Title: The Herald
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. Don't Kill.
Warnings: Not beta read. Possible citrus, swearing, AU, mild angst.
Pairings: 1x2. 5+R, The pool is still open about Quat and Tro, but seeing all the interest, I'd say that's a strong possibility
Rating: R so far. Probably NC-17 later.
AN: The names of the newspapers are made up. If a paper with a name like this does exist and Herald probably does it's not my intention, to compare the two. Enjoy the fic, and please comment.
Part 7A
After Duo came back from his date with Heero on Thursday, Hilde greeted him with a message, "Trowa called. He asked if it was ok if they came on Friday, the tickets are cheaper then. I said they could, is that ok?"
"Sure, no problem, I'll just leave work a little earlier," he replied, and went to ready himself for bed.
Friday at work was usually calm. Some interviews, finishing some of the assignments, mostly just wrapping up the whole week. Duo had most of it done, so he just worked through lunch, and had it finished way before the end of the day. He wanted to go and tell Heero he was leaving earlier, but he was not in his office. He went to Relena to ask her if she knew anything.
"He's not back yet from a buisnes lunch with Mr. Winner. Is there a problem?" she asked.
"No, no, just wanted him to know I'm leaving earlier today. It's ok. I've left my work on my desk. Have a nice day Relena!" He waved to her and headed for the elevators.
"Same to you Duo!" she waved back, and went back to work.
He got home just in time to prepare dinner, when Trowa and his sister Catherine arrived. The four of them were friends since childhood. Trowa was a year older then Duo, but they were neighbors and always got along just fine, Trowa helping and protecting Duo at school. Hilde and Cathy were from the same year, always best friends, in the same classes since kindergarten. Until not long ago, they met all the time, but Duo and Hilde had to move, the stress of living in the old house, old neighborhood, where their mother died, too much for them. When the man who drove the car that hit their mother came back to town after a few years in prison, Duo was afraid he would go and kill him with his bare hands. So for his own good, he decided they needed a change of scenery. When the guys came, Hilde wasn't back from school yet. Duo let them rest for a while, Cathy managing to grab a shower, and then he served dinner to the two hungry siblings.
"So guys, how's life in the old town?" he asked during the meal.
"Oh, same old. Old miss Norring's cat died and she got herself a new one. The Novaks are going to have another baby, and their youngest son is very depressed about it, telling everyone that he wanted a puppy not a brother or sister," they shared a laugh over that," They closed the the 'Cake Heaven' not a week ago." Cathy went on.
"That's a pity. I loved her apple pie. And I could give my soul to taste that chocolate strawberry cake again"
"Yeah, that one was good." added Trowa, and they spend a few more minutes remembering all the good memories they had with that place. Soon after that Hilde came back, and after a big hug with Trowa, and an excited, squealing greeting with Cathy, the girls went to her room to gossip about who's going out with whom, and who broke up with whom. Something the boys had no interest in.
Heero's meeting with Quatre lasted longer than he estimated. Quatre was frustrated, because he was having problems finding some good reporters, most of them were fresh after school and had no good experience. Then he went on on how much he liked Duo, and when Heero told him they were dating, Quatre demanded they meat again. So Hero got back to work, intending to talk Duo into going out with the two of them this weekend. To his surprise, Duo was not there. Relena told him, that he went home earlier today, but didn't say why. Heero was a little concerned that Duo was maybe not feeling well, so he decided to stop by his house on his way from work.
He finished everything up, and anxiously went to see Duo. He stopped in front of the house, and went to ring the bell. There was some shouting inside, but he couldn't make out the words. Then the door opened... and Heero's world fell around him. There was a man in the door. Wearing only his jeans. And it wasn't Duo. He glared heatedly at him, "Who are you?" he demanded.
Trowa just came out of the shower, fresh and clean, and was a little too hot to dress properly again, "Duo, you mind if I forgo the T-Shirt for now? It's too damn hot in here."
"Sure, no problem Tro!" called Duo from Hilde's room, where he was making up the bed for Cathy. Then the doorbell rung. "Tro can you get that? It's probably the girls back from shopping!" Duo shouted to Trowa who shouted back an "Ok!" and went to answer the door. He opened them and blinked at the man glaring at him from Duo's doorstep. When he demanded his name, he replied truthfully, "Trowa."
"'Trowa' who?"
"Trowa Barton," Trowa tilted his head slightly to the side, "And you are...?"
