Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 74

Freshly showered, aching and drained from a long day at practice, Heero and Duo entered the Yuy household just in time for dinner.

"So much for Zechs being nice to us after our last win," the running back muttered as they kicked their shoes off and hung their coats in the entrance way. His lover just snorted in response, too exhausted to voice an opinion on the matter.

On their way to the dining room, the couple were stopped when Flora came rushing out to embrace them tightly. "Dad! Otou-san! Guess what!" the teenage girl cheered as she pulled back with a brilliant smile.

Suddenly alert by the teenage girl's greeting, the football players blinked in surprise. The first to compose himself enough to speak, Duo laughed, "What has you so excited, Flora?"

Bouncing on her feet, his daughter-to-be gushed in a rush, "Bobby Jackman, one of the cutest guys in my class, just asked me to be his date for the Winter's Ball this Saturday! I've never been asked to a dance before!"

Duo stiffened, which Heero picked up on instantly. Smiling warmly, the team captain wrapped his arms back around the child before she picked up on her Dad's reaction. "That's great, Flora," he said sincerely. As he pulled back, he smirked, "It's good to know there are some boys out there with good taste."

Flora beamed and whispered, "Thank you, Otou-san." With it clear to what one parent's vote was going to be, she turned to the running back. Biting her lip nervously, she inquired, "So can I go, Dad? I totally know that I'm probably only being asked because I'm going to be your daughter, but the dance will be a lot of fun."

Relieved by her good sense in not letting her feelings get the better of her reason, Duo grinned. Fighting the last bit of his reluctance, he nodded firmly, "Of course you can go. How can I say no to a pout like that?"

Squealing loudly, the teenager threw her arms back around her guardians' necks. "Thank you!" she cried.

The wheels turning instantly, Flora walked off as she thought aloud, "I can get Aunt Hilde to go dress and jewelry shopping with me. I need to call Jessica and Rachel to see if we can get a ride together with our dates. And then..." Her voice trailed off as she disappeared down the hall and around the corner.

His shoulders sagging, the braided athlete sighed deeply. Wrapping an arm around his waist, Heero kissed his partner's temple and reassured quietly, "She'll always be our little girl, Duo. Dances and dates won't change that."

Violet eyes widening in surprise over how perfectly his fiancé read into his concern, Duo looked to him in awe. More than just that reminder, he appreciated the 'our little girl'. It only helped solidify Heero's commitment all the more. Slowly, a loving smile tugged his lips as he breathed, "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

Chuckling, the quarterback leaned in to kiss him soundly. "Come on," he urged. Despite his muscles' protest, he forced them to move as he led the way to the kitchen. "The sooner we finish dinner and clean up, the sooner we can hit the hot tub."

"Well then what the hell are we waiting for," the running back snickered. Sore as he was, he was already feeling better.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Moaning deeply as he sank into the bubbling water, Duo positioned himself on a submerged perch. His braid pulled up in a bun, he rested his head back on the ledge behind him and sighed, "God that feels awesome."

Seated across from him, Heero hummed his agreement, arms stretching out at either side of him. It only took a moment for the hot water to work its magic on every aching muscle, urging them to relax. His own eyes closing, he laid his head on the perch behind him.

Violet eyes snapping open, the running back looked around the closed off room in sudden realization that he was alone with his lover at long last. A mischievous smirk tugging his lips, he moved with his head just above the water until he was straddling the quarterback's hips. Before the other could react, he began kissing a damp collarbone.

Gasping sharply, Heero's head snapped up, eyed wide. The initial shock turned into pleasure in a breath as Duo continued to trail kissed all over his exposed upper half. As his braided partner moved, he grinded their hips together causing the team captain to groan deeply.

"Somebody's feeling better," Heero panted with a sly smirk.

Finally coming up so that their eyes could meet, Duo suggested huskily, "Well, you know this tub can't work out all of the tension."

His hand sinking below the water, the quarterback gripped his teammate's stiff unit. It was the running back's turn to gasp as his eyes widened.

"Ah," Heero smirked in a low rumbling tone. "You mean this tension, then." Swiftly moving in, he kissed his lover deeply and lifted him just enough to slip the soaked swim shorts from their hips.

Any prior discomforts were forgotten as the couple went on to make desperate love to each other. Their bodies finally one again, their rhythm was found easily.

Nearing their release, Heero carefully lifted the other football player as they stayed conjoined at the hip. Gently lowering themselves to the floor, they reached climax while screaming each other's names.

Collapsing into the arms that opened for him, the quarterback fought to catch his breath as his eyes drifted closed.

