The trees passed on either side of the illuminated road, and Heero's foot eased up on the accelerator as he let the car move slower. He was in no hurry to get
back to the house as his eyes returned again and again to the boy beside him. Mouth open as he breathed deeply, Duo was asleep, his head tilted against
the back of the seat. His lashes were dark against his cheeks and Heero found himself admiring the boy's smooth features. As much as he had come to enjoy
the boy's smiles, he was held by the peaceful look on the American's face. It wasn't difficult to watch both the road and Duo, and he let a hand slip from the
wheel as he gently brushed the dark bangs away from the boy's face, marveling at the smoothness of the pale moonlit skin.
//He's beautiful. Completely.// Speeding up slightly, he reminded himself that a car seat wasn't a comfortable place to sleep as he slowly returned his hand to
the wheel. He had to be content with what he had, whether or not he got to keep it depended on his actions once they reached the house. Shooting another
glance at Duo's profile, he felt his fingers tighten on the steering wheel as he tore his eyes away. //It's impossible. I can't let him go. Even if it means I never
touch him, just having him there will suffice.//
* * *
Duo's eyes moved around the table as he looked at the children. They were acting normally, and he saw no evidence that they had heard of his flight the
night before. Having woken up in his bed, Duo was embarrassed and not able to look at Heero as he imagined the boy carrying him inside. But he couldn't
just ignore him, and he glanced around the table again in a sweeping move that took in the Japanese boy without actually focusing on him. He was watching
his plate as he ate, obviously deep in thought. Sighing as he turned his own attention to his food, Duo couldn't help but notice that Relena was absent.
Surely Heero wouldn't have kicked her out at night, but he couldn't imagine the girl not coming to breakfast. Knowing he'd never ask, he resigned himself to
wondering as he looked again to the children.
As usual, none spoke while they ate, and although the children smiled at him when they noticed his gaze, he couldn't read anything from their eyes. Then he
noticed that Quatre wasn't smiling at him, wasn't even looking up from his plate where he seemed to be playing with his food. The blonde boy's expression
was masked, but his eyes were dull and Duo wanted nothing more than to demand to know what was wrong. But he couldn't do that at the table with Heero
sitting not three feet away from him, especially since he was sure the boy's problems involved Trowa. No, he'd have to be patient. Frowning, Duo ate some of
the rice on his plate with a distasteful expression as he shook his head slightly. //Patient. I don't have the time to be patient. I won't be here much longer.//
As they finished eating, the children began to ask permission to be excused, and Duo hurried to join them. Catching them in the hall, he asked them to join
him in the music room, not wanting to wait before telling them about his eminent departure. Reminding himself that he would have the time for a private talk
with Quatre afterward, he managed to give them a smile when their curious gazes fell on him. "Come on, I have to tell you something."
As soon as they were seated on the couch and chairs, Duo shut the door and took up a stance before them. He didn't know a gentle way to tell them, so he
took the direct approach. "I'm going to be leaving, very soon."
"Where are you going?" Catherine asked curiously as she sat near Dorothy on the couch.
"Back to the church," Duo said slowly, surprised and not a little bit hurt by her careless tone.
"When are you coming back?"
Realization dawning, Duo shook his head quickly as he looked from the red-haired girl to the others. "I'm not coming back." This gained the reaction he'd
expected and he was a bit relieved to see how upset they were. It wasn't that he wanted them unhappy, but he was reassured that they cared about him as
much as he did about them. "I mean, I won't be living here anymore but...I'll come and visit you if I can."
"Why?" Quatre spoke quickly, standing. "I thought things were going well. Why would you go?"
"No! You can't leave!" Face reddening as she got up quickly, Hilde glared at him. "You're supposed to stay here with us."
Crossing the room, Duo knelt beside the girl, wrapping his arms around her as his eyes burned and she slammed her small fists against him. "Hey, Hilde.
Don't be mad at me, please? Honey?" He sighed in relief when she slowly stilled, but when he looked at her face, she was staring at his neck. His eyes
widened when she suddenly jerked away from him. "Hilde?"
Not looking up, the girl turned her back on him, small hands curled into fists. "I don't like you," she whispered, "You're leaving me and I hate you."
Choking as his throat hurt, Duo's hand shot out to steady him as he sat on the wooden floor. He raised blurry eyes to the others and flinched when Cathy
glared at him as she moved to hug the dark-haired girl standing so close yet so far from him. Voice breaking, he reached a hand towards them. "I..."
"Just go," Dorothy said coldly as she went to the two girls, laying a hand on Catherine's shoulder.
