TITLE: This Thing Called Life (unfinished)

AUTHOR: Shira

SERIES: Gundam Wing

CATEGORIES: Angst; Tearjerker; Taboo/Abuse;

SUBCATEGORY: Anime

RATING: R

PAIRINGS: 2x1, 4+3, 5+M

WARNINGS: Angst, violence, LEMON, bad language and slurs, vulgarity.

EMAIL: shira_uma@hotmail.com <mailto:shira_uma@hotmail.com>

Trials and tribulations of growing up different.

Note: This fic was inspired, after looking for some good fic fodder, by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and the TV show "My So-Called Life".

Part 1

Shutting the locker door with a loud clank, Heero Yuy sighed, having ended his first day of his senior year at a new school. He never could understand why it was that his father couldn't take his new job position just a few months later. He could have done it that way, but instead, he wanted to get himself started in his new office as soon as possible. "It look s better to the higher-ups," he'd said, explaining that jumping on the opportunity would make him look eager to his supervisors, increasing the possibility of his climbing the corporate ladder. So, with that said, the family was packed and relocated in the short span of only three months. Barely enough time to get accustomed to the fact that soon life would be brand new.

Thinking about all of that again, Heero scowled as he made his way through the busy school halls and out the main entrance to the waiting buses. Right now, he hated his father for doing this to him, only a year from graduating, and he hated life. Glancing nervously at the strange faces on the bus, the quiet boy walked down the center aisle to an open seat near the middle and sat down, throwing his backpack in first beside him on the seat. He sighed again as he could feel eyes burning holes in him from the back of the bus. The new guy always got stared at.

Both his parents told him the same thing when they'd broken the news that they'd definitely be moving. "You'll make new friends," his mother said. If it were only that simple. Heero knew how untrue that statement was. He'd barely had any friends then, where he came from - why should he suspect things to be any different here? After all, as shy as he was and with his little "secret" that no one knew about, it's not like he was Mr. Popularity where school was concerned. Even as handsome as he was, with his slight Japanese features that he'd inherited from his father, he just never fit in. He let his head fall back and closed his eyes as the school bus roared to life and started bouncing down the road to deliver its load of kids home for the day.

********

On the second day of school, Heero had to go the main office to get the discrepancies in his schedule cleared up. Nothing like having to be the new guy in seven classes, only to find out that three of them were wrong, and then have to be the new guy three more times. When his classes were finally in order and he was permitted to leave, he checked his watch and his stomach turned. Third period class had already started, so he was going to have to walk in, in the middle of class, with everyone looking at him. God how he hated that. Making his way down the hall to the appropriate room for Mrs. Thompson's honors English class, he stopped in front of the door. Gathering up his nerve, he walked in.

All twenty-five heads in the classroom turned to him. "Yes?" The teacher, an older woman with glasses and a plain dress said from her desk, where she was just beginning to start roll call for her new class.

"I-I'm supposed to be here." Heero stammered, handing the lady a slip from the office that instructed her to add him to her roster.

"Heero Yuy." She smiled through her spectacles, reading his name off the paper. "Well, have a seat young man, we're just getting started here." Heero bashfully passed in front of the teacher's desk and down the second aisle of student desks to an empty one near the back of the room. He put his backpack on the floor beside him and sat with a big sigh of relief, having gotten that over with.

As the teacher continued to call roll and jot in her planner, the rest of the class occupied themselves in the usual manner when there was no work to be done. Talking, laughing quietly, and discussing who was already going with whom and what not. Sitting quietly, Heero tried to not look so conspicuous by forcing himself a half smile at anyone whose eyes connected with his. Then he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"New here? I don't remember seeing you around last year." A dark haired Asian-looking boy in the seat behind was asking.

Heero turned around in his seat to face the other. "Yeah. Just moved here."

"Cool." Came the reply. "Can I see your schedule?" The boy nodded toward the paper in Heero's hand, which he handed over. "Oh, hey! You and I have this class together, and then we have American History, seventh period together with my best friend.

Not really knowing what to say, Heero replied with a nod and a "Cool."

"Oh, and look...you have the same fifth period lunch as us too." Heero smiled a little at the prospect that maybe he wouldn't have to eat lunch by himself today, looking like the total newcomer. "You want to come sit with us? It's usually just us two. It's quiet. None of the muscle-heads or anything like that, although they do occasionally come around and give us a hard time" The other boy sensed Heero's timid personality.

"Y-yeah, sure!" Heero responded. By this time, all the students were gathering up their books in anticipation for the period ending bell to ring. "Where do I meet you?"

"We sit over on the right side, near the bathrooms. I'll look for you. I usually get there early because my fourth period class is Calculus, and that's right next door to the cafeteria."

"Sounds good!" Heero smiled as he stood up and picked up his backpack, preparing to leave. The other boy did the same.

"Oh...sorry...I'm Wufei. So, I'll see you in a little while then Heero!" The Asian boy waved him off and head out of the classroom in a rush to get to his next class without being late.

********

The next period was more of the same for Heero. Strange faces, strange teacher, idle chit-chat with a couple people in the class but that was about it. Mostly, he just sat silently, taking in his surroundings and listening to the banter going on around him. Even though there was no schoolwork going on, on this, only the second day of classes, it seemed like the period took forever to pass. Just before it was time to go, the teacher handed out text books, and collectively, all the students stuffed them into their various backpacks and duffel bags. Finally, the period end bell rang, and in one big effort, the entire class stood and began filing out the door, scattering in every direction, depending on where they all had to go. Heero exited and head straight down the far hall toward where he knew the cafeteria was, and where he could relax some with his new acquaintance.

The cafeteria was overwhelming. Heero was used to a much smaller school, so the scene in this lunchroom was nothing short of controlled pandemonium. But in a way, as daunting as it was at first, it all seemed kind of fun at the same time. He craned his neck, looking over to the right, over many students mingling about, then finally saw Wufei standing and waving to him. Heero relaxed slightly as he located his friend and began to make his way over. He approached the table, dropping his pack beside an empty seat, then sat adjacent to the other boy, who already had his packed lunch spread out. Heero did the same, then quietly began eating.

"So...how come you moved?" Wufei asked in between mouthfuls of sandwich.

Heero swallowed. "My dad. Job transfer."

"Wow...that stinks. Senior year and everything."

"Yeah...I guess. But its not like I had a lot of friends anyway so, they probably haven't even noticed that I'm gone at my old school."

"Hmmm" Wufei hummed as he drank from a bottle of iced tea. "That's a bummer. Well...I won't lie to you. It's not like I'm the most popular guy in school either." Heero looked up. The other boy shrugged. "I don't know...you know how it is. You're either in the 'in crowd', or you're not, and I'm definitely not. Heh...too smart and not athletic enough." He chided.

Heero smirked. "Same here."

"Yeah...so, we just kind of keep to ourselves, and we do OK. You seemed like you were probably one of us right from the start. The jocks are always more outgoing when they come in as new students. It's always a grand production." Wufei ate more of his sandwich, then looking up above the seated mass of students; he leaned his head to point in the direction of the cafeteria entrance. "Oh, hey...here comes Duo. You'll like him."

********

Approaching the table was a slender, handsome boy with a gentle face and long hair held back in a swinging braid. He wore a pair of ripped jeans, black Doc Martin boots and an open black leather jacket adorned with various buckles, spikes and studs. From a few tables away he called out to his friend sitting with the new boy. "Yo, Wu-man!" Then smiling, he sat himself down beside Wufei and dropped his lunch bag on the table, digging in to it voraciously.

"Duo, this is Heero; Heero, Duo. He's new. Heero has seventh period with us."

"Hey, that's cool. Nice to meet you." Duo smiled warmly. His expression was totally different than the gruff persona he was obviously trying to give off.

"Hey." Heero answered, watching the other boy intently as he devoured his lunch. He noticed a bunch of silver hoop earrings of various sizes - three in one ear, and too many to count in the other.

"So, I guess Wu here is giving you the low down on everybody?" Duo asked casually as he ate his lunch.

Heero nodded. "I guess you could say that." He didn't know why, but he felt his cheeks get warm. Duo, seeing the other boy flush slightly, smirked and dropped his eyes to his sandwich. Wufei, watching the transaction between the two, smirked as well.

For the rest of the lunch period the three chit-chatted about this and that, complained about school policies and cafeteria food, and whispered about each of the 'notorious' students as they walked by. By the time it was time to leave, they were joking happily, and Heero was feeling more at home - or at least included, even if it was in the losers club. He was used to that. Actually, he was comfortable with that. Getting up to leave at the sound of the period bell, the trio strolled out together, then separated in the hall, each headed in a different direction.

Heero fumbled his way through his next class, Advanced Chemistry, and managed to get by without making himself feel too uncomfortable, reminding himself that the last period of the day he would be reunited with his two friends again. When that time came, and he showed up inside the doorway, Wufei and Duo were already seated in the back of the room and waved to him, having saved a seat. Heero smiled and made his way over, thinking that maybe, possibly, it was going to be a decent school year after all.

Part 2

"I'm telling you, he's gay." Wufei insisted.

Duo shrugged it off, smirking. "How the hell do you know? You aren't! Are you suddenly the expert on homosexuality?" The two friends walked in from the student parking lot. Wufei had a car, and he picked Duo up every morning to give him a ride to school. It wasn't the prettiest thing to look at - a tired silver and rust Honda Accord hatchback, but it was reliable, got them where they needed to go, and it was a car.

"No....I'm not...but hanging around you, I've developed a keen sense of gaydar [1]." Wufei joked, his dark eyes glistening and a big silly grin on his face. Duo laughed.

"Well...he is kinda cute. Exotic looking."

"I knew it!"

Duo teased his friend. "Aw shut up! I only just met the guy...and I'm betting he's straighter than an arrow. That's the way my luck goes." They were entering the school lobby when they saw Heero way down the hall at one of the locker bays. "Besides...I'm certainly not going to ask him!" Laughing, Duo smacked Wufei across the back of the head, mussing his hair, then ran off before a retaliation could be launched. Together they made their way down the long corridor to catch up with Heero before homeroom.

********

After only a few days, the three seemed to get into a schedule, socializing in between classes when they could, and of course Heero had classes with both Wufei and Duo, and then lunch period, which was nice for him. He started to blend in with the rest of the school, feeling more rooted with the help of his two new friends. Lunchtime was always a relief for all of them, when they could just relax and be themselves, and they quickly became very tight as a little group as Heero got more comfortable with the other two boys.

Then one afternoon, about two weeks into the school term, Wufei and Heero were already sitting and eating their lunches when they heard a ruckus coming their way, lead by Duo.

"Aww shit." Wufei muttered under his breath as he put his sandwich down on top of his lunch bag and rose to kneel on his seat to see what was happening. Heero turned in his chair to look too.

"What's going on?" He saw Duo and three other guys, and the others, some of the boys from the football team, seemed to be hassling him. Wufei didn't answer, and the two simply watched as insults flew before a monitoring teacher could break in.

"Maxwell, you little pansy!" One boy called, pushing Duo until he stumbled. The three jocks laughed as Duo turned around to face them. "That's longer hair than I've seen on any girl!"

"Haha, funny guys. Go to hell!" Came the smaller boy's smart-assed remark. A second boy draped his arm over Duo's shoulders and squeezed him close.

"Awwww...and what's the little cock-sucker gonna do if we don't? Beat us up with his purse?" There was more giddy laughter as they continued to tease him, until the teacher made her way over and reprimanded all four students, telling them that there would be detentions all around if they didn't stop creating a commotion. Thankfully, the football players dispersed, allowing Duo to make his way over to Wufei and Heero. Sitting down heavily beside Wufei, Duo slammed his lunch on the table.

"Hey man...you OK?" Wufei's tone was serious. Heero didn't say anything.

"Morons." Duo sighed, trying to act like nothing was wrong, trying to hide the distress on his face. He dug in his lunch bag to give himself something to think about.

Not knowing whether he should even speak up or not, Heero swallowed a bite of lunch, then hesitated before asking, "Why were they bothering you?" For an instant, Heero suddenly felt like he had stuck his foot in his mouth as two pairs of eyes shot up toward him. Then Duo looked back down before answering.

"Because they're so freaking brainwashed that they can't stand to have to cohabitate with someone who's different than they are." Duo looked like he wanted to cry. Or at the very least, scream. Oddly, Heero recognized the look as a familiar one, and that got him to wondering exactly what Duo meant by "different". Watching the longhaired boy sympathetically, not knowing what else to say, he didn't say anything. When Duo finally looked up again, Heero was still watching him, with a look of question on his face. "I'm gay, OK? There. Now you know." Duo shot off nastily, then busied himself with his sandwich once more. Wufei exchanged glances with Heero, then also went back to his lunch. The rest of the period passed for the three in silence.

********

Walking out of school that day, Duo waited around to catch up with Heero before he got on the bus. Finding the other boy at his locker, he strode up and rested his back against the neighboring locker door, propping one foot, while Heero shuffled things around in his cubby. He fidgeted with the buckles hanging off his jacket.

"Sorry man." He didn't look at the other boy.

Heero stopped what he was doing. "For what?" He looked at Duo with sincerity in his eyes.

"For snapping at you like that. Those guys just get my goat, I guess. Freaking piss me off. Just makes me furious that we're living in the year 2001 and people still have to behave like that."

Nodding, the Japanese boy replied "Apology accepted. I wasn't angry. " His words were short, causing Duo to mistake his expression for annoyance. Duo chuckled as Heero closed his locker and the two turned to head out of the school.

"And here I am bitching to you, and for all I know, you might not even care to hang out with me anymore." he sighed, switching his backpack to his other hand.

Heero stopped him. "Why would I do that?" The sympathetic look was back.

"Well...I don't know. Because lots of people ditch me once they find out. I didn't want to come right out and say anything to you yet, because I wasn't sure how you'd react, so that's why I got mad. Because we kinda like hanging around with you." Duo's violet eyes met Heero's blue, filled with hopeful concern.

"I'm fine with it."

A half smile cracked Duo's lips. "Cool," was all he said. Then the two began for the parking lot again.

"Is Wufei...are you two...?" Heero fumbled his statement and blushed, looking at his feet.

"Nah...he's my best friend, but he's as straight as they come. We've been buddies since we were kids." Heero smiled somewhat with that answer, trying to hide his reaction as he felt a tiny flutter in the pit of his stomach. They walked on.

As Heero was about to head off in the direction of the bus lane, Duo grabbed his jacket sleeve and asked "Hey, you want a ride home with us? I don't think Wu will mind driving you."

Nodding and grinning, Heero replied "Sure," as he let the other boy lead him to his friend, already waiting in the student parking lot.

Wufei, watching from afar as the other two approached, grinned, shaking his head, and mumbled to himself "He is too!"

Part 3

As the days passed, the threesome became better friends. Heero relaxed greatly in his new environment and, except for the occasional teasing that Duo put up with from some of the more immature students, school life was fairly quiet for him. He enjoyed spending what little time he had with the Chinese boy and the American boy, and he could feel something happening between the three. Finding out from Duo that day in the cafeteria that he was gay was a big day for Heero - because that meant maybe the day was near that he himself could come to terms with his own preference, and admit it as well. Until then, nobody - not his friends and especially not his family - knew that Heero was not who they all thought he was. It just wouldn't be acceptable. But seeing as his friend was so open about it - yes, he dealt with some of the scourge of society - but he also went through his life with nothing to hide. Hiding something as monumental as being a homosexual was something that had become an occupation to Heero, and he hated having to live that way. The Japanese boy was becoming inspired to spill his secret to someone...maybe Duo?

In the meanwhile, throughout the whole time of their friendship, the astute Wufei was analyzing the situation privately. He hadn't been kidding when he joked with Duo about spending so much time with him that it was becoming easy for him to spot people like him from a distance. Such was the case with Heero. He didn't know what it was that drew him to befriend the shy Japanese boy in the first place, he just did. There was something about him that just screamed of being different, and of needing friends. By the second day, the Chinese youth was nearly convinced that the other boy had to at least have some tendencies, even if he didn't admit to them. It was obvious by the subtle gestures that he made, especially when interacting with Duo. Then one day at lunch while waiting for Duo to arrive at the table, Wufei went for broke to see if his suspicions were right.

"So...Heero..." he began casually while glancing at his lunch in its brown bag, digging in to pull out a sandwich. "What do you think of Duo now that you guys are getting to be better friends?" Wufei was always hoping that somewhere, somehow, Duo would find himself somebody trustable and nice enough to start a relationship with. For that matter, Wufei was looking for the same himself, but it was much easier for him than it was for Duo, since most gay high school students don't go around advertising themselves for fear of being pummeled. Duo was a rarity - he knew who he was, accepted it, and spit in the faces of those who didn't. It sometimes got him in trouble though, because he always did have this "invincible" attitude.

Heero blinked, surprised, and looked at his friend across the table. The pink of his cheeks told all. "Umm...He's really great." He answered, trying to look busy with his lunch. He insecurely glanced back up at Wufei, whose dark eyes were still pierced on him.

Wufei smiled. "You know...you should just tell him."

"Tell him what?" Heero tried to act cool, tried to throw the other boy off, realizing that he'd been found out.

"That you're gay." Wufei stated confidently, causing Heero to open his mouth to speak, then close it before uttering a sound. "I thought so." He chuckled.

Blushing, Heero stammered "H-how did you know?" His face was hot and his eyes displayed his uncertainty. Wufei shrugged, taking a bite of sandwich followed by a cheese curl in the same mouthful.

"I dunno...Just felt it, I guess. Plus...the way you two have been looking at each other since you found out about him...its kind of obvious to someone who's looking for it."

Heero was flabbergasted. Shaking his head he said, "I don't know...nobody knows about me. Nobody. If my parents found out, my father would totally flip. He's not very open-minded. So...I've kept it a secret all this time. I haven't even gone with anyone before, for fear of my folks finding out."

Wufei nodded. "Yeah, I understand. Duo's parents don't know either. Hell...his father would probably kill him if he found out. It's not macho, know what I mean? But I still think you should tell him. I mean, you can't live that way forever, right?"

Heero looked up from his salad. "I don't know... I guess not. Why do you think I should tell him?"

"Oh...I dunno. Just a thought. I think he'd appreciate knowing."

