Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 54
More than two weeks had passed since Heero and Duo announced their relationship to the public. It was enough time that they both decided it was time to finally start answering the requests for one-on-one interviews. As often as they were being called for such an arrangement, it was about time.
It was agreed that there would be only one interview. At Quatre's suggestion, it would be handled with a female journalist. 'Women are sympathetic ears when it comes to matters of the heart,' the agent smiled to his friends in explanation of his proposal.
When it came to the world of sports journalists, there were few more sympathetic than Stacey Swanson.
Smiling brightly into the camera, the short-haired redhead began, "To end the silence following their shocking proclamation of their romantic involvement, Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell have taken the time to sit with me for a personal interview."
Looking to the sharply dressed pair across from her, she told them, "Thank you both so much for being here."
The couple nodded with small grins and kind words of their own. Sitting as close together as they could in their seats, their hands were faintly touching where they lay on their thighs. Whether it made the viewers comfortable or not, they wanted it clearly known that they were serous about their commitment to each other.
Introductions out of the way, it was time to get down to business.
Sitting straight in her chair, Swanson stated, "Now, the first question that I am sure most people are wondering right now is what kind of response you have been receiving since your announcement. We all saw two games ago when Joel Simpson of the Miami Torrent made such a horrific attack that not everyone is very accepting of your being both gay and involved. But, how has the overall response been for you on and off the field?"
Duo smirked and shrugged, "Overall, it's been a lot more positive than negative. Of course we do get glares and less than pleasant letters, but that was to be expected. We've been pretty surprised at how more people seem to either not care about our preference or are in complete support."
Heero nodded, adding, "I think the fact that so many other professional athletes out there have been coming out as well has made a big difference. We'll never be completely accepted, but it's a step in the right direction."
Tilting her head, Stacey asked, "No regrets for either of you, then?"
Without hesitating, the football players shook their heads. Gently taking his lover's hand into his own, the quarterback turned to face him and smiled, "Duo's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I would never regret being with him, or making that known." Blinking in surprise, the running back blushed a bit and returned the loving grin to his partner.
Stacey's own, emerald, eyes widened at the openness of the couple's adoration for each other. Her smile threatened to split her face as she looked as though she just wanted to hug them. In seeing that, both Heero and Duo knew that Quatre's suggestion had been the right one. Just behind the camera, the blonde agent had a pleased smirk on his face.
Quickly shaking her head, Swanson cleared her throat. "Well, I think that it's wonderful that the two of you found such happiness with each other," she said sincerely. "Now that we have all of that out of the way, let's talk about this season. You both must be thrilled with how this year has been progressing for your team."
Inwardly breathing a sigh of relief, the two athletes were more than happy for the change in subject. Again, just as their friend predicted, win the girl over and she'd see that things did not become uncomfortable for them with questions that were too personal.
From there, it was smooth sailing through the remainder of the interview.
* * * * * *
Relena raised an eyebrow as she finished her glass of water. "You don't think that it's sexist to just assume that a female reporter is easier to win over emotionally than a male? Isn't that suggesting that we're all soft?" she smirked in amusement.
"It's not sexist or closed-minded if it's true," Wufei snickered in Quatre's defense. Their friends at the table laughed when his girlfriend hit him in the arm for the remark. Grinning, the receiver started tickling her until she managed to announce her submission through her fits of hysteria.
Once she was released to recover, the cheerleader quipped, "Then it wouldn't be sexist to assume that all men are perverts." Without hesitating, her friends all raised their hands and laughed while nodding their heads with phrases like 'Guilty!' 'Totally true!' and such. Relena just rolled her eyes and smirked in amusement.
Sighing deeply, Duo commented, "I'm just glad that the whole thing's over now. Hopefully, it'll keep those vultures off our backs for a while."
Beside the running back, Heero nodded, "It would be nice to be able to turn the house phones back on and not have them ringing off the hook for a change."
Trowa shuddered and shook his head, "I can't say that I miss having to go through that. Now that you have this interview behind you, eventually the interest will move on to something else. It always does."
A few tables away Karen had her electronic notepad in hand while listening in on the conversation over the regular Murray's crowd at the bar. Sighing deeply in frustration, she fought her boredom at again not having a single thing that she could use for a story. Patience never was one of her strong points.
Karen had allowed herself a few days off just as Nathan had insisted. It wasn't long before her curiosity over the two football players renewed and had her back in the hunt. Now if only she could get something to work with.
Shifting in his stool so that he could lean up against his tall lover, Quatre changed the subject by asking, "So what are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving next week?"
Instantly brightening at that, Relena answered, "My family will be flying in after this next game to stay with Wufei's family so we can spend the whole week together. I can't wait!" The wide received chuckled quietly and kissed the excited cheerleader's forehead in a silent way of expressing that he was also looking forward to it.
