AN: So, I danced in college…I didn't cheer. But I need a rally for this story. Very little response. I'm posting this second chapter based only on the hits this story received. Please, if you like it review so I know that someone's enjoying this. If you didn't like it, review so I know when to drop a lost cause. Help me out people! Or knock me down, that's fine, too! So, without further ado or whining (or cheering, be glad you're spared), chapter two.

Chapter Two: Office Deals and Dealings

The sound of a heavy thwack roused Millardo from his laptop and he looked up to see the stubborn and extremely impossible Heero Yuy. If this man was not as valuable to the company as he was, Millardo would have tossed him out on his ass long ago. Yet, when he expected to see rumpled hair and a shirt buttoned one button off, he was in for a shock.

Heero was wearing a pair of dark, casual jeans and an olive button down shirt, tucked in at his trim waist and the top two buttons undone. His hair had some subtle product in it that gave the thick mass some semblance of control and shine. His glasses were new, thinner black frames and a bolder square style.

"An outline and a small sample," Heero said without any inflection. "I will not agree to a deadline and I will contact you when it is finished. To ease your burden slightly, I will release a shorter piece in between—set that deadline as you please."

"This had better be damn good," Millardo growled. "And why so much time?"

"I have a life to live and I'm not getting any younger. If you want my work, you're going to have to be patient. Otherwise, I'm fine going elsewhere and you know I am."

Ice-blue eyes met deep blue and they stared off for a long moment, Heero's raised eyebrow indicating the power struggle was pointless. He was the vital asset and he knew it. Millardo would have to be subservient in this matter.

"I thought you a creature of habit," Millardo detoured, looking back at his laptop. "What's with the change?"

Heero's smirk was wry and he put his hands on his hips in a lazy gesture. "It happens," he answered noncommittally.

"Obviously, it did. I was wondering how."

When Millardo looked up after his comment was followed by silence, Heero was looking down at his cell phone, texting something, a small smile on his face.

"Ah, not how—who. Do I need to put this individual on the payroll to ensure this upward path continues?"

Heero's phone snapped closed and his eyes went to the manila folder on the desk. "I can take that with me and I will if you're going to mock me. This is for a hobby, not a profession, and I seriously have no obligation or investment in this company. I have never asked for kindness or understanding but I will not endure your sarcasm or your insults. It has nothing to do with work—it comes down to common courtesy."

The silence that ensued was uncomfortable and tense. Millardo sighed and took the manila in his hands and bowed his head for a moment. "I was out of line," he confessed at long last. He gritted his teeth and then sighed. "I apologize. She must be a very special person."

"He is."

"He?!" Millardo choked.

"Yes, he."

Millardo sat back and ran a hand through his bangs. "That would explain your strong opposition to my sister's advances all these years—the only thing you ever spoke up against prior to this moment." He smiled after a long moment. "Well, that takes a lot off my mind."

"Glad to be of service," Heero murmured. "So, are we in agreement?"

"Yes: no deadline on this piece but I can expect a tide-over around Christmastime."

"Let me know what the deadline is for the holiday piece. Any requests on themes?"

"Something uplifting, hopeful, and just feel-good. Women are our best customers around the holidays."

Heero nodded and turned to go. Millardo thought it was funny that Heero Yuy was a man that never said hello or goodbye. He wondered how that worked out in a relationship. Did his special someone just let him come and go as he pleased? God, just trying to imagine what kind of person Heero Yuy was compatible with was almost an impossible and frightening task.

"Whoever you are," Millardo muttered under his breath, opening the manila folder and reaching for the papers inside. "You're already worth a million dollars in this company."

(O)(O)(O)

"A million dollars?" Heero failed at being nonchalant.

"That's just to produce the record—it has nothing to do with the touring."

"So you've signed an agreement to tour already?"

