[wedding from hell] Title: Wedding from Hell [part two]
Author: ralphiere
Warning: language, AU, tweaking ages, sap
Disclaimer: I don't own them, thank you!
Notes: I changed POV and have to admit this part turned out a lot different than the first chapter. I hope it's still enjoyable!

Thanks to bleedtoblue for looking it over, you rock!

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The day Heero left for college he'd vowed to himself that he'd never go back, not for anything. He'd worked hard to get a full scholarship to a school over a thousand miles away from home just so he wouldn't be financially indebted to anyone, leaving no ties to the home he'd grown to loathe. Sure most would think that the whole concept of 'family' would've been enough to tie him to this town, but anything he'd learned about family he learned from the Maxwells and Heero knew they'd forgive him if he couldn't come back.

His parents were cold in a way that even now he didn't understand, and had long ago stopped trying. He'd learned about love and happiness spending time at Solo's house, and he was thankful for that. As he got older he could see so much of his parents within him it was frightening, and he shuddered to think what kind of man he'd have turned into if he'd been forced to grow up in that environment alone. Throwing sand in Solo's eyes at the age of four was the best life choice he'd ever made.

No, he wouldn't have come back for his parents, nor would he have come back for the money, but Solo had asked and that was all it took. Solo had been the only person he'd seen since he left and moved to California, and the miles between them made no difference - it wasn't biology that made family. Heero wouldn't miss Solo's wedding for the world.

He hadn't bothered to tell his parents he was coming, nor did he intend to. He'd be lying if he said returning home didn't make him uneasy, but as soon as he saw Solo walking into baggage claim it was worth it. Solo was the brother he'd never had, and the friend he'd never be able to replace. Heero had hugged Solo tightly as soon as they met, not caring that people had to navigate around them to get to the conveyor belt for their luggage. It had been two years since Solo had last been out to visit and Heero had missed his best friend.

After retrieving his bags, they'd walked out to the waiting limo while Solo tried to prepare him for the night ahead. Heero could handle the booze and the clubs, he could also handle the limo filled with Solo's other friends, but he couldn't quite wrap his mind around Duo's familiar smile on a stranger's face. He'd been stunned for a moment as he climbed into the limo and was immediately handed a beer by the boy who used to insist Heero needed to sleep with his stuffed bear when he'd crash on Solo's floor. The last time he'd seen Duo the boy was still waiting for his growth spurt to come so he wouldn't be the shortest kid in his class anymore and was writing angsty poems while listening to Slayer.

Heero had been stunned as he took a long swallow from the bottle, trying to take in the mixed conversations in the limo and trying not to stare. Duo's hair had been barely over his shoulders when Heero had left for college, and now it was below his waist. The scrawny kid had filled out and Heero figured Duo could only be an inch or two shorter than his 5'11". But once Duo opened his mouth and started talking Heero really recognized the man sitting across from him. It didn't take long before they were talking like the old friends they were, and Heero was relieved to learn that Duo hadn't changed a bit.

The limo was loud with music and conversation, and Heero wished for a moment of quiet so he could catch up with Solo. The guest of honor was busy laughing and joking with the other men in the car leaving Heero to talk with the only other guy he knew. He was content to be on the fringe, but was happy to have Duo's company as the night progressed. He'd never been much of a partier really, but drinking with Duo and watching that devilish smirk spread across his face as he was off creating chaos made it all worth it. Sure Solo spent some time with him, and he got to meet the other men in the wedding party and make small talk, but most of the night was spent with a drink in his hand as he sat back and watched.

By the time they'd made it to The Edge, Heero was drunker than he'd been in a long time. He'd forgotten all sense of propriety and was openly watching the way Duo's body moved, the way his braid would brush across his backside when he turned, and most of all the way Duo was looking at him. A nagging little voice kept reminding him that this was Duo, Solo's little brother, the kid who used to suck his thumb and follow them around begging them to play muckle. Heero basically told the voice to shut up; he'd care tomorrow because right now he was having too much fun. It wasn't like he'd intended to molest the guy - he just wanted to look and maybe let his mind wander a bit.

