"I'm getting slower these days. Even my old dog Thunder can more than keep up with me. I worry about what will happen to Samuel, when my time comes. He's old enough to take care of the farm and himself...but he seems so isolated here. I wish he was married. I know he had his eye on the miller's daughter. But he's never had the courage to approach her. I hope he finds it before it's too late, and someone else catches her eye. I want him to have a happier life than his father did..."
--excerpt from the private journal of Ephraim Barton
Smoky Hills Part 42
Over the Edge
Quatre had been preoccupied all day--worrying about Duo's visit to Solo's burial site, and how it might upset his already-unsettled friend. He'd known Duo for a few years; long enough to know that the braided man felt things very deeply. He'd pined for Solo for a very long time, and finding out he'd truly never see him again had to be taking a huge toll.
So far, Heero didn't impress Quatre as the empathetic type, and he seriously doubted he'd offer much comfort if Duo broke down when he saw where Solo's remains had been dumped.
"I should've gone with them," he muttered, shoving letters into the post office boxes with more force than necessary.
"Hey there Mister Winner," came a cheery voice from the other side of the counter.
Quatre put down the handful of letters he'd been sorting, and went to wait on a customer. "What can I do for you, Mister Seymour?"
The man waved a letter, smirking a bit. "Wrong post office box," he announced, handing over the piece of mail.
"Oh, sorry," Quatre said with a grimace, realizing he'd put the mail in the box over, instead of under, the number. "My mistake."
"No problem," replied the older gentleman. "If you could slide my bills along to someone else, that'd be fine, too."
Quatre smiled wanly at the common joke. "Ah, but you know they'd just hand them back. I'm sure they've got plenty of their own, like we all do."
"So we do," agreed Mister Seymour, nodding politely before turning and leaving.
Quatre sighed, glaring down at the piece of mail. "I have got to pay better attention," he muttered, walking over and carefully placing it into the correct post office box.
Callie had finished her mail casing early, and was already loading up the vehicle, while Quatre was just completing his morning tasks, and he keenly felt Duo's absence and the drain it was on his concentration.
It did nothing to improve his mood when, nearly an hour after Callie left the office, the clerk from a neighboring town showed up with a piece of express mail that had come on a late flight.
"Sorry about this," the clerk apologized as he laid the item on the counter. "Inbound was late, and the hub office just got these distributed."
"Great. I suppose it's got a noon guarantee, too," grumbled the postmaster.
"Actually, it's a three o'clock one, but if your driver's already gone--"
"Yeah, I know," Quatre sighed. "I'll take it out on my lunch break." He glared at the clerk, though his anger was for the late transportation, rather than the hapless messenger. "I'm charging the overtime, though. I've donated enough of my time to the post office!"
"My boss says the same thing. They expect too much sometimes--the big shots up in the District."
"Yes, they do." Quatre nodded a farewell to the clerk, and took the envelope over to scan its arrival. When he did, he happened to notice the address, and his irritation faded into anticipation. "Trowa Barton," he said with a grin. "Well, I will absolutely have to get this to its destination, won't I?"
He glanced at the return address, which was Bloom's Traveling Circus, and his smile widened. "Huh. I wonder what this is about."
He knew Trowa had worked for the circus before his knee injury; they'd managed to cover at least that much during their evening at the library. Although, with Mrs. Noventa hovering over them, it had been painfully difficult to talk about anything very personal.
"I hope he's not being called back to work or something," Quatre murmured, less enchanted with the mail piece by the minute. "He said he planned to stay in Smoky Hills. Guess I'll just have to ask him..."
He shook his head, setting the express mail on his desk to be dealt with when he closed up the office for lunch, and went back to putting the last of the advertising mail into the boxes.
Twelve-thirty didn't come nearly fast enough for him, and he made record time closing up and locking the safe, before grabbing a scanner and the express mail to take to the Barton farm.
Unlike Duo, he hadn't yet had the chance to actually see the farmhouse, and he looked forward to his first glimpse of the "scary, haunted place" Duo had gone on about.
While he'd admit the tree-lined driveway winding through thick woods was a bit shadowy and forbidding, when he turned the last corner and arrived at the big farmhouse, he didn't see anything remotely suggesting ghosts or neglect. The small patch of lawn was neatly trimmed, and the porch appeared to have been freshly painted. The little picket fence was also in good repair, and the flagstone path to the porch was downright inviting.
"It's charming," Quatre concluded, parking and heading up the aforementioned path with the piece of mail and scanner in hand.
