"This winter just seems to go on forever. The drifts are so deep, I can barely make my way out to the barn to help Samuel with chores. He insists I don't have to; but I'm a stubborn old farmer to the end. I have to do as much as I can, while I still can. The same goes for Thunder, who still tries to chase the varmints, even if he's half-blind, mostly-deaf, and a wee bit lame. I'm afraid one of these days he'll get into trouble; either fall in the creek, or wander too far. After losing old Red to that puma years ago, I don't like the idea of burying another faithful friend. Hopefully he'll hang on until spring, when everything will get easier for us old-timers..."
--excerpt from the private journal of Ephraim Barton
Smoky Hills Part 43
Sorting Things Out
Now that the intimacy of the moment had passed, both Duo and Heero were experiencing some awkwardness. They managed to salvage things by resuming their search for clues, finding, in addition to the bottles and cans, a broken comb, a scrap of woven plastic with a grommet in it, and a dirt-encrusted pen.
"Think any of this junk means anything?" Duo asked, holding up a baggie with part of their haul in it.
"Oh, it means something," Heero said firmly. He smirked, hoping to lighten the mood. "For one thing, the kids in Smoky Hills are a bunch of litter bugs."
Duo grinned a bit sheepishly. "Guess so. Maybe I should talk to the Scouts in town and suggest they do an environmental badge--come out and clean the place up."
"Not a bad idea. But wait until Chang's people have a chance to take a look around. They often see things a detective might miss."
"Like old pens and scraps of a tarp?"
"Actually, they'd be more in the market for murder weapons or places blood might have splashed and been able to withstand the elements."
"For eight years?"
"You'd be surprised." Heero took the baggie and wrote on a corner with a marker he'd brought from his car--indicating the date, time and place.
Duo looked around again, swallowing hard as he recalled the last time he and Solo had been there together. "Seems weird to know I'll never see him again," he sighed.
"But you will," Heero assured him. "As long as you have memories of him, a part will remain with you."
Duo turned misty eyes to the Japanese man. "That's sweet," he said in a husky voice. "Kind of a cliché. But maybe it's true."
"Things become clichés for a reason," Heero noted. "Mostly because they are so frequently true."
"Jeeze--a philosopher, aren't ya?" Duo shook his head as they started back down the trail towards the car. "You and Quat might just get along after all." He cast a dark look over one shoulder. "Once you stop the pissing contest."
"Excuse me?" Heero asked with an offended look. "Pissing contest?"
"Yeah." Duo ducked under a low branch and let it swing back behind him, narrowly missing his companion. "Between his overprotective crap, and you thinkin' I'm some kind of emotional wreck-- Let's just say it's gonna get really old really fast."
"I don't think you're an emotional wreck."
"You think I'm 'vulnerable,'" Duo reminded him. "Both of you. And that's just plain wrong. I may have taken finding out about Solo kind of badly; but that doesn't mean I'm not okay. I land on my feet, Yuy. Always have."
"I never said otherwise," Heero assured him. "In fact, even Trowa commented on your resilience."
"He did, hm?" Duo cast a sidelong glance at Heero. "Maybe I should be dating him--"
Heero missed a step and nearly tumbled down the slope, but Duo turned quickly and caught him, helping to balance them both.
They ended up pressed together, using a tree trunk for support.
"You okay?" Duo asked, looking at Heero with concern.
"Fine." Heero looked back searchingly. "Do you want to be dating Trowa?"
A soft smile graced Duo's lips. "Hardly. An' even if I did, he likes Quatre, and Quatre likes him--so he's far from available."
"But if he was--"
"God, Yuy, are you that insecure?" Duo asked flatly. "No, I am not interested in dating your brother. End of subject."
"Good." Heero pulled away and continued down the trail.
Now that he thought about it, recalling the way Wufei had broken off their relationship--maybe he was a little insecure. And faced with the chance to start something with a vibrant, handsome man like Duo, he couldn't help but worry. After all, he knew Trowa was more personable than he was; more easygoing and charming. Why shouldn't he feel a bit--insufficient--by comparison?
They reached the car and climbed in, setting out as the sun was headed for the horizon.
"Home?" Heero asked, glancing over at the braided man.
Duo opened his mouth to ask "yours or mine," but thought better of it and simply nodded. "I s'pose I could go ahead and make dinner even though it's not my night--kind of a peace offering to Quatre."
"That sounds like a good idea."
