Chapter nine- Blackmailed
Duo waited patiently outside the door to his classroom. The pilots had been split up so no one would become suspicious. They were not if possible not to hang out with one another.
Duo sighed as he glanced inside the room through the small window.
Kids had already seated themselves and opened up their book for a day in school. The teacher stood on a stage in the front standing behind a tall wooden podium that hid half his frame. The old man was, gray haired, and balding at the top. Dual brown eyes looked Duo's way and he waved for him to enter.
Duo pushed the door open and slid inside the room. All the students looked up at him with curiosity.
"Good morning young lad."
Duo was surprised the old man knew he was male. If Duo saw himself he would have called himself a woman with the long braid, and large blue eyes. So what he wore pants, that didn't make him a man? Hildi wore pants and occasionally she wore shorts. Even though she was like the only one around.
Catharine even wore short skirts, which was like an insult the woman society.
The teacher continued, "I'm Mr. Lutes. And your name is..."
Duo looked at the old man in his late 60's, "Maxwell, Duo Maxwell. I'm an exchange student."
Mr. Lutes nodded, "Alright then. Take a seat on the end there, front row."
Duo nodded and walked to his seat and slid into it.
He glanced at the student next to him, and flushed. The girl was staring at him with large violet colored eyes. Blonde hair feel around her small lightly tanned face. Her bangs were this and curly just like her chin length hair was. She was slim and small, 5'2 at the most.
"Hey there."
Duo nervously smiled, "Uh hi."
Mr. Lutes stated, "This period will be used as a study time. Use your time wisely and study for the exam tomorrow."
Duo inwardly groaned, he would have to be up at the crack of dawn studying.
His eyes fell back on the girl who stayed put. The other students broke up into groups and began to chat, while some worked.
She suddenly grinned and held out a well-manicured hand towards him, "I'm Lily. Lily Nettle."
Duo nodded and grasped her hand in his and shook it. "Duo."
She nodded, "Your cute."
Duo flushed brightly, "Thanks, I guess."
Lily leaned forward so that her face was right next to his. "Want to go out after school?"
Duo paled slightly at the very thought. "I...I...I..."
"Hey Lily already hitting on the new kid. Doesn't take you long."
Lily giggled at the boy who had turned around to talk to her. "I do try. But I just want to take him out for ice-cream, and if we end up at my house afterwards..."
Duo nearly flew out of his chair in horror. Lily looked at him innocently and she almost fooled him, which was until she said, "Well?" Duo looked around, "I...C...cant."
Lily frowned, "Why not? You don't think I'm cute?"
Duo blanched, "No...it...it's not that. Its just I...There's someone else." Duo felt as if he would die right there. Fall over dead as a doorknob. And the doctors would say it was from all the lies he told and horror his life put him through and all the stress.
Lily's eyes glowed, "Oh wow, a girlfriend..."
Duo gasped, "No...I mean...Uh..."
Lily's smile dropped only to come back with a vengeance. She leaned towards him again. "I get it. Your gay."
Duo fell out of his seat and hit the ground. He stared at Lily in horror.
Lily climbed into his seat and peered down at him. "I guessed right huh. Lets go on a double date. Tonight. Call up the guy and you take him to Sulky's on the corner of Fifth Street. See you there." Lily then left him there on the floor. His bottom lip quivered and he whispered, "but I don't even have a date."
Duo's head fell and he chose to stay on the floor the whole period.
At lunch Duo searched the courtyard for one of the guys. He spotted Quatre, but the young man was in a deep conversation with Trowa. Duo sighed, that left Heero and Wufei. But they would never.
Duo's head snapped up when Relena raced past him and latched onto a familiar young man who didn't look all that happy to see her.
Duo nearly ran towards the couple, "Heero I have to talk to you, alone."
Heero looked at him then at Relena. He pried her arms off and left with Duo to a secluded spot. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the building casually. "Hn."
Duo turned his back to him, "I need a favor."
Heero's was already pushing himself from the wall to leave. "Oh no you don't."
Duo spun around and slammed Heero back to the wall. His arms pressed into Heero's shoulder blades. "I need a favor and you will help me."
