*...* internal thought
----- flashback
**** identifies a break in scenes
[1,2,3,4,...] author notes at the bottom of fic
Author's notes: um.... extreme, extreme OOC on the characters' parts.... but hey, it's my fic and I can play around with their personalities all I want as long as I promise to put them back, right?
A Class Act Part 3
A Brief Peace
Heero's eyes narrowed in silent warning as he once again caught Duo staring at him through the hazy night air. The small group of old classmates that had been invited to stay at Dr. J's charming estate was enjoying the fruits of the scientists' culinary labors. A lavish cookout, complete with a mouth-watering beef brisket being slowly smoked over glowing chunks of hickory in a cylindrical water smoker.
Despite Heero's stout self-declaration during his earlier exercise in the pool, he had yet to make good on his decision. Every time he had attempted to take the issue up with J, something had come along to distract the other, whether it be his fellow scientists or another temporary reunion resident. Heero was certain fate was conspiring against him and decided to drop the issue. After all, it was only for a week, right? After that, mister hotshot lawyer in daddy's firm would return to his world and Heero would return to his. And if they were lucky, they wouldn't have to deal with each other for another fifteen years.
As Heero took another sip from his glass of homemade lemonade, courtesy of Professor G, he allowed his eyes to roam freely over the small gathering of old classmates. The five old science teachers were ensconced in their own little group, cheerfully arguing with each other over the preparation of the night's feast. It was a tad amusing to see five elderly grown men threatening each other with basters, tongs, and roasting forks, especially since it was all for play.
Duo was hanging out around with Relena, her gal-pal Dorothy, Relena's brother Milliardo, and Milliardo's guest, a slightly older man by the name Treize. From the animated way that Relena and Dorothy were waving their arms and hands around, it was perfectly clear who was dominating the conversation.
Not too far from where the five were standing, other guests of J's were attempting to organize an impromptu game of volleyball. Most of the adults gathered around the net were people that Heero had rarely ever hung around with, let alone talked to during high school.
Wufei was chatting amiably with Quatre Raberba Winner and Trowa Barton, another two old chums that had arrived earlier that afternoon, totally foregoing the reunion banquet of the previous evening. Heero allowed a sincere smile to flitter over his lips as he observed the golden haired aristocrat and his quieter half.
Quatre and Trowa had been two of his very small circle of close friends, and had been two of the few who had remained so after he and Duo had parted ways. Their situations had been very similar, with Quatre being the golden haired darling of the Winner family and Trowa having come from a similar situation as Heero. Although it differed in the fact that Trowa was an orphan, having no other family than his slightly older sister, Catherine, and Quatre had his family's full support in his alternate choice of lifestyle and choice of boyfriend.
The entire time he and Duo had dated, Sebastian and Cynthia Maxwell had done everything in their power to break them up. Especially Sebastian, who'd actively lobbied for a union between his son and Hilde Schbeiker, the daughter of his law partner. Duo's father had envisioned the marriage as some sort of glorious dynastic merger.
And Heero had threatened that dream, in more ways than one.
Of course, Duo's relationship with Heero had caused the two aristocrats no end of grief. Heero wasn't 'suitable'. He wasn't from their lofty socioeconomic stratum, his family name was nothing and worthless in their aristocratic circles. And added to all of this was the fact that Heero was another boy. But, that Duo had defied his parents and refused to give Heero up had reinforced Heero's romantically naive assumption that theirs was a meeting of soul mates, a match destined to last a lifetime.
Heero nearly snorted into his glass of lemonade. A lifetime that didn't even outlast the oh-so-golden days of high school.
Duo had been born into an affluent life-style completely alien to the Japanese boy: the money, the servants, the lavish trips to Romefeller, the gated estate set on lavish and lush grounds. Duo had exhibited a confidence and sense of entitlement that had made him seem older, more sophisticated, than his years. Born into a life full of privilege, Duo had viewed the world as his oyster and everything was his for the taking.