Duo sighed. "Yeah. I owe him an apology, too. May as well get that over with."
"Also a good idea," Heero acknowledged.
Duo seemed to run out of conversation at that point, lapsing into a silence that spread over the next few miles. He ended up staring pensively out the window, one hand toying with the end of his braid in his lap.
Seeing that there was obviously something going on in the other man's ever-active mind, Heero reached over and took hold of Duo's restless hand. "Hey, what's on your mind?" he asked.
Duo's lips quirked in a wry smile. "Just tryin' to figure out what happens next."
"Ah." Heero drove in silence for a moment, not releasing Duo's hand. In fact, his thumb rubbed in a soothing motion across the back of it. "Do you mean what happens between you and me, or were you talking about the investigation into Solo's death?"
"Either. Both." Duo shrugged.
"Well, as far as you and me--I'd like to--" Heero's mind supplied several inappropriate suggestions at that point, and when he realized his voice had trailed off, he opted for the first clean thought that found its way in. "I'd like to take you out to dinner someplace nice, where we could just enjoy each other's company. So I'm thinking it'd have to be outside of Smoky Hills." He glanced aside at Duo, trying to decipher the look on his face. "Not that I'm embarrassed to be seen with you; quite the contrary."
Duo blushed adorably, and ducked his head, looking studiously down at his lap and their entwined hands.
"But I get the feeling you might enjoy having our first date somewhere neutral--where there's no chance of encountering any small-minded assholes who might ruin it for you."
Duo looked up with a shy smile. "Yeah, I think that'd be nice."
Heero breathed an inward sigh, relieved that Duo didn't think he was reluctant to be seen with him.
"But--what about you bein' in charge of the investigation?" Duo reminded him, sounding like he hated bringing up the subject. "Are you allowed--?"
Heero gave the question a moment of serious thought before he spoke. "As I told Chang, you aren't a suspect. And I was intending to ask you out long before this whole mess got started. So I think as long as I do a proper, thorough investigation and don't let my feelings for you interfere with the process, it'll be okay." He gave an almost sheepish shrug. "Whether we're a couple or not, I can't be objective about you."
Duo grinned teasingly at him. "You say the sweetest things, 'Ro."
Heero rolled his eyes. "Wasn't meant to be sweet," he said gruffly. "Just a statement of fact."
"Yeah, well--right back atcha." Duo looked down at his faded jeans and then back over at Heero. "You, um, weren't thinking of any place too fancy for going out, were you?"
Heero gave a patient smile, realizing that Duo probably didn't have an extensive wardrobe, since he had no need for it. "No. It'll be casual, but nice. You wouldn't need to wear anything other than slacks and a good shirt--no ties or jackets or nonsense like that."
"Good," Duo sighed. "'Cause I'm not sure I even own a tie--unless you count the one I borrowed from Howard to wear to the church funeral and never gave back. An' I think that had some kinda lame polka-dots on it that I'd be embarrassed to be seen in any more--unless it was for a practical joke or something."
Heero found himself grinning at the notion of Duo in some bizarre, speckled tie. "Absolutely no ties," he promised.
Duo nodded, relaxing back in his seat. After another moment passed, he spoke up again, his tone both hesitant and hopeful. "So when do you want to go on this not-too-fancy date?"
"I'd say tonight, but after spending all day yesterday in jail, and today out hiking, you'd probably like a chance to relax."
"Yeah, and shower again," Duo said with a wrinkled nose, tugging at his tee shirt. "I'm surprised you'd wanna be within ten feet of me."
Heero's grip on Duo's hand tightened fractionally. "I want to be closer than that." He heard a soft intake of breath. "How's tomorrow night?"
"For--?"
Heero smirked at the wary look on Duo's face. "Dinner."
"Oh." Duo looked like he didn't know whether to be relieved or to pout. "Thought you meant the 'closer' part."
"Maybe I did," Heero teased. "If I feed you first, it'll help you keep up your strength."
Duo's eyes widened, and a hint of pink touched the high cheekbones.
"Relax," Heero soothed. "I said I'd wait, and I meant it. I'm just teasing you a little."
"Not complaining," Duo asserted, though he looked a bit relieved. "I--just. I guess I've got to get used to it. I mean, it's been a long, long time--"
Heero nodded, wondering if that was part of the reason for the unexpected kiss and what followed. "I understand," he said simply.
