Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 44

Following their visit to the cemetery, Heero and Duo stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking. It was an exchange of their experiences with their families. The running back shared some of his fondest memories of Sister Helen while the quarterback opened up about his parents.

As they lay in bed, their eyes long adjusted to the darkness to make out each other almost as well as if they were in broad daylight thanks to the dim glow bleeding in from the windows. Usually it was Duo cradled in Heero's arms. That night, the positions had switched.

"Do you think that I was wrong for not taking more time off from training to grieve?" the team captain asked quietly.

Shaking his head, the running back brushed a hand over his lover's bare back in soothing circles. "No," he answered. "Everyone has their own way of dealing with things. You just needed some sense of normalcy after the accident to keep yourself together."

Amazed at how well his lover had him figured out, Heero couldn't help but smile a bit. In truth, that was the very reason for his only taking the day of the funeral off from summer training the previous year. Anything more than that and the reality of his parents' death would have been far too difficult for him to deal with.

Lightly running his fingers over the exposed scars of his teammate's chest, the quarterback thought aloud, "My mother was the last of her family. And my father loved her enough that, so the Yuy name would carry on, he had me take on that name on instead of his own."

In hearing that, Duo smiled, "I was wondering why you were born with your mother's name." His eyes widening, he realized something that sent a chill down his spine. 'And the name will die with him unless he has an 'heir',' he thought to himself.

Sensing his lover turn rigid and his breath hitch, Heero told him, "Don't think that way. I have no regrets being with you. I'm all right with not having a child that will carry on the name. It's certainly not worth my acting like something or someone that I'm not by taking the 'easy' route and marrying a woman for that simple reason."

Relieved by that, Duo released the breath that he had been holding and his guilt ebbed. Raising his braided head, he kissed the top of his partner's unruly mess of hair. Unable to keep his eyes open any longer, he stifled a yawn. "Sister Helen would have loved you," he heard himself whisper as he began to drift off.

Heero grinned warmly as he nestled himself into the securing embrace around him. His cobalt eyes drifting closed, he replied in kind, "My parents would have loved you, too." Sighing deeply, he finally gave into the sleep that was calling for him.

*   *   *   *   *   *

"Happy Birthday to you," the family gathered around the dining room finished singing together.

Smiling brightly, Hope stood on the chair at the head of the table before a large, purple-frosted cake with five burning candles. A pointed, colorful hat atop her read head, the little girl looked about ready to burst from the excitement of her first real birthday party.

For that particular occasion, Quatre and Lady Une made the trip to celebrate the child's birthday with their friends. Hilde had her camera in hand and had already taken more than a dozen pictures that day and was ready for the big candle blowout. Heero sat near the middle of the lot with Jamie sitting in his lap while Solo remained across from him with Sun in his own care.

And Duo looked every bit the proud father from his place at the other end of the table. Leaning forward, he grinned, "Make a wish before you blow the candles out, sweetie."

Hope blinked with a puzzled look on her face. Tilting her head to the side, she looked to her Dad and said, "But I have everything I want already."

The running back's eyes widened with a sharp gasp at the sentiment. Small tears filled his eyes as his lover and friends all looked on to him with wide smiles of their own. Clearing his throat, Duo moved around the table to hug his youngest tightly, not trusting his voice at the moment.

Both Quatre and Lady Une looked as though they were on the verge of becoming emotional over the scene. Lowering the camera from her face, Hilde wiped a few stray tears of her own. Solo reached up to squeeze her hand tightly and winked at her. It was just like their little Hope to make such a simple and sweet statement.

Carefully setting the birthday girl into his lap, the braided athlete suggested quietly, "Well, maybe you could wish for other kids without families to find mommies and daddies that will love them, too."

Instantly brightening at that, Hope nodded excitedly and turned back to the cake. Taking a deep breath, she blew out all five glowing candles. Her family around all cheered and clapped. Duo kissed his daughter's head before settling her back down on the chair so that he could take the cake into the kitchen.

Heero followed right behind, clearing his own throat after the touching display. Removing the three large buckets of different flavored ice cream from the freezer, he smirked, "That was a nice suggestion back there."

With a light snicker, the running back wiped the only tear to break his defenses and muttered, "Those kids kill me every time, man." After removing the candles, he took up a knife to begin cutting into the marble cake that Lady Une and Hilde had made together. "It doesn't take much for them to turn me into a blubbering idiot."

Shrugging, the quarterback began scooping ice cream into the bowls that he had set aside. As he looked over to his lover, he commented, "Well, they have a lot to be grateful for thanks to you. It's... refreshing to know that they're not taking any of this for granted the way kids who are better off do."

Unable to argue with that, Duo smiled wistfully, "Yea." They worked together in setting up the bowls with a slice of cake and a large scoop of each flavor ice cream. Quatre, Hilde, Solo and Lady Une entered soon after to help disperse the treats to the lot.

