Blood, Sweat and Tears Part 33
A few golden rays peeked through the drawn curtains of the suite that Heero and Duo were sharing for their stay at Tennessee. With a soft sigh, the running back's closed eyelids squeezed tighter when the light ran across them. Turning his head, he burrowed it deeper into the firm and bare chest beneath him.
The sudden realization that there was a firm, bare chest beneath him had Duo's violet eyes snapping open. Underneath him, the chest rumbled with a deep and tired chuckle. Ad he slowly looked up, he drowned in half-lidded cobalt oceans. "Good morning," Heero murmured before kissing the top of his braided head.
Stunned, all that Duo could think to himself was that his partner had actually spent the night with him... in his bed. Not on a couch that they ended up passing out on... he stayed with him in the same bed.
"Did you sleep all right?" Heero asked in concern, slowly pushing himself up a bit. He wrapped his arms back around his teammate and ran his fingers through long bangs for a better look into his eyes.
Smiling warmly, the running back nodded and whispered, "Yea. Thanks to you." Another realization hit him that had his cheeks burning. "Were you watching me sleep?" he asked almost shyly.
Another chuckle filled the quarterback' s chest. "For a little bit before you woke up," he admitted in little more than a breath as if afraid speaking too loudly would break the spell that had fallen on them. "I'm usually up around sunrise."
With a rough swallow, Duo frowned deeply, "I hope I didn't ruin your night's sleep too much. And I'm sorry if I scared you."
Gently lifting his housemate's face from under his chin, Heero leaned down to brush their lips together. "You didn't scare me," he reassured quietly. "I was just worried about you. And I was asleep right after you were."
Breathing a deep sigh of relief, the running back laid his head back down against his partner's shoulder. A hand was rubbing soothing circles along his back. After a long pause, Duo inquired, "So... what was it about this sharing a bed with me that had you so scared?" The hand on his back paused in place.
Heero chewed on this inside of his cheek and replied, "I guess... it's the whole intimacy part of it that's implied. It's not that I don't want to sleep with you, it's just that I don't think I'm ready to 'sleep' with you the way that it would suggest."
To his surprise, Duo snickered. That snicker became an all-out laugh as his braided head fell back. Lightly hitting the confused quarterback in his arm, he exclaimed, "You idiot! I know you're not ready for sex yet! Hell, I'm not ready either! Though it's not for the lack of wanting to!"
Blinking his widened eyes in shock, the Japanese youth sputtered, "Y-you're not!? But I thought that... I mean you just seemed to want that."
Quickly pushing himself up to pin his teammate beneath him, the running back lowered himself until their noses were touching. "Like I said," he smirked, "It's not for lack of wanting. But I don't want to rush and potentially ruin things between us. Having this work between us is more important to me than a roll in the hay." His smirk grew as he shrugged, "I'm pretty sure you're more than worth the wait."
Like a weight being lifted from his chest, Heero took a deep breath. To hear that Duo had the same interest in making their relationship pan out before rushing things meant the world to him. Reaching up, he brought the face over his own down for a fierce kiss. Breathless when they pulled away, he whispered, "Thank you."
"So you trust me, then?" the braided athlete asked softly. Smiling, his partner nodded. "Does that mean we can share the same bed and not worry about being pressured into something we're not ready for?" Again, Heero nodded as his smile widened. Carefully sinking onto the other football player, Duo grinned, "Good."
And they sealed their pack with a lingering kiss.
Only after they were breathless did they part and rise from the bed to change for breakfast. It was going to be a very busy day ahead for them. And they were in for a good fight for another pre-season win.
* * * * * *
Relena was one of the first to welcome the team back into the Pittsburgh airport after their stay at Tennessee. As soon as her eyes fell on Wufei, she ran or him and threw her arms around his neck. Dropping his luggage just in time to catch her, the wide receiver kissed her soundly.
When they finally parted, the cheerleader beamed, "Just about the whole town is talking about how you took down the Warriors at yesterday's game! And all of the sports 'experts' are saying what a shock it is that you won two pre-season games in a row!"
Smiling widely, Wufei replied, "Is that so?" He looked over his shoulder just as Heero, Duo and Trowa were walking up. "Looks like we'll have to head to Murray's tonight to celebrate. We never had the chance after the first game." His friends grinned and nodded in acceptance of the suggestion.
Quatre and Lady Une stepped into the waiting area and walked up to their group. "You all were amazing this weekend," the young maid greeted with a bright smile. Embracing Heero and Duo first, she kissed their cheeks. "And it's so good to have you back home."
The blonde agent greeted Trowa with a firm hand squeeze and a loving grin that reached his eyes. 'Missed you,' his lover mouthed. Together, they walked off for some privacy for a more proper reunion.