Heero went through the rest of the day contemplating his conversation with Wufei, and subconsciously feeling the boy watching him interact with Duo, even if he wasn't really doing that. Although he really did want to tell Duo, because it would be a relief of not having to hide it from him, he was still somewhat afraid of the thought of another person knowing this. Bad enough Wufei did now. But there was a lot of trust that he felt for these two, trust that he hadn't felt with most of his other friends. They already lived with this in their lives...surely they were the safest ones to come clean with. Deciding that he'd try to gather the courage to tell Duo, Heero began to think of the possibilities if he did. After all, Wufei was right. He was nearly eighteen years old. Soon he'd be in college and living his own life. He couldn't let the fear of his parents dictate who he loved forever.

Catching up with Duo leaving school for the day, Heero trotted up to the boy, backpack in tow. As they walked through the school halls toward the student parking lot, Duo smiled. "So...you have plans for the weekend?"

Heero was lost in his own world. "Huh?" He looked at Duo confused.

"You know...the weekend? Today's Friday...schools out... the weekend. Doing anything?"

"Oh, sorry. No, I'm not doing anything. I have to keep applying for an after school job, but that's it."

We're going out tomorrow night. Wanna come?" Duo's eyes lit up hopefully.

"Where?" The boys exited the building, headed toward the familiar silver rustbucket. Even though the three had last period class together, Wufei always made it out first because his locker was right next to the main entrance, so he could get out the door before the masses began pouring out of their classrooms and into the halls.

Duo replied "Well...a few of us sometimes go to the city. We go to a club there and have a good time, listen to music, see people, have a few beers, you know." Heero looked at his friend quizzically. "I know a guy who works there - he always lets us in. Hell, for all I know he lets half the place in - his deal is, he gets us in, and I suspect that the cover charge finds its way into his pocket, if you know what I mean. But it's a cool place. Safe, ya know?"

"Well..." the Japanese boy couldn't think quickly enough, so he just answered, "Sure, I'd love to go." They reached the already-running car and got in.

Wufei turned to look at them in irritation "You think you two could step it up a little next time? I have to go to work today." Backing the car out of its spot, he put it in gear and they drove off.

Chiding, Duo responded, "Whoops! Sorry man. Oh, hey...Heero is going to come with us tomorrow, OK?" Wufei simply nodded, smiling, eyes connecting with Heero's in the rear view mirror.

********

Saturday couldn't come quickly enough for Heero. To date, he hadn't done anything social outside of school with his two new friends, and he was looking forward to getting out of the house. As he readied himself, his mother kept prying about where he was going and who he was going out with as he laid out outfit after outfit trying to find something that he thought would make him look stylish and appealing. He finally satisfied her questioning by saying that he was going to a concert with a group from school, and that he'd be home very late. And although he hated to admit it, his head was filled with thoughts of being with Duo that night. As his attraction to the other boy was growing, so was his realization that he was going to have to tell him if he wanted a chance with him. He was filled with nervous energy as he showered, shaved and dried his hair, then donned his best "going out" clothes - fitted black jeans, black leather loafers with black socks, and an ecru round-collared button down shirt, linen. It was his favorite.

When Wufei and Duo arrived at seven to pick him up, Heero, embarrassed as all hell, wandered up to the car. "My mom wants to meet you both." He sighed, blushing. The other two boys climbed out of the car to oblige. Wufei was clad similarly to Heero, with black jeans and a nice shirt, and Duo looked fabulous in a pair of black leather pants with a studded belt, his usual pair of boots, and a loose sleeveless T-shirt that allowed just a hint of his nipple to be seen through the arm hole if one positioned themselves correctly. Of course, Heero had been positioned correctly, and he swallowed hard when he noticed this. What caught him by surprise though was the fact that Duo had his hair unbraided tonight, and his exceedingly long tresses flowed freely as he moved, looking simply gorgeous. For a moment, Heero simply stared at the hair until Wufei broke his gaze and reminded him that someone wanted to meet them before they left. Snapping back into the present, Heero replied with an "Oh, yeah," and led his friends to the front door of the house, where Mrs. Yuy was waiting. Duo put on his best "inconspicuous act", and Wufei was a charmer, both causing the elder Yuy to smile and wish the boys a good time that night. Then rushing his pals back to the car, Heero jumped in the back and they sped off for the club.

They drove for close to half an hour before pulling into the parking lot besides a seedy looking building with light and sound emanating from within its confines. Sitting for a few minutes, Duo turned around to face Heero. "We'll go in in a few minutes - we're just waiting for a couple of friends that go to a different school. They always meet us here." Heero nodded.

Finally, a blue car pulled up and parked beside them. As both cars emptied, Heero could see that there were two guys; one a tall and lanky with stylish brown hair, the other, shorter and blonde with a soft look and happy, smiling face, and there was a pretty girl with them. She was petite, with straight, long black hair, and she looked like she could be Chinese or some other Asian nationality. The blonde called out "Duo! Wufei!"

"Hey Quatre! Trowa!" Wufei answered as he made his way over to the girl, smiling shyly. She hugged him and giggled at some little whisper that they shared.

"Guys? This is Heero - He's pretty new to the area. Heero...meet Trowa and Quatre. Oh, that's Merian over there with Wufei." Duo leaned in close to whisper to the four huddled together, "He has the hots for her, but she's playing hard to get!" There was hushed laughter for a few seconds. When all the introductions were made, the group walked away from the cars and made their way down a filthy alleyway strewn with trash, bringing them to the back door of the club. Duo checked his watch. "Five more minutes." When he finally did knock on the metal door, there was no response for a few minutes. Then slowly the door opened and Duo spotted his friend. "Thanks, man." He replied as each of the group handed over their cover charge to the man, who looked to be in his early twenties and was clad in lots of black patent leather and metal trimmings.

"No problem, Duo." The friend answered, looking both ways as he pocketed the cash and allowed entry to the six underage club patrons.

Part 4

The atmosphere inside the club was electrifying. The outside of the building deceivingly housed a spectacle of light and sound that Heero had never experienced, but his friends seemed very familiar with. People milled in every corner of the crowded club, some seated, others standing, and still others dancing to the thumping pop and techno dance music being played so loud that the bass tracks could be felt in his chest. Following Duo and Wufei, they wove their way through the crowd, headed to find a place where they could all sit. Looking back quickly, Duo noted Heero lagging behind him slightly, so he reached back and grabbed his hand, causing a wave of emotion to flow through him. Heero smiled faintly as the ends of Duo's sumptuous hair grazed their hands as they wove their way in and out and around people. Then finding a quieter spot where the six could converse without screaming at each other, Duo led Heero up, then waited while the others in the group caught up. Wufei looked at Duo, noticing that he was holding Heero's hand, and the longhaired boy blushed and suddenly dropped it, turning to apologize to Heero.

The friends all gathered around the small cafe-style table before Duo and Trowa disappeared, returning with a pitcher of beer and six pint glasses. As the glasses were set out, Trowa poured, and one by one each person took a glass. Sitting, Trowa snuggled himself up beside Quatre, who smiled before delivering a peck to the cheek of the other teen. Obviously they were a couple, Heero had concluded, and he suddenly worried whether people were looking at them, but scanning the room, he saw that there was a good mix of people there; guys and girls together, as well as what seemed to be guys with guys and girls with girls. Relaxing a bit, Heero grabbed his beer and took a long swallow.

"So...you like it?" Duo yelled above the music at Heero. "The club?"

"Yeah, its pretty cool." The shy boy answered. Before he could ask, Duo filled him in.

"Its kind of an "everything goes" club. Everybody respects everyone else. Nobody cares who you came here with or what your deal is, so, its cool." Heero nodded, smiling a little as Duo sucked on his own beer. Watching him, entranced, Heero began thinking about whether he even had a chance with the attractive boy.

Then the blonde spoke up. "So, Heero...I hear that Duo and Wufei are showing you the sights around town?" He smiled warmly, aquamarine eyes flashing with the strobe light in the center of the room.

"I guess you could say that," the Japanese boy responded. "I've only been here about a month." The other boy nodded, then turned to exchange a kiss with his partner. Heero smiled bashfully, and he could feel himself blushing even if nobody could see him in the dim light of the club.

Chuckling, Quatre added, "In case nobody's told you, Duo hasn't had his bones jumped yet, so he's available!" The table erupted in controlled laughter, all except for Duo, who blushed, a funny smirk on his face.

"Hey...knock it off! We don't even know what flavor Heero prefers, so don't go embarrassing him like that!" Duo joked. Heero smiled bashfully and tried to bury his head, acknowledging the comment, while inside, his stomach was filling with butterflies. Without looking up, he grabbed his beer and drank, while the rest of the table watched him in his moment of embarrassment, then laughed with him about the comment. "Besides...I'm picky - I'm waiting for that special someone to come along!" Duo said, sarcastically making fun of his own bad luck in finding a mate.

"Well, Heero?" Trowa teased, grinning. From the angle of his seat, one of his eyes was hidden by the fall of his long bangs in front of his face.

"I need another beer!" Came the red-faced reply. Everyone laughed again. Trowa poured another pint from the now empty pitcher, then got up to get the group another.

The six sat around the tiny table drinking beer, talking and laughing for nearly two hours. Everyone was having a good time just having each other to joke with. Heero took in his surroundings, and more beer, and was beginning to feel at ease with his friends and with the club. Eventually Wufei and Merian had gone to dance in the main room where the dance floor was, the Chinese boy leading his lady away from the group with his arm around her waist. Quatre and Trowa soon took the same queue and head off as well, and quickly there was only Duo and Heero sitting, a half-empty pitcher in front of them. Heero's heart was beginning to creep into his throat and he fidgeted in his seat.

"Why don't you go dance too?" he asked his attractive friend.

Duo smiled and sarcastically answered "What? And leave you here all by yourself?"

"I'll manage." Heero tested his waters.

"Eh...I don't want to encroach on all their fun, ya know? Maybe I'll get lucky and meet someone tonight, but honestly, as fun as this place is, I don't really feel comfortable just picking up someone who I've never met before. It can be dangerous." His face became somber for a few seconds until he looked up, forcing a smile. "Don't worry about me, man. We have to get YOU hooked up, right? New in town...don't know any of the ladies yet..."

Heero blushed again, his heart doing backflips. 'Tell him...TELL HIM!', his mind was screaming at him, but he just couldn't do it. He didn't know WHY he couldn't...he just couldn't. Then suddenly it entered his mind that, what if Duo didn't like him "in that way" anyway, and he'd gone and spilled his beans to him? Thoughts and emotions and beer flowed through Heero as he contemplated how to get closer to this boy whom he thought he might be falling in love with, and all the while he kept hearing a voice saying "How will he know he can love you back if you can't come to terms with yourself, Heero?"

Duo's voice brought Heero back into the now. "Right?" He asked for a third time.

"Huh? Right what?"

Duo chuckled, pushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear, revealing his gentle face plainly. "We need to get you a lady!"

At that moment, something clicked in Heero's head - be it the beer, the deafening music, the dizzying strobe lights or the combination of the three - and he did something that shocked both of them. Eyes locked on Duo's, Heero threw all caution to the wind, leaned forward, and let his lips gently caress those of his friend's. Drawing away with closed eyes and realizing what he'd just done, Heero gasped, his face distraught. The eyes that followed his were full of wonder and confusion. For that moment, they were the only two people in the dark, noisy, flashing room, and all time stood still as Heero anticipated Duo's reaction to what had just happened.

Duo, his own stomach somersaulting, leaned close to Heero now, his eyes studying those of his new friend, close enough to smell his alcohol-laden breath and his subtle cologne. Heero didn't back away, yet was beginning to feel the tension of the moment as his personal space was invaded by the other boy, and his uncertainty was present in his gaze. The awkwardness of the moment was surpasses only by the electrifying magnetism that both boys were feeling, and Duo's gaze softened into a look of reserved happiness. Slowly closing his eyes, he leaned a little more and let his lips once again touch Heero's. Holding that touch just a few seconds longer, his response became clear to the other boy. When they pulled away, each was smiling shyly, but with thankful recognition in their eyes.

Getting up from the table, Duo grabbed Heero's hand and dragged him to the men's room, where the blaring music was considerably muffled. Checking under the stalls to make sure no one else was there, Duo began "Heero...wha..."

"I was afraid to tell you." Heero interjected before Duo could get the words out.

"Afraid?"

"Yeah." They paused.

"But why?"

Heero fidgeted with his sleeve button for a moment before looking into beautiful violet eyes. "I was afraid you wouldn't want me." He smirked awkwardly, then looked at his feet.

"Not want..." Duo lifted the other boy's head up with his finger at his chin, then attacked him with a passionate, deep kiss, gently forcing his way into Heero's mouth until he was kissing back just as feverishly. Someone came into the men's room and the two quickly pushed away from each other, startled. Heero wiped the corner of his mouth with his hand. Then grabbing Heero's hand again and this time lacing their fingers together, Duo led him back to the noise and activity, grinning happily the whole time.

Part 5

Heero lay in bed wide-awake that morning as the faintest hints of daybreak were beginning to appear through his bedroom window. He'd lain like that all night, ever since being dropped off after the club at two in the morning. Ever since Duo left him at his doorstep with an affectionate kiss that still burned on his lips, hours later. He smiled to himself as he remembered seeing the look on Wufei's face when Duo kissed him outside the club, in the parking lot as they were preparing to leave. It was one of those "It's about time!" looks. Yeah, it was about time...about time that Heero stopped hiding who he really was and got on with life, or risk being not only different, but lonely as well. He'd already had a taste of what lonely could be like, and he didn't want that. He wanted Duo.

Duo, on the other hand, slept soundly after putting himself to bed that morning. He'd stripped down to his T-shirt and his underwear, hopped into his warm bed, then dreamt himself to sleep thinking about days to come, and finally having someone to bestow his affections on. Heero had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, but there he was, regardless, and in need of someone too. Duo couldn't have been happier, having felt a fondness for the other boy since that first day in the cafeteria. He could only have hoped that the outcome would be something like this. Finally slipping into unconsciousness, Duo curled himself into fetal position, his blanket pulled up around his neck, hair sprawled out over the bed behind him, and a comforted smile on his face.

********

The Japanese boy was out of bed, dressed, and downstairs making breakfast for himself by the time his parents sleepily stumbled down the stairs. The elder Mr. Yuy sat down at the kitchen table and began to flip through the Sunday paper that Heero had picked up from outside the front door. His mother put on a pot of coffee before seating herself beside his father. Noticing the unusual chipper behavior of their normally lackluster son, she questioned him.

"Heero...did you have a good time with your friends last night?"

Hiding his blush and his smile by keeping his back turned to his mother as he washed his cereal bowl, Heero answered "Yes mother, I had a very good time last night."

"I'm glad you're happy then. You see? I knew you'd make new friends after a little while once we moved here." The woman smiled and dropped her attention to a part of the paper that she'd managed to wrestle away from her husband.

"I'm going to be out most of the day today." Heero informed.

"With your new friends?" Asked his mother.

"Have you found a job yet?" Came a deeper, accented voice from behind the newspaper.

"No, dad...I'm working on it. And yes, I'm going out with Wufei and Duo again."

"Just remember - no job, no car insurance, no driving. You can't depend on allowance for the rest of your life, you know, and your policy is coming due." Mr. Yuy scolded gently.

Grabbing a light jacket from the back of one of the kitchen chairs, Heero head toward the living room. "I wont be home for dinner - I think we're going to get something out." He disappeared out the front door. Since it was a weekend, he was permitted to take his mother's car for the day, and he jumped into the little coupe. Starting the engine and driving away, Heero excitedly smiled, his butterflies in his stomach more like bats as he drove to pick up Duo.

Pulling up to the address on the slip of paper that Duo had given him with the directions, Heero saw his friend sitting on the front step to the house waiting. As soon as the car slowed, Duo jumped to his feet and trotted his way out to the street to meet Heero with a vigor that he hadn't felt in a long time. He was in love. Smiling as he got in the car, he pulled the door shut, then leaned over and smooched the Japanese boy right on the lips, making him blush, surprised.

"Where to?" Heero questioned. "We picking up Wufei?"

"In a little while - he had to help his father do some things around the house today, so he said we could come by to get him around one or so." The longhaired boy answered as the car drove away from the house. "Umm...I have an idea. You wanna go over to the park and just walk a while? You know...so we can talk and stuff with no one to bother us?" Heero smiled.

Duo directed Heero as he drove them to a beautiful state park ground, where they left the car in a lot and continued on foot over marked trails and climbing paths. It was a gorgeous fall day, the leaves were just beginning to change color, and the air smelled crisp and clean. The two chatted casually about this and that as they made their way deep into the woods. In a bold gesture, Heero grabbed Duo's hand as they walked, and the other boy's heart skipped a beat as he turned to him with a dopey, love-struck gaze, making Heero chuckle. Never in a million years did he ever think that it was possible for him to have this kind of affect on someone, and especially someone as seemingly wonderful as Duo.

When they came to a clearing before a lake, they stopped to sit a while on a bunch of rocks at the edge of the water. Skipping stones over the crystalline surface of the lake, Duo looked so beautiful as he watched the pebbles he cast, his eyes clear and interested, concentrating, his hair catching rays of the sun's light as he moved. Then he turned to face Heero, a shy smile appearing on his face when he realized he was being watched.

"So..." the longhaired boy began, "Is this a thing for us? Are we an item?"

Heero's face went hard for an instant, uncertain. Was he being presumptuous after the couple of kisses they shared, to think that they would be? "I-I like you a lot, Duo. I feel...I don't know...different when I'm around you." The shy boy smiled a bashful smile as he let his eyes drop. "I've never loved anyone before. Always kept my preference a secret."

"Why?" Duo asked, concerned. His violet eyes searched out Heero's blue ones until he finally lifted his face and their gaze connected.

"My parents wouldn't approve. My father...he wasn't born in this country, and in Japan, homosexuality isn't readily accepted. Even with the fascination the Japanese seem to have, what with the racy art and animations that come from there, it's still very taboo. My dad's very traditional in that respect. My mom...she just agrees with whatever my dad thinks."

Duo nodded. "Well, I'll let you in on a little secret of my own. I've managed to keep it a secret from my parents as well. My mom, I think she'd be OK with it. Actually, I think she suspects it, but she hasn't said anything. I don't know whether she's denying that her son could be gay, or if it's just a case of not wanting to let my father find out. But if he DID ever find out...at least while I'm still living at home..." he shook his head without finishing his sentence.

