Duo Maxwell - AC203 December 25th

When Duo woke up, it was to the sound of splashes of water, Trowa was already up and about to start his day. He yawned leisurely and padded around in search of clothes to put on. The trailer, despite its wooden old-school paneling was modern and heated. Still, it was the middle of winter in central Europe.

A sly grin spread on his lips upon noticing his fuck-buddy?Lover?Boyfriend? had let the bathroom's door ajar. He pushed it open, just enough he could lean against the threshold and admire the view, hoping for something hot like "Trowa in all his naked glory rinsing his hair, lean muscle rippling under tanned skin". He got "Trowa, a foot propped on his opposite thigh, rinsing suds from between his toes".

_ So not sexy." Duo laughed, as auburn hair fell haphazardly over the tall man's face, mostly hiding an unimpressed raised eyebrow.

_ I didn't know I was supposed to put on a show.

Duo laughed once more as Trowa straightened up and move in to claim a chaste good morning kiss. And grope some while he was at it. He heaved a sigh and let his forehead rest on Trowa's torso, a hand trailing down his abs. It felt warm. Trowa was warm, well build, soothing and patiently unmoving.

_ I'm gonna have to talk to Hilde.

He had no idea how to start that conversation, nor how it would finish. Especially because, well… she couldn't have not noticed Duo had slept somewhere not in their room.

_ You will. But you don't need to be alone. Even if I won't be able to say much in your stead; I can at least be there.

_ I… don't think I want you to. I'm afraid it's gonna get ugly and" Duo got his head up, chin on his lover's pec' a soft, self-deprecating smile on his lips. "I don't want you to see all of my bad sides right away.

_ I've seen you goad an officer trice your size with the foulest mouth I've ever heard and handcuffs the size of your forearms. I know a bit about your bad and good sides. But if you don't want me there… It's your choice, I was just offering.

_ Thank-you.

With that, Duo pushed the other man out of the bath-room to get his turn on the shower. It was all good-natured teasing and hearty chuckles. It was so long since Duo last felt the giddiness coming with a new love. In fact, it had been once before, with Hilde.

Maybe.

Maybe it had just been the giddiness coming with being a teen and discovering sex.

Maybe it was the same after all.

Didn't matter. He liked being with Trowa. He knew he couldn't come back to Hilde. Not with that 'children' thing hanging between them. Duo got dressed quickly, borrowing one of Trowa's pair of briefs, and before he got more time to brood, they were climbing the hill back to the mansion and breakfast.

That's where they crossed path with one fuming Chang Wufei. On the vast terrace surrounding the house. That's where said Chang Wufei threw a mighty hook that sent Duo sprawling on the cold tiles with a disgusted sneer.

Duo had to grab Trowa's pants to prevent him from charging the Chinese young man. Then scramble to his feet when it didn't prove to be sufficient.

_ I did deserve that punch to the face." He started low and easy. Before letting his anger show in a deep growl. "But not from you. Whatever you have against me, do man-fucking-up and goddam say it! Stop brooding and sneering like a freakin' child. I'm no mind reader you jackass!

Somehow, Duo's rant was confusing his attacker who stepped back. But, there goes the saying: anger fuels anger, and Duo had more than enough with the treatment he had been handed by the dark haired Preventer.

_ You know what," he deflated, fucking shitty 24hours, "don't even bother. I don't care anymore. Just shut the fuck-up and get out of my sigh. I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore. I've had enough of that.

He picked up his boyfriend and headed to the winter garden where the breakfast was served, snubbing the few witnesses who came attracted by the ruckus and his flabbergast assailant. He was through with Chang Wufei, for good.

Thankfully, Hilde wasn't there when they arrived at the table, it was still quite early. But Duo suspected Hilde wouldn't have come down at any hour; not after her long-time boyfriend left her the way he did.

So Duo ate quietly and quickly, grateful to Trowa for keeping questions at bay. His glares were to par with Heero's this morning. It was heartwarming to have a protective partner.

And since Trowa used to be Heero's boyfriend, he most certainly knew how to draw the line between protective and coddling.

Thirty-six large, sand colored, tiles between the winter garden and the stairs, twenty-four marble steps up the first floor and three doors left to their room. Their… figure of speech. He knocked. Dark, polished, shiny wood. Red oak?

She knew it was him. After eight years, she knew his way to knock. She didn't come to open, just yelled at him to come in. Hilde didn't sound like she had been crying or else. Still, he opened the door carefully, waited a second and slipped into the room when no projectile came him way, as carefully closing the red oak door behind him.

And stared.

There were baggage sitting near his legs. At first glace he thought she was throwing him out. Then he realized those were Hilde's things, not his; and she was nowhere to be seen.

_ Hilde?

_ Here." She came out of the bathroom and leaned against the threshold, little dark dress, silky stockings and heels. She was gorgeous, and Duo couldn't help the spark of desire seeing her so pretty. He knew how good it felt to be tied by those firm legs, kissed by her alternatively hungry and teasing mouth.

