Note: this is for Snow, something to laugh at over breakfast (I hope…) - N
Chapter 29:
'Wow,' Duo bubbled as we all trooped out of the cinema, two hours later. 'That was a really cool movie.'
'Did you actually see any of it?' my boyfriend quipped and I had to grin. I loved the way those two teased each other constantly; how very comfortable they were with each other. I really wanted Quatre to be able to mess around with me like that.
Well, along with sorts of other messing around.
'Speak for yourself, Winner!' Duo shot back. 'You didn't look like the action on screen was actually capturing any of your attention either.'
'Maybe I would have needed to pay attention if there had been an actual plot with dialogue,' Quatre informed him loftily. 'And at least I stayed in my own seat for the duration of the film. You and Heero could have saved money by just paying for one between you.'
'Yeah, we'll remember that for next time, right, Heero?' Duo nudged his boyfriend in the ribs and Heero slid an arm around his waist; that was one couple who definitely didn't have a problem with showing affection in public.
'What did you think of the film, Wufei?' Zechs asked, apparently picking up that my friend wasn't particularly comfortable with all this byplay.
'The costumes and weapons were from the wrong historical period,' Wufei told him blightingly. 'But what can one expect from a so-called Hollywood historical drama? The fight scenes were adequately choreographed, but the love interest was patently absurd. The hero was supposed to be on a quest toward personal enlightenment; there was no need for him to indulge in a distracting romance.'
'Yeah, that bit with the princess was stupid,' Duo piped up, given that the others seemed to be stricken dumb by my friend's movie analysis. For Wufei, the best part about seeing a film is always critiquing it afterward, and then declaring how it could be improved. 'The guy should totally have got off with his best friend instead.'
Wufei's mouth twitched suspiciously into something resembling a smile. Aha, he wasn't quite immune to Duo's charm, then.
'So…' Duo continued, 'we were going to get a coffee or something, if you guys want to tag along. There's a really nice little café down the block where Quat and I always go.'
'Good idea, Duo!' Zechs said heartily. 'It would be so nice for us all to get to know each other properly.'
I glanced at Quatre, who beamed back. 'Oh, please come. If it's not going to interfere with any other arrangements.'
I opened my mouth to agree, and then caught sight of Wufei's pleading gaze, obviously begging me to take him away from these maniacs.
'Sorry, Quatre. I'd love to go, but Wufei's got to catch an early flight in the morning, and I promised to drop him home after the movie.'
'If you want to stay, that's fine,' my friend interjected. 'I can catch a bus.'
I shook my head. 'No, I said I'd drive you. It'll take you hours if you have to wait for the bus.' I smiled at Quatre, who was looking rather disappointed. I couldn't help feeling a bit pleased about that. 'I'll see you tomorrow evening anyway. Enjoy your drink.'
'I'd be delighted to drive you, Wufei,' Zechs said suddenly. 'I have an early appointment too and I wasn't planning to stay late either. '
'There is a perfectly good public transport system and, in any case, you have no idea where I live. It may be miles out of your way.'
'That doesn't matter!' the prince blurted. 'I love driving. It would be a pleasure to take you home,' he said more formally. 'If you will permit.'
'Ah…very well. If you insist, I would be very grateful. Provided it doesn't cause you any inconvenience….' Wufei was blushing slightly, something I hadn't seen him do for years as he held Zechs' gaze. 'If you don't mind, I - ah, excuse me a moment…'
He took off for the Gents as if a fire-breathing dragon were after him. Oh, boy…
'Trowa,' Zechs hissed, grabbing my arm. 'I seriously need some help here. He's not just playing hard to get, is he? Why doesn't he like me? He seems to like everyone else. Duo even made him laugh. What am I doing wrong?'
Everything….
OK, I couldn't say that. Be diplomatic.
'I think maybe you're trying a little bit too hard,' I said diplomatically, which was the understatement of the century, but he was one of my boyfriend's closest friends, and he did seem to like Wufei, and Wufei seemed to be….not quite so detached as he'd claimed to me and Sally.
'Just be yourself. And stop asking him so many questions. He doesn't really like talking about himself. You know, just talk about more general stuff.'
'And less drooling would be good,' Duo contributed.
'Stop looking like you want to gobble him up,' my boyfriend put in.
'If you are really interested in a relationship with him, you will need to check his police record and background.'
'Heero! Stop that!'
'Zechs does have a certain position in the Sanque government. It makes sense for him to run thorough checks on any potential partners.'