From inside the house he heard deep, throaty barking, and he paused in the act of knocking, recalling the "two monster dogs" Duo so often mentioned. Not that he was afraid, because Duo had also explained they were friendly, in spite of appearances. But then, Duo had met them before; Quatre hadn't.
The postmaster stiffened resolutely, and knocked.
When the door opened a moment later, Trowa was fending off two bounding, prancing dogs large enough for pony rides, in Quatre's estimation.
"Oh, Quatre! Sorry--they always seem to think it's Duo knocking, and want their biscuits." He forced the dogs back and stepped out onto the porch, closing the door in their faces. "It's good to see you," he said with a warm smile.
"You too," Quatre replied. He stared quite happily into those deep green eyes, completely forgetting his reason for being there.
Trowa didn't seem inclined to ask, either, but leaned back against the door enjoying the view of silky blonde hair and dreamy blue eyes.
They might have stayed in their happy little world indefinitely, if the shrill ring of the telephone hadn't interrupted.
"Oops. I should grab that," Trowa said with a frown. "C'mon in."
Quatre followed him into the house, and was immediately beset by two wagging, snuffling hounds. While Trowa answered the phone, the blonde was quite busy petting shaggy heads and fending off wet kisses from both Thor and Balder.
"Nice dogs," he said with a chuckle. "Easy there. No--no kisses, thanks."
Once they'd thoroughly explored his hands and pockets for treats, their interest waned, and they circled him a couple of times and wandered off to see what Trowa was doing.
He came back into the hallway just as Quatre recalled the piece of mail he was holding and his reason for the visit.
"Sorry," Trowa said with a smile. "I was expecting a call. That was just Heero telling me he and Duo are at some overlook, trying to find clues."
"Beech Bluff," Quatre guessed. "Duo and Solo always hung out there." His brow wrinkled in thought. "But that's a long way from where the bones were found. I wonder why they think there'd be any clues--"
Trowa shook his head. "Heero's got amazing instincts," he said with admiration. "He's solved cases no one else could make any headway on at all. If this case can be solved, he'll be the one to do it."
Quatre smiled at the blatant pride in Trowa's voice. "You really love your brother, don't you?"
"What's not to love?" Trowa quipped. "He's grouchy, bossy and opinionated--everything a brother should be."
"I--hope he won't be too stern with Duo," Quatre mused. "This is an awfully emotional situation--"
Trowa smirked knowingly. "Don't worry about how he'll act around Duo. Despite their rocky start, I think he's gotten quite fond of your friend."
"Oh. That's good," Quatre said with relief. "I know Duo would be happy to hear it."
"I expect he will," Trowa said mysteriously. "Heero may be slow to warm up to people. But once he does, they know exactly where they stand with him. He's nothing if not honest."
"That's a very good trait," Quatre beamed. "Especially when dealing with Duo. He's a straightforward kind of guy."
"Yeah, I got that," Trowa said with a chuckle. "That first day, when he brought the trunk down from the attic for me--I knew he was the type of person who's up front about things. And yesterday, when he and Heero were talking about Solo--hell, Duo just answered any questions without holding back." His mirth faded a bit. "I felt bad for him; he's had to put up with a lot of shit from folks around here, hasn't he?"
Quatre just snorted at the obvious.
"How about you? Do you get the same kind of flak?"
"Me?"
"For being gay. It's gotta be hard in a town like this."
"Ah--I'm not exactly sure anyone knows," Quatre said with a blush. "I mean, Hilde does. And a couple of others. But since I've lived here, I've never actually dated anyone."
"You haven't?" Trowa asked in genuine surprise. "But--I'd have thought they'd be lining up for a chance with you."
Quatre's blush deepened into a shade of red Trowa found quite endearing. "Well, the girls were."
"Oh. Awkward, huh?"
"Very."
"But how come you and Duo never got together--that way?"
Quatre sighed. "Neither one of us knew the other was gay at first, and by the time we did, we'd become pretty close friends. There just wasn't a romantic spark there, I guess."
Thank God for that!
Trowa's eyes took on a sort of calculating gleam. "So--how long have you lived here?"
"About five years."
Five years without a date--without sex.
"Damn."
Quatre shrugged, looking uncomfortably away. "It's not a big deal," he said casually. "I'm pretty busy, so there's not a lot of time for meeting people. And neither Duo nor I are into the bar scene. Besides, he's good company, and we've got a nice group of friends to hang out with. I hardly miss dating at all--"
"Bullshit," Trowa said with a grin. "I have friends too, and a great brother. But that didn't make me stop wanting--"
Quatre looked up with wide eyes. "Wanting--what?"