"Ever had a blowjob, Heero?" Duo had come up behind him, squeezing next to him at the crowded bar. Before Heero could sputter an answer, Duo was raising his hand and calling to the bartender. "A couple of 'blow jobs' over here!"

Heero had watched the michievious smirk on Duo's face widen as he turned. He was speechless with Duo so close, suddenly very aware of their close proximity and the heat coming off his body. Solo was going to kill him. Before he could come close to thinking of something to say, the bartender set two shot glasses in front of them and poured in the liquor, topping them off with a dollop of whipped cream.

"Alright Heero, as I am the expert at 'blow jobs', let me show you how it's done." Duo winked, the innuendo falling heavily between them as he lowered his head and took the shot glass in his mouth. Wrapping his lips tightly around the glass, Duo tilted his head back and let the contents slide into over his tongue. Heero couldn't take his eyes off the way Duo's lips looked, and the way his throat flexed as he swallowed. Setting the glass on the bar without using his hands, Duo straightened up and grinned. Heero noticed a smudge of cream on the side of his mouth, and just couldn't stop himself from reaching out and wiping it off with his finger. Without missing a beat, Duo's tongue shot out and licked the cream off before he could pull it away. "Your turn."

If anyone had told him he'd be bellied up to the bar, trying to will away a hard-on and getting ready to shoot a 'blow job' he'd suggest they needed therapy. But there he was, standing next to the closest thing he had to a little brother and wishing that the blowjob didn't involve liquor. With a deep breath he bent over and executed the shot perfectly. He didn't miss the way Duo watched him lick his lips afterwards with heavy lidded eyes that had little to do with inebriation.

There was no telling what would've happened right then if they weren't interrupted. Heero's ability for logical thought had floated away an hour before and it had been way too long since anyone had looked at him like that. The fates intervened as Solo came up behind him and planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Having fun, Buddy?" Solo grinned, reaching out to tweak Duo's nose over Heero's shoulder. "My days as a free man are numbered, Heero, so buy me a drink."

Heero was happy for the distraction, ordering a couple of drinks and watching Duo stagger towards the men's room. When he turned his attention back to Solo, his friend was giving him a questioning look and he realized he'd been caught staring.

"Are you having a good time?" Heero asked lamely, tapping his fingers on the bar and waiting for the drinks.

"Yeah, you?" Solo leaned against the bar, focusing all his attention on Heero. "I haven't seen too much of you, is Duo keeping you in line?"

He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he was really hearing the curious tone in his friend's voice. "Duo's ... entertaining as usual. I can't believe he's already old enough to drink."

"He seems to be enjoying your company." Solo smirked and cocked his head towards the bathrooms. "But it doesn't look like you mind much either."

"Look, Solo, I'm not trying to-" Suddenly the bartender was setting their drinks in front of them and Heero was saved from putting his foot in his mouth.

Solo picked up his drink, swirling the ice in the glass before taking a sip. "It sure looks like Duo's trying."

Heero just stared at Solo, totally at a loss for what to say. "He's your brother, I -"

"He's a nice guy," Solo interrupted with a small smile. "I'm not trying to start anything, but from my viewpoint it looks like you might be interested and I'm just saying it may not be a bad thing. You could both use someone nice I think."

"You never cease to amaze me." Heero shook his head and looked at his drink. Solo suggesting he hook up with Duo was the last thing he'd ever expected, and frankly he wasn't even sure how he felt about it.

"Just don't hurt him. I don't care if you're my best friend or not, I'll bust your jaw," Solo said with a smile before downing his drink in one fell swoop and setting the empty glass on the bar. "No matter what though, I'm happy you came man. Getting married wouldn't be the same without you."

"I wouldn't have missed it."

