Duo Maxwell AC204 April

The only reaction Heero gave when Duo told him about his call with Wufei was : "He knows the number of my bank accounts, he can get the wine he wants himself."

And that would have been it, with Heero's nose buried in papers about Heero knew what. Duo sure didn't, and didn't think he needed to ask. Duo did think he needed to ask a bit more about his arrangements with the Preventer's lieutenant. He had bits and bouts of it, a warning from Wufei he did not know what to think of and that was it. Despite his recent resolution about asking stuff, now seemed the time to put his foot in it. It was Heero after all, the worst that could happen would be for the guy to ignore him.

_ So... how's the deal with Wufei? How come you have his private number on embossed cards?

A page, full of columns and Heero's green scribble, turned.

_ It's my number.

Duo raised both eyebrows. He did think the background didn't fit the austere Chinese man. Not that he would have imagined Heero's interior being so cosy either, satin (or silk?) and heavy curtains, for what little he could see.

_ So... he's... living in your home?" Will he really have to worm information out of Heero one by one? Don't answer, rhetorical question, it was Heero there.

_ It was simpler that way for the moment. The flat needed guarding, Wufei needed a place to be. And he loves my wine.

Well... if Wufei loved Heero's wine... That freaking explained nothing! Still... Heero was answering. Duo served himself some snack from the fridge, Heero made, fresh and healthy. Duo added some mayonnaise.

_ How long ago did you reacquainted with Wufei?

_ Six month after I left, he called me for a freelance job. Tech job for the Preventers. I agreed. The job lasted more than initially intended.

_ And now he's living in you house. You.. had a 'thing' with him too?

That earned him a sharp glare, and no answer. No Pasaran. OK. Heero sighed and stacked up his paperwork.

_ Trowa has always ever been the only one I've been with.

Maybe be Duo would have rather Heero not answer that question. It was making him feel like the thief he no longer was. And he had never stolen someone's lover before.

_ Duo." Duo looked up. "We are fine. Trowa's happy to have you. And I'm happy too.

So Heero still had contacts with Trowa. This time, Duo decided he had asked enough questions for the day.

pickaboo

The next week, Duo got a call. From Quatre. He was coming by for a charity, or else, and, as usual, wanted to invite Duo for dinner.

As far as he knew, Heero hadn't made up with Quatre. Actually, Duo didn't really know what he had against their blonde friend. Not that he was going to ask. He agreed for the dinner and resolved to ask Heero if he wanted to be there when he'll come back from his part-time day job.

Apparently he had found a place at the local middle school. He was supervising the Art club after-class activities for a pregnant teacher who needed to take it easy. In exchange, he was allowed to use one of their atelier for his own work.

When Heero came back, Duo was in his room, on the com with Trowa. Later, after a sound nap, Quatre's dinner had left his mind.

Until he received a phone call as he was having a lunch break with Heero and Trio to remind him to get suited up for dinner.

_ Shit. I forgot to tell you. Quatre had called last week. I wanted to know whether you wanted to come, and... it slipped my mind.

_ Why would you assume I wouldn't want to?" It was a mild question.

_ Quatre told me how you kicked his ass out of your first vernissage. And you still have yet to extend a hand to him.

_ Ah...

_ I also know you two got quite close when protecting Sanc. I know why you ghosted me. But... what did he do to you?

_ I doubt you really know why it was difficult for me to come back to you." Heero answered softly. Duo found it hard to swallow for a few seconds. Back was the feeling he had with Trowa on the balcony, not knowing where to stand.

_ And...Quatre?

_ He's a nice guy, but he's meddlesome, and makes things more difficult more often than not. So far, I couldn't afford more complications in my life.

Sharp and curt. Heero really had a grudge against Quatre, the nicest guy Duo knew. With Trowa. Maybe. Duo had an inkling Trowa was only nice with people he cared about and contented with not being mean toward others.

_ Quatre has never been ill intentioned toward anyone. He couldn't have done it on purpose.

_ That's where he's the most dangerous. He thinks since it's out of the goodness of his heart, he's entitled to meddle and do or say what he thinks is best. He's not omniscient.

_ Like when he built Zero to rescue us?

_ That's one example, not one I've held over him. We knew we had it handled, despite the drawbacks (sharp look and shark smile toward Duo, Trio looked startled by the sudden edge) but it looked pretty screwed from and outside point of view.

_ Trust me, even from the inside it didn't look starlight.

_ I guess I was just disappointed Quatre didn't trust Trowa enough. Unless he didn't even know he was there. One of the thing I do hold against Quatre is that he brought Trowa back into the war.

So Heero did know how to grouse.

