UNDERLYING AGENDA

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Whipping around, Duo fell silent at the initial sight of him before he broke out into some kind of crazy rallying call and flung himself at him. Despite all the years of knowing this crazy, he could never fully prepare himself for the landing and this time was no different. They took the shower caddy down with them into the claw foot bathtub and a bottle of eccentrically fragrant body butter, for the lack of the better term, exploded where their bodies came together. Duo snorted, unable to see through the thick substance caught in his lashes and grinned in his general direction.

Heero wiped the back of his hand across his mouth, looked at him, and shook his head. "This ain't hot," he deadpanned, cracking a smile as Duo fell into uncontrollable laughter. With gentle sweeps of his thumbs he revealed the laughter in his eyes. Duo was lying directly on top of him, his lips so near to Heero's that he could taste his sweet breath. He fell silent rather abruptly and could only stare at those Prussian blues. Heero touched his fingers to the base of his braid and stared right back. "We've known each other a long time, haven't we?"

"We sure have. Since, like, before you could talk."

"You showed me," he continued, thumbing a coppery strand, "the charm behind the spoken word. Did you know this?"

"Did I? Well, I guess that should come to no surprise considering I have a bottomless word bank and no filter." The butterflies were slowly being smothered by the sludgy uneasiness quickly flooding his lower belly. This wasn't pure reminiscence. This was his vain attempt to ease the weight of reality with what Duo couldn't have back; past happiness. The only thing he knew for sure was that Gundam Pilot 01 was losing his characteristic edge, and the goddamned bitch at the forefront of the assault.

He never taught Heero how to lie.

The intercom by the bed sounded. "Mr. Merquise and Ms. Peacecraft-Dorlian have returned, Mr. Maxwell. Dinner will be served in the formal dining room in fifteen minutes."

Neither of them moved. The all anticipated reunion- with its perfectly ripe, voluptuous backdrop- was wilting, decomposing, rotting, rapidly. That was the price of falling victim to artificial bliss and being brave enough to demand the truth, even if it stole away all existence of happiness and rendered it to distant memory once again.

Why am I really here? Duo waited.

"Relena and I are getting married," Heero divulged monotonously.

And waited.

"She's pregnant. She wanted her brother to be the first to know."

Ever since the end of the war, between paper pushing, denying the slowly decaying mind of his best friend, and pursuing a man more interested in committing necrophilia than screwing his warm hole, Duo found plenty of time to work on his patience. This was the final exam.

Duo squinted, "And…?"

"I decided that if we're going to be disclosing this type of information you should know, too."

"How considerate of you," he retorted. Carefully, Duo climbed up and out of the tub and offered him a hand that swiftly turned on him the moment his feet were firmly on the ground. Heero went tumbling back into the cluttered tub and Duo was out of sight by the time his vision cleared.

"Attention ladies and gentle, Flight 167 to Tokyo is now boarding at Gate 11. We will begin seating all first class passengers only at this time, please."

In the miasmic turmoil of disappointment and anger, Duo had booked a center seat in coach nowhere near an exit. After stealing his precious M3 and driving it all the way to LAX like a bat out of hell, he couldn't see the harm in upgrading a non-refundable ticket with the credit card the owner himself had issued him. It'd probably make him feel better.

"Yeah whatever…" The aluminum needles of Duo's generic plastic watch read 12:10AM. By this time the knocked-up-out-of-wedlock Prime Minister Peacecraft-Dorlian was probably mulling over the most satisfying ways to kill him while riding his best friend, and it tickled the most primitive part of his existence fucking pink to think she'd bleed him, real quiet like, with her own bare hands and gulp down his last breath just as it escaped his ashen lips. And her brother, well, he was probably strutting down the wide corridor of a typical international airport looking like he fucking owned the place and all the people in it. He was coming directly toward him, too, and Duo sat up. "Frickin' fuck, no way."

Zechs halted before him and Duo could perfectly picture the iciness in his gaze even from behind his darkly tinted sunglasses just by his posture; hands resting by his sides, shoulders square, back perfectly symmetrical. Duo was less than pleased and slouched back into his seat, "At ease, Warden."

"Join me for a drink before you go?"

God gives you what you need, not what you want.

Zechs halted before him, and Duo could perfectly picture his cool gaze even from behind his darkly tinted sunglasses just by his posture; weight to one side, hands casually tucked into well tailored Armani slacks, pushing the matching jacket off just enough to appreciate the fitted V-neck and the bit of sculpted chest peaking from behind the thin cotton. "Join me for a drink before you go?"

"You came all the way down here just to ask me that?"

"Actually, the only guarantee of coming after you was getting my car back," Zechs said, unperturbed. "However, I'll have you know that you were the only guest I invited over this weekend and I intend to keep my word on seeing you through a good time. Never mind that I'm already covering the expenses of your great escape." Duo found himself stupefied by the smile that bloomed across Zechs's face. The combination of pearly whites, supple lips, and the definitive jaw was close to godliness. "And what looks to be this lackluster getaway, too."

