Title: Gundam Diaries Part 22 ~ Quatre
Author: Makoto Sagara
Archive: www.angelfire.com/anime3/makotosagara/frames/fanfiction.html, www.wufeiduo.net, www.afallenangel.net/fandom/, www.fanfiction.net, www.sailorsandco.crosswinds.net/gundamwing/fanfiction.html, www.geocities.com/daqdaqduck/, Anywhere else, just ask. ^_^
Category: Romance, Angst
Pairings: 5x2, 3x4, 1+2, R+1 (both one-sided)
Rating: R/NC-17
Warnings: Shonen-ai!, Yaoi!, lemon!, violence, language, angst, OOC, near-Zero System Q!?
Disclaimers: Me? Own Gundam Wing? What ever you are on, could you please share? I think I could use it. Also, I *definitely* don't own the lyrics to Loving Me 4 Me by Christina Aguilera. Make no money. *points to empty back account* Yeah, so, um, no suing, kay?
A/N: Oh yeah, last chapter was interesting to write. Heero and his angst-driven existence right now are totally ruining my vibe, but I am getting back into it with KRAZY Q-ball! *snickers* Yes, I am having far too much fun with these few chapters. But, actually, I can't wait to get to Wufei's chapter. That will be my first foray into an action chapter. Go, Wufei, Go!
Dedication: To Nekkie-san and Derva-san! Welcome to my ML, and Derva-san, welcome to the dark side! *gigglz*
Symbols: *blah* emphasized thought
+blah+ song lyrics
*~*~* Major scene change
*~~~* Minor scene change
April 14th, AC 195…23:45:21
I HATE being right. Ok, so maybe I don't, but as far as dealing with those two hmars(1), I do. They are driving me insane, and poor Duo is in so much pain that I want to strangle them both. I think that if I didn't have Trowa here to hold me back, I would hurt one of them, Heero especially. That boy is really starting to make enemies of his 'friends'.
Well, it all started when Trowa and Heero came back to the house. I ran out to greet them as soon as I heard their Gundams approach. Trowa had barely descended out of Heavyarms before I rushed to hug him. I had *really* missed him the two weeks he was gone; not to mention I was awaiting our time alone that night. It had been a really long two weeks.
"Mmm, Trowa, I missed you," I murmured into his shirt, while hugging him tightly. My embrace was being returned just as fiercely.
"I missed you too, Quatre, and I am going to make you pay for that email you sent me the first day I was away," he said, untangling himself from me. I blushed in remembrance of the email. It was loaded with a *lot* of innuendo, and I knew that he would come home earlier if I said something to him. With a small smile in place, I followed my lover and Heero into the house.
Well, things could have gone better that day. Duo and Wufei had just gotten home the night before, and I had made them uncomfortable with my questioning, but both had reassured me that morning that everything was fine. I believed them, but seeing Duo's almost scared expression and Wufei's stern scowl; I was worried about the situation between them and Heero.
To summarize the day, as I am not going into detail of *that* day, the five of us watched the fucking little sharmuta(2) talk about two of my good friends like they were just pieces of trash. Afterwards, I slipped into my mission mode, which I think has a tendency to unnerve the others. I believe only Heero and Trowa have ever seen me like that, so it was a new experience for Duo and Wufei.
After that, Duo left, and Wufei went to retrieve him not long after he disappeared. When he came back, they and Heero made lunch, leaving Trowa and I some time to 'catch up', as it were. During lunch, Heero commented that we needed more supplies; Duo offered his and my services for that foray, which I agreed to. We left as soon as we were done, and I talked to Duo about the whole Relena/Heero/him/Wufei situation. He reassured me that he was still dedicated to the cause; I didn't really believe him, but I didn't want to fight with him either.
We went shopping, and came back to a silent house. Duo went off in search of his lover, and I in search of mine. I found Trowa in the music room, playing on the piano. I walked over to him and sat down.
"Trowa, Duo is acting a little bizarre, don't you think?" I said quietly.
"What do you mean, Quatre?" he asked, his hands stopped over the keys.
"Well, he was unusually quiet this morning, during lunch he sounded forced, and well, he seemed like he didn't want to come back when we where shopping. I'm worried. I know that he and Wufei are close, and I mean, as close as we are, but what about Heero? He seemed so nervous when he saw Heero, and he was acting more than a little bizarre during breakfast. Oh, I hate all of this."
"Breathe, Quatre. You are going to give yourself a heart attack one of these days," Trowa said, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Duo will tell you when he is ready. You know that. Now, let's play something for a while, and then we will round everyone up for dinner and some more planning, ok?"
"Ok, Trowa." Damn, he can be so reasonable sometimes.
We stayed there for about an hour more, and then I went in search of Duo. I walked into the study, to find Wufei and Heero facing off about something. I think I surprised them, because soon they were both storming up the stairs, yelling at one another.
Heero came down fifteen minutes later, and Duo and Wufei returned roughly twenty minutes after him. By that time, Trowa and I had fixed dinner, set the table, and put all the groceries away.
During dinner, Heero announced that he had found something to use to get Relena back. We finished our meal, and as a team, cleaned up the dining room and kitchen, then walked into the study. After Heero shared what he found, we set up a good plan and parted ways, feeling a bit better about the situation. I grabbed my laptop out of the TV room, while Trowa grabbed his long forgotten duffle bag, and then we proceeded up to our room, where I had a present to share with him.
First thing first though, we typed up reports and talked to our own Doctors. Instructor H said that he was glad that our other team members were back, in good health, and that there was a plan to avoid any farther infractions of this kind. He said that he approved of the plan and would be talking to the other four doctors about upcoming missions, but he did tell me that there was a solo mission coming up that had to be taken care of, and it would more than likely go to Wufei. I sighed, and typed that it was acknowledged.
When I was done, I found the CD that Duo gave me a little while ago, and placed it in the drive of my laptop, just as Trowa was shutting the lid to his own computer. He raised an eyebrow at me, which meant that he wanted to know exactly what was on the agenda.
"I got this CD from Duo a while ago. I listened to it when I was left alone, and one song reminded me strongly of you," I said, blushing profusely. I don't know why I was blushing. I had played other songs for him before, but this was the first time that I was playing a song that Duo recommended that I share with Trowa.
"Oh? And the name?" he asked.
"Of the CD or the song?"
"Both, I suppose." Allah, I was blushing again, and Trowa looked very interested in the song now.
"Um, well the CD is called Stripped by a 20th century Earth pop star, Christina Aguilera, and the song is called Loving Me 4 Me," I said, the blush creeping along my face more. He smiled and wrapped his arms around me.
"And you would like to share this song with me?" I nodded. "Well, play it, amour." I love it when he says things like that to me. He walked over to the bed, and I placed the CD into the drive.
+People ask if I'm in love with you+ +Because I'm sitting here with your picture + +And smiling to myself+ +I'm kinda lost in my own thoughts of you+ +My heart speaks before my mind thinks through + +And I blush as I say yes+
+What a feeling of vulnerability coming over me + +And I'm feeling weak and I can't speak+ +Never thought I'd give in so willingly to a human being + +With abilities to set me free+ +Free, make me be me+ +Makes me want to say+
+Your lips, your love, your smile, your kiss+ +I must admit it's a part of me+ +You please me, complete me, believe me+ +Like a melody+ +Your soul, your flow, your youth, your truth is simply proof+ +We were meant to be+ +But the best quality that's hookin' me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+
+People ask why I'm in love with you+ +Well, let me start by saying+ +You got my heart by just being who you are+ +And what we got is between me and you+ +It doesn't matter about the money I make + +Or what I do, or that I'm a, huh, a star+
+Unconditionally you're there for me + +Undeniably you inspire me, spiritually, so sweet+ +This is meaningful, is incredible, pleasurable, unforgettable+ +The way I feel, so sweet+ +Makes me want to say+
+Your lips, your love, your smile, your kiss+ +I must admit it's a part of me+ +You please me, complete me, believe me+ +Like a melody+ +Your soul, your flow, your youth, your truth is simply proof+ +We were meant to be+ +But the best quality that's hookin' me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+
+Its so amazing how something so sweet + +Has come and rearranged my life+ +I've been kissed by destiny+ +Oh, heaven came and saved me+ +An angel was placed at my feet+ +This isn't ordinary, he's loving me for me+
+Stripped of all make up, no need for fancy clothes+ +No cover ups, push ups+ +With him, I don't have to put on a show+ +He loves every freckle, every curve, every inch of my skin+ +Fulfilling me entirely, taking all of me in+ +He's real, he's honest, he's loving me for me+ +Yeah+
As soon as I has set the song to play on repeat, I walked over to my sexy brown-haired lover, trying to rid us of our clothes as quickly as possible. When I was done, I looked deep into his shining green eyes.
"Hmmm, I really did miss you, you know," I whispered. He responded by wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Yes, I do know, and what was it you said? 'I am going to make the angels cry when I make love to you'? Isn't that it?" he said huskily against my chest. The sensation of his warm breath against my bare skin, combined with the raging erection he had, made me shiver in absolute pleasure.
"Y-yes…" I stuttered.
"I still owe you for that, Quatre. I couldn't sit properly for hours because of that email." I smirked.
"Dans ce cas, ma mission a accompli(3)," I said, hoping that my French was as good as it used to be when I went school before all this madness started. I think I did, because the next thing I knew Trowa had thrown me to the bed, and was slowing kissing his way down my chest and stomach.
When he reached my belly button, I had to remember how to breathe as his tongue darted out to lap at the sensitive area. Damn him, he knows that I am incredibly sensitive in that region of my anatomy. I let out a moan when Trowa ran one hand up a bare thigh.
"You wanted to make me sexually frustrated for two weeks, with no one around but Heero?" he said. He followed that statement with a fleeting touch to my throbbing cock. Hissing at the sensation, I answered.
"M-maybe…" I lost all train of thought when Trowa lowered his head, taking in all of my member into his gloriously hot, wet mouth. I had missed that kind of contact with him so much, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. I could tell.
A shudder traveled the whole of my body as my lover began to slowly run his tongue all over my most sensitive region. I let out a strangled cry as he lightly nipped me. Allah, it felt so good, but I wanted more, so much more.
"T-trowa?" I managed, although I'm not entirely sure how. He looked up at me with his gorgeous green eyes sparkling.
"Oui, chéri?"
"I… I want you…. Inside me. Now. Please?" He smiled, one of his glorious smiles, the ones that only I get to see.
"As you wish," he breathed, crawling sensually up my body, allowing flesh to rub against flushed flesh. I absentmindedly reached into the bedside table, searching for the lube that I *knew* was there. Finally rewarded with the cold metallic tube, I looked at my love, who was still smiling at me.
"What?" I asked. He just shook his head, leaning in to kiss me. I returned the sweet kiss, using my hands to open the lubricant. When I had it open and some of the cold gel on my fingers, I snuck one of my hands down to start applying it to my lover's hot, pulsating shaft.
His whole body stiffened while I slowly stroked him, and his mouth stopped the hungry kiss we had been engaged in. A low, primitive growl escaped his kiss-bruised lips when I snuck my other hand down to softly cup his sac.
"Q-quatre…" he breathed. I smirked, and focused all my attention on his hypersensitive nether region, while placing soft nips on his collarbone.
"Hmmm?" I was answered by his hungry kissing me as he snatched the lube from off the mattress. Quickly, but with practiced ease, he slathered the gel on three of his fingers, and swiftly placed one at my entrance.
I had to remind my body to relax as one cold, long, slick digit entered my body. Slowly, he started to stretch me. As soon as I was reacquainted with the sensation of the invading finger, Trowa had already proceed to slide a second. I was in heaven, but I *needed* more. I needed all of him inside of me at that moment.
"Just take me," I nearly screamed, for he had found my g-spot and was using it to make me writhe underneath him.
"Whatever you say, mon petit," he said, positioning the head of his dripping cock to line up with my entrance. Before I could blink, I was filled completely, inside and out, by my sexy mate.
I took a few seconds to catch my breath, and when I was sure that I wasn't in any pain whatsoever, I started wiggling, trying to impale myself farther along his erection. Taking the cue, Trowa placed one arm by my hip on the mattress, and the other was pulling me while he started to pound into me.
Allah, I love it when he's away for a while. We have the *best* sex when he comes home. At first, he was slow and gentle, and it was amazing, but then, I wrapped my legs around his hips, and the pace quickened to a mind-blowing rate. I couldn't hold back the screams as he pulled almost completely out and rammed home with every thrust. I could feel a familiar, and welcome, warmth pull on me, and I managed to get a hand down to my own arousal. With a few strokes, I was there. I had hit my completion.
"TROWA!!!!!" I screamed, which he silenced with a searing, forceful kiss. I felt him shudder on top of me, and then I was filled with his hot seed.
"Quatre," he moaned into my hair, the strength seeming to sap right out of him. He carefully laid down on top of me, and I wrapped my arms around him as well. "Remind me to punish you more often." I stifled a chuckle.
"Remind me to be bad more often," I replied, feeling the fuzzy warmth that always accompanied mind-blowing sex with my lover. I didn't even notice when he pulled out of me, and calmly covered us with the duvet of our bed, but I did realized that he had pulled me next to him. I buried my head into the nook of his shoulder, closed my eyes, and soon I was asleep, feeling better than I had in weeks.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I awoke the next morning to the sun shining and the peace and quiet of the house encompassing. This quiet was welcome, for it was joined with the knowledge that Trowa was here next to me and our other friends where here in the house as well. Quickly reassuring myself that they were fine, I sat up and looked down at the calm face of the man I love. I smiled when I noticed he wasn't sleeping.
I gave him a soft kiss. "Good morning, Hennuna."
"Good morning, Quatre," he said, another special smile stealing across his face. "How about we take a shower, and then go make breakfast. Something tells me Duo will be awake in about an hour." I snickered.
"You're probably right." I suppressed a yelp as Trowa swept me into his arms, and carried me into the master bath.
