Title: The Herald
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue. Don't Kill.
Warnings: Not beta read. LEMON, swearing, AU, mild angst, sap.
Pairings: 1x2, 5+R, 3+4
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. A thank you to nuttydoe for the gramar check :
Part 9A
The next day they all had to wake up early. Even though the gala didn't start until late afternoon, there was a formal breakfast, during which the rules, and timetable were outlined. Soon after, they were all invited for a concert and cabaret, that lasted almost until dinner. There were some brakes in-between, that the group of friends used to talk and mingle a little, Heero knowing most of the directors, Duo meeting some of his old co-workers from 'Voice'. He didn't know them well, but they did remember him, and congratulated the braided man on his achievement. While Duo was talking with them, their boss, and Duo's new friend came to them, greeting Duo by his name, and chatting with him for a minute like best friends. Then he went to talk with Heero and Trowa.
One of the guys from 'Voice', previous superiors of Duo, and way more experienced reporters/journalists than him, turned to look at the braided man with shock and admiration, "You are on first name basis with Mr. Winner? Scratch that, you called him 'Quat'! Damn, boy, you are nominated for your debut article, you are friends with Quatre Winner, and there's gossip you know Heero Yuy very well too. You sure know how to get around, do you?"
Duo blushed a little and scratched the back of his neck, "Well, it was a coincidence, really. I do know Heero well, and Quatre is his friend. We were introduced, and he seamed to like me well enough. He's a cool guy himself, and I like hanging out with him."
"Damn, I wish I could 'hang out' with my boss" The man just shook his head, and they soon went away to talk to other people. Hilde came to stand next to her brother, "You should have told them to try and date their boss, it seamed to work for you."
He slapped her arm, "Yeah sure, why don't they. And then Trowa would kill me"
Hilde just laughed and shook her head.
When the festivities ended, they all went back to their room to get ready for the official dinner and gala. They took showers, changed, the girls fussed around each other, and then at last, went down to find their table. When they sat down, Heero leaned closer to him, to have a quiet conversation, "Nervous?"
"A little," Duo admitted, "This sure is a first for me."
"I'm sure you'll win. Your article was not only good, it was also the cause of some mass police action, and an anti-corruption campaign. It was also well known by people, and some papers and TV stations even quoted it." Heero went on... and on.
"Oh, come on Heero, it wasn't that big. And besides, I was probably nominated just for that, "Duo sighed, "There are far better articles then mine, I don't even dream about this."
"You should believe more in yourself, Maxwell." commented Wufei from across the table.
"It's Duo, 'Fei. And I'm realistic. It's way better than being disappointed."
His friends just shook their heads.
After a short silence, an idea came to Heero's mind, and he moved closer still, to whisper to Duo's ear, "How about I promise you something special tonight if you win?" a shudder passed through Duo.
"And what if I loose?" he whispered back.
"Then I'll just have to console you, right?" Duo felt a hand caressing his tight under the table, but after a short moment it was gone, and Heero sat back upright in his chair. Duo swallowed hard, and decided, that he could skip being realistic. Just this time.
The next day they all had to wake up early. Even though the gala didn't start until late afternoon, there was a formal breakfast, during which the rules, and timetable were outlined. Soon after, they were all invited for a concert and cabaret, that lasted almost until dinner. There were some brakes in-between, that the group of friends used to talk and mingle a little, Heero knowing most of the directors, Duo meeting some of his old co-workers from 'Voice'. He didn't know them well, but they did remember him, and congratulated the braided man on his achievement. While Duo was talking with them, their boss, and Duo's new friend came to them, greeting Duo by his name, and chatting with him for a minute like best friends. Then he went to talk with Heero and Trowa.
One of the guys from 'Voice', previous superiors of Duo, and way more experienced reporters/journalists than him, turned to look at the braided man with shock and admiration, "You are on first name basis with Mr. Winner? Scratch that, you called him 'Quat'! Damn, boy, you are nominated for your debut article, you are friends with Quatre Winner, and there's gossip you know Heero Yuy very well too. You sure know how to get around, do you?"
Duo blushed a little and scratched the back of his neck, "Well, it was a coincidence, really. I do know Heero well, and Quatre is his friend. We were introduced, and he seamed to like me well enough. He's a cool guy himself, and I like hanging out with him."
"Damn, I wish I could 'hang out' with my boss" The man just shook his head, and they soon went away to talk to other people. Hilde came to stand next to her brother, "You should have told them to try and date their boss, it seamed to work for you."
He slapped her arm, "Yeah sure, why don't they. And then Trowa would kill me"
Hilde just laughed and shook her head.
When the festivities ended, they all went back to their room to get ready for the official dinner and gala. They took showers, changed, the girls fussed around each other, and then at last, went down to find their table. When they sat down, Heero leaned closer to him, to have a quiet conversation, "Nervous?"
