disclaimer: the boys aren't mine. i just manipulate them for my own personal enjoyment.

rating: *this fic is not yet rated*
feedback: it's necessary to live...so, yes!
warnings for entire fic: shounen-ai/yaoi, angst, duo/heero torture, language, sap, small lemon-ish spots(?), AU (AC 200)
spoilers: none
pairings: odd....can't explain but it involves heero and duo and 3X4 implied.

notes: another one that came to me in dreamscape. yes, i know, i have weird dreams. you should see what happens after i eat pepperoni pizza ^_~

//heero's thoughts//
:: duo's thoughts ::


momentary lapse of reason
part 34


The memory and mood of Duo's earlier outburst faded rather quickly and neither one of them made reference to it as morning turned to afternoon. Heero had come to the conclusion that it was a much needed emotional release and sensed that Duo was quite relieved at having gotten the growing anger out of his system. The braided young man wasn't the only one feeling the pressure lifted.

Ever since he'd arrived and Duo had questioned him about his long hidden emotions and ensuing actions, Heero had been on edge waiting for the second shoe to drop; he knew there had to be more to their confrontation... this morning was an monumental step. It seemed that the two had succeeded in laying everything out on the table and now were ready for the healing process to begin.

+++++++

"There is surprisingly little here I miss." Heero commented as he stood in the center of his bedroom. Looking down at the one small box he had barely managed to fill, his eyes turned toward Duo who sat quietly on the edge of the bed.

Making his way to where Duo sat, Heero smiled and lifted his chin. "I didn't mean you."

Duo looked up. "I know." he replied, his expression still solemn. "But it's nice to hear you say it anyway." he smiled weakly up at Heero.

Heero looked down at his watch. "It's almost 3:00. I have to be leaving soon. Are you sure you don't mind taking this to the post office tomorrow?"

"No problem, Heero."

Sealing the box, Heero neatly printed his address and Duo's return address on it and set it down in the center of his dresser. "We've an hour and half hour left. Do you want to...." he started, turning to address Duo. Shaking his head slightly, Heero crossed the room and covered the sleeping young man with a light blanket, kissing him gently on the cheek. "Oh, Duo... What am I going to do with you?" he mused as he looked down at him. A smile worked its way onto his face as he answered his own question.

++++++++++

Duo's rest had a significant impact on his demeanor; he woke with a smile to Heero's soft voice. "I guess I was tired." he winked, stretching before bringing himself to the edge of the bed. "Time to go?" he asked, yawning as he looked over at the clock.

Heero nodded. "It's almost 4:30. I can take the bus back."

Duo stood. "Nah. I'll be fine in a few minutes. Be right out." he smiled, closing the bathroom door.

Heero let out a sigh of relief; Duo's willingness to drive him back to the hotel would give him the oppportunity he was looking for.

+++++++++

As hoped, Duo had cheerfully accepted his invitation to dinner. Heero had chosen a small, out of the way restaurant that wasn't likely to be busy on a Saturday night; leaving them sufficient time to linger and talk after their meal.

"Do you have to go back right away?" Heero asked as he dismounted the bike outside the hotel.

"Nope. Have no plans for the evening." Duo returned.

"Want to come up for a while? Maybe watch a movie?" He asked.

"Sure." Duo smiled. "I'll go park the bike and meet you back here."

+++++++++

Duo sat in one of the chairs by the window and unlaced his high top boots, setting them neatly under the table. "Anything in particular you wanna watch?" he called, his voice loud as he called to Heero through the bathroom door.

"Don't care. You pick something." Heero returned at an equally high volume, ensuring Duo could hear him over the running water.

Duo removed his leather jacket and draped it over the back of the chair before throwing himself down onto the bed with a loud sigh. Lying with his legs crossed at the ankles, Duo positioned a pillow behind him and leaned back against it.

Heero looked across the room from the now open doorway of the bathroom, "You look comfy." he smiled, toeing off his shoes as he entered the room.

"I am." Duo grinned, pulling the pillow next to him out from under the bedspread. "Join me?" he asked, propping the pillow up against the headboard.

Heero sat hesitantly on the opposite side of the bed before moving to sit next to Duo. He stretched his legs out and lay back against the pillow; wondering if their close proximity on the bed was causing Duo to have thoughts similar to his.

+++++++++

Duo's choice of entertainment for the evening had been a good one. Heero enjoyed it for the most part, though he lost concentration when Duo reached out to hold his hand about half way through it. He had, of course, not rejected the offer, thought it was more than mildy distracting. When the movie ended, their hands were still clasped tightly together on the bed between them.

