NY
Chapter Two
Heero sat in a plush chair, dejectedly drinking his champagne. He was
bent on getting drunk before the night was through... maybe then all
these suitors would start to look better. Didn't his mother
understand... he didn't want a relationship right now, not after what
happened with Zechs. He sighed. His mother was introducing him to
another young girl, though he wasn't paying attention. When his mother
started glaring at him he realized that he was supposed to dance with
her... this would make it twenty-two dances so far.
Heero led the girl around the dance floor in a waltz that seemed
endless. She just kept talking and talking. Out of the corner of his
eye he saw some one on the outskirts of the dance floor, eating one of
those hors d'oeuvres they were passing around.
Pretty, he thought, before dismissing his current dance partner. "I'm
sorry, umm.."
"Dorothy," the girl said, obviously upset that he had forgotten her
name in the short span of their dance.
"Yeah, whatever. I have to go."
Dorothy stood fuming on the dance floor as Heero walked away. Heero, on
the other hand, had lost sight of the person in blue and was walking
through the crowd trying to find him. He finally spotted him out on the
balcony, staring out into the sky. He walked up behind the boy, who
looked like some kind of demon angel in his blue and silver ensemble.
"Beautiful view, isn't it," he said. The boy didn't turn to look at him.
"Yeah, it is."
"So why aren't you enjoying the party?"
"I don't know, it's not my type of thing."
"Yes, I know what you mean."
"You bored, too?"
"Maybe I wouldn't be if I had some one to dance with."
Duo, taking that as an invitation, turned around to accept when he saw
who it was.
"You!"
"I'm sorry, have we met?"
Duo inwardly fumed. The guy didn't even remember who he was.
"Apparently not."
"You do look familiar, though. But I don't remember seeing you at any
other ball."
"No, you probably haven't."
"Maybe I've seen you in Italy, or Paris? St. Tropez?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Well, who are your parents? They've probably consorted with mine at
some point."
So that was it, Heero thought he was one of rich snobs that ran in his
social circles. Duo decided to go along with it, just for fun. And for
the fact that he might get kicked out if he didn't. "Oh, you probably
wouldn't recognize them by name, they're in Russia mostly all the time.
St. Petersburg, actually. No time for social activities in the states."
"I see. Would you at least tell me your name?"
"Duo."
Heero waited for a last name, but didn't get one. "Well, since this is
my party, would you have the good manners to dance with me?"
Spoiled brat, Duo thought. "Sure."
Heero led Duo out onto the dance floor, holding him a little to close
for a customary waltz, but Duo didn't realize. It's not like he had
ever waltzed before. He didn't have a hard time keeping up with Heero
though, and he fell into step soon enough. The song ended and he turned
to go, only to realize that Heero hadn't let go of his hand and waist.
He started to protest but Heero just held him tighter and then the next
song started.
* * *
Dorothy and Relena scrambled to see who Heero was dancing with, but
couldn't see anything past the gorgeous gown and flowing hair.
"You know, that dress looks awfully like a Barton design."
Dorothy nodded in agreement. "You don't think Fei was holding out on
us, do you?"
"No, he wouldn't do that. Maybe this guy's an actor or something, you
know how celebrities always get the best gowns first."
"Yeah..." Dorothy thought that Heero's dance partner looked vaguely
familiar. "But somehow, I don't think so."
* * *
Heero had kept him on the dance floor for twenty songs straight now,
and his feet were aching. And it seemed as though Heero was pulling him
closer for every dance. Heero pulled Duo's waist in, so that they were
cheek to cheek, at the same time Duo leaned forward to squint at the
clock hanging on the wall in front of him. That's when he felt it,
something hard pressing against his stomach. He eeped and pushed away
from Heero, who was blushing furiously.
"I'm sorry," Heero started, but just then the clock struck twelve and
Duo turned and ran off.
"Wait!" shouted Heero, running after him. "I'm really sorry, you don't
have to leave the ball!"
Duo ran to a taxi, hoping that Trowa wouldn't be mad that he was late.
He hadn't counted on a flustered Heero Yuy running after him and adding
to the general hecticness in the situation. He stumbled as he got into
the taxi, and it wasn't until he was already at Trowa's studio that he
realized one foot was a lot more comfortable than the other.
