I'm BAAAAACK! Blame my muse, boredom...and CCFA summer camp, or as we like to call it, DISEASE CAMP! Alright I don't own anything, not the characters or the play in the FANfiction. I did invent the OFC that Wufei's with, it's not exactly an author-insertion...more like what I wish I could be like. Besides, Wufei needs to get some and I want him... BWAHAHAHA! Anyway, this is going to be my first chapter fic and if I forget anything Review and I'll but it in another chapter...but for now, READ ON!
In Theater Class
Heero watched his classmates practice their lines and scenes from his seat in the studio theater. 'I am going to kill that American.' It was all his fault he was in this class, doing this idiotic assignment.
It had been Duo's turn to pick what classes the pilots would be taking. One day, after a few months of mundane classes and schedules, the five pilots were sitting around the safe-house when Quatre had an idea. Wouldn't it be fun if every time they switched schools one pilot would pick the classes everyone would take? That way not only would they learn a wide variety of skills, but the classes they would be taking would be a mystery themselves! Out of extreme boredom all the boys agreed to the suggestion, although for some time after Heero had a nagging suspicion that Quatre had been drunk at the time he had the idea. Quatre picked first (I mean come on, it was his idea…), then Trowa, Heero, Wufei, and lastly Duo. For his elective, Quatre had put Heero in Psychology; Trowa placed him in Engineering; Wufei stuck him in History of Earth: From the Beginning of Mankind to the Beginning of the Colonies ('HOE' for short); but only Duo had enough balls to put him, the Perfect Soldier, in Theater class.
'It could be worse,' Heero reminded himself, 'just look at what classes the braided baka put Wufei in.' Heero resisted the urge to shudder. Barely. Anything was better than Cosmetology. Anything. 'He must really have a death wish.' None of them had seen Duo run faster than he had when Wufei saw his class list for the first time. Not only was he in Cosmetology, which takes up three class periods, but also the braided wonder took Wufei out of what normally would have been a history class (Wufei's favorite subject) and put the Chinese pilot in Choir. Wufei had chased Duo around the safe-house for a solid half hour before the other three pilots dared intervene.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period and the school day. Heero collected his script and blocking notes and left the stage. When he reached his locker, he found Duo waiting for him, leaning casually against the locker next to Heero's, with his customary grin plastered on his face.
"So," Duo attempted to hide his grin while Heero opened his locker, "how was theater class today?"
"Hn."
"Awww, come on Hee-chan, throw me a bone! There must be something you like about your elective."
"…yes." Duo's face brightened visibly at the response and he motioned for Heero to continue. "Leaving." Duo blinked and for a second Heero thought he caught a glimpse of sadness (or was it disappointment?) in the wide violet orbs before Duo started laughing.
"Haha, I'm sorry you don't like the class Heero."
Heero studied the American pilot. "…you don't look sorry, baka."
"You caught me. I just thought you'd like a change from all those boring math and science classes that's all." Duo calmed down at watched Heero pull at the books he needed out of the impeccably neat and orderly locker. "What production are you guys putting on?" He asked conversationally.
Heero cursed inwardly. He had been hoping the other boy wouldn't ask. He decided to ignore the question, in hopes that Duo would leave the question unanswered and drop the issue. Luck, or fate, however, was not on the Japanese pilots side at the moment.
"Come on Hee-chan! You can tell me." The boy whined. Leaning closer in an unconscious effort to try and persuade Heero into telling him. He had asked some of the other members of the class to disclose the information, but upon hearing that he was their monosyllabic classmate's best friend, they all just grinned and kept the lips shut. Their silence and knowing grins were starting to annoy Duo. So, he finally decided to swallow his pride, and fear, and ask Heero directly, only to be met with more silence. "PLEASE! I won't laugh-" Heero's head snapped in his direction and he raised one eyebrow "-much. What's the big secret? Everyone's invited to the show anyway, so why not just tell me now?"
