Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 25

Just like breakfast that morning and dinner the night before, the car ride to practice was made without a word spoken between Heero and Duo. Neither one knew how or when to open up dialogue after that kiss. What was the appropriate thing to say?

The silence continued as they headed for the locker room through the long corridors. And the moment they stepped into the room, everyone on the team could sense the tension between them. Without so much as a word to anyone they passed, the quarterback and running back opened their lockers and removed their gear.

Across from their stations, Wufei and Trowa shared a concerned look. Smiling in thinking of a way to get his friends talking, the tall center laced up his sneakers and asked, "The two of you are going to Dorothy's party tonight, right?"

His grin faded when Heero simply grunted and Duo shrugged. Nearly panic-stricken, the Chinese turned to his Latin friend with wide eyes.

Zechs and the coaching staff soon entered to announce Darren's absence that day for doctor visits. That said, they called for the start of practice.

*   *   *   *   *   *

All day, Heero and Duo had effectively managed to address one another only if it involved their plays. And when they did, they never looked at each other. Rumblings of the apparent rift between the two started spreading through the team as a real concern began to grow.

While both players performed to the best of their abilities, as always, they did so mechanically. The connection that had been built up between them over the last months was missing and it was showing.

Even the excitement that had come with Duo's learning to catch was lost. The whole event was never shared with anyone, and so the call was never made to try a throw to the running back during the skirmishes.

Despite their own worry, neither Zechs nor Howard pressed the matter. Clearly, whatever was going on needed to be handled without their interference. All they could do was hope that the problem would be remedied before the season started.

The only person that was thrilled over the strain was Mueller. Putting on an air of concern, he was having the time of his life seeing the two at odds with each other. Surely this was going to be the beginning of the end.

In the shower room, Wufei looked to the stall beside him and inquired, "So, what's going on between you and Maxwell? Everything was going great between you two before this morning."

Sighing deeply, Heero finished rinsing out the shampoo from his hair and met his friend's gaze. "It's... complicated," he answered in a tone he'd hoped would give the receiver and everyone around the hint to leave him alone on the matter.

Wufei got the message loud and clear. Frowning deeply, he nodded, "Okay. Just let us know if you need to talk, all right?" The quarterback nodded in appreciation and the remainder of the time in the room was spent in that looming silence once more.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Moments later, cleaned and changed in fresh clothes, the team began bidding their farewells until that evening's party. Duo remained slumped on his bench until the last person slipped from the locker room, leaving him alone with Heero.

The quarterback was taking his time putting his things away in his locker, waiting for his housemate to head to the showers when he suddenly heard in little more than a whisper, "I was an orphan from the time that I was three."Blinking and freezing in shock, Heero's eyes widened. Quickly looking over to the running back beside him, he breathed, "What?"

Duo swallowed roughly and turned his head to meet the cobalt gaze on him. Rubbing his hands together nervously, he repeated a bit louder, "I was an orphan from the time that I was three. My parents abandoned me on a doorstep and I went from foster home to foster home for the next four years."

His legs almost turning limp, Heero sat down on the bench beside the braided athlete as he continued, "Not long after I turned seven, I was taken in by this one guy who looked great on paper but..." With a shaky breath, Duo's shook his head and looked away.

Clearing his throat, he stared off into the dark memories of those years and muttered, "He was different behind closed doors. He's lock me in this dog crate over the weekends and... well a lot of other bad things that he'd threatened me with an inch of my life to not tell another soul so I kept my mouth shut."

Unable to breathe, the quarterback blinked in shock but remained quiet. "Anyway," the American shrugged, "one of his favorite things to use on me when I 'got out of line' was this belt that he fixed with metal hooks."

Hands shaking, Duo reached to the hem of his grass-stained T-shirt and lifted it over his head before he gave himself a moment to reconsider.

As the zigzagged scars that covered his friend's torso, sides and back were revealed, Heero gasped sharply, "Duo." Slowly, he reached forward to run a hand lightly over the angry markings The skin just beneath his finger tips shivered a bit at the touch. "H-how did you get away?" he managed.

Taking a deep breath, the running back finally turned his head back to watch the quarterback as he answered, "I lost consciousness from one of those beatings and woke up in a hospital almost a week later. The doctor told me I was found left for dead in a city dumpster. I'd lost so much blood the hospital staff was shocked that I made it out alive."

"God," Heero whispered, washing his face with his hands before shaking his head. "Why are you telling me this now?" he asked quietly.

Small tears began to fill Duo's violet eyes as he answered, "Because I can't stand this silent treatment that we've been giving each other. I know what happened last night isn't easy for you to talk about, so I decided to talk about something that makes me uncomfortable... to let you know that I trust you."