Duo looked up from his sandwich and sighed. "Yes…and no. So when I met these guys in college we all agreed that if our music ever made it somewhere, we, ourselves, were not going to be famous for it. I do not want my face to be known and sought out by the entire planet. I enjoy my privacy and I want—no—I will protect the privacy of those I love. We agreed to one tour a year and we will never show our faces. The producer loved the idea and thinks the allure and the mystery will sell itself just as much if not more than our faces."

"You know if the media ever found out who you were the repercussions would be even worse," Heero pointed out though deep down he was relieved to hear that Duo was not going to up and leave town once their single hit the radio. "But your consideration towards your loved ones and the desire to keep them safe is very honorable."

Duo smiled slightly. "You're very famous yourself—or at least, Wing Zero is."

Heero shrugged. "Writing books is a world apart from writing lyrics and my popularity consists of those…" he died off. "Well, of those individuals like myself I suppose."

"Gorgeous, honest, intelligent individuals?" Duo murmured, the wink that followed barely decipherable.

"I was implying more along the lines of socially rejected, quiet, unsure and up until this point, alone individuals."

"Is that what you think you are?"

"That is what I am…" Heero paused and frowned. "Was…something in between maybe."

Duo reached out and put his hand over Heero's and squeezed just slightly. Their eyes met each other and Heero sighed.

"I've always been like this and to some extent I always will be," Heero spoke in a low voice, sounding too much like he was apologizing.

"Good; because I like you for who you are and not what you could be made into. If this isn't too serious of a request, I know a girl at the orphanage who is sixteen—she adores your work. It is what keeps her going. Maybe I could talk you into meeting with her?"

"No," Heero murmured as Duo's eyes went wide with shock. He smiled softly. "No persuasion necessary. I'd be happy to meet with her. I refuse to meet with those who have read my adult works but for all of the children and teens who have read the work I wrote for them, I would fly around the world just to speak with them."

"So children are a kryptonite for you too, then?" Duo asked tentatively, too scared to hope.

Heero looked down at their hands, still folded over each other's and sighed. "Yes. I'm horrible with them. They tend to cry around me. Yet…I believe that every child deserves…to be…" he broke off and looked out the window.

"To be loved," Duo finished, his voice low and grave. "But not every adult?"

"By adulthood we have done so many things to make ourselves unworthy of love. I think it hardly fair we should ever put ourselves in the same category as children."

"Heero, you are not a separate person from that boy who grew up on Wing Street without his parents. You and he are one in the same."

"Duo," Heero bit out, his breath becoming shaky. In public he would have never taken a tone with Duo, but in the privacy of Duo's office on campus, he couldn't stop himself. "My reality is held up by the notion that it is the things that I did that led me to be the person I am today, in the situations I am in. That boy on Wing Street was helpless to his situation but I am not. And if you try to connect my aloneness as anything other than a failure on my behalf, I will not be able to stand the consequences that come with it." He was silent for a long moment, his breathing audible before he turned and looked at Duo. "It has taken me so many years to tell myself that it is not I that is unlovable but it is the things I have done that make me so."

Duo didn't blink, didn't move. He sat for a moment, his eyes refusing to let Heero's retreat. Then, in an instant, he stood and just when Heero thought Duo had lost his patience and was going to leave, the braided man rounded the table, grabbed Heero by his jacket lapels, pulled him into a standing position and pressed his lips hard against the other man's. Duo's fingers were quick to twine through Heero's hair to hold the man in place and ensure he did not escape.

"I know we only met a few weeks ago. And I may not know everything about you. And yeah, it's true that what we share at this moment is not undying love in its truest form. But I do know that you are capable of being loved. That you deserve love. And by God, I want to be the one to give it to you."

Duo sounded angry, vengeful even and Heero had to swallow hard to regain some of his composure.

