Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 46
Something was going on.
From the moment that Heero woke up to find that Duo was already gone, his empty half of the bed already cold, he knew. Climbing out from under the covers, he shuffled over to the dresser to change into a red, long-sleeved top and jeans.
When he reached the cafeteria, the quarterback found his braided partner sitting with Trowa and Quatre. 'Yes,' he determined by the way the trio was speaking quietly amongst themselves in a secluded part of the room, 'something is definitely going on.'
Grabbing a tray, Heero went virtually unnoticed by his friends as he went about making a plate of food for himself from the buffet stands. When he heard Duo and Quatre actually giggling, his cobalt eyes widened. That was definitely not a good sign. His plate filled with lots of protein to start the day off, the unruly-haired athlete moved towards the table.
Finally looking up when he neared, Duo smiled brightly, "Mornin', 'Ro." Patting the empty seat at his right, he fought the urge to get up and kiss him on account of the other hotel guests spread throughout the room.
With a smirk, Heero sat himself down and replied, "Good morning." locking eyes with the violet watching him, he asked, "So what are the three of you conspiring behind my back?" He almost laughed at the shocked looks on the faces around him.
A hand over his chest, the running back feigned a hurt look as he gasped, "Why, Heero, what on earth would ever make you think that I would be scheming something behind your back?" He gestured to Quatre and Trowa with his free hand, adding, "With these trouble makers, no less?" The other couple just snickered and shook their heads in amusement.
Raising an eyebrow, the quarterback leaned a bit closer to his lover and grinned, "Because for one, you never get up before I do unless you have a good reason for it. And secondly, you and Quatre were just giggling like school girls a moment ago. What else am I supposed to think?"
Duo chuckled and raised his hands in submission. "All right," he sighed, "You got me. But I promise that it's nothing that you need to worry about. I'll take care of it."
"'It?' What 'it' are you taking care of?" Heero frowned.
Taking up his last piece of bacon, his braided teammate winked, "All in due time, 'Ro. You know soon enough. Just don't even think about it and enjoy your breakfast."
After a rough swallow, the team captain did his best to ignore the quiet, devious laughter from Trowa and Quatre. Knowing that he wasn't going to get anything more out of any one of them, he sighed quietly and went about eating his meal.
His mind was so preoccupied with what 'it' could have been that he hardly tasted a bite.
* * * * * *
It was during a nice dinner early that evening when Duo gave any kind of hint to what he had been planning. "We're going to do some living tonight," he announced after a sip from his water. "It's going to be something neither of us have done before."
Swallowing his mouthful of chicken parmesan, Heero blinked in surprise. "All right," he nodded with more than a little interest. "What did you have in mind, then?"
"Well, I don't want to say just yet," the running back answered with an almost nervous grin. "I don't want to scare you off by telling you in advance." His interest peeking at that, the quarterback tilted his head.
Duo cut into his stake and said, "What you're wearing right now is fine." He tried not to moan as he took another lingering look at the form-fitting top and jeans that his partner had been wearing all day. 'More than fine,' he thought to himself before sharing aloud, "I just need to get changed when we get back to the hotel."
Were this even a year ago, Heero would have demanded that he know everything that was being planned. Now, he was a great deal more open to the idea of these new experiences than he ever thought that he could be prior to his meeting his lover. And he actually did like the bit of mystery behind this schemed venture.
Leaning back in his seat, the team captain nodded, "Okay. You take the lead, then." He knew that he chose the right words when Duo beamed at him in response, his appreciation and love shining through in those violet eyes.
At that moment, if there had been any doubt in Heero's mind to whether he made the right decision or not, there was none to be found thereafter.
* * * * * *
Running a hand through his hair, Heero called, "Are you almost finished in there? This is the longest that you've ever taken getting ready for a night out."
"Actually, I'm ready now," his teammate answered while opening the bathroom door. Looking up from his place on the edge of the mattress, the quarterback's cobalt eyes widened and his throat instantly went dry.
Dressed in skin-tight, leather pants and a sleeveless violet shirt that left little to the imagination, Duo stood in the doorway with a pleased smirk at his lover's reaction. His long hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that allowed his tresses to fall loosely like a silken waterfall that hugged his curves. A bit of dark eye liner that made his violet eyes seem all the more captivating and a pair of high, black boots finished the look.
Just standing there like that, the running back dripped sensuality. Finally managing to swallow, Heero breathed, "D-Duo?"
Chucking, his partner spun around slowly to give a full view as he asked, "You like?" Unable to find his voice again, the quarterback nodded enthusiastically, his eyes still wide. "Great!" Duo smiled widely. "I've been dying to go to a gay bar like this for years."
And just like that, Heero remembered how to speak as he all but cried, "A gay bar!? But what if we get caught?"
Once again silently thanking the deity listening for the sound-proof walls for that weekend, the American shrugged, "There is a place five towns away that came with Quatre and Trowa's high recommendation. It's dark and a safe enough distance that even if someone did see us, they would never believe in a million years that two football players would be making out and dancing together in a gay bar."
