Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Tune Up ❯ Chapter 4

Disclaimer: Not mine. Somebody else’s. There, I said it.

Warnings: Look in the first part. They’re all there.


It didn’t take long after he woke on Saturday morning for Trowa’s nerves to kick into high gear. Several times he considered calling the house next door to cancel, changing his mind only by reminding himself he wanted to see Duo in formal clothing and a more formal setting. When he found his hand reaching for the phone the fourth time, he gave in and made a call, though it wasn’t to his neighbors.

As soon as he heard the line pick up, he spoke, “Get over here before I do something drastic, like cancel.”

“I’ll get ready there.”

Heero came through the door fifteen minutes later, a duffel bag in one hand and a suit bag slung over his other arm. Looking at Trowa, he shook his head, “Don’t you want to go?”

“I do, but I don’t. Heero, you know how I get around people I don’t know. What if I say or do the wrong thing and embarrass Duo?”

Nodding in understanding, Heero set his bag down and hung up his suit in the hall closet, “What would Duo say if he heard you right now?”

The last few evenings had found the four men together and Trowa was still stunned by the way Heero and Duo seemed to relate to one another, like they had an unspoken understanding. Trowa wanted to be jealous, but the sparks between Heero and Zechs were unmistakable.

“He’d probably tell me not to worry about what anyone else thought about me and to have fun. That doesn’t mean I won’t worry about it.”

“Then worry about what they think of you, but don’t worry about embarrassing Duo. He likes you for who you are.”

Realizing the other man was right, Trowa tried not to think about it at all. It didn’t take more than a few minutes before he sat heavily on the couch with a heavy sigh, “What if Duo can’t like me as more than a friend?” he asked, voicing his true concern, something that had been on his mind more and more often in the last week. The more time he spent with Duo, the more time he wanted to spend with Duo.

“Don’t borrow trouble. Have you made coffee yet?”

“There’s a full pot in the kitchen. I haven’t had any; my stomach is tied in knots,” he admitted.

Heading for the kitchen, Heero snorted and detoured toward the front door. “Maybe this will help calm your nerves,” he said as someone began to knock rapidly.

Opening it revealed Duo, dressed merely in boxers and an old robe he hadn’t bothered to tie. Before anyone could say anything, the long-haired man was asking breathlessly, “Is everything okay, Heero? I saw you drive by and got worried. Is Trowa all right?”

“We thought it would be easier if I got ready over here,” Heero lied easily. “Trowa’s fine.”

It was amazing to discover he actually was fine. Standing up, the tall man motioned Duo inside. “I’m fine, Duo. Come in before you get sick,” he added, seeing the small man was barefoot.

Looking down at himself, Duo blushed deeply and yanked the robe closed, tying it hastily. “I was getting ready to make breakfast and saw Heero. I thought something had happened and I guess I panicked a little.”

“You want some coffee?” Knowing Heero had already gone to the kitchen, Trowa felt comfortable enough to pull the shoulder of Duo’s robe up as it slipped off, fingers lingering on the bare skin of Duo’s collarbone.

There was no way to mistake the abrupt redness of the other man’s face at the light touch, “Uh, no. I mean…I was about to start cooking and just ran out all of a sudden. Zechs has no idea what’s going on. I should get back.”

“Zechs is on his way over,” Heero announced as he came back, a cup of coffee in his hand. “He’s bringing you some pants,” he added with a lift of his eyebrows.

“In that case, I guess I’ll take some coffee.”

Behind Duo, Trowa mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ to Heero before steering the other man to the kitchen. “How do you like it?” he asked, giving a blush of his own when Duo swiveled around to stare at him with wide eyes. “Your coffee,” he clarified hurriedly.

“Oh, light and sweet,” Duo replied, smiling when Trowa gave him a blank look. “Cream and sugar, lots of both.”

“Where did that phrase come from?” Trowa set out the sugar and the powdered cream he kept for Heero.

“I waited a lot of tables back east. It was a good way to make some extra money and my aunt and uncle owned a restaurant.”

“Where did you learn how to work on cars?” he asked, joining Duo at the table.

Doctoring his coffee, Duo shrugged, “My uncle was always tinkering, tuning up their cars when he had some spare time. I was always following him around, wanting to learn. After they both died, I quit school and worked at a shop near my cousin’s house. While I worked there I started to realize no one was going to take me seriously unless I had an education, so I got my GED and began taking classes at night. When I moved out of my cousin’s I already had a diploma for automotive repair and was able to get a better paying job.” Looking up, Duo must have seen Trowa’s baffled expression, “I wasn’t able to claim my inheritance until I was eighteen, Trowa. I had to earn a living just like everyone else.” Stirring his coffee, Duo grinned, “On a side note, I was the youngest, and smallest, person in my class. Even the girls were bigger than me.”

