Title: Start Me Up -- 8/?
Author: tkmaxwell777
Category: Shonen Ai/Yaoi
Pairings: 1+2, 3+4, 5+6, 13x6 mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, Angst, and Humor
Archived: Yep! Thanks Lev :) and TK's Violet Haven
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or its characters. I don't own "In my car (I'll Be The Driver)" either... Shania Twain does. I don't even own this AU idea... Nebula Omega does. *sighs* Alas, the plot alone is mine... *grins wickedly*... oh, let's see what fun we can have with it, shall we?
North Carolina, Las Vegas, and Atlanta flew by before Heero even had a chance to worry about them. He hadn't won a race yet, but he had placed well enough to remain in the top five drivers. There were still plenty of races to win in order to reach his goal. The Japanese driver was getting a better feel for Wing with each race, and he knew he had a good chance of winning the season.
Howard was still treating Heero like part of the family, but he'd settled for ruffling the Japanese boy's hair whenever he'd walk by instead of the enthusiastic hugging, which was almost as annoying, but acceptable in Heero's opinion. Although he had appreciated Howard's support the past couple of weeks, he'd reverted back to being a little more reserved than he had been before they'd left Daytona. That wasn't to say that he wasn't giving the friendship thing with the crew a chance. He and Wufei especially had found common interests, and Heero had even gone out after the races with everyone, trying to get to know them. He wasn't the life of the party, by any means, but he would have a drink with them, and engage in polite conversation. It was definitely a step in the right direction.
The only person he was having problems with now was Duo. Not only had the other boy kept from interfering with Quatre's spotting, he'd barely spoken to Heero. Heero would catch the braided mechanic looking at him, but instead of Duo smiling and flirting, he would just turn away. Heero didn't know what to do. He had actually begun to get used to the teasing. Now, Duo just seemed to ignore him unless they were discussing the car or a race. Most curious of all was that ever since Howard had started calling Heero 'Ro', Duo had stopped, and for some reason, that bothered Heero more than anything. It was the night before the race at Darlington that found Heero contemplating the whole 'Duo is ignoring me' thing, when someone knocked on his door. He got up and answered it, surprised at who was standing there.
"Hiya, Heero. Mind if I come in?" Hilde asked.
Heero opened the door wider to admit the other driver. The dark-haired girl walked in and sat down in one of the chairs in the room. Heero closed the door and turned to look at her. She was dressed in jeans and tee shirt, same as him.
"I wanted to talk to you about Duo," she said with a sigh.
Heero gave her a hesitant look. "What about him?"
"He's been treating you like shit for the past couple of weeks now, and I just didn't want you to feel bad."
Heero raised an eyebrow. "And you would care about this because...?"
Hilde frowned. "Because I don't like him being an ass and hurting people, that's why." She took a deep breath. "Listen, I can tell that the change in his behavior is affecting you, and as a fellow driver, I know how important keeping a straight head is in this business."
"My head is just fine, thank you," Heero replied coldly. He didn't need Hilde telling him...
"Bullshit, Heero!" Hilde countered, startling the boy with her outburst. "I can see how you look at him when he walks away. It's bothering you, and the longer it goes on the more it will interfere with how you race. If I'm going to win fair and square then I have to make sure you're racing at your optimum level."
Heero just blinked at her. Well, this was certainly a different attitude. "All right, I'm listening."
Hilde smiled. "Good. What I'm getting ready to tell you needs to stay between us. He's been talking to me, but what he doesn't say is what tells me what's really going on."
Heero nodded despite his confusion as he walked over and sat down. "Okay... what's he NOT saying?"
Hilde stretched her legs out in front of her as she leaned back in her chair. "You need to understand that Duo is very possessive when it comes to Howard. He's the only family that Duo has left. Duo and Solo's parents were killed a few years ago, and even though they were adoptive parents, both boys loved them as if they were blood. Same with Howard. When Howard 'adopted you', I think it made Duo feel like you were trying to take Howard away from him." She put up her hand when Heero started to say something. "I know, I know, like I said, he's being stupid, but he can't help how he feels. Besides, I don't think he would have reacted quite that way if there hadn't been an even greater underlying reason."
Heero frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
"When you were being distant, Heero, he could flirt and tease you because you were safe," she explained. "He didn't have to really worry about you responding to his advances because you wouldn't even be friends. Now that you're willing to get to know him better, it's made him realize that you might just see the person he really is, and although he's friendly and open on the outside, he's got a lot of pain and anger on the inside. He's afraid you'll get too close, and he'll fall for you, and then you'll leave."
