Indigo Eyes 5
Sorry I took so long to post this, guys. I’ve been traveling and didn’t have access until now.
Chapter 5
It was night time when we finally got up. Upon checking the clock, I found it was nearly eleven and no place would be open for us to order some take out. Granted, we had only eaten a few hours ago, but we both had healthy appetites. No matter, I loved to cook anyway; well at least I loved to cook when I was given the chance.
I stretched and noticed Duo was no longer in bed with me. That was odd. IF he wasn’t in bed with me and he wasn’t drawing me in my sleep, then where was he?
“Duo?” I called as I got up and stretched some more, cracking my back and neck pleasantly. He didn’t answer, so I got up to check the rest of the apartment and studio; he might have his headphones on.
After I made sure he wasn’t in the apartment, I noticed that the roof access door was open. So that’s where he must be. I began climbing my way up and stopped half way when I heard voices coming from upstairs. I couldn’t hear what was being said and I didn’t want to intrude. There were two voices to be exact. Strange… who could Duo have up there?
The idea of him having someone over the same day that we went out (well, if you’re counting by normal standards and not sleep cycles) really hurt. It hurt a lot. Still, I told myself that I couldn’t really blame Duo. I mean, I had no claim on him and I didn’t allow him to claim me in any sense of the word. How could I possibly feel jealous? Easy, I just did. Did I have a right to? No, I didn’t, not in the least.
I counted to ten then made my way back down the stairs. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions and make an idiot of myself so I went into the kitchen to do what I did best when I felt upset: I cooked.
Okay, so I suppose you can’t call what I did that night cooking. Cooking involves heating something; instead, I prepared hors d'oeuvres. I pulled out some cooked chicken breasts, grapes, chopped pecans, and mayonnaise and proceeded to make chicken salad sandwiches. I cut those up into little triangles and arranged them like a wreath on a plate with little cheese squares in the center of it. Next I grabbed a small basket, placed a napkin inside, and loaded it with potato chips. I then put the plate and basket on a tray with some napkins, a pitcher of herbal ice tea and three glasses with ice.
Once I finished preparing the tray, I grabbed the tray and headed back upstairs to Duo and his mystery guest. By that time though, I had calmed down enough to be pleasant, regardless of who might be up there. When I reached the roof, I saw only the backs of two men sitting in the lighted gazebo, both of them facing the night time cityscape and talking quietly to each other. I bit my lip, telling myself to remain calm that there was more than likely a reasonable explanation. I only hoped I could keep my cool long enough to hear it.
“Excuse me,” I said as I walked up behind them.
“Shit!” Duo jumped and whirled around to face me, “Heero!” His eyes were wide and his hand was over his heart, “You trying to give the old man a heart attack!”
I ducked my head and blushed. That really was not my intention. “I brought some snacks for you and your friend,” I said, holding up the tray so that he could see it better.
“Cut the kid a break,” said a familiar voice. I looked over at his friend and smiled a little when I recognized him as Trowa, the man from the restaurant. What was HE doing here?
Duo looked at his friend and shrugged, “Company is always right.”
Trowa laughed, “That’s ‘The customer is always right.’”
Duo gave a sheepish grin. “Same shit different shovel, my man,” he said, then turned to me. “So… Hee-chan… What do you have there?”
Hee-chan? Where did he get that from?
“Uh, just some sandwiches, chips, and some iced tea,” I said as I put the tray down on the bench between them.
“Yum, I’m starved,” Trowa said, picking up a sandwich and stuffing it in his mouth. “I love the food at Tony’s but when you’re around it every day, you get tired of it.”
I smirked, “I hope you like it.”
“This is delicious, Heero. You’re a much better host than Duo here,” he said, smacking Duo in the back of the head.
“Hey!” Duo yelled after getting smacked.
“So… May I join you, or is this a private conversation?” I asked picking up the pitcher and filling the three glasses.
Duo shrugged and looked at Trowa, “This is your call, man. I mean, we’re talking about your love life, not mine.”
“You can stay, Heero,” he said as he tasted his tea, “This is good, by the way… what is it?”
“Dragon’s Eye, which is basically a peach and ginger blend,” I answered.
“Delicious.”
“So anyway,” Duo cut in as he stuffed a sandwich in his mouth, “You were telling me about that guy you saw again today?”
Trowa nodded and cleared his throat. “That’s right. He came in again with the usual thugs that always follow him around. Sometimes he brings in a girl or two and they always sit next to him. I’m afraid I’m way out of his league though.”
“Umm… I know I came in halfway through the conversation, but what are we talking about?” I asked, feeling really nosy.
“Trowa has this crush on this guy that sometimes comes into his restaurant,” Duo began explaining.
“You own the restaurant?” I asked, cutting Duo off.