"How long ago--?" Duo stumbled to a halt. "I mean, if it's not prying--I wondered how long ago you and Doctor Chang broke up?"
"Six months, give or take," Heero said with a shrug.
"But you're still friends?"
Heero snorted wryly. "I'm not sure I'd call him a friend."
Duo cocked his head thoughtfully. "He's helping out with the investigation though."
"That's because I appealed to his professional pride," Heero explained. "He can't resist a good mystery."
"Oh." Duo was tempted to ask what Chang was like, but he didn't want to get Heero started on a comparison between him and a former lover. He wasn't at all sure how he'd fare next to an illustrious scientist.
"We didn't part on particularly good terms," Heero added, feeling like he needed to reassure Duo somehow. "But now that some time has elapsed, we can at least be civil to one another. And maybe eventually we'll be friends."
"But not yet?"
Heero shook his head, not wanting to come right out and say that Wufei had hurt him too much for that. But he noticed Duo looked oddly pleased by his response, and a faint smirk touched his lips at the suggestion of jealousy. He didn't mind if Duo wanted to be a bit possessive. In fact, he thought it might be quite nice to belong to the braided man...and vice versa.
"Here we are," he said as he turned into the driveway to the house Quatre and Duo shared. "Home at last."
Duo turned to face him. "I--thanks for taking me to the place Solo was buried. It meant a lot to me."
"I'm glad," Heero replied. He didn't bother pointing out that it had also helped his investigation; that wasn't his primary motivation for taking Duo there.
The braided man reached for his seatbelt, and Heero caught his wrist and pulled him in for a soft, chaste kiss.
When Duo pulled back, he immediately glanced around them. "'Ro--it's broad daylight!"
Heero blinked in surprise. "So?"
"So--someone could've seen."
"Like who? Quatre?" Heero teased. "Too late, Duo. And he saw a lot more than kissing."
"Yes, but that was up at the bluff. Hardly anyone goes there this time of year. We're right in the middle of town now. Anyone could be walking past."
"Isn't the fact that you're gay common knowledge around here?" Heero asked with amusement. "Considering Ralph knows, and the size of his mouth, I'm surprised it's not on a billboard somewhere."
"Yes, but you and Trowa are new, and no one knows--"
Heero tugged him in for a longer kiss. And when he pulled back, he rested his forehead against Duo's. "As I said before, I'm not ashamed to be seen with you, Duo. Or to have people know we're romantically involved."
Duo rolled his eyes. "You don't know how the people in this town can be."
"Like Otto? Trant?" Heero countered. "I know exactly how the people of Smoky Hills feel about homosexuality." He gave a cocky smile. "I just don't care."
"What about the investigation? If Ralph finds out you an' I are--together--he'll run straight to Tsubarov."
"Let him," Heero said boldly, knowing it might give Une reason to pull him from the case. He didn't think she would, though. He was--or had been--one of her best detectives. And she would trust his ability to carry on an objective investigation even if he was dating someone who'd been close to the victim.
At least, he hoped she would, because he really wanted Duo to feel sure of him--to know he wasn't afraid to take on public opinion when it came to their budding relationship. He could tell Duo was used to downplaying his sexuality, and he didn't like the thought of the braided man being so intimidated.
"My sexual orientation has nothing to do with my abilities as a detective, and my boss knows that."
"But yesterday you wouldn't let me buy you lunch--"
"Yesterday I hadn't begun working the case and ruled you out as a suspect. Now that I have, even if Tsubarov told my boss I was involved with you, it wouldn't matter. She knows I'll conduct a thorough investigation."
Duo frowned. "I was a suspect?"
"As I told you before, everyone was."
"Yeah, but when you rescued me from Ralph, you said you didn't believe for a minute that I'd killed Solo."
"I didn't. And my interview with you confirmed it."
Duo pursed his lips thoughtfully, not sure whether to be annoyed that Heero had even considered him a suspect at all, or grateful that he'd ruled him out. "So, your being--interested in me--didn't influence you at all?"
"If I'd had any inkling you were less than innocent, I'd have grilled you within an inch of your life," Heero said firmly. "And even now, if I were to find evidence that pointed to you, I wouldn't hesitate to pursue it."
Duo's eyes widened. "You wouldn't?"
Heero shook his head. "No, I wouldn't. Even if it hurt like hell, I'd do what I had to in order to solve the case."
