Chapter Text
Ticket to Freedom
Chapter 22
You dressed in a floral sundress, pairing them with strappy high heeled sandals, and let your hair down. You played around with make-up and then headed downstairs to have a late breakfast. You had one more week before your parents returned from their vacation. You would miss the hours spend behind the piano, the knowledge that you could do anything without having your mother nagging at you. But until then, you decided while shaking off the less positive thoughts, you could do whatever you wanted.
Your thoughts wandered back to the night you had spent clubbing with your friends. Just thinking of it, of Heero, and the few desperate kisses he had stolen from you in the hallway of the club, made a shiver run down your spine. You hadn’t spoken to him since then. You had felt like you needed a day of peace to gather your wits about you and figure out how you were going to balance life and the fact that you were now the band’s front woman.
And Heero had respected that. It made you like him all the more.
You had used that day of peace to write new music. And to your utter surprise and pleasure, you had three songs finished before you had gone to bed.
You had just finished clearing away the dishes, when the doorbell rang. You made your way over to the front door and opened it, immediately wishing you hadn’t. Brenda was standing on the doorstep.
“-Y/N-, Dear! I just came to check if everything is going okay with you!” She dashed forward and hugged you. “You look marvelous!”
“Thank you.” Deciding to be nice, you hugged her back. Brenda was a lesser evil than your mother was. “Would you like to have something to drink? I made fresh fruit juice.”
“Perfect!” She clapped her hands and mentioned outside. “I’ll be on the front porch. The weather is just lovely!”
You moved into the kitchen, fixing the pitcher with juice and two glasses, putting them on a tray. On an impulse, you added a plate of cookies. You took the tray outside and stopped dead in your tracks when you gazed across the street. Heero was tinkering with his motorcycle, rock music playing from the portable radio at his side. And – good heavens – he was shirtless. You felt your mouth run dry at the sight.
You quickly shook yourself out of your stupor and moved to place the tray on the table.
Brenda quickly helped you to pour the juice in the glasses and sat back in one of the chairs with a knowing smile on her face. You could only hope that she hadn’t seen too much of your unabashed staring.
“Sooo…” She drawled. “How have you been enjoying your freedom?”
“Not much to enjoy,” you said with a shrug. “I’m busy with school.”
“Of course.” Her tone indicated that she found you boring, but you weren’t going to give her anything that could make her run off to tell your mother.
“When your parents come back, I intend to hold a garden party. It would be lovely if you could bring Quatre!” she told you.
“I will ask him,” you promised.
“Good! Tell me, what are your plans for today? You can come over for dinner if you want! I’m sure Dereck will be delighted to see you.”
You inwardly groaned, but knew she would be pissed off if you refused. “Sure.”
Brenda continued her idle chat, and you were glad when she finished off her glass of juice.
“Darling, I have to go! You can come over around… let’s say… six.” She hurried to kiss your cheek. “Don’t stay out in the sun all day!”
“I won’t,” you said easily.
You watched her get into her car, glad to be rid of her. The car came to life, sputtered, and then died. You closed your eyes and prayed. Brenda tried a few more times, but the car refused to start. The look on her face was utter disappointment when she got out again.
“It won’t start,” she stated, while fishing out her phone from her purse. “I’ll call the garage.”
You waited with a growing sense of impatience, and listened to her sighing and complaining on the phone with only a half ear. When she hung up she sat down on the lounge seat again and sighed.
“They will be here in two hours,” she said sadly. “They are busy towing in cars from an accident on the highway.”
Two hours?! Damn it, you wanted to work on music and now you were stuck with her. This was not how you had imagined your day to go! You gazed across the street and got up when a sudden idea got to you.
“I’ll be right back,” you said to Brenda.
You quickly crossed the street, and questioned yourself if it was wise to approach him. Damn it, you could barely keep your eyes off of him. Brenda was sure to notice. But you wanted to be rid of her, so you had no choice.
“Heero?”
He looked up from the engine part he was cleaning, his intense gaze softening once he noticed it was you. “Hey.”
“My mom’s friend was about to leave, but her car won’t start. Can you take a look at it?”
“Sure.” He got up and followed you back to Brenda.
She was waiting next to her car, a skeptical look on her face.
“He’ll take a look at it,” you told her.
“Oh. That would be great!” Her tone still was skeptical, but her shoulders relaxed.
Both you and Brenda were all too aware of your mother’s opinion on Heero. It was clear she was uncomfortable.
Heero immediately went to work, opening the hood, and you felt color rise to your cheeks at the sight of his muscles moving under his skin. Brenda went back to the lounge set and crossed her arms in front of her chest, but you decided not to join her. You leaned against the car, watching Heero work, devouring the sight of him with hungry eyes.
“Starter’s broken,” he stated, while looking up.
His gaze met yours and darkened when he saw the look in your eyes.
“Can you fix it?” you asked him.
“Hn. Just need to get some tools.” He straightened and turned around. “I’ll be right back.”
You swallowed at the sight of the tattoo on his back. The angel wings still took you by surprise every time you saw them. You desperately hoped the flush wasn’t apparent on your face when you turned around to smile at Brenda.
