To Share Your Presence

By Oyuki

Chapter Seven

Duo clamped his hand on his bloody nose while his two friends stared at him. He knew they would start asking questions as soon as Ryan and Hilde left.

“Duo, what’s up with you and Ryan?” asked Quatre, his eyes soft and understanding. He was the quieter of all four of them, well the calmer one anyway because no one could beat Heero in the quiet game. There was concern written all over his fair features.

Duo sighed. “Nothing,” he said, repeating Ryan’s words. He gingerly touched his face. ‘Great,’ he thought, ‘another fucking black eye!’ An ache was beginning to settle between his brows. He wasn’t liking this. This wasn’t going like he would’ve liked. Hilde was not taking his ‘subtle’ hints. He sighed again.

“What the hell is going on, Duo? You and Ryan--” Heero started but was interrupted by Duo.

“Oh would you fucking stop saying his name! I’ve had enough of him for a long fucking time!” he said and tried to walk away.

But Heero wasn’t having it. He grabbed Duo’s arms and stopped him in his tracks. “You’re not going anywhere until you tell us what’s up,” he said. He tightened his grip on Duo’s arm to show him he wasn’t kidding.

“Yes, Duo. You’ve been tense around him for the last few days and we want to know what’s up with the two of you. You were good friends, what happened?” Quatre asked. He didn’t want to see his friends fight. First because they still had to live together for the rest of the school year, and second because they were friends.

Heero motioned for Quatre to close the bedroom’s door. They needed to talk in privacy. They’d become good friends over the years, having lived together for the passed three years and having only been away for those summers in between.

“You can trust us,” said Quatre turning away from the door.

Duo sighed in defeat. He wasn’t going to get out of this talk, so he might as well spill the beans. He sat on his bed and said, “It’s Hilde.”

“What about Hilde?” asked Quatre sitting on the floor, resting his back on the side of the bed.

“And Ryan,” he said reluctantly.

Heero looked at him from across the room, sitting on the same chair Duo had been sitting in earlier, waiting for the explanation.

Duo closed his eyes. “They’re together,” he said with disgust. He felt a knot form in his gut. That happened every time he thought of those two together. He looked at Quatre then at Heero waiting for a response, but they didn’t move. They didn’t seem surprised. “Hilde and Ryan are together!” he repeated. Both young men looked at him with nothing akin to surprise.

“We already knew that,” stated Heero monotonously.

“That happened about two months ago, Duo,” said Quatre slowly.

“Why-- if-- how did... how did you find out?” he sputtered.

Heero gave a short humorless laugh. “Gee Duo, I wonder why Hilde’s been hanging around here every day when you’re not here?” he asked sarcastically. “I can assure you it wasn’t to see Quatre and me!”

“But-- but...” he stuttered.

“Duo, maybe if you’d spent a little more time at home instead of at Adriana’s you might have noticed just how often Hilde came over. And just how much time she spent with Ryan in his room,” Quatre stated. “I just suspected they had something going on until I caught them doing in the kitchen on night,” he finished while smiling slightly.

Duo frowned. He hadn’t been looking for it, but he had noticed that Hilde was leaving his house almost every night he happened to come home. He just thought that she had wanted to see him since he’d flaked on her so many times, and all that time she’d been seeing Ryan!

Heero was quiet for a long time. Duo deserved what he was getting. Everybody and their grandmother knew how Hilde felt about him. Duo even knew except that his dumb-ass chose to ignore it. “Why are you so angry, though? You should be glad that she has a boyfriend. I was starting to think--”

“Don’t even say it!” Duo interrupted.

Quatre and Heero smiled at each other. “But why are you so angry then?” Quatre asked innocently.

“B-- because... because Hilde’s my best friend and I don’t want to see her with someone like Ryan. He’s not her type,” he stuttered.

That comment made Heero laugh. Duo was jealous. He just didn’t know it. “Whatever, Duo! That’s just a whole bunch of bull and you know it!” he said. “You’re just too much of a pussy to admit it. We all know what’s going on and we’re all going to wait until you admit it to yourself. You don’t deserve any help with this.”

“Man, Heero, shut up! You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about! I DO NOT have feelings for Hilde! She’s my best friend,” Duo said angrily.

“We never said you did, Duo. But you just gave yourself away,” said Quatre, his eyes dancing with merriment. He got up to leave.