Heero felt himself blush. "I just want to be his friend, Hilde. I'm not... interested in him... that way."
Hilde laughed at Heero's expression. "Heero, I can tell that you're attracted to him, whether you want to admit it or not. I can see how he feels about you too." She winked at him. "It's really cute actually."
Heero snorted. "How he feels about me? He won't even talk to me except on a professional basis," he argued. "I don't think he feels anything for me other than disdain."
"Heero, he's hiding. It's part of his motto... he runs, he hides, but he never lies. Trust me, he wants to be close to you, but he's just too afraid of getting hurt."
"That makes two of us," Heero mumbled, flushing again when he realized what he'd said.
Hilde smiled. "Don't be afraid to love him, Heero. He needs you."
Heero shook his head. "Not if he keeps finding a reason to walk away. I can't let myself..." he stopped before he said too much. He didn't know Hilde well enough to talk about Duo like that with her. Even though she'd joined them for dinner after the races for the past three weeks, Heero hadn't really talked with her much. He didn't know why he had said what he had already.
Hilde gave him a look. "He needs someone like you, Heero. Talk to him. Even if he starts to walk away, follow him. I know it's not easy for you to do something like that, but if you really want him to quit being an idiot, you're going to have to show him that you can be just as much of a stubborn bastard as he is."
Heero couldn't help but smile at that description. "I'll try... I can't promise... but..."
Hilde waved him off. "Don't worry about it. I know how much of a pain in the ass Duo can be. You should have seen him when he and Solo first came to live with the Maxwell's. He wouldn't talk to anyone. Got into fights like you wouldn't believe."
"What happened?" Heero asked, not doubting for a moment that Duo could be like that as easily as he could smile and joke around. He'd personally been on the receiving end of that attitude already.
Hilde grinned. "Howard brought him to the track. One day, he smarted off at me, and I decked him. He had blood running down from a cut over his eye, and when Howard saw what had happened, he hauled Duo back into the garage... and proceeded to pull down his pants and spank him!"
Heero's eyes widened. "He didn't..."
"Oh yeah, he did. Duo was outraged. He was around fifteen at the time. I remember him cursing and flailing around, trying to get away, but Howard just kept whacking him. Finally, Duo just quit fighting and began crying." Hilde's eyes softened. "Howard pulled him into a hug and held him while Duo sobbed his heart out. I think we all kind of fell in love with Duo that day."
Heero remembered how Howard had been with him and smiled softly. "Howard has a way with troubled kids, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, he does. You're very lucky that he's taken you in, Heero. Damn lucky. Don't take him for granted... or Duo either," Hilde said as she got up and walked over to the door.
"I won't. Howard has come to mean a lot to me." The thought that Duo meant even more didn't settle well with Heero, but he was willing to acknowledge his feelings even if he didn't act upon them.
Hilde turned and gave him a piercing look. "Duo doesn't think you're going to stick around, and although he's used to losing people, he doesn't think Howard could take it. That's why he's so protective."
"I would never hurt Howard," Heero vowed, his eyes blazing with conviction.
Hilde nodded. "I know. You just need to convince Duo. Be careful with him, Heero. He guards his heart so closely, but you're a threat to those defenses. You could break through so easily, and leave him in pieces without ever knowing it. Just remember that. See you at the track."
Before Heero could answer, Hilde opened the door and left, closing it softly behind her.
The Japanese boy sat there, wondering what he was going to do.
Trowa watched his braided friend with a frown on his face. Duo had been a nervous wreck all morning, and the tall mechanic knew exactly why. In one word: Heero. The Japanese driver had shown up at the track that morning with coffee and donuts for everyone... and a special chocolate monstrosity and chocolate milk just for Duo. Duo had flushed, giving Heero a surprised look, before accepting it. Trowa had seen how the reaction had both pleased and frustrated Heero. He knew the driver was truly trying to be friends, and Duo was just making it so hard for Heero to do the simplest things.
Trowa remembered what he had overheard only three weeks ago at Daytona. He knew Heero was afraid of getting hurt, and that Howard had been encouraging him to overcome that fear and try to be Duo's friend at least. Duo was not helping matters by being so standoffish. The green-eyed boy sighed. Why did love have to complicate things so much? Why couldn't two people meet, get to know each other, fall in love, and be happy? He looked at the blonde standing a few feet away from him and sighed again.
