Hitch - part #5

'...the sound of your breathin'... has made the mood I'm in...'

The room was as bright as they'd left it when Duo woke up. Cutting the lights hadn't really been a priority the night before. Barring the fact he had to squint to shield off the brightness, it didn't bother him too much now, either. He was about to move his hand in to shield his eyes, only to note it was stuck. At least his left arm seemed free. He blinked, starting to recall things. Then there was that tickly feeling at his throat. Duo glanced down, and realized why his right arm was feeling mostly dead to the world.

Heero had rolled in over it - as well as half of Duo's side, content in using his chest for a pillow. Heero's bangs brushed against his neck and chin. Duo started to smile, surmising he'd curled up against him sometime during the night. He found he liked having Heero just like that - except for the numbness of his arm.

Slowly getting used to the light, he looked up at the ceiling, momentarily confused at the image of themselves. He grinned as his thoughts defogged enough to enjoy the view from above. He watched himself try to move the trapped arm up along Heero's back, fingertips grazing Heero's side.

The touch triggered a stir and a soft groan. Duo thought he could feel the light prickle of an unshaven morning cheek against his skin.

Heero tilted his head up, slowly figuring out where he was, who he was with - who he was halfway draped across.

"Morning," Duo offered, lips curled in a smile.

Heero met his eyes for a moment, blinked, then put his head down again to rub his cheek against Duo's chest, comfortable with his makeshift pillow, vaguely recalling Duo having done something similar before. Now, he understood why. "Mmm..." He closed his eyes and yawned. "...time is it?" he managed to mutter.

Duo tilted his head to glance at the alarm clock. "Four thirteen AM, looks like."

He groaned at the news. "...too damn early... sleep more..."

He started a light chuckle. "Not much of a morning person, are you, Boston?"

Sluggishly, Heero moved the arm draped across Duo's stomach upward and flicked a finger across Duo's nipple, playing it taut. "You're not either..."

"True..." Duo answered with a soft exhale, staring up in the mirror. Life was good. Still, he couldn't let Heero get away scot-free. He spasmed his fingers at Heero's side, doing his best to tickle him, hoping he'd respond.

He did, far beyond Duo's expectations. Shocked awake, Heero all but jumped away from Duo and to his knees. At first, he gave Duo a grumpy glare, but as Duo's laughter subsided, he mellowed to a wicked grin. "That's it, Duo. This means war - now you're going to get it."

Duo flashed him a cocky smirk. "Oh, but I already got it..."

Heero gave a snort as he crawled in over Duo. He leaned down, their noses close to brush against one another. "Then... you're getting it again..."

"Don't mind..." was all Duo managed to say before lips brushed; crushed against his. Heero pressed down against him - not just his lips, but chest to chest, belly, crotch - even legs, if less perfectly. The weight and warmth of Heero's body was not unpleasant, as Duo tried to let Heero know - a task not easy when your mouth was preoccupied.

He still had a throat and two free hands, though.

Eventually, Heero broke off their kiss, only to scoot a bit lower and get to work at another hickey at Duo's neck. Duo sighed his appreciation. "Mmmm... Now, this will be something to tell the grandchildren..."

"Hm?" he felt Heero murmur against his skin.

"That I had my first time in Vegas, in the company of the sexiest man alive..."

Heero started a brief, deep chuckle, his breath tickling Duo's neck. He gave the hickey a pause to rest his chin against Duo's shoulder. "Thanks... but Duo?"

"Yeah?"

"You're gay, aren't you?"

It was his turn to snicker. "What, did I do something to make you think otherwise?"

"Then... how are you planning to have children?"

He paused for a moment. That little fact had slipped his mind. "Right..." He relaxed, shrugged slowly. "I guess we could corrupt nephews and nieces, then?"

"I thought you were an only child."

"I am... You?"

Heero stiffened, Duo's hands at his back easing him back down. "Same..."

"Damn," Duo hissed. "Maybe we could adopt, or something."

Heero bit his tongue. There was no point stating harsh realities regarding that scenario. What mattered was that Duo had wanted to raise kids with him, if he could have. Then again, it was probably a good thing it couldn't happen just like that. Kids were more than Heero dared think about right then. Duo and himself... that would be more than enough to cope with for a while.

Reality reared its ugly head again to remind him regarding that as well. This was in all likelihood the morning of their last day together.

Frowning to himself, he returned to the hickey-in-progress, content at doing that for a while.

Too bad reality refused to be suppressed, perfectly willing to hit him with more pot-shots. As Duo moved below him, one thought started to hit home, forcing him to abandon Duo's neck again. He pushed away from Duo and off to the side, slowly sitting up in the bed, glaring towards the foot of it.