Duo nudged Quatre, muttering someone about Zechs having a lot of other positions as well. Maybe I wasn't meant to hear that, and I'm sure Heero wasn't, but he was saying something about how Zechs needed to be more careful. 'Stop being so paranoid!' Duo stopped laughing with Quatre and stopped his boyfriend in mid-sentence. 'Don't listen to him, Zechs. Just lay off the charm a little bit with Wufei, OK? It's not working.'
'Duo's right,' I told the bewildered-looking prince. 'Wufei's not really into flirting. You need to show him you're serious.'
'Serious, right. I can do that. Do you think I should just ask him out directly? Or maybe send him flowers first?'
'Shit, don't send him flowers. He'd probably be insulted! No, I meant you have to show him you're a serious person. You know, talk about politics or the environment or something.'
'Here he is,' Duo hissed and we all immediately tried to look casual, not like we'd just been discussing - what we'd been discussing.
'So, Wufei,' Zechs asked smoothly as they walked off together, 'Have you seen the Sanque Times today? It looks like there may be a General Election soon, if the government keeps performing so badly in the polls….'
'Oh, man,' Duo collapsed against his boyfriend laughing. 'Is it just me or are those two too hilarious for words? What's the betting they either kill each other or have wild jungle sex before they even get out of the car park? It's OK, Trowa,' he added more seriously, catching a glimpse of my expression. Should I have just offered to drive Wufei home regardless? But he'd accepted Zechs' offer…. 'Your buddy will be fine. Zechs is an excellent driver and he's got a really cool sports car.'
Shit. I wasn't sure how my very sheltered friend would cope with all of that. Maybe I should just go after them and insist on taking Wufei home?
'Don't worry,' Quatre said quietly, falling into step beside me as we left the cinema and giving me an anxious little smile. 'I know Zechs can come across as a little….outrageous, but he's really a wonderful person. And he seems to like Wufei a lot.'
Ah. Of course. I'd told Quatre all about Wufei's last romance and my clever boyfriend had picked up on the fact that I was worried about it happening again. It wasn't that I didn't like Zechs; he seemed OK and I knew he'd been a good friend to Quatre, but still…
'It's just that Wufei isn't into casual stuff, and Zechs has - well - a bit of a reputation.'
'He was a lot younger then,' Quatre defended his friend softly. 'He was very young when his parents were killed, and he had to take on so much responsibility. Sometimes, he just needed to let off steam. He's calmed down a lot in the past few years. Please don't worry about Wufei. If he isn't interested, he can just say so.'
'The thing is,' I confessed, 'that I think he might be interested. I haven't seen him like that in years; he was actually blushing and he got all flustered. It's OK. He can look after himself. Now, can we stop talking about them? It's great that I get to see you like this.'
'Isn't it?' he beamed up at me as we followed Duo and Heero into a small coffee shop and found a table by the window. 'Have you ever been here before, Trowa? They do the most wonderful desserts and pastries.' He pointed out a delicious array of goodies at the counter.
'Looks wonderful. You want to share something?'
'I'd love that!'
Ah, I loved his enthusiasm for everything. 'Why don't you go and choose something? And tell them to put on extra cream.'
'Good call,' Duo approved, winking at me. 'You've noticed he's got a sweet tooth, right? The way to a man's heart is through his stomach and all?'
'Technically, that isn't true,' Heero proclaimed. 'The most efficient way to reach a human heart is through….'
'Heero!' Duo snapped. 'Remember we had that conversation about inappropriate topics of conversation when we're in public? Well, that's one of them, OK? Trowa, you might want to go and help Blondie there to decide what he wants to get. Otherwise, he'll be there all night. And while you're there, would you mind ordering something for me? Anything with chocolate is fine.'
'If you eat chocolate now, you'll be hyper when we get home,' Heero noted.
Duo just grinned. 'And you're complaining about that why, exactly?'
'What are the choices, honey?' I joined my boyfriend at the counter, guessing that Duo had really just wanted a little time alone with his lover.
Quatre looked at me, the most adorable little frown on his forehead. 'Either dark chocolate sponge with raspberry purée, or sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce. I'm no good at deciding what to have.'
Why don't you have me, covered in raspberry purée if you'd like?
'Get both,' I suggested instead, quashing an image of my lovely little blond covered in butterscotch sauce. God… 'I'm sure Heero and Duo will help us eat them. Or they have tiramisu if you'd prefer?'
'Oh,' he blushed slightly, suddenly very interested in the tiles at his feet. 'I don't think so. It wouldn't be nearly as nice as the one you made for me the other night.'
Yeah, and we wouldn't be eating it naked it either….
Hmmm, maybe I should make more tiramisu the next time I managed to entice him into my house?
