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"Sparks Fly"Written By: Fancy Figures Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, wish I did, just
enjoy writing about 'em for free etc Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, romance, Yaoi, lemon Pairings: 1x2x1 Summary: Duo Maxwell is this year's brightest
young entrepreneur. Heero Yuy is his sharpest and best programmer.
Together they created the successful dating agency, Sparks, with a
new and refreshing approach to matching people. A year on, their lives
are very different -- Duo has all the trappings of success and all
the company he could want; Heero is solitary and disapproving of such
a lifestyle. But they both have secrets to keep, and both are in need
of something -- or someone. When Duo decides to update the agency's
unique matching program, he and Heero are thrown back together again,
and there's a different kind of sparks flying. What with their very
contradictory natures, a malicious hacker, and a crisis at the agency,
it's not surprising they don't find it easy at first to get along. Other notes: Thanks to Suzanne, for suggestions
and inspiration! Written for gwyaoi's AU Novella Challenge
"Sparks Fly" Chapter 7 Though Duo would never have known it, Heero was watching him in return. Amanda thought he was scowling, but the expression actually enabled him to look up through his veiled lids at the man approaching. Heero had dragged on a shirt for the evening, one reasonably ironed, though he drew the line at a tie. Dammit, he didn't even own one! But when he saw Duo Maxwell, and the beautifully cut suit, jacket swinging from his shoulders and pants hugging tight to his hips, he realised how inferior he must look. And he understood with a hot, blinding clarity why people parted around Duo as he walked, why both women and men turned eyes to eat him up. There was a relentless voice at his side. "Mr -- Yui, was it? -- I'm sure you have some more information on this product development that Duo was hinting at in his speech, you work for him, don't you? Wouldn't you like to see your name in the papers tomorrow, alongside his? I can give you an exclusive chance for your fifteen minutes of fame...." Heero turned a look of such burning amazement and hostility on Amanda that - for almost the first time in her career -- she was rendered speechless. "Amanda!" Duo was there beside him now, turning sharp eyes on to the reporter, daring her to bother him. "I need a little time with my guy, OK? I think my assistant, Cal -- ah, I see you know him already - he has some introductions you might find more rewarding." He lifted a hand only slightly and Cal was there, smiling insincerely and offering to lead her away. He looked at Heero over Duo's shoulder, and their eyes met briefly. Cal looked away first. Duo turned to Heero, looking at his outfit with a mixture of surprise and approval. "Glad you came." "Statement or question?" Duo sighed. He didn't think anything would ever be easy with this man. 'Statement, Heero. I'm glad that you came. I suppose it'd be too much to ask that you're enjoying yourself." "It's not my sort of thing," said Heero, grudgingly. "Then I'm even more glad you bothered," said Duo, very quietly. Heero realised how close he was -- their arms virtually touching -- but he couldn't move back any further. His own fault for skulking away against a wall, in his usual antisocial manner. He met Duo's eyes, saw the genuine welcome. Wondered how he could be like that, when only a day or so ago Heero had shouted at him to get lost. Had been appallingly rude, in fact. Not a wise move, with your employer! Or with a man you wanted to ... well, that thought could make itself scarce. "Why did you come, Heero?" murmured Duo. Even in the middle of this crowded room, with music blaring overhead, raucous laughter and chat, and the nagging of reporters -- even with all that, Heero felt that they were the only two people there. He could feel the heat from Duo's slightly flushed face -- smell his aftershave. It made his head swim. He put down the wine glass -- he had no interest in it anyway. Nothing to do with the fact his hand was shaking. "I -- I came to see...to see if it was a success, of course. To check that you gave proper credit to the IT team." Duo took it as the gentle joke that it was. Heero wondered if he realised that he was leaning into him. He could hear him perfectly well, he didn't need Duo's mouth so close to his left ear. "And did you see what you wanted?" "I saw... yes, I did see those things. And perhaps I also saw --" he paused, tore his eyes away from the moving lips beside him. "I also saw some of the stretching that you described. That you suffer...." "I -?" Duo's eyes widened in surprise. His hand touched at Heero's sleeve. "The people here, Duo -- the press, the lawyers, even the staff. All calling for you, all needing you. How do you stand it?" The noise, the heat, the demanding bodies -- Heero hated it, and knew he wouldn't stay much longer. But he'd had to come -- to see Duo, to try to see how he looked to him, after learning more about him. Perhaps to talk to him about it. He thought that something was changing his way of thinking about Duo Maxwell. He was very confused, and he disliked the feeling intensely. However, back in this party context, Heero thought Duo seemed to be in his element. He could hear people calling his name, Cal waving impatiently from the other side of the room. The lights at the small podium had been brightened, as if they were expecting him to speak again. That hideous reporter woman was staring at them from beside the bar. Before Heero could possibly say any more, a group of office staff had clustered round him, drawing Duo away from him with barely a notice. "Autographs, love --" "Another champagne toast --" "I want to be in the picture with him, can I? Can I? --" Duo's mouth opened as if to speak and his look to Heero
