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Author: FancyFigures
True Colours + Part 8 Heero sat on the couch in Duo's apartment. He wore a loose tee shirt, and casual pants. He nursed a glass of some kind of juice, but he seemed to have forgotten to drink it. His other hand clenched lightly at the cushion underneath him; his eyes were concentrated totally on the man sitting beside him.There was only a week to go to the opening of the second exhibition. They'd spent the morning in conference with Malia and the team, then Duo had left them all to go and work on more of the preparation for the show. He persisted in keeping the final details secret. His team were resigned to this bizarre approach - and if they found it strange that Heero Yuy also seemed tolerant of it, they didn't like to comment. Heero had other business to occupy his afternoon - then he'd also gone to the gallery. By now, it was early evening, and upstairs in Duo's apartment the candles had been lit in the studio room. Duo was sketching - but fitfully. His attention wasn't entirely on his work. His braid was rather scrappily tied, as if it had worked loose during some activity; his vivid yellow vest had a button mismatched. His shorts were barely gathered round his waist. When he shifted, so did Heero; when he coughed, Heero stirred. Finally, Duo smiled slightly, and put down the pad. "You gonna fidget there for much longer, Heero Yuy? Or you got something on your mind?" "Only you," replied Heero. He stared at the small droplets of water at Duo's throat, left over from an earlier shower. He wondered at his confidence - at his ability to say something so personal, and so honest, so very easily. He felt an entirely different person nowadays. "You're not drawing so much this week, Duo. Does your inspiration come and go? Is it a problem for you?" Duo didn't meet his eyes. "I'm just busy. With the show, y'know? Only a week to go..." "You've bought some paints," Heero said. He'd seen the careless jumble of stuff in the corner of the studio when he arrived. He tried to keep the emotion out of his voice, but even so he saw Duo tense up. "So?" "I - thought you might want to paint again. Will you leave your job here?" Duo sounded irritated. "Christ, Heero, it's just a coupla tubes of colour that I wanted to think about - just an old canvas I found round at Trow's. I've not touched a brush for months! Don't have me runnin' out just yet." "You must do what you want to, Duo." "You think I won't?" Duo's expression was wry as he looked into Heero's deliberately blank face. Heero looked back into the deep, wide, complex eyes, and sighed to himself. "Maybe." He thought there were too many secrets. He understood discretion better than many - but there was too little understanding in him for there to be any kind of peace. He felt a fool, most of the time. Perhaps Duo had tired of him - of his body. Of his company. Perhaps he felt that Heero cramped his style; his creative flow. He wondered what he'd do if Duo didn't want him round any more; in his bed; just watching him. Duo saw the flicker of uncertainty in his lover, and his smile was a little forced. "You have no idea what goes into a work, do you? The fact that it's work. That often it's pure torture. That it's also often the greatest joy; but there's no way of knowing when a day starts which one it'll be! I felt that with every one of my paintings. It's no way to be, Heero. It eats away at me..." "You want to be something else? Is that why you took the job at the gallery?" "To join the ranks of normality, you mean..." "I don't see it," smiled Heero. "Not you." There was no way he could resist touching Duo any longer - the day for him had been one of aching, awkward frustration, and he'd been more than pleased when Duo welcomed him round. He didn't know what was wrong with him nowadays - he seemed so uncertain of things; so easily disturbed. He also seemed to be constantly horny; constantly dreaming of Duo's slender, muscular body underneath him, hot and sweating with desire; his yelps of pleasure when Heero caressed him; his growls of hunger when he wanted Heero to go faster, harder... Heero reached forward, and brushed aimlessly at a thread of hair on Duo's shorts. God, he adored those shorts! They were so damned short, left so little to the imagination, and were so easily removed - Duo gasped, as if Heero's touch had carried a current right through him. And then he lifted his hand, and held it up in front of him, palm facing Heero, fingers outstretched. "Touch me, Heero." Heero was bemused, but pleased that Duo had responded. He lifted his hand in return, and touched his fingertips to Duo's. The longhaired man's skin was creased from gripping his pen for a while; Heero felt the warmth of the slight sweat from his palm. He ran his finger gently along the small lump on the side of Duo's middle finger - a legacy of gripping his pencil too tightly as a child. They sat there for a moment, palms a fraction apart, their fingerprints pressing gently against each other's. For a second, Duo closed