_ I… I don't know what to say. I want to apologize, but not sure about what exactly." He was leaning on the red oak door, he liked to pretend it was red oak, he had really no idea. "At least for disappearing last night.

She nodded, neutral.

_ What happened? About the painting." She specified.

_ You know how I feel about her, about the whole" He waved his hand in a vague gesture. "Heero mess.

She nodded again, she knew.

_ I always figured that he would steal you away from me once he came back. I never suspected Trowa Barton might have had a chance.

A sob lodged itself into his throat.

_ Is that why you've been keeping your options open all that time? Because you though I… what? Was with you by default?

He couldn't believe it. He had fantasied about Heero. It even could have been called a bad crush on the guy, long ago. But he also knew it was not meant to be. He hadn't been waiting.

Well… yes of course, but not that way.

_ I'll be attending Lunch, since there were two missing guests, we postponed the gifts exchange. There is a shuttle for 02-X566 leaving this evening then I'll hitch a ride home.

_ I'm sorry.

_ You should be." There was ho heat behind her words. Something like lassitude, defeat. "Me too. I should have been more attentive, when you told me you didn't want children. I didn't realize it was such a deal breaker to you.

_ I'm sorry." He just couldn't think about anything else to say. He couldn't think, at all.

She came to him, painfully familiar, cherished, and molded herself against him one last time. A warm, friendly embrace, full of regrets and shared memories. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, squeezed.

_ You know, I wasn't with you because you look like him. I really love you.

_ I know.

She squeezed him tighter for a few seconds before stepping back and around him, through that damn dark wooden door.

_ I'll miss you Duo.

He cried. Only after she left, the perfume he had offered her for her birthday trailing behind.

When Duo finally calmed down and went to the bathroom to wash his face and evaluate the damages, he was too pale and had puffy red eyes, he found his suit carefully hanged and ironed. He almost cried again.

He was almost late for lunch, but Trowa was still there, arms loosely crossed, leaning against the wall, waiting for him a few steps from Duo's door.

_ Hey handsome." He smiled a bit weakly. Trowa didn't answer, he simply fell in steps with Duo, their hands brushing. Duo liked that Trowa didn't feel the need to fill the silence. He wasn't sure he could stand empty words right now.

He needed the strength to get through the whole meal's mindless chatter. Good thing it was in the lunch room; the reminder of Heero's presence was as comforting as the warmth of Trowa's thigh against his.

For once, Chang Wufei refrained from uttering any side comment against him. Otherwise, Duo would have decked him. And for reasons he wasn't sure of, he was pretty certain Trowa wouldn't have minded holding the Chinese man for him.

The meal was quiet, the children had already eaten and were playing somewhere else with their own gifts. The pile under the tree had already significantly reduced since last night. The gifts exchange scheduled for after the lunch won't last. Good. Duo wasn't in the mood and had no gift left to receive. Hilde had offered him his coat in advance and Heero last night. He didn't expect more from anyone.

Once the lunch and the gift unwrapped, Duo could honestly not recall anything he had in his plate. The whole after-noon was a blur of chatter, mixed scents of food, vine, coffee and too much chocolate.

The only thing he clearly remembered between then and now was Hilde's departure. He had helped her get her things downstairs and waited with her for Relena's chauffeur. Suitcases in hand, she had given him one last brief hug under Wufei's watchful dark eyes. He was waiting for the same car to catch another shuttle, to the Caraïbes.

Duo had stayed on the terrace, looking at the car fading away until it disappeared through the wrought iron gate. He had heard Quatre coming through the French window, waiting to be acknowledged. He wasn't in a hurry to do so. So they stupidly waited together, until Quatre sneezed and couldn't pretend he wasn't there anymore. Then he came up to Duo's shoulder and crossed his arms over the banister.

_ I don't understand. Well… No one understands. But they aren't really your friends, and I'm not sure they are trying.

_ 'Twasn't perfect to begin with yanno.

_ Nothing is.

_ She wants children. Someday.

_ And you're that adamant you don't, you would end your eight years old relationship so abruptly?

Duo let his shoulders drop a bit further. He was grateful Quatre was trying to understand without judging him. He was. But how to explain to a sheltered boy who grew up with a doting father and a flock of sisters (even if he hadn't known several of them until their patriarch's death)?

How to make him understand that the closest thing to parents he ever had was a pair of ecclesiastic who made vows of chastity and an old sweeper who never married? That he didn't even know if he was orphaned or if his parents simply hadn't wanted him, not even bothered to put him in an orphanage.

How could he explain his earlier memories filled with hunger and a keen defiance toward every grown-up? The eleven foster families who turned him back to father Maxwell because they wanted a sweet trusting child and he was anything but?

He was as screwed as they made it, and at least, he was conscious of it: he was in no shape of any kind to bear the responsibility of another life, a child's well-being. One who completely depended on him, all the time and not just during a fight or a war.

So he didn't try, hoping that Quatre was enough of a friend to still not judge him even when he didn't, couldn't, understand.

_ Yes Quatre, that's not something that can change. So, better let her go now than later.

_ And about Trowa?

