Shadow Mist Part 2
Heero unlocked the front door and flipped on the light.
The small studio apartment, sitting area with compact kitchen and a curtained off bedroom and bath combination, was surprisingly neat considering it belonged to a male.
Heero half carried Duo to the kitchen table, eased his thin frame into one of two chairs and made certain his guest was secure before letting go.
Duo sat quietly surveying both the apartment and the man who called it home. Heero's overall mannerisms, his patterns of speech plus the tidy conditions of his living quarters seemed contradictory to the crude, street savvy persona he presented to the world.
Yes, Heero was an enigma--perplexing, confounding and fascinating.
"Vegetable or tomato soup?" Heero asked, taking off his jacket and draping it over the tan sofa.
"Vegetable."
Heero poured a can of store brand vegetable soup into a stoneware bowl and placed it in the microwave then sat a half-gallon of milk on the counter. "Hot chocolate." he declared not giving Duo any choice in the matter.
"Got any coffee?"
"You need extra calories not caffeine."
By the time milk and chocolate syrup were mixed together, the soup was hot. The bowl was traded for the mug of flavored milk and the microwave timer reset.
The steaming soup and a spoon was positioned on a plate and club crackers added to complete the simply yet nutritious meal.
"Careful it's hot." Heero warned as the timer dinged to announce the hot chocolate was ready. The equally steaming mug joined the soup then Heero took the opposite seat at the table.
Duo lifted a spoonful to his lips, blew a few times to lower the temperature and cautiously sipped. After several more spoonfuls were cooled in the same manner the hot chocolate was tasted.
Duo wiped away a few drops stuck on his lips with a paper towel. No fancy napkins but job was accomplished nevertheless.
"This is good."
Heero smiled, "It's not on any swanky restaurant menu but it does what it is intended to do."
So Duo wouldn't think his host was prying into his personal life Heero kept the conversation light. "You're not from the city." he surmised, since he hadn't recognized Duo's accent.
Duo finished the soup and leaned back in his chair. "Actually I am a long way from home." he replied but offered no additional information.
Keeping with the "none of his business" policy Heero didn't press for more details. It really didn't matter where Duo was from or where he was going in the morning. Right then he was safe and that's all mattered.
"I'm not going to insist on talking." Heero stated, placing the empty bowl and mug in the sink. He would wash up later but now Duo needed his undivided attention.
Duo tried to smile but his body was too fatigued and his mind too dull to cooperate. "I don't think I'd be much of a conversationalist." he confessed with a weary sigh.
"That's all right." Heero smiled for both of them. "Let me show you to the bathroom. A hot shower will also help to warm you up."
I know one way to warm him up. Heero's body declared as he pants became tighter in the lower regions.
"Not tonight." Heero augured against his bodily reaction to his brain's sensual suggestion. "I promised." was added to reinforce his resolve.
Not completely comfortable with letting Duo move about unaided, Heero kept a hand pressed lightly on his back.
The trip to the bathroom was short but even the brief bout of walking had a weakening effect. "Can manage to shower on your own?" Heero wondered as he helped remove Duo's thin denim jacket.
Undaunted Duo reckoned he still had enough stamina to bathe. "Yes."
Heero gathered fresh towels from the under the sink. "You're welcomed to use the shampoo and conditioner. Take your time there's plenty of hot water."
Duo expressed his gratitude to his host who, so far, had been a perfect gentleman. "Thanks for taking me in."
"You're welcome."
*********
Duo adjusted the water. While steam warmed up the bathroom his braid was undone. With an air of abandonment he stepped into the pelting spray and relished streams of hot water cascading over his shoulders, chest and genitals as the pulsing droplets chased away chills and soothed cold-cramped muscles.
Next a washcloth soaked with liquid soap scrubbed street grim from his face, neck and a cross tattooed on the underside of his right forearm.
The permanent pattern was rather ornate in its composition. A flowering vine wound its way up the shaft splitting at the crosspiece in opposite directions, but, in curious contrast, the cross was etched in bright scarlet and the interwoven roses were black.
Soapy film causing the indelible design to glisten in the overhead light, Duo took a moment to ponder the holy symbol then rubbed his thumb over the tattoo even though he knew no amount of soap and water would wash it away.
A thorough shampooing was followed by copious amounts of Green Tea conditioner as it was the only way to tame his lengthy mane.
Shower finished, he dried off briskly, wrapped the damp towel around his waist and employed two more to extract excess water from his hair.
Studying his reflection in the mirror Duo wondered why Heero hadn't asked why all he had was the clothes on his back and extremely limited monetary resources.
"Don't need anything more." Duo whispered under his breath.
Do you have all you desire? his mind inquired before Heero's voice interrupted.
"May I come in?"
"Sure."
The dividing curtain parted, Heero peered in. "I brought you something to sleep in." he stated holding up a pair of light blue boxes and a navy blue tee shirt.
*********
"There's a comb on the dresser." Heero stated as he turned down the bed. "You must have let your hair grow for a long time."
"Yes a very long time."
Duo's arm protested against the strain of combing. With a mumbled curse he reconsidered the detangling since standing up also was becoming a challenge.
"Let me help." Heero offered. "Sit down on the bed."
Tangles quickly banished and hair braided with expert efficiency, Duo was suitably impressed. "You are a man of many talents."
"Two sisters taught me well." was stated was a smile. "I'll be on the sofa if you need me."
"I can't take your bed."
"Right now you need the bed more than I do."
"But-"
"Don't argue."
Obediently Duo slipped under the sage green downy duvet and savored the warmth radiating around his totally exhausted body. Head on the soft pillow encased in a fresh white case, Duo studied his host's handsome silhouette surrounded by an aura of light shimmering through the semi-sheer curtain.
"Good night." Heero wished as the turned to leave.
In an unexpected move, Duo sat up and snagged Heero's arm just before he stepped out of reach.
At the unforeseen touch Heero froze in place not sure how to react to the enticing look in his guest's exotic centers of sight.
"Duo?"
"Stay with me." Duo whispered tightening his grip to emphasis his wish not to be alone.
Suddenly realizing the implications Heero hesitated.
Normally a person would be reluctant to crawl into bed with a man who was basically a stranger, but that was exactly what Heero did for a living.
Any night would find him in the company of strangers with the exception of a few regular customers he dated from time to time.
Why should this be different?
He knew Duo couldn't pay, but bringing him home was done without any form of proposition. In fact he'd promised not touch the attractive young man.
Something nagged in the back of Heero's mind. His instincts insisting, as appealing as making love might be, he shouldn't cross that line.
This time could better judgment overrule his bodily appetite?
Heero prepared to decline the offer. Duo was not well--as good an excuse as any other. "I don't think it's a good idea."
"Please." came the impassioned plea that eroded Heero's sensibilities until they were too confused to form rational thoughts.
Now Heero was induced to comply by desire more compelling than carnal lust. "Duo." he breathed out the name as those alluring eyes bewitched him thoroughly.
Duo pulled back the duvet and slid over to make room for his submissive lover to join him.
Stroking Heero's flushed cheek, he purred. "Everything will be all right."
TBC...
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