Duo heaved another sigh as he leaned against the railing, staring out over the horizon as the sun set behind the ocean. Dark lavenders and blues spread over the sky while stars trickled behind, and the crescent moon was already glowing as the last rays of light started to disappear. He glanced over his shoulder at the city behind him. The neon signs were coming on as the tourist trap really came to life. A tiny smile rose to his lips.

Maybe I can hit the arcades, he wondered, and play a few games before going back. I could pretend to kill aliens...in spaceships... He sighed again. Even in my off time, I try to destroy things. No, no video games. He perked up after a moment. But ice cream, I can definitely get ice cream.

A sudden lurch in his stomach persuaded him otherwise, reminding him about the hot dogs, cotton candy and sodas he'd had all day. Ice cream probably wouldn't be the best thing, nor would the small amusement park nearby. What a shame, I would've liked to go. But it would've been more fun with Heero...damn, I was trying to forget about him...and his blue eyes...and slender body...spandex...low tank top...and total frustrating lack of a sex drive. He turned back to the quiet ocean and stared at the waves as they lapped against the shore. They sparkled and danced as they crested and foamed, swirling in pools as the tide rolled in. For someone who would probably be out on another life-threatening mission the next day, it was all quite relaxing.

"But, I guess I'd better get my sleep," he said to no one. "It's not good to be sleepy during a mission."

He stuck his hands in his pockets and started walking back to the safe house. A cool sea breeze strayed over his body, forcing a shiver out of him as he hunched over a bit. He pulled his cap down farther and tossed his head back to get the braid out of his eyes.

Man, I'm glad it's not too far, he thought to himself. This place gets so cold at night.

As he came back into the street nearest the ocean, he found he had to dodge the crowds of drunken tourists that monopolized the sidewalks. Hundreds of them ambled aimlessly through the casinos, arcades, food courts and tattoo parlors, occasionally bumping into the anonymous boy in black who kept his face down.

''Hey, watch it, stupid!" one voice growled at him.

Duo rolled his eyes and kept walking. Only a few blocks away he could see the safe house, offering sweet respite to his sore body. Just a little bit farther...

"I was talking to you, dumb ass!" A heavy hand fell on his shoulder and spun him around like a top, bringing Duo face to face with another boy, only this stranger had at least a foot on him, along with a lot more muscle. Behind him were a handful of teenagers of the same type.

"Lay off!" Duo snapped, trying to avoid the situation entirely

"Hey, man, it's a girl!" one of them laughed. "You can't pick on a girl, it ain't fair!"

"Girl?" the first one mumbled in what Duo could tell now was a drunken stupor. "Holy shit, it is a girl!"

"Kinda cute, huh?" someone else chimed in.

"Aah! I'm not a girl!" Duo griped, slapping the offending hand from his shoulder. "I'm a boy!"

"Not with that hair," the other boy smirked. "You are pretty. How's about a kiss?"

Shit, they really think I'm a girl! Duo grimaced in dismay. "You're drunk, idiot. I'm a guy!"

"She just don't wanna put out," that same voice chirped.

Suddenly the one in front of him lunged, dragging him to the ground. Duo grunted as the wind was knocked out of him. Worried that either no one around would help him or that this group would gang up on him, he slammed his fist into his attacker's face. Blood spurted from the broken nose as the boy on top of him was shoved back with the force of the punch. Duo scrambled to get to his feet, but someone's boot still grazed the side of his head, and he felt blood slowly seep from the wound.

Hurry up, Duo, he told himself, they're all gonna come after you now!

He stood up and backhanded the next one in line, instantly knocking him out, but two more jumped him as a third tried to land a good punch to his face. Shoved into the wall, Duo used the two boy on either side as leverage to kick out with both feet, nearly pushing the third boy into traffic. He struggled to get free, but each boy had a good grip on his arm, holding him splayed out as they watched the one who'd been kicked gasp for breath on the cement.

"Little bitch!" one of them yelled.

"Damn it, I'm a boy!" Duo griped.

Without warning, the pressure on one arm disappeared, leaving him half free. Not hesitating to question it, Duo turned and smacked the other kid, enjoying the guilty pleasure of watching him drop. When he looked back, his eyes opened wide.

