Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Angel Heart ❯ Let the Games begin! ( Chapter 8 )

Title: Angel Heart

Author: Eternal Spark aka Sparky aka Carol Edwards

Pairings: 6x3, 1x4, 5+2/5x2, RxOcc

Disclaimers: Don't own. Won't sell. Can't…cause they ain't mine.

Warning: Alternative Universe, Drama, NCS, Angst, Consensual sex as the story progresses.

Rating: PG13-NC17

Achived: if you want, but please ask first.

Hosted at: Dreamer's Isle - www.geocities.com/dreamersisle, Fanfiction.net and a couple of others

Comments: You better or I will kill you!! *Grabbing a stunned Heero for back up*

Email: dreamersisle@yahoo.com

Notes: Okay Wu and Du believers! ^_^;;; I know…I know. I promised this to you guys a while ago. Life stinks and then you have people that believe in you and you have to bust your butt until you finish what you started. But seriously, it is worth every page, pencil and eraser. Giggle! Silverfox (I miss you, imouto!!) returns as my co-plottress and the lovely Cassima as my beta! Life doesn't get any better than this. This chapter is dedicated to Amanda and Nicole (Panny-kins)!! ^_^ heheh! Miracles do happen!

 

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Angel Heart

Chapter 7: Let the games begin

 

 

Spring-a season that personifies rebirth; Shakespeare said “it was the season of the year when plants begin to vegetate and grow; the vernal season, usually comprehending the months of March, April, and May, in the middle latitudes north of the equator.“1 The bible agrees with this statement because in 1 Sam. ix. 26 it states that “it is a time of growth and progress; early portion; first stage.”2

 

There was a forbidden fragrance in the air. Life shouldn't be so sweet or so comfortable but it was. Flowers were blossoming, awakening from their deep slumber into full bloom spreading its aroma throughout the town of Sank. Maintenance workers, with their lawn cutters humming, gleeful ravaged wild blades of grass and molded them into works of beauty.

 

Ah. Springtime was in the air.

 

The young man looked down to check his watch, apparently waiting. Only five more minutes and his companions would be coming out. Heero smirked, nodding to some of the team players as they passed by and headed towards their various venues of transportation. His body, long and lean, reclined against the entrance wall, fitting into a corner like he always did. He stretched; arms lifting high above his head, feeling the fatigue of his strenuous activities slowly claim him. He yawned. Damn. Coach was a mad man forcing them to do broncobusters and the bullrings. Never in a million years should a man get excited from simple warm up exercises.

 

One stray hand ran through masses of unruly chocolate-colored locks while the teenager sighed in distress. Heero had a lot to think about. Most of it dealt with Quatre. Several weeks had passed since that infamous slumber party and though he and Quatre spoke, they didn't really discuss what happened between them. In other words, he and Quatre had not fully established their relationship. What were they now? He knew they were closer than friends but Heero felt Quatre was still shying away from him.

 

Loud voices interrupted his deep thoughts as he looked up only to discover they were at it again. Quatre and Wufei, two of the most exasperating people he had ever met, were arguing yet again on a silly subject while their pupil, one Duo Maxwell, causally walked behind them reading a book. Shaking his head, he rolled his eyes in annoyance and headed over to Quatre's car. Heero did not want to know what happened this time.

 

~************************************************************ *********************~

 

The following day, Sunday morning…

 

A cool breeze was blowing through Heero's bedroom, slightly ruffling his dark blue curtains. It was a typical bedroom. There was a queen size bed, made of black lacquer wood, aligned by the window, allowing the perfect amount of light within the room. On the bed, sat huge dark blue pillows and a bedspread of the same coloring that covered the mattress. A carpet of cream coloring covered the entire floor and all of the furniture within the room was of black lacquer wood.