"It's so weird," the dark-haired Japanese boy began, "We live in a world where people preach equality and human rights and 'love is love', but when it comes right down to it, that only exists as long as it doesn't come into their home. Then when it does, all of a sudden you get to see who the real person is - their true feelings about it."

"Yeah." For a few minutes the two boys sat in silence, pondering the subject. Without turning to face his friend, Duo then asked, "So, when did you figure it all out? That you were gay?"

Heero thought for a moment. "I can't really remember, to tell you the truth. It's just been a gradual realization for me, I think. But I know its me. You've helped prove that." He smiled as the other boy's face flushed slightly. "What about you?"

"I guess I figured it all out when I was old enough to realize that, while all the girls were having crushes on their teen idols and rock stars and stuff...I was secretly having crushes on the same guys. Heh, I even had my own little Brad Pitt poster that I used to keep hidden away. Oh, and, call me crazy, but I think Van, from Escaflowne, is one hot...umm...cartoon dude." Duo shook his head, grinning with embarrassment. Heero laughed. "I didn't want to admit to myself that I wasn't like the other guys. I tried going out with girls. Dismal failure." Chuckling, Duo added, "If you want a play by play recount of my 'formative years', you should ask Wu about it - he's been my best friend since we were in elementary school. I don't know where I'd be without him, to tell you the truth. Probably dead or something."

Heero looked up, straight-faced. "Why do you say that?"

"Well, mainly because he tends to keep me in check. I can get really...aggressive...when I think someone's discriminating against me. And...as you can see...I'm not the biggest guy in the world, to be doing that. So, Wufei has more or less kept me from getting my ass kicked for the past few years."

"You and Wufei are the only ones who know about me. Well, and Quatre, Trowa and Merian now, but I'm not concerned about them knowing, being that they live in another town."

Duo paused for a moment. "So, back to my first question." There was a faint smirk on his face. Heero blushed."

"I-I don't know...I guess...If you'll have me, I mean..." he trailed off. Sliding over on the rock so that he was right next to Duo, Heero looked into his eyes, then leaned forward to kiss him. His uncertain lips met warm, eager ones, and the touch quickly evolved into a breathless, zealous kiss. As their tongues met and seductively danced around each other, Duo then brought his arms around Heero to hold him tightly while Heero held the other boy's face close, not letting him get away. As adrenaline rushed rampantly through both of them, they held their kiss for minutes.

When they finally broke, sucking in air, the wildness of new found love and desire in their eyes, Duo panted, peering through his bangs, "I guess...that...answers the question then."

Part 6

Never was a Monday so looked forward to as that Monday for the two enamoured friends. After picking up Wufei on Saturday, the three boys toured the local mall scene before sharing a pizza, then going over to Wufei's house to play computer games and RPGs. Sunday went by pretty uneventfully, with Heero being tied up by his father this time, having to help rake the yard and put up the storm windows in the house. It wound up taking all day, so he didn't get to see Duo or Wufei, but he did spend the evening chatting via instant messenger with the two. By the time it was ten pm, the friends called it a night, with at least two of the boys actually looking forward to going to school the next day.

Driving into the student parking lot Monday morning, the three boys (Heero was now a regular stop in the morning, as well as the afternoon) got out of the car and started for the main school entrance when Duo nonchalantly grabbed Heero's hand, walking close so no one else would see. The other boy displayed a tiny smile, then whispered to him "Lets not be to obvious...I'm still a little nervous about all of this." Then with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye, Duo kissed his fingertip, then touched it to the end of Heero's nose. They dropped their grasp and casually entered the building to go about their regular business.

Somehow, the day seemed to fly by, and before long it was lunchtime. As usual, by the time Heero got to the regular table, Wufei was already there and digging in to his food. Sitting in his normal spot, the Japanese boy grinned from ear to ear at his Chinese friend. Wufei, smiling back, questioned, "Yes?"

Heero flushed a little. "I just wanted to thank you."

"For what?" came the reply.

"For giving me the push I needed to...to say something to Duo." Heero pulled out a can of Coke and half of a tuna hoagie and began to unwrap it from its plastic.

Wufei chuckled, "Eh, you would have gotten around to it sooner or later...I just figured you'd avoid all the junk in between if you said something now!" From across the loud room, he could see Duo come in.

After reaching the table and sitting in his usual spot, the cheerful youth smiled happily and greeted his friends. "Wu-man...good day! Heero..." He made a kissing gesture, causing the Japanese boy to grin sheepishly.

"Damn...you're in a good mood today!" Wufei blurted with a mouth full of something-or-other.

"And why shouldn't I be? I have the best friend money can buy...," he nudged Wufei with his elbow, "...and the object of my affection is in my sight." He laughed, soon joined by the other two.

"Oh jeez..." Heero chided. "Get this guy an Oscar!" Duo mocked a look of shocked surprise, breaking them up even more.

********

The week seemingly flew by, and before they even knew it, it was Friday again. As per the usual, Wufei had to work Friday evenings, leaving his other two friends an opportunity to experiment with the dating ritual without making him feel like a third wheel. Both Heero and Duo (who hadn't worked during the school year until then, but now figured it would be worthwhile, since he was "seeing someone", and could probably use the cash), had also landed themselves after school jobs, but they conspired together to make sure that they had the same evenings off, so they could spend time together. Conveniently, every other Friday night Heero's parents joined a few other couples with dinner and dancing or clubbing or whatever parents did when they were trying to stay young, and this happened to be one of those Friday nights. Heero had to force the look of excited anticipation off his face as his folks left for their engagement that night, fearing they would become suspicious that he was up to something. No sooner were they gone, than Duo popped out from behind the garden shed, leaving his bicycle hidden, and dashed over to the house where Heero was waiting for him. The whole arrangement was a complex plan, but it worked.

The boys bounded up the stairs to Heero's bedroom and did what two teenage boys always do - switched on the computer and proceeded to beat each other at games - namely Heero's favorite, Endless Duel. He played it like he was possessed by the game, always picking the same player, Wing Zero, and always managing to beat Duo and Deathscythe's ass, causing Duo to curse and swear every time. They stayed at it for a couple hours, occasionally switching games and bonding and sharing secrets the whole while. Then finally bored of the computer, Heero put the game pads back on the desk and sunk down to the floor to sit with Duo, leaning against the side of the bed.

Letting himself lean on the Japanese boy, Duo rested his head on Heero's shoulder and sighed. The feeling of being this close to someone was so warm and loving that Heero shifted his position some so that he could wrap his arms around the reclining boy, hugging him tightly. For many minutes they stayed that way, just absorbing each other's touch, until Duo broke their silence.

"You know...I can't tell you how long I've dreamt of this." He had the end of his braided hair in his hand and he was tickling Heero's chin with it, making the other boy smile. "I don't want this to end...I want you to hold me forever, Heero. I've never felt so loved, ever."

Heero bent his head and placed a tender kiss on the top of Duo's head. "I've needed this too," he whispered. "I just never thought I'd find someone...well...not until I was out of here and on my own."

"Now I know why Quatre and Trowa always seem so happy - look at what they've got. They've been together for almost a year now. I've envied them all this time, even though I never let it show. As happy as I am that they have each other, it's killed me inside to see them together over and over again, because..." he sighed again, "...because I just kept missing the boat. I think I had almost given up trying when you came along, you know that?"

"When you least expect something, that's when you'll get it." Heero smiled. Shrugging, he added, "That's what my mother always says, anyway."

"Yeah, I'll say this was unexpected alright." The longhaired boy straightened himself and shifted so he was facing his new sweetheart and he looked him in the eyes, and he could feel his own glazing over with sappy sentiment. "You came and swept me off my feet. You know that?"

Heero's gaze drifted to explore the sight of loveliness before him, enamoured by Duo's intoxicating good looks and gentle, loving expression. No one had ever looked at him that way before - not just a look of desire, but of real affection and appreciation. "Duo," he began, "You have no idea how happy I am to have you...how much I've needed...I...I...," he flushed bright red, unable to finish his sentence.

"I love you too, Heero." Leaning forward across his folded legs, Duo met Heero half way in a tender, expressive kiss. Drawing apart, the two boys searched each other's eyes for all the things that they wanted to say, but didn't need to, then rejoined in a longer, more passionate kiss.

Their embraces becoming more intense, they consumed each other's affections voraciously. Kissing became nibbling, and nibbling became touching as Duo shed his shirt, followed soon by Heero. When they connected again, an electrical spark sheared through both of them, neither having known the glorious feel of another's hot skin next to their own. Heero sighed loudly with complacency as his body was caressed by the other boy, and he thought he surely was in Heaven. Emotions overflowing, their kissing became near frantic as they wrapped around each other, trying to bring their bodies even closer together. Gasping for breath, Duo ran his hands though Heero's hair, then descended on the boy's neck, kissing him fiercely as a second pair of hands ran over his face, through his long hair and across his back, making him tingle.

There were no words spoken, only the language of two souls rejoicing in their coming together. Whining softly and panting heavily in between sloppy kisses, their auras mixed, creating a glow in both of them that was unmatched by any emotion either had ever felt before. The went on for many minutes, basking in each other's glory, until out of the corner of his eye, Heero spied his alarm clock, then turned away from it, his heart sinking slightly. With Duo still at his collarbone, he whispered breathlessly into the boy's ear, "D-Duo...it's time. They'll...be home...s-soon." He closed his eyes and succumbed to another deep kiss, grasping his love even tighter, not wanting to let him go, at least for a last few fleeting minutes.

Then pulling themselves together and rising from the carpeted floor, the two still could not release their grasp on each other, bringing their last kiss with them as they did. Finally Heero broke away looking sullen, and grabbed his shirt. Duo picked his up off the floor as well and quickly put it back on. Slipping into his leather jacket in silence, his face red with adrenaline and his heart heavy with good-byes he was ready to go, and Heero walked him down the stairs, through the house, and to the back door. Before parting ways, they shared one more passionate kiss. Coming up for air, Duo looked wistfully into Heero's eyes and sighed. He looked about to cry.

"I'd better go." He said quietly.

"Yeah." Heero responded, looking equally dejected. "I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

Duo half-smiled. "Count on it." Then he exited the back door and disappeared into the darkness.

Part 7

As it is with all forbidden loves, sooner or later, people find out. After a couple of weeks passing, it became obvious to both Heero and Duo that their relationship was no longer a secret, at least not in the confines of the school hallways anyway. Initially, Heero thought he had felt the eyes of the entire senior class on him, as they discovered what he had been hiding, but eventually the feeling did fade, and he got on with life all the more determined to just be himself and stop worrying about what people thought. It annoyed him, that he was so insecure about himself, but he was getting better at least, being around Duo and Wufei. However, no matter how smooth things were getting in respect to school life, there was still the fear of being found out by his father. That, Heero knew, would NOT be a good thing.

One particular afternoon, in the restroom en route to the cafeteria for lunch, Heero ran into one of the same kids who repeatedly harassed Duo, Brent. All two hundred thirty quarter-backing pounds of him. Captain of the varsity football team, blond hair, blue eyes, tall, built, and reeking of testosterone, the girls practically fell at his feet when he talked to them. Naturally, with the responsibility of upholding this macho persona, it was 'funny' for him to harass Duo, showing off to his followers, and it had now become 'funny' to do the same to Heero, only it was worse these days, because it was known that they were 'an item'. Swallowing hard, Heero could only be thankful that at least Brent was by himself this chance meeting, and not with his group of cronies to egg him on.

As the smaller boy was exiting the bathroom, Brent put himself between Heero and the door. "Hey Yuy," he began, with a mischievous look on his face. "Aren't you in the wrong place? The girl's bathroom is across the hall." He giggled at his own joke as Heero merely stood before him, emotionless.

"Can I please pass?" Heero said politely while trying to slip past the tower of muscle standing in front of him. Brent anticipated his every move, blocking him each time. Heero looked up at him with an annoyed look, sighing.

"You know, Yuy...I hear you and Maxwell got a little thing going. Is that true?" No answer. "That's so sweet, you know? That you two can take turns blowing each other, but I gotta tell you something." Brent face went serious for an instant before his own amusement caused him to grin again. "You know, that's just freaking disgusting?"

"Nobody's bothering you with it, why do you care?" Heero questioned, holding his composure and just praying to get the hell out of that room.

"Because you are bothering me, see? I see you two...holding hands and stuff. Makes me want to goddamn puke. And I guess you're the girl, huh?" Brent laughed, his face getting red. "That Maxwell, he's one tough customer...you'd have to be the girl!" Heero stood, motionless, watching the display in front of him, trying to ignore it as Brent giggled some more.

"OK, thanks, now, I'd like to leave if you don't mind." He pushed past the other boy to get to the exit when he was grabbed by the forearm and dragged back.

"Not so fast, Yuy. I'm not done talking to you yet."

Heero sighed. "What?" he replied arrogantly. Heero soon found himself pulled close to Brent, who had him by the front of the shirt, their faces inches apart as the other boy looked down to him, a good six inches taller. The other boy's face switched from amused laughter to downright threatening.

"We don't like fruits like you around here dirtying the place up with all that pansy-ass bullshit. You know, they should put you all in a separate school where you can all screw each other up the ass, and leave the normal kids alone." Brent voice was deep and hushed as he confronted Heero, who was internally scared to death, but did an excellent job of standing his ground. "If I were you, I'd watch your step. Because some of us don't like you little faggots being around here. You hear me?" Then without waiting for an answer, Brent released his grip on the Japanese boy and shoved him in the direction of the door to the hallway.

When Heero arrived at the lunch table, Wufei, as expected, was already there. Heero sat abruptly and dropped his lunch bag on the table without so much as glancing at the other boy. Trying to occupy himself with something other than the altercation that had just taken place, he dug in his bag, pulling out his food.

Wufei immediately noticed something strange about Heero's behavior, feeling the tension cascading off his body and asked, "So, uh...what's up?" Heero's eyes shot up from his lunch and connected with the other boy's, just as Duo sauntered up and sat down at the table.

Looking at Heero, then at Wufei, Duo questioned, concerned, "What's going on guys?" Heero looked white as a ghost, and he hadn't even realized his hands shaking until Wufei pointed it out.

"Nothing. I'll be fine in a few minutes." The Japanese boy assured his friends.

"Bullshit Heero...what's wrong?" Duo insisted. He slid his hand across the table and grasped Heero's, holding the other boy's fingers in a hook-like clutch with his own. "Tell me...please?" His eyes portrayed his deep concern, locked on to Heero's pained face.

"I got cornered in the bathroom on the way to lunch." Heero looked to Duo, then to Wufei, before dropping his eyes to the table.

"What?" Wufei yelped.

"By who?" Duo blurted.

"Brent. I'm just a little shaken up, but I'll be fine." Drawing his hand back from Duo, Heero started with his lunch.

"Was he by himself? Did he hurt you?" The questions came at him from both boys.

"I said I was fine!" Heero pronounced, annoyed. The other two boys were taken aback by the sharp tone.

"Sorry man," Wufei apologized, turning back to his food. "Just concerned, you know?" Duo didn't say anything, but simply watched Heero as he ignored his feelings and closed up inside himself.

********

As school let out, Duo caught up with Heero at his locker. Leaning up against the cold metal, he turned to look at his consort, who was trying not to let their eyes meet.

"I'm sorry about before." The Japanese boy offered. He fumbled with books going in and out of the locker.

"Heero, I was worried. What if Brent wasn't by himself? What if today was the day that he decided to take things too far?"

Heero sighed, looking up to meet liquid violet eyes. "I know. I'm just pissed at myself."

"Why?" Duo asked.

"Because...because I can't let people like that bully me the way he did. I have to get used to the fact that not everybody is going to understand my life."

"Well, that's true...but..." Duo was cut off by the other boy who turned to face him straight on now.

"Duo, I was scared. Really scared. I stood up to him OK, and didn't let him see that I was, but I'm still upset at myself for being so afraid of him."

Sympathetically, Duo replied, "Heero...just look at him. Hell, he scares the shit out of me sometimes."

"He does?"

"Yeah."

Heero thought for a moment. "I never would have thought that you were afraid of him or anybody, because you're so...in tune with yourself."

Pushing the locker door closed for Heero as they started to walk, Duo explained, "Normally, he just pisses me of. But I get scared when it's more than just him, you know? When he's got his other goons with him, that's when I get worried. Because I don't trust those guys as far as I can throw them, and that's not very far. They're all a bunch of homophobes, which means trouble for us. We just have to stick together and try as best we can to stay out of their way. Hell, it's a third of the way through senior year; pretty soon we'll be leaving all this behind." The longhaired boy smiled warmly, trying to instill some confidence in his shaken friend.

Part 8

It was Friday again. Unfortunately a Friday that Heero's parents would be at home, although, little did he know until he got home from school that his mother had, at the last minute, decided to accompany his father on a weekend golfing trip with a few fellows from the office and their wives. Wufei was once again at work and Duo was at home too, leaving Heero bored and craving the affection of his love, but for having a weekend alone without parents, he was willing to suffer. He sat at his desk and switched on his computer, signing into instant messenger. Happily, Duo was there and waiting for him to sign in, and they picked up a conversation right off.

DMax says: Heero, I confirmed with Wufei before he left for work. Club, tomorrow night, K?

WZero1 says: Sounds good. Are Trowa, Quatre and Merian meeting us?

DMax says: Yeah, they'll be there. Oh...and guess what I just found out!! <bounces>

WZero1 says: What?

DMax says: A certain someone got a phone call a little while ago from another certain someone who has finally agreed to go out, officially, LOL!

WZero1 says: Merian?

DMax says: YUP!! J

WZero1 says: GREAT!! Hey...now everybody is hooked up!

DMax says: Yeah, pretty cool, huh?

WZero1 says: Yeah!

DMax says: OK, so, we'll plan on the same time then? Pick you up around 7:30?

WZero1 says: Sure. Oh...btw...more good news <grins>

DMax says: Really? Whassat?

WZero1 says: My parents are leaving tomorrow morning for a golf outing. They wont be back until Monday morning! J

DMax says: O_O! REALLY??? J

WZero1 says: I know this is probably a stupid question but...want to stay over after the club?

DMax says: <grins> Nah...I think I'll need to get my sleep after a night like that, so I better go home... OF COURSE I WILL!!! What did you think I would say?

WZero1 says: Great!