"Aren't I always," he whispered, setting me down to fidget with the taps of the shower.
After a wonderfully hot shower, we dressed and headed down into the kitchen. Trowa started grabbing the odds and ends for breakfast, while I searched for coffee filters. Something told me Heero was going to need a cup of my special brew. I had no sooner gotten some of the hot brown liquid, which Trowa calls sludge, into a cup when Heero appeared in the kitchen.
I turned, handed him the mug, and poured myself a cup. I had just walked over to my lover, sipping the dark brew, when Heero mentioned something about seeing Duo with his hair down. That struck me as a bit odd, and Trowa shot a questioning look at me. I shrugged and decided that I should probably go see how Duo and Wufei were. I mentioned that I would be right back, and left to find the other two.
I stopped at Wufei's room, listening for any sounds behind the closed door. It was oddly silent. They couldn't still be asleep, could they? I knocked politely on the door, receiving no answer. I turned the knob, and found the room empty, except for the rumbled bed clothing and the unmistakable smell of sex in the air. Smiling, I shut the door, and headed down to Duo's room.
I heard some rustling in there, knowing that Duo was definitely the room's only occupant. I knocked on the door, not wanting to interrupt him if he was 'preoccupied'.
"Yeah," Duo called.
"Duo?" I asked.
"Yes, Q-bean?" I had to smile. He must be in a relatively good mood, if his tone of voice was any indicator.
"Oh, just wanted to make sure everything was ok. Breakfast is almost done, when you're ready," I said.
"Thanks, Q. Be down in a few. Just dealing with my hair."
"Ok, I'll let Trowa know then. See you." Better to let him be when dealing with that mess then.
"Yep. I'll bring the bells," he replied, snickering.
I smiled, and headed back down to the kitchen. Trowa was finishing cooking, and Heero was sitting at the table, nursing his coffee mug.
"Duo will be down in a few minutes," I said. Noticing that breakfast was mostly done, I grabbed a plate, and soon, the three of us were eating in amicable silence. When we had finished, and I had had my second cup of coffee, Duo walked into the kitchen.
"'Fei had a mission," he calmly stated, looking around the room. Trowa and I nodded, and Heero did exactly nothing. "So, where is the food you mentioned, Q? I'm staaaaaaaaaaaarved."
"Not surprising," Trowa stated, as he pointed to the counter, where there were plates heaped with breakfast foods.
"Yay! Food!" Duo exclaimed, taking up a plate and piling it up with food. The amount of bacon he had was enough to make my stomach turn, but then again, I don't eat pork. He sat down, and started to inhale his food. "So, what's the game plan for today?"
I shot a look of unease to my lover. Duo didn't even bother to swallow before he spoke. It was very unappealing. "Well, I have some more work for Instructor H to do. I don't know about anyone else."
"I have some reports to type up," Heero said, taking a drink from his mug.
Trowa shrugged in response before answering. "I have already typed up my report to Doktor S, so, I suppose nothing really," he said, which caused Duo's chin to hit the table. Trowa looked a little lost, and I couldn't help the snickers that were escaping. "What?" He really did sound confused over Duo's reaction.
"Nothing, Hennuna. It's just that the multitude aren't used to you speaking so much," I tried to explain to him. Everything seemed fine, until Heero opened his damn mouth.
"No, it's just that Duo talks too much to realize that others are speaking," Heero said. Duo glared at him.
"Don't you have some reports to work on, Ice-man?" Duo spit back, sneering. Heero chose not to reply. Instead, he finished his cup of coffee and left. "What's *his* problem?" he asked, trying to look innocent.
'You, and the fact that you and Wufei are together,' I thought miserably, and sighed. "Duo, I don't know what happened between you and Heero, nor do I think I ever will, but do you *have* to goad him like that?"
"I have *no* idea what you are talking about, Quatre." Duo gave me a dazzling smile and continued to decimate the rest of his food. When he was finished, he pushed his plate away from him, turning his eyes towards my lover, in a way that made both of feel uncomfortable. "So, Tro, since neither of us have anything to do today, and well, it's boring sitting around here all day, wanna join me for some fun?"
"Fun?" Trowa and I said at the same time. It is never good when Duo mentions anything can be fun.
"Um, Duo, do you think that is the best idea? I mean, we are kinda noticeable, with our pictures going around, and everything else," I stated. The last thing we needed was for Duo to get caused by OZ while Wufei was gone. I wasn't relishing having to tell him about that.
"I agree," Trowa added. Duo sighed in response.
"I can hide my hair and eyes, and Tro can put a hat on that bang. I mean, that's *his* most noticeable feature, like my braid is." He gave Trowa and I a very serious look. "Look, you both know me. I'm *not* stupid, but I don't want to stick around here all day with Heero…. I'd go nuts."
He had a point. If we tried to keep him here all day, he would not only be bored out his mind, but he would drive all of us insane as well. I looked at Trowa, who was telling me the same exact thing non-verbally, and I sighed in defeat. "Fine. But, don't do anything that will catch anyone's attention."
"As if I would." Duo sounded really hurt at the comment.
"You would. That is why Quatre is warning you."
"Hey! Trowa! You're supposed to be on *my* side."
"I am, but I really do *not* want to be caught by OZ again." It was Duo's turn to sigh in defeat.
"Fine. You win *this* round, but don't think you can do it again, Bang-boy." He stood up from the table. "I'm gonna go find a hat for ya, Tro, and another for me. Might even change out my usual black. No one would expect Shinigami to be in something other than black, ne?" We watched as he excitedly exited the room.
"Do you really think this is a good idea, Trowa?" I asked. He hadn't really had much exposure to Duo by himself, and I just wanted to make sure he had braced himself for anything.
"At the moment, yes. I think there is a lot of unresolved tension between Duo, Heero, and Wufei, and with Wufei gone that leaves Duo alone with Heero. I doubt that is a good idea at the present time." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I will gladly suffer this day to keep from having to scrape someone off the floor, wall, or whatever." I placed a concerned hand on his arm.
"If you are sure, Trowa."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, my lover and Duo left the safe house, which was still giving me a very uneasy feeling. I knew that Duo would behave, if only because Trowa would keep him in line, but I was worried about Heero. I knew that he was having some very conflicting emotions at the moment, and well, I wasn't sure how he was actually holding up with them.
Sighing, I went up to my room to retrieve my laptop. When I had it, I slipped into the study, printed up some upcoming missions that needed planning, and also some of the never-ending paperwork that I was receiving from my frantic employees of WEI.
I set up camp in the TV room, mostly because I could see and hear if anyone came home, or if something happened, I would be able to go to the hangar where Sandrock was. After grabbing some soda from the fridge, I tackled the mountain of work that I needed to do.
I suppose that I had been at it for a few hours when Heero came up from the hangar. He seemed to be looking for something, or someone I should say. I knew *exactly* whom he was searching for, and that person wasn't here. "They're out for the day, Heero. They should be back by dinner time," I said, hoping he would be appeased with that.
"A-Arigatou, Quatre," Heero replied, hesitating ever so slightly. I smiled. I threw him off. It always makes everyone so unnerved when I guess what they are thinking. Is it really my fault that sometimes they are just so easy to read, even when I'm not looking at them? I heard him go into the study, shutting the door, and I went back to my work.
A few more hours passed, when the sound of Altron's turbine engines could be heard. I looked at the clock on my laptop and saw that it was almost five-thirty pm. Well; his mission didn't take long at all. I continued to work, but I kept an ear out for Wufei's approach.
I was rewarded a few moments later with the Chinese boy standing in the doorway. I looked up, smiling. "Hello, Wufei. How was your mission?"
"Fine. It was a rather easy one," he replied gruffly. "Where is Maxwell? It's rather quiet."
"He is out with Trowa today. They went out to have fun, seeing as how they were both free. We agreed that it would keep us all sane, and him out of trouble," I said, trying to hide the worry from my voice. I hoped that my friends were alright.
"Ah, well, I suppose that it gives me sometime to set up a surprise for him. In the meantime, I will take a shower as well. Thank you, Winner," he replied cryptically, heading for the stairs. I watched him leave, and I was probably imagining it, but he seemed to be avoiding putting too much weight on his right leg. No, I was imagining things. He would have told someone if he was injured on such a simple mission.
I worked a bit more, and at six pm, I found the phone. Through information I found the name of the Chinese restaurant Duo and I had eaten at the night he left last week. I called, and ordered just about everything on the menu, and paid with a credit card, not really paying attention to the total when the woman told me.
An hour later, I heard a car approaching. I grabbed my gun, and looked out the window to see who it was. The driver was in a small car with the name "Dragon Way Chinese Food – Take Out, Delivery, or Dine In" on the side of it. Shoving my gun in the back of my pants, but checking to make sure it was loaded, I opened the door.
The driver was a man no bigger in size than Wufei, though probably a good twenty years older. He seemed relieved to see someone there before he had to ring the doorbell. I smiled as he approached.
"Mr. Winner?" he asked with a heavy accent.
"That's me."
"I have your order, but I need you to sign receipt first." He held out the slip. I signed my name hastily, and took the first of the bags from him. It took a few more trips to get all of the food into the kitchen, but when I was finished, I tipped him largely, and he smiled, walking happily to his car and driving back in the direction of town.
I just succeeded in getting most of the food out on the counter when I heard another car approach. A few minutes later, Duo was bounding into the kitchen.
"Heya, Q-bean, what's for dinner?" Duo asked, throwing himself into his chair. I couldn't help but smile at his manic energy. He sounded like he had had a great time, but I was really worried how well Trowa had taken his adventure.
"Well, I found out that Chinese place we ate at last time delivers, so I got a bit of everything," I said, while he took in the amount of food laid out. It was a bit much.
"Q, there is enough food to feed all five of us for a few weeks. How much did you pay?"
"I don't remember. I paid with a card while working." He looked like I had just told him that I was going to give him half my fortune and adopt him into my family, which wasn't entirely impossible, if we lived to see the end of the war. "What?"
"Oh, nothing." He shook his head in an almost whimsical manner. Glad to know that I was amusing him. "You are incredulous, you know that?"
"Why?" I was curious as to know why he thought that what I had done was anything but reasonable. There were five of us, and there was no way that I was going to be able t to know what everyone preferred, especially since he and Trowa were not even here to ask.
"Because you are the only one who would forget how much twenty bags of Chinese food would cost. Even working," Trowa said from the doorway. I was embarrassed. Ok, so it wasn't entirely practical, but what is the point of having all this money, if I sometimes can't just blow some of it on my friends? I scratched my head while I blushed, and decided that now would be an excellent time to ask how their day went.
"So, did you two have fun?"
"Actually, yes. It was quite… enlightening," my lover answered, moving behind me, and wrapping me in a warm embrace. I could tell from his tone of voice that he was downplaying how much he had enjoyed himself. Suddenly, I was happy that he agreed to go out with Duo to have some fun.
"What did you do?"
"We played video games at an arcade. Trowa killed my new high score in Pac-man. I trounced him a few thirty or so times in Mortal Kombat 50. Then, we played DDR, which I wiped the floor with Trowa on. Lunch, and then putt putt golf, where Trowa wiped the floor with me." He actually gave us a genuine smile. Yes, I was incredibly pleased with the two of them then. "*But* I got a hole-in-one on the last hole, and won a free game."
"Oh?" I said, smiling widely.
"Yes, and he promptly gave it to one of the other teenagers outside while we were leaving," Trowa added, sounding oddly pleased himself.
"Well, it sounds like you two *did* enjoy yourselves. Are you hungry?" The words where barely out of my mouth when Duo jumped up from his seat.
"Always! Want me to set the table?"
"That's ok. Dinner is going to be in the kitchen tonight. Since it's just us four, and I'm too weary to worry about proper etiquette." Duo snickered. I suppose I *do* insist that we eat in the dining room most nights.
"Great, do we have any chopsticks?"
"Of *course*. Help me out by putting the plates out like a buffet, and I'll go get Heero."
"'Kay," Duo said, the warmth leaving his voice. Puzzled by the sudden change in him, I left to get Heero from the study. I knocked politely on the closed door.
"Hai?" Heero called.
"Trowa and Duo are home, and we're going to have dinner soon," I said. A few seconds later, Heero opened the door.
"Fine," he muttered, walking right past me and into the kitchen. Sighing, I followed him to eat some food with my lover and two friends. The fact that Wufei didn't show up had me a bit worried, but I didn't let on. He must have been busy with reports and such, not to mention the surprise for Duo he had mentioned.
The atmosphere while eating was friendly for the most part. The only damper to the whole situation was the dead quiet from Heero. He left as soon as he was done, and I followed him shortly, knowing that Duo and Trowa would gladly clean up the kitchen. I saw my paperwork still spread across the coffee table, and a sudden urge to just forget it won me over. I packed up my laptop and the papers, put them on the desk in my room, and then went into the music room.
I had just started to play the song that Rashid gave me when my quiet lover joined me. He picked up the bottom section of the piece, and we played in amicable silence. When we were finished, Trowa opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by a crash coming from the TV room.
We automatically jumped up from the piano bench, and I vaguely noted that it fell to the ground with the sudden action. Then, I heard Duo scream something before we reached the door, and when I finally got the damned thing open all I saw was Duo hit the wall, and then slide down it like a mannequin.
Heero and Wufei were glaring daggers at one another, and looked like they were about to throw blows. My coffee table was in pieces and my couch was tipped over, blocking my view of Duo's form. To say I was outraged would have been and understatement, and I was looking at the two responsible for the chaotic scene. "El Khara Dah?" I yelled, ignoring the fact that I was probably the only one in the room who knew what it meant. My main concern at the moment was Duo, whom I ran over to. I had to know how my friend was.
The boy who only twenty minutes ago had been joking and laughing was unconscious, limp, and was starting to look pale. I was so terrified. I placed my hand to his head, and was appalled when I felt a sticky warmth, which could only mean one thing.