* * *
Heero walked into Barton's studio, weaving past the frantic fitters and
models that were running around. He stopped in front of the famous
designer, who was adjusting the collar on one model's shirt.
"I have a question," Heero said.
Barton waved off an assistant who was inquiring about set lighting. He
didn't need to be bothered with something as trivial as that. "Do you
have my shoe?"
"What? How did you know about that?"
"It's fate, Heero. I knew you would bring my shoe back."
Heero looked at Barton funny before holding out the shoe and
continuing. "There was a boy at my ball yesterday, he dropped this
shoe. It has your name engraved along the heel."
"Yes, I though we already established that, it's my shoe." Barton
grabbed the slipper and walked over to another model, slipping the shoe
on her left foot. The right foot already held a matching slipper. Heero
looked at the model.
"That's the dress he was wearing."
"Who? Duo? Yes, I suppose it was."
"You know him."
Trowa rolled his eyes. "That's stating the obvious, isn't it?"
Heero was getting angry. All he wanted to was find Duo. "Can you tell
me where he is?"
"Why should I give you any information? You could be a stalker."
"You know perfectly well that I am not a stalker."
"But really I don't know you at all."
"You know my name, my reputation. That should be enough."
Trowa looked at him a moment before moving on to the next model. "All
I'll tell you is he likes to jog in Central Park in the morning."
Heero nodded. He could use that information. "Thank you."
Trowa watched as Heero stormed out... Duo would have his hands full
with that one.
* * *
Duo was jogging through the park, enjoying the surprisingly sunny
weather. Trowa hadn't been mad at all when he had returned some nights
ago missing one shoe, which was strange because it must have cost a
small fortune to make, but than he wasn't going to question anything
when it worked in his favor. He was stopping to get a drink when some
one crashed into him and they both fell to the floor.
"I'm sorry," he said, picking himself up.
"No, it's my fault."
Duo recognized that voice. "Heero?"
"Yeah." Prussian eyes looked up into cobalt. "Help me up? Onegai?"
Duo held out a hand and pulled Heero to his feet. "You don't go jogging
here."
"It's part of my new exercise regime," Heero lied. He had decided that
telling Duo he had been up since 4 am for the last three days waiting
for him wouldn't be news well received. "Want to jog together?"
"Not really."
"Well, that's not a no, right?"
Duo started jogging again, Heero falling in step beside him. "How did
you know I jog here?"
"What are you talking about? I started jogging here for exercise."
"I don't think so, Heero."
"I tracked your shoe to Barton, and he told me."
Duo wondered how Trowa knew such a personal fact about him, then
realized Quatre must have told him. Those two seemed pretty close. Duo
cursed Quatre for never telling him he knew some one that high up in
the fashion industry.
"Oh. Well, this is the end of my jogging route."
"Would you like to come to my penthouse for some refreshments? I live
here."
Heero pointed to the building right in front of them, a ritzy place
with views of the park. Duo had always wanted to see the insides of one
of those things. "Sure."
Heero led Duo into the building and elevator, using his key to access
the top penthouse level. When the elevator stopped and they got out Duo
let out a low whistle of appreciation. The top half of the walls and
the ceiling were all glass. The living room was decorated with simple,
avant-garde pieces, white leather and glass. The kitchen was ceiling to
floor marble, and the rest of the place had wall to wall carpeting.
Even the bathroom. He could see a hot tub in the corner, overlooking
the balcony and a breathtaking view of the city.
"Wow."
"Yeah," said Heero, "It's nice."
"It must have taken you a while to work up enough cash for this place."
Heero looked at him funny, and he remembered that Heero was one of the
filthy rich. "No, it's all paid for from trust funds and such. You
understand."
Duo nodded, wondering what he was doing here. Heero wasn't at all his
type. "Look, maybe I should just go."
"No! Stay, I'll get you something to drink." Heero led him to a couch
and walked into the kitchen. "What would you like? Water? Soda? Juice?"
"Water's fine."
Heero came out with two glasses, one water and one scotch, which he
proceeded to gulp down.
"Are you nervous?" Duo asked.
"No, why would you say that? I just have the most gorgeous creature
I've ever seen sitting on my living room couch, why would I be nervous?"