Heero glared at him as his hand reached for his gun. Duo stopped his arm and held it tightly. His cobalt blue eyes stared into Heero, with a fearful, look that told Heero Duo needed him.
"Hn."
Duo swallowed, "I was blackmailed."
Heero frowned, "on the first day..."
Duo nodded, "I couldn't help it or stop it. Before I knew what was happening she had me pinned to the shelf and I was up for sale."
Heero jerked Duo's grip off him and leaned against the wall. His arms crossed his chest. Duo let out a sigh. "If you do this for me Heero, I'll do everything you want me to, to pay you back. But please."
Duo looked Heero in the eyes. "Be my date tonight, and pretend your gay."
Heero's eyes flamed with unreadable emotions and his fists clenched. Duo took a step back in fear. "I'm sorry. This girl thinks I'm gay and have a date. And the others are all busy. Please Heero."
"Hell no."
Duo's lip trembled and he fell to his knees and begged, "Please Heero! Oh Please. I'll do anything."
"Hell no." Heero then left Duo on the floor. Duo shook his head in shame, "god dammit what have I done."
He sighed and stood. The bell rang and headed for class. He would have to corner Heero in the dorm. He was going to get himself killed.
Duo shut the door quietly behind him and he scanned the room. The door to Heero's room was cracked open and Heero was inside typing on his laptop.
Duo walked to the door and pushed it open, "You have to do this for me."
Heero froze, his fingers stopped on the keyboarded. "No I don't."
Duo whined, "Heero, I said I'd pay you back. Anything. I'll run around naked if you want what ever it is I'll do it. Please."
Heero stood abruptly and whipped out his gun even before Duo could blink. In no time at all the end of the barrel was pressed to his forehead.
Duo looked Heero in the eyes, "Shoot me if you have to Heero. I'm asking you out on a date, one date. Not even an hour long. Just enough for ice cream and small talk. You don't have to do a thing."
Heero silently cursed himself that his plan wasn't working. He couldn't kill Duo, the boy was too valuable even though Heero wouldn't admit it out loud. He had no choice.
"Fine."
Duo nearly jumped through the ceiling with joy. "Ok get ready we leave in ten minutes." And Duo was gone and in his room.
Heero sighed and slipped his gun back in its place. He shut the laptop off and grabbed his coat. By the time he slipped it on Duo was already at the door waiting for him.
Duo was dressed in black jeans and jacket with a red shirt underneath.
Duo grinned, "lets go."
Duo looked around and then up at the sign that read, Sulky's Dinner. It was on the corner of 5th street.
Duo shrugged and pulled the door open and Heero walked passed him. Heero looked around. Not a bad place. The floor could have been swept up or at least mopped. There was a storm outside. The rain was harsh and the wind wailed with anger.
Duo stood at his side, "Not a bad little dinner. I bet their food is good."
"Only you would worry about that."
Duo glared at him and scanned the diner. "There she is."
"She."
Duo nodded, "the one who blackmailed me. Her name is Lily Nettle. Very popular and known for braking many hearts."
Heero shrugged, "Lets get this over with."
Duo nodded, "yea sooner the better."
The two approached Lily and her friend. Or as they assumed to be her friend. As far as they knew Lily was straight.
She looked up, "Oh hey Duo. So is this your date?"
Duo numbly nodded and slid into the other side of the girls. Heero crossed his arms and sat down.
"Duo, meet my friend from childhood, Kate."
Duo nodded numbly again, "This is Heero, my...uh...date."
Kate smiled its nice meeting you both. So you two are gay lovers. What's it like?"
Heero turned slightly to look at Duo. The same question was in his eyes.
Duo flushed, "do we have to go into detail?" Lily shook her head, "oh no of course not. You two need to order."
Duo sighed gratefully, and sunk into his seat. Heero was still not happy. Duo had wanted the pilot to have fun, to live a little, and enjoy the afternoon. But he just sat there a frown fixed on his face.
Duo rolled his eyes, "Heero come with me. Lily, excuse me...please."
Lily grinned, "Yea sure. Have fun you two."
Heero glared at the two girls who giggled foolishly. Duo led Heero out onto the dance floor and they stood there among the few other couples.