"You aren't the only one who struggles to separate themselves from their childhood," Duo almost growled. "You aren't the only one that wonders what's so wrong with you that even as a child no one wanted you. But I've learned something—sometimes fate is cruel and makes you suffer for a long time just so you savor relief when it is finally granted. I've watched kids grow up loved and watched them squander the relationships with the greatest people in their lives because they do not understand the gift that had been handed to them. And if it means that I had to be alone and suffer all my childhood, all my teenage years and into my adult life just so that when that one gift was given to me I would not fuck it up, then I am glad that I never had a mother and father who loved me. I am glad that people laughed at me and shunned me in high school. Because that gift is worth it to me." Duo lowered his head and sighed heavily.

Heero pulled Duo in close and put one of his pale hands with long slender fingers over Duo's head to cradle him against his heartbeat. "Because," he whispered into Duo's hair. "This is worth it."

"Are you always so straightforward?" Duo's voice was exasperated but Heero could feel a smile against his chest.

"Mmm, yes I am." Heero almost did not recognize his own voice. It was lower, huskier. He felt it rumble in his chest and watch as Duo shivered ever-so slightly in response. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Nothing."

"So you wouldn't want to get all dressed up and go to a…a…party of sorts."

"A party? For whom?"

"Uh, well…" Heero died off. He bit out a small laugh. "Me, actually. My most recent novel is being made into a motion picture and my company thinks it's imperative we put a lot of money into a party just to announce what everyone already knows."

"I didn't know," Duo pointed out softly.

Heero blushed for the first time since the night at the club. "Yeah, I actually forgot about it until today. My manager called me to remind me."

"You forgot about the party or the movie?" Duo pushed.

Heero let Duo go and turned to look out of the window. He ran a hand through his hair and then down around his neck, squeezing the tense muscles there for a minute.

"You forgot about the movie," Duo breathed. All at once he smiled. God, he felt like he was falling in love at terminal velocity. He walked over to Heero and wrapped his arms around the slightly taller man. With a gentle kiss to the tense muscles of his partner's neck, Duo lowered his cheek to rest against Heero's back and he exhaled slowly, savoring the moment. "I'd love to go."

Heero let out an audible breath. He hadn't realized he'd be holding it to begin with. "I'll come pick you up around six tonight, then."

"Wonderful," Duo murmured. "Okay then, it's back to work for me. See you tonight."

Heero put his hands briefly over Duo's, which were resting against his abdomen, and squeezed. Duo released his grip along with Heero's and both took the opportunity of silence to look into each other's eyes and then smile.

Wordlessly, Heero turned and left. Duo's smile grew into a full-blown grin when the door closed. He loved that Heero refused to say goodbye. There was safety in that habit. Duo knew they would see each other again and again. He was also in love with the idea that Heero wanted to show him off a little at an event where Duo was definitely going to be noticed being with the guest of honor. In that moment, Duo's smile went from joyous to predatory and sexual. Yes, he would gladly rise to the challenge presented before him. If all people thought of Heero was that he was an isolated, socially inept and rejected individual who could only live his life in solitude, then Duo was ready to politely correct them on their false assumption.

Politely but with volume.

(O)(O)(O)

Heero checked the address again and noted with some minor satisfaction that Duo kept residence in a nice part of town in a very well-kept apartment complex. He had worried that Duo's "decent paycheck" would not afford him a safe and comfortable place to live. Following the numbers of the buildings towards the back, Heero noticed that Duo was going to have a view out onto a lake.

Hold on a second. Why was Heero thinking so avidly about his surroundings? It was an apartment complex. The problem was what he was avoiding thinking about. He should be focusing less on the apartments and more on who lived in them. Duo. Heero had no idea what he was thinking—what he was about to do. It was a very loud and irrevocable statement he was going to make by showing up with Duo at his side. And he had a feeling that Duo was looking forward to this night.

As Heero rang the bell to Duo's apartment on the second floor, Heero mused with a small frown on his face. He didn't know every nuance of Duo's personality but Duo had been eager enough to show Heero off…what lengths would this man go to when being in the reverse role?

"Heero! Hey," Duo's husky voice penetrated his thoughts.

Oh. God.

