* * * * * * * * * * *

They chatted nearly every night. Heero even found himself looking forward to going home to his empty apartment. Before, he would put it off, drive around, even have dinner with Treize and Zechs, putting up with their innuendos and groping, rather than go home alone.

But that had all changed nearly overnight. He knew how silly this was. He didn't know Duo. He didn't know if any of what the other boy had said was true. He didn't even know if it was a boy. He didn't even know if his name was Duo. But Heero found he trusted Duo. He was the one who had contacted Duo first. He had initiated every step, to chat, to give details, and his name. Duo had never asked any details himself. And in talking to him, everything had rung true. Not once had Duo told him anything that hadn't sounded real. He had no reason to trust Duo, but no reason not to.

He found himself disappointed when the other boy wasn't there when he logged on, and he felt bad when he wasn't able to be there himself. He knew he was getting dependent on his chats with Duo. He tried not to think about it. He also found himself smiling more Even Treize noticed the change in Heero's mood. He decided he needed to be more secretive.

+

Duo floated through the next few weeks, chatting with Heero as often as possible. The images of the boy still aroused him, but he sometimes felt slightly guilty for treating Heero like a sexual object just like everyone else. More and more, the pictures were in his mind, of the two of them together. He knew it was silly, but the chatting and the fact that they were only about two hours apart were giving him ideas.

Then disaster struck. His parents came home and announced they were taking a family vacation. Duo felt dizzy; two weeks of being away from Heero, away from his computer? He wouldn't be able to bear it. Why now? Why were his parents suddenly eager to have family time when they usually just ignored him? To Duo, two weeks sounded like a life sentence.

Duo thought fast. He talked to his parents, reminding them of how responsible he was, how he had been alone overnight before, how he would check in every day. Duo used all the persuasiveness at his disposal, and when the longhaired boy set his mind on something, he could be very persuasive. Finally, Duo wore his parents down. They agreed to let him stay by himself. He would check in at least once a day. And his parents were off in three days, for a romantic vacation rather than a family one. Duo was sure that they were relieved, underneath.

Duo breathed a sigh of relief. That was too close.

He logged on as usual, and happily, Heero was there. He related the tale of his brush with peril, realizing as he did so that he really enjoyed this, talking about his day, trying to make it even funnier, to make the other boy laugh. Heero had even begun to volunteer small bits about his life, no specifics, but he was starting to loosen up about the details. Duo had the feeling the other boy was ashamed of what he did. Duo decided to try to ease his mind.

DMax17: I'm going to say something, Heero, and please forgive me if I step over a line, but I feel like you don't want to talk about your life because you're embarrassed.

LBBlue: yes, that's pretty accurate.

DMax17: please, just hear me out, ok? I think you have nothing to be ashamed of. What you do may be frowned upon by some, but there wouldn't be such a market for it if most people didn't like it.

LBBlue: you don't have to do this, Duo.

DMax17: just let me finish, ok? Sorry, that sounded rude. But I'm sure you have a good reason to be doing what you do. And truthfully, if it wasn't for that, I would never have met you.

LBBlue: I never thought of that.

DMax17: see? I'm not a total airhead!

LBBlue: I never believed that anyway.

DMax17: I know. But my point is, that I don't look down on you for what you do. Nothing you could tell me would make me like you less, or make you less beautiful in my eyes. Wow, I'm being poetic.

LBBlue: and very eloquent. I could almost cry.

DMax17: now you're teasing me.

LBBlue: no, I'm serious. No one has ever said anything that nice to me. I'm an orphan. I don't even remember my parents.

DMax17: I'm sorry.

LBBlue: now I've broken another rule... don't talk about the past... damn, Duo, you're turning my world upside down.

DMax17: now, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to ME.

LBBlue: I doubt that.

DMax17: it's true. My parents are just counting the days until I move out. Do you know that they don't even know I'm gay? I've never been on a date, or anything. I think they just never even noticed.

LBBlue: that must be awful, to be ignored by people who are supposed to care for you.

DMax17: they've never done anything bad, really. Just nothing good either. I think I was a mistake.

LBBlue: well, their mistake is my gain.

DMax17: I'm sorry to load my problems on you.

LBBlue: um, Duo? I was wondering... since your parents are going out of town, do you think you could come up to LA sometime? For the day? Or I could come there? I think I'd like to meet you.

Duo sat staring at the computer for a long moment, unable to think clearly.

LBBlue: I scared you now. We don't have to do this, I'm sorry I mentioned it. I've just never connected with anyone like this before. And I wanted to be able to talk, without typing. And, oh god, this sounds stupid...

Heero cursed his impulsiveness. How could he tell Duo that he thought he was in love with him? He knew it was ridiculous, but... he couldn't change how he felt.

DMax17: you didn't scare me, you just surprised me. I'd love to meet you.

LBBlue: really?

DMax17: of course. I don't have a car. I could take the bus up... or if you want to drive down, I can figure out a place to meet.

LBBlue: I can drive down. I don't want you to have to take the bus. Just let me know where. How about Saturday?

Duo's heart pounded. This was real.

DMax17: I'll clear my calendar! Seriously, it sounds perfect. I know a great place. I'll email you directions. How about lunch?

LBBlue: perfect. I can't wait, Duo.

DMax17: me neither. Uh, I know what you look like. Maybe you should get a table and I'll find you? Or I can find a picture to send you. If it doesn't break your computer, hee hee...

LBBlue: you find me. Ok? Surprise me.

DMax17: whatever you want, Heero.

LBBlue: don't feed me lines like that, Duo.

DMax17: LOL! I think I'm rubbing off on you.

LBBlue: there's another one, Duo. You're slipping.

DMax17: do you like sushi?

LBBlue: I'm half Japanese.

DMax17: that doesn't mean you like sushi. And I didn't know that.

LBBlue: true. But I do like sushi.

Truthfully, Heero didn't care what he ate, as long as he was with Duo. He knew he was building this up, and setting himself up for a letdown. Duo was just a friend. But he wanted this, badly. He couldn't remember wanting anything as much as he wanted to meet Duo.

DMax17: that's settled then! I'll send the directions. This place is great. Quiet.

They logged off soon after that. It was once again 2am. They both had pleasant, not-quite sexual dreams about the other.