Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Perfectly Broken ❯ Chapter 7 ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7

 

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"So how long have you actually lived in that house?" Duo asked me as we drove down the road. My house wasn't that far away, but given the traffic jam we were in, the trip was going to take a little while.

 

"Um... as far back as I can remember." I replied. I had been with J for a very long time and I just remembered slivers of another man who had taken care of me before J, but I didn't remember why I was with him.

 

"So how old are you? 17? 18?" It was Duo's turn to ask me questions since I had asked him a bunch last night. It was only fair that he know some things about me.

 

"I'm 17 right now, but I'll turn 18 in about two months, I think."

 

"You think? Don't you know when your birthday is?" Duo glanced at me and looked like he didn't believe my answer.

 

"I don't know when my real birth day is. My handlers never told me and there aren't any papers that would give me the exact day. All I know is Dr... I mean my former doctor told me it was in February. I dental scan let him know what age I was." I told Duo this matter-of-factly, but I think he had begun to feel sorry for me.

 

"That must really suck. Although my birthday is kind of interesting in its own right." He began to tell me then stopped as the car ahead of us finally moved. "Yes! Maybe we'll get somewhere now." The traffic started to move again and we were back on our trip. I wanted to know what Duo was going to say though.

 

"Interesting how?" I pressed, waiting for him to answer me.

 

"Oh, because my birthday is on Halloween. I bet my parents didn't like the irony of the whole trick or treat. I think I was a little of both since my parent's friend Howard told me that I had been a surprise to begin with." Duo chuckled a bit at that. I let a small smile stray onto my lips as we turned down the road to my house.

 

Duo was quite for a bit then and I knew that he was probably remembering old memories. Maybe some that he didn't want to remember at all. I couldn't help but feel guilty for dragging them up. I wanted to apologize, but it was cut short by Duo.

 

"Well, your house looks pretty much the same as it did the last time I was here. Although, I don't think I have to save you from starvation again, now do I?" I shook my head and unbuckled my seatbelt. Duo did the same and hopped out of the car. The car was Quatre's but he didn't mind Duo using it seemed. However, I think under the circumstances he didn't want me to fall off Duo's motorcycle with my belongings and was generous enough to tell Duo to use the car. Duo told me this while we were stuck in the traffic jam and it made me realize how trusting their friendship was.

 

I led the way and unlocked the door for the both of us. I tried the switch, but the light wouldn't turn on. The power must have been out here as well.

 

"Good thing I brought more flashlights. Quatre always has some in his car just in case." He went to fetch them and I waited by the door for him to come back. Even with the curtains open, the parlor looked dark. Mostly because it was so late in the evening and the sun was already starting to go down.

 

"Normal time stinks sometimes, doesn't it?" Duo asked me and handed me a flashlight. I switched it on and led the way to my room.

 

"It can be. I think it's only worse since there's still no power." I bent and looked under my bed for my satchel that had been there always and pulled it out by the cord. I unzipped it and shook it out before going over to my closet and drawers to look for clothes and other things.

 

"You have a nice place Heero, for what I can see in the dark. I don't mind the dark, but it is a pain when you want to cook and look for things. Do you want me to start looking for warm clothes in the closet?" Duo suggested as he put a flashlight on the dresser and had it standing up to reflect the light off the ceiling. I thought about it for half a second then complied.

 

"Sure, there isn't much in there though." I told him as he held another flashlight with his chin as he examined some clothes before taking them off the hanger, folding them and putting them in the satchel.

 

I grabbed a bunch of boxers and tee shirts to wear for night and stuffed them in there as well then went to the bathroom to get my soap.

 

"Heero you can use the soap and shampoo I have at the apartment." He must have followed me in because his light was trained on me. I didn't put the items back though as I turned to look at him.

 

"I don't want to burden you." Still not relenting my hold.

 

"You aren't. If you want to grab your own toothbrush I can understand and a hair brush too. But soap, shampoo, and toothpaste don't even worry about, we have plenty of it at the apartment and you have less hair than I do, so don't worry about it." I gave in and put them back, but grabbed my toothbrush and comb before exiting the bathroom.

 

I shoved those in the pouch as well and swiped the light across the room to make sure I didn't forget anything. I hadn't and then lead Duo back out into the parlor and then pulled the door shut. Duo took the sachtel from me when I locked the door and put it in the backseat of the car then sat in the driver's side. I double checked that the door was locked and looked to see if the windows were shut as well, then joined Duo in the car.

 

"All set?" I looked out once more then nodded to him.

 

"As ready as I am going to be." I replied as we took to the road once more.