Heero knew he should be looking into Duo's eyes but his brain seemed to be at war with what he should be doing and what he couldn't stop himself from doing. Duo was dressed in an elegant suit with a bold flair of thin, baby blue pinstripes. The pants were tailored perfectly so that it was apparent Duo had sensual, perfectly shaped legs but was modest enough to not show the full extent. The jacket was a bit tighter than a formal suit showing his tapered shoulders and tucked waist. He had a light blue shirt on under the suit that made his eyes…God, his eyes, Heero thought as the two sides of his mind reconciled and he met Duo's eyes. They were darker and brighter than Heero had ever seen them. Purple one moment and then dark blue the next.

"Decent?" Duo asked, holding his hands out, palms forward.

Heero felt his throat rumble with a small growl. Something inside of him was beginning to snap. Decent? The man was sex on two sexy legs. No person had ever wreaked such havoc on Heero's mind or body and he wasn't prepared for just how strongly he was going to react.

"Hardly," Heero groaned, pushing Duo back into the apartment and pulling the door closed behind him in one move. Shoving Duo up against the nearest wall, he pinned the man before lowering his mouth down to shocked, slightly parted lips.

A bare whimper escaped Duo as Heero plundered his mouth. Their past slow and tentative kisses up to this point had educated Heero enough to know what made Duo weak, but it was the passion behind the kiss that caused the braided man's knees to buckle. Their tongues met for a brief moment before Heero retreated and groaned.

"Rising action—conflict," Heero rasped, trying to control himself. "The protagonist is saddled with a decision."

"What is this conflict that troubles my hero?" Duo murmured, pressing moist lips against Heero's neck and groaning when their pelvises brushed.

"I want—I want so much—to lock your door and spend the night with you, doing what I want with you…to you," Heero pressed a hard kiss against Duo's temple only because he had to touch Duo but was trying to soothe and calm himself at the same time. "But, if I don't show up to this event…"

"You can have both," Duo enticed. "We show up, make a few rounds, and then bow out gracefully and come back here and pick up right where we left off…you up against me…"

Heero groaned aloud but the sound died down to a sigh. "You are fast becoming an antagonist. The sexiest, handsomest antagonist I have ever seen. I do believe some of the guests will have heart attacks and not just because they are that old and decrepit."

"So you do like the suit."

"Enough to want it off you as fast as I can get it," Heero admitted, taking the hardest step of his life—away from Duo. He straightened out his own coat before Duo followed and tried to rearrange himself. "So, in order to torture myself as much as possible this evening, I suggest we go!" Heero bit out sarcastically as he opened the door and let Duo out first.

They made their way silently to the car and Duo almost choked when Heero opened and closed the door for him. Both men continued their silence in the car. Duo was in shock. How was he ever going to physically resist this man? He was perfect. A gentleman, successful, mature, kind, loving, committed…What was his rule for sex again? A month? Oh, hell, what did it matter? They were practically there anyways!

Meanwhile, Heero gripped the wheel hard. He had never, never been so brash, so sexually ignited that he acted out in a manner as he had just back at the apartment. Part of him was mortified but a larger part of him felt liberated and very pleased Duo was aware of his depth and complexity of emotion towards his love interest. It was wrong to push himself onto Duo physically so soon but…

…this wasn't temporary. This was going to last. What did it matter? It was going to be sooner or later. It might as well be sooner.

Okay, well, later, Heero decided as they pulled up to the most expensive hotel in the city. But if he had anything to say about it, not too much later by the looks of how elaborate this party was going to be.

Heero was quick enough to get the door for Duo and threw the keys at the valet.

"Ready for this?" Heero murmured as they rode up the elevator to the top floor.

"More than ready," Duo all but purred in response.

Heero's warm but firm hand placed itself just past the center of Duo's back so it was somewhere between an embrace and a protective touch. Just then the doors chimed and opened to a room full of people chatting and laughing.

Duo had not expected the doors to open right up to the party but his shock was gone the moment the party went instantly silent save the background lounge music playing. He smiled and his eyes danced as he met the gaze of everyone in the room. He felt Heero's hand become firmer on his back and he glanced out of his peripheral vision to see a wry smirk on Heero's lips.