his eyes. Heero felt as if something were being passed between them. Something shared; something beyond the mere touch of whorls of skin. Perhaps he just wished it... Duo opened his eyes abruptly, and gazed into Heero's. His expression was an astonishing mixture - it was vulnerable, and it was scared, and it was caressing. Heero felt his heartbeat miss. Then he leaned forward, and touched Duo's lips with his own. Kissing Duo continued to be the most astonishingly good feeling he'd ever had - the slight hesitancy in that first second, then the glorious lips moving under him, and opening ravenously to take his tongue. The heat and the taste and the joyous promise of where it might lead - Heero felt his cock swell in anticipation, and his knees spread open a little to accommodate it. "You wanna go to bed again, Heero?" hissed Duo. He pushed his braid back over his shoulder, so that he could lean into Heero's kiss, and slide eager arms around the dark-haired man's waist. They'd been in bed for an hour before this - Duo had greeted him at the door with a beer, a total lack of clothing, and the invitation to introduce him to the mattress springs again. Heero had responded as expected. "Greedy, greedy man you are..." Duo's voice was a low chuckle. "Who needs a bed?" whispered Heero. "I'm going to fuck you right here - unless you need the comfort of your mattress -" "Managed without it before," gasped Duo, allowing Heero to push him down off the couch on to the bare floor, flat on his back. He opened his hands in a kind of submission, and his pencil fell out of his palm, rolling away towards the wall. "Too much comfort's bad for my back, y'know -" Heero kissed him, a deep, passionate kiss that possessed his mouth, and threatened to remove his tonsils. It certainly cut off his vocal chords for a while. When Heero finally lifted his head, Duo's senses were whirling. "Get those damned clothes off -" growled Heero. He knelt down beside Duo, and tugged at the fabric of the shorts until he could see the tip of the mischievous tattoo, his impatient hands dragging Duo a little way along the boards. "Such a stupidly inadequate green shirt -" "It's canary yellow, y'know -" gasped Duo, but he lifted his arms, and let Heero peel it off him regardless. Heero sat back on his heels, and his head plunged down to nip at Duo's chest; to lick the large, erect nipples. His hands went unerringly to the other man's waist, and tugged the loosened shorts down, so swiftly that they snagged on Duo's painfully aroused cock. The longhaired man's legs flailed inelegantly in the air as Heero pulled them down off each ankle, making small sounds of need and frustration. Satisfied with his work, Heero watched the glistening shaft spring free from the fabric, straining out from the chestnut curls of Duo's groin; weeping softly and tantalisingly. His eyes lit up with desire and admiration. "What have you been thinking about, Duo Maxwell? That's an impressive reaction from some harmless sketching -" "You think it's from thoughts of you?" smirked Duo. His hand reached out and grabbed at Heero's neck, trying to tug him down on top of him. "Damned right it is! I've been hot for you since two hours before you last fucked me, Heero Yuy! You think I greet just anyone with beer and bare flesh? I was achin' for it all through that session in the bed -" "- and in the shower -" murmured Heero. "- and back in the bed -" grinned Duo. Heero stroked a warm finger along the swollen shaft, and he yelped. "And now I can't even seem to keep the damned thing under control when I'm meant to have my mind in creative mode..." "You need help," murmured Heero. Instinctively, he licked his lips. "You need assistance; to release your needs..." "Man with tongue of the devil speaks truth!" groaned Duo. "You got a number I can call?" But Heero was already shifting, turning his head towards Duo's groin, and reaching down eagerly to lick at his cock. Duo moaned, loudly. "Closer, Heero - come closer -! Wanna be inside your mouth -" Heero let his tongue slip gently away from the shaft, watching the thread of saliva stretch from the purple tip until it broke, and dribbled down the wrinkling skin. The cock bobbed and beckoned to him, shamelessly. Resisting Duo's blindly waving arms, he climbed between his outstretched legs, and lifted the strong, tanned limbs so that they draped over his shoulders. Duo gasped, and was shifted even further along the floor in the process. But when Heero bent back to his work now, his head nestled comfortably at the level of Duo's groin; his mouth nudged at his balls. His tongue slipped out, and swept slowly up the swollen flesh that stretched up in front of him; he licked up the droplets that oozed from the slit in angry frustration. He took almost three quarters of its length into his mouth at only the first attempt. + Duo groaned, very loudly. Heero had told him once that he was glad that the gallery was in the middle of the business district, rather than residential. Duo had made it pretty clear that he was a screamer - in fact, he was a moaner, a