Duo grabbed the remote control with his free hand and pointed it at the television. The room quieted as the screen blanked and the two turned toward one another.

"I'm leaving tomorrow night."

Duo closed his eyes and nodded, opening them almost immediately to look at Heero. "I don't want you to leave again, Heero." Duo told him, squeezing his hand as he spoke.

"I'm not welcome here." Heero reminded Duo.

"I know. You have a job and stuff to get back to anyway." Duo returned.

Heero nodded and releasing Duo's hand stood beside the bed. "Why don't you come and spend some time with me out in California, Duo? You could certainly use a vacation."

Duo's smile was wide, though his apprehension was still visible through it. "I don't want to get in the way."

"You won't be in the way, baka." Heero returned, grinning at Duo's wide smile at his use of the word. "I have to go to work, but there's plenty of stuff you can do in the area during the day. I can make you a list. What do you say?"

Duo stood and nodded. "Yeah. I think I'd like that, Heero."

"Good." Heero smiled. "Let's see if we can book you a flight."

Sitting at the table, Heero logged onto the net and brought up the schedule of flights leaving New York for California in the next few days. Scrolling down through the long list, Heero paused and looked up at Duo. "Can you be ready by tomorrow at 3? There are still seats left on my flight."

Duo nodded emphatically.

"Great." Heero replied, looking back down at the screen. "Return flight for next Saturday okay?"

"Perfect." Duo smiled.

Heero ordered the roundtrip ticket and waiting just moments for the confirming email, jotted the necessary information down and logged off. "All set." he smiled looking over at Duo. Heero stood and crossed the room, stopping several feet from where Duo was standing. His voice suddenly took on a serious tone "What are you going to tell them, Duo?"

Duo took two steps toward Heero and wrapped both arms around his waist. "That my Prince Charming has finally showed up and is dragging me off to California with him." Duo replied in a high pitched voice, his hand clutching at his chest to further the effect.

The two laughed loudly and Heero lifted his arms to surround Duo in return and placed a gentle kiss Duo's forehead, allowing his lips to remain there. He closed his eyes as Duo tightened the embrace for just a moment before breaking it. "I should be going. It's 11:00 and I have some packing to do." He smiled faintly.

Heero stepped back. "I'll call you in the morning, okay?"

"Yeah. Are you sure about this, Heero?" Duo asked with uncertainty.

Heero nodded. "I am, but if you're not....."

"I'm very sure, Heero." Duo smiled widely.

Slipping his jacket back on and grabbing the two helmets, the pair made their way down to the parking garage.

"Talk to you around 10:00, too early?" Heero asked.

"Anytime is fine. I don't think I'll be getting too much sleep tonight." He replied, starting the engine. "Night, Heero. See you tomorrow." he added, lowering his visor.

Heero nodded and watched him drive off. "Night Duo."

+++++++++

Quatre lie in his bed awake long after his lover had fallen asleep. His thoughts were drawn to Duo and all that had happened amongst the five in the past few days; the blonde was not proud of his behavior as he looked back on it. He had barely given Heero a chance to talk before practically jumping down his throat. It was apparent that Duo had been able to work through enough of the issues he had with Heero to allow some type of healing to begin. His actions toward their former friend not only put more distance between them, but had angered the very person he had sought to protect in the first place. Duo had every right to be angry with him for a host of reasons.

Quatre frowned. "How am I ever going to be able to make this up to him... up to them."

++++++++

Duo returned home and set his alarm for 8:00. He was too tired to pack tonight and having made his position clear the night before, Duo planned to let his friends know he was leaving out of courtesy more than anything else. He knew they would give him no resistance and hoped that his elation regarding the trip would allow each of them a clearer understanding that things between himself and Heero were finally headed in the right direction; hoping they would follow suit.

Settling himself into bed, Duo turned out the light and brought the mountain of blankets up over himself; thoughts of his soon-to-be lover sending him off into one of the first good night's sleep he'd had in ages.

++++++++

Any doubts that Heero had over his decision to invite Duo to stay with him had vanished at the look in the braided young man's violet eyes. He hadn't been entirely sure how Duo would react to his idea; his response regarding how he planned on telling the others still surprising him. Heero chuckled as thought back to the squeal in Duo's voice as he spoke. It had succeeded in making levity of his words, but Heero's soft kiss and the embrace that followed sent the appropriate message; they were both quite serious about taking things to the next level.

Heero covered himself with a thin sheet and rolled over to hit the switch on the wall, throwing the room into total darkness; thoughts of his soon-to-be lover sending him off into one of the first good night's sleep he'd had in ages.

on to part 35

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