Author: Sorceress Fantasia
Warnings: Heero POV, fluff, some sap, AU (Our world and time)
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: 1+2
Disclaimer: I wanted to ask Santa to give me the GW boys as a Christmas present, but when I looked at the calendar, I noticed that it was only April. So I'm still waiting for December to arrive. In the meantime, I'm gonna be a nice little kid and say that the GW boys do not belong to me. Any movies mentioned aren't mine either. The story is though.
Thanks to Dark Tenchi for beta-ing!
Seventh Heaven Series Part 15
Their Second Date
Queen Plaza. Unless those big, golden letters were plucked from somewhere else and placed here, I'm at the right place. 12.45 pm. I stare at my watch. Last night, I went around my apartment, comparing the time on my watch and the clocks and Hilde's watches to make sure mine was accurate. In fact, I called Trowa and asked him for the time. So yeah, I'm sure I'm early. It really won't give him a good impression if I turn up late.
I was so excited about today that I couldn't fall asleep last night. Of course, that resulted in me nearly cursing my alarm clock for not waking me up at 10am. Luckily, Queen Plaza is just a neighbourhood shopping complex, so it's just within walking distance from my place. Otherwise, I'd have been very late.
I look around. No, Duo's not here yet. But of course: I'm fifteen minutes early. Zechs told me that if I'm going out on a movie date with Duo, and I want to impress him, I should arrive early and get the tickets, popcorn and other snacks all ready. Good suggestion; I think I'll go queue up for the snacks now.
The last time I caught a movie in the cinema was like... 3 years ago. In the course of 3 years, how had the price of popcorn managed to shoot up this much? The locusts must have gobbled up the cornfields. Or something like that. Geez.
Anyway, I get to the front of the queue in minutes.
"I want..." I start, but I suddenly recall that I've no idea what Duo likes. I've completely no idea what his preferences are when it comes to movie snacks (in fact, I'm still trying to make out his preferences for a lot of things). It might be better if I just wait for him and ask him instead. However, this is a good opportunity for me to try and guess what he'd want. If he likes what I choose, shouldn't that at least prove that I know him a little more than I did when we went out for our first date?
"Yes, sir? What do you want?" the girl behind the counter prompts, subtly raising an eyebrow at the queue of people behind me.
In my daydreaming, I had forgotten I was still queuing up. Thank god Duo's not here to see this...
"A medium sized popcorn. Make it salty. And two regular sized coca cola, and..." I reply, eyes darting around the shelves. My eyes land on something, and a sudden urge overwhelms me. "...a bar of Mars chocolate."
The girl nods, keys a few buttons on the cash register and moves away to get my orders. She comes back much faster than I give her credit for, and I hand over the cash. Carrying all my stuff in my arms, I leave the counter and sit down on a nearby bench. All that stuff is a little hard to carry around.
Putting the bag of popcorn and the beverage beside me, I stare at the Mars bar in my hand. What was I thinking? Give this to Duo, and it'd feel like he's eating himself up. Eating himself... Bad Heero! Bad! Bad! Bad! My god... If Duo eats this, I know I'll be dreaming of it for days. Dreaming? Make that fantasizing. And Hilde'll kill me for all the dirty laundry she'd have to do.
I sigh, reluctantly looking up again. I think I actually punched myself or something during my mental chastising... The people around are looking at me strangely, like they have the urge or social obligation to ring up the nearest asylum. That might be a good idea; I feel like knocking my head into the wall anyway. The cushioned walls might just save my life.
Well, there's this one guy who is looking at me differently. You know, that look of understanding and the sympathy's coming out in waves? Right, that type. With a slight shaking of his head, he walks over to me.
I blink, and wait. In but five strides, he's beside me.
"First date?" One sympathy tsunami, coming right up. I think I can just drown.
"...No."
"Second date then!" The man laughs, patting me on my back. "Don't worry, kid. I used to have the same problem."
"What problem?"
"Oh, don't pretend! I know what you were thinking! You must have thought, 'Gosh! Should I hold her hand later? Can I put my arm around her waist? Will I be overstepping the borders if I do this, or do that...' But really kid, looking at a bar of chocolate and thinking dirty thoughts so soon is kinda..."
"How did you-?" I slap a hand over my uncooperative, big mouth. It seems that Hilde isn't the only one who can't keep her mouth shut. Maybe running off at the mouth is something that runs in my family. Heh, is that a pun?
He laughs. "Well, the blush on your face earlier just gave it away. Besides, a nice guy will beat himself up if he thinks of... 'dirty' thoughts. Anyway, like I said, you don't have to worry. Things will progress by itself if it's meant to be. Like me and my girl."
