Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 47
The cell phone kept ringing as Heero reached up to dry wash his face, muttering, "Shit." Instantly lowering his hands to eye Marcus and Tai, he warned, "You two know not to use that language." Both boys smirked and nodded.
Grabbing his partner's hand, Duo led them out of the room while suggesting, "We better take this somewhere private." He opened his cell phone with his other hand and greeted, "Hey, Dorothy. We'll be with you in a second."
When they arrived at the den, they stepped inside and closed the sliding doors behind them. Taking up one of the many couches there, the couple eyed each other nervously just before the running back put the speaker option on. "Go ahead, Dorothy," he called.
Her tone carrying the utmost professionalism, the team owner stated, "I was just calling to inform you both that I am about to work up a team of lawyers to get back at these bastards for making up such a ridiculous and false accusation. This could be detrimental to both of you if anyone bought into this nonsense."
Their eyes widening and meeting once more, Heero and Duo's jaws dropped. Swallowing roughly, the braided athlete bit his lip and asked a silent question. Without hesitating, his lover gave a firm nod while mouthing, 'Tell her.'
Clearing his throat, Duo rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he replied, "Well, doll, that would be great if the accusations were actually false." Both he and the team captain winced in anticipation of whatever reaction awaited them.
A long pause followed before Dorothy's voice answered quietly, "I'm sitting down now. I am not mad, but just a friendly word of advise- please inform someone in advance that you're about to drop a bomb like that on them." The pair sighed deeply in relief, their shoulders sagging.
The running back smiled sheepishly, "Sorry about that, babe. I didn't realize that you were standing."
"I've been wearing a hole in my carpet pacing all morning," the team owner muttered. There was the sound of her taking a deep breath before she asked, "So how long has this been going on?"
Heero spoke up to answer, "Not long before the preseason started. Actually, we started dating the night of the party that you threw at your estate when it was announced that we sold the stadium out for the year."
With a hint of surprise in her timbre, Dorothy responded, "I see." She paused briefly in thought and sighed, "Well, we are going to have to discuss how to handle this when you return to Pittsburgh. When are you due back?"
Chewing on the inside of his cheek, the quarterback replied, "Sunday. Quatre Winner will most likely be in attendance as well."
Pleased with that, Dorothy breathed, "Good. He'll know all of the legal angles to the options that we have to choose here. Now the two of you will have to take some time deciding how you would best like to handle this. Whether you would much rather deny your involvement or come clean about it, you have my total support."
Both blinking in surprise, the couple smiled and offered their thanks. At the end of their call, Duo closed the cell phone and fell back against the sofa with a heavy sigh.
Rubbing his closed eyelids, he said quietly, "I'm going to have to talk to the kids about this. Whatever we end up deciding to do, there is going to be a lot of talk about this from the commentators during our games."
Heero nodded and lie back on the sofa beside him. He reached over to take a hand in his own and squeezed it.
* * * * * *
Gathered at the dining room table, Duo allowed his children to enjoy their breakfast before broaching the difficult subject. Hilde and Solo, both sensing their 'brother's' need to talk to his family, cleared the table when everyone was finished and stood in the doorway. It was just enough to give a little space while staying present should their assistance be needed.
Flashing them a quick smile of appreciation, the braided running back turned to his youngsters and began, "Well, everyone, we need to have a meeting."
Carissa was in the midst of reaching down to pat Mary's furry head as she sat by his chair. "Okay, Daddy," he was the first to grin brightly. The others all came to attention as they looked to their father-to-be.
Quietly nudging his seat close to his lover, Heero took his hand and squeezed it once more. Their eyes met and Duo relaxed tenfold at the supportive gesture. Clearing his throat, he gazed back to his little charges and began, "Well, all of you know what it means with my being gay, right?"
All around the table, heads nodded and Abdul answered, "It means you like guys 'n not girls. That's why you're with Heewo all the time. So we would have two daddies 'stead of a mommy and a daddy."
Violet eyes widening at the mention of 'two daddies', Duo chuckled deeply, "Well, not exactly two daddies, since Heero and I aren't married, but we would both be your daddies if we were. So, you're right there, Abdul." The Arabian child tilted his head, but his eyes showed a better understanding to that situation now.
Heero smirked at the child's innocent description of him being a second parent to him. It was something that actually honored him that he was seen in that light. But, his partner was right to correct him-no sense in having the littlest of the family confused in any way.
Shaking his head, the running back went on, "Anyway, you all know that for most people, being gay is wrong." Again, everyone nodded. Duo took a deep breath and stated, "See, someone found out about Heero and I being together, and now it's going to be made into a really big deal so... so..."