groaner, and a curser! He enjoyed announcing his pleasure every step of the way, saw no reason to inhibit himself. Heero had also confessed that he found it an almost unbearable turn-on. Duo yelped now, with the ecstasy of being nearly deep-throated - dammit, he felt like wailing at the top of his voice! "Suck me, Heero - Jeez, that's so damned fine -!" Heero sucked and swallowed the juices, and his hands clutched fiercely at Duo's thighs, tensed on either side of his face. So damned enthusiastic! moaned Duo to himself. His head swam, and his body screamed for more - it was a delight he couldn't see he'd ever tire of. He was so fucking responsive, the minute Heero touched him - he'd never known anyone to have such an effect on him before! Heero's mouth attacked him - the lips sought out every crinkle of sensitivity; the tongue slid into every crevice of his nerves. One day he wanted that tongue up his ass, and he hoped it'd be one day soon... Only trouble with Heero going down on him was that if he wasn't careful, he came way too quickly! "Heero!" he gasped out. "Clothes off - now! Don't wanna come in your mouth - I want you inside me, bringing me off -" Heero's mouth slid off him again, and Duo moaned with the cool air of the room back on his over-sensitive flesh. The dark-haired man sat back, struggling out of his shirt, fumbling with the zip of his pants. Duo thought he should help, but his fingers didn't seem to follow orders - his heartbeat was way too fast; his mouth was watering way too easily - it took all his willpower just to draw himself back up on to his elbows, and then to drag himself back up to a sitting position. Then Heero had wriggled out of the pants and boxers, and was as naked as Duo, and the two of them were sat, panting and wild-eyed, on the polished floor. "OK here?" growled Duo. "OK anywhere!" Heero snapped back. He reached across, but with a grin, Duo twisted his body, and was leaning over him now. It was Heero's turn to be tumbled down on to his back, and Duo's mouth was on his, latching tightly as his hands pressed Heero's arms to his side. "Want you -" gasped Heero, through the skin, and the teeth, and the hot breath. "Gonna get me," Duo replied, hissing his reply through swollen lips. "But my way, OK?" Duo moved his hands to Heero's thighs, pressing the legs back in, close against each other. His legs straddled Heero's hips - he knelt up over him, his knees shifting to find the best purchase on the bare floor. He felt Heero's cock straining against his groin; impatient; needy. He'd been teased back to a full, aching erection - and Duo knew exactly what he was thinking right now! What he was thinking he needed... and that was Duo's hands on him - his mouth - his body, swallowing him whole... Duo pressed his own hips down, bobbing low over Heero's groin, his thighs straining gently as he stretched his legs wider apart. + Beneath him, Heero gazed up at the long, tight torso, and the skin pulled taut over the bony hips. He saw the jutting cock, still glistening with his saliva - pointing at him out of its bed of hair, calling to him; protesting against his neglect. Heero stretched his own hips up to try to meet the gorgeous body above him. For a second, his balls met Duo's, hanging down between his legs; they brushed together heavily, and both men groaned. Heero thought he may never find words again, but he did. "Duo - I need -" "Leave it to me, Heero," Duo hissed. "I know what you need, don't I? Just like you know what I need as well!" Heero peered up at him through eyes half-closed with lust. Duo was sucking on his fingers now - drawing a couple in and out of his mouth with a wet, soggy sound; in and out; rhythmically. Greedily... Heero's eyes darted from that erotic sight up to Duo's face; the longhaired man was staring at him, a bright, mischievous light in his eyes. He was challenging him to watch. Then the fingers left his mouth, and ran swiftly down to his groin. His other hand stayed at his chest, teasing at a nipple, tight and erect - he brushed gently at his side, as if he tried to tickle himself. Heero moistened his dry lips. As he watched, fascinated, Duo reached his wet hand under his heavy arousal, and back behind his balls. They shifted slowly; tightened up in anticipation. He moved his hips once, dipping his shoulder a little to get a better reach, and then his arm flexed as he pressed his fingers into himself. His body shook - his mouth fell open slightly. He began to pant, and his arm began to pump gently. Heero couldn't stop the moan escaping. Duo focussed his eyes back on him, though they were clouded with his growing pleasure. "Still slick in there from last time, Heero - felt damned good, you filling me... fucking me... I wanna get ready for more..." "I -" Heero felt the words filling his mouth, begging to be spoken. "I want to fill you, Duo - I want to make you wet inside, feel you squeezing around me - come here now -" Duo groaned. His braid swung softly against his waist, his torso jerking with the stretching movement of his fingers up inside his ass. His own cock was so aroused it must have been painful, swollen with blood, calling for a fierce touch. "I want that too, Heero - I want you pumping up into me, spilling out into me, warm and thick inside of me -" Heero made a strange, guttural noise in his throat that didn't sound human. "But not today, OK?" sighed Duo. "Best be careful - use a condom. I don't do it without protection, either way. That's my way - and the best way, I think. Until -" He paused; he didn't finish the sentence. What was he going to say? thought Heero. 