Heero's POV
The Wedding Planner Part 37
Playing Hooky
I made a quick call to Relena's estate on Sunday afternoon, dropping a casual hint to Walter that I'd be there early the next morning with a surprise for his employer, and finding out for certain that she wasn't away on any diplomatic business. He said something about her having airline tickets for later in the week, but assured me she was going to be home through at least Monday.
Satisfied that my plans were in place, I then called Wufei and invited him to meet me at the gym for a good workout and some sparring.
I could practically hear his feral smile as he replied. "I'll be there in half an hour, Yuy. And I look forward to kicking your ass."
"In your dreams."
The workout was exhilarating; but it was the sparring that I truly enjoyed. Wufei was quick as a whip, and able to pierce my defenses like no one else. When the two of us sparred, it demanded every iota of concentration I possessed...again, the reason I hadn't wanted Duo as a spectator. Of course, the fact that he wasn't physically there didn't seem to impede his ability to distract me at crucial moments...like now!
"Ah! Ouch!" I winced as one of Wufei's elbows found solid contact with my ribs.
"Onna!" taunted the Chinese man. "You should have blocked that easily."
"I was distracted," I growled, annoyed that Duo didn't even need to be present to weaken my focus.
The onyx eyes narrowed, gleaming slyly. "Maxwell's not here," he said with uncanny awareness.
"Apparently that doesn't matter," I muttered, dodging, ducking, and slipping under Wufei's defenses to land an uppercut to his stomach.
"Fuck!" hissed my opponent. "Now he's doing it to me, too!"
I didn't know whether to be reassured by that, or jealous. "Stop daydreaming about my distraction," I warned.
Wufei laughed evilly. "You are pathetic, Yuy! It's time you stop pining and get a grip on your emotions! Figure out what you want."
"I want to kick your ass," I panted, dancing out of the way of what would have been a devastating roundhouse, and whirling to throw a kick of my own at Wufei's unprotected back.
He dodged smoothly aside, and tried for a sweep--which I'd guessed he would, a fact that enabled me to find an opening and send a quick jab to his ribs.
We finally gave up the game when we were both nearly exhausted, staggering off to the showers and meeting outside the locker room after we'd changed into clean clothes.
"You lost, Yuy. You buy supper," Wufei said firmly, giving my shoulder a none-too-gentle shove.
"I think it was a draw; but I'll buy--this time."
We went to The Circus, even though I knew Duo wouldn't be there. In fact, there was a new bartender filling in for Quatre's friend, who I recalled had gone with them to New York.
We ordered drinks to be brought to the table, and found a quiet spot near the place we'd sat last time we were there. Wufei settled into our booth, glancing towards the door, and then giving me a suspicious look.
"He's in New York," I said quickly. "Or he was last night when I called him. Winner's sister is getting married, and they flew out there for a bachelor party."
One dark eyebrow rose at that, and a faint smile quirked my friend's lips. "I imagine that was an interesting event. Maxwell and Winner at a bachelor party for a heterosexual guy?"
I grinned back. "I had to listen to Duo whine about it at some length," I told him rather wistfully.
Wufei chuckled a little. "You poor boy." He eyed me questioningly. "Am I safe in assuming you didn't discuss your--interest in him?"
"Not over the phone," I said coolly. "I want to do that in person."
"So you are going to do it?"
"I--don't know," I sighed. "I--when I talked to Duo last night, he was pushing me to fix things with Relena." I gave him a troubled look. "He seems to think our difficulties are mostly due to pre-wedding nerves."
"And not that fact that you might be bi--?"
"I'm not!" I snapped defensively.
"Bullshit," Wufei said with that blunt-as-a-rock attitude I was learning to hate. He shook his head, glancing sideways at me. "You do want him. I can see that much every time you look at him. The question is what you'll do about it."
"Nothing," I said dully. "There's nothing I can do. I'm engaged, and he's--my friend. Or at least, he thinks we're just friends."