"Good evening," Heero spoke in a low and collected tone. "I thank you all for attending. Do enjoy the party this evening." Then he whispered, "Follow me."

All eyes followed them as Heero made his way to Wufei who was trying to stifle laughter by the bar. It took a moment for the shock to wear off and when it did it broke into frantic but hushed chatter—nothing even close to what the party had been prior to the second all eyes had landed on the couple.

"Yuy—can you do anything without drawing mass attention to yourself?" Wufei chuckled as Heero approached.

"Well, when you're famous…" Heero attempted at keeping a straight face.

"Ha! I've never heard such bullshit in my life. Well, your last book pushed that limit but…"

Heero laughed freely and then pulled Duo a little closer. "Wufei, this is my Duo Maxwell. He works in the Sociology department at the University and is the lead singer of a band that just got signed with a major contract. Duo, this is Chang Wufei, one of my closest friends and colleagues, who has never published a book that did not make it to the New York Bestsellers list and has won too many awards to even recite."

"Though, Duo, he could," Wufei muttered. "Be careful he doesn't start to write your biography for you."

"He's just attentive," Duo amended in a gentle voice that made his husky tone even more sensual. Duo was still recovering from the bus that had hit him when Heero had referred to him as "my Duo." That felt so much more intimate, so much more serious than "my date" or even "my boyfriend." Just his. That was what Duo was. His. The warm hand on his back, the fingers curling just slightly into the material of his coat and shirt, Heero's familiar cologne, the brush of their bodies on Duo's right side…

"Yes, yes he is," Wufei agreed. "Well, Duo Maxwell, I am not content with getting to know you better in an environment like this. The three of us will have to meet over lunch sometime soon to talk reasonably without all this gossip surrounding us and buzzing in my ears like mosquitoes."

"That sounds wonderful," Duo replied. Before he could speak anymore a man with hair almost as long as his strode up and interrupted the conversation merely with his presence.

"Ah, the man of the hour," he spoke, looking directly at Duo. "I have heard nothing about you whatsoever but nevertheless, I have anticipated meeting you since I learned of your existence. I am Heero's current manager, Millardo Peacecraft. You are?"

"Duo Maxwell."

They shook hands and Duo noted that Heero's hand was not so relaxed on his back anymore. Never had Duo been so grateful that Heero kept his hand on his body as a way to communicate how he was feeling.

"My sister is around here somewhere," Millardo said nonchalantly but his ice blue eyes pierced Heero's. "I would suggest you find her before she finds you."

Heero's stony face did crack a smile in that moment. "And that is why you are my manager," Heero laughed but with little humor in his voice. "Giving me advice I can actually use. Thank you. I will deal with her next, I suppose."

"And before you leave, Heero, a small speech is expected."

"Right, well, I hope you enjoy your company's eulogy then," Heero laughed again.

"We always do, especially our PR agents," Millardo returned in the same biting fashion.

Though Duo could see how they would not get along, Heero was right. Millardo was a great manager in that he held is own ground, he represented his company while still knowing Heero well enough personally.

"Let us go find the true antagonist," Heero murmured to Duo. As they walked away, Duo couldn't help but notice that Millardo took a step closer to Wufei, his face softening just slightly, a hint of a dimple forming over the right side of his mouth when he smiled at something Wufei had said. Hm. Interesting.

Duo knew exactly when they had found Millardo's sister. Heero's hand gripped his shirt like a vice and they halted. A beautiful woman, petite, long hair, big eyes, and dressed lavishly walked up to them. She had a smile on her face but it was too painted on to look anything but glaringly fake.

"Ah, Heero, congratulations again on the success of the novel. Introductions?"

"Relena, this is my boyfriend, Duo. He works in Sociology at the university and is the lead singer for a successful band. Duo, this is Relena Peacecraft, my manager's sister."

