Blue Forest Banshee Diversions Part 5
On With the Show
So, here I am, standing in front of the mirror, fidgeting with my hair worse than I usually do. It feels weird this way, but it's necessary and it's only for tonight, so I can fit it under the wigs. Heero is waiting for me in my room, and I'm afraid to leave the bathroom. I've never done this before, and I'm scared.
That is not something I would admit to under normal circumstances, but these are hardly normal circumstances. And Heero is no help at all. When I whine or complain, he just tells me that if he has to do it, I have to do it. I suggested that we could just run away together. He said that was fine, if I wanted to disappoint Q.
Of course, I don't want to let Q down!
I'm still trying to figure a way to do this without doing it, when Heero calls to me again.
"Duo, if you recall, you owe me," he says softly close to the door. "I agreed, against my better judgment, to stop nagging you to tell Mistress Loquinn what happened in Indianapolis. Do you want me to start again?"
::Hell NO!::
I'd almost forgotten about that. I lean against the door.
"Heero, you are a very dangerous reptile," I mutter. "How could you?"
"I'm not getting up there alone," he replies firmly. "Besides, you had plenty of chances to change your mind. As I recall, you swore you were having a great time."
Well, yeah. Then. Back when it was just me and the drama club. Back when I actually felt like this lost little Banshee was being appreciated by Humans, instead of mocked and derided because of some age-old legends and superstitions. Back before the reality of getting up in front of strangers had completely sunk in.
So, yeah; I have to admit it; I was having a lot of fun, right up until I realised, after it was too late, what I had gotten into. And I know Heero's right. If I don't do it, a lot of people are going to be very disappointed, as well as highly pissed.
Wufei, on the other hand, will be thrilled if I back out. He's spent the whole six weeks of rehearsal muttering and grumbling about how demeaning it is for me to be playing this part. I think he's more tweaked because Heero is playing opposite me. Even Trowa volunteered to be in the play, as one of the ditzy teachers. I think Wufei would have come in then, if he hadn't already made his pronouncement of silliness. Couldn't go back on that; he'd look silly. So, he'll be holding down a seat, front row center, probably scowling the whole time. Unless Q takes a poke at him.
I check my face and hair one more time, and adjust the fit of my costume. The theater is small, and the dressing rooms are minuscule; we opted to dress here, rather than fight for space with a bunch of giddy teenagers - and yes, I do realise that I am technically still one of those giddy teenagers - and I feel... conspicuous. But I'm out of time.
I sigh heavily and open the door. Heero is waiting, holding my cloak. He's smiling at me. It's not the smile he displays for strangers, colleagues or even for friends, like Trowa and Wufei. No, this is the one he files under "Duo, light of my life, heart of my heart, bright star of my existence." You think I'm kidding? He actually said that, all of it, to me one glorious night.
And I came so close to... Well, to breaking the promise I made to myself. But I didn't.
I return the smile, feeling as I do the warmth around my heart.
Oh, what the hell. I'm not doing this for any reason but him. How can I possibly be a fool when he looks at me like that?
I turn my back and he lays the long cloak over my shoulders, smoothing it so that it completely covers my opening-scene costume. He kisses my cheek and caresses my braid.
"You're going to steal the show from that little blonde girl," he whispers.
"I'd better," I crack, "When I think about those wigs I have to wear!"
Heero chuckles and takes my hand to lead me from the room.
Yeah, this going to be one helluva production of "Grease."
OWARI
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