"Trowa," I whispered, "there's blood." My lover came running over, and I removed my hand from behind Duo's head, showing the other three my now red-stained hand. I looked up, and was greeted by the horrific scene of more blood streaking down the soft beige walls. "And it's on the wall too."
Trowa looked at my hand and then at the trail on the wall. I saw a sudden and frightening rage come over his normally placid face, and her turned on the two stupid Asians, who still looked like they could have killed each other.
"Avez-vous *perdus* les esprits?" he nearly screamed at Yuy and Chang. "Look! You could have killed each other, fine! But look at what happened to Duo!"
They looked at Duo, who I was still holding, and I felt a burst of amazing anger take hold of me. I barely noticed when Trowa removed Duo's limp body from my arms. All I could see was Duo hitting the wall, and I *knew* it was *their* fault.
"Allah Yela'an (4) Heero and Wufei, for being the *stupidest* Asians to walk on this Earth! You are both such Wad al harams.(5) I ought to kill you both." I was so upset that I couldn't think in just one language, and I felt myself slipping into my native Arabic as easily as my pants that morning.
"Win-" Chang tried to open his big fucking arrogant mouth, but I was having none of that. It was *my* turn to talk, and theirs' to listen to me.
"Ahhlass!(6) You are both going to keep your mouths SHUT! You are both so goddamn stupid." I turned my anger first to Heero. I just *knew* that that asshole has started all of this shit. "You, you hmar, could have had Duo a *long* time ago, if only you didn't have your head up your ASS!"
He said nothing. Smart boy. But, I wasn't done. It was time to tell Chang to wake the fuck up and stop hurting the boy he loved. He would never be able to keep Duo if he got so easily jealous.
"Zarba(7)! Chang, inti mafish Makh(8)! You *HAVE* Duo, and yet you don't trust him?! Or is it that you are so ready to find a reason to fight with Heero that this was a better opportunity than you hoped for?"
Fuck being diplomatic, nice, or even polite. They were asses, and they needed to be told so. I wanted to hit them myself, but my worry for Duo kept me from doing it. But then, Heero just had to open his mouth.
"Qua-"
"NO! Said Bousak(9)! I AM NOT DONE WITH EITHER OF YOU!" he yelled, even louder than before. "If I *ever* catch *either* of you doing something so fucking stupid, I will kill you both. Omae o korosu, Heero, and unlike you, I will follow up on that promise." I turned on both of them. I couldn't stand to look at the fucks anymore.
"*I* am going to check on Duo, now. You are both going to stay here, or you can go to your rooms. I don't care. But *NEITHER* of you will be seeing Duo unless he asks to see you. I don't care if you kill each other. Go ahead, for all I care!" I stormed out of the room, heading for my injured friend's room.
I had made it to the second stair when I heard someone behind me. Turning, I saw Wufei, standing directly below me, looking upset, lost, and totally unlike his usual self. Even seeing him like that did not lessen my anger at him. Stupid Chinese boy thought that he should be jealous. I wanted to hit him, more so while he had that expression on his face.
"What do you want?" I snarled, keeping my voice as icy as possible.
"I need to see how Maxwell is," he said, his normal arrogance forgotten.
"I don't think so. You and Yuy need to stay away from him," I continued in my cold voice. "In fact, I would suggest that you both stay away from him, unless he asks for you. Whenever that may be, considering he is unconscious right now." I turned back around and continued my way.
"Wi…. Winner?" he called.
"Yes?"
"It was an accident." He really did sound very remourseful. I decided to relent a bit.
"I know, Wufei. Just don't come unless Trowa or I come and get you. We don't know how he will react when he wakes up." I sighed again, and left him on the stairs, muttering to himself in Mandarin. The only clear word I caught was "ben dan(10)", which I had to agree with him on. I heard a door open and close, and the Chinese was cut off.
I stopped in the doorway to Duo's room, greeted by the sight of Duo laying in the middle of his bed and Trowa, sitting next to the bed, with a look of worry across his beautiful face. I took a deep breath, and walked silently to the both of them.
"How is he?" I whispered, not wanting to wake Duo if I could help it.
"Well, as far as I can tell, he will have a concussion from the lump on his head and the hit on the wall. A few ribs have been cracked, at the least. And, his tailbone may be bruised. It's too early to tell now," he said, and I winced. Just imagining the pain that he was going to be in when he woke up was making me very uncomfortable.
Before I could say anything else, there was a knock on the open door. Heero or Wufei, I thought. Doesn't matter; both are gonna get an earful later. I turned to see Heero there, and I felt another surge of anger. I walked swiftly to the door, leveling my harshest glare at the Japanese boy.
"Go. To. The. Study. Don't. Come. Back. Unless. I. Tell. You," I spat out, containing my voice so I wouldn't wake Duo up. Last thing he needed to see was I yelling at one of his attackers. Not wasting time, I slammed the door in his face, knowing fully well that he would get the message to go the fuck away.
"Where's Wufei?" Trowa asked, and I felt my earlier anger for the Chinese boy return.
"*Chang* is in his room. He walked up with me, and wanted to come see Duo, but I told him he had better not, unless he was asked for. Which I doubt for a while. He was muttering something about being an idiot in Chinese. I agree," I spat out, causing Trowa to sigh, and we returned our attention back to Duo.
The sleeping boy moved a bit, and that's when I remembered that we had some quick dissolving pain meds. I left the room, and walked into the master bath. After digging in the medicine cabinet, I found the bottle and grabbed it. Before returning to Duo's room, I stopped in the bathroom that he and Wufei shared, and stowed them in *that* cabinet.
I knew he would want something to drink later, and well, he wouldn't except the pain killers unless they were slipped to him, and these were the kind that put the taker to sleep in about twenty minutes after they were swallowed. I quickly returned to Duo's room. I wanted to be there when he awoke.
He tried to move a little, but decided it was a bad thing. "Oi, T, did you get the name of the mobile doll who stepped on me?" Duo said. I let out the breath I had been holding in. He was going to be fine; just in a whole mess of pain.
"Would you believe Heero and Wufei?" I asked from the doorway, still wondering if I should enter the room fully.
"Q? Where are you?" he whispered hoarsely, and I took that as the okay to come in. I decided to sit next to him, and very carefully did so.
"How do you feel?" I asked, trying to keep the mood a little lighter than how I actually felt. Duo snorted in return, and then grimaced. I wondered if I should have moved off the bed.
"Like I just got the shit beat out of me. What happened?"
"That's what we would like to know. Wufei and Heero aren't exactly talking to us right now," Trowa asked. Talking would be the last thing those two were doing at this moment.
"Where are they? Why is 'Fei home so early? What the hell is going on? It feels like I stepped into the Twilight Zone, and my head is killing me."
"Whoa! Slow down, Duo," I sighed, amazed that he could even think that clearly with the damage to his head. "Heero is in the study, under orders to stay put until we tell him to come out. Wufei is in his room, sulking and berating himself perfectly in Mandarin. Wufei came home while you and Trowa were out playing. He asked me not to tell you. He said he had a surprise for you. I assume he was setting it up during dinner, and came looking for you when he and Heero started fighting.
"As for what the hell is going on, we don't know. We were hoping you could shed some light on this situation."
"What's the last thing you remember?" Trowa asked.
"Um, we had dinner. I helped you clean the kitchen, and then I went out in the TV room to watch a movie. And then… I'm blank." He held his head for a moment. "My chest feels like it's bound. Why?"
"Well, it seems you stepped in between Heero and Wufei fighting, and Heero punched you in the chest, which cracked a few of your ribs."
"No shit. It hurts like you wouldn't believe."
"Also, we got a spectacular view of you flying into the wall. So, that might be why your head hurts so much," my lover calmly said, not mentioning his reaction to the whole situation.
"How'd I get here? Oi, someone get me some water, please."
"I'll do it," I offered. That was the perfect excuse to slip him the pain meds. I was surprised when I opened the door and found Wufei there. "What are you doing here? I told you to wait." I hissed at him. "Go away until Duo asks for you." I glared at him while continuing to the bathroom.
I picked up the tumbler on the counter, filled it with water, and quickly dropped one of the pills in the liquid. I stuck my finger in there and kind of stirred it a bit, hoping Duo wouldn't notice. I was heading back into his room when I heard Duo's voice call out.
"Damn… Where's Q with my water?"
"I'm right here, Duo. Trowa, lift him up so he can drink this." Duo's face scrunched up in anger, and then he started yelling at me, while sitting up.
"I can do it myself, Quatre. Just give me the goddamn glass," he snarled, snatching the cup from my hand, and gulped down every drop of the water. "I need to talk to 'Fei. Could you guys go get him?"
"Are you sure, Duo? You are pretty beat up," I said, which earned me a glare.
"Quatre, I am a *GUNDAM* pilot, and I have had *much* worse than this before. Now, find me my *lover* before I hurt you both!"
I tried to squelch the cry of surprise that I felt rising in me. Hurriedly, I latched onto Trowa's arm, and dragged him from the room. When we were out of range of Duo's hearing, I had to confess what I had just done.
"I put a quick dissolving painkiller in that water he just downed. I doubt he will be awake for much longer."
"He is going to kill you when he finds out," he whispered.
"You mean *if* he finds out. You know how Duo is about painkillers. He acts down right childish. So, if he doesn't know, then he can't protest, and he will get better sooner." We stopped at the door of Wufei's room, and I knocked. I was sort of worried about Duo finding out, but the only people who could actually tell me were Trowa and myself. He wasn't finding out any time soon, that was for sure. "Chang! Duo wants to see you!" I yelled, not bothering to be polite.
Trowa and I both stepped back as a very upset looking Wufei opened his door. To be perfectly honest, he looked as if he was close to tears. I felt his pain, and it made me slightly woozy. You couple that with Duo's pain, and the confusion from Heero, I was really about to pass out.
"Thank you," he mumbled, walking swiftly to Duo's room. I turned to my lover.
"I think I need to shower again, and then some sleep is in order," he stated.
"I think that is a wonderful idea. I'm going to join you," I sighed, leaning my head against his warm, strong chest. "I'm so tired right now. I can feel the pain just radiating from Duo, not to mention the pain and regret from both Wufei and Heero. Not that I feel sorry for either of them."
"Are you going to tell Heero he can leave the study?"
"Why? Let the jerk stay there for however long he thinks is a good idea. I'm tired. Let's go shower and sleep, Hennuna." I felt him shrug, and then he swooped me up into his arms, carrying me to our room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Trowa and I found ourselves in the kitchen, eating a light breakfast, when Wufei entered. He walked past us and started to raid the pantries and refrigerator for foodstuff. I watched him as he started cooking pancakes for Duo.
"What are you doing, Wufei?" I asked, my voice was much calmer than from the night before.
"Fixing breakfast for Duo. I think he will be awake in about ten minutes," he replied, never looking at either of us at the table.
"How is he?" Trowa added.
"He is fine, Barton. He seemed to be fine before he fell asleep last night, and he didn't wake up with a nightmare, so I can only assume that he slept well."
"Would you please tell us how he is after he eats?" I asked, sounding quite pleading, even to my own ears.
"Yes, I can arrange that."
"Thank you."
Wufei didn't say anything to be farther, and just went about fixing the food for Duo. I sat there, picking at my food, going over how I could repair my friendship with Wufei. He looked as if he didn't sleep very well, and the first thing he did was come down to fix breakfast for his lover. Maybe he had spent his time last night thinking about what I said, but I couldn't be too sure, and just the whole situation was enough to depress the hell out of me.
When Wufei left, with a tray in hand, I looked at Trowa, and tried hard not to burst into tears. "I just set our friendship back about two months last night, didn't I?"
"I don't think so. He was curt, but that is Wufei. He feels guilty, and you know it. Just give him sometime with Duo, and then you can talk to him about it." He stood from his chair, and grabbed my hand, which instantly soothed me. "Come, amour, let's go and do something for a while. It won't do any good to dwell on last night. Besides, none of it was your fault, or mine, or Duo's."
He always knows exactly what to say to make me feel 100% better. As a thank you, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and I smiled as he returned my embrace. "Thank you, Trowa."
"You are welcome."
"I love you."
"Je t'aime aussi, Quatre." I resisted a shiver as he said those beautiful words to me. It thrills me to no end to hear his native tongue spill from his lips. I have always thought French was an incredibly erotic language, and well, hearing it pour from the mouth of the one man I love just confirmed it.
We walked into the music room, and saw the state of disarray we had left it in because of the excitement last night. There was sheet music littered all over the floor, and the piano bench was still sitting on its side. Casting guilty looks at one another, we quietly cleaned the mess, and then sat at the piano, playing our favorite pieces. All of this was done in the comfortable silence that was most of our relationship.
When we were done, we parted ways at the door to the gymnasium. I knew that he had missed this room most of all the whole two weeks he had been away. I left him, went into the kitchen, and cleaned up the mess that everyone had left. There were enough dishes in the sink for four people, which meant that Heero was up. I looked at my watch. It was well after noon; of course he was up. And Wufei had probably been up since the crack of dawn, if he even slept at all last night.
Sighing, I cleaned up the messes left by everyone, and was just setting the last plate in the drainer when I heard Duo and Wufei in the TV room. Duo seemed to be looking around for the remotes to the television and disk player, and Wufei seemed to be occupied with the mission as well. I remembered that I had picked them off the floor this morning.
Walking over to the fridge, I snatched the remotes down, and walked happily into the open room, waving the desired objects over a confused Duo's head. I smiled in relief when his face broke out in a grin, and he opened his mouth to speak, the usual mirth back in his voice. "Q-man! You are my savior, and 'Fei's too, because I would have made me look for those."
"Duo! I am quite relieved to see you are able to walk around. I heard you two on the stairs, and I thought I would see how you were doing myself," I replied, shooting an accusing look at my black-haired friend. "Wufei was supposed to tell us how you were doing while you ate breakfast."
