Neighbors no More
by Helen
Part 1
Morning reveals itself through the windows of my room. Over one week has passed since I mailed my letter to Duo. Thinking back to the last sentence, it is hard to believe I was feeling so... anguished at the time that I actually *wrote* something like that.
Luckily I caught myself in time, reached over the desk to grab a bottle of Liquid Paper, and wiped the white fluid over the desperate sounding sentence in a few strokes of the miniature brush.
'Just lucky...'
I sigh and roll out of bed.
~*~*~*~*~
Late evening sets in quietly. Much suited for the calm atmosphere here.
Suddenly, the phone rings, shattering the silence. I jump a bit, dropping the book I was reading to the floor with a soft *thump*. Taking a breath to calm myself, I reach over to the receiver and lift the phone off the cradle.
+Hello? Yuy Residence+
=Heero!=
I gasp softly in surprise.
+D... Duo?+
=Yeah, it's me! How have you been doing, Heero?=
+F-fine. And you?+
=Eh... alright I suppose.=
+Where are you now?+
=Oh... bus. Talking to you on my cell. Cool ne?=
I couldn't help but smile. It has been a month. A month without his voice and now I'm hearing it again. A strange feeling washes over me as I feel more happiness than ever before.
+Yes, it's great. It's been so long.+
=Damn right! Ha ha I missed you a lot. Er... wait a sec. My stop.= *thwack* =Excuse me, excuse me. Sorry!= *hiss* *rrrrrrrRRRRR* =Tsk... A city's just not the same without my neighbor around.=
I could almost feel his smirk with that statement. The feeling grows stronger.
+As it is here without you.+
=Aw, so you miss me too ne? *thwopthwopthwop*=
+Yes.+ 'More than you know...' +Duo? Are you late for work or something?+
=Nah. Don't worry about it... *breathes* Hey Heero. I sent you something a few days back. *exhales* Did you get it yet?=
+No I haven't. What is it?+
=*chuckle* Not telling.=
+But Du--+ *doorbell* +Hang on a minute.+
I move toward the door with the phone still in my hand. Opening it, I spot a UPS delivery man, holding a large, flat, rectangular box.
"Package for uh..." He flips the box over and hesitates, squinting his eyes. "Hero Yu... i?" Through the phone, I could hear Duo snicker at the mispronunciation.
"Yes that's me." I tell the man, who promptly hands me the package and a clipboard for me to sign. Bringing the phone up, I hold it firmly between my ear and my shoulder.
+Very funny. Is this the "surprise" that you sent me?+
=Large, flat, rectangular? *pants*=
+Yes.+
I place the said item down, leaning it against my leg.
=Yeah that's it. *deep breath*=
+You should get up earlier so you don't have to run to work. Or, at least ride the bus until it's a closer traveling distance.+
Grabbing the pen dangling from a rubber band attached to the clipboard, I try signing my name but the ink wouldn't come out. Holding it up, I indicate to the delivery man I need another one.
=Heh... sure thing Heero. *exhales* But I probably won't need to since I'm planning to get a car.=
+Good.+
Finally getting my name signed, I hand both back to the delivery person who occupies himself with the paperwork of the next package. Leaving the door open for light, I reach down and quickly remove the brown material sealing Duo's surprise. Within a minute, I gasp at what it was.
A painting.
A painting of... sakura trees... in full bloom. Completely in awe, I run my fingers delicately over the canvas, tracing the blossoms on the trees, in the air, and on the ground. Memories of the park flood through me, bringing the wetness back into my eyes.
Adjusting the phone a bit, I can still hear Duo running on the other side.
+Duo... Thank you.+
Still admiring it, I slowly shut the door with my foot.
"Excuse me, sir!" Still fixed by the painting, I dimly hear the UPS man exclaim in mild surprise before a hand stops the half-closed door.
=You mean you like it, Heero?=
"You mean you like it, Heero?"
I gasp in surprise. Duo's voice... from the phone... and the doorway? I turn around slowly, quelling the hope rising in my chest, expecting that I would meet the face of the UPS man.
Violet.
