"It's not secret that the stars are falling from the
sky,
It's no secret that our world is in darkness
tonight,
They say the sun is sometimes eclipsed by the moon,
Y'know I don't see you when she walks in the
room....
It's no secret that a friend is someone who lets you
help,
It's no secret that a liar won't believe anyone
else,
They say a secret is something you tell one other
person,
So I'm telling you... child....
A man will beg, A man will crawl,
On the sheer face
of
love,
Like a fly on the wall,
It's no secret at
all."
He closed his eyes a moment, just thinking about Hirde in those circumstances, an oft played fantasy replaying like a favorite movie behind his eyelids. The memory of catching her one night when her bedroom door was open just slightly, the curve of her delicate neck as she rifled slender fingers through her dark hair. The way she licked her lips slowly when she was looking in the mirror as the pale moonlight shivered across her black hair, making it sheen a dangerously tempting blue.
Duo could recall the exact way the long, silver nightgown had clung to her young, developing curves as she moved her hips slowly from side to side, examining herself in the mirror. His mouth had gone dry that night, losing all train of thought of the words he had been about to ask her about something like where the milk was or some such thing. Hands positively had ached to touch those hips of her's, the gentle curve of her ass through the silky material when she bent over to trail her fingers up her slender, well-shaped legs so often hidden by bulky clothes. Never had he realized just how beautiful she was until that night, the way her lips had parted a little when she pinched softly at the nipples of her small, developing breasts to make them stand out and cupped them, mocking what they might look like one day when she was older. He had wanted to do that, to twist those nipples until they stood out bright and red, to taste them with his lips and trail his tongue sharply across them. To trail his fingers down just where her's had gone, to the delicate folds of silk working their wrinkles out as she parted her legs and slipped fingers against herself, rocking them slowly.
The delicate moans that had parted Hirde's lips, the sighs of the self-inflicted torture she brought on herself when she continually denied herself the ultimate pleasure to work herself up higher and higher, had made him harder then he had ever thought he could be for a friend. The sheen of moonlight settled on her shoulders, the darkness of the night from where he watched her, seemed to draw the lights definitely before his eyes, a barrier. The child of the light that could be saved and the demon of darkness who couldn't bare to seduce this flesh and blood angel before him.
One thing, one word had parted her lips breathily that had sealed his fate completely that night. Her fingers tightening in the silver silk just as she reached her release, *"Duo...."*
One could say they never felt something as torturous as that. He knew in fact that he would never wish that on anyone, to have to know that he had to leave her then and there else he bring irreperable harm to her life because of a foolish child-like fantasy with him.
Duo Maxwell may be Catholic, but he hated being a marytyr like hell.
Shaking his head free of the baka memories which would only have him seeking out the vial in the third dresser corner cabinet, Duo tied up his heavy black boots, a slight smirk settling on his lips. So, Heero would be there. Picturing the little demi-goddess of his dreams with the ice sculpture with a mission certainly was one of the more humorous images he had ever pictured. He paused. What if Hirde and Heero.... Shaking his head resolutely, Duo uttered a slight laugh, jumping to his feet easily. No way in hell would Heero probably even know how to do it. He was one of those practical, "Insert Tab A into Slot B, thrust, repeat" kind of guys. Hirde couldn't possibly go for one of them....
Could she?
Nah....
Why did he even care? There was no way that he was even going to attempt to touch her in any manner except that befitting a friend, or the low scum-sucking piece of shit that left her to begin with. Oh, nice wordage, Maxwell. The familiar smirk curved his lips as he walked down the streets from his apartment, the tune of the U2 song still on his lips. The apartments around here were very well-appointed, the streets getting cleaner and better as he walked down towards the address Hirde had given him. She shouldn't even have trusted him with her address. Duo knew he wouldn't have had he been in her position. Then again, he didn't have Hirde's kind heart.... Sometimes it made him wonder how she even got into OZ with that sort of humanity. Une's radar most have not been set to "kill people with humanity" that day.
Finally, he arrived there, Number 41 B, East Elisabeth Street, a nicely appointed apartment with a nice gated garden out front, even with a goldfish pond. How classy was that? The picture of Heero in an apron throwing some gold fish flakes into the pond made him snicker. God, if only he had known Heero would go domestic long ago....
Oh, well, it was time to meet your doom, Maxwell. Taking a deep breath, Duo went up the four bricked steps and rang the doorbell, looking down at the welcome mat with a slight smirk. Yeah, he was welcome.
Only place he was welcome was in hell.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Humming softly to herself, Hirde set the dining room table. It had been a battle of wills, but she had made Heero--grudgingly--agree to have a nice dinner in the dining room instead of the kitchen. She had little doubt if Heero had his way, he would have Duo eating out on the stoop while they ate inside together. Overprotective much?
