Disclaimers: Don't own any part of Gundam Wing nor it's characters. Merely borrowing them for a little torture.

Warnings: Shounen-ai (because I suck at yaoi) , major A.U, some OOC I think, deathfic

Finding Heaven

Part Nine: First date… again?

Duo felt Heero was taking the whole 'plan' thing and making it into this huge secret. He loved the whole mystery of it, but it was getting old pretty quick. He had thought Heero would arrange for the date the day he called, but two days has passed and Heero has yet to confirm the venue. Personally, he was getting pissed off.

You are so eager to get him in the sack? Brian asked mischievously.

Duo mind went blank for a while. Oh my God, would he? It's not as if he minded sleeping with Heero, but the timing would be completely off. Going on a date doesn't necessarily mean Duo was ready to give his heart to Heero on a silver platter.

Having sex doesn't necessarily mean giving your heart, Duo, you're not an onna.

Now, my sub-conscious speaks Japanese. You'd better be glad I'm not an onna.

You're changing the subject, Brian accused.

I don't care.

Passing the phone in his apartment, Duo felt his hand twitch. Should he dial the number he knew so well he could do it in the depths of darkness with his eyes blindfolded in a screaming tornado?

You are so melodramatic, Brian told him.

Coming to a decision, Duo reached out towards the phone only to have it ring unexpectedly. He nearly jumped ten feet into the air, gripping one hand over his pounding heart.

"What?" Duo yanked the receiver up to his ear and snapped.

"Glad we are feeling so congenial today," Heero teased and Duo could hear the slight smile in his voice.

"You scared the hell out of me," Duo grouched, his heart still running a mile a minute.

Heero snickered softly. "Don't you expect the phone to normally ring?"

"Yeah, but not when I'm waiting next to it," Duo groused before he could properly compute what he just said. He felt all the blood rush to his head.

"You… were waiting for my call?" Heero had bastard mix of delightful joy and disbelief colouring his tone and it annoyed the hell out of Duo, who already had a hard time of dealing with his own embarrassment.

"For your information, I was expecting an important call," Duo decided to bluff.

Unfortunately, Heero decided to call his bluff. "Oh really? Who?"

The silence stretched and finally Duo caved. "Did you call me just to annoy me or what?" Because if you are, I…"

"There's a carnival on the opposite side of town tonight, can I meet you there?" That came out in a rush and was totally unexpected.

Duo sat there doing his fish impression for God knows how long before Heero hesitantly asked, "Is that a no?"

"Yes, I mean, no, I mean, no, it's a yes. That's wrong, yes, it's a… wait," Duo cut himself off, realising he was babbling. "What time?" He sighed.

~*~

Early evening found Duo speeding along in his car, searching for the carnival grounds. He had seen the article in the newspaper a few days ago and had been tempted to go. Normally, people went to these things with their boyfriends or girlfriends. Since he was missing one, the idea didn't seem all that attractive to him. He was a little confused. Heero had wanted to meet him here, instead of insisting to pick him up like he usually did. He followed the sight of the huge Ferris Wheel to find the parking lot. As he got out of the car, he searched for Heero's familiar four wheel drive. Coming up blank, he walked up to the gates and waited there for Heero as he was instructed. After a few moments, he glanced at his watch, checking the time. Well, since he was early, he could wait a few minutes. He saw a familiar bob of a blond head.

Quatre? Duo thought. Is that Quatre? What the hell is Mr Billionaire doing at a carnival?

"Duo," the blond head called out excitedly, waving at the long haired man.

It was Quatre and his silent husband Trowa walking next to him.

Duo resisted an urge to curse. This was all he needed, his friends to know he was with Heero, or at the very least considering it again. He almost blushed at the nights he spent, whining over the phone to Quatre about Heero and how riled he had made him. Quatre probably hate Heero now and it was all his fault.

And now….

Duo cringed at the thought of showing up on a date with Heero and let him meet the condemnation and I'll-rip-you-a-new-one look in the normally mild mannered blond's aqua eyes.

"Hi, Quat, Trowa," Duo greeted, hoping to hell that his voice didn't appear too nervous, or like someone just kicked him in between the legs. Watching his friends wincing, Duo knew his voice box has probably hit a sound barrier. Damn, be calm, be cool.

You are a cucumber, Brian was back a cackling.

"Fancy meeting you here," Quatre hugged him tightly. "What a coincidence," he told Duo brightly, stepping back.

There was definitely something off with Quatre's greeting and the exasperated roll of Trowa's eyes spoke volumes to Duo. There was something going on here that he was not privy to.

"Is there something I should know about?" Duo narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

Something flickered behind Quatre's eyes and Duo almost called him on it. This man sucked at playing poker. "Are you here alone?"

Trowa nudged his husband almost imperceptibly.

Duo had had it. "What are you guys doing here?" He asked, point blank, enjoying the way the two of them flinched. "This isn't your usual hang out. What are you planning?"

Trowa's sigh could have parted hair. "Duo, I want to introduce you to someone," he interjected before Quatre could speak further.