Heero, on the other hand, had lived in a run-down, rented shack on the proverbial wrong side of the tracks. His father had worked as a janitor in the Sank school system until two years ago, when severe back problems had finally forced him out on disability. His mother had quit her job as a nursing home aide and they'd retired to L1, with some financial assistance from Heero. After all, they had taken care of him for the first 20 or so years of his life. It was the least he could do to return the care.
He and Duo were from different worlds, but it hadn't mattered because they'd been young and in love. And of course, when you're young and in love, you can make anything happen, as long as you're together.
At least, that was what they'd told each other. Until the moment of truth when Duo had taken Hilde out on that golf course, and Heero had learned that no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much love he had to give, he's always be 'the janitor's son'. It had hurt when he had overheard Duo's parents refer to him as such in their snide tones. Too tawdry, too lowbrow, too déclassé to ever fit into the Maxwell's rarefied world.
The yawning emptiness that had been left in the wake of the betrayal had taken a long time to heal, but eventually it had and Heero had moved on. Nevertheless, he often found himself wondering how different his life would have been, if only...
If only Duo had shown more moral fiber. If only he'd been the kind of guy Duo'd wanted and needed. So many ifs.
The sound of Hilde Schbeiker's cultured, sultry voice yanked Heero out of his reverie. The Germanic descended woman had finally deigned to make an appearance, gracing the other guests with her august presence like a queen with her court. Heero snorted into his glass again as his mind came up with some unflattering comparisons with the dark brunette and a certain shallow diplomat.
Hilde wore an elegant black one-piece with green accents and a matching chiffon pareo that was tied around her slender hips. At five foot two, Hilde weighed a hundred pounds at the most, her beauty fragile and austere. Everything about her was perfectly formed and petite, from her slim thighs to her tiny feet to her impossibly narrow waist.
Her dark hair was cut in a very short, yet feminine style, feathery around the face and nape and very reminiscent of her hairdo in high school. With a bare minimum of makeup on her face and an impeccable French manicure adorning her nails, Hilde Schbeiker was as sleek and polished as a strand of pearls.
Heero felt his stomach roll and his hackles rise as he watched Hilde glide over to where Duo was standing and stake her place by his side, inviting herself into the conversation. Even if he had resolved himself to ignoring his former boyfriend, it still rankled him that he was going to have to watch the two of them interact with each other for an entire week.
Life wasn't fair.
But then again, when had life ever been fair?
Having finished his glass of lemonade, Heero set the empty glass down on a table and resolutely headed over to the volleyball net. Perhaps a good game would be just the thing to take his mind off of the confusing subjects of his past.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Using his thirst as a method of escape, Duo managed to untangle himself from Relena, Dorothy, and Hilde's clutches, leaving the three women to gossip among themselves. Milliardo Peacecraft had made his escape somewhat earlier, having made no qualms about his boredom, and had stalked off with his new lover in tow. Duo liked Milliardo. He always had. The platinum haired aristocrat had so much more tact than his blonde sister and he had always supported Duo in his relationship with Heero.
He had also been the first one to hit Duo on the back of the head when that relationship had been torn apart with misunderstandings and betrayal.
Grabbing a beer from the cooler, Duo made his way around the pool to where the impromptu game of volleyball was finishing up. As he took a refreshing swig of the malt brew, he took the time to appreciate the sight before him.
Heero, in center forward position, appeared absorbed in the game, passing the ball and returning volleys with a joyous enthusiasm that made him seem eighteen again. He was wearing a simple green tank top and a pair of simple black cutoffs. [1] The shortage of cloth covering allowed Heero's well formed arms and muscular legs to be ogled and appreciated by any who cared to do so. Fortunately for Duo's rather jealous nature, it didn't appear anyone else was doing too much eyeing.
Seemingly oblivious to Duo's presence on the sidelines, Heero leaped to spike the ball over the net, successfully firing it into the sand at his opponents' feet to score the winning point. He shared a triumphant hoot and a spontaneous hug with Wufei Chang, who was playing left forward.
"Yuy's got the moves!" Wufei hollered, giving him a congratulatory whack on the rump.
