Prologue: Priceless

How long had he been planning this night; how long had his nerves been turning his stomach inside out and leaving him feeling excited and nauseous at the same time? That's right… three months, three months of blissful hell. Heero sighed and ran his hands over his suit jacket one more time trying to smooth out the non existent wrinkles and his nerves. He stared at the mirror taking in the reflection; the reflection was of a well built man, a little on the thin side, but his metabolism was relentless and didn't rest, no matter how much he ate. The man had deep navy blue eyes, sharp and intelligent; his hair was a deep brown, wild and unruly. And the suit he wore, he had to admit, he didn't look half bad in. It was a black suit simply cut and tailored just for him; the pants clung to his hips accentuating his front and his back side. The fabric was not clingy but you could still make out the defined thigh and cafe muscles. The jacket accentuated his broad chest and shoulders and the tie and leather dress shoes were the icing on the cake. Simply, Heero Yuy looked dashing. He smirked at that, as dashing as he looked he could only image Duo's image.

Duo Maxwell, now there was a man who was quite easy on the eyes. He was round and warm, charming, funny, loveable, in other words everything Heero was not; at least in his own eyes. How he ever landed Duo as his partner in life he we not sure but he thanked what ever prevailing sprit there was for it. He loved Duo, deeply, wholly, for all eternity, amen, and tonight Heero Yuy was going to propose to Duo Maxwell in front of all their friends; after all he'd ask them to help him make this night memorable. Reaching into his pants pocket, Heero pulled out that little black velvet box and inspected the contents with a critical eye. It was a new crucifix. Duo had lost his other one some time ago and always complained about it; Heero didn't think an engagement ring would do for two males. So he'd made do with just something that Duo would be able to show off and grin about and to remember him by. But the crucifix was not just a plain silver cross it had a mild decoration. The initials 'H' and 'D' were scrawled in beautiful letters at the junction of the two poles. He ran his thumb over it and contemplated how Duo was going to react; but that contemplation was cut short when a knock sounded at his bed room door. He started, snapping the box closed and shoved it back in his pocket.

"Yes?" Heero replied gruffly.

"You going to stand in there all night or are you going to come out so that you can take me where ever it is we're going? You know I hate wearing suits…"

Heero chuckled, another bonus of tonight was that Duo was completely in the dark as to why Heero was taking him all dressed up out into town, "Coming oh-impatient-one."

Heero walked out of the bed room and after looking over Duo in his own well tailored suit, the braided man wore a deep navy suit bringing out his almost impossibly violet eyes and his rich chestnut brown hair. Not only that, it made Duo's already beautifully crafted body seem more surreal. Heero couldn't resist the urge to wrap Duo in his arms for a very sensual kiss, Duo was taken back simply because he hadn't expected this degree of intimacy Heero's lips were giving him. When Heero broke the kiss, Duo's big violet eyes blinked open looking a little hazy, and his kiss bruised lips formed a smile before forming the words, "You sure are happy."

Heero smiled and kissed Duo's nose, "I think it's something in the air."

"Are you sure you don't just wanna skip what ever it we're doing and stay here for a little S&M?"

"S&M?" Heero repeated raising a brow.

"Yeah, Sex and Molestation."

Heero sputtered and turned Duo around to face and door and gave a little shove, "You, out the door, now."

"Aw, you're no fun."

"Duo, trust me, and besides after our little outing I think there will be plenty of time for that."

Duo stopped and grinned, "Really?"

"Yes! Now out the door you sex fiend!"

oOo

The drive wasn't that long and Heero was sure that Duo was going to pass out when he saw what parking lot they pulled into.

"Heero this is a five star restaurant."

"Very observant of you Duo."

"Why are you parking here?"

"Because this is where we're having dinner."

"But we need a reservation!"

"I know."

"We don't have a reservation."

"Yes we do."

"We do?"

"Yes, we do."

"Wow…." Duo's eyes went wide and he stared at the building for a moment before he realized Heero was talking to him, "What?"

"I asked if you were going to sit there or if you were going to get out of the car to come inside."

Duo scrambled out of the car with an impish grin and as soon as he could, latched himself on to Heero's arm. When they had first started 'dating' if Duo had done this, Heero would have tensed up, but by now, Duo was the only one who could touch him without his involuntary response to tense up.

They were stopped just inside the door and the host's booth where an older gentleman looked over them with a critical eye, "Can I help you sirs?"

"Yes, table for eight, Heero Yuy."

The man looked over his lists of guests and nodded, "This way."

Heero could hear the man's disgust hidden under years of practiced politeness. If Duo wasn't so star struck by the interior of the building he would have been making the man's night a living hell by making it very obvious what he was and how he felt towards Heero (not that Heero didn't mind the attention). They were lead to the back where six others stood up to greet them.

"We were beginning to think you weren't going to show!" Quatre replied as he clasped Heero's hand in his. Then he turned to Duo who finally registered the fact he and Heero weren't alone. Duo untangled himself from Heero's arm to give Quatre a hug, "Quatre!"

"Hey Duo," The blond returned his friends hug before letting them say hello to the others. Trowa was seated right beside Quatre, and beside them were Wufei and Sally, and then Hilde and Relena beside them. Once greetings were done everyone sat down, everyone began to chat. They talked about Quatre's business, made wise cracks on Trowa and Quatre's relationship, earning a blush from the blonde and a snicker from the brunette. When that died down they talked about Preventer's work or politics. Amongst all that they ordered their meals and continued to carry on laughing and enjoying the evening.