'Why?' Heero thought to himself dryly, 'because we might be gone before I have to subject myself to performing in that idiotic play before the whole community.' He made the unfortunate mistake of turning his gaze upon his partners face at that moment and found himself looking into the most convincing puppy-dog-pout facial expression he had ever seen, complete with wide eyes and lower lip jutting out. Heero felt his resolve to remain silent crumbling under that look. He sighed in defeat and mumbled something that Duo couldn't catch.
"Wha? I didn't hear you Heero."
"I said: 'The Full Monty.' That's the name of the show we are going to perform." Heero steeled himself for laughing response he knew was coming.
Duo choked back laughter, for his best friend's sake, "I-I'm sure…it'll be…g-gr-great. Um…did you…cough get a part? Like a…sicker leading role?" Duo's voice rose in pitch as holding back his laughter became harder with each word.
Heero's eye twitched slightly. 'Best to get this over with now.' He told himself. Grabbing his book bag, he closed his locker and turned to face Duo. "Yes."
Duo bit his lip and took a few deep breaths to clam himself. His voice however, much higher than normal, betrayed his amusement, "What part?"
"Guy."
That was the last straw for Duo, who burst out laughing. After five minutes of nonstop laughter he calmed down enough to talk. "That's your characters name? Heero, that's fantastic! What's the play about?"
Heero turned away so Duo wouldn't see his blush. "You don't know?"
Duo fell silent, startling Heero. Deathscythe's pilot was never silent; it was one of the few things Heero could count on in the war.
Duo smiled faintly, a far-away sad smile that made Heero's chest ache strangely. Heero made a mental note to have Dr. J take a look at it later. "I've never seen a play." The same flicker of sadness flashed in the violet irises before Duo's cheerful mask was put firmly back in place. "So, tell me. Does the 'full monty' mean what I think it does?" The annoying American (Heero had a bad habit of repeating things, like 'Omae O Korosu', or 'Baka', etc…) wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and winked at his best friend.
Heero showed no sign of understanding Duo, still clinging to some vague hope that he would drop the topic, he was getting a stomachache from talking so much. "What do you think it means?"
"That you're gonna strip." Duo stated it so bluntly (and accurately) that it made Heero lose his balance, lucky for him, thieves have excellent reflexes and Duo caught him before he fell and the Perfect Soldier quickly regained his balance. "WAS I RIGHT! I WAS RIGHT! cough Sorry Hee-chan., I'll stop laughing…soon. Phoo, so, how'd you get the part? How many lines do you have? Are you guys really gonna strip, all the way I mean?" Duo asked excitedly as he followed Heero to the main entrance.
"I auditioned. Not many. Yes…unfortunately," came Heero's monotone reply.
"Haha! I realize you auditioned, what I meant was: Why'd they pick you, specifically. Was there something you had that everyone else was missing?" As soon as the question was out of Duo's mouth, Heero sped up to a fast walk.
"I've just never seen you act." Duo tried to pacify his best friend. "When's the play? I'll come-" Heero had them jogging. - "Watch. I want to come watch you perform-" Heero was now running. - "Heero!" Duo grabbed Heero by the shoulder, motioning for him to stop. "Heero, you're my best friend. You're in a play. Of course I want to come and support you." He let his hand fall off Heero's shoulder. Heero could still feel the heat from where Duo's hand had touched him, and the warm feeling was spreading. He really should have J run a few tests soon, this heat was occurring more frequently whenever he was around the American pilot.
Heero turned to his worried friend and looked in his eyes. They were different than normal; they had a strange light in them. Heero felt himself drawn to them. He started to take a step forward before remembering Duo's question.
"Two weeks."
"Eh?"
"The play, opening night is in two weeks."
"Got it! Hey, dija know Wufie has a concert next Wednesday night at eight. You gonna go?"
"Hn." Heero was just starting to tune Duo out (as per usual) when all of the sudden he was pounced on.
"YEA! The real Heero Yuy is back! Man Heero, you should'a seen it, just a minute ago- I mean literally right before you showed up- there was this really talkative guy who looked just like you! It was-"
"Baka. That was me." Heero glared at Duo, who just laughed and let go of Heero.
