Dorothy Catalonia was owner of an extensive network of love-slaves. She trained each one personally, teaching them how to be submissive in all things, and aggressive when asked to be. In a way, Dorothy was like the pimp that they had rescued Dix from, as they both trafficked in the selling of flesh for pleasure.
But there the similarities ended. For one thing, all the slaves were such willingly. When one wanted to retire, they were given a hefty pension and left to do so in peace. Also, Dorothy was notoriously protective of her pets. Any harm done to them was returned tenfold, in such a ruthless manner that most never dared to test it in the first place.
She was also a close friend of Treize and Zechs. This wouldn't have been the first time she had sent such tokens of her affection, even though none were allowed to stay more than one night.
When Duo had originally suggested that they pose as gifts from the woman, Quatre had protested loudly, blushing the whole time. They'd argued for hours, Duo finally promising that he'd figure out some other reason for them to be looking for Treize.
"We're gifts, from Dorothy Catalonia."
Quatre stiffened in Duo's arms and dug his fingers into Duo's thigh. Duo dug his own fingers slightly into Quatre's chest in response, keeping the blonde from giving anything away. Zechs didn't seem to notice the wordless exchange. Instead his expression became mildly resigned and he sighed. "She never gives up, does she?"
Duo shook his head. "Nope."
"Wait here, I'll go see what Treize wants done with you," Zechs said and left gracefully, disappearing into the crowd in a matter of seconds. As soon as he was gone, Quatre whirled on his friend.
"Duo-!"
"I know, I'm sorry." Duo turned large, miserable eyes on him. "But I couldn't think of any other way to get close enough to Treize to pick his pockets."
Quatre growled and ran a hand through his hair. "Duo, I can't make them believe I'm a sex-slave!" he hissed.
"You weren't having any problems on the dance floor."
Quatre blushed and narrowed his eyes at the brunette. "That was different! I-trust you..."
Duo stepped up and took the blonde into his arms. "Look, I promise I'll get us out of here with the film before anything serious happens."
Quatre buried his face in Duo's shoulder. "I don't know if I can do this..."
"If it gets to be too much, we'll leave."
Quatre sat up and looked at his friend. "But-the job-"
Duo cut him off, placing a finger on his lips. "There'll be other jobs. You're more important to me," he murmured, leaning down to kiss him again. Quatre froze for a moment before melting into the kiss. It felt good, really good. He could tell Duo was as nervous about it as he was. He wasn't sure just how he could tell, but he could. Somehow, knowing that cooled his anger and Quatre wrapped his arms around the brunette comfortingly. He tilted his head to give Duo a better angle to kiss him, which Duo took advantage of with a small moan.
Duo's hands moved from Quatre's arms to cup his head, long fingers burrowing into the soft, golden locks. Quatre pressed closer, surrendering to the comforting haze that was enveloping them both.
The haze dissipated when Zech's rich voice interrupted them. "Treize has agreed to meet with you."
Quatre pulled away from Duo reluctantly, his cheeks flushed and his breathing shallow. Still, he managed to give Zechs a smile, despite the jitters in his stomach.
"All right," Duo purred, sounding convincingly eager. Quatre licked his lips nervously. Oh, I hope we pull this off.
Duo kept his arm around Quatre's waist as they followed Zechs to a back stairway. He hoped that the film was actually kept on Treize and that he could get it before Quatre was forced to either do something too embarrassing or blow the whole thing. Oh man, I can't believe I kissed him! 'Course he didn't seem to mind too much…I wonder if it could work? Me n' Quat? Startled by the direction his thoughts had turned to, Duo cut them off. He didn't do long term, that only got people hurt. And Quatre wasn't a one time kinda guy. Better off to just stay clear of the whole idea.
But then why had he claimed him on the dance floor? To protect him from the wolves of the club, that's why, he told himself. But a small part of him said otherwise.
"Through here please," Zechs directed, shaking Duo from his thoughts. He didn't like the look that the man gave them as they passed through the door he held open. Okay, that wasn't entirely true; he loved it when people found him attractive, especially if they were also attractive. And there was no doubt that Zechs was hot; in fact in other circumstances, Duo would've liked to play all night with the man.
The look Zechs had just given them implied that the tall Adonis would definitely be playing tonight, and that messed up Duo's plans. He had hoped to distract Treize and leave Quatre unmolested. The guy was well versed in a lot of things, but not casual sex, and Duo kind of wanted it to stay that way.
Stop it, Q-man can take care of himself, you just concentrate on that film.