Most of the players, including Heero, wandered off the grassy court as a handful of diehards tried to drum up interest in another game. Heero was flushed, breathing hard, and Duo's first thought was that this was how he must look after sex.
*No, not quite,* he decided. *His smile would be a tad dreamier, his hair a bit more mussed, his blue eyes slumberous.*
*But you'll never know for sure,* a snide little voice in his mind taunted.
Succumbing to impulse, Duo caught Heero's eye and wagged his frosty beer bottle invitingly. Heero's steps slowed, his expression turning wary as he approached Duo. Duo held out his beer to the other man, knowing he had to be thirsty, silently daring him to turn it down. Heero stared at the bottle, three-fourths full, and finally took it from him.
As Duo watched him take a long swallow, the muscles in his throat rippling invitingly, the braided lawyer felt he'd achieved a small victory. There had been a time when he and Heero had shared everything, from bottles of black-cherry soda to the pizza they had ordered every Friday night without fail.
Heero handed him his beer back, and Duo took a sip as he placed his hand on Heero's back to steer the other away from the volleyball site. Heero's body stiffened, prompting Duo to let his hand linger a few more seconds. After all, if Wufei Chang could hug him and give him a friendly slap on the bottom, than Duo could damn well touch his back.
Heero looked over his shoulder at the tables that had been set up for the cookout and said, "We should be helping Relena."
Duo turned to gaze for a moment where the diplomat had taken charge of activities and was ordering people around to perform various duties. He said dryly, "Yeah, and you sound real enthusiastic about that. Don't worry. Relena Peacecraft's never had a problem recruiting 'volunteers'. You didn't come to this reunion to be at that woman's beck and call."
Duo took one last swig of his beer before he added, "Why did you come to this reunion?"
Heero shrugged. "Probably for the same reason you did, I suppose."
*I wouldn't be that lucky,* Duo thought morosely.
Heero added to his statement, confirming Duo's thought. "To see the old gang and get caught up."
"Or to let everyone see you no longer work in a computer store, selling computers?"
Heero shot him a hard look, his eyes flinty and piercing. "You think I came here to brag about my accomplishments?"
Duo shrugged and said, "Why not? It's why most of these people came back here. To rub everyone else's nose in their success. Isn't that what reunions are really for?"
In a deadpanned voice, Heero said, "I don't need to prove anything to anyone."
"Maybe not," Duo continued, "but I don't mind telling you, I'm impressed."
Heero's left eyebrow arched upwards as he shot Duo a questioning look. Obviously he was puzzled as to what exactly Duo was referring to.
Duo gave Heero a genuine smile as he said, "I know all about Zero Industries, Heero. I'm very impressed with the work your corporation has been doing. Never knew you had it in you."
"I know." Heero's tone was flat and resigned.
Duo studied his profile, silently urging him to look up. When Heero continued to gaze down, he said, "I can't get anything right, can I?"
"It shouldn't matter, Duo. Not anymore. Not after everything else."
Duo struggled with himself, furiously attempting to quell the urge to enfold Heero in his arms. He wanted to comfort the other, to soothe him, to reach out and to touch him so badly he practically ached with need. Instead, knowing Heero would bolt like a rabbit, he simply asked, "What shouldn't matter?"
Heero turned to look at Duo and he said, "I thought we knew each other so well back then. It was like we could read each other's mind."
Duo swallowed and averred, "I remember."
Heero gave a short, nasal chuckle as he shook his head with regret and added, "But in the end, it turned out we never did know each other at all."
"Heero, I-"
Heero raised his face to stare Duo directly in the eye. His gaze was cool with an implacability that was a faint echo of his high school glare. A small frown was on his lips as he asked, "Did you think you were the only one with aspirations?"
Duo's first gut impulse was to spout another hasty denial, but he knew deep down that such an action would get him nowhere. It was high time he was truthful to his former boyfriend, and to himself.
"Yes. I guess I did. I was young and stupid. And I was incredibly arrogant."