“He can fix it.”
“Really?” She grinned. “That’s fantastic! I was so afraid I’d be too late for my appointment at the beauty salon.”
Heero disappeared in the house and came back a few minutes later, carrying a tool box. He hadn’t bothered to put on a shirt in the meantime and you felt your mouth run dry. Jeez, what was it about hot men and toolboxes, and that damned swagger that always made them so irresistible? You crossed your arms in front of your chest and sent him a scowl. The tiniest hint of a smirk formed on his face. That cocky bastard knew exactly what kind of effect he had on you. He was just exploiting it.
He put the toolbox down when he reached the car and went to work. You curiously watched how he tinkered with the engine. His hands were covered in grease, the long bony fingers easily working to repair the car. You felt your belly tighten with desire when you remembered how those hands had felt on your body. You bit down on your bottom lip and shifted your position. You could tell he was aware of you too, saw it in the way his shoulders tensed just slightly, the dark, brooding looks he sent you from the corner of his eyes.
It was risky, and oh so exciting.
He straightened and moved around you, addressing Brenda when he spoke. “You can try and start it now.”
She beamed at him and got up, quickly getting into her car. You sighed with relief when the engine started smoothly. Heero closed the hood and pushed the toolbox to the side. Brenda rolled down her window and gave him a sunny smile.
“Thanks! You’re a life saver!” Apparently, now that Heero had saved the day, she no longer had any scruples regarding him.
“It’s nothing.”
“-Y/N-, Darling! I’ll see you tonight!”
You waved at her as she drove off, and sighed in relief when she was finally gone. “Jeez, I thought I was never going to get rid of her.”
“So whose lifesaver am I exactly, yours or hers?” he asked dryly, while wiping his hands on a cloth he had retrieved from the toolbox.
“Mine, definitely.” You turned towards him and gave him a sultry look. “Want to come inside for a drink?”
“Sure.”
He followed you inside and towards the kitchen, where he washed his hands while you prepared drinks. But as soon as his hands were dry, he grabbed you and dragged you into the hallway, pressing your back against the wall. The hungry look in his eyes was the last thing you saw before his merciless mouth descended on yours.
You moaned and buried your hands in his hair, pressing up against him. His tongue swept over your bottom lip and you were quick to accommodate him, welcoming the taste of him with a sigh. Soon, your hands were no longer in his hair, and explored his back and chest. He hissed and pulled away from the kiss to nip at your throat when you scraped your nails over a nipple.
His hand tangled in your hair, dragging your head back so he had better access to the skin of your neck. His free arm snugly wrapped around your waist and kept you pressed against him, so you could clearly feel the evidence of his desire for you. Your kept your eyes closed shut, wanting to focus on the feeling of him against you. His lips caressed over your shoulder and he momentarily let go of your hair to push the straps of your dress and bra out of the way.
You slipped a hand in the back pocket of his jeans, your fingers digging into the firm muscles of his ass, before slackening when they encountered a foil package. Your head spun with realization and moisture pooled between your legs at just the idea that he had come back with the idea of seducing you.
His mouth came back to yours, hungry, the dark taste of him driving you on. His hands weren’t still either, one drifting down the side of your body, coming to rest on your hip where he grabbed hold of the airy fabric of your dress, pulling it up so he had access to the skin of your tights. A choked moan escaped you when he boldly cupped your womanhood though the lacy fabric of your panties. You broke the kiss to bury your face against his neck, biting down on his skin when his fingers rubbed over the soaked fabric.
“So desperate, aren’t you?” he all but growled against your ear.
You only answer was a broken moan as you clung to him. Your head spun with sensations, and you couldn’t think of anything else but him, the feeling of his skin under your hands, and your desperate need for more. The rumble of his voice in your ear drove you on and a cry escaped you when he ground the heel of his hand against you. The heady rush of pleasure was almost too much to take.
You panted against his neck, your teeth nipping at his skin. A growl escaped him when you scraped your teeth over his collar bone.
“Please,” you gasped while grasping his shoulders.
He pressed his mouth against yours once more, his tongue invading, claiming, and branding you. His fingers pushed the fabric of your panties aside, slipping past their barrier to where you burned for him. He swallowed your cry as he slipped his fingers inside, his thumb rubbing your clit. You were so close to the edge already.
It shouldn’t have been so easy for him to turn you on in the way that he did. Just looking at him made you ache. Your body was so tuned to his, so aware. You really didn’t care that he was driving you into a frenzy.
With each slow, deep thrust of his fingers, you came closer to the pinnacle. You tore your mouth away from his to bury your face into his shoulder, throaty moans escaping you.
“Let go,” he growled against your ear.
You wanted to shake your head. You didn’t want this to end just yet. As if sensing your stubbornness, he used his body to press you tighter against the wall. The feeling of his erection pressing against your thigh made you head spin. Your head lolled back, your hair spilling over your shoulders. Heero buried his face in it, the heel of his hand pressing tightly against the engorged nub of your sex. It was all you needed.