Solo gave Heero's shoulder a squeeze before he turned towards Roxy's brother, Frank, and challenged him to a game of pool. Heero sat rolling his glass between his hands, suddenly wishing he wasn't so intoxicated and could actually think. Did he find Duo attractive? Hell yeah, just looking at the man aroused every cell in his body. Did he find Duo interesting? Again yes. After the wedding could he ever bring himself to come back? Now that was the million-dollar question and he didn't like the answer he wanted to give.

"Alright everyone, your attention please!!"

Heero turned around to see Duo standing on a table, holding a bottle of beer in the air, and grinning like a fool. The noise in the bar quieted as heads turned to look at the spectacle unfolding.

"I'd like to propose my first toast as best man! To Solo, the luckiest bastard in the world, if you're interested in that whole pussy thing. May Roxy's pussy always be -"

"You little shit!" Solo was half laughing, half growling as he pulled Duo off of the table by his braid and spun him around. Heero had abandoned his drink and was closing the distance, knowing what was going to come next.

"Aw, c'mon Solo, she must have a great puss-"

Solo's fist flew, connecting squarely with Duo's jaw and shutting him up. Duo landed on his ass, looking stunned only a moment before he started laughing. As he rubbed the side of his jaw, Solo started laughing too, offering Duo a hand up off of the floor. Heero wasn't the least bit surprised by the incident, he'd only hoped to make it over in time to stop the blow but his reflexes weren't quite sharp at the moment.

"Your mother is going to have a stroke if Duo shows up in his tux all bruised," Heero admonished with a grin. It didn't look like Solo had hit him too hard - Duo was standing again after all.

"Sorry, but it had to be done, Ma would understand." Solo laughed and pulled Duo into an embrace. "When will you learn to just shut the fuck up, kid?"

"When you learn to stop taking things so seriously." Duo grinned, giving his brother a squeeze before stepping back. "Fuck, Solo, that really hurt."

"It was supposed to, moron." Solo's attention was drawn to where Frank was standing with a pool cue. "Take care of the moron, Heero, I don't think he should be left unattended any more tonight."

Heero couldn't help but laugh - it felt good to be home. He turned his attention back to Duo who'd lost his smile and was rubbing his jaw. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, do you think it'll bruise? The last thing I need is Ma after me."

Duo's sudden seriousness tugged something inside of Heero. It was easy to brush off the flirting of a drunken goofball, but the way Duo was looking at him now was extremely hard to ignore. Heero suddenly wanted things he had no right to ask for, and tried to push the thoughts away. He motioned Duo closer. "Let me take a look at it."

Duo didn't move for a moment, he just stood there and looked into Heero's eyes. It was hard for Heero to breathe under such close scrutiny, and he wasn't prepared for Duo to come closer and lean over the chair that was between them. He was drunk and his movements were clumsy, and when Duo leaned closer as if to kiss him Heero took a panicked step back sending Duo sprawling across the chair and onto the floor, knocking a table over in the process. Solo snickered loudly from across the room, and Heero shot him a look before bending to help Duo to his feet.

"Sorry, Heero," Duo said, his cheeks flushing red.

Heero might be drunk, but he was aware enough to know that Duo was completely shit faced and pretty much ready to fall down. "No worries, Duo. Come on, let's get you back to the limo, I think you've had enough fun."

Duo didn't argue when Heero slipped an arm around his waist and guided him towards the door. He looked over to see Solo watching them with an amused expression on his face. "I'm taking him to the limo before he passes out here."

"Have fun," Solo waved with a grin before turning back to his game of pool.

Walking slowly, Heero managed to get Duo to the limo before he fell down. Of course getting Duo inside was a different story. Heero had to drag and lift him into the seat, and as soon as he'd succeeded Duo had slumped over him. Shifting, he tried to move Duo's weight off of him and onto the seat, but Duo just cuddled into him with his head on Heero's chest.

"Stay with me," Duo muttered, draping his arm over Heero's stomach.

"I won't leave you," Heero whispered, stretching his legs out and resting his cheek against the top of Duo's head. It felt so good to have someone in his arms. No, it felt good to have Duo in his arms - he knew that it wouldn't be the same if it were anyone else. I am in serious trouble.