“I don’t want to offend you, Duo, but you’re one of the smallest men I’ve ever seen. I don’t mean just height, either. You are… little. Very muscular, but small.”

“I’m five-five, thank you very much. I’m not short, Trowa, I’m fun sized.”

Realizing if they were still standing Duo would fit perfectly under his chin, Trowa had to agree. It wasn’t hard to imagine how much of an advantage he would have over the smaller man in other situations, causing him to clear his throat and be grateful he had pulled on a pair of loose pants when he had gotten out of bed that morning.

Nerves a thing of the past, Trowa was able to joke along with the others after Heero escorted Zechs into the kitchen, the tall man holding a pair of sweatpants and one of Duo’s many tank tops. What Trowa didn’t expect was to be teased as soon as Duo stepped out of the room to put his clothes on.

“I’ll have you know I thought you were outside waving a flag of surrender the way he bolted out the door,” Zechs stated as he took a cup of coffee from Heero, blue eyes following the dark-haired man’s movements.

“He said he saw Heero come over and was concerned.”

“That’s a gross understatement. I’ve never seen Duo act without thinking before, not unless he was mad. It’s a good sign.”

Understanding what the blonde was getting at, Trowa aimed a glare at him, “Don’t start, Zechs. You know he hasn’t shown any interest.”

“Running out of the house half-naked says otherwise,” Zechs’ hand on his shoulder had Trowa stopping and glancing over, surprised at the serious expression. “He’s never acted that way, Trowa. Not for anyone. I’m telling you, this means something.”

“And I’m telling you, I won’t get my hopes up. I can’t afford to.”

“Let it go, Zechs. You can’t push what you want on other people.”

Releasing Trowa’s shoulder, Zechs frowned at Heero, “What does that mean?”

“You want your friends happy,” the dark-haired man stated bluntly. “It’s admirable, but no one can make them do anything. Give them the space and time they need to figure things out for themselves.”



Zechs and Duo stayed until almost two o’clock, reminding Heero and Trowa to be ready by five. The butterflies in his stomach that had disappeared with Duo’s presence abruptly returned, worse than before. He complained about it several times, but received no sympathy. What he got was a terse order to stop whining and take a shower.

It was a relief to discover he felt slightly better once he was showered, standing in front of his mirror, tuxedo hanging behind him. Trowa was mentally lecturing himself about his behavior when Heero came to the door, leaning against it and crossing his arms as he stared at the tall, half-naked man. “Why do I find Zechs attractive, but not you?”

The unexpected question had Trowa forgetting to be nervous. “I guess there’s something about him you find more pleasing. I’d say it was the hair, but then you’d be attracted to Duo, as well.”

“I never said I wasn’t.” Heero lifted his eyebrows when Trowa gaped. “Duo is attractive, Trowa. There’s still something about Zechs…” he lifted a shoulder, obviously confused.

“It could be that Zechs is your opposite. You’re an introvert. Like me, you would rather hide in the background and not attract attention.”

“Zechs and Duo both draw attention, even at home.”

Having seen people stare at the long-haired pair while they were outside in the yard, Trowa nodded. “Duo’s not as extreme as Zechs,” he noted, wondering why that bothered him.

“I think he was. I think he used to be. There are times when is seems he’s going to say something, but then he gets a weird look and stops himself.”

“I’ve noticed that, too. It probably has a lot to do with his life before he moved here, Heero. I won’t pry to satisfy an idle curiosity.”

“You can’t call it idle when you want him so badly.”

The intense look in Heero’s eyes had Trowa groaning, “Is it that obvious?”

“You and I have known each other since we were children. I knew the first time I saw you look at Duo, in spite of your arguments, just as you know I plan to sleep with Zechs tonight. You’re half in love with him.”

Heero’s announcement of his intentions was unsurprising so Trowa chose to leave that subject alone. “Half is probably a safe estimate, although it makes no sense. I’ve only known him a week and I don’t really know anything about him. At least your plans are based on mutual lust. Unless Duo is completely blind, he knows I feel something, but he still hasn’t said anything about it.”

“His last relationship ended badly?”

“He said it was a bad situation. That’s all I know.” Shaking his head, Trowa frowned, “My last serious relationship ended badly. That doesn’t make me want to stay alone.”

“Apparently, what happened to Duo was bad enough to make him consider staying alone. Four years is a long time without a date. You aren’t giving him credit for going to the ball with you. From what I’ve seen and heard, it’s a large step, especially if he was abused in some way.”

The strange aversion Duo had for bringing dirt into someone’s home began to make more sense. Remembering the way Duo had reacted over a possible grease stain, Trowa nodded. “I can’t promise I won’t, but I’ll try not to push him, Heero.”

