Author's Note: Long chapter...I tried to divide it, but couldn't fit Heero's POV in the middle. And I know longer is better anyway.
Duo's POV
The Wedding Planner Part 32
Blame the Rum Cake
I slammed into my apartment, still steaming over the whole incident at the Peacecraft Estate. I couldn't believe Milliardo had pulled such an underhanded stunt. And just about the time I'd decided he might be worth a second date, too.
Okay, you probably couldn't call that a first date. But it was something. And he was a fine-looking guy. I'd begun to think that maybe if we got together without Heero around to completely distract me, I might get to like Mill a little. I mean, he was no Heero Yuy, but he was devastatingly handsome. And I was pathetically horny.
Hell, back in my clubbing days, I'd have had the gorgeous blonde hunk out of that expensive silk shirt before we got to last names. Heh. But that was then and this was now. The new, improved, sober Duo Maxwell wasn't going to jump into bed with a guy based on nothing but looks.
I wasn't entirely sure I liked the new Duo Maxwell. I know for sure my libido fucking hated him. Yeah--to the point where it was making him pine for straight engaged guys. Shit, but I was messed up.
I opened the box from Jacques, and the tangy smell of rum cake filled my little kitchenette. Mmmm...boy, did I want to toss the cake and just go for the rum! I picked at a corner of the cake, tasting it, and realized that when Jacques makes rum cake, he really makes rum cake. Okay, this could be a good thing. I cut a slice, setting it onto a plate, and poured a glass of milk to go with it.
Of course, pouring milk made me think of Heero. Again, recall what a messed-up individual I was. I'd been kind of flattered when Heero argued with Milliardo about who should bring me home, at least up until they both pissed me off. It made me feel like he wanted to be around me--like he enjoyed my company a fraction as much as I enjoyed his. And as pathetic as it was, I wanted his friendship more than anything...more than a hot guy like Mill...more than all the one-night stands in the world.
To tell you the truth, hanging around with Heero as a pal was more satisfying than any relationship I'd had since Alex. None of the short, steamy affairs I'd dabbled in had given me even a fraction of the pleasure and satisfaction I got out of sharing Chinese take-out with Heero on a deserted beach. That had been...fun. Perfect. Well, almost perfect.
I'd finished my slab of rum cake and helped myself to a second during my internal rambling; so I put the plate in the sink, thinking about taking a hot shower and maybe getting a good night's sleep. Yeah, I know I missed dinner. But I'd been in no mood to eat after the scene at the estate. And the rum cake was filling enough that it'd tide me over.
I trudged to my bedroom, kicking my shoes and socks off, and starting to unbutton my shirt.
Naturally, the doorbell rang.
"Fuck!" I muttered concisely, figuring it was probably Quatre coming to tell me more about how perfect Trowa was, or to cross-examine me about the previous night's outing with Heero. But it wasn't.
When I opened the door to my apartment and saw Milliardo there, I immediately tried to slam it in his face. But he'd anticipated that move and stuck one elegantly-clad foot in the door.
"Move it or lose it, Mill!" I warned, pulling my cell phone out of my pocket. "Or we can stand here like this until the cops arrive."
"I didn't mess with your car, Duo. Relena did!" he blurted hastily, obviously seeing my finger in place to dial 9-1-1.
I paused, considering whether to believe his hasty confession, and then raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Sure you two weren't in on it together?"
He shook his head. "You can call Heero if you like. You know he wouldn't lie about it." He gave a slightly sheepish smile that was actually quite charming on the usually-arrogant face, and rubbed his chin. "He thought I did it, too."
Was that a bruise on his jaw?
"We were in the middle of a rather heated discussion on the subject when my dear sister decided to confess."
So that was a bruise on his jaw. I couldn't help smirking. "Heero hit you?"
"Er--yes. But not because of your car. We had another little tiff involving, uh, Relena, and I said the wrong thing."
"Ah, I see." I sighed. So Heero was defending Relena's honor--not mine. Well, duh! They are engaged, fool. "Well--I guess I owe you an apology," I added, realizing with a sudden blush that I'd wrongly accused the guy of sabotaging my car just to make me accept a ride home. I relaxed my hold on the door, allowing it to swing open, while I stuck my cell phone back in my pocket.