Closing the distance between them, Duo wrapped his arms around his partner's neck and ground their hips together. Heero gasped at the contact. Hands moving on their own accord, they slipped down to cup the other athlete's firm, leather-clad ass firmly.
Lightly nipping the team captain's neckline, the running back rolled his hips again and spoke huskily, "I said earlier that we were going to do some living tonight. If you can think of a better way of accomplishing that than being able to touch and kiss each other in public without being treated differently, I'll peel myself out of these clothes and into something a little more... conservative if you prefer."
Growling deeply, Heero pressed their lips roughly together in a heated kiss. Tongues plunged into moist caverns and caressed each other in a fierce battle for dominance. Only when he became lightheaded from last of air, the quarterback pulled away and ordered, "Get in the damned car and lead the way."
Without hesitating, Duo grabbed his long, hooded coat to conceal himself before heading for the door with his lover right behind.
* * * * * *
Much to Heero's amazement, the scene at the gay club was remarkably comfortable.
Just as Trowa and Quatre had described to Duo, it was very dark inside, only some neon lights along the edge of the walkways and bars lighting the area around the dance floor. On the actual floor, the flashing, multicolored lights and lasers from the DJ station made it difficult for anyone to have a very good look at anyone's faces.
After a couple drinks, Duo gently pulled the glass from his lover's hand to set it aside. Taking a firm hold of the suddenly free hand, he led the way to the dance floor. A bit nervous about actually having to dance, since he never had before, Heero bit his lip against the protest that was about to emerge.
Leading them to the middle of the crowded floor, the running back spun and paced his hands on his teammate's hips as he swayed them to the upbeat music. Quickly finding his rhythm, the quarterback began moving on his own. Each sway and step became more comfortable with patient guidance.
Duo smiled and snaked his arms around Heero's neck when they fell into a steady movement with the music. Leaning in, he started a deep and passionate kiss that had the both of them moaning and whimpering when their hips began grinding together again with each sway back and forth.
Several dances in, the running back leaned in to whisper into an ear, "You know another great thing about this place?"
A shiver ran up the quarterback's spine when a slick tongue traced the edge of his ear. Still holding on tight and never missing a beat, he whispered, "What's that?"
His lips still next to the sensitive lobe, Duo smirked, "There's a back room that can be locked off for some... private dancing."
In having lost all of his other inhibitions by giving his partner the reigns that day, Heero smiled, "Lead the way."
In all of his life, he had never felt more free than he had that night.
* * * * * *
Karen lowered the newspaper in her hands enough to peer over at the football team that was filing into the airport following their flight back from Baltimore. A pair of sunglasses placed at the top of her head of shoulder-length brown hair, she smirked and folded the reading material into her lap and waited for her targets to appear from a distance.
And there they were.
Heero and Duo were both smiling and talking amongst themselves as they headed off with their teammates to the baggage claim department. Quickly rising from her seat, the young woman followed after a just few yards behind.
For a while, nothing seemed out of the ordinary about the whole experience at the airport. Hand shakes and warm wishes were exchanged between the coaching staff and athletes when they gathered up their luggage.
But it was out in the parking lot when something truly fascinating happened. Bags in hand, the quarterback and running back headed to the same car together. From behind a cement post, Karen watched with wide eyes as they placed their bags in the trunk and prepared to head off together.
"Curiouser and curiouser," the reporter muttered to herself as she walked briskly back to her own vehicle. Keeping a close watch on the black Sedan, from her own stall just a few cars away, she pulled out when it started moving.
The drive through Pittsburgh was a bit of a challenge. Not wanting to make it obvious to her subjects that they were being followed, Karen had to pull back to let a few other cars get between them when they reached the highway.
Finally, once they pulled off the highway and into the suburban outskirts of the town, it was easier to keep track on where the Sedan was heading. Over the rolling hills and vast wooded area, they traveled until they reached the tall, golden security gates to the Yuy household.
Parked around the last bend, well out of sight, Karen watched as Heero reached out to place his hand on the scanner. The doors opening to them, the football players rode through and headed out of sight on the long path leading to the estate.
Grinning from ear-to-ear, the young woman reached for her cell phone and pressed a speed dial number. "Gallow," her accomplice answered after a couple rings.
"You'll never guess what I just discovered," Karen smirked into the receiver. "I'm heading to my office to get a story started for tomorrow's paper." That said, she pulled away and headed back to town.
Later that evening, as she was still typing away in her office, she had missed her subjects heading back out to the airport for a flight to Chicago together.
* * * * * *
Yawning widely as sat up in bed, Duo stretched his arms over his head. Looking over to the empty spot beside him, he brushed his long bangs from his eyes and rose from the mattress to change into a pair of socks, a white tank top and grey shorts.
On the way down the stairs, the smells of coffee and breakfast being prepared reached his nose. Humming in contentment, the running back hugged and greeted his kids good morning as they watched their early morning cartoons before having to head to school.