"Heh, well, you know what? I kinda kidnapped him, and made him stay with me, so it's not his fault. It's mine." He swiped the remotes from my hands. "Hey, I was gonna curl up with 'Fei on the couch and watch Dogma. You wanna watch it with us? Bring Trowa too. We can have like movie-time or something."
"You are watching that movie about God again?" I sighed, but then remembered how much we both laughed when watching it. "Well, it *was* rather funny. Ok, I'll go get Trowa, and we'll bring some snacks." I turned my attention the quiet boy on the couch. "Would you like something, Wufei?"
"Anything would be fine, Winner," he muttered.
"Great. I'll be back in a few minutes." I walked swiftly towards the gymnasium, and watching my lover for a minute, a smile pulling on my face at how everything seemed to be evening out so far. After the allotted minute I had given myself, I walked over to Trowa, who was turning to notice me.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Duo has requested that Wufei, you, and I watch Dogma with him," I replied.
"I take it he is ok?"
"Yes, he seems fine, and Wufei seems to be taking his punishment very well. Also, I think he is indulging Duo's whims for a while."
"Ah, guilt will do that. Fine, I will come and watch the movie with you three." I was so excited that he barely had the words out of his mouth before I was pulling him out of the room, towards the kitchen.
"Oh, I also told him that we would bring some snacks as well." I added, trying to think of what to take out. "What do you think is appropriate?"
"Well, Duo likes fresh fruit and vegetables, and popcorn is usually a staple of movie viewing."
"Great. Let's get it all together," I said excitedly. Trowa, then, popped some microwave-able popcorn, and helped me grab enough fresh fruits and veggies for the movie. When we were done, we took the refreshments out to the TV room, and I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed that the table was gone.
"Damn," I swore, placing my bowls on the loveseat, and then stomped through the house to find a replacement for the table Heero and Wufei broke last night. Damn Asian hot-heads. I walked up into the attic, and saw an acceptable replica, albeit a bit dustier than I would have preferred.
I had just gotten a good hold on it, and started to drag it when Trowa showed up behind me. "Quatre?" he called out, and I turned to face him smiling.
"What do you think, Trowa? Will it work?" I asked, and he smiled fondly.
"Yes, it is perfect."
"Great! Let's take it down now." We got the heavy oak monster down the two flights of stairs, and Trowa then carried it into the TV room, refusing to let me help him any farther.
"Well, we found it," I said, quite proud of myself with my mission. "Even if it *is* a bit dusty."
"Where did you find it? In the middle of a sand storm?" Duo asked, which caused me to look at myself. I was covered in dust from head to toe.
"Um, not exactly, but the attic is not exactly someplace that is spotless." I flashed a sheepish grin at my friends, and tried to remove as much of the dirt as was humanly possible.
"I found him like that, trying to drag this thing by himself," Trowa said, moving the table until it was in the perfect position for all four of us to reach without any trouble. Duo waited patiently until everyone was settled in to turn on the television and switch it to the correct channel.
"Ready?" he asked. Wufei snorted, I flashed him a grin, and I felt Trowa shrug against me. Duo hit the play button on the disk player's remote, and then placed his head in Wufei's lap.
I tried to pay attention to the movie, but I was worried about Duo's condition. He seemed to be in less pain than he had the night before, and well, he was smiling and laughing like a maniac. I did manage to catch my favorite parts, like the train scene where the silent character, aptly named Silent Bob, spoke his first of two lines in the entire movie. Towards the end, I slipped from under Trowa's arm, and went into the kitchen.
I made some chai for Wufei, some Earl Grey tea for Trowa, and some coffee for myself. Then, I grabbed a can of soda out of the fridge, poured it in a glass, and snuck another pain pill into the syrupy liquid. Thinking quickly, I put it all on a tray, and took that out into the TV room.
When the movie was truly over, Trowa and I removed the dishes from the room, leaving Wufei and Duo alone for a bit. I thought they would need all the time they had before Duo passed out again. I felt guilty, but I knew it had to be done, but it still didn't stop me from telling Trowa about it.
"Trowa, I gave him more of the medicine in his soda," I confessed to my lover.
"Dammit, Quatre, if Duo finds out about this, you will be lucky if he ever talks to you again." I sighed in resignation. I knew he was right. If Duo ever found about my recent actions, I would be *really* lucky if he even said excuse me while we were walking in different directions.
"I know, but I hate seeing him in so much pain. And did you see those bruises on his arms when he was reaching for some of the food off the table. Dammit! This shouldn't have happened."
Trowa opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by a *very* angry Duo yelling at his lover.
"God dammit, Wufei, I don't need two mother hens! It's bad enough that Q was shooting concerned looks at me throughout the whole movie! I've *had* worse!" He came to the kitchen and glared at us both until I turned around to face him. "And the next stupid person who asks how I feel will get a fist. I promise." He stomped away to the dining room.
Then, out of the blue, Heero appeared and followed Duo into said room. I exchanged worried glances with Trowa, wondering if someone should go in and intervene, or just let it play out. Before anyone could say or do anything, Duo's voice rang out again.
"I said GO AWAY, YUY!"
A few seconds passed, then a chair crashed to the floor, and we ran to the doorway, to see Duo all but fall into Wufei's arms.
"Duo?" Wufei asked, concern laced in his voice and countenance.
"Hide me, love. I just punched the hell out of Heero." Wufei raised one slender eyebrow, but carefully carried the weary American boy back to the couch.
"I take it you made good on your threat?" he asked, mirth appearing in his voice
"Yeah, and it's not my fault that Heero was the one who asked, though he deserved it. Bastard," Duo snarled, as Wufei held him. "Hm, I think I need a nap now." I somehow managed to suppress a sigh of relief as Duo yawned widely. "Stay here."
"You aren't going bite my head off again, are you?"
Duo yawned yet again, and snuggled as close as was possible into Wufei. "Nope, not yet. Give me a while."
I smiled as Duo started to lightly snore, but I was still worried that he might be over-exerting himself too soon. I turned to look at my lover, who was watching the scene in the TV room as well.
"Do you think he will be ok?" I asked, and Trowa turned to face me, a look that told me that he might just have to scold me.
"Yes, some more sleep would benefit him greatly. And he is so tired because you keep slipping him pain medication, Quatre."
"I know, but dammit! He won't take it any other way." I sighed deeply. "I'm going to go see if there is anything I can get for Wufei while Duo sleeps." I left Trowa in the kitchen and walked silently up to the couch. "Wufei?"
"Yes, Quatre?" he said, sounding a bit weary himself.
"Is there something I can get for you? Some more chai perhaps? A book? Your laptop?" I asked.
"Why are you asking?"
"I don't want you to be bored, and well, you have Duo asleep in your lap, so I doubt you will be moving anytime soon." I gave him a small, and what I hoped was friendly, smile.
"A book would be a welcome thing."
"Which one would you like? I can grab something from out of the study."
"There is a book on the nightstand in my room. Please do not touch anything else."
"Of course, Wufei." I gave him a polite bow. "I'll be right back." I left the room, and walked into the Chinese boy's private world. Everything seemed to be set up for some romantic night. I tried not to disturb anything else as I moved through the impeccably neat room.
The only thing that seemed out of place was the tome looking book on the nightstand. I took a look at the title, but since I don't really read Chinese, it was hard to tell what it was. I opened it up, and more of the simple, yet elegant, Chinese script flowed across the pages. Shutting the book, I left Wufei's private quarters, and handed the book to him.
"Excuse me, Wufei, but what is the name of that book?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better for me. I was surprise to no end when Wufei's normally stern face tinged red.
"It is a book of Shakespeare's sonnets in Cantonese*1*," he whispered.
I was shocked. Who would have thought that Wufei would read Shakespeare? It seems that I have a lot to learn about my friend's still. And yet, something else was gnawing at me, but I couldn't explain it. I could see Trowa still in the kitchen, and I wondered if I should help him clean it up, but just decided that I needed some quiet time alone myself.
I went up to our room, threw myself face up on the bed, and thought over the last three days, while staring at the ceiling. Four days ago, I was consumed by worry over my friends and lover, and then I received information that my missing comrades where safe, happy, and on their way back. I got to see them shoot little glances at one another that let me know that no matter what Relena did to them, they were falling for one another. Then, Heero and Trowa came home, and I lost my mind trying to find a way to pay that….sharmuta back. Then, there was yesterday, which was fine until Heero and Wufei fought and injured Duo. What the HELL was going on in this house?
I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard the door open, and in walked Trowa, looking upset.
"Something wrong, mon petit?" he asked. Damn him, he always asks me if there is something wrong when he needs to get something off *his* chest.
"Not really. Just wondering what caused all this drama. It was so peaceful yesterday. Then, Wufei came home, and disappeared in his room to ready some sort of surprise for Duo. Then, you and Duo come home. We had a good dinner. And *then*, all of the world came crashing down in huge pieces."
"Heero kissed Duo. I can only assume that Wufei saw it, hence their fight. Duo intervened and was injured." I saw intense and brilliant red flash behind my eyes, and the need to hurt Heero Yuy boiled inside of me. I sat up straight on the bed.
"Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me?" Trowa shook his head in the negative, which angered me more. "Of all the stupid, brainless, *MORONIC* things Heero Yuy has ever done, this takes the cake. Not even self-detonating, which caused Duo *so* much pain, was *this* damn stupid!"
"I agree, and I told him as much when he confessed to me." The *baka* confessed? Oh, I really wanted to hurt him.
"I'm going to kill him!" I raged, but before I could leave the room, Trowa had me, and was kissing me with a passion unlike any other.
"No. You are going to stay here, and take a nap with me. Then, when we wake up, we will reheat some of the Chinese food from last night for dinner." His calm green eyes locked with my own, and I felt calmer right then and there. "*That* is what you are going to do." The last of my resolve cracked, and I melted into the arms holding me.
"You are right."
"Of course I am. Now, let's get some sleep."
"Ok," I said, as he gently laid me down on our bed, and we fell into a peaceful slumber.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When we woke up, feeling refreshed, we walked into the kitchen, passing a reading Wufei and sleeping Duo. Trowa went about taking things out of the refrigerator, and I pulled out pans and plates and such. We worked in silence, just going about our work in companionable silence.
After we had everything finished, I left the kitchen and went to check on Duo and Wufei. They were still in the same position as before, but it seemed that Duo might have been awake. I wanted to check before I spoke too loudly though.
"Wufei, is Duo awake? Trowa and I reheated some leftovers from last night for dinner."
"Yes, he is. We will be in there in a moment. Thank you."
"No problem." I smiled as I headed back into the kitchen. I caught a glimpse of Heero's profile in the study, and tried to hide the small smile I knew was going to come from Duo's handy work. I stole a quick kiss from Trowa when I entered, and then we both placed some food on plates, sitting at the table to eat. Wufei and Duo appeared not too long after.
"Hmmm… smells good," Duo said, walking carefully to the counter and piling food, though not his usual share, onto a plate, while he began eating before sitting down. "Tastes good too." Wufei made himself a much more reasonable plate and sat next to the braided boy. I shook my head at my friend.
"Nice work," I said, which caused Duo to look up at me, mouth with food in it.
"Hmm?" He swallowed
"You have officially out-done Wufei," I stated, and Duo's face lit up in a smirk.
"Yes, quite a few times," he replied, winking at the now beet-red Wufei.
"Maxwell," the Chinese teen growled, and Duo gave him a somewhat innocent smile.
"What?"
"Just eat, and don't talk," Wufei commanded, which caused myself, Trowa and Duo to laugh. We continued eating in a light atmosphere, which was only dampened when Heero entered, scowl firmly in place and the bruise taking up a good fourth of his face.
The Japanese boy put some food on a plate, sat down in the empty chair, ate as quickly as he possibly could, and then left. The mood in the kitchen died after that, and we just ate in silence. That is, until I saw Duo start to sway from the corner of my eye. Evidently, I wasn't the only one, because both Trowa and Wufei were looking at the braided boy with looks of concern.
"Are you ok, Duo?" Trowa asked.
"Yeah, T-man, just a little tired again. I think I'm gonna go to bed. Nice dinner, by the way, Quatre." Duo stood unsteadily, and Wufei helped him out of the kitchen. When they were gone, Trowa turned and looked at me, seeming all but pissed.
"Quatre!" he yelled.
"I didn't do it this time! I swear. He's been through so much, lately. I think it has finally caught up with him." Truth be told, I just couldn't bring myself to drug him a third time. I felt horrible enough about the two previous times. Besides, I couldn't have done it anyway. Trowa had been watching me like I was the enemy as soon as we stepped into the kitchen.
We finished our meal quickly, threw away the reheated food that hadn't been eaten, and gave the kitchen a very thorough cleaning. An hour later, we were in the TV room, in front of the television again, watching The Bride of Frankenstein, since I hadn't really had a chance to finish it the other night. When the movie was over, I rewound the ancient VHS tape, and told my lover that I would be to bed in a while, because I had more paperwork for WEI to complete.
And so, here I sit, typing up these crazy three or so days, trying to get it off my chest. I know that Trowa thinks I am working, but I just can't concentrate on the words of the papers. I can barely see the words that I am typing straight. I think I will go to bed now. I miss my love, and well, I need more sleep. Too much confusion is going on in this house right now for me.
Good night.
~ Quatre Raberba Winner
TBC
*1* Although I mentioned that Wufei speaks Mandarin, I feel that, as a scholar, he should know both of the main variations of the Chinese language. There are around forty or so different variations, but Mandarin and Cantonese are both the mostly widely used, Mandarin being the most popular.
