Title: Close Your Eyes Pairings: ?x1, 2x1 Circle/DJka: Ringo (kanji kanji) Date Published: 1997 Artwork: There are 3 stories in this, each drawn by a different artist. The first is definitely my favorite. Pretty, aside from a tendency for Heero's chin to disappear when he's drawn in profile. The second is extremely sketchy (to the point that she uses scribbles instead of screentoning), but the artist still manages to convey expressions and body gestures very well, so it works. The last is just.... ugh. In all three Heero is drawn noticeably smaller than Duo, but in this one I find it too pronounced. I also just don't like the chara designs. Heero reminds me more of Kamui (and not in a good way; normally I *like* Kamui ^_~;;) and Duo.... just looks funny. Plot: First story is contrived angst, but still rather good. Its christmas, and Duo & Heero are spending it together. Heero reecives a message from Dr. J and heads out to a designated location. Duo goes christmas shopping (and finds the perfect thing for Heero. I can't for the life of me figure out what it is, but it costs 1200 credits *_*). Heero ends up meeting some (very yummy) guy from his past (I can't figure out who this guy is, but it seems as though this is an alternate history thing, and this guy played a similar role as Odin Lowe did, training a young Heero in firearms & such). They talk for a while, and then meet up again later on. This guy puts the moves on Heero (who doesn't seem to be resisting), when Duo runs into them. Duo pulls out his gun, and Heero instinctively shoots him, then realizes what he's done, and runs off. He goes back to their apartment and is about kill himself, when someone stops him. He turns around, and its Duo (who's supposedly fatal wound turns out to be not so fatal after all). Lots of crying; they make up then they make out, and a merry christmas is had by all. Story number 2 is long (its printed 2 up), and has very little action. In fact most of it is a series of phone conversations between Heero and Duo (we just see Heero sitting in his chair or on the bed talking on the phone). Seems Duo's away and Heero's lonely. Some guy who works at a store or restaurant that Heero frequents has been scoping him out, and one evening he manages to drag Heero out for a drink. Heero of course misses Duo's call that night. He gets drunk, and the other guy starts to get very friendly. Heero gets away, and the rest is more talking on the phone with Duo. This is written in very messy penji, which makes it very difficult to read. Story number 3 I didn't care much for. The boys are on a mission, Duo's being obnoxious towards Heero (which earns him a bitch-slap from Heero and a good kick from Trowa =P), and then some fairly standard (not terribly graphic) sex. Opinion: Overall, a lovely book. The first 2 stories I enjoyed, both plot (what I could follow) and art wise. The last was a waste of paper, but thankfully it was also the shortest of the 3. Very nice colour piccie on the back cover showing Heero with his arms around Duo, who he's just shot. Reviewed by Arakune BACK