A lump formed in the quarterback' s throat at that. Leaning forward, he pressed their foreheads together and whispered, "Thank you. I... I needed to hear that."

Even though many questions were answered even more spurred up from the answers. Still, Heero was happy to leave them be until his housemate was ready to go on with his story. What he already shared had clearly taken a toll on him.

"So... we're okay, then?" Duo questioned in a near sob.

"Yea," Heero nodded reassuringly. "We're okay."

All but jumping to his feet, the running back threw his shirt back on with grinned, "Good." He bent at the waist to gather up his pile of clean clothes, hair products and soap while promising, "I'll try and make this shower quick."

Chuckling deeply, Heero shook his head in amusement, "You always say that. And yet, somehow, I'm sitting here for at least thirty minutes before you're finished."

Duo almost cried in relief at how easy it was for their usual banter to return. Smirking, he dried the shimmer from his eyes and shrugged, "Well, it's either that or put up with my lovely body cologne all the way home."

The quarterback smirked back, "I'd never live through it. Take your time. I'm not going anywhere." Not lost to the running back was the real meaning behind that last statement. His grin widening, Duo winked and headed out of the room.

Sighing deeply when he was alone at last, Heero took in everything that he'd just learned. Along with shedding light on a large part of his past, his teammate had also put the ball of communication into his court. "Now how the hell do I bring up that kiss?" he frowned deeply to himself.

'And where will it lead when I do?' he thought to himself.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Together, Heero and Duo made their way up the front porch Dorothy's grand estate later that evening. The home's tall windows glowed with a warm and welcoming light. "Damn," the running back muttered, "and I thought that your place was big." He adjusted his red, form-fitting dress shirt and brushed his hands on his black jeans self-consciously.

For his part, the quarterback was doing his best not to openly eye his teammate up and down. Swallowing roughly, he tugged at the seemingly tight collar of his deep green shirt.

Before they reached the top step, the large crystal-edged front doors opened to reveal Dorothy in a black cocktail dress that hugged her body nicely. Smiling widely, she greeted, "I'm so glad you both could make it."

Duo whistled through his teeth. Taking the team owner's hand and kissing the back of it, he straightened and grinned widely, "Wouldn't have missed this for the world, beautiful. You look great!"

Heero just rolled his eyes behind his friend's back with a smirk. A blush coloring her cheeks, Dorothy playfully hit the running back in the shoulder and giggled, "Charm comes as natural to you as breathing, Maxwell... though I do appreciate the sentiment."

As he winked a violet eye, Duo bowed at the waist in a flourish.

Still chuckling, Dorothy gestured for her guests to follow her in. As they entered, the large doors closed on their own behind them. Leading them up a spiral staircase to the second level of her home, the team owner headed down a long corridor. At the end of the long hallway, she opened the closed double doors and stepped aside.

Gasping sharply, Duo gawked at the cathedral ceilings, chandeliers, elaborate paintings on the cream-colored walls and shimmering floor that looked to be sheer glass. His own eyes wide, Heero took in the ornate details of the ballroom.

Instead of classical music, more lively and current songs from the radio played through a DJ station. Another set up had a catering staff serving a variety of foods and beverages. Filling the center of the space, members of the team, coaching staff, administration and cheerleading squad danced and mingled.

Sharply turning on her heels, Dorothy smiled, "Good food, good music and most importantly, good company. Enjoy, gentlemen." Bowing her head, she rejoined Zechs, Noin, Darren and Aubrey at their table just beside the dance floor.

"All right," Duo grinned as he rubbed his hands together. "Well, I don't know about you, man, but I am famished. Race you to the food station," he said with a light nudge to his housemate's arm.

Smelling the heavenly aromas from the other side of the room, Heero's empty stomach started grumbling. "You're on," he replied with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. Springing forward, they darted for their target while laughing all the way.

*   *   *   *   *   *

An hour later, when the entire team was present, Dorothy stepped up to the DJ station as he faded the music out. Clearing her throat, the blonde young woman took up a glass of champagne with her free hand and spoke into the microphone, "May I have everyone's attention, please?"

The talking amongst the guests died down and all eyes turned to the team owner. With a wide smile, she began, "I just wanted to thank every one here for all of your hard work and dedication to this organization. Thanks to all of your efforts, as you all know, the entire regular season seats have been sold." Whoops, whistles, cheers and applause filled the air at that.