Heero also got up to leave, but before walking out the door he said, “By the way, Adriana’s been calling non-stop for you. She’s getting on my nerves with her yelling, so please tell her to chill.

“Oh shit!” muttered Duo. He hadn’t thought about Adriana since last night. He was going to call her and explain, but he’d been too preoccupied with his thoughts and he’d forgotten. Adriana angry was not a pretty sight. Hell, he might be in line for more bruises when he saw her. “Damn it!” he said quietly and grabbed his coat. He had to see her before she got even angrier.

*~*~*~*

“Why’d you go and do that, Ryan?” Hilde asked her boyfriend. She moved around the large kitchen looking for a plastic bag to put ice in.

“Because he insulted you! He can say whatever he wants about me, but no one is going to insult you! You’re my girlfriend and I will kick anyone’s ass if they say something inappropriate about you!” he said.

Hilde rolled her eyes and handed him a plastic bag full if ice. He put it on his rapidly swelling eye. “That was nice of you, Ryan, but if you hadn’t noticed I had already kicked his ass,” she told him, replacing his hand with hers over the ice bag.

Ryan folded his arms over his well muscled chest. “I know, but I wanted to do it for you anyway,” he whined. “It’s just that... even if he is your best friend, he can’t say shit like that to you. He’s just jealous, that’s all. And if you wants you, then he was to tell you. You know I’ll move out of the way. If he makes you happy, then I voice any objections. But he should stop being a dick and lying about why he cares so damn much about you being with me.”

Hilde leaned closer to him and pecked him on the lips. “Thank you, but you know I can fight my own battles. I’m not like one of those girls that need their boyfriend to do everything for them. If someone’s ass needs to be kicked, you can bet I’ll be right there to kick it.

Ryan took the ice bag away from his face. Hilde examined it and turned away from him, wetting a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol for his lip. “Looks like you have a nice black eye, Ryan,” she said dabbing the cotton ball on the cut on his lip.

“Ow! That stings!” he exclaimed, trying to stop her hand from doing its job. He tried to grab her hand again but she put in behind her back.

“Now, now Ryan, you were a bad boy so now you have to suffer!” she said laughingly. “You should be glad that I decided to just clean your cut and not spank you!”

Ryan laughed. “Ooh, please spank me, Hilde!” he said in a naughtily bringing her around to sit on his lap.

That was the second time in less than 24 hours that Duo had found Hilde in Ryan’s lap. She was laughing with him, telling him that maybe she should spank him. She looked happy. A scowl passed over his features. He was angry again. He cleared his throat and both young people stopped laughing.

“Oh, Duo do you want me to take care of that cut on your forehead?” Hilde asked from Ryan’s lap.

“No, it’s fine,” he growled. He didn’t even look at her, he just walked past them and slammed the door behind him.

“I told you he’s jealous,” Ryan said. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “I’m glad that you’re with me.”

Hilde sighed. He loved Duo, but apparently he didn’t feel the same way. Ryan was being extremely nice about the whole thing even though he knew that her heart wasn’t with him, but with Duo. “I’m glad I’m with you too because I deserve someone who likes me,” she said. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“He’ll come to his senses and dump Adriana, you’ll see. And that’ll be my unlucky day, but as long as you’re happy...” he trailed off.

“I really like you, Ryan and I’m very attracted to you, but you know that my heart doesn’t-- isn’t with you.”

“I know,” he said turning his head slightly to kiss her lips. “I just think we should enjoy each other’s company until Duo comes to his senses... unless you don’t want to,” he said. She understood what he was doing, he was giving her a way out right there and then, but she liked and she had fun with him.

“Screw Duo for now,” she said kissing him back.

*~*~*~*

Duo walked dejectedly to Adriana’s house. He couldn’t stop thinking about Hilde, or Ryan or the fact that-- “Stop it!” he told himself.

When he finally looked up from the ground he stood right in front of Adriana’s door. Be fore he could even knock, Adriana threw open the door.

“Glad you finally decided to come visit! And just where the hell have been, Duo?” she shouted at him.

Duo sighed and walked in the door. He had to make this good.

“This better be good,” she said echoing his own thoughts.

Chapter Eight

Duo walked in the door and immediately cringed as Adriana slammed it shut. “Where the hell have you been? First you flake on me, then you don’t even call! What the hell is your problem?” she shouted at him.

