Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Maxwells ❯ Chapter 2

Five or Six Years Later…

 

Blinking slowly, Duo repressed a yawn and shifted his weight as he stood outside at the end of his sidewalk entryway, donning a pure white bathrobe and fresh cup of coffee. Violet-eyes shifted instantly when they heard the familiar ring of the paperboy's bicycle and he only had to wait a moment before a small figure hurled past him and a bulky newspaper landed at his feet.

 

Glancing down at the plastic wrapped news with disinterest, he stooped over to grab it, noticing his neighbor across the street when he straightened. “Morning, Martin,” he grinned, waving to the other who he recognized, before turning around and instantly scowling in boredom.

 

Walking through his polished front door, he made his way through the kitchen and into his bathroom, ignoring the shorter boy who was already brushing his teeth. Removing his robe and fiddling with his own toothbrush, he sighed as the faucet gurgled slightly when he twisted the knob, “Gotta get these filters changed,” he mumbled.

 

“Mm-hmm,” his husband answered dispassionately as he put his toothbrush back in its place and walked away.

 

Brushing his teeth and going back into their spacious walk-in closet, Duo listened to his husband while he changed into his suit. “What did you think about Dr. Une?” the shorter asked, pulling on an ivory colored dress shirt. “She seemed to like you,” he added, buttoning up his shirt, his nasally tone empty.

 

“Yeah,” the braided man mumbled, apologizing when he bumped the shorter as he pulled up his sleeves. “She seems real insightful,” he said, the sarcasm obvious.

 

“Plus her office is clear across town,” the Japanese offered when it was evident the taller didn't approve of their current counselor.

 

Duo nodded, walking out into their bedroom, “And being there at four means we hit rush hour,” he said, pausing to turn to the other, “You know I'm not crazy about that.”

 

Heero sighed gently, nodding to himself once the other was out of sight. “So that's settled then?” he asked, raising his voice slightly. His only response was a muffled `Uh-huh'.

 

Both men hurried out into their garage, Heero going to his compact, pearl white Mercedes and Duo to his sleek black BMW. “Oh,” the Japanese said, turning slightly, “Dinner's at seven.”

 

Nodding, Duo opened his car door as the garage door slid up, “Yep, I'll be there-here” he corrected himself half-heartedly as he heard the other man's door shut on his statement.

 

Both powerful engines roared to life and the high-performance cars had to stop halfway through the too-narrow driveway. Duo grit his teeth as he allowed his husband to pass him in a single file line, a tight smile his only thanks.

 

Hours later found Heero back at home, an apron around his waist and a knife in his hand as he chopped bright carrots with ease. Rain pelted against the windows of the kitchen as he walked around the island to peer into the oven, a high pitched beeping alerting him to its preparation. Going back to his chopping, a quick flash of headlights warned him of his husband's arrival, blue eyes darted upwards instantly and he began to distractedly toss his kitchen knife, twirling it gracefully between his fingers.

 

Shutting the garage door, Duo hurried to grab his wedding ring from the coin compartment of his car, and slip the silver band back in place. Checking himself over in the rearview mirror, he winced when he noticed the lipstick staining his white collar. Rubbing at the loud red stain, he cursed the now dead woman silently before stepping out of his car and making his way into the house.

 

“Hey baby,” he called, shaking off his coat as he walked in.

 

“Perfect timing,” was the overly bright reply as he rounded the corner into the kitchen.

 

“It's pissin' rain out there,” he muttered, dropping his keys to the counter and walking to the shorter man, delivering a kiss to his temple.

 

“How was work?” the Japanese asked smiling, and leaning into the kiss.

 

“Eh,” Duo said shrugging and walking into the bar area, “So-so.”

 

Heero only nodded, watching the retreating figure before brightening, “Oh!” he said a smile in place, “I got new curtains!”

 

“Did you?” was the distant reply.

 

Heero refrained from rolling his eyes and only hardened his smile, “Mm-hmm.”

 

Ignoring the living room, and their inescapable new addition, Duo sighed, silently mixing himself a martini. Shaking the canister and pulling out some olives, his eyes darted up when he heard his husband.

 

“Well?” the shorter asked, stepping out of the kitchen, “What do you think?”

 

Taking his time, Duo poured his drink and added the garnish, leaning back slightly to see thick green drapes that matched his olives hanging over the windows, “Huh,” he said tonelessly and went back to sipping his drink.

 

Ignoring him, Heero smiled proudly at the rich fabric, “There was a struggle over them,” he said, continuing when the braided man remained silent, “This little gold-digger of a housewife got her hands on them first, but,” he paused turning to smirk at his husband, “I won.” He finished, sounding satisfied with himself.

 

“Of course you did.”

 

“They're a bit green,” Heero pressed, “So I think we'll have to reupholster the furniture and definitely get a new rug. Maybe a Persian?”