"I'm not going back," Duo stated firmly. "The sight of my best friend permanently coupled with your conniving little bitch of a sister makes me feel icky."

"All the more reason to accept my offer," Zechs said, offering the slouching braided vagabond a hand. "You have my sympathy regarding Yuy because I wholeheartedly agree with you. And if you reconsider, I promise that the ghastly pair will be entirely irrelevant during your stay."

Duo looked at the hand, the elegant fingers, and flicked a brow coyly, "Planning to keep me up past my bedtime, are you?" In truth, he found it all kind of exciting. Exceedingly so when compared to the uneventful life back at home, which would still be there waiting whether he went home now or later. Eh, why not delay the inevitable? Don't most people want to do that anyway? "And where exactly do you plan on taking me?"

"Anywhere that suits you is agreeable with me."

"Anywhere?"

"That's what I said."

Tossing the keys directly into his hand, Duo led the way back to the parking garage and climbed into the once abandoned coupe. "First things first," he said, strapping himself in. "I need fuel."

"Indeed, you must be starved." They were on the major highway in minutes with dining choices flowing endlessly on either side of them. "What do you feel like?"

"Not sure. Partial to anything?"

"No, I'm going to leave it entirely up to you."

"Entirely?" Duo tested him again.

"That's what I said."

All smiles, Duo approached the counter. "Big Mac and Coke, please. Upsized."

The attendant rang up the order before looking expectantly at Zechs. "And what can I get you, sir?"

"Nothing for me, thank you."

"That'll be $8.65," she said, handing Duo a mega-huge cup he went off to fill with fizzy HFCS while Zechs completed the transaction.

They sat down in a booth by the window all of two seconds when his meal arrived. Duo annihilated in less than that. "Damn, but I was starved! Thank you, Zechs."

"You're welcome."

Duo took another gulp of his soda and smiled at him, "You don't eat fast food do you?"

"Not often, no."

"Why, cause it's bad for you?"

"No, I like hamburgers. I just prefer them made-to-order and less chewy."

That made sense, but Duo laughed and shook his head. "I find that hard to believe," he said. "I mean, I can't see you eating with your hands."

"Really?" he asked curiously, grabbing an uneaten fry hidden beneath carton and taking a bite, then another until the salty remnants was all that was left of its existence. Zechs swiftly gathered the crystalline bits from his finger with his tongue and it was done. Duo thought he'd imagined it all. "May I ask why?"

"It looks off the charts for starters. Plus, I can feel the hum of the bass even through this bimmer." Duo looked to Zechs who calmly inspected the club in question through the tinted windshield and gently elbowed him in the shoulder. "You're not allergic to a little booty poppin' fun are you?"

On the contrary, Zechs thought. He was thoroughly amused that out of all the clubs and lounges on this strip he'd chosen this particular establishment. It had the potential to end badly, but he was a man of his word and had no intention of talking Duo out of anything tonight. Besides, whether he liked the place or not would speak volumes about his person without the need for mundane conversation. Pulling through the cobblestone underpass for valet parking, Zechs only smirked and got out of the car.

This guy's crazier than me, Duo thought excitedly, finally getting out to find admission already gained despite the lengthy line of exasperated people still waiting. "You've been here before, haven't you? Damn!"

To sustain the mystery, Zechs shook his head. "He recognized me from the War apparently," he said with a dismissive shrug, purposely allowing the flow of the crowd to keep Duo just ahead of him. The flow split at a descending and ascending staircase and Zechs smiled when Duo chose the latter direction towards the attractive bar and lounge area where they could get a drink, mingle with some people effortlessly over the music, and appreciate the vast and glittering commotion of the dance floor below.

"What I tell ya? Sick!" Duo half-shouted over his shoulder to Zechs as they waited for the barkeep to approach.

"I'll drink to that," he said, handing the handsome David Beckham look-alike his credit card. "I'll have a double Jack on the rocks, and Duo?"

"Same pretty please," Duo said, openly flirting back with the obviously intrigued bartender with a wink of his own. Zechs caught it but played it off like he hadn't, his own intrigue increasing as Duo handed him his drink, clinked glasses their glasses together, and took a confident sip of the amber liquor. "Yeah, buddy! It never fails."

"What's that?"

Duo threw back the rest of whiskey and signaled for another before smiling lasciviously at his sheer blonde companion. "The hair, man. It's like an aphrodisiac! "

Zechs chuckled, "That a fact?"

"You bet your heavy love eggs it is," he laughed, tossing the ice of his second emptied glass around in his mouth. Incredible how the club scene inspired one to throw all caution to the wind. "I find it hard to believe you wouldn't be familiar with the concept, Blondie."

"What are you implying, Mr. Maxwell?" Zechs asked, arctic eyes gazing evenly at him over the rim of his glass as he took a long, cooling sip.