Duo sighed and looked down at the ground. “I was with Hilde,” he admitted. “I--’

“With Hilde? And why the hell were you with her? I am your girlfriend, not her! What the hell were you doing with her?” she said, interrupting him.

“I was--’

“I know! She used one of her little plots! Don’t you know her at all?” she said.

“Adriana, I wanted to--”

“Don’t you know she wants to take you away from me? She still wants you, she fancies herself in love with you!”

Duo gave an exasperated sigh. “Hilde, she’s my best friend. I hadn’t--”

“Oh Duo, would you listen to yourself? Why are you defending her--”

“Would you just shut up and let me talk?” he shouted. “Hilde did not try, I repeat, did not try anything with me! We just went out as friends! I’m sorry I didn’t call, but I hadn’t hung out with Hilde in so long, and then the time just flew by. I’m sorry, okay?” he said, giving her a look that would melt any of his other girlfriends. But not Adriana, she was too angry.

“Oh no, you’re not getting out of this that easily. You don’t make stupid excuses to me! If you want to be with Ms. Macho Man, then go ahead, but don’t string me along!” she shouted. She wanted to make him feel guilty. “If you want to be with her, then just tell me, Duo. If you don’t, then give me my place! Don’t act like she’s more important than me!” Damn, she shouldn’t give him ultimatums like that. She had to do it more subtly. She had to change her game plan.

“Adriana, what do you mean? I thought we had established that she’s just as important to me as you are. Yes, in a different way, but she’s still very important,” he said looking strangely at her.

Adriana had to resist the urge to smirk. “I don’t want to make you choose, Duo, but if it comes down to it, then it will either have to be me or her,” she said quietly. She turned her back to him and tried not to smile evilly.

“You’re not serious,” Duo said, his eyes widening.

“I am, Duo. I’m not telling you to do it, but if you pull another stupid stunt like this again you’ll have to take drastic measures.”

Duo shook his head. Adriana couldn’t do this to him! Making him choose between his best friend and his girlfriend. He closed his eyes. His mouth was tightly shut and his fists were clenched at his sides. He shook his head a little but didn’t say anything.

Time for the theatrics. Adriana turned to Duo, tears making her eyes sparkle. “Duo, I don’t want to break up with you. You mean so much to me, and it seems like a waste to break up over something so insignificant. But I’ll do it, Duo.” She sniffled a little. Inside Adriana was laughing her ass off. What better way to get rid of Hilde’s annoying presence in her life then to make Duo choose between the two of them. She was sure Duo would choose her. Before she couldn’t have been 100% positive, but now she was. Everybody and their grandmother knew about Hilde and Ryan, and now she was off limits to Duo. She had been a minor threat in Adriana’s life when she’d been single because if Duo realized that he had feelings for her then he would just leave her, but now that Hilde was attached there was nothing Duo could do. “I can’t allow you to hurt like me like this. If you want Hilde then go get her, but don’t do it behind my back.”

Duo put his arms around her. “Adriana, I already told you that she’s my best friend. What else do you want me to do?” he whined.

Adriana hugged him tightly. “Duo, promise me you won’t break up with me,” she whispered. “I couldn’t bear it, Duo. I love you.”

Duo’s breath caught in his throat. “Me too,” he whispered back, but somehow doubted he did. Images of another girl flashed through his mind. This one lacked the long curly hair, the height and all the other assets Adriana possessed. This one was short, cute and feisty.

Adriana gave a content sigh. “Now,” she said drying her eyes of the fake tears and sniffling a little. “Let’s talk about the formal dance this weekend.”

“Okay,” he said. Duo’s mind was somewhere through out the whole conversation.

*~*~*~*

Hilde was laying next to Ryan on her bed for a change. Most of their time together was spent at his house, but they were both trying to avoid Duo. Hilde didn’t want another confrontation between Duo and Ryan.

“Hilde?” he asked, his voice sounded sleepy.

“Hmm,” she answered.

“Are we going to the dance?” he asked and turned onto his side so he could see her.

“I don’t know. Do you want to?” She did the same thing, turning on her side and resting her head on her hand. “I’ll go if you want to go, but you know I don’t like to dance.”

“I know, and you know I love to dance baby, so we’re going!” he said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but you know what that means don’t you? You have to go shopping with me and Relena for clothes for the party.”

Ryan groaned. “Do I really have to? I hate shopping, especially with girls. They take too damn long! Please don’t make me go!” he begged her.