Duo gave him a lopsided grin. "Oddly enough, that makes me feel better." He leaned in and pressed a grateful kiss to Heero's lips. "Thanks for wanting the truth for Solo," he said warmly.
"You're very welcome," Heero answered. "Now, what time can I pick you up tomorrow evening?"
"Hm--I'm going back to work tomorrow. So how 'bout any time after five, just in case it's a heavy day for mail?"
"I'll be here at six," Heero decided. "You'll have time to come home and change, so I can wine you and dine you properly."
Duo chuckled. "You know you could take me out for burgers and fries and I'd enjoy it just as much. I don't have very expensive tastes."
"That's beside the point," Heero assured him. "We're going someplace nice."
"Have it your way," Duo agreed. "See you at six." He slipped out of the car and walked up onto the porch, turning to give Heero a shy smile and a wave before stepping inside.
~*~
Heero turned the car around and headed home, busily trying to remember the name of a restaurant he and Trowa had tried on one of their trips to physical therapy. It had been much nicer than average and close enough to Smoky Hills for a night out. He really wanted Duo to enjoy their first official date, and was willing to go to any lengths necessary to ensure it.
Trowa looked up from reading the paperwork on Sandy the moment Heero walked in the door. "Hey there--got an express mail from Cathy, with Sandy's health records and a temporary permit for housing her."
"That's nice."
"Quatre brought it," Trowa added with a dreamy smile.
Heero gave him a surprisingly dark glare, and then turned and headed towards the kitchen. "I know," he snipped over his shoulder.
"What's the matter?" Trowa yelped, pushing up off the couch and following him.
"You told him where to find us," Heero said with his back to his brother, as he pulled an iced tea out of the refrigerator and took a sip.
"So--? I didn't know it was a big secret or anything," Trowa said with a puzzled look.
"Your pretty blonde pal interrupted a rather--intimate moment," growled the Japanese man, darting an accusing look at Trowa.
Trowa's eyes widened, and a broad grin split his face. "Intimate? How intimate?" At the deep blush that spread up Heero's cheeks, his brother moved closer. "C'mon, Yuy. Spill it! How intimate? Were you already shagging the mailman up there?"
"No!" Heero said hotly, turning to face him. "Jesus, Tro'. How much of a louse do you take me for?"
"Well, I had sort of thought you were a bit of a prude, in all honesty. Until now. So, exactly what did Quatre interrupt?"
Heero turned away again, fishing for a snack from the depths of the refrigerator, and mumbled something vague about "making out a bit."
"Details!" Trowa demanded. "I want specifics, bro'. An' I'm not gonna stop bugging you until I get 'em."
"For fuck's sake!" Heero blurted, walking over to toss a packet of cold meat onto the counter and then reaching for a loaf of bread. "It's none of your business, and frankly, it was none of Quatre's." He looked over his shoulder. "Your cute little postmaster has a temper, you know."
"Does he?" Trowa asked, sounding more intrigued than put off by the comment. "What'd he do--scold you two for public indecency?"
"More or less."
Trowa chuckled helplessly. "Aw, I knew I should've gone with him!" he lamented. "It would've been priceless, catching my little brother with his pants down!"
"They weren't down," Heero retorted, still keeping his attention mostly focused on making a sandwich, so he didn't have to look directly at his amused friend. "Just unzipped."
Trowa doubled over, clutching his stomach. "What a picture! Goddamn, I wish I'd gone!"
Heero scowled at him. "Good thing you didn't," he said warningly. "Quatre embarrassed Duo more than enough."
"Just Duo?"
Heero shrugged. "I don't embarrass easily. And since Quatre doesn't know stupid shit about me he could've blurted out loud, I wasn't too mortified."
"I take it Duo was," Trowa said, sobering. "What did Quatre blurt out?"
"Personal stuff--like Duo being vulnerable right now, and the fact that he's still--" Heero trailed off uncomfortably.
"Still--?"
Heero mumbled something while cutting his sandwich into squares and walking over to the table.
"Still what?"
"Nothing."
"Heero--"
"Nothing!"
"C'mon, bro'. You totally know I'll badger it out of you eventually. Why not save us both the time and effort, hm?"
"It's really none of your business."
"But I'm going to find it out anyway, so you may as well cut to the chase."
Heero heaved a frustrated sigh.
"Pleeease," Trowa wheedled, giving his most charming and puckish smile.
"Oh for crying out loud--fine! He's a virgin," Heero blurted. "Now would you fuckin' drop it?"
