Writers Block
Disclaimer: I dun't own Gundam Wing, nor do I claim to. If I did there'd be serious changing around in the pairing department.
Warnings: YAOI, swearing, angst, fluff, sap. Sequel to Inspiration
AN: This is the sequel to Inpsiration (as if I ain't made that garingling obvious). Chances are, if you don't read this, you'll be highly confused. Please go read it and review. Yes, yes. Reviews are MUCH appreciated.
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"Ha ou ee'n y ie?"
Heero looked up to see his lover peaking around the bathroom door, toothbrush sticking out of his mouth as his hands were busy doing up the buttons on his black dress shirt.
"Have I what?"
Duo returned to the bathroom, out of sight. He came back moment's later, toothbrush gone. "Have you seen my tie?"
The half-Japanese man sighed and walked over to a dresser -his own- and pulled out a red tie. He walked back over and handed it to the other man.
Duo ginned almost sheepishly. "Could you help me with it? Never could do something like this…"
"Helpless as always, I see," Heero muttered as he brought the red material around Duo's neck.
Duo stuck his tongue out at him just as Heero was finished and the darker haired brunette took the opportunity to pull the other in for a brief, yet wet kiss. He pulled away, straightening the tie before leaving Duo to his own preparations. The author grinned and ran a hand through his wet locks, still loose about his slender frame.
"Man, I wish we didn't have to go to this thing. I mean, c'mon…. I'm not exactly Mr. Formal. We could probably find something a little more - productive."
Heero snorted and searched around under their bed for his good shoes. He thought he remembered to put them there last time he'd been near forced into wearing them… His hand came into contact with something fuzzy and he veered away with a grimace. Finally finding the smooth texture of what was assumed to be a shoe he pulled it out. He located the other and stood up with a soft grunt.
"Duo, you agreed to this months ago… You know how badly Ryan needs this charity dinner. You're the main attraction. People are going to show up to see you. Even if I would rather stay here and be 'productive.'"
"Fine. No hooky."
Heero suppressed a chuckle as Duo made his way into the bathroom, shoulders slumped and eyes cast to the floor. He wasn't fooled. Duo was looking forward to this. It had been quite some time since they had been able to get out and do something together. What with the mad dash to get Heather's things all packed and ready for University, then the move and the slight depression spell both had felt afterwards, it was really no wonder. Even recently Duo had begun a new manuscript on Zechs' life and his ties to the Marquis family. Many a night had been spent with both staring at computer screens, one with completed programming script and the other reams of plot and character notes.
Duo returned, damp hair held in it's normal neat braid and a pair of glasses perched on his nose - something Heero had convinced him into purchasing after loosing a contact one too many times. Black from head to toe, with only the red tie for colour, Duo really did appear to be the Gundam 02 pilot Heather had always claimed him to be. Heero on the other hand had gone tradition. Black slacks and a white button down top, no tie. He'd wear this but he refused to wear a tie. The black jacket was bad enough.
A glance at the clock and he had Duo's arm and was rushing them out the door, barely giving the other man time to put on his own shoes.
"We're going to be late."
It was amazing the things people did in a crowd full of people, thinking that no one was watching. Heero watched amusedly as one man stuffed food into his pockets and another was moving his moving his hand down to clasp a woman's -assumably his dates- rear. And each in plain sight of anyone that may have taken to time to pass their gaze around the room. There was more going on. People mingled, chatting. None of this meant anything to anyone. It was some way for them to raise their social standing or show off that they had done something charitable. Very few of them were likely to have even heard of McKay Publishing let alone read a book published by them. Of course there were a few that had actually come to see Duo. Those were crowded around the animated author, eyes lit up with sheer glee. If he wasn't mistaken one of them was the young daughters of one of the wealthier guests.
Smiling faintly he leaned back against the wall, gaze wandering over his lover's frame. It really was hard to believe they'd been together going on three year. Harder still to believe they'd gotten together at all. After all, Heero had never been very good at expressing himself with most people. But Duo was different and there was this familiarity that was there that seemed almost psychic.
What this strange trait hadn't been able to do was make up for in time. They'd learned to read each other. Each had boundaries, set early on in the relationship. Arguments and sometimes serious fights were not so uncommon, but it had never caused a break-up. Lonely nights on the couch or even a few days spent with friends, yes, but never anything crucial.