“EH-HEM!” Duo cleared his throat loudly, “I believe it’s rude to interrupt.” I blushed and motioned for him to continue. “Thank you. Yes, Tro-man owns the place. He inherited it from some distant uncle or something like that… Anyway, this guy sometimes comes in to eat there but he’s never alone. He usually has lots of people with him.”
“At least three men, to be exact,” Trowa added. But you should see him, he’s absolutely gorgeous!” He took a moment to sigh and look off into the horizon. “The problem is, it’s obvious that he’s a classy guy with a lot of money. He wouldn’t want to be around a guy like me. Heck, I doubt he’d give a guy like me the time of day, let alone a date.”
“So you mean you’ve never talked to him?” I asked.
Trowa nodded, “When he comes in, he’s usually very quiet and the people around him are careful never to speak his name. Even when they order, it’s usually one of his thugs that orders and even goes into the kitchens to supervise the meal being prepared.”
“That seems like a bit much…” I said, taking a sip of my drink.
He nodded, “It is, but apparently, he’s an important person to have bodyguards test his food before he eats it. I feel so pathetic…” He rested his elbows on his knees and hid his face in his hands.
“I had a friend like that once,” I said, causing both men to stare at me. “But he was never under such tight surveillance.”
“Yeah well, I don’t even know his name,” Trowa sighed.
“Yeah,” Duo snickered, “He calls him ‘My Little Angel’ to make up for it though.”
“That’s Mon Petit Ange,” Trowa corrected.
I blinked, “If you’re French, why do you own an Italian eatery?”
Trowa just smirked, “Mixed heritage. My uncle was Italian as was my mother’s side of the family. My father’s was French and I lived there until I was about twelve. When my parents died, I went to live with my mother’s brother who came to America. He and his wife built the little restaurant and when they passed on, I got to keep it.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said, feeling ashamed of myself for bringing it up.
“It’s okay,” said Trowa. “It doesn’t bother me so much any more. I’ve been running the place for six years; since I was nineteen.
“If only we could find a way to get you and that mystery man together without the goons,” Duo mused out loud, staring off into the distance.
“Well,” I said, clearing my throat, “Well, if he’s as important as you seem to think he is, and if Duo’s next exhibit is upscale, he’ll be part of the elite class who’ll show up.”
Duo grinned, “That’s right. I almost forgot about that. Wait… how did you know about that sort of thing?” Duo turned curious violet eyes on me.
I looked away, “I… We… That is, my family would get invited to that sort of thing often.”
Duo smacked his forehead, “Duh, I almost forgot my little muse was a rich kid.”
I looked away, not wanting to talk about that.
“Do you really think he’ll be there?” Trowa asked nervously.
I nodded, “Of course. The wealthy love to go to those things to show off how much they have.”
“But I’m not rich… How am I even supposed to get in?” Trowa said, a little crestfallen.
“Easy,” Duo grinned, “You’re my pal and I’ll just ask my agent for tickets for you.”
“Thanks Duo.” Trowa said as he glanced at his watch. “I better get going. My sister will have my head as it is, if I stay out even longer, she’ll have my balls too.”
Duo laughed at that, “You are so whipped.”
“You try pissing Cathy off and live to tell the tale.”
“Touché,” Duo laughed.
“I thought so,” he smirked.
We all headed back down the stairs and after seeing Trowa off, I went into the kitchen to clean up and do dishes. As I was finishing up, I felt Duo’s arms wrap around my waist and his body press up against my back.
“You’re so sexy when you’re being domestic,” Duo purred in my ear.
I blushed, “Cut it out, Duo.”
“No, I’m serious.” He turned me around, my hands still full of soap suds and the water still running. “Let me draw you like that.”
I raised an eyebrow, “If you wanted to draw me, then why didn’t you already do it?”
Duo blushed, “I’ve been meaning to ask you…”
“Ask me what?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’ve wanted to draw you in the nude for a while…” he said, looking away.
“What?” I nearly screamed, baking away from him.
He stepped back, holding his hands up in the air as an attempt to placate me, “Please listen Heero,” I cocked an eyebrow. “Come on; don’t look at me like that! I just want to show the world how beautiful you are.”
“I’m listening,” I said as I turned off the water.
“You don’t have to be completely naked for me. I can draw you doing dishes in just jeans from behind. After that, I can leave the room or turn around while you change and I can draw you with a tastefully placed sheet over you. There’s plenty of ways to draw you so that you’re not completely exposed, but please Heero… Not letting the world see your gorgeous figure and musculature is a crime!”
I groaned. How could I possibly say no to those pleading eyes? Simply put: I couldn’t. I threw off my shirt and resumed doing dishes. “Hurry up and get your sketch pad.”
Duo scurried away to get his things and moments later, I could hear the scratching of charcoal against paper.
The rest of the night we spent it outside on the roof. Duo had me lay on the bench in the gazebo as he painted me, naked from the waist up, in the moonlight.