Disclaimer: The G-boys and Gundam Wing don’t belong to me, duh. I’m sure everyone is already aware, but it has to be said anyway.
Warnings: Yaoi, meaning men doing naughty things to each other they enjoy a whole lot! If you don’t like it, don’t read it. If you read it anyway, don’t come bitching to me about it. Lemon, eventually.
Pairings: 3+2/3x2
AN: This is a sequel to Fighting the Darkness, though it’s not absolutely necessary to read that first. There are references to that story that might be confusing, but not too bad, I don’t think. Let me know what you think, pretty please? I crave feedback!! Also, this story has not been beta'd as of yet, so if there are mistakes (and I'm pretty sure there are) please either ignore them, or let me know about them. I'll make the changes as soon as I can. Enjoy!!!
INTO THE LIGHT – PART 1
Closing the door behind him, Duo stripped off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack, shuddering at the cool air he had brought in with him until the warmth of the house surrounded him. Rolling his shoulders to ease sore muscles, he glanced around the neat living room, still amazed how much his life had change due to a decision he had made while filled with despair.
Almost two years ago, he had tried to kill himself, thinking no one cared. Luckily, he managed to fail in his attempt, but the episode had left him trapped in his own mind, unable to find the strength he needed to battle back the darkness. In his time of need, Trowa had come to help, the least likely person he could have imagined.
While he had been trapped inside his body, Trowa had taken the necessary steps to discover who had been behind the rape and had made sure they had been punished. During the last fight against what was a criminal mastermind, Duo had woke from his coma and staggered to the tall man’s aid, stopping the criminal seconds before his blade had pierced Trowa.
In light of the feelings Trowa had for him, Duo had been hesitant to move in with the other man, assuming Trowa would use every opportunity to persuade Duo to see him as more than a friend, the same way Hilde had tried to manipulate his feelings. In the end, however, he realized he needed a new beginning, starting with leaving L2 and all it included behind in order to move to earth, where the other former pilots had all eventually settled.
Duo had only planned to stay a few weeks, a month or two at the most, before finding his own apartment. He had been stunned when he had arrived and Trowa acted as though nothing had ever happened. The tall man was reserved, a normal trait for him, and no comment had been made about his feelings whatsoever. After a few months had passed with no gentle or not-so-gentle persuasion or innuendo, Duo had allowed himself to relax and discovered he liked living with Trowa, enjoyed the solid presence the other man provided, and so he had stayed.
There were nights when Duo would lie in bed and wonder if he had imagined the things he had heard while unconscious. He could recall some of the conversations he had had with Trowa and wondered if any of it had been real. He hadn’t been able to talk to Trowa in his dreams since that last night, in order to warn the green-eyed man of the murderer sneaking up on him and had to consider the state of his sanity. Every time he decided it had been nothing more than a vivid imagination, he would remember the warmth Trowa’s presence had provided while he was lost in a cold void.
It was a memory of warmth he thought of wistfully as he removed his shoes, always worried he would mar the pristine light blue carpet that covered the floor. He was smiling to himself as he crossed the room, planning to take a shower before deciding what to eat for dinner. Remembering he would be eating dinner alone for the first time since moving to Earth, his smile faltered.
His frustration about being alone for dinner disappeared when he heard a noise in the kitchen. Since Trowa was supposed to be gone, he crept down the hall, wishing he had a gun to defend the home that was as much his as it was Trowa’s. Reaching the open kitchen door, he peered inside and frowned, letting his muscles relax. “I thought you had a date tonight,” he chided as Trowa turned to lift an eyebrow at him, not the least surprised by his appearance.
“I do,” supplied the other man as he poured a glass of wine. “He called me at work to let me know he would be late and that he’ll pick me up here.” Placing the bottle on the wine rack in the small fridge he had specifically for that purpose, Trowa pulled out a bottle of beer for Duo, chilled to perfection. “Since I don’t have to drive, I thought I’d indulge,” he explained, lifting the glass to his lips.
Unerringly hitting the trash can with the bottle cap, Duo took a long drink of the beer, appreciating the coolness. “First date and he’s gonna be late. That’s a strike against him from the start, Tro.”
“I’m aware of that.” Leaning against the counter, Trowa crossed his long legs. “I considered cancelling, but I might as well go ahead and eat dinner with him. He might be able to redeem himself.”
“Why didn’t you just cancel?”
“Because it was pointed out to me recently, very vocally, I might add, that my personal life is non-existent.” Green eyes bore into Duo, making him blush.
“That’s not what I said. I merely stated that you don’t date.” At the steady stare, he rolled his eyes, “Okay, okay. It wasn’t supposed to be an insult. Just an observation. When’s he supposed to be here?”
“Six-thirty. Our reservations are for seven.”
Duo frowned at the clock. It was just after five and the date had originally included going to a museum Trowa had wanted to go to, featuring displays from ancient shipwrecks. Duo had been mildly hurt when learning of Trowa’s plans; he had assumed they would go see the temporary displays together, as they usually did. “Where’s he taking you for dinner?”
“The Greenery.”
The name of the high-scale restaurant had Duo’s frown deepening. Other than his expensive taste in wine, Trowa’s preferences in food ran to the simple, mirroring Duo’s own. If given a choice, the tall man would pick a veggie burger over steak or a common salad over lobster. Although he hadn’t asked before, not wanting to pry now that the tall man was actually dating, Duo sat down on one of the kitchen chairs. “Is this guy another agent? Does he work with you?” If that was the case, he could call one of the other guys and pump them for information.
“Actually, he’s an investment banker.” Trowa set his glass aside and crossed his arms. “His name is Josh and we met while we were both getting coffee before going to work. I’ve spoken to him several times in the last month, in the morning. Is there anything else you would like to know?”
Stunned how hurt he was at the sarcasm, Duo flushed and picked at the label on his beer. Hearing a sigh, he risked a glance at his roommate. Trowa was pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. “I’m sorry, Duo. I guess I’m a little more worked up about this than I thought. It’s been a while since I went on a date that was more than a drink at a bar.”
“I didn’t mean to interrogate you,” Duo gave a sigh of his own. “Ever since you told me you had a date, I’ve been dying with curiosity.”
“Then why didn’t you ask before?”
Uncomfortable, Duo shrugged, “You never asked me about my dates.”
Trowa snorted as he joined Duo at the table, leaning back and sipping the wine slowly, obviously savoring the flavor. Duo had a horrifying moment where he wondered how the wine would taste on Trowa’s lips. “I did ask, if you recall,” the tall man said suddenly, thankfully diverting his attention. “When you first began dating, I asked about your dates. I stopped asking because I’m terrified one day I’m going to get one mixed up with another. That would be an unpleasant situation for everyone involved.”
Blushing, Duo admitted sheepishly, “There have been a lot of them, haven’t there?” He thought of the many women he had dated, none of them lasting more than a week or two before he stopped seeing them. Watching Trowa closely, he had to ask, “You really don’t mind me dating all those women?”
Green eyes the shade of a summer field of grass fixed on him, clearly baffled. “Why would I mind? The…quantities may bother me, but I assume if you find someone you hit it off with, all the variety will be worth it.” Trowa rose, patting Duo on the shoulder as he went to the sink. Rinsing out his glass, he spoke in the soft tones that usually put Duo at ease, “I’m going to shower and change. If Josh gets here before I’m ready, will you let him in and offer him a drink?”
“Yeah, no problem,” replied the braided man, distracted by the fact that he could be greeting Trowa’s future lover. As the other man left the room, he had to ask himself why that thought bothered him so much.
Back to Fanfiction On to Part 2