Trowa's green eyes went wide with shock. "He is? A gorgeous guy like that? Impossible!"
Heero glared hard enough to melt steel, though it had no discernible effect on his brother. "Apparently it's not impossible," he said dryly. "I didn't ask Duo to admit or deny it, after Quatre went and just blabbed it out loud; poor guy was just mortified. Looked like he wanted to sink into the ground. And I don't blame him."
"Me neither," Trowa said with a shake of his head. He watched his brother settle into a seat and put his plate in front of him. "So--Quatre was worried about Duo's virtue?"
Heero shrugged and took a bite of his sandwich.
"Maybe he's right to be," Trowa added pensively. "You hardly know Duo. I'm surprised you'd make a move like that--"
"I didn't!" Heero said sharply.
"Huh?"
"I didn't. Duo did," came a rather defensive reply.
"Oh." Trowa pondered that for a moment while Heero ate a section of his sandwich. "So innocent little virginal Duo made a move on you?"
Heero rolled his eyes. "Trowa--this is one of the reasons I haven't dated since Wufei. If you're going to insist on prying into my love life, I really don't want to give you more fodder for your harassment--"
"I'm just trying to picture how you ended up groping each other when you haven't actually had a date yet," Trowa retorted. "I know you, Heero. You don't sleep around. And you certainly don't do it on the first date. I'm trying to understand your impetuousness this time around."
"I was looking for evidence, and telling Duo that it wasn't just about the murder case--it was about finding answers for him," Heero told him, knowing sooner or later his persistent brother would drag it out of him anyway. "Next thing I knew, he just grabbed me and kissed me." He took a sip of his tea. "Things sort of progressed from there."
"I guess so," Trowa smirked. "Were his pants unzipped as well?"
Heero blushed and scowled and declined to answer.
"If Quatre hadn't interrupted, how far were you going to take it?"
Heero glared at him again. "Not as far as you think!" he said hotly. "Dammit, Trowa, I just got carried away for a minute. He felt so damned good in my arms--" He broke off in frustration, looking down at his plate.
"Hey, y'don't have to explain it to me," Trowa said gently. "I know what it's like. My track record's a lot wilder than yours." He plunked down in the seat opposite Heero. "It's been a long time since Chang and you split up."
"This isn't about Chang," Heero grumbled. "And it's not about just needing a piece of ass. You should know me better than that."
Trowa raised an eyebrow. "Explain it to me."
"Duo's--different," Heero admitted, forcing the words out past his natural reticence. After all, he habitually told Trowa things he wouldn't normally tell a soul. "There's something about him--"
"Aside from the killer blue eyes and gorgeous hair?"
"His eyes are indigo--almost purple," Heero corrected meticulously. "And the hair-- Well--"
"You're dying to see it down, aren't you?" Trowa teased.
"Maybe."
"I'll bet it reaches his knees when it's loose. Imagine all that shiny, silky hair draped over you--"
"Stop!" Heero ordered firmly, pausing to clear his throat. "Give me a break, Barton. Okay?"
Trowa subsided, but couldn't suppress a wide smile. "Sure. I'm glad you finally made some progress. At least now Duo's not in the dark about how you feel towards him."
"Ah, no," Heero admitted.
"And I thought for sure Quatre and I would be the first to take the plunge," Trowa sighed. Then he brightened a bit. "That reminds me--we're invited to a cookout at their house on Friday."
"We are?"
"Yes. When he dropped off the express mail, Quatre asked if we'd like to come over for dinner."
Heero grimaced slightly. "You might want to double check with him. I'm not sure the invitation still stands."
Trowa blinked in surprise. "He was that upset when he stumbled across you two?"
"You could say that."
"What did he say?"
Heero shook his head. "Nothing that wasn't true. But he said it--at volume."
Trowa laughed aloud again. "You have such a way with people, 'Ro!"
Heero sighed, finishing off his sandwich in a couple more bites, and washing it down with iced tea. "I'm just saying," he added. "You might want to check with Quatre before you take me with you to that cookout. I don't think he likes me very much."
"But Duo does?"
"It seems that way."
"So I'm sure you're still welcome at their house." Trowa rubbed his hands together. "It can be your first official date."
"No it can't," Heero countered. "I'm taking Duo out to dinner tomorrow night."
Trowa's jaw dropped.