Both men were fast asleep by the time the bar closed and everyone else piled into the limo. Nobody bothered them as the car made stops dropping people off, and it wasn't until they'd reached the hotel where Heero was staying that Solo shook him awake.

"Come on, Heero, the ride's over."

Heero was disoriented when he opened his eyes to find Solo looming over him and smiling. He tried to let his eyes drift shut only to be shaken again. It wasn't until he tried to sit up that he became aware of Duo still sleeping across his chest. He looked down at the peaceful look on Duo's face before looking up at Solo. "Solo, we didn't - "

"I know, Heero," Solo said softly, lifting Duo up enough so Heero could wriggle out from under him. "Not that it matters to me either way." He let Duo down gently on the seat and turned to follow Heero out of the limo. "I think he likes you."

"I like him too," Heero said automatically, stretching the kinks out of his shoulders.

"Really?" Solo raised an eyebrow, letting the full implication of the statement settle in.

Heero looked at his friend for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. Not that it matters, I'm leaving in three days."

"It might, Heero, it just might." Solo gave him a push towards the hotel lobby. "I'll call you tomorrow, we'll hang out before the rehearsal and catch up."

"Sure." Heero waved over his shoulder and tried to walk straight as he entered the hotel and made his way across the lobby and to the elevators. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the limo pulling away, and tried not to think about the man sleeping in the back.

--


He'd slept like the dead, barely registering his cell ringing as he picked it up and stuck it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Still alive?" Solo's voice sounded way too chipper on the other end of the line, and Heero felt like smacking him.

"Yeah." Heero's voice was raspy and his mouth dry. He rolled over onto his back and rubbed a hand over his face, not bothering to open his eyes. "Why do you sound so fucking happy?"

"Roxy went to get her nails done with the other girls and she's no longer following me around the house obsessing about the wedding." Heero could hear the smile on Solo's face, and smiled in return. "I'm coming to pick you up, Heero, so get in the shower."

"What time is it?" Heero cracked open an eye, unable to tell through the thick drapes covering the window.

"Just past noon. Get up, I'm on my way over."

"I'm up," Heero said, not moving. "Bring some coffee?"

"Anything for you. Now get in the shower, I don't want to waste what little time I have left as a single man."

The phone disconnected without a good-bye, and Heero hit the end button on his phone before setting it back on the nightstand. He rubbed his eyes and stretched, trying to piece together last night. At the time he hadn't thought he'd been that drunk, but looking at it from the other side told a different story. The night before was fuzzy and distorted in his memory and it was all tinged with shades of Duo. He suddenly remembered holding Duo when he'd passed out and sat up abruptly. Immediately regretting such quick movements, Heero swung his legs over the side of the bed and took a series of shallow breaths as the room spun.

On automatic pilot, Heero sprinted to the bathroom and paid tribute to the porcelain god. After he'd hurled up everything he could possibly have left in him, he slumped backwards on the floor. This was why he wasn't a big partier; it was all coming back to him now. I'm a complete fucking idiot. Not wanting Solo to find him in the fetal position on the bathroom floor, Heero crawled towards the shower and turned it on. Slipping out of his boxers, he got in and sat on the floor under the hot spray. He'd wash in a minute - just the thought of standing made him want to cry. Letting the water flow over him, Heero was assaulted with images from the night before. Duo laughing, Duo leaning over the pool table, Duo with his lips wrapped around a shot glass ... Duo sleeping across his chest. If it weren't for the wedding he'd get on the next plane and go back to California where it was safe.

By the time Solo arrived with a large coffee in hand, Heero felt much more human. He'd managed to finish his shower, drank an obscenely priced bottled water, and took four ibuprofen. The night before slowly filtered away in his mind, and he tried to focus his attention on the moment. Solo didn't look like he was faring any better in this 'morning after', and that went a long way in making Heero feel much better.

"How're you feeling?" Solo threw himself on the unmade bed and laced his hands behind his head.