"That's where I think you might be wrong," Wufei commented sagely. "If I'm reading the way he looks at you right, the attraction is mutual."
"Attraction or not, he feels safe with me because he thinks I'm heterosexual," I growled back, putting a hand to my temple. I could feel a tension headache coming on already. "How can I betray that trust?"
Wufei chuckled quietly.
"What's so funny?"
"Just--you're more worried about betraying Duo's trust than Relena's."
"I suppose that makes me a bastard," I muttered wearily.
"Not at all, Yuy," said my friend soothingly. "God knows, Relena's done her share of breaking your trust. I'm honestly surprised it's taken you this long to realize there might be something better out there."
I found myself slack-jawed, staring at Wufei. I'd never realized how much he disapproved of Relena, and her handling of our relationship. "Aren't you even going to point out that I made a promise to her? A commitment? That if I break things off now, it'd be devastating to her?"
"Why should I?" he asked with infuriating calmness. "You've done it yourself. What I'd like to point out is that going through with the wedding would be even more devastating--for both of you."
"And what do you suggest I do?"
Wufei shrugged. "Frankly, I suggest you tell her the wedding is postponed until you two get some serious marriage counseling. And then get your own psychiatrist and try to get your sexuality figured out."
"How am I supposed to do that?" How does someone explore the possibility that they might be attracted to their own sex? I mean, short of dating, which I didn't think was the right thing for a semi-engaged guy to do, I had no idea how to be sure if I was gay, bisexual, or just hopelessly confused.
"Maybe you should take Milliardo up on his offer," came Wufei's dry, sardonic reply. "I mean, it would be a no-strings-attached solution. You let him kiss you and decide if it's as repulsive as it should be for a heterosexual man."
I blinked at him, sure he'd gone crazy, and wondering what had possessed me to tell him about Milliardo hitting on me in the first place. "You can't be serious. I'm not going to kiss Milliardo Peacecraft. Even if he wasn't Relena's brother, it would be completely wrong. I despise the man."
"You despise him because he tried to seduce the guy you want to seduce."
I glared across the table at my friend, wishing the waiter would hurry up and bring us our drinks. I seriously needed one--or several--right then. "I despise him because he's a user and a playboy...and he thought he could make Duo one of his many conquests."
"I just said that," Wufei smirked.
"Sometimes, Wufei, you can be a complete ass," I snarled.
He grinned unrepentantly. "Yes, but think how much I'm saving you in counseling fees."
Maybe it was time for me to seek professional help...
Wufei and I made an early night of it, after I told him about my plans for a day off with Relena. He thought it was a splendid idea, and the perfect time for me to gently ease her into the realization that we couldn't get married until (and unless) we'd worked out a few problems first. And then he sent me back to my penthouse early, so I could try to come up with the proper words to deliver what was sure to be an unwelcome, albeit necessary, message.
~*~
When Monday morning arrived, I got up even earlier than usual and headed for Relena's place. I stopped along the way to pick up some roses--her personal favorite--and a few of the croissants she liked, congratulating myself on a good start.
Damn it, but Duo almost had me looking forward to having a pleasant day with Relena. We'd been sniping so much lately; and even Wufei had agreed it seemed to coincide with the beginning of the plans for the wedding. I found myself a bit confused again, wondering if it could just be pre-wedding jitters that sparked my interest in Duo.
But, no. There was no reason a simple case of nerves would make me feel attracted to another man, if I wasn't predisposed to it anyway. I had to at least be bisexual. After all, it's not like Relena and I had never had sex. We had. And until Duo came along, I'd thought I knew what passion felt like. But I'd never had the kind of nerve-tingling desire for Relena that I felt for him. Was it just that whole "forbidden fruit" thing? Did I only want him because I couldn't have him?
This was no way to be thinking on the drive out to Relena's. I'd already decided to make the most of the day and not broach the subject of our need for counseling until I had her in a good mood. I needed to put my doubts and insecurities to the back of my mind and focus on making the day enjoyable for both of us.