It took half a second for the sudden chill to register with Duo. He opened his eyes, saw Heero's expression and scooted up on his elbows. While Duo wasn't sure what was wrong, he could guess. "Having regrets?"

Heero looked at him, embarrassed and angry at himself for being so obvious. "No..." he started, flushing under the scrutinizing look Duo gave him. "Not..." he sighed as he brought up a knee to hug and rest his chin at. "It was great, Duo, it really was, but..." He briefly nibbled at his lip. "We only met a couple of days ago, and now look at us!"

Duo found he preferred looking at Heero alone. He shrugged. "Well, I guess that sometimes, a couple of days is all it takes, you know? Are you saying you'd rather we went dating for months first? We were sorta pressed for time, Heero."

He knew that, but he didn't want to say it. "It's not really that either, I just... I just wish I knew you a little better first - you know, beyond body and bed?"

He couldn't help but snicker. "Yeah..." Duo muttered as he lowered his head back to the mattress, stretching his arms before interlocking his fingers behind his head. He looked up at the mirror, glad to see Heero lay back down too, one lax hand across his stomach, the other at his side. They studied their reflections for a while longer. Finally, Duo licked his lips. "I sleep naked..."

Heero tilted his head to look at him directly, then up at the mirror again. "I know that. Why-"

"I don't like grapes. They don't agree with my stomach."

Ever so slowly, Heero caught on. "I... I squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle."

Duo glanced over at the lubricant. "So I see..."

Heero tugged at a smile. "I like board games."

"Snakes and Ladders?"

"Monopoly."

"Damn... Well, I guess we could play a few..." He grinned. "I once got in a fight with a beefcake of a sergeant."

"Did you win?"

"More like a draw. I broke an arm, he sprained a leg and got a hell of a reprimand. A colonel caught us when I had him in a headlock. That's tough on a guy with no neck."

"And with a broken arm, no less."

Duo chuckled. "Gotta build my reputation somehow."

Heero let go a huff and scratched his belly. "I... I like Elvis."

"Only for his voice, I hope..."

He started a smirk. "I have you for the rest."

Duo gave a snort. "If you put on 'Love Me Tender' for mood music, you're gonna follow up with 'Are You Lonesome Tonight'."

"I'm all shook up."

He gave Heero a sharp look. "Don't be cruel."

Heero flashed him a grin. "Ow... I got stung..."

Duo matched him. "I feel so bad..."

"Treat me nice."

"Love me."

"I'm yours."

He rolled his eyes. "Too much - and I mean that, Heero."

"Fine," he snickered out, looking up in the mirror again. "I like cats... but I've never had one. Don't have room for one."

"Maybe I'll get some ears and a tail sometime, then..."

Going from Duo's reflected expression, Heero wasn't sure whether Duo was joking or not. Then again, he liked cats, and he liked Duo. The combination couldn't be that bad - unless Duo intended those props for him.

"I sometimes drink straight out of the carton."

"Do you put it back?"

Duo grinned, but that was his only answer.

"From now on, you won't," Heero stated.

His grin widened. "Sure..." He took a deep breath to relax. "I'm in love..."

Heero's hand fell still as he looked up in the mirror. He started to smile. "...so am I."

Duo tilted his head. "Oh? Made up your mind, have you?"

Heero met his eyes directly. "Long time ago. I just didn't know it."

"Good answer," Duo replied as he rolled over on his side. With some effort, he pushed off the bed and crawled halfway in over Heero, leaning down for a quick kiss - which fast grew more intense, especially as Heero started caressing his sides, leading Duo to lie down on top of him. Things started looking up.

And it felt that way, too.

He dared a quick glance at the alarm clock. "Still not four thirty. A bit early for breakfast..."

Duo's palm slid in under his cheek, tilting his head upright again, just in time for a brush of lips. "I figure..." Lips grazed nose. "We can find..." He brushed aside Heero's bangs and kissed his forehead. "Ways to pass the time..."

"Yeah..." Heero growled as Duo rocked his hips against him. He pawed at Duo's rear, slid his hands up to his sides and tugged him just enough downwards for Duo's mouth to align with his own again. The cool metal of Duo's dogtags brushed his throat.

He put his palm on Duo's shoulder, gave it a faint push, breaking their liplock. "Duo...?"

"Hm?"

"I... this time... could you..." he looked away briefly, Duo's grin too much for him.

"What, fuck you?"

"Make love to me," he moderated.

Duo shrugged quickly. "Same thing."

"I don't want it to be," Heero stated. "Not with you..."

