Disclaimers and warnings in first part
The next week passed without anything really exciting happening. Duo went out on two more dates and wasn’t impressed by either man, but thought nothing of it until the phone chirped Friday afternoon, signaling an incoming message. After reading it, he sighed loud enough for Zechs to ask, “Is there a problem?”
“Huh?” Seeing the blonde gesture at the phone Duo held, he shook his head, “Not a problem; another date request.”
“I’m guessing the match doesn’t peak your interest?”
“Actually, the description sounds like someone that would be perfect for me,” he noted quietly as he reread the message. “Then again, the last three sounded interesting enough. The first was a raving loon,” he explained before the other man could ask. “The last two…they were okay, I guess.”
“What was wrong with them?”
“Hell, they weren’t Trowa,” he groused, tossing his phone carelessly on the desk. “Maybe it’s time to make that confession and hope for the best.”
“He means that much to you,” Zechs smiled when Duo looked up at him. “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to admit to yourself that no one else would do.”
“You haven’t said anything to me.”
“You had to figure it out for yourself. The way you’ve been moping about, though, was starting to make me wonder if you were a glutton for punishment.”
“I’m scared to death, Zechs. What if I tell him and he laughs his ass off at me?”
“Trowa wouldn’t do that. He respects you too much to react in such a way.”
Staring at the far wall, Duo remembered the easy way he got along with Trowa, never having to be anyone other than himself. Comparing that to the way he often had to force cheerfulness around others, he sighed, “I’ll call him tonight and see if he’ll talk to me.”
“Wait until tomorrow. Quatre is supposed to have a meeting that will run late.” Zechs shrugged when Duo narrowed his eyes, “Heero is eating dinner at our house; you know he’s a disaster in the kitchen. Not as bad as Trowa, but still pretty bad.”
Duo felt his lips curve into a soft smile he couldn’t control, “Trowa’s a lot better at cooking now. I was giving him lessons before everything got so damn complicated.”
“You were teaching Trowa how to cook? How did you manage that? Did you tie him to the stove or something?”
“I offered to give him some lessons and he agreed,” the braided man frowned. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
“I once overheard Quatre and Trowa talking about food. Quatre was fussing because Trowa practically lived on microwave dinners and it’s not good for him.”
“That sounds a lot like Quatre,” Duo rolled his eyes. “What did Trowa have to say about that?”
“That the only way he would ever bother to learn is if he had a good teacher or a reason to cook for more than just himself. I think that with you, he found both.”
“It’s a nice thought, but…”
“Go out on this date tonight, Duo.”
The braided man frowned, “Why would I do that if I’m going to talk to Trowa tomorrow?”
“It will give you one last chance to make sure this is what you want to do. It’s not like you have anything else to do tonight,” Zechs reminded him with a smirk. “Do you really want to sit at home and stare at the damn wall all night?”
Easily able to imagine himself doing just that, Duo picked up the phone and replied to the message, giving a time and place he could meet the person. Sitting back with a sigh, he looked at his friend and employer, “If this person is available, at least I won’t have to have dinner alone tonight…again. I didn’t realize how much I had gotten used to eating with Trowa until I wasn’t eating with him anymore.”
“If things work out the way you want, maybe you’ll be able to give him cooking lessons on a nightly basis,” Zechs grinned when Duo turned red. “What will you do tonight? You could come eat with us if your date isn’t available.”
“I might, if I don’t get a message back pretty soon. I asked to meet at Rosie’s café.”
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“It’s a small place, but they have decorations of every shape, size, and type you could imagine there. It’s a good place for a date because there are plenty of things to talk about. The food’s good, too.”
“Sounds like the perfect place for a blind date. Did you and Trowa ever go there?”
“A few times, but we never needed any help with conversation topics.” Duo blinked when his phone chirped again, reading it with surprise. “That was the fastest reply I’ve ever gotten before.”
“Are they available?”
“Yeah, and it seems they know Rosie’s. This says to wait at the corner table in the back room.”
“Someone that sounds great and enjoys the same eating establishment as you…you may change your mind about Trowa after tonight.”
Duo snorted as he sent his message, agreeing to the date, “Yeah, right. That won’t happen, but now I won’t be obsessing about what to say to Trowa tomorrow.” When he realized Zechs was openly grinning, he narrowed his eyes, “Get to work; we still have that finance meeting this afternoon.”
“Yes, boss.”