The conversation continued much of the evening, breaking only when one or the other had to go for a snack break, or to the bathroom. They stayed up into the wee hours, chatting, playing more Endless Duel, and flirting with each other mercilessly, making it difficult for either one of them to want to get offline to get some sleep. Then finally, at 3:30 am, Duo succumbed to his heavy eyelids and called it a night, promising his love a fun evening out the next night, and anticipating having the chance to spend some real quality time with him that weekend.

********

The club was just as intoxicating for Heero the second time as it was the first, only this time he was there with Duo as a couple. The shy smile never left his face as Quatre chided with him outside the club about being the lucky guy to win over Duo's affections. Wufei was happily jabbering away with Merian, stopping occasionally to kiss her cheek or give her a squeeze. Trowa, the quiet one of the bunch, remained firmly attached to Quatre the whole evening, and they both looked very happy in each other's company. Lucky, those two were, to have each other, and that was what Heero wanted out of his forming relationship with Duo. It was definitely looking as though it was headed that way too, as the two of them spent much of the evening with Duo keeping himself close enough to have at least some small part of his body touching Heero's the entire night. It all made Heero feel very comforted inside.

Eventually the group, sitting together at a back table, began to get up two by two, headed to the main room and the dance floor, leaving Duo and Heero once again as the only ones remaining there. With a "Shall we?" Duo pulled Heero to his feet and convinced the shy boy to follow him to the other room where they could join in the merriment and work up a good sweat dancing. Even though Heero had never been dancing before, he found it fairly easy to just follow along with what Duo was doing. He smiled as he danced, taking in the vision before him; Duo's chestnut hair swaying and flipping with his movement, his taught, lean body gyrating to the beat of the music. The longhaired boy was seemingly possessed and unaware of anything besides the music and Heero, smiling seductively as the Japanese boy watched him so intently. Bringing himself close to Heero, close enough that the fronts of their clothing touched, Duo craned his head around and let his tongue run down the side of the other boy's neck, making him close his eyes and shiver as they danced face to face. Heero was into it. Very much so. So much that when they touched the next time, to Duo's surprise, the shy boy actually allowed his body the freedom to rub itself against his partner's, eliciting low moans from both of them, although neither could hear it above the blaring music. Duo, his eyes full of the lust of the evening, grinned back to his friend, who was finally loosening up.

By the end of the night, when the group was ready to head home, they were all tired, sweaty and danced out. Outside in the parking lot, Wufei and Merian took their time saying goodbye, consumed in a never-ending kiss while the other four nonchalantly mingled, waiting. Quatre, his blue eyes reflecting in the light from a street lamp, looked lovingly at Trowa; they definitely looked like they might have other plans for the rest of the evening, with their little giggles and otherwise seductive behavior. They were so in love, those two, that just being near them caused you to yearn for someone to hold you tight, the way they were holding each other. Tonight though, Heero felt the caress and warmth of another, making him feel complete for once. Then with a devilish gleam in his eye, Heero caught Duo's glance as the former climbed into the back of the Honda, making the second boy grin wickedly. Yes, it was shaping up to be a fun weekend, that was for sure.

********

The ride back to town, even though it was only half an hour, seemed to take all night. Sitting in the back seat of the car, Heero's heart raced thinking about being at home alone with Duo. He closed his eyes and let his head back onto the seat back, listening to Wufei and Duo talk about Merian, and Wu's plans to see her again on Sunday. Things were shaping up between the two of them, and it was evident by the new spring in the Chinese boy's step. Ah, love is grand, Heero thought to himself, waiting for the moments to tick by, waiting to be able to have the euphoric feeling of being so close to someone that their heartbeat was indistinguishable from your own. He'd never felt anything so glorious as the evening that he and Duo had made out on Heero's bedroom floor a few weekends ago, and he was anxious to repeat that night. The flirting and kissing in between had been nice, but Heero wanted more, wanted that closeness once again.

Wufei pulled up in front of the Yuy's house and stopped the car. Duo got out, followed by Heero. When Duo didn't get back in Wufei questioned, "What's going on...you staying here or something?"

"My parents are gone for the weekend." Heero answered, trying to hold back a smirk unsuccessfully.

"Oh man...Try to hold the noise to a low enough roar to not wake the whole block, OK guys?" the Chinese boy laughed, leaning across the emergency break so he could see the other two boys standing outside the car.

Duo chuckled, "Wu-man! Jesus! I'm not even gonna honor that with a reply!" Heero blushed bashfully at the insinuation.

After Duo shut the passenger side door, Wufei drove off, headed home himself, leaving the two boys standing in the driveway. Then sharing a glance and a smile with Duo, Heero lifted his key chain, dangling it in front of them and said quietly, "Back door key." In an instant, the two teenage boys were sprinting for the yard.

Part 9

Unlocking the door and pushing it open, the two boys exploded into the kitchen in one heap, already shedding jackets and shoes. Heero had to go back to grab a loafer that fell outside the door, and tossed it inside quickly. Shutting the door behind them, he leaned on it, with Duo at his lips instantly, kissing him voraciously.

"Heero...Oh God...I've been wanting you all night." He said, in between kisses. "Ever since we got to the club tonight."

"I know...me too," the Japanese boy answered, panting. "I've been wanting you to hold me and touch me like you did last time."

"God, you look so good tonight, you've been making me crazy!" It was an understatement, he felt. The dark haired Japanese boy looked like a teenage Adonis to him that night.

Flipping off his second boot, Duo wrapped his arms around Heero and they slowly, cautiously inched their way out of the kitchen and into the adjoining family room, arms and lips fully locked the whole time, feeling for the walls and furniture as they came across it. Collapsing together on the couch, their limbs intertwined, it was difficult to see where one body ended and the other began, what with them both wearing black pants that night. Heero moaned as his neck was bathed in sensual kisses, then abruptly stood, surprising the other boy.

"Come with me," he whispered, leading Duo to the safe confines of his bedroom, where he switched on a small lamp on the nightstand, dimly lighting the area just enough that they could see each other.

Standing in the middle of the room, still attached at the lips, Heero pulled the tucked shirt edge out of Duo's pants, sliding his hands up the boy's slender body, pushing the shirt up with them until he could push it over his head. Pulling the shirt away, Duo's luxurious hair escaped the neck hole in a waterfall of brown sprays, making Heero gasp at the sight. Then dropping the shirt to the floor, his hands went immediately to that beautiful hair, while his own shirt was removed by the other boy. As they pulled each other close, French kissing, hands running over smooth, hot skin, Duo could feel that they were both completely aroused, and groaned as he pushed his hips into the other boy.

"God Heero...I want you." Duo huffed, eyes closed, fingers running circles around the other boy's erect nipples, making him hiss with pleasure. "Do you want me?"

"Y-yes...I want you... I WANT YOU," came Heero's breathless reply as a faint sheen began to appear on his skin. His eyes flew open wide when he felt his pants being undone and pushed down to fall at his ankles, making it easy for him to step out of them, and in three seconds time, he felt a warm hand on him. Drawing in a loud, deep breath he uttered "Oh...God...Duo..." as his body tensed from the tingle he was feeling.

Slipping out of his own pants, Duo sighed contentedly as he slowly let his hand slide up and down on the other boy, instantly pleased with the reaction it had elicit. Heero lowered to the floor, bringing Duo with him, then reached his own hand out, uncertain, but eager. When Duo nearly cried out, quivering after Heero's touch, he knew that he was doing the right thing, and continued his ministrations on the now breathless boy before him.

"H-have you ever d-done this b-bef-fore?" Duo forced out, eyes closed and head back, totally lost in what was being done to him.

Heero shook his head. "Uh-uh." Was all he could muster up. Of course he hadn't. Neither of them had.

Duo chuckled weakly, "Hell...the only one who's every touched me there is me!" Although that comment would have normally resulted in both boys displaying flushed cheeks, neither boy blushed, as they were too occupied by other sensations to even notice. Heero continued his manipulations until the other boy made him stop. "H-hee..stop...please...I don't want to yet...not now." Duo painstakingly pulled himself away from the other boy, his heart racing, his breath coming in loud bursts.

Then with an evil smirk on his face, the longhaired youth got on his knees and pushed Heero against the bed, signaling for him to sit on the edge. Obliging, the dark haired boy slid his body up the side of the bed until he was perched at the very edge of the mattress. In one quick attack, Duo took him in his mouth, almost completely, making Heero yelp and causing his head to get light at the feeling, while his eyes rolled back into his head. Shrouded in a seductive cloak of his own hair, Duo worked his partner gently, making the other boy practically hyperventilate, his breathing coming so quickly, his fists clenching the bedding, then stopped himself when he thought he might lose Heero before they could experiment with each other's bodies more. Trembling, Heero dropped back on the bed, panting, his head spinning.

Crawling up beside Heero on the bed, Duo slid himself close, letting the length of his body lie against the skin of the other boy. Pulling himself fully onto the bed, the dark haired boy rolled onto his side to face his mate, where he was consumed once more in a passionate kiss. Nature took its course, and before long the two boys were suggestively grinding against each other, each feeling the burn and wanting more. They held each other closer, teasing the hell out of themselves. They both seemed to definitely be suggesting the same thing.

"Hee...are you s-sure?" Duo asked the other boy in a low, sensual tone, uncertain. His eyes were closed tightly as he absorbed all that was happening by touch only.

Heero breathed in a whisper, "D-do you?"

"Yeah. Do you?"

"Uh...y-yeah."

"OK."

"Who...um..." Heero fumbled his words timidly, "You can." This time he was blushing, his cheeks feeling like they would ignite any second.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

"OK." Rolling over on the bed, partially onto Heero, Duo began kissing again, working his way down the sublime form of his soon-to-be lover until he had wedged himself between the boy's legs. Getting on his knees, he pushed Heero's legs further apart, and crawled in closer, his hands still roaming over the other boy, making him moan. At his first touch against his entrance with the tip of his length, they both gasped excitedly at the sensation. Then continuing, he breathed in as he slowly pushed his way into the boy below him.

"H-hey!" Heero winced with discomfort. "Damnit that hurts!" Duo pulled himself back, causing the other boy to cringe again, and rested on his haunches.

He sighed. "We need something..." the long haired boy began, searching the dimly lit room as if he was expecting what he needed to be there."

"Like what?" Heero replied, leaning up on his elbows. "Oh, hey...I think there's a bottle of baby oil in the bathroom cabinet...I'll go..."

Before he could say anymore, Duo was already up, down the hall and slamming open the cabinet door, searching for the elusive bottle of baby oil. Pushing a bag of cotton balls out of the way, he rummaged, picking up bottles to hurriedly read the labels, then dropping them back down again. Finally locating the container, he yanked it out of the cabinet and raced back to Heero on the bed, smiling.

"Here...this'll help." He handed the bottle to the dark haired boy who flipped the cap open.

Pouring some oil into his palm, Heero reached forward and took the other boy's wanting flesh in his hand, smearing it with the slick liquid, making him thrust reflexively into the hand. The faint smell of baby powder wafted about them. Throwing his head back, Duo moaned softly as he was prepared by his lover. Then taking the bottle from Heero, he repeated the process, only concentrating under the boy, applying the oil around the perimeter of his entrance, making him squirm with delight. Pouring out some more oil, Duo continued the application, now forcing a finger into the opening, rubbing oil on the dry skin. Heero tensed at first, then did his best to relax his muscles and enjoy what was being done to him.

Placing the bottle aside, Duo once again positioned himself, then carefully began to enter the other boy, watching the expression on his face as their gazes locked in one of complete and unfamiliar ecstasy. Then with a final grunt, both cried out, Heero in momentary pain and Duo in a mass of trembling nerve endings, as he fully seated himself. Panting heavily, he slowly began to move himself inside the other boy, and their excitement grew once they became accustomed to the feel. Leaning over Heero, the long haired boy whispered nonsensical things to him, his eyes closed and his hair veiling himself and his love like a curtain, entranced with what he was feeling for the first time. Then saying his name over and over again, Heero groaned with every thrust, Duo holding him by the waist and awkwardly trying to do 'the act' right for both of them.

"Oh...G-go...d...Oh....God..." Heero repeated, entranced by how the other boy was making him feel. With each thrust his heart pounded harder, his breath became fainter, and he came that much closer to that feeling of which he'd never yet shared with another person. When Duo suddenly leaned far into him, creating a tingle deep inside that made him dizzy, it was all over for Heero, who lost himself from that one slight nudge. Then detecting Heero's internal throes, Duo, almost instantaneously, cried out in bewilderment as he climaxed for the first time inside someone. Heaving violently as his body finished convulsing, he collapsed forward onto the other boy, both of them slick with sweat and the essence of Heero's completion, breathless and exhausted. It lasted a mere five minutes, but to them, it had lasted a lifetime.

Part 10

Monday at lunch, it was written all over their faces. Wufei chided, "So, you consummated the relationship, I'm assuming?" He laughed, blushing a little at his own brazenness. A rolled up wad of tin foil hit him on the side of the head.

"And what of your little development with Miss Merian? Hmm?" Duo grinned, putting his friend on the spot. "Anything exciting WE should know about?" Heero smiled while eating his sandwich.

"That's none of your beeswax, Maxwell!" The Chinese boy insisted, trying to hide the emotion behind his thoughts of being with Merian that weekend.

"Awww...come on man! Do tell!" the long haired boy whined "Look...you already know what WE did!" Heero shot a glance at Duo, then at Wufei, and turned beet red, still not uttering a word. He realized that his face was enough to give everything away, so he needn't bother say anything to embarrass himself more.

Wufei sighed. "I don't kiss and tell." He went back to his lunch, trying to ignore the other boys staring intently at him until he couldn't withstand their piercing glares any longer. "Nothing, OK? We kissed and stuff."

"And stuff?" Heero added.

"Yeah..." Wufei chuckled. "And that's all you're getting, hear me!"

********

That afternoon, after school, Duo and Heero were both dropped at the Maxwell home - it was Heero's first time there. He was somewhat apprehensive following Duo into the house, but held his composure, determined not to slip up and give them away. As they quickly passed by the kitchen, a female voice called out to them, making Duo stop and sigh.

"Duo? That you?"

The teen shifted his weight to one foot and answered from the hallway, "Yeah mom." He waited before turning to continue back down the hall, knowing there would be more. He smiled awkwardly at Heero, who stood silently.

"Is that Wufei with you? Does he want to stay for dinner?"

"Wufei's at work this afternoon." Duo replied, turning to head away from the kitchen when his mother appeared in the doorway.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Her face lit up into a pleasant smile, illuminating her baby blue eyes. She wore the same characteristic hair as her son, only not nearly as long and not braided, and it was obvious that his pleasant demeanor came from her. They were a lot alike. She was a very beautiful woman, like her beautiful son, and her gentle features made her out to be in her late thirties to early forties.

Turning, Duo smirked at Heero, then led them both back to the kitchen. "Mom, this is Heero. He's a friend from school. Heero, my mom Andrea."

"Hello, Mrs. Maxwell." Heero added shyly.

"Hello Heero. Very nice to meet you." Andrea smiled warmly. "Would you like to stay for dinner tonight, Heero? Wufei usually does, but I haven't seen much of him lately, since he's picked up more hours at the bookstore."

Heero glanced at Duo waiting for some kind of non-verbal instruction. He didn't know what to say. On the one hand, he wanted to stay with Duo every minute that he could, but on the other hand, he knew that Duo was apprehensive about his parents finding out about their relationship. Eyes connecting, his full of uncertainty, Heero began, "...ummm..."

Duo jumped in at that moment, his eyes holding Heero's, helping him fend off the question. "Oh, Heero...don't forget - you told me that you had to go with your dad to that place tonight?"

Catching his meaning, Heero nodded and said, acting disappointed "Oh...right." He sighed. "I forgot. Maybe next time?"

Andrea nodded, "Oh, that's no problem. Feel free any time." Then heading back to the kitchen she added "Dinner will be at 6, Duo, so finish up whatever you two are doing by then."

Relieved, Duo answered "OK!". Then he grabbed Heero's hand and quickly led him down the hall and to his bedroom. Pulling him inside, Duo shut and locked the door behind them, then sighed, leaning against it. "I'm sorry." He started.

"No...I understand. You don't have to be sorry." The Japanese boy said.

"It's just that..." Duo sighed and made his way across the room, sitting on the bed, followed by the other boy. "I can't keep you out of this part of my life forever, but I can't let them know anything more than us being friends." He looked into the eyes of his lover. "I'm really afraid of what my dad would do if he found out, so it's just better this way."

Heero leaned and wrapped his arms around the longhaired boy. "I know, Duo. You don't have to try to rationalize it. You know I'm in the same boat as you. So, until things change, we have to make sure that we come off as just being school buddies, and that's it. Why do you think I sneak around my house the same way?" He looked deep into expressive violet eyes. "I don't want anything to happen that will cause us to be apart, so I'm willing to do what I have to."

With a goofy half-smile, Duo kissed Heero lightly on the lips, acknowledging the other boy's understanding. "It just sucks having to do that...but we can hold out until we graduate. Then no one can say a thing, because we can leave if we need to. Right?" He looked hopefully at the other boy.

"Right." Came the reply. "I'm accepted at University starting next year, but that can all be worked out later, because I'll at least be away from here."

"yeah...college, wouldn't that be nice." Duo replied sarcastically. "I want to go, but my folks can't afford to send me. We're trying to file for financial aid and grants and stuff, but so far it hasn't come through. Something about my folks making too much to get enough aid, but not having enough to pay for tuition. But...at some point, even if I work days and take classes at night, I'll go. It will be better too, because I won't have to depend on my parents for anything, and they wont have any say in what kind of a life I lead."

Pulling out their books, the two boys got down to some serious homework, chatting in between math problems, and occasionally stealing an affectionate kiss. At twenty minutes after five, Heero began stuffing his books back in his backpack and readied to leave. His father would be picking him up there at five thirty, on his way home from work. Standing, Duo helped Heero to his feet, and the Japanese boy slid his arms around his mate, kissing him deeply, their tongues dancing, then drew back with a glowing look and a warm smile. Smiling back, Duo slipped out from the arms that held him and he unlocked the bedroom door, leading them down the hall and to the front door, where he opened it to find the other boy's father already waiting in the driveway.

