Love Thy Neighbor Part 9
"I know what you want." Duo cupped his hand under Heero's chin and moved closer for a kiss.
Just before their lips touched, Heero stiffened and a shudder shook his entire body.
Duo stopped but kept his hand in place then leaned back enough to gaze into Heero's unsure eyes. "Do you want this?" The predatory tone had now been replaced with genuine concern.
Heero studied Duo's face searching for any sign of deception, any hint of illegitimacy or falsehood but found unconditional acceptance of his decision.
"I...." he began but uncertainty clouded his mind and plagued his heart.
What did Heero want? Ever since the night when Duo drank too much and they platonically shared a bed, confusion had slowly wormed its way into his feelings about the charismatic dancer.
Heero had no reservations about Duo's friendship or his sincerity. The hesitation stemmed from the question of orientation. "I've...never been... with a man." he stammered between catching breaths.
Duo's hand dropped away. He straightened up and widened the gap until he was no longer in Heero's personal space. "I'm sorry." His voice was barely above a whisper.
Now Duo was uncomfortable, just as confused. He lowered his eyes and his shoulders slumped in a repentant posture. "I misread the signals. No, I ignored the signals." he confessed. "I wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to...talk...to me again." His voice cracked and it was evident he was fighting the urge to cry.
Heero started to speak but Duo's raised hand cut off his words, "I've ruined our friendship." he continued then paused to suck in a trembling breath. "Please don't think this is your fault." he begged as he shifted his weight and pushed to stand up.
Heero reached out to halt his troubled friend's retreat. "Wait." His hand closed around Duo's forearm and held on tightly.
He wasn't certain about a sexual relationship but he was sure he didn't want Duo to leave. They had to talk, to explore their emotions, even if that exploration ended in a broken heart.
Heero felt Duo quiver with each shallow inhalation. Now it was his turn to cup Duo's chin and raise his head until their eyes met and he could clearly see his pain.
"Please don't leave. We need to talk not run away."
Duo nodded, his lips parted then closed again with a shaky sigh.
Keeping his hand in place for fear Duo might bolt for the door, Heero stated honestly, "Right now I don't know exactly how I feel but I do know I want you to stay. You're very important to me and..."
He swallowed hard to force down the emotional lump clogging his throat. "Oh hell, Duo." he whispered then pulled his friend into a crushing embrace.
Duo momentarily resisted the close contact but the unpredicted intimacy quickly eroded his resolve and he melted into the refuge of Heero's enfolding arms. He buried his face in Heero's chest, opened the floodgates of his heart and let his loneliness gush out in unbridled tears.
Heero rocked Duo in silent reassurance. As he also wept away his heart's isolation they clung to each other as if they were the only two people in the world.
Heero didn't know what the future would bring, he didn't even know what might happen in the next minute but at that exact moment in time all he wanted was to hold Duo, to comfort him and ease his heartache.
"It's okay, let it all out"
Gradually Duo's tears ran out and the wrenching sobs lessened to subdued sniffles and replenishing gulps of air. "I'm sorry." he apologized again, the words muffled by Heero's tear-moistened shirt.
Heero wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and hoped Duo wouldn't notice that they were puffy and ringed in red. With gentle persuasion he encouraged Duo to sit up. "Look at me." he ordered tenderly, brushing back stray wisps of hair from Duo's damp cheek.
"Wash your face while I put on a fresh pot of coffee then we'll have a quiet conversation."
For three hours Heero and Duo talked and listened and shared what was on their minds and hearts. Heero discovered that gender wasn't as important as purity of character and that caring for another person's welfare had nothing to do with being male or female but being human.
They both agreed there was no reason to rush, there was no strict time schedule. They'd take one day at a time, enjoy each other's company and if they were meant to move to the next level then they would travel together with love, not lust, guiding the journey.
The architect and the dancer made a pledge to be honest with their feelings and not assume what the other one might be thinking. Clear communications was the key to any healthy connection between friends or lovers or soul mates.
Sometime before midnight several doses of caffeine had worn off and were replaced by physical and mental exhaustion. Both men had to work and there would be a rude awakening in the morning if they didn't get to bed.