'Uh, Heero,' I asked when we were all sitting back down, with Duo and Quatre at one end of the large table, studying the drinks menu. 'Can I ask you something?'
'Certainly. I may not answer if I feel the information is unnecessary or inappropriate for you to know.'
'Right.' Shit, how the hell had someone like Duo ever managed to hook up with this guy? Or vice versa? 'I just wondered…do you know Quatre's favourite flowers?'
'You need to talk to Duo.' He waited for our respective boyfriends to sample each other's cakes, and then distracted Quatre's attention, claiming he needed advice on a chess problem, showing him a computer print-out and letting Duo drag his chair down beside me.
Duo didn't burst out laughing when I asked him the same question. 'I was thinking of maybe getting him flowers and I thought you'd know what he'd like. Or if he'd like flowers at all from; I mean, I don't want to do the wrong thing…'
'Are you kidding? He'd be over the moon. Let's see. First off, he hates red roses; he thinks they're a total romantic cliché so don't get him those.'
'No roses,' I nodded 'Got it.'
He shook his head. 'No red roses. Other colours are OK. He loves yellow and white and he likes flowers that have a strong scent. Freesias and lilies are good, but not those big Stargazer ones. He thinks they're pretentious, and definitely no carnations and he…OK, you haven't a clue what I'm talking about, have you?'
'I know roses,' I confessed. 'The other ones you said…no idea.'
Duo just grinned, taking out his wallet and digging around in it. 'You sure you're gay? Look, try this place.' He handed me a small business card. 'My friend Hilde works in this flower shop. She knows Quat; she'll help you pick out something he'll like.'
'Thank you.' I slid the card into my pocket. I'd been thinking more in terms of picking up a bunch of readymade flowers at the supermarket, but Quatre would probably love a special bouquet. 'So, should I get these flowers delivered or bring them in person?'
'Up to you, really. If you give them to him you get to see his face; if you get them delivered, he'll have a bit of time to think up a nice way to thank you.' He winked. 'You'd probably like that. Listen, Q said you were taking him out tomorrow. You probably have plans and stuff, but there's this really nice little seafood restaurant that's just opened down by the harbour. Heero and I were there last week and I think Quat would love it. I have a card somewhere; yep, here you go. You'd probably want to make a reservation.'
I nodded. 'I was actually going to cook for him. Do you think he'd prefer to go out?'
'Seriously? I think he just wants to spend some time with you. He'll be happy whatever you decide to do.'
I glanced over at the other two; Quatre had taken out a pencil and was busily scribbling on Heero's paper, engrossed in what he was doing. 'Duo….how do you think I'm doing?'
He considered the question seriously; wow, he was actually capable of silence when he wanted. 'Overall, pretty good, actually. Sure, there was that major blip when he dumped you, but it looks like you sorted that one out OK.'
'I'm not very good at the whole romantic thing, and I know he likes that.'
'You're kidding me, right? He hasn't stopped talking about your weekend!'
'In a good way?'
'Duh! Of course in good way! He loved it; the cabin on the lake; the springs, everything.' He gave me a little grin and I could feel my skin start to heat up. Oh, God, I know Quatre said that he and Duo told each other everything, but surely not…that sort of everything. 'Seriously, he lapped it all up. I'm his best friend and I couldn't have come up with a more perfect date. Well, maybe apart from the fight you guys had.'
'Good.' I hadn't realised I'd been holding my breath, waiting for an answer until he replied.
'There's something else.' He bit his lip, suddenly serious for once. 'Shit, I can't believe I'm going to say this. I wouldn't, if I didn't think you were a decent guy, and really good for him. I know he's told you about how he wants to take things slowly and that you're OK with that…'
'I'm not sure if OK is exactly the term I'd use,' I said honestly, 'but it's what he wants and I respect that.'
'Yeah. The thing is, it's great that you're letting him set the pace and all, but don't let him think you're not interested, OK? He's way, way too sensitive for his own good, and if you don't make the first move sometimes, he'll start to doubt that you're really attracted to him, and then he'll start to wonder what you're doing with him and things'll just go to hell on wheels.'
I nodded. Damn, he had to be right. It was like what had happened in the cinema. I hadn't touched him at first because I didn't know if he'd want me to. Once I'd realised he did, it had been a bit of a game to make him show how much he wanted it. Maybe I should have just grabbed him instead and hoped for the best? 'I don't want to offend him, though.'
'Trowa, he's an adult. He can tell you his limits. If he's not comfortable with you putting your hand on his ass, he'll let you know, believe me. And it's not like I'm saying you should pounce on him in public; just show him a little affection now and then. It won't kill him to have his boundaries pushed a little bit, and he loves the touchy-feely stuff. You can do that, can't you?'