_ Wait... what?

_ After his disastrous attempt of a rescue, Quatre was persuaded Trowa was still alive, somewhere. And I wanted to believe him. We stayed stranded, unable to search for him for a while.

Duo nodded, Quatre had told him about the times they had been held by some terran faction, their leader not knowing what to do with two Gundam pilots, before they managed to get to Sanc.

_ When I left Sanc, we kept looking for him, each on our side.

_Erm... Duo's finger went to his cheek in a well ingrained self conscious gesture. "I was the one who found him, since I didn't know how to reach you, I called out for Quatre.

_ Yes.I know that." Heero huffed. "But you barely knew Trowa, Quatre should have know better than drag him back into that mess. He was safe, he was home with people who cared about him. He should have never been forced to come back and have his past haunt him again!

It was a rare sigh to see Heero get angry. It was an uncomfortable sigh.

_ You would rather have him forget you forever.

_ I would have come back to him, after... everything was over. I seduced him once, I could have... given us a second chance.

_ That's not the story I heard.

_ Is that so?" Heero teased with a sly smile.

They finished their meal in thoughtful silence, Trio teaching Duo some of his hand signs.

_ Call Quatre, tell him to cancel whatever fancy restaurant he booked. We'll dine home.

Duo nodded, it was better than nothing.

_ I can't meet him in a public place." Heero un-necessarily added.

_ I get it 'ro.

He got a wan smile and a thanks more heartfell than he deserved. So Duo got up, ruffled Heero's nest hair for good measure and called Quatre.

_ I got to do some groceries, then. Trio, I'll need your help. Duo, please tell Quatre to bring some desert.

With that, Heero let him finish his day load of work. Good thing, Duo won't need to transform in a penguin today. Then it occurred to him that Quatre had never been in his place. In front of, to pick him up, several times. But never in.

Compared to the luxurious places Quatre was used to, his place was pretty much a dump.

Compared to what little he had seen from Heero's apartment, too. Heero didn't seem to mind, Quatre would just have to deal with it for a few hours.

pickaboo

Not wanting to let his (self-invited) long time guest do all the work to welcome his (not invited by him) second guest, Duo decided to close shop a bit early and come home. If he still sucked in a kitchen, even if not as much as he used to, but he could at least clean up a bit.

Heero was tidy but as much a homebody as Duo was. Meaning not much. The tabletop and sink were clean and the floor regularly swept (Heero walked bare food indoor), and that was about all most days.

Some dusting might be in order.

He got home two hours before Quatre was due. Heero was managing about four dishes at the same time in various states of being sliced, chopped, roasted, steamed or whatever. Trio diligently following directions.

_ Tadaima. You're early today" Heero welcomed him and turned right back to his activities.

_ Though I could do some cleaning up while you're monopolizing the kitchen.

Heero halted for a few second as his gaze swept around.

_ Good thinking." He agreed curtly. Duo smiled. He was still marveling at how much better it was to come back to a lived-in home. Then he busied himself with the sweeper and some wipes.

Good thing his place wasn't large, he was finishing straightening his worktable when an alarm biped.

_ Is it time already?

_ You've got half an hour to get dressed." Heero answered. "The bath should be warm. Go first.

Duo gathered his tools for taking away and sauntered playfully to Heero to kiss his cheek, and lick the soft brown sauce he had there.

_ Thanks Birdy.

Then he hurried away before Heero decided to deck him for the teasing.

Exactly half an hour later, Heero emerged from his room suited with a pair of black slacks and a fitting dark blue shirt. Still barefoot Duo noticed amused. The table was already set.

With Wufei's china since it was the only nice set Duo had.

A firm knock on the door later, Duo was met with an armful of blonde delight. Apparently Quatre was very happy to be invited in his humble abode for dinner.

Duo inwardly shook his head, rich people... He loved Quatre, he would never understand the guy. Not that it really mattered.

_ Good to see you too Quatre. Please, I need to breath.

Quatre finally released his friend to give the place a leisure look. Duo congratulated his good thinking about doing some cleaning-up.

_ Heero !" The blond exclaimed happily upon seeing Duo's roommate and advanced to him, arms open in an obvious attempt for a hug. Attempt smoothly derailed as Heero extended his hands to be held instead.

If Quatre's smile faltered at the rebuttal, Duo didn't catch it. They shook hands and exchanged a few polite words. Probably not the heartfell reunion Quatre must have hoped for but as an accomplished businessman, he did not let it on and gently followed Heero's pace.

_ How many of your body guards out there?" Asked Heero after the complimentary greetings died down and Quatre was comfortably seated in the sofa besides Duo.

