Chapter 4
Damnit, he hadn't managed to steal anything after Heero had left. He wondered just how much he had freaked out the young man by showing him his drawings. Laughing, he shook his head. He sure looked pretty shaken.
Now, he was faced with his own dilemma. He had to go to a fancy dinner in half an hour. But what to wear? Would they notice if he wore the same tuxedo again? He rummaged through the bag. He hoped not, because just as he predicted, he only had one. After a nice hot shower he rebraided his hair tightly. He tried to control his bangs, but to no avail so he just let them be, besides, his hair was the thing that got him all the attention of the ladies. He might not like the ladies, but he sure as hell did like their jewelery.
He noticed he was late, but didn't make a big deal of it. If you're important, they will wait. And since they THOUGHT he was important, he was sure they will. He walked slowly through the corridors, nodding at people, pretending to be king of the world like everybody else he was going to dine with did. He entered the restaurant and immediately saw count Po, his daughter and the men he had met this morning sitting at a table. To his liking, Heero was there as well. To his dismay, together with his mother, fiancé and that scary Zechs Merquise. He didn't really had the time to talk with the blonde, but he always gave him eerie looks, making him shiver.
'Ah, Duo! Stylishly late I see.' Count Po said as Duo sat down at their table. He noticed they hadn't ordered anything yet. The British and their manners.
Immediately a waiter came to their table, memorising the drinks they requested.
'so duo, what do you do in France besides enjoying your wine?' The question came from heero's mother while she gave Duo a look that could murder. She had the same cold eyes as Zechs.
He should answer the question but he was already to late as he heard Heero saying.
'Duo is also a very talented artist. I had the pleasure of seeing some of his work this afternoon'
He smiled. A talented artist, eh?
'Really now...' Saku Yuy continued, 'What do you draw'
'Landscapes.' Heero said, again before Duo even had the time to answer.
His mother turned towards him, turning her back at Duo, he could only imagine how she looked when she said: 'Heero dear, let the man talk for himself'
He could see Heero nod and swallowed as he wondered what his mother was going to ask him.
'Mr. Maxwell'
'Please, call me Duo'
'Mr. Maxwell,' She repeated, god he hated that woman, 'I found out this afternoon that you are not travelling first class'
His face stayed impassive but inside he screamed in fear. God, she had found out! He sure was going to hell now!
'You do know that as a second class traveller you are not allowed to dine in this restaurant'
'Don't worry about it ma'am.' No one renders Duo maxwell speechless. 'I did pay my share to be able to sit here and eat with fine people like you. You see, I was a bit late ordering my tickets. All of the first class suits were taking. I wanted to come with Titanic so badly that I decided to go second class. I didn't have any other choice'
Saku looked stunned. She could not deny his story, since he answered so quickly. She must have thought that no one can come up with an excuse that fast. Confirmes that she has never been on the streets longer then ten minutes.
'Well I apologise for my rude comment then.' She said, trying to salvage her pride. She looked away and started eating the salad that was placed in front of them all.
He looked at Heero and gave him a smile. Heero smiled back secretively. He had a feeling that Heero didn't fell for his lie the way he did. His heart, dare he say, fluttered when he realised the boy also didn't mind.
After salad came the main course and the talking started again. Only this time it was friendly fire.
WuFei had the indecency to ask why Zechs last name was Merquise and not Peacecraft, surprising Duo when he found out Relena and Zechs were related. He said it was for business. Duo knew it was bullshit, but didn't say a thing. He had angered Heero's mother enough for this evening.
Actually, if he tuned Heero's mother and her occasional rude coments out he had a good time. Quatre was a really nice guy, trowa was silent, but when he said something it was either very meaningful, or just simply hilarious and he loved the way Heero and WuFei quarrelled with each other. They reminded him of brothers.
'Where did you two met?' Duoa sked as Heero and WuFei started again.
The two looked at Duo. 'Just now. Here.' WuFei answered, a little dumbfounded.