'Until I know you? Until I trust you?' What had his expression meant earlier - that keening emotion in Duo's eyes when they touched fingertips? However, he found it difficult to concentrate - his balls ached like they'd been in a vice. "So back to the bedroom -?" he groaned. He wasn't sure he'd be able to walk... Duo smirked, and shook his head. With his free hand, he reached back up on to the couch, and snagged his shorts, lying half-on, half-off the furniture. A quick scrabble in the pocket, and he found the condom and lube that he'd obviously tucked in there earlier. Heero watched his even white teeth tear the packet open - watched his slim, nimble fingers twist off the cap of the tube, one-handed. Then he let them drop gently to Heero's stomach. Heero took them in his hand, he knew he did - but his fingers felt twice their normal size, and half as agile. He slipped on the condom clumsily - and too damned slowly! - splattering lube anywhere he could reach, anywhere he could touch without crying out with the desperation. All the time, Duo was watching him; panting; preparing himself with his fingers. "Ready?" he hissed. Heero's eyes were wide and they shouted 'yes, dammit'! Duo was still smiling; he slipped his fingers out, and lifted himself up straight again, directly above Heero's groin. His balls sagged briefly against the straining flesh of Heero's cock, and they both gasped with the touch. Then he gripped at his thighs to steady himself, and he lowered himself down on to the slick, thick crown. A loud gasp escaped Heero as he breached the still tight hole; as he pushed on through the initial reluctance of the flesh; as he sank deliciously, and possessively, into Duo's channel. His buttocks clenched - the muscles of his legs strained; his back arched slightly off the smooth, cool floor. Duo grunted with satisfaction. He forced himself down further until he was seated on Heero's groin, then he slid his way back up again, tugging at the greedy shaft. Just before he dragged his body completely off, he was stopped - Heero's hands grasped his hips, and the fingers were so strong that they both knew there'd be bruises in the morning. Heero growled, softly; but dangerously. He wasn't going to let him tease for long. Duo smiled. Heero knew that he liked that impatience in him - that it turned him on. "Tell me, Heero!" he sighed. "Tell me how it feels! I wanna hear you tell me - it's fucking brilliant to hear you - so damned exciting! You ever suspect you were so good at dirty talk? You could make me come with that alone -" He began to wriggle his hips, stimulating the head of Heero's cock, still securely lodged inside him. Heero felt a cry escape him - he suspected it was the tattered, fleeing remnants of his inhibitions. "I want to fuck you, Duo! I want to feel myself so deep in you that your skin melts into me, and covers my bones!" "Yeah..." Duo began to move in earnest, encouraged by Heero's passion, and secured by the tight grip on his hips. He sank lower, his ass clenching at the base of Heero's cock, then sliding itself back up, and down again for another assault. "Tell me, lover..." Heero released a hand, and reached up to take hold of Duo's rearing cock. His voice was firm and confident and he saw Duo listening to him, intently, eyes shining. "I want to come inside you, Duo - I want to swell inside you, and stretch your ass to fit me, and all the time I'll be pumping you along with me, so that you'll beg the same as I will, and shout the same as I will, and then your body will shudder along with me, and your ass will tighten up around my cock when you come -" "Heero!" gasped Duo, his cock throbbing inside Heero's fist, his hips slamming down hard on Heero's body as he rode him. "Damn, you're good! Make me come, Heero - take me with you -!" Heero felt the ache so deep inside him that it seemed to come from below the floor. He'd climaxed already today - several times - he'd throbbed and ached and laughed and burst into Duo -! But this was something more again - sharper, sweeter, more poignant. More devastating... He came, wrenching himself up off the floor, and grabbing hold of Duo's waist to try to hold himself on the planet. He came, crying and shouting, and with something that sounded like sobbing. He could hear Duo's laugh - Duo's cry of surprise and pleasure and ecstasy as he landed heavily down on Heero, responding to the throb and the rush through Heero's cock, and releasing his own, long-awaited climax. Heero felt the muscles of his lower body seize in delight and