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One Little Mistake

Chapter 3 – Talks With Duo

The atmosphere in the safe house wasn't all it was supposed to be, even considering it wasn't supposed to be all that. Heero was gone, which instantly put Duo in less than 100% cheerfulness. Quatre and Trowa still wouldn't look at each other without breaking into a fight, usually over nothing at all, just to let out some pent up frustration. And as for Wufei, he wasn't exactly known as Mr. Happy before, and certainly not then.

"I'm bored."

Duo announced from his spot on the sofa. Wufei was in the kitchen, making himself some dinner.

"Play with yourself, then."

Before the American could reply, the Chinese snapped at him, flushed.

"NOT LIKE THAT!"

"Oh, but I really wanna! Pretty please?!"

"Maxwell, I want to eat tonight, you know!"

"So what's up with Q and Tro, anyways, huh?"

Duo asked, suddenly getting serious, which angered Wufei even more.

"I mean, Quatre asked me about, you know, cough cough, wink wink, don't tell mom…"

"Did he ask you about me?"

Braid Boy blinked.

"No. Did he ask you about me?"

"…yes."

And at that moment, Wufei cursed the fact he tried to be as truthful and honorable as he could.

"Really?! Well, what, I mean, what did you say?"

"That it was none of his damned business."

Duo's enthusiasm died out rather painfully.

"Oh. Well, still. What's up with him and Trowa? Obviously something went wrong."

"I suppose."

"I bet they forgot to use something. Dammit, I told them to use something!"

Wufei rolled his eyes at the thought.

"I don't suppose that's the case, Maxwell."

"Well, why not?"

Obviously, Wufei's disagreement with him annoyed the American.

"Because neither Trowa nor Quatre are as foolish enough to either fight over that, or forget it in the first place. In other words, they're not you."

The response was a trademark grin.

"I knew you still loved me."

"Shut up."

"But seriously now."

"How should I know?"

Quatre chose that moment to come into the living room and sat down, flipping through the TV channels. Wufei returned to his meal, yet kept his attention to the conversation he knew would ensue, one sided as it might be. And soon enough, it did.

"So…"

"Don't go there, Duo. Please."

"Hey, I'm worried about you, 's all."

"Don't be. I'm fine."

"Your violin says otherwise."

The blond tried to shrug carelessly. It failed miserably.

"Quatre, look, we just want to help."

The blond raised an eyebrow.

"'We'?"

"Well, Hee-chan of course. And Wufei too. He may be grumpy, but he's really a marshmallow underneath."

The Chinese decided to let that one slip, and explain to Maxwell later on the difference between him and the fluffy white pink substance. For starters, god created him with hair. The other way around… ew…

"So you gonna tell me, or am I going to have to beat it out of ya?"

"You know I can put up a good fight."

There was no humor in that statement.

"Look, Q, I'm just worried about ya."

"Don't be."

"I can't really well help it."

"Then try harder. Because I don't need your help."

"Q…"

"Look, it's my fault, I should handle it on my own. I really don't see any reason to dump it on any of you."

"I'm asking you to do so…"

"So I decline politely. Excuse me."

Quatre went back upstairs, leaving both remaining pilots to exchange worried looks.

"Quatre, Trowa and self guilt. Now where did I see that one before?"

"This is becoming more and more disturbing."

Wufei said calmly, not allowing himself to think of what caused the last time those three were connected.

"Tell me about it. And I'm gonna get to the bottom of it, so help me…"

"Don't."

"Excuse me?!"

The American looked at his friend suspiciously.

"You just miss Yuy. So you feel like you have to be involved in any kind of relationship, be it from the inside or the out. Therefore there is no possible honorable result from you interfering. You'd do well to leave them alone."

For a few moments, Duo was silent in shock… before he burst out laughing.

"Shrink is in! Do I have to pay you 5 cents now?" [*]

"What?"

"Wufei giving psychology seasons. I never thought I'd see the day…"

The laughter subsided, and a look of suppressed sadness covered Duo's face.

"…But you're right."

He added, since Wufei seemed ready to bite his head off… or his braid. Even worse.

"I guess I really do miss my Hee-chan. So I'm trying to force them into a relationship that'll resemble my own. Guess I want to have it, even if I am just a side viewer."

The Chinese got a distasteful look on his face.

"Not. Like. That."

Duo tried to remain serious, though the slightest of grins appeared on his lips.

"But they're not you and Yuy. Thankfully."

"Heh heh. Yeah. So, you're gonna 'help' then?"

"Don't be absurd."

"Humph. Fine. Have it your way."

Wufei was about to walk off when Duo said the last remark for that evening.

"Just don't apply too tough a love, eh?"

Tough Love. Wufei. Duo had better start sleeping with one eye open. Or not. Sleeping with Heero Yuy sure had its advantages there. And all around, as well.