Duo's grin faded. "Okay... We'll make love, Boston, but... are you sure? About...?"

He nodded, tried to cover up his gulp. There was no denying he was nervous, but Duo seemed to enjoy it enough last night - and he wanted to know what it felt like, especially with Duo. "Please."

After a quick peck at Heero's lips, Duo's impish grin returned. "Then I hope you'll forgive me, Heero."

He felt his heart sink. "Why?"

"Because... I plan to do my best to send you flying, fear of heights or not."

At that, Heero gave a quirky smirk and slid his hands up Duo's chest, trapping his nipples between thumbs and forefingers.

Duo glanced down, first at the hands, then at Heero.

"Heero, don't you dare-"

"Airmen, start your engines!" he announced, and promptly twisted both nipples.

Duo made sure to get even for that soon after. He would not be the only one yelping that morning, be it of pain or subsequent pleasure. As for mood music, what sounds they produced, accompanied by bedsprings and the jingle of his dogtags, were more than sufficient.

He made good on his promise.

---

'Seven lonely days and a dozen towns ago...'

Heero had been the first to wake up the second time, and had thus taken dibs on the shower. He'd packed his bag and left the room early, a quick errand in mind.

By the time he returned, Duo had finished in the bathroom too, already at work shoveling his stuff down into his bag. He chose to pretend not to notice when Heero walked up behind him.

His reward was Heero's arms around his waist, warm lips and breath against his neck. Heero seemed intent on keeping those hickeys alive. Duo didn't really mind. If he did, he'd have put on something that actually had a collar, and not another T-shirt. "Hey..." he answered, reaching around to sift his fingers through the hair at the back of Heero's head. It wasn't as if his rough hand-combing would get it much out of place. Heero's hair looked perfectly 'just been shagged' nearly all the time - another thing to love about the guy, Duo decided.

"Hi..." Heero whispered against Duo's ear, stray strands of damp hair tickling his nose. "Got something for you..."

Duo tugged on a smile. "We have to be out of the room soon, and I've just finished cleaning up..."

Heero let go a snort, released his embrace and stepped back, waiting for Duo to turn around. "Here," he said, offering Duo a small plastic card.

Duo eyed it, then took it. "Another phone card?"

He nodded. "I got two. There are some payphones in the lobby. I thought... Maybe you should call Frank on our way out? You shouldn't make him worry."

"Shouldn't make you worry, you mean..."

Heero's smile was shaken, but remained. Still, there was no denying it. "Please?"

Duo looked to the ceiling, raised his hands momentarily to match. "Fine..." He grabbed the dirty Batman T-shirt, jammed it into the bag and pulled the zipper up. "Okay, good to go. You?"

Heero picked up his bag. "Whenever you are."

"Then let's get to Flagstaff," Duo stated. He still lingered for a moment before following Heero out the door, taking in the room one last time. Too bad he couldn't take the sheets as souvenirs.

On the elevator ride down, he figured he'd make do with the memories.

As they reached the first floor, Heero pointed Duo towards the phone booths. Once Duo had closed the door and started dialling, he rushed down the wall to the booth at the very end. He shut the door, inserted the card and hurriedly stabbed in a familiar number, barely resisting the urge to tap his foot, waiting for the hum to be replaced by a voice.

"Hello?"

"Trowa? It's Heero."

"Heero? Hey, man - where are you?"

He looked into the lobby. "I don't think you'd believe me if I told you. I'll be in Flagstaff today, for sure. Tonight, latest. I'm in New Mexico now."

"Great - I'll let Quatre know. He's been worried about you."

Heero started to smile. "I bet... Uh, Trowa?"

"Yeah?"

"I know it's a bit late to ask, but... is it okay if I bring a friend with me?"

His heart pounded hard as he waited for the pause to end. "...I guess that's probably fine, I'll have to talk to Quatre - but why didn't you ask us earlier, before you started driving here?"

He licked his lips, figuring he might as well tell the truth. "I hadn't met him yet then."

He could almost hear Trowa smile. He had never been able to keep secrets from that guy for long. It was as if Trowa had x-ray vision to his soul, one thing he didn't even have versus Quatre, where it would surely have been more useful. "Him, huh?"

Heero clenched his teeth. Had Trowa picked up on even that already? Was he really that transparent? He made a mental note to ask Duo about it later.

"Okay, Heero. We'll look forward to meeting your... friend, when you get here."

Somehow, Heero was no longer sure this vacation was going to leave him much chance to rest. Trowa knew him well. Too well. "Trowa...? Promise me one thing."

"Which is?"

"No embarrassing anecdotes, okay? I'd really like his company on the trip back, too."