shock; he felt Duo's braid dip low over his chest and brush against his face; he felt the spurt of warm cum over his hand and his belly as Duo shuddered over him. He thought he might let go of Duo, and let himself fly off the planet after all. He thought he probably already had. + It might have been minutes later - or an hour. What's happening here? thought Heero. What the hell are we becoming? He was folded deep into the couch again, as he very often was. He thought he must have drowsed for a while, because the light outside had almost gone, and the candles were half the size they were when he'd arrived. He felt Duo's slow, sleepy breath on his neck, and he tightened an arm around him. His own breath was calm, and astonishingly content. He was that, all right. Or should be. His thoughts wandered more deeply. + Duo yawned gently, feeling the comfortable pressure of Heero's body against him. What time was it? He shook one of his feet, which had gone to sleep. He felt the delicious stickiness of Heero's skin against his, and another type of stickiness between his legs - a combination of excess lube, and the rambling trickles of his own unruly cum. He sighed. Should have cleaned up straight away, rather than napping like that! But what did anyone expect after an afternoon of hot play, and a necking session in the evening as well that had turned into some pretty athletic fucking? The springs of this faithful old couch had already been strained almost beyond redemption - and the sweaty skid marks on the wooden floor tonight were the testament to further careless enjoyment. "Feelin' OK, Heero?" he asked, drowsily. "I don't know how I feel," came Heero's unexpected reply. Duo stirred clumsily, and groaned at the pressure of a cushion seam in the small of his back. "Wanna drink? Wanna go to bed instead of here -?" But Heero didn't seem to be having the same conversation. "I don't know how I feel when I'm with you." "Um - is that good or bad?" asked Duo, his brow furrowing. He scratched at his belly, absent-mindedly. "I feel damned excited - desperately horny. Because of you. Then I sometimes feel confused, and disorientated, and almost irrational. And that's because of you, too. I've never felt that way before, Duo." Duo laughed, a little nervously. "You're scaring me somewhat, Heero. I thought we were having a damned good time, and it's better than arguing, don't y'think?" But Heero didn't seem to get the joke. Duo wasn't sure he did, either. Heero's words were an ominous echo of his own feelings. But then, he wasn't gonna be admitting that to anyone, was he? "What are we doing here, Duo? I mean - I know what we've just done -" Duo moaned slightly, and stretched out with remembered pleasure like a lazy cat. His soft, limp cock bobbed damply and gently against his thigh. "But what are you doing here, Duo?" Heero persisted. "What am I to you?" "Ahh - Heero -" protested Duo, weakly. "I don't sorta do that introspection thing -" "What do you feel, Duo?" Heero's lips ghosted against Duo's, as if he wanted to taste the reply. Duo wanted to reach out his tongue, and lick at the warm skin in the corners of Heero's mouth - but he knew that Heero wanted something else from him at the moment. Something he couldn't give. Or wouldn't give? "It's pleasure, Heero," he murmured, slowly. He twisted his head round - he was millimetres away from a kiss... "It's just fucking, isn't it? But it's the best I've ever had." There was a short silence between them. "It's just pleasure," echoed Heero. + Duo felt his heart sink when Heero's voice sounded so flat. He'd probably said the wrong thing; he'd fucked up again. But this was the first time in his life that the fear of it cut him so deeply - that the poignancy of regret stabbed through him. He knew he oughtta find some way back - to redeem the situation. He knew he didn't feel up to the task. "I don't know what to say, Heero. What do you want me to say? I want you, and I'm excited by you, and I meant it - this is the best I ever had. But I don't know any more 'n that. I -" he flushed. "I gotta tell you, I've never been with anyone more 'n a coupla weeks - not sexually. Not any way, really. Never really wanted to." "Sure..." came Heero's deceptively calm voice. Duo had heard this tone before - when he'd been talking to his staff. When there were performance issues he needed to address - delays to a deadline - things happening that didn't meet his strategic plan. Stuff like that... Duo knew it was the calm before the storm. "But you want to now?" "Yeah!" said Duo, hotly. "Sure I want to now! You know I do! This is the best thrill of all, in amongst everything else going on; all the other shit going on in life." There was a short silence. Duo thought he might be holding his breath. He waited for Heero to blow up at him. But he didn't. "It's just a diversion, then," he whispered. "Like you say." Duo had his head rested on Heero's shoulder; not quite knowing what to say, his tongue came hunting for a mate. Heero opened his mouth to accept it, though a little reluctantly at first; his