Peeking both ways behind him to scout out who was looking, Duo leaned forward and placed a soft, feeling kiss on Heero's lips, and quickly ran his tongue over the other boy's mouth. Heero sucked in until Duo's lower lip was between his, and momentarily let his tongue skirt over it, smiling, then let go, licking his own. Without a word, Heero turned and head down the front walkway, his backpack in hand, and hopped in the car. Watching them pull away, Duo waved, staying at the door until the car was out of sight. Only then did he close the front door and turn to face Andrea.

With a sudden look of shock and guilt, Duo stumbled over his words, "M-mom...hey...is d-dinner almost ready?" His cheeks were ablaze with embarrassment, his eyes trying to look past hers. As she opened her mouth to speak, Duo dreaded what she was about to say.

"Please be more careful. I don't want your father to know about this - you know how he is." With a sincere and sympathetic look, she half-smiled, her eyes portraying her concern, then turned to go back to the supper she was preparing.

Duo stood, motionless, trying to interpret what had just transpired there in the entryway. He was mortified to find his mother standing behind him, obviously having seen him kiss the other boy. Yet, while he expected her to react very harshly, she only nodded her acknowledgement of what she had seen, and asked him to be more careful. Wondering, he followed his mother to the kitchen, where he found her chopping vegetables for a green salad. She didn't look up, but merely concentrated on her chopping, ignoring her son's presence in the room until he spoke to her.

"Mom?" Duo hesitated, not sure he really wanted to have this conversation with her, but at the same time anxious to get it over with. "I g-guess you know then? About me?"

Andrea sighed, placing the chef's knife down on the cutting board and looking straight ahead at the wall. "I've had a hunch. For a little while."

"You never said anything to me." Duo answered quietly, leaning against the doorframe.

"I never had a reason to. I did today."

"Oh," Was all the response that Duo could think of. His heart beat nervously in his throat, anticipating where the conversation was headed.

Andrea picked up the knife and started cutting the vegetables again without turning to face her son. "Duo, I love you with all my heart, you know that. I'm not going to tell you how to run your life. You're old enough to be figuring these things out for yourself."

Duo smiled weakly. "I appreciate that, mom."

"But you know how your father is about this subject, and I don't want to see this turn into a really bad situation for you, so, I suggest that you keep this between you and I, and don't let me see it again? OK? Because if I saw it, he can just as easily see it too."

Duo nodded. "I will...I'm sorry mom. I'll be more careful."

"Do his parents know?" Andrea asked, referring to Heero.

"No. They'd flip if they did, same as dad,"

Just then the front door opened with a swish, and thudded closed. Brian Maxwell was home from work.

With a whisper, Andrea finished the conversation, "I love you, no matter who you are, Duo. I just want to make sure you know that."

Smiling broadly, Duo held back the tears of relief that he desperately wanted to shed, having been so warmed by his mother's words. Then, rather than explain his red face and funny expression to his father, he instead passed through the kitchen, past his mother, and into the family room, where he flipped on the TV and got his mind off of things enough to regain his composure.

Part 11

"I couldn't believe it." Duo exclaimed to his two friends from atop Wufei's bed. "She said she had a hunch about it this whole time, and that she was OK with it, but that I shouldn't let my father find out."

Wufei and Heero sat on the carpeted floor, leaning up against the bed, battling each other on the Playtstation II system that Wufei had gotten for his birthday during the summer. "Damn it!" the Chinese boy yelled out as his player was just obliterated by Heero. "Well, that's cool, right? At least you know one of them is on your side."

"Yeah." The longhaired boy answered, his head propped on his hand as he lay across the bed, watching the gaming going on. He lay close to where the others sat on the floor, giving him the opportunity to fiddle with Heero's hair and earlobes as he played.

"Start it again?" Heero questioned.

"Yeah." Wufei answered. "And neither of your parents know yet either?" The comment was directed at Heero, even though he made no move to acknowledge the boy, and instead stared at the video game in front of him, intent on upsetting his partner. If there was one thing that Heero was unsurpassed at, it was definitely video games, as both Duo and Wufei had discovered.

"Nope. I want to live to see my next birthday. I can't say a thing to either of them. I just can't wait to get out of the house." Duo nodded, running his fingers through the dark shock of Heero's hair.

"Well, at least that's some progress though." Wufei added automatically, as he ignored everything else around him, focusing on upsetting Heero's winning streak.

********

A few days later, walking together through the school halls on the way in from the student parking lot, Heero stepped wrong and tripped, grabbing onto Duo's arm to keep himself from falling. He collected himself and turned to his mate, who had already questioned him. "I'm feeling a little dizzy today, that's all. Probably a bug or something - you know its flu season," he'd said in explanation. At lunch, he barely ate, still assuring Duo and Wufei that he would be fine, and that they shouldn't worry. By the end of the school day, Heero looked like ten miles of bad road - exhausted, pale and weakening by the hour. When Duo caught up with him at his locker, he startled.

"Jesus, you look like shit."

"Thanks." Heero responded sarcastically, trying to gather his books together, but this afternoon, they seemingly weighed fifty pounds each, and it was an effort to maneuver them. His lack of coordination was obvious to the other boy, who stepped over close.

"C'mere." Duo bent Heero's head down so he could reach it better, then pressed his lips to the other boy's forehead for a few seconds. "Heero...you're hot. You have a fever." Heero just sighed. Then grabbing his backpack, Duo switched his books around for him. "Physics?" he asked? Heero shook his head 'no'. "Calc?"

"Yeah, I need that." The Japanese boy replied dully. Duo stuffed the book in the backpack. Having pulled out all the books his friend needed, he then zipped the pack closed, and threw it over his shoulder opposite the one he had his own backpack slung on.

"We gotta get you home, babe. I don't like the looks of you getting sick like this." They left the school quietly and met with Wufei outside.

Pulling up in the Yuy's driveway, Duo got out of the car with Heero, and asked Wufei to wait for him while he helped his love inside. Heero led them to the front door and unlocked it with his key, allowing the two boys entrance. Heero's mother was in the family room, watching TV and folding laundry. Hearing the door open, she looked over her shoulder to see the boys come in, then stood, noticing how out of sorts Heero looked.

"Hello boys. Heero? Are you OK?" Mrs. Yuy asked, making her way over to the foyer where Duo rested Heero's backpack on the floor.

"Hi Mrs. Yuy." Duo called out in his usual, friendly manner.

"I'm OK... I think it's the flu or something," Heero said in response to his mother's inquiry. "I just need to rest some. I'll be OK."

Nodding, she agreed. "Well, then get upstairs and lie down to relax. Try to catch this before it gets hold of you. I'll bring you some orange juice and ibuprofen."

Heero started for the stairs to the second floor. "OK. Duo's just gonna come in for a minute before he leaves." They climbed the stairs and slipped down the hall to his bedroom, where Heero threw himself on the bed and sighed, spent. Kneeling beside his head, Duo stroked his cheek lightly as Heero closed his eyes. "Damn, I feel like crap."

"Then get some rest. I'll call later, OK?" the longhaired boy asked, a little smile on his lips.

"Yeah. Thanks." Heero muttered as the other boy leaned over and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"Rest well, angel." Duo rose to his feet and exited the room, pulling the door nearly shut behind him. Heero was already asleep by the time he reached the foot of the stairs. Then saying goodbye to Mrs. Yuy, Duo left the house and trotted to the driveway, where Wufei was still waiting for him.

********

The flu was an understatement. Heero was sick in bed for the rest of the week, and into the weekend, stricken with a bad upper respiratory infection. His fevers rose and fell, peaking sometimes as high as 102.5 degrees and causing him to feel completely weak, and he floated in and out of consciousness when the fevers were their highest. The strong antibiotic made his stomach nauseous, and the painkillers did little more than keep his head from exploding at the slightest sound. Duo and Wufei, as concerned as they were, were not permitted to visit him until the weekend, when he was finally beginning to turn around and fight off his ill, and by that time, poor Duo was going stir crazy, needing to see him.

Bounding up the stairs two at a time, Duo anxiously made his way down the hallway and knocked on Heero's bedroom door. There was a quiet 'come in,' from inside, and he opened the door, going inside. Heero was sitting up in bed, his pillows propped behind him, wearing a T-shirt and a pair of loose shorts, only his legs covered with the blankets. Seeing Duo come in, his face immediately lit up. Then trying to speak, he erupted into a rash of terrible coughing, sucking in loudly to catch his breath.

"Hey...take it easy!" Duo called to him as he dropped his leather jacked on the computer chair and went over to sit on the edge of the bed next to the sick boy. Looking at him, Duo smiled for a few seconds, taking in Heero's presence, having missed him so much that week. "How ya doin'?" he asked, concernedly.

"Getting a little better," Heero croaked. He breathed heavily to catch his wind after that last coughing fit.

'You sound awful. You sure you're starting to feel better?" Heero nodded. Duo shook his head. "If this is getting better, I don't want to know how bad you were earlier in the week."

Heero smiled. "Thanks for coming by."

"This was the first your mom would let me. Damn, I've missed you all week. Wufei too." Duo sat, twisting the end of his braid around his fingers.

'You going to the club tonight with them?" the sick boy questioned, remembering that the weekend before, it had been planned to go out that night.

"Nah. I'm gonna stay here with you for a while and bug you," Duo grinned.

"Why don't you go? Have some fun?"

"Because, I already told you...I missed you." The longhaired boy insisted. "I want to stay here." Smiling, Heero quit asking Duo to go out and happily accepted his company for the evening.

So the evening passed, Duo remaining to stay with Heero to keep him company, and needing to be there for his own good as well. He slid over to the other side of the double bed and, having removed his shoes, lay the same as Heero, with his back propped by pillows, as they watched TV together. Once that evening, Heero's mother came in to give him his dose of antibiotics and pain medication, and brought the boys a snack. Pausing to look at the movie they were watching, she commented to them that she and Mr. Yuy were going to bed, and for Duo to not stay too late, since Heero needed his rest. Then saying goodnight, she left the room again, leaving the boys once more. After she left, the two of them lying side by side but miles apart on the bed as to not look too suspicious, Heero reached his hand across the blankets and sought out Duo's. Then grasping his hand tightly, Heero smiled.

It was a little after eleven when Mr. Yuy left his bedroom and made his way down the hall to let Duo know that it was starting to rain. He was going to offer to drive him home, so that the boy didn't get soaked riding his bike on such a lousy night, even if it was only a short distance. They didn't hear him quietly coming down the hall, nor did they realize when he opened the door to the bedroom. Standing in the doorway in utter shock, Heero's father was speechless until he was noticed as being there by his son. With a look of horror on his face, Heero pushed Duo back from his kiss, startling the other boy who immediately turned and saw Mr. Yuy watching them. Suddenly, hearts pounding nearly out of their chests, both their faces turned ghost white.

Part 12

In all his nearly eighteen years, Heero had never seen a look quite like this on his father's face. In response to Mr. Yuy's sudden appearance at the bedroom door, both boys shot up off the bed and stood, Heero beginning to mumble something incoherent, his dazed mind not coming up with what he needed to help the situation - if there even was anything that could help the situation.

"D-dad...uh...We were ju..." Heero was cut off by his father.

"Leave. NOW!" The loud command was to Duo, Koji Yuy's hard, dark eyes piercing Duo's soft violet ones. The longhaired boy quickly began to gather up his jacket, slipping Heero a nervous look out of the corner of his eye.

"I'll call you." Heero said to him.

Koji raised his voice higher this time, enraged, "NO, you will NOT call him. You and I have some discussing to do!" His accent was pronounced as he tersely spat his words.

"But Dad...Duo, wait." Heero replied. Duo waited, his eyes wide.

"Heero...stay out of this. Duo! GO HOME!" Duo started once more for the door, and was halted again by Heero grabbing his sleeve.

"No...Dad...Please, let us explain." Heero pleaded.

Koji's temper was flaring, and his face was red with anger and ignorance as he yelled at the boys. He caused such a commotion that soon Heero's mother had gotten out of bed to see what was wrong, and could be seen behind her husband, trying to get him to calm down and tell her what was wrong.

"What's wrong? I'll tell you what's wrong...I just caught our son kissing another boy, THAT'S what's wrong!" Mrs. Yuy's face contorted with surprise.

"Dad!!"

"Heero...I'll deal with you later. You? LEAVE! I don't want you near my son any more, do you hear me?" By this time, Heero was in a yelling match with his father. Duo, caught in the middle, was on the verge of tears, his face displaying a deer-caught-in-the-headlights look, torn between listening to the master of the house, or listening to Heero, who kept telling him to stay so they could explain things to his father. Everything began to get so out of hand that at one point, everyone was yelling, nobody was listening, and no one quieted until Heero, sweating from a fever brought on by all the excitement, abruptly lost his balance and fainted from his exertions, falling in front of Duo. Duo leapt to catch him, as did his father, who immediately pushed the other boy away.

"Stay away from him, do you hear me? I don't want you to touch him again." Heero was laid gently on the bed by his father, who was still cursing at Duo. "He was never like this before he started socializing with you and that other boy."

At a loss for words, and with Heero passed out, Duo was defenseless. Looking with pained eyes from Koji, to his wife, then back to Heero, he ran past them and out of the room, down the flight of stairs and out the back door. Retrieving his bike from behind the garage, Duo started for home, only then allowing his emotions to overtake him. It was raining, and after a few minutes it became difficult for the boy to see where he was guiding the bicycle, between his tears and the rain falling on his face, but he did make it home safely, albeit soaked to the bone.

His bangs sticking to his face, his braided hair heavy with rainwater, Duo reached his house and deposited the bike beside the garage. Making his way inside the dark house, the longhaired boy hiccuped occasionally from his sobbing. He felt his way to the laundry room, where he stripped completely naked, throwing his wet clothes in a laundry basket. He hung his leather jacket up on a sturdy hanger to dry, hoping that it wasn't ruined, and put his boots near the heater vent. Then Duo crept silently through the house, up the stairs and to his room where slipped into bed, burying himself under his blankets. His heart was heavy and his stomach ached. His final thought before falling into a restless sleep was a prayer that he would somehow still get to be with the boy that he loved so much, and that their homophobic parents would not make it impossible for him to do so.

********

The shit really hit the fan at the Yuy's residence the next morning. Try as he did, Heero could not convince his father that yes, he was really gay, and no, Duo had nothing to do with it, that "being a homosexual is something a person is born with". That didn't go over too well, with Koji Yuy interpreting that as he himself being the cause of Heero's "gayness". His father complained over and over again that no son of his was going to behave that way, and how it was a slap in the face of their family, refusing to listen to his son's explanation, pleas, or anything else that the boy had to say. As far as he was concerned, Heero was to stop any socialization with "that boy", not let the issue come up again.

The arguing went on all day, with outbursts of crying, yelling, threats of disinheritances and refusal to pay college tuitions and what not. The threat was even made that Heero would get thrown out of the house if he didn't conform to what his father wished, and at that point, Heero simply gave up trying to explain himself. Obviously, and as he expected, his private lifestyle was going to remain private for a long time. Thinking back to stories he'd read on a couple of gay and lesbian message boards about people being cast out by their families and treated like they never even existed any longer, the young Yuy was forced to shrug it off, at least until the next opportunity to make himself heard.

Later that morning, trying to keep himself out of sight, Heero was on the computer desperately waiting for Duo to sign on to instant messenger. He busied himself in the meantime answering email and visiting some message boards and mailing lists that he was member of, trying to keep the issue at hand off his mind. When Duo finally logged on, he assuming that IM was going to be the only way for him to communicate with Heero for a while, he was relieved to see that Heero was OK, having left while the boy was passed out the night before.

When Koji stomped up the stairs, still extremely disgraced by his son, and barged into Heero's bedroom, he found the boy at his computer desk. Turning to acknowledge his father's presence, the dark haired boy's face was writ with question as the man stepped over beside him at the desk.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

Heero, having flipped the messenger window to the back of his desktop, answered, "Reading gaming message boards." His father's eye was wary, but soon relaxed. Then just as the man was about to walk away from Heero, a message pop-up from DMax blew Heero's cover.

"Are you talking to "him"? Koji demanded, his face regaining its stern look.

"Y-yeah." Heero was apprehensive now, his face showing off his guilt.

"I see. OK Heero, I'll deal with that boy my own way then, if you are going to continue to go against my word and socialize with him." With that, the man stormed out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Heero had no idea what his father had in mind, but went to find out.

Sneaking down the stairway and hiding himself away from the entry to the kitchen , Heero stealthily positioned himself so that he could try to hear what his father was doing. What he heard caused his stomach to plummet with a crash, and his heart to start pounding all over again. No...he couldn't be...he wasn't...was he? An icy chill ran down Heero's back as he craned his neck to better position himself to hear.

"...just wanted to inform you about something that happened here last evening between your son..."

Oh God. He was talking to one of Duo's parents on the phone. Heero suddenly felt faint, thinking about the possible altercations of this - he knew that he was getting off easy. Duo's account of his father in respect to the whole gay issue really put a fear in the boy that something awful would happen if Mr. Maxwell found out. Heero prayed that it was Andrea that his father was spouting to, and not Duo's father. Listening more, the conversation continued.

"...I'm sorry you feel that way, but I can assure you that MY son was not like this before he..."

"Shit, shit SHIT!" Heero thought to himself, trying to think of what he could do to stop this. He couldn't do anything. He sighed.

"...just keep your son away fr..." The voice was a little louder this time, a little nastier. "I suppose that's something that you need to discuss with Duo then, but I won't have him around Heero any longer."

Things were going from bad to worse.

"Pardon me? What did you say? There is NO possible way that MY son has influenced your son." Heero's head was starting to spin again and he thought he might pass out again, but he concentrated hard on keeping himself awake. "...just look at the boy! That long hair, all those earrings..." The conversation was gradually turning into a repeat of what had happened in the kitchen that morning between Heero and his father - only this time it was his father and one of Duo's parents.

Then the hammer fell. "...yes, well, I'm sorry too Brian..." Thinking he was going to vomit from the churning in his stomach, Heero raced up the stairs and back to his computer to warn Duo.

WZero1 says: Duo!! Red Alert!

DMax says: Huh? What's going on?

WZero1 says: MY DAD IS ON THE PHONE WITH YOUR DAD!!!

For nearly a minute, there was no response. Then

DMax says: Damnit. <sigh> I better go then. I'm gonna hear it in a minute.

WZero1 says: Are you going to be OK?