Heero calmed down a little. Maybe this was just a misunderstanding. This was probably Hilde's boyfriend, or a friend of theirs, and he knew about Heero, "Heero Yuy."
The guy, Trowa, just blinked some more, and Heero got flaming pissed, and then an ice cold furry filled him up. He was about to yell at him, demand what the fuck he was doing in Duo's house, half naked at that, grab him shake him, and if the answer was not satisfactory, punch his lights out. But Duo's arrival mad him stop.
Duo finished with the bed, and went to se what was taking Trowa so long, he came into the hall, "Trowa, what's the matter? Are the girls back?" Then he noticed Heero on his doorstep, "Heero! Hey, what brings you here?" he asked cheerfully. Then he noticed the dark look on his boyfriends face, "Heero is something wrong? What's the matter?"
"I was about to ask the same question." replied a cold voice.
"Huh? Hero, come on in, tell me what's wrong."
"No, I don't think I will. I clearly interrupted something. I'll take my leave now, good bye gentleman." and he turned back to his car.
"Heero! Hey, wait up!" Duo run to him, and grabbed his arm.
"Let me go."
"Heero?"
"I've said let me go!" Heero yanked his arm from Duo's grasp and turned to him with a hurt and furious expression.
"Heero, what the fuck is the matter with you?! What do you mean you 'interrupted something'?!" Duo lost his patience.
"You and... and that... 'man'" Heero snarled.
"What... oh.. OH!" suddenly it all clicked into place in Duos head.
"Yes, 'oh'!"
"Heero you dumb headed idiot!" Duo smacked one hand to his face and shook his head, trying not to laugh. Hero blinked at him, confused, all the fury leaving him in a second, "What?"
Duo looked up at him, "Heero, Trowa is a friend of mine, like a brother, really. I've known him since I was two, and he and his sister came to visit us this weekend!"
Heero looked at him and gaped, feeling abashed, "I... I'm sorry... I... ohmygod," he run a hand through his hair, making it even messier, "Duo, please, I don't know what came over me, I was just so mad..."
"You were jealous." it wasn't a question, but a statement.
"Yeah," Heero grinned sheepishly at him, "Will you forgive me?", he asked with something close to the kicked puppy look, which made Duo chuckle.
"Of course I will!" Duo threw his arms around Heero's neck and hugged the other man firmly, Heero hiding his face in the braided mans neck. He sighed. Everything was alright again.
Duo moved back a little and gave Hero a small kiss on the lips, "Come, Trowa is probably confused as hell, and worried that he did something wrong. And I was hoping the two of you would get along," he grabbed Heero's hand and took him inside.
Trowa was sitting in the living room, now wearing a T-shirt, looking nervous. When he herd Duo and Heero walk in, he stood up to face them, "Duo I really am sorry for the misunderstanding..."
"It's ok, Tro, it wasn't your fault." Duo interrupted him, "Right?" he looked pointedly at Heero, who bowed slightly to Trowa, "I should be the one to apologize, I acted thoughtlessly. I should have let someone explain before jumping to conclusions." Heero apologized.
"It's ok, no harm done." Trowa smiled, "Let's start again then. Trowa Barton, Duo's friend." Trowa extended his hand and Heero shook it with a smile.
"Heero Yuy. The jealous boyfriend." Heero smiled sheepishly at Duo.
There was a short silence, and then... "Boyfriend?"
"Yup." Duo grinned proudly, "Ain't he cute?" he gave Heero a small peck on the cheek, which earned him an amused look from both men.
The three of them moved to sit down, Duo and Heero on the couch, while Trowa took the chair, "So, how did the two of you meet?" Trowa asked.
"I'm his boss." replied Heero.
"Now this is getting more and more interesting," Trowa blinked at him, "Sooo... you sleeping with the boss. Who would have thought." he smirked at Duo, who threw a small pillow at him and mumbled under his nose, "It's not as if I've slept with him... yet."
Heero herd the comment, but choose to ignore it for now, not wanting to embarrass Duo.
The braided man turned to his boyfriend, "By the way Heero, what does bring you here?"
"Oh! Well I wanted to check if you were ok, since you left work early, but now I see why. And I wanted to talk with you. I saw Quatre today, and he was very adamant, that I convince you to go clubbing this weekend. He said he wanted to see the 'Maxwell way' of spending an evening. Of course all your guests are invited too."
