It had been a long time since Zechs had woken up with a man's chest pressed against his back. It was his first time waking with his arms around a cat. Cautiously, he slipped from both of them. Duo was asleep so hard he didn't even move. The cat however chirped, and took his forfeited warm spot in the sheets. He took a moment to let a smile creep across his face watching Duo sleep with his mouth slightly open and his legs sprawled and tangled in the sheets.
The bathroom was tiny, like the rest of the apartment, but it had the original clawfoot tub which he appreciated. He hadn't bothered showering last night so it was a relief to wash the sweat and dried come out of his hair, even if he hadn't wanted to make a big deal about it the previous night. He was towel drying his hair after slipping into last night's wardrobe, when he heard Duo rummaging around in the kitchen. He paused at the bedroom, and there was still a sleeping body now tucked up under the comforter. which immediately took Zechs off guard. If he was in there who was out in the kitchen? There wasn't much he could do with his jeans still unzipped and his hands busy towel drying his hair. When he stepped into his focus his eyes tried to put together the fact that he recognized the man in the kitchen but not why he was present.
"Heero?" Dully, he let the question hang as he quickly moved to zip and button his jeans before the man noticed him.
"MIlliardo?" They both looked at each other trying to piece it together. Heero was quicker to draw the obvious conclusion. "You hooked up with Duo?" There was a disapproving scowling spreading across the man's serious face.
Not that it was really any of his business. "We've been seeing each other." It wasn't an outright lie, but it wasn't exactly the entire truth either."Wait why are you here?" Suddenly he was more interested in that than his hair soaking through his t-shirt.
"I live here."
Fuck.
"Oh, Heero I thought you were going to be gone all weekend. Sorry Zechs, I should have warned you." Duo's hair was piled on his head in a messy bun and he was sporting the same white tank top from last night with sweatpants. He tried to not be distracted by the fact that he still smelled like sweat, cologne and sex.
"Zechs?" Heero chuckled with a devious smile. "You didn't tell him who you really are?" That suddenly piqued Duo's interested, and he looked up at Zechs horrified.
"Zechs is my middle name, Heero, and yes I don't go around bragging that my parents are politicians and I'm their degenerate son."
"What the fuck is going on here?" Duo had somehow stumbled into a pissing contest he didn't even think to have predicted.
"Heero is dating my sister." It was a bland answer that had Duo pinching his brow as it furrowed.
"Wait, wait. Relena Peacecraft is your sister?" He crossed his other arm across his chest with a heavy sigh. This was quickly becoming a mess, and Duo was regretting that so many people he had been intimately acquainted with were in one room - including himself.
"Yes, well half-sister. We have the same Dad. Merquise is my Mom's last name. No one wants to talk about it, but my Mom was his first died and my Dad and Step-Mom raised me."
"So you're not only a rich doctor, but you're independently wealthy and your Dad is a huge Republican douche bag." Crossing his arms, Duo was stand offish now, and that had Heero smiling.
"Okay, no. I'm not independently wealthy. My parents are, and Relena is, but I'm not. There's a reason I changed my last name. I don't want to be associated with him, and he's happy to not be associated with me." Now Zechs was being indignant. His relationship with his father was not one he liked to discuss, and he certainly grew tired of being constantly judged for his father's fucked up backwards views.
"So you and Heero are roommates?" WIth a quirked eyebrow Zechs made note of the uncomfortable way Heero was judging Duo and Duo was letting him.
"Yes, there's no way I could afford this place without him." The look of guilt was enough for Zechs to put the pieces together. Either Duo was holding a torch for Heero, or he wasn't the doting boyfriend Relena thought he was. "Why don't we get that brunch I promised." With a wink Duo grabbed his arm gently, but he was relieved to be removed from the situation.
When he pulled him back into the bedroom, his list of inquiries were cut off by the abrupt heated kiss as Duo slammed him back against the wall. He moaned openly into his mouth as Duo's tongue licked into him ignoring morning breath.
"I'm going to take a quick shower and then we can head out." Zechs knew exactly what he was doing; trying to distract him so he wouldn't think too hard about the whole Heero situation but he let it slide for the moment.
xxx
The Gilded Goat was a small pub Zechs had never been to, but it was a nice day and he was relieved for the patio seating.