DMax says: I'll get in touch with you when I can. You going to school Monday?

WZero1 says: I'm still feeling pretty crappy, but I'm going, because I need to see you.

DMax says: Good, Then I'll see you Monday. Please take care.

WZero1 says: You too. God, Duo...I'm so sorry.

DMax says: It was bound to happen. Lets just get through it together, OK? I love you. See you Monday.

WZero1 says: Love you too.

Duo signed off after that.

Part 13

He waited for the inevitable. He didn't have to wait long. The inevitable could be heard thundering up the stairs to the top floor of the house, and then it exploded into his bedroom. This would be the day that Duo Maxwell 'came out' to his parents, whether he wanted to or not. Sitting on his bed, leaning up against the wall, Duo waited calmly for the barrage to start. Then standing in the doorway, his father opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word in edgewise, Duo cut him off.

"Don't bother. It's true." He looked away as his father stared in astonishment.

"W-what?" Was all that Brian Maxwell could muster at that moment. Duo didn't volunteer any more information. "Duo...I...No. This can't be right. It's because of that other boy. He's probably got you thinking that you like h..."

"No Dad! I told you! It's TRUE! OK? I'm GAY! You're SON is GAY! Can you understand what I'm telling you?" Duo was exasperated as he bared his truth to his father, who looked on in disbelief.

Then Brain softened a bit, running a hand through his dirty blond hair, his face writ with stress lines and concern. "But...you can't be. I must have done..."

"WHY can't I be?" There was silence for a moment.

"Because...you're MY son."

"SO!" The longhaired boy was yelling now. "Am I less of a person now because you know that I'm gay?" Duo's eyes were filled with hurt as he spewed his thoughts to his father.

"We can get you a psychologist..." Brian was grasping at straws, unwilling to accept the fact that his son could possibly be different.

Sighing, Duo replied, softer, "No Dad. You don't get it. You can't brainwash me into thinking that I'm straight. This is who I am, whether you like it or not." His father said nothing. "I like who I am."

"Duo...that's just...look, you may think you know what's best, but you're not even eighteen yet. We'll call someone Monday and get you set up for an appointment as soon as we can."

"Dad! God, you just don't get it!" He was getting flustered again, his face turning red. "I can't believe that you are THIS ignorant about this. I can't believe that in this day, you don't know that you can't change what already is...and I don't WANT to be changed! I like who I am, and I love Heero!"

The mention of the other boy's name caused Brian to change his face. "I don't want you around that boy anymore, you hear me?"

"Why?" Duo demanded.

"Because he's a bad influence on you." Both Maxwell's were seething now.

"Bullshit! You can't tell me who to love!" Duo spat, with venom in his voice.

"Watch your mouth! I can, and I WILL tell you that you are no longer permitted to be around that boy. Once you get home from school, I want you either going to work, or staying home, until you think this over and find some normal friends to hang around with. Understood?"

Shaking his head, Duo answered wryly, "You can't force me to change. I'm not going to change. All you can do is choose whether you will still love me or not. Mom still loves me. She told me so; why can't YOU?"

"Your mother knows about all of this?" Brian's face contorted. "I'm going to have to talk to her about all of this then..."

"Why? So you can try to brainwash her too? She told me that she loved me, no matter who I was. I don't know why you can't too. I'm the same person I was an hour ago Dad!" Duo was pleading now.

Mr. Maxwell started again, "Don't go making this my problem, Duo. You're the one..."

"The one what? You can't do it, can you? You can't honestly tell me that you can still love me, knowing this." Tears were now welling in the boy's eyes as he waited for an answer that never came. "Well, at least I know who does really love me, and you aren't going to keep me away from him." Grabbing a flannel shirt, Duo ran past his father and left the room, trotting down the stairs, Brian yelling after him.

"If you continue to see that boy, you're going to be looking for a new place to call home!"

********

Peddling his bike as hard and fast as he could, Duo rode all the way to Wufei's house, needing to be with someone, and obviously not able to be with Heero. The Chinese boy was dismantling an old garden trellis this time, one that his mother needed removed so that she could prepare a garden bed for the next spring. Seeing his longhaired friend ride up on his bike, over ten miles from his home, Wufei stood and took off his gardening gloves, watching with interest as Duo parked the bike and made his way through the backyard to Wufei. He didn't look happy.

"Hey," Wufei acknowledged.

Duo sighed and sat down on a big decorative rock next to the garden bed. "They know. All of them."

Wufei's eyes grew wide. "They KNOW?"

Nodding his head, the longhaired boy began to explain how it had all come about. "So now, Heero's folks don't want me near him, and my dad doesn't want him near me. They're all being idiots and won't accept what really is." Duo sighed, letting his head drop.

"What are you gonna do?"

"I have no clue. I guess take it day by day."

"What about your mom?"

"I don't know...I haven't talked to her about it. She wasn't home when all this blew up."

Sitting on the edge of the rock with his friend, Wufei pondered the situation some before speaking again. "Is there anything I can do?"

Duo shook his head. "No. If they're going to come to terms with it, they'll have to do it on their own, or with Heero and I trying to explain it to them. It just really hurts though, ya know? I mean, I stood there and asked my dad if he could still love me knowing this, and he wouldn't answer me. I'm suddenly no longer Brian Maxwell's son. Just like that. Because he doesn't or wont understand what it is to be gay."

"Geez." Was all the other boy said. For a while, the two of them just sat on the rock, thinking. "You want to stay for dinner? I'm sure it will be alright. And you can hang out here and cool off for a while"

Forcing a smile, Duo nodded. "Thanks Wu-man. Have I ever told you that you're the best?"

The other boy smirked. "Oh am I? Well, then you can repay the favors by helping me finish with this damn...thing...that my mom wants down." Looking toward the half-destroyed overgrown trellis, he handed his friend the pair of garden gloves while he picked up the vine shears.

Part 14

Monday morning, Duo anxiously searched out Heero in the school halls. Heero's parents were making him take the bus again, to try to limit the time that he could be with the other two boys, so they didn't have their usual time together on the way to school. Somehow, in all the hubbub, Wufei became a victim as well, also being denied Heero's friendship, as far as Heero's parents were concerned. So, when the two boys drove in together, Duo bolted out of the car, the other boy trailing behind him, and quickly made his way through the halls to find Heero waiting at his locker, he hoping that he'd see the other two before classes started.

As soon as he located the dark haired boy, Duo's gait turned to a jog. He reached him and threw himself around the other boy, hugging him for all he was worth.

"Oh, Duo...I've missed you..." Heero whispered as he hugged back.

"Me too...I really have." Duo replied into the back of Heero's head, not ready to let go of his love. At that moment, neither of them cared that a few students were looking oddly at them, some of the more oblivious students who were unaware of the relationship between the two teenage boys. Pulling apart as Wufei joined them, Heero smiled weakly, brushing bangs away from Duo's eyes. The other boy pinked a little bit, then returned the smile, although the sadness behind it still showed through. Then the three friends continued on their way to class and the rest of their day.

At lunch, they conspired how to get around the roadblocks that had been laid by their parents, deciding that they would just have to move their 'together time' away from their homes, and more out in the open. But at least they would be having time together. Wufei worked at the bookstore in town, a few blocks away from a little coffee shop. Duo worked a few blocks away from the bookstore, at a collectibles shop, and Heero worked in a store in the mall, the furthest away from the other two. On work nights, though, Heero had his mother's car, so transportation was not that much of an issue. So they planned to start meeting at the coffee shop; sometimes the three of them, and sometimes just Heero and Duo, using the excuse of "new and different friends" to get the time away from home, hopefully pleasing parents who wanted their sons to get out and meet new, 'normal' people.

********

The next night, the three met, as planned, just after 9, when they were all off work. Grabbing a little cafe table in the coffee shop, Wufei bought a round of lattes for them all, bringing them to the table and sitting with the others. Here, at least they were being social, blending in, and best of all, their parents had no idea where they were and therefore, couldn't stop them. The shop had a quaint atmosphere and smelled delicious, comforting them with its homey feel. This place was actually a popular teen spot on the weekends, as well as the weeknights. It stayed open into the wee hours on Fridays and Saturdays, the jukebox offered the latest trends in music, the magazine rack full of the newest and most popular reads, and the lights were always dim, providing sanctuary from whatever one was hiding from, even if only the rest of the school week. The coffee brewed on into the morning, and the regulars were religious about loitering there over a mocha latte or a huge cup of hot cocoa, and a magazine or newspaper. Although nice, it certainly wasn't ideal, but it would have to do, until the Heero/Duo issue cooled off and they could feel it out.

Later that night, Duo returned home in the middle of his parents arguing...about him. For a few minutes he listened from inside the kitchen, not making his presence know to his folks, who were in their bedroom, but could be heard plain as day downstairs.

"Andrea, I don't care! The boy is NOT going to keep up with that Yuy kid." Duo always hated when his father referred to him as 'the boy'. "He needs some new friends, some NORMAL friends."

Andrea Maxwell retorted, "He HAS friends. They're a good bunch of kids. I'd rather him be with Heero and Wufei than be hanging out with drug dealers and gangs!" Her voice was emotionally strained. She sounded on the verge of crying. "Brian...for God's sake. He's your SON! You can't just throw him away!"

"No son of mine is going to behave like that. Look at Alex...HE'S OK...he didn't turn out this way!" Alex was Duo's older brother by four years, who was working his way through college. He lived in England, having obtained scholarship to study abroad, so the family only got to see him on big holidays.

"What is THAT supposed to mean?" Andrea questioned bitterly.

"It means that obviously you or I didn't do anything wrong raising the two of them...he's just impressionable. He doesn't know what he wants out of life yet, and he's certainly not going to want this." Down in the kitchen, Duo shook his head in disgust.

Displaying the same look of disgust as her son, Andrea too, shook her head. "I can't believe you, I just can't. Do you realize how idiotic you sound? Brian...wake up. It's the 21st Century. They've proven that homosexuality is genetic, not a choice."

"Genetic? So, you're telling me he got this from me? I sure as hell don't think so Andy. Maybe from your side of the family." Brain was finished with the conversation and was getting into bed as his wife continued to pace the floor in front of the bed.

"Jesus Christ...you sound like your father, not like a forty-four year old man in the year 2001!" she shot back at him. It was then that Duo appeared in the doorway to their bedroom, his face sullen, his moist eyes cautiously glancing from his mother, to his father, then back again. Andrea sighed.

Sitting up in bed, Brian began, "Where the hell have you been?"

Duo hesitated before quietly answering, "Out...with f-friends. Like you said." His confidence was totally blown, listening to the banter from the two of them, and Brian saw through him.

"You were out with Wufei and that other boy, weren't you." It wasn't a question; it was a statement that only needed confirming. There was no answer. "Well?"

"Brian...shut up!" Andrea had had enough by this point. "Duo...were you out with them? It's OK. I'm not angry with you. You know that." His head in a fog, Duo only nodded slightly, then let his eyes fall to the carpet. Brian got out of bed and approached his son.

"I forbade you from seeing that boy. What am I going to have to do to see that you mind me?" He towered above his son, anger reeking from all over him.

In a whisper, Duo squeaked, "I love him, Dad." Andrea burst into tears and Brian burst into a fit of rage.

"Get out. GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" he yelled at his son, who shrank back from his father's tirade. "If you want to live here, you're going to do it by MY rules, and my rules say that you will NOT be seeing other boys like that!"

"Brian!!" Andrea screamed at him, rushing to his side as Duo turned in the doorway, his long braid whipping around and marking his disappearance down the dark hallway of the house.

Tears streaming down his face, Duo went to his room where he grabbed a duffel bag, threw in whatever clothing he could easily find, then zipped it up. He could hear the fighting still going on down the hall. Grabbing his backpack full of school books, he left the room, nearly knocking his mother down in the doorway. He looked at her with so much pain in his eyes that she could only whimper at him as he pushed her aside and exited the room, fleeing down the stairs and through the dark house. Ignoring his mother's wails to stop, he burst out the back door, grabbed his bike, then slipping on his backpack and slinging the duffel over his shoulders, he rode off.

The next morning, stiff from his overnight sleeping outside on deck furniture in the cold, the displaced boy was awakened by a very nonexpectant Wufei.

Part 15

Running up to Heero in the hallway the next morning, Duo wrapped himself around the other boy, startling him. After regaining his composure, Heero realized that Duo was...crying? He held the longhaired boy tightly, feeling him sobbing over his shoulder. He just let him go until he was comforted enough to push himself away to face Heero, tears streaking his skin, his eyes puffy and red.

"Duo..." the Japanese boy started, "What is it?"

"He threw me out. He threw me out of the house because I told him that I loved you and wouldn't let him stop me from seeing you." Their eyes connected and Heero could plainly see the hurt in Duo's, causing a wash of guilt to roll over him.

"Does Wufei know?"

"Yeah. " the longhaired boy sniffed. "I spent the night on his porch."

"You WHAT? In November?" Heero blurted out, his face changing to anger.

"Where was I supposed to go? I couldn't come to you. It was late, so I just waited until morning."

Heero sighed. "Yeah...I guess. But what are you going to do tonight?" He relaxed his hold on the sniveling boy before him.

"I can stay at Wu's if I need to. His mother knows. She's OK with it." Duo calmed himself, wiping tears away with the back of his hand. "God, I feel like such an asshole, crying like this, but Heero...you have no idea how bad he made me feel last night."

"No worse than my parents are making me feel. My father thinks I'm some kind of a freak now...he's lost all trust in me, he's been treating me differently...but I know what you mean. I haven't gotten thrown out...yet."

Turning for the main hallway, the two boys started for their homerooms. "God, Duo," Heero started. "Just remember. We're in this together, OK? I love you." The other boy nodded, forcing a little smile, his violet eyes caught by Heero's sapphires. "You've helped me realize a lot of things about myself...helped me accept myself. I want to be there for you too."

Then, as if things couldn't get any worse for the two love-struck teens, who should round the corner and nearly mow them down? None other than Brent, with his entourage. Gasping with surprise, the two smaller boys stood facing the three bigger students, their eyes wide, not expecting to be confronted right then. Suddenly Duo's home life was the least of his worries as the ringleader stepped up to start the bashing games once more. Heero's heart was pounding in his chest and he wondered if Duo was afraid too, like he'd said before, as Brent approached the longhaired boy first.

"Well, well, well...if it isn't Maxwell and Yuy, the two resident fags!" Brent teased, eliciting laughter from the other two boys with him. "Gee...you two need to be more careful walking through these halls boys. Or should I say 'girls'? You could get hurt! Oh...Maxwell! Have you been CRYING? Poor baby!"

Looking to the other boy, Heero could see Duo's mind calculating his response, and suddenly had the feeling that it wasn't going to be a good one. "Hey...um...Brent..." Heero spoke up, only to be cut off by Duo.

"You don't own these damn halls, you big ape!" Duo shot off to the much taller boy, making him step back, surprised at his gaul.

"What did you say?" Came a reply from Jase, one of the other boys with Brent.

"You heard me!" Duo yelled, unconscious to Heero tugging at his jacket sleeve.

"Duo..." Heero called. The other boy paid no attention.

"Oh, you think you're gonna get tough with us? Is that it, Maxwell?" Brent continued, stepping up to confront Duo right to his face. The size difference between the two boys was never more obvious. All of a sudden there were students mingling around to watch the altercation happening, probably waiting to see Duo get squashed like a bug by the other boy.

"No. I'm just SICK and tired of all your bullshit, Brent. What did WE ever do to you?" Heero watched on, unsure whether he should do or say anything.

"Just you being here is what you did." The bigger boy answered sarcastically.

"Duo, come on, we're going to be late." Heero yanked on his jacket sleeve again, this time Duo allowing himself to be slowly dragged away from the crowd that had formed.

"Yeah...go on Maxwell...mind your girlfriend. Fag!" Laughter erupted from the three would-be attackers as Heero tried to draw Duo away from the argument.

Duo was seething. Brent had really picked a bad day to start in with him. His emotions were running rampant, and he was so discouraged that a tussle with one of the school bullies didn't phase him, even though he knew there was no chance of survival. Hate-filled eyes locked with Brent's, the longhaired boy stared the other boy down as he was led away. Then he lost it when Brent went too far.

Laughing, he muttered just loud enough for Duo and Heero to hear him, "Heh...he's so damn scared he's probably pissed himself by now!" Heero didn't even realize that in a split second, Duo wasn't with him any longer as he ran back to the other boy, rushing him. The hall erupted with the echoes of other students yelling "Fight! Fight! Fight!" as Duo ran for the larger boy.

"Oh fuck, DUO!" Heero yelled out, now understanding what Wufei meant when he said that sometimes Duo was a loose cannon when it came to being teased. And speaking of which, he wondered where in the hell the other boy was, but figured he had done the smart thing that morning and gone straight to homeroom. Heero leapt over to Duo and grabbed him with all his strength just as he was going to actually strike the mass of muscle with no brains in front of him, and suddenly there was cheering from the onlookers, all wanting to see him do it.

"You bigoted asshole!" Duo yelled to Brent, his anger and loss of control evident in the sinister look on his face. He looked like a wild animal wanting to get a taste of red meat. The more the other boys laughed and acted scared, the more angry Duo got, feeding in to their little game, making them all the more amused.

"Duo! Damn it!" Heero yelled, trying to get the other boy's attention, and trying with all his might to hold him back from making the situation very much worse. Just as he was beginning to think that he couldn't hold his friend any longer, two teachers pushed their way through the crowd of students that had gathered to witness what the commotion was, one helping Heero to push Duo back, the other rounding up Brent and his buddies. Sweating profusely from a combination of his exertion and his wrath, Duo finally allowed the teacher and Heero pull him away, deflating from his rage and attempting to calm himself as he was lead off to the principal's office.

********

By the time they were all released from the principal's office it was nearing third period. Duo and Brent had been forced to call a 'truce' of sorts, and both boys were rewarded with a day of internal suspension, on different days, of course. While this was not such a problem for Duo, who had nothing riding on his behavior in school other than...his behavior, Brent, on the other hand, misjudging whether Duo would actually start in with him, had his football game at stake. The rules of the team were such that along with his day of suspension from classes, the Captain of the team was also gifted with one week's suspension from games. The athletic department liked to use players that threw their weight around a little too much as examples, and Brent was a fine one at that. Shooting Duo daggers in his glance, Brent had left the office mumbling to himself something about being made to miss one of the most important games of the season, and 'getting even'.