The alarm bells that had been silent for the past two months now renewed their ringing with disturbing vigour. "Trowa," Duo started, the tone of warning clearly evident. "Don't you even dar…."

"Yeah," Quatre chirped, nervously. "This is Trowa's best friends, Heero Yuy." The two of them moved aside to reveal Heero, who had been partially concealed by Trowa's taller and broader form. "This is the friend I was talking about, Duo Maxwell."

Thought thoroughly confused, Duo's features lit up brightly taking in shining cobalt eyes and the messy mop of hair. "What?" He took a step towards his date. "I know…" He was stopped by Heero's hand thrusted into his midsection.

"Nice to meet you, Duo," Heero smiled. It was a wicked sort smile. As if he was in some conspiracy. And he bloody hell was. The damned conspiracy to confuse the living daylights out of Duo Maxwell, and not doing such a bad job of it as well. He took hold of the hand Duo hesitantly held out towards him.

"What are you doing?" Duo hissed at him, getting a little sick of the knowing, pleased smiles gracing Trowa and Quatre's features and the fond one on Heero's.

Heero's dark blue eyes entreated him, pleading with him, as if it said 'Play along'.

Duo shook his head, resigned and let out a soft snort. His bland expression said plainly 'Whatever, but I will get an explanation later'. Then he smiled vapidly at Heero. "Heero is it? Nice meeting you."

There was a easing of tension amongst the three opposite him.

"Shall we?" Trowa hinted, steering a now bubbly blond around to enter the carnival grounds.

So, he wants me to play blind date? Duo thought with a tender smile. What a crazy notion. Still, it must have taken an extremely long time for Heero to convince Quatre that he wasn't going to rip my heart out again. Abruptly, he realised Heero still had their warms hand clasped, and the other man was currently tracing circles with his thumb at the back of Duo's hand.

Heero realised this at the same time and instantly let go. "Let's go."

Since they were playing at 'Just Met', Duo decided a little teasing was in order. "Tell me, your first blind date?" He asked casually.

Heero had on a smile that was a weird mix of tender protectiveness and fond affection. "Yes. And you?"

"Nah," Duo told his 'blind' date jauntily. "This is my fifteenth."

"What?" Heero blurted, his eyes boring holes in the back of the couple a head of him. "Omae O Korosu."

Duo burst out laughing. That'll teach them, he thought with no small amount of satisfaction.

~*~

Duo leaned back against the familiar upholstery of Heero's four wheel drive as they sped away from the carnival. Trowa and Quatre had offered to drive his car back to the Winner Mansion while he spent more time with the other man. That and to find out what the hell was going. Heero was wonderfully talented at playing at being mysterious and toward the end of the evening, Duo just wanted some answers to all the confusion swirling in his head. He had liked how this evening had played out. Hell, it had actually been fun. He gazed fondly at the back seat at the two plushies he had dumped there. Heero had insisted winning at least one for him. Duo recalled the conversation with a quiet laugh.

"Duo," Heero asked, throwing away the wrapper for a corn dog Duo had insisted was the best food in the entire world. It was palatable, and Heero decided that there were worst things in this world to eat. The live grubs he had tried in China were one of them.

"Hmm?" Duo answered, distractedly, his attention still focused on happily munching his own dog. This setting was something he was familiar with, and comfortable with.

"We are on a date right?" Heero continued.

Duo rolled his eyes at his 'date'. "You think? And we have yet to speak about the whole blind date thing."

Heero had the decency to look mildly chagrined. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Well, we have been on rides, ditched our chaperones, took some weird pictures that had me stick my head on top of a skimpily dressed woman's and ate a pretty horrific looking sausage filled with goop, wrapped in a bun. I think that satisfies most of the date requirement."

Duo was still a little offended with the statement about his beloved corn dog. "So?" he said, petulantly, stuffing the remainder of his corn dog into mouth. But he had to admit, ditching Trowa and Quatre was fun. At first, both their cell phones rang off the hook by a worried Quatre but it appeared that Trowa had managed to convince his partner to have some of their own fun. After all, the Winner heir hardly had the opportunity to have what they called 'normal people fun'.

"I think we are missing something," Heero announced, his eyes still searching for something. Then he saw it. "Come on," he told Duo, grabbing his hand and pulling the smaller man along.

"Hey," Duo protested as he was tugged along like a dog on a leash, his yard long braid whipping in the air. "Where're we going?" He stared at their intertwined fingers, and something gave way in his heart. He thought it was probably past pain and the pent up frustration. Heero finally understood what Duo wanted of him. He was shown Duo throughout the night where once public displays of affection made him uncomfortable, he was making a conscious decision to not let it disturb him quite so much. Duo was more grateful of that than anything else Heero had tried to accomplish tonight.

"Here we are," Heero announced, standing in front of a shooting booth. "I think it is a standard requirement for a carnival for me to win something for you. To show my prowess."