Maybe when Relena finally came, that would mellow Heero's mood. Eyes lighting up curiously, Hirde slid a glance over to the dark-haired, stoic former pilot as he set out glasses for wine. If she didn't know better, she could bet that Heero had almost smiled when she had told him that Relena would probably be here tomorrow. Saints preserve her if she would tell him that herself, but did Yuy perhaps have a thing for the kinky former pacifist? It would certainly make for an interesting week here if he did.
The sound of a doorbell broke Hirde from her thoughts and before she could so much as say she'd get it, Heero was halfway to the door to open it.
"Hey, Yuy! How ya been?"
"Hn...."
"That well? Wow, what have you been up to?"
"...."
"Good to see you too. Where's the grub?"
The door closed, thankfully with Duo inside the apartment, and Heero led the braided ex-pilot into the dining room. Again, Hirde felt her heart speed up at the sight of him and vaguely wondered if her doctor would consider this good for her blood pressure. Duo Maxwell had been potent before, but now he was just dangerous.
The distinct smell of the peaches wafted through the room with his movements, the hint of leather and the ever-present masculine odor she had never been able to forget. Something distinct like fired blood, like something one would describe some dark god to smell of. The aura of dark beauty still seemed to hover over him, still dressed in the same clothes and leather jacket but the appearance of a tie, black of course, around his neck showed Hirde he considered this occasion important. Feeling a pleasant feeling of happiness wash over her as of old, Hirde smiled softly to Duo, watching his eyes shimmer in the candlelight she had to fight Heero to use. Like old gems, dark cobalt glass bespeaking all sorts of promises to her behind those wild and tangled bangs....
God, Hirde, get a hold of yourself.
There was a pause in which one could hear Heero banging pots loudly in the kitchen so that they didn't forget his presence before Duo's lips quirked. "Well, isn't this just nice and cozy? You have a nice place here, Hirde. I can't wait to see what Yuy does by way of cooking."
"Oh, he does fine, better then a lot of people in fact."
"Hn, somehow I doubt that. You always did cook a lot better than I've ever had...." Teasing smile.
Trying to ignore the blush staining her cheeks, Hirde cleared her throat and returned the smile. "Arigato, Duo, but I don't think you should let Heero hear that. He'll think he's failing his mission."
"Oi, God help us then. No one would be safe from his wrath."
"Except maybe if it was tempered by Relena."
The loud clang of a pot falling to the floor alerted Hirde and Duo that Heero had indeed heard that and was none too pleased. Snickers resulted.
Hirde paused a moment as she recovered herself before smiling softly to him. "We had better sit down and start to eat else Heero will come back and baby-sit us."
"I don't think you need any babysitting around me, Hirde...." Duo's eyes twinkling a little darkly as he pulled out her chair, looked her up and down and winked. "You seem like you can certainly take care of yourself."
You don't know that, Duo, Hirde thought a moment, trying to quell the ache in her belly with him so near. The feeling of his breath stirring the hair of her nape made her bite her lip and only did she feel safe when she was seated and he was across from her, taking his own seat.
Whoever said time heals all things must have been drunk.
Heero took this moment to come back in, his cold eyes narrowing on the way Hirde was twisting her napkin in her lap to calm herself and the way Duo was tapping his fork on the good china, humming some old tune. Ignoring the Perfect Soldier's disapproving look, Hirde glanced at the roast he set down and grinned. "Wow, Heero you really went all out tonight." Silent mouthing of "thank you."
Duo smirked, glancing back to Heero. "Man, Yuy, I didn't know you loved me that much. I love you too, man!" He blew a kiss and made fishy lips at the disgruntled Heero. If Hirde didn't know better, the way Heero's hands were patting his pants, he was looking for his gun.
Some things never change.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
After Heero's unsuccessful attempt to find a gun ~~thankfully he only carries that in his Preventer uniform jacket now, years of hard work on her own part to make sure he didn't shoot the neighborhood cat because it decided to pounce at the wrong time~~ the three sat down to whisper a soft grace over the meal. Hirde couldn't help it if her eyes strayed up slowly to watch Duo's lips murmuring the prayer softly, his head bowed, the soft fringes of his wild bangs falling across his forehead, veiling his eyes, just gracing his nose and making it wrinkle at the ticklish feel. She couldn't help how her gaze followed the curve of his neck just hidden by the collar of his shirt, all black as always, her imagination recalling how his body used to look when they were younger and shared an apartment. He certainly appeared as if he had grown some, more muscular, more intense and dark.
Hirde's teeth caught her lip, watching how his hands were clasped softly in prayer. She knew she should be burning in hell right now for how she was thinking of him. Imagination taking its toll as she could swear she saw his violet-tinged eyes flick up to catch and hold her own, glittering with dark sexuality and sentiments she had long denied, an erotic desire she had always felt for him but never voiced. She watched as he slowly stood, so graceful and dangerous in his steps over to her, stopping midway at the table, slowly holding up a hand, beckoning silently for her to take the hand of Death.