Heero looked around them then back at Duo. "Hn."
He turned only to almost run Lily over. She took him in her arms and led him away dancing. Duo blinked in surprise, more of shock and disbelief. But then Kate filled Duo's vision and she nearly dragged him into a dance.
Duo glanced at Heero, who was staring calmly at Lily as she yakked away her entire life story in less than ten minutes.
Duo sighed and looked at Kate. Her dark brown hair fell off her shoulders and was held up by a red bow. Her green eyes stared into Duo's face. "Your cute. Too bad your..."
Duo shuddered slightly and looked at Heero. He was having a harder problem. Lily had wrapped her arms around his neck, the inside of her elbows touched the back of Heero's neck and her body was nearly plastered to his.
Heero was telling her something while his hand reached down to the waistline of his pants.
Duo gasped just as Kate placed her lips of his. Duo nearly fell over. He pulled away from her and took two large steps back. He knocked into Lily sending her down; Heero stayed in place his hand on the butt of his gun. Duo grabbed Heero's hand and shook his head. "Heero not around here. To many people."
Heero glanced around to see other people looking at them strangely. Slowly his fingers let go and Duo pulled Heero's arm out in front of him.
Heero glanced at Lily who had stood and was eying them angrily, mostly at Duo.
Heero glared back at her. She ignored him, or it was that she didn't see it.
She pushed Duo back, "Who the hell do you think you are? You just pushed me down, me!"
Duo took a step back, "I'm sorry...I didn't know you were..." "Shut up. You deliberately pushed me. You pig..."
Lily raised her hand up in the air to strike Duo who just stood there in the line of fire. But something caught Lily's hand. Duo looked over at Heero who held lily's wrist tightly in his grip. "Leave."
His voice was cold and Lily looked shaken up by his glare. "I...I..."
Heero threw her wrist from his hand and he grabbed Duo by the front of the shirt and literally drugged him to the table.
Duo fell into his seat across from where Heero sat. Duo stared at Heero wide eyed in shock. "Why?"
Heero's sharp gave flew to Duo's astonished ones. Heero's eyes flickered with unwanted emotions before they took back their icy gaze and moved to the table.
Two plates were set down in front of them; it was what the girls had ordered. Duo picked up a fork and stabbed a meatball that had been placed neatly in the plate of spaghetti. He glanced back at Heero then at his food. Heero didn't move, but his gaze had now placed itself out the window staring out into the night.
Duo let out a long tired sigh, "I'm sorry Heero. It's my fault you're bored out of your mind. God I'm such an ass."
Duo propped his head up with his hands. He shut his eyes.
Heero looked at Duo's bowed head, and his icy glaze vanished and was replaced by a calm and collected one. "Don't worry about it, Duo. But you're right about one thing, you're an ass."
Duo looked up at Heero for a long time then slowly a grin spread across his face, "You know we don't do so well as a gay couple."
Duo waited, and then watched as slowly Herro smirked with amusement, and Duo laughed out loudly, attracting attention.
Heero turned the knob slowly and kicked the door open lightly and limbed inside.
He clutched the arm draped over his shoulder tightly and shuffled the body leaning against him.
Heero looked at Duo's face, which leaned against his shoulder. Cobalt blue eyes blurry eyed stared straight ahead. Thick peach colored lips were slightly parted.
Heero grunted as he moved to the bedroom and pushed the door open. He carried the body to the bed and let it fall onto the softness of it. Duo laid face down on the bed, and soft snore escaped him.
Heero sighed and grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed and draped it over Duo's body. Heero was about to leave but something shot through his mind like a rocket. He stared at Duo's body, hidden under the clothes. Heero had seen something earlier, something that didn't fit right with the male pilot. It was something he couldn't place, something that was out of place.
Heero attentively reached for the blanket but drew back his hand. He shook his head, turned and walked back to the door. But before he could shut it behind him, Duo called out dreamily, "Thanks...Heero."
Heero shut the door silently and frowned in thought. 'Was the thanks for taking care of him, bringing him home after drinks, or was it for saving the secret everyone was dieing to find out?'