"I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. Now, where was I? Right, so do you wanna go with me to – WUFIE!" Heero turned from Duo and followed his gaze to see the Chinese pilot cringe and the female student he was talking to.
She looked curiously from the Chinese student to the American one, finally her gaze settled on the Japanese student. "Wufie?" She mouthed to Heero, who merely shrugged. Shrugging in return she restored her attention to the fuming Chang Wufei.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled.
Wufei stopped glaring at Duo and turned blushing to the girl across from him. "I'll pick you up at seven. Dress comfortably." He gave her a little half bow, causing her to smile brighter; she gave a little wave to all three young men, Duo and Heero had already caught up to the two, turned, and left the school building.
Once she left, Duo laughed and slapped Wufei on the back. "Tomorrow's Saturday. Does Wu-chan have a date? Oh honey," he addressed Heero, mock grief and pride in his voice, hands clasped in front of him, eyes wide, "they grow up so fast." Laughing he turned back to Wufei, either not seeing or not caring about the vibes of death and pain the Chinese pilot was sending him. "I'm so proud of you Wu-man. What's her name? How do you know her? When can I meet her? Oh I have to tell Quatre you have a date. He'll want to meet her and see if she's worthy of dating you. We thought we were gonna hafta set you up with one of Q's sisters. I'm-"
"-Maxwell! I will answer all your questions as long as you shut up! Agreed?" Wufei glared at Duo, who nodded in agreement, grinning from ear to ear. Wufei sighed, "Alright, yes I have a date, her name is Gemini, she's in choir with me, you can never meet, neither will Winner-" Wufei's voice rose in volume when Duo opened his mouth in protest. "-And none of you will give her the third degree."
Duo sighed, "Meanie. Where are you-"
Heero interrupted him. "-It's dangerous to get involved with civilians. It puts her life, as well as ours, and more importantly our mission, in jeopardy. Do you-"
Wufei held up his hand, cutting off the rest of Heero's protests. "I am well aware of the risks. This won't be the first time I've indulged in recreational activity with a civilian and it won't be the last." Seeing his allies shocked expressions, well Duo's was shocked, Heero remained expressionless, however, Duo's appearance more than made up for Heero's lack of. "This is just the first time you've caught me. Now, I believe you had a question Maxwell?" Wufei smirked at Duo's slack jaw look.
Duo quickly shook off his surprise and resumed his questioning. "Where are you gonna take her? How much do you know about her? What's her favorite color? Flower? Food? How old is she? When are you gonna call me Duo?"
"A walk in the park, picnic dinner, and a martial arts challenge. I overheard some of the other girls gossiping about how advanced a martial artist she is and I wanted to see if it was true. Enough. Red- blood red. Red roses. Raspberries and chocolate. Sixteen, seventeen in June. Never."
"Does she know where you're taking her? Does she like stargazing? Maybe after you beat her at sparing you could watch the stars while eating dessert by candlelight. What are her interests? What are her goals? Do you like her? Why'd you ask her, specifically, out? Since she's in choir will she be in the concert? And what do you mean you'll 'never' call me Duo? Don't you love me anymore Wuffers?"
Duo pouted and the anger (…and…jealousy?) Heero had been feeling at seeing Duo so interested in Wufei's date melted away at the sight of those pouting lips. He felt torn between the urge to punch Wufei for causing Duo to pout and the urge to comfort Duo and kiss away- no! Perfect Soldiers didn't have these kinds of urges and feelings for anyone. Was that what all those warm, tingling aches he'd been having around Duo were? Lust?
"No she doesn't know what we're doing. I'm sure she enjoys stargazing. …I'll keep that suggestion in mind. Her goals and interests are her own and I won't break her confidence to indulge you. Yes. –" While Wufei was answering Duo's questions, Heero continued his inner monologue.
Well, yes. But he'd feeling lust toward Duo since he first saw him. Yes, even though the American shot him…twice. Well, actually it was three bullets but more to the point these recent feelings were different. Deeper. –
" – I enjoy her company. Of course. Exactly what it sounds like. I never loved you and never will if you call me…that again! No more questions." Wufei turned to leave.