 

Heero never noticed the lovely breeze…he was pissed. His favorite laptop, the one his dad got him for his birthday when he was ten and was dropped so many times it was a miracle it survived for so long, had just died on him. Luckily, he always backed up his data on CD-Rs. Sitting on his platform bed with his legs crossed and Trowa's laptop sitting comfortably on his lap, he breezed through the internet searching at the Best Buy and Microwarehouse website for the needed components for his new one. He had enough money to get a new one…he just didn't want to get the wrong one. He had already decided to get a Dell computer with certain specifications and leaving massive room for upgrades. But he also wanted to get DSL and Heero knew he had to talk to his father to see whether or not he could add another bill. There was always his other option: getting a part time job.

 

“DAMN!” he yelled, sulking because this had to happened before graduation when he knew he had to save money for college. His mother would catch a fit as he growled in annoyance. He looked over to the side where he had the Sunday newspaper scattered over his bed. There was a current events assignment due for his dumb English class and he was not going to mess up his average because he and the teacher couldn't get along. The paper rattled as Heero flipped through various sections ranging from comics to lifestyles, when he spotted something very interesting in the entertainment section. Deep blue orbs widened, not believing his incredible luck. This was what he needed to get closer to Quatre.

 

He grabbed his cordless, grinning up a storm.

 

The receiver, one Chang Wufei, was lying on his own queen-sized bed, trying to get his homework done. It was silly but Wufei was studious and felt work first play later. The phone's loud ringing interrupted him from his studies as he reached over to answer his own phone. “Hello?”

 

“Yo! What up!”

 

Wufei grinned. “Not much.” He found himself yawning into the phone. “That tutoring session wore me out yesterday.” One eyebrow slanted as he heard Heero snickered on the phone in the background.

 

“Yeah, I bet. Not the way you were acting around Duo!” Heero couldn't help but laugh. He could picture Wufei's continuous blush whenever the boy was mention.

 

Wufei ignored that last remark. “What are you talking about? It's hard work to tutor!”

 

“Uh huh!” Snickering, Heero knew better. “So you actually sitting that close to him was normal?”

 

“Duo didn't understand the problems, Heero!” Wufei could feel the blush coming back on his face again and he hated Heero for knowing his weakness to cause it. “Look, I get teased enough by that maniac Quatre. Can't you cut me some slack?!?”

 

Heero couldn't help it. Wufei was so easy to tease and Heero enjoyed Fei's denial of his undying affection for their pupil. “Okay…but I love it when you blush!”

 

The slightest quirk appeared in the corner of Wufei's mouth.

 

“Anyway, I noticed our favorite amusement park has opened up for the season!”

 

“Eh?!” Wufei questioned. “Oh yeah. Quatre was babbling something about that to Duo yesterday instead of given that exam I prepared. Damn idiot was bothering him and dancing up a storm. “Romance and coasters. Hmph! Unlike those two clowns, I was busy trying to break down that problem…”

 

Heero just shook his head. Wufei was frunting yet again. The boy adored Newstar Park more than he did. Since he could remember, they went every single year and hadn't missed one yet. “Well…it says…” as Heero read from the newspaper, “and I quote…'Rides and attractions for everyone of the young at heart.'” His eyes widened as Heero stared at their latest attraction. “Whoa Fei! They have a monster coaster! We have to go, man!”

 

Wufei thought he was going to be sick. “Ugh! You know I get nausea riding the teacups!”

 

Heero laughed. Wufei was exaggerating as usual because Heero knew Wufei was more of a daredevil than he was. He didn't understand why Wufei was being so difficult. “Look. Maybe you need the right stimulation.” Swallowing, Heero thought about his own problem. This would help get closer to Quatre. They really needed time to themselves and what perfect way to do that than with an amusement park.

 

“Fei…”

 

“Hmmn…”

 

“I'm gonna ask him.”

 

“Ask who what?”

 

“Quarte. I'm gonna ask him out…to the carnival.”

 

Ebony eyes stared at nothing. “Oh.” What could he say? He was glad those two were finally going to get together.

 

A soft beep came across their conversion and Heero told Wufei to hold on a moment while he answered the call. A deep voice resonated from Heero's end, purring like a cat in heat.