Duo waited patiently outside the door to his classroom. The pilots had been split up so no one would become suspicious. They were not if possible not to hang out with one another.
Duo sighed as he glanced inside the room through the small window.
Kids had already seated themselves and opened up their book for a day in school. The teacher stood on a stage in the front standing behind a tall wooden podium that hid half his frame. The old man was, gray haired, and balding at the top. Dual brown eyes looked Duo's way and he waved for him to enter.
Duo pushed the door open and slid inside the room. All the students looked up at him with curiosity.
"Good morning young lad."
Duo was surprised the old man knew he was male. If Duo saw himself he would have called himself a woman with the long braid, and large blue eyes. So what he wore pants, that didn't make him a man? Hildi wore pants and occasionally she wore shorts. Even though she was like the only one around.
Catharine even wore short skirts, which was like an insult the woman society.
The teacher continued, "I'm Mr. Lutes. And your name is..."
Duo looked at the old man in his late 60's, "Maxwell, Duo Maxwell. I'm an exchange student."
Mr. Lutes nodded, "Alright then. Take a seat on the end there, front row."
Duo nodded and walked to his seat and slid into it.
He glanced at the student next to him, and flushed. The girl was staring at him with large violet colored eyes. Blonde hair feel around her small lightly tanned face. Her bangs were this and curly just like her chin length hair was. She was slim and small, 5'2 at the most.
"Hey there."
Duo nervously smiled, "Uh hi."
Mr. Lutes stated, "This period will be used as a study time. Use your time wisely and study for the exam tomorrow."
Duo inwardly groaned, he would have to be up at the crack of dawn studying.
His eyes fell back on the girl who stayed put. The other students broke up into groups and began to chat, while some worked.
She suddenly grinned and held out a well-manicured hand towards him, "I'm Lily. Lily Nettle."
Duo nodded and grasped her hand in his and shook it. "Duo."
She nodded, "Your cute."
Duo flushed brightly, "Thanks, I guess."
Lily leaned forward so that her face was right next to his. "Want to go out after school?"
Duo paled slightly at the very thought. "I...I...I..."
"Hey Lily already hitting on the new kid. Doesn't take you long."
Lily giggled at the boy who had turned around to talk to her. "I do try. But I just want to take him out for ice-cream, and if we end up at my house afterwards..."
Duo nearly flew out of his chair in horror. Lily looked at him innocently and she almost fooled him, which was until she said, "Well?" Duo looked around, "I...C...cant."
Lily frowned, "Why not? You don't think I'm cute?"
Duo blanched, "No...it...it's not that. Its just I...There's someone else." Duo felt as if he would die right there. Fall over dead as a doorknob. And the doctors would say it was from all the lies he told and horror his life put him through and all the stress.
Lily's eyes glowed, "Oh wow, a girlfriend..."
Duo gasped, "No...I mean...Uh..."
Lily's smile dropped only to come back with a vengeance. She leaned towards him again. "I get it. Your gay."
Duo fell out of his seat and hit the ground. He stared at Lily in horror.
Lily climbed into his seat and peered down at him. "I guessed right huh. Lets go on a double date. Tonight. Call up the guy and you take him to Sulky's on the corner of Fifth Street. See you there." Lily then left him there on the floor. His bottom lip quivered and he whispered, "but I don't even have a date."
Duo's head fell and he chose to stay on the floor the whole period.
At lunch Duo searched the courtyard for one of the guys. He spotted Quatre, but the young man was in a deep conversation with Trowa. Duo sighed, that left Heero and Wufei. But they would never.
Duo's head snapped up when Relena raced past him and latched onto a familiar young man who didn't look all that happy to see her.
Duo nearly ran towards the couple, "Heero I have to talk to you, alone."
Heero looked at him then at Relena. He pried her arms off and left with Duo to a secluded spot. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the building casually. "Hn."
Duo turned his back to him, "I need a favor."
Heero's was already pushing himself from the wall to leave. "Oh no you don't."
Duo spun around and slammed Heero back to the wall. His arms pressed into Heero's shoulder blades. "I need a favor and you will help me."