Translations: (1) Hmars – Arabic, "Jackasses" (2) Sharmuta – Arabic, "Bitch" (3) Dans ce cas, ma mission a accompli. – French, "In that case, my mission was accomplished." (4) Allah Yela'an… - Arabic, "Allah curse…" (5) Wad al harams – Arabic, "Bastards" (6) Ahhlass – Arabic, "Shut up!" (7) Zarba – Arabic, "Shit!" (8) Inti mafish Makh! – Arabic, "You have no brains!", "You're an idiot!" (9) Said Bousak – Arabic, "Shut your mouth!" (pronounced Sai-id Bow-sac) (10) Ben dan – Mandarin, "idiot"
Disclaimers: Me? Own Gundam Wing? What ever you are on, could you please share? I think I could use it. Also, I *definitely* don't own the lyrics to Loving Me 4 Me by Christina Aguilera. Make no money. *points to empty back account* Yeah, so, um, no suing, kay?
A/N: Oh yeah, last chapter was interesting to write. Heero and his angst-driven existence right now are totally ruining my vibe, but I am getting back into it with KRAZY Q-ball! *snickers* Yes, I am having far too much fun with these few chapters. But, actually, I can't wait to get to Wufei's chapter. That will be my first foray into an action chapter. Go, Wufei, Go!
Dedication: To Nekkie-san and Derva-san! Welcome to my ML, and Derva-san, welcome to the dark side! *gigglz*
Symbols: *blah* emphasized thought
+blah+ song lyrics
*~*~* Major scene change
*~~~* Minor scene change
April 14th, AC 195…23:45:21
I HATE being right. Ok, so maybe I don't, but as far as dealing with those two hmars(1), I do. They are driving me insane, and poor Duo is in so much pain that I want to strangle them both. I think that if I didn't have Trowa here to hold me back, I would hurt one of them, Heero especially. That boy is really starting to make enemies of his 'friends'.
Well, it all started when Trowa and Heero came back to the house. I ran out to greet them as soon as I heard their Gundams approach. Trowa had barely descended out of Heavyarms before I rushed to hug him. I had *really* missed him the two weeks he was gone; not to mention I was awaiting our time alone that night. It had been a really long two weeks.
"Mmm, Trowa, I missed you," I murmured into his shirt, while hugging him tightly. My embrace was being returned just as fiercely.
"I missed you too, Quatre, and I am going to make you pay for that email you sent me the first day I was away," he said, untangling himself from me. I blushed in remembrance of the email. It was loaded with a *lot* of innuendo, and I knew that he would come home earlier if I said something to him. With a small smile in place, I followed my lover and Heero into the house.
Well, things could have gone better that day. Duo and Wufei had just gotten home the night before, and I had made them uncomfortable with my questioning, but both had reassured me that morning that everything was fine. I believed them, but seeing Duo's almost scared expression and Wufei's stern scowl; I was worried about the situation between them and Heero.
To summarize the day, as I am not going into detail of *that* day, the five of us watched the fucking little sharmuta(2) talk about two of my good friends like they were just pieces of trash. Afterwards, I slipped into my mission mode, which I think has a tendency to unnerve the others. I believe only Heero and Trowa have ever seen me like that, so it was a new experience for Duo and Wufei.
After that, Duo left, and Wufei went to retrieve him not long after he disappeared. When he came back, they and Heero made lunch, leaving Trowa and I some time to 'catch up', as it were. During lunch, Heero commented that we needed more supplies; Duo offered his and my services for that foray, which I agreed to. We left as soon as we were done, and I talked to Duo about the whole Relena/Heero/him/Wufei situation. He reassured me that he was still dedicated to the cause; I didn't really believe him, but I didn't want to fight with him either.
We went shopping, and came back to a silent house. Duo went off in search of his lover, and I in search of mine. I found Trowa in the music room, playing on the piano. I walked over to him and sat down.
"Trowa, Duo is acting a little bizarre, don't you think?" I said quietly.
"What do you mean, Quatre?" he asked, his hands stopped over the keys.
"Well, he was unusually quiet this morning, during lunch he sounded forced, and well, he seemed like he didn't want to come back when we where shopping. I'm worried. I know that he and Wufei are close, and I mean, as close as we are, but what about Heero? He seemed so nervous when he saw Heero, and he was acting more than a little bizarre during breakfast. Oh, I hate all of this."
"Breathe, Quatre. You are going to give yourself a heart attack one of these days," Trowa said, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Duo will tell you when he is ready. You know that. Now, let's play something for a while, and then we will round everyone up for dinner and some more planning, ok?"
"Ok, Trowa." Damn, he can be so reasonable sometimes.
We stayed there for about an hour more, and then I went in search of Duo. I walked into the study, to find Wufei and Heero facing off about something. I think I surprised them, because soon they were both storming up the stairs, yelling at one another.
Heero came down fifteen minutes later, and Duo and Wufei returned roughly twenty minutes after him. By that time, Trowa and I had fixed dinner, set the table, and put all the groceries away.
During dinner, Heero announced that he had found something to use to get Relena back. We finished our meal, and as a team, cleaned up the dining room and kitchen, then walked into the study. After Heero shared what he found, we set up a good plan and parted ways, feeling a bit better about the situation. I grabbed my laptop out of the TV room, while Trowa grabbed his long forgotten duffle bag, and then we proceeded up to our room, where I had a present to share with him.
First thing first though, we typed up reports and talked to our own Doctors. Instructor H said that he was glad that our other team members were back, in good health, and that there was a plan to avoid any farther infractions of this kind. He said that he approved of the plan and would be talking to the other four doctors about upcoming missions, but he did tell me that there was a solo mission coming up that had to be taken care of, and it would more than likely go to Wufei. I sighed, and typed that it was acknowledged.
When I was done, I found the CD that Duo gave me a little while ago, and placed it in the drive of my laptop, just as Trowa was shutting the lid to his own computer. He raised an eyebrow at me, which meant that he wanted to know exactly what was on the agenda.
"I got this CD from Duo a while ago. I listened to it when I was left alone, and one song reminded me strongly of you," I said, blushing profusely. I don't know why I was blushing. I had played other songs for him before, but this was the first time that I was playing a song that Duo recommended that I share with Trowa.
"Oh? And the name?" he asked.
"Of the CD or the song?"
"Both, I suppose." Allah, I was blushing again, and Trowa looked very interested in the song now.
"Um, well the CD is called Stripped by a 20th century Earth pop star, Christina Aguilera, and the song is called Loving Me 4 Me," I said, the blush creeping along my face more. He smiled and wrapped his arms around me.
"And you would like to share this song with me?" I nodded. "Well, play it, amour." I love it when he says things like that to me. He walked over to the bed, and I placed the CD into the drive.
+People ask if I'm in love with you+ +Because I'm sitting here with your picture + +And smiling to myself+ +I'm kinda lost in my own thoughts of you+ +My heart speaks before my mind thinks through + +And I blush as I say yes+
+What a feeling of vulnerability coming over me + +And I'm feeling weak and I can't speak+ +Never thought I'd give in so willingly to a human being + +With abilities to set me free+ +Free, make me be me+ +Makes me want to say+
+Your lips, your love, your smile, your kiss+ +I must admit it's a part of me+ +You please me, complete me, believe me+ +Like a melody+ +Your soul, your flow, your youth, your truth is simply proof+ +We were meant to be+ +But the best quality that's hookin' me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+
+People ask why I'm in love with you+ +Well, let me start by saying+ +You got my heart by just being who you are+ +And what we got is between me and you+ +It doesn't matter about the money I make + +Or what I do, or that I'm a, huh, a star+
+Unconditionally you're there for me + +Undeniably you inspire me, spiritually, so sweet+ +This is meaningful, is incredible, pleasurable, unforgettable+ +The way I feel, so sweet+ +Makes me want to say+
+Your lips, your love, your smile, your kiss+ +I must admit it's a part of me+ +You please me, complete me, believe me+ +Like a melody+ +Your soul, your flow, your youth, your truth is simply proof+ +We were meant to be+ +But the best quality that's hookin' me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+ +Is that you're loving me for me+
+Its so amazing how something so sweet + +Has come and rearranged my life+ +I've been kissed by destiny+ +Oh, heaven came and saved me+ +An angel was placed at my feet+ +This isn't ordinary, he's loving me for me+
+Stripped of all make up, no need for fancy clothes+ +No cover ups, push ups+ +With him, I don't have to put on a show+ +He loves every freckle, every curve, every inch of my skin+ +Fulfilling me entirely, taking all of me in+ +He's real, he's honest, he's loving me for me+ +Yeah+
As soon as I has set the song to play on repeat, I walked over to my sexy brown-haired lover, trying to rid us of our clothes as quickly as possible. When I was done, I looked deep into his shining green eyes.
"Hmmm, I really did miss you, you know," I whispered. He responded by wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Yes, I do know, and what was it you said? 'I am going to make the angels cry when I make love to you'? Isn't that it?" he said huskily against my chest. The sensation of his warm breath against my bare skin, combined with the raging erection he had, made me shiver in absolute pleasure.
"Y-yes…" I stuttered.
"I still owe you for that, Quatre. I couldn't sit properly for hours because of that email." I smirked.
"Dans ce cas, ma mission a accompli(3)," I said, hoping that my French was as good as it used to be when I went school before all this madness started. I think I did, because the next thing I knew Trowa had thrown me to the bed, and was slowing kissing his way down my chest and stomach.
When he reached my belly button, I had to remember how to breathe as his tongue darted out to lap at the sensitive area. Damn him, he knows that I am incredibly sensitive in that region of my anatomy. I let out a moan when Trowa ran one hand up a bare thigh.
"You wanted to make me sexually frustrated for two weeks, with no one around but Heero?" he said. He followed that statement with a fleeting touch to my throbbing cock. Hissing at the sensation, I answered.
"M-maybe…" I lost all train of thought when Trowa lowered his head, taking in all of my member into his gloriously hot, wet mouth. I had missed that kind of contact with him so much, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. I could tell.
A shudder traveled the whole of my body as my lover began to slowly run his tongue all over my most sensitive region. I let out a strangled cry as he lightly nipped me. Allah, it felt so good, but I wanted more, so much more.
"T-trowa?" I managed, although I'm not entirely sure how. He looked up at me with his gorgeous green eyes sparkling.
"Oui, chéri?"
"I… I want you…. Inside me. Now. Please?" He smiled, one of his glorious smiles, the ones that only I get to see.
"As you wish," he breathed, crawling sensually up my body, allowing flesh to rub against flushed flesh. I absentmindedly reached into the bedside table, searching for the lube that I *knew* was there. Finally rewarded with the cold metallic tube, I looked at my love, who was still smiling at me.
"What?" I asked. He just shook his head, leaning in to kiss me. I returned the sweet kiss, using my hands to open the lubricant. When I had it open and some of the cold gel on my fingers, I snuck one of my hands down to start applying it to my lover's hot, pulsating shaft.
His whole body stiffened while I slowly stroked him, and his mouth stopped the hungry kiss we had been engaged in. A low, primitive growl escaped his kiss-bruised lips when I snuck my other hand down to softly cup his sac.
"Q-quatre…" he breathed. I smirked, and focused all my attention on his hypersensitive nether region, while placing soft nips on his collarbone.
"Hmmm?" I was answered by his hungry kissing me as he snatched the lube from off the mattress. Quickly, but with practiced ease, he slathered the gel on three of his fingers, and swiftly placed one at my entrance.
I had to remind my body to relax as one cold, long, slick digit entered my body. Slowly, he started to stretch me. As soon as I was reacquainted with the sensation of the invading finger, Trowa had already proceed to slide a second. I was in heaven, but I *needed* more. I needed all of him inside of me at that moment.
"Just take me," I nearly screamed, for he had found my g-spot and was using it to make me writhe underneath him.
"Whatever you say, mon petit," he said, positioning the head of his dripping cock to line up with my entrance. Before I could blink, I was filled completely, inside and out, by my sexy mate.
I took a few seconds to catch my breath, and when I was sure that I wasn't in any pain whatsoever, I started wiggling, trying to impale myself farther along his erection. Taking the cue, Trowa placed one arm by my hip on the mattress, and the other was pulling me while he started to pound into me.
Allah, I love it when he's away for a while. We have the *best* sex when he comes home. At first, he was slow and gentle, and it was amazing, but then, I wrapped my legs around his hips, and the pace quickened to a mind-blowing rate. I couldn't hold back the screams as he pulled almost completely out and rammed home with every thrust. I could feel a familiar, and welcome, warmth pull on me, and I managed to get a hand down to my own arousal. With a few strokes, I was there. I had hit my completion.
"TROWA!!!!!" I screamed, which he silenced with a searing, forceful kiss. I felt him shudder on top of me, and then I was filled with his hot seed.
"Quatre," he moaned into my hair, the strength seeming to sap right out of him. He carefully laid down on top of me, and I wrapped my arms around him as well. "Remind me to punish you more often." I stifled a chuckle.
"Remind me to be bad more often," I replied, feeling the fuzzy warmth that always accompanied mind-blowing sex with my lover. I didn't even notice when he pulled out of me, and calmly covered us with the duvet of our bed, but I did realized that he had pulled me next to him. I buried my head into the nook of his shoulder, closed my eyes, and soon I was asleep, feeling better than I had in weeks.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I awoke the next morning to the sun shining and the peace and quiet of the house encompassing. This quiet was welcome, for it was joined with the knowledge that Trowa was here next to me and our other friends where here in the house as well. Quickly reassuring myself that they were fine, I sat up and looked down at the calm face of the man I love. I smiled when I noticed he wasn't sleeping.
I gave him a soft kiss. "Good morning, Hennuna."
"Good morning, Quatre," he said, another special smile stealing across his face. "How about we take a shower, and then go make breakfast. Something tells me Duo will be awake in about an hour." I snickered.
"You're probably right." I suppressed a yelp as Trowa swept me into his arms, and carried me into the master bath.
"Aren't I always," he whispered, setting me down to fidget with the taps of the shower.
After a wonderfully hot shower, we dressed and headed down into the kitchen. Trowa started grabbing the odds and ends for breakfast, while I searched for coffee filters. Something told me Heero was going to need a cup of my special brew. I had no sooner gotten some of the hot brown liquid, which Trowa calls sludge, into a cup when Heero appeared in the kitchen.