Duo decided that bursting out laughing at this point was not very polite. What an archaic notion. Romantic, a little silly but totally archaic. Still, he wasn't going to quibble on finer details. Besides, Heero looked absolutely pleased with himself.

"So," Duo asked him, hiding an indulgent smile. "You are supposed to win me a plushie?" Violet eyes surveyed the 'prizes' that hung from every where in that smallish tent. "I'm a woman now?"

"No," Heero was aghast. This was never what he meant. Then he realised he had actually given Duo a piece of jewellery earlier. The smaller man had proven many times over that being gay didn't give him any effeminate qualities. "That is so not what I meant. And the bracelet I gave you earlier, it didn't…"

Watching Heero flounder was just too much and Duo finally cracked a smile. "Don't worry. I understand you usually don't get a Canon digital camera as an I'm-Sorry gift on the first date," he quipped. "Let's win me a plushie, date-o-mine."

Heero relaxed and paid the operator for one round of rubber bullets and a plastic gun. He quickly eliminated all the targets with amazing ease. He put down the gun, and turned to Duo. "Your choice."

In mock seriousness, Duo took his choosing the many stuffed dolls, discussing their merits with an amused stall operator. In the end, he chose a large dog, he always had a soft spot of dogs. "Now it's my turn," he told Heero, dumping the plushie into his date's waiting hands. "Up for a game of darts?" He dragged Heero a few stalls down and paid the man for five of them.

Duo hefted one of the darts in his hand, feeling the weight. It felt no different from the knives that once meant life or death for him. For one painful moment he was sixteen again, his hands filled with blood and violence. The light in his eyes died and he threw the dart, as if it were a dagger, holding it from the tip. It hit the bulls eye.

Flash.

The gangs, hurting the kids. No one to protect them.

Another bulls eye.

Flash

Solo, running in, shoulder bloodied. They have taken our territory.

Another bulls eye.

Flash.

Do not play when you don't know who your opponents are. Knives flying through the air.

Another bulls eye.

Flash.

Blood. Pain.

Another bulls eye.

"Duo," Heero called out, uncertainly.

Abruptly, the noise, the sounds of the carnival came rushing back to Duo and he found himself breathing laboriously, almost panting. He shuddered as he stared at the target. All five darts embedded in the centre and the awed looked of the operator. He had almost gotten lost again.

"Are you okay?" Heero asked worried. For a moment there, it didn't seem to be Duo anymore. The light in the braided man's eyes just died. It scared the holy living shit out of him.

Duo forced a smile. "Sorry, just spaced out. Now, I think it is your turn to choose."

Duo thought the night went pretty well besides that little incident that almost caused him to backslide into Shinigami. He watched as Heero slide smoothly into the Winner's driveway, his own car already waiting there and his friends no where in sight. They were nothing if not tactful. The car stopped next to Duo's and they sat there for a while in companionable silence.

"You have something to ask me?" Heero predicted.

"Ya think?" Duo mocked lightly. "What's with the whole blind date thing?"

Heero flushed, even Duo could see it in the dim light. "I just wanted us to start again. Like the past never happened. New slate, you know."

Duo understood it well. Fresh start, no history, no pain. "You're crazy. How you managed to convince Trowa to let Quatre go to a carnival I have no idea."

"Don't discount the wide eyed look Quatre has perfected," Heero laughed softly, turning to face the smaller man, taking hold of his hand.

"Like you have been kicking puppies?"

"You're acquainted with it as well."

Duo shook his head. "Intimately." He was enjoying this. No pressure, no emotional baggage, just the two of them, having fun. Talking about nothing. "Hey, there's this dinner at Quatre's."

"Weekly ones, the one we met?"

"Yeah, would you come?" Duo asked nervously.

"You want me to come?" Heero returned, seriously.

"I have someone I want you to meet."

"Okay," Heero agreed. "Will he want to rip my head off as well?" He winced, remembering the dressing down he received from Quatre and the hostile stares from Trowa.

Duo considered. "Probably. Would you come anyway? We can always make sure you have a spare head."

Heero reached out to cup the porcelain cheek, bringing their faces closer. "For you? Anything," he breathed. He watched as Duo's eyes closed as he offered his lips for a kiss. He looked down at the exquisite looking young man, dying to bring their lips together. No, it was still too soon. Duo may think he was ready to trust Heero, but it was still too soon. "I don't kiss on the first date," he told Duo. "But I want a second date."

Violet eyes snapped open. Duo was hurt that Heero would tease him like this, but seeing disappointment written on every line of Heero's face, he knew it was probably for the best. He should wait, at least until the closest thing he has to a brother decided not to rip Heero to bloody shreds. "Good night, Heero." He got out of the car and watched Heero pull away, giving him one last wave after promising to call.

He saw a slight movement at the window of the house and he waved impishly at the audience in the house. As he walked to the car, his thought was on how to explain Heero to Wufei before the Chinese man decided to get violent.

Yes, Heero would be a pain in the ass to explain, he thought.

tbc…

Creativity on hiatus… permanently.