The Handsome Clerk Part 2
When Heero had left the store that Monday, Duo had watched him walk until he disappeared beyond view. His palms were sweaty with anticipation and he touched his cell phone, which was in his right pocket, to ensure that it was there.
Heero's first visit to the store had been difficult to forget; for days Duo remembered that quiet voice, the head of messy hair and the mesmerizing blue eyes despite Heero's more obvious Asian traits. When those blue eyes appeared in his dreams, Duo had to tell himself to stop thinking about the customer.
But the fates seemed to disagree, for the very next day, Duo turned away from the counter of a coffee shop, his drink in hand, and saw Heero in the queue. They had made eye contact and nothing more.
Of course, at that time Duo hadn't known that his name was Heero. He mentally named Heero 'Mr. Blue Eyes and Messy Hair' and left the coffee shop.
It was taking Duo time to gather his courage to approach Heero; after all, Heero rarely smiled back when they made eye contact. There was also the fact that Duo didn't follow a strict schedule at the store and therefore knew that he probably didn't frequent the coffee shop at roughly the same time each day like Heero would. If they were both rushing off to work, they wouldn't have time to talk, so Duo needed to find a way to get to know the handsome man.
The fates convened again when Duo looked up and saw Heero looking at him. He automatically smiled and watched as Heero's lips twitched upwards just slightly before turning to the clothing display.
"You're staring."
Duo turned back to his customer and grinned sheepishly, even though Quatre had been staring along with him. "I was appreciating beauty," he defended himself softly.
Quatre glanced over Duo's shoulder and grinned. "Heero Yuy," he said. "He's one of the head consultants in network security for WEI."
"You know him?" Duo asked, surprised.
"I've met him a couple of times," Quatre said with a shrug.
"What else do you know about him?"
"You mean, do I know if he's gay?" Quatre asked cheekily.
"Quatre!" Duo groaned.
"I know from the way he was staring at you that he was interested."
"Maybe he recognizes me as the guy who helped him pick out his suit last month," Duo said. "Or maybe he stares because of my braid."
"Maybe he stares because you're good looking," Quatre said. "He's a polite guy. Quiet, reserved, good at his job."
"He looks like he could be good at anything he does."
"I bet you're thinking that he looks good in anything he wears, or nothing at all."
"Quatre!" Duo snapped, a blush creeping up to his cheeks. "I don't think of my customers and pretend they are naked. You, on the other hand, I wouldn't put it past you to imagine your secretary being naked."
"I've seen him naked," Quatre shot back and promptly blushed. "Anyway, I have to run. Just ask him out!" With that, Quatre waved his goodbye. "And thanks for straightening my tie," he called before heading towards the door.
Duo had waited until Quatre had left before he approached Heero. He could see that he had surprised his customer by remembering his name and what he had purchased, and it had taken a ridiculously short amount of time to find Heero the things that he needed. It was almost disappointing, but Duo knew that he had personally done his job efficiently.
It was a spontaneous action, really, to write that message and his own cell phone number down on Heero's receipt, especially when he'd had no idea whether Heero would even be remotely interested in being friends, let alone anything more.
So Duo had worried himself for the next hour before he felt the vibration of his cell phone in his pocket. He had just stepped into the back room to get something and he quickly checked the message.
Thursday at 7pm at Mercutio's, I'll make the reservations. Do you need a lift?
Short and to the point. Duo quickly typed his reply before returning to work.
I have a ride. See you there.
~*~
Heero arrived at Mercutio's ten minutes early. The restaurant was a block away from the coffee shop that he and Duo frequented, and it served a pretty good steak. He occupied himself with a glass of water and the menu, trying not to look up every time someone passed by. He couldn't see the door from where he was, but he didn't want to appear too restless.
Duo arrived two minutes before seven, his smile in place as he sat down; Heero smiled back timidly.
"Hey! You're earlier than I am."
Heero nodded. "I tend to be," he replied. "Have you eaten here before?"
"Once," Duo said. "You?"
"A couple of times," Heero replied, watching as Duo picked up the menu.
"Do you know what you want?" Duo asked.
"I was going to order a steak."
"Sounds good." Duo flagged down a waiter and placed their order, but turned to Heero at the waiter's offer of red wine. "Red wine?" he asked Heero.
"I'm okay with wine if you are."
"Great," Duo grinned and selected the first wine he recognized. His smile became a little more reserved when the waiter left. "I hope you didn't mind that I...wrote my number down like that."