Heero glared at him as his hand reached for his gun. Duo stopped his arm and held it tightly. His cobalt blue eyes stared into Heero, with a fearful, look that told Heero Duo needed him.
"Hn."
Duo swallowed, "I was blackmailed."
Heero frowned, "on the first day..."
Duo nodded, "I couldn't help it or stop it. Before I knew what was happening she had me pinned to the shelf and I was up for sale."
Heero jerked Duo's grip off him and leaned against the wall. His arms crossed his chest. Duo let out a sigh. "If you do this for me Heero, I'll do everything you want me to, to pay you back. But please."
Duo looked Heero in the eyes. "Be my date tonight, and pretend your gay."
Heero's eyes flamed with unreadable emotions and his fists clenched. Duo took a step back in fear. "I'm sorry. This girl thinks I'm gay and have a date. And the others are all busy. Please Heero."
"Hell no."
Duo's lip trembled and he fell to his knees and begged, "Please Heero! Oh Please. I'll do anything."
"Hell no." Heero then left Duo on the floor. Duo shook his head in shame, "god dammit what have I done."
He sighed and stood. The bell rang and headed for class. He would have to corner Heero in the dorm. He was going to get himself killed.
Duo shut the door quietly behind him and he scanned the room. The door to Heero's room was cracked open and Heero was inside typing on his laptop.
Duo walked to the door and pushed it open, "You have to do this for me."
Heero froze, his fingers stopped on the keyboarded. "No I don't."
Duo whined, "Heero, I said I'd pay you back. Anything. I'll run around naked if you want what ever it is I'll do it. Please."
Heero stood abruptly and whipped out his gun even before Duo could blink. In no time at all the end of the barrel was pressed to his forehead.
Duo looked Heero in the eyes, "Shoot me if you have to Heero. I'm asking you out on a date, one date. Not even an hour long. Just enough for ice cream and small talk. You don't have to do a thing."
Heero silently cursed himself that his plan wasn't working. He couldn't kill Duo, the boy was too valuable even though Heero wouldn't admit it out loud. He had no choice.
"Fine."
Duo nearly jumped through the ceiling with joy. "Ok get ready we leave in ten minutes." And Duo was gone and in his room.
Heero sighed and slipped his gun back in its place. He shut the laptop off and grabbed his coat. By the time he slipped it on Duo was already at the door waiting for him.
Duo was dressed in black jeans and jacket with a red shirt underneath.
Duo grinned, "lets go."
Duo looked around and then up at the sign that read, Sulky's Dinner. It was on the corner of 5th street.
Duo shrugged and pulled the door open and Heero walked passed him. Heero looked around. Not a bad place. The floor could have been swept up or at least mopped. There was a storm outside. The rain was harsh and the wind wailed with anger.
Duo stood at his side, "Not a bad little dinner. I bet their food is good."
"Only you would worry about that."
Duo glared at him and scanned the diner. "There she is."
"She."
Duo nodded, "the one who blackmailed me. Her name is Lily Nettle. Very popular and known for braking many hearts."
Heero shrugged, "Lets get this over with."
Duo nodded, "yea sooner the better."
The two approached Lily and her friend. Or as they assumed to be her friend. As far as they knew Lily was straight.
She looked up, "Oh hey Duo. So is this your date?"
Duo numbly nodded and slid into the other side of the girls. Heero crossed his arms and sat down.
"Duo, meet my friend from childhood, Kate."
Duo nodded numbly again, "This is Heero, my...uh...date."
Kate smiled its nice meeting you both. So you two are gay lovers. What's it like?"
Heero turned slightly to look at Duo. The same question was in his eyes.
Duo flushed, "do we have to go into detail?" Lily shook her head, "oh no of course not. You two need to order."
Duo sighed gratefully, and sunk into his seat. Heero was still not happy. Duo had wanted the pilot to have fun, to live a little, and enjoy the afternoon. But he just sat there a frown fixed on his face.
Duo rolled his eyes, "Heero come with me. Lily, excuse me...please."
Lily grinned, "Yea sure. Have fun you two."
Heero glared at the two girls who giggled foolishly. Duo led Heero out onto the dance floor and they stood there among the few other couples.