"--someone special," Trowa said very softly, looking deep into those aquamarine eyes.
"Oh."
Their near-moment was once again interrupted when the phone rang and both men nearly jumped out of their skins in surprise.
"Shit--I should get that!" Trowa stumbled back a step and then turned and went to answer the phone in the kitchen.
While he was gone, Quatre pulled himself back together, and scanned the piece of express mail so that when Trowa returned, he could at least finish the task he'd come there to complete.
Trowa came back a moment later, looking flustered. "I'm gonna have to cut this short, Quat," he said with obvious disappointment. "I've got Catherine waiting on the phone, and we need to talk awhile." He gestured to the piece of mail. "In fact, she was wondering if I had that paperwork yet."
Quatre held out the slip that needed Trowa's signature. "Good timing," he said with a grin.
Trowa signed the paper, and handed it back. "I--thanks for bringing this out," he said quickly. "This is your lunch break, isn't it? I should have fed you--"
"As a matter of fact," Quatre said, pouncing on the opportunity. "Since you fed me yesterday, I kind of hoped to return the favor. Could you and Heero maybe come to a cookout on Friday?"
"Ah, yeah. I think so," Trowa replied. "I'll run it by him--but I don't think he'll pass up the chance."
"The chance?"
Trowa rolled his eyes. "To see Duo again." He almost added the word "duh" at the end.
"Oh--so he likes him?" Quatre asked carefully.
This time Trowa did say it. "Duh."
Quatre smiled back. "That's good. Very good. So--how does six o'clock sound for dinner Friday? Duo and I will do the cooking, and you two just bring yourselves and a couple of healthy appetites."
"Sounds perfect." Trowa shifted the express mail from hand to hand, and then gestured back over his shoulder. "Phone call," he reminded Quatre.
"Yeah. Go ahead. I can find my way out."
Trowa headed back towards the kitchen, not without a longing glance over his shoulder, and Quatre smirked as he stepped out onto the porch. Not only had he enjoyed Trowa's company for a few minutes; he'd managed to parley it into a dinner date for the four of them.
Duo would be thrilled. At least, Quatre hoped so.
As he drove down the driveway, his conviction faltered a little. What if Heero was an unsympathetic ass, and things didn't go well today? Duo might not want to see him again at all.
Quatre frowned as concerns began to trickle into his head. And then he decided to swing by Beech Bluff on his way back to the office. Maybe if he could track down Duo and Heero, he could get a feel for how they were getting along, and whether a cookout was a good idea or not.
~*~
When they arrived at their destination, Heero and Duo parked by the road, and after making a quick call to tell Trowa of their change in plans, they headed up the wooded trail toward the overlook.
For his part, Duo was torn between excitement and dread as he wondered if it was the place Solo had died. It would be oddly appropriate, he thought, considering the time they'd spent there--but by the same token, he wasn't sure he'd ever be able to handle being there again.
"I--hey, I'm sorry to be taking up your whole afternoon like this," Heero spoke up. "It was just supposed to be a quick trip to the burial location--"
"It's okay," Duo assured him, glancing over a shoulder. "If it'll help you solve the murder, I'll do anything I can." He flashed a grin and a wink. "Besides, you're pretty good company."
Heero managed a smirk in return. "Likewise."
When they arrived at the overlook, Duo immediately headed for his favorite boulder, climbing up and taking in the view, while Heero took in the view of the braided man with the wind in his hair and the sun shining on his upturned face.
"Beautiful--" they said in unison.
Duo blinked and looked over at Heero, who was smiling sheepishly, for some reason.
"I love the view from up here," Duo explained.
"I can see why," Heero agreed, shifting his gaze to the vast expanse of glittering blue water far below them, ringed by green hills and sky.
"Feels like I'm on top of the world."
Heero looked sharply at him, tempted to ask if it was the contrast to his real life that Duo found appealing. It was pretty obvious that the man was near the bottom of the social spectrum in the close-knit town, even with his wide circle of friends. The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" was glaringly apparent, even from an outsider's perspective.
"So--where do we look for clues?" Duo asked, breaking into Heero's thoughts.
"You tell me. Where would Solo have been--on that same boulder?"