'Seriously? You two act like brothers'
'I can't take that as a compliment.' Heero said, making the others laugh. He wanted to say more, but a nudge from his anoying, in Duo's eyes, fiancé silenced him.
As desert, ice cream was served and whenever Duo looked up he saw Heero was giving quite a show. Licking the spoonful of ice erotically. Was it just his perverted mind or did the others see it as well?
After that there was more talk, but it was slowly turning into only business talk. The men talked furiously, the woman, he himself and Heero said nothing at all. They obviously didn't have a share in that.
'Duo, are you willing to talk business now.' The count, Quatre, WuFei, Trowa, Zechs and a few other men from the other tables stood, preparing to leave to other hall were they would play their little game with lots of smoke and alcohol.
'No thank you. I have somewhere I need to be.' He gave Heero a meaningful look but he caught only half of it as his mother and her icy glare was in the way.
'Ah, a lady eh'
'Sort of.' He asnwered honestly. When the attention was turned away from him pe fished his pen and a piece of paper out of his pocket, scribbling something down on it, clutching it in his left hand so that no one would see. He rose from his seat and kissed the hand of every woman sitting at his table, even Heero's mother, who looked at him like he had just spit her in the face. Relena's look wasn't far from that.
Before shaking Heero's hand firmly he switched the paper from his left hand to his right hand. Giving Heero a meaningful look.
He frowned as he felt the paper being handed to him. He looked up at Duo with big, innocent eyes as they let go, leaving him with the paper.
Duo winked at him, said one last goodbye to all of them and left. He looked back at Heero once, trying to tell him, by using his eyes only, that he should read it.
Duo walked towards the grand staircase and waited at the top, leaning against the banister while he looked at the clock right in front of him. He glared at the arms of the clock, wanting to make them move faster. Every now and then he looked around, a little nervous about getting caught by count Po, or even worse, Zechs, standing here while he said he had to be somewhere.
XXXXXXX
Heero fumbled with the paper, hoping that no one would see. His mother had her back towards him and Relena was busy talking to Sally, who didn't sound like she was enjoying listening to his soon-to-be wife with her occasional 'hn'.
Inetersted in what a real party is like? Meet me at the clock. (1) a little nervous he folded it again and quickly hid it in his pocket. He calmed himself down for a few seconds and then stood, earning two surprised looks.
'Mother, Relena. I'm taking off'
'Why are you leaving so soon?' Relena questioned while he kissed her hand politely goodbye.
'I didn't sleep well last night... and now I'm dead tired'
'Dead Tired? Does that Maxwell boy teach you to talk that way'
'No mother.' He didn't say goodbye to her, he just walked off, feeling her eyes boring to whole into his back, but he tried his best to ignore them. Sighing in relief as he was finally out of sight. He looked up the stairs, at the clock he hoped Duo was talking about. Otherwise he had no idea where to go. That he was doing something this rational! He saw Duo, standing with his back turned towards him, his braid dangling down his back. He took one deep breath and slowly walked up the stairs. Wondering what the hell he was doing.
As if he had sensed his precence Duo turned around to meet his eyes when he reached him. He gave him a sly smile.
'Ready for some real fun'
He swallowed. 'I guess...'
XXXXXXX
To say he was happy when he found heero had responded to his note would be the udnerstatement of the year. He was estatic. He just hoped that Heero would agree going through with this. They stood at the bottom of a narrow stair they had just come down of.
Heero stared at the crowd with wide eyes. All were people travelling third class, maybe some second. They were laughing, drinking beer, and dancing on music he was probably not used to hearing.
Taking more liberty then was normal he grabbed the collar of Heero's jacket and pulled it off his body. He smiled when he found Heero gave no resistence. Not even when he moved around him, took the tie of his neck and opened the upped buttons of his shirt. Heero was just staring at all the people.