 

“Hi. Is Heero there?”

 

Heero blinked not recognizing the voice. “This is he. May I ask who's calling?”

 

“This is Zechs!” the voice stated before he acked from some unknown pain. “My little brother wanted to ask you out to the Newstar….OOWWWWW!!! QUATRE, QUIT BITING ME!”

 

Loud crashing rang through the phone, while Heero had to pull the phone away in fear of losing his hearing. When he did put it back, the screams were still going on but they were more distant and something cracking against something could be heard through the speaker. Heero had the most puzzling look on his face wondering what the hell was going on over Quatre's house until a familiar voice spoke.

 

“Heero?”

 

Heero blinked. Now Quatre was on the phone.

 

“Heero?!? Omigosh! I'm so embarrassed.” Quatre sounded like he was out of breath. “Please excuse Zechs. He's being a jackass for Trowa again!” The blonde boy looked over his shoulder at his companions, Trowa snickering while leading an injured Zechs out the room to give Quatre some needed privacy.

 

“Tro over there again?” Blinking into the phone, Heero thought his brother was at the college. Guess he got sidetracked again.

 

“Yeah.” Quatre sighed, twirling a lock of his golden hair around his finger. “He just took Zechs to the bathroom to put some ice on that welt…”

 

Sighing over another incident between Quatre and his brother, Heero immediately changed the subject. “So…um…about Newstar…”

 

“Um…Uh…”

 

Heero heard the cutest squeak and he knew he wasn't the one doing it. He could tell Quatre was embarrassed. It took a lot to actually call for a date. An image of Quatre's face, standing by the phone came in his mind and it was so adorable. “It sounds…nice. I would love to go.”

 

Quatre nearly dropped the phone. He couldn't believe it. Heero said yes. He didn't know whether to cry or run straight over to his house and kiss him. Heero stopped his thoughts as the young man spoke again. “Huh? Heero did you say something?”

 

“Yes…I want to tell you…well…”

 

“Yes?”

 

Heero blushed before he spoke. “Would you believe I was going to call you about it?”

 

Silence. Heero pulled the phone away from his ear to make sure he didn't disconnect Quatre. He hushed when he heard the golden boy's sweet voice again.

 

“Uh….come again?”

 

The biggest smile broke on Heero's face as he cradled the receiver in his hand. “I said…I was going to ask you out!”

 

Happiness seemed infectious because Quatre's face was glowing. “R-Really? “ His voice sounded so bright and cheerful. “I'd love to go!!!”

 

Joy! Heero was so happy he didn't know what to do. Quatre said yes! His eyes rolled back in his head and he felt light, his body falling free against his bed and against his fluffy pillows. For a moment, he felt he had wings, and life could not get any better than this. He had to tell someone…he had to…

 

Oh Shit! Wufei was still waiting on the other line!!!

 

“Quat!” Heero yelled, “I forgot I have Fei on the other line! Don't leave, okay? Just wait a sec!”

 

Quatre spoke a soft “okay” into the phone and Heero proceeded to click over to his brother in law. “Fei?!”

 

~****~

 

While waiting patiently for Heero's return, Wufei ran downstairs with his cordless in hand and was now in the kitchen making a sandwich, a reuben, when he heard Heero's voice on the cordless. Luckily he had brought the phone with him just in case Heero decided to come back on. Five minutes had passed by waiting for his rude brother-n-law and Wufei was not in the greatest of moods. “Oh! Now you're back?!” Wufei took a big bite from his sandwich making sure Heero heard each munch. “What?”

 

“He said YES!”

 

Wufei smirked, already assuming the outcome. “Heh. As if there was any doubt. Hell, you two were dry humping behind his pool couch!”

 

Flushing, Heero simply yelled into the phone. “Shut up about that!”

 

“Huh?” Wufei began snickering, “If his brother hadn't shown up, I bet you would have followed him right to his room!” Wufei couldn't stop laughing then, listening to Heero's growling through the phone. But it was funny and it was time for Heero to feel some of his torment. Wufei reached for a bag of potato chips from off the top of the refrigerator, opening it and popping one into his mouth. He grinned, munching as he turned back around with food and drink in hand and walked back up to his bedroom.