I turned, handed him the mug, and poured myself a cup. I had just walked over to my lover, sipping the dark brew, when Heero mentioned something about seeing Duo with his hair down. That struck me as a bit odd, and Trowa shot a questioning look at me. I shrugged and decided that I should probably go see how Duo and Wufei were. I mentioned that I would be right back, and left to find the other two.
I stopped at Wufei's room, listening for any sounds behind the closed door. It was oddly silent. They couldn't still be asleep, could they? I knocked politely on the door, receiving no answer. I turned the knob, and found the room empty, except for the rumbled bed clothing and the unmistakable smell of sex in the air. Smiling, I shut the door, and headed down to Duo's room.
I heard some rustling in there, knowing that Duo was definitely the room's only occupant. I knocked on the door, not wanting to interrupt him if he was 'preoccupied'.
"Yeah," Duo called.
"Duo?" I asked.
"Yes, Q-bean?" I had to smile. He must be in a relatively good mood, if his tone of voice was any indicator.
"Oh, just wanted to make sure everything was ok. Breakfast is almost done, when you're ready," I said.
"Thanks, Q. Be down in a few. Just dealing with my hair."
"Ok, I'll let Trowa know then. See you." Better to let him be when dealing with that mess then.
"Yep. I'll bring the bells," he replied, snickering.
I smiled, and headed back down to the kitchen. Trowa was finishing cooking, and Heero was sitting at the table, nursing his coffee mug.
"Duo will be down in a few minutes," I said. Noticing that breakfast was mostly done, I grabbed a plate, and soon, the three of us were eating in amicable silence. When we had finished, and I had had my second cup of coffee, Duo walked into the kitchen.
"'Fei had a mission," he calmly stated, looking around the room. Trowa and I nodded, and Heero did exactly nothing. "So, where is the food you mentioned, Q? I'm staaaaaaaaaaaarved."
"Not surprising," Trowa stated, as he pointed to the counter, where there were plates heaped with breakfast foods.
"Yay! Food!" Duo exclaimed, taking up a plate and piling it up with food. The amount of bacon he had was enough to make my stomach turn, but then again, I don't eat pork. He sat down, and started to inhale his food. "So, what's the game plan for today?"
I shot a look of unease to my lover. Duo didn't even bother to swallow before he spoke. It was very unappealing. "Well, I have some more work for Instructor H to do. I don't know about anyone else."
"I have some reports to type up," Heero said, taking a drink from his mug.
Trowa shrugged in response before answering. "I have already typed up my report to Doktor S, so, I suppose nothing really," he said, which caused Duo's chin to hit the table. Trowa looked a little lost, and I couldn't help the snickers that were escaping. "What?" He really did sound confused over Duo's reaction.
"Nothing, Hennuna. It's just that the multitude aren't used to you speaking so much," I tried to explain to him. Everything seemed fine, until Heero opened his damn mouth.
"No, it's just that Duo talks too much to realize that others are speaking," Heero said. Duo glared at him.
"Don't you have some reports to work on, Ice-man?" Duo spit back, sneering. Heero chose not to reply. Instead, he finished his cup of coffee and left. "What's *his* problem?" he asked, trying to look innocent.
'You, and the fact that you and Wufei are together,' I thought miserably, and sighed. "Duo, I don't know what happened between you and Heero, nor do I think I ever will, but do you *have* to goad him like that?"
"I have *no* idea what you are talking about, Quatre." Duo gave me a dazzling smile and continued to decimate the rest of his food. When he was finished, he pushed his plate away from him, turning his eyes towards my lover, in a way that made both of feel uncomfortable. "So, Tro, since neither of us have anything to do today, and well, it's boring sitting around here all day, wanna join me for some fun?"
"Fun?" Trowa and I said at the same time. It is never good when Duo mentions anything can be fun.
"Um, Duo, do you think that is the best idea? I mean, we are kinda noticeable, with our pictures going around, and everything else," I stated. The last thing we needed was for Duo to get caused by OZ while Wufei was gone. I wasn't relishing having to tell him about that.
"I agree," Trowa added. Duo sighed in response.
"I can hide my hair and eyes, and Tro can put a hat on that bang. I mean, that's *his* most noticeable feature, like my braid is." He gave Trowa and I a very serious look. "Look, you both know me. I'm *not* stupid, but I don't want to stick around here all day with Heero…. I'd go nuts."
He had a point. If we tried to keep him here all day, he would not only be bored out his mind, but he would drive all of us insane as well. I looked at Trowa, who was telling me the same exact thing non-verbally, and I sighed in defeat. "Fine. But, don't do anything that will catch anyone's attention."
"As if I would." Duo sounded really hurt at the comment.
"You would. That is why Quatre is warning you."
"Hey! Trowa! You're supposed to be on *my* side."
"I am, but I really do *not* want to be caught by OZ again." It was Duo's turn to sigh in defeat.
"Fine. You win *this* round, but don't think you can do it again, Bang-boy." He stood up from the table. "I'm gonna go find a hat for ya, Tro, and another for me. Might even change out my usual black. No one would expect Shinigami to be in something other than black, ne?" We watched as he excitedly exited the room.
"Do you really think this is a good idea, Trowa?" I asked. He hadn't really had much exposure to Duo by himself, and I just wanted to make sure he had braced himself for anything.
"At the moment, yes. I think there is a lot of unresolved tension between Duo, Heero, and Wufei, and with Wufei gone that leaves Duo alone with Heero. I doubt that is a good idea at the present time." He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I will gladly suffer this day to keep from having to scrape someone off the floor, wall, or whatever." I placed a concerned hand on his arm.
"If you are sure, Trowa."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An hour later, my lover and Duo left the safe house, which was still giving me a very uneasy feeling. I knew that Duo would behave, if only because Trowa would keep him in line, but I was worried about Heero. I knew that he was having some very conflicting emotions at the moment, and well, I wasn't sure how he was actually holding up with them.
Sighing, I went up to my room to retrieve my laptop. When I had it, I slipped into the study, printed up some upcoming missions that needed planning, and also some of the never-ending paperwork that I was receiving from my frantic employees of WEI.
I set up camp in the TV room, mostly because I could see and hear if anyone came home, or if something happened, I would be able to go to the hangar where Sandrock was. After grabbing some soda from the fridge, I tackled the mountain of work that I needed to do.
I suppose that I had been at it for a few hours when Heero came up from the hangar. He seemed to be looking for something, or someone I should say. I knew *exactly* whom he was searching for, and that person wasn't here. "They're out for the day, Heero. They should be back by dinner time," I said, hoping he would be appeased with that.
"A-Arigatou, Quatre," Heero replied, hesitating ever so slightly. I smiled. I threw him off. It always makes everyone so unnerved when I guess what they are thinking. Is it really my fault that sometimes they are just so easy to read, even when I'm not looking at them? I heard him go into the study, shutting the door, and I went back to my work.
A few more hours passed, when the sound of Altron's turbine engines could be heard. I looked at the clock on my laptop and saw that it was almost five-thirty pm. Well; his mission didn't take long at all. I continued to work, but I kept an ear out for Wufei's approach.
I was rewarded a few moments later with the Chinese boy standing in the doorway. I looked up, smiling. "Hello, Wufei. How was your mission?"
"Fine. It was a rather easy one," he replied gruffly. "Where is Maxwell? It's rather quiet."
"He is out with Trowa today. They went out to have fun, seeing as how they were both free. We agreed that it would keep us all sane, and him out of trouble," I said, trying to hide the worry from my voice. I hoped that my friends were alright.
"Ah, well, I suppose that it gives me sometime to set up a surprise for him. In the meantime, I will take a shower as well. Thank you, Winner," he replied cryptically, heading for the stairs. I watched him leave, and I was probably imagining it, but he seemed to be avoiding putting too much weight on his right leg. No, I was imagining things. He would have told someone if he was injured on such a simple mission.
I worked a bit more, and at six pm, I found the phone. Through information I found the name of the Chinese restaurant Duo and I had eaten at the night he left last week. I called, and ordered just about everything on the menu, and paid with a credit card, not really paying attention to the total when the woman told me.
An hour later, I heard a car approaching. I grabbed my gun, and looked out the window to see who it was. The driver was in a small car with the name "Dragon Way Chinese Food – Take Out, Delivery, or Dine In" on the side of it. Shoving my gun in the back of my pants, but checking to make sure it was loaded, I opened the door.
The driver was a man no bigger in size than Wufei, though probably a good twenty years older. He seemed relieved to see someone there before he had to ring the doorbell. I smiled as he approached.
"Mr. Winner?" he asked with a heavy accent.
"That's me."
"I have your order, but I need you to sign receipt first." He held out the slip. I signed my name hastily, and took the first of the bags from him. It took a few more trips to get all of the food into the kitchen, but when I was finished, I tipped him largely, and he smiled, walking happily to his car and driving back in the direction of town.
I just succeeded in getting most of the food out on the counter when I heard another car approach. A few minutes later, Duo was bounding into the kitchen.
"Heya, Q-bean, what's for dinner?" Duo asked, throwing himself into his chair. I couldn't help but smile at his manic energy. He sounded like he had had a great time, but I was really worried how well Trowa had taken his adventure.
"Well, I found out that Chinese place we ate at last time delivers, so I got a bit of everything," I said, while he took in the amount of food laid out. It was a bit much.
"Q, there is enough food to feed all five of us for a few weeks. How much did you pay?"
"I don't remember. I paid with a card while working." He looked like I had just told him that I was going to give him half my fortune and adopt him into my family, which wasn't entirely impossible, if we lived to see the end of the war. "What?"
"Oh, nothing." He shook his head in an almost whimsical manner. Glad to know that I was amusing him. "You are incredulous, you know that?"
"Why?" I was curious as to know why he thought that what I had done was anything but reasonable. There were five of us, and there was no way that I was going to be able t to know what everyone preferred, especially since he and Trowa were not even here to ask.
"Because you are the only one who would forget how much twenty bags of Chinese food would cost. Even working," Trowa said from the doorway. I was embarrassed. Ok, so it wasn't entirely practical, but what is the point of having all this money, if I sometimes can't just blow some of it on my friends? I scratched my head while I blushed, and decided that now would be an excellent time to ask how their day went.
"So, did you two have fun?"
"Actually, yes. It was quite… enlightening," my lover answered, moving behind me, and wrapping me in a warm embrace. I could tell from his tone of voice that he was downplaying how much he had enjoyed himself. Suddenly, I was happy that he agreed to go out with Duo to have some fun.
"What did you do?"
"We played video games at an arcade. Trowa killed my new high score in Pac-man. I trounced him a few thirty or so times in Mortal Kombat 50. Then, we played DDR, which I wiped the floor with Trowa on. Lunch, and then putt putt golf, where Trowa wiped the floor with me." He actually gave us a genuine smile. Yes, I was incredibly pleased with the two of them then. "*But* I got a hole-in-one on the last hole, and won a free game."
"Oh?" I said, smiling widely.
"Yes, and he promptly gave it to one of the other teenagers outside while we were leaving," Trowa added, sounding oddly pleased himself.
"Well, it sounds like you two *did* enjoy yourselves. Are you hungry?" The words where barely out of my mouth when Duo jumped up from his seat.
"Always! Want me to set the table?"
"That's ok. Dinner is going to be in the kitchen tonight. Since it's just us four, and I'm too weary to worry about proper etiquette." Duo snickered. I suppose I *do* insist that we eat in the dining room most nights.
"Great, do we have any chopsticks?"
"Of *course*. Help me out by putting the plates out like a buffet, and I'll go get Heero."
"'Kay," Duo said, the warmth leaving his voice. Puzzled by the sudden change in him, I left to get Heero from the study. I knocked politely on the closed door.
"Hai?" Heero called.
"Trowa and Duo are home, and we're going to have dinner soon," I said. A few seconds later, Heero opened the door.
"Fine," he muttered, walking right past me and into the kitchen. Sighing, I followed him to eat some food with my lover and two friends. The fact that Wufei didn't show up had me a bit worried, but I didn't let on. He must have been busy with reports and such, not to mention the surprise for Duo he had mentioned.
The atmosphere while eating was friendly for the most part. The only damper to the whole situation was the dead quiet from Heero. He left as soon as he was done, and I followed him shortly, knowing that Duo and Trowa would gladly clean up the kitchen. I saw my paperwork still spread across the coffee table, and a sudden urge to just forget it won me over. I packed up my laptop and the papers, put them on the desk in my room, and then went into the music room.
I had just started to play the song that Rashid gave me when my quiet lover joined me. He picked up the bottom section of the piece, and we played in amicable silence. When we were finished, Trowa opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped by a crash coming from the TV room.
We automatically jumped up from the piano bench, and I vaguely noted that it fell to the ground with the sudden action. Then, I heard Duo scream something before we reached the door, and when I finally got the damned thing open all I saw was Duo hit the wall, and then slide down it like a mannequin.
Heero and Wufei were glaring daggers at one another, and looked like they were about to throw blows. My coffee table was in pieces and my couch was tipped over, blocking my view of Duo's form. To say I was outraged would have been and understatement, and I was looking at the two responsible for the chaotic scene. "El Khara Dah?" I yelled, ignoring the fact that I was probably the only one in the room who knew what it meant. My main concern at the moment was Duo, whom I ran over to. I had to know how my friend was.
The boy who only twenty minutes ago had been joking and laughing was unconscious, limp, and was starting to look pale. I was so terrified. I placed my hand to his head, and was appalled when I felt a sticky warmth, which could only mean one thing.
"Trowa," I whispered, "there's blood." My lover came running over, and I removed my hand from behind Duo's head, showing the other three my now red-stained hand. I looked up, and was greeted by the horrific scene of more blood streaking down the soft beige walls. "And it's on the wall too."
Trowa looked at my hand and then at the trail on the wall. I saw a sudden and frightening rage come over his normally placid face, and her turned on the two stupid Asians, who still looked like they could have killed each other.
