Part 32
Heero and Duo parted from Jake in the Port Room. They heard the blond Wizard exhale a whooshing breath behind them.
Duo glanced back then at Heero.
"I stink, don't I?"
"Uh..."
Duo made a face. "Damn it! And these are new clothes!"
Heero smirked. "We'll see what the laundry says. If they're beyond help, the Bureau will reimburse you."
Duo huffed. "That's not the point! New clothes! And my boots! Just soaked with this -- this goo! And my hair!" He pulled his braid over his shoulder, running his fingers over it. "Poor hair... Toad goop..."
Heero snickered. He couldn't help himself this time.
"I'm sure it'll wash out of your hair. I've never heard of... um... demon goop having much effect on hair."
"Demon?" Duo pounced on the word. "Is that what that was? A demon?"
Heero nodded. "Sixth or seventh level. No intelligence to speak of; just a stomach with the power to raise a barrier."
"Nice," muttered Duo.
"You know," Heero began with a glance at Duo's goop-covered person again. "I don't much want that goop in our bath..."
"I have to get it off me, Heero!" snapped the Banshee. "And no, I will not go stand under the sprinklers!"
"No, I think you'll need soap," agreed Heero thoughtfully.
Duo stopped and glared at him.
"We'll go to the communal bath," said Heero decisively. "The laundry is next to it, and the bathing Sprites probably have something to get that stuff out of your hair."
He made a sharp turn and took a stairway going down. Duo hurried after him, grumbling.
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The bathing Sprites fussed over Duo, commiserating with him over his hair and clothing. They assured him they had several products to get the nasty stuff out of his hair without damaging it. Then they instructed him to undress and hurried off to get ready.
Heero was still with him, waiting to take his clothes to the laundry.
Duo looked at him. Heero looked back.
"Um... You want to turn around, Heero?"
Heero arched one eyebrow. "While you undress?"
"Yeah..."
Heero frowned at him. "I've seen you naked. You never lock the bathroom door, remember?"
Duo blinked. Once. Twice.
"Oh. Oh, yeah..." He chewed at his bottom lip. "I forgot."
Heero smirked. "I haven't."
"Oh." Duo gave him a wide-eyed stare. "I think this is different..."
Heero raised both eyebrows.
"Seeing me in the bath or shower is one thing; standing here watching me undress is a little more..."
"Erotic?"
Duo blushed and his mouth quivered. Heero couldn't decide if he was holding back tears or a smile.
"Um... Yeah." Then he smiled, still red-faced. "Maybe sometime when I'm not covered in demon goop, okay?"
"Don't promise, or I'll hold you to it."
Duo laughed. "But you'll remember, regardless, right?"
"Of course."
Heero turned his back and waited, listening to the thump of boots, the rustle of cloth and the faint mutterings as Duo groused under his breath at the state of his new clothing.
"Okay. All done."
Duo waited on a small stool, limbs held close to his body and shrouded in the ragged cloak of his sticky hair. He looked, to Heero's eyes, adorable. He held his tongue, as the Sprites had returned, carrying bottles, brushes, combs and buckets.
"I'll start on our report," said Heero, gathering the bundle for the laundry. "Come up to the office when you're ready."
"Okay. See you. Hey Heero?"
He turned. "Yes, Duo?"
Purple eyes regarded him warmly. "Thanks."
Heero smiled, cocked his head to one side. "Do itashimashite."