Noin and her children were the next to arrive. As Zechs stepped out of the walkway, the boys cheered, "Daddy! Daddy!" They ran to him and were instantly scooped up in strong arms to be lifted from their feet.
A small, wistful smirk tugged Duo's lips as he watched the tended moment between parent and child. With a heavy sigh, he slid the sunglasses resting at the top of his head to fall on the bridge of his nose. Heero picked up on that longing look before the running back hid it away. Discreetly rubbing his back, he whispered, "Just a couple more days and we'll see them again."
Not missing the word 'we', the braided youth turned his head towards him and gave a tiny smile of appreciation. It meant the world that Heero seemed to be looking forward to spending time with his family as much as he did.
Once all of the team had reunited with their loved ones, everyone parted ways after orders were given to be at the stadium at eight sharp as always.
* * * * * *
It was a very different Murray's experience from the ones past that evening. The moment they entered the room, Heero, Duo and their friends were given a welcome like none other that they had ever experienced there.
All around, patrons were turned to face them as they whistled and applauded them. Several cheers went up as the group moved to their usual table. On their way, the athletes were polite enough to smile and wave to the crowd.
"Told you," Relena chuckled deeply as she took her place beside Wufei. "I haven't seen support for the team like this before. It's amazing how fickle their attitudes are. Lose and you're worse than nothing to them. Win and everyone loves the hell out of you."
Gesturing to her braided friend with an extended hand, she said, "Like you for example, Duo. Your first game here, you were booed and taunted onto the field. Now that you're actually helping the team in their running game, you're a hero."
With a shrug, the running back replied, "It's pretty typical of sports fans, Lena. Nothing to get worked up over. Hopefully, we'll be able to keep up the pace enough that they won't be throwing things at us again."
The others snickered and nodded, shuddering inwardly at recalling the night they narrowly escaped that angry mob. The waitress went around the table to get their orders. As she stepped away, Trowa leaned in, "You know, you both make a great couple."
Nearly coughing out the drinks that they were in the middle of swallowing, Heero and Duo sputtered and struggled to catch their breaths. "H-how the hell did you know!?" the quarterback managed first, his cobalt eyes wide. At his teammates' smirks, he shook his head, "Right. I forgot that nothing gets past you two."
Chuckling deeply, Wufei reassured, "Don't worry. You know your secret's safe with us."
"Personally, I think it's about damned time," Relena snickered as she propped her head on her hands. "I was beginning to wonder when the two of you would get a clue and just start dating like you both wanted." The pair turned to her in shock. Shrugging, she grinned simply, "Woman's intuition.
Quatre smiled, "And eventually, anyone close to the both of you didn't even need that to see what was going on." Focusing on Heero, he stated, "For weeks, I thought that Duo was going to explode before you both finally came clean about your feelings."
The quarterback blinked and turned to watch his partner flushing from embarrassment. "Thanks a lot, Quat," Duo muttered. Winking, the agent took up his own drink.
Wufei smirked, "And don't look so shocked, Yuy. I caught you giving him the glance over a couple times in the locker room when you thought no one was looking."
It was Duo's turn to gaze on his housemate in surprise as Heero blushed. With a mock glare on the receiver, the Japanese athlete grumbled, "I appreciate that, Chang." Wufei and Relena were hardly able to contain their laughter.
As he lowered his can of soda, Trowa spoke up, "Well, we might poke fun here and there like any friends would, but we are really happy for the two of you. And like Wufei said, this goes no further." Quatre, Wufei and Relena all nodded with warm grins.
Heero and Duo shared a relieved smile before the running back told the others sincerely, "Thanks, guys." Reaching for their drinks, they both took another sip carefully.
Just as they were about to swallow at the right moment, Relena asked, "So when is the wedding? I certainly hope that I'll get to stand up in it." When the couple began coughing and sputtering again, she and the others enjoyed a good laugh.
* * * * * *
Interviews were one of Heero's least favorite things. At least he didn't have to go alone for this particular interrogation. Ever since the first pre-season game, the phones were ringing off the hook with requests from interviews looking for a chance to talk to the quarterback and the reckless running back who no one believed would get along.
Eventually, they had to comply. No press was bad press.
Duo was grumbling to himself as he brushed down one of his nicer, silver-colored shirts that went with his black trousers and black dress shoes. Uncomfortable in his own deep blue shirt and dark brown slacks, Heero felt his pain and offered a sympathetic smirk. A backdrop with the Wolverine logo on it was lowered behind where they sat as a crew team was busy setting the lights and cameras.
Entering the studio, Tim Crenshaw and Adam Burkley smiled to the athletes as they neared. Being they were the most popular sports announcers on the most watched network, they had been looking forward to interviewing the most talked about duo in the game. Handshakes and polite greetings were exchanged and the broadcasters took their own seats across from their guests.