Normally, giving speeches to his family was the easiest thing in the world for him, but this was a very different and more personal matter than anything. How was he supposed to explain what they would hear about him now?
Quickly coming to his aid, Heero explained, "You're going to be hearing things about us on the television and all over. Probably mean things. It's just how most people react when they find out someone is gay. It's just important not to get upset over it, because we know to expect it." He was relieved to receive a wide smile from his lover for his assistance.
Wrapping a few strands of her hair around her fingers, Jamie mused, "That's silly that people don't like gay people. It doesn't hurt anyone."
Both Heero and Duo snickered at her sweet naïveté. "You're right, Jamie," the braided athlete nodded. "It is silly, but that is how it is. I just wanted to let you all know so that you don't get hurt by hearing what people will probably say about us, okay?"
Suddenly struck with a realization, Sun gasped, "So, it's like how we sometimes get teased at school 'cuz we're gettn' adopted. It don't bother us, 'cuz there nuthn' wrong with it."
Marcus, Tai and Flora all shared a pleasantly surprised look at their little brother's insightful reasoning. The younger ones of the bunch all turned wide-eyed with a new-found comprehension at the situation.
A proud smile lighting his face, Duo nodded, "That's exactly right, Sun. Very nice job." Heero gave the child a firm nod and a warm grin of his own. Beaming, the little Latina shifted excitedly in her seat from side-to-side.
"I get it," Hope announced with a wide smile. Her siblings all nodded in agreement and voiced their own affirmatives to what was going on.
With a deep sigh at that, the running back chuckled when the puppy started to whine at not getting anyone's attention. "Good meeting, everyone," he told his lot. "Someone get to playing with Mary before she thinks we forgot about her."
Gigging, the youngsters led the pup into the living room with them as they filed out in a rush. Solo and Hilde approached their friends as they rose from the table. "Very nicely handled," the young woman complimented. Focusing on Heero, she smirked, "Both of you." Solo nodded his agreement to the sentiment.
A sheepish grin tugged the quarterback's lips as he shrugged, "Thanks. I never had to have a heart-to-heart with kids like that."
Duo smiled, "You did great." Brushing their shoulders together, he said quietly, "Thanks for the help back there."
Gently kissing his teammate's temple, the quarterback just smiled and nodded. Taking a deep breath, that smile faded as he commented, "Some time later this week, we'll have to sit down and decide what we're going to do about all of this before we meet with Quatre and Dorothy."
A frown on his own face, the running back replied with a quiet, "Yea. Much later this week." His partner chuckled and smirked in accord. 'One dilemma at a time.'
Until then, they just focused themselves on trying to enjoy themselves for the remainder of their trip.
* * * * * *
That Sunday evening, Dorothy called for a press conference immediately following her meeting with Heero, Duo and Quatre. Though the arrangement had been set up for the following day, it did not keep the press that had been camping out at the Yuy gates away.
Like a swarm of bees, the mass of journalists all but covered the vehicle with shouted questions carrying the two football players when they finally arrived home from their trip together.
With cameras flashes going off all around, Quatre sighed deeply from the back seat, "They haven't moved from their posts here all week. Don't these people have any lives?"
Snorting, Duo looked back at his agent and answered, "Yea. Ours." Heero snickered as he carefully maneuvered through the crowd as they finally started clearing a path for the car to move on.
Once they were past the gates closing off the reporters, everyone was able to breath easier.
Lady Une welcomed her friends with hugs and kisses. Offering a sympathetic ear over dinner and late into the night after, she gave whatever support she could. It was well past midnight before the group decided to head to bed.
Not long after the young maid turned in, Quatre rose from the couch. Stretching his arms overhead, he yawned widely. He gazed on the two football players and asked, "So you're both okay with everything we went over for tomorrow's conference? If you're going to deny your relationship, there can't be any doubt in the reporters that you'll be talking to."
After a look shared with his lover, Heero met the Arab's eyes and replied, "We'll be able to handle it. Dorothy will start off by saying that she arranged for our living together and a story was fabricated from there. Any questions that might have to be answered in a lie I'll handle. Duo will answer the more subtle remarks or inquiries. Them we leave you and Dorothy in charge of anything they throw that could be seen as crossing the line." Beside him, Duo nodded his braided head.
"Okay," Quatre grinned. "You both have a good night. We'll be leaving bright and early, so you best turn in as well."
Not about to argue against that suggestion, the athletes followed him upstairs while turning the lights out on their way. Back in their shared room, Heero and Duo stripped down to their boxers before climbing into bed. Intertwining themselves together, they settled themselves down and stared at the ceiling for a time.
The quarterback bit his lip in the pitch dark before asking softly, "Are you still awake, Duo?"