Heero shook his head. "Of course not," he assured Duo, although he couldn't bring himself to tell Duo that he would never have had that courage. "You look good," he added, taking in Duo's dark grey shirt with the top two buttons undone.
"So do you," Duo replied with a grin. "So..." he trailed off.
The both of them were silent before Duo suddenly chuckled. "Gosh," he said. "I really had a ton of things planned to say, to make conversation but somehow I can't remember anything."
Heero nodded. "I know the feeling."
The waiter came back and served the wine, so Heero took the chance to propose a toast.
"To a new friendship."
Duo lifted his wine glass. "And...maybe a little more?" he asked hopefully.
Heero's smiled and nodded before taking a sip. Both of them were relieved that the other man was available, and seemingly interested, in considering this a first date.
Over their steaks, they talked about jobs and a little bit about themselves. Heero found out that Duo had moved to the city only a year ago and had worked in that shop for three months only.
"Did you transfer in from another branch?" Heero asked curiously.
"No. Why?"
"You seem to know the products really well."
"Oh." Duo ducked his head a little. "I'm, um, actually the designer."
Heero almost choked. "Designer?" he asked.
Duo nodded. "I design men's apparel of the more formal category," he said. "And my current contract is exclusive to this store. I get my best inspiration watching my customers and the executives of the place didn't mind that I hung around the sales floor and played sales clerk."
"Wow," Heero said. "You're...definitely good at what you do."
"Thank you," Duo smiled. "I'd have to say, though, that it's the handsome customers like you that makes my job easier and more inspiring. The blue shirt that you bought on Monday? It was one of the recent designs, although it was mostly the color of your eyes that inspired me."
Heero didn't know what to say. His eyes had inspired Duo?
"So, tell me," Duo said, determined not to be the only one put in the spotlight. "Did you recognize me at all when we passed each other at the coffee shop?"
"Yes," Heero admitted. "But I wasn't sure if you did, because I can only imagine the number of faces you see every day in your line of work."
"Right," Duo nodded. "You play with computers and stuff and probably see less clients than I see customers."
The waiter interrupted before Heero could boldly say that Duo was hot enough to recognize anywhere.
"Coffee?" Duo asked Heero. "Do you want some? Or we could take a walk to that coffee shop."
"That sounds good," Heero agreed. "Can we get the bill, please?"
The waiter excused himself and returned quickly. Duo had his credit card ready despite Heero's protest.
"You can buy the coffee later," Duo said. "I invited you out, remember? It's my treat."
"Next time, then. And coffee," Heero conceded.
They decided to leave their cars at the parking lot and fell into companionable silence as they walked, breathing in the cool autumn air. Heero could smell Duo's cologne and the sudden arousal he felt almost startled him.
Duo smelled good. Really good.
Luckily, familiar smell of coffee once they opened the door to the coffee shop prevented him from smell Duo too closely and left him on firmer ground. Heero bought the coffee as promised and they sat down at a table for two.
The hour they spent there passed quickly and before long, Heero found himself at the restaurant parking lot once more.
"I had a good time," Duo said.
"So did I," Heero answered. "I...would you like to meet for dinner on Saturday?"
"Sorry," Duo said apologetically. "I'm flying out tomorrow to attend a fashion show; that's why I asked you out tonight. But I'll be back Sunday afternoon, if you want to do Sunday evening?"
"That would be fine," Heero said, relieved that Duo wasn't turning him down. "Would you be too tired, though?" he asked.
Duo shook his head. "It'll be fine. Pick a place and I'll give you a call when I get back."
"Sounds good."
They stood face to face for a moment before Heero decided to lean forward and give Duo a kiss on his cheek.
Duo apparently had the same idea, because the next thing they knew, their lips were pressed together. Both of them pulled back quickly, apologies on the tips of their tongues, but Duo realized that Heero was holding his wrist, and his free hand was resting at Heero's hip. They leaned forward again for another brief kiss, and the sound of a car starting up further away startled them apart, reminding them that they were in a parking lot.
"Goodnight, Heero," Duo whispered.
"Goodnight. Have a safe trip."
Duo offered another smile before heading over to his car. Heero slipped into the driver's seat of his car and was just buckling in when his phone chirped, informing him of a new text message.
Coffee tastes good on you. I wonder what else would?
Heero grinned to himself and typed his reply.
You can look forward to finding out.
TBC...
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