Author: Merula
Pairings: 1x2
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Yaoi, AU
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not mine.
Garden
Sliding into the front seat of his car, Heero locked the doors and put his head down on the steering wheel. He took a deep breath and then another, trying to force himself to relax. He didn't dare close his eyes, his brain kept popping up that first moment when he had broken down the door...
Sighing heavily, he leaned back and dug his keys out of his pocket. Sitting here wasn't going to help. Going home wasn't going to help- the news would be playing bits from their raid and he didn't think he'd be able to sleep anytime soon. Still he had to do something... something to keep his mind too busy to show him the images lurking in the dark places of his memory...
He stuck the key into the ignition and turned the car on. Glancing at the clock, he was surprised to see that it wasn't late anymore- in fact, it was sort of early- but not too early- maybe... it was sort of silly, but...
At the very least it was a destination- something to focus on. Once he arrived, he could make another plan and go from there if necessary.
The traffic wasn't as bad as he thought it should be and he reached his destination quicker than he expected. How had he managed-? Oh, it was the weekend- maybe this was a bad time- but before he could pull out again, the door of the tiny house opened and Duo stepped out onto the porch.
Well and truly caught, Heero turned off the car and got out. Duo didn't say anything until he was halfway up the walk.
"Good morning. Heard you had a rough night."
"Saw the news?"
Duo nodded. "Bad as it looked?"
"Worse. You were smart to get out of this damn job." Heero shook his head wearily. "This is going to sound completely insane, but do you mind if I sit in your backyard for a bit?"
He half expected Duo to register some surprise, but the other man just stepped to the side and ushered him in. "Course not."
"I'm not keeping you from anything?" Heero asked as he followed Duo towards the back door.
"No." Duo nudged Heero's shoulder with a fingertip. "I told you when you helped me move in that you were always welcome. Go sit. Charlie's out there, he'll be happy to see you. I was just in the middle of breakfast-"
"Finish. I'm fine- I just-"
"I know. Make yourself at home." Duo opened the back sliding door with a faint smile. "Take as long as you need." Heero stepped outside and Duo closed the door gently after him. Heero sat down on the steps, his feet half covered by grass and took a deep appreciative breath.
Heero knew what a backyard was supposed to look like- trim lawns, tidy flower beds, pristine fences- or so Chang said whenever they gathered at Duo's. But Duo's backyard was none of those- it was a garden that reflected its creator. It was overgrown, messy and- to Heero's eyes- perfection. The grass was long, the roses climbed the fence in a tangle, and random plants grew in unexpected places. Duo said it was because he'd spilled the seed packets on accident, but Heero suspected that Duo had done it on purpose.
Charlie bounded across the grass, tongue hanging out, panting happily. He plopped down at Heero's side leaning close so Heero could scratch his head.
Heero stretched out his legs and took a deep breath. The air was clean-smelling, the grass left wet marks on his shoes and the basset hound beside him rolled over to get his tummy scratched.
It was so different- so peaceful- than his last 24 hours had been. He sat and breathed in the cool air for a while. Something tight inside his chest finally started to ease.
A warm mug appeared beside his head. "Tea?" Duo asked quietly.
He reached up and took the mug. "Thanks- you didn't-"
"It's not a problem." Duo sighed and sat down beside him. "If I thought you'd eat it, I'd make you breakfast."
"Can't eat yet." Heero managed half a smile and wrapped his fingers around the warm mug. "Thanks for letting me sit out here. I'm sure you have things to do-"
"Nope." Duo's lips quirked at the corners. "Not a damn thing other than sitting out here with you." He leaned around Heero just enough so that he could pat Charlie, his body a solid line of warmth against Heero's.
The tightness inside Heero's chest vanished. He leaned back against the door and half-closed his eyes. Charlie put his head on Heero's knee and panted happily. Duo turned his head and smiled.
"Maybe you need to borrow my bed too?" He said softly and Heero shook his head.
"I won't put you out that much. I just needed..." He trailed off, unsure of how to explain.
Duo seemed to understand. "Whatever you need, Heero- you know that. My offer is still open."
Heero closed his eyes for a moment. "You don't know how badly I want to take you up on it- but-"
Warmth enveloped him as Duo leaned against him, sliding his arms around Heero. "No buts. Think about it- you knew you needed something- and you came here. If you say yes- you get me, the backyard, Charlie..."
He had to smile. "Hardly a fair exchange-"
"More than you think." Heero opened his eyes and found Duo gazing intently at him. "I get what I need too- you here with me. Say yes."
"Yes."
OWARI
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