Disclaimer: The Gundam boys in their original incarnations belong to Bandai and Sunrise.

This is a prequel to 'All I Want For Christmas'
Pairing: 1x2
Rating: Lemon! NC-17
Genre: Alternate Reality, angst, parenthood

Notes: This is dedicated to my goddess of a beta, Alex. Please keep her in your thoughts... she's been in acute care for the last several weeks due to a nasty spider bite. She's on the mend and should be home in two more weeks.

Summary: Two lonely hearts meet.


A Boyfriend for Daddy
Part 3
by Artemis


Friday night.

Duo looked at himself in the mirror, smoothing the collar on his cotton shirt. Was red the color of trying too hard? Would Heero walk through the door and his eyes bulge at the sight of this shirt? Duo frowned, unsure. This was the third shirt he had tried on, and he didn't have time to iron another or to think about it anymore for that matter.

Solo was back, standing in the doorway of the bathroom, still dressed in his gray sweatshirt and pants, despite Duo having twice asked him to put on his pajamas.

"What happened?" Duo asked, his brow tightening. Why did this always have to be a struggle?

"Mary Berry can help me."

"Mary Berry..." Duo stopped himself. "Missus Berry is doing us both a favor by coming tonight, and I want you ready for bed before she gets here."

"But it's not time for bed."

"That's right, but we want to be ready so Missus Berry doesn't have to worry about getting you ready for bed later."

"Why can't you stay home and get me ready later?"

Duo squatted down and took the boy's hands in his. "I'm going out with my friend, Heero. Remember you met him at the park on Saturday?"

Solo nodded. "The gawking guy."

"How did you remember that?" Duo shook his head, barely stopping himself from laughing. "Never mind. I want you in your room, putting on your pajamas before I count to ten." He let go of Solo's hands and waited. When the boy did not budge, Duo started counting, "One, two..."

Solo's eyes grew wide as he heard the countdown. Before Duo could say three, Solo was running down the hall toward his room.

With a grin, Duo turned back to the mirror to look at the shirt once again. It was a nice shirt. He'd only worn it a couple of times, and it went well with his black jeans. He thought he even looked sexy with the top two buttons undone. If he played his cards right maybe more buttons would get undone...

**Ding. Dong.**

Duo's heart skipped a beat. Was it seven already? He looked down the hall and then to his watch.

"Ten minutes `til... must be Patrice."

He went to the door and let in his neighbor.

"Nice shirt." She smiled.

"It's not too bright?"

"No, it's a nice tomato red. Looks good on you."

Solo came running down the hall, pajama bottoms on, and top trailing after him, held in his hand. "Mary Berry!"

Patrice smiled, and knelt down to give Solo a hug. "I see you're getting ready for bed. That's a good boy."

"You need help there, buddy?"

"Okay, daddy."

The boy handed over the pajama top, and held his arms high in the air like he had just scored a touchdown. Just as Duo bent over to slip the top on, the doorbell rang. He looked up at Patrice and then to the door.

"Want me to get that?" Patrice asked.

"No, I just need a sec..." He turned back to his project, taking the extra few seconds to get Solo's soft, polar bear shirt on, and then he went to the door.

Duo looked through the peephole and smiled. It was Heero. He would recognize that dark shock of hair anywhere. With a deep breath he opened the door, smiling.

"Hey," he said, stepping back to let the young man in.

"Hi," Heero said.

"You're right on time."

"I wanted to make up for last time."

"You two been out before?" Patrice asked as she stepped forward.

"Just for coffee," Duo said, giving Heero a knowing glance.

"I'm Patrice." She held out her hand to Heero.

"Heero Yuy."

"Very pleased to meet you, Heero."

"Remember me?" Solo asked, coming up to stand in front of Heero and craning his neck to see the man.

"How could I forget? You're Solo."

"Right!"

"I see you like polar bears."

"I love polar bears!"

Heero chuckled, and Duo was relieved. Duo had been nervous about this next step, about bringing someone new into their lives. His and Solo's world was insulated and made secure by people they'd known for years. Heero was the first newcomer to make it over the wall.

"Duo tells me you're a federal investigator."

"That's right. Been with the Bureau two years."

"That should give you plenty to talk about." Patrice grinned.

"Uh, Patrice...," Duo interrupted. "We won't be late. I really appreciate you watching Solo tonight."

"My pleasure," she said.

Duo reached down, pulling Solo into his arms and then tossing him in the air, and catching him in a big hug. The boy laughed.

"Now be a good boy," he said, kissing Solo's cheek.

"I will, daddy!"