 

Heero grumbled the whole time. Wufei chuckled to himself knowing that Heero was embarrassed. Thank goodness Trowa never told their mom or she would have showed him the true skill of assassination.

 

“Don't make me come over there…” Then the strangest thought popped in Heero's mind. “As a matter of fact, Wufei…why don't you take Duo?”

 

“EH?!?!” The plate almost dropped. Wufei had just entered his bedroom looking at his school work. He swirled around trying to find something to give as an excuse but everything was completed. In his desperation, Wufei had no choice and he lied. “Uh…I can't! Uh…I have homework! Yeah!! That's it! Lots of homework!””

 

“Bullshit!” Heero knew Wufei was lying! But he never got the chance to respond before Wufei hurried the conversation, stating he couldn't stay on the phone any longer and click the line dead.

 

Wufei held the phone to his chest, his heart banging rapidly against his ribs. One of his hands, reaching back to pull the black band from his hair and releasing black silk around his shoulders. He too had felt a closeness with Duo. That slumber party just made him realize how much he truly wanted Duo. But Duo didn't need any problems, especially from him. He would just guide him from afar knowing that deep down inside, he would love him forever. “I can't take Duo to Wonderland.” Ebony strands hung low, hiding his face and the sharp pains of his requited love.

 

~**~

 

Heero was pissed. How dare Wufei hang up on him?! “So he wants to be a bitch about this huh?” He slammed the receiver down as he slipped out his bed and ran out the room. Running down the stars, he grabbed his jacket out of the kitchen closet, about to exit out the door when he had the weirdest feeling. He could have sworn he forgot to do something.

 

“Angel!” Mrs Yuy called as she spotted Heero about to go out. “I need you.”

“I'm going to Fei's for a while, Mom. Something came up.”

 

“Fei? But I thought you were talking to Quatre?”

 

Heero blinked those Prussian orbs at his mother and yelled, “OH SHIT!”

 

“HEERO?!”

 

~***~

 

Meanwhile, Quarte was patiently waiting on his cordless phone for Heero to come back. He giggled as he passed. Zechs' bedroom on his way to his own room, hearing his brother's moan and groan as Trowa administered treatment to his boyfriend's wounds. Quietly, Quatre opened the door to his room and closed it to give him the needed privacy to speak with Heero.

 

But then he heard the click.

 

His eyes widened in disbelief.

 

Heero hung up on him.

 

It had to be a mistake. So why was he so pissed? “I don't believe he hung up on me!” Quatre threw his phone on the bed, not giving a damn who heard as he pouted. “Well, fine!” He fumed, “I'll just go to the fair with Duo!” He glared down at his phone, daring Heero to call him back. “YOU ASSHOLE!!”

 

Tears were about to fall from his eyes when he thought about what he just said. That wasn't such a bad idea. A very sadistic grin appeared on Quatre's face as he belly flopped onto his bed, picking up his phone to dial Duo's house. He had programmed Duo's number into every phone in the house in case of an emergency. He really did care about Duo.

 

~**~

 

The Krushrenda-Maxwell Home…

 

Treize looked up from setting the table for dinner when the phone rung on his desk. Duo was in the kitchen, cooking dinner and blasting his cd player, playing “Candy Rain.” He was singing to the top of his lungs, annoying Treize with each harmonious high note he reached. Marie was watching “Get over it” on cable and was laughing up a storm. Treize called her to help set the table while he ran to his desk to answer the phone on the third ring.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Hi, Mr Krushrenda. Is Duo there?”

 

“Just a moment.” Pushing away from the desk since he was leaning, Treize walked over to the kitchen door and slightly open it to tell Duo. Duo was singing into a spoon while one hand held on to the electric mixer, whipping lumpy potatoes into a submission. Treize had to giggle. Duo looked so cute. Treize was happy with the new outgoing little brother of his.