"You want to tell me how long you and Heero have been sleeping together?" Snarkily, he asked while Duo was pretending to be more interested in the water stained cardstock menu.
"I'm not sleeping with him anymore." With a heavy sigh, he set the menu down on the wooden table and smoothed it over with his hands. "It's kind of a sore subject, if you don't mind." He eyed him cautiously. "Do you want to talk about Treize?"
"Point taken." It was Zechs' turn to glance over the menu, but Duo was smirking at him anyway and his irritation melted.
"Is the third date too soon to get day drunk?" Duo inquired eying the table next to them's liter of mimosa in a cheeky scientific liter flask.
"Considering we've seen eachother naked I'm not taking anything off the table."
With a nervous chuckle Duo blushed. "I really enjoyed last night." He was twirling a loose strand of hair around his finger like he wasn't used to his hair being long, like it was still novel.
"I'm glad." The flabbergasted look on Duo's face was enough of a reward before the waitress interrupted his open mouthed expression.
"What can I get you two to drink?"
"He's rude so I'm going to need that giant mimosa all to myself please." Duo could hardly get the words out of his mouth without laughing. Zechs was watching him with a curved brow. The waitress only rolled her eyes and walked away, unamused.
"You're terrible."
"You're paying."
Duo ate off his plate, which he didn't mind. They avoided talking about Heero and his parents and just enjoyed each other's company. It was easy.
They were both a little buzzed from the mimosas but the warm afternoon only added to the warm feeling that was coursing underneath Zechs' skin. Duo was leaning into him and their shoulders met rubbing as they walked.
"I really enjoyed last night too." Wrapping a long arm around Duo's shoulder Zechs pressed a soft lingering kiss to his temple. The reassurance made Duo scoff unsure if it was a pity compliment.
"I'm sorry Heero ruined the mood this morning." The sore subject he had tried to avoid came tumbling back into focus. "I wish you had told me about your parents.
With a heavy sigh Zechs decided where he was going to direct this conversation. "I don't like to talk about them, because we're estranged. Plus, you would have never gone out with me." With barely a pause for Duo to argue he made a more alluring offer. "Why don't you come over and let me cook you dinner, and then we don't have to worry about Heero." There was a little cautious smile playing over his lips.
"Are you mad at me?" There was a lot of hesitation, but finally Duo got up the courage to ask.
"No. I'm not mad. Why would I be mad?" Zechs pulled away and stopped their casual walk, letting the other couple behind them pass on the sidewalk.
"About your sister? I was sleeping with your sister's boyfriend." Guiltily, he shifted his weight and Zechs smiled at him and grabbed his elbow in an intimate assuring gesture.
"I'm not that close to her anymore. I can't judge you Duo. If I'm being honest I'd rather you not sleep with him if you want to continue seeing me, but I can't demand that from you." It was new and he was stumbling through his words. Duo could only smile which was making him more nervous.
"I'm not sleeping with him anymore. That's why he was so pissy this morning. He's the jealous type. Even if he doesn't want to be with me." There wasn't bitterness there like Zechs had expected. "I do want to keep seeing you. You promised me a fancy home cooked meal after all." With a gentle nudge from Duo they continued walking.
"I don't know if I can beat your exquisite grilled cheese." Zechs gave him a playful nudge shifting together down the sidewalk.
"You loved it don't be like that." Duo shoved him before wrapping an arm tightly around his waist.
xxx
Zechs walked him home and Duo promised to call him sooner than the last time. The blonde disappeared down the steps and he watched him walk away smirking that he could still feel the brush of stubble on stubble on his cheek. It was his favorite part of the morning after. The friction of an unshaven cheek on his. The last thing he wanted to do was brave the stairs back up to his apartment, where he knew Heero would be and he'd want to boss him around. Give Duo has unwarranted sage advice. It had been tense partially because Heero hadn't wanted things to end between them, and partially because Duo wanted to be with him but couldn't anymore. He couldn't stand the thought of being his dirty little secret. It was a lonely pace up the stairs and the lock sounded dull as it turned. There he was, predictably, on the couch reading a book. Heero looked up momentarily at him setting the book face down over his knee.