He set Solo down and motioned for Heero to lead the way. As Duo turned to follow, Patrice grabbed his arm, holding him back momentarily.

She whispered in his ear, "Very nice."

Duo smiled. "Thanks."

Patrice pushed Duo toward the door. "Have fun!"

+ + +

The Thai restaurant near the ballpark wasn't fancy, but it wasn't a hole in the wall either. It was just right for their first, official date. Its spicy, exotic flavors were the perfect foil for two young men wanting to impress each other with ever more daring and foolish usage of hot sauce.

The service was exceptionally fast. Within forty-five minutes they were done eating and the bill placed before them. They each eyed it for a moment and then reached for it, hands colliding.

"Let me get this," Heero said, holding one end of the bill. "You got the coffees."

"That was nothing."

"I can't have you paying for everything," Duo said, holding tight to the other end of the bill. "How about splitting it?"

Heero nodded, but waited for Duo to let go before he also let go.

Duo got out his wallet and glanced at his watch. It was just ten after eight—too early to call it a night, and too soon to be heading to Heero's for a fuck.

"What do you want to do?" As much as Duo wanted the sex, he also wanted this new relationship to be about more than sex. He enjoyed Heero's company. He enjoyed the man's observations and the sly, dry wit that snuck up on Duo when he least expected it. He wanted more of Heero, and not just more between the sheets.

"We could take a drive," Heero said. "The lakeshore highway is pretty at night."

"Sounds like a plan."

After paying for their meals, they jumped into Heero's Jetta and headed into the city. It was a perfect night for a drive. This first weekend of autumn was warm with the lingering remains of summer, and deep in hue with the anticipation of the turning leaves.

Duo rolled his window down, smiling at the rush of warm air. He got a good whiff of sand and freshwater as they merged onto the lakeshore highway, and could hear the fading caws of the seagulls, settling for the night. It had been a long time since he had been a passenger—in life and in a car. It often seemed his life was not his own. So much of it was focused on work and Solo that he sometimes forgot his own needs. He needed to slow down, enjoy more moments like this.

"What are you thinking?"

Duo blinked and turned to Heero. "Oh, just how nice this is... driving like this."

"It is nice to have an excuse to come down here."

"You need an excuse?"

"Well, I don't usually drive. I take the train when I can. Driving in the city is not my idea of fun."

"But this is nice," Duo said, encouragingly.

"Yes, it's a pretty drive."

Duo stared as Heero turned his eyes back to the road. Heero's profile was mesmerizing with the play of lights off the water behind him. He was a handsome man and Duo found himself once again thinking of sex. The night they'd shared still tumbled in his mind. He was glad he didn't have to fight that memory anymore.

"Mind if we stop?" Heero asked.

"Nope. I'm in your hands," Duo said, laughing.

Heero smiled, giving Duo a glance before exiting the highway. Duo watched Heero's hands. There was strength and surety in the way those hands moved on the steering wheel and gear shaft; movements that excited Duo, triggered memories of Heero's touch.

They stopped at one of the beach parking lots, pulling into a space facing the water and some distance from other cars. Heero turned the car off and the quiet made Duo smile. They could hear the rush of the water onto the shore and the occasional word or two from a conversation far away.

"You want to take a walk?"

"No, let's sit here," Heero said, staring out at the growing darkness.

A few fires dotted the beach. People were stubborn to give up the out of doors even though winter would be coming soon. The fires would fend off the chill evenings for another month or two, and then the beach would be completely dark. No one would come here until spring—no one except the polar bear club and the occasional crazy jogger.

"I hate to see the summer end," Duo said, noticing a young woman, retrieving a sweater from her car.

"Do you spend a lot of time outdoors?"

"For work mostly, and I try to take Solo to the park on weekends. He loves the swings. God, I could push him on the swings for hours and he'd never get tired of it."

"It must be a lot of work for you... being a single dad."

"It is, but you get into a routine and don't really think about it."

"Tonight is not your normal routine."

Duo gave a little laugh. "Not at all."

They were quiet again, looking out, but only seeing glimpses of activity. It was getting too dark to see, except for the areas around the campfires or under a parking lot light. Heero had strategically parked away from any light. Duo hadn't noticed at first, not until the sky had turned from azure to black. Now his companion was little more than a silhouette.

"Tell me about that day, waiting for the train."

Duo laughed. "What?"

"That first day I saw you."

"The day you saw me?"

"You were waiting for the train..."

"Yeah, I remember." The request puzzled Duo. He remembered that day very clearly, but it had always been about seeing Heero for the first time; his stranger from the train. He never hoped that Heero had any special feelings about that day.