"'Ro and I will be spending the holiday at his place," Duo shared. He only went as far as to add, "We have some of our own plans for the holiday." He shared a smile with his partner.
Karen's ears perked up in hearing that. Luckily she didn't have any plans for the day, herself. It was pretty obvious that she would be standing by to see what 'plans' her prey had in mind.
Grinning, Trowa stated, "Well, I was going to save this as a surprise for Quatre, but I may as well tell everyone here." His friends' eyes turned to watch him, his lover showing particular interest in what he was about to say. "My family is going to be flying in from Madrid to stay with me for the week," the center informed.
Wide eyes and sincere words of excitement went around the table. It was well known how little rare the Bartons were able to get together with their living in separate countries. Never having had the chance to meet his partner's family, Quatre swallowed roughly but put on a brilliant smile before kissing him soundly in congratulations.
As he wrapped an arm around the blonde agent, Trowa smirked, "And they're all looking forward to finally meeting the man that I've been telling them about for months on end now." Blushing, Quatre ducked his head at the cat calls and whistles that the others were giving off in a good-spirited ribbing.
"That's great, love," the Arab managed to say through his embarrassment and growing fear. He was surprised that his voice didn't crack or squeak.
Raising a glass, the braided running back toasted, "Here's to the rest of this week going by quick, then. The sooner we get this next game over with, the sooner we can get some serious down time."
Everyone around raised their own glasses to clink them together in the middle with a chorused 'Here here!'
* * * * * *
The game had not gone at all as well as what was hoped.
Just as predicted, with the regular season winding down every team was throwing all they had to come up with some wins. In their face off against Kansas City, the Wolverines came up just short to lose the game by only a two-point difference.
As difficult as the loss was, Pittsburgh was still in the lead. It made the sting a bit more tolerable. Still, they knew that they could not take for granted the fact that the teams behind them were inching closer to bridging the gap between them.
With where they stood at that time, another loss would make things very hairy for them. Two losses would be devastating. Three losses and their chance of making the playoffs could possibly be taken from them entirely depending on the overall standings in the end.
Once the team was free to leave the stadium following their showers and meetings with the press, everyone parted ways to enjoy their holiday week off with their loved ones. Wishes for safe trips and a happy Thanksgiving went amongst the players as they headed for their cars in the parking lot.
* * * * * *
Later that same night...
Quatre was in his room with two different tops in each hand as he stood before a tall mirror. Frowning in worry, the agent held up a different shirt in front of his torso. "No," he sighed deeply before trying the next shirt. "No," he shook his head.
All around, there were shirts lying here and there haphazardly. Not liking a single option from what he was holding, Quatre moaned quietly before throwing them up into the air in disgust. "What the hell am I going to wear?" he asked himself quietly.
"Hey, Quat, Trowa's waiting for you outside," Duo called from the hallway. When he reached the room, the running back's violet eyes widened at the mess inside. "Okay, now I know today's loss was frustrating," he snickered. "But you didn't have to tear your room apart over it."
Rolling his eyes, his agent replied, "Very funny, Maxwell." He eyed his room and winced at the horrific sight that greeted him. "I have no idea what to wear for a first meeting with his parents."
Duo leaned against the doorframe and folded his arms. "You've really been stressed out over this meeting all week." His friend's eyes widened on him. Shrugging, he explained, "You hid it well, but I also know you enough to pick up on it. Why is this getting to you?"
Slightly lowering his head, Quatre replied, "What if they don't like me? I mean love Trowa more than anything and I couldn't imagine what would happen if his family didn't approve-" He stopped when a hand fell on each of his shoulders.
Looking up, the agent peered into warm violet eyes as Duo said quietly, "Quatre, I can't imagine a person in this world not loving the hell out of you. You're one of the nicest, most selfless, compassionate people that I've ever met." There was a slight pause before he elaborated with a chuckled, "So long as no one pisses you off, of course."
Quatre swallowed past the lump that formed in his throat and breathed, "You really mean that?"
"Of course I do," the running back nodded. "Just be your sweet self and they won't be able to help but think the world of you." Taking up a red silk top that was nearly falling off the bed, he unbuttoned the top to remove it from the hanger.
Making easy work of removing the white T-shirt that his friend was wearing, Duo pulled the top on him and started buttoning from the bottom up. "Now," he stated, "remember to breathe and don't worry about anything."
When he was finished buttoning, the running back stepped back so that the agent could tuck the bottom of the shirt into his blue jeans. "Perfect," he nodded firmly. Carefully brushing a few wrinkles from the shirt, he said, "I'm glad that you found someone that makes you care this much."