 

“Duo! Phone! It's your friend!”

 

Putting both the spoon and the mixer down on the table, Duo wiped his hands on his apron and grabbed the phone from Treize. “Hey, Quat-kun!”

 

“Hey Duo!” Quatre loved to hear his voice. “What are you doing tonight?”

 

Duo blinked, confused. “Huh? Nothing I suppose. Dinner and some T.V. I guess.”

 

Marie ran into the kitchen while Duo was on the phone, grabbing the bowl with the undone potatoes, and zoomed back to the table. Treize ran after her yelling, “Don't do that”, grabbing the bowl from her hands and bringing the bowl back into the kitchen so Duo could finish the meal.

 

Marie ran after her father, peeking into the kitchen. “I betcha it's that Quatre guy again.”

 

Frowning, Duo ignored his family, listening back to what Quatre was saying on the phone. “Hey you like Wufei, right? And I like Heero. What do you say we nudge those two brats a bit, hmmnnn?”

 

Duo blushed, turning away from his brother since he was still in the kitchen trying to keep Marie out so he could listen to Duo's conversation. Growling, Duo walked over to Treize and pushed him out the kitchen.

 

Treize pouted as the door patted him on his rear while Marie giggled. “Serves you right.”

 

Shaking his head, Duo turned his back and answered Quatre's question…sort of answered it. “I don't know, Quat…”

 

“Well,” Quatre began, trying to give Duo some incentive to his reasoning, “Heero just hung up on me.”

 

Duo's eyes widened like saucers. “He did what?”

 

“You heard me.” Quatre replied, twirling a strand of his hair between two fingers while grinning evilly. “And Wufei needs some competition else he's never going to admit like you back!”

 

Duo couldn't believe it. What the heck was going through that wacky blonde's head now? He already knew that an evil grin was gracing that boy's angelic face. “Quat, what are you thinking? And don't think that I can't see that grin on your face so don't try to disguise your voice!”

 

Giggling, Quatre begin to explain his plan to Duo. “I'm not! Here's the plan, baby. Remember that ad about Newstar?”

 

“The amusement park? Yeah?”

 

“Well, Heero invited me but since he hung up on me…you and I are going out!”

 

Okay. Warning signs were ringing in Duo's head. “We're going? Instead of you and Heero?”

 

“Yup.”

 

“On a date?”

 

“Well…technically…it's not a date date. It's a pretend date.”

 

“Quat…”

 

“Duo, come on. Don't worry about the technicalities of it. Heero is going to go to the park with or without me. By the blonde strands on my head, Wufei is going to be there also. Those two are best friends-Inseparable. Can't you picture it? Wufei will see me with you, giving you a lot of added attention and will get insanely jealous. I'm positive Heero will do the same. We have to teach them a lesson, Duo. They need to pay attention to us and admit they like us or else. What do you say?”

 

Duo didn't know what to say. He really did like Wufei and it was mean of Heero to hang up on poor Quatre. But something was still nagging him. Maybe it was an accident Heero hung on Quat. “And if this doesn't work, Quatre?”

 

“That's the beauty of it, Duo. Trust meeee…it will!”

 

Sighing into the phone, Duo played with his braid. Quatre yelled through the phone again but he couldn't hear because Marie came barging through the door again!

 

“Daddy! I can handle it! Stop being a spoilsport! And you,” she replied, pointing to Duo, “Food's getting cold! We do want to eat in this lifetime!”

 

“I'm on the phone, midget!” Duo watched as Marie grumbled around him, going into the refrigerator for a carrot to munch on. Her patience was wearing thin as she went back into the dining room. “Quat…I have to tell my brother…'

 

“Tell me what?”

 

Duo blinked, looking up at his brother while shaking his head because of another disturbance. What was with his family? He tried to get Trieze to leave but the man just folded his arms over his chest, not budging. “Duo…” Treize replied while tapping his foot. “She is not a midget. She's height challenged.”

