A drabble sized sequel-ish bit to an earlier drabble...
Never Again Part 3
Duo approached the restaurant slowly, trying to soothe his twisting stomach. Heero had made the date with him- he'd be there. It was after seven, not by much, so Duo wasn't that late, but...
Different guy. Different circumstances. He reminded himself again. Just because his ex had gotten off on making Duo wait- or standing him up completely- didn't mean that Heero was like that too.
He'd been happier about this dinner date earlier, until he'd spent most of the afternoon remembering how often his dinner dates with his ex turned into... No. He wasn't going to think about it right now. Heero wasn't anything like his ex, he just had to keep reminding himself of that.
He opened the door to the restaurant and slipped inside. He'd just do a quick look around- if Heero wasn't here, then he could just slip out again- no getting a table- no waiting-
"Mr. Maxwell?" The hostess pounced the moment he stepped close to her podium. He nodded in surprise. "Mr. Yuy is already here and waiting for you!" She beckoned to him and he followed her into the dining room.
Heero looked up as they approached the cozy corner booth. "Duo! Thank you Lisa, for spotting him."
The hostess smiled. "My pleasure, Mr. Yuy. Hector will be with you two in a moment." She waited for Duo to sit down and then handed him a menu. "Enjoy your dinner," she said and vanished back towards the podium.
Duo took a deep breath and smiled at the man across from him. "I'm sorry I'm late-" He hadn't made Heero wait long, had he? Heero already had a drink and a plate of potato skins...
"It's all right." Heero smiled warmly. "I was a little early." He nudged the plate at Duo. "Have one. Relax."
Duo sighed. "That obvious?"
Heero's smile didn't waver. "A little. You warned me last night, so I was sort of looking for it." He reached out and caught Duo's hand in a gentle grip. "Thanks for agreeing to dinner. I know it was lousy of me to run off like that this morning- but I had a deadline and you were sleeping so soundly- I didn't want to wake you."
"It's okay."
"It wasn't what I wanted to do." Heero's fingers traced circles on the underside of Duo's wrist. "I really am sorry- and I won't do it again." His touch was soothing- or was it the reassurance? Duo didn't know, but he found himself relaxing a little.
Before he could reply, the waiter appeared beside them. He took their orders skillfully and Duo didn't notice until the waiter was gone that Heero hadn't released his hand. His fingers were still brushing over Duo's skin, warm and calming as if Duo was some sort of skittish animal that might bolt.
Which, Duo had to admit, wasn't all that far off from the truth.
He cast about for something to talk about. "So- did you meet your deadline?"
"Oh yes." Heero nodded. "Though it was very difficult."
Duo wondered again what Heero did for a living. He had on another tailored shirt, though this one was a dark blue, the cuffs turned up just enough to display the watch.
"Difficult?" he echoed, as he tried to puzzle it out. Not a lawyer, Heero had denied that yesterday. Some other sort of professional? Deadlines implied projects... something with computers?
"Very difficult. I couldn't seem to keep my mind on my work for some reason." Heero lifted Duo's hand up from the table and pressed his lips briefly to the underside of Duo's wrist.
"Ah," Duo managed.
"Speaking of last night," Heero released Duo's hand with one last squeeze, "did your friend ever call with an explanation?"
Duo laughed. "This morning. Said he'd just gotten home."
"I hope he apologized for ditching you?" Heero nudged the plate of appetizers at Duo again.
"He did." Duo took one and put it on his plate with a sigh. "He pretty much admitted that he'd set me up- hoped I'd find some company."
"I hope you told him yes." Heero smirked. "Or did you stay quiet and play the guilt angle?"
"Guilt angle," Duo admitted. "Bad of me- I know-"
"Oh no. That's what I did to my friends when they called me today to apologize."
"What was their excuse?"
"Some delicious bit that they just couldn't let go," Heero laughed. "If they didn't do it so often, I think I'd forgive them faster."
"So they usually ditch you?"
"Well, not all the time, but pretty frequently. If I was more into the sort of things they liked it'd be easier but," he picked up Duo's hand again and squeezed his fingers, "I'm not much into sharing."
Duo relaxed a little more. "I'm not sure I'd agree to keep meeting them if they do it often."