"A little," Duo admitted, "This sure is a first for me."
"I'm sure you'll win. Your article was not only good, it was also the cause of some mass police action, and an anti-corruption campaign. It was also well known by people, and some papers and TV stations even quoted it." Heero went on... and on.
"Oh, come on Heero, it wasn't that big. And besides, I was probably nominated just for that, "Duo sighed, "There are far better articles then mine, I don't even dream about this."
"You should believe more in yourself, Maxwell." commented Wufei from across the table.
"It's Duo, 'Fei. And I'm realistic. It's way better than being disappointed."
His friends just shook their heads.
After a short silence, an idea came to Heero's mind, and he moved closer still, to whisper to Duo's ear, "How about I promise you something special tonight if you win?" a shudder passed through Duo.
"And what if I loose?" he whispered back.
"Then I'll just have to console you, right?" Duo felt a hand caressing his tight under the table, but after a short moment it was gone, and Heero sat back upright in his chair. Duo swallowed hard, and decided, that he could skip being realistic. Just this time.
The dinner was served, and they ate in compatible silence. A true, three-course dinner, with light dessert, and after that wine and champagne were served. The light in the room was dimmed, and a small stage was illuminated. A man came onto the stage, cameras were on, and the gala started. First, all the sponsors and organizers were mentioned, then there was a short talk about the plebiscite, it's history, and how the ones who won the debut award, won others in years to come. When the man finished, all the categories were presented, with a list of nominated articles with their authors names. Then the first category was called out, the articles/names presented again, with a short description this time, of what they were about. It started with specific categories like: Politics, Sport, Celebrity Life, Every Day Life, People, Fotoreport, and so on. Wufei, sadly, didn't win, but he wasn't really disappointed, said, he was sure the article that won, would. he read it, and it was a masterpiece, so it was no wonder it was chosen. It went on for some time, presentation of category, the revealing of the winner, handing the award, congratulations, and a short 'Thank You' speech from every winner. Then after almost two hours, it came the time for the Best Debut, Best Reporter/Journalist, and so on.
The Debut category was announced, The names and articles presented, Duo's among it. The envelope was handed, the man waiting a moment, telling some joke or something, Duo couldn't remember for the life in him. He was suddenly so nervous he felt dizzy, and he's hands started to shake. He felt like it was the Oscar's awards, not a simple journalist plebiscite.
"Now, the winner in the Best Debut category for this year is... "There was a short, tense silence and then... "Duo Maxwell!"
A loud applause started, the lights illuminating their table, Heero, Hilde, and all his friends stood up and apploauded, he could see Quatre and the two men he talked to before do the same. He felt shaky and in shock, he couldn't believe it. He? But... he didn't even expect it...
It wasn't until Heero's "Get up silly and get on that stage!" that he realized he was still sitting down, so he stood up, and went on the stage, trying not to stumble, or just flat out pass out on the way. He stood in the middle, accepted the award, check, and congratulations, signed a copy of his article that would hang in the 'Hall of Fame' and went to the microphone to give his own, short speech. He thanked his boss and his friends, like practiclly everyone else, thanked for the award, made some silly joke about being nervous and in shock, and came off the stage in another round of applause. He reached their table, and his friends hugged him, said all the 'I told you so!' and all around were happy for him. He sat, looking at the award with a goofy smile, then felt Heero's hand on his. He looked up at him, but his boyfriend just grinned and winked. He didn't need to do more, Duo grinned back and threw his arms around him for a hug and a quick, hidden kiss.
The gala went on for some time still. After the awards were given, they were invited to another room, with an orchestra, a dance floor, and a buffet. The mingled a little, Duo accepting some more congratulations, one of them from Quatre, who shouted to him from almost the other end of the room, then went to hug him and praise him, and complain that he wasn't working for him.
Duo danced with both Hilde and Relena, declined offers from quite a few ladies, Heero standing behind him and glaring at anyone who dared to come near to Duo. At some point Hilde came and idemanded/i Heero dance with her, Relena doing the same soon after. It was almost the end, some people already gone, when Heero, after enough wine, got the courage to ask Duo for a dance.
"Are you sure, Heero? Not that I mind, but we're not exactly 'out' with our relationship"
"I don't mind," Heero shrugged, "Do you?"
"Nope, not at all. I can boast around that I go out with THE Heero Yuy" Duo laughed, and let himself be led to the dance floor. They came into each others arms, moving around the dance floor, song after song, ignoring the shocked gasps and interested stares that surrounded them. When the last song was announced, Heero hugged him closer, and at one point they passed Quatre and Trowa, who apparently got jealous, and decided to dance themselves. When the song ended, Heero leaned down and gave him a sweet kiss and a quiet 'hank You' with a smile, then they both turned to see the serious lip-lock that Quat and Tro were in.
"Get a room you two!" Duo shouted after a few moments of looking.
"Jealous, are you?" Quatre showed him his tongue, still in Trowa's arms.