Beyond the door was a nicely furnished hallway that reminded Duo of a hotel or a fancy office. The carpet was a muted burgundy, thick enough to muffle footsteps, but not too thick, and the walls were a cream-colored stucco accentuated by golden shell-shaped lanterns in-between each doorway. Zechs led them to the last door on the right and again held the door for them.
The room was decorated in dark blues and greys. A sleek glass conference table took up most of the room, seated with quality, black leather office chairs. A couple of potted plants stood in opposite corners and striking renaissance portraits accented the walls. The far wall was one gigantic window that over-looked the dance-floor. Despite that, the music from the club was only a faint heart-beat, barely noticeable in the room. Briefly, Duo wondered how much soundproofing like that had cost.
In one of the chairs by the window sat Treize Kushrenada. A handsome man in his thirties, Treize had caramel hair, fashionably combed back, and an elegant air that belonged more in a rich country club than the dives of Nuevo Los Angeles. His eyes were cat-like, both in shape and in color. His shoulders were broad and he looked strong enough to handle almost any situation. The man was sitting quite relaxed, but Duo got the feeling that he only sat that way because he was confident enough in his own abilities that he didn't need to sit any other way.
He brought to mind a large lion, waiting lazily for its prey to walk right into its paws. Now Duo really wished he'd found a way to leave Quatre out of this mission. The man was dangerous, not to mention a walking wet dream. Zechs might have had better looks, but Treize had the gong fu that appealed to anyone with hormones.
"So you are Dame Catolonia's latest gifts," he greeted politely, smiling at them.
It made Duo extremely nervous, and he dealt with it the only way he knew how; he pretended he wasn't.
"Yep, you ready to unwrap us?" he sent back suggestively, jutting out one hip and putting his hand on it.
Treize chuckled as he stood up. "My, aren't you eager. I don't suppose I could ask your names before we begin? It does make things easier."
"We're yours now, call us what you want," Duo replied, realizing that he and Quatre hadn't come up with any good cover names before they began.
Treize rose an eyebrow. "That's new...and very intriguing. What do you think Zechs? What shall we call these new lovelies?"
"Me?" Zechs was thoughtful for a moment, eyeing them thoroughly. "I believe I would choose Dawn and Dusk."
It was Treize's turn to eye them. "Fine names, alliterative too…but I think not. Dusk brings someone else to mind."
"Ah, yes. Wufei," Zechs agreed sagely. "Of course. Well then…Apollo and Hyacinth?"
Duo was startled when Quatre suddenly laughed, his laughter bright and clear.
"I think I can guess which of us is going to be Hyacinth," he said, smiling at Duo. The brunette frowned in confusion, there was something here he was missing.
Treize smiled as he took Duo's hand and pulled him closer, but his words were directed back to Quatre. "How else would it be, my dear Apollo?"
Quatre laughed again, his smile disturbingly coy. "Shall you be our Adonis and Hades then?" he quipped.
Greek Gods, Duo's mind finally clicked, and he joined in the game. "I think the role of Zeus fits him better," he contributed slyly, looking up at the man through his lashes in a practiced sultry look.
Treize's eyes flashed and he lifted Duo's hand to his lips, sealing the dark promise with a kiss. Duo's heart jumped and his wits momentarily fled him. He usually laughed his ass off at romantic gestures like that, especially between two men; but when Treize did it, it was nothing short of erotic and the braided youth was caught off guard.
Quatre struggled to keep his demeanor poised and relaxed, but he was very much aware of Zech's warm body behind him, and while part of him somewhat enjoyed it, most of him was fretting over whether the man would feel the gun in the waistband of Quatre's pants at the small of his back if he pressed any closer.
To his relief Zechs kept his hands on his shoulders, kneading them gently. Quatre's eyes were glued to Duo and Treize. The older man had lifted Duo onto the glass conference table and was standing between his spread legs, kissing him languidly.
Quatre jumped when Zechs blew gently on his ear, then hoped he hadn't done anything out of character. Zechs chuckled lowly and a small burst of heat curled in Quatre's abdomen that he didn't care to think of too closely.
"You seem jumpy, Apollo."
"It's my first time outside the house," Quatre said, hoping that Zechs took the anxiousness in his voice as that of one eager to please.
"Not Hyacinth's though," Zechs observed, a little too closely to his ear than Quatre was comfortable with. And the remark was something Quatre didn't want to acknowledge, but couldn't help. The two brunettes seemed lost in each other and Quatre felt an ache in his chest even as Zech's proximity cause more heat in his stomach.
"Are you jealous love?"