"Why don't you just ask him out and be done with it?"
Trowa looked over at Wufei walking towards him. "It's not that easy."
Wufei shook his head. "I will never understand why people care more about their image than those they love." There was a bit of bitterness in the Chinese boy's voice that Trowa couldn't miss.
"I think it's more like they are cautious. I don't think Quatre would be the kind of person to hurt someone he cares about in order to be accepted." Trowa's eyes swept back over to the blonde owner. "If he found the right person, it wouldn't matter to him whether or not he gained people's approval."
"So why aren't you finding out if you're the right person?" Wufei asked in exasperation.
Trowa looked into indignant coal. "Do I really want to find out that I'm not?"
Wufei started to reply, then thought about his own situation, and nodded. "Good point." He hadn't even spoken to Zechs since finding the blonde with Treize. He'd seen him briefly at each race, but hadn't even acknowledged the other man 's presence.
Trowa could see understanding fill the other boy's eyes. "Yes, but sometimes love surprises us. I'm not giving up... just waiting."
Wufei couldn't help but smile. "That's what I like about you, Trowa. You're an optimistic cynic."
Both boys laughed. Their mirth caused Duo to take notice and join them.
"Care to share the joy here?" he asked, his violet eyes not quite as merry as his voice sounded.
"We were just discussing the pros and cons of risking your heart," Trowa explained, noting the startled look on Duo's face.
"If there's risk, you'd better be damned sure it's worth it," the braided boy said harshly. "Damned sure." He then turned around and walked away, leaving both boys staring after him.
Wufei looked at Trowa. "Am I missing something here?"
Trowa sighed. "I think Heero is trying to become friends... and Duo is trying to keep from it."
They exchanged a knowing look before Wufei replied, "I think Winner's idea of locking them up together in a hotel room is looking more and more sane."
Trowa snickered as Wufei walked away the other boy shaking his head. Trowa looked over to see Duo with his headset on, probably listening to Howard and Heero talking. The race would be starting soon, but they still had a few minutes. The brown-haired boy smiled; he had an idea.
"So if infinity is endless, how can there be a beginning of existence?" Heero asked into his comm. He and Howard had taken up talking philosophy. The 'prettier than' game had run its course.
"Time began. Time will end. Infinity is a perception of dimensional reality," Howard replied, and Heero could hear the smirk in the other man's voice.
"Sorry to interrupt you two," Trowa's voice came across the mic, "but I thought the object was to relax Heero before a race?"
"You have a better idea?" Heero asked, surprised that Trowa had been listening.
"How about 'name that tune'? Duo can start."
"Huh?" came Duo's startled voice in reply.
"Come on Duo, it won't be fun unless you play," Trowa cajoled.
A sigh could be heard over the comm. "All right. Who's first and what are we playing for?"
"I'm first, and we're playing for drinks," Howard declared.
Heero smiled slightly. This would be interesting. He listened as Duo sang the verse to a song he didn't recognize. The lyrics seemed a little... something he didn't want to think about at the moment.
"Duo, quit fooling around. That's 'I Wanna Sex You Up' by 'Color Me Bad'," Howard replied, completely surprising all three young men listening.
"Howard, sometimes you frighten me, man," Duo replied with a chuckle. "I don't want to even know how you know that. All right, I owe you one. Who's next?"
"Me," Trowa volunteered. Duo once again sang something rather 'suggestive', gaining a laugh out of Howard and a longsuffering sigh out of Trowa. "I can't believe I know this, but that's 'Push It' by 'Salt-n-Pepper'. You owe me a drink now too. Heero's next."
Heero adjusted his headset, anticipating what the braided boy had in store for him. He hadn't known the other two songs at all, and he wondered whether or not Duo would break the trend in song theme.
"I don't wanna touch you too much baby," Duo's voice sang, "Cause makin' love to you might drive me crazy. I know you think that love is the way you make it, so I don't wanna be there when you decide to break it."
It was a very familiar song to him, but Heero knew Duo had chosen it because he didn't think Heero knew it. His heart ached as he realized Duo meant it. "That's 'Love Bites' by 'Def Leppard'," he said softly.
The announcer's voice suddenly came over the speakers, ending the game. The race was beginning.