Hilde ruffled his hair, or tried to anyway. He probably used a whole bottle of hair gel every morning to get it into the tiny spikes.

“Hey hey! Watch the hair, I spent hours trying to get it to be like this!” he said with fake anger. They got along so well. He could see himself falling in love with her, if he hadn’t already. He didn’t know if he really was in love with her, but he could really see it as true. He knew that she cared about him, and she might even love him but not the way she loved Duo. She was IN love with Duo, and she just loved him. It would hurt when/if she left him. He wondered if Duo even knew what he was missing. Did the idiot even realize that he would step out of the way if he ever said he loved Hilde.

“You’re so quiet all of a sudden baby, what’s wrong?” Hilde asked him raising her eyebrow.

He smiled gently and said, “Nothing you should worry about. Now, do I really have to go shopping with you and Relena?”

“Yes!” she said with a big, bright smile. “Let’s go now!”

*~*~*~*

(the night of the formal dance)

“Damn it! Why the hell did you get a dress like this Relena?” Hilde asked her friend angrily.

“Because it’s a nice dress and it makes my boobs look bigger! And I really want Heero to ask me to be his girlfriend tonight. I don’t just want to be his date for tonight. I want that boy and I’ll get him!” she said evilly.

“Well then you better get to sucking it all in because I can’t get all the damn clasps to close!”

Relena took a deep breath and sucked her stomach in. With a lot of effort and much discomfort, Hilde managed to get all of the clasps on Relena’s bodice closed. The dress was a two piece with a bodice and a skirt rode very low on Relena’s hips. It showed most of her body off. The skirt was what was nice about it. Instead of being full it was tight and it gave the illusion that it tied underneath her navel. The dress was a virginal white. Hilde chuckled at the color. There was nothing virginal about Relena. She’d been messing around with Heero for the last three years. They were never officially going out, but you always managed to find them in a compromising position at any party or dance.

Relena twirled around and came to a stop facing Hilde. “So, what do you think?” she asked with a wicked smile.

“I think that if you take a deep breath then your boobs are going to pop out of the dress,” she said with no hint of humor in her voice.

“Good, that’s what I was going for. Now, let me help you into your dress. Everybody is going to freak when they see it! Hurry up and get it out! Did you let Ryan see it?”

Hilde smiled. “He saw it when I bought it, but he hasn’t seen it on me.”

“Okay, let’s hurry.”

Half an hour later both girls were ready.

Ryan and Heero waited downstairs for their dates.

“Wow,” they both said as the girls appeared at the top of the stairs.

Chapter Nine

Hilde smiled broadly at both young men as she walked down the stairs. She just loved the expression on her boyfriend’s face. He had seen her buy the dress but he hadn’t seen her wearing it. Her smile got broader. She knew she was going to make him sweat when he saw her. She was wearing a sleek, black silk, Chinese style dress. It had gold trimming at the collar and the fastenings at her shoulder. It had no sleeves and the slits on either sides were temptingly high.

Ryan whistled. “Take a big step and everybody’s gonna see what’s not supposed to be seen, baby,” he said giving her a mischievous smile.

She had a dark gray eye shadow on her lids and the heavy black eyeliner made her cornflower blue eyes seem like endless pools of blue. They were so deep and so captivating. The dark colors doing nothing to draw from their hue, on the contrary it made you want to stare into them. Her lips had no color on them, she wore a clear lip gloss and that was it. All in all, she looked damn good if she did say so herself.

“So, how do I look?” she asked teasingly. She twirled around in front of both boys put a hand to her hair. It was done up in twists half way and the rest was done in little half curls since her hair was very short.

Heero, who up to that point had been staring at how much of his date was exposed in her dress, looked at her and smiled. “Dressed to kill, aren’t we?” he responded with a smirk.

“I’ll take that as a ‘nice’, Heero.” Hilde turned back to Ryan. She smiled at him and stepped closer to him. Her four inch heels making her taller.

“Baby, you look good enough to eat. I can’t wait to get my hands on you on the dance floor! Hilde, you look beautiful.” Ryan was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a white tie. His hair done up in its usual spikes.

Hilde looked at him appreciatively. “You look very hot, Ryan. I think We’re going to have lots of fun tonight.”