Duo smiled. Heero could be kind of cute. "So do you do anything? I
mean, besides run around and spend money."
Heero looked confused. "Not really. I help Mother coordinate
fundraisers some times."
Duo nodded in approval. "Fundraisers for what?"
"Various charities, I don't really bother to remember which ones."
That was okay, Duo thought, at least it was a start. Maybe Heero's not
such an asshole after all.
"Duo?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think we could... go out on a date, sometime?"
Somehow Duo's head started to nod yes before he realized what he was
doing. Heero's face lit up.
"Great! When's a good time for you?"
"Umm...I guess Saturday would be fine."
"I'll pick you up at six, then."
* * *
When Heero had said he would take him to a French restaurant, Duo
didn't think he would actually take him to France. But now here they
were, in Montparnesse, and he was eating violet flavored ice cream at
Marche Au Fleurs.
"This was all very nice of you," he said awkwardly. They had talked on
the jet ride here, but Duo had always steered the conversation away
from himself and onto Heero. Now that they had nothing to talk about he
was afraid the conversation would land on him again. He didn't know why
he didn't just come out and tell Heero the truth.
"Did you enjoy tonight?"
"Yeah, but it was a little extravagant. I'm not really used to it."
"Not used to it?"
The waiter interrupted them at that moment, asking them if they would
like some coffee to finish their meals. Heero looked at Duo, who shook
his head no.
"La facture, s´il vous plait."
The waiter nodded and walked off.
On the jet ride home Duo pretended to be asleep so he wouldn't have to
deal with the conversation. He needed to think a little. After spending
so much time with Heero he didn't think he was such a bad guy; and
Heero seemed to be completely enamoured of him. He learned that Heero
had gone to Princeton, where he had met Zechs Marquise, his first real
relationship. Then Zechs ditched him for Treize Krushenada, the direct
descendant of some great Russian czar, and had taken his cat with him.
Heero had really liked that cat, among other things. He liked tennis,
and cars, and helping at the soup kitchens his mother use to force him
to go to. He didn't really seem like such an arrogant guy.
They were walking out of the airport, where Heero's limo was parked
outside, when they ran into Relena Peacecraft.
"Duel!" she exclaimed, shocked. Her eyes widened even more at the sight
of who the boy was with.
"It's Duo." Duo corrected.
"Whatever. Heero, how pleasant to see you. I met you at your mother's
ball, I'm sure you remember me."
"Of course," Heero said, deliberately not addressing her by name.
Relena obviously didn't buy it, and she tapped her fingers against her
leg in annoyance.
"Then let me introduce myself. I am Relena Peacecraft, sole heir to the
Peacecraft line."
"It's nice to see you again, Ms. Peacecraft."
"Please, call me Relena." Relena looked at Duo and turned her nose up
in distaste. "Exactly what are you doing with... him?"
Heero didn't like the way Relena had emphasized 'him', as if it were a
dirty word.
"I met him at the ball, Relena, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't
treat him so disdainfully."
"The ball?" So that's why the figure in blue had looked so familiar.
"Don't be fooled Heero, that boy's nothing. He has no money and no
title to his name. He's just an accountant at Barton's store."
"Don't be silly. Duo's not an accountant, and of course he has money
and breeding. Right, Duo?"
Heero turned to face Duo, who was looking at him somewhat angrily. "Do
you mean to say you wouldn't like me if I didn't have those things?"
Heero looked at him shock. "You mean... you're not-"
"Forget it, Heero, I'll get my own ride home."
Duo ran off before Heero even had a chance to reply. Heero tried to
follow the boy but Relena got in his way.
"Heero, let him go."
Heero pushed Relena out of the way and ran after Duo, but couldn't find
him. But at least this time, he had a more concrete lead to follow.
* * *
Heero still went jogging every morning, but he never saw Duo. He
figured the other boy must have been avoiding him. He went to the
Barton store, too, but it had been closed the last few days because of
renovations. When it finally was open, he walked in only to find out
that Duo had left.
"Do you know where he went?" he asked the owner Wufei. Dorothy and
Relena were standing behind him.
"No, he just picked up his things and left."
"Well, you must have his address somewhere, for records and such."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Yuy, but those records are confidential."
"I'm sure we can come to some agreement, Mr. Chang."
