AN: Hello again everyone! Here is chapter one! This is where things are really going to start. I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the story, the characters are not mine. Thankies!
Manhattan Blue Eyes
Chapter One
Heero slammed his hand down on his desk in frustration. The resulting bang echoed throughout the large room causing everyone to go completely silent. They had been in this board meeting for several days now and it was going nowhere. Everyone was arguing with everyone else and couldn't be happy no matter what Heero proposed. He was getting really frustrated and when that happened, heads rolled.
He leveled everyone in the room with his best glare causing most of them to shrink back. "Now that I finally have your attention can we please turn back to the matter at hand. The merging of Techron industries with Electronix Incorporated. As President of Techron I would like to propose that everyone keeps their jobs. Just because we are merging the two that is no reason to lay off thousands of people."
There were a few voices pitched in protest at this but Heero just raised his hand to silence them. "I understand that the money up front could be an issue, but I refuse to take away jobs from already qualified people. Now, here is what is going to happen. We are going to sign these papers making the two companies one with me still the president. Then I will send my best trained men over to Electroinix Incorporated to evaluate all of their personnel. The ones not up to MY standards will be fired and new people brought in. The ones that qualify to work with me, will stay. Is that clear ladies and gentlemen?"
People all around slowly nodded, some still wanted to protest but a quick glare from Heero shut them up immediately. Heero passed around the contract and even before the last person was finished signing it he got up and quickly left the room. This was why he needed Duo to hurry up and start work with him. He was sure the other man could handle those goons a lot faster and more efficiently than he just did.
They'd spent days going over that contract. Heero called it a merger of the two companies but the truth was that he completely bought out Electronix inc. It was a good company but due to market changes they just weren't pulling in the revenue they used to. So Heero bought them out with the agreement they get to keep their name, with Techron attached to it of course, and most if not all of the employees would stay intact. He wasn't trying to change them, he only wanted to help. But of course no one could agree with him on anything.
His board of directors wanted him to completely take over, change their name, and hire all fresh faces. He'd adamantly refused which had caused them to stay three days in that meeting. That was three days away from home and away from Duo. He missed the braided boy more than he had ever missed anyone in his life. It was weird and wonderful all at the same time. It reminded Heero that despite what everyone else thought, he was still human.
As he stalked out of the meeting room he told his secretary to cancel everything else planned for the day and to file the paper work once everyone had signed it. He also informed her that he would be leaving and to not bother him for the rest of the day. He said the last part with his patented glare causing the girl to shrink back and nod shakily.
It was just after noon on Wednesday when he opened the door to his apartment and stumbled inside. He dropped his briefcase on the floor, toed off his shoes, and quickly loosened his tie and shirt. He made his way silently into the kitchen, his stocking feet making no noise against the ceramic tile. He stopped short just in the doorway to the kitchen, awe struck.
There in front of the stove stirring something was Duo. He had headphones on and was swaying his hips back and forth to the beat that only he could hear. Heero groaned inwardly as he watched, eyes glued to movements.
Without realizing what he was doing he made his way into the kitchen and stepped up right behind Duo. Duo still hadn't realized he was there and before he could stop himself he wrapped his arms around the smaller mans waist and buried his face in his neck, inhaling the strong scent of sandlewood from Duo's hair.
Feeling the arms go around him Duo jumped straight up in the air in surprise and let out a loud "Yipe!" sound causing Heero to chuckle. "He-Heero?" Duos shocked voice rang out. Heero only let out a grunt suddenly too tired to move. Duo pulled his head phones off and turned his head to see Heero better concern written all over his face.
Heero was so tired that he was almost asleep on his feet and with his head buried in Duo's hair blocking out the light, he really did almost fall asleep. He felt Duo pat his arms gently before speaking up, "Welcome home. I take it your tired. You scared the hell outta me man!" Duo then very softly pushed back against Heero. "I'm making some soup and sandwhiches, would you like some?"
This for some reason finally caused Heero to come back to his senses. Realizing what he was doing he quickly let go of Duo. Duo turned around then to look at him in confusion, the sudden loss of warmth sending an ache of loss through him.
Heero didn't know what to do. What if he had just crossed some horrible boundry? Duo noticing his look of despair took pity on him and gently led him over to the table and sat him down. "You look beat. You just sit here and I'll fix you up some food real quick then it's off to bed with you!" Heero smiled softly and felt reassured that he had not done any irreparable damage to their current relationship.
After they both ate Duo took Heero gently by the hand and ushered him back to his bedroom. He pushed him into the bathroom ordering him to wash-up and change. Heero started to glare at the other man for ordering him about like some child but the look on Duo's face stopped him and he quickly did as he was told. Something told him that if pushed Duo could be a force not to be reckoned with.
Once he was changed and clean Duo pushed him into his room and told him to rest. He had just turned to leave when a hand on his arm stopped him. Heero looked at him pleadingly before gently pulling him into his bedroom, a place no other soul had ever been.