Mild laughter came across the line. "Okay, Heero. I promise. Can't make it for Quatre, but you know him. I think your secrets are safe with us."

"Good."

"Oh, and Heero?"

"Yeah?"

"About the guest bedroom - should we make up two beds, or is one enough?"

He really hated that x-ray vision. Briefly, he wondered if they made sunglasses with lead lenses. "Trowa!"

Snickers followed. "Don't worry, Heero. The walls here are pretty thick, and there aren't any peepholes - should I make some before tonight?"

Heero didn't have a chance to retort before dial tone met him. Still, he started to smile. He wondered if Duo would go along with putting those walls to the test. Perhaps they were more like paper than Trowa thought.

Quatre's reaction would be just as priceless.

Then again, he didn't want to stay at motels while in Flagstaff.

He pocketed his card and rushed down the line of phones, just in time to see Duo exit. "How did it go?"

Duo shrugged the question off. "Same old... He still wants me to come back home ASAP."

Heero lingered on the question, figuring the look was enough.

It was. "Not just yet," Duo replied. "I don't think I can cope with all that right now."

He nodded, not wanting to push the issue. "Want breakfast?"

"You bet. Damn hungry, since we missed supper last night - but not here, okay? I swear, that old crone over there has been scowling at me and my 'Give 'em Hell' shirt ever since I got down here."

Heero turned to look, and hurriedly gave the woman a smile and a nod. She scowled back, puffed her short, grey hairdo and smoothed a palm across her fine dress, the fake jewelry jingling. "I think she's just jealous of your braid."

Duo reached around for the end of it. "What, this old thing? Well, she can have it. It's a bitch to wash clean. Even with the blow-dryer, it's still wet."

Heero put his hand around Duo's and brushed his thumb across the hairs at the tip of the braid. "I like it, though."

He started to grin. "Guess I'll have to endure it, then."

"Next time, maybe I could help you wash and braid it."

Duo opened his mouth to answer, but the words caught in his throat. The grin faded away, too. "Yeah... Next time." He shook Heero's hand off, only to grab it again by the wrist. "Come on, Boston. The promised land beckons."

Back in the car, Elvis was left with a prime solo gig well past Albuquerque.

---

'...I want you, I need you, I love you...'

They passed another information billboard. With his cheek against his palm, Duo studied it indifferently. "Looks like we'll hit Flagstaff in a bit..."

"Yeah..." Heero managed to reply.

"Just... drop me off at the bus depot, okay? Flagstaff has got to have at least one. I can probably get to California from there."

"Duo..."

He shot Heero a glare. "Look, if you're gonna ask me about heading back home again, just can it."

"I..." he clutched the wheel, then made up his mind. At the next off-ramp, he signaled off.

It took a moment for Duo to realize. "Hey, what are you doing? This isn't it, Heero."

"I know," he replied, turning in on the smaller road. They drove on for a few minutes, all the while he scouted for a place to park. In the end, he signaled onto the shoulder and killed the engine.

"Are you gonna toss me out here? Heero, if I said anything to piss you off, I didn't mean-"

"I'm not!" Heero hurriedly snapped, immediately wished he hadn't used that sharp a voice. "Sorry, I just-" He bit his lip. "Duo, I was going to ask you about going home-"

He tossed his arms up, then went for his seatbelt, ready to flee. "I knew it!"

"But it's not what you think!"

Duo glared at him. "Oh?"

"I want you to come home with me."

The glare gave way to bafflement, and Duo couldn't quite keep his jaw up. "Come again?"

He undid his seatbelt. The strap was becoming uncomfortable against his throat. "Duo, I'd like you to come with me - come with me to visit Trowa and Quatre, and after that... come back to Boston with me."

Duo studied Heero's face for the longest of times. "You serious?"

"Yes," Heero stated firmly. "We could go by Pittsburgh first, maybe pick up your stuff and let you have that conversation with Frank - and a last chance to change your mind."

He shook his head. "I wouldn't, I'm too stubborn - but... Heero, are you sure about this? You seriously want me to come live with you?"

He nodded. "I'm not going to lie to you, Duo - my apartment is small, even for one person. We can look for something bigger later, but..." He started to smile, if with more uncertainty than hope. "If you don't mind crowding in on me for a while..."

Duo eyed him and started to grin. "That hasn't bothered me so far, has it?"

"I suppose not..." Heero carefully suggested.

"Small bed?"

His heart skipped a beat, and he started a silly grin of his own. "We'll have to sleep on top of each other."

Duo chuckled. "Sounds even better. Think I'd find a job in Boston?"

"I could hire you for the shoe store."