Biting his lip, the Arab flung himself forward to wrap his arms around his best friend's neck. "Thank you, Duo," he sniffled.
His own eyes filling with tears, Duo returned the tight embrace and rubbing his agent's back. "Come on, now," he soothed. "You're going to get me going." When they pulled back, he suggested, "Better not keep Trowa waiting any longer."
Nodding, Quatre wiped his shimmering eyes and closed the door to his room behind them when they headed out.
In the living room, Heero and Trowa were having a quiet conversation. As their lovers entered the room, the center chuckled, "We were just about to send out a search party." His smile grew when Quatre neared and kissed him soundly. Blinking in pleasant surprise when the kiss ended, he asked quietly, "Is everything all right?"
"Everything's great," Quatre answered with a wide grin. "Ready?" Hand-in-hand, the pair walked headed from the room.
One arm wrapped around Heero's waist and the other waving their friends off, Duo called, "Have fun kids. We won't wait up." Their friends laughed on the way out and offered their 'good night's.
Alone at last, Heero turned and pulled Duo close. A smile on his face, he questioned, "Getting excited for tomorrow?" There was no need to remind what the next day held. He was sure that the running back had a mental countdown to the minute that the plane carrying his family was scheduled to arrive.
Humming, Duo kissed his lover gently. "Well, I already know I won't be able to sleep tonight thinking about it," he commented. Leaning so the tips of their noses touched, he asked in a low and sultry tone, "Think that you might be able to keep me occupied?"
With a low rumble in his chest, the quarterback replied, "We could always keep busy testing out what rooms we can hide in for some... personal time this week. I don't know about you, but I know I won't be able to keep my hands off you for more than a few hours at a time if we can help it."
"That will work," the running back purred against his lips. Grabbing onto a hand firmly, he led the way from the living room. "I think the closet will be a good place to start," he winked over his shoulder.
* * * * * *
When she knew that something was coming, Karen was a patient person.
Ever since hearing that Heero and Duo had something planned for their week off, she was more than happy to sit in her car waiting and watching. Well out of sight of anyone yet still able to see the road leading to the tall gates easily, she settled herself down for a long observation.
Barton and Winner had pulled out of the estate together moments ago. Had they left any time sooner, they would have run into Karen as she headed for her hidden spot in the foliage across from the gates. It had been a close one-enough to keep the journalist on her toes for the remainder of her stakeout that night.
An hour passed. Then two. Other than some movement in the lit windows of the grand house at the top of the hill, nothing happened.
Yawning well after the sun had set, Karen checked her watch to see that it was nearly eleven. Intent to only rest up for a few minutes, she rested her head back on the car seat and closed her eyes.
Her eyes slowly blinking back open, she was alarmed to find that it was bright out once again. Automatically checking her watch again, Karen was stunned to read that it was nearly nine o'clock that morning. Sitting up, she groaned at the crick in her neck from her awkward sleeping arrangement.
Uncomfortable, hungry and in much need of a shower, the reporter decided that it was time to give herself a break from her observation. Just as she was about to start the car ignition, the sound of a vehicle pulling up the road reached her ears. Freezing, she watched a black van pull into view.
There was a young man with blonde hair at the wheel and a young woman in the passenger seat with short, dark hair. Neither face was familiar to Karen from all of the time that she had devoted to following the football players. Her interest in them went to the windows in the back of the van while it parked at the large, metal gates.
Gasping sharply, the journalist found several children behind those windows. At a variety of ages and races, the youngsters were clearly talking excitedly amongst each other. There was a loud buzz before the tall gates opened to the visitors for them to pull inside.
Slowly opening her car door, Karen slipped outside and hunched down behind the tall brushes around her. Creeping up to the closing gates when the van was just out of sight, she removed the compact binoculars from her heavy coat. Breath hitched in her throat, the young woman placed them to her eyes just in time to witness Duo Maxwell running from the house with an elated smile.
The braided running back scooped up the first of the children that he could get to as the little ones shouted, "Daddy! Daddy!" Heero stepped out not long after his partner to a chorus of his own name before being nearly tackled down in a surge of hugs from the tots.
"Oh my God," Karen breathed as she lowered her binoculars, her skin paling. Stumbling back from the gates, she kept her eyes on the happy reunion taking place at the top of the hill. When she finally came to her senses, she spun and ran back for the car.
Hands trembling as she fought to get the right key to start the ignition. Once the engine roared to life, she closed the door behind her and all but peeled out of her hiding place.
With a bit of effort, Karen managed to find her cell phone with one hand and opened the flip to hit one of her speed dial options. When she heard the call get picked up on the other end, she cut off any verbal answer by speaking up first in a rush. "Gallow. It's me. We need to meet. Now."
TBC...
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