18-Feb-2006

Title: Splendor Restored 9/13+E
Author: BadMomma
Warnings: AU (my first), limey
Pairings: 1x2x1, some mention of 3x4, OCs
Rating: R for language and some sexual situations
Disclaimer: Own them, I do not.
Archived: GWA, ff.net, Under the Bridge
Feedback: Craved, greatly appreciated and always answered.
Notes: See Chapter 1. Heero POV here, again.
Summary: A Renovations Consultant finds more than just old buildings of interest on his new job site when he gets tangled up with the resort's Program Director.

Splendor Restored by BadMomma

Part Nine: Burning

Heero took his time on the way back to the bonfire. He had a lot on his mind. For one, there was the news of Duo's attraction to men. It might make things a little easier for him. If it turned out Duo didn't like him, wasn't interested in him sexually or romantically, so be it, but at least any overtures he made would not be considered completely out of line on principle alone. Theoretically.

He idly sipped at his new bottle of beer, considering a slightly more pressing matter, that of accounting for all the time he'd been gone. He ran through various scenarios, trying to come up with one that would adequately explain his absence.

The facts were simple: Duo knew he'd gone to use the bathroom in the apartment and to try to find Jax and Pax. Lucy knew he'd gone up to the apartment and that he was looking for the other guys. Jax and Pax had been in the apartment, and the bathroom, when he should have arrived and had clearly not encountered him. If there was any chance that none of them might talk to each other for the remainder of the evening, everything would be alright. But that wasn't likely. Not at all.

No matter how slowly he walked, the bonfire kept getting closer. And the scenarios in his head weren't getting any more plausible. Taking another swallow of beer he figured he could always use one of the lame excuses he had come up with and claim temporary stupidity. /The beer made me stupid./

He felt a little more at ease when he was finally able to make out the faces surrounding the big fire. Sitting on the blanket they'd claimed earlier were Hilde, Lucy, Walker and another resort employee whose name he couldn't remember. Jax was nowhere in sight, but a little farther down the beach, Pax was kneeling in the sand next to Clara and Jonathan. Judging by the look on Clara's face, Pax was explaining how he got the bandage on his hand. And finally, squatting a few feet away and off to the right, were Mike, some guy he hadn't met, and Duo. The three seemed to be involved in a very intense conversation.

Heero decided it would be best to return to his previous seat near the ladies from Catering. Dropping into a cross-legged position, he was immediately acknowledged by Hilde, who patted him on the leg in welcome and shot him a quick smile. Still running scenarios through in his mind, he listened with half an ear to their conversation, only occasionally making input. His eyes however were entirely focused on another, far more interesting, topic.

Jax had joined the nearby group seconds after Heero's arrival and had playfully shoved his friends around before taking a seat on the other side of Duo. The four men huddled a few feet away continued their intense conversation, occasionally causing each other to laugh loudly or attempt to talk over each other. They were far enough away, and the roaring fire close enough, that Heero was unable to make out what they were saying. He found himself repeatedly staring at Duo and the way he moved as he interacted with his friends. After accidentally making eye contact with the one man from the group he didn't know, Heero forced himself to look away.

He tried to focus on the conversation between the resort employees he was sitting with, but wasn't having much success. Every once in a while, he would catch the timbre of Duo's voice over the sounds around him. Out of the corner of his eye, he would catch movement and realize Duo was surging to his knees or waving his arms around for attention. It was becoming inordinately distracting and also incredibly embarrassing. Twice Hilde had caught his returning gaze and winked at him. The third time she addressed him directly.

"They're plotting something."

He turned to the voice at his ear and mentally slapped himself for getting caught again. "Plotting?"

"Oh yeah!" She grinned, leaning on his shoulder. "See that look in Mike's eye, the concentration on Nick's face?"

Heero again returned his attention to the small group nearby. He did note a slight gleam in Mike's eye, then moved his gaze over to Nick, obviously the one he had not met yet, and was surprised to find the man quietly watching him. A quick flick over to Duo and Heero's breath caught in his throat.

Those odd-blue eyes locked onto Heero and the world tilted on its axis. Duo's face looked even more beautiful by the light of the fire, that much Heero had already realized, but what was even more amazing was the look on his face. It was borderline predatory. A near wicked curve at one corner of his mouth with just the hint of teeth showing, his eyelids drooped slightly and then rose again. Then he blinked, slowly, and turned away.