 

Annoyed and confused by his husband's uncharacteristic chattiness, Duo argued, “Or we could just keep the old ones then we wouldn't have to change a thing.” That did it. Twin sapphires were heated on him instantly in a cold glare.

 

“Hn,” the shorter mumbled letting his disapproval choke the air of the room before turning back to his curtains. “We talked about this,” was all he said, folding his arms across his chest.

 

“I remember,” Duo assured him, stepping into the living room but remaining out of his husband's reach, “I remember because we said we'd wait,” he intoned, stirring his drink as he looked at the curtains disdainfully.

 

Heero sighed, “If you don't like them we can always take them back,” he said, attempting to place as much conviction as possible behind the statement.

 

Raising both eyebrows, Duo craned his neck to look directly into agitated prussian eyes, “Ok,” he said, “I don't like them.”

 

The shorter merely stared back at him coolly before scrunching his face into a sarcastic smile, “You'll get used to them.”

 

Nodding to himself, Duo turned back to the innocent drapes, “That's what I thought.”

 

Deeming the conversation as finished, the Japanese turned on his heel and silently walked back into the kitchen, leaving Duo to glare at his back. Once his husband was out of sight, Duo promptly downed the rest of his martini in one gulp.

 

Occupying himself with the mail, the braided contractor only had to wait ten minutes before glancing up at the clock and realizing it was already seven. Dropping the letter he was reading, he hurried into the dining room where he was greeted with the sight of a fully prepared dinner and a `patiently' waiting Heero.

 

Grinning, he settled himself in and only looked up to notice that the man across the long table from him already had a forkful of vegetables halfway to his mouth. Recalling what the letter he'd been reading had alerted him to, he attempted to dispel the silence, “The electricity bill went down,” he mumbled as he cut into his steak.

 

No response.

 

Hurrying onto another topic he smiled, unfolding his napkin, “This looks nice,” he paused to chew, “Did you do something new?”

 

That got a reaction, a smile even. Lifting his glass of wine, Heero nodded, “Mm-hmm.”

 

“Yeah?” Duo asked, hoping to keep the semblance of a conversation alive.

 

“I added peas,” the brunette finished, setting down his Merlot.

 

Nodding in exaggerated appreciation, Duo stabbed at his newly discovered peas, “Yeah, peas,” he paused to get a good look, “Yeah, it's the green…” he trailed off knowing this was where it would grow silent again.

 

Full lips scrunched in a blatantly false smile, Heero knew full well what his husband was doing. And it was grating on his last nerve.

 

“Sweetheart, could you pass the salt?” Duo asked, once again trying to create some form of noise.

 

“It's in the middle of the table,” was all the other said, not pausing his dinner.

 

This made amethyst eyes dart up as Duo drank out of his wineglass, he looked across the table first at his husband then down to the salt-shaker. “Oh? Is that the middle of the table?” he asked, positive that the utensil was actually much closer to his husband, and at this point not caring whether they got into an argument or not.

 

But the blue-eyed server merely glanced up for a second to reply callously, “Yeah, it's between you and me.”

 

The implications of the statement only left Duo to stare.

 

After dinner, the braided man thanked his husband and left the table, going to sit in the den and flip on the television. After a few minutes he heard the phone ring and turned to see Heero in another room, talking animatedly.

 

He watched while the other smiled and nodded, hanging up within five minutes and walking into their bedroom promptly after he disconnected.

 

Narrowing his large eyes he stood. Slowly making his way into their bedroom he could hear the other moving around in the bathroom. His suspicion causing him to abandon all tact, he boldly stepped up to their sinks and began loudly clattering anything he could grab.

 

The sudden noise made Heero jump in surprise, a black trench coat securely fastened around him. “Jesus!” he muttered, exhaling in relief and turning to the man behind him. “Duo, you scared me.”

 

Duo's back was to him as he continued to fumble with things quietly, “Oh, I'm sorry, babe. I was just looking for the uh-. You going out?” he asked point-blank, not caring what the other thought he might have been doing.

 

Turning back around to spray a small amount of cologne, Heero nodded, “Yes, some idiot crashed a server in a law firm downtown and ended the world as they know it so,” he paused to turn around and smile disingenuously, “yes.”

 

“Really,” was Duo's disbelieving reply, as he watched the other walk forward in the mirror. “We promised the Bloom's” he reminded non-too-gently.

 

Slipping on his shoes, Heero stepped up to the mirror to muse his hair, “I know,” he assured.

 

“Okay.”

 

“I'll be there,” Heero continued, “Just a quickie,” he mumbled smirking to himself as he walked out of the bathroom and left the house.