Walter let me in with a very smug little smirk on his lips. "Ah, good morning, sir. Miss Relena's not up yet." He raised a knowing eyebrow. "I take it you want to surprise her?"
"That's the plan," I replied with a smirk of my own. "Could you have Milly bring up tea as soon as she has a moment?"
"I'll tell her at once, sir," he replied, leaving to do just that.
I pattered up the stairs, and crept silently down the hall, opening the door to Relena's suite without even a whisper of sound.
She was curled up under a nest of blankets, her golden hair neatly covered with the little bonnet she wore to keep it tidy at night. Even asleep she was composed and proper; perfectly centered on her pillow and with the slightest coy smile at the edges of her lips.
I really did care for her. There was no question of that. And my hopes rose that maybe our special day would help me remember how it felt to love her.
I set the vase of flowers on the night stand, and carefully opened the blinds, allowing a shaft of sunlight to fall across her face. "Wake up, sleeping beauty," I teased.
She shifted, scowling adorably, and put her hands up to her face. "Aw, Milly--can't I sleep a little longer?"
"It's not Milly," I chided, sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning in to place a quick, gentle kiss on her lips.
Her eyes flew wide, and she blinked up at me. "Heero? What--? When did you get back?"
I shrugged slightly. "Late," I said vaguely. "I thought I'd rather see you in person, instead of talking on the phone."
She smiled sleepily. "What a wonderful idea!" She sat up to wrap her arms around my neck and kiss me back, but saw the roses and paused. "What's the occasion?"
"Do I need a special occasion to shower you with gifts?" I asked.
She gave me a wary look. "It's not like you."
I sighed. "Well maybe it should be." I held out the little bag of croissants. "I brought breakfast, too. Milly should be up with tea soon for your breakfast in bed."
Relena gave a little giggle. "What's gotten into you?"
There was really no point in denying it. "I took a little advice from a busybody of a wedding planner," I admitted.
"Duo?"
"He said breakfast in bed was a sure way to please your fiancée."
She was smiling widely by then. "You've been taking romantic advice from the wedding planner?"
"Who better to tell a stick in the mud like me how to make a romantic gesture?"
"I'll have to thank him next time I see him," she cooed sweetly, giving me one of the most affectionate kisses we'd shared in months.
Milly arrived a moment later with a tray of tea, which she set up on a portable table by the bed. I set out the croissants as well, and transferred the flowers, and Relena edged over to sit beside me while we shared our cozy breakfast.
I waited until we were nearly done eating to spring the rest of the surprise. "Um, Relena? There's a little more to today than just breakfast in bed," I told her, watching for a reaction.
"There is?"
"I thought we'd take a day off, the two of us, and drive up the coast...maybe visit a few shops. You know the jewelry store where I got your engagement ring? It's on the way."
"A day off?" she echoed, her forehead creasing slightly.
"Yes," I said firmly. "I don't have to be in the office until tomorrow; so I thought I'd treat you to a day of the things you enjoy the most." I took her hand and ran a thumb lightly over the smooth skin. "I'd like to get you something to wear to match your ring. And I've made reservations at DeVine's."
"Oh, Heero."
"I'm even willing to sit through La Bohème," I added. "I got tickets for this evening."
Relena looked at me with a frown. "Heero. I can't," she said quickly. "I have an all-day meeting and luncheon."
"So beg out of it," I said firmly.
"I can't. It was planned weeks ago."
"Bullshit," I told her, the beginnings of unease in the back of my mind. "I looked at your day planner when we were making appointments with Duo. You had nothing down for today."
"I'd forgotten to pencil it in," she said smoothly.
"Well pencil it 'out'," I urged. "C'mon Relena. When was the last time we took a day off just for ourselves?"
"We both have obligations, Heero," she shrugged.
"Yes, we do. We have an obligation to ourselves...to each other."