"No one had the faintest idea that you were dating, Heero. What a surprise this is to all of us!"

Heero shrugged. "I keep my personal life private—especially the things I care about most."

"Well, that does sound like you!" she tried laughing. "Mind me asking how you two met?"

"I saw him in a coffee shop and we ended up talking over some drinks."

"Most people don't recognize Heero in public."

"I had no idea who he was. I'd never read a page of any of his books until he told me his penname and I went to the bookstore and bought a few titles."

This did seem to irk Relena and she crossed her arms. "Well, I'm happy to see you in a relationship at last Heero."

"Thank you, I am very happy to be in one."

"I wish you both the best of luck."

"I don't think we'll need it," Duo murmured looking up at Heero. "But thank you."

The fake smile slipped for a moment and Relena's true expression of anger and hurt broke through before she caught herself. She bowed her head to express her departure but as she left she whispered to Heero. "Wait until this gets you. You may not have ruined just my evening but something else far more permanent in your carelessness…"

"Trust me, Relena," Heero growled, his eyes forcing her to remain locked to his. "I have never done a careless thing in my life. I know what I am doing."

Relena took a staggering step backwards and then turned quickly to address a friend in polite chatter and laughter.

"Well, that went well," Duo sighed.

"Duo…you have to tell me this now," Heero murmured, ducking his head lower to Duo's, his eyes almost imploring. "Your band is committed to keeping their identities secret? You being associated with me in any public manner will not harm your success, right?"

"How public are we talking?"

"Relena is making her way to the AP reporter by the stage. They will have cameras waiting when we try to leave. I can attempt to get you out unseen…"

Duo felt a small trill of fear and indecision run down his back. It had never occurred to him that this evening would endanger the success of the band in any way… But if he told Heero he didn't want to be seen with him…

"I have an idea! There was a small clothing store at the entrance of the hotel right?"

"Yes…"

"And she doesn't have a full name to report, only that I'm Duo, your boyfriend…Perfect! Sweetie, how do you feel about buying me a souvenir?"

"What did you have in mind?" Heero murmured.

"A fedora."

Heero's face broke out into an instant smile. A hidden identity. Synonymous with Duo's intentions for the band but still a strong statement that Heero was with someone. It was perfect.

The reporter's head shot up to Duo and Heero and she instantly looked back at Relena, nodded a few times and began to make her way out of the party. Both men watched her go with a smile.

The party carried on as any party could carry on after such a surprise at the start of the night. It came time for Heero to give his speech and the room quieted down as Heero walked up the short flight of steps and approached the microphone. He looked down at Duo, stunning amongst the crowd, smiling at him with a subtle wink of encouragement.

"Good evening everyone. Again, thank you for attending tonight's festivities. My career as a writer is still in its early years, as most of you know, so this kind of recognition is humbling and flattering. When given this kind of undivided attention, I feel the need not to speak on the novel that inspired the movie—you've all at least read the synopsis to be here…"

Small laughter filled the room and Heero nodded.

"But, truly, all I really do is see inspiration. It is all around us—tragedy, success, loss, lust, greed…And what is important to me is that I am able to inspire at least one person in a positive light in their life. Obviously, with my recent success, that dream is being realized. So, in the spirit of celebration and well wishes, I wish that all of you may be able to do the same at least once in your lives because for writers like me, and as young as I, it would be nice to see the more joyous sources of inspiration rather than the sorrowful. Again, thank you for attending and have a wonderful evening."

There was silence for a moment, the crowd moved beyond action. And then small applause broke out, and that was all it took to bring down the dam. A flood of cheer barraged Heero as he held up a hand and ducked out of the spotlight. He strode straight up to Duo, resuming his hold on Duo's back.

"Heero," Duo said over the roar of applause. "That was…beautiful."

"Not what they expected to hear, but I am determined to put morality amongst these gluttons," he said fiercely. "And if they are even momentarily moved to action, then I have done the best I can given the circumstance. Now, to that fedora."