 

Once his shorter husband had left, Duo quickly slipped on a tailored jacket before calling a taxi and going out. Instructing the driver to a local bar, Duo slouched back, pulling a small flask out his coat and swallowing down the bourbon inside.

 

When the car stopped, he paid the man and walked out, making his way down the dark stairwell and into the poorly lit bar. Grimacing at the old country music, he quickly walked deep into the back rooms, meandering behind some closed doors until he came across one imparticular.

 

Stepping into the private room, he stumbled in drunkenly to see three Irish men playing cards around a small table with beer and cigarettes at their fingertips. “…I'll match your- What the hell?!” they yelled, glancing up when he suddenly barged in. “What's this shit?” one asked, his words heavily accented.

 

Steadying himself, Duo slurred, “S-sorry, I jus- where's the can around here? For Christ's sake!” he said loudly, knowing his act was convincing.

 

The men merely stared at him, dismissing him as a lost drunk instantly before he spoke again, smoothly shutting the door behind him, “Hey, you guys playing poker?” he asked, stumbling over to the table.

 

The man closest to him glared in annoyance, “Private game,” he barked, “Piss off.”

 

Ignoring the man, Duo stepped closer, “Hey,” he said, his voice light, “Could I sit in? You think I could sit in?” he repeated himself, feigning confusion.

 

Another man was quick to reply, “What part of `piss off' did you not understand?” he asked, his voice more irritated then the last man's.

 

“Guys,” the American said grinning and spreading his arms, “Hey, whoa, whoa,” he said, his tone one of a mediator. “Be a little friendly,” he pleaded, reaching into his back pocket. “I got the cash. I got the ca-“

 

He stopped when the third man pulled back his leather jacket to reveal a pistol fastened to his hip, “Whoa,” he said holding up his hands to stop the other, and leaning in drunkenly, “That's cool, man. You're cool.” Pulling out a thick wad of bills he teetered slightly, “Lis-Look, man. See?” he said, showing the money to the other men. “See what I got?” he finished, smelling his money.

 

When none of the men responded he backed away slowly, “Not interested? I understand, cause I mean, I'd clear y'all out.” Mumbling to himself, he clumsily dropped the heavy stack of bills. Stooping slowly to pick them up, he bumped his head against a chair with a `thud', satisfied as the men began to laugh at him.

 

Straightening himself with a slight sway he looked down on the chair he'd just hit his head on with a grin, “Well here's an empty chair. I could sit here,” he announced.

 

“That is Lucky's chair,” was the cold response.

 

“W-where's Lucky?” the braided man asked, looking around, “I don't see Lucky.”

 

“Lucky's not back yet.”

 

“Then I'll sit here,” he said grinning and motioning to the chair. “Unless,” he paused, “I'm too hot for ya,” he finished, knowing the taunt would not go unanswered.

 

Taking their silence as acceptance, Duo pulled out the chair slowly before plopping himself into it and grabbing his share of cards. Throwing his money into the center of the table, it only took minutes for the other men to feel like he'd been there the whole night.

 

Purposefully losing a few rounds, Duo found himself pulling out the flask he'd drunken out of earlier, and tossing it to the table, “Solid silver,” he laughed proudly, the other men around him laughing and drinking their beers.

 

One of the men lifted the flask and inspected it, reading the inscription along the side aloud, “To dodging bullets. Love, Heero,” he said causing another roar of laughter to erupt from the men.

 

Catcalls and insults were hurled in good fun as the game went on, groans of disappointment and shouts of excitement filled the room as smoke lifted from the lit cigarettes.

 

Clinking their glasses together, they continued to laugh, their yelling gaining volume as the pot grew. Duo scoffed, cursing when he `lost' another round and one man began to sing.

 

Suddenly the same door Duo'd entered through burst open and a serious-looking man in a sharp suit walked in, an unpleasantly surprised expression etched on his face, “What the hell is this?” he asked, his voice also tinged with an Irish accent.

 

The man singing stopped instantly, his face sobering up, “Sorry Lucky,” he mumbled.

 

Another, across from Duo shrugged sadly, “Looks like you're done, pal,” he said to the braided man, “Thanks for the memories.”

 

Duo ignored him however, opting to turn his head to the man who'd just walked in. “Oh, are you Lucky?” he asked, eyeing the other man.

 

“Yeah,” came the stiff reply.

 

“No kiddin',” Duo grinned as the other man just stood in front of the door.

 

Lucky's brows knit down in curiosity as he leaned forward slightly, “What is it, kid?” he asked, still standing in place. “You looking for a job or something?”

 

Suddenly the blissfully intoxicated face straightened as Duo replied in a serious tone, “You are the job.” With those words two silenced bullets shot out from the gun hidden inside his coat killing Lucky. The other men around the table barely had a second to gasp before the violet-eyed man turned on them, bringing two guns out of his coat and shooting the three instantly.

