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You guys are great! I hope I can keep up with your expectations.

Rascal

Chapter 14

Milliardo sat in front of the vid screen, took a deep, steadying breath, and then pushed the preprogrammed button labeled Relena. Within moments his sister's face appeared before him, smiling and radiant.

Milliardo, how wonderful to see your face.

"Hello, Relena. How are you doing?"

I'm well, thank you.

"I caught your speech the other night. Have you grown taller or are the representatives shrinking before your magnificent presence?"

Relena chuckled and Milliardo couldn't help the smirk. Her smile is really beautiful.

I haven't heard from you in quite some time. I'm glad you called. I was thinking of stopping by when I'm on earth in a few months. Will you be around?

"I don't know. Missions don't exactly have a set schedule."

Relena frowned and Milliardo knew what was coming.

I really wish you would quit that job, Milliardo. Not only is it dangerous, but---

"Criminals do not voluntarily go to jail, Relena. Let's move on, shall we?"

He could see the rosy tint in his sister's cheeks and hoped they'd finally settled the matter.

"Now, I actually did call for another purpose other than to see your beautiful face."

Milliardo smiled at the suspicious look on Relena's face.

"I have a favor to ask."

Really?

"The portion of father's library that was spared. Do you still have those books?"

Of course. What in particular are you looking for?

"He had a leather bound collection on the history of civilizations throughout the world. If you don't object, I'd like to take possession of them."

Relena wouldn't normally think anything of her older brother's request but she could see that he was uncomfortable. He's hiding something. His true purpose, perhaps? I can tell he's nervous because he's being overly formal with me.

Of course you may have them, Milliardo. I'll have them shipped to you immediately. May I ask what has prompted this request?

"I realized I finally had the time to read through them."

I see. Well, you should have them within a week or so.

"Thank you."

Milliardo, is everything alright? You seem distracted. This 'time' you've found to read books….you aren't hurt or anything are you?

Milliardo was touched at his sister's concern and attempt to find out the true meaning behind his call. Sometimes we really are alike.

"I'm fine. I've just finally decided to start enjoying life instead of merely living it. You should give it a try sometime."

The siblings chuckled and the conversation ended shortly afterwards with Milliardo having successfully procured the books without revealing the truth to his good intentioned, but nosy sister. He set the phone down and sat back in the desk chair, a satisfied smile on his face.

This is perfect. I know he'll love them. But I can't give them all to him at once. I'll start by giving him one for his birthday. I wonder if he'll accept what it means. Will he understand what I'm trying to say?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Do you have plans this Friday night?"

Heero raised his eyebrow so high at Milliardo's question it looked as if it were trying to climb off his face. Milliardo stifled his laughter and even managed to keep his face relatively neutral in the face of Heero's comical suspicion.

"Why."

Milliardo sighed for good measure and met Heero's gaze, determined in his cause.

"Because I'm sick and tired of spending every Friday night alone. Aren't you?"

Heero scoffed and drained his beer. Is he serious? Just when I get comfortable with how things are he has to go and push again. What does he want from me? Going to the theater with him was fine, but…he sounds like he really wants to go on a date.

"Well?"

"Well what? You were serious?"

At the incredulous tone in Heero's voice Milliardo's resolve crumbled. It made him angry that he would let Heero affect him so easily, but no matter how hard he tried he always let Heero win. Milliardo took a sip from his glass and stared down at his drink, slowly spinning the glass, staring at it without interest.

"Yes actually. But I suppose it was a bit much to ask you. It's just….."

Milliardo looked up and decided to put all his cards on the table. This is ridiculous. We're grown men. There's no need for these coy little games. So Milliardo looked directly into the cerulean eyes next to him, not hiding the sadness and frustration that was growing heavy in his chest.

"I thought it might be nice to spend more time together somewhere other than a bar. I like spending time with you, Heero. Don't you like spending time with me?"

Heero couldn't seem to do anything other than stare into the pale blue eyes that were gazing at him with such sincerity. Of course I like spending time with him but…..maybe he doesn't mean anything other than just hanging out. That's no different than what we do now, right? But those eyes…..there's something behind those eyes that makes me nervous.