was almost pleading. "Wait..." he may have mouthed. But
then he'd gone, with just the echo of the excited voices trailing
behind him. "Don't go!" Duo looked almost distressed. Heero looked behind him for Cal, but there was no sign of the assistant. No sign of anyone, really; no-one chasing the star of the whole show. Heero felt a panic rising up in him. A panic that fed his anger and his misery. "I've had enough of this cattle market. I've shown my face, shown that the whole damn thing isn't totally automated, haven't I? This isn't my scene, it's yours." "I want you with me --" The anger flared. "I'm not with you, Duo! There are hundreds of people with you, and at the same time, none at all. It's a publicity launch, not a dinner party!" He slammed a hand against the rail, shook its moorings. "Where the hell is my coat -? Tell me!" Duo leant back from him, but Heero could feel his eyes searching his face. "There's a room behind the reception -- the overflow from the cloakroom. If you were late arriving, it probably went there." Heero wheeled away from him, trying to control his breathing, and found the small room off reception. The desk was unmanned by this time, the party in full swing, and he pushed behind it, banging the door open impatiently. The room was dark and small, and crammed full of coats on rails, or piled on to a low couch. He struggled to adjust his eyesight. He had to get out of here. He shouldn't have come in the first place! He felt awkward here, no-one needed him. The sight of Duo in amongst his adoring public was sticking in his throat - And then Duo was there again, hissing into his ear. With an unusually sharp tone to his voice. Had he been drinking too much of his own champagne? "No, I'm not gonna let you get away with that prick teasing act again, Heero Yuy. Running out on me, time and again. You may have no respect for me as a man, but you can't say you don't feel something for me!" "Something -?" Duo gave him no time to argue, no time to draw back. He was the aggressor this time. He pushed Heero further into the darkened room, where his legs banged hard up against the couch. Duo stepped quickly in after him, pulled the door closed at his back, and they were in the dark together. "Don't be stupid, Duo -- people will want their coats --" "No. Not yet," he growled. "They're not all miserable, cowardly shits like you, leaving before it's even got started. There's plenty of champagne left to keep them occupied." "What did you call me?" breathed Heero. He felt uncomfortable in the dark, but the anger was rising too. And, he had to admit, an unnerving degree of excitement. "I'm tired of trying to understand you, Heero. Tired of feeling good around you, and then having you turn on me for whatever fucking reason you've thought up. For a second out there, you seemed -- I thought we were -- " Shit, shit, Duo thought, he'd not felt this angry for years, he couldn't find the words to express himself. Pretty fucking unusual for him! "I thought we were gettin' close, close, but you were just jerking me around as always, got your own fucking agenda that no-one else on this planet understands --" "Don't talk to me like that --" "And that kiss, that fucking kiss --" Duo's voice was fierce in his ear, and he had nowhere to go except back on to the couch. Duo had gripped his arms and he could feel his strength. "How can you do that, and then never refer to it again? Didn't you want it too?" "No -- I -- fucking - didn't --" Heero ground out the words, at the same time as his lying mouth reached for Duo's. He broke an arm free from Duo's hold, grabbed at his head, clumsy in the dark. And he kissed him again, swallowing the angry, shocked words. It was as fantastic as the first time. And Duo was ready for him this time, opening his mouth hungrily, sucking in his probing tongue. He pushed back at him, crushing his lips, groaning with need into his hot mouth. Again and again they ground against each other, and Heero's hands were tangled in Duo's hair, as Duo pressed against his chest. He fell back down on to the couch, and Duo reached past him, sweeping the coats on to the floor. He stumbled over them in his haste to get to Heero, to fall down with him, clutch him again round the neck, kissing, tasting, feeding.... Duo's hand slid in between the buttons of Heero's shirt. He felt the hot skin, the hammering heart. It was fabulous, the tight muscles under his fevered fingers were a wet dream come true. He felt Heero's hand push back ineffectually at him, then slide down his body, cupping his groin. Through the cloth of Duo's pants, he gripped his cock -hard. Rubbed greedily at it. Duo nearly shouted with pleasure. "As bad as me, eh?" Heero groaned and writhed under him, but he couldn't -- or wouldn't - break