Destination in mind, Duo headed toward the road. If he crossed now, he could continue through the woods on that side and wouldn't have to worry about
crossing later when he was in a more open area. It wasn't that he expected anyone to come after him, but he *had* been a kid, and he remembered the
precautions to take when traveling alone. Rubbing his arms, he smirked as he wished he had kept the cloak. It wasn't as cold as it could have been, but it
was cooler than he liked. //Well, I'll get my wind back in no time. As long as I'm moving I'll stay warm.//
Pausing, he checked the road carefully for lights before crossing, head moving as he glanced back and forth even as he reached the other side. He was just
entering the grassy slope when he heard something coming from behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a shadowy figure moving quickly through
the trees, making its way toward the road, toward him. Panic, pure and simple and filled with a strong sense of self-preservation surged through him, and he
whirled abruptly, sprinting for the cover of the trees. Reaching his peak speed, he stumbled as he heard a familiar voice, coming to a shaky stop as he
turned. The figure had crossed the road, and he could see who it was, eyes widening as he recognized Heero.
Gripping a slender tree trunk as he let out an unsteady breath, he felt his panic give way, waiting for the boy to reach him. Relief filling his mind, he was
confused by the blind anger in those dark eyes as Heero came to stand in front of him, arms folded over his chest. "H-hi. You nearly scared me to death."
Blinking when the dark-haired boy took a harsh step forward, Duo flinched, and remembered why he was running. Blushing, he dropped his eyes, wondering
if it would be better to just go rather than talk to the root of his problems.
"Baka!" Wincing when the boy lifted surprised violet eyes to his, Heero gritted his teeth. As much as he wanted to scream at the boy for taking such risks, he
knew it wouldn't help his cause. Shoving his anger down, he pulled off his coat, moving forward to wrap it around Duo's shoulders before stepping back and
meeting his uncertain gaze. "Do you have *any* idea, how dangerous it is to be out alone like this?"
Fingering the coat, Duo's eyes widened. "You were looking for me?" Seeing Heero's glare, he gave himself a quick, mental slap. //Of course! Why else
would he be out here?// Flushing, he looked away, eyes moving over the road. "You don't have to worry. I can take care of myself."
Fighting the urge to snort in disbelief, Heero scowled for a moment. "You ran. I'm sorry." Seeing the boy's surprised and confused expression, he berated his
mind for not working faster. He didn't know what to say to make things all right. "I never meant to hurt you," he ground out.
Flushing again, Duo shook his head quickly. "I didn't run because of you, not really. It's me."
"I'm not engaged to Relena. We were *never* engaged except in her mind."
Jerking at the vehement tone, Duo found himself wanting to smile with relief, but shoved the urge down. "It doesn't matter." Sighing, he glanced over his
shoulder, thinking how close he was to where he wanted to be, in Heero's arms. "Look, this isn't your fault. I've got things to figure out, that's all. Don't worry
about it."
"Not my fault?! I kissed you and you ran, how the hell could it be *not* be my fault?!" Heero demanded, eyes filled with self-condemnation. "I'm sorry, Duo. I
shouldn't have done that. I don't want you to run from me."
"I'm glad you did." Flushing again as Heero's eyes flew to his, Duo looked down with a small smile on his lips. "At least now I know. I'm not cut out to be a
priest. I just have to figure out what I *am* supposed to be. I don't know."
"Come back with me. You can think there as well as anywhere else."
Shaking his head, Duo wrapped his arms around himself, glancing over his shoulder again. "No, I think I need to be alone. I don't think I've ever been this
confused."
"Where were you going?" Glancing in the direction the boy was looking, Heero frowned. "I thought you would go back to the church. I looked there first."
Eyes widening, Duo stiffened, turning to pin him with a horrified gaze. "Oh no...please say you didn't tell Une. She'll kill me..."
Frowning, Heero moved to the defensive. "I was trying to find you. All I told her was that you'd left. I didn't say why."
"Thank God." Heaving a relieved sigh as he gave Heero an ironic smile, Duo remembered his question. "I thought about going to the church, that's where I
was headed at first, but...I didn't want to go back there a disgrace. Too humiliating."
"Where, then?" Heero asked, anything to keep the boy talking. He had no intention of letting him leave, especially not alone. So long as he was where he
could see him, he knew he was safe.