"Fine." Duo shouted at his retreating form. "But I'm still telling Quatre you have a date! He'll be pissed if he finds out I knew and didn't tell him." Wufei waved dismissively without turning around. Duo 'hmphed', and turned back to Heero. "That's why I put him in Cosmetology, to meet someone. Now I find out he doesn't need any help. How do you like that?"
Heero shrugged. "He's attractive. Why would he need any help? I still don't agree with him endangering–"
"If he's done this before and we're just finding out now…then we can trust him. I mean damn. His love life is more active than mine!"
Heero raised his eyebrow questioningly.
"I know he's just as sexy as the rest of us–"
Heero continued to reminisce while Duo ranted. Duo was so different from everyone else Heero had ever met. Even when he shot Heero, Duo was cracking jokes and smiling. But he wasn't naïve or weak, by any means. Duo was an orphan from the streets and learned the ways of the world early on, like Heero. He would do what he had to do, and he did it well, but he could still joke and smile and laugh so easily. He was kind to the world that took everything from him while blaming himself for all the pain.
" –Quatre's adorable, Trowa's got that shy/tall, dark, and handsome combo goin' on, you're dead sexy, brooding, mysterious and untouchable, but that just gives you an extra edge, …and I'm gorgeous, plain and simple – but still! Quatre's got Trowa, Wufei's got… lots of people, and I want – I mean I'm alone."
"So am I."
Duo stopped walking, hand resting on the bar that all schools have on the inside of their doors. "I thought you – but… she's always following you…"
"Whom are you talking about?" Heero asked, watching Duo's face.
"Relena." Duo replied, a hint of disgust detectable in his voice.
"You don't like her." Heero stated.
"Eh. Not exactly. She's the one person who really has the ability to make peace a reality, and for that I would willingly give my life for hers if the mission called for it, its just…" Duo sighed, searching for the right words. "It seems like all of her beliefs have been indoctrinated into her, I mean she believes them but… its like in geometry, you know what a plane is, you can identify it, but you can't define it. She has a set of beliefs, she can identify when someone's beliefs conflict with her own, but she doesn't know how to fix it or how to make her own ideals a reality – or even what the beliefs she holds really mean it seems. Otherwise, she wouldn't need us."
"Aa." Heero reached past Duo and opened the door. "Or when you're doing proofs and you know what equals what but not the theorem that explains why."
"You agree with me?"
"Yes. For all she's seen and been through, she's still very naïve. I think the only reason she professes to like me is because she believes it's expected, the princess always falls for the…"
"Prince."
"…prince…who saves her. Happily ever after. I'm hoping she'll grow out of it. Soon."
"Good luck. Now, I just gotta ask…you don't have to answer but…is it just Relena or all girls you're not interested in?"
"That would be an unnecessary distraction and a danger to the mission." Heero replied in his usual monotone.
Duo sighed dramatically and followed him down the steps of the school. "Just when I start to think you're human, you pull a Heero- Perfect Soldier- Yuy."
Heero glanced at Duo using his peripheral vision. He seemed like his normal cheerful self, except for a slight slouch in his shoulders. Heero mentally sighed. "All girls."
"Wha?"
"I'm attracted to guys. I'm not interested in girls, period."
"Oh."
Heero stole another glance at Duo. He was no longer slouching and seemed to have an extra bounce in his step. Interesting. "What about you?"
Duo stumbled. "Are you kidding me? You can't tell?"
Heero shrugged and looked away, staring at the ground.
"Sorry, didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm gay Heero."
Heero mused to himself. So Duo's gay. Very interesting. He thinks I'm 'dead sexy'. That opened up new possibil- no! Nothing changed. Besides he thinks all of the Gundam pilots are attractive…I was the only one he called 'sexy' though.
They walked together in companionable silence before Heero remembered something.
"What were you going to ask me? Before you saw Chang."
"Oh! You never answered my question, I was going to repeat it: Are you going to Wufei's concert on Wednesday?"
"I wasn't planning on it."
