Three Little Words

AN: Written for challenge #62; 'three'.

"I'm glad you came." Trowa had been pleasantly surprised at being met by Duo once the final performers' parade in the ring was done. The visit was unannounced, but appreciated.

"So am I." Duo took another chug of his beer can. He hadn't shown up empty-handed - he'd brought a six-pack, some bags of chips and pretzels and a portable holo-projector. A movie was playing against the wall of Trowa's trailer, but neither of them paid it much attention.

"It was a bit out of your way, though."

A handful of chips washed down. "Yeah, well... I needed a break anyway. Besides, it was only two flights out. Felt I had to come, since your circus was finally touring the cluster."

Trowa nodded, accepted that. Duo still hadn't explained why he'd come, though. Trowa suspected. Hoped. Perhaps this would be the day.

It had been long since he'd first felt attracted to Duo - but he had never voiced it. He'd certainly tried putting his feelings to words a few times, but every one of those times, he'd seen Duo grow skittish - almost afraid. Therefore, Trowa always lost his nerve - even if he sensed Duo felt something similar. Trowa had finally decided to wait for Duo to accept it. Himself. Them. Wait for Duo to speak up on the matter.

Trowa had waited for longer than he cared to.

Duo didn't do things without good reason.

"How's Hilde?"

Duo was slow to answer. He'd been drinking his share of the beer rather quickly, already on the fourth can. "Huh? Oh, fine - just fine."

"She didn't want to come?"

Duo looked far too intently at the dull movie, then glanced down at the can he slowly spun around in his hands. He took another gulp, not wanting to answer.

Trowa smiled faintly. He suspected Duo had taken off without telling her. He wanted Duo to have done that. Wanted Duo to have come to-

"You were really something, you know."

"Hm?"

"In the ring, I mean. The knives were one thing, but your act up there in the trapeze..." More beer. Liquid courage, fortifier and loosener of tongue. "Never saw you move like that during the war... damn, but it was impressive. That double spin you did for your finale - I never knew you were that flexible."

Again, Trowa tugged on a dim smile. "Try me." Please...

Duo cut his sip short, coughed. Trowa's smile threatened to become a smirk, but he did not laugh, no matter how entertaining Duo's baffled expression was. Duo flushed nicely, grinned sheepishly, but he did not take advantage of the offer. Not like Trowa imagined it.

And he certainly did. Most of those trains of thought led to them close together, his legs wrapped around Duo's hips, pleading for more, faster, deeper...

Momentarily lost to fantasies, the sound of the empty can hitting the table wrested him back to the present, obviously calling for his attention. He watched as Duo took a deep breath, then looked dead at him.

Was this it?

"Trowa... I've been meaning to say this for a while, but... Never could figure out what to say...." His eyes were drifting, his fingers restless, thumbs battling each other. "I guess... I've only got three words for you, man... Three words..."

It was with some restraint Trowa managed to avoid leaning in, avoid saying anything. He couldn't help but smile expectantly, though. Yes, this would be it. Finally.

"I... I..." On Duo's flushed face, the smile suddenly faded away. "I've gotta barf." His hand to his face, he got to his wobbly feet, stumbled off at best speed to the cramped bathroom of Trowa's trailer.

Trowa was left momentarily stunned. At the sounds of offerings given to the altar of pseudo-porcelain, he broke out in a quiet chuckle, laughter threatening to overtake him.

Another hurl.

Trowa shook his head, got up from the couch and headed for the bathroom to be a supportive friend, if nothing else. Not today, then. But there was always tomorrow.

It was getting too late for a return flight tonight. In his inebriated state, Duo wouldn't be too hard to convince to spend the night.

Forget tomorrow. There was always tonight. Things could be said in other ways than words.

After all, what is life without hope - or love without lust?

-end-