He shook his head. "What, and make me the guy who sleeps with the boss? I don't think so."

Heero licked his lips nervously. "I could support you until you find something - I'm sure you will."

Duo's grin tilted just a bit. "And make me pay you back with sex, huh?"

His throat ran dry, and he was sure he was blushing. He didn't give a damn about that, albeit he felt rather small as he answered. "It's not like I'm going to force you to... but I wouldn't mind, either."

"Neither would I," Duo said truthfully. "Are you sure your friends are okay with another visitor?"

Heero nodded with vigor. "I've already called ahead and told them I'm bringing company."

At that, Duo started to smirk. "That sure I'll say yes, huh?"

He shook his head. "No. That hopeful."

Duo started laughing softly. "Boston, you're one of a kind."

"Thanks... I guess."

He reached for Heero's hand, took it into his own and squeezed it. "It's a hell of an offer to a runaway."

Heero met the pressure, trying desperately not to crush Duo's fingers to prevent him escaping. "Please say yes."

"I'm thinking," Duo teased.

He swallowed, remembering a line he'd overheard Harvey use once. Perhaps he would have more luck with it. "We've got a glass slipper in stock - just the one, though. Would you come back to the store to check if you are its match?"

Duo raised a brow and stifled a laugh. "You know, if I'd been a girl, I'd probably have said that whole Cinderella thing was really sweet."

"And since you're not?"

His grin was both disarming and alarming. "I'm contemplating whether to hit your gorgeous face or kick you hard in the shin."

Heero's smile wavered, but he hoped it was all a joke. If not, he could accept the bruises. "Something I can say to make you forego my punishment?"

Duo let go of Heero's hand in favor for hooking it around his neck. "No, I don't think so," he started, leaning closer. "But you could probably do something..."

Heero let himself be pulled towards Duo. "Like what?"

Their noses brushed, quickly corrected for on final approach. "...I think you're on to something..." Duo muttered against Heero's lips, finishing just before impact.

Elvis got through no less than four songs before their make-out session ended, well underway with a fifth as Heero and Duo locked eyes again, both carrying the same silly grin. Elvis reached the chorus, crying out 'I want you, I need you, I love you...'

"What the king said," Heero stated.

Duo snickered. "Well, ditto..." Keeping one hand safely hooked around Heero's neck, he fumbled around the radio with the other. At length, he found the off-switch, killing Elvis just as he finished the song. He pulled Heero closer. "But let's make our own music from now on, okay?"

The kiss was brief, barely a touch. "God, that's cliche, Duo."

He tapped a finger across Heero's lips. "That's godess to you, Boston."

Heero started to smirk. "Whatever, Kali. Bottom line - come stay with me? Please?"

Duo leaned in for a quick peck at Heero's check, then hugged him as close as he could. "Sure - on one condition."

He perked up instantly. "Yeah?"

"On the way back, I get to drive," he whispered against Heero's ear.

Immediately came a frown, and he tensed up. Of all the things Duo could stipulate as a demand... Then again, he could have demanded no Elvis for the whole trip. Heero was not about to give him that idea. "I don't know..."

"Come on, Heero. Love is all about give and take, you know."

He huffed against Duo's neck. "I feel like I'm about to give a lot and not get much back."

Duo leaned back, meeting his eyes. "You'll get me. Isn't that enough?"

Heero started to smirk. "It'll have to be."

He raised a brow, but kept the grin. His fingers at Heero's neck took a hold of skin - and gave it a light twist.

Despite the pain, Heero laughed. He'd expected a response like that. "Fine," he hurried to apologize, "We'll alternate on driving. Good enough for you?"

Duo gave a quick shrug. "Sure, if we alternate on other things too..."

Leaning forward, Heero mumbled "I can live with that..."

Again, the kissed, one graze of lips after the other, each lasting just a second longer than the last. It would be a good dozen or two before Duo pulled back enough to give them pause. "Heero? Aren't you forgetting something?"

Heero chased Duo's lips for another brush. "Like...?"

Duo received that one, reciprocated with one of his own. "Flagstaff?" Twice. "Friends waiting?"

It was hard to think with Duo's lips to his own, and when he felt the tip of Duo's tongue slip along the back of his teeth, it became close to impossible. Finally, he got his priorities straight. Flagstaff surely wasn't going anywhere in a hurry, and he'd never told Trowa exactly when they would show up. Trowa would never know if they arrived an hour late.

Heero briefly thought of telling Duo as much, but figured there were other ways to do that than words. "Later," was all he said for a good while.

It would only be a minor delay. He was not going to make Quatre uncomfortable.

Not until they could put those walls to a sound check.

-end-