Duo lifted his head to plant kisses onto the unruly hair on his shoulder. "I think that took care of the last of it," he muttered with a pleased grin on his face. The body on top of him shook with a snicker.

After a careful extraction and a quick cleanup, the couple crawled back into the bubbling hot tub and curled close together for the remainder of their stay.

*   *   *   *   *   *

The night of the Winter Ball, Heero answered the door at the first ring. On the other side stood a tall, handsome thirteen-year-old with a bouquet of roses in hand and a smug smile on his face. That grin spread further at the sight of the star quarterback. "It's nice to meet you, Mister Yuy," he greeted in a confident tone that bordered on conceited.

Keeping back the growl that almost escaped him, the team captain grinned, "You must be Bobby." He stepped aside and offered, "Come in. Flora is almost ready." His guest followed on his heels as they headed for the living room.

Every step they took, Bobby took in his surroundings with an air about him. Just having met his daughter-to-be's date, Heero had the kid pegged. This Bobby was no different from any spoiled, self-observed hotshot that he had known in the same private high school that Flora was attending now.

No doubt she had her come to the same conclusion about the boy if she knew that his asking her to a school dance was more due to who she was associated with. Kids like him looked for any chance to brag amongst their friends and classmates.

Not letting on to his unease, Heero grinned and held a hand out to the chairs. "Have a seat." Without hesitating, Bobby sat in one of the soft leather chairs and leaned back as though he owned the place.

"Considering we've never met before, we can take some time to get acquainted," the quarterback began. "What do your parents do, Bobby?"

Shrugging, the teenager folded his arms behind his head and answered, "My father is an oil tycoon and my mother is a pretty famous lawyer. I'm sure you've seen her firm, Jackman and Associates, on television."

A small smirk tugged Heero's lips. A spoiled bragger, indeed.

Duo decided to enter at that moment. Between the way that their guest looked more than at home and the displeasure he read in his lover's cobalt eyes when they met, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Forcing a smile, he walked over to his little girl's date and extended a hand. "It's nice to meet you, Bobby," he greeted.

Not bothering to get up, the boy gave a firm shake and nodded firmly, "You too, Mister Maxwell." In that arrogant tone that Duo quickly picked up on, he stiffened.

Quickly rising to his feet, Heero stood beside his partner and leveled the teenager with a look that made his brown eyes widen. "Now there is something that needs to be made perfectly clear," he began. "I have meet plenty of kids like you, looking for any chance to gain a better of status with your friends and classmates."

Bobby swallowed roughly, his eyes widening further to confirm his intentions. It was with that affirmation Duo smirked darkly, "Well, Flora is very dear to the both of us. If you hurt her- whether that means you touch her or make up some story to your friends involving her to your friends- I am not afraid to go to jail to protect her."

His cobalt eyes still on the boy, Heero folded his arms and snorted, "Jail? If there is no body, there is no proof of foul play. It'd be real easy to make someone like him simply disappear one day."

Sweat spotting his brow, the teenager cried, "I won't do anything! I swear!" Looking from one stern face to the other, he panted nervously. Gone in an instant was every shred of cockiness.

"That's good to hear," Duo smiled. Now that the fear of God had been put into his guest, it was time to let him off the hook a bit. "Because Flora does really seem to like you. I'd hate to see that she put her trust in someone that is only using her."

Blinking in surprise, Bobby's mouth hung open. "S-she likes me?" he sputtered. As shocked as he was over the realization, it was as though he did not have many real friends that truly liked him. It had become quite the eye opener.

With a small smile, Heero answered, "Yes, she does." Raising a finger, he warned, "So you're only going to show her the utmost respect tonight and from here on out. Right?"

Eager to prove himself, the teenager grinned and nodded, "Yes, sir. You don't need to worry." When those words came out, there was no doubt between the football players that he meant every bit of it.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought everyone's attention to the doorway. Standing there in a simple short-sleeved lilac dress that reached the floor, Flora waited with her hands folded together at her middle.

A simple band of rhinestones that wrapped around the waist for accent with a pair of teardrop earrings and a bangle bracelet finished the look. There was even a tiny bit of makeup to help the girl's features stand out. No doubt the work of Hilde's.

While she still looked every bit a youthful child, Flora was a perfect picture of elegance. Proud as they could be, Heero and Duo smiled to her as she entered the room.

Slowly rising to his feet, Bobby openly gaped at his date while adjusting the black vest over his deep purple dress shirt. "Wow," he breathed, wide-eyed. "You look great." Hands almost moving on their own accord, he handed over the bouquet and said, "These are for you."