"Like I should know better," Heero replied with a groan. He was slumped in a chair sipping hot coffee, trying to will himself back to life. "You?"

"Like I'm the luckiest man on earth." Solo propped himself up on his elbows to look at Heero. "Last night I wasn't the brightest bulb on the tree and I thought it would be fun to show up at Roxy's. I won't go into details, but she's still willing to marry me."

"I knew you couldn't be left unattended," Heero snorted, taking another sip of coffee. "I thought Duo was with you?"

"Who's idea do you think it was to begin with?" Solo fell back on the bed and laughed. "I managed to carry the bastard into the house without waking up Ma and as soon as I put him on his bed he woke up. Asked me if I was going to try to get some."

"And of course you thought this was a good idea."

"Of course." Solo sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "I woke up her father and proceeded to vomit in his favorite rosebush. My in-laws love me."

"Hey, who wouldn't?" Heero shook his head, happy that the room was no longer moving on its own. "So how's Duo?"

"Still sleeping when I left." Solo raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Why are you asking?"

"Just wondering if the job of best man had opened up, is all." Heero kicked himself for asking about Duo.

"Seriously Heero, I know we don't really get into your love life, but I see the way you guys looked at each other and I don't have a problem with it."

"We were both shit faced, you're reading too much into this." Heero stood up and walked across the room, picking up his discarded jeans and tossing them on a chair. "Even if I was interested in Duo like that, I'm leaving on Monday. I have no intention of starting something I can't finish."

"Maybe you should read into this a little more is all I'm saying." Solo jumped off the bed and stretched. "Let's go get something to eat and then we need to pick up the tuxes before Roxy kills me."

--

"Do you want me to go look for it and bring it down if I find it?" Heero opened the car door and stuck one leg out, wondering again how he'd managed to get himself in this situation. "Or you could come up if you want."

He watched Duo's brain work for a moment before he turned the engine off. "I don't mind coming to look. I can't believe Solo just noticed now he was missing his cell phone."

Heero shrugged, inwardly agreeing with Duo. Thinking back he couldn't remember Solo using his cell as they'd run errands for the wedding and hung out throughout the afternoon. He'd called Roxy once during the day, but Heero had his cell out so Solo had just used that. Of course he was still trying to figure out how Solo had suckered Duo into driving him back to the hotel and looking for his phone after they'd finished at the rehearsal dinner.

"Well, Solo has a lot of stuff on his mind." Heero got out of the car and swing the door shut, waiting at the front of the car for Duo to join him. Ever since Duo had given him a ride to the restaurant Heero had been trying to read him. The guy seemed a bit self-conscious, but that could easy be chalked up to getting shit faced the night before and having a void in his memory. They'd talked easily enough, but every now and again he couldn't help but notice the way Duo would look at him. The looks were filled with curiosity, but also with a sadness that tugged at him.

They walked through the lobby in silence, getting into the elevator and riding up to the fourth floor. Heero thought Duo looked a bit edgy, and resisted the urge to reach out and soothe him. Leave it alone, Heero, you're leaving, remember?

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Heero offered Duo a small smile before he led them towards his room. Swiping the keycard in the slot, Heero opened the door and held it so Duo could enter first. He scanned the surfaces of the room looking for Solo's cell phone, but now that he had Duo in a private place he felt he needed to talk to him and clear the air before the wedding. The last thing then needed was a feeling of awkwardness between them. Tell him it's okay, you're flattered, and there's no hard feelings.

"Duo?" Heero watched Duo get on his hands and knees and look under the bed, trying in vain to not notice the way his ass looked bent over in his jeans. Duo looked over his shoulder as he straightened up with a questioning expression on his face. "I've been wanting to talk to you, but I didn't really want to do it with an audience."

Duo looked startled for a moment, suddenly finding his shoes very interesting. "Listen Heero, I know I owe you an apology for last night, I-"

"I don't want an apology," Heero said, shaking his head. "I'd like to apologize." Duo turned and sat on the bed, and Heero pulled a chair over and sat across from him. "I've been unfair to you, and need to come clean."

