overrode his mind, telling him to take this leap of faith. He and Duo were different people this time, no longer completely influenced by the opinions of their peers or social status, capable of making their own choices. The ground upon which they stood was more level now, both young men assured of their place in the world and of their own self-worth.
For the first time in years, Heero gave in to the urges of his heart, leaned upwards and pressed his lips to Duo's. The taller man stood stock still for one second, as if he was incapable of believing what was happening. The electricity of their connection flared to life between the two men, shocking his stunned senses back to life and spurring him into motion lest he lose this precious chance handed to him.
It didn't take Duo longer than that split second to regain control, his mouth changing from passive to possessive in a blink of an eye. Angling his head, he deepened the kiss, coaxing Heero to open his mouth to him so he could taste that which he had been deprived of for ten years. As Heero's tongue tentatively rose to meet Duo's in a clash of passion, Duo's hand rose to cup the back of Heero's head, his fingers sinking into the dark strands. The other remained clasped around Heero's back, locking the shorter boy firmly into place lest he lose his courage and bolt.
The need for air broke them apart, but did not stop them in their renewed exploration of each other. Heero's eyes closed as Duo began to press hungry, demanding kisses over his face and throat, actively attempting to devour his prize. Heero's hands had moved to knead the flesh of Duo's back, caressing the muscles that lay beneath the cloth shirt.
Heero could feel his own t-shirt being pulled out of the waistband of his shorts, Duo's over eager hands worming their way beneath the clothing to touch the flesh beneath. Those nimble fingers teased the length of Heero's spine, turning his legs and nerves to jelly as they ghosted over sensitive spots. Heero absently mused to himself that it hadn't taken Duo very long to remember how sensorial his back was to touch. He arched into Duo's caress, a motion that brought him into contact with a growing bulge even as he became aware of his own growing arousal.
This jolted Heero back to reality for a split second, his sense of self-preservation kicking into action. He wasn't ready for this, they were moving way too fast for his comfort. They had only renewed an old comradeship less than 24 hours ago, agreeing to set aside their differences of the past for a second chance. Heero's reservations about their present, never mind their future, was the equivalent of a cold shower, quickly dowsing the fires of his lust.
"No," he said quietly, gently but firmly forcing Duo's questing hands out from under his t-shirt. "I'm not ready for this yet."
As his mind registered the fact that Heero wasn't actively participating any longer, Duo's arms turned into bands of steel, refusing to budge. For a long moment Heero wondered if he was going to have to try and force Duo to move away from him when Duo's arms suddenly relaxed and fell away on their own. He heard the taller man expel a loud, husky breath before Duo stepped away from him.
Fearing what might be there, Heero tentatively lifted his gaze to meet Duo's, but to his relief only a hint of lust remained in those violet eyes, wry humor moving in to dominate. The lawyer chuckled lightly and said, "Just like old days, eh Heero?"
Feeling more relaxed, Heero returned the smile and nodded his head. Duo lifted his hand to gently caress Heero's cheek, a movement that Heero unconsciously leaned into much to Duo's delight. Whispering, he said, "It's all right, Heero. I understand and I'm willing to go as slowly as you want. I'll prove it to you that I'm after more than just a chance at having what slipped through my fingers once."
"Thank you," Heero answered, letting Duo know Heero knew he was being sincere by keeping his lips turned upwards in a small smile.
"Shall we return to dinner?" Duo suggested and led Heero back to their makeshift table.
And so it was that they were completely innocent and decent when the rest of the reunion guests and the house's usual denizens returned home later. They heard the closing of several car doors, followed by people coming through the front door, their voices brightly chattering about the game.
"Well I for one think that the Romefeller team needs better coaching. After all, Tsubarov might have been an excellent coach for his day, but the man simply needs to retire!" came Hilde's voice, floating down the hallway.
"The proven fact is that Tsubarov is still winning championship games and Romefeller is lucky enough to have him. Sank tried to get him for their team a few years back but he decided to stay with Romefeller despite the added perks being offered," rebutted Relena.
"I have to agree with Hilde on this one. Tsubarov has been a coach for several years past his prime and his training methods are still questionable," added Wufei.
"What's the big deal about it anyway? It's just a game, isn't it?"
"Quatre's right. Anyway, where are Duo and Heero? You don't think they're already in bed do you? Dorothy, don't give me that look!"
"Here they are!"