"Well I don't know... Trowa?" Duo turned to his friend with a questioning look.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea. I haven't been out for quite some time. Going alone is not much fun. But I do know Cathy planned to take Hilde to one of those clubs for those college kids, so they won't go with us. They are under age, after all."
"That's settled then. So, where do we go, Mr Maxwell?" asked Heero.
"Now, that's my secret, boss. Just be sure to dress like a normal guy our age, and come pick us up at about 8." Duo winked at him, "Now, have you eaten?"
"No, I came here straight from work."
"Then come, I'll feed you. See how good I am."
"Yes, Master."
Trowa just chuckled at the two of them, already liking Heero. He made Duo smile and relax, and even if he was a little jealous, it just showed he cared. Trowa just hoped it would last.
At eight Duo heard a horn outside, and both he and Trowa went out. They got into the car, and greeted both Heero and Quatre, Duo introducing Trowa to the later. Then Duo gave directions to a club he heard about. It was said to accept all kinds of couples, gay, straight or lesbian, and Duo thought that would be the best choice, since he didn't know Quatre's preferences. They soon arrived at the place, and got out. That's when Duo got his first look at what Heero and Quatre were wearing, "You approve?" Quatre laughed.
"Looks good. I just don't think normal guys our age wear clubbing clothes from Armani" Duo snickered, and Quatre gave an mock-indignant huff.
"It is no Armani. I bought it on one of my trips to Paris, "at that Duo gave him a 'My Point Exactly' stare, "and I was told I look good in it."
"You do, don't worry, Duo is probably just jealous you look better than him" Trowa smirked, earning a hard poke in the ribs from Duo.
"Thank you Trowa," Quatre smiled at him, "at least you appreciate my look."
Trowa just thought to himself, that he probably appreciated it more than he should.
Duo turned to his boyfriend, "Now YOU look hot!" He eyed Heero in his tight black, jeans and an half open, dark blue dress shirt. Duo himself was wearing similar jeans, and a short, black T-Shirt, showing a bit of his stomach.
"So do you," Heero grabbed him in the middle, and tugged him in for a hot kiss.
"Love..." Quatre sighed, and Trowa looked at him, "So not fair."
Trowa gave him a puzzled look, "And why is that?"
"Quatre smirked a little evilly up at the tall man, "My paper is bigger, and I still don't have employees like Duo."
Trowa just laughed, and they all headed into the club.
It was still rather early, but there was already a small crowd inside. Two floors, the first had the dance floor surrounded by high tables, and a bar on the wall opposite to the door. The second floor, overlooking the first, had all kinds of couches, booths, tables and simple cushions put on the floor, arranged around tables, and another bar. It was meant for relaxing and it was much quieter, so you could have an actual conversation. The group went to clime one of the couches in the back, Duo and Quatre going to get some drinks, and reappearing a minute later. They sat and drank for a while, laughing, and generally having a good time. When the crowd on the dance floor became a little bigger, Duo grabbed Heero's hand and demanded they go dancing, their two friends trailing behind them.
Once on the dance floor, Duo threw his arms around Heero's neck, moving their bodies to the rhythm. One song after another they danced, their bodies moving against each other, the rest of the people around them forgotten.
"Not jealous anymore?"Duo whispered into Heero's ear during one of the slower songs.
"Not about Trowa."Heero whispered back.
"Then who?"
"Everybody," Heero breathed into his boyfriends ear, "I'm jealous of every person that looks at you, I envy anyone you smile at, talk to. I want you all to my self."
"Why?" Duo's simple question, breathed against Heero's neck was full of hope and fear.
"Because... "Heero leaned back a little, so he could look into Duo's sparkling amethyst eyes, "I love you."
Duo kissed him then. Fierce and deep, pouring everything he felt, into that single kiss, and Heero kissed him back, with just as much emotion, if not more.
Above them, their two friends were standing on the second floor, watching the dance floor.
"It's good to see him so relaxed and happy," Trowa commented.
"You probably mean Duo, but I could say the same about Heero. Life wasn't easy on him either." Quatre looked sad for a moment.
"It's good they found each other than."
"It is," Quatre smiled at him, "Well, I guess that leaves us to care for our selves."
"So it seams." Trowa put his empty glass on a near by table, then extended one of his hands to Quatre, "Care to dance with me?"
"I'd love to." Quatre smiled at him, and they went downstairs.
TBC