"What... happened?"
"I was like you, not knowing how to treat her on our first few dates. I wanted to hold her hand, but I didn't dare to reach out. When we were about to cross the road, she reached out for my hand and told me that it was safer to cross the road that way. Oh, I thought that she was treating me like a kid. It was embarrassing. Still, I didn't shake her hand off or anything. And even when we were on the other side of the road, we didn't let go," he replies, smiling a happy little smile at the memory.
"Just remember kid. If it's meant to happen, it will. Don't think too much about it, or you'll give yourself a headache."
I grin. "Speaking from first hand experience?"
He grins back. "Maybe? I'm not gonna tell! Ah, my girl is here. Gotta go!" And he leaves, walking up to a woman who's just arrived. With a slight kiss, he wraps an arm around her waist, and gently leads her away. I can't help but notice just how their bodies seem to meld together.
As they enter the theatre, I hear the girl asking her boyfriend just who was that teenager he was talking to. I can't catch his reply, but I can just imagine him telling her that I'm his good deed for the day. I really do feel calmer now.
Closing my eyes, I envision it. I'm waiting for Duo somewhere, anywhere, and he appears, looking perfect as usual. He walks up to me, gives me a peck on my cheek, and hugs me. I hug him back, and pull him closer with my arms. Then, taking his hand, we walk off to wherever we're dating.
It's a lovely vision. Hopefully, that'll come true one day.
"Hey! What're you thinking?"
I'm snapped back to reality at the sound of that voice. "Duo?"
"Of course! Unless you're expecting someone else?" He smirks.
"No! Of course not!" I almost stutter. Duo looks wonderful today. I think he's the only one who can make a pair of jeans and a t-shirt look special. He's breathtaking. Wait, I think that can go into my 'confession list', the one Quatre made me start last night. I can't breathe, because the sight of you takes my breath away. I mentally file that away.
"Hey, is that a Mars bar you've got in your hands?"
"Yeah... You want it?" I offer, remembering that he'd mentioned that he adored the chocolate on our first dinner date. I'm masochistic, I know. At most, I'll do the laundry the next few days. Or for as long as the fantasy stays in my mind.
"Thanks! I love Mars chocolate!" he exclaims, and takes the bar. "So are we gonna catch a movie now?"
I nod a little too zealously; it feels like my head's going to drop off. "So... which movie do you want to watch? There's quite a few to choose from."
Duo glances around the cinema, eyes darting from one movie poster to another. As he ponders my question, he bites his bottom lip and his eyes dance with hardly-contained excitement. It is, like all of his other expressions, a particularly endearing one.
The way he looks... I feel like grabbing his hand right now. Or perhaps even more, if he'd let me. God... let Duo choose some horror movie that is so terrifying it'll make his hair stand up on end. And hopefully, he'll jump into my arms when the zombie jumps at the screen.
"Do you go for comedies?"
Bye bye fantasy. "Yeah."
"Why don't we watch 'Johnny English' (1)? You know, that spoof of a secret agent movie? I think it'll be funny. Besides, the next show opens in five minutes. We'll make it just in time."
Even if Duo told me that he wants to watch a Pokemon movie, I'll still go over the moon and say 'yes'. So of course, I agree to the secret agent movie, even though I'd much rather watch a horror flick with him. At least, I console myself, I won't be subjected to the torturous sight of a big, yellow lump of fur throwing electricity around (2).
Quickly, we purchase our tickets and enter the theatre with our snacks. Duo had thanked me for my thoughtfulness at getting the popcorn and drinks early, and flashed me a dazzling smile. It almost makes up for not watching a horror flick. Anyway, we settle into our seats and wait for the show to start.
Unfortunately, though expectedly, the obligatory commercials roll across the screen. I glance at him; the light from the screen lit up his features in a very nice way, and I find myself momentarily dazed. If Duo hadn't turn to face me, I think I could as well have missed the entire movie and still not notice it.
"Is there anything you need, Heero?" he whispers, lips precariously close to my face.
"Err... why don't you have some popcorn?" I reply, reminding myself that Duo is just being considerate by keeping his volume down inside a theatre. Leaning in close to me is just his thoughtfulness.
He frowns a little, and I get worried. Did I do anything wrong? But then he smiles, and nods.
"Okay." He reaches for one popcorn and pops it into his mouth. "I think the girl at the counter likes you; she put quite a bit of butter in there."
"You don't like it?"
"Oh no! Popcorn without butter is like pancakes without syrup. It's nice! You should try some yourself."
I try a piece. "It's good."
"Of course it is."