Duo yelled in pure delight as Heero crossed the finish line. They had won Darlington! Heero had run the race well, his pit stops gaining him positions, his driving maintaining them. Duo had never been more proud of a driver than he was at that moment. His mind went back to the game they had played right before the race, and he felt a twinge of regret over the song he'd chosen for Heero. He knew he wasn't upset anymore about Howard taking an interest in the other boy; in fact, he was glad that Howard had seemed to get through to him. No, he had to face reality, even if it meant getting his heart broken.
He had fallen for Heero already. What would a little friendship hurt?
Duo sighed as he watched his driver get out of the car, a satisfied smirk on that handsome face. Duo smiled as he walked up to the other boy. "Congrats, 'Ro," he said, throwing his arm around Heero's shoulder. "You really deserved the win."
Heero looked at him for a moment before he let a small smile appear. "I couldn't have done it without you and the crew."
Duo grinned, pleased by the response. "Well then, why don't we all go and celebrate?"
"Karaoke anyone?" Howard asked as he pulled Heero into a bear hug.
Duo sighed in relief when he didn't feel a bit of jealousy at the display. "I guess it's off to 'Frogg's'. I owe you guys shots, and it's the cheapest place in town."
Hilde pushed her way through to Heero, pulling him close enough to give him a peck on the cheek, causing Heero to flush slightly. "Winner has to sing, remember, Duo?"
Heero's face flushed even more. "Nani?"
Duo blinked. He knew Hilde wasn't interested in Heero, but he suddenly felt jealous. It should have been HIM kissing the other boy. He suddenly realized that he wanted that more than anything, and even his fear wasn't enough to keep him from deciding his next course of action. His grin turned positively wicked. "Oh yeah... I'd forgotten about that!"
"Wait a minute... I never agreed..." Heero sputtered as he was dragged along with the others.
'Frogg's' was a Karaoke bar that also served American fare. Heero found himself sitting between Howard and Quatre, facing Duo, before he even knew what was happening. Relena and Hilde had joined them, along with Noin and Sally. Their respective teams took up a few more tables. A couple of shots later, he'd thought they'd all forgotten about the singing bit; he didn't know how wrong he was until Duo stood.
"As we all know, it is tradition here at Darlington for the winner to amaze us with his or her vocal talents. Tonight, Heero Yuy is that winner. Go get your song ready, 'Ro. We're all ears!"
Applause resounded through the mid-sized bar, and Heero just wished he could disappear. He looked over at Howard, who only nodded at him encouragingly. He shook his head at the older man. Howard smiled.
"It won't kill you, Heero. Go pick out something fun and sing. It's not like it's a contest or anything."
Heero looked over at Duo to see those violet eyes flashing with humor... and a challenge? Heero suddenly saw this as some kind of test. Maybe if he went along with this indignity, Duo would see that he was serious about being friends. He sighed to himself, wondering when his whole mission had changed from maintaining indifference to cultivating friendship. With a shake of his head, he got up and walked over to see the list of songs he could choose from. He didn't even know these songs; most of them were country. He flipped through the titles, and one in particular caught his attention. He went over to the DJ and asked if he could listen to the song before singing it. The guy was more than happy to oblige him, setting him up on a personal CD player. After hearing it a couple of times, Heero smirked. Oh yes, this was perfect. Someone else was just finishing a rather lame rendition of 'Desperado'. Heero handed his choice to the DJ and waited until the other 'singer' left the stage before he claimed the microphone.
"This song is dedicated to my lead mechanic, Duo Maxwell," he announced nervously. He saw the surprise register on the other boy's face and suddenly felt a little more confident. Duo turned bright red as Heero began to sing.
"You can choose the channel when we're watchin' the TV. Oh, babe -- it's okay. And you can pick the flavor when we're orderin' ice cream. I don't mind -- yeah that's fine. I'd do-hoo-hoo -- anything for you-hoo-hoo." Heero couldn't help but give him a wink. He was beginning to enjoy this.
Duo just stared. He was so stunned he didn't know what to think. Heero was singing... a Shania Twain song? His mind just couldn't process it. When Heero winked at him, Duo knew he was really in for it.
"Ah, it's all right if you sleep with your socks on -- oh, babe! It's okay! And you can hurt my head with your favorite rock song. I don't mind -- yeah, that's fine. For you-hoo-hoo -- there's nothin' that I wouldn't do-hoo-hoo. You can put a hole in my shoe."
Heero couldn't believe just how good it felt to turn the tables on the braided boy in front of all of their friends. Everyone there knew how hard it was for mechanics to let their drivers do their jobs sometimes. He could see Hilde and Noin lifting their glasses to him, laughing and nodding.