"Was that a revenge fuck?"
With a scoff Duo took off his sweater ignoring the way Heero's eyes ran over the small sliver of skin as his t-shirt stuck to it momentarily.
"Not everything is about you. Besides, I thought you'd be away all weekend."
"So you do care what I think about him?" There was a smug smile forming over his face, too obnoxious for Duo to not roll his eyes at.
"I'm sorry, so you're allowed to fuck Princess Peacecraft whenever you feel like it, but I'm supposed to stay at home and pine after you? Do you not hear how selfish you're being?" An eruption of anger flooded his voice. He had been avoiding this confrontation and had barely spoken to Heero, but now it was all coming to a head.
"I was with her when we started hooking up. What did you expect?" It was all seriousness now. The smile was gone, but it didn't pacify Duo's anger.
"I made a mistake. Now, I don't want to get caught up in your mess. I want to be with someone who wants to be with me not just someone they can fuck however they want. What does Relena not let you do what you want to her so you have to take it out on me? What, am I that much easier than her?" It wasn't fair, but he didn't care at this moment.
"You know that's not the case." Turning the book back over Heero began to check-out from their argument which only fueled the flames. Duo snatched the book from him and tossed it childishly on the coffee table.
"You don't get to use me and then ignore me like punishment because I have feelings."
There was nothing Heero could say and he let Duo fume diverting his eyes as Duo's continued to flame. In a huff he returned to his room slamming the door hard. The only thing that was calming was the fact that his pillow still smelled like Zechs. Dirty sexed up Zechs.
xxx
The walk home gave Zechs time to clear his head. It felt so much easier to breath now that he was alone. What had gotten into him last night? He was worried he was on some power trip with a younger man. Wondered if this was secretly about getting back at Treize for screwing around with a younger man himself. More importantly, how long would it take before Relena was sniffing around his business. She was never concerned with him unless it was gossip - so he was sure she would be positively scandalized. With a heavy sigh, he thought instead about how Duo smelled and the way his skin felt when his arm was draped over him.
It was going to be a rough night. He hadn't really slept the night before, and now he was about to work all night picking up a night shift on Sunday. It was always being pointed out that he wasn't married, didn't have kids and hell didn't even have pets. He was constantly being scheduled to work the all nighters in the ER and pick up emergency surgeries. The only consolation was that Lucy would be there, and they could keep each other company. She was really an exceptional ER Nurse Practitioner. She was sharp and there were many a time she had walked him down off the cliff after he'd lost a patient.
After a run, he headed home to shower and change his clothes. If he wandered into work looking like he'd spent all weekend in bed, Lucy would know and demand details. Even despite the fact that he had tried to conceal his enthusiasm for the way his date had gone over the weekend Lucy still cornered him, once agains with his pants down. He was pulling the scrub pants on and throwing his still damp hair back.
"So, it looks like you're still in a good mood. Little dancer is still working out?" She mused following him as he exited into the hallway. It amused him that they'd gotten into the habit of referring him as little - when all he could think about were his power thighs and strong biceps.
"It's going well." It was vague, and he was going to make her work for it - if she wanted it. "How was your date with Peter?" Deflection, another of his many skills.
"It was fine. He took me somewhere with a cloth tablecloth so who can complain? Now, did you take him back to your place or did you go bohemian and shack up in his little love nest?" Her thoughts flowed together coherently and ignored his forceful change of topic.
"I went back to his place. Do you want to know who his roommate is?" Scowling at her he reminded himself that eventually he'd have to deal with Relena. Lucy raised an eyebrow waiting for him to elaborate. "Heero, Relena's little cop boyfriend."
"No shit!" They were getting a few heated looks for being loud, but everyone was cranky at shift change. Laughing she quieted her voice. "How did that go?"
"I don't know. I told him I didn't care that he slept with my sister's boyfriend, and then I watched Heero look like he was about to spontaneously combust with jealousy."
"Wait a minute. Relena's prince charming is sleeping with your new boyfriend?" There was confusion, and a little worry playing at the corner of her eyes. She crossed her arms stopping him from moving forward.
"Slept with, not currently sleeping with." Zechs took one step to the side to continue walking down the linoleum tile. She sighed exhausted with him.