Heero's eyebrow quirked again, his only outward indication that Duo's candid response threw him slightly off balance. "Imagine that," he murmured, "an arrogant eighteen year old."
On a roll, Duo continued his little confession. "As far as I was concerned, the future was this bright wonderful place where I would work hard and just insert myself into this great life I had planned out for myself. If I had ever consciously thought about your future, well, I guess I saw it as an extension of my own. I knew you had all these big dreams, but that was what they were to me. My only excuse for that is because I guess I always assumed we'd be together."
Both of Heero's eyebrows were raised now as he said in a dry voice, "And I would be eternally grateful that you included me in your life, right? That I would always be content to be part of your team?"
"Like I said, young and stupid."
"And arrogant."
"I believe we've established that."
Heero continued to look at Duo for another few moments before he said quietly, "Thank you for your honesty, Duo."
The two men stood quietly together, lost in their own individual memories of the past, oblivious to those around them. Heero was the first to escape from his musings, his gaze focusing on the little group of women that Duo had escaped from earlier.
"Why have you never married?"
Heero's question seemed to take Duo aback as a brief look of shock overcame the other's face. The question was personal, and frankly, Duo didn't think Heero cared anymore. At this point in the reunion, Duo didn't really want to answer such a question, not until he was sure of Heero's feelings or lack thereof, so he tried to avoid it by asking one of his own.
"Why haven't you?"
Heero gave a brief laugh as he said, "Objection, Your Honor. Witness is evading the question."
Duo playfully pouted and said, "And here I was hoping to get away from the courtroom for a week." Yet even with the playful banter, he was still reluctant to answer the question.
Luckily, Heero had no such reservations and continued to hound him. "After all, wasn't THAT part of the grand master plan? A partnership, complete with a sprawling mansion somewhere in Sank? An ornamental wife, with two point three kids, and a family dog?"
Duo shrugged and finally gave a noncommittal answer. "I never met the right woman. And the sprawling mansion is a sprawling apartment."
"Really?"
The somewhat skeptic tone of Heero's voice caused Duo to glance up and focus his own gaze in the same direction as Heero's. Noting that Heero was staring in the same area as Hilde was standing, Duo's mind raced with possible distractions. Heero had finally started to open up and was talking to him again. He didn't want to ruin it by focusing his attention on a sore subject such as Hilde.
"So, is there anyone special in your life at the moment?"
"Not at the moment."
Duo felt a surge of unrealisitic hope at that statement. He also felt a tiny glimmer of satisfaction. A glimmer that lasted until Heero added, "I almost got married three years ago."
Duo felt his throat closing up even as a tiny stab of panic struck him in the chest. Forcing himself to maintain his calm demeanor, he asked, "What happened?"
"I caught him cheating on me."
Duo swiftly turned his head to look at Heero, studying his face for some hint of a joke. However, there was none to be found.
Heero caught his search out of the corner of his eye and he shrugged. "Maybe it's me."
That simple statement destroyed all of Duo's inhibitions and he grabbed Heero by the shoulders, turning them both to face each other squarely. Fiercely, he said, "It isn't you. Don't ever think that."
Heero stared at him, and in his eyes he read the crushing self-doubt Heero had kept carefully hidden from the world. The deep blue eyes were filled with a deep sorrow, a bruising pain. He had helped to put that self doubt there, and the knowledge caused shame to spike through Duo's mind and heart. His gut wrenched and was shredded by the hurt that emanated from those eyes. He released one of Heero's shoulders to reach up and cup his chin, but his action broke the fleeting connection holding Heero still.
With a slight twist and wrench, Heero broke free of Duo's grip and his eyes became shielded once more. The moment of heart to heart conversation was over, the cold impassivity back in place. "I told you, you don't know me. You never did."
*Then let's start over,* Duo's mind screamed, urging him to say the words. However, before he could answer, Heero had turned sharply on his heel, striding swiftly away from Duo towards the other reunion guests.
TBC...
[1] bet you thought I was gonna say black spandex biker shorts, eh? ^_~
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