A faint scowl settled on her forehead. "Heero, one of the things that makes our relationship work is the fact that we understand each other's obligations. I know you have frequent business trips, and you know I have myriads of social and diplomatic functions. I can't just forget those because you want some attention."
That brought a scowl to my face as well. "I didn't plan this because I want your attention. I planned it to give you some of mine. I know I've been traveling a lot lately--and with wedding plans taking up much of our 'together' time, I thought we needed a day to ourselves."
"And we can have one. But not today. In fact, this whole week is bad," she said, pulling her hand free and sliding out of bed. "I have to fly to London tomorrow evening, and from there to Zurich, Paris, and Rome."
"Why?"
"It's the Annual Conference of Diplomats...we'll be going to several locations to tour them and hold meetings...attend classes..."
"So spend today with me, and then you can go on your world tour tomorrow."
"Today I'm meeting with the delegates from Luxembourg."
"Luxembourg?" I felt an angry flush creeping up my cheeks. "I take it Geoffrey will be there?"
"Well of course he will," she said, waving a hand dismissively as she began combing her hair. "He's the son of Lord Halstead."
I knew perfectly well who Geoffrey Halstead was. He was Relena's prep school boyfriend, and the cause of our first breakup. I'd caught her kissing him out on the patio of whatever estate we were at, attending some stupid ball or something.
"I thought we agreed you wouldn't see him again."
"I'm not 'seeing' him, Heero. We're going to a diplomatic luncheon."
"Together."
"There will be dozens of delegates there."
"And where, exactly, is this luncheon being held?"
"At the Embassy, of course."
"Of course. Geoffrey lives at the Embassy." I glared at her, and she rolled her eyes expressively.
"I thought we were over the jealousy stage."
"I thought you were over the 'seeing old boyfriends' stage." I sat back on the bed, resisting the urge to throw the flowers and croissants at the mirror she was looking back from.
"I told you, I'm not..."
"'Seeing' him. I know. You're just blowing off my invitation for a romantic day together to go to the place he lives and have lunch with him." I found my fists clenched in my lap, and had to force myself to relax them. "Don't do this, Relena."
She turned around and put her hands on her hips. "Do what, Heero? My job? I am a diplomat. I have obligations."
"You've blown off dozens of these silly luncheons to go dress shopping with Duo," I reminded her.
"This one's...important."
She didn't quite look me in the eye when she said that, and I knew the only reason she was going to the meeting was to see Geoffrey. "More important than our relationship?" I asked her coldly.
"That's not fair," she growled, slamming her comb down on the vanity and stalking over to her closet to fish for a dress to wear. "Of course our relationship is important. But you know as well as I do that what makes us a good couple is the fact that we can spend time apart and still have a relationship. We each understand the obligations of the other." She fixed a cool blue stare on me. "Don't we?"
"That's not the point right now," I retorted. "You're ignoring the fact that you promised me you wouldn't socialize with Geoffrey any more."
"Surely you're not still jealous of him?"
"I'm jealous of everyone!" I snapped, standing up and facing her. "For fuck's sake, Relena, I was worried about you hopping into bed with our wedding planner..."
"...until you found out he was gay."
She picked the wrong counter to my argument. "At least I didn't find out by propositioning him!"
"I was drunk."
"That's not an acceptable excuse."
She walked past me with a two-piece suit in hand, tossing it across her bed. "Do we really need to rehash my silly little blunder? I mean, Duo forgave me--I'd think you could."
"Maybe I could if I wasn't worried that the same thing might happen with Geoffrey, who's neither gay nor gentleman enough to refuse you."
She spun around, looking straight at me for the first time. "Will it help if I promise not to drink?"
I rolled my eyes. She hadn't been drunk the last time I caught her making out with the sleazy aristocrat. "Not really."
"Well what do I have to do to convince you I'll behave?"
"Cancel the luncheon and spend the day with me," I replied promptly.