"You know how to get yourself into trouble don't you?"
"You're the one who told me to go out with him." With a heavy sigh, he was startled by the page he was receiving. "Of course it's Treize. Fuck my life." Before he skittered off in a hustle he looked back at her. "I'm just having fun Lucy. It's casual and he keeps the bed warm."
No part of her believed him.
The scowl that was spread across his face was evident. He was about to lay into Treize for paging him emergently, but he was standing in a room full of interns.
"Hello." Zechs entered sheepishly closing the door behind him. The patient before him wiggled her fingers, and the interns all looked back at him like startled sheep.
"Dr. Merquise, this is Paula she's a patient of mine." That stupid smug smirk; it that made the lines around his eyes crease. It annoyed him but he shook Paula's hand as she winced at the ice cold state they were in.
"Sorry Paula, It's always freezing in here. It's nice to meet you. What can I do for you?" Politely he looked between Treize and the woman as he was handed her chart.
"She's a dancer."
"I see that." He smiled at her, acknowledging the pointe shoe tattooed on the inside of her forearm, with a nod. It was evident then, that Paula mistook his forced politeness for flirting so he looked towards Treize alone.
"Her mother was a patient of mine. She had a heart transplant a year ago and I promised to take care of her daughter. She has an ACL tear and I was hoping you could take a look and walk our interns through it." The glare he was sporting softened as he fake smiled back at Paula.
It was not one of his favorite things to do - teach, but unfortunately he was good at it. He explained the procedure to Paula, assuring her he'd done it countless times. Zechs took the students out to look at her images, that had already been ordered and explained in more detail what his plan of action would be.
Treize caught him as he was leaving and signing off on her chart.
"How was your long weekend?" Treize exaggerated the word "long" which annoyed Zechs but he tried not to let it show. How had he been so enraptured in him, when he behaved like such an ass?
Not looking up at him Zechs continued to write before handing it off.
"It was good. Relaxing." No part of him was inclined to be polite enough to return the question.
"It's good to see you happy."
That was hard to believe, but Treize squeezed his shoulder and left him there standing in the hall. It occurred to him that it was the first time Treize's touch didn't mean anything to him. It was satisfying and devastating all at once.
xxx
It was a relief that he had rehearsal Sunday night, because Duo did not want to see or talk to Heero. He had spent the afternoon taking a nap. A glorious forbidden nap. In fact, he was seriously considering asking him to move out and looking for a new roommate. Heero was on a mission to ruin any potential he had at a personal life.
Duo ignored him when he tried to speak and simply walked out the door, letting the door slam behind him.
Trowa and Dorothy were already warming up and chatting amongst themselves as he slunk out of his bag and let it fall limply to the floor. It was a feat to strip out of his shoes and coat without drawing too much attention to himself.
"Hey lover boy." Trowa purred not yet looking at him, as he squatted low to move to a seated position.
"Hey yourself." Not quite a purr, Duo responded distantly.
"How was last night? Did we chase him off before you had your wicked way with him?"
Chuckling, Duo ran his fingers into his hair braiding it lazily from the side. "It was fun. I forgot how fun sex can be."
"You little slut." Catcalling, Trowa whistled low and obnoxious.
"Yeah, it's fun when you're not crawling on your hands and and knees begging for Heero to pay attention to you. That guy is a fuckboy." With a scoff, Dorothy gave Duo a sour look. The truth and harshness had Duo grimacing. Suddenly working on his standing splits was more appealing.
"So…" Trowa trailed off pulling on Duo's foot into a deep split and Duo groaned painfully.
"Ugh, Trowa you're wicked. It was nice. I said it was fun. He's cooking me dinner on Friday."
"That sounds...tame."
Letting his left leg meet his right Duo stood and shoved Trowa's shoulder.
"I'm sorry we can't all be like you and Quat fucking like rabbits."
"What getting bent over and fucked left you stiff and sore?"
There was another warning glare shot in Trowa's direction, but he was sore and his hips and thighs felt tight. Maybe he would invite Zechs over to rub them for him. He bit into his lip indulging himself in the thought. It wasn't until Trowa and Dorothy were looking at him knowingly that he brought himself back to rehearsal.