"Home."
Blinking, Heero's brows drew together as he realized that thought hadn't entered his mind. As far as he knew, the boy lived at the church. After all, his last
name was the same as the church. "I thought that *was* your home," he said slowly, eyes taking in the boy's shielded look.
"No. Well, it is now, but there's another place I call home. I lived there when I was a kid. I wouldn't mind seeing if any of my old acquaintances are still
around. So don't worry, Heero. It's not like I don't have a place to go. There's no reason for me to go back with you."
"What about the children," Heero asked, turning so the boy couldn't see his eyes. He didn't like using underhanded methods, but he'd do whatever it took.
"You didn't even say good-bye to them. They don't even know you're gone yet. The least you could do is come back tonight. You could always leave
tomorrow afternoon."
Wincing as he remembered the children, Duo clenched his fists. //Low blow, very low.// But he knew Heero was right. He didn't want to just disappear without
explaining to them, it was cruel. //Kinda like I just disappeared without explaining to Heero?// Growling at his conscience, Duo glared at Heero for a moment
before letting out a sigh. "You know what? I think you've had practice at this."
"At what?" Heero asked, turning to frown at the boy.
"Talking people into things. You pull a pretty good guilt trip."
Eyeing Duo's smirk, Heero took a step to him, gripping his arm. "Then you'll come back?"
"Yeah, but just for tonight, maybe tomorrow. If I'm going to figure things out, I'll have to do it quickly and there are too many distractions at your house. Man,
I've never even thought about being anything but a priest. It's always been the only thing." Giving Heero a weak smile as he saw the satisfaction in those
cobalt eyes, Duo shook his head. "I'm sorry for running off like that. I guess I'm not very brave."
"Duo, I want you to promise me something."
Blinking at the softness in the other's voice, Duo's eyes narrowed. "Wait, I just agreed to go back, didn't I? Now you want more?"
Glaring, Heero continued, "Before you leave again, you'll tell me why you ran."
Flinching, Duo gave him a disgruntled look before shaking his head quickly. "I won't promise that."
//But you'll still do it, or I won't let you leave.// Looking at the boy for a minute, Heero suddenly nodded. "Never mind. Come on, we're closer to my car than
we are to the house. We might as well go there and drive back."
Nodding, Duo followed him to the road, frowning when he realize Heero was still dressed in his finery. "I'm sorry you left your party for me."
Looking over in surprise, Heero snorted. "It wasn't *my* party. I don't like parties."
"If..." Licking his lips, Duo wondered if there was a proper way to ask without the embarrassment. "If Relena isn't your fiancé, then what is she? If it's alright to
ask."
Stopping, Heero turned to look at the boy, eyes moving over his face. "I had a job protecting her a while back. When it was over, she started writing me, a
lot. I thought the children could use another parent in their lives. I don't care for her that much, but I *do* care about *them*." Remembering how Duo'd yelled
at him only days before, he nodded sharply. "They are important to me, and I want them to grow up right. It's the least I can do."
Surprised that he'd share his emotions, Duo smiled a little. "You were going to marry someone they can't stand, someone you don't love, in order to make
things better for them? Isn't that kind of like...defeating the purpose?"
Seeing the boy's smirk, Heero frowned. "I never really thought about it like that."
"I guess we have something in common then. We both rush into things without thinking them through first." Smiling, Duo started to continue down the road
when he paused. "Want your coat back?"
Shaking his head, Heero looked at the boy as they continued walking. "Why didn't you bring one? It's too cold for that outfit."
"I didn't want to take anything. Too close to stealing."
Glaring suddenly, Heero gripped Duo's shoulder, turning him. "What I gave you is yours, whether you stay or not." Nodding at the wide-eyed look, Heero
waited. Finally, Duo gave a hesitant smile.
"Okay."
"Hn." Releasing his grip, they moved together, Heero affecting not to notice the glances Duo was throwing at him as they walked along the edge of the road.
//At least he didn't complain about charity. He must not be used to getting things.// Glancing at the boy's moonlit profile, Heero smirked. //But that just makes
me want to give him more. I'll have to make sure he stays long enough for that. I don't think I can let him leave again...//
.-.
PART 11
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