"I was running late and was glad I had time to spare when I got there."

"You were flushed."

"I was?" Duo looked at Heero in the darkness, his eyes focusing hard.

"Your movements were quick and your face was flushed. I thought you had run part of the way to get there."

"Well, I did run up the stairs... You were watching me?" The realization excited and frightened Duo at once.

"I'm trained to make observations and you were the most interesting person there that morning... by far."

"Oh."

"You sound disappointed."

"I don't know if I'm disappointed---."

"You shouldn't be. I was immediately attracted to you, but you didn't notice me until I lit a cigarette."

"You did that on purpose?"

"No... I wanted a drag, but it was nice that it got your attention."

"I'll say." Duo chuckled.

"That's what I want to know." Heero moved closer, leaning toward Duo. "I want to know what you thought when you saw me... when you realized I was watching you."

Duo swallowed. "I thought you were hot. But I was embarrassed when you caught me looking."

"No," Heero said, now leaning in so close his lips ghosted Duo's cheek. "You caught me looking."

Duo smiled and leaned into Heero's warmth. "Is that right?"

Heero nodded and nuzzled Duo's ear. "Yes." Heero's hand came up, touching Duo's face and turning it toward him. "I've never seen anyone like you." He kissed him then, lips pressing tightly, but quickly relaxing, opening to more.

Duo loved the touch, the kiss. It had been a long time coming, and he knew this time he wouldn't easily throw it away.

"Did you like me looking at you?" Duo asked, his lips quickly finding Heero's again.

"Hn..." Heero moaned.

Their mouths were on each other, their tongues darting and tasting. Funny that Heero didn't taste of cigarettes. He had never tasted of them.

"Did you quit?" Duo asked, pulling back.

"Hmm?"

"I haven't seen you smoke since then."

"I'm an occasional smoker," Heero said, leaning in again. "It's an odd habit."

Duo kissed him, pulling Heero close, but the gear shaft was in the way. They'd never get close enough in the front seat of his car.

"Let's go back to my apartment," Duo said.

"You sure?"

Duo nodded, his face hot with excitement. "I only have the sitter til ten. She'll be glad I'm home early."

Heero kissed Duo's lips again, lingering, and then leaned back in his seat with a deep breath.

"Hot?" Duo chuckled.

"A little."

"Only a little?"

"I can't afford more right now. I need to drive."

Duo smiled broadly. He was happier than he'd been in months, possibly years. Of course, Solo made him happy, but it was not the kind of happy a young man got from being with someone he found attractive, and who found him mutually attractive. There was a definite connection here. Heero was the real thing.

+ + +

Within minutes they were back at Duo's, and hurrying his neighbor out the door.

"Was Solo good tonight?"

"Oh, he fussed about going to bed, but I finally settled him around 8:30."

Duo looked at his watch. That was only forty minutes ago.

"Thanks, Patrice." He gave the woman a kiss to the cheek. "Talk to you in the morning?"

She smiled knowingly. "I'll be waiting."

Once Patrice said goodnight and left, Duo asked Heero to make himself comfortable while he checked on his son.

By the soft glow of the night light, Duo could see the boy, sleeping with his arms curled around his stuffed polar bear. He was sleeping soundly, so Duo decided not to take the chance of waking him by giving him a kiss goodnight.

Duo closed the door lightly behind him, and went back into the living room.

"Would you like a beer?"

Heero looked up from his spot on the sofa. "That'd be great. Thanks."

In a flash, Duo retrieved two bottles from the refrigerator and was back, getting cozy next to Heero.

Heero took the opened bottle and tilted it toward the framed photo on the end table. "Is that her?"

Duo looked at the smiling faces in the photo and nodded. "Yeah."

"She's pretty. You said you met in high school?"

"In art class. She was two years ahead of me, but we liked each other's work, so that was the start of our friendship."

Heero nodded to the pastels on the wall. "Are those yours?"

"Yeah. Just something I did when Solo was born... to mark the occasion."

"You're very talented."

Duo laughed.

"You don't think so?"

"It's been a long time since I did anything like that," Duo said, taking a chug of his beer.

"But you could if you wanted to."

"I suppose."

"No wonder you had an opinion about the way my apartment looked."

"I did?"

"You said it could use a 'splash of color'."

"Oh." Duo laughed. "I think I was nervous."

"Why would you be nervous?"

"No reason... just the fact that the guy I'd been fantasizing about for a week had just taken me back to his apartment."

Heero raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yeah, that's what I wanted."

Heero set down his beer and turned to Duo. "And now I'm in the apartment of the guy I've been fantasizing about."

Duo's eyes widened. "Really?"