"Don't be dense, Z-Man. Both men and women hone in on it like Georgians to AC in July. It's like a fucking phenomenon or something."

On the opposite side of the room stood a young lady who appeared to be looking over in their direction as if she recognized one of them. It had to be Duo, Zechs thought, because he didn't have a clue who she was. From his vantage point over Duo's shoulder he watched her cave beneath the curiosity and finally walk over. "Why don't you give that mouth a rest? Someone's coming over."

"What, behind me?"

"That's right. Don't be rude and turn around."

"No," he said, shifting his weight to allow the end of his braid to swish teasingly across his good looking ass. "Let her come all the way over and properly play with this puppy."

That was a new one. "Well, just don't go licking her in the mouth." Zechs turned to order another drink just as she closed in to give them the opportunity to interact without crowding up his game.

"Duo? Is that you, Duo?"

"Huh?" The moment he realized who she was it was clearly game OVER. This wasn't entirely a novice sweet tart. Utterly blindsided, Duo could only stare at her for a good twelve seconds before she flung her laughing self into his arms for an unbridled bear hug. The pliant shape of her securely in his arms brought back memories and Duo began to laugh along with her. "Holy shit, I can't freaking believe this!"

"I can't either, but here we are! Damn, but I sure have missed you!" Hilde squealed, hugging him briefly again in pure adoration. "You haven't changed one bit, look at you! Still lean and handsome, but definitely a little beefier and…oh my, you're taller!"

"Damn straight and a long time coming!" Duo said, grinning from ear to ear as he looked over his long time war comrade and former lover. She was wearing a pair of black knee-high boots, a leather miniskirt of the same color and a royal blue embellished halter top with just enough fabric to conceal the prime feature of her pert breasts. She still wore her signature choppy cut, but it was styled more modernly; windblown, and her brilliant cobalt blue eyes popped against the pale and creamy backdrop of her skin and raven hair. The way she smiled at him, so sincerely, so attractively, especially gave him goose bumps and reminded him of the simple life they'd once shared back on L2. Simple, yet definitely never lacking in some damn good nights on the living room floor.

They had to work their assess off to come up with the money to replace the mattress frame on two separate occasions before they learned that lesson.

Hilde hooked an arm firmly around his neck and playfully began to noogy him. "Don't go gettin' all nostalgic on me, cowboy!"

Duo retaliated by encircling his arms around her and giving her waist a generous squeeze. "Guess I missed you more than I thought, babe," he said. "Give us a kiss?" It seemed like a long shot after all this time despite their colorful history, but she obliged him and kissed him and it was just like old times. When the connection was lost after only a few brief seconds, Duo was surprised at the immensity of his loneliness and selfishly attempted to drown it out by repossessing her lips once again.

"Duo…" Hilde playfully shoved him and smiled at his blonde companion who had long returned with two beers and another double Jack over ice. "I'm Hilde, an old friend."

"Pleased to meet you, Hilde, Zechs Merquise. Would you like a beer?"

"Yeah, that'd be great! Thank you very much."

"Here you are." Zechs handed her one of the two bottles of ale and offered the other to Duo, who looked worse for the wear. "Better take this and cool down before you pounce on her, Fido."

Hilde wrapped her arm around his shoulders and chastely kissed his cheek, "He'll be all right. He's just been single far too long, ain't that right? Glad to see he can still pick 'em though," she said and tilted her bottle towards Zechs appreciatively, "you're a handsome one, Zechs. You're European right?"

That got Duo's attention. "Wait. What?"

"Yes, the Sank Kingdom," Zechs answered.

Hilde's eyes went wide, "Holy shit, you're Prince Milliardo Peacecraft aren't you? I knew you looked bloody familiar!"

"Pick 'em?"

Zechs smiled, "Once upon a time."

"Well, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance regardless." Hilde reached out and smiled as he shook her hand, and that was quite enough for Duo.

"Hold, hold, hold IT!" Duo slapped their hands apart and shook his head, "What the heck are you talking about? We're not together or anything; he just owes me a favor."

Zechs nearly spat out his beverage but managed to suppress his laughter, even as Hilde began to search Duo's face as if she were trying to decipher a complete madman. "Wait. Let me get this straight… You're not together?"

"No," Duo said.

"He just owes you a favor?"

"That's right," he confirmed.

"So…you came here?"

"Yep!" Duo smirked and patted himself arrogantly on the back, "Still know where the party's at."

That's when Hilde, too, found the humor in it. "Duo," she started, unable to continue for another few minutes as the laughter burst forth so suddenly that she had beer frothing all over the place in seconds. "Oh, shit!"

Duo frowned, turned to Zechs who'd just bought a double bourbon straight from the bottle. "What the-? Did I miss something here?"

"Duo!" Hilde cried, shaking him desperately by the shoulders as the laughter threatened to spontaneously combust her bladder. "You're at a freaking gay bar!"