He smiled graciously. "Not at all."
"No--seriously. I accused you of being an underhanded bastard, Mill." I was gradually becoming mortified that I'd had the gall to suggest Milliardo was so enchanted by my company that he'd have the valet disable my car just so he could have the opportunity to drive me home. Conceited much?
"Don't give it another thought," he said, waving a hand dismissively.
"Right," I scoffed. "Mill--I was completely out of line."
"Duo--"
"No, seriously," I said quickly, cutting him off. "I was totally in the wrong. I mean, talk about arrogant! I was so quick to assume you'd do something sly and deceitful...that you'd go to so much trouble just to spend an extra hour with--mmph!"
Yeah. Milliardo sure knew how to shut me up, sliding one arm gently around my waist and leaning in for a quick, preemptive kiss. And what a kiss it was!
I had to admit, Milliardo knew how to kiss. Really, really well. And the things he was doing with his hands during that kiss led me to believe he knew how to do a lot of other things really well, too.
We came up for air, with me nearly breathless, and panting against his mouth. "God, Mill--"
"Apology accepted," he said gently.
I managed a weak smile. "You sure know how to forgive a guy."
A decidedly smug, wicked smirk touched those very talented lips. "I take it that met with your approval."
"Fuck yes!" I replied enthusiastically.
His smirk widened into a grin. "The two words I was most hoping to hear from you, Duo."
I couldn't help blushing--but Milliardo probably didn't notice, since he was busy kissing me again, and I think those dazzling blue eyes of his were closed. I know mine were, as I enjoyed the purely tactile sensation of his skillful hands and tongue and...God, the man was hot!
When he let me up for air again, he quirked a devilish smile at me. "So, are you going to invite me in?"
Ah--the million dollar question. In where? My apartment? My pants? My bed?
I had a feeling it was "all of the above," and I should send him on his way. But shit, I'd been such an ass; I thought the least I could do was offer him a cup of coffee or something.
When I hesitated, he smiled reassuringly. "I promise to behave, Duo. In spite of the bad impression my sister's games have given you, I'm not a total cad."
He had a point. It wasn't fair to judge him for what his misguided sister had done. "Um--sure. C'mon in," I said, stepping back so he could precede me into the apartment. "Can I get you something to drink? I, uh, don't keep any alcohol in the house--but I've got juice, soda, coffee or tea.
His lips twitched in a thoughtful smirk. "Funny, I rather thought you tasted like--rum."
"Oh...the cake." I could feel a blush on my face again. "Jacques makes a hell of a rum cake."
"Coffee would be nice," he told me. "I've got a long drive home tonight."
Now, the suspicious part of my mind suggested he was fishing for an invitation to spend the night--but having misjudged him once, I was hesitant to jump to any conclusions. I mean, why question his motives when, so far, he'd been nothing but gracious to me? Even the kiss in the hallway, while devastatingly hot, was at the same time restrained. Not that I thought he'd say "no" if I invited him to stay. I'm not that naïve. At this point it was pretty clear he was leaving the next move up to me.
So I showed him into the living room and went to the kitchenette to start coffee. "You may as well make yourself comfortable," I urged. "It'll take a few minutes." I quickly set up the coffee maker, glancing over the counter to see him settled at the end of the couch, one arm draped elegantly across the back. "Y'know, you didn't have to come all the way out here just to clear up our, er, misunderstanding," I said, sparing myself the indignity of calling it "my massive fuck-up."
"Actually, I came to return the jacket you left behind," he said, holding it up with his other hand. I hadn't even noticed that the garment he'd had casually draped over one arm looked very familiar. But then, he'd done plenty to distract me.
Could I make any more blunders in one day, I wondered? "Now I owe you apologies and thanks."
"I'd settle for coffee and another taste of that cake," he said smoothly.
I found myself wondering if he meant he wanted some cake, or another kiss. But I had a hunch I knew the answer.
Nonetheless, I cut two slices of the rich, rum-soaked cake, and when I carried our coffee out to the couch, I brought them along.
Milliardo smiled rather wistfully at the sight of the cake, looking up at me with a frank, appraising look. "I see you took me literally."
I grinned back cheekily, beginning to feel a little more in control of the situation. "Maybe I just wanted to see if it tastes as good on your lips."