"Please..." Gasping as his throat closed, he felt tears on his cheeks. "I'll stay," he whispered, "Anything, just please don't...don't hate me..." His hand fell as
he bent forward, head bowed. "Oh God...I can't--" Choking as he couldn't seem to breathe, he didn't notice when an arm moved around him.
"I--can't---bear---it--"
Eyes wide at the boy's words, Hilde turned swiping her arm over her eyes as she stared at Duo. Shaking off Cathy's arms, she moved to him and crouched so
she could see his face. "You're crying."
Opening his eyes, Duo pushed himself back, swallowing roughly as he wiped his eyes. "Don't hate me."
"I lied!" Her face screwing up as she cried, she threw her arms around his waist. "I was mad, you weren't supposed to cry...I don't want you to go."
"I'll stay." Rubbing the girl's back, he looked up as he noticed the arm around him. Blinking at Quatre, he searched the boy's eyes but found only a sad
understanding. Looking to the others, he shook his head, voice soft. "I'm sorry, guys. I was only thinking about myself." He was wondering what to say when
the door was opened, and he straightened when Heero paused in the doorway. Feeling as if he'd been caught committing a crime, he flushed and looked
down at Hilde who'd glanced over his shoulder to see her brother.
Taking in the scene, Heero's eyes narrowed as he stared at Hilde's tear-streaked cheeks before looking to Duo's equally red eyes. "Duo, can I speak with
you?" Raising an eyebrow when Quatre glared at him, he watched the blonde boy slowly move back as Duo stood and released Hilde. Stepping to the side,
he followed Duo out the door and gestured toward his office.
* * *
"Duo, what happened?" His hands were held tightly in his lap as he sat across the desk from the boy, wanting nothing more than to hold him.
"I can't go."
"What?" Eyes widening, Heero waited impatiently.
"Can I stay? Heero...I can't leave them." Flushing, Duo lowered his eyes as he imagined how hurt the children would have been if the boy hadn't brought him
back.
"Of course," Heero said quickly, nodding when relieved violet eyes met his. "I didn't want you to go, you know that. You don't have to ask." Remembering why
he'd sought him out, he raised an eyebrow. "I guess I assumed you'd stay for a little while anyway. I wanted to ask you something."
"Go ahead," Duo said, wondering why he'd hesitate.
"I've never done anything with the children, but I want to. There's a concert tonight and I thought we could go, all of us." Jerking back when Duo jumped out of
his chair, Heero's eyes widened as he wasn't sure what he'd done wrong. Then the long-haired boy was hugging him and he stopped thinking till he was
slowly released.
"Oh Heero, that's wonderful. They'd love that." Grinning as his previous sadness lifted, he stepped away from Heero. "Can I tell them now?"
Heero nodded and watched as Duo left the room quickly, standing as he sighed. There was something about making him happy that he liked. And he wanted
to go and hug the children for making his task easier. It was obvious that Duo wouldn't be trying to leave in the near future, and while he wasn't going to take
any chances, he was still appreciative. Remembering how Hilde's tears had angered him, he understood how much it must have hurt Duo to cause them. //I
may not have a hold over him, but they certainly do.//
* * *
"They're not very good."
Clapping a hand over Hilde's mouth, Duo grinned down at the girl sitting in his lap before glancing around to see if anyone had heard her. Cathy smiled, but
when his gaze moved to the people sitting in the row behind them, they weren't paying attention to anything except the singers on the stage. Looking to Heero
who sat beside him, he shook his head at the girl's antics as the cobalt-eyed boy smirked.
"You know," Zechs whispered from the other side of him, "She's right. Treize agrees with me. These singers aren't as good as some I've seen."
"There's a contest a month from now," Treize put in, leaning so he could see around the long-haired man. "It's for singers from around the country. Heero,
I've been to them in the past and these kids could destroy the competition."
"Us?" Eyes widening, Hilde looked to where Sally and Cathy were watching, turned around in their seats. "You want us to sing on stage? Like they are?"
"No." Glaring at Treize, Heero frowned as he took in the children's eager expressions. "I won't have them making fools of themselves in such a display."
"Now Heero, don't go being so hasty," Treize said smoothly, not the least bit discouraged. "It's just an idea, give it some consideration. I've heard them,
they're actually very good."
"The answer is no. Now watch the concert." Turning, he stared at the stage where three people were singing. His command earned him at least three
groans, but a glance to the girls showed that they were obediently watching the stage. Glancing at Duo, his expression softened at the way the longhaired
boy was stroking Hilde's short hair.
//They like him, no, love him. Even Wufei though he'd never admit it.// Sighing, Heero resigned himself to watching Duo from the corner of his eye as he faced
forward. //They all like him. And so do I. He's become a part of our lives, an integral part.//
.-.
PART 12
.-.
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