Duo and Heero looked up towards the den's doorway to see most of their missing classmates lounging in the entrance. They waved a greeting to them from their spot on the floor where they were engaged in a game of poker. "Hey guys, how was the game?" Duo asked.
"Good. Romefeller creamed Sank, but then we kind of expected them too."
"How are your headaches?"
Duo picked up a small bottle of aspirin he had strategically placed near him earlier and waved it in the air. "We both took a couple of pills and the headaches are gone. Right as rain!" he said cheerfully.
The group traded pleasantries for a few moments longer until one by one the other guests left the area, heading off to other activities or to retire for the night. Eventually Duo and Heero were left alone in the den with only Hilde and Wufei there for company. His sharp eyes on the two men seating on the floor, Wufei nodded to himself and then turned to Hilde, "So, are you still up for that Scrabble match we promised Dr. J?"
Hilde nodded once, sharp and efficient as she said, "Sure, but let me check my email messages first and make sure everything's under control at work." Glancing at Duo she continued, "Unless you've already done so?"
Duo shook his head in the negative, giving a nonchalant yawn. "The office has our numbers, Hilde. They know how to contact us if anything urgent comes up again. Relax a little, Hilde."
Hilde's lips pursed together in a thin line as a reaction to Duo's suggestion. Her eyes darted over to look at Heero before returned to Duo in a movement so quick that Heero almost believed he had imagined it. The dark-haired woman looked put out by Duo's attitude and Heero almost felt a sense of smug satisfaction at the fact.
"Duo, since there is only a cruise planned for tomorrow night up Rock River and into Altron Harbor, I think we should skip the last day of the reunion and head up to the office early to put in a full day's work. If we work all day I'm sure we can make up the time we spent staying for the reunion week."
Heero felt his spirit's plunge and his eyes widen as Hilde's statement hung in the air. *He's going to leave in the morning?* He couldn't help but feel disappointed, only now realizing how much he had looked forward to having one last day and night with Duo before the two men parted ways again. He was under no illusions that anything would develop from them becoming civil again. He was glad they were renewing their old friendship, but a relationship was out of the question, right? After all, Duo lived on Earth and Heero lived on Colony L1. A long distance relationship, especially once that spanned planet and orbit, was entirely out of the question, even if his curbed hope wished otherwise.
However, all his worry was for naught as Duo waved his hand in Hilde's direction. "You can go if you want, but I intend to fully enjoy the last day of the reunion. The office can afford to wait one more day, Hilde. We don't have anything that the other partners or junior associates can't handle."
Hilde's lips seemed to thin even more, conforming to that thin line of disapproval she had adopted from his own mother as she said, "Fine. I'll make my decision after I check my email. But really Duo, one would think a partner would care more about the firm."
Duo looked up at Hilde, his amethyst gaze steady and unflinching. "I've worked as hard as any of the other partners to gain my position, Hilde. I've done nothing else but work since I got out of high school. I think I'm more than entitled to a week vacation."
Hilde's cheeks flushed for a moment before she turned on her heel and flounced out of the den. Wufei stood there for a moment smirking at the exchange before he remembered they were supposed to be playing a game against G and J. "Hilde, wait up!" he called after her.
******
Heero cut through the waters of the house's pool as the morning sun was peeking over the horizon. It was dawn, but he was usually always up with the sun for work and was used to the early hours despite the late night. After the scene with Hilde, the mood had been broken and the two men had retreated to their separate beds for the night. Heero had lain in his for a while, his body still tingling with remembered contact with Duo. Even after ten years had passed, he still reacted to the other man's touch as strongly as before.
Heero completely each stroke through the water with mechanical energy, his mind loosely keeping track of his laps. He always swam one mile in his pool back home on L1 each morning to keep himself in physical shape. During the workday he was either running to and from meetings or sitting in front of a computer working on a program and was usually exhausted by evening or worked late, which cut out exercising then.
As his subconscious let him know the mile was up, Heero cut back to the shallow end, ending his exercise and leaving the pool. He quickly walked over to the lounge chair where he had left his towel and proceeded to dry off his body. As was engaged in this activity, his hearing caught the sound of soft footfalls behind him.
Turning around quickly, Heero came face to face with a makeup-donned Hilde, despite the very early hour. Hilde smiled at him, her expression trying to attempt to appear sheepish but only managing to look wan. "I guess I'm not the only one who likes to get up early, huh?"
