Sweet And Sour:

Saturday

(Ten minutes later):

And yet Duo’s not out of my bathroom.

I wonder if he’s drowned himself or worse escaped through the small window above the shower stall. But that’s too narrow and no matter how flexible he is, there’s just no way he can leave that room without breaking more than a few bones.

Five more agonizing minutes of contemplation and my curiosity finally gets the better of me. I find myself crawling on my hands and knees towards the bathroom door to listen. This is a bit sneaky and considering that it’s my own apartment, it does seem a bit foolish, but I *have* to know what he’s doing in there!

Just as suddenly, the door opens and I am given a good view of his sock-clad feet. I feel my cheeks flame with color as he says in a wary tone. “Gee, Heero, if you wanted to see me that badly, all you had to do was knock.”

“At least I’m not the one who came in my pants,” I retort just as coolly, while lifting my head a little to watch his features redden in embarrassment. I’m still on my hands and knees and I hate to admit that this position is giving me quite a good view of his groin. Despite his attempts to wipe it off, the dark stain there is evidence of just what had transpired in the room earlier. I swallow tightly and try to gather moisture into my mouth as another thought – and a rather indecent one at that – comes to mind.

*I just want to see…that’s all. It’s only fair. After all he’s seen mine…*

I move closer, hopelessly aware of the scent of his cum assailing my senses.

He seems to know what I’m about to do because he begins to protest quickly. “Hee…Heero…don’t you…don’t you even…”

But I think it’s safe to say that I can be quite stubborn when I choose to be and this case will be no different. I rise to my knees as I swat away his hands (he had been protecting himself shyly) before tugging down the zipper of his pants quickly. He squeaks or whines, I’m not sure of that sound he makes, but his legs are beginning to tremble and I have to steady it with my right hand as my left makes its way into his pants.

My fingers tentatively wrap around the thick and warm flesh as my cheeks flare with heat at the way it throbs within my hand. I push his pants down a little bit more to reveal the entire length of his cock to my gaze. I can only stare in fascination at the swollen and angry-looking head that’s already slick and damp with his cum again. I swallow painfully and realize that I’m beginning to get cold feet. I am hardly aware of the slow back and forth motion of my hand on his cock. I’m too busy weighing my options on whether or not to go ahead and have a taste of the tempting offer before me.

“Damn it, Heero,” he moans. “If you’re gonna suck me off, then do it already!”

Well, someone’s definitely impatient.

Okay, this is no time to have second thoughts. I initiated this and I’ll have to follow through or I might end up having him coming all over my face in seconds. I can literally feel him about to explode. And so taking a much-needed breath, I squeeze my eyes shut and…

“Fuck, Heero! Do you want to bite it off?!”

I open up my eyes and pull my mouth away quickly in embarrassment and yet irritation (and slight concern - although I’ll never admit that to him) at being interrupted. “Shut up, Duo and let me do this…”

“Not if you’re going to scrape my cock off with your teeth, I’m not! That’s pretty precious to me you know.”

Is he making fun of me? I’ll bet he is and squeezing his organ a bit harder, I smile in victory at his small wince of pain. That should remind him of who’s in charge here.  Okay, let’s try this again, shall we?

I lick my lips and close my eyes again. I will be more careful this time - after all this is a learning process. I dart out my tongue to lick up the thick gobs of his cum, unable to stop the low moan of satisfaction that rumbles deep within my throat as its salty taste fills my mouth. He sinks his fingers into my hair and I can hear his breathing getting shallow by the second. I guess I’m doing a good job now, although much cannot be said for the growing tent within my shorts. I stop licking long enough to eye him and to ask quietly albeit breathlessly.

“Was that better?” Not that I need his approval or anything.

Duo gives me a small nod and allows his head to fall forward a little. Something long and snake-like dances before my vision and before I can control myself, my hand reaches out to grab it, only to listen to his howl of pain as he falls to the floor…right on top of me!

“Damn it, Heero!” he cries out as he glares at me. Ah…his warm cock against my inner thighs…

“You’re going to kill me while trying to make out with me. Haven’t you done this before?” he asks incredulously.