limbs shivered with instinctive delight under Duo's touch; Duo felt his cock stir against his thigh - a little weary, but optimistic at the thought of more intimacy. He wanted Heero to ignore his thoughts for a little longer; so much better to relax into pure sensation! "A fucking marvellous diversion, at that," he moaned, rolling over slightly, and folding his leg over Heero's hip. The crisis had passed, hadn't it? He'd suck on Heero's tongue, and Heero's cock, and they'd be the same together as before - wouldn't they? You sure about that, kid? whimpered a voice in his head. For God's sake, grow up... + Trowa entered Marty's bar with a little trepidation. He hadn't met Duo here for weeks - not since he'd last half-carried him home, in fact. Mind you, it had been Duo who'd called him this time - not Marty. And it was a long time before closing up. The bar was quietly busy with business people and young couples, and Trowa nodded to a smiling Marty as he made his way through to the booths. That was where Duo liked to sit; where Duo liked to watch the world go by. He looked around for a moment, trying to find his friend - and then Duo was on his feet, waving to him. There was a glass in front of him, half full of something. Trowa glanced at it. "It's soda, Trow, don't make a fuss. Let me keep up the image, OK?" Trowa smiled then, and it warmed them both. Duo looked brilliant, he thought; his eyes were bright, his skin flushed with health. He stood confidently; his arms came out and hugged Trowa briefly to him. His welcome was always like this now - Trowa could scarcely remember the ragged scrap that he'd been after Solo's death. Duo's life appeared to be recovering. "Not champagne Duo? I thought you'd still be sailing on the success of the show! I heard you on the radio that time - read about you in Art and Artists." "One-hit wonder," dismissed Duo, but he blushed with amusement. "No, no," Trowa shook his head. "This next show will be as good, I know it. I know you. You have the tenacity that's needed - the commitment." "Just haven't shown it for a while," murmured Duo. Trowa laughed softly, and waved at Marty for a beer of his own. It was good to be out socially with Duo again - like two friends should be. "So are you ready for the show? It's Saturday, isn't it?" Duo didn't answer directly. "You're coming, aren't you, Trow? Need my family around me..." "Sure. Of course! I enjoyed the last one tremendously. Heero is very impressed with you, Duo - he thinks a lot of you." "He said that, did he?" Trowa tried to read Duo's expression - it was edgy; it was ambivalent. "Not in so many words, perhaps. I saw it in his face - his attitude. Duo - what's happening with you these days? I've barely seen you for the last couple of weeks, and I assumed that was because you were so busy with the gallery. Don't get me wrong, that's fine, I'm not hassling you - but if there's something wrong, and I can help -" "Nothing's wrong, Trow," sighed Duo. And everything's wrong, he thought to himself. "What did you think of him - of Heero Yuy?" Trowa felt the undercurrents; he was deliberately unprovocative. "I liked him. He seemed honest - he was frank with me. A man who won't stand for nonsense. A man who expects to get what he wants." "Yeah - he does. He expects success -" "Yes, I guess so. He certainly inspires it. Look at you, Duo - look at what you've achieved!" Duo made a snorting noise, but Trowa ignored it. Instead, he drew a breath, and deliberately broached the most provocative subject he knew. "You're drawing again, I think." Amazingly, Duo didn't explode - or snarl. Or call for another drink. "Sure," he sighed. "You think right. You usually do. Something stirred in me, Trowa, and I just thought I'd give it a go. No painting - just the pencils." He silently thanked Trowa for not comparing him to Solo. "I dunno what got me going again. Indigestion, maybe!" His accompanying laugh was false; it sounded forced. "There's nothing wrong in it, Duo," said Trowa softly. "You have a talent - you want to use it. No-one would criticise you for that." Duo looked at Trowa, but his eyes seemed to focus on a spot just north of Trowa's head. His mind was racing somewhere; and it wasn't here with them at Marty's. "I ain't much of a bet, am I Trow? I had a family - lost it. I painted stuff - gave it up. I owned a gallery - fucked that up." Trowa wondered what this was all about. "Like I say," persisted Duo. "There's been fuck all success in my life so far. I'm - I don't want anything to spoil the show for Heero. He deserves the best - he deserves success. He is honest, Trow. He's trusted me, and he's supported me -" "And now you're scared you'll let him down. Is that it?" Trowa saw the light in Duo's eyes, and he cursed his own blindness. Duo and Heero Yuy were together in some way - he could see it in Duo's face; in his body language, as he hugged himself close against the table; in his halting words. They were drawn to each other; perhaps more than that. When had this all happened? How had he missed such an important thing in Duo's