 

Duo snickered into the phone but then he stopped. Family. That was what Quatre needed. “You know what…why don't you come over.”

 

“Now?”

 

“Yup. I cooked.”

 

Duo had been asking him to come over for the longest and he declined because of his own situation. Quatre had to make a decision: be home alone yet again when he didn't have to go to school because of the holiday or go have some fun with Duo without Wufei around. It wasn't right. He knew he shouldn't be having these thoughts but he couldn't help being attracted to Duo also. “Okay. Let me get changed so we can leave after. I'll be right over.”

 

“Okay! Hurry up now. Don't know how I can keep the natives at bay,” as Duo giggled, hanging up the phone. Treize's left eyebrow twitched when Duo ignored him as the teenager continued on with his preparations with the silliest grin on his face.

 

~***~

 

At the same time Quatre hung up the phone, Heero hung up the phone in frustration and zoomed over to Wufei's house. He was worried. Quatre had caller id and still wasn't picking up the phone. With a lot of persuasion, namely blackmail, Wufei exited his home growling at Heero for the injustice in the world. Heero whistled for a cab, destination-the Winner Estate.

 

~***~

 

Duo bounced in the living room on cloud nine. Quatre was coming over to dinner. It was the first time he actually let someone come to his home and he wanted to make a good impression. Treize just followed behind him, bringing in the rest of the food.

 

“Yummy!” Marie cried, sitting in her chair. “I'm starving!”

 

Duo grabbed her before she could touch a thing. “Don't eat yet!”

 

“I'm hungry!”

 

“Chill, you beast!”

 

“Daddy! Tell Duo to stop calling me a beast!”

 

Treize looked up from his newspaper. “Duo, apologize to the height challenged little person.” He snickered seeing the face Marie made.

 

“Daddy?!”

 

“And Marie, we have to wait. It would be very impolite to start eating before the guest.”

 

Marie grumbled, still trying to steal a piece of broccoli from the salad while Duo laughed at her.

 

“Anyway…” Duo began, speaking to his brother.” I have to ask you something.”

 

“What about?”

 

“Well…” Duo hesitated wondering what his brother's answer would be before he even asked him. “Uhmnnn…Well it's like this. Quat is taking me to Newstar Amusement Park…”

 

Marie's dark mood changed drastically with her eyes popped out of her head. “NEWSTAR?! I wanna go, Daddy! The kids in school were telling me about that place! I have to go!”

 

“No way!” Duo yelled. “Quat gonna show me around and stuff! Just me and him! Don't make me take her, Treize!“

 

“All right! All right!” Treize didn't want another headache. Marie was missing Duo. It was good that the boy was spending more time with a good crowd. Treize had already checked on Heero, Wufei and Quatre's profiles. They were very good friends for him…very stable. “How about this, princess? You and I will go tomorrow first thing in the morning. Tonight we'll watch movies all night.”

 

Marie pouted. “I wanted go with Duo. I betcha Wufei's gonna be there!”

 

“I'm going with Quat!” Duo's face may have been smiling, but he was secretly wishing Wufei would be there. “I don't know if Wufei will be there or not.”

 

Marie didn't believe him for one moment as she rolled her eyes. “Yeah right!”

 

“Look. I'll be okay. Niisan, you always want me to go out and I am.”

 

“You can go.” Treize agreed. He had been pressuring Duo to have a social life for the longest time and the boy was taking him up on his word. Duo's baby days were long gone leaving just an adorable confused frustrated lad in his place. Now…was he talking about Duo or himself. “I just want you to be careful okay? If you need anything, call me.”

 

Duo rolled his eyes. That only meant Treize wanted for him to take his cell phone along with him. He hadn't touched the damn thing since they arrived in this town. Worried about their welfare, Treize had brought one for all three of them in case of an emergency. “Okay, Bro.”

 

A loud knock stopped their conversation.

 

“I'll get it.” Duo ran to the door and the visitor turned to out to Quatre.

 

The slender golden boy was wearing an ivory colored sweater that appeared to be handmade and some tight cream flair jeans. He looked like an angel in that getup.