Her hand rose on its own accord as she stood, not even noticing Heero's eyes upon her as she went over to take Duo's hand, seeing the slow wicked smile curve his lips at this tiny victory. Promise of damnation in that smile, of sin. Oh, God, did this little mortal love sin. Her tongue slowly slid across her lips, wetting them, a trill of excitement coursing down her chest and stomach, settling between her legs as she felt her panties get wet. Duo's smile said he knew exactly what she was feeling, slight tsking sound under his breath. He was going to punish this naughty little girl.
Funny thing was she always liked punishment.
Hirde�s eyes followed the movement of his hand, sliding up her arm and her shoulder, toying with the sleeveless black turtleneck�s collar, peeking in at the skin beneath, before cupping her cheek in his hand. Breath stilling slowly, just every now and then ruffling his bangs from their close proximity, she licked her lips again, just aching for him to touch her harder, deeper, anywhere and everywhere. His eyes sparkled darkly as he watched her tongue, leaning down to flick his tongue against her slightly parted lips, her own meeting his own as she gasped a bit. Tongues dueling playfully, slowly snaking over each other�s lips, moistening them before a full kiss was engaged to explore the confines of each other�s mouths.
A soft moan escaped her lips as she felt Duo�s hand slide up her side and under the turtleneck, playing against the curve of her lacey bra, cupping her breast and softly squeezing. Her own hand, not unskilled, moved slowly down his back to scratch downwards with well-filed, blood red tinged nails. A slight smile of triumph lit her lips as she felt him shiver lightly. Knowing she could affect him was making Hirde feel more sensuous, less the little pixie girl that used to trail after him in a dreamy stupor.
"Wicked girl," he whispered, a sly little gleam coming into his eyes. Hirde foggily wondered what Duo thought he was up to, before she gasped aloud. His fingers were working slowly up under her skirt to the wet, hot area between her legs, plucking at her panties and ~~before she could draw in a breath~~ sliding a finger up firmly inside of her.
Hirde retaliated, pushing Duo hard back on the table, uncaring that she knocked the roast off to roll to the floor, pulling her skirt up to straddle his waist, rocking on the finger still inside of her as her own hand slid to cup the bulge in his pants. Sinking her nails in with a somewhat naughty smile, she leaned down to breathe hotly against his face. "Duo, you don�t know how long I�ve waited to do this to you...."
"Yeah, it has been a long time, hasn�t it, Hirde?" Heero�s voice came from Duo�s lips.
She blinked. "What?"
The voice again, somewhat firmer. "It has been a long time since we last had everyone together, hasn�t it, Hirde?"
Hirde blinked, the vision that had laid under her with the wicked and inviting smile was gone and she was still sitting in her chair, staring at her plate which someone had placed mashed potatoes and roast on it for her. Duo was across from her, stuffing his face with food, in a somewhat more refined manner then he had possessed as a kid, but still as gluttonous. After all, he was still a growing boy.
Heero was at her side, his face as cold and impassive as usual, but his Prussian eyes were searching her features, as if he could read her thoughts. Hirde coughed lightly and looked away. �Hn... Yeah, long time. I still keep in touch with Relena though.� "Relena!?" Duo�s voice came around a mouth full of food, pausing at Heero�s glare and reluctantly swallowing. "How do you still hang out with Relena, babe?"
"She�s more then a politician, Duo. She does have her own life, no da. In fact, she�s coming to visit this week... I don�t know when."
"Ohhhh.... Yuy, how do you feel about Relena coming up? She�s gotten hot, man. Finally wearing some clothes that a man could want on a woman of her shape." "I don�t believe we should be talking about Vice Foreign Minister Darlian in such a manner, Maxwell."
Hirde arched a brow. Heero actually sounded like he was defending Relena, if not for his very flat tone. Yeah, he was definitely going to be offering more then his protection to Relena when she comes up for a visit. That is, if Relena has anything to do with it, and she probably will.
Duo was quirking a wicked, sly little smile as he noted how Heero was acting. Hirde felt herself start to get hot again and subtly shifted her legs. She would have to get that taken care of soon.
"I was just saying, Yuy. You must have to control yourself every time she comes on screen. Tell me, Hirde," He shifted his teasing to her. "Does Yuy have to mysteriously go to the bathroom a lot when Relena�s on screen?"
She smiled a little back, ignoring Heero�s blatant death glare. "Oh, hai, possibly six or seven times during a speech."
"Really?" He paused, moistening his lips and waiting for a dramatic pause. "Do you buy much Vaseline, Hirde?"