“Good. I can see something between the two of you. Move at his pace and you could have something wonderful. Push and you could lose him completely.”



Firmly keeping Heero’s warning in his mind, Trowa opened the front door at the sound of a car horn and stared in shock at the stretch limo parked at the curb in front of his house. Heero pushed past him, chuckling as he pulled Trowa through the door. “We’re going to ride in this?”

“What did you expect?” Heero was clearly amused by his reaction. “Zechs’ family has a reputation to maintain. I’m fairly certain they always send a car.”

“I thought they would just drive. Duo has enough cars to pick one,” he mumbled as they moved down the driveway.

“There’s always a free bar at one of these gatherings, so everyone who can avoids driving. I’ve heard Relena say her brother tries to drink their parents into bankruptcy while at one of these functions.”

Trowa’s retort about Relena died on his lips as Duo and Zechs stepped out of the car with ease, as if they had done so a thousand times. He didn’t hear whatever it was Heero and Zechs said as the blonde led Heero to the car, his attention fully absorbed by Duo.

The other man’s tux was completely black except for a belt that was a white slash across his waist. It was astounding to realize Duo looked as comfortable in the tux as he was in his coveralls...and looked just as good.

The subtle shift of eye color, from cobalt to light blue, helped Trowa realize the long-haired man was as surprised as he was; the blue revealing vulnerability or surprise when it appeared, something he had discovered during their short acquaintance. With his voice coming out in a hoarse rasp, he told the smaller man, “You look really good.”

Duo’s pleasure was easy to see, lips curving in a shy smile. “If this was the surprise Zechs mentioned, it was worth the wait. You look amazing, Trowa. I didn’t know your ear was pierced.”

“I don’t usually wear an earring, but Zechs thought it would be a good idea,” Trowa touched the silver ring lightly, breath freezing in his lungs when Duo reached up to mimic the motion.

“If you two are done gaping at each other, can we go? I intend to hit the bar before all the good stuff is gone,” Zechs snorted from inside the limo.

After getting inside the car, there was another surprise as Duo poured them each a glass of champagne. His eyes on Trowa, he raised his glass for a toast, “To an evening that promises to be unforgettable.”

Trowa managed to squelch his nerves until they arrived at their destination; feeling like a rube, he stared up at the house as they got out of the limo. “Zechs, this is your home?”

“This is where my family lives. My home is at Duo’s house until he kicks me out.”

With Heero and Zechs walking in front of them, Trowa leaned down to whisper into Duo’s ear, “I’m going to get lost and make a complete ass out of myself.”

“You’ll be fine. You can’t get lost as long as you remember the four B’s,” Duo replied as they finally entered the grand ballroom, decked out in crystals and silver everywhere. Lucky for Trowa, the only people he saw were some servants making last minute adjustments or stocking up the bar.

“The four B’s?”

“Bathroom, bar, buffet, and balcony,” Duo smiled as Trowa glanced down at him. “Most of your time will be spent between the first three, since that’s where people tend to congregate. If, for some reason, we get separated or you need a break, meet me on one of the balconies.”

“One of the balconies?”

“There are five, but only one is usually used by guests. I’ll show you where the rest are and we’ll pick one to meet at. If something happens, head for the balcony, okay?”

“What if someone asks me who I am? I can hardly say I’m a vet’s assistant.”

Duo stopped and grabbed his arm, the first time he had ever touched Trowa without some provocation. “You should be proud of who you are. Not everyone has the heart to tend to sick or injured animals. If you don’t want to tell them that, just say you’re the guest of a wealthy restaurateur.”

“Of which restaurant?” Trowa was already more comfortable, seeing Duo didn’t really care what other people would think of him.

“Pack Burger.”

Trowa couldn’t help the snort of disbelief. “Pack Burger is one of the most successful fast-food chains in the country. What happens if the owner actually shows up?”

“I can promise he’ll be here.”

“Then why would you want me to say such a thing?”

Duo’s face turned crimson as he stared down at his polished black shoes. “Because it’s true?”

“You said your aunt and uncle owned a restaurant.”

“They did, originally. It started with one restaurant in Virginia. It was so popular they opened another, then another.” Duo was talking to his feet, not looking up. “When my aunt died, Jack put the businesses in his will for me. There’s a staff that runs the company. All I do is collect a check every few weeks and stick it in the bank unless I have to have it for something.”

Seeing the way Duo glanced at him from under the fringe of bangs, Trowa considered everything he had already learned about the other man, eventually shrugging. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I didn’t want you to look at me any differently. When people find out you have money, they change.”

“So you aren’t really a mechanic that works his ass off every day to make sure people’s cars run well? Does money change that?”

“No. I’m just a mechanic, Trowa. That’s all I am. It’s all I wanted to be for a long time.”

