Title: The Herald
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. Don't Kill.
Warnings: Not beta read. Mentioned lemon, swearing, AU, mild angst, fluff, sap.
Pairings: 1x2, 5+R, 3+4
Rating: NC-17
AN: The names of the newspapers are made up. If a paper with a name like this does exist and Herald probably does it's not my intention, to compare the two. Enjoy the fic, and please comment. Big thanks to nuttydoe for doing the quick grammar checkkisses

When morning came Duo woke up to the feeling of someone caressing his hair. He made a contented sound, and let himself lay in the warmth of his lovers arms. He smiled when last night came back to him. The award, the excitement, the dance, the kiss, and at last the love making in the bathtub. He gave a happy sigh.

"What has you so happy in the morning?" Heero's amused voice sounded from somewhere above his head.

"Last night." Duo replied simply.

Heero chuckled at that, "Which particular part of 'last night'?"

Duo opened his eyes and looked up at him with a smile, "All of it." he gave Heero a sweet kiss, and the pair stayed like that for a little bit longer.

Sadly, they needed to get up and face the day, or they would miss their flight later this afternoon. Not willing to part just yet, though, they decided to 'save time and water' and take a shower together. Of course, the shower lasted way longer then their separate ones would, but neither mac complained as they explored the tricky but most enjoyable act of shower sex. Since Duo was still a little sore from last night, despite all the carefully preparation Heero made, it was the short haired man, that was on the receiving end this time, bent and braced against the slick wall, with Duo plastered to his back.

They were almost late for breakfast, so they dressed quickly and left the room. Their friends were already there, along with Quatre, and greeted them with smiles.

"So how does the winner feel the morning after?" Duo blushed at Relena's comment, the girl probably not relishing the double meaning of it.

"Still disbelieving." Duo sat down with Heero beside him, and waited for the waiters to bring their food. The conversation went on from there, the group of friend comfortable with each other, laughing, joking and being completely at ease.

'It feels good to have that,' Duo thought, and smiled to himself.

They came back home, and life went on. Trowa found his new apartment, coincidentally near Quatre's, Cathy now coming to visit almost every weekend, much to Hilde's joy. Wufei and Trowa became good friends during the short stay at the hotel, and the Chinese man often met with them for different occasions. Quatre had to travel a little between his old office and the one they were currently opening in the city, Trowa accompanying him more often than not. Life was good for all of them, and the only thing Duo could complain about, was the limited time he had with Heero. Since that time after the gala, they didn't have the chance to be by themselves. Other than meeting in the office (where Duo refused to do more then hug and exchange small kiss after Relena walked in on them), going on dates to see a movie, eat at a restaurant, go for a walk, and re-visiting the ship-cruising of the lake, or having dinner at Duo's house, they never had time and opportunity to go beyond making out and kissing. Duo refused to do anything with Hilde in the house, claiming he would die out of embarrassment afterwards, if she ever found out. It was frustrating, but not much could be done about it. And they were not desperate enough to buy a room in some kind of motel/hotel. Not yet, at least.

One day on his way to work, Heeros phone rung. He stopped at the side of the rode, and went to pick it. The called ID stated the call was from Duo's house.

"Yes?"

"Heero? It's Hilde. I'm sorry I'm calling you this early, but there was none at the office yet, and I need to leave in about 20 minutes. I just wanted to tell someone that Duo's sick and won't be coming to work today. He has a high fever. I should probably stay with him, but I have my exams this week and there's no way for me to miss them." she sighed into the phone.

"Hilde, wait at home, I'll be there in 15 minutes." He said, already starting the car, and changing his way to the direction of Duo's house.

"What? Why...?" she stuttered, confused.

"Just wait Hilde, I'll take you to school. I'll be there soon." and he hung up.

He drove as fast as he could, Hilde already waiting on the sidewalk when he came, and getting in immediately. Heero started questioning her on the way to her school, "So how is he?"

"Bad. He's a terrible patient, and with the fever, running nose and coughing, he's cranky all the time. And he's glued to the bed for at least a few days. He got soaked two days ago, when that rain finally fell. I should be at home with him, but I really have to go to school this week." she looked honestly worried.

"I'll take care of him, I have the day off, as well as the rest of the week." he said, giving her a smile.

"Oh! I woke you up on your day off, I'm sorry Hero!" she apologized as they got near to the school.

"It's ok, I was already on my way to the office."

"But you said you had..." she asked confused, and Heero interrupted her, "I'll take the week off. I'll call Relena on my way back." he looked at her, with a look that said nothing would stand on his way of taking care of Duo while he was sick. Hilde studied him for a moment and then gave him a happy smile, "You really do love him, don't you?"

"With all my heart." he replied truthfully.

"I'm glad." she leaned up and gave him a kiss on his cheek, "Make sure he eats something and takes the medicine. And don't let him sweet-talk you into giving him any soda." she smiled at him again, and got out of the car, "I'll be home at about 4 pm, I won't make the earlier bus."

"I can come pick you up..." Heero offered.

"There's no need. Just take good care of him."

"I will." he smiled at her.

"See ya later, Heero" and she run off to school, the bell ringing as she got near the door.

Heero drove back to the house, calling Relena on the way, and asking her to cancel all his appointments, since he was taking the week off. Also, he informed her that Duo was sick, and to please make sure some of the assistants went to all the events.

He had a lover to take care off.

TBC