The four young people walked out the door. There was no need for them to get a car, not that they were allowed to have cars, since the dance hall was just a few blocks away. Hilde and Relena complained that they couldn’t walk in their heels, but walked the distance and made their big entrance.

All of the people turned to look at the newly arrived couples, but all their eyes immediately turned to Ryan and Hilde. Hilde never wore dresses and she never went to the formal dances. There were a few gasps and a few open mouths, but the couple just smiled at them. Hilde was instantly aware of the stares both males and females were giving her.

“They all envy me,” Ryan whispered in her ear. “You’re the most beautiful one here.

“Thank you,” she said with a cute blush staining her cheeks. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on end and knew that Duo was watching her. She searched the crowd through her lashes but could not find him.

*~*~*~*~*

Duo’s gasp was audible and it earned him an elbow on his ribs from Adriana. She was wearing a red, 1920’s style dress and her curly hair was done in a tight bun. A red tropical flower rested in the space between her ear and her scalp.

“Why are you looking at her like that?” she hissed in his ears. “Just remember that you’re my boyfriend and my date, so be careful Duo.” Just because she dressed like that doesn’t mean she can play the game. That bitch better watch herself.

Duo didn’t say anything. He continued to watch Hilde and Ryan. She was at ease with Ryan and smiled openly at him. He didn’t like the way Ryan put his hand around Hilde’s waist. Or the way his hand had touched her hip, almost to where the slits on her dress reached. He ground his teeth. What was up with him? Why didn’t he like the idea of Hilde being with Ryan?

‘Because you’re in love with her!’ a part of his mind shouted.

‘No! It’s because she’s like a sister to you and Ryan’s not a good guy!’ another said.

‘Fine,’ said the first part. ‘Then why did you just ask yourself why?’

Duo shook his head. It was a bad sign when you heard different voices in your head.

The music was blaring and he barely heard Adriana say she wanted to dance. He sighed and allowed her to lead him to the dance floor. He gave Hilde one last longing look and turned to dance with his girlfriend.

*~*~*~*

“See all those looks, Hilde? That’s called jealousy, baby,” Ryan whispered as he took Hilde by the hips and led her to the dance floor. “I knew you could turn heads like this. You’re so beautiful.”

Hilde smiled and looked at him. “Thank you. I’m really glad I’m here with you. You make me feel like I can really be a girl after so many years of hanging out with the guys,” she said kissing his cheek lightly. The stopped before reaching the dance floor.

“You don’t have the thank me, Hilde. I’m just being honest. I’m glad I’m here with you too, you’re the most beautiful woman here.” He took one of her hands into one of his big ones and kissed her knuckles. “Come on, now. I’m here to dance and I want to dance a few fasts songs before they start to play the mushy stuff!” he said grinning.

She smiled at him again and allowed him to take her hand and once again lead her to the dance floor. The walked through the mass of people, making their way to what Ryan called a good spot and began to dance. As much as Hilde hated dancing, she was a great dancer. She responded to every move he made. If he moved forward, she would move back, if his hips moved forward, her hips would move back and come back to grind against his.

Duo watched them from a few feet away, keeping his steady dance with Adriana. She wasn’t as great a dancer as him, but she could hold her own. He watched as Ryan maneuvered Hilde and turned her around so her derrière was snug against his crotch. He saw Ryan’s hands move from Hilde’s waist to the front of her hips. Duo narrowed his eyes. He was a little jealous. He had never gotten Hilde to go to one of these dances, and he’d certainly never gotten her to dance with him like that. ‘Not that you tried very hard,’ his mind told him. ‘You again? Shut up and leave me alone!’ he told it.

‘I can’t! I live here! What are you going to do about Hilde?’ it asked.

‘Nothing! Just because I could never get her to come to one of these dances with me or to dance like that with me--’

‘So you want to dance with her now?’

He growled slightly. The thoughts in his mind were dangerous. He’d better not dwell on them. He just couldn’t stand the way Hilde was moving, it was so... so intimate that it shouldn’t be allowed. Ryan was now holding her arms above her head and she was happily grinding her ass into his crotch to the song’s hip-hop rhythm. A big smile on her face.

Adriana suddenly grabbed his chin and turned his face towards her, her fingers digging into his skin. “What the hell are you looking at?” she hissed.

Duo’s eyes returned to hers and he said, “What are talking about?”

She smirked. “Don’t play dumb, sweetie, I know you’re ogling your little tomboy friend. How many times are you going to put me aside for her?”