"Heero, can I call you Heero? Let me give you some advice. If you're
looking for a spouse, you should stay in your own social circle. There
are lots of suitable girls for you in New York alone."
Wufei pushed Relena and Dorothy up a little bit, and Heero took a step
back.
"No, thank you." The girls pouted as Heero ran out of the store.
* * *
Duo woke up, yawning and walking to open his window. He needed some
fresh air. He sat on the windowsill, looking out at his lovely view of
a back alley. Sighing, he went back inside and got changed. The job he
had now wasn't at such a classy place as the Barton store, but at least
he was working directly with clothes. He was a personal shopper at
Bloomingdales. He was walking towards the subway when he looked up and
froze. Plastered on the back of the bus stops were pictures of him,
taken at the ball, with a short message at the corner. "Pier 43, 7pm".
"Hey kid," said a man who had walked up to him, "I don't know what you
did, but you sure are famous. You're on Times Square too."
"Times Square?"
"Yeah, a huge billboard, with this advertisement only bigger. What's
Pier 43, any way? Some new tv show?"
Duo shook his head as he ran into the metro. This was all Heero's
doing, it had to be. Who else would spend the money and effort? Pier
43... he wondered if he would meet Heero or not.
* * *
Heero walked along the water, eyes focused on the wooden planks at his
feet. He knew he was late, but he had to stop by to get something
first. He cradled a white box underneath his arm, careful not to drop
it or shake it too much. When he got to Pier 43 he took a deep breath
and looked up, seeing Duo sitting on the edge, calves swinging back and
forth in the water.
"Hey," he said, walking up to Duo.
"Hi." Duo got up and sat down on the bench, inviting Heero to sit down
next to him. They sat there for a while, Duo's bare feet still swinging
in the air.
Heero started the conversation. "Do you believe in love at first site?"
"No."
"No? You mean you didn't feel anything for me when we first met?"
"When we first met you were a total asshole."
"I didn't think I was that bad at the ball."
"We didn't meet at the ball, we met at the Park. You knocked me down
while you were chasing after Zechs, then you almost threatened to kill
me."
"Oh. That was you? I'm sorry I wasn't more polite."
"That's okay, that's when you didn't think I was in your class. Heero,
answer something for me. That day in the park, when you crashed into
me, and thought I was just some low-class average joe trying to make it
in this city, which I am, if I had asked you out, would you have said
yes?"
Heero answered truthfully. "No. But the point is, I did go out with
you, even if it was under false pretenses, and I really liked you. I
still do, regardless of everything. And I think, that if a certain
low-class average joe trying to make it in the city would ask me out
now, I would probably say yes."
"Only probably?"
"Well, I couldn't be certain unless it actually happened, you know?"
"Well, should we introduce ourselves, then?"
"Go ahead."
"My name's Duo Maxwell. I have no parents, and enough money to rent a
small apartment in South End. I'm a personal shopper right now, but
someday I'd like to run my own couture house."
"I'm Heero Yuy, and I've been a jerkoff all my life up until today."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"It's not fair- I've told you all about my life already."
Duo chuckled. "Okay, fine. Heero, would you like to go on a date with
me?"
"I'd love too. Duo, I have a present for you."
"Really? And we only just met."
Heero got down on his knees and opened the white box. Slowly, he took
out two glass slippers and slid them onto Duo's feet. "They're what led
me to you."
"Heero, those are an awfully expensive gift for some one you barely
know."
"They're worth every penny. Duo, you said that you didn't believe in
love at first site, but would it scare you off if I said that I do?"
Duo shook his head no. "Just don't say what I think you were going to
after that line."
"I won't. I'm just saying, give us a chance, you know?"
"Yeah. I know. So when do you want to go on that date?"
"Not on the weekdays, I work now."
Duo chuckled. "Seriously?"
"Yeah, just trying to make it in the city."
"What do you do?"
"I bought a charity organization, so now I'm the president. We collect
clothes and stuff for little kids that don't have any."
"Wow, Heero. You really are a Prince Charming."
Heero looked over at Duo. "Does that mean you're my Sleeping Beauty?"
Duo lifted up his feet, encased in little glass shoes. "I think it's
Cinderella."
Heero nodded his head in agreement. "It must be, then."