Pairings: 1+2+1
Archive: Just let me know so I may praise your many virtues!
Warnings: Fluff, TWT, Tamora Pierce bastardization, hyper Duo
Disclaimer: I did nothing. Blame Rembrant. Sue Rembrant. He
doesn't have anything but sue him!
Feedback: Worshiped/Adored/Craved. Get me as a wifey if you respond!
Speaking of wifey's... where are you Lady Silver?
-----------------------------------------------------
Water dripped down off the back of Heero's hair and into the collar of his jacket. He pulled the jacket tighter around him wishing he was back at the safe house by now. He'd been on a month long mission and he did -not- like spending that much time away from Duo.
The thought of Duo warmed him a little but not enough. Before he'd left the two of them had an arguement which ended up in him kissing Duo to get him to shut up. Heero blushed slightly at the memories that followed that kiss. Even afterwards Duo wanted to go with him on the mission and he kissed Duo then knocked him out, not wanting to get into another arguement.
Heero shook his head when water dropped off his bangs into his eyes. His shoes made squishy shlucking sounds at the pavement. Duo probably got upset from that. He couldn't exactly help it though. The mission parameters were very specific.
The rain started to come down harder and Heero cursed his luck as his shirt started to get soaked from the collar down. He turned down an alley to get out of the rain. He stumbled against a box just inside the alley, his body feeling the fatigue his mind refused to acknowledge.
He froze as a piteful sounding mew came from the now sideways box. He bent down to look in the box as the mew came again. He lifted up the flap on it and looked inside. A raggedy, wet kitten sat shivering inside. It couldn't be very old, maybe 8 weeks. It looked at him and meowed again.
Something inside him softened. The black ball of wet fur wouldn't stand a chance out in the alley with nothing to get it warm. It would die. It was innocent though. Slowly Heero reached into the box. The kitten didn't even have the strength to back up from his hand. He picked the miserable kitten up and unzipped his jacket, settling the kitten against his ribs before zipping it back up.
Water dripped on his nose as he looked out into the hissing rain. He really should get going again. Heero smiled to himself as the rain backed off to a light rain instead of the down pour. He ducked out of the alley and continued on his way.
* * *
Slowly Heero opened the door to the safe house. He didn't know what Duo'd do, hit him, tackle him or hug him to death. Two out of three would take care of the kitten that he knew. He opened his jacket and took out the kitten. He could now see that the kitten's fur was longish, not the traditioinal short hair, and that the eyes were violet.
Heero blinked. Normally he didn't believe in fate but since he thought back to the events leading to Duo he couldn't exactly say it wasn't possible.
Since Duo was no where in view, Quatre must not have told him he was arriving tonight. He'd have to remember to thank Quatre in the morning. Holding the kitten in one hand he shook his free arm out of the straps of the back pack. He traded hands and lowered the pack to the floor. He walked up the stairs to the room he and Duo shared, removing his jacket on the way. He slung his jacket over his arm and opened the door.
Duo lay on Heero's bed, curled up, facing his own bed. Evidently Duo'd missed him. Heero smiled to himself and set his jacket on the empty bed. He turned to kneel infront of Duo; the vision that sustained him on that mission.
Duo, sensing something different, opened his eyes pulling out his gun at the same time, aiming instinctively for the figure in front of him. He lowered it as he recognized Heero. "You're back!" He murmured sleepily.
Heero nodded. "Bearing a present to ask you to forgive me for knocking you out."
"A present?" Duo blinked, his mind not quite fully caught up yet inspite of his actions.
Heero held up the kitten for Duo to see and it mewled in protest of being taken away from it's source of heat.
Duo imediatly sat up and took the kitten, eyes gazing from kitten to Heero in confusion, gratitude and happiness. "Thank you Heero..." He leaned over to give Heero a kiss. The kitten mewed again and Duo broke the kiss to look down at it. "It must be starving Heero, where did you find it?"
"An alley."
"An alley?" Duo seemed to actually take in Heero's appearance and realized he was almost completely wet down his front and back; dry spots in the shape of his jacket. "Heero, you take a warm shower. I don't want you getting sick. I bet you and the kitten are hungry so while you take a shower I'll go make some food."
Heero saluted and kissed Duo again.
Duo broke the kiss with a silly smile. "I'll be here when you get back Heero. I've missed you too. Go."
Heero nodded and left for the bathroom.
* * *
"Remind me why I let you eat so much sugar for breakfast?" Heero muttered as they walked through the lobby.
Duo skipped happily ahead toward the elevator and pushed the button. "OW! It shocked me!" He frowned at the elevator button then turned toward Heero. "You didn't let me do anything but you didn't stop me because you love me!" He grinned, vibrating in place.
"So why do I have to cary the kitten?"
"Because you got him for me!" Duo grinned as the doors to the elevator opened. "Besides, I found the vet to take him to."
Heero pulled the kittens claws out of his hand and stepped into the elevator, frowning. "Duo, would you please calm down and take your cat?"
"You thought he was cute yesterday." Duo said punching a button and making an exploding sound as others got in.
A woman in a power suit asked for floor 11 and Duo pressed the button with another explosion sound.
"Duo..." Heero warned.
"Whaaaaaaaat?"
Heero glared.
Duo grinned. "Your so cute when you do that Heero."
The doors closed and the elevator was silent as it started moving. Duo looked around at the executive types and picked out a stuffy looking individual near him. Duo grinned. "I have new socks on!"
The man looked at Duo, startled that anyone would adress him in the elevator. "Uh thats nice..." The elevator doors opened and Heero grabbed Duo's wrist and hauled him out the door.
"Hey! I was just having fun..." Duo whinned.
"Baka... Come on."
"You're just mad cause I made you cary the cat."
"If I knew it would attack my spandex and drag Quatre's socks halfway down the hall I would never have brought him home."
Duo grinned and pulled his wrist out of Heero's hand and took the cat. "But Shini loves practical jokes and Q's face was priceless. Even you have to admit that."
Heero grunted and looked over at Duo who happily nuzzled the cat.
"Besides... The expressions were priceless in the elevator." Duo said grinning.
Heero's resolve softened at seeing Duo happy. A tiny smile emerged on his face. "I'll forgive him eventually. Come on."
Duo flashed him a brilliant smile and trotted off down the hall.
What have I gotten us into, Heero wondered.
--------------------------------------------------------------