The Wedding Date Part 15

It took most of the drive back to the palace for Quatre and Trowa to sort things out. But by the time they pulled up at the front steps, they had a pretty good handle on the situation.

"Don't worry about the reception," Quatre was saying, having regained his poise shortly after the second repetition of the story. "I'm sure I can arrange for Duo to be seated with Trowa and me, if he isn't already. We'll keep him company until you finish the wedding party formalities and can join us."

"I'd be grateful," Heero said with a sigh, parking the car and popping the trunk, just as a valet scooted out to take over, and a footman arrived for the suitcases.

He climbed out and tossed the keys to the valet, as the others also disembarked. "Tell Milliardo it pulls a little to the right once you get it over a hundred."

"A hundred?!" the valet squeaked in horror.

Heero winked teasingly. "Didn't go anywhere near that fast -- but you can have fun watching his expression when you relay the message," he offered.

The man tried to suppress a grin and ended up smirking instead. "Very good, sir," he said with a touch to the brim of his hat, as he slid behind the wheel.

Then the car was pulling away, the attendants were taking Quatre and Trowa's suitcases to their room, and the four men were once again on their own.

"So," Duo said, toying with his braid in what Heero had come to recognize as a nervous gesture. "What's on the agenda for the rest of tonight?"

"The rehearsal dinner," Heero reminded him. "You're invited with me, and Mill told me to make sure Quatre and Trowa didn't try to plead exhaustion and skip out on it."

"Damn," Trowa mumbled quietly. "There goes that excuse."

"What?" Duo asked with a grin. "You don't like fancy meals in glittery palaces with hoards of people you don't know?"

"Got it in one," Trowa chuckled.

"I can see you two are going to hit it off just fine," Quatre said dryly. "Trowa, we'll need to get to our room and freshen up. Heero, exactly what time is this meal we're not permitted to skip?"

"Six."

"We've got two hours." Quatre ran a hand back through his travel-mussed hair. "I, for one, could use a shower."

"Naw," Duo urged. "Try the Jacuzzi. It'll loosen up those stiff muscles in no time."

Quatre shared a glance with Trowa, and smirked indulgently. "Yes, Duo," he acknowledged. "But we'd never make it to dinner on time if we did that."

He strode off with his auburn-haired lover grinning in his wake, leaving Duo slack-jawed behind them.

Heero laughed at his stunned look. "What? You thought just because he looked all sweet and innocent that he really was?"

"Well -- yeah."

"He's a lawyer, Duo. A courtroom shark. Trust me -- he's about as innocent as -- well -- as you are." He slipped an arm around one of Duo's, ushering him towards the door.

"I'm innocent," Duo protested in a wounded tone.

Heero snorted.

"I am!" Duo asserted. "At least -- sometimes."

"I'm sure you are," came a rather patronizing response.

"Really!"

"Yes, Duo."

"You're being sarcastic, aren't you?"

"No, Duo."

"Yeah you are. You still are."

"Never."

"And since when did you want to have the last word?"

"I don't."

"Do so."

Heero fought down a laugh, but couldn't resist mumbling, "Do not." And with a frustrated huff, Duo gave up the battle and let him have that round, much to Heero's satisfaction.

~*~

The dinner went much as expected, with introductions all around for the new arrivals, and then the trading of stories about careers and family, as well as noteworthy news.

Heero was a bit too enthralled with watching Duo's expressions as the braided man bantered with his best friends, to pay any attention to the food or the rest of the company. He was simply captivated by the ease with which his -- boyfriend -- fit in.

It made his heart swell with pride, even as he breathed a sigh of relief that Duo would easily slip into his circle of friends once they got back home.

"Hey, is there a restroom anywhere closer than the guest quarters?" Trowa asked Heero in a quiet undertone.

Duo grinned triumphantly. "I'll show you!" he piped up proudly. "It was part of the tour." He excused himself along with Trowa, and the two headed for the nearest facility.

"So -- you're really serious about him," Quatre spoke up quietly, shifting his chair a bit closer to Heero's.

Heero nodded.

"This isn't just a temporary vacation thing?"

"No," Heero said with a scowl. "You know I'm not like that!"

Quatre smiled patiently. "Of course I do. But it's all a bit -- sudden. I'm wondering if, once you're back to work -- to reality -- you'll have second thoughts." He saw Heero preparing to launch a retort, and held up a hand. "I only ask, because from what I've seen of Duo, he's very enamored of you." His forehead creased with worry.

Heero's annoyance dissolved into shock, as he realized Quatre's intentions were the opposite of what he'd thought. "You're afraid I'll hurt him?"

