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"High Rolling"Written By: ShenLong Disclaimer: I don't own the Gundam boys, they belong to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I have also used inspiration from the Cirque Du Soleil show 'Zumanity' for this fic without permission; also several of the hotels that will feature in this fic are real. No disrespect is intended to the show or the hotels. Written for pleasure not profit. Rating: NC 17 Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 Warnings: Yaoi, Lemons, limes, angst, sap, OOC, AU, gambling Summary: Duo is a multi millionaire having made his money in computer games and is working himself into the ground. Hilde, his secretary and best friend convinces him to take a vacation – to Las Vegas. Dedication: To Leslie, not only for giving me the plot bunny and breeding said plot bunny by taking me to see the show but for also being a wonderful friend and excellent 'tour guide'. Hope you enjoy what Fred did with the idea, Les! *hugs* Betaed by the ever patient Karina *snugs* Archive: www.gundam-wing-diaries.foreverfandom.net Anyone else please ask.
"High Rolling" August. 2015 ShenLong Chapter 22 While Hilde was busy typing up her notes into a more legible format for Quatre, Duo took the opportunity to call Heero. “Hey there,” Duo said softly when the call connected. “Hey yourself,” Heero replied. “How is it going with Quatre?” “Pretty interesting. I can't really say much about it over the phone, but suffice to say, he seems to be onto something, something that's both interesting and intriguing.” “I see and I understand. Do you think you will be able to get some time away? Time to spend on us?” Duo chuckled. “Yeah, I'm sure I will and that's also why I'm calling. Your show is at three, right?” “Yes, it is. I'll be heading down in about half an hour to start warm up.” “I've got a bit of research to do and put together for Quatre in regards to this idea of his. I can do the research whilst your show is on and meet up with you after the show for a while. When it's time for your second performance, I'll start to put together what I've found for Quatre and that way I'll be free after your show and we can grab a bite to eat or something?” “That sounds fine to me. Want to meet me backstage around five?” “Mmm, will you still be in costume?” Duo's voice was low and silky. “Probably not after the afternoon performance, but I can keep it on if you want once the evening one is done,” Heero purred. “Ah,” Duo moaned, “Ummm, better not. If we're going to grab a bite to eat after the show I really don't want all those women – or other men – ogling my boyfriend,” Duo replied. “Good point,” Heero snickered. “I'd best let you go and get yourself warmed up,” Duo said with a glance at his watch. “I'll see you a little later then?” “You can count on it.” “Let Wufei know I'll drag Hilde along too, that's if she's finished typing everything up.” “Okay. I'll see you backstage at five.” “I'll be there.” Disconnecting the call, Duo pocketed his cell and stepped back into the business center of the Bellagio. Noting Hilde still typing away, Duo sat himself down at another console, logged onto the Internet and began to do his research. * “Thank you, Miss Hilde,” Trowa said as he took the offered papers from the woman. “No problem, Mr. Barton. I'll see you tomorrow.” With a smile, Hilde turned and went back out to the lobby where Duo waited. “All finished?” Duo asked. “Yep. I've given Trowa the notes from this morning's meeting so I'm officially free to go play,” Hilde replied with a grin. “How's your research going?” she asked as they linked arms and walked out of the Bellagio and towards the Strip. With the weather not too hot they'd decided to walk the short distance to the New York, New York Hotel and soak up a little of the Vegas atmosphere, plus see a little of the Strip as they went. “I've got most of it pretty much sorted, just need to put it all down on paper for Quatre. I figured I'd do that while Heero's doing his evening performance.” “Sounds good to me. I'll give you a hand if you like?” “Thanks, Hilde, if you don't mind it would help me a lot,” Duo smiled. “No worries, I know how slow you type and if Quatre wants that list by tomorrow morning, you'd be up all night doing it – typing I mean, not the other 'doing it',” she clarified when she saw the look on Duo's face. “Either way I hope to be 'up' all night and doing it,” Duo replied cheekily. “Duo, you're impossible,” Hilde huffed. * * * “What is this idea that Quatre has that he needs your advice on?” Heero asked, sitting back down at their table with a full plate of food from the buffet. “That's if it's okay for you to share.” Duo took a drink of his soda before replying. “I'm sure he won't mind if I tell you about it, but it is confidential, so please, keep it to yourself.” “Neither one of us will breathe a word,” Wufei said, “I give you my word on that.” “Thanks, Wufei,” Duo said with a smile, knowing the man could be trusted along with Heero. “He has an idea for a new casino game, something with a little more to it.” “How so?” Heero asked, digging into his late dinner. “It's really just an idea at the moment but he's thinking along the lines of combining something of a computer game with a casino game to give a completely new look to things. Something that takes a bit of skill and not just all luck to win at.” “Ah, I think I'm getting it. With your knowledge of computer games he wants advice in that area, correct?” Heero questioned. “Yes, that's pretty much it. He wants to figure out if it could be done and if so what would be involved,” Duo replied, mopping up a bit of