I blush a million shades of red and retort back coldly (I part my thighs a little – I can feel his cock shifting restlessly against them…oh bliss…). “Look! I don’t go about asking to suck people’s…eh…you know what!”

Suddenly, I remember Andre and his enigmatic words and before I know it, I find myself asking (with undeniable jealousy by the way). “So, I guess you’ve done it before, hmm? And I’ll bet it was with Andre, right? Did he teach you everything you wanted to know?”

Oh god…I don’t think I’ll be able to last long if he continues to hump me like this. It’s not as if I’m helping matters. I haven’t released my hold on his hair; neither is he making any real attempt to get off me – literally speaking.

“An…Andre?” he asks quietly as if he’s just hearing the name for the first time.

“Yes, Andre!” I yell in frustration and then gasp as I grab a hold of his t-shirt to thrust hard into him. He seems surprised at my sudden movement but his responding groan is enough to tell me that he is unable to hold back as well. So far, we’ve both done a good job of not taking each other’s clothes off completely and yet we were too inexperienced to control our orgasms or libidos or both.

“I hope you have some spare clothes for me,” he mumbles against my neck. “I definitely didn’t have plans of coming here to…”

“You didn’t answer my question, Duo,” I whisper into his ear. Seriously, we really do need to take a shower or at least change. But I have to know the truth about Andre…now!

“Andre’s my next door neighbor.”

He stops and I shake my head in disbelief. I have never realized just how evasive and deliberately vague Duo can be.

“And?”

“And what?” He’s now nibbling at a very sensitive area between my ear and neck and I cannot stop the tingle that goes down my spine at his actions. Oh, but he’s not getting away with trying to distract me from answering the question. I give a soft grunt and reluctantly push him away from me. Stumbling to my feet, I try to pin a cold glare on him, but I think it’s a bit hard to achieve, considering how dishelved I must look.

“Answer me, goddamn it,” I grate coldly. “What’s he to you? He said that you had posed for him before. What did that mean?”

I watch as his full lips quirk into a knowing grin and I want to kick myself for revealing my desperation to know the truth. However, as he’s about to open up his mouth to say something, I notice the faint trickle of light behind the curtains.

Damn it! I’m almost going to miss it! It’s a silly ritual I have to do each day and I always try to capture it before anyone else wakes up. Completely ignoring the fact that Duo’s with me, I quickly strip out of my soiled clothes and slip into a clean pair of dark blue jeans shorts and a fresh dark green t-shirt. I toss a similar outfit towards him, which he begins to change into as well. I can see the question and confusion in his eyes, but I can only manage a rather small smile towards him before turning my face away and trying to compose myself quickly. This is a rite I have been doing ever since I can remember. I think it had begun when I was six or seven and I had been unable to sleep all night due to an illness. I had been sitting by my window that morning and I had seen it for the first time.

“Follow me,” I mutter quickly while wondering why I’m even allowing Duo, of all people, to share something this intimate with me. I refuse to stare too long at him. I mean seeing him in my own clothes and the way he looks damn good in it, should not be the cause of my accelerated heartbeat.

I push open the door slowly and lead him up the small flight of stairs that takes us directly to the flat rooftop of my apartment building. It’s a bit chilly and early morning dew has fallen upon the steel pipes and to the ground giving it a false sense of dampness in the air.

“Uuumm…Heero…?” he begins quietly, but I silence him with a light frown and a finger against his lips.

“Just watch,” I say as I make myself comfortable on a flat slab of concrete. I place my hands beneath my chin and focus my gaze on the horizon before us. I sense him sitting beside me and the way he crosses his legs (he had taken off his socks and a quick peek watches as he wiggles his toes a little). It’s a rather genteel motion and I can’t help smiling to myself at the thought that the crass Duo Maxwell could pull off something like that.

But I guess that’s one of the reasons why I find myself growing attracted to him. The unpredictability of his actions always leaves me guessing and yet wanting more. I feel that there are so many layers to Duo that it would take me an eternity to get through each one. And for once, I don’t think I would mind doing that at all.