"I can't do that," she insisted. "I've made all the plans."
"So have I."
"Well you can't just spring surprises on me and expect me to drop everything for you," she huffed, digging a pair of stockings out of a bureau drawer.
I drew a deep breath to try to keep my temper in check, counting to ten both forwards and backwards. Finally I knew what I needed to say to her. Hell, I'd been trying to come up with the words for days. And at last, I had them.
"As long as you're relegating our relationship to a secondary position of importance, Relena, I think we better hold off on choosing a date for the wedding."
She looked sharply at me, realization dawning. "So you are breaking up with me."
"I'm refusing to finalize wedding plans with you until you start taking our engagement seriously," I said sternly.
"But most of the plans are made!" she protested.
"Last I heard, the earliest available date for having the reception at Romefeller is two years away anyhow," I reminded her.
"Duo has connections."
Of course he does...not to mention gorgeous eyes, an infectious laugh, and a smile that could melt the polar ice caps.
"Well you be sure to tell him not to use them. I won't be rushed. If we're to get married, Relena, a lot will have to change." I gave her a long, appraising look. "I'm not sure you're willing to make the necessary changes." Hell, at least I'd been willing to try.
She blinked back tears from those big blue eyes, facing me with a trembling chin. "Please, Heero...can we just talk about this after I get back from Europe? I promise, I'll make more time for you. But right now I absolutely have to be at this conference." She eased closer, giving me her most appealing look. "You're just nervous about the wedding. I know that's the problem. And so am I. Maybe taking our time planning it is a good thing...we can work through these little problems."
"Little problems?" I echoed, trying not to let her mournful look get to me. "You're putting me dead last on your list of priorities. That's a fairly big problem."
"I promise, I'll fix it," she insisted.
I gave a weary sigh, knowing there was no reasoning with her, and not feeling quite strong enough to completely break her heart. "Go to your damned lunch, Relena. Just don't expect me to forgive and forget so easily." I found that I had neither the ambition, nor the depth of emotion to keep fighting with her, so I headed for the door.
"Heero!" She ran over to place a quick kiss on my cheek, looking as happy as if she'd won the lottery. "I'll call you every night! I do love you."
I only paused a moment, not returning her affectionate gesture, and then I left. All I could think as I stalked through the hallways of the estate was that she loved the financial security I could provide, as well as the convenience of a part-time relationship, and a ready date for her social functions. I almost hoped she did run off with Geoffrey...it would save me the angst of having to choose between her and Duo.
But who was I kidding? She'd never willingly throw me over for Geoffrey. He was far enough down the line of inheritance that he was essentially a pauper. That's why she'd dumped him in the first place. Sure, he had a fancy title and a pedigree to rival that of the finest show dog...but he'd never have a penny to his name unless he went out and earned it on his own. And that was highly unlikely. He was the typical irresponsible wastrel son...seventh in line to inherit the family fortune...and therefore singularly unsuitable for Relena's tastes.
And while I was on the subject, why did I think that Duo was even my choice to make? He'd shown no overt sign of wanting to be more than my friend, and I couldn't quite share Wufei's conviction that he was interested in me. For that matter, I honestly didn't know how to broach the subject to him. Oh, it was fine to flirt a little on the phone, with three thousand miles between us. But I had a feeling when I was in his presence again, my nerve would completely desert me, as it seemed to be doing a lot lately.
And even if it didn't--what did I have to offer a guy like him? I wasn't exactly a free man, which meant I couldn't promise him a long-term relationship--at least until I resolved things with Relena. And I'd just talked him out of settling for a purely physical relationship with Milliardo--so why would he even consider one with me?
And for that matter, I wasn't even entirely sure what a physical relationship with another guy would be like. So why the hell did I want it so badly--want him so badly? You'd think after dealing with Relena, I'd be a bit sour on love, wouldn't you?
Shit--did I say "love?"
TBC...
Back to Snowdragonct's Fanfictions Page