"How've you been unfair to me?" Duo snorted and stared at the floor. "It appears that I put you into some uncomfortable situations last night. I didn't mean it."

"You didn't mean it?" Heero raised an eyebrow, his stomach flipping suddenly. He wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish here, but having Duo deny an attraction was not it. "Any of it?"

Duo looked at him in confusion for a minute, seemingly speechless. "What do you mean? Solo told me I acted like a complete ass."

"And you're really going to listen to Solo?" Heero smiled, feeling slightly relieved. "Did it ever occur to you that he'd try to fuck with you?"

"I knew it! I knew I wasn't all over you last night." Duo laughed, suddenly much more relaxed.

"Nooo..." It was Heero's turn to look confused. "That part was true, but I didn't mind." Heero could see the panic sparking in Duo's eyes, and reached out and grabbed his hand before he could bolt. "We were both pretty wasted last night and that's the only regret that I have. What about you, Duo, regrets?"

Duo looked miserable and for some reason it made Heero feel better. "I behave like a total ass and you ask me if I have any regrets?" He snorted, looking down at the hand being held. "I remember lying with you in the limo ... I remember listening to your heartbeat ... would it matter if I said I'd do it all again if I had the chance? You're still going to leave."

"I'm still going to leave," Heero confirmed, standing up and pulling Duo to his feet. He hadn't intended this, nothing in his plans remotely suggested this, but he knew at this moment that he couldn't be happy any other way. "But it doesn't have to be the end."

Last night he'd been caught off guard when Duo tried to kiss him and he intended to correct that mistake. He watched Duo's expression as he touched his face and closed the distance between them. Giving Duo ample opportunity to pull away, Heero kissed him. It was gentle at first, but as soon as he started to draw back Duo wrapped his arms around his neck and deepened it.

Heero searched Duo's face when they separated, pleased with what he saw. "This is going to be complicated."

"When have I ever done anything the easy way?" Duo smiled then, and it was sweet and genuine. Moving closer he buried his face in Heero's neck and Heero was quick to hold him tight. "You mean this?"

"Yeah. I meant it last night and I mean it now, I won't leave you ... for long anyway." Heero rubbed his hands up Duo's back, the hardness of his body under the soft material of his t-shirt pleasant against his palms. "But I do need to go back."

"I know." Duo pulled away and looked up at Heero with a grin.

Heero was about to say more when the muffled sounds of a phone sounded in the room. He looked around and let go of Duo to walk over to the chair and lifted his discarded jeans from that morning. Underneath was Solo's cell phone. Heero picked it up and looked at the caller ID before answering.

"Yes?"

"Good, you found it." Solo's voice came over the line. "Where was it?"

"I just found it when you called, it was under my jeans on the chair."

"You just found it? What the hell have you guys been doing?" Solo paused a moment before laughing. "Wait, don't tell me - I don't want to know."

"Shut up, Solo, we weren't doing anything." Heero shook his head and grinned.

"Yet!" Duo said loud enough for Solo to hear. "Thanks for nothing Solo!"

"Yeah, thanks Solo," Heero said, looking at Duo with a serious expression. "I appreciate it."

"Sure thing, man. Hey, tell Duo that Ma's looking for him to help her move some furniture to get ready for Uncle Russ and Aunt Mary staying after the wedding." Solo spoke to someone in a soft voice before turning his attention back to Heero. "Listen, I've got to go. Send the phone with Duo and I'll pick you up in the morning on the way to the church."

"Alright, see you then." Heero hung up and handed the phone to Duo. "Your mother needs help moving furniture."

Duo shrugged, shifting awkwardly on his feet with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Yeah, I should go."

Heero nodded, stepping forward and pressing a brief kiss on Duo's lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."

It wasn't until the door clicked shut after Duo left that Heero realized he'd been holding his breath. He exhaled, sitting on the edge of the bed and trying to figure out what had just happened.

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