“Wow…” he says softly and my smile widens at the awe in his voice. It definitely is an awe-inspiring moment and even though I’ve seen this scene a million times now, it seems so much better and even more beautiful and breathtaking today. Like a goddess rising out of the depths of darkness, she beams her soft golden rays upon all that she surveys. Rooftops of all shapes and sizes in the distance are transformed from cold and dank metallic grays to soft yellows and oranges that create a wonderful kaleidoscope. And to top it all albeit faint, are the undeniable hues of a rainbow. It will fade in less than an hour or so, but for now, this is the perfect blend of nature – made even more perfect because for the first time I am sharing it with someone else.

“And here I thought you were a recluse,” Duo says around a soft chuckle that has me reaching out to try to knock his head at his taunt. I don’t know if I should feel insulted or pleased, but the latter takes over as he is yet to make some smart mouthed remark over such a rather trivial thing (at least to him).

“I like it,” I explain simply with a light shrug of my shoulders. “It reminds me of just how insignificant I am in the world compared to the power of nature.”

He says nothing and I’m grateful for that. I’d like to think that he understands me even when I say nothing. I don’t have to make some grand speech for him to know just how I feel about certain things. Maybe he can read me better than my closest friends now and that thought is a bit…overwhelming.

We remain silent for a long time, allowing the sounds of the city awakening to disturb the silence we had once relished. A slight wind picks up and it causes my hair (which is growing much longer and in need of a cut) to blow into my face. I lift up my hand to push it away, but to my surprise and dull pleasure, Duo’s hand does the job for me. He’s smiling softly and I wonder (or hope?) if he will kiss me out here. But to my dismay, he settles back into his former position and begins to say quietly.

“You wanted to know about Andre, right?”

I do not look at him but I think my silence is all that he needs to continue.

“Well…to be honest…”

I can feel my chest tighten as my hands begin to clench into tight fists.

“Andre’s an artist…”

*I think I figured that part out at  first glance, Duo!* I scream inside.

“And one day, I was curious about what he did for a living and then he invited me over and we talked and then he said that I would look good as a model for one of his paintings and then one thing led to another…”

“One…thing…led…to…another?” I ask in a tone that’s surprisingly calm. It betrays none of the raging emotions that are churning within me. If he tells me that he and Andre touched each other or something, I…I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do!

Duo rubs his chin and looks contemplative. “Yeah. From ‘model only one time’, he begged me to do several more poses for him.”

“Did he touch you?”

He laughs as if I’ve asked the most ridiculous question in the world. “Of course he has, Heero. He’s got to touch me if he’s human…”

“Don’t play dumb with me, Duo. You know what I mean.”

I think he must realize that I am serious about this because he stops chuckling long enough to eye me warily. “Sheesh, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re acting like a jealous boyfriend or something.”

“I am not your boyfriend and I am not jealous.” And I’m not blushing either.

But to my chagrin, Duo drapes an arm around my shoulder to croon sweetly into my ear. “Sure you are. But since you claim that you aren’t…how about if I told you that Andre and I have gone all the way…”

“You’re…you’re lying,” I mutter harshly as I struggle to even my breathing. What is this cold sensation and yet thin coil of dread that seems to wrap itself around my heart. Why is he deliberately taunting me with something that’s not…true? “Duo…”

He silences my protest with a soft kiss on my cheek and a hard squeeze of my shoulder. “Then what is the truth, Heero?”

I meet his gaze and speak as honestly as I can, hoping that he will agree with me. “I think you’re just saying that to make me feel jealous. I think that you and Andre have done nothing that intimate and that you have also not gone all the way with a guy yet which is why you’re not able to hold back from coming all over your…”

“Whoa, too much info there, Heero!” he cries out as he holds up his hands in surrender. He pulls away and mumbles something beneath his breath.

“Come on,” I say softly while trying not to smile at my small victory. So I am right after all. If Duo’s blush is any indication of my statements being correct, then all is well…at least for now. “I’ll make you breakfast,” I offer as I begin to lead the way back to my apartment.