I want to answer, but the opening music of the movie strums up and I quickly turn my attention back to the movie; I'm sure Duo wouldn't like it if I spent all my time gawking at him, even though the thought is pretty tempting.
*****
"The movie's pretty funny, isn't it?" Duo asks gamely, as we leave the cinema. "I thought the coronation part was hilarious, although it's quite lame. What do you think?"
"... It was... stupid."
"Exactly! Gosh, if I ever become a secret agent or a fighter for peace, I'll do so much better than him."
In all honestly, I hadn't paid much attention to that part of the movie. In fact, I didn't even know there was such a scene. There're many reasons for my inattentiveness. But the biggest, most important reason is because Duo started to eat his Mars bar halfway into the movie. My god... the way his tongue flicked over the chocolate and the way he licked the half-melted chocolate on his lips... and the little sounds of satisfaction flowing from his mouth...
I can just see Hilde throwing my bed sheets back at me, yelling at me to wash them myself. I might need to pick up some more washing detergent on my way home later.
"Heero! Earth to Heero! Yo!"
Belatedly, I notice something moving up and down before my eyes.
"...Sorry, Duo. I was just thinking."
He sniggered. "Enjoyed the little trip in space while you were spaced out?"
I blush.
"So... are you going anywhere now? I've got a little chore to do at home, so I've gotta run."
"So early?"
"Well, we could always... hang out together again."
"Yeah, we could..." I reply, feeling somewhat dejected already. I wanted to ask him out for dinner. Suddenly, a thought comes to me and I perk up. "Let me send you home!"
He stares at me, wide eyed. But a chuckle breaks the tension quick enough. "Sure! And don't worry; my brother won't be home this early."
We both laugh at that, and slowly stroll towards his place. As we walk, we also chat a little more about ourselves. I tell him about Quatre's obsession with computer games, and how he'd bought a Japanese imported game without understanding the language. Duo then laughingly replies that he's in quite a similar situation, but his brother helps him out with the text and all.
As we round a corner, a road looms into sight. It might be a good opportunity to grab Duo's hand. But suddenly, the man's words come back to me. Things will progress by itself if it's meant to be. I smile inwardly; I shouldn't rush things. Apparently, Duo doesn't think so.
His hand slides into mine and grabs firmly. When I stare at him, he flushes faintly.
"Sorry... I did some voluntary work during the summer holidays for some young children... and I'm supposed to grab their hands whenever we have to cross the road. I'm too used to it, I guess," he explains, hand slowly leaving mine.
But I hold on tightly. "Lead me across then, Duo." I smirk at him, almost as if I'm daring him. Of course, my mind's all a twitter, hoping desperately that he'll play along with me.
He blinks for a moment, but a glimmer of mischief appears in his eyes. "Why not?"
So we cross the road with our hands intertwined, and I must say that his hands are the warmest I've ever felt. Warm, soft and smooth. I like it. And for a moment, I worry that he'll want to pull away. I know I should let him too; things will progress if it's meant to be. But really, I'd much prefer following my father's best piece of advice: follow your emotions.
Instead of releasing his hand, I grab it even tighter. "Since you've led me across the busy road, you should be a nice guy and lead me to the end, you know."
He laughs. "Of course! I can't very well leave things done half-way!"
And we continue strolling and conversing. If anyone were to see us now, perhaps they'd think that we're a couple going out on a date. I sure feel like I'm playing the part.
Soon, we reach the park. Yes, THE park. The park where I first took Duo's picture, the park where I met him when he was walking his dog. The park. Suddenly, I'm reminded of the camera in my backpack. Treize's words yesterday reminded me that I want a photo of Duo. A real photo. One where I can see his face properly.
"Duo?"
"Yea?"
"Can I... take some photos of you?"
"Now? Here? But why?"
"Because... I want to. I like photography, but I've never found a suitable model. You are... perfect."
He doesn't catch the underlying meaning of my words. He considers my proposition for a moment, silently, and finally nods.
"Ok."
That afternoon, with every flash of my camera, my heart pounded. Duo's every smile, every twinkling of his eyes, every whipping wisp of hair... I captured. And kept. For remembrance's sake, we approached a passerby and sought her help in getting a photo together.
When the roll of film ran out, I took his hand again and walked him back to the bottom of his apartment. I would love to tell my friends that I kissed him goodbye and left, but I did not.
I merely offered him a smile, and a promise to show him the photos the next time we dated.
As strange as it sounds, it was enough. For now.
OWARI
(1) This has got to be one of the lamest movies I've ever watched, but at least I had a great laugh at the theatre. Some parts are pretty funny. Anyway, I don't lay claim to it.
(2) Can you tell that I'm not really fond of Pokemon?
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