Quatre gave a little shrug. "He's a very nice guy, is all. And I wouldn't want either of you to get hurt."

Heero smiled and shook his head. "So he's charmed the socks off you, too?"

The blonde blushed slightly. "And he's well on his way to being one of Trowa's best pals as well, I think." He gave his friend a teasing grin. "You sure stumbled across something special."

"I'm more aware of that than you seem to think," Heero said firmly. "Trust me, Quatre. I'll take things slowly and sensibly. I won't mess this up."

"I never thought you would," came the warm reply, even as Quatre shook his head in amazement.

Who could have imagined the cool, reserved Heero Yuy falling so precipitously in love? But obviously, he'd done just that.

Trowa arrived back at the table, sliding into his seat and giving Quatre's hand a brief squeeze of greeting.

"Where's Duo?" Heero asked, looking past the other man.

"I'd tell you he fell in, just to yank your chain," Trowa joked. "But he'll be here in a second. He stopped to talk to some guy he knew."

"Some guy?" Heero asked sharply.

"Alex something --"

Heero stood to leave, but paused when he saw Duo walk in alongside Alex, looking perfectly fine.

The braided man said something to Heero's old rival, and then headed straight for the table, giving Heero a puzzled look as he neared. "Are we leaving?"

"Uh -- no," Heero replied, darting a suspicious look after Alex. "Trowa said --" He paused, not sure how to phrase his concern.

"Your old school chum just wanted to apologize for making an ass of himself at the bachelor party," Duo assured him, taking his seat, and gesturing Heero to do the same.

Heero sat down slowly, trying to refrain from glaring across the room at Alex, even as he wondered what the bastard was up to.

He didn't believe for one moment that Alex had been drunk at the bachelor party -- at least not when he propositioned Duo. Nor did he believe the man was sorry for his words, or actions.

"What the fuck is he up to?" Heero muttered, automatically tracking Alex in his peripheral vision for the rest of the meal.

~*~

Despite Heero's suspicions, the meal concluded uneventfully, and the guests scattered to other occupations. Some headed for the gaming rooms or spa, while most of those in the wedding party went to their rooms to lay out their formal wear and get a good night's sleep.

For their part, Quatre and Trowa said good evening to Duo and Heero at the door to their room, promising to meet them first thing in the morning, so Duo wouldn't be on his own when his boyfriend left with the wedding party.

"They're nice," Duo said warmly, as Heero opened the door to their room. "How long have you been friends?"

"Hm -- with Quatre, since grade school. And with Trowa, since he and Quatre started dating." He flipped on the lights and closed the door, turning to find Duo standing just a bit inside his personal space. "Yes?" he asked, with a feigned look of innocence. "Was there something you wanted?"

"You could say that," Duo said slyly, catching him by the tie and pulling him closer. "It's been hours and hours since I got to do more than hold your hand, Yuy. I think I'm suffering from withdrawal."

Heero raised an eyebrow, playing the "straight man." "Withdrawal from what?" he wondered.

"Your kisses," Duo breathed, so close now that their lips were almost touching. "Think you could help me with that?"

"I'm sure something can be arranged --" Heero began, only to be cut off in mid-sentence by a very thorough, very intense kiss.

He found himself nearly breathless when the kiss ended, and clutching Duo's shoulders as if needing the support to keep his balance.

But then, he'd been off balance since meeting the dynamic man -- so why should now be any different?

"We should get some sleep," he said in a husky voice, releasing the lean shoulders and willing his body to relax its response to the proximity of the handsome escort.

"Yeah," Duo said with a sigh, moving away with apparent reluctance. "Got a long day tomorrow, don't we?"

"Yes, we do."

"And then the next day, the fantasy's over, an' it's back to the States for us -- back to reality." Duo said it in a flat tone, his back to Heero as he began to undress for bed.

"I prefer to think of that as a new beginning," Heero said reassuringly.

Duo spared him a grateful glance over one shoulder. "Charmer."

Heero snorted at the absurdity of the thought. One thing he'd never been called before was charming. But then, there was a first time for everything.

"I hope you're not planning to go back to sleeping on the couch," Duo added, turning down the comforter.

"Not if you're willing to share the bed," Heero replied, proud of how steady his voice sounded. "Platonically, of course."

"And if it's not so platonic?"

"I guess I'm willing to take my chances."

Duo chuckled in a low, warm tone that sent shivers down Heero's spine, and climbed under the thick blanket. "Then come on in," he suggested invitingly.

TBC...

 

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