Heero shrugged his shoulders and said, "Being successful means you have to make sacrifices. You should know that."
Hilde nodded absentmindedly even as she replied, "Yes, but Duo never gets up at the crack of dawn unless I drag him out of bed. I won't bore you with details, but let me assure you getting Duo up before the sun is a chore in itself."
If Hilde noticed Heero's shoulders stiffening, she didn't comment on it. Inwardly, Heero was seething at Hilde's implied suggestion that she had spent many mornings getting Duo out of bed. His jealousy surprised him somewhat, seeing as how he had been telling himself all week that the two lawyers were probably involved in one way or form, but it didn't help when he was presented with the bare facts from a deceptively smug ex-rival.
To hide his green eyes, Heero shrugged again and answered, "Really? I wouldn't know."
As he continued to dry himself off, Hilde continued to chat in a tone that implied she was sharing secrets with a bosom buddy, an action that continued to push Heero's temper. "I've decided not to return to the office today after all. Without Duo to give me a ride, since he is how I got down here, it would have been more of a hassle than it would be worth." Hilde gave a great sigh before adding, "I shouldn't be saying this, but sometimes I wish Duo would show a little more commitment to the firm than he does. After all, he's a partner now and should be setting a sterling example."
Heero felt disbelief at Hilde's criticism. He wanted to bite out that Duo had been born committed to the firm and his father's dreams, but he held his tongue in check. Instead he concentrated on drying his hair with the towel, maintaining his silence.
"But then again, it's not like we don't share the same vision. After all, as close as we are, how could we not? It's just that he gets distracted from the true goal sometimes. But I know that's one of his faults just as he knows mine. We do have a very special relationship, one that involves every aspect of our lives together, be it personal, social, or professional. We know each other as well as any married couple I can think of, we have certainly shared enough secrets. I suppose the only thing we lack now would be children."
Heero swallowed the sudden lump of dejection that rose in his throat. He was quick enough to catch the innuendoes in Hilde's small speech. The implied intimacy she and Duo shared, on every level, including ones that only came from being born into their shared world of privilege and wealth. The hint about children also stung, since he knew he would never be able to provide children for Duo, outside of adoption. Although he had come to terms with the fact that he and Duo would never be together years ago, Heero felt another stab in his heart at Hilde's blatant words. He wondered briefly if Hilde was feeling threatened now, after having won so many years ago, and this small interlude was her way of warning him off. How ironic if it was.
Squaring his shoulders, Heero dropped the towel around his waist and turned to face Hilde. Plastering a smooth smile on his face, he said, "How nice for you. Excuse me." With that, he walked off towards the house, leaving Hilde behind without another glance.
******
Duo didn't know what had happened. Last night Heero had been so amiable with him, even giving the lawyer hope that the glacier surrounding his former boyfriend's heart had finally begun to melt. Yet today and this evening, Heero had been very pleasant but distant with him. He was affectionate, but there was a sense of reserve in his actions, one that hadn't been there last night.
Duo wondered what had happened. He had known from Wufei's subtle hints this afternoon that the other man had caught Hilde and Heero talking outside at the pool early that morning, but he hadn't been able to eavesdrop on what they had been talking about. He could only imagine what malicious notions Hilde had placed in Heero's head.
And he had been so damn close last night!
Duo's hand tightened on the glass he held, even as his thoughts ran to the unpleasant subject of his law partner. He knew Hilde Schbeiker better than anyone else, including her own parents, and he knew was she was capable of. She had an ability to manipulate language, people, and facts with an uncanny degree of ease that made her a terror in the courtroom but a failure outside of it. Her long line of personal relationships that ended in failure attested to that fact. She was ruthless and often times if she felt the least bit threatened in her comfortable environment, she would lash out with brutal results.
Turning to gaze over the heads of his fellow classmates, Duo searched the crowd for one tousled head he desperately wanted to see. Spotting Heero over by another railing talking with Wufei and Dorothy, he firmly set his resolve and downed the last bit of drink in his glass. Setting it aside on the nearest available surface, he made his way to the Japanese man's side.
Giving the other two a look that conveyed his message from behind Heero, he watched as the two made their hasty excuses and departed, but not before giving him looks completed with arched eyebrows. Heero was looking after them with a puzzled look before he turned and noticed Duo standing very close behind him. He offered a welcoming smile that was informal but distant.
