Love Thy Neighbor Part 3

Heero Yuy, backwashed in an aura of soft light, peered out of apartment 302. For a fleeting instant his haunting blue eyes widened at the unexpected sight of Duo standing in the hall but they quickly lost their surprise and reflected a pleased expression.

"Hello, ah Duo Maxwell, isn't it?" Heero asked for confirmation.

Duo had his own moment of surprise when Heero remembered his name. He swallowed to wash down the lump in the throat and managed to find his voice. "Yes, Duo." he acknowledged the correctness then figured he'd better explain his unpredicted presence. "I know it's late but I was wondering if you would like to go out for a drink, of course, if it's not convenient I'll certainly understand." he stated, running one word into the other.

Duo paused long enough to suck in a breath. "It is late but I knew you were new to the building and probably didn't know anyone and I....."

"Slow down or you're going to hyperventilate." Heero interrupted then offered a smile that turned Duo's guts to goo and his mind to mush. "Would you like to come in?"

Duo had to mentally prod his body to move but with extra effort he put one foot forward then the next and was soon standing inside Heero's apartment.

"Let me cut off the radio so we won't have to shout. Sit down." Heero motioned to a sofa covered in a floral pattern of beige, peach and pale blue.

The apartment's interior layout was a cookie cutter image of Duo's residence. The sitting area ran across the room's width and on the right a counter divided off a compact kitchen. No doubt the combination bedroom and bathroom was to the left of the French doors opening out to the balcony. However that's where the similarities ended.

Heero's furniture was definitely more expensive than Duo's hodgepodge of odd pieces purchased from thrift shops and secondhand stores. A dishwasher and a flat screen television also told him that Heero's income exceeded his by a considerable amount.

There were few personal touches in the decor but what possessions were displayed clearly had an Asian influence. A large painting depicting a graceful Geisha hung on the one uninterrupted wall.

Three red porcelain vases with golden dragons slinking around their smooth surfaces were grouped on a black-lacquer chest that had red and orange fish and white cranes painted on the front. Brass rings with red tassels served as door pulls on the beautiful cabinet.

It was obvious that Heero enjoyed a different lifestyle and that fact caused Duo to wonder if they would have anything in common. But it was too late to question his and Heero's compatibility; Duo had to take his best shot and hope that having "things" or, in Duo's case, the lack of them wouldn't matter.

When the radio was switched off, the resulting silence made it easier to hear the blood rush in Duo's ears. Even though nervous tension caused his hands to tremble and his breath to catch in his lungs, he feigned a self-assured posture.

Putting on a confident mask Duo eased down on the sofa's plush cushions. "Nice place." he commented taking a second to glance about the room.

Thick carpet muted Heero's footsteps as he walked around the sofa. "Thank you. Speaking of drinks, can I get you something? I have white wine and beer." he graciously offered, "or fruit juice or water if you prefer something nonalcoholic."

Duo didn't have a high tolerance level for alcohol but right then he desperately needed to take the edge off his nerves or he was afraid that he might bolt for the door.

"Wine, if it's not too much trouble."

"No trouble."

Heero returned from the kitchen carrying a tray with two glasses, an uncorked bottle of Black Swan and a plate of cubed cheese and grapes. "I thought about calling you later this week." he stated matter-of-factly, filling a glass and handing it to Duo.

Heero took a seat in the matching chair opposite his welcomed visitor. "Then you show up tonight, isn't that interesting?"

Duo got the distinct impression that Heero Yuy was a man who didn't waste time getting to the point. His direct approach was evident in both his body language and tone and Duo found that "take charge" attitude strangely appealing.

Duo took a sip and let the wine trickled warmly down his throat. "You were thinking of calling me...why?"

Heero popped a grape into his mouth and took a moment to chew. "I've been in New York City for about a month and you were the first person I bumped into," he grinned as he recalled his and Duo's lobby collision, "so why not call you?"

Heero lounged back and gave Duo his undivided attention. "Now that the fates have graced me with your company, tell me about yourself, Duo Maxwell."

A longer gulp drained Duo's glass. As he poured a second drink he noticed that his hands were steadier and that a tipsy tingle had begun to neutralize some of his nervousness.

