Chapter 2

Duo looked over the edge of his coffee mug at Mr. Lowe who sat across from him, as they both listened to Heero come thumping down the stairs.

"Christ," The tall Blond man sighed as he stood up from his seat and placed the last few of the dishes in the sink. "You'd think he was stomping on each step to internationally make that sound. My poor floors won't last much longer at this rate."

Duo sighed and closed his eyes, sipping quietly from his steaming mug when Heero came into the room. His chocolate brown hair was in its usual messy state while his clothes were immaculate. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a short sleeved green shirt, with a jean jacket and his backpack slung over his shoulder.

"Well its about time," his father barked from the sink. Heero stiffened noticeably as he set his things down on the kitchen table. He glanced at Duo to see if the boy was equally as nervous but from what he could tell, he was as cool as a cucumber.

"Too bad you missed breakfast son. But that's what you get for not waking up on time. At least Duo here enjoyed it!" He walked the braided boy stopping to ruffle his hair, nearly drowning him in his steaming coffee mug. He then strode over to one of the cabinets and began to rummage thought it. "But don't worry. I'm not gonna let you go hungry." He tossed a shinny package to his son then smiled at them both. Heero muttered a thanks and shoved the pack of pastry tarts into his bag.

"Alright then," the older man began to pull on his thick leather jacket and patted his pockets, looking around the room. "Just give me a second to find my keys and we'll get going to school."

Heero watched as his father walked out of the kitchen while whistling a happy little tune. He then reached over and tapped Duo on the arm, pulling him out of his own musings, fixing him with a stern look. Duo simply quirked an eyebrow.

"What did Odin say to you?" Heero whispered referring to his father. Duo gave him a confused look

"What do you mean?"

"About what happened in my room! Did he ban you from the house? Did he threaten to kill you? What?!"

"He didn't say anything." Duo shrugged. "Although we did talk about the new book he's writing. And let me tell you, he is NOT good at writing romantic scenes. I told him he should stick to science fiction." Heero gave his boyfriend an odd look but allowed him to continue. "So I gave him some pointers and he was so pleased, that he's asked me to help him write a few scenes." Duo smiled while Heero just stared at him in awe.

"You gave my dad romance tips… He accepted them…and he wants MORE later?" That was twice in one day that Heero's jaw hit the floor. The violet eyed boy nodded then rested his elbows on the table while playing the tip of his braid.

"Yep, and he said that when it gets published, he would list my names as one of the writers. Or at least dedicate it to me."

"I don't believe this," Heero groaned as he buried his face in his hands. He then heard the happy whistling again as his father walked back into the kitchen, twirling a set of keys around his finger.

"Ok boys! Let get rollin!"

Heero nervously drummed his fingers against his knees trying to keep his mind on the houses that whizzed by the car window. He was dimly aware Duo and his father singing along with the radio in the background. Duo was matching very note, while Odin proved to them all once again that he was completely tone-deaf. But you would surly have given him an "A" for effort.

Normally, Heero would demand that his father give up and remain silent, but today, he had other things on his mind. He took a chance to glance at the older man sitting next to him, who was staring right back at him with a big smile on his face. Heero quickly looked away, back out the window and decided that that was the best place to hold his attention at the moment.

Duo looked back and forth between father and son, thinking what he should say next if anything at all. He settled for slumping back into his seat and humming the rest of the song, doing his best to ignore the situation.

Not long after, Odin turned into the long drive way that stretched out in front of the school. A long two story building stood in front of them with a banner going across the front door. Something about the football teams latest victory or something like that.

"Ok here we are." The man said as he came to a stop and put the car in park. "And with a good 10 minutes to spare."

"Thanks Mr. Lowe," Duo said as he stepped out of the car door. He then noticed that Heero hadn't made a move to get out. He stepped close to the window, "Hey, you coming Heero?" The Japanese boy gazed up into his lovers eyes and smiled.

"You go a head" the boy said quietly. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I just need to ask Odin something." Duo just nodded in understanding and began his accent of the stairs to the school. Heero watched as he went before turning his attention back to his father, fixing him with confused look.

"Why haven't you said anything?"

Odin gave his son a puzzled look "About what?"

"You know what I'm talking about." Heero had an annoyed tone in his voice. He didn't like it when people tried to play dumb with him or beat around the bush. It only wasted his and their time. "I know you saw us this morning. Aren't you going to say something? Are you just going to pretend it didn't happen? Just sit there and ignore the fact that you saw your son kissing another boy? Or are you seething inside, waiting for just the right moment to let it out because you're disappointed in your son?" he stopped and took a deep breath, not realizing he was slightly panting. The whole time his father just stared at him, with a neutral expression.

"Heero, do you love Duo?"

The younger man choked on his next words, nearly forgetting them completely. He wasn't quite sure he heard the older man correctly.

"W-what did you say?"

"Do you love him?" Odin asked him again in the same neutral tone. Heero took a deep breath and rubbed his hands together in his lap

"What are you talking about…," he whispered nervously and turned his gaze away, only to have his face pulled back to stare straight into this fathers stern face.

"I want you to look me in the eye and say it Heero."

This was it. His future depended on this one answer, and there was only one Heero could give. He didn't know or even care what happened to him now, as long as his father knew the truth. There was a long pause before Heero looked his father in the eyes and spoke.

"Dad, I love Duo Maxwell. I always have and always will, and nothing and no one will ever change that." Heero never took his eyes off his fathers face as he awaited the rage that would spill from his lips. So needless to say he was quite surprised to see a warm smile spread across the older mans features.

"Then I see no problem," the older man said softly. Observing the surprise on his sons face, Odin sighed and continued. "look Heero, I don't care who you fall in love with. As long as you treat them right and they do the same for you. I don't care if it's a man or a woman or if their white or black. Did you really think I would really think I would be so judgmental of my own son?" Heero blushed slightly and gave a his father a look of embarrassment..

"I honestly didn't know." He said quietly.

"Heero, you should know that I'll always love you, no matter what choices you make. Its your life, and you're the one running the show. And even if I did object to something like this, you should always be proud of your choices and don't let what others think bother you." Odin gently patted the other boy on the shoulder. "Besides, I kind of like Duo myself. He's great to have around and always seems to be so cheerful. You were such a lonely quiet boy when your mom and I split up. But ever since Duo showed up, you've been letting more and more of your feelings slip out." Odin smiled at Heero and he did the same.

"Thanks" Heero said as he opened the car door and stepped out. "I'll see you later this after noon." Odin gave the boy a smile and a wink. Heero smile to his father and waved good bye, watching his fathers car drive away. With a sigh, he slung his backpack over his shoulder and began to climb the stairs to school. It seemed as if the day was starting to look up already.