'I can try. It's just hard sometimes. It's difficult, I mean. I really want to make him happy, but I'm never sure when I'm doing the right thing, or when I'll just upset him.'
'Stop right there,' Duo commanded sharply. 'Listen, of course, you're going to have rows sometimes. He won't expect perfection. He wants someone who's loyal and kind and honest with him, and you're doing a pretty good job so far. Carry on treating him like you do. You're damn well doing something right, whatever it is. He likes you a lot.'
'I like him too.' I couldn't believe how easy Duo was to talk to.
'And Trowa…don't worry about your friend and Zechs. Quat maybe didn't tell you, but I went out with Zechs for a while, years ago, and he won't hurt Wufei. I know he's got this bad reputation, and some of it's true, and some of it's just the media making up stories about a cute royal, but he's a good person. Quat wouldn't have him as a friend otherwise.'
I nodded. 'Quatre's told me how much Zechs means to him. I just…Wufei's my best friend. I'd love him to meet someone, but I'm not sure if Zechs is right for him.'
Duo shrugged eloquently, braid swinging. 'Maybe; maybe not. I've only met Wufei a couple of times but he seems pretty uptight about life. Someone like Zechs might be good for him, you know? Listen, one last question, before our SO.s decide we're not interested in them and hook up together. You're not remotely jealous of Zechs, are you? Or me? We're all really close, but that's the way we are.'
'Why should I be jealous? Quatre's my boyfriend. He's known you and Zechs for years; if he'd wanted to be with either of you, he's had more than enough time to do something about it. I'm just glad he's got such good friends.'
'Wow,' Duo breathed, those incredible purple eyes widening. 'Perfect answer. Next time Quat throws a hissy fit over something, you tell me and I'll kick his skinny ass for you. Deal?'
'His ass isn't skinny!' I snapped. 'It's perfect!'
Duo fell around the place laughing. 'Oh, Barton, you walked right into that one! Still, it's nice to see you're all defensive and stuff….you don't need to worry about trying too hard. I think Quat's got lucky with you and he seems to know it too.'
'What's so funny?' Quatre looked over at us enquiringly.
There was a scary moment when I thought Duo would repeat what I'd said, but he just grinned. 'Private joke, Kitty Quat. Can I have my boyfriend back now? And I was thinking, it's probably best if Trowa drops you home later, since he lives in your direction and everything.'
'Whereas you live ten minutes' away,' Quatre commented. 'Trowa, ignore my incredibly unsubtle friend; you don't have to drive me if it's not convenient.'
'Of course I'm taking you home.' Or I could take you to my home and put you to bed and…. 'I'd have offered before I'd known you didn't have your car with you.'
'Thank you. You and Duo seemed to be getting along really well,' Quatre remarked, sliding his chair down beside me and seeming pleased that I'd been talking to his best friend. 'Aren't you going to tell me the joke?'
'Sure you want to know? He set me up to admit your ass was perfect. Which it is.'
'Oh!' Quatre blushed prettily. I really was going to have to start paying him more compliments. Although I liked seeing his the colour in his cheeks deepen like that, and wondering if his blushes spread all over his body. That thought let me down the slippery slope to thinking about that very perfect ass, and wondering when I'd get to see it again in its natural state. Saturday maybe, if he agreed to stay over…
'He loves teasing me in public,' Quatre sent Duo a glare across the table and his friend laughed.
'I'd much rather tease you in private,' I whispered, pulling my chair close enough that I could breathe it into his ear. Then, since our table was in a little alcove and the place was pretty much deserted I flicked my tongue around his earlobe. I wouldn't have done it if Duo hadn't pretty much given me the green light to be more affectionate in public but Quatre's reaction was … very satisfactory.
Aha, someone really liked having his ears touched. Interesting discovery. There was still so much I didn't know about what he liked.
'Like that, honey?' I sat back in my chair and took a long swallow of coffee. It was a purely rhetorical question; that cute little gasp when I'd touched him had shown me just how much he liked it.
He just nodded demurely, and then proceeded to eat a spoonful of his chocolate cake in the least demure way imaginable, holding my eyes the whole time. Brat; just as well we were in a public place.
'Aren't you going to share with me?'
'Of course I will.' He looked down at his plate for just long enough to load the spoon with cake and raspberries, and then leaned over, only smiling when my tongue darted down to lick his fingers as well.
Wow. Whoever thought eating cake could be so damn sexy?
Actually this whole pushing Quatre's boundaries was turning out to be fun, especially since he seemed more than happy to co-operate with me….