A few more touchups were finished and one of the crewmen pointed to Tim just before the red light on the camera aimed at him turned on. Grinning widely, the tall man began, "Hello, everyone. We have a real treat for you tonight. We have Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell of the Pittsburgh Wolverines in their first interview together." He looked over to his guests and said, "Thank you both for being here."
The camera focused on the football players turned on. With pleasant smiles, Duo nodded and Heero replied, "Thanks for having us here." 'And make this quick,' he added mentally.
Looking like a child at Christmas morning at having the opportunity laid out before him, Adam leaned forward and commented, "Now the one thing that has many people shocked is how well the two of you seem to be getting along."
He gestured with a hand to the quarterback, explaining for those who didn't already know, "Heero, you are, by far, one of the most clean-cut players out there with the respect of peers and fans alike. In fact, there are few that have anything but wonderful things to say about you." Humbled by that, the Japanese youth lowered his head a bit.
The hand moved to the smirking running back as he continued, "And then we have the complete opposite with you, Duo. Labeled as the 'bad boy' of the league, friends seem to be few and far between where you're concerned. So how is it that the two of you are able to work together so well on the field? Or is it all an act to just get through each game?"
Shrugging, Duo answered, "Well, you know how they say opposites attract. Besides, we have enough in common to keep us from killing each other." Their interviews chuckled deeply.
"I think we actually compliment each other pretty well and that's the biggest contributor to how well we work together," Heero stated. "And I don't believe that people are being fair in how they perceive him. Everyone makes mistakes from time to time."
A blonde eyebrow raised on Tim's brow as he snickered, "But not everyone makes the mistakes of having a DUI or punching their head coach on national television."
Sensing his housemate tensing up beside him, the quarterback responded, "And not everyone has eyes on them constantly, waiting for them to fall short in some way. There is a lot of pressure on our shoulders to keep up with what most people expect of us."
Both Adam and Tim leaned back in their chairs with wide eyes, clearly not having thought of such a notion.
His shoulders easing, Duo threw in, "I was emotionally in a different place during those times than I am now. The worst being when I was playing for San Francisco. I have my reasons for what I did and they're a bit too personal for me to be sharing them. So, I'd appreciate it if I could have at least that much respect to have the topic dropped."
Adam smiled and nodded firmly, "Fair enough. Well, one thing I would like to discuss is your clear tension with Treize Khushrenada. He was the one that called you out, with evidence from his time working with you, that you can't catch. It's clear that there is bad blood between the two of you going into your face-off in two weeks. What if you were to fail against him?"
With a small snort, the running back replied, "Win or lose, it's my performance that I'm the most concerned with, just as it should be for everyone on the team. If you perform to the best of your ability, there's nothing more to worry about." Heero nodded beside him.
At that, Tim proclaimed, "Well, the one thing that you both do have in common is that you're arguable the best at what you do in the entire league. Performance never really was an issue for either of you."
He turned to the quarterback and questioned, "With that in mind, Heero, how frustrating is it for you to be one of the best at your jobs and yet never get close to a championship? After so much time in this line of work, it must be discouraging to be on stuck on a team that can't seem to make things happen."
Put on edge by the suggestion, Heero tried not to let it show and answered, "I consider myself very fortunate to be on a team where I honestly like everyone I work with. There are few players in the league that can say the same.
"Of course a championship would be nice, I'd be lying if I said that it's something I don't think about. But I have a lot of history in this city and with this organization. Some things are just more important than my having a Super Bowl ring on my finger. And honestly, I think we're going to surprise a lot of people this season."
More than impressed with that response, Adam grinned, "Well, we wish you both the best of luck this year. That's all the time that we have right now and we thank you again for your time to talk with us." Sighing inwardly, both Heero and Duo said their own words of thanks as they smile for the camera's sake.
Tim looked into the lens locked on him and announced, "Stay tuned, folks, for a lot more football coverage. Up next, an interview with Coach Simmons of the Carolina Stars." The red light on the camera went out and everyone relaxed in their seats.
One of the crewmen called that the recording was a wrap and the four young men removed their microphones. "Nice chat, guys," Adam smirked as he shook his guests' hands. "We'll have that ready for airing on our show tomorrow night."
Handshakes and farewells were shared and the lot parted ways. Standing in the studio doorway, Quatre smiled warmly to his client as he approached, "Well I must say that I'm impressed, Duo. Things were getting a little touchy there, but you kept your cool."
Nudging his partner, the running back stated, "Thanks to 'Ro, here. Those reporters know just how to push things just to that line of comfort." Heero chuckled deeply and nodded his agreement.
As they headed out together, the quarterback asked, "Shall we try to get a little more practice time in when we get home?"
"So you have those black spandex short ready?" Duo asked in return as he wiggled his eyebrows.
With a snicker, Heero answered, "You know it."
Placing his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, the braided athlete smirked, "Then hell yes."
TBC...
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