“It isn’t all you are, Duo.” Trowa waited until the other man looked up, his eyes a dark violet, revealing fear. “You are the most amazing person I’ve ever known and I’m just as fascinated with you now as I was when I first saw you.”

Duo stared at him for a long moment, until Zechs walked up and handed each of them a glass. Taking a look at the stunned expression on Duo’s face, the blonde smiled easily, “Finally tell him about the secret of your family, Duo? It’s about time.”

“You knew?”

“Of course I knew. How do you think Duo and I came to meet in the first place? I told you before that my parents don’t like anyone with less money than they have. When he lived here my mother was trying to set him up with Relena. It was amusing to watch as Duo basically thumbed his nose at the both of them and I’ve adored him ever since. No one’s ever had the guts to stand up to my mother like that, though she still likes him.” Looking at Trowa again, Zechs frowned, “Are you going to be okay? You look like you’re ready to pass out or something. Take a sip of that, it’ll make you feel better.”

“I’m going to go out on the last balcony,” Duo announced as servants milled around, putting the finishing touches on the buffet. “Come and find me if you want to talk.”

As Duo walked away, head down, Zechs leaned over and smacked Trowa on the back of the head. “You didn’t handle that very well, darling.”

Rubbing his head, Trowa blinked, “It was a surprise, Zechs. I need a minute or two to change my way of thinking.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Trowa blinked. “Why what?”

“Why do you need to change your way of thinking about Duo? He’s still exactly the same as he was ten minutes ago.”

Heero held up a hand, “What are we talking about?”

“Duo owns Pack Burger,” Zechs said with a shrug. “At least he owns it in name. He really doesn’t have anything to do with it other than that. He’s considered selling, but it’s the only thing he has left of his aunt and uncle.”

Lifting an eyebrow, Heero looked at Trowa, “It does explain the cars and how he could afford such an expensive piece of property. That doesn’t make him different, Trowa. It just means he has money.”

“This might surprise the two of you, but I realize all of this. It was just a shock. He could have told me in a better way,” Trowa noted wryly, taking a sip of the drink Zechs had given him and gasping at the strong burn of liquor.

“He probably didn’t know how. As far as I know, he’s never told anyone else. He didn’t even tell me, darling; I knew because of my mother. Do you know how hard it must have been for him to tell you at all? I assume the people from his past treated him differently because he had a substantial inheritance from his family. They wanted his money, not him. He must care a lot to tell you, Trowa.”

Eyes somber, Heero nodded at Trowa, “Move at his pace. That means taking the information you are given and not overreacting to it.”

“I wasn’t overreacting. I was trying to see Duo as a person with a lot of money. The idea won’t form in my head, to be honest. He’s still Duo.”

“Then maybe you need to tell him that,” suggested the blonde. Pointing a long finger, he stated seriously, “He’s on the balcony in that direction. It’s behind the buffet, almost hidden by a curtain. It’s where we go when we want to hide. You need to talk to him quickly because guests will start arriving within the next few minutes.”

Going in the direction Zechs had indicated, Trowa managed to find the concealed balcony, stepping outside and giving Duo a close look. The smaller man’s arms were braced on the railing, his face sad. “You shouldn’t run off like that,” he chided softly, making Duo jump.

“I didn’t run. I walked away so you could have a few minutes.”

“I could have taken a few minutes with you beside me, you know.” Taking a chance, Trowa put his hands on Duo’s shoulders, rubbing the tense muscles gently, “In the future if you have something to tell me that’s going to give me a shock, can you do it somewhere else, like at home?”

“In the future? You aren’t angry with me?”

The honest confusion had Trowa smiling, turning Duo gently and letting his hands linger a moment longer before dropping. “No, I’m not angry with you. Surprised, but that’s all.”

“You think of me differently now, don’t you? Now that you know I have money.”

“I know you as the mechanic that lives next door, the one that gets embarrassed easily and works his ass off. That’s how I see you, Duo. Money doesn’t matter to me. It never has.”

“People say that all the time.”

“In this case, it’s true. My parents had money, but it didn’t make them happy. They were miserable, no matter how many things they bought. I learned at a young age that money does not make a person happy. I make enough for what I need. The most important belonging I have is my house, and that is my responsibility. You are who you are, with money or without it.” Tipping up Duo’s face with a finger under the pointed chin, he smiled, “The only way to prove that’s true is to wait and see. I won’t disappoint you.”

“I trust you, Trowa. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have told you in the first place. I was afraid how you would react.” Duo smiled brilliantly, eyes back to their normal color. “You feel like going inside to help Zechs and Heero now? The ball will be starting soon and you’ll get to see how the upper class acts and why I don’t like being lumped in with them.”

Turning, Trowa held out an elbow, “You still need to show me where the bathroom and the bar are. I figured out the buffet and balcony.”










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