Once the desserts were finished, everyone moved into the living room for the gift unwrapping. The brightly wrapped gifts that made a small pile in the corner came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Flora, Tai and Marcus went about handing the tokens to their little sister to unwrap as Hilde went back to photographing.

Gushing over her new clothes, shoes and toys, Hope was over the moon. She hugged and kissed her dad, aunt, uncles and Lady Une with many words of thanks. After the last present was opened, Duo winked to Heero and with that sign, the quarterback snuck from the room as everyone busied themselves with cleaning up and appraising the gifts.

Moments later, the running back saw his lover peer his head around the doorway to give him a firm nod. Smiling widely, Duo announced, "Well, Heero still has one last present to give. But it is for everyone, so be sure that you all share, all right?"

In hearing that they were all going to be getting a surprise, his children turned to him with wide eyes. His eyes on the youngest of his clan, Duo smirked, "But since it's her day, Hope gets to name her."

"Her?" the youngsters asked with confused looks on their faces. Gathering together, Hilde, Solo, Quatre and Lady Une were snickering and rubbing their hands in anticipation of what they knew was coming.

On his cue, Heero entered the room with a grin and a wiggling puppy in his arms. With a big, bright, red bow tried loosely around its neck, the baby golden retriever looked all around the room. Tail wiggling excitedly, she whimpered quietly in wanting to be let down to explore.

Each one of them gasping, the children all cried out and tried to get as close as they could. Still, they were polite enough to give Hope some space to have a first glance. Very carefully lowering the puppy into her arms, the quarterback stepped aside so the children could all be acquainted with the newest member of their family.

Hope giggled with tears in her eyes as the pup licked her face. All around, her siblings were gently patting and making cooing sounds to the ball of golden fur. One-by-one, the children all took turns to hold their gift. As Duo watched on, he wrapped his arms around Heero's waist from behind and rested his chin on his shoulder.

Somehow, the picture of their family seemed complete now. Well... as complete as it could be with the future being so unknown for what would come of his relationship with the quarterback. Shaking his head to lose that train of thought, Duo centered his focus back on his little ones.

After taking a few shots, Hilde lowered the camera and asked, "So what are you going to name her, Hope?"

Tilting her head in thought, the little girl pondered on that a moment. A bright smile brightening her face, she cried, "Mary! Like Princess Mary on my favorite show!" All around, heads nodded and grins spread at the name.

"Mary's a beautiful name, Hope," Heero smirked. Instantly, he was ambushed with hugs and a barrage of thanks from the youngsters. Laughing, he returned each embrace and rubbed the tops of their heads.

Duo raised his hand after the exchange to call everyone to order. Listing a finger, he told his charges sternly, "Now, everyone is responsible to make sure that Mary is fed, cleaned and taken out to the back yard when she has to go. It's going to be a team effort." More than satisfied with that, the children nodded and voiced their affirmatives.

Chuckling deeply, Lady Une said quietly to Quatre, "He's such a wonderful parent. And his children are absolute angels. But, it still amazes me that he's going to be a father to eight. I don't know that I'll ever be able to get over it."

The agent snickered, "For the record, I've known about this for over a year and I'm still not over it, myself."

*   *   *   *   *   *

Later that evening, after tucking all of his children to bed, Duo sighed deeply to himself after a successful party. It was the first for Hope since her being brought into his care almost eight months prior and he wanted it to be a special one for her. The same went for all of his charges' big days.

Thanks to Heero and his friends, he managed to pull it off. For her first night in her new home, Mary slept in the birthday girl's room. It was more than evident what a success that gift was for all involved.

After thanking his friends over and over for their help and their gifts, the running back was ready to retire for the evening. Heero was right behind, stretching and yawning as they climbed to their floor and empty wing.

The moment that the door closed behind them and the light in the bedroom turned on, Duo kissed his partner soundly until the need for air parted them. Panting lightly, he gazed into surprised cobalt breathing, "Thank you for everything today, 'Ro."

A warm smile tugging his lips, Heero shrugged simply, "My pleasure. I could get used to attending more of these birthdays... if you wouldn't mind."

Biting his lip, the braided athlete sighed, "Lately, I've just been worrying about the kids getting too attached to... well, us being together. It would be one thing if it was only the two of us involved, but it's a hell of a lot more complicated that that and I can't be selfish here."

Unable to look into those eyes any longer, Duo turned for the bed and began shedding his shirt. "I mean how serious is this?"

The quarterback blinked in surprise. "You don't know for certain that what we have here is serious?" he asked, the hurt evident in his voice. "Duo, I've never felt this way about anyone else. I..." His voice cracked enough that he had to pause to swallow roughly before admitting, "I love you."

Duo spun to face him with wide eyes. "W-what did you say?" he managed to ask in little more than a whisper.

Taking a deep breath, Heero slowly approached his lover and repeated more firmly, "I love you. Ever since we've been together, it just feels..." He paused in search of the right word before all but shouting, "right. More right than anything else that I've had in my life!"