away. Duo didn't think he'd ever been so damn excited in his life, he was gonna come in his pants any second, but he was bloody well gonna take Heero with him when he did! He banged a knee against the couch, trod on someone's handbag -- but he wedged himself on top of Heero, stretched out underneath him, almost flat on his back on the small, lumpy couch. Duo could barely see him in the dark, just the glint of his eyes as they opened, as they glared at him. The shine of his teeth as he bit out at Duo's tongue. And their mouths still ravaged each other, still searching for the smallest drop of flavour, the furthest corner to explore inside. Duo leant down on his right arm, the other pulling Heero's head against his lips. He was no praying man, but in that minute he prayed damn hard for the strength to hold himself there, just a little longer. He pulled his leg up further on to the couch, prising Heero's thighs apart, and he ground his erection against the other man's groin. Slowly, firmly ... he twisted his body ... and -- yes! -- he could feel the answering throb in Heero's cock; hot and hard, even through the two sets of pants. Christ, he felt big and he felt good! "Don't --" groaned Heero, Duo thought he'd heard him say it a coupla times before, each time just before he kissed him again. And this time was no different; despite the word, his hands gripped at Duo's arms, and he was pulling him closer. "You are -- so -- fucking hot --" gasped Duo. "D'you know that? Since -- I -- first saw you..." but Heero grabbed more desperately, and Duo half fell heavily on to him, and then Heero's mouth came down hard on his neck, sucking at him. Duo yelped a little -- this guy was so damn confusing! -- but the thrill ran up his whole body, and he could feel his groin on fire. He fumbled down at Heero's pants, just as desperate to get them both free, but then he felt the grip on his wrist as Heero stopped him. "No.." he ground out the words. "Don't touch me ... not here ... just -- harder -- now --" Duo felt the delicious friction of their cocks rubbing together; heard the pounding of their hearts as their chests pressed; tasted the sweat on Heero's cheek as he bit down on his ear lobe. "Man -- I can't hold it -- oh God, Heero--" No, Duo groaned to himself, not so fast, not this time! -- but it was out of his control now, the agony was rushing in from every point of his body, every nerve was straining, and it was all ending up at one single point, one throbbing, aching point, one point that was currently crushed against the thigh of the most sexy man he'd ever met, ever kissed, ever -- ever -- With a moan and a gasp of Heero's name, Duo climaxed,
shaking and gripping at any flesh he could find, and grinding so hard
while he was temporarily out of his mind that he barely heard the
answering cry from the man underneath him. But he felt Heero's shudder,
and the sudden, rippling warmth against his own over-sensitive cock,
and he knew that -- if not for the fact they were still completely,
chastely, fully dressed -- Heero would just have come, deliciously,
all over him. "Oh, shit..." Heero's voice was almost a sob. Duo raised himself on one arm, moving his stiff, sticky legs with some difficulty, and looked straight into eyes that glared pure anger. Fuck, would this man never relax? "Heero, what is it? It was fantastic -- you were fantastic! I --" "No!" came the fierce reply. Hissed out at him. "I never wanted that, I can't believe you did that --" "Now wait a minute, I didn't see your dick complaining -!" He felt Heero pause, still half under him. Admitting, perhaps, that he was right. Duo knew that Heero had wanted satisfaction even more than he did. It wasn't a question of his vanity. It was the naked truth. And so Heero's rejection hurt even more. "Get off me. Get out of here." Duo scrambled up, tugging hopelessly at his twisted pants. The dry cleaning would cost a fortune. Perhaps he wouldn't bother -- just keep 'em as a souvenir... But he couldn't joke, couldn't enjoy what he'd just had. Not when Heero was so obviously disturbed by it. He thought he could see a shine in Heero's eyes. Shit... "Jesus, Heero, I didn't mean to -- to humiliate you... to upset you. I thought you wanted..." Whether Heero was disturbed or not, his anger snapped back with its full force. "You thought I wanted to be like you. Or is that what you want? Well, I am now, aren't I? Just taking what satisfaction there is in the moment -- in the second..." Duo flinched. "No, it's not like that..." "What is it, then?" Heero's voice was a hoarse
whisper. "Just leave me alone." He liked Heero. No -- to follow his own creed of honesty -- he liked him a lot! And he had no idea why, when Heero made him so angry, and so obviously despised him in return. Despite those amazing, mind-fucking-blowing kisses, and the way he sucked at his neck, played with his cock....God, the man was an animal! Did he have no idea how to behave with a lover? Lovers? Is that what you are? sneered his inner voice, back with a vengeance. What was that you just did? Would you really call that Loving? Duo shook his head, trying to clear the fog. And the growing misery. He didn't know what he'd call it; or what he'd call himself -- but he wanted to be called it by Heero. Heero Yuy... Was he gonna be the best discovery that Duo had ever