gravy on his plate with a piece of bread. “Sounds like it could and probably would be quite complicated,” Wufei stated and leaned back in his chair, pushing his empty plate to the side. “It is. There's quite a bit to look into, not just the game side of things, but how to combine it all together to utilize the skills of playing with a game of chance.” “I'm afraid it's all well above my head,” Heero said and placed his flatware on the plate. “There is a whole lot more to it than that, but I think it could be done and if I'm completely honest here, I find it all very intriguing,” Duo said and pushed his now empty plate to the side. “Mmm, that was delicious.” “They do a very nice buffet here,” Wufei commented. “Heero and I have been here a few times and not been disappointed yet.” The four had met up after the last performance and gone in search of a belated dinner. During their walks between the Bellagio and New York, New York hotels, Duo and Hilde had side tracked into a few of the other hotels on the strip and noted that the Monte Carlo had a very nice buffet advertised. They'd suggested it to the other two for dinner and met with approval from both Wufei and Heero. “Well, I'm over this shop talk, it's bad enough we have to work, but I really don't feel like spending my free time talking about work too. So, who's up for dessert?” Hilde eyed the three men. Duo groaned. “I don't think I could fit anything else in.” “They have those little mousse things you like,” Hilde cajoled. “The ones with the whipped cream on top?” “And sprinkles.” “Oh, what the heck. I'm sure I can make room for just one.” * * * “Oh god, Heero,” Duo groaned and squirmed as Heero thrust slowly but steadily into his body. “Harder,” he cried when Heero's next thrust connected with his prostate. “You want it harder?” Heero purred. “Yes, oh yes. I need to come, Heero, enough of the teasing already,” Duo begged. He'd been rock hard for so long now, Heero having drawn out their foreplay to the point where Duo had been a moaning, writhing mess. Finally having his lover enter him had only added to his pleasure, but the slow and steady pace Heero had set tormented him to the point where he was sure he would explode if he didn't come soon. “Come here then.” Heero paused in his thrusting for a moment and began to raise himself from lying between Duo's spread thighs. As he brought himself upright, he pulled Duo along with him until the long haired man was sitting in his lap, legs splayed on either side of Heero's. “Oh yessss!” Duo hissed, settling into the new position and feeling Heero's cock slide deeper into him. The change in position not only allowed Heero deeper penetration, but the angle pretty much guaranteed that Heero hit Duo's prostate with at least every second push. “Too good,” Heero groaned and buried his face into the crook of Duo's neck. Similarly affected, Duo's head lolled against Heero's neck, eyes closed in bliss as he desperately reached for his orgasm that was so close he could almost touch it. Taking pity on his boyfriend, Heero managed to work his hand between their bellies and wrap around Duo's erection. He began to fist the organ in time with his thrusts and within seconds Duo was starting to shudder and moan uncontrollably. “Too much,” Duo cried out, seconds later his cock erupting with his passion. Slowing his thrusts for a moment, Heero concentrated on milking Duo of every drop. Once his partner had slumped against him, he began to thrust with abandon. His own climax was hovering and he fully intended to claim it. “Ah... Hn... Duo,” Heero moaned and then jerked as his climax finally found him. His eyes squeezed shut as his essence left his body, the waves of pleasure rolling through him and it was all he could do to keep himself upright. As Heero's climax eased, the two untangled themselves and flopped back to the bed. “That was-” “-unbelievable.” “I think you fried my brain,” Duo murmured. “In that case, I think you liquefied all my bones,” Heero snickered in reply. “You know, that hot tub is sounding like a very good idea right about now.” “Good thing we thought to fill it up before we indulged then,” Heero breathed. “Think you can make it to the bathroom?” “I might need a little help, my legs don't seem to want to work too good,” Duo chuckled. Somehow the pair managed to drag themselves off the bed and propping each other up, they staggered into the bathroom and waiting hot tub. * * * “I'll call you later,” Duo said and pressed a kiss to Heero's lips. “You'd better,” Heero replied and pulled Duo closer to him to partake of his own kiss. “Mmm, this is something I could get used to.” “Huh?” Duo said with a raise of his eyebrow, clearly not following. “Having you in my arms all night, waking up with you beside me in the morning and kissing you senseless before you leave for work,” Heero elaborated with a snicker. “Yeah, that sounds like perfection to me too,” Duo replied. “You sure you and Wufei will be okay to get yourselves back to the New York, New York okay?” “Duo, all we have to do is ride the elevator down to the lobby and walk back along the strip. I'm pretty sure we won't get lost.” “When you put it that way,” Duo gave a sheepish look. “Come on, Duo or we're gonna be late,” Hilde called from where she waited by the door to their suite. “Call me later?” Heero asked. “Of course. Good luck with the afternoon performance if I'm not in touch with you before then.” “Have fun,” Heero snickered and released his lover. “Don't worry, I will,” Duo smirked and picking up the folder with his notes in it, he pressed one last kiss to Heero's lips and left. * * * “Ah, good morning, Duo, Miss Hilde,” Quatre