"Oh my God, we're so dead! What the hell are they planning?"

The blood was roaring in his ears and Heero could barely think straight enough to decipher the rest of what Hilde was saying. He was finally regaining his faculties when she stood to walk away.

"Heero!"

He looked up at her dumbly.

"Stay here and keep an eye on them, OK? I'm gonna go see if anyone knows what they're up to. I'll be right back."

"Stay." He uttered in agreement, unsure that he would have been capable of doing anything else had it been asked of him. Gods in heaven, what was the meaning of the look he'd gotten! Frustrated with the intense reactions of his traitorous body, Heero closed his eyes and attempted a simple breathing exercise.

In for a count of five.

Out for a count of five.

In for a count of five.

Out for a count of five.

In for a count of-

There was a warm presence at his back and a pair of hands running through his hair.

"Sorry I left you to fend for yourself so long. You doing OK?"

His heart, if at all possible, beat even faster. "F-Fine. You?"

"Oh yeah! I'm doing juuuust fiiiiiine!" Duo's hands ran back and forth through his hair, messing it up even more than usual. "You've got really great hair, man."

There was a loud snort then and the body behind him leaned in abruptly, hands and forehead dropping to his shoulder. "Oh shit, I can't believe I just said that. Sorry, dude, I must be more buzzed than I thought."

An aborted sound escaped Heero's throat in the form of a grunt. His intention had been to dismiss the comment, to tell Duo it didn't bother him, but his mouth was dry and his tongue felt numb. He raised the bottle he was still holding to his mouth only to realize it was virtually empty. He pulled it away from his face and stared at it dumbly for a moment before resting it on his knee again. He wasn't sure when he'd finished it off. His mind and his senses were extremely fuzzy for some reason.

"All out? Yeah, me too." A bottle appeared momentarily before his eyes as a long suffering sigh breezed by his ear, causing his blood to pound again. Two hands were back on his shoulders, running back and forth before settling close to his neck; the index fingers extended around the front seemingly in an attempt to touch each other.

"D-Duo?" He managed to stammer.

"Are you having fun Heero?" Duo's voice was rasping at his ear. "Not sure if I told you already, but I was really glad you said you would come tonight."

"Me too," he croaked out, considering the bottle in his hand again. He cleared his throat and tried for more. "Thanks for asking me. I'm glad I came."

"Oh good." Was the gusty reply as that warm body pressed fully against his back. Then suddenly, a hand was trailing over his right shoulder, down his arm, past elbow to wrist, over his own hand and around the bottle there.

Duo's body had followed the path closely, leaning in and around on Heero's right side. His left hand had traveled across Heero's back, fingernails scraping lightly as they passed. Heero found himself staring at Duo, who had dropped to the blanket facing him, sitting hip to knee, their thighs burning in contact.

Without word or warning, Duo lifted the beer bottle still in Heero's grasp, tipping it up toward his face until Heero was forced to release it. Right before bringing it to his mouth, he looked right at Heero. It was the same look he'd delivered before. His eyes were blazing with the reflection of the fire, his lips curled in a sensual, soft, yet feral, grin. Rather than the hint of teeth, though, Heero was treated to the appearance of a wet, pink tongue. It peaked out, lapping once at the edge of the glass before extending more fully to catch anything the overturned bottle might surrender.

"It's empty." Heero stated, rather proud that he'd managed not to stutter or croak that time.

"I see," was the short breathy answer. "We should do something about that." That feral grin was back and the eyes were lidded again.

Heero fidgeted slightly under that intense gaze, managing only to brush his leg along Duo's and worsen his situation. He looked down at his thigh when he felt warmth on it. Duo's hand was running lightly on the skin between his knee and the hem of his shorts. It was a very different touch from the one Hilde had given him earlier. He stared at the hand rubbing his thigh, trying to formulate some appropriate response and failing. As luck would have it, he was saved from the effort by Hilde's return.

"Just the man I wanted to see." She plopped on the blanket next to them, looking between the both of them. "What are you guys up to? No one seems to know."

Smiling devilishly, Duo ignored the question in favor of one of his own. "Hey Hil, will you hand me an' Heero a beer from the bucket behind you?"

