Notes: The arc begins between one and two years after Endless Waltz. Heero POV in this story.
Life With Heero Arc Part 61
Impulse Part 1
Heero watched as Duo led Hilde out for what was usually the father-daughter dance. Hilde had insisted that if Duo was going to give her away, he was going to have to take responsibility for that particular dance too.
Duo was always so graceful on the dance floor, regardless of whether he was performing a formal dance or something a little wilder. Sometimes... sometimes he wished he felt comfortable enough to join Duo. Not because he wanted to dance per say, but because he wanted to dance with Duo.
Heero had been trying to push aside these increasingly frequent longings for something more than friendship from Duo. It hadn't been too difficult at first, but it was becoming more so all the time. It wasn't just that he was afraid of Duo not wanting more too; he was also afraid of something going wrong. Something that could end up costing them the wonderful friendship that they already had.
As Duo surrendered Hilde to her new husband for the next dance, Heero finally gave in to that urge to dance with Duo. Most people's attention would be fixed on the newly wedded couple, not the others on the dance floor. And he had never minded the slower, more formal dances that much anyway.
Intercepting Duo at the edge of the dance floor, Heero simply held out his arms and asked, "May I?"
Duo's initial startled look changed to a pleased smile as he answered, "Of course," and stepped into Heero's arms. Heero didn't waste any time directing their steps towards a darker corner of the dance floor. He had no interest in being the centre of attention and while two men slow-dancing together was not socially unacceptable, it was unusual enough to attract attention.
"Hilde's absolutely glowing today," Duo observed softly as they danced. "I'm glad everything went so well. She's been planning this and dreaming about it for well over a year."
Following the direction of Duo's gaze, Heero commented, "They're lucky, both of them. Anyone watching can't help but see how deeply in love they are." As usual, watching a happy couple left him with an aching longing. The only difference in that longing lately was that it was no longer vague and directionless.
As Rick and Hilde drew together for a soulful kiss, that longing rose up even stronger than usual. The temptation was too much and for once, Heero gave in to an impulse. "Duo..."
Duo turned his eyes away from the kissing newlyweds to meet Heero's gaze inquiringly. "Hmm?"
Heero answered that query by rising up on the balls of his feet and pressing his lips to Duo's. The couple of inches difference in their heights combined with the fact that Duo was taken by surprise made the kiss slightly awkward. No sooner had Heero committed himself to the kiss than his rational mind kicked in. 'What the hell do you think you're doing, Yuy?! This is Duo, your best friend, and you just stepped way, way, out of line!' Drawing back again, he caught only a glimpse of Duo's startled expression as he mumbled, "Gomen, Duo. I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
Without waiting for Duo's response, Heero turned and fled the reception hall, heading out into the huge conservatory where the wedding photos had been taken earlier that afternoon.
TBC...
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