You cried out as your orgasm washed over your body, your hands coming up to grasp at his biceps. Stars exploded behind your closed eyelids, and the tingling sensation spread all the way to your toes and fingertips. You were left gasping, feeling boneless and relying on him to keep you up. You slid your hands up to his shoulders, twining your arms around his neck. He slowly pulled his hand away from between your legs, wiping it on his jeans, before wrapping his arm around your waist.
“Hmmm…” you sighed happily, causing him to chuckle.
You pulled him down for a kiss, and to your surprise, he kept it gentle, despite the thunder of his heartbeat in his chest. You were fully aware that he had come here with a purpose, and you were more than willing to grant him anything he asked of you. You were ready to take that final step.
He brushed kisses over your cheek, slowly making his way to your ear, where he gently bit down on the lobe. It sent a shiver down your spine and you tightened your grasp on him.
“We should move this upstairs,” you murmured, while hooking your finger into the waistband of his jeans.
“Not done here with you yet,” he told you, while tightening his grasp on you.
“I’m never gonna look normally at this hallway again,” you grumbled.
His fingers grasped your chin, forcing you to look at him. The stark amusement in his eyes, made you grin.
“I’ll enjoy the thought that you’ll blush every time you walk through it.”
“Oh, shut up!” You chuckled. “I don’t blush easily, Yuy.”
“We’ll see.” That sexy smirk formed on his lips. “I’d like to think you’ll blush and then your mother will question you.”
“My mother is never gonna find out,” you said jokingly.
But as soon as the words were out, you realized you had made a mistake. He grew cold.
“Never?” he questioned you.
You bit your lip and willed him to trust you with your eyes. “Heero… you know-”
He cut you off. “Whatever. I should have known.”
“What?”
“You were never planning on telling anyone about this?” the coldness in his voice stung.
“Heero, you know the situation with my parents. I can’t tell them I’m in a band and neither can I tell them that I’m seeing you.” Please don’t be angry.
He scoffed. “Because you’re a fucking chicken about it.”
“Don’t say that,” you said softly, hurt seeping into your voice. “I’m doing all that I can do.”
“Bullshit,” he snapped.
All at once you found yourself at odds with him again. Confusion and hurt squeezed around your heart and it was in your eyes when you gazed up at him. But in his eyes you found only accusation and anger. You reached out for him, but he backed away, turning on his heel.
“Fuck this.” You heard his angry growl, before he opened the front door and walked out, slamming it behind him.
You stood leaning against the wall, not fully comprehending what the hell had just happened. One moment he had been all heat, and the next he had been ice cold. Tears burned behind your eyes. What a fool you had been. You pressed a hand over your mouth as a sob escaped you. Going after him wouldn’t do any good. He was pissed off, and with a sinking heart you realized he had every right to be.
You bolted up the stairs and ran into your bedroom. You flung yourself onto your bed and pressed your face into the pillows, allowing the tears to come. You had been too caught up in what was going on to realize that he was feeling the same way. It was your own fault you had lost him now. You were sure that he wouldn’t touch you again. He wouldn’t allow himself to get closer to you again.
You felt your heart break into a thousand tiny pieces. You had let something wonderful slip through your fingers. He was right. You were a chicken.
“I’m sorry,” you sobbed brokenly.
You lay on your bed for hours. When the tears dried up, you curled up in to a fetal position and slept restlessly. It would have been better, you thought when you woke from troubled dreams, if he had screamed at you. That icy, controlled behavior was way worse. It hurt far more.
You felt tears come up once more and rolled onto your back. Too late you remembered that you had promised Brenda to come over for dinner. With a sigh you got up and went downstairs. You would use the house phone to call her and fake an illness. You really didn’t feel like leaving the house.
After calling Brenda, who had worried over your health and had even offered to come over, you wandered into the library. The sight of the piano made you cry once more. Music was a shared passion, and it would be the only thing left to bind you to him. To sing for his band was all you could do.
You threw open the double doors to let in some fresh air and with a heavy sigh, you sat down behind the piano and touched a key. Your throat felt raw from crying, but you still felt compelled to sing. And so you did, creating a sad, haunting melody on the piano to accompany your voice.
It carried through the open doors and got picked up by the breeze, carrying across the street to where Heero sat on the veranda in front of his house. He refused to let your sadness touch him. But he could tell it touched his mother’s heart, when he heard her quiet sigh.
“I feel bad for that poor girl,” she murmured in Japanese.
“She won’t need our sympathy,” he answered back.
“Oh, but she does, Heero.” Aoi’s smile was warm, but sad around the edges. “Her parent’s don’t love her. She must be so lonely.”
Abruptly the music from across the street stopped. And in the silence of the evening, he could hear your quiet sobs. It ate at him, but he killed that feeling quickly. You had brought it upon yourself. He was glad when you closed the library doors.
With a sigh he got up, muttering a quiet ‘Good night’ to his mother. But when he lay in bed, he found he couldn’t sleep and that irritated him. He didn’t want you to have any effect on him anymore. He rolled onto his back and glared up at the ceiling. He would keep you at distance.
It took him a long time to fall asleep.
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