"Heero? What are you doing here?"

Dressed in his ubiquitous spandex and tank top, the other pilot seemed oblivious to the chill. "Getting you out of trouble," he dryly, indicating the police coming up the street. "Come on!"

Duo ran after him, following Heero around the block and onto the next street. His eyes occasionally strayed to Heero's spandex, and he was almost glad those guys had attacked him. Now he had this great view! They vaulted into the first backyard and narrowly avoided being bitten by the guard dogs as they leaped over the fence behind the safe house. Not stopping, they dashed inside and shut the door, turning off the outside lights. A moment later, flashlights searched over the backyard before moving on to the next yard as the police continued to look for them.

Heero watched them from the corner of a window until they left, then turned to Duo. "You're bleeding," he stated.

Duo shrugged and headed for the stairs. "Just a couple of surface cuts. They'll heal up."

Just as he reached the stairs, Heero's strong hands wrapped around his upper arms and didn't let go. "No, they obviously need to be cleaned. Leave your bedroom door unlocked." He gently pushed Duo into his room, then disappeared into the bathroom. Not sure what to make of that, Duo sat down on the edge of his bed and waited.

A few minutes later, Heero came in with an armful of items, which he placed on the nightstand. Pulling a chair up so he could face Duo, he dipped a washcloth into a small bowl of water, wrung it out, and dabbed it over Duo's head wound.

"Ow!" Duo complained, pulling away. "You don't have to scour it!"

Heero didn't answer. Instead he put his hand behind Duo's neck and held him still as he kept dabbing the blood and dirt away. The heat from his skin, plus the late hour, slowly drew Duo's eyes halfway down. He drowsed as Heero worked until something cold was sprayed onto the wound.

"At least that doesn't sting," he mumbled drowsily, waking up a bit.

His right hand was held in that same warm grip while Heero rinsed what Duo now saw were several scrapes and bruises on his knuckles. "Damn, I can't believe their faces were so hard," Duo smirked. "I didn't even feel that."

Heero nodded as he brought out a short strip of bandage and put it over Duo's hand. "I could tell. I didn't know you were such a good physical fighter."

Duo shrugged, pleased by the praise. "Ah, I'm not as good as Wufei, but I can still hold my own in a brawl." He sighed and looked into Heero's eyes. "Um...Heero?"

"Yes, Duo?"

"Do...do you think I look like a girl?"

Heero tilted his head. "So that's what the fight was about?"

Duo nodded. "Kinda."

Heero was nearly finished with the last bandage on the other hand. "No, I don't. Those guys must have been pretty drunk to say that." Concentrating too hard on the soft hand in his own, the next words slipped free without his permission. "You are pretty, but not like that."

Duo froze. "Pretty?" Oh boy oh boy oh boy he does have a sex drive he does have a sex drive thank you thank you thank you this is wonderful!

Heero suddenly realized what he'd said. He stared at Duo for a moment, then pushed the chair back. "I...better go," he said. "Report...to send..."

Dammit Duo, don't just sit there! Duo yelled in his head. You've waited for this, now do it!

He shot to his feet and all but threw himself forward, firmly glomping onto Heero. "Do you really think I'm pretty?" he asked, easing onto his lap. Something firm dug into his hip, and he grinned. "I guess so!"

Heero, realizing Duo shared his feelings, allowed himself a smirk. "Yes..."

Duo leaned against Heero's body, resting his head on the hard shoulder. "Thanks for helping me back there," he whispered. Emboldened by Heero's affirmation, he placed a little kiss on his cheek. "I owe you one."

Heero grinned wickedly, looking the same way he normally while maniacally destroying a batch of enemy mobile suits. "You can pay it back to me now..." he allowed his voice to trail off.

Duo's smile broadened when he heard the tone in seductive Heero's voice. Things were certainly moving fast, but that didn't bother him. I'll be a virgin no longer! he laughed, mentally throwing a V sign. Then he heard Heero's request.

"A lacy black dress?"

Duo squeaked in shock. "Aah! But Heero, I'm a boy!"

The End