Duo shrugged. "Guess so. It's where we hung out--except we used to bring a blanket, cuz this cold stone is freakin' hard on the ass." He patted the flat granite affectionately. "We spent hours up here--talking about what we'd do with the rest of our lives when we got out of this godforsaken town."
"Just talking?" Heero teased, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
Duo blushed, looking down at his hands. "Mostly." He leaned back on the rock, rolling onto his side so he was facing Heero in a sort of reclining position, and giving him a conspiratorial smirk. "Maybe we kinda 'christened' the place, if ya know what I mean--"
"I get the idea," Heero said quickly, taking his turn at blushing.
Duo chuckled, lying back and looking up at the sky. "Wasn't really that big a deal," he said dismissively. "We were just kids--experimenting. 'S not like we even went 'all the way.' Never got the chance," he added rather wistfully.
"Exactly how old were you when Solo disappeared?"
"Fifteen--almost sixteen. He'd just turned eighteen a couple months earlier." Duo sighed. "That's why everyone figured he up an' took off--he'd talked about doin' it when he was eighteen." He shook his head. "I knew better, even if I started to doubt it years later. No matter how much we fought about him leaving, he wouldn't have taken off without at least a goodbye."
"I can't imagine him leaving you at all," Heero said absently, as he walked around the rock ledge looking for traces of anything that might constitute evidence.
Duo sat up sharply, looking intently at the back of Heero's head and waiting for him to realize what he'd said. But when the Japanese man didn't turn around or try to correct himself, Duo gave a small, smug smile. "Thanks, 'Ro," he said warmly. "It's nice of you to say that."
Heero finally did turn around, obviously replaying his last statement in his head, and then ducking his head in embarrassment, turning back to his examination of their surroundings. "Just stating the obvious," he shrugged.
"Right," Duo drawled skeptically, hopping off the boulder and joining Heero in his search for clues. "If you wanna find the stash of beer cans, try over behind that tree."
Heero followed his directions and, sure enough, located a convenient cavity between the tree and a rocky outcropping. There was an untouched six-pack tucked into the naturally cool cranny, and scattered beyond it were several empties. "I take it the local kids keep this stash."
"Yep. The ones that are too young to buy liquor pay the older kids to pick 'em up a six-pack and leave it here." Duo bent down and pulled the cans out from under the shelf. "Want one?"
"Aside from the fact that it could turn out to be evidence at some point, I'm more or less on duty," Heero reminded him.
"Oh yeah." Duo looked up from under his bangs. "I s'pose I just messed up any fingerprints on these."
Heero gave a tolerant smile. "Don't worry about it. These cans are far too new to have anything to do with the murder. We couldn't even begin to tie them to the crime. I'm more concerned with finding old discards that might date back a few years."
"Good." Duo pulled one can from the pack and popped it open. "Cuz I'm really thirsty." He sipped the beer, smirking mischievously over the can at the Japanese man.
Heero shook his head, and then his gaze lit on a pile of windblown debris. "That's more like it." He went to the pile and began picking through it, unearthing several broken bottles and crushed cans, as well as old, rotting food wrappers and bags. As he dug things out, he used a pen from his pocket to lift them from the rubble and set them aside.
Duo watched him with interest, drinking the beer while leaning against a tree trunk. "Y'think those will really help?"
"Maybe." Heero used his pen as a pointer to indicate one crushed and filthy beer can. "They don't make this brand any more. Haven't for five or six years. A fingerprint on this can would prove the identity of someone who came up here that long ago."
"Only if you've got a fingerprint to match it to," Duo pointed out. "What if it's someone who left town since then?"
Heero sat back on his haunches and looked up at Duo with a scowl. "Do you really need to do that?"
"Do what?"
"Have such a defeatist attitude." The frown deepened. "This is going to be hard enough, without you shoving my face in the fact that it might be impossible."
The braided man gaped at his bitter tone, and then shook his head. "I didn't mean to. God, 'Ro, I know what you're up against. Believe me; I do. I was just--makin' conversation. I didn't mean to shoot you down or anything."
Heero raked a hand across his face, letting out an explosive sigh and shaking his head. "You didn't," he admitted. "It's just--hitting home with me how difficult this is going to be--with so many years gone by, we may never know the truth." Then he looked up at Duo, his emotions swirling plainly in the blue eyes. "I want so much to find answers for you. It's not just about solving a crime; it's about finding Solo's murderer. For you," he added quietly.
Duo set aside his beer and dropped to his knees beside Heero, throwing his arms around the Japanese man and kissing him squarely on the lips.