 

“Hey!”

 

“Hey, Quat! Come in!” Duo took Quarte's jacket that was slung across his arm and hung it behind the door on the hook. He was about to say something to Quat when the patter of little footsteps rumbled in the room.

 

“BUNNY RABBIT!”

 

Quatre blinked at the little girl in confusion. “Uh Duo? Who's this?”

 

Walking over to stand by his niece's side, Duo introduced her to Quatre. “Quatre, this is Mariameia Krushenada, Treize's daughter and my niece.”

 

“His more intelligent niece,” she interjected.

 

“Marie?! Treize! Come and get your daughter!”

 

Quatre sighed. It was weird but he felt at peace within this strange home. He had never been there before but just looking around the room, hearing Duo argue with his niece, he could feel the love within their home. It felt like he had just come home. Strange.

 

Treize came in then, gently picking up his mischievous offspring into his able arms as he tickled her a moment and turned his gaze at Quatre to properly greet him. “Hello again, young man. Quatre, I believe?”

 

“Yes sir.” But the words didn't finish out his mouth before Duo grabbed him by his hand, pulling him through the living room and straight towards the dining area. “HI! BAI!”

 

Treize snickered following quietly behind the boys as Duo reminded him who Quatre was since they had met at the mall. Pushing Quatre into a seat at the dinner table, Duo ran into the kitchen to grab his apron. He took a quick whiff of himself. He desperately needed to take another shower before they went out because no one needed to know what he cooked that day. Duo had already picked out his outfit for the night. Shaking his head, he left the kitchen, exclaiming the night menu.

 

“Okay! I have Eggplant Parmesan, “ he pointed to each item as he spoke, “Chicken Kiev with mash potatoes and glazed baby carrots.”

 

Quatre just looked at the boy astonished. Duo cooked? He thought it would be something simple like a can of spaghetti or a 1-2-3 dish. He didn't expect this.

 

“I also made a salad and a lemon cake.”

 

Quatre's eyes were glowing looking at the home cooked food. “Wow. Maybe I should forget about Heero.” The aromas were killing him. “It all smells so good.”

 

“I told you I could cook.” Duo grinned at his accomplishment. “I know you're a vegetarian, Quat, but you have to try my Chicken Kiev. Just a tiny taste.” Duo cut the tiniest piece with the knife and fork, dipping the piece in the creamy sauce as he offered the morsel up to Quatre.

 

Then Marie made the loveliest comment as she ate her potatoes. “It's weird. He can't get a man but he can be a chef.”

 

Duo almost dropped the fork into Quatre's lap. “MARIE?!?”

 

Quatre poked the little girl on the nose. “And just what are you talking about, little one?”

 

Marie blinked, her beautiful eyes crossing as she looked towards the finger and then back up towards Duo's guest. ”Duo and his nonexistence love life.”

 

Duo glared down at his niece ready to come back on the vicious brat but Quatre shook his head, wanting the little girl to continue and prove her case.

 

“Come on!” Marie exclaimed, as her hands went up into the air. She was a very expressive little girl. “He knows he likes that Wufei guy but he won't even attempt to ask him out!”

 

Duo blinked, too embarrassed to comment. He thought he fooled his family but the little monster saw right through him. Life was not fair! Anger slowly bubbled within him and he was about to retaliate when once again Quatre intervened, beating him to the punch.

 

“That's because Wufei's suppose to ask him out.”

 

“Huh?” Marie looked up confused. “How so? It works both ways? Duo has been crushing on that guy for months.”

 

Duo epped but Quatre stopped him. “How so? Well let's just start, shall we?”

 

Treize remained silent through the conversation. Blue eyes followed along as his `pissed off' younger sibling muttered under his breath, getting up from the table and walked quietly in the kitchen. Duo returned moments later with a huge hunk of Parmesan cheese on a platter and a metal grater. Stifling a snicker, he watched Duo's reaction concerning the discussion of the Chinese boy that he had met at the mall with the others. There was one problem though. His daughter's inquisitiveness just made matters worse, especially in front of Duo's guest.