It wasn't until they'd all finished their desert and were sipping on coffee that Quatre began to set the elaborate plan in to motion. It was actually Heero's idea, he had thought up this whole scheme and had asked the other's to help out, just because for once, he wanted to be the one to really catch Duo off guard, plus it wasn't every day you saw Duo Maxwell stuttering for words.

"I propose a game," Quatre replied and everyone but Duo had this knowing look in their eyes. Trowa managed the best curious look, "What kind of game?"

"It's like twenty questions but not quite."

"Well explain," Wufei waved the other to continue.

"Well we pick some one to be on the receiving end of the questions and everyone else gets to ask one yes or no question."

"Any catch?" Duo wanted to know.

Quatre nodded, "The person on the receiving end has to answer truthfully."

"Well that's not too bad…" Relena replied, "In fact it sounds fun."

"I say we give it a shot," Sally agreed and everyone in turn nodded.

"So who gets to be it?" Hilde wanted to know.

"I say Relena," Trowa replied off the bat.

"I say Duo," Heero quirked a smile at his lover.

"I agree with Heero," Wufei also quirked a smile at Duo.

Duo frowned, "You two just want to pick on me! I think we should do Trowa."

"I think Quatre would mind if you 'did Trowa' Duo... but I say Heero," Sally winked at the two brunette lovers. Heero coughed and Duo blushed, "That's not what I meant!"

"Well what about Quatre?" Hilde wanted to know. "No! His private life is already known by millions thanks to press! As is mine..." Relena grumbled, "So let's stick to those who don't have to worry about press hounding them, like oh say, Duo!"

"I agree." Quatre grinned.

Duo blinked, "What could you all possibly want to know about me?"

"Want to start the questioning so you can find out?" Quatre smiled.

"No… but since it seems to be what my adoring public wants then I can only give!" Duo gave a little melodramatic swoon and then grinned, "Bring it!"

"Then let me start since I'm right here," Quatre tapped his chin, getting this mischievous look in his eyes, they never discussed what questions to ask, "Have you ever given a blow job?"

Duo blinked and then blinked again, "…Truthfully?"

"Truthfully," came a chorus of voices, Heero watched as Duo's face turned a bright red as he nodded.

Quatre smiled innocently, "Okay! Next!"

Trowa cleared his throat, "Do you talk in you're sleep?"

Duo blinked, "Um... I normally can't hear myself, so no I don't think so."

Wufei grinned as it was his turn, he asked, "Was it you who spammed my work email with porn?"

Duo paled a bit and then gave a little sheepish laugh, "Yes."

"Thought so."

Sally smiled warmly, "Your prostates still in fine working order?"

Duo groaned, "YES."

Hilde reached round Relena and Heero to pat her long time friend's hand, "It'll be okay one day Duo, but that day is probably not today."

"Very funny Hilde."

"I know! So, given any hand jobs lately?" she grinned wickedly.

"Why do you all want to know what I do to Heero! Good gods – Ow!" Duo rubbed his side where it seemed Heero's elbow had accidentally collided, "But no, not recently."

Relena chuckled as she directed her own wicked grin at Duo, "Does Heero cry out when you do?"

Everyone at the table watched as the two turned matching shades of pink, Heero was glaring at Duo as if daring him to answer that question and Duo was gaping for words, Relena was no merciless, "I'll take it by the matching blushes that 'yes' is the correct answer."

"Relena! You're evil!" Hilde laughed.

"Well I had to know."

"WHY!" Duo wanted to know. Relena only winked.

After everyone settled down a bit Heero realized it was his turned to ask his question. Heero cleared his throat a bit and turned to face Duo. Duo, hearing a new question was to be presented to him, shook his bangs out of his face and then turned to look at Heero. He wondered what kid of question Heero was going to ask him, and the others seemed to grow quite, he blinked and his eyes flickered away from Heero for a moment before he felt Heero's hand on his.

"Duo, I want you to really think about this next question before you answer me."

"Okay..." Duo's smile wavered a bit, Heero looked serious.

"Duo Maxwell… will you… marry me?" Duo hardly realized that Heero had gone down on one knee or that Heero had popped open the trinket under his nose. All he noticed were Heero's eyes, they were fixed on Duo, they were so vivid, speaking every emotion Heero was afraid to speak and Duo could barely bring himself to move, let alone breath. Hours seemed to pass by before he registered the fact he still hadn't answered.

Heero was growing nervous, Duo was just staring at him, and he couldn't decide if that was bad or good. Yet Heero remained and his eyes watched as Duo's face bloomed into a smile, a beautiful smile that melted him right down to the core; Heero found himself with a smile to match Duo's infectious one.

Duo flung himself into Heero's arm laughing and crying at the same time repeatedly saying, "Yes, Yes, Yes."

The others around the table let out a triumphant roar of congratulations and whoops of joy.

"You ass," Duo whispered, "They were all in on this weren't they?"

Heero nodded whipping away Duo's tears, "I asked them to be."

"How long have they known?" Duo wanted to know.

"Roughly three months."

Duo blinked in surprise and then hiccupped a bit, "You're still an ass."

"I know Duo, but the look on your face was priceless."