Snickering quietly, the running back answered, "Yea. I'm not the damn least bit tired with everything that's going on."
"Are you... are you really okay with our denying this?" Heero finally had the courage to question. "I mean, I know that it was my suggestion, but you were pretty quick to agree with it when I threw the idea out there."
There was a long pause after his inquiry. In the silence, the team captain started to panic that he had unknowingly pushed his partner into something that he didn't want to do.
Finally, Duo pushed himself up a bit and sighed, "Honestly, 'Ro, I could stand for denying our relationship or coming out with it and basically telling everyone to fuck off. But, I don't have anything to lose in this either way. The adoption agencies know that I'm gay, so it's not like an announcement about my being involved with you would hurt me there. And I've already done a shit load of things that have me written as the 'bad guy' of the league right now.
"You, on the other hand, would take a huge hit in your reputation if the world knew you were gay," the running back continued. "You're Mister Perfect who everyone looks up to. I'd hate to be the one to make you possibly lose that kind of admiration and respect. So, this needed to be your decision."
Feeling and hearing his partner take a deep breath to say something, Duo placed a finger over the lips that were just about to open. "I'm fine with this," he stated firmly. "You know, as stubborn as I am, that I would have said something by now if I had any problem with denying our being together."
A smirk tugged his own mouth as he shrugged, "Besides, it's no one else's business. I don't need you to pronounce to the world that you're in love with me to know that it's true."
Heero swallowed roughly when the finger pulled away from his mouth.
Just when he didn't think that it was possible, his adoration for the running back just grew tenfold. It meant the world that he was with someone who appreciated and understood everything that he had worked for. What was more, that same wonderful person was keeping their affections hidden for his sake.
"I do love you," the quarterback breathed.
Smiling, Duo nodded, "I know." He leaned down to kiss his teammate soundly before resting his head back on a strong shoulder.
Everything that had been on their minds up to that moment finally started fading away enough for their exhaustion to seep in. Within moments, they were able to drift off to a peaceful night's rest.
* * * * * *
The following morning found Heero, Duo and Quatre adjusting their ties and suit jackets on their walk from the park to the stadium. When they entered, there was a swarm of activity from reporters and photographers alike were sorting their equipment while filing into the conference room.
Aside from a few glances to the football players, the journalists paid little mind since they would have their chance to interview them in a moment.
Making their way through the throngs of the crowd, the trio was surprised at finding Zechs and Noin making their way towards them.
His eyes widening in shock, Duo greeted, "Hey, guys. What are you doing here?"
Smiling warmly, the young married couple finally reached their friends. "We've been keeping tabs on this whole media frenzy," the head coach explained. "Dorothy told us about the press conference last night, so we got my mom to watch the boys so we that could be here to show our support."
"And we're not the only ones," Noin grinned as she gestured back further down the hall. Making their way into the scene were an equally sharply dressed Trowa, Wufei, Relena, Howard, Trent and the entire starting line-up of the team.
Quatre gasped, "Trowa!"
With a smirk, the tall center gave him a sound kiss and a tight embrace. Heero watched the tender reunion as well as the lack of response from everybody around. What with his Latin friend's coming out, even the reporters and photographers paid little to no mind of the tender moment.
Thanks to his simply being honest with who he is, Trowa's involvement with another young man just... wasn't news anymore.
As Duo was in the midst of giving quick hugs and words of appreciation to their coaches, friends and teammates, a new resolve suddenly overcame the quarterback. Once the reporters and cameramen were locked away, Heero addressed their supporters. "Excuse us, everyone," he urged politely. "We have to get ready for the conference."
More hugs and words of thanks were exchanged as the group filed themselves into the conference room. Quatre winked to his clients, "Just try and relax. I'll see you both inside." That said, he headed off after the others.
The very moment that the conference room doors closed after the agent, leaving him alone with his partner, Heero turned to him and said quickly, "We're coming clean with this."
Jaw dropping, Duo gaped at him. "W-what!?" he breathed.
Dorothy decided to appear at that moment. Dressed in a skirted, scarlet red business suit, she smiled warmly, "There you are. Are you about ready to get this over with? By the end of the day, everyone will believe that the accusation of your being together was nothing more than a fabrication."
Clearing his throat, the quarterback looked from one face to the other. Still dumbstruck, Duo watched his teammate and shook his head in confusion. Finally fixating on the team owner, Heero took a long breath and told her quietly, "Actually, our position's changed. We won't be denying anything."
Nearly falling over, Dorothy placed a hand on her forehead and collected herself. Closing her wide eyes, she chuckled deeply and sighed, "You boys really need to work on warning someone before making these kind of announcements."
TBC...
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