"Avez-vous *perdus* les esprits?" he nearly screamed at Yuy and Chang. "Look! You could have killed each other, fine! But look at what happened to Duo!"
They looked at Duo, who I was still holding, and I felt a burst of amazing anger take hold of me. I barely noticed when Trowa removed Duo's limp body from my arms. All I could see was Duo hitting the wall, and I *knew* it was *their* fault.
"Allah Yela'an (4) Heero and Wufei, for being the *stupidest* Asians to walk on this Earth! You are both such Wad al harams.(5) I ought to kill you both." I was so upset that I couldn't think in just one language, and I felt myself slipping into my native Arabic as easily as my pants that morning.
"Win-" Chang tried to open his big fucking arrogant mouth, but I was having none of that. It was *my* turn to talk, and theirs' to listen to me.
"Ahhlass!(6) You are both going to keep your mouths SHUT! You are both so goddamn stupid." I turned my anger first to Heero. I just *knew* that that asshole has started all of this shit. "You, you hmar, could have had Duo a *long* time ago, if only you didn't have your head up your ASS!"
He said nothing. Smart boy. But, I wasn't done. It was time to tell Chang to wake the fuck up and stop hurting the boy he loved. He would never be able to keep Duo if he got so easily jealous.
"Zarba(7)! Chang, inti mafish Makh(8)! You *HAVE* Duo, and yet you don't trust him?! Or is it that you are so ready to find a reason to fight with Heero that this was a better opportunity than you hoped for?"
Fuck being diplomatic, nice, or even polite. They were asses, and they needed to be told so. I wanted to hit them myself, but my worry for Duo kept me from doing it. But then, Heero just had to open his mouth.
"Qua-"
"NO! Said Bousak(9)! I AM NOT DONE WITH EITHER OF YOU!" he yelled, even louder than before. "If I *ever* catch *either* of you doing something so fucking stupid, I will kill you both. Omae o korosu, Heero, and unlike you, I will follow up on that promise." I turned on both of them. I couldn't stand to look at the fucks anymore.
"*I* am going to check on Duo, now. You are both going to stay here, or you can go to your rooms. I don't care. But *NEITHER* of you will be seeing Duo unless he asks to see you. I don't care if you kill each other. Go ahead, for all I care!" I stormed out of the room, heading for my injured friend's room.
I had made it to the second stair when I heard someone behind me. Turning, I saw Wufei, standing directly below me, looking upset, lost, and totally unlike his usual self. Even seeing him like that did not lessen my anger at him. Stupid Chinese boy thought that he should be jealous. I wanted to hit him, more so while he had that expression on his face.
"What do you want?" I snarled, keeping my voice as icy as possible.
"I need to see how Maxwell is," he said, his normal arrogance forgotten.
"I don't think so. You and Yuy need to stay away from him," I continued in my cold voice. "In fact, I would suggest that you both stay away from him, unless he asks for you. Whenever that may be, considering he is unconscious right now." I turned back around and continued my way.
"Wi…. Winner?" he called.
"Yes?"
"It was an accident." He really did sound very remourseful. I decided to relent a bit.
"I know, Wufei. Just don't come unless Trowa or I come and get you. We don't know how he will react when he wakes up." I sighed again, and left him on the stairs, muttering to himself in Mandarin. The only clear word I caught was "ben dan(10)", which I had to agree with him on. I heard a door open and close, and the Chinese was cut off.
I stopped in the doorway to Duo's room, greeted by the sight of Duo laying in the middle of his bed and Trowa, sitting next to the bed, with a look of worry across his beautiful face. I took a deep breath, and walked silently to the both of them.
"How is he?" I whispered, not wanting to wake Duo if I could help it.
"Well, as far as I can tell, he will have a concussion from the lump on his head and the hit on the wall. A few ribs have been cracked, at the least. And, his tailbone may be bruised. It's too early to tell now," he said, and I winced. Just imagining the pain that he was going to be in when he woke up was making me very uncomfortable.
Before I could say anything else, there was a knock on the open door. Heero or Wufei, I thought. Doesn't matter; both are gonna get an earful later. I turned to see Heero there, and I felt another surge of anger. I walked swiftly to the door, leveling my harshest glare at the Japanese boy.
"Go. To. The. Study. Don't. Come. Back. Unless. I. Tell. You," I spat out, containing my voice so I wouldn't wake Duo up. Last thing he needed to see was I yelling at one of his attackers. Not wasting time, I slammed the door in his face, knowing fully well that he would get the message to go the fuck away.
"Where's Wufei?" Trowa asked, and I felt my earlier anger for the Chinese boy return.
"*Chang* is in his room. He walked up with me, and wanted to come see Duo, but I told him he had better not, unless he was asked for. Which I doubt for a while. He was muttering something about being an idiot in Chinese. I agree," I spat out, causing Trowa to sigh, and we returned our attention back to Duo.
The sleeping boy moved a bit, and that's when I remembered that we had some quick dissolving pain meds. I left the room, and walked into the master bath. After digging in the medicine cabinet, I found the bottle and grabbed it. Before returning to Duo's room, I stopped in the bathroom that he and Wufei shared, and stowed them in *that* cabinet.
I knew he would want something to drink later, and well, he wouldn't except the pain killers unless they were slipped to him, and these were the kind that put the taker to sleep in about twenty minutes after they were swallowed. I quickly returned to Duo's room. I wanted to be there when he awoke.
He tried to move a little, but decided it was a bad thing. "Oi, T, did you get the name of the mobile doll who stepped on me?" Duo said. I let out the breath I had been holding in. He was going to be fine; just in a whole mess of pain.
"Would you believe Heero and Wufei?" I asked from the doorway, still wondering if I should enter the room fully.
"Q? Where are you?" he whispered hoarsely, and I took that as the okay to come in. I decided to sit next to him, and very carefully did so.
"How do you feel?" I asked, trying to keep the mood a little lighter than how I actually felt. Duo snorted in return, and then grimaced. I wondered if I should have moved off the bed.
"Like I just got the shit beat out of me. What happened?"
"That's what we would like to know. Wufei and Heero aren't exactly talking to us right now," Trowa asked. Talking would be the last thing those two were doing at this moment.
"Where are they? Why is 'Fei home so early? What the hell is going on? It feels like I stepped into the Twilight Zone, and my head is killing me."
"Whoa! Slow down, Duo," I sighed, amazed that he could even think that clearly with the damage to his head. "Heero is in the study, under orders to stay put until we tell him to come out. Wufei is in his room, sulking and berating himself perfectly in Mandarin. Wufei came home while you and Trowa were out playing. He asked me not to tell you. He said he had a surprise for you. I assume he was setting it up during dinner, and came looking for you when he and Heero started fighting.
"As for what the hell is going on, we don't know. We were hoping you could shed some light on this situation."
"What's the last thing you remember?" Trowa asked.
"Um, we had dinner. I helped you clean the kitchen, and then I went out in the TV room to watch a movie. And then… I'm blank." He held his head for a moment. "My chest feels like it's bound. Why?"
"Well, it seems you stepped in between Heero and Wufei fighting, and Heero punched you in the chest, which cracked a few of your ribs."
"No shit. It hurts like you wouldn't believe."
"Also, we got a spectacular view of you flying into the wall. So, that might be why your head hurts so much," my lover calmly said, not mentioning his reaction to the whole situation.
"How'd I get here? Oi, someone get me some water, please."
"I'll do it," I offered. That was the perfect excuse to slip him the pain meds. I was surprised when I opened the door and found Wufei there. "What are you doing here? I told you to wait." I hissed at him. "Go away until Duo asks for you." I glared at him while continuing to the bathroom.
I picked up the tumbler on the counter, filled it with water, and quickly dropped one of the pills in the liquid. I stuck my finger in there and kind of stirred it a bit, hoping Duo wouldn't notice. I was heading back into his room when I heard Duo's voice call out.
"Damn… Where's Q with my water?"
"I'm right here, Duo. Trowa, lift him up so he can drink this." Duo's face scrunched up in anger, and then he started yelling at me, while sitting up.
"I can do it myself, Quatre. Just give me the goddamn glass," he snarled, snatching the cup from my hand, and gulped down every drop of the water. "I need to talk to 'Fei. Could you guys go get him?"
"Are you sure, Duo? You are pretty beat up," I said, which earned me a glare.
"Quatre, I am a *GUNDAM* pilot, and I have had *much* worse than this before. Now, find me my *lover* before I hurt you both!"
I tried to squelch the cry of surprise that I felt rising in me. Hurriedly, I latched onto Trowa's arm, and dragged him from the room. When we were out of range of Duo's hearing, I had to confess what I had just done.
"I put a quick dissolving painkiller in that water he just downed. I doubt he will be awake for much longer."
"He is going to kill you when he finds out," he whispered.
"You mean *if* he finds out. You know how Duo is about painkillers. He acts down right childish. So, if he doesn't know, then he can't protest, and he will get better sooner." We stopped at the door of Wufei's room, and I knocked. I was sort of worried about Duo finding out, but the only people who could actually tell me were Trowa and myself. He wasn't finding out any time soon, that was for sure. "Chang! Duo wants to see you!" I yelled, not bothering to be polite.
Trowa and I both stepped back as a very upset looking Wufei opened his door. To be perfectly honest, he looked as if he was close to tears. I felt his pain, and it made me slightly woozy. You couple that with Duo's pain, and the confusion from Heero, I was really about to pass out.
"Thank you," he mumbled, walking swiftly to Duo's room. I turned to my lover.
"I think I need to shower again, and then some sleep is in order," he stated.
"I think that is a wonderful idea. I'm going to join you," I sighed, leaning my head against his warm, strong chest. "I'm so tired right now. I can feel the pain just radiating from Duo, not to mention the pain and regret from both Wufei and Heero. Not that I feel sorry for either of them."
"Are you going to tell Heero he can leave the study?"
"Why? Let the jerk stay there for however long he thinks is a good idea. I'm tired. Let's go shower and sleep, Hennuna." I felt him shrug, and then he swooped me up into his arms, carrying me to our room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Trowa and I found ourselves in the kitchen, eating a light breakfast, when Wufei entered. He walked past us and started to raid the pantries and refrigerator for foodstuff. I watched him as he started cooking pancakes for Duo.
"What are you doing, Wufei?" I asked, my voice was much calmer than from the night before.
"Fixing breakfast for Duo. I think he will be awake in about ten minutes," he replied, never looking at either of us at the table.
"How is he?" Trowa added.
"He is fine, Barton. He seemed to be fine before he fell asleep last night, and he didn't wake up with a nightmare, so I can only assume that he slept well."
"Would you please tell us how he is after he eats?" I asked, sounding quite pleading, even to my own ears.
"Yes, I can arrange that."
"Thank you."
Wufei didn't say anything to be farther, and just went about fixing the food for Duo. I sat there, picking at my food, going over how I could repair my friendship with Wufei. He looked as if he didn't sleep very well, and the first thing he did was come down to fix breakfast for his lover. Maybe he had spent his time last night thinking about what I said, but I couldn't be too sure, and just the whole situation was enough to depress the hell out of me.
When Wufei left, with a tray in hand, I looked at Trowa, and tried hard not to burst into tears. "I just set our friendship back about two months last night, didn't I?"
"I don't think so. He was curt, but that is Wufei. He feels guilty, and you know it. Just give him sometime with Duo, and then you can talk to him about it." He stood from his chair, and grabbed my hand, which instantly soothed me. "Come, amour, let's go and do something for a while. It won't do any good to dwell on last night. Besides, none of it was your fault, or mine, or Duo's."
He always knows exactly what to say to make me feel 100% better. As a thank you, I wrapped my arms around his waist, and I smiled as he returned my embrace. "Thank you, Trowa."
"You are welcome."
"I love you."
"Je t'aime aussi, Quatre." I resisted a shiver as he said those beautiful words to me. It thrills me to no end to hear his native tongue spill from his lips. I have always thought French was an incredibly erotic language, and well, hearing it pour from the mouth of the one man I love just confirmed it.
We walked into the music room, and saw the state of disarray we had left it in because of the excitement last night. There was sheet music littered all over the floor, and the piano bench was still sitting on its side. Casting guilty looks at one another, we quietly cleaned the mess, and then sat at the piano, playing our favorite pieces. All of this was done in the comfortable silence that was most of our relationship.
When we were done, we parted ways at the door to the gymnasium. I knew that he had missed this room most of all the whole two weeks he had been away. I left him, went into the kitchen, and cleaned up the mess that everyone had left. There were enough dishes in the sink for four people, which meant that Heero was up. I looked at my watch. It was well after noon; of course he was up. And Wufei had probably been up since the crack of dawn, if he even slept at all last night.
Sighing, I cleaned up the messes left by everyone, and was just setting the last plate in the drainer when I heard Duo and Wufei in the TV room. Duo seemed to be looking around for the remotes to the television and disk player, and Wufei seemed to be occupied with the mission as well. I remembered that I had picked them off the floor this morning.
Walking over to the fridge, I snatched the remotes down, and walked happily into the open room, waving the desired objects over a confused Duo's head. I smiled in relief when his face broke out in a grin, and he opened his mouth to speak, the usual mirth back in his voice. "Q-man! You are my savior, and 'Fei's too, because I would have made me look for those."
"Duo! I am quite relieved to see you are able to walk around. I heard you two on the stairs, and I thought I would see how you were doing myself," I replied, shooting an accusing look at my black-haired friend. "Wufei was supposed to tell us how you were doing while you ate breakfast."
"Heh, well, you know what? I kinda kidnapped him, and made him stay with me, so it's not his fault. It's mine." He swiped the remotes from my hands. "Hey, I was gonna curl up with 'Fei on the couch and watch Dogma. You wanna watch it with us? Bring Trowa too. We can have like movie-time or something."