Heero didn't hesitate either, but returned the embrace and deepened the kiss, savoring the taste of beer and Duo, mixed in equal parts.
They ended up more or less crawling over one another, until they were prone on the leaf litter and the small patch of grass growing in the shallow dirt atop the rock ledge.
"Oh God," Duo gasped, as Heero's hips ground against his and he felt the hardness pressing against his own. "Please--"
Heero pulled back panting and swallowed, licking his lips. "W-we shouldn't--" he managed hoarsely.
"Shouldn't what?" Duo asked breathlessly, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him back down for another kiss.
Heero groaned helplessly, surrendering to the delicious sensation of Duo's lips against his, and savoring the feel of the lean body underneath him. Duo hooked a leg around the back of Heero's and pulled him even closer.
They both lost track of time for a bit, much too busy enjoying their tactile explorations. Despite being thoroughly engaged in an ongoing kiss, which was only interrupted for the occasional desperate gasp for air, they both managed to tug shirts free from pants and find bare flesh to touch.
Of course, that led to the unbuttoning of jeans and the finding of even more enticing flesh to stroke.
And that pleasant occupation might have gone on indefinitely except that, over the sound of his own harsh panting, Heero very distinctly heard someone clearing a throat--behind him.
"Ahem. Duo? Is that you under one of our customers?"
Duo froze for an instant, and then began trying to disentangle himself from his almost-lover. "Quat? What the fuck, man?"
"Interesting choice of words," Quatre said coldly, leaning back against a tree with his arms crossed, while Duo and Heero rolled clear of each other and fumbled to tuck in shirts and zip up pants, both blushing furiously.
"I stopped by the Barton place to drop off a late piece of express mail that came in, and Trowa mentioned you two had headed up here to look for clues." He arched an eyebrow at Duo. "Did you think Heero might find them in your pants?"
The braided man's flush grew deeper, and he actually hung his head, while Heero finally managed to stand up and turn to face Quatre. "It's not his fault," he offered lamely.
"No, I don't imagine it is," came a chilly response. "I've known Duo a long, long time, and to the best of my recollection, he's never been a slut."
Heero's eyes flashed. "He's still not!" he growled angrily. "We just--got a little carried away." Well, that was the understatement of the year...
"Yes, well, before you carry him any further, maybe you should actually get to know him a bit!"
"I do know him," Heero insisted. "He's an intelligent, gorgeous guy with a great sense of humor. And whether you believe it or not, I care."
"Then prove it, and slow the fuck down!" Quatre retorted. "Or don't you care that he's in a vulnerable frame of mind right now?"
"Hey, I'm right here guys," Duo muttered, looking up from where he still sat on the ground trying to gather his thoughts.
"I know he's vulnerable," Heero snarled back. "That's part of what drew me to him--wanting to make things right, and help him find answers--to see a smile on that face again, instead of the lost look he's had ever since we found that damned skeleton!"
"Yes, well, that skeleton was the only boyfriend he's ever had, you know. So maybe before you go taking his virginity, you should stop and think about what that means to him--"
"Quat!" Duo yelped, standing up quickly and stepping between him and Heero. "Jesus fucking Christ, that's personal! Keep your mouth shut!" he ordered, glaring at his friend. He was beginning to feel like the blush on his face might be permanent--whether from anger or mortification.
Then he felt Heero's hand settle on his shoulder from behind, and the anger drained away, leaving only the embarrassment. "Goddamn--" he sighed.
"I'm sorry," Heero whispered, easing closer and wrapping an arm around his waist. "I was rushing you, wasn't I?"
Duo shook his head and shrugged at the same time. "M-maybe. I dunno," he mumbled.
"Yeah, I was rushing things," Heero insisted in a soft, contrite whisper. "You just drive me crazy," he admitted, enjoying the way Duo shivered in his arms when he breathed those words on his neck.
"Same here," Duo sighed, leaning his head back against Heero's shoulder and leveling a stern glare on his scowling boss. "I know you're just worried about me, Quat. But I'm a big kid, an' I'm not totally stupid, okay? Heero's a great guy, an' I trust him not to--take advantage." He turned so he could brush his lips over Heero's cheek as he spoke. "He hasn't done anything I didn't want him to do. Hell, I was practically beggin' for it--"
"You never have to beg, Duo," Heero murmured back, totally ignoring Quatre. "You deserve all that you want--especially respect and love."