The phone drops from my shoulder, landing on the soft rug beside my feet.
Part 2
I smile slightly as I watch the descent of Heero's phone from his shoulder to the soft rug. With my hand I push the door open further until it gently makes contact with the wall. I honestly didn't expect my gift to arrive today but perhaps this is even better. Two surprises on the same day... I'm not complaining.
"D-Duo?" he breathes out in disbelief. I smile wider at the shocked look on Heero's face and nod, still a bit winded from all the running. Heero walks closer, absentmindedly placing the painting against the wall.
I close up my cell phone and barely get it into my pocket before I am enveloped in the strong arms of my former neighbor. I stumble backwards a bit from the sudden momentum, putting us fully on the porch and in the cool night air before my own arms wrap around Heero. Holding him tightly, I savor this close contact I've been missing for a month. He does the same, as if never wanting to let go again.
Well, neither do I. But feeling him tremble from the cool breeze, I decide it is time to head back inside. Gently parting, I take him by his hand and cross the threshold, symbolic of so many things and close the door. Taking the painting from against the wall, I lay it carefully on the low coffee table before turning around to admire Heero.
Facing slightly away from me, he seems fixed with interest on something in the far corner of the room. With his wiry arms folded loosely across his chest, he stands barefoot, clad in a black tank top and long gray sweat pants
I walk over and stop in front of him. He turns his head to the side and shyly avoids facing me fully.
Knowing the reason, I smile and place my hands on his shoulders, feeling the thin cloth and his warm skin. He bows his head slightly and his crossed arms slide down lower onto his stomach. His cheeks tinge with a faint shade of pink.
"Heero. Look at me," I say as softly as possible. Slowly, very slowly he raises his head until his cobalt eyes meet my violet ones. I smile before leaning closer to him.
"I need you too," I whisper. I watch his eyes widen. He swallows hard and tries to back up but I hold him still.
"Heero, I need you," I say, repeating the words. A wet sheen appears in his eyes and as I lean in, his eyelids gradually slide shut. Pausing for just a second, I brush against his lips lightly, like a feather.
Again and again and again... until I can't hold back.
I pull him close and press my lips to his.
Hands gliding across shoulders and up the soft neck to cup his face. Thumbs caressing his cheeks gently. Tongue darting out to probe between his lips, seeking entrance into the warm, wet cavern.
As our tongues meet and dance lazily with each other, Heero's hands begin to creep under my shirt. He rubs them up and down my sides, making goose bumps burst on my forearms. I bury my own hands into Heero's hair as a low moan resonates deep within his throat.
Finally parting, I gaze into his eyes and smile. He is flushed red and breathing heavier, but he smiles back too. Giving one last kiss, I hold him close. Just holding him. Never wanting to let him go again.
"Duo..." he says tentatively. Not missing it, I pull away slightly and see his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Heero? What's wrong?" I swipe my thumb across the base of his eye, catching the wetness as it seeps out.
"It's just... too good to be true," he whispers.
"But it *is* true Heero. It *is* real." I reassure him, softly kissing his cheek.
"Are... Will you move back next door then?" He looks at me, hopeful and fearful.
"No, I'm sorry. I can't." He lowers his head, not meeting my gaze anymore but I can tell he is crying... crying because his hope is broken. Crying silently. Bringing him close again, I offer my shoulder as I continue.
"I don't think we can ever be neighbors again." The wetness drips onto my shirt as he chokes on a sob and clings onto me desperately.
Rubbing his back, I breathe deeply before saying, "Because... I never want to leave you again... ever. Not even to go back next door."
He gasps, quickly pulls away, and takes in the sincerity in my eyes and the smile on my lips.
"Th-then, you'll stay? Here?" he asks hesitantly, with tears still trickling down his face. Cupping his cheeks, I feel my own tears bubbling up.
"Here. Right here. If you'll let me." He answers me by pulling me close and burying his face into my neck.
In between sobs he murmurs, "Yes you can stay. For as long as you want, you can stay."
Burying into his own neck and warmth, I can't help but feel glad that we will be neighbors no more.
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