He quietly made his way over to the bed and sat down on it before releasing Duo's arm. Duo watched as he pulled the covers down and slipped in between them. Once he was settled he reached up and pulled Duo down beside him.
Duo landed on the bed with a loud gasp too surprised to say anything. His back was to Heero and he wasn't sure what was going on.
Heero pulled Duo close and once again buried his head in the thick soft hair at the base of Duos neck. "Stay. Just for now. Please?" Heero whispered into Duo's ear.
Duo gave a slight nod in response before getting himself more comfortable secretly happier then he'd ever been. Maybe Heero did feel something for him. Of course Duo realized that he could just be so drunk with exhaustion that he didn't realize what he was doing and had mistook Duo for a girl. He didn't care though, he was going to enjoy every minute he was able to spend in that warm embrace and not worry about the consequences.
Heero woke slowly feeling completely disoriented. Something heavy was pressed into his chest and something silky was covering his outstretched left arm. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times to clear the haze of sleep from his eyes before looking around.
After a quick scan of his bedroom he looked down in shock to find Duo sleeping peacefully on his chest. His hair had come out of its customary braid and was spread across the bed covering Heero's arm in silken waves.
A quick glance at the clock told him it was four AM on Wednesday. He groaned softly, he had slept for twelve hours straight! It occurred to him then that Duo must have been equally exhausted since he'd stayed with him and still continued to sleep. He frowned as he thought of that and decided he was going to have another talk with Duo. He didn't like the idea of him wearing himself out by doing too much. It just wasn't healthy.
Heero smiled down at beautiful man and gently brought his arm up to wrap around him. He felt so content right at that moment that he didn't want to move. 'Ah, how wonderful life would be if I could wake up to this every day' he thought. Gently, so as to not wake Duo, Heero rolled over on his side so that he could wrap both arms around the other man.
Duo grumbled something in his sleep but otherwise didn't move, his breathing remained steady reassuring Heero of his sleeping state. Without realize what he was doing he started to run his fingers through Duo's hair enjoying the softness of it as it passed through his fingers.
Heero knew it the moment Duo woke up since he suddenly stopped breathing and went very still in Heero's arms. He stopped playing with Duo's hair to hug him tightly bringing his mouth down beside his ear. "Thank you for staying last night" he whispered
Duo didn't wake slowly or even gradually, it was an instant thing. One second he's dead asleep next he's wide awake. This morning he woke and immediately stiffened. He forgot for a moment where he was but quickly remembered. He was happy, but extremely embarrassed as well. He was in bed with Heero Yuy for crying out loud!
Seconds after he was awake he felt Heero hug him tightly causing his heart to speed up and a thrilled chill to speed down his spine. He almost groaned aloud but was stopped by Heero's voice suddenly in his ear thanking him. He wanted to respond but his brain just couldn't compute what was happening. He wanted Heero, bad, and that was going to be very clear in another minute if he didn't get out of bed.
Gently he pushed back at Heero and rolled out of his arms. Sitting up he stretched his arms way up above his head, punctuating the action with a loud wide open mouthed yawn. "No problem man," he finally replied "best sleep I've had…. Well, ever I believe." He smiled down at Heero as he spoke not wanting the other to take his movement as a rejection. He glanced over at the clock and noticed that it was 0430 in the morning. He didn't have to be at the café until 0530 so he had just enough time to get ready and maybe eat a quick breakfast before running out the door.
Heero watched Duo intently as he sat up and stretched. He wanted nothing more than to ravish the other man right there and then, but he knew that any move like that would definitely drive Duo away. He was however glad that Duo moved when he did otherwise it was going to be very clear what Heero wanted.
Shaking his head free of errant thoughts, he slowly rolled out of bed and made his way into the kitchen. He figured it was his turn to cook and besides they always say that the best way to a mans heart was through his stomach.
Duo sauntered into the kitchen a few minutes later fully dressed and obviously fresh out of the shower. His hair was in its tell-tale braid but was slowly soaking the back of his shirt. He knew it would dry in a few minutes so he didn't work about it and quickly sat down at the table. "Not that I'm complaining mind you, but whats up with you cooking? I didn't even know you knew how to cook" Duo lounged at the table, head propped in his hand while he watched Heero move around the stove.
Heero smirked, "Oh course I can cook baka". He quietly placed a plate full of steaming eggs, bacon, and home fries in front of Duo before turning back to the stove and making his own plate. He sat down across from Duo before starting in on his own meal.
Duo quickly ate the food commenting on how wonderful it tasted before jumping up and heading for the door. Heero told him that he was taking the day off and would wait for him to get home and that they needed to talk. Duo chewed on his bottom lip in worry wondering what could be wrong before darting out the door and heading quickly to the café.
As Heero watched him leave he vowed to make Duo his. He knew that without a doubt he had fallen for the younger man, last night had proven that. Now it was just a matter of getting Duo to fall for him. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took. With that final thought in mind he settled in for a long day of waiting for Duo to return home.