greeted as the pair were shown into his office by Trowa. “Please. Take a seat.” He gestured to the plush seats on the other side of his enormous desk whilst retaking his own. Trowa pulled a seat up from the side of the room and sat just to the side of Quatre. “Did you sleep well?” “Like the dead,” Duo replied, plonking himself down in the gestured seat. “I'm not surprised after all the nocturnal activities,” Hilde muttered as she took her own seat. “You can't talk,” Duo hissed back, doing his best to keep his face neutral in front of Quatre. “I'm sorry, did you say something, Miss Hilde?” Quatre asked politely while he flicked through a few folders on his desk. Doing her best not to blush, Hilde replied, “Just agreeing with Duo. Those beds would have to be the most comfortable ones I've ever slept in.” “I'm pleased to hear that.” Quatre found the folder he was looking for and opened it up. “Right, shall we get down to business?” Both Duo and Hilde nodded, Hilde getting her notebook out and pen ready, Duo settling his own folder on his knee. “Thank you for passing over the notes on yesterday's meeting to Trowa for me. I've gone through them all and consulted a couple of other people in regards to this idea and the feedback has been most positive. Now, Duo?” Duo looked up. “Did you manage to put together a rough list of the things I would need in order to pull this idea together?” “Yes, I have.” Duo picked up the folder and handed it over. “I've done up a basic list of the hardware you would need.” Seeing the slight look of confusion, Duo decided it would probably be best to keep things in simple terms. “By that I mean computers, the type of systems required, specifications and such. I've divided the lists into the various stages as they stand when putting together a computer game. Any modifications can be easily accommodated. For example...” Duo stood up to point out on his lists what he was talking about. “This one here, that's the technical design. These are the systems you would need and the people required to man those systems. This one is the production; again the system requirements and personnel required.” Quatre studied the various lists intently, following what Duo was saying and pointing out with relative ease now that he understood a little better. “There seems to be quite a lot, doesn't there?” he said as his eyes scanned over the neatly written pages. “Yeah, there is on paper, but some of those systems can easily be adapted to serve more than one purpose. Likewise, when hiring the relevant personnel it pays to take on those that have more than one skill set. A lot of techs these days start out in one field and branch into others as their experience and knowledge grows. It's not uncommon for a tech to have experience in several fields and that can also help to keep costs down.” Duo sat back down in his seat. “Does that help you out at all?” “Oh yes, it's a very good list and I now have a much clearer insight. Thank you.” “My pleasure,” Duo replied. “I spoke with a couple of other advisers yesterday and as I said before, they also have encouraging thoughts on this idea. I have a meeting scheduled this afternoon with my accountants to go over the costing side of things and dependent on what they say, I am seriously contemplating going ahead with all of this,” Quatre stated with a smile. “That brings me to my next point.” Quatre paused for a moment to study the faces of the man and woman before him. Encouraged by what he saw there and the information both had already provided him with along with their enthusiasm for his idea, he decided to go for it. “Duo, I realize you have your own commitments with your gaming company and I understand if you don't wish to answer the questions I'm about to ask, but I assure you that anything and everything that is said within this room will be done in the strictest of confidence and will remain within this room.” “Okay,” Duo replied, his mind a little confused as to the turn of events. “I do believe I heard you say that you are not contracted to the company that currently produces your computer games. Is that correct?” “Yes.” “May I ask if you are contracted to any other company for your games or committed by contract of any kind to produce a certain number of games per year?” Duo frowned, he really couldn't see why Quatre needed to know this, but then again, he really had nothing to hide either. “No, I'm not under a written contract to any company or committed to producing a set number of games per year. I'm totally freelance per say.” Seeing Quatre's eyebrow raise, Duo explained a little further. “Whilst I may not be under a written contract or even a verbal one, I still need a company that has the means by which to produce and market my games. So in one way I'm free to do as I please, but in another I am dependent on a company to a certain point.” “I see. If I may ask, what is the name of the company that currently produces your games?” “That would be Khushrenada Holdings,” Duo said with a growl. “You say that like it's a bad thing,” Quatre said, the curiosity clear in his voice. Before Duo could reply, Hilde got in first. “They want Duo to come up with sequels to some of his games.” Duo shot the woman a glare, he hadn't really wanted to divulge that information. “I take it you're not a fan of sequels, Duo?” Trowa asked. “No, not really,” Duo sighed. “Then that would explain why there are hardly any sequels at all to any of your games currently on the market. I often wondered why that was, now I know,” Trowa mused. “It's not that I'm completely adverse to sequels, but in the case of my games, all Khushrenada wants is a basic rehashing of the