 

Standing and shoving the guns back in place, he picked up the previously laid hand, “Pair of threes,” he muttered, tossing them down in disgust before making his way out of the bar.

 

 

 

 

 

On the other side of town a slender leg gracefully stepped out of a taxi before Heero walked into the ritzy hotel. Quickly making his way to the penthouse, he silently handed his bag over to the guard who'd let him into the room. The taller man only found a pair of handcuffs and a small crop, to which Heero smirked knowingly before handing him back the black bag. “We have a plane in an hour,” was all he said, his message clear.

 

Grabbing his bag, Heero nodded, “All right,” he said, following when the other man led him to a bedroom with closed doors. Opening the door for Heero the man continued to stare at him before the smaller grabbed the knob, shutting it firmly in his face and locking it.

 

Walking into the bedroom, but not seeing anyone, Heero waited. Hearing the sound of gargling, his ears perked, and he turned to where the bathroom would have been, his eyes widening in disgust and surprise before shutting in an attempt to block it out.

 

The noise stopped soon after and he opened his eyes to see a tall man with dark features step out of the bathroom, a robe his only dress. The man wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as he stopped in front of Heero, raking his eyes over the smaller form appraisingly. The man smiled lecherously and Heero had to grit his teeth to keep from punching him.

 

Without stepping forward, the other nodded to Heero, silently ordering to see more. Lowering his gaze, the Japanese mechanically worked the buckle to his coat, pulling it open and removing the covering to reveal a tight black leather body suit that clung to his small fame, complete with numerous straps and harnesses.

 

This only made the dark man more excited, and it was apparent when he quickly removed his robe to reveal a pair of small boxers that were fitting him entirely too tightly suddenly.

 

“Kneel,” was the single command, and the taller man was on the ground instantly.

 

Securing his hands behind his back with the handcuffs, Heero gave them a sharp tug to make sure. He turned back to his bag and lifted out the small crop, gliding it's tip gently down the other man's tanned back, “Have you been a bad boy?” he asked, circling the man.

 

“Yes,” came the needy reply.

 

“Mm-hmm,” Heero sneered, bringing the crop down hard between the man's shoulder blades. But the man only gasped, wincing slightly at the pain, his muscles rippling in pleasure.

 

“Do you know what happens to bad boys?” the Japanese asked, bringing down the crop again, and receiving a gasp.

 

“They get punished,” came the monotonous answer as he whipped again.

 

“Oh yeah,” the man moaned, “Punish me,” he begged softly.

 

Giving the man a few good whips, Heero walked behind him again, twirling the crop before letting it drop to the carpet. Then, leaning in he whispered gently, “Have you been selling big guns to bad people?” he asked, only giving the man a moment to register the accusation before he brought his hands down and jerked, popping the mans neck out and killing him instantly.

 

His body fell with a thud, hitting the table and causing it to tremble. Leaving the him, Heero hurried to pull his coat on when he heard the guard from before knocking and calling to the dead man through the door.

 

Taking his time, Heero pulled out his phone to check the time, “Uh, Bloom's,” he muttered in annoyance before walking out the glass doors to the balcony as the knocks became more frantic and more guards began to gather outside the bedroom door.

 

Hurrying to hook one handle of his bag to the balcony, he glanced back when the bedroom door flew open, and three large men piled in, yelling. When two came for him, he hurried to the edge of the balcony and without hesitation stepped off the edge to plummet down the side of the building.

 

Falling a number of stories, he remained calm, releasing the bag when he landed safely on the concrete in front of the hotel. “Taxi,” he said softly to a bellhop who only nodded with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.

 

 

 

 

Hurrying into his bathroom, Heero dropped his trench coat to the tiled floor. Moving quickly to remove the leather shell, he looked up in surprise when he heard the bathroom door reopen. Immediately, he maneuvered himself behind the closet door, hearing his husband call to him, “Hey babe.”

 

Pulling his wedding ring out from the outfit and slipping it on, he hurried to respond, “Hey honey,” he called back, “I didn't hear you downstairs.”

 

“Yeah,” Duo answered, not bothering to come find the other, “I went to the sports bar. Put some money on the game.”

 

Breathing a sigh of relief as he pulled the uncomfortable ensemble off, Heero grabbed a shirt, “Oh yeah? How'd you do?” he asked.

 

Duo smirked to himself, “I got lucky,” he answered before quietly leaving the bathroom.

 

 

 

TBC…

 

 

 

Domo --

 

( Jade1154 ) Hey girl! -laughs- yeah…sorry for the mini M.I.A. I'll be adding new chapters to a lot of my fics soon so hooray for that. Thanks for the sweet reviews as always and I'll try to finish this fic up as soon as I can.

 

( Bombayoni ) Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and yes I'll try to finish this fic up quick so you don't have to wait.