"But in my car -- I'll be the driver. In my car -- I'm in control. In my car -- I come alive and. In my car -- I am the driver -- watch me now."
Howard looked over to see how his nephew was taking the song. Violet met blue-gray, and the grin that split Duo's face told the pit boss what he needed to know. He watched as Duo shook his head, laughing.
"You can blame me when you run outta razors -- oh, babe -- it's okay! And I will run around when you ask me for favors -- I don't mind -- that's fine. For you-hoo-hoo -- There's nothin' that I wouldn't do-hoo-hoo. You can put a hole in my shoe. But in my car -- I'll be the driver. In my car -- I'm in control. In my car -- I come alive and. In my car -- I am the driver."
Heero walked to the edge of the stage, getting more comfortable with moving to the music. The grin on Duo's face told him that the boy was taking it in good humor, and that was a relief. He'd worried that Duo might take the song the wrong way, but it seemed the mechanic understood this was all in fun. Heero decided he liked letting go like this; it was a freeing experience. He hopped down and walked over to his group, surprising everyone, including himself, when he sat down in Duo's lap. The look on the braided boy's face was priceless as Heero began the last part of the song, Heero trying to not laugh.
"I don't mind if you think you're the strong one, yeah. Oh babe! It's okay! And you can have your way, honey, even when you're wrong. I don't mind! Yeah, that's fine! For you-hoo-hoo -- There's nothin' that I wouldn' do-hoo-hoo. You can put a hole in my shoe. But in my car -- I'll be the driver. In my car -- I'm in control. In my car -- I come alive and. In my car... Not you-hoo-hoo, not you-hoo-hoo, not you-hoo-hoo. Yeah, in my car, I'll be the driver."
The whole place erupted into applause and wolf whistles as Heero leaned over and kissed Duo on the forehead. Violet eyes met deep blue as Heero pulled away. "I promise to not try to be the mechanic either," he said to the braided boy who was looking at him like he'd lost his mind.
It took a moment for Duo's mind to come out of shock. His heart was beating frantically as he heard Heero's husky voice. He realized the Japanese boy was seriously offering an end to their conflict. He smiled, his violet eyes filling with mischief as he pulled Heero back down, kissing him firmly on the lips.
Heero was taken off guard by Duo's actions. Warm softness moved over his mouth, and he couldn't help but respond to it, moaning lowly as a tongue teased him just for a brief moment before Duo pulled away.
"I think we have finally reached an understanding," Duo said breathlessly, grinning like a loon as everyone cheered, mistaking the kiss for one of his jokes.
Heero could see something more in those eyes, and although he wasn't sure he was ready for it, he nodded. "Just so we know where we stand," he replied as he got up, giving Duo a hearty pat on the back to keep up the 'just kidding around' act before he made his way back over to his own chair.
The look Howard gave him when Heero sat down told him that the older man knew better than that.
No one noticed the blonde sitting at a table in the corner; his eyes had remained on the black-haired boy that was with the rather noisy group, even when Heero had been on stage. Zechs was alone, wishing he could just go over with the rest of his fellow drivers. Most of all, he wished he could talk with Wufei.
When Wufei had found him with Treize, Zechs had felt his heart ripped apart by the look on the Chinese boy's face. He'd tried to tell Wufei about Treize more than once, but had feared the other boy would just leave him. How could Wufei understand when even he couldn't?
Treize had been so different at the beginning. He'd offered Zechs a retreat. By giving him a new identity, he'd helped Zechs to let go of his past and make a new life for himself. Treize had told him that his wife didn't love him, had seduced Zechs into his bed, and then had coerced him into signing several contracts. If he left Treize, he wouldn't be able to race for at least three years. To give up something he loved so much had been beyond his imagination...
Until he'd met Wufei.
Wufei had made Zechs realize that there was more to him than being a driver. Wufei had shown him what truly lay in his heart, and Zechs couldn't bear the pain of knowing he had betrayed himself as well as Wufei. He hadn't slept with Treize since that night, and although he knew the owner wouldn't put up with that for long, Zechs was trying to figure out a way to get out of this mess permanently. He had to.
He was in love with Wufei... nothing else mattered.
With a sigh, the blonde got up and left the bar. It was time to talk with someone who knew his situation all too well.
It was time to talk to Anne.
End Part 8
(:./tk/start8)