made -- or the worst mistake? "Nah, not yet," Duo was still distracted from the night before. Well, in truth, the evening before. From the time with Heero. He, Duo, had left the launch party around midnight, and -- an unheard of event! -- he left alone. This was despite a sizeable queue of eager fans hovering by the main exit, like beauty parade contestants. But one minute he was there, shaking hands, smiling tightly -- then he was gone. There were hundreds of people there, but the room seemed duller without him. The last few revellers were cleared away with very little problem in the small hours of the morning. Cal had covered for him, as he left. He'd seen the flush on Duo's face that he was pretty sure had nothing to do with champagne and news cameras. He'd also seen the little-boy look of confusion and misery. Something had happened -- something bad. Duo was feeling stressed -- it was a look that Cal rarely associated with his employer, and never in public. So he'd risen to the occasion, distracted three reporters simultaneously, and smuggled Duo out the back door to a cab. "Duo? Are you listening? I must talk to you about it..." In the cold light of the morning after, Cal dropped the bundle of papers on Duo's desk, the slam of their weight demanding his attention. Duo was far from vain, but he had grown rather used to the congratulatory stories in the press about him, the tone of affection that he had always inspired. "Read that," ordered Cal. And so he read. He read that his company Sparks, so recently launched on to the stock market, was planning a wild and outrageous change to its world renowned program, that would completely bypass the question of gender, and would match its clients with someone -- no, anyone! -- who met the criteria. Whatever the sex. He read on, in amazed shock. "It's an astonishingly arrogant move, threatening a loss of dignity and a destruction of moral codes that is more in keeping with a Greek orgy than middle America. But what should we expect from the self-indulgent Mr Maxwell? Whose own indiscriminate sexual behaviour is a common enough tale in bars, halls and stalls throughout the state! We should expect that he wants to bring us all down with him -- wants us all to join in with his own, warped view of a Pleasure Palace. "But will he be allowed to get away with it? "Today, the shares in Sparks -- launched only yesterday at a laughably bullish price -- have plunged to mere cents. "The public will decide whether they want this vision of Love! "The public will decide if they want their sexual preferences dictated by an amoral playboy -- they will decide with their feet!" "Let's see how many clients Mr. Maxwell has left
by the end of this day's trading!" Cal stepped quietly back, and closed the door on him and Duo. No need for everyone to know their business! He looked with hatred at the papers in front of him, willing them to burst into flames. Every one of them had been condemning of the development. Damning Duo Maxwell himself. The darling of the press had become the devil incarnate. Bastards! he thought. Hypocritical, two-faced bastards! Duo's voice was flat; it sounded very weary. "Who would have told them what I was planning? There were so few of us that knew. I only hinted at it last night, in my speech -- just a taster, to illustrate that there were great things planned for the future, that we'd not stand still, that the company would be worth everyone's investment... I was planning to announce the program enhancement more modestly, later in the month. And it was never going to be compulsory, of course not -- just an option. I knew that not everyone would welcome it..." Cal snorted. "Makes a better story, my dear, if they paint you as Satan himself, come to corrupt and disgust. Despite the fact most of them are banging everything and anything they're offered." "I should talk to the press..." "No, you shouldn't!" snapped Cal. "You're entitled to make whatever changes you want, Duo, to what is, after all, your own business. You don't have to justify yourself to anyone! Let alone the piranhas of the press. And, to be honest, this is probably the worst time to speak. Let the dust settle on the shit, Mother would say. And when I say shit, that includes those very reporters -- "Peanut Dick" Castle from the Times, and that Vulture Vince, and Ms Ballbuster Bradnam..." he rattled off several more -- and equally slanderous -- nicknames of well-known reporters and commentators. Despite himself, Duo had to smile. "Cal, those names! I've never known you so vicious --" "Sweet cakes, Mother's been calling them that for years. She knows 'em too well." He saw Duo's shoulders slumping. He was still struggling with such a vicious turn of his fortunes. He softened his voice. "Duo, you're just too - accommodating, I'd say. To have let them get such a hold on you. You must do what you have to do -- your real friends will support you through this." "But the market price --" "Fuck the market price!" Cal said briskly. His face twisted in sympathy. "Go home, Duo. Send all this lot in the office home as well, or we'll be besieged by reporters for days. Let me handle the PR, I can keep 'em guessing long enough to think this latest development is all planned. By which time, it'll have sorted itself out, eh?" "I don't know", said Duo. He looked dazed.
"I genuinely don't know." ~ * ~ |