She frowned and huffed but did it anyway, handing Heero his without hesitation, but withholding Duo's momentarily as a warning. Heero downed almost half of it in one go. He'd never felt so thirsty in life.

"Spill, Maxwell."

"My mommy taught me how to drink without spilling."

"That's not what I mean and you know it. What're you up to?"

"Can't tell!" He shrugged, grinning evilly.

"Why the hell not?" she demanded.

"It's a secret!" He made a face that looked like he was shocked by his own words.

"Secret, shmeecret! You can't keep secrets from me!" She playfully slapped his shoulder.

"Got to!" He shoved her back.

It was like... like watching two five year olds, or... his fuzzy mind was trying to recapture some memory but it just wouldn't come to him. Their conversation continued on in that fashion and he tuned them out. He still hadn't quite gotten over what had happened right before Hilde's return.

Heero could still feel the echo of Duo's warmth at his back, the fingers in his hair, the slide of skin down his arm, the burn of that gaze against his own, the thrill of watching that tongue. He could feel his heart racing, his breath shortening as he lost himself in those recent memories.

Someone calling for Duo from behind him snapped him out of his trance. He turned to see a group of about six guys, most of whom he'd met, beckoning his friend. Duo dropped his hand on Heero's shoulder as he moved to stand.

"Look, I gotta go for a few minutes, but I'll be back before it all gets started. Just trust me, OK? I think you'll like it." He smiled and then almost as an afterthought turned to Hilde to include her in the promise. "It's kind of stupid and... well, I hope you won't laugh later, but I think it'll be fun, OK? Oh and, uh, stay here. Don't move!"

Just before stepping away Duo's hand brushed Heero's neck, barely tugging at the very edges of the hair behind his ear. It sent a shiver down his spine.

This is getting ridiculous, Heero's mind screamed at him. You're not some virgin school boy on a first date. What are you hesitating for, idiot! He wants you; he's making overtures; how much more proof do you need!

Try as he might Heero couldn't trust that part of his mind. It was the same one that had been egging him on from the very beginning. No, he wasn't some naive little boy, but just because Duo was being more tactile than usual didn't prove anything except that his inhibitions were down. They were both single, attractive and interested in men. Flirting didn't necessarily mean anything. He'd seen Duo flirt with plenty of other people - hell, the guy did it almost indiscriminately - so why should he be any different. Duo's friends had been right, almost everyone here was paired off with someone and he was one of the few people Duo could turn to at the moment.

Then, the thought occurred to him. If Duo could flirt with him, then he could flirt with Duo. It was only fair, his mind reassured him. As soon as he had a chance, he would return the favor. That thought produced a whole other kind of warmth inside him - one that necessitated a slight shift in his sitting position. Drawing one knee up close to his chest, he draped an arm around it. Camouflage. It was a wonderful technique. Heero closed his eyes and began to give serious consideration to what he might be able to get away with.

All too soon, though, those wonderful fingers were combing through his hair again. "You're not falling asleep on me are you? I'd hate for you to miss the highlight of the evening."

He opened his eyes to see Duo crouched next to him. Smiling lazily up at him, he replied, "Nope, just resting my eyes. So, do I need to do anything?"

Duo shook his head slowly, that strange, sweet, feral smile returning.

"I just sit here?"

"Mmhm. And watch." Duo looked pleased and mischievous.

"Watch?" His eyes traveled the length of Duo's upper body quickly before returning to his face. He attempted to duplicate that same appreciative smile Duo wore. "Good. I like watching."

Duo choked out what sounded like an aborted laugh. His hand went to Heero's head again and he lazily ruffled the hair. "I don't think I've ever seen you this relaxed, Heero. It's a good look for you." The pleased smile was back.

Heero hummed a response, reaching for the nearest beer while trying to think of something clever or suggestive to say. He gave up and went with the first thing that came to mind, lifting the bottle to his lips. "Must be the company." He flicked a look at Duo as he drank, hoping for a reaction.

Score! Duo's eyes widened a fraction, the slightest hint of surprise, trying to cover it with a distraction. "I think that's my beer you're drinking, buddy." He reached out for the bottle in Heero's hand and took a sip, returning it to rest against his own knee.