Part 16

That evening, commiserating over an extra large caramel mocha latte was just what the doctor ordered. Duo rested his chin on his arms, on the table, breathing in the vapors from his cup, enjoying its scent as Heero and Wufei proceeded to scold him for acting up earlier that day in school. Looking up with his eyes only, he agreed, but they could tell he was lost in his own thoughts that night, surely from all the turmoil going around in his head.

Pushing a few hairs away from his eyes, Heero tried to smile encouragingly at Duo. "Please promise me never to do that again? I can't hold you back when you're like that, and I don't want to have to witness Brent turning you into a pile of quivering goo right in front of me." The other boy smirked, mildly amused.

"So, Heero...how's it going at your place?" Wufei questioned him, sipping on a hot chocolate.

He sighed. "As good as can be expected. But I can't even talk to my father about it. He doesn't acknowledge this anymore - like it never happened. His way of dealing, I guess."

"Bad way of dealing, you mean." Wufei responded.

"Well, yeah. But, as long as he thinks I'm only getting to see Duo in school, I'm hoping that keeps him under control. I don't want to push him to the limit, but if it comes down to it...how can I not stand up?"

"That's a tough one. Just do me a favor...don't get yourself thrown out of the house, OK? We only have one spare bed in my house, and its occupied right now." Wufei was teasing, but there was a seriousness to his statement. Duo, all the while, said nothing.

When the boys were preparing to leave for the night at quarter till eleven, they stood outside the shop for a few minutes, watching traffic go by. "Oh, are we meeting here Friday night, Heero?" Duo questioned.

"I have to work, as usual," Wufei informed. "Then Saturday we're planning to go to the club again, if we can all manage it."

"Well...I'd like to meet you here, yeah. Should I come by to pick you up, since Wu is going to be at work?" the dark haired boy cuddled in his beau's embrace as the three stood out in the cold talking.

"Nah, I think I'm going to go with him and hang out in the bookstore for a bit. I'll walk. It's only a few blocks."

"OK then," Heero added as he leaned over to connect with Duo in a warm kiss. "I'm going. I'll see you both in school tomorrow." Waving, he disappeared around the corner, headed to his car on the side street. Wufei and Duo left the storefront together, headed for the Chang home, Duo's temporary residence until things were patched up enough at his own home so that he could go back. Neither of them noticed being spied on by Jase, Brent's friend from school, from inside the shop, where he had been sitting the whole time, back to the three, enjoying a cappuccino with his latest fling.

********

Duo took his day in suspension on Thursday. Brent took his on Friday. Needless to say, the boy was not in a very good mood when school was out for the weekend. Heero walked with Duo out to the car where Wufei was just unlocking the door, and for a few minutes the three chatted, before he plastered his love with a goodbye kiss and head off to catch the bus home. It was awful, having to ride the school bus again, after spending so many weeks being driven in, but it kept things quiet for him at home, enabling the Japanese boy to go about his other sneaking easier. For that, he was most certainly willing to sacrifice. Waving to his two friends, Heero turned and jogged for the bus just as Wufei keyed the engine and put the old Honda in gear.

Even though this was a Friday night that Heero's parents were away for the evening, for the meantime, neither boy wished to tempt fate any more than they already had, so, the coffee shop it was. Heero was beginning to think he was getting addicted to caffeine, they'd been spending so many evenings after work there just hanging out. Since neither boy had to work that night, they agreed to meet a little earlier than usual, but after the Yuy's had left for the evening. That put them meeting at around seven-thirty, just after the safe cover of nightfall. Duo, who had gone to work with Wufei at the bookstore, amused himself by reading and browsing magazines until then.

When the clock read seven twenty, Duo put away his magazines, grabbed his jacket and said his goodbyes. Wufei would be working until nine, and afterward he was off to see Merian, while Duo and Heero had their little outing at the coffee shop. When he exited the store, he was greeted by a blast of chilly fall air, and he zipped his jacket all the way, hunkering down into the leather to keep it from blowing down his neck. Braid swaying behind him as he walked, Duo crossed the intersection and began to make his way by short cutting through some of the alleyways behind the stores and buildings. He could get the five or so blocks covered in no time that way, and would be right on time to meet Heero.

Turning down one particular alley, its streetlight burned out, Duo abruptly had the feeling that he was not alone...like he was being watched or followed. He quickened his pace, making his way further down the dark passageway, skirting around piles of trash from garbage bags having been torn open by street dogs. From behind a parked van ran a stray cat, its yellow eyes illuminated from the rising moonlight, glancing briefly at the boy before bolting into a tiny space between two buildings and disappearing. As he continued down the alley, Duo turned himself to look behind him to satisfy a chill that had crept over his shoulders, feeling as though someone was about to reach out and grab him. Taking a few backward steps, he scanned the alley behind him, but he was completely alone. He righted himself and walked on, shrugging his creepy feeling as just his emotions getting the better of him, and pushed his worry to the side. Headed down the last alley before emerging on the street where the coffee shop was, he sighed, releasing a breath that he didn't know he was holding.

From halfway down the alley, Duo could see cars passing on the street. A couple walking a dog passed by the entrance of the passageway, briefly turning their heads to notice him walking up the darkened side street. Then out of nowhere, at the top of the alleyway, appeared Duo's nemesis, and the boy stopped cold in his tracks. It was Brent. Dressed in his varsity letter jacket, an evil grin on his face, the boy stood in the middle of the alley and started slowly walking toward Duo. The longhaired boy nervously glanced around him looking for an easy escape route, but there was none. When he whipped around to go back the way he'd come, the back of the alley was blocked by Jase and Todd, they looking like miniature copies of Brent, clothed in their letter jackets and looking equally menacing. His eyes widening, his heart now pounding in his chest, Duo suddenly smelled the scent of his own fear as the three boys closed on him.

********

Heero arrived a few minutes early to meet Duo at the coffee shop and got them a little table for two near the back corner. Taking off his coat and resting it on the back of the chair, the Japanese boy sat to wait the few minutes for Duo to arrive before ordering anything. Getting up to grab a magazine off the rack, Heero sat once more, absorbing himself in some insignificant article that he really had no interest in, but would suffice to pass time. When he next looked up, he scanned the shop and peered through the picture window at the front, then looked at his watch. It was seven forty-five. Even though it was completely within reason for the other boy to be late, Heero found himself becoming increasingly apprehensive as the minutes passed.

Part 17

Duo turned to face Brent, then threw his head around to see the other two boys coming from the other direction and knew that they had him cornered. Unless he would suddenly sprout wings and fly, he was trapped like a pig in a poke, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. There wasn't even a fire escape from one of the buildings that he could try to climb. Just a thin alley, barely the width of a car, him, and the three goons. Licking his lips, he could feel a cold sweat forming across his neck and back, and for the first time in his seventeen and a half years, Duo Maxwell was genuinely, positively afraid for his life.

Brent approached, standing in front of the terrified boy, amused by the panic-stricken expression on his face and said, Tsk-ing Duo, "Maxwell! I'm so surprised to see you out here, down this dark alley, all by yourself. Don't you realize that a person like yourself could get hurt like that?"

Duo's eyes widened. "W-what do you want, Brent?" His voice betrayed him and made plain that he was afraid.

"My, how quickly we forget, eh guys?" the bigger boy commented to the other two with him, standing on Duo's other side and preventing his escape. Brent grinned, his perfect teeth and golden hair taunting the smaller boy. "I guess I'm going to have to remind you then Maxwell." Duo swallowed hard, looking to speak, but no voice came to him. "Seems I remember something about you creating a ruckus in school, and getting me suspended. Do you realized what effect that had, Duo?" He called him Duo. That was really bad, the fearful boy rationalized. "It got me suspended from a whole week's worth of games, is what it did, and I missed the game yesterday against Midland. That was a really important game, Duo."

"Y-yeah...s-so?" Duo managed to croak, keeping a peripheral view on Jase and Todd while standing before Brent.

"We lost."

"Maybe you would have lost anyway?" Duo suggested, grasping at any straw he could conjure up.

"Well, we'll never get to find out though, will we, because I wasn't there, and that was the game that would have put us in the regional playoffs. Do you know how much flack I'm getting from my coach and the rest of the team because of you?" Duo absently shook his head 'no', his eyes pinned on Brent's. "Let's just say, they aren't too happy."

Forcing a faint attempt at a smile, the longhaired boy squeaked "S-sorry Brent..." He was abruptly cut off.

"Oh, that's a good one Maxwell. You're sorry. Isn't that funny, guys?" The other boys giggled along with their ringleader. "Sorry isn't good enough, you cock-sucking bastard! I warned you and your little faggot boyfriend there to stay out of my face!" his expression was mean and furious now.

"B-brent, we don't want any trouble...honestly..."

"Don't want any trouble? Well...you picked a hell of a way to show that, thinking you were going to have a piece of me like that. Did you feel all manly and tough, you little fairy?" As he spoke, Brent grabbed Duo by the arm and started to pull him further down the alley and away from the safety of the street, Duo sucking back the whole time.

He tried to pull away, but there were other hands present to make sure he kept walking with the larger boy. "What are you doing?" Duo questioned nervously.

"Taking you somewhere where we aren't going to be interrupted while we show you how sad we are that we lost that game against Midland." Holding Duo's arm tight enough that it hurt through the leather of his jacket, Brent dragged the smaller boy around the corner and into another alley behind an office building, where there would be no one around at that hour. Jase occasionally gave him a shove to keep him moving, and Todd held the other arm.

At that moment, his life flashing before his eyes, Duo thought of Heero sitting in the coffee shop waiting for him and wondered whether his lateness had been noted yet. He also thought about the fact that a weapon would have really come in handy right about now, but not being the distrustful type, Duo had never carried one; not even a pocketknife. Then, with all his strength, he pulled away from the boys, catching them off guard, and slipping through their hands momentarily before one of them caught, of all things, his braided hair, and reeled him back in, fighting and struggling the whole time. When it became obvious that he wasn't going to be able to get away, the smaller boy started to scream at the top of his lungs for anyone within earshot. His heart was racing and adrenaline surged through his veins as he valiantly tried to fend off the three boys, and he found himself suddenly with a large hand slapped over his mouth. Thinking fast, he delivered a sharp bite to the fingers in front of his lips, causing Todd to yank his hand away and curse, affording Duo a few seconds to try to pull away again, but to no avail. They were all over him.

They took him deep into the alleyway behind the office building, where Brent pushed him into the center of a circle that the three had formed around him. Every time Duo tried to run, someone was there to grab him and throw him back. They laughed at him in his frenzied attempts to get away, thinking it all to be a big joke, like a couple of cats playing with a defenseless mouse before doing it in. Becoming increasingly tired from all the tossing about, Duo's reactions were beginning to slow some, and he looked on the verge of tears, eyes wild and glazed over, unable to get away from his persecutors. He prayed that someone would stumble upon what was happening and put a stop to it.

"Had enough yet, Maxwell?" Brent called out, eliciting more childish laughter from the lot of them. Duo cast a cold look at him through his sweaty bangs. Then he ducked as the bigger boy went to grab for him, to rebound him back to the center of the circle. Taken by surprise again, Brent yelled "Get 'im!" as the wiry boy fell to his knees, ripping his jeans and scraping the skin underneath. The three of them rushed him, picking Duo up by the arms, when it finally happened.

In his adrenaline-induced vigor, Brent dropped his hold on the smaller boy, backing up a step, and before anybody realized what was transpiring, he had delivered a fist hard and fast to Duo's gut, doubling the boy over in a fit of wretching. Winded, Duo gasped for breath, and the two that restrained him pulled him back up, one pulling on his hair, and readied him for the next blow, this one to the face. Duo felt the sensation of warm and wet running down his face from his cheekbone. His muscles went weak after that, causing him to almost fall out of the hands of his captors, but they picked him up again. With Duo propped for the series of blows that followed, his assailant was getting a sick pleasure out of seeing the other boy bleed in front of him. It was a powerful kick to the side that sent Duo careening a few feet back against the wall of the building, winding him again as his back smacked against the brick, where he crumbled and fell into a heap of wasted flesh. At that point, he was totally unaware of anything that was being done to him, since he'd somehow blocked everything out, including the pain that he was feeling as his body was beaten.

Seeing Duo, fallen and unmoving on the pavement, Todd shot a nervous glance at the other two boys, then back at Duo, who still hadn't stirred. "Brent...I think you've done enough, man." This kid actually had a shred of decency - a tiny one, and too late to be of much use - but a shred nonetheless, and his worried look managed to instill enough hesitation in Brent that he backed down. Huffing from all the excitement, Brent walked over to the fallen boy. His face was bruised and bleeding, and his clothing was ripped.

"Check his breathing." He demanded coolly. Jase knelt beside Duo and felt for his chest rising and falling.

"He's breathing." The boy stood up and backed away to stand near the other two.

Turning to walk away, Brent answered, "Good. Let's go."

"You just gonna leave him there man?" Jase questioned his friend, his eyes wide with disbelief as the other two walked away.

"His 'boyfriend' will find him. He was sitting over in the coffee house before." Came the snide reply. "Besides...you wanna be the one who has to explain all this when someone shows up?" Shaking his head, Jase glanced once more at the boy on the concrete, then trotted off to join his pals as they departed from the alleyways.

Lying still until he was sure the others had left him, Duo cracked open his one working set of eyelids, the other set being swollen shut, and assessed himself. Mustering up what little strength he had, he tried to push himself up off the pavement, but try as he did, his body wouldn't cooperate. He fell back down to the pavement, grunting as he did so. He'd had it, and he'd had it bad. His worst fear realized, Duo congratulated himself on surviving his first serious act of hate against him. Then, more cold and tired than anything, he let himself fall into a numbing sleep, letting the pain wash away into oblivion.

Part 18

Heero nervously looked at his watch again. Duo was forty-five minutes late. It was unlike the boy to be late to anything that concerned the two of them getting to spend time together. Standing, he grabbed his coat and left the shop headed for his car. Hopping in, he turned the key and revved the engine, peeling away from his parking space, headed to find Wufei before he left work. Driving the short distance to the bookstore, Heero felt a pang of uneasiness deep in his person. Then driving past a seven-eleven, he spotted who he thought to be Brent with a bunch of his cronies, standing outside the store, each with a big gulp in their hands, loitering. He turned his attention back to the road and drove the last two blocks to the bookstore.

Double-parking the car in front of the store, Heero flipped on his hazzard lights, then jumped out of the car, jogging around the vehicle and to the sidewalk. He burst into the bookstore, finding Wufei online placing orders for the following month's delivery. When he saw Heero and the look of worry on his face, the Chinese boy dropped his pen and came out from behind the desk to meet Heero. Duo wasn't with him, and Heero was worried. That didn't make for a good combination.

"What is it?" Wufei asked a restless Heero.

"Is he still here?"

Wufei shook his head. "What do you mean? He left to meet you over an hour ago!"

"Where could he be?" Heero asked, his face sullen. Wufei shook his head.

"I have no idea. He didn't mention having to stop anywhere. He said he was going straight to meet you."

"I just drove the way he would have walked and didn't see anything," Heero added. "I would have seen him if he was on his way."

"Yeah..." Wufei nodded. "Well...the store is closing in about twenty minutes. I'm supposed to go pick up Merian, but I can stay if you want, to help you look for him."

Heero sighed. "It's up to you - I don't want to ruin your date."

"Tell you what. Why don't I go pick up Mer, and then swing by again and see what' going on. The most it will take me is another half hour."

"Yeah, that'll be good." Heero agreed. That way, if he didn't find Duo, he'd have two more people to help, and if he DID find him, they wouldn't have totally screwed up Wufei's evening with Merian.

"Alright then. Let me go finish my order so I can help Patty get this place closed up for the night."

********

Hopping back into his car, Heero switched off the hazards, checked the rear-view, and drove off. For the next fifteen minutes he scoured the streets near the coffee shop, looking for anywhere that Duo might be. Most of the stores were closed though, so that limited the possibilities. Pulling to the side of the street, he thought over and over again about where the other boy could be and drew a complete blank. Besides his job, which was already closed for the evening, there really wasn't anyplace that Duo would go, and especially with no transportation. The more Heero thought about it, the stronger his instinct got, and his instinct was telling him that something was wrong.

Driving past the seven-eleven again, Heero noted that Brent and his gang weren't standing outside any longer. Then, as if being hit in the face with a load of bricks, it occurred to him that he'd seen them outside the store not a half-hour ago. The seven eleven was two blocks down from the coffee shop. Coincidences happened all the time, but suddenly Heero became very uncomfortable with knowing that the group of boys had been around that night, on a night that Duo has, for the moment at least, turned up missing. Turning a corner, he noticed that his heart rate had increased. He was worried.

Driving slowly down the side street Heero scoured the place, lined with small store fronts, practically all closed for the night. The street was well lit with street lamps, making it fairly easy for him to see, and there was no sign of anyone, barring the occasional person walking down the sidewalk. Passing a small corridor between two buildings, the Japanese boy contemplated silently, then stopped the car. Putting it in reverse, he backed up to the corridor. It was an alleyway between the two buildings that led probably to other alleys behind the other buildings. This one was barely big enough for a car to fit through. He sat for another minute or two before pulling the car away and parking in the first spot he could find on that street. Getting out, Heero quickly made his way to the corridor and started down it.

The small alley opened into a bigger alley behind that group of buildings. From his position, Heero knew he was still two blocks over from the Coffee shop, and also that it was ver y likely that these hallways extended behind many of the businesses in that part of town. Headed in the direction of the shop. Heero began, one by one, to check all the back alleys that he passed. At one point he emerged on the main street in the town, and the alley continued on the other side, so he crossed and continued, entering the dark depths of the alley. After a few more turns, he once again found himself out on a main street. He was two doors down from the coffee shop. There was no continuing alley on the other side of the street. Just as he was about to turn and head back the way he came, Wufei drove up, scouting the area as Heero had done. Merian was with him.

"Anything?" the Chinese boy asked.

"No. But I'm still searching these alleys. I'm headed back - I parked on Chestnut Street - I'm going to go a different way this time and see if anything turns up. Can you meet me at the car in about fifteen minutes?"

Wufei nodded. "Sure thing."