plot, setting the same game basics in a different location. It really doesn't give the player much of anything new to work with. To me it's kinda like stealing their money; that's what I object to,” Duo stated. “Khushrenada doesn't see it like that though,” Hilde chimed in again. “He wants the sequels, all he can see are dollar signs.” “It's pretty much a standoff between us right now. Treize wants sequels, I don't. I'd rather be putting my talents towards coming up with new games, but they usually take a while to develop, and that's just in the thinking them up stage and preliminary planning. Once that's done it can take up to a year or more to put it all together and get it out on the market. Treize doesn't want to wait that long for a return, hence the want for sequels in between thinking up and producing new games.” Duo scrubbed at his face. “If I'm correct in my thinking of what you've just said, Duo, this Treize person is giving you an ultimatum; either come up with sequels between new games or he won't back you anymore?” “Yeah, you pretty much got it in one, Quatre,” Duo replied and lowered his head. “That's great news then,” Quatre enthused and rubbed his hands together, the smile broadening on his face. “Eh?” Duo failed to see how the fact that his entire career could possibly be going down the toilet could be a great thing. “Duo, you said yourself that this idea of putting together a casino game based on a computer game would require either the rights to a current game or the development of a new game, correct?” The excitement was clear in the blonde's eyes. “Well, yes.” “Duo, I know I said I still need to speak with my financial advisers and accountants in regards to this idea, but if they're as positive about all of this as I think they are going to be, then I will need someone who completely understands the process to take the project on, oversee it, be responsible for the purchase of the equipment, the setting up of it all, the selection of the personnel needed to make it all work and someone to come up with a viable game.” Quatre looked pointedly at Duo. Slowly the penny began to drop with Duo and he raised his eyes to meet those of the blonde businessman. “Are you suggesting-” “Precisely,” Quatre cut him off. “Duo, seeing as how you don't have any contractual commitments, I would like to offer you the position of CEO of the new project.” The words hit Duo like a freight train. It was one thing to think it, but another to have his thoughts verbally confirmed. “I... Uh...” Hilde squirmed in her seat, the smile on her face going from ear to ear. She was so happy for Duo. “I understand that this is a big decision for you to make. There is a lot to be considered, but as the CEO you would be responsible for designing the game we would use, purchasing the equipment needed to put it together and hiring of the personnel to make it happen. I would of course still play a large role in all of this, but it would be under your advisement. Having said all that, there would be a generous salary, bonuses and of course, a cut of the profits due to copyright.” “I – I don't know what to say,” Duo responded, clearly at a loss at the way things were turning out. “What's so hard about saying yes?” Hilde muttered. Duo turned to his secretary and friend. “There's a lot to be considered here, Hilde. Things like living arrangements, working arrangements. It's a little hard to work on a project of this caliber from LA. Then there's you...” “What about me?” Hilde asked. “If I take this offer, you'll be out of a job.” Quatre had been watching the interaction between the two with a smile. “Actually, she wouldn't,” he interjected. Both Hilde and Duo turned to look at Quatre. “Duo, you will need a secretary to help you out and knowing how you have had Hilde working in that capacity for you for so long, it stands to common sense for her to continue in that role. If you do agree to come on board, then there is also an offer of the position of your secretary open to Miss Hilde if she wishes to take it.” “That's very generous of you, Mr. Winner,” Hilde said with a blush at his kind words. “Look, there's a lot to think about and I need to get moving very shortly to my meeting with the financial people. I don't expect an answer right away, Duo. Take some time to think about it, note down any questions you might have and we will talk about this some more. I'll have my advisers and financial people do up a proper proposal for you, it will include the expectations of the job, requirements, salary and all other relevant information. I'd suggest we meet again tomorrow afternoon and I can pass the proposal over to you for you to read through at your leisure. I can also answer any questions you might have. Take a few days to think about it and I'd appreciate it if I could have your answer on Friday,” Quatre said. “Okay, that sounds like a fair enough deal to me,” Duo replied, head still swimming with information overload. “Great!” Quatre stood up and walked around the desk. “Miss Hilde, if you could again type up the notes from this meeting and hand them to Trowa later, I'd appreciate it.” “Of course,” Hilde replied, still excited about the proposal. “Thank you.” Quatre turned to Duo and offered his hand. “I'll meet with you tomorrow afternoon at four if that is convenient? Then we can go through the proposal and answer any questions you may have.” Shaking the offered hand, Duo smiled. “That would be fine. I look forward to reading that proposal.” With there being nothing further to discuss, the pair took their leave. Duo had a lot to think about. ~ * ~ tbc...
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