Duo shook his head and took her arm lightly. He lead her to a table away from the dance floor and anybody who could overhear what they were saying. “Why are you so hostile towards her? What the hell did she ever do to you? I’ve never seen her say even ONE bad thing to you or about you! Only when you’ve started shit.”

She scoffed. “It’s her who’s hostile towards me. You heard the way she talked to me in the cafeteria the other day! She hates me!” she said in her defense.

Duo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “You’re such a bitch,” he told her.

Adriana narrowed her eyes. “How dare you say that?” she asked horrified and aimed her open palm at his cheek.

But before her hand could connect he had already grabbed her wrist. “Don’t you fucking hit me! You know what? I’m tired of all your ‘Stop talking to Hilde or else’ shit! I’ve had it! Bitch, go find someone else to be your submissive boyfriend because to tell you the truth I’ve been tired of it since the beginning!”

“Like hell you’re going to dump me for that little bitch!” she whispered harshly.

“Whatever. I’m here to have a good time, but I’m not and I won’t until I’m rid of you. I haven’t had any fun since we started going out! You’re a control freak! Leave me the hell alone! Consider yourself dumped!” Duo said and walked away to where he’d seen Heero and Relena, making out, last.

Adriana walked after him and grabbed his arm, making him turn around. “I’m just glad I kept you away from her long enough for her to find somebody else! Don’t flatter yourself thinking I went out with you because of how you look or your personality. I don’t like submissive cowards who can’t say what they’re thinking,” she said meanly. She would be damned if she let Duo have the last word. She’d suffered through his stupid chatter for a long ass time, the least he could do is listen to what she really thought of him.

“I don’t care why you went out with me. I was with you because you’re easy!” Duo said smiling without humor. He turned around and walked away.

*~*~*~*

A few hours later the dance was in full swing. It was going to last for a very long time too. If you weren’t out dancing to the popular hip-hop songs you had to be trying to talk to your friends over the loud music.

“Can we take a break?” Hilde shouted to Ryan.

“Huh?” he yelled back. He wiped the sweat of off his forehead with his palm. The throng of people making it hard to move and all the bodyheat had everybody sweating.

“Can we take a break, my heels are killing me!” she shouted and pointed to her high heeled feet.

He nodded his agreement and let her lead him to where their friends were sitting. Hilde was panting and she was sweaty. Her skin felt itchy and she resisted the urge to scratch her face. She couldn’t do that because of her make up. As they approached the table Ryan noticed Duo sitting next to Heero. He looked rather annoyed and gave himself a mental message: do not mess with him tonight, he looks mad.

“Hi, Duo,” Hilde greeted.

“Yo,” he said giving her a slight wave with his hand.

“What’s up?” Ryan said, nodding to both young men at the table.

“What’s up?” said Heero. His speech was a little slurred and you could tell by the way he was sitting that he’d been drinking.

Without saying a word, Duo took a bottle from inside Heero’s pocket and took a swig from it. He closed his eyes and made a face trying to get used to the bitter taste and the burning feeling in his throat.

He offered the bottle to Ryan and Hilde. Hilde took it and smelled it. “Vodka,” she said before taking a swig then passing it to Ryan.

“This all you guys have? And you’re already drunk?” asked Ryan after taking his drink.

Heero smiled. He’d been waiting for the perfect time. “I’m only perkin’ buddy. Not drunk.” He sighed and motioned them to get up. They walked out the back door without a backwards glance and with nobody seeing their exit.

The five people walked all the way to the back of the building and made sure there was nobody that would bother them. Heero reached into his pocket and took out the blunt. “Been waiting all night for this one,” he slurred and took out his lighter. He lit the tip and took a long drag. After a few seconds he inhaled the smoke and let it out slowly in a big cloud. “Darling?” he asked and passed to Relena.

She did the same thing Heero did and passed the blunt to Duo. “Why do we always end up doing this? Why can’t we just get drunk and go home? It has to be one or the other, not both!”

“Relena, shut up,” said Hilde, laughing at her drunk friend.

Duo placed the tip of the blunt on his lips and inhaled. He felt the strong smoke in his throat and had to take it into his lungs. As he exhaled the smoke he felt a burning feeling in his throat. He coughed and said in a raspy voice, “Works better with a bong.”