_ Why? One bodyguard and my chauffeur." Quatre answered in stride.

Heero just nodded and went to busy himself in the kitchen before heading out with a tray set for two.

_ He didn't change much, did he?" Quatre commented as the door closed behind the cook. "As awkwardly thoughtful as ever.

Duo hummed in agreement.

_ I was surprised you offered to make dinner for once, after so many stories about your culinary disasters. But I'm even more intrigued now, it seems Heero did the cooking?

_ He's really good at it, and is teaching me a bit. I think I'm good to make edible pasta now.

It might not be much, but Duo was quite proud of it. Quatre laughed him off, good naturedly. Until a noise from Heero's room made him tense and ready to draw the very small pistol that never left his ankle. Duo did not mind his friend having a weapon even in his house, one was never too careful. But...

_ Hola, easy tiger! It must be Trio.

Duo laughed at the face his friend made hearing the name.

_ Blame Heero, he's the one who named him.

_ Named who? You got a pet or something?

_ More like something." Duo teased as he got up to see what the Doll was up to. The familiar frimousse was half hidden behind the door "My, you can come you know. Quatre not gonna hurt you. He's a friend even if he's a bit jumpy.

The front door clicked open and closed as Trio shook his head, slowly.

_ Trio overdid this afternoon, she needs to rest. Cool down a bit then recharge.

_ Can't he do that in the living with us?

Quatre was looking between them with wonder creasing his eyebrows.

_ Trio's a Doll." Duo explained.

_ An awakened IA." Heero completed. "Her body is no match for her abilities, so she needs to rest a lot.

At Duo's urge, Quatre came forward to greet the little thing.

_ Hello there. I'm Quatre. Nice to meet you.

In answer, Trio waved a hand in a vague salute, placed his hand on his chest, three fingers up, then bowed before Heero picked him up and disappeared in his room.

_ I didn't know your Dolls were that accomplished.

_ They're not supposed to. This one is an unexplainable exception.

Heero came back and they started on the appetizer. If Quatre was surprised by how comfortable Heero was in Duo's kitchen, he didn't say anything, at first.

With the appetizers came the usual conversations between people who haven't seen each other for a while : what you up too lately? Business still flourishing? Then the ups and downs of dealing with customers, or contractors. The political weather. All while sipping at soft drinks since Quatre didn't drink alcohol.

Then the first course : a seafood soup with green little squares of algae. Duo was used to having strange things appear on his table, it always ended up being good, so he dug up with enthusiasm and no second thought. Quatre followed more carefully.

_ So, Heero, how long have you been here?" Quatre was carefully picking a mussel from the soup by its shell.

_ About two months.

Heero wasn't looking, but Duo caught the bland look his friend gave them, the quick glance he send Duo's way before changing subject. Namely, what Heero has been up to during all this time. The misunderstanding was clear. Duo made a bet with himself that Quatre would circle around and ask about Trowa before the end of main course.

Heero didn't reveal much more than Duo already knew and nothing about his relationship with Trowa. Still, Duo was surprised to learn Heero had actually been to an Art school to for three years. Recommended by an old man he met in Italy.

_ You've got a thing for that country, have you?" Duo teased.

_ It's a beautiful place. And, that's where..." Heero didn't finish, Duo blushed. That's where he and Trowa had been together during the war. Must have been where they came together.

_ Where what?" Asked Quatre clueless.

_ I believe the saying is : 'Where I lost my virginity and found a reason to live'.

Quatre hiccuped. Duo hid his smile behind his glass (thankfully, Heero had consented in opening a bottle of wine). Guess there was one thing Duo could agree with Wufei about, Heero's wine was really good.

_ I never knew you met Relena in Italy.

If Heero had rolled his eyes any wider, they would have popped out.

_ Relena and I never had and never will have any kind of romantic relationship." He rapped out.

_ I... erm... You...

_ Yes Quatre. It is about time you stop believing your own tales and start looking around a bit more. She's not going to wait for you to make up your mind forever.

Duo smirked, he had thought Quatre's attitude toward their princess had become ambiguous lately.

_ Heero's right, you should go for it Quat'.

_ But then... who?

Heero's glare was sharp enough to cut tomatoes. Quatre dropped the subject with a deep blush.

Then the main course arrived, direct from the oven. It smelled of lemongrass. Duo was about certain he had never eaten duck before, nor the asparagus served as side dish. It was getting to be his favorite meat. The greenery wasn't bad either.

_ So, have you met anyone else since Christmas?" Quatre asked after tasting one slice of duck.