 

Treize glared at Marie once. From that look, Marie knew that her father meant business and instantly she shut up. Back to damage control-keeping Duo off of Marie for the rest of her life. Boy was he mad. The poor boy was shaving a huge hunk of Parmesan cheese on a plate not giving a damn as he shaved the whole chunk to pieces.

 

Quatre just shook his head, letting Duo vent his anger on the cheese while he picked up the fork Duo accidentally dropped on his plate. The tiny morsel of chicken was still there. One nibble wouldn't hurt. Quatre had stopped eating meat because of his stupid parents out of protest and his own convictions. The metal fork chinged against the china plate as the teeth pierced the warm mozzarella and meat. Cheese oozed from the tender portion, temptation at its finest. Quatre lifted the fork slowly, watching the steam rise for the hot meat, and slowly into his awaiting mouth.

 

The moment the meat touched his tongue, his eyes popped out. “Oh god, Duo! Mmmmm…This is so great!”

 

The salad was next to be annihilated and with each bite, the meal just got better and better. The eggplant parmesan was cooked perfectly. Quatre could taste the gentle flavor of fresh basil, garlic and the other herbs and how they complimented each other. Fresh tomatoes in the sauce only added another element to the dish with gooey cheese was melting all over the place. Duo made everything from scratch Quatre was told and that just made the meal a double treat. Even the salad was great. Red onions, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes burst in Quatre's mouth mingling with the Italian dressing.

 

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. The meal was over and Quatre patted his stomach in satisfaction. Duo was still frowning at his niece, still upset. He had hardly touched his meal suffering the pains of embarrassment. Treize stepped in before Marie could start up another conversation and sternly told the little girl to get the dishes and follow him into the kitchen. She obeyed, giving the friends their needed privacy.

 

Duo sighed into his plate, moving a cherry tomato around with his fork. “And that was my precocious niece. What do you think of her?”

 

“I think with a little guidance, she could be great.” Quatre snickered at Duo's stern look at his response. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, cleaning his face of stray food particles. “That was really delicious, Duo. I'm never leaving your house now.”

 

Duo snickered as Quatre's cell phone rung. Voicing his apologies, Quatre excused himself to answer the call. Duo told him since Marie stole his appetite he might as well get dressed. Quatre nodded, yelling he would make it up to Duo at the park. He turned back to the silver phone in hand. “Yes?”

 

< Master Quatre, Mr. Yuy and Mr. Chang were just here. I told them that you were going over to Mr. Maxwell's home. >

 

“Did you give them the address?”

 

< Yes, young master, just as you instructed. >

 

“Thank you. I'll be home later tonight okay?”

 

< Yes, sir. Have fun at the park. >

 

“I will.”

 

Quatre flipped the cell closed, disconnecting the call. Smiling, he estimated how long Heero would take to get to Duo's house. By the time they arrived, he and Duo would be gone.

 

Smiling, he looked up towards the stairs where Duo's bedroom had to be. “Let the games begin…”

 

TBC

 

~**************************************************************** *****************~

 

Author notes: ^_^;;; Don't kill me. Life has its up and downs and the holiday season gets to me the most. Why? I happen to be the matriarch of my family so it is little ole me doing the cooking, shopping, going nuts over people's problems and trying to keep the peace. Mix in health problems and work and you have delays on fanfics. ^_^

 

Quatre's character is just evil dontcha think? I would never want to get on his bad side.

 

Wufei: --;;; He actually has a good side?

Quatre: Don't start before I find that tutu from the other chapter.

Duo: >< When are we gonna get together?! This is getting ridiculous.

Heero: Just be patience, Duo.

Duo: >< Shutup! You already had a taste!!!

Quatre and Heero: *BLUSH!*

 

 

New world Dictionary. They are a wonder to work with.

The Bible. The best source for quotes and other spiritual ideas. ^_^ This story is really getting to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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