momentary lapse of reason
part 29
Quatre nervously paced the room that he and Trowa shared. "That really didn't go too well, did it?" he asked. Trowa understood that his lover was not looking for an answer. "Heero had such bad timing! Why tonight of all nights?"
Trowa had already lectured his lover at length about his actions and now was not the time for further scorn. "Calm down, little one. Things will be settled soon enough." Trowa started. "I'm sure that Duo will be pounding the door down looking for a piece of your ass once he is done talking with Heero."
Quatre looked over to find Trowa smiling toward him.
"TROWA!" the blonde smiled. "that was no help at all."
Crossing the room, Trowa's arms surrounded the blonde's tiny waist, "Sure it was." he whispered, kissing the top of his head, "It made you smile."
+++++++
Sitting down on the edge of his bed, Duo began working the fingers of both hands through his hair. The activity didn't require much in the way of thought and he directed his focus elsewhere.
"Quatre.... man...... what the hell was he thinking?" The more Duo thought about what his friend did, the angrier he became. He thought about the last month and the hell he had been through since the connection had been severed, knowing it all could have been avoided. Bringing his arm down, he gripped his forearm through the sleeve of his shirt. "He knew the way this whole Heero mess was affecting me. Why didn't he tell me?" Duo frowned. He could not answer the question, no one could but Quatre himself and Duo was in too good of a mood to confront his friend at the moment.
++++++
Heero wondered whether Duo had told the others that he would be arriving in the morning. Making his way over to the computer to contact Duo about it, Heero stopped. He had no clue as to the situation with the others back in New York. While he would prefer that Duo didn't mention anything about his visit, he decided to leave that decision solely up to Duo.
++++++
Mindlessly working through his knotted and tangled hair, Duo's thoughts switched back and forth between Quatre and Heero. One making him incredibly miserable, the other nearly causing him to squeal with delight. Pushing all thoughts of Quatre's deeds out of his mind to deal with at a later time, Duo stood. "Conditioner should get the rest out."
He looked at the clock on his nightstand. 12:30 a.m. "Too late to tell anyone that Heero will be here in the morning." Duo mused. "Probably for the best anyway. We need some time alone."
Making his way into the bathroom, Duo turned the water on, stripped and stepped into the steamy shower.
++++++
Shortly after midnight, Quatre had finally relaxed, knowing that his confrontation with Duo would be delayed until at least tomorrow night. He had decided it best that he return to work in the morning, certain that Duo would find no comfort in his company. While he didn't particularly like the idea of having the unknown hanging over his head for another day, the time would hopefully allow Duo to cool down a bit before the much needed and dreaded conversation. Curling up beside his already sleeping lover, Quatre draped his arm around Trowa and pulling himself toward him, fell into sleep.
++++++
Heero picked up the leather bag containing laptop and laid the thick padded strap of his overnight bag on his shoulder. Grabbing the car keys from the kitchen counter, he looked around the small lonely apartment he had lived in for the past year. Stepping out into the hallway, Heero closed and locked the heavy door behind him. He hoped this trip would mark the beginning of the end of his solitary life.
It was 1:00 a.m. when Heero turned the engine of his Ferrari over, he was right on schedule. He settled back into the cushioned leather seat and closed his eyes. Seven more hours and he would be standing face to face with Duo, the prospect sending a shiver of fear as well as a tingle of delight through the cobalt-eyed young man.
++++++
Duo was too nervous to relax and he paced his room for several minutes thinking about the upcoming encounter. He wasn't sure what time Heero would be arriving, there hadn't seemed the need for such petty details when they spoke. Hearing movement in the house, Duo looked over at his clock.
:: 6:00 hopefully just a few more hours ::
His stomach growled and he smiled into the empty room at the sound. He knew the others would question the fact that he was up and dressed at such an early hour. He needed stifle his hunger for another hour and a half or risk his time alone with Heero. There was no contest and Duo sought out something that might sufficiently distract him for the next few hours.
Glancing over at his computer, Duo eyed the small green light at the bottom of his screen willing it to flash. He was certain that Heero wouldn't leave home without his laptop; then again, he was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to use it during the flight.
Sitting down at his desk, Duo started a game of FreeCell.
++++++
The flight to New York was smooth and while Heero tried to get some sleep, his mind would not let him relax. He did however have plenty of time to think about Duo. He wasn't exactly sure what to expect when he got there, the two not having discussed it. Heero was elated that Duo was anxious to see him and he knew that the worst-case scenario included having Duo back as his best friend.