 

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Duo turned into a small restaurant when we were half way back to the apartment. The place looked nice and clean with a friendly sign hanging above the parking lot. Duo got out and I followed him as we went in. Duo told the waitress we wanted a table for two, non-smoking. I let Duo do the talking since he was good at it and followed him to the table.

 

It was further back from the other people that were dining there and private enough for my liking, since too many people make me nervous. The waitress left us with the menu and Duo and I both slid into a chair across from each other. Duo smiled at me as I picked up the menu and glanced at it before realizing I couldn't pay for any of it. I wanted to tell Duo this, but I think he must have seen the worry on my face.

 

"Don't be so nervous Heero. I'm paying, just get whatever you want." He smirked at me then turned back the the page he was looking at.

 

"But Duo-"

 

"What would you gentlemen like to drink?" The waitress asked cutting me off. I looked briskly through the menu looking for the selection. I was a little confused since I had never been taken to a resturant before.

 

"I'll have a cup of coffee. Do you want some hot tea Heero?" Duo asked me after making his selection. I nodded to him and put my menu down and waited for the waitress to leave.

 

"Do you want to order or do you need a few more minutes?" She asked sweetly. I read her name tag. Katrina. Duo must have done the same because he smiled back.

 

"I think we'll need a bit more time Katrina, but thanks for asking." He replied.

 

"No problem. I'll be right back with your drinks." She walked away, leaving Duo and me alone once more.

 

"Heero, are you alright? Is that what you wanted? You can get something else later if you want to." He offered, kind as always.

 

"I'm fine Duo. It's just... I have never been out to a restaurant before." I admitted to him and waited to see if he would laugh.

 

"It's okay. There's nothing to it really. Just look in the menu and order what looks the best to eat. That's what I do. Everything here is pretty good, but if you want a recommendation, I'd go with the cream of mushroom soup and the chicken ceaser salad combo. It's really good and it'll warm you up." He suggested. The meal did look good. Maybe I should try it.

 

"Thanks Duo."

 

"No problem." The waitress was back with our drinks as soon as our conversation ended. Duo ordered a chicken fajita wrap and a cup of mushroom soup and I went with the selection he told me. Katrina wrote it down and smiled and told us we would get our soup before the actual meal as soon as it was ready.

 

We went back to chatting about random things. Duo didn't say anything reguarding me paying him back at all. Mostly we talked about how dumb squirrels could be for getting electrocuted and keeping us out of our homes during dinner times. I asked Duo how a restaurant could stay open and he told me it was a secret until I pestered him about it and revealed that he knew they had back-up generators.

 

I wanted to know how they worked and why didn't Duo have one. He said he couldn't afford one and besides, it was the landlord's job to get one of them in the first place. I made a mental note to myself to buy Duo a generator or a heater, so he wouldn't be cold the next time the power went out.

 

Our soup arrived and I sipped at it at first trying to see if I liked it or not. Duo was probably trying to gauge my reaction so I made it a point to keep my expression neutral. I sipped two more spoonfuls before he asked if I liked it.

 

"It's different from anything that I've ever had before." I told him and took a bigger spoonful.

 

"Is that in a good way or a bad one?" He wondered out loud.

 

"It's a good one. This is really good. I wish I could get this with my supplies every week." I told Duo who smirked at my answer.

 

"They do deliver, Heero. You could always call them and order it if you like it that much." I smiled at that fact and we both returned to eating in companionable silence.

 

Our main course arrived and I was glad that Duo had told me about it. It was cool and refreshing, but had enough spices in the chicken to make my taste buds tingle with happiness. We finished and Katrina asked if we wanted dessert. My stomach was full to the brim, but Duo it seemed had room for more. He surpried me and ordered two mango raspberry cheesecakes to go, two cups of the mushroom soup we had just had and an order of linguine in clam sause and an oriental chicken wrap, the waitress left to go prepare them.

 

Duo swayed a little in his seat while he waited for her to return. He seemed happy about something. Although I didn't know what.

 

"Why'd you order two cheesecakes and more food?" I finally asked him before the waitress came back. He gave me a smirk, but didn't say anything. So he made it a secret? Well, then I'd just wait for him to tell me later.

 

Katrina came back and gave Duo the bill, the food and the desserts. He got out the right amount and left a five dollar tip on the table under his coffee cup then stood up and pulled on his coat. I did the same and walked with him up to the register. He paid the woman there and told her to have a nice night, and then we were back out in the cold and getting into the car.

