Author: MarieAmethyst
Title: Even Jealous of the Moon
Rating: PG-13
Genre: romance, slight humor, angst, sap
Warnings: Yaoi
Disclaimer: I don't own them! Honest! *huggles Duo and grins*
Author's Note: Answer to a challenge posted by a friend.

Oh, I don't wanna share you with
nothing else--I gotta have you to myself
Oh--I can't help it--I'm so in love--
I just can't get you close enough, no

~*~

We set our bags in two of the rooms we had discovered on the second floor. There was only one bathroom, located across from our rooms.

It wouldn't be much of a problem though, unless Duo happened to be vainer than I thought. It was the last room that was truly amazing.

Set at the back and farthest from the stairs, it was the largest room and obviously the Master's. Unlike the dull colors that adorned the walls in our rooms and most others, the walls in here were a pale blue. Blue sheets covered the king-sized bed, the same color of the veiled curtains. The wall facing us was entirely glass, with two sliding doors that lead out to a small balcony overlooking the lake.

"It's a beautiful room," I commented.

"Yeah. All that's missing is a hot girl and some strawberries."

"Duo," I said, sending him an exasperated glance.

His grin was unrepentant, "You want it?"

"What?!"

He sent me a questioning look, "Do you want to sleep in this room? I think it fits you."

"Oh." For a moment I had thought Duo referred to the strawberries and what that implied. Foolish thought. Duo couldn't possibly like me in that way. I mentally shook myself. "No thank you. It wouldn't feel right sleeping in here alone for some reason."

An unreadable look came into those violet eyes before he turned away, "Right then. I'm going to go finish exploring. You coming?"

Pushing my confusion away, I agreed and together we left the blue room. As we were walking down the hall a sharp whistle filled the air. With a groan I remembered the water I had left on. I ran down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Duo walked in as I poured hot water into a cup with a mint tea bag. "Want some tea?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

His expression was one of exaggerated horror at my suggestion, and I laughed, more at myself for being such an idiot to think Duo felt more for me than comradeship.

"Let's go outside and see the lake," he suggested, already moving toward the back door.

"All right," I said, picking up my cup and following.

The sun was beginning to set, its rays casting a reddish glow to the surrounding area. I squinted against the brightness, noticing the lake wasn't a black hue, but a midnight blue.

I stepped up to the rain and leaned against it, taking a sip of tea. "It's prettier back here. Less sad." I licked my bottom lip to catch the stray drop of tea that had escaped. When Duo made no response, I glanced over at him.

He was staring at me with another unreadable look in his eyes. I wet my lips nervously under his intense scrutiny. "What is it?"

He made an indistinctive noise in the back of his throat before abruptly pushing himself off the rail. "Nothing," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, "just tired. Need anything?" I shook my head, slightly dazed from Duo's unfamiliar behavior. "I'm calling it a day then. G'night, Quatre."

"Goodnight, Duo. Sleep well," I said to his retreating back. The door shut with a click. Leaving me alone in the growing dark with my thoughts. Taking another sip of mint tea, I shifted my gaze to the lake spread before me. In detachment I saw the little dock at the edge of the water, with one pontoon floating at the end of it, attached by a thin rope. I was almost tempted to untie it and go for a night ride, but the fading light and my own fatigue stopped me. There would be time later to puzzle out Duo's strange behavior.

I finished my tea and returned to the kitchen, setting my cup in the sink for later cleaning. Making my way up the stairs, I saw the light under the bathroom door and heard the running water. Duo obviously decided on a shower before bed.

Too tired to wait for him to finish in it, I walked into my room and shut the door. Pulling my coat off, I laid it across the back of the chair that was in the room. My shirt was also laid atop it after I pulled it off. Ignoring the slight chill despite having turned on the electric heater downstairs, I turned the dark covers down and slid in. The day's weariness settled in, and gratefully I let slept claim me.