Feeling a little bold at his tiny success, Heero acted without thought. His hand reached out, covering Duo's, and brought the bottle to his mouth again. The strange angle caused a bit of liquid to run down his face and the neck of the bottle. Staring straight at Duo to ensure he had the man's attention, he drew both their hands across his face to wipe away the moisture. That got a good enough reaction from his audience, a small intake of breath and another widening of eyes.

Encouraged by the initial results, Heero forged ahead, making his most daring move yet. He focused on the bead of liquid dribbling down the neck of the bottle and stuck his tongue out to lap at it, purposely brushing against their joined fingers. That got an even better reaction, a barely audible gasp and nervous laugh.

Heero decided this flirting stuff was incredibly easy once you committed yourself to it. The fingers in his hair flexed against his scalp, pulling just enough to make him tilt his head slightly. He met questioning eyes.

The need to answer those eyes was negated when a chorus of cheers and whooping filled the air around them. It seemed the one missing piece of the evening's puzzle had been filled. Duo turned back from the scene behind them and gave Heero's hair another gentle ruffle, smiling.

"I gotta go now. Hope you enjoy the show." And with those cryptic words, Duo headed for the group of young men who were huddled around a battered portable stereo.

Heero watched the group exchange a few words and hand signals and then, all but one of them had lined up in two rows in a flat patch of sand, spacing themselves evenly and taking a similar stance. He had but a moment to wonder what they were doing, when the stereo erupted and his heart lodged permanently in his throat.

What had to be one of the most overtly sexual rock songs ever began blaring from the speakers and Heero found himself frozen in place, heartbeat thumping in synch with the heavy beat. He was rudely shaken from his stupor by the force of Hilde's body colliding with him on the left and Clara's on the right.

Both women squealed in delight and exchanged words across him as if he didn't even exist. Their words filtered slowly through his consciousness, as if he were translating them from a language long abandoned.

"Oh my God, I've heard about this but I've never seen it!"

"Damn, I remember when they were practicing for the show! They used to do it at my house. It's so hot! They're so frickin' hot! I can't believe they still remember it."

"Hoooo baby! Shake those hips!"

"Oh God, Hilde, this is... Aaahhhh! It's so great!"

Heero's eyes were riveted to the scene before him. Duo and his friends, good looking, athletic and apparently very talented friends, were performing an organized dance that incorporated tumbling, dancing, pelvic thrusts, gyrating bodies, waving arms and flying hair. The sight before him was intoxicating. It was breathtaking. It was... It was damn near obscene!

Heero could hear the hooting and cat calls from around him; the men and women in the audience both calling out to encourage the dancers individually. He could barely spare the thought that it was odd that the men were so into this. And yet all he could do was follow one set of hips, one swaying braid, one manic face. Some small part of his mind told him the audience's reaction was no more than you'd find at any concert - a phenomenon similar to mass hysteria. Shared excitement, shared remembrance.

Still following the movements of his heart's desire, he spared enough brain power to that last thought. Hilde and Clara's recent commentary came into sharp focus in his mind. They'd done this before. They'd performed this very same dance in their senior year in high school, for the variety show.

Someone's girlfriend, a cheerleader, had helped with the tumbling and acrobatics. Duo and someone else had choreographed much of the dance moves. Mike, Jax and a few of the others he didn't know as well had provided the muscle for the jumps and flips being performed and given the boys credibility with the jocks at the school. That first performance, by a group of eight seniors, had been single-handedly credited with tripling ticket sales for the second night of the variety show.

He tore his eyes away from the gyrating form that made up his universe at the realization that he'd been asked a question. He looked between Hilde and Clara, answering their inquiring gaze with a raised eyebrow.

"Duo, Nick or Jax?" Clara reiterated.

"Or Pax?" Hilde added vehemently, clearly Clara had omitted him.

Heero shook his head, not sure what he was supposed to be answering, but his eyes flicked up to Duo once again.

"I think he's speechless!"

"I think his vote goes to Duo! But for me, it's a tie between him and your brother. My boyfriend doesn't even come in a close third!"

"Screw my brother! I'm not sure who's hotter Duo or Nick!"