Quatre rolled his eyes. "Yes, well, in spite of all the mushy talk, I think it's a bit soon for you two to be getting 'carried away.'" He softened the rebuke with such a look of sincerity and concern that even Duo couldn't maintain his scowl. "There's no rush, you know. It's okay for you two to take the time to get to really know one another."
Heero's grip around Duo's waist tightened fractionally, as he recalled that his leave of absence would eventually come to an end, and he'd have to decide whether to go back to Sanc and resume his duties. But that wasn't something he wanted Duo worrying about, on top of all his other concerns. "He's right," he told the braided man. "And I do want us to take our time--to learn more about each other--before we take any--major steps."
"Yeah, well, maybe you haven't been celibate long enough then," Duo mumbled under his breath, trying to squelch his lingering desire.
"What?"
"Nothing." Duo tugged free of Heero's embrace and walked back towards the overlook, while Quatre faced off with the Japanese man.
"So--did you actually look for clues up here?" asked the blonde rather tartly.
"Yes, and we found some," Heero replied flatly. "I'll take a walk back down to the car and grab some plastic bags to put a few of these old bottles and cans into, and see if Chang's lab can come up with any fingerprints or possible links to a murder." He brushed past the postmaster and headed down the trail, while Quatre turned and followed Duo up to the ledge.
"I'd say I'm sorry for interrupting," Quatre told Duo's back. "But I'm not."
"I know," came a rather sour response.
"I only have your best interests at heart--"
"I know," came a sharper reply. "Just--drop it for now, okay? Maybe we were getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but I really like Heero. And I'm really tired of being alone. It felt nice just to be--touched."
"If that's all it was, I might've just turned and left without butting in. But it looked like he was headed for a lot more than simple 'touching,' Duo."
Indigo eyes shot him a rather peevish look over a shoulder. "Yeah, well, I guess we'll never know, now will we?"
"Oh for--" Quatre threw his arms to the sides in surrender. "Fine! I'm sorry I kept you from throwing away your virginity, okay? Next time you wanna let a near-stranger fuck you out in the woods, I'll just keep my mouth shut and go away! How's that?"
"It'd be a refreshing change from the lecture."
Quatre's eyes narrowed and he finally turned on his heel and stalked away down the hill, passing Heero without a word, as the other man was headed back up with a handful of plastic sandwich bags.
When Heero reached the top of the hill, Duo was still standing looking out over the reservoir, with his arms wrapped around himself as if chilled.
"Duo--?"
The braided man turned, managing a wan smile.
"Where'd your boss go?" Heero asked.
"I pissed him off, so he left," Duo admitted, looking vaguely guilty. He glanced warily at Heero, halfway wondering if the other man would offer to pick up where they left off.
Instead, Heero sighed, walking over and just wrapping an arm loosely around his waist. "I know you were embarrassed," he said quietly. "But maybe it's good that he showed up when he did. I don't know if I'd have had enough self-control otherwise. And us having sex right now could've been a big mistake. I meant what I said about wanting to get to know each other. I don't enter relationships lightly--especially not ones I hope to make--long-term."
Duo looked up sharply, a faint smile breaking through the stormy look on his face. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah." Heero's eyes warmed.
"Long-term? Really?"
"I--think so," Heero said with just a trace of hesitation. "And I think we should know before we jump into anything, don't you?"
"I--guess." Duo admitted. "But this feels right to me."
"To me, too. But so does waiting a little bit--until the case is resolved and you actually have some kind of true closure. Then I'll know if your interest in me is genuine, or just a result of what you're going through right now. I don't want to take advantage."
"'Ro, I was interested in you the moment I laid eyes on you at the post office that day," Duo asserted. "Believe me, it's genuine."
Heero gave him a warm smile. "I believe you. But Quatre had a valid point. You are emotionally vulnerable right now. And I would hate for you to ever feel like I pushed you into something you weren't ready for. I can be patient."
"But if the case drags on--" Duo began, looking searchingly into Heero's eyes and wondering how long the gorgeous guy would hang on.
"I have a feeling you'll be worth the wait," Heero said with a smile. "And I am willing to wait."
Duo smiled back, the tension easing from his lean frame. "You, Heero Yuy, are a helluva guy, y'know."
"So are you. And I don't ever want to see you sell yourself short again. Like I said, you are smart, funny, handsome--and you deserve way better than you've gotten out of life so far." Heero brushed the chestnut bangs back and dropped a chaste kiss on Duo's forehead. "I intend to see that you get it."
TBC...
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