"There have been times I've been tempted to stop," Heero rolled his eyes. "But they are old friends of mine so I forgive a lot. Besides, I usually get a free meal as an apology." He pressed another kiss onto Duo's wrist and released his hand as the waiter arrived with their salads.
Duo smiled as he picked up his fork. "I do too! I'm having lunch with him tomorrow. An apology backed up with food works for me, I admit it."
"That's a very useful piece of information," Heero's lips curved in a warm smile. "I will have to keep that in mind- though I'm hoping I don't mess up again."
"It's all right-"
"It wasn't- and it was very kind of you to forgive me. So, tell me what other sorts of places you like to eat? Just in case I need to make another apology in the future?"
The rest of the meal passed quickly, the conversation moving easily as Heero asked him questions about his family and his job, volunteering only a little information about himself, though Duo only realized that later.
The bill appeared and Heero slipped some cash into the holder before turning to smile at Duo. "Do you have any early plans tomorrow?" He asked as he slid out of the booth.
"No-" Duo followed Heero out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk. Heero pulled him close, his breath warming Duo's cheek.
"I thought maybe you'd like to come and see my apartment tonight?"
Duo's breath caught in his throat as he met Heero's eyes. "I... yes. I'd like that."
"Did you drive here?"
"I took a cab."
"Good, then we'll take my car."
The car that Heero headed towards made Duo wonder once again what the hell Heero did for a living. "This is a classic," he murmured as they slipped inside. "I've never seen one in such good condition-"
"Like it?"
"What's not to like? You must've spent a fortune restoring it-"
Heero shook his head as put the key in the ignition. "It was in really good shape when I got it. I've just taken good care of it."
"It's gorgeous." Duo ran his hand over the seats appreciatively. "They don't make them like this anymore."
"I know it- do you want to drive?"
"Oh hell no. With my luck I'd get a scratch on it somewhere- or worse!"
Heero laughed. "I've gotten a few scratches on it myself- even dinged the bumper. I don't think you could do worse. Want to?"
"I'm sure I could do worse," Duo buckled himself in. "I'm happy just being a passenger."
"Next time then," Heero said and started the engine.
~*~
Duo drew in a deep breath as Heero made the turn into a parking lot under a building. "You live here?"
Heero nodded. "Been here before?"
"Only as part of a tour- I was taking an architecture class- the prof knew one of the managers-"
"Bet they only showed you the first few floors."
"That's all they could show- he said the residents paid a lot not to be bothered."
Heero shook his head. "There are a few cranks, but there's also a few who would love to show off their places to a group of appreciative students." He pulled into a numbered parking space and shut off the engine. "Is everything okay?" he asked in a softer tone and Duo just shook his head.
"I'm a little overwhelmed, I guess."
"Understandable." Heero leaned over and squeezed his arm. "It's okay, it really is. My family bought into this building years ago- that's why I live here. No rent."
"Really?"
"Really." Heero nudged him and Duo lifted his eyes to Heero's- and was caught in his gaze. "Relax. Please?" His mouth brushed over Duo's gently and there was that now almost familiar flare in his blood- he didn't resist when Heero pulled him closer still. "Upstairs," Heero murmured a moment later.
Duo followed Heero out of the car and onto the elevator, his senses still focused on the man beside him. The elevator was empty, and Duo didn't protest when Heero pulled him close again.
The soft chime of the elevator broke them apart and Heero ushered him out of the elevator and into his apartment. Once the door was closed behind them, Duo found himself pinned to the wall, Heero's mouth warm and demanding on his, Heero's hands sliding under his shirt, leaving trails of heat across his skin.
Duo wasn't quite sure how they got to the bed, he only realized they'd moved when Heero suddenly tumbled him down into something soft and yielding. It was better than before and he gave himself willingly, barely noticing the scrape of teeth against his throat as the sensations built to the highest point.
Heero's mouth was still against his throat when Duo collapsed back into the softness of the bed. Struggling to keep his eyes open, he felt Heero press his lips to that now sore point on his throat.
"That's twice," he heard the other say softly against his skin. "Just once more..."
Before Duo could question that odd comment, sleep claimed him.
TBC...
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