There it went, a loud crack as Heero and Duo disappeared from the table only for the loud thud to meet on the floor. Hirde tried not to laugh as she peeked under the tablecloth to see the pair struggling on the floor, Heero trying to beat the shit out of Duo, and the latter laughing his ass off while trying to defend himself.
"Really, people, must there always be a fight for me to resolve when I come into a room?" A teasing, soft feminine tone invited from the doorway.
Hirde glanced over, distracted as she slowly looked up a pair of long, stocking-ed legs, a beige silk skirt riding at just mid-thigh and hinting at the garters holding her stockings up. A curvy form was incased in a button-up silk shirt and a matching jacket, one elegant hand placed on her hip, shoulder-length beige hair loose and flowing, a fringe of straight-edged cut bangs high-lighting her cornflower blue eyes. She waved a finger softly at the boys on the floor. "Tsk, tsk. Don�t make me have to call in the Preventers to restrain you two...."
"Relena." Heero said quietly, a strange note in his tone as he immediately let go of Duo and stood, stiff and respectful. If one failed to note the way his eyes looked her over in a dark manner from under his messy bangs....
"THAT�S Relena!?" Duo coughed hard as Heero whapped him hard over the head for that comment.
Relena chuckled softly, waving her hand a little at him. "Hai, and you are Duo Maxwell. Long time, no see...." Relena�s eyes glittered somewhat strangely as she looked at Duo before flicking a quiet look over to Heero, as in, "we need to talk later."
The Perfect Soldier nodded slightly to her in understanding.
Shrugging off that strange occurrence, Hirde smiled as she walked over to give Relena a hug. "Hey, Rellie. Has was your flight? It�s good to see you."
"It was alright. Boring and unattractive people the whole way." She sighed, bored. Her eyes glittered softly as she looked to Hirde, sliding a hand playfully across the side of Hirde�s breast when she hugged her, pressing cool lips with just a slight hint of tongue across Hirde�s cheek before she pulled back. "I�m sure I won�t be bored here though."
Hirde coughed a bit to belay the sensuous look in Relena�s eyes. Well, it would be one way to satisfy this little ache inside of her from that fantasy of Duo on the table, but not now.
Luckily, Duo hadn�t noticed the exchange, too busy rubbing the back of his head and looking for sympathy from a stoic Heero. He wasn�t getting any so he just pouted pitifully and looked at his watch. "Well, I should be going now anyway. You two probably have to catch up and such without me in the way...."
"No, Duo, you don�t have to--" Hirde started, but Relena cut her off.
"Oh, arigato, Maxwell-san." Charming smile. "I�m sure we�ll be seeing you all too soon again..."
Why did that sound somewhat sinister to her ears?
Duo nodded after a moment, grabbing his leather jacket and pulling it on. "Hai, then oyasumi (1), guys!"
"Wait, Duo!" Hirde broke from the pair in the dining room, walking over to stand a few inches from Duo, smiling softly. "I hope you enjoyed tonight enough to come back again soon, hai?"
He watched her a few moments, his eyes dark as if battling for some inner strength or something. She couldn�t tell if he won or lost and what that meant. Finally, he nodded. "Hai, I�ll see you again soon."
Hirde couldn�t help what she did next. In one impulsive move, she hugged him tight, pressing her slight, curvy form against him and sighing. "Arigato, Maxwell." You don�t know what this means to me, she thought softly.
Heero�s glare and Relena�s cool look went unnoticed as Duo softly pushed her from his arms, his lip caught between his teeth as if the action wasn�t entirely voluntary. Or was she reading too much into things? "Hai, oyasumi, Hirde." His voice was soft, low, almost whispering things of promise right before he walked out the door into the false night of the colony.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
A sharp moaning was heard through the quiet of the apartment, unbeknownst to the sleeping raven-haired girl two doors down. Clothes were torn, a chair knocked down along with computer, soft curses as scratches and bites were exchanged in the effort to taste and touch everything all at once. Finally, they were nude and nothing lay between them.
She pushed her nails hard into his shoulders, opening her legs wide and rubbing her hot, aching core up against his hardness, beckoning him.
Like most things in life, his lips took a feral grin as he took her, violently, passionately, the only thing he really enjoyed in his cold little existence. Possession, victory.
Her sharp moan definitely told him he had secured victory as she bit him in the shoulder, spasming around him hard. He followed after her in a few sharp, quick thrusts, breathing hard against her neck before claiming her lips in a hard, possessive kiss.
They were together again. That�s all that mattered.
Now what were they to do?
Her blue eyes sparkled softly from where her bangs had stuck them sweatily to her brow. "I have an idea, Heero...."
"Relena...." He added softly, warningly.
"Ne, hear me out.... I have an idea on how to protect Hirde once and for all by giving Duo Maxwell exactly what he wants...."
"And what would that be?"
"Sex."
[Chapter Three | Chapter Five]