"You should. We need to show our support for our friend and our school spirit! That and Quatre and Trowa could use some alone time. Our safehouse is so small and they weren't sure how you and Wufei would handle seeing two male Gundam pilots together, so they– "
"What about you? They weren't concerned about you?"
"Nope!" Duo grinned. "I'm the one who set them up. I thought it was obvious they were meant to be together. They were both just really shy. I got bored one day and was impatient of watching run around in circles so I knida pushed 'em together. Once he got passed his shyness he really took charge."
"Quatre?"
"Nuh-uh. Trowa. I know, shocking. I think he spent too much time with the lions and tigers. He's very cat-like." Duo turned to Heero, who froze on the bottom step of their current safehouse, and smiled before opening the door and disappearing inside. Well, his body disappeared, but not voice shouting "Quatre!"
Heero walked into the safehouse to find Quatre walk out of the bedroom, hurriedly fixing his shirt, vest missing, and hair rumpled. His eyes flashed to Heero, before returning to Duo, worry leaking through his calm mask.
Duo looked behind him and saw the source of Quatre's concern. He grinned, "Oh, don't worry about him. I told him. He was cool with it. Didn't know I was gay though, not sure what that says about him. I saw Wufei today though, as we were leaving, you'll never guess what happened!"
"What Duo?"
Duo grabbed Quatre's hands in his, eyes shining, "Wufei has a date! With a girl!"
"Really?" Quatre's eyes widened, looking to Heero for confirmation, seeing the stoic pilots nod, he started jumping up and down excitedly.
"What's her name? Where'd he meet her? Trowa! Trowa come here you'll never guess what happened! When do I get to meet her? When is their date? Where are they going? Oh, this is so exciting!"
"Breathe Quatre." Trowa said as he emerged from the bedroom with his usual indifferent appearance. He hugged the Arabian pilot from behind and placed a light kiss on the smaller boy's temple. Quatre giggled and removed his hands from Duo's to place them over Trowa's, leaning back into the taller pilot's embrace.
Duo looked over at Heero and winked. Returning his attention to the couple in front of him he cooed, "Ahhh, I wish I had a camera."
Quatre blushed and Trowa let go after giving the blonde a final squeeze and walked into the kitchen area and put on a pot of water for coffee and tea.
Duo took his usual seat by the refrigerator and Heero sat at his left and Quatre at his right, and answered Quatre's questions.
"I think I know her. Short girl, lithe but curvy, long honey blonde hair, blue eyes with an interesting pattern, smiles at everyone?" Quatre sipped at his tea. "She's in my photography class. Sweet girl, very smart. She's always singing. She's in musical theater as well. I like her. Let's invite her over for lunch on Sunday." Seeing Heero's glare of concern and disapproval he explained further, hoping to reassure the Japanese youth. "She's a street orphan from New York – I overheard her conversation with our teacher when he assigned us a project to photograph our family. She's been making her own living for as long as she can remember. She won't question why five guys are living together in a small house. Besides, don't you think it would be good to interview her, see if she's a danger to the mission?"
"Aa."
Duo raised his eyebrows in surprise, "You're so agreeable today. What's wrong? Do you have a fever?" Duo stood up and leaned closer to Heero and put his palm over Heero's forehead, checking his temperature.
Heero jerked back, away from Duo's touch. "Baka. I'm in perfect physical condition."
Duo grinned slowly, eyes roving over Heero's entire body before returning to capture his eyes. "Yes. Yes, you are."
Heero turned quickly and went into the quest bedroom he and Duo shared, fleeing before the heat he could feel in his cheeks showed.
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A/N: Alright, that was the first chapter of my very first (drum roll please) CHAPTERED FIC! Dun dunna na. So, what'd ya think? Come on guys, I'm very fragile and I need reassurance or constructive criticism! I NEED REVIEWS! I spent most of my free time at camp writing this and I need to know if you liked it, what y'all think I need to change, etc… and I want more than 4! Think you can do that? Goooood… NOW GO FORTH AND DO MY BIDDING BWAHAHAHAHAHA (cough)(hack) I'll just go now…