"I saw Brent and two other guys from school standing outside the seven-eleven a little while back, when I first came to the store to talk to you. They were gone when I went back there again." The Japanese boy informed. The other boy nodded again in acknowledgement. "Have you called your house to see if he's there, for some reason?" Heero asked.

"Yeah, I talked to my mom. She hasn't seen Duo since he left with me. She was starting to ask questions, so I had to pretend I was busy still at work, and cut her off."

Heero sighed. "OK then. Lets go." Turning, he re-entered the dank darkness of the corridor. It was getting pretty cold that night, and being out in these alleyways didn't help the creep factor any, and a shiver raced up Heero's spine. In these alleys, some of them more like communal dumps, he'd passed everything from abandoned cars, bags of discarded trash, some of them ripped open and strewn about, articles of clothing, old shoes, food wrappers, you name it. And, as is required for places like that, just like the movies lead you to believe, it stunk.

His mind occupied on blocking the smell, Heero turned the corner, the opposite way that he'd come, and found himself behind what was probably the bank on 2nd avenue, the street that ran perpendicular to Walnut Street, where the coffee shop was. The alley was wider, with a dead end at one end, and two of the streetlights were actually working here. The bad stench of rotting whatever disappeared. There was no litter thrown all about. There were no abandoned cars blocking the way. Actually, there was nothing in that alley...except for Duo.

Part 19

When Heero's eyes came upon the recognizable leather jacket and the chestnut hair of the other boy, he sucked in a gasp so deep that he nearly swallowed his own tongue. In a moment's time there was an unbearable weight on his chest, and his breathing became very shallow. It took a few seconds for his brain to signal his feet to work, but when it did, he bolted down the alleyway, his heart in his throat, stopping before his downed friend and kneeling at his side immediately.

"Oh God, DUO!" Heero's voice was pained and shaky as he touched the other boy. "Oh Duo...My God! Look what they did to you! Look what they fucking did to you!" Heero was crying, his face twisted and reddened. Torrents flowed from his eyes, making tracks down his face, which stung in the cold November air. Leaning over the fallen boy, Heero could only hug him gently and cry, trying to get enough of a rational thought in his head to figure out what to do.

Touching his face gently, Heero pushed hair out of Duo's eyes. His bangs looked plastered to his skin, but they were dry, like he'd been sweating before, maybe from running? There was a gash over one cheek, spilling blood down the boy's pale skin, and there were tracks of dried blood beneath both nostrils and over his wrinkled lips, and purple bruises just beginning to sprout elsewhere on the beautiful boy's face. Lying in a fetal position, he was cold to the touch, but he was most definitely breathing, to Heero's relief. His own head dizzy with the emotion swirling through his body, Heero's hands shook as he laid the back of his hand on the other boy's cheek, feeling how cold it was. Wiping away the tears that were clouding his vision, he motioned in the air helplessly as if to pick Duo up, then dropped his arms to his sides again, helpless.

"Duo...wake up. It's me," he croaked through his tears, gently shaking the longhaired boy, leaning over him. "Please open your eyes! Please..." His agitation caused the injured boy to clamp his eyelids momentarily as he groggily came awake.

Slowly opening his eyes, it took a few seconds for him to focus. "Duo?" he heard his name being called.

"H-heero," came his barely audible whisper from a dry throat. The other boy's face lit up with encouragement. Seeing his love in front of him, there to soothe his soul if not his body, Duo's face reddened as his eyes welled up. Then closing them, the tears escaped freely while the battered boy sobbed, his body wracked with his crying. "H-heer-ro..." he sniffed, straining to see the other boy through his tears and swollen eyelids. Soon they were both weeping, Heero leaning over Duo, his face down close to the other boy's, his arms shrouding them both. From underneath his arms Heero could hear muffled words. "I c-couldn't get away from them..."

"Shhh." Heero stopped him, sniveling himself. "It's OK now. I'm gonna get you out of here, and get you fixed up, alright?" He forced a hopeful smile of encouragement. After a few minutes both boys had managed to bring their emotions under control, the priority now to get Duo warm and to get treatment for his injuries.

Duo tried to lift his head from the pavement and saw stars as he sucked in a pained breath. "Oh man..." he said weakly, as his injuries began to one by one make themselves known. With much effort, and Heero's help, he managed to get himself sitting upright, leaning against the wall of the building. His face contorted into a grimace as he hitched with pain, making him see white. His face pale, his breathing heavy, he finally sat upright, trying to get his body to wake up. He was frigid from lying on the pavement in such cool weather, but he barely felt it except for the fact that nothing on him wanted to work. Then a crimson droplet appeared on his thigh.

"Your nose...it's bleeding again." Heero steadied his friend against the wall. His face was one of sympathy and agony all at the same time. Although he wasn't experiencing the physical pain that Duo was feeling, his heart ached just as badly. It was all he could do to keep himself from breaking down again in front of the other boy. Duo wearily raised a hand to his face and wiped under his nose, pulling it away and staring down at the blood on his fingers, dazed. "C'mon...lets get you out of here," Heero whispered, choking back his emotion.

It took a lot to get Duo to his feet in his weakened, cold, battered state. Every move he made sent sharp daggers shooting through him. Heero helped him steady himself, then pulled Duo's arm over his shoulder so that he could support the boy as they walked back to the car. "Oh goddamnit..." Duo breathed as he winced at the knives slicing through his sides, protesting as he tried to straighten himself. He looked up at Heero through his bangs. "I bet...at least...f-five." He said, causing the other boy to look at him, puzzled.

"Five what?"

"Ribs...broken." his breath came very hard now from the combination of his pain, his talking, and having to stand up. Heero pushed the statement out of his mind before he could think about it and let it upset him more than he already was.

"You ready?" Heero asked quietly, giving Duo a chance to prepare himself for the pain of walking. Duo nodded. Then together they slowly, gingerly started to make their way out of the alley and to the car. He winced with every step, but kept on going, grateful that Heero had found him, and was there helping him. They'd gone a couple hundred feet when Duo stopped.

"What is it?" Heero blurted, panic in his voice.

"I have...t.to.." Duo couldn't get the words out before he reflexively bent over despite the pain, dry heaving violently until he'd passed some fluid that was mixed with bright red blood. "Fuck." After the wave of nausea passed, he stood back up, letting himself lean on Heero, and they started once more for the car. His mouth was now filled with the taste of metal. 'You really know who your friends are when they stick by you while you're puking up blood,' Duo thought to himself as the two continued on.

*******

Fifteen minutes had long since passed, so Wufei and Merian parked the Honda and entered the small alleyway, now in search of Heero, who was searching for Duo. Turning the corner, they were met with the sorriest of sights as Heero and Duo were crawling their way back to the street.

"Oh fuck!" Wufei leapt to Duo's other side and the two boys, flanked by Merian, half carried, half dragged Duo to Heero's car, where they strapped him into the passenger seat. Wufei was obviously shaken by the vision of his best friend and nervously paced beside Heero as they prepared to leave.

"Heero," Merian began, her expression concerned, "Take him to the emergency room. We can follow you." Without any more hesitation, the three jumped into their cars and sped off.

Part 20

As expected on a Friday night in November, the ER was hopping. Something about the winter months and the beginning of the Holiday season, but places like the ER get busier. The three friends helped Duo in and sat him down to wait.

"My mom...," Duo began in an unintentional whisper, "Somebody get my mom. Please?"

Wufei leaned over from his seat next to the injured boy. "I can call her."

Laying his head back and closing his eyes, Duo responded, "Wu-man, if its all the same with you, I'd like Heero to call her."

"Me?" Heero perked, a look of surprise on his face.

"Yeah," came the weary reply. "She's the one person who understands me. I think she'd appreciate it if you did." He paused. "Just don't talk to 'him'." A pained look appeared in Duo's violet eyes.

Shrugging, Heero got up and went to the payphone in the lobby to make the call. Digging coins out of his pocket, he dropped them into the slot on the phone, dialed the number and waited, hoping to God that Andrea picked up the phone and not Duo's father. The ringing repeated a few times.

The phone at the other end picked up. "Hello?" Heero let out a breath that he'd been holding. It was Andrea.

"M-mrs. Maxwell?" Heero faltered a little, nervous to be talking to her.

"Yes?"

"This is Heero. Duo's....friend." There was a pause on the other end.

"What can I do for you, Heero?" The voice was indifferent. At least it wasn't angry.

"Duo asked me to call you...he's been hurt and..."

"What?!" Andrea exclaimed.

Heero continued. "We're in the emergency room in town. He wanted me to ask you to come here."

There was another pause. "What happened, Heero?"

"I think a few of the kids from school, ones that have picked on him before for being...you know..."

"Gay?" she filled in the word for him.

"Yeah."

"Oh my God." Andrea said quietly over the phone, trying to collect her thoughts, "Are YOU OK?" Her question took Heero off guard.

"Thank you...I'm fine. I wasn't there. We were supposed to meet somewhere, and he didn't show up. I found him afterward, and Wufei and I brought him here. He's hurt kinda badly."

"Thank you, Heero. I'll be there as soon as I can." The line went dead as Duo's mother hung up the phone.

********

By the time Andrea arrived in the emergency ward, Wufei and Merian were waiting in the lobby together while Heero had gone into the treatment area with Duo when he'd been escorted back. Checking herself in at the desk, she rushed to where Heero stood, next to her son on a bed, being treated by two of the medical staff. Pushing past the Japanese boy, she called out.

"Duo!"

Seeing his mother there, the injured boy's expression turned instantly to one of relieved sorrow as tears began to leak once more from his eyes. "Mom...," Duo whined, reaching out to grab her hand when she took his. "I'm so sorry, mom..." His eyes were distraught and pained as he cried to his mother.

Andrea's face reddened as she started to cry herself, leaning over her son and kissing his forehead, wiping away his tears as the nurses worked around her taking blood pressures and noting their preliminary physical findings on a medical chart. "Sorry?" she forced an encouraging smile. "Duo, there's nothing to be sorry about, hon."

"About...everything," he sniffed. "If I wasn't...if..."

"Shhhh." Andrea quieted Duo. "Don't apologize for things that are out of your control." He smiled weakly after her comment. She was then asked to step aside as Duo's shirt was removed and replaced with a hospital gown. Peeking around the curtain, Andrea's face whitened at the sight of the bruising on her son's chest and sides. The doctor seeing to the boy approached and gave Andrea an explanation of their findings thus far, and said that he'd be taken for x-rays momentarily. Nodding, she waved to Duo, then retreated to sit with Heero along a wall set up with some out-of-the-way chairs.

As Duo was taken for his radiographs, she sighed and turned to Heero, who was apprehensive. "Thank you." He hesitated, then nodded. She dropped her head. "I don't really know how extensive your 'relationship' has been with Duo...but I appreciate you helping him."

"I care about him." Was all Heero said.

Andrea half-smiled at the boy. "He must care an awful lot about you, too, to have walked away from his home to be able to see you."

********

By twelve-thirty Saturday morning, Duo was at home, 'his' home, and tucked into his familiar bed by his mother. His pain medication was taking hold, making him more comfortable, and he yawned, wincing at the skin bunching on his cheek making his stitches pull. His chest was wrapped in protective bindings for his four broken ribs - he'd been off by one with his previous guess - and his various scrapes and bruises had been tended to. He had been treated for hypothermia was well, his body temp hovering around 97 degrees when he'd been admitted in the ER, and now he felt much better, warm and cozy under piles of blankets and comforters. He was lucky in the fact that his internal injuries were minimal and the vomiting did not happen again after that one time, probably due to the pain of him trying to get up from where Heero had found him. And miraculously, his nose wasn't broken. There hadn't really been any reason to hospitalize him overnight, unless he'd wanted to stay, but Duo decided that he'd much rather feel his bruises from his own bed than a strange one. From down the hall he could hear his parents arguing, probably about him, but his medication made him groggy, so he didn't really care at that moment. Then finally drifting off, Duo slept.

Part 21

Saturday morning, Heero showed up at the Maxwell's as requested by Andrea, and the two of them went together to file a police report on Brent and the other two boys responsible for the aggression against Duo. It took most of the morning and into the afternoon. By the time they were finished, Andrea offered lunch for Heero and Duo once they got back to the house. The Japanese boy was hesitant, not wanting to cause even more trouble between Duo and his father, but Andrea insisted. "It's time Brian is made to realize what's important in his son's life, and learn to accept it."

Warily climbing up the stairs to Duo's bedroom, Heero quietly let himself in to find the other boy still snuggled in his bed, breathing deeply and evenly. Deciding not to wake him, he gently laid himself down next to Duo, resting his arm across the other boy. Duo's head visible only, Heero could see that the bruising and lacerations from yesterday were more visible today. He looked awful, and the Japanese boy sighed, his eyes moist. His gaze followed the swollen cheek across the discolored skin to the orderly row of black sutures, neatly holding the laceration together. He wanted to touch the face, to run his fingers over the skin, but refrained, afraid of causing more pain than it had already felt. Instead, he lay facing Duo, his eyes glued on the sleeping boy's image.

********

The back door slammed as Heero arrived back home, his father in the kitchen reading over the Sunday preview. The room smelled richly of that evening's dinner. Throwing his jacket onto the chair in front of him, Heero simply stood and stared at his father with a million things on his mind to say, but instead merely shook his head and turned to leave the room.

"What is it?" Koji asked, responding to the troubled look on his son's face. Heero stopped, then turned to face his parents.

"Do you 'really' want to know? Are you going to give me the benefit of trying to understand me?" His voice was stern, making his father's brow furrow. He'd never experienced such attitude in his son before.

"Begin." The older Yuy stated.

"You may not approve of my preference or my lifestyle, but, forcing me to sneak behind your back has nearly gotten Duo KILLED! But then, I suppose you don't really care about that either, because it would have been one less embarrassment in today's society for you to have to worry about."

Koji's face was angry. "I see you are still socializing with that other boy."

"Yes, father, I am. Because you, or anybody else, cannot make me not love him." There was no acknowledgement from his father this time, and that made Heero's blood boil even hotter. "You can't run my life. You can't tell me who I am. I'm sorry, but 'this' is who I am!"

Throwing the newspaper down on the table, Koji was annoyed. "Enough! I have had enough of this attitude from you, Heero! You never behaved this way before, when you had 'normal' friends'."

"Normal? I didn't HAVE any friends!" the boy answered. "Do you realize that? I didn't have any friends, because I was always different. I couldn't make friends if I paid them! For the first time in my life I have a few friends who accept me for who I am, and I can actually begin to enjoy life, and you have to tear me away from them!" Tears welling in his eyes, Heero spun around and ran up the stairs, the slam of his bedroom door sounding shortly after. A little wicker and dried flower decoration in the hall fell off the wall from its resonance.

********

To everyone's surprise, Duo actually made it to school on Monday. His face bore the telltale signs of a battle, and his body was slow and mournful, but he made it, if only to be with Heero and Wufei. Much to the relief of the three boys though, neither Brent, Jase nor Todd were in school that week, the shortened school week before the Thanksgiving holiday, allowing a little bit of calm before the threat of any more storm. Rumor later got out that they had gotten in really deep with the authorities over the altercation with Duo, and were all on probation - one more violent act like that and they'd be off to juvenile hall for the remainder of the school year. So for now, at least, they were off the team, and doing community service with the time instead.

That day was a more 'normal' day than any in a while, and before Heero had even realized it, it was time to go home. Finding Duo waiting at his locker, where they always met at the end of the day without fail, the Japanese boy smiled broadly as he approached. Dropping his books to the floor and holding them upright between his feet, he started dialing the combination.

"How're ya feeling?" Heero asked, peeking around the edge of the locker door to note Duo's reply.

The longhaired boy shrugged. "OK, I guess. Not too bad. These stitches are itching like crazy though."

Heero chuckled. "Better not scratch or you'll have a scar. That would be a sin." The other boy blushed. "We meeting after work tonight?"

"I guess. Wufei works, I don't. I took off for a few more days. You mind coming to get me?"

"'Course not. Just let Wufei know that we'll be a little later than usual. But what about your dad?"

Duo smirked. "My mom's dealing with him right now. I have to just not make a big deal over it, but I can still get out." Heero nodded. "Just to be safe though, I'll meet you on the corner, OK?"

The dark haired boy finished shuffling things around in the locker and shut the door noisily. "Yeah, that's cool." They started to walk out together. When they finally reached the parking lot outside, Heero stopped Duo, turning the other boy around so they were facing each other, holding hands, and just...looked at him.

Duo smiled. "What?"

Heero shook his head and looked down, blushing. Then bringing his eyes up again to meet Duo's he said "Nothing. I just wanted to look at you." The other boy blushed.

"Well...here I am, in the flesh!" Duo joked. He raised a hand to rub his stitches, which Heero promptly pushed away from his face.

"You know...it took me how long to tell you how I felt at first? Now I can't stop telling you." Heero was still smiling sheepishly.

"I'll see you tonight, Romeo." Planting a little peck on the end of Heero's nose, Duo turned, purposely letting his braided hair hit the other boy in the chest, then made his way to the car.

********

Arriving back home, Heero threw his books and his coat on the kitchen table and immediately went for the refrigerator to get something to snack on. Pulling out an apple, he began to crunch loudly as he head up the stairs to his bedroom. Seeing the light on in his father's study, Heero bypassed his room and continued to the other door, sticking his head in.

"What are you doing home from work so early?" the boy asked his father, who was diligently at work on something, seated at his desk. Koji looked up with a serious face.

"Ah, Heero. Good." Heero entered the room and stood before the desk. He didn't say anything, but rather waited for his father to speak, uneasy about what would make Koji so interested in talking to him after the way their last argument left off. "I made some phone calls today. I know you aren't going to be happy with this, but it's for your own good. Your outburst the other day made me realize that you are obviously only mimicking your environment, so, we have to do something about that."

Heero's heartbeat increased slightly. "What do you mean 'do something'?"

Koji's eyes took on an almost sympathetic look. "I realized that everything that's happening is not all your fault. I should have seen this coming, what with placing you in such a big school with so many students. I just hoped that you would have had the common sense to become friends with the right people, but I won't get into that again."

"What are you saying, Dad?" He forced himself to hold back what was a building emotion, and could feel himself sweating under his shirt collar. He had a bad feeling that he knew what was coming."

"I've enrolled you at Midland High School. It's a much smaller, more respected school. You'll start there next Monday, after the holiday."

<tbc>