 

Duo buckled himself in and I did the same before he handed me the desserts and containers in a bag to hold. I did willingly as he started up the car and backed out of the parking space then drove onto the hard road.

 

"I bought two cheesecakes because one wouldn't be enough and there's more room to fill." He said as if that answered my question. I waited for him to elaborate, but he didn't. He just paid attention to the road until he pulled into the apartment parking lot.

 

"That still doesn't fully answer my question." I said huffly. Duo smirked again. I was begining to get annoyed at that smirk since it didn't tell me what I wanted to know.

 

"Just wait until we get back inside. You'll see." I didn't like that remark anymore than I had liked the other one, but I did have some patience, so I waited. Duo grabbed my satchel from the back seat and I carried the food as we walked to the door.

 

We walked up the stairs and got to the door and walked right on through since it was unlocked. Quatre and Trowa were sitting together on the couch underneath a heavy blanket and from what I could tell, Quatre was probably half in Trowa's lap.

 

"Hey guys. Hungry?" Duo asked with a smile.

 

"Famished. What'd you bring us?" Quatre asked and sat up straight.

 

"Linguine in clam sauce for Tro and an oriental chicken wrap for you Kat. I also got you a raspberry mango cheesecake that you can share with one another." So, that's why he'd gotten two.

 

"Thanks Duo, you have no idea how much we love you right now." Quatre said as he took one of the bags from me that had the food in them. Duo sat down in the other couch and patted the cushion next to him. I sat down on it and he took the other container from me.

 

"Are you up for some dessert? I promise it tastes good." Duo smiled and begged me with his eyes to try some. I was full, but I wasn't completely stuffed yet. I could fit in something sweet.

 

"Sure, can't wait to see what the fuss is about." Duo got up and got three forks. He gave one to Trowa and the other container with the cheesecake and took the other one and opened it before handing me a fork. The cake was definitely generous given its size and looked so good that my mouth began to water.

 

"Go ahead and try it Heero." Duo urged and I did. It was a citrusy blend of mango and cool tart reaspberry flavors. It was smooth and cool in my warm mouth and it felt like the treat would just dissolve right into my tongue. I couldn't help the moan on contentment that left my lips as I went in for another taste.

 

Duo chuckled lightly beside me as he took a bite for himself. "See, I told you it was good." I nodded in agreement and continued to steal bits of it. Eating it slowly so I could enjoy every bite.

 

Quatre and Trowa enjoyed their warm food and I saw them sharing bites of each other's food from time to time. I couldn't help but stare when they started on the cheesecake and fed each other bites from the same fork. I didn't realize I was actually staring until Duo whispered in my ear.

 

"Cute aren't they?" I nodded automatically before turning back to Duo to see what he thought of me, but he just smiled gently then went to throw out the empty box and the forks in the sink. I chanced another glance at the couple and couldn't help but wonder; could I ever have that?

 

It was something I would have never thought of before, given my history. But being near Duo and meeting the people in his life and seeing how it could be, somehow brought me hope. I hoped that maybe I could find someone to love me and treat me like I was worth something more than just a frustration outlet.

 

But more than anything I realized, I secretly wanted that person to be Duo.

 

If only I knew what love felt like, then I would know and I could tell him that. Duo was kind and gentle and I could see from how his friends treated him, he wasn't just putting up a front to get something from them. He respected them and he respected me. He teased, he cuddled, he made jokes and laughed even if he was the only one to think the punchline was funny. Duo Maxwell was definitely a friend I wanted to keep.

 

After the others finshed eating, Duo and I pushed the couch we were sitting in closer to the other two and Duo brought out a deck of cards. We played Egyptian rat screw, rummy, and gin. We tried to play poker but everyone forgot some of the rules and we were pretty much cheating.

 

I really didn't know the games that well so the three of them spent some time at the beginning of each new game telling me the rules and showing me how to play. It was fun and sort of eerie with the flashlights and candles lighting up the room. It was intimate in a friendly kind of level and Duo's warmth beside me didn't fail to remind me of who I slept beside at night now.

 

It was getting pretty late and I started to doze off in my seat so Duo quietly ended the game and picked me up. I was a little shocked at first and tried to fight him since I didn't realize it was him, but then I remembered who carried me. Duo fished me out a tee shirt for me to wear. I kept the sweat pants on and just striped out of the sweater and gave it to Duo. Duo threw it in the hamper while I put on the tee shirt and then went to change himself while I was in the room. He didn't seem to mind and quickly came into the bed and snuggled against me. I wrapped my arms around him and cuddled as close as I had last night and was soon in the land of dreams before I knew it.

 

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

 

TBC...

 

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