Heero leaned in, planting a kiss on Duo's lips.

"Damn, you're a good kisser," Duo said near breathless.

Heero grinned and took the bottle from Duo's hand, setting it aside. He moved closer, slipping his arms around him and nuzzling his ear.

"Have any fantasies you want fulfilled?"

Duo's face warmed. "You're doing just fine without any coaching from me."

Heero smiled and kissed him again, pulling him in close.

The kisses were sweet and heated. Heero's hands moved on Duo. They followed the form of his back, discovering the braid and winding his hand around it. He kissed Duo again and again, pulling moans from the other young man that seemed to drift upwards, lingering above them.

Easing further into the sofa, Duo leaned back until he was under Heero, pressed into the cushions by Heero's weight and need. He held Heero's biceps, gripping the hard muscle as he returned each kiss. Heero seemed to have an agenda, orchestrating this session as he had their first.

The buttons on Duo's shirt were quickly undone, and kisses sensually placed on Duo's chest. Then Heero's hands slipped further down, coming to Duo's belt, undoing it, and then unzipping the black jeans all while they kissed. Heero's hand slipped inside, quickly finding its way under Duo's briefs to his hardening sex. There, Heero's hand curled around Duo, making him squirm and arch into the touch. That wonderful hand that Duo had watched controlling the car was now controlling him, shifting him to hotter and faster.

The hand moved on him, stroking him as Heero's lips left his, trailing down his jaw to his neck. The sensation was warm and wet as Heero licked and sucked at Duo's exposed neck, encouraging Duo to relax until the moans were a steady stream coming from his lips, and his head and braid hung over the edge of the sofa in a wanton display.

"Daddy!"

Duo froze. That had to be his imagination playing tricks on him. Solo had not just shouted his name into his ear. But if not, then why had Heero's stroking stopped? Duo opened his eyes and exhaled. Even upside down he could clearly see the reality before him.

"Hey... buddy," Duo choked out. He pushed at Heero and slowly leaned up. "Did you have a bad dream?"

Solo's eyes were wide as he gazed at the scene. "I heard sounds."

Duo cringed, embarrassed and angry at himself. But before he could respond, Solo was in motion, running back to his room.

Heero's hand wriggled out of Duo's jeans and the two lovers separated, righting their clothes.

"I need to talk to him."

"What will you say?"

"I don't know. I was hoping I wouldn't have to tell him about the birds and bees for a few more years."

Duo stood, and buttoned his shirt, but didn't bother tucking it back inside his jeans. Heero stood then, too, and looked as if he might leave.

"I'll just be a minute." Duo handed Heero the television remote and headed to Solo's room, hoping to successfully juggle the two men in his life.

Inside Solo's room, the boy was sitting on his bed, holding his stuffed polar bear. Duo sat next to him.

"Did Heero hurt you?" Solo asked.

"No. Why would you think that?"

Solo shook his head.

Shit, Duo thought. Maybe to a four-year old two guys in the middle of a heavy petting session could be interpreted that way.

"Heero would never hurt me, buddy. We were holding each other, because we like each other."

Solo looked up at him, his blue eyes wide and wondering.

"Grown-ups do things like that," Duo continued to explain.

"Like wrestling in the house?"

"Wrestling? Oh, you think we were wrestling? Um, yeah, we were sort of wrestling, and I was letting Heero win, because he's my friend."

"But you didn't get hurt like the guys on TV?"

"No, buddy. I promise I won't let Heero hurt me. We were having some fun. I'm sorry if we woke you up." Duo leaned over and kissed the top of Solo's head. "Now how about I get you tucked back into bed?"

Solo smiled. "Okay."

A moment later, Duo returned to the living room, but Heero was not there. Damn, he thought, his shoulders slumping in disappointment. Then he heard the sound of a door behind him. He turned to see Heero coming out of the bathroom.

"How's he doing?" Heero asked.

"He's fine. He thought we were wrestling."

Heero chuckled. "Then I guess I was winning."

Heero was absolutely winning, but Duo wouldn't admit that out loud. "You think so?"

Heero stepped closer, running his hands up Duo's arms. "I had you right where I wanted you." He kissed Duo's ear, and then bit the lobe.

"Stay tonight."

"Is that what you want?" Heero nuzzled Duo's ear.

"Yeah," Duo said, kissing Heero and taking him by the hand. "But we'll need to be quiet this time."

"I can do you quiet," Heero said with a mischievous grin.

"This I gotta see."

With that the two disappeared into Duo's room, closing the door softly behind them.

on to part 4

back to fiction

back to artemis fiction


back home