life? Things were moving on for them all, it seemed. "You can be just as successful, Duo," he said, slowly. "Listen to me! Be yourself - give your own commitment. That's success in itself, however it all turns out. You're as caring and sincere as anyone else - your gifts are as good as anyone else's - your company and friendship as rich. Dammit, probably more so!" His voice had risen in some passion - he knew what he said was the truth, but he was afraid that it sounded trite; that it sounded patronising. That Duo wouldn't listen to him. "As good as anyone else?" came Duo's hesitant, wry comment. Trowa's heart ached to see how much the younger man wanted to believe him. How much he hid that with his cynicism and apparent carelessness. "Would I lie to you?" "No," replied Duo, and his sudden grin appeared. "Though when you told me I looked good in that orange shirt you may have stretched the truth a little..." Trowa laughed, then. "Dammit, Duo, Heero will see what you're worth, as well. He must already do! He trusts you - he's relying on you. You won't let him down, of course you won't." "I'm wrong for him though, aren't I?" said Duo, sharply, as if Trowa would know what he was really trying to say, but didn't have the balls to just yet. "I'm bad for him. Unreliable. Not part of his structured life - best I keep my distance, eh?" Trowa knew exactly what he meant. "He wants you, Duo. That's all it takes to start with. Christ, I can't say I know how to live a good and satisfying relationship - I can't say mine was much better than stormy! But I know what it means to want someone, and how strong that can be. How exciting; how rewarding - for you both." He put a hand to Duo's arm, and the younger man smiled gratefully. Trow was one in a million; Trow had always been his rock... "You can trust Heero Yuy, Duo, I'm sure you can. You must." A rock, thought Duo. Just like Trow had been the rock for his brother, too... Trowa's words continued, but suddenly his voice seemed quite a distance away. "You care a lot for him, Duo, don't you? For Heero. I'm very pleased for you. Why won't you let him know that? Why won't you accept it - and enjoy it?" "So what would Solo think, Trow?" Duo thought his own voice sounded very harsh, and younger than his years. He wasn't quite sure where the words had come from, but the source was deep and painful. He didn't want to see the flash of grief in Trowa's eyes again, but he knew that these things had to be said. And now - before anything went any further. "Solo?" Trowa was brought up sharp at the thought of his lover; at the ripples of agony and bittersweet joy the name still engendered in him. "He'd be pleased too, I'm sure." He saw how still Duo was - how he seemed to have withdrawn into himself. A chill teased at the back of his neck. "Is that what you're worried about? What you're scared of? That it somehow detracts from your relationship with Solo - conflicts with your love for your brother? Christ, Duo, that's nonsense -!" "Enough of the outrage, Trow!" Duo growled. "I can't help how the fuck I feel - I thought you felt the same y'self. We both suffered the same pain - we both lost the same loved one - let him down..." "But you don't have to sacrifice your life for him, Duo!" gasped Trowa. He ran a hand through his hair, struggling to find the right words. It had been the worst time of his life - and Duo's, too. But never had he thought that Duo would carry that through all of his life; that he'd put everything else on hold forever! He expected that of himself, of course - but not Duo. "Is that what this is all about?" he repeated, trying to calm his voice. "Guilt? God... You couldn't have helped him, Duo - you couldn't have saved him. It was a terrible accident, and you lost something precious, but it's gone now. You can't get it back, whatever you do; however you behave!" "There's that Kindly Friend approach again..." sighed Duo. "Sometime I gotta help you move on out into the real world, Trow!" Something about his feeble joking sparked another concern in Trowa. He gripped his bottle, and stared fiercely into Duo's face. His eyes were downcast - Trowa couldn't quite read the expression. "What about me? Duo, you don't think you have to look out for me as well, do you?" Duo's eyes came back up to face him; he looked abashed and startled, as if he'd been caught out. "No! Think you manage OK on your own, Trow. Of course you do. F'r God's sake, I'm no kinda guardian, am I? No kinda role model..." Trowa ignored the words, and went instead for the jagged emotion in Duo's expression. "I didn't manage - you know that. If I hadn't had you as a friend - as a 'brother' - I don't know how I would have gone on. You know that, don't you? We helped each other - supported each other. Still do!" "Apart from the fashion advice...." growled Duo, trying for another joke. His eyes shone a little. "But we're separate guys, aren't we?" persisted Trowa. "You must make your own way now, Duo. You've got such potential - you've got so much to offer! You can be something different from him - something