Duo told Heero about being raised in Brooklyn. "Beginning in middle school I studied at a local dance studio. After high school graduation I moved to New York City." he explained, "I spent several months auditioning before getting a part in the musical, "Dance into the Fire", which will be opening in two months."

Duo paused long enough to help himself to a piece of cheese. "Dancing is hard work but I wouldn't want to do anything else."

Heero refilled his own glass. "I would imagine that dancing keeps you fit."

"Yes, it's good for the heart as well as muscle development." Then with the wine making Duo a bit bolder, he added, "Speaking of being fit, I noticed you swimming last week and you're in great shape."

Heero tilted his head at an inquiring angle. "So that was you spying from the balcony?"

Wine-induced heat quickly traveled to Duo's cheeks and he could feel them blush as he realized his ogling had not been as discreet as he thought. "I hope you're not insulted."

"If the situation had been reversed," Heero leaned forward, focused his charismatic sight on Duo's flushed face and declared "I might have done more than look."

A few seconds passed before Duo recovered from the startling declaration. Was Heero being flirtatious or was he just an arrogant bastard who had an inflated opinion of himself?

As fascinating as Heero Yuy was Duo needed to find out what was actually hidden behind Heero's carefully crafted facade. Now it was Duo's turn to get some pertinent information.

Duo sat down his glass...no more alcohol to cloud his judgment or give him false courage. "So you haven't been in the city but a month." he reviewed, "Where do you call home?"

"Mercerville, New Jersey."

"How did you end up in New York?"

"I work for the architectural firm of Barnes and McKinley."

Duo raised an eyebrow, "An architect," he declared, "where did you go to college?"

Heero hesitated. He knew Duo only had a high school education and he didn't want to sound haughty but Duo asked. "Princeton University."

Both of Duo's eyebrows danced on his forehead. "Princeton." The differences between his and Heero's backgrounds were becoming more apparent causing Duo to speculate if the financial and educational gap was too wide to breech. "That's some fancy school. Your folks must be well off."

From Duo's reaction Heero realized what he was thinking, how Duo perceived him as coming from a privileged class. "No, my family is average. I received a partial scholarship to be on the swim team and I worked part time on campus while I studied Architectural Design."

"Swim team, " Duo repeated, "that's explains why you're so strong in the water." A smile flickered across Duo's lips, as he couldn't resist his own bit of flirtation, "No wonder you put on such a good show."

Heero leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees and let his empty glass dangle from his fingers. "Do you have plans Friday evening?"

*To the point.* Duo's inner voice confirmed.

"I have rehearsal until 4:00 p.m. but I'm free after that."

"Would you like to have dinner?"

With the dinner invitation Duo's nervousness resurfaced. The wine's fading influence and his lingering self-doubts that he and Heero could have a future prompted his uncertainty. Did Duo dare put his heart on the line and could he be satisfied with friendship if Heero didn't reciprocate his feelings?

*Say yes.* Duo's mind ordered.

*But what if....* Duo augured with his bothersome brain.

*If you don't you'll never know what might have been. Even if you don't have anything more than friendship, at least you can be with Heero.*

"Dinner would be nice."

"Good. Give me a time Friday and I'll come by your apartment to get you."

"I'll need to shower and change after rehearsal." Duo figured aloud, "How about six o'clock?"

"I'll see you at six."

*********

Duo didn't turn on a light when he entered his apartment. The city glow through the window provided enough illumination to see to toe off his shoes by the door and make his way to the bedroom.

He went into the bathroom, "took care of business", washed his face and brushed his teeth. In the same streetlight-kissed dimness he sat on the bed, stripped down to his boxers and slipped under the cool sheets.

Staring into the midnight gloom Duo pictured Heero's face, his strong jaw line, high cheekbones and golden tanned skin. Duo looked deeply into Heero's eyes, the twin mirrors of his soul. In the orb's blue depths he saw honest concern and, perhaps, a glimmer of sadness...or was that poignant melancholy a reflection of the loneliness that ached in Duo's heart?

Duo had never felt this way before and it scared the hell out of him. "One day at a time." he whispered into his pillow. "One day at a time."

TBC...

 

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