The longer the silence dragged on the more Milliardo's chest hurt and finally he had to look away and he sat forward again and drained his glass with a grimace. He welcomed the burning sensation coursing down his throat that was masking the pain in his chest.

"What did….you have in mind?"

Milliardo didn't dare look up or anywhere near Heero. He knew he'd revealed too much of his feelings already. So he just stared into his glass and tried to sound casual.

"Nothing in particular. Is there anything you'd like to do?"

Heero studied Milliardo's profile, something he found himself doing a lot lately. It's not that I'm attracted to him. I just….like looking at him. Anyone in their right mind would have to admit he's gorgeous. And I know how soft that hair is. I wonder if his skin feels as smooth as it looks.

Milliardo finally steeled himself and looked over to see Heero staring at him. Any hurt or nervousness he was feeling vanished and he smiled just enough. He didn't say anything, letting Heero's eyes wander. And when they finally met his own again, he was delighted to see Heero's face turn three shades of red.

"So is there something you'd like to do with me, Heero?"

Milliardo's voice was teasing and his smile had grown, giving it a mischievous look. I'm taking a gamble. He's either going to be really pissed and storm off or he'll--

"Hmph." Heero regained enough of himself to give Milliardo a once over as if proving looking at him was no big deal. "Target practice."

Milliardo chuckled and Heero joined in, shaking his head in defeat.

"Alright. I'll keep your lonely ass company Friday night."

Milliardo raised his newly served glass of whiskey to Heero in salute.

"My lonely ass thanks you."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Heero….are you….?

Wufei exhaled slowly, still trying to discern how best to say what was on his mind. He and Heero had been talking on the phone for about twenty minutes, and this time when he asked Heero how things were going, to his utter shock and dismay, the reserved man told him about attending the theater with Milliardo, it having been his first time. Hearing Heero begrudgingly reveal this tidbit of information wreaked havoc with his emotions: he was happy that Heero seemed content and was getting out. But he was angry because Heero was still hiding from his friends. And he was confused as to how this situation had escalated so quickly. So in the interest of their friendship, he chose to gather more information first.

…..is it possible you're…..dating Milliardo?

"itwasn'tadate."

The flow of words was so fast and clipped Wufei didn't quite understand them.

Heero, what---

"Look, I was just doing him a favor because he didn't want to go with Relena. Just like when the hospital called me and asked me to pick him up. It was no big de---"

The hospital?! Heero, what the hell has been going on?! When was Milliardo hurt? And why did someone call you? When was this? What else has happened?

Suddenly, Heero realized just how deep he'd gotten with Milliardo. How did I not realize? No…I did. And yet I still let him…..

"Calm down. The hospital thing was awhile ago and it wasn't anything serious. Just a small…home accident."

Heero fought the smile that wanted to crack his calm façade thinking about how Milliardo injured himself, but he held it in. Even though Wufei couldn't see him, if he smiled, it would come through in his voice.

"And the theater was just that. We sat and watched a play and then went back to my place for food because we were starving. Perfectly normal."

For people who are dating, yes.

Are we…dating? No. No!

"We're not---!"

Heero, I'm glad you and Milliardo are….there for each other. And now that you seem content with….things….

Wufei paused repeating his mantra over and over again: Tactful. Be tactful. Be tactful. He'd been warned by Lady Une that people were starting to file complaints with her concerning his "abrasive" personality. So after ranting in at least two languages for ten minutes he agreed to work on his tactfulness.

I have to encourage you to…I think it would be beneficial…..oh forget it. Grow a pair and pick up the gods blessed phone and call your friends before I ship you to them myself!

Heero stared at the floor, eyes wide at Wufei's words. It wasn't that he was unaccustomed to Wufei's temper. Usually it didn't faze him. The fact that Wufei had tried to put things delicately was the shocking part. Is that Sally's influence? No, she's almost as bad as he is. Maybe….he's just that worried about me…?

At that thought Heero smiled and he finally felt a sense of confidence when considering contacting his friends.

"You're right, I've been hiding for too long. And…."

Heero sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry I put you in this position to begin with. It wasn't fair."

It's alright. I'd rather this than worry about whether or not you were alive. So does this mean you'll call them?

"Yeah. Soon. I promise you, Wufei."

To be continued….