He heard them snicker and spared them a glance. They were leering at him. Deciding it would be best to remove himself from between them, he scooted back, giving them a wide berth and ensuring that they would no longer need to communicate by leaning across him. He hoped it would be enough to exclude him from any future debates of that nature. The show was definitely causing his body to react, something he didn't really feel like broadcasting at the moment. He drew both knees up in front of him and clasped his arms around them.

It was almost over - he knew the song well enough to know that. All he needed to do was survive a few more seconds and then attempt to slink away quietly. But it wasn't in the cards.

His typically quiet and reserved nature had likely saved him a load of embarrassment. No one would think twice about the fact that he hadn't moved from his place on the ground. With the end of the song, the others swarmed around the dancers, congratulating them, thanking them and gushing over their performance. He sat and attempted to will away the physical evidence of his reaction.

That dance number had been the icing on the proverbial cake of that evening. He'd experienced more ups and downs than a rollercoaster ride. He'd learned that the only guy who'd really caught his interest in years might be disposed to return that interest. He'd deliberately flirted with him and then openly ogled him in front of complete strangers. Granted, he hadn't been the only one ogling Duo, but still, it was very out of character for him.

Heero visually sought Duo out from his place on the sand and almost instantly regretted it. Duo was surrounded by a small group of friends, but Heero could clearly see his face, flushed from exertion, the sweaty shirt clinging to his lean torso, a sheen of moisture on his arms and neck.

He swallowed hard, trying to clear the image from his mind. It wasn't helping his situation any and he really needed to be able to stand soon. Fortunately, Lucy appeared a minute later to distract him, badly repressing her rather obvious amusement. Whether it was at him or the rowdy scene around them, he wasn't sure. She commented on the unexpectedness of the show, asking him if he'd known about it beforehand and chuckled goodheartedly at his shaky answer of ‘I had no idea'.

She accomplished what he had not been able to on his own. With his body calm and back under control, he soon found himself standing and walking back toward the house with her. He had volunteered to help her clean up without giving it much thought, but in truth he didn't mind. It would help him keep his mind off of other things. Little by little, as the crowd thinned and people left with their coolers and unconsumed beers, Heero managed to forget the turmoil from before. He was just getting ready to make his way home when he found himself face to face with Duo again.

"Hey Heero, you wanna stick around for a bit? The guys were gonna come up to the apartment to hang for a while, do a little catching up. I'm sure they wouldn't mind you joining us." Duo flicked a hand over in the direction of his two friends.

Heero noticed the near panicked look on Jax's face before he'd managed to cover it. They were hanging back a little from where Duo was, ostensibly checking Pax's bandaged hand for any sign that he might have started it bleeding again. Heero had a pretty good idea what they'd be catching up on and figured it'd be best to decline. When Duo tried to insist, he had to come up with a lie to get out of it without hurting his feelings.

"I really would love to, but I promised to call Trowa early tomorrow morning. We have some things we need to go over for that job he's finishing up. Maybe next time?"

Duo started to frown but then shrugged. "Yeah, next time, I guess. Well, goodnight then Heero. Walk safely!" He was back to grinning widely.

"Night, Duo," he called and began to move away. Heero waved then nodded at Duo's two friends, "Night, guys."

"Later Heero. We'll see you around! Maybe later tomorrow, we can do lunch or something, eh?" He wasn't sure which one of them answered because he'd already turned away. He waved over his shoulder and kept walking.

Duo called back to him again just as he was reaching the edge of the property. "I'll call you tomorrow Heero, OK?"

"Alright", he shot back, waving over his shoulder one last time.

Heero listened as long as he could to the sounds of them laughing and talking. Duo was trying to convince them to crash at his place for the night, but they weren't agreeing. He sounded slightly affronted by their rejection and tried to insist. They evaded diplomatically. He figured Duo would find out soon enough why they might want a little privacy. Heero didn't think he'd have a problem with it then.

I envy them, he thought to himself, I'd give anything right now to do more than just ‘crash' with him. If what he'd seen tonight was any indication, Duo was most likely interested. But he wanted - needed - to be sure. Heero liked Duo too much to chance ruining their friendship. He had to figure out a way to make it happen.

That single thought followed him all the way home, running circles in his head. Maybe he would call Trowa tomorrow, after all; he'd always gotten solid advice from his friend. And right now, he needed someone with a clear head.

End Part 9

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