_ Pagan, as usual and I managed to catch Relena between two urgent meeting for a lunch. Wufei lives in my apartment since I'm there. Trowa calls from time to time. He's pretty busy with the Circus and his niece.

Oh man, Duo loved Quatre, truly, he was his best friend. But I was so much fun to watch Heero give him a dime for his money and bluntly bulldoze through all the tiptoeing.

Quatre was left gaping and trowing more glances toward Duo.

_ It was fast.

_ No. You're simply the last one I reconciled with." Heero softly answered.

Ow, that hurt.

_ Why?

_ Not because I don't like you, Quatre. My live was complicated, and I was afraid your goodwill would complicate it more. There were things I had to do by myself, and I don't think you would have let it be. You didn't actually.

_ I've missed you." Quatre finally admitted, not know what else to say.

The subject changed again, rolling onto Trio until Heero got up to take away the empty dishes. Duo followed with his own load of 'to put away'. Quatre had brought an assortment of petit-fours for desert and Duo decided he needed some tea to wash off all that sugar (not that he minded sugary treats).

He offered some to Quatre as he absentmindedly reached for the cups and bags over Heero's shoulder who was placing the petit-fours on a plate.

He only realized he must have put his hand on Heero's back, as balance and to avoid crashing into him, like he used to with Hilde, when he caught one more of Quatre's sharp glance. As he waited for the kettle to boil and made some instant decaffeinated for Heero, he wondered how many times things like this might have happened the last two months.

Bah... If Heero would have said something if it bothered him.

Ultimately, Quatre put Trowa back on the table as he and Heero were getting on the couch. Duo had shoed them away from the kitchen and was washing up the dishes. 'I insist, you cooked, I wash'.

_ Seen Trowa again since last time Duo?

_ Yup, he managed to come over once for a few days. Like Heero said, he's still busy with the Circus and training his replacement. We call each other whenever he can.

_ He should be back soon." Heero piped in calmly.

_ He told you?" Duo couldn't help the small spark of jealousy.

_ No, but unless the Circus schedule changed they're supposed to head to L3 by the end of the week and be here within the next two.

Duo looked up to the calendar near the door. Not that he could read it from where he was. True, it was about the time the Circus was coming by.

The discussion changed subjects again, until Heero went out to offer some more coffee to Quatre's guards.

_ Duo, what do you think you're doing there?

_ Having a friend home, with the complete consent of my boyfriend?" Duo answered fully innocent. "In fact, I'm starting to wonder if it's not Trowa who told Heero I wasn't faring too well living alone.

_ And in what parallel universe is it OK for a guy to send his boyfriend's teenage crush to keep him company?

_ Yanno, not everybody is gay Quatre. And nothing ever happened between me and Heero.

That wasn't really a lie, that wasn't really forthcoming either, Duo knew Heero wasn't into women but he didn't like too much Quatre prying into his life. If everyone involved was ok with the situation, where was the problem?

_ I'm not going to jump on him now because I had a crush years ago. I wouldn't do that to Trowa, I love him.

Quatre refilled his cup of tea and said nothing. Duo huffed.

A couple days later, while doing the morning dishes, Heero announced his upcoming departure.

Trowa Barton AC195

He slowly left the latch click back into the locked position.

It was late at night, there hadn't been any MS test that day, so he hadn't been able to make contact with his lover. It was tantalizing to know he was so close, and yet unattainable. It was easier to forget how good it felt to have him when there was a whole Earth between them.

He just wanted to see him, maybe exchange a word or two.

Maybe he shouldn't have.

Three days ago, when he first saw Heero carefully laying an obviously hurt Duo Maxwell against the wall, they conducted a silent conversation consisting of raised eyebrows and furtive glances and ending with Heero, all suited-up, bumping into his shoulder with a cocky grin: "How many MS Doll will I get to destroy before you threaten to detonate me today?"

Meaning : The officer besides him at the time, Lieutenant Bauer, had taken a disturbing interest in Chang Wufei. Duo Maxwell had caught on that and decided to rile up the man to divert his attention. Apparently he did not mind too much being beaten, but his body wasn't as enthusiastic.

And Heero cared about the loudmouthed idiot. To the point of sleeping with the guy in his arms. He pursed his lips. He knew Heero had not been kissing the guy, nor having done anything of a sexual nature, not with Chang Wufei as witness.

But he knew how sensitive his lover's scantly clad body was. And for once, he didn't like it one bit.

Yeah, I'm awfully late. I no longer have spare chapters and Heero wanted to be a drama queen in this one, had to rewrite three times to make him reasonable.

I will probably slow down the updating from now. See you every other Tuesday. (or Friday when I forget)