Title: I Hate You!
Author: Shadow Sorceress aka Zalia Chimera
Archiving: I don't mind. Just tell me okay?
Pairings: 5x2, 13x2, 5+S, 13XS and now... a little 3x4.
------------
Okay, once again thanks to everyone who reviewed. i would have brought this
part out sooner but my computer crashed and managed to lose most of it.
Wufei: You left me crying woman!!!
Duo: Yeah. You left the weakling crying. Over me. Of course he doesn't have a chance.
Wufei: Hmmph, maybe I don't want you!
Zehn: Of course you want him.
Wufei: Who says?
Zehn: Zalia and Sash. They're the ones doing this. Just be thankful that they didn't decide to put you BOTH together WITH Treize.
-------------
Introduction: Treize and Sally bring in a couple of accomplices (who seem to spend more time groping each other, but what can you do?) and we discover how
convenient hot tubs are as plot devices.
Anyway, on with the fic!
What exactly is this meeting for Treize? Quatre snapped. It was late, he was exhausted from the ball and he just knew that he would have a hangover in the morning. All he really wanted to do was sleep. Beside him on the chaise-lounge
Trowa shifted, reaching one arm up surreptitiously to stroke his back.
I apologise for calling you at this late hour, Treize said, glancing across at Sally, but Lady Sally and I wish to ask for your assistance.
Quatre's eyes widened, Treize rarely asked for help with anything, even from his closest confidants. Who are you and what have you done with Treize?
Sally smiled. I assure you, he is very much Treize Khushrenada.
Well, what do you need our help for? the blond asked.
Treize and Sally exchanged secretive glances. We're on a mission.
Quatre sighed and Trowa smiled a little at the frustration in Quatre's voice when he spoke. Just tell me what you're doing and stop talking in riddles!
Well, it appears that our respective fiancee's have, how should I put this... history together that has yet to be resolved. We merely wish them all the happiness in the world.
Quatre grinned hugely. I see.
Treize leaned in. This is what I would like you to do.
*****
If there was one thing Duo hated, it was being woken before he was ready. Actually, strike that. If there was one thing Duo hated, it was being woken before he was ready by his disgustingly cheerful blond friend.
He extricated himself from Treize's arms when the knock on the door came, whimpering softly at the loss of warmth as he crossed the room. He opened the door and glared at the person outside.
Quatre said. I was wondering if you wanted to come down to the pools with me. It would be relaxing.
It's too early. Duo whined.
Duo, it's nearly noon.
Duo squeezed his eyes closed. How come he's always so bloody cheerful?
Fine, I'll come. I need relaxing. Just let me get my things. He went back into the chamber, padding carefully across the floor to collect a robe and towel.
He froze when Treize stirred, speaking in a sleep fuzzy voice. Duo? Where are you going?
Duo walked swiftly over to the bed, laying a swift kiss on the older man's forehead. I'm going to the pools with Quatre. Go back to sleep Treize. He slipped into his robe and left, closing the door silently behind him.
In the darkened room a very much awake and aware Treize Khushrenada smiled.
*****
The loud rap on the door startled Wufei. He was curled up on one of the living chamber's couches reading a copy of a book that he had brought from his homeland while Sally made the customary visits to a few of the court maidens. He hadn't been expecting visitors.
He answered the door to find a tall, green eyed man standing there. Yes? I wasn't expecting visitors and I don't know what to call you.
The man smiled. I'm called Trowa. I saw you at your introduction yesterday and wondered if you would like a guide.
I... that would be nice, Wufei said.
A tiny smile appeared on Trowa's lips. Would you like to come to the pools with me? They're very relaxing. After seeing you at the ball last night, you seem to need it.
Wufei began to say a scathing retort, but bit it back, realising that he had been on edge ever since he had arrived. I'd like that. What will I need?
Just a robe and a towel.
Wufei fetched the items quickly and left a note for Sally, then locked the door behind himself.
*****
The hot water felt wonderful on Duo's skin and he slipped further down into it, allowing it to engulf his body up to his neck. The steam helped to soothe away his tiredness and ease nerves frayed by Wufei's arrival and the ball last night.
Quatre smiled as he looked at his friend's blissful expression and crossed his fingers. It had been a good idea to bring him here. He carefully watched the entrance archway, smile turing into a full grin as Trowa arrived.
Wufei followed Trowa through the various bath rooms until they reached their final destination. The room was large but with only one round pool at the centre. He smiled slightly as his companion waved to the small blond in the pool and started forward.
He stopped dead when he realised who else was there.
Trowa, just climbing in, turned to him with a mildly puzzled look on his face. Wufei swallowed and then followed him to the pool, shedding his black silk robe at the edge. He swallowed again when he realised that because Trowa and Quatre were sitting together and getting rather... cosy, there was only one place he could sit.
Right next to Duo.
Well, I can't back out now.
Wufei slipped almost silently into the water and leaned back, trying to ensure that Duo would have no new reasons to get angry with him. As he sat, his gaze raked down Duo's naked form. Pale skin browned from the sun over taut muscles. A cloud of chestnut hair floating in the water like a halo. Full lips. The line of hair on his stomach leading the eye down to...
He forced himself to look elsewhere. There just wasn't much else that he could look at. The room was incredibly dull and he found his eyes wandering back to his ex-lover laying stretched out in the water. He forced his eyes closed.
It didn't work. His treacherous mind kept conjuring up images of what he wished he could be doing. His eyes flew open and he tried to calm his breathing. Damn Chang. What are you doing? You're getting married to Sally. She's a lovely woman, very attractive. For some reason, thinking of his marriage to Sally only made the problem worse and he turned over so he was laying on his stomach facing away from everyone else. She just isn't Duo, he thought miserably.
*****
Duo could feel someone watching him. He tried to ignore it, just thinking about the swell of the water against his skin and the sounds of water and slightly laboured breathing.
Wha? His eyes shot open as he noticed the sound. His gaze focused on Trowa and Quatre just climbing out of the pool and he sighed in relief. Just Quatre and Trowa idiot. Of course there's going to be heavy breathing where those two are concerned.
Then he laid eyes on the other occupant of the pool and he swore mentally. What the fuck is he doing here?
His gaze traversed the sight in front of him, not really paying attention to the fact that his brain was screaming at him.
Damn he looks good!
Dusky skin covering planes of muscle in his legs and back. The gorgeous black hair just slipping into the water and sticking against the back of his neck and shoulders.
Duo had just grabbed his robe when Wufei turned round. Both pairs of eyes widened in horror and Wufei made an undignified grab for his towel.
It was Duo who spoke first, his voice an enraged growl. How dare you? What the hell are you doing? Did you just come here to make fun of me? To shove it in my face one more time that you don't care? Well, guess what Prince Chang, I don't care either. I hate you. Go back to your perfect wife and perfect family and perfect friends where I am obviously not welcome and leave me the hell alone!
He stormed towards the exit only to be stopped by Wufei's voice. Duo, please just let me say...
I don't want to hear it Chang.
Wufei knew he should keep calm and try to talk rationally, but Duo could be so infuriating that he just couldn't help the words that slipped out next. So, you still just run away from what you don't want to hear Maxwell.
Duo turned, venom in his gaze. What did you say?
I said that you always did run away from anything that you didn't like. You are like a child screaming that they're not listening. You never face up to anything. I will go back to Sally because she's a hell of a lot more responsible and mature than you'll ever be!
For a moment Duo looked as if he were going to cry, then his expression hardened and he left leaving Wufei alone.