"You are watching that movie about God again?" I sighed, but then remembered how much we both laughed when watching it. "Well, it *was* rather funny. Ok, I'll go get Trowa, and we'll bring some snacks." I turned my attention the quiet boy on the couch. "Would you like something, Wufei?"
"Anything would be fine, Winner," he muttered.
"Great. I'll be back in a few minutes." I walked swiftly towards the gymnasium, and watching my lover for a minute, a smile pulling on my face at how everything seemed to be evening out so far. After the allotted minute I had given myself, I walked over to Trowa, who was turning to notice me.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Duo has requested that Wufei, you, and I watch Dogma with him," I replied.
"I take it he is ok?"
"Yes, he seems fine, and Wufei seems to be taking his punishment very well. Also, I think he is indulging Duo's whims for a while."
"Ah, guilt will do that. Fine, I will come and watch the movie with you three." I was so excited that he barely had the words out of his mouth before I was pulling him out of the room, towards the kitchen.
"Oh, I also told him that we would bring some snacks as well." I added, trying to think of what to take out. "What do you think is appropriate?"
"Well, Duo likes fresh fruit and vegetables, and popcorn is usually a staple of movie viewing."
"Great. Let's get it all together," I said excitedly. Trowa, then, popped some microwave-able popcorn, and helped me grab enough fresh fruits and veggies for the movie. When we were done, we took the refreshments out to the TV room, and I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed that the table was gone.
"Damn," I swore, placing my bowls on the loveseat, and then stomped through the house to find a replacement for the table Heero and Wufei broke last night. Damn Asian hot-heads. I walked up into the attic, and saw an acceptable replica, albeit a bit dustier than I would have preferred.
I had just gotten a good hold on it, and started to drag it when Trowa showed up behind me. "Quatre?" he called out, and I turned to face him smiling.
"What do you think, Trowa? Will it work?" I asked, and he smiled fondly.
"Yes, it is perfect."
"Great! Let's take it down now." We got the heavy oak monster down the two flights of stairs, and Trowa then carried it into the TV room, refusing to let me help him any farther.
"Well, we found it," I said, quite proud of myself with my mission. "Even if it *is* a bit dusty."
"Where did you find it? In the middle of a sand storm?" Duo asked, which caused me to look at myself. I was covered in dust from head to toe.
"Um, not exactly, but the attic is not exactly someplace that is spotless." I flashed a sheepish grin at my friends, and tried to remove as much of the dirt as was humanly possible.
"I found him like that, trying to drag this thing by himself," Trowa said, moving the table until it was in the perfect position for all four of us to reach without any trouble. Duo waited patiently until everyone was settled in to turn on the television and switch it to the correct channel.
"Ready?" he asked. Wufei snorted, I flashed him a grin, and I felt Trowa shrug against me. Duo hit the play button on the disk player's remote, and then placed his head in Wufei's lap.
I tried to pay attention to the movie, but I was worried about Duo's condition. He seemed to be in less pain than he had the night before, and well, he was smiling and laughing like a maniac. I did manage to catch my favorite parts, like the train scene where the silent character, aptly named Silent Bob, spoke his first of two lines in the entire movie. Towards the end, I slipped from under Trowa's arm, and went into the kitchen.
I made some chai for Wufei, some Earl Grey tea for Trowa, and some coffee for myself. Then, I grabbed a can of soda out of the fridge, poured it in a glass, and snuck another pain pill into the syrupy liquid. Thinking quickly, I put it all on a tray, and took that out into the TV room.
When the movie was truly over, Trowa and I removed the dishes from the room, leaving Wufei and Duo alone for a bit. I thought they would need all the time they had before Duo passed out again. I felt guilty, but I knew it had to be done, but it still didn't stop me from telling Trowa about it.
"Trowa, I gave him more of the medicine in his soda," I confessed to my lover.
"Dammit, Quatre, if Duo finds out about this, you will be lucky if he ever talks to you again." I sighed in resignation. I knew he was right. If Duo ever found about my recent actions, I would be *really* lucky if he even said excuse me while we were walking in different directions.
"I know, but I hate seeing him in so much pain. And did you see those bruises on his arms when he was reaching for some of the food off the table. Dammit! This shouldn't have happened."
Trowa opened his mouth to retort, but was cut off by a *very* angry Duo yelling at his lover.
"God dammit, Wufei, I don't need two mother hens! It's bad enough that Q was shooting concerned looks at me throughout the whole movie! I've *had* worse!" He came to the kitchen and glared at us both until I turned around to face him. "And the next stupid person who asks how I feel will get a fist. I promise." He stomped away to the dining room.
Then, out of the blue, Heero appeared and followed Duo into said room. I exchanged worried glances with Trowa, wondering if someone should go in and intervene, or just let it play out. Before anyone could say or do anything, Duo's voice rang out again.
"I said GO AWAY, YUY!"
A few seconds passed, then a chair crashed to the floor, and we ran to the doorway, to see Duo all but fall into Wufei's arms.
"Duo?" Wufei asked, concern laced in his voice and countenance.
"Hide me, love. I just punched the hell out of Heero." Wufei raised one slender eyebrow, but carefully carried the weary American boy back to the couch.
"I take it you made good on your threat?" he asked, mirth appearing in his voice
"Yeah, and it's not my fault that Heero was the one who asked, though he deserved it. Bastard," Duo snarled, as Wufei held him. "Hm, I think I need a nap now." I somehow managed to suppress a sigh of relief as Duo yawned widely. "Stay here."
"You aren't going bite my head off again, are you?"
Duo yawned yet again, and snuggled as close as was possible into Wufei. "Nope, not yet. Give me a while."
I smiled as Duo started to lightly snore, but I was still worried that he might be over-exerting himself too soon. I turned to look at my lover, who was watching the scene in the TV room as well.
"Do you think he will be ok?" I asked, and Trowa turned to face me, a look that told me that he might just have to scold me.
"Yes, some more sleep would benefit him greatly. And he is so tired because you keep slipping him pain medication, Quatre."
"I know, but dammit! He won't take it any other way." I sighed deeply. "I'm going to go see if there is anything I can get for Wufei while Duo sleeps." I left Trowa in the kitchen and walked silently up to the couch. "Wufei?"
"Yes, Quatre?" he said, sounding a bit weary himself.
"Is there something I can get for you? Some more chai perhaps? A book? Your laptop?" I asked.
"Why are you asking?"
"I don't want you to be bored, and well, you have Duo asleep in your lap, so I doubt you will be moving anytime soon." I gave him a small, and what I hoped was friendly, smile.
"A book would be a welcome thing."
"Which one would you like? I can grab something from out of the study."
"There is a book on the nightstand in my room. Please do not touch anything else."
"Of course, Wufei." I gave him a polite bow. "I'll be right back." I left the room, and walked into the Chinese boy's private world. Everything seemed to be set up for some romantic night. I tried not to disturb anything else as I moved through the impeccably neat room.
The only thing that seemed out of place was the tome looking book on the nightstand. I took a look at the title, but since I don't really read Chinese, it was hard to tell what it was. I opened it up, and more of the simple, yet elegant, Chinese script flowed across the pages. Shutting the book, I left Wufei's private quarters, and handed the book to him.
"Excuse me, Wufei, but what is the name of that book?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better for me. I was surprise to no end when Wufei's normally stern face tinged red.
"It is a book of Shakespeare's sonnets in Cantonese*1*," he whispered.
I was shocked. Who would have thought that Wufei would read Shakespeare? It seems that I have a lot to learn about my friend's still. And yet, something else was gnawing at me, but I couldn't explain it. I could see Trowa still in the kitchen, and I wondered if I should help him clean it up, but just decided that I needed some quiet time alone myself.
I went up to our room, threw myself face up on the bed, and thought over the last three days, while staring at the ceiling. Four days ago, I was consumed by worry over my friends and lover, and then I received information that my missing comrades where safe, happy, and on their way back. I got to see them shoot little glances at one another that let me know that no matter what Relena did to them, they were falling for one another. Then, Heero and Trowa came home, and I lost my mind trying to find a way to pay that….sharmuta back. Then, there was yesterday, which was fine until Heero and Wufei fought and injured Duo. What the HELL was going on in this house?
I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard the door open, and in walked Trowa, looking upset.
"Something wrong, mon petit?" he asked. Damn him, he always asks me if there is something wrong when he needs to get something off *his* chest.
"Not really. Just wondering what caused all this drama. It was so peaceful yesterday. Then, Wufei came home, and disappeared in his room to ready some sort of surprise for Duo. Then, you and Duo come home. We had a good dinner. And *then*, all of the world came crashing down in huge pieces."
"Heero kissed Duo. I can only assume that Wufei saw it, hence their fight. Duo intervened and was injured." I saw intense and brilliant red flash behind my eyes, and the need to hurt Heero Yuy boiled inside of me. I sat up straight on the bed.
"Oh you've got to be fucking kidding me?" Trowa shook his head in the negative, which angered me more. "Of all the stupid, brainless, *MORONIC* things Heero Yuy has ever done, this takes the cake. Not even self-detonating, which caused Duo *so* much pain, was *this* damn stupid!"
"I agree, and I told him as much when he confessed to me." The *baka* confessed? Oh, I really wanted to hurt him.
"I'm going to kill him!" I raged, but before I could leave the room, Trowa had me, and was kissing me with a passion unlike any other.
"No. You are going to stay here, and take a nap with me. Then, when we wake up, we will reheat some of the Chinese food from last night for dinner." His calm green eyes locked with my own, and I felt calmer right then and there. "*That* is what you are going to do." The last of my resolve cracked, and I melted into the arms holding me.
"You are right."
"Of course I am. Now, let's get some sleep."
"Ok," I said, as he gently laid me down on our bed, and we fell into a peaceful slumber.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When we woke up, feeling refreshed, we walked into the kitchen, passing a reading Wufei and sleeping Duo. Trowa went about taking things out of the refrigerator, and I pulled out pans and plates and such. We worked in silence, just going about our work in companionable silence.
After we had everything finished, I left the kitchen and went to check on Duo and Wufei. They were still in the same position as before, but it seemed that Duo might have been awake. I wanted to check before I spoke too loudly though.
"Wufei, is Duo awake? Trowa and I reheated some leftovers from last night for dinner."
"Yes, he is. We will be in there in a moment. Thank you."
"No problem." I smiled as I headed back into the kitchen. I caught a glimpse of Heero's profile in the study, and tried to hide the small smile I knew was going to come from Duo's handy work. I stole a quick kiss from Trowa when I entered, and then we both placed some food on plates, sitting at the table to eat. Wufei and Duo appeared not too long after.
"Hmmm… smells good," Duo said, walking carefully to the counter and piling food, though not his usual share, onto a plate, while he began eating before sitting down. "Tastes good too." Wufei made himself a much more reasonable plate and sat next to the braided boy. I shook my head at my friend.
"Nice work," I said, which caused Duo to look up at me, mouth with food in it.
"Hmm?" He swallowed
"You have officially out-done Wufei," I stated, and Duo's face lit up in a smirk.
"Yes, quite a few times," he replied, winking at the now beet-red Wufei.
"Maxwell," the Chinese teen growled, and Duo gave him a somewhat innocent smile.
"What?"
"Just eat, and don't talk," Wufei commanded, which caused myself, Trowa and Duo to laugh. We continued eating in a light atmosphere, which was only dampened when Heero entered, scowl firmly in place and the bruise taking up a good fourth of his face.
The Japanese boy put some food on a plate, sat down in the empty chair, ate as quickly as he possibly could, and then left. The mood in the kitchen died after that, and we just ate in silence. That is, until I saw Duo start to sway from the corner of my eye. Evidently, I wasn't the only one, because both Trowa and Wufei were looking at the braided boy with looks of concern.
"Are you ok, Duo?" Trowa asked.
"Yeah, T-man, just a little tired again. I think I'm gonna go to bed. Nice dinner, by the way, Quatre." Duo stood unsteadily, and Wufei helped him out of the kitchen. When they were gone, Trowa turned and looked at me, seeming all but pissed.
"Quatre!" he yelled.
"I didn't do it this time! I swear. He's been through so much, lately. I think it has finally caught up with him." Truth be told, I just couldn't bring myself to drug him a third time. I felt horrible enough about the two previous times. Besides, I couldn't have done it anyway. Trowa had been watching me like I was the enemy as soon as we stepped into the kitchen.
We finished our meal quickly, threw away the reheated food that hadn't been eaten, and gave the kitchen a very thorough cleaning. An hour later, we were in the TV room, in front of the television again, watching The Bride of Frankenstein, since I hadn't really had a chance to finish it the other night. When the movie was over, I rewound the ancient VHS tape, and told my lover that I would be to bed in a while, because I had more paperwork for WEI to complete.
And so, here I sit, typing up these crazy three or so days, trying to get it off my chest. I know that Trowa thinks I am working, but I just can't concentrate on the words of the papers. I can barely see the words that I am typing straight. I think I will go to bed now. I miss my love, and well, I need more sleep. Too much confusion is going on in this house right now for me.
Good night.
~ Quatre Raberba Winner
TBC
*1* Although I mentioned that Wufei speaks Mandarin, I feel that, as a scholar, he should know both of the main variations of the Chinese language. There are around forty or so different variations, but Mandarin and Cantonese are both the mostly widely used, Mandarin being the most popular.
Translations: (1) Hmars – Arabic, "Jackasses" (2) Sharmuta – Arabic, "Bitch" (3) Dans ce cas, ma mission a accompli. – French, "In that case, my mission was accomplished." (4) Allah Yela'an… - Arabic, "Allah curse…" (5) Wad al harams – Arabic, "Bastards" (6) Ahhlass – Arabic, "Shut up!" (7) Zarba – Arabic, "Shit!" (8) Inti mafish Makh! – Arabic, "You have no brains!", "You're an idiot!" (9) Said Bousak – Arabic, "Shut your mouth!" (pronounced Sai-id Bow-sac) (10) Ben dan – Mandarin, "idiot"