Ah, finally! I got a blush out of the ever-so suave guy. "You'll have your chance, if you want it," he promised, sipping his coffee, and digging into the cake with an appreciative moan at the first taste. "It is divine," he asserted. "Though frankly, I liked it better on you."
Well, since he was being so candid, I thought I could do the same. "Y'know, Mill, you don't have to try quite so hard," I told him. "Now that it's just you and me here, I don't mind admitting you're very good-looking. And if your sister hadn't played stupid games, and you'd just asked me to have dinner with you, I probably would have."
A fleeting scowl crossed his face, and he shook his head. "I love my sister dearly, but I'll be the first to admit she's used to getting her own way...a little too much, if you catch my drift."
I laughed aloud. "Mill--I've been planning her wedding. Trust me, I know how spoiled she can be." That thought brought a frown, as I recalled how little Heero had been allowed to choose about their nuptials.
"Well this time she went a bit too far. Introducing us was one thing, but messing with a man's car--!"
We both laughed at that, and it got easier between us as I realized Milliardo didn't have some kind of slanted picture of his sister. He knew her faults and wasn't afraid to point them out.
"I'd still like a ride in the Jag some day," he added hopefully.
"I'm sure that can be arranged."
~*~
How we went from eating rum cake and drinking coffee, commiserating about the difficulties in dealing with Relena, to making out on the couch like a couple of teenagers at a movie is still a mystery to me. But I blame the rum cake. Seriously. It's what started the flirting and the innuendo, and frankly Jacques must have used enough liquor in it to float a battleship.
But once we got past our little hesitations and inhibitions (courtesy of the rum cake) I kind of lost track of everything except Milliardo's lips and hands and--God the man could kiss!
And not just kiss. Milliardo Peacecraft was a talented man. Between the heated, tongue-twisting kisses and the slide of those elegant fingers through my hair and down my neck to the buttons on my shirt, I was pretty well convinced it had been way too long since I had sex--and that it was high time to rectify that situation. I know that was foremost on my mind when I pulled him with me so we were lying down instead of sitting up.
And it was for damn sure all I could think about when he paused for a moment, running his fingers lightly along my bangs and asked if I wanted him to stop. I think the way I grabbed his collar and pulled him back into a kiss pretty much gave him his answer.
As he momentarily let me up for air while continuing to press heated, urgent kisses along my jaw and neck, he murmured "--please--" which was always a turn-on for me. There's nothing like a strong, assertive man begging for permission to drive you crazy with pleasure. "God--so delicious--" he whispered, his kisses trailing down my throat as his fingers stroked through the fabric of my shirt. "May I?" He tugged gently at the top button, glancing up at me with such intensity in those pale blue eyes that I nearly melted on the spot.
"Fuck--yes!" I said again, way beyond caring how he took my words.
"My God," he sighed, proceeding to deftly unbutton my shirt and slide it off my shoulders. Then his hands slid down my chest, fingers tracing every curve of muscle, until I was trembling with delight.
Things progressed that way, with caresses, kisses, and whispered exclamations, until he'd made it to my waistband, and once again paused to ask for permission to continue. I think, between pants and groans, I might've given it.
And then, of course, my fucking cell phone rang.
"Goddamnit!" I hissed, squirming to get a couple of fingers into my pocket to pull the offending device free. (Which was a task unto itself, considering how tight the front of my pants was.)
"Ignore it!" he urged...no, pleaded. "For God's sake, Duo--" I swear the man was nearly whimpering, and damn but it drove me wild.
I made the mistake of glancing at the caller i.d. Yuy.
"Aw--shit." Seeing Heero's name on the phone made my heart skip a beat, and I couldn't resist the chance to hear his voice, even though the last thing I'd said to him had been pretty rude, even by my standards.
Milliardo muttered a curse as I rolled out from under him. "I gotta get this," I sighed, tugging futilely at my waistband to try to ease the pressure on my groin. I so needed to get laid!
I walked over near the sliding doors to the balcony. "Maxwell," I answered quietly, my voice still ragged. I fucking sounded like I'd just run a marathon.
"Duo? Are you okay?"
"No, but I was getting there," I joked weakly.
"Huh?"
"I'm fine. What's up?"
"I just wanted to apologize for that scene in the driveway," he said.