"You kidding me? I like mine better!" Duo threw his hands around Heero's waist, hugging him to his side. The group of friends laughed, and went to depart to their rooms. Quatre and Trowa went for a walk, the girls went to their room, and so did Wufei, Duo and Heero.
"A night full of excitements, was it?" Duo asked his boyfriend on the way to their room.
"And it's not over yet." Heero winked at him, with a mysterious smile on his face.
The moment the door to their room closed behind them, they started kissing, hands touching and caressing, sliding under clothes. Duo's back hit the wall net to the door, one of his hands buried in Heero's hair the other pulling his suit off, yanking the shirt out of his boyfriends pants and sliding underneath, touching the bare skin on Heero's back.
"Is this my reward?" Duo gasped between kisses.
"This is just a warm up," Heero kissed him one more time, then grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the bathroom, "Come on, let's make use of that big jacuzzi bathtub." Duo didn't complain.
They lost the clothing along the way, still kissing and touching. Heero went to pour the water in, and then turned to look at Duo's completely naked form for the first time.
"You're gorgeous," he said as he stepped closer and reached with his hand to caress Duo's face.
"You're not half bad your self" Duo tried joking, but it was clear he was nervous, grabbing the rope of his hair, and worrying the end of it. Heero took it from him, and looked Duo in the eyes, "May I?"
"S-sure."
Heero untied his hair, and taking Duo's hand, led him to the tub. When the long haired man steeped into the tub he looked divine, his long hair floating around him on the water. When he reached the bottom, he sat down next to Heero, and looked down at the water between them. Heero once again touched his face, making the other man look up at him, "God, you're beautiful," he breathed, then kissed him, slowly and sweetly at first, the kiss becoming deeper and more passionate with time.
Tentatively Duo reached out and started to touch Heero, his arms, back, chest, steadily going lower as he felt hands on himself, touching his tights, belly, buttocks, and finally touching what most wanted to be touched. When Heero started to lowly caress his cock, he gasped, and grabbed his lovers shoulder with one hand, so he wouldn't slip underwater. He moaned and gasped between kisses, the hand moving from time to time to fondle his balls, then coming back to his cock.
At some point Heero grabbed his waist, and steered Duo to sit on his lap, both of them gasping loudly, Duo throwing his head back, when their erections met. Heero wrapped his hand around them, Duo covering it with his own, and they started to move them, while Heero kissed and sucked on his lovers neck, making hickeys he so loved to look at the next day, knowing it was him who made them. Heero let go of them at last, reaching for something next to the tub, Duo lying panting on his chest. He opened the bottle of conditioner, coating his fingers with it, then reaching behind Duo, and very slowly and carefully, inserting one finger into his lover.
Duo gasped when he felt the finger moving inside him, loosening up his muscles. It was so long since he's been with anyone... The first finger was soon joined by a second, then by a third. At that moment, Duo was so hard it was almost painful, gasping and writhing, "Please... Heero... I can't..."
"Shhh.." Heero kissed him, and the fingers were gone. But soon, something bigger was replacing them, Heero sliding slowly into him, inch after hot inch, the slight burn a pleasurable one. Duo let out one long moan, closing his eyes and letting himself feel. When Heero was fully inside he stopped for a moment, letting them both adjust, then grabbed Duo's waist, and lifted his lover up, letting him fall back down on his own. Duo placed his hands on the edge of the tub behind Heero's head, touching his forehead to Heero's, panting, and slowly moving his body up and down. The rhythm soon became quicker, Heero's erection brushing Duo's prostate almost with every push, making the long haired man almost howl with pleasure. They were splashing water all around them, but they didn't care, too lost in the moment, in the feelings. Soon it became too much for both of them, Duo pushing down one last time, then coming, shouting Heero's name, his convulsing passage making his lover come as well, filling him with the signs of his passion. Duo collapsed bonelesly against Heero's chest, panting, but sated and happy, "I love you," he whispered, once he had his breathing under some kind of control.
"I love you too," Heero let them rest for a few more minutes, then changing the water, they both washed quickly.
Duo was blinking sleepily up at Heero, snuggled against his chest, while the other man washed his body.
"Sleepy?"
A nod.
"Then come, it's time for bed," Heero smiled lovingly at him, then lifted him up, and got out of the tub. He sat Duo at the edge of it, toweling him off, making sure the long hair was as dry as it could be, then doing the same with himself. He picked Duo up again, and carried him to his bed. His lover immediately crawled under the covers, making room for Heero to lie beside him. He snuggled close to his lover, putting his head on Heero's chest.
"Good night, Duo."
"'Night, 'Ro." And soon after that Duo was asleep.
Heero lied a little longer, looking at the peaceful, sleeping face of his lover. At last, he fell asleep too, dreaming of laughing amethyst eyes, sweet lips and long chestnut hair.
TBC