He did to himself what he did with Heero, feeling more comfortable to now have nothing tight around his neck. 'Come on!' He grabbed Heero's hand, wanting to pull him into the crowd. This time, he did resist. Frowning he looked back. Heero stuttered for a moment before asking: 'We... we are going to dance like that'
He follwed Heero's gaze, looking at the many different couples, some of them dancing closer and more... erotically then the others. He smiled at him, pretending to just be friendly in stead of damned excited. 'Hell yeah! But first were gonna get you a drink.' He finally managed to persuade Heero into coming with him. They walked to the other side of the large, windowless, room and he ordered to beers at the poormans bar. While he waited, he laughed at Heero, who was still shocked. But then again, he did through him in the deep without asking if he could swim first. From the fancy dinner hall to this... He'd be in shock as well if this wasn't the portrait of his life: Bad lighting, crowded, smelly and poor. He felt right at home.
'Here!' He yelled, in order to be heard over the loud music.
Heero took the glass of beer and drank half of it in one big gulp. He could see that the first taste surprised him, but he drank it none the less. Duo gaped.
Heero took a breath and then emptied his glass, smacking it down on the bar top. 'What?' He asked, out of breath.
Ouch, the panting and the flushed face really made his pants getting tighter.
'I'm sorry about the things my mother said. It was really rude!' Heero said after a while.
'That's okay! She was right after all! I AM travelling second class'
'I know!' Heero gave him a smirk. Making Duo frown.
'Come on smart ass! Dance!' He pulled him onto the 'dancefloor' and adjusted their positions. His hand on Heero's waist, Heero's hand on his shoulder and the other hand in each others grip.
Heero looked around, very well noticing they were mimicking the pose of a dance done between a man and a woman. 'Duo, this is very inappropriate'
'I know! But ain't it great!' They started dancing, just mindless hopping around.
'I don't know the steps'
'Does it look like I DO'
Some people gave him strange looks but didn't really care about what they were doing. It might not be common, two man dancing together on a third class party, but they weren't gonna make a big deal out of it like people would in first class.
At first he felt just how uncomfortable Heero was with this, but after a while he started to relax and he didn't even protest as Duo's hand, which was high on his waist, slipped a little lower to rest just above the hip. He even laughed as they twirled around, continueing their crazy dance.
XXXXXXX
Zechs Merquise looked back as a hand was laid on his shoulder. He was in the cognac room, talking to the men while enjoying a drink and a good sigar. He looked straight into his mothers eyes. She looked at him in mild anger, but she wasn't angry at him. Making him immediately wonder what Heero had done wrong.
'Excuse me, can I borrow him for a moment?' She asked.
The others nodded and Zechs walked away with his mother, seeking a more quiet place to talk. When they found it, standing behind one of the pilars in a deserted corner, he asked: 'What is it'
'Heero'
He knew it.
'I can't find him. He said he was tired and went to bed, but he's not in his suite'
'Duo Maxwell'
'That was my thought as well.It's a ship, he can't be far. I want you to go look for him'
'But'
'His mother silenced him 'No buts. I will not let this jeopardise the wedding, you know how important that is for our survival.' She hissed.
'I understand.' He returned to table to explain he had to leave for some family matters. They made a few comments, but asked no questions and continued without him as he started his search.
XXXXXXX
The music stopped and they started to play a faster tune. Duo grinned, his own beer and the continuous twirling had gotten to his head. He climbed up on the small stage, pulling a protesting Heero with him. He made the panting boy stand to the side and gave him a smirk. He waited for his moment to go in. Pushing his hair back, he looked at his feet and with a wide grin on his face started tapdancing. He knew he was far from fabulous, but he made few pennies doing it on the street as a kid. Quite a few actually. The crowd stopped in their own dancing and looked at him, they started clapping and calling: 'Go! Go! Go'
Despite their encouragement he stopped when a hand was laid on his shoulder. He looked up to meet Heero's eyes as his hand softly pushed him away. Understanding, he nodded and cleared the stage for him. In anticipation he waited.
Heero started and Duo quickly realised he had lost if this were a contest. Heero earned shouts and yell from the 'public' and even louder clapping. Smiling, a red hue covering his cheeks, he motioned Duo to join in.