In the kitchen, he found Heero giving Hilde a hand with the eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast and other foods. "Mornin'," he greeted with a small smile. His friends grinned and replied in kind as he walked up to lightly kiss his lover on the lips.
Snickering, Hilde shook her head, "You two are too cute for words." Her laugh grew when the pair blushed deeply at her sentiment.
Marcus, Tai and Solo all entered the room together, each with a bag of groceries in their hands and solemn faces. Turning to find them, Duo frowned in worry, "What's with the long faces, guys?" Heero and Hilde briefly ignored the food they were preparing to help put the bags aside and waited for a response along with their braided friend.
The boys turned to their 'uncle', dubbing him the one to have to answer that question. Sighing deeply, Solo ran a hand through his blonde hair. "There's a bit of a problem." He reached into one of the bags on the counter to remove a newspaper. Opening it up, he held the front page out for his 'brother' to see.
Peering over his lover's shoulder, Heero's eyes widened as much as Duo's at what was staring back at them. Two large pictures of the two of them on the sideline of the Baltimore game was on the cover. The first image showed when the quarterback had his hand high on his partner's leg and the second was of them smiling at each other just when he pulled away.
In bold letters at the tip, the article read, 'More Than Teammates?'
Tightly gripping the edges of the paper in his hands, Duo breathed, "Oh my God." Skimming over the article, he read aloud towards the middle, "Through the findings of a reliable search, many fans would be shocked to learn that this oddly matched pair is sharing a residence at the Yuy estate.
"How long they have been living together remains to be known; however it would stand to reason that perhaps they are sharing more than just a roof over their heads." Growling deeply, he glared heatedly at the print and yelled, "Who the hell is this Karen Heckler that wrote this!?"
Solo sighed deeply, "I looked that up on the way here. She's works with Nathan Gallow and his tabloid company. Apparently, the story was interesting enough that the National Times picked it up for their cover story."
Hilde's hand finally left her mouth as she thought aloud, "So that asshole couldn't just take 'no' to an interview with him. He's been looking for something to throw in their faces for walking out on him."
Lowering his head with clenched fists, Heero hissed, "And I gave it to them when I slipped up during that game. I didn't think that anyone would pay any attention to that."
Gently resting a hand on his teammate's shoulder, Duo reassured quietly, "This isn't your fault, 'Ro. These vultures look for any kind of molehill that they can turn into a mountain. As innocent as that touch looks in this picture, no one would have thought twice about it unless it was made into a big deal."
A bit relieved by the truth in that, Heero eased and let himself off the hook.
The running back roughly crumpled the paper in his hand as he hissed, "That prick should have stayed the fuck out of our lives when we walked out on his little interrogation."
Wincing at realizing the swear he let slip, he quickly turned his braided head to his sons and warned, "You both know that you shouldn't be saying that." Both Marcus and Tai smiled and nodded in understanding.
Nearly everyone jumped when one of the cell phones on the counter started ringing. Quickly recognizing the tone as his own, Duo reached for it and glanced at the caller ID on the small screen.
Blinking in confusion, he opened the flip and pressed for the speaker phone to pick up. "What's up, Quat?" he greeted.
"Um," his agent's voice began nervously. "Have you had a chance to look at today's paper yet?"
Sighing along with the others in the room, the American nodded, "Yea. We just did."
Quatre replied, "Well, I just wanted to warn you that I don't think I helped matters." His rough swallow could be heard over the phone just before he explained before asked, "There is a wall of photographers and journalists camping out front of the main gates at the estate.
"I told them that you were both on a week-long trip together when they paged me through the com. Of course Lady Une showed up after the fact from her visit to town with the morning paper in her hand to explain why they were hanging around when there isn't another game for over a week."
Instantly figuring what would be thought amongst the reporters when they learned that they were off on a trip... together, Heero and Duo smacked their foreheads. "I'm really sorry!" Quatre cried, obviously having heard the sound of the hits over the receiver.
Shaking his head, the quarterback replied sincerely, "Don't worry, Quatre. You didn't know. We'll have to sit down together when we get back to discuss how to handle this best."
Already nodding at the suggestion, Duo added, "Until then, just hang tight and relax. Keep us posted if there's anything else we need to prepare for before we get back to Pittsburgh."
Sounding a great deal calmer than just moments ago, the agent responded, "All right. If there's nothing to report on either end between now and Sunday, I'll see you both when you get back. Try and enjoy the rest of your time off, okay?"
The football players gave an affirmative before Duo reached to close his cell phone, disconnecting the call. Running a hand through his bangs, he muttered, "Great. How much worse could this possibly get?"
Just then, the cell phone in his hand rang again and he checked the caller ID. Closing his violet eyes, the running back grumbled, "Me and my big mouth."
With a grim look, he turned to his lover and frowned, "It's Dorothy."
TBC...
Back to SkyLark's Fanfictions Page