Gesturing to the table where an older man and woman sat along with the new administration, Dorothy said, "It's always been my wish to make my father proud." She cleared her throat when her voice cracked a bit. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "Filling his shoes as the new owner of this team has not been easy, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."

Small tears filling her father's eyes, he smiled lovingly and nodded. Her mother took his hand in hers and blew a kiss to their daughter.

Lightly wiping the single tear that was rolling down her face, Dorothy looked to the faces of her team and grinned, "In addition to this celebration, Zechs and I agreed that you have all earned this coming week off before the pre-season. There will, instead, be a brief refresher of your drills next Saturday, the day before your first pre-season game.

"You've been pushing yourselves very hard and I would hate to see that burn anyone of you out. This will give you time to be with your families and loved ones to rejuvenate yourselves before bearing down for the long haul." She was rewarded with wide smiles and bows of heads in appreciation.

Raising a finger and an eyebrow, she smirked, "Though don't think that we'll be going lightly on you when the season starts. I won't be afraid to sick Pops on you if I feel like you're slacking off."

"That's right, ladies!" Howard yelled from the table that he shared with his fellow coaches. Everyone laughed as glasses of champagne were handed out by the catering staff.

As she lifted her glass, Dorothy toasted, "To the new season. May every one of you stay healthy and safe. And may Pittsburgh get the ride of its life this year." Cheering, her guests all raised their own glasses before taking a swig of their champagne.

After her own sip, the team owner bowed her head and offered, "I hope that you all enjoy the rest of the evening. You've earned it."

Enthusiastic applause and shouts followed her on her way off the DJ stand. The music returned and the dancing resumed. Back at the coach's table, Trent whispered something into his date's ear. Nodding with a wide grin, Lady Une rode from her seat. Hand-in-hand, the couple headed to the dance floor.

Needing a bit of air, Heero stepped opened the doors to the balcony overlooking the beautiful grounds of the estate. The breeze, while warm, was a relief that he welcomed with a sigh. He still held his glass of champagne and took a small sip while admiring the view.

In the far off distance, the lights of Pittsburgh rose over the trees to add to the glow of the moon and stars overhead to add to the serenity of the environment.

Just behind the quarterback, the doors opened as Duo stepped out with a whistle. Wiping a few drops of sweat from his brow, he chuckled deeply, "Man, I thought that Zechs, Howard and the whole team were going to bawl for joy when they saw that you and I are talking to each other again! We must've given them a real scare at practice today.

"Standing beside his friend with his own glass of champagne still in hand, the braided running back asked quietly, "You all right?"

Heero continued to look ahead with unreadable expression. "Just trying to clear my head a bit," he answered as another gentle breeze played with his unruly hair. "There's been a lot on my mind still."

Quickly sensing the hesitance to actually bring up the event, Duo decided to come to his aid by calling it to attention himself. Folding his arms on the balcony railing, he looked out to the city and asked, "You're talking about that kiss last night?" Swallowing roughly, the quarterback nodded.

"Well, if it's any consolation, I didn't mind it at all," the American admitted in a lightly mumbled breath.

His cobalt eyes widening, Heero finally looked over to his housemate and sputtered, "Y-you mean you're gay?" His friend just smiled to him innocently with a tilt of his head and raised his glass. Flustered, the team captain all but shouted, "Why didn't you tell me!?"

Shrugging, Duo questioned, "Would it have made a difference to how you felt about that kiss?" Not able to argue that it would have, Heero shook his head with a deep frown. "That's why I never brought it up. I know where I stand in this," the running back explained.

He pushed himself off of the railing and turned to lean his backside against it as he continued, "You're just finding things out for yourself; which is why you need to be the one that decides whether or not we continue where we left off." Smirking, he added, "You're the one that ran away, remember."

With a quiet snort, Heero commented, "I figured that you would remind me of that." Taking a deep breath out and releasing it slowly, he looked back over to the city lights. "I've been going back and forth to what I really want," he thought aloud. "It's been a long time since I really allowed myself to consider my feelings and where they lead."

Slowly looking back to his teammate, the quarterback finally stated, "I'd like to... see where things go with this. If you're willing to try."

Duo's smile faded a bit and it was his turn to take a deep breath. Heero felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach at the clear hesitation. Quickly picking up on his friend's misunderstanding, the braided athlete reassured, "I really would like to give this a shot, too."

As a clear relief spread on his housemate's face, the running back said, "It's just that there's only one thing left before we do this."

"What's that?" Heero asked, blinking his cobalt eyes in confusion. He heard himself all but begging, "Just name it."

Sighing deeply, Duo replied in little more than a whisper, "You need to meet my family."

TBC...

 

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