While Heero had been dancing, Duo was leaning against a white, metal pillar, shamelessly enjoying the sight of Heero's muscles flexing underneath his skin, which could be seen through the thin shirt. And the way his hair danced around his face as it was once again freed from gel. So it took him a while to realise what Heero meant. They tapdanced together for a little while, before returning to their mindless dancing after emptying another beer glass in their mouths. Duo was pleased, very pleased indeed, to noticed Heero came a bit closer this time, but he was afraid he had to push him away, before he'd notice the hardness in his pants. But heero had already gotten close and he didn't even look like he had noticed. Duo shrugged and smiled and just continued. At the ending of the song he threw Heero back, his hand on the small of Heero's back while he made Heero lean back far. His other hand was resting shamelessly on the boys thigh, not noticing the two cold blue eyes watching them from the top of the staircase.
XXXXXXX
'Oh my God Duo! That was amazing, I never had this much fun in my entire life!' Heero exclaimed. They were standing in the doorway of his suite, Heero leaning against the doorframe, he had swayed a bit while walking up here. Maybe that third glass wasn't such a good idea after all. He looked drosy... like only a part of him was still there. The naughty part, Duo figured as Heero gave him a seductive look. But the boy probably didn't even notice how mony wrong... or right signals he was giving.
He knew he shouldn't take advantage of his current state, but he just looked so wanton, like he wanted to be taken, right then and there. Duo blamed the hormones raging through his body as he quickly leaned over, not giving Heero time to pull away. They shared a shirt, but fierce kiss before breaking up when Duo notice a weak push against his chest. When he pulled back, Heero immediately took a step back, staring at him with wide eyes.
'I-I shouldn'tve done that. Goodnight.' He quickly said and closed the door with a flustered face.
Duo sighed, he might have screwed up now. He knew he should have taken it slower but Heero was just so... so... Heero. He turned and walked through the long corridor, heading for his own suite, when he rounded a corner, a figure came to walk next to him, he looked up to see Zech Merquise/Peacecraft walking next to him, head held high, hands folded behind his back.
They walked in silence for a few moments, he didn't know what to say, did he see them kiss?
Zechs suddenly caught up with him, stopping to stand in his way when they were in a deserted hallway.
'We need to talk, Maxwell.' He spat he name out with so much dugust Duo had to do his best not to cringe.
'Shoot'
'I wish I could.' Zechs seriously retorded, he pulled the side of his jacket back a bit to reveal a gun sitting in it's holster.
Duo swallowed, yes, he guessed he had seen what happened.
'Heero is engaged. With my sister after all. I can't let you turn him into a slut'
'No matter what Heero does, I will never let anyone call him a slut and go unpunished.' He growled in a moment of true love.
Zechs snorted. 'Heero is way out of you're reach. My soon to be-steph-mother may be stupid enough to cling in your little web of lies, but I see through that. You never paid a penny more for suit to be able to eat first class. You are a liar and a thief. And don't think I can't prove it'
Duo growled. He knew he could prove it. Hardy's plan had a major fault. He had paid for the room. Meaning that when they found out Duo was just a poor bastard they would trace where they got the money from for the suite. They would link him and the stolen goods to Hardy and then they'd be finished. They could spend their time in America in a warm and cozy cell.
'If you don't want the Marshall to hear about my little theory, then you better stay away from Heero. My sister and i are quite fond of him'
He didn't at all like the look on the bastards face right now.
'Do we have a deal?' He reached out his hand, wanting Duo to shake it for closure.
'I don't make promises I can't keep.' He slapped the hand away and walked past him. As he walked, as quickly as possible without seeming to furious or eager to get away Zechs called after him: 'Just remember Duo, if I see you close to him, the Captain and I will personally trhow you off the ship'
The smirk he heard in his voice made him even more furious! He could imagine steam coming out of his ears. If that was the case, he wouldn't even be surprised since his brain was boiling, trying to figure things out.