// a pretty damn good worst case //
He smiled inwardly.
Heero's thoughts then turned to the one thing he had not allowed himself to think about for the longest time.... the possibility that their relationship could grow into something more. He lay back and delighted in the few faded memories his subconscious brought up of having Duo cradled in his arms and of the kisses they had shared. He had the opportunity several times while Duo was recovering, but he wanted a chance to hold him that way again... he needed that chance..... but it was more than that too.
What Heero Yuy wanted was to unleash the passion he had harboured for Duo Maxwell and to have that love returned. He was closer to the reality of it now than he ever dreamed possible.
+++++++
Duo rose and went into the bathroom, standing before the full-length mirror for the 10th time in the past hour. He smiled back at his reflection, combing his fingers through his bangs. While he was thin and slightly pale, his violet eyes were filled with a sparkle that he could not recalling seeing in them for the longest time, as a matter of fact, he was quite sure they ever shone quite this brightly before. Widening his smile, Duo returned to sit at his desk.
+++++++
Heero grabbed his bags from the overhead baggage compartment and headed for the plane's exit. Making his way into the huge terminal at LaGuardia Airport, Heero frowned at the long lines at each of the car rental counters.
// damn. it's gonna take me an hour just to rent a car //
Making his way through the automatic doors and out into the crisp morning air, Heero stepped out onto the curb and held his right arm held high above his head. "Taxi!"
The yellow cab pulled up and Heero climbed into the back seat. Moving forward to address the cab's driver, Heero spoke. "121 Haven Drive, Forest Hills Gardens".
// it's been way too long since i've said that //
Instructions given, Heero closed the door and relaxed back into the seat, booting his laptop.
+++++++
"Arghhh. This game sucks!" Duo mumbled. The fact of the matter was that this was one of Duo's favorite pastimes; he was just unable to concentrate on it at the moment, losing the last 7 out of 7 games.
Glancing up at the taskbar, Duo noted the time. He had been so distracted by playing the silly card game that he failed to note that it was almost 7:25 and that the others would have left by now, allowing him to finally address his growing hunger.
Making his way downstairs and into the kitchen, Duo poured himself a cup of coffee, grabbed three large cinnamon buns and headed back up to his room.
+++++++
"Food." he smiled, seating himself at his desk. Taking a big bite out of the first gooey pastry, a small flashing light caught his attention.
[] you there?
Duo set the bun down, nodding at the screen.
[] yes...i'm here, heero. where are you?
Heero was pleased to find that Duo was awake given the hour and knowing his friend was not an early riser.
[] on the belt parkway
Duo shivered.
[] you're almost here
[] hai.......almost
[] we have so much catching up to do
Heero smiled, their thoughts were so similar regarding the reunion.
[] a whole year, duo. can you believe it's been that long?
[] seems like longer. see you in 20 minutes
[] yes, just 20 minutes more
F9
[] connection severed
++++++
The taxi pulled up to the curb in the front of the large white house at precisely 7:55. Heero smiled as he peered out of the window at his former home. There was a lone figure perched in front of the door on the spacious porch. There was no need to look more closely to identify who it was and Heero's body tingled with anticipation.
Paying his fare, Heero took his overnight bag and laptop in hand and opened the door, exiting the cab on the street side.
Duo had been waiting on the front porch and watched as the yellow cab made its way down the block, slowing as it approached the house. He was trembling inside and out and wished he had remembered to put shoes and a jacket on, though he was certain it wasn't the chill in the air that caused him to react in such a fashion.
He watched as the taxi pulled away, leaving the former Wing pilot standing in the street just 75 feet in front of him.
Duo's first reaction to the scene was that of immense joy. The resulting tears were unstoppable as he watched Heero make his way up the walkway toward him. Wiping his eyes dry with both hands, Duo stepped down off the porch and wrapped his arms tightly around Heero, not willing to waste one precious moment.
Heero allowed Duo to remain plastered to him for more reasons than he could count, the least not being that his own tears were now flowing freely from his eyes.
Finally releasing his friend, Duo stepped back, his face slightly flushed, his violet eyes red around their edges. "You too, huh?", he sniffed.
Heero smiled weakly and nodded at the braided young man, slightly embarrassed as he brought his hand up to wipe his face dry.
Taking Heero's hand in his, Duo made his way up the steps. "Come on, Heero. Let's go inside."
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