Stepping closer, ignoring the throng of people around them, Duo peered into Heero's eyes, searching for something. Heero grew nervous as moments passed without words between them, noticing from the corner of his eye the whispers revolving amongst their old classmates. He licked his lips and was about to speak to break the silence when Duo suddenly said, "Don't believe a word."
Puzzled, Heero asked, "A word of what?"
Duo growled softly under his breath even as he moved. He maneuvered Heero towards the railing of the deck, managing to force the shorter man to retreat until his back hit the railing. Placing his hands on either side, Duo effectively trapped Heero so that the other had no place to look but at him. The lawyer bent his head down to Heero's as he said in his ear, "Whatever stupidity Hilde's managed to get you to believe. Wufei told me you two were talking this morning and you're acting reserved tonight, so by logical deduction she must have told you some tripe."
Heero refused to look at Duo's face, focusing his eyes on the other man's jacket lapels. In a quiet whisper, he said, "She didn't tell me anything I didn't already know or suspect."
Duo's eyes narrowed and he added, "Well, since I don't know what you know or already suspected, enlighten me. I told you I'm not involved with her. Don't you believe me?"
"It doesn't matter," came the despondent reply. "It doesn't concern me one way or the other. After tonight, you'll go your way and I'll go mine."
Duo muttered under his breath, so softly that Heero almost missed his comment, "We'll see about that." In a louder voice, the lawyer said, "Tell me what she said, Heero. Please."
Biting his lip in a nervous gesture that Duo realized was a personal quirk, Heero mumbled, "She said you two were very close. That your lives are connected in and out of work, like a married couple, and that you know each other very well."
Duo laughed, startling the other man into jerking his gaze to rest on Duo's face. To Heero's dismay, Duo said, "That's probably true. We certainly do know each other well, but not like a married couple. Being a couple would mean that we both share strong feelings for each other, which I can ensure you I do not, nor have I ever."
Heero's blue eyes suddenly flashed with fire as he said, "Now I know you have to be lying. Hilde was your first. How can you not have feelings for her? You must have at one point at least since you betrayed me all those years ago."
Duo's eyes met Heero's, his own meeting those irritated orbs with soothing calm. Pouring all his hope into his voice and inflection, he said, "What happened ten years ago is complicated, Heero. But if you're finally willing to listen to the whole story, I'm willing to tell you. Will you?"
For breathless moments Duo battled mentally with Heero, trying to gauge what his former boyfriend was thinking. He silently willed Heero to agree, to let the lawyer clear the waters between them completely. He had tenuous expectations of the confession to be, but he really wanted to tell Heero his side of the story no matter what. He didn't want another ten years to pass by with Heero hating his guts for the wrong reason. He at least wanted his former boyfriend to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
And perhaps, maybe Heero would be able to forgive him and they could renew their relationship. That was what Duo desperately wanted.
Heero searched Duo's face, watching his expression for the tiniest nuances. He wanted to see something other than the sincerity and honesty in Duo's face, wanted to see something that would reinforce his crumbling walls of ice. Yet nothing deceitful or dishonest lay in Duo's expression and Heero could feel his resolve tearing apart at the seams.
He was weary. Weary of hating Duo for so long for a betrayal he had learned about from everyone else. He was tired of not knowing all angles and sides to the story, tired of the lack of closure from his high school life. Licking his suddenly dry lips, unaware of how tempting that sight was to the man before him, Heero came to a decision and said, "Yes. Tell me what happened all those years ago, Duo."
TBC...
[1] "Let's Try It Again" by NKOTB - yes, I guess this dates me, used to be a fan back in the late 80's... ano, should I be admitting this?? What can I say? I was dusting out the old CD collection and rang across one of their cds... I never throw anything away. These lyrics just seemed so perfect to me...
I've heard of true loves that lasted forever
I guess there is a way
And I've heard of true loves that needed each other
More and more each dayWhat is love when there's no one that cares
Next time you need my love I'll be there
Be right by your side[chorus]
Let's try it again
Try it again
Let's try it again
My love for you it has no end
Let's try it again
'Till the end
All because I love youI've heard of true loves that stayed with each other
Didn't wander through the night
And I've heard of true loves that prayed for each other
Didn't argue, fuss, or fightNow I know just what love's all about
Next time you need my love I won't doubt
'Bout your love again[chorus]
You got to try it again
My love for you it has no end
You know and I know it's all because
I love you[chorus]
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