“About time you made something edible for me,” he replies casually as he leaps to his feet to follow me. “I’m starving!”

__

Sometime later:

I am currently replying to over a million and one emails in my inbox. My cell phone and main telephone are still not connected but at least Duo managed to convince me to let some ‘damn light’ into the apartment and not to mention some ‘fresh air’. He’s gone back home now but not before gorging on my simple breakfast of waffles and eggs and almost finishing my only bottle of milk. I thought Trowa was bad with the eating thing but Duo is just a garbage disposal of the worst kind.

So why can’t I stop grinning?

I’m surprised that most of the emails are all words of support and encouragement from fellow students and even a few members of the faculty (this is, of course, my school email address). Many considered the Vice-Principal’s actions too harsh and rumor is that some members of the school board were going to have a meeting to discuss the old geezer’s future. I hope they fire his ass.

I also got an email from my parents and besides my father’s curt and rather demanding need for an explanation, my mother had written to tell me that she would like to visit if it were at all possible. Wufei had written a rather sincere note of apology and had ended it by calling me a ‘wuss’ for locking myself away in which I responded with a rather colorful email that consisted of something along the lines of him screwing himself. Trowa and Quatre also sent emails telling of their own experiences since the debacle. Trowa lived with his sister and had no parents, so he wasn’t bothered as much. Quatre, on the other hand, had had to deal with his father who had not been very pleased with the events. He wasn’t allowed to associate with us for a while – in other words, he was grounded until further notice. Quite sad really.

Relena along with the ‘Heero and Duo Fan club’ had sent the majority of the emails, claiming that they would see to it that the elections were boycotted until we were made to return to school. Ah, the power of the female vote, especially Relena Peacecraft. She was a powerhouse on her own and no one dared to tread on her waters or they were in for some serious trouble. I love that girl.

Zechs also sent me an email saying that he was in talks with the school board/government to delay the elections as well until our appeal was heard. Treize was hoping to get us at least a month’s suspension from school rather than the expulsion and that was all well and good. I don’t mind missing a month of classes. I can always study on my own and catch up to the curriculum by the time we return. Word on our appeal should be available by Monday morning so that is exciting in itself.

And now, as I lean back in my chair and eye the beautiful afternoon outside my window, I wonder what I can do for the rest of the day. I really don’t feel like staying indoors anymore but going outside…alone…is not something I’m looking forward to as well. Maybe I can call up Duo and ask him out…for company.

Damn…it’s going to sound as if I’m asking him out on a *date* and that’s just not true! We’re just two guys who are going to hang out, that’s all….and I promise to keep my hands to myself as well.

“I’m back!” comes the bellow of that familiar voice. It has me out of my chair and towards the front door with a welcome smile on my face. I’m feeling a bit nervous at what I’m about to ask as I really don’t know if Duo will agree to such a thing or not. But he has come back here and it could only mean that he wants to be with me, doesn’t it? I wipe my sweaty palms down my shorts and force as natural a smile as I can on my visage as I step out into the small hallway.

“Du…o?” My words falter as ice water seems to have been doused upon my body.

Standing in the doorway with a grin is Duo, of course - no surprise there - but it’s the person behind him that has my insides boiling with cold rage. He seems to be surprised at seeing me as well for some reason and I’m beginning to think that Duo might have set this whole thing up.

“I hope you don’t mind him coming along,” the long-haired boy explains as he motions the ‘artist’ to come closer. “I’ve got four tickets to this killer concert tonight and I figured you two could do with a little downtime. We’ve been under a lot of stress lately, so…”

He looks at me hopefully but I cannot muster any form of excitement at the thought of being with that other man for the rest of the day. But if it makes Duo happy, then so be it.

“I’ll…get my coat,” I finally say quietly as I make my way into my room and promptly deliver a hard punch to my desk. I ignore the pain as I begin to dress up slowly aware that there is now a small dent where flesh and wood had collided.

Hopefully, this day will end quickly for I just have to keep reminding myself that I’m doing this for Duo and to bear with it - as an atonement of my earlier sins.

~End Period Twelve~