Flora's face turned to match the pink shade of the blush on her cheeks. Bowing her head in embarrassment, she giggled, "Thanks, Bobby. You look great, too."

At a quick check to the time, Heero suggested, "You both better head off. That chauffeured town car outside still has the rest of your friends to pick up."

Hilde came flying into the room with a camera in hand for a few shots before the pair gathered their coats and headed out into the night. Standing in the doorway, Heero and Duo saw them off.

When they were half-way down the stairs, Flora suddenly stopped and told her date she would be right back. She handed the flowers back over to him before running up the steps to throw her arms around the braided athlete's neck. Kissing his cheek, she whispered, "Thank you, Dad. I love you."

Taken aback, Duo's violet eyes widened. Biting his lip, he held her tightly with his eyes closing and replied softly, "Love you too, kiddo."

Still beaming, the girl turned her grateful smile to Heero before embracing him. "I love you, Otou-san," she told him.

Never tiring of hearing that title, the quarterback kissed her cheek and responded, "Ai shiteru, Flora. Have a good time."

With a nod, his daughter-to-be turned and headed down the stairs to rejoin her date. The flowers going into one arm and the other slipping into Bobby's, Flora turned back one last time to wave as they headed for the car behind held open by the driver.

As the car drove off, Heero wrapped an arm around his partner's shoulder and kissed his temple. "Nice work, Dad," he smiled lovingly.

"You too, Otou-san," Duo grinned as he turned his head so their eyes could meet. Leaning in, he gave a soft kiss. Against the cold, he rubbed his arms and was just about to lead the way back in when another car suddenly pulled up the long driveway.

Not recognizing the white vehicle, the running back frowned, "Who...?"

Beside him, the quarterback smirked, "That would be our contingency plan."

Tilting his braided hear to the side, Duo inquired, "Contingency plan? What contingency plan?"

A verbal answer was not needed as Marcus and Tai stepped out in semi-formal attire. Blinking in surprise, the American looked back to the car opening to reveal several dressed up teens that he recognized as his sons' school friends.

Stunned, Maxwell looked over to his boys and all but shouted, "I thought that you both said you were skipping out on the dance! You hate dressing up!"

Heero answered on the teenagers' behalf. "They were going to skip out. And they do hate dressing up," he smirked with a pat to either boy's back. "But, they want to look after their sister just to be sure that everything is fine. The hall is large enough that they can keep an eye on things from a distance without Flora feeling like she's being spied on."

Adding to that, Marcus snickered, "That and Tai has a big crush on one of our classmates that he just found out is going to be there." Growling deeply, his brother elbowed him in the side with a glare. The gesture only served to make the oldest of the kids laugh.

Once again taken aback at the care that his lover was taking in looking after their family, Duo smiled warmly at him. There were a few cheers from the small group in the parking lot for the friends to join them. "All right, then," the running back grinned. "You two have fun. And try not to embarrass Flora tonight."

Hands raising in a salute, the boys gave affirmatives before heading down the stairs to climb into the waiting car with the others.

Once the car was off, Duo sighed quietly and stepped back inside. Right on his heels, Heero closed the door behind them and wrapped his arms around the other player. Kissing his forehead, he chuckled, "You're still going to be up all night until they get home, aren't you?"

Cheeks reddening, the running back looked away and replied, "Of course. It's their first big night out. I want to make sure they're all right when they get back."

As his smile grew, the quarterback stated, "Good. Then I'll have some company."

Taking his once-again-stunned-speechless fiancé's hand, Heero led the way back to the kitchen. Carefully, he sat the other down at one of the bar stools before moving to the stove to start a pot of tea.

Finally coming out of his stupor, Duo shook his head. "You do realize it's a practice night?" he reminded, his right eyebrow raising. "The kids most likely won't be back until after one o'clock in the morning. You're going to be hurting tomorrow."

"Probably," Heero agreed. Removing the steaming pot from the burner, he said, "But that's all a part of being a responsible parent." He poured two tall mugs of brew and headed over to join his teammate.

Accepting his own cup, Duo looked into the cobalt eyes watching him and asked softly, "What the hell did I ever do to deserve you?"

Instead of waiting for an answer, he closed the distance between them for a long kiss. Pulling back, he grinned, "Well, we have a few hours to ourselves with nothing to do but wait. Why don't we go over some of our ceremony plans?"

The response was a wide smile.

*   *   *   *   *   *

At eight o'clock the next morning, it was a very tired quarterback and running back that arrived for practice. Hurting or not, by the end of the day for their late night, they were happy.

TBC...

 

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