XXXXXXXX
Back in the luxurious suite, Heero's mind was also boiling, wanting to figure things out. He knew nothing of what happened on the hallway, but he did know about the kiss and the amazing night he had spent with Duo. He was sitting in front of his mirror, slowly brushing his hair while watching his reflection, once in a while he looked down at one of the many pictures Relena had given him of herself. It was her idea, of course, to place one in every room. So that he wouldn't forget her, even though they weren't allowed to share a suite... yet. Oh, how he feared the time when that day will come. He wasn't in love with the annoying girl, not at all, but to feel the things he should feel for his fiancé for a man! A man he had just met? In a situation in which a relationship was doomed? He groaned, why did life had to be so unfair to him? He wished he hadn't met duo at all, so that he could live in blissful ignorance, settling down with the fact Relena was the closest thing to love he could ever get.
He looked in the mirror at the door as he heard it open. A blond head poked it and he turned to look back at his own reflection again. Trying to tame his fair in vain.
'It's beyond help baby.' Zechs said with a laugh and crouched down beside him. Heero sent him a poisoning look.
'I wish you wouldn't call me that'
'Well, we can't have everything with want'
'So why can't I have ANYthing'
Zechs shook his head and then reached into his jacket, taking something out of the inner pocket. Heero caught a glimpse of the gun and scared himself shitless when he pictured himself grabbing the gun and shooting Zechs so many times he just HAD to be dead. He flinched as the sounds of the gun, being fired again and again, echoed in his head.
He watched as Zechs took out a rather small blue velvet box. He knew it must contain jewelery, he alsways bought him expensive things, he wondered why he bothered, just like his sister, he was nothing more then a possession to him.
He looked back at him again when a sparkle from the box caught his eye. He gasped and reached over, gently touching the edge of the box while he stared open mouthed at the content.
In the box was a clear, large, heart shaped diamond in a mysterious shade of blue. The necklace was covered with small, sparkling diamonds.
'It's called The Heart of The Ocean. Worth millions. But... if you ask me your eyes are a better match then any ocean.' Zecks gave sly smile.
Heero could do nothing but stare wordlessly at the necklace. It was just a necklace but it was so beautiful, did Zechs buying him such an exenpice necklace mean he and his sister DID love him? And weren't only thinking about their reputation?
The blonce gently lifted it out of the box and came to stand behind Heero. He carefully slipped the robe of his shoulders, so that his neck and the top of his chest was exposed.
'It was supposed to be a gift for after the wedding...' Zechs softly said in his ear as he placed the necklace around his neck and fastened it, before removing his hands, his fingers lingered on the smooth golden skin, 'But I thought tonight was a perfect time... To show you how glad we are that you have decided to join out family'
Heero looked at Zechs in the mirror, seeing him smile. He had something evil about him, but he couldn't place his finger on it. He was sure he would after he married Relena. He looked back at himself. At his eyes and at the beautiful, though heavy, pendant. Zechs was right, they did match, but while the diamond shone in pure beauty, his eyes shone in fear. The necklace seemed to represent the heavy weight on his heart ever since his mother forced him to accept The Peacecrafts offer.
'And... i also gave it to you, so that you wouldn't forget about the deal'
He glared at him 'How could I? You remind me everyday'
'Stay away from that Maxwell-figure, Heero. He is not to be trusted.' Zechs left the room, softly closing the door behind him with gentleness he usually never showed.
Maybe Zechs was right, he did feel like Duo had been hiding secrets from him and his story about france and his explanation just didn't sound right. By seeing Duo, he was betraying his mother, his entire family.
Was he worth it?
(1) Yes, I do realise this is not what the letter in the movie said. But I didn't want to steal the whole plot.
Hmmm... This story has once again caught my interest. I'm just hoping I can make it work. Just like all my stories, i play it out in my head when I'm in bed or am just totally bored and in my head, this one turned out mighty fine. But I always fear I'm gonna screw it up.
Warn me if i do such a thing.
CW