Duo smirked, Quatre's expression clearly stated he hadn't seen that coming. No one had, not even Duo, despite the kiss they had shared two years ago. Guess Trowa had, of course, and Heero knew apparently.

_ He is refreshingly unobtrusive and understanding, and he is a very welcome pain in my ass." Duo couldn't help but tease. (or rub it in Quatre's nose? or test the groud?) He wasn't sure of his own motives about that. Notwithstanding the fact that Duo was currently sporting a nicely smarting bum.

_ I didn't need to know that." Quatre muttered, without bitterness or jealousy. That was why Duo loved the blond; such a sport.

_ I really am over him Duo." Quatre added after a glance toward him. "So, no I don't mind. Actually, I'm glad you found each other.

_ It might not work out so well. And I didn't set a good precedent about how I break-up.

_ I know Trowa, he's not one to let go so easily. And you're as stubborn as he is.

Duo wondered how well Quatre knew their most quiet companion, did he know about his years long relationship with Heero. But if he did not, it wasn't Duo's place to tell. So he kept quiet; watching the circus's staff disassemble the big top.

Waiting for Trowa to come back from helping them.

_ You've seen him didn't you?

Startled from his reverie, Duo turned to Quatre, almost surprised his friend was still there.

_ Who?

_ Heero.

The answer let him speechless. How did he know? Then Duo remembered the painting, everyone knew from whom it was. Still...

_ What makes you think that?

_ It's the first time in seven years I'm not seeing you search for him.

_ Last night." Quatre nodded.

_ You haven't realized then." Duo didn't voice his question this time, a raised eyebrow was enough to convey his confusion. But Quatre plain refused to explain his comment.

_ You've seen him since he left.

It wasn't really a question, it sounded simply obvious for Duo that Quatre knew something about Heero.

_ Once. He hadn't tried to hide too well, probably in case something drastic happened. I tracked him down to the art school he was enlisted to and showed at his first exhibit. He wasn't too pleased with me and made clear he wouldn't see me unless in his own terms. I still got to see his work before he shooed me away.

Then Trowa came back from helping his folk packing-up and Quatre quietly slipped away.

_ So?" Duo dragged the vowel with a gentle smirk.

Noticing his too red ears and cheeks, Trowa urged Duo inside first and led him to a warm fire in one of the libraries.

_ So you know, I like the cold." Duo growled good naturedly as his lover undressed him and set to gently rub his hands. The taller man hummed absentmindedly and kept with his ministration until Duo was thoroughly warmed up.

_ The Boss' not too happy, but Relena payed well for last night show. I'm getting the week off. Then I'll have to go back. At least until he finds a replacement for my part, or I train one.

_ What about the partner you had last evening?" Duo asked, because the guy obviously was really good, and he didn't remember him being part of the usual crew. Trowa marked a pause before answering with a shrug.

_ He's not a performer, this was a one time thing.

Duo gaped, for an amateur, the guy had been good. More than good.

_ And what's his job?" He asked without expecting an answer.

Another shrug came his way. Trowa wasn't sure himself, he knew the guy was a programmer but never asked more about his usual day job.

_ One hell of a geek." Duo whistled. Trowa huffed a laugh and agreed whole fully.

Trowa Barton - AC195

_ So... is there a name I can call you with that hasn't been borrowed?

_ Not that I know of.

They had, despite it being unsafe, added a couple nights to their stay in Sicily. Heero was still naked, half splayed over him, and toying with his curly hair.

_ Mind if I keep calling you Hanata then?

No, he didn't, even if he had no idea what it meant.

_ Its equivalent in Common would be Darling." Upon seeing his raised eyebrow, Heero elaborated just a bit, it was Japanese. It suited well with his features, even if it was pretty obvious he wasn't pure bred.

_ A name?" Heero Yui simply couldn't be his real name, too much of a foretelling.

Heero shrugged.

_ Several, Oyaji and I traveled a lot under different names. He used to simply call me Bozu or Kimi, means 'Boy' and 'kid'. Guess I must have been given one, at some point, I don't remember it.

_ So no family either..." He concluded. The Barton Foundation really knew how to hire people who wouldn't been looked for or had nothing to loose. It took him a while to dare ask the question that had bothered him ever since Heero had stepped into the bathroom.

_ What he did to you, is it permanent?

_ Yes." Heero didn't seem to mind too much the question, so he went on. Came what came.

_ Why did you let him?

That one made Heero move, raise his head to contemplate him for so long he wasn't sure he would get an answer.

_ I hadn't planed to meet you." It would be as much of a confession he would get from Heero Yuy, or whatever his real name might be.

The next day, reality would catch up, with Oz finally finding their trail and that Noin officer coming to them with the weirdest offer.

He hadn't wanted Heero to take the bait and accept that Zech Merquise's challenge. He didn't sit right with him to let the enemy have such a high hand over them. Heero being Heero, he knew that no matter their blooming relationship, his decision to go along wouldn't get swayed.

So he didn't even try, just made sure Heero knew what he was doing and settled for looking after his lover the best he could. Being there.