"Well I told you I didn't want you and Quatre shooting significant looks at us on our first date," Heero reminded him. "I meant it, too. Duo and I are going to that place you and I tried on our way back from therapy; the one with the great salad bar."
"You're going there without me?" Trowa asked in horror. "I was the one who picked that place to begin with."
"And a good choice it was," Heero said complacently. "Good enough that I can take someone I want to impress there."
"Kind of selfish of you," Trowa said with a hint of a smirk.
"I'll bring home a doggie bag, if you like," Heero replied evenly.
Trowa mock-scowled at him. "Not the same. It'd be so much more enjoyable in person."
"Where you could leer at Duo and me for the whole evening? I don't think so." Heero smiled benignly. "I'd be happy to treat you and Quatre to dinner there, minus my company, sometime in the future."
"I'll hold you to that," Trowa warned.
~*~
While Heero and Trowa were deep in their conversation, Duo was finishing his dinner prep and trying to formulate the proper apology to Quatre.
On the one hand, he still felt a bit justified in his reaction to Quatre's interruption, since he was, in fact, an adult and capable of making his own decisions, and mistakes. Quatre didn't have the right to tell him what to do.
On the other hand, Quatre had been purely motivated by friendship and concern. He hadn't meant to embarrass Duo; only to protect him. And while Duo didn't feel he needed that protection, he could understand why Quatre had reacted the way he did. It was out of character for Duo to be making out with someone he was just beginning to get to know.
"But God, he's hot," Duo mumbled to himself, pausing to recall Heero's very delicious kisses, and shivering at the memory.
He shook his head, and shook himself out of the momentary daze. "Back to work, Maxwell."
He was just finishing mixing Quatre's favorite salad dressing when he heard footsteps on the porch and his roommate pushed the screen door open. "I swear," came his weary and frustrated voice. "If Mister Lindenmeyer and Mister Duncan get into one more argument about whether the flag belongs at half-staff--"
"Uh-oh," Duo chimed in, peeking around the kitchen door. "You gonna go postal?"
Quatre paused just inside the house and blinked at him. "Well--it's a possibility."
Duo chuckled and gestured to Quatre. "C'mon into the kitchen, then, and I'll calm you down before it's too late. Salad's ready and the casserole will be out of the oven in five."
The blonde frowned a bit. "But it's my night to cook--"
"Yeah, but I had the day off," Duo reminded him. "And after I was such a dick up at Beech Bluff, I figured I owed you a little something."
"Oh, Duo--" Quatre's features softened and he gave the brunet an affectionate look. "No you don't owe me anything. I know I kind of got carried away up there and said too much."
Duo shrugged. "You might've been a little bit over the top with tellin' 'Ro my personal stuff--but you were right about the rest. I did get carried away, and I really do need to find out more about Heero before things go any further."
Quatre smiled warmly at him. "I'm glad you aren't mad at me."
"Ditto," Duo smirked back. "Now come sit down to a spinach salad that'll knock your socks off and make you forget all about those dimwits at the office."
The blonde set aside his car keys and jacket and followed Duo into the kitchen. "They were dimwits," he acknowledged. "Seriously. They drive me nuts when they get anal about how the flag is flown. For heaven's sake, I just do what the district people tell me to do. If there's an occasion to put it down, I put it down. And I leave it that way until I get the word that it goes back to full staff. Ugh."
Duo smiled indulgently. The two customers Quatre was ranting about were old men with little to do besides critique the display of the flag at their local post office. And they never seemed to agree. "I keep tellin' ya, Quat. You need to put a pot-bellied stove out in the box lobby and a checkerboard. Get them distracted playing a game or two, and they'll forget to bitch and moan at you."
"Hmph. I wish." Quatre walked over to the table and his face lit up as he saw the salad dressing mixture. "Oh, Duo--you really didn't need to go to this much trouble."
"Yeah I did. Had to smooth things over with my best buddy--regardless of the cost in time and effort." Duo dramatically put a forearm across his face. "Despite grueling hours of painstaking measuring and--"
A cherry tomato bounced off his forehead, effectively ending his melodrama.
"Shut up and eat," Quatre said drolly.
"Aye-aye," Duo chirped, plunking down across from his friend and smiling. "But you're picking up that tomato yourself."
"I will. I'll even do the dishes," Quatre offered. "Since you went to the trouble of cooking."
"How 'bout we do them together?" Duo suggested. "Teamwork."
"Sounds perfect," Quatre said with a smile.
TBC...
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