After that, the words came out easily and in a rush as he paced the room a bit as Duo looked on, his eyes still wide. "I've learned more about myself and my feelings since being with you than I've learned my whole life up to now! Aside from knowing that I wanted to play football, my life didn't have any real direction and I was lost. But now, it's like every aspect of my life is finally pointing the same way."

Heero halted and looked to his stunned partner. Frowning deeply, he whispered, "They're all pointing to you, Duo. And your children." Shaking his head, he continued, "I see you with them and I'm so goddamned proud of you! But you didn't just save them, you saved me as well."

Tears were rolling down the running back's face and he sniffled quietly. His own eyes shimmering, the quarterback stated, "I can't deny how I feel anymore. And I know that you're worried about a trade that may or may not happen. But if it does, I don't care what it takes to make it work. I'll make it happen because I don't ever plan on losing this."

With a deep and shaky breath, Heero closed the distance between them and cupped his teammate's heart-shaped face, begging quietly, "Please don't ever question what we have again. I would sooner die before hurting you or the children."

Swallowing roughly past the lump in his throat, Duo nodded and replied brokenly, "I believe you." Quickly leaning in, he kissed his lover's lips roughly. Pulling back before Heero had a chance to react or respond, he pulled back and breathed, "Make love to me."

The heart in the Heero's chest began racing at that plea. Growling deeply, he pulled his teammate into his arms and into a much deeper and more heated kiss than the one prior. In the midst of the exchange, he lifted Duo from his feet and lowered him carefully onto the bed.

Both inexperienced in this level of intimacy, they found their way together and soon moved in rhythm with each other. Senses were heightened with every touch, kiss and glide. Whispered words and reassurances held more meaning than every before.

And finally, they cried out as one when the both went over the edge at the same time.

Panting heavily, Heero carefully removed himself from his lover's tight channel to collapse onto his side, still euphoric from their joining. At the sight of blood on his limp penis, the quarterback was instantly alert with a sharp gasp and wide eyes. "Duo," he heard himself almost whimper, "Did I h-?"

He never got to finish the question once the running back leaned up to silence him with a soft kiss. "I'm fine," he grinned tiredly. "If you were hurting me, I would've said something." Relieved, the quarterback eased at soft sigh.

Duo reached over the side of the bed for his discarded shirt to do a quick job of cleaning his semen off their chests. Tossing the shirt aside again, he brushed back his loose hair from his face and settled himself into his partner's waiting arms.

Kissing the other athlete's head, Heero smiled wistfully, "That was amazing." And even then, 'amazing' didn't even seem to fit. They had not even come up with the proper word to describe what he had just experienced.

Clearly understanding last of the right word, the running back chuckled deeply and rested his cheek on a strong shoulder. "Yea," he replied softly. Raising his head, he peered into the cobalt eyes watching him and declared, "By the way, I love you, too."

Heero smiled warmly before their lips touched for a lingering, chaste kiss before they settled down to sleep at last.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Trowa mused allowed as sat himself by the window and next to Wufei, "It's going to be a pretty good fight tomorrow. Maryland is one of the last teams we haven't faced already."

Grumbling, the wide received added, "And it's supposed to be a pretty crappy weather this weekend there, too. They have a hell of a lot more experience with it since they're right on the coastline."

Across from them, Heero and Duo were taking their seats as the quarterback shrugged, "Well, we'll have to get more used to the bad weather here on out. It's late October and you all know how bad November gets with the cold and the snow in most cities we visit. At least this time, it'll only be rain that we have to deal with."

The running back suppressed a shudder and remarked, "Just as long as no one takes any chances like Darren had during that downpour we practiced in this summer. Last thing we need is losing another starter." His friends all felt a slight chill up their spines in recalling the gruesome incident that rendered their teammate too injured to play for the season.

In the back of the jet, the said receiver was talking and laughing with the coaching staff. While there was a joy in him to be helping the team out, everyone knew how badly he wanted to be back on the field and doing his part there.

Brushing her brunette hair back from her shoulder, the steward was making her rounds once the team had taken their seats to make sure that everyone was buckled in and ready to go. Moments later, the jet pushed off onto the runway and ascended into the heavens.

Once they reached altitude, Heero reclined his seat back as his lover peered out the window for the view of Pennsylvania from thousands of feet above. Looking over to his relaxing teammate, Duo asked quietly, "Comfortable?"

In response, the quarterback took his hand and squeezed onto it. Keeping their joint hands just out of plain sight of anyone that might walk past, he closed his eyes while answering, "Now I am."

A bright smile tugged Duo's lips at that. Gently squeezing the hand in his own back, he watched his partner drift off into a peaceful rest. Still smiling, he turned his braided head to gaze back out the window for the remainder of their trip to Maryland.

In the distance, over the horizon that they were approaching, the sky was dark and threatening in the wake of the weather front that was making its way to the coastline.

Sighing deeply, the running back muttered, "We're in for one hell of a ride." Only he was not referring to the flight.

TBC...

 

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