"It's okay," I assured him. Hell, as smitten with him as I was, I'd have been hard-put to stay mad at him for more than five minutes.
"No, it's not. I was as bad as Milliardo. Worse, in fact. It had to look pretty dumb from your point of view." He paused as if trying to gather his thoughts. "I acted like a jealous idiot. But you need to understand about Mill. I was just worried if he gave you a ride home he might--"
"Might what?" I prompted when he stopped.
Milliardo had raised himself on one elbow, giving me an irritated and questioning look. "Who is it?" he mouthed in silent displeasure.
"Ah--just a sec, Mill." I turned my attention back to the phone. "Might what?" I repeated.
"He's there?" came a sharp, alarmed voice.
"Y-essss," I drawled out slowly, casually opening the door and stepping out onto the balcony for some privacy, sliding the door shut behind me. The cold night breeze made me gasp a little as it chilled my bare chest, taking away the heated flush in an instant.
"Why?" Heero barked out sharply.
"Uh--he came to bring my jacket," I said carefully. "And to explain the little mix-up we had."
"So why is he still there?"
Whoa. Good question. But somehow I didn't think my saying we'd had rum cake and coffee and moved on to making out was what Heero wanted to hear.
"I offered him coffee," I said, leaving off the rest. "C'mon, 'Ro. I'm outside now...what's this about?"
"Nothing," he said in a curiously flat, almost painful tone. "I-I'm sorry if I interrupted anything."
I felt a blush color my cheeks. Goddamnit--Yuy knew exactly what he'd interrupted, and for some reason I felt a rush of guilt. "You didn't," I assured him quickly, using one of those little white lies I saved for just such occasions. "I just thought since he came all the way out here, the least I could do was invite him in for coffee. I mean, shit, 'Ro. I called him some pretty harsh things...things he didn't deserve."
The skeptical snort on the other end of the phone made me pause.
"Did he?"
"You tell me," Heero countered.
"Well he didn't sabotage my car," I pointed out. "Which means his dinner offer wasn't just a bribe to get me into bed. Was it?"
There was another small snort of disagreement.
"Fuck it, Heero. Would you just say what's on your mind?" I demanded.
"Milliardo is a user, Duo," he said almost wearily. "He's got a new lover every time Relena and I run into him. When Relena confessed to having the valet mess with the car, Mill was furious that she'd ruined his chance to get you into bed. I mean, that was the first thing out of his mouth...that he wanted you. Not 'liked' or 'loved.' Wanted." There was a pause in which I could almost hear him gathering his thoughts. "The way you talk about Solo...and Alex...I just thought you were after something more."
"More than what?"
"More than Mill has to offer; that's for sure."
Easy to say when you've got a regular bedmate, isn't it? "Maybe you don't know what I want," I said with a touch of irritation. The last thing I needed right then was the voice of reason reminding me of my determination to start looking for something like I'd had with Solo and Alex. Why did he have to bring them into it? "Damn it, 'Ro--"
"Just--please, don't."
I closed my eyes, torn between wanting to finish what I'd started with Mill, just to quell that inner demon for a while, and wanting to do anything it would take to please Heero.
Heero won hands down. But, by God, I wasn't gonna give up without something in return.
"I won't," I sighed. "I'll take your word for it that Mill is bad news, Yuy. But you've gotta know, I'm taking this on faith. You owe me."
"Name your price."
"It means that much to you?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because--you're my friend. A good friend. You matter to me, and your happiness matters. I just know you won't find it with Milliardo."
"Then where?"
"I-I don't know yet."
Okay. Now it was my turn. "Will you help me find it, 'Ro? Cuz I've been looking ever since Alex died, and I haven't even come close yet."
"I'll help," he promised.
"Fair enough. I'll make you a deal. You keep me from throwing myself away on all the wrong guys that come along, and I'll help you fix things with Relena so your romance gets back on track, how's that?"
"What?" came the flat response. "Duo that's not what I w--"
"Nope! That's the deal!" I insisted. "Damn it, Yuy, you want to be friends--you have to let me help you fix your problems as well as help me fix mine. That's how it works. Two-way street."
"Duo--we need to talk," he said firmly. "But not on the phone."
"I'm all booked up until next week. I told you. But we've got next Friday--picking out flowers."