Wearily Duo stretched until his spine popped softly. "I hate to go but we need to sleep."
Heero glanced at his watch and realized the late hour. "You could stay."
"Are you sure?"
"Can I trust you to behave like a gentleman?"
"Of course unless enticing blue eyes and a smile that should be rated X leads me astray."
Heero tiled his head and studied the way the lamplight glowed on Duo's face and shimmered on his silky hair. "There is one thing I have to know before we retire."
Duo's eyebrows pulled together at the odd statement. "What?"
Heero stroked Duo's cheek, "What it would be like to do this." he whispered just before his lips brushed chastely across Duo's mouth.
Duo savored the coffee-flavored caress but didn't attempt to take advantage of the situation.
When their lips parted Heero whispered, "Thank you for understanding."
Duo smiled, "True friendship is the link between heart and harmony."
*********
Since Heero had to leave for work first, Duo began fixing breakfast while he showered and grudgingly adorned himself in a charcoal gray suit, black shirt and a white, gray and wine striped tie.
Heero laid his suit jacket on the sofa and strolled into the kitchen. He hadn't fully tightened the tie. He'd have all day to be tortured by what he deemed to be a pointless accessory designed by a sadistic bastard who obviously derived perverted pleasure from other men's misery.
Duo glanced up from setting the table and expressed his appraisal of Heero's fashion sense with a long, low whistle. "You clean up nice."
"I'd rather be slopping around in stonewashed jeans and a fade sweatshirt but I don't think Barnes and McKinley would approve of being that casual."
Duo motioned to a chair, "Sit down. At least you can make your stomach happy."
There wasn't time for a fancy morning meal but orange juice, Corn Flakes with freshly sliced bananas and toasted English Muffins generously spread with honey would provide a good start for the day.
Duo sat opposite of the smartly attired architect and helped himself to a sweetened muffin. Heero sipped his juice then expertly scooped up a piece of banana with his spoonful of milk-moistened cereal.
"When do you finish rehearsing?" Heero asked between bites.
"We usually stop around 4 p.m. but with three weeks before opening night J.J., he's the choreographer, has been asking us to stay an extra hour."
"I don't get off until five." Heero replied, reaching for a muffin. "Do you want to meet downtown for dinner?"
Duo paused with his spoon in midair. "I'm low on money and won't get paid until Friday." he stated honestly.
"Would you object to me picking up a pizza, my treat."
"Only if we eat at my apartment and I buy the beer. We could watch television or rent a movie."
"Okay." Heero agreed, "When I get home I'll change and come over about 6:30."
Duo smiled at the idea of spending another evening with Heero. "A second date. How many dates until I get to give you a proper kiss?" he teased.
Heero reached across the table and took Duo's hand. "You could kiss me now."
"Are you sure?"
Raising from his chair Heero stepped around the table, braced his free hand on Duo's chair and bent over. "I'm sure."
This time there was no hesitation. Heero tiled his head, closed his eyes and freely offered his mouth for the taking. Duo threaded his fingers in Heero's hair and paused to breathe in that spicy scent he remembered from the first time they met.
Lips pressed together, warm....tender. Breaths mingled and hearts raced. Butterflies fluttered in Duo's brain and Heero became weak in the knees.
Duo drew Heero nearer and deepened the kiss. He wanted Heero. He longed to touch and taste and be claimed by the intriguing man with the beautiful blue eyes. But as his genital hunger responded to the heat, respect tempered his corporal desire.
Before need overwhelmed his senses Duo reluctantly broke the kiss. "Are you all right?" he asked breathlessly. He afraid he might have pushed too hard, too fast.
Heero expelled a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "That was...amazing."
A grin tugged at Duo's mouth. "Don't tell me that was your first kiss? Hell, I'm not that good."
"No but it was the first kiss that made me tremble all over."
Duo graciously accepted the compliment but added for good measure. "If I have my way it won't be your last kiss."
"Do you always get your way?"
"Always."
TBC...
Back to Karen, The Huntress's Fanfictions Page