Duo looked over at him and smiled, nodding his head ever so slightly as he continued to chat on to his audience.
He was about to join the man when a hauntingly familiar voice froze him in his tracks.
"Heero? Why, I do believe it is Heero Yuy! What on earth could bring you to a function like this?"
Heero turned his burning glaze to take in a fall of platinum blonde hair and a pair of ice-y blue orbs. "I don't think that's any business of yours, Milliardo."
A flitting smirk holding a seductively sinister note. "Oh but it could be my business. In fact it was at one point." He moved a step closer, coming uncomfortably within Heero's personal space. "I've always had a soft spot when it came to you. Perhaps this was fate telling us to renew things."
Heero growled dangerously and shifted away. "I was nothing but a pawn to you and your sister. I'm not about to fall for the same thing twice."
The blonde feigned hurt, clutching at his chest dramatically. "But we've changed; Relena and I. We no longer squabble. Quite the opposite, in fact, we're more like partners now."
He glared back up at the taller man, trying to impress the fact that he was no longer some green freshman, without any real experience with dating. "You think that comforts at all? Milliardo, you're more pathetic than I last remember."
He moved to side-step the blonde, but his wrist was caught in Milliardo's firm grasp. He was spun around to face a coolly masked face. Blue-white flames belied the silent fury the other man felt.
"You're a nothing. You're the one who's pathetic, coming here and staying off to the side. Why do you bother? Why-"
"I rather like to think I'm the reason he bothers with this."
No little amount of relief at the sound of Duo's voice as he looks at Milliardo over the rim of his glasses. There's nothing in his expression that shows what he's feeling, just a carefully blank expression one could mistake for curiosity. I'v been with him long enough to recognize it, though. Duo only goes unreadable when he's absolutely furious. Any other time he's completely open with his emotions.
Milliardo falters and stumbles back a pace, releasing my wrist. He regains his baring and straightens. "And who might you be?"
"Duo Maxwell. I'm one of Mr. McKay's clients." There's no inflection to his voice. Each word is spoken with perfect annunciation, in perfect English; quite different from Duo's usual informal use of slang and abbreviations.
"Ah yes, the famous author of the famous Gundam Wing novels. From what I hear, you caused quite a lot of commotion when your last book came out." Cold blue eyes narrowed and glanced momentarily towards Heero. "Especially after an incident during your book signing."
"It's interesting to hear of someone such as yourself following the news of a sci-fi writer."
"Yes, but the subject caught me eye. It's not every day that an author with a following quite so large as yours comes out with something as shocking as putting two of his main male characters together in a romantic relationship. Then as much as announcing your orientation publicly. You are a very daring man, Mr. Maxwell. Not many would have done something that could have potentially ruined their reputation."
Duo smiled, small and without a hint of amusement. "If you knew me, you would realise I'm not one to worry overly much about my reputation." He made a small show of looking at his watch. "I'm sorry to end this wonderful conversation, but I'm afraid Heero and I really must be leaving. It was wonderful meeting you Mr..."
Milliardo was silent a few moments before smiling charmingly and extended his hand for the brunette. "Peacecraft. Milliardo Peacecraft."
"Pleasure meeting you." Duo accepted the hand, eyes narrowing imperceptibly as the blonde tried to dominate the handshake with his strength.
That over, Duo pivoted, grabbed a hold of Heero's arm and tugged his lover towards the door. It was with a silent sigh of relief that both reached the car completely unscathed.
Duo looked over at him, expression weary. "If I never have to be near that man again, it'll be too soon."
TBC....
Shade: And the start of a whole new situation! I am aware of the fact that Heero's a little OOC and the ending was sorta anti-climactic, but I couldn't find it in me to change anything. I'll try to keep things more realistic and entertaining latter on in the fic. Warning though, I may not be too quick with the chapters. Schools just come back and I'm having a bit of trouble jumping back into the routine, not to mention I've found myself in a new group of friends, ones are particularly like, so I may be spending more time outside of my little internet world. And much thanks for the 191 reviews that I got on Inspiration. It's much appreciated!! ^^