Heero looked around them then back at Duo. "Hn."
He turned only to almost run Lily over. She took him in her arms and led him away dancing. Duo blinked in surprise, more of shock and disbelief. But then Kate filled Duo's vision and she nearly dragged him into a dance.
Duo glanced at Heero, who was staring calmly at Lily as she yakked away her entire life story in less than ten minutes.
Duo sighed and looked at Kate. Her dark brown hair fell off her shoulders and was held up by a red bow. Her green eyes stared into Duo's face. "Your cute. Too bad your..."
Duo shuddered slightly and looked at Heero. He was having a harder problem. Lily had wrapped her arms around his neck, the inside of her elbows touched the back of Heero's neck and her body was nearly plastered to his.
Heero was telling her something while his hand reached down to the waistline of his pants.
Duo gasped just as Kate placed her lips of his. Duo nearly fell over. He pulled away from her and took two large steps back. He knocked into Lily sending her down; Heero stayed in place his hand on the butt of his gun. Duo grabbed Heero's hand and shook his head. "Heero not around here. To many people."
Heero glanced around to see other people looking at them strangely. Slowly his fingers let go and Duo pulled Heero's arm out in front of him.
Heero glanced at Lily who had stood and was eying them angrily, mostly at Duo.
Heero glared back at her. She ignored him, or it was that she didn't see it.
She pushed Duo back, "Who the hell do you think you are? You just pushed me down, me!"
Duo took a step back, "I'm sorry...I didn't know you were..." "Shut up. You deliberately pushed me. You pig..."
Lily raised her hand up in the air to strike Duo who just stood there in the line of fire. But something caught Lily's hand. Duo looked over at Heero who held lily's wrist tightly in his grip. "Leave."
His voice was cold and Lily looked shaken up by his glare. "I...I..."
Heero threw her wrist from his hand and he grabbed Duo by the front of the shirt and literally drugged him to the table.
Duo fell into his seat across from where Heero sat. Duo stared at Heero wide eyed in shock. "Why?"
Heero's sharp gave flew to Duo's astonished ones. Heero's eyes flickered with unwanted emotions before they took back their icy gaze and moved to the table.
Two plates were set down in front of them; it was what the girls had ordered. Duo picked up a fork and stabbed a meatball that had been placed neatly in the plate of spaghetti. He glanced back at Heero then at his food. Heero didn't move, but his gaze had now placed itself out the window staring out into the night.
Duo let out a long tired sigh, "I'm sorry Heero. It's my fault you're bored out of your mind. God I'm such an ass."
Duo propped his head up with his hands. He shut his eyes.
Heero looked at Duo's bowed head, and his icy glaze vanished and was replaced by a calm and collected one. "Don't worry about it, Duo. But you're right about one thing, you're an ass."
Duo looked up at Heero for a long time then slowly a grin spread across his face, "You know we don't do so well as a gay couple."
Duo waited, and then watched as slowly Herro smirked with amusement, and Duo laughed out loudly, attracting attention.
Heero turned the knob slowly and kicked the door open lightly and limbed inside.
He clutched the arm draped over his shoulder tightly and shuffled the body leaning against him.
Heero looked at Duo's face, which leaned against his shoulder. Cobalt blue eyes blurry eyed stared straight ahead. Thick peach colored lips were slightly parted.
Heero grunted as he moved to the bedroom and pushed the door open. He carried the body to the bed and let it fall onto the softness of it. Duo laid face down on the bed, and soft snore escaped him.
Heero sighed and grabbed the blanket at the end of the bed and draped it over Duo's body. Heero was about to leave but something shot through his mind like a rocket. He stared at Duo's body, hidden under the clothes. Heero had seen something earlier, something that didn't fit right with the male pilot. It was something he couldn't place, something that was out of place.
Heero attentively reached for the blanket but drew back his hand. He shook his head, turned and walked back to the door. But before he could shut it behind him, Duo called out dreamily, "Thanks...Heero."
Heero shut the door silently and frowned in thought. 'Was the thanks for taking care of him, bringing him home after drinks, or was it for saving the secret everyone was dieing to find out?'