"I won't be there, Duo--not if Relena is. Damn it, we're hardly talking right now."
"I'm sorry, man," I said with sincere sympathy. Much as I wanted Heero, and part of me wished Relena would drop out of the picture, I also wanted him to be happy--remember? If she was what made him happy, I'd do whatever it took to help him fix things with her. It might kill me inside, but I'd do it. "Look--I've gotta get back to Mill..." and find a graceful way out of what almost happened... "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
"I--yes. That would be fine," he sighed.
"G'night, 'Ro."
"Goodnight."
I closed the phone, stuffing it back into my pocket, and went back inside, shivering slightly from the chilly air outside.
Milliardo patted the couch next to him, giving me a warm smile. "Now, where were we?"
I sighed, picking my shirt up off the floor. "Sadly, Mill, not at a place we're going to get back to tonight." I managed an apologetic smile, trying not to look at the handsome face or those oh-so delicious lips while I put my shirt back on. "I--dammit this is hard," I muttered. But I forced myself to look him in the eye. "The phone call was just a silly interruption--but it gave me time to--to think."
"And--?" he prompted, already easing back into the suave exterior he maintained.
"I don't want you to get the wrong idea about me. I know I--flirt--and maybe that makes me come across as, well, easy--"
He stood up, shaking his head. "I never thought of you as 'easy' today, Duo. You were friendly and sociable; and if I've led you to believe I expected anything--"
"No," I sighed. "It's not you." He was close enough that I could feel his body heat, and frankly I was still cold from the balcony. It was all I could do to keep from throwing myself back into his warm embrace. Instead, I rubbed my arms, turning slightly away from temptation.
"Y'see--I've been engaged twice, Mill, and they both died. After the second one, I went off the deep end a bit...hitting clubs and, frankly, fucking pretty much anything on two legs." I looked at him apologetically. "I really am L2 street trash, when you get right down to it--or I was. But since Quatre got me back on my feet, I've tried to make something better out of my life. I guess what I'm trying to say is--I'm not interested in a quick fling any more."
"And you think I am?" Milliardo asked quietly, his expression turning serious.
"I don't know," I told him frankly. "Look, Mill--you're a great guy, but we just met and--and--" And I'd like you to fuck me through the mattress, but I can't cuz I just promised Heero I wouldn't--and how the hell did I get suckered into that agreement? "It's just--too soon. I'm sorry if I led you on."
He gave me a strange look, as if he were seeing something he'd missed before. "You didn't lead me on. Not at all, Duo. I'd merely say we got mutually carried away for awhile. But if I pressured you in any way, I'm genuinely sorry," he said, looking earnestly at me.
"Nobody pressures me, Mill," I replied honestly. "If I hadn't wanted to end up on the couch with you, I wouldn't have. And I thought that was all I wanted..."
"But the phone call reminded you there was something more?" he suggested with a hint of a smile. "Dare I ask who the mystery caller was?"
"Just--a friend."
"Ah, I see," Milliardo said, as if he knew more than I did about it. "It seems my dear sister was mistaken about you," he added quietly. I waited for him to tell me I wasn't half the person she'd portrayed me as, but instead, he sighed deeply. "Apparently you aren't as 'available' as she thought."
"I guess not," I admitted.
His glance dropped to the pocket that held my cell phone, and he quirked a rather wistful smile at me. "You know, I wouldn't mind if you called out the wrong name."
I gave a wry smirk. You would if you knew whose name it would be... "But I would, Mill. And you should, too. You deserve better."
For some reason, that innocuous compliment made him blush deeply. And he shook his head, chuckling quietly. "Duo--I'm fairly sure I couldn't do any better." He picked up my jacket off the back of the couch, and took a business card out of his pocket, tucking it in one of mine, and then setting the jacket back down. "I'd still like that ride in the Jag some day. If you ever want company, you have my number."
"Yeah, thanks," I mumbled, feeling like a total heel as he leaned in and gave me a very brief, chaste kiss on the cheek, winking one dazzling blue eye at me before turning and making his way to the door.
And after he left, I went for one more piece of that accursed rum cake, hoping it would help me fall asleep without thinking all night about what I'd just passed up.
TBC...
Back to Snowdragonct's Fanfictions Page