Twenty minutes and two blunts later the group walked back into the dance hall. They settled back into their chairs when Duo asked Hilde if she would dance with him. Hilde looked from her boyfriend to Duo. She was in a tough position. On one hand, Duo was her best friend and she felt that she could dance with him. On another hand, she WAS with her boyfriend and it would seem wrong. She looked longingly at both of them, her sluggish mind trying to make sense of her thinking.

Ryan didn’t want to feel like he had to give his permission, but no matter what he did, it would seem like he was either giving it or denying it. He smiled at Hilde slowly.

She beamed at him and walked beside Duo to the dance floor. Once he had chosen the spot his arms came around Hilde’s waist and her arms went around his shoulders. Their bodies swayed to the slow music.

“So, where’s Adriana?” she asked slowly.

“Bit the dust,” he said not looking at her.

“Really? When? I thought I saw you guys when we came in.”

“You did, but she started with her stupid comments,” he said. He shook his head. Why the hell hadn’t he seen this coming? “I broke up with her.”

“Oh.” She knew it was wrong of her to be happy, but she was. She couldn’t help it. Both were silent for along moment.

We do almost everything that lovers do
And that’s why it’s hard, just to be friends with you
Every time your heart is broken by the fool
I want you to know that it hurts me too
It’s hard to wipe your tears away (tears away)
Knowing that you should be with me
Now tell me why

Duo looked at Hilde. She looked so beautiful. How could he not have noticed that she’d changed.

Why? Why are we still friends?
When everything says
We should be more than we are
And tell me why every time I find
Someone that I like
We always end up just being friends (Just Being Friends)

They had been friends forever and he’d never known how much he really liked her. How much she’d changed over the last few years right in front of his nose. She was so much like him too. They had so much in common. He’d been a complete idiot where she was concerned.

I would hate for you to find somebody new
Who you really love, ‘cause it would mean losing you
But am I a fool girl not to say
If I’m always scared I’ll lose you anyway
Somehow, somewhere I’ve got to choose (got to choose)
No matter if it’s win or lose
Now tell me why

Why were they still friends? What had they been waiting for all those years? What had he been waiting for? For her to find somebody new? She done that! And it was killing him! ‘Shit! Why didn’t I ever notice?’

Why? Why are we still friends?
When everything says
We should be more than we are
And tell me why every time I find
Someone that I like
We always end up just being friends

All the signs pointed at them to be together. She’d wanted to be together but Duo had never bother to acknowledge her feelings towards him. She thought of Ryan. He was so sweet, so nice. He was so good to her. She knew that she had to break up with him and soon. She couldn’t keep up the charade up. She was attracted to Ryan, she did like him but she didn’t love him. She loved Duo.

I don’t wanna be like your brother
I don’t wanna be your best friend
I only wanna be your lover
When will this end?
If I told you that I wanna be in your life
Then you could be the woman in mine

“Why are we still friends Hilde?’ he asked her.

She wanted to cry. “I don’t--”

“Why are we still doing this to ourselves after all this time?”

Tears formed in her eyes. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? Was he dismissing her feelings and breaking up their friendship in the process?

“Duo...” she managed to whisper.

Why? Why are we still friends?
When everything says
We should be more than we are
And tell me why every time I find
Someone that I like
We always end up just being friends

“I love you,” he said after a long time. “It’s taken me years, lots of girlfriends and your boyfriend to make realize that we should be together. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner. I’m sorry that Adriana came between us and I’m sorry that Ryan came into your life. But I have to ask you if you would give me a chance?”

Relief flooded through her. Tears threatened to fall. “Oh God, Duo. This is so hard. I’ve wanted you to say that to me for such a long time, and now I don’t now what to say.”

“You don’t have to say yes. I’ll understand if you want to be with Ryan,” he said, but he was thinking the totally opposite thing.

Ryan watched them from their table, sadly shaking his head. He couldn’t be with Hilde if she didn’t want to be with him. He said bye to Heero and Relena and walked out of the dance hall. He took the long way home.

Why? Why are we still friends?
When everything says
We should be more than we are
And tell me why every time I find
Someone that I like
We always end up just being friends

“I love you,” Hilde said sniffling. “I don’t want to hurt Ryan, but I love you, Duo.”

Duo pulled her closer to him. He sighed heavily, a weight lifting off his shoulders. He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and turned her towards him. He brought their lips together in a light kiss. Their first kiss.