better than him. He's held you back enough - alive and dead! I want you to move on, now. Solo would, too. I knew him well enough to know that." "And you?" said Duo, very quietly. "You gonna do the same? You talk a good game, Trow - am I gonna see you walk it too?" "This isn't about me, Duo! Not today! This is about you and Heero." Trowa sat back in his chair and sighed deeply. Damn, if he'd known today was going to end up like this -! "Caring for someone else doesn't mean you stop caring for me, Duo," he urged. "Or him!" + Duo stood with Trowa for a while on the street corner outside Marty's, ready to set off back to his apartment. He'd enjoyed the evening out; Trowa's company was sometimes a hard thing to handle, for he challenged Duo, and he spoke very directly about what he felt was right. But he was fiercely loyal, and no-one knew or cared for Duo as well as he did. They'd been in the bar for another hour or so; the chat had been less strained, and the jokes more forthcoming, and Trowa had persuaded him into discussing the exhibition. They'd laughed at the memories of the last show - and then at some of the phrases used about Duo in the publicity articles for this upcoming event. Duo had been there before, of course - he recognised the fulsome praise, and the overblown descriptions of him and his talent. He also knew how quickly they would be wrapped round tomorrow's dirty boots. He knew a lot more now than he had done a coupla years back - that was clear. He turned round to cross the road, and saw the man standing at the other side, watching them. He didn't look like a stalker; he wasn't hiding - rather, he looked like he'd been on the way over but had paused, waiting respectfully for them to finish their conversation. "Who is it, Duo?" asked Trowa. "Someone for you?" Duo watched the man's eyes flicker to Trowa, and stay there. "You met him once, Trow - at the first show. It's Quatre Winner - Heero's friend, and Mr Rich Playboy. And I think it's you he wants to see." The traffic had stopped, and Quatre was walking steadily over towards them. Duo pressed Trowa's arm once, then he was gone, dodging a group of office workers on their way home, and cutting across the opposite line of cars and cabs to get across. Quatre Winner paused in front of Trowa, and smiled slightly. "Mr Barton? Sorry to butt in - I called round at your apartment with a note, but the guy in the downstairs room said you'd be round here at the bar. It wasn't far... I thought I might catch you before you moved on elsewhere." Called round with a note? thought Trowa. What on earth did he want to send me a note for? "I wanted - to meet with you," continued Quatre, obviously seeing the surprise on Trowa's face. For the first time he looked uncomfortable. "Dammit, I thought it'd be too easy for you to turn me down on the 'phone! I wanted to explain what I need to discuss. Wanted to see you face to face, I guess." Trowa stared at him - he was as tall as Trowa himself, though fuller in the figure. Quite stunning, thought Trowa, just remarking on the truth. Striking, classically handsome features; light blond hair cut back over his ears, but longer over the forehead and into the nape of his neck. Wide shoulders - he carried himself very confidently. Yes, thought Trowa again, and rather unnecessarily, definitely a stunning-looking man. Dressed to perfection in dark linen pants and a silk shirt; well-cut raincoat; soft leather boots. Footwear like that must have cost a fortune... Heads turned as the crowd ebbed and flowed around them on the sidewalk. The admiration was all for Quatre. Trowa looked back at the man's face, and saw the amusement sparking in the large, bright blue eyes. It masked the flicker of uncertainty that had been blossoming there as well. "Will you have a drink with me? Since Mr Maxwell has now left?" "Here?" asked Trowa, bluntly. Quatre shrugged - it was an elegant, attractive gesture, and Trowa suspected that he knew that well enough. "Beer tastes the same wherever, I find. I'd sure appreciate your company." "Is this to do with Duo? Why you want to see me?" Quatre bit at a full, soft lip. "Partly. You have a most direct way about you, Mr Barton. I must admit I have a quaint distaste for discussin' my personal business on the sidewalk -" Trowa nodded, as if he'd come to some kind of a decision. "I'm sorry Mr Winner - I must seem very rude. You just caught me by surprise. Let's go back inside and have a drink - unless you'd rather reconsider the venue?" Quatre's eyebrow rose very slightly. He looked across the pavement at the entrance to Marty's, appraising the dull windows, and the thick panelled wooden door, and smelling the slight aroma of stale beer on the breeze. He looked back at Trowa Barton, and was interested - surprised? - to see amusement in the slim, dark man's eyes as well. Something stirred in his gut - something that piqued his curiosity. "No," he said, slowly. "Marty's will be fine. Lead the way." His smile was easy, though cautious. "You can buy the first round!" [part 7] [part 9] [back to FancyFigures' fic] |