Quatre forced a smile onto his face and he turned his head to press a kiss to Zech's throat. "Jealous? When I have you?"
Duo, though wonderfully distracted by Treize's attentions, had not forgotten the reason they were there and searched Treize with skilled hands under the pretense of caresses. So intent was he on finding the distinctive shape of a film canister or a photo wallet that he barely noticed Treize's hand trailing down is leg towards his calf.
He did, however, notice when the muzzle of his gun, warm from his body, suddenly pressed against his jugular.
"Now, you will tell me your true purpose here," Treize announced, as if he were still talking to a prospective lover.
Quatre froze at Treize's announcement. The angle he was at gave him a poor view of what was going on, but the distinct sound of a gun being cocked and Duo's hissed curses painted a clear enough picture. Zech's hold on him changed from embrace to imprison, and he was walked around till he could see what was going on.
When Duo didn't say anything, Treize repeated, "Why are you here?"
"Why should I tell you?" came Duo's cocky reply and Quatre mentally winced.
"I should think that would be obvious," Treize answered, pushing the gun meaningfully into Duo's jaw. Quatre feared for his friend, but something about the situation was bothering him. Something wasn't quite right, not in place with the threats and insinuations.
Duo swallowed, the action only serving to press the gun further into his flesh. He could see Quatre watching them with a frown on his face and hoped that Q could find a way to bluff his innocence, even if Duo had given his game away. Suddenly, Quatre's face became stony and in a blur, he forced his way out of Zech's grasp, kicked the man's legs out, grabbed him in a choker and pressed his own gun to Zech's temple.
"I believe I can answer your question Treize, with a question of my own. Where's the film," the blonde demanded in a cold voice that shocked Duo. Quatre never sounded like that, even when he was furious. He was a fiery sort, not an icy sort, filled with passion and energy. Treize looked at the blondes with a look of calm detachment, his gun still pressed firmly against Duo. "Film? Dare I ask what you're talking about?"
The smile that graced Quatre's angelic lips sent chills down Duo's spine. It was cold, cruel and calculating, only one of which Duo had ever associated with the blonde. "Come now Treize, we're both intelligent men. It doesn't become you to play coy."
Treize's return smile was lazy. "Ah, you mean the blackmail film for Mr. B. Quite the adventuresome man to send someone after it. How much did he pay you for this?"
"Enough."
They were talking as if the guns didn't even exist, calm, polite, almost genial. Duo wanted to yell at them, to break away, but when he shifted, Treize's hand tightened warningly and the gun pressed closer.
"Enough," Treize echoed, sounding highly amused. "And what if I told you I no longer had the film?"
"Then I'd have to punish you for lying," Quatre returned equably. "A pity though, he is quite handsome," he continued, tracing Zech's jaw line with the barrel of his gun.
Duo's eyes bugged out; staring at the person he thought he knew. This Quatre was just plain evil, and really creepy.
"Yes. So is this one," Treize returned, releasing Duo's shoulder to toy with his braid.
Quatre shrugged. "Beauty is fleeting," he replied, not even glance in Duo's direction, his clear gaze focused solely on Treize.
"How very true. What say you, Beauty? One last kiss?" he asked Duo.
Duo snarled at him, wishing that the man were closer so he could bite his nose off. "Go to fucking hell," was his eloquent reply. Treize laughed, and suddenly, Duo was free, his skin tingling as it awoke from the pressure of the departed gun.
"Ah you both have such spirit. So much so that it should be rewarded."
Treize went over to one of the paintings and pushed it aside to reveal a safe. A fingerprint scan and a password later he dug through a series of files inside before pulling out a plain green photo wallet, which he tossed to a wary Duo, along with the youth's gun. "There, all the prints as well as the negatives. Kindly release my subordinate."
Duo turned to look at Quatre, who released Zechs with a smile. Not the cold one of the past few minutes, but a warm and relieved one.
An act, it was all an act! Duo thought incredulously, not knowing whether to feel relieved or angry. For now he decided to stay relieved. There would be a safer time to be angry later, in privacy.
"A pleasure doing business with you," Quatre said, tilting his head.
Treize smiled warmly and his eyes twinkled. "Oh, no. The pleasure was all mine."
Duo headed for the door, negatives and photos in hand. "Come on, let's go," he said shortly and Quatre frowned for a moment before following hastily. Another moment, and they were gone.
Zechs turned to his lover with a raised eyebrow. "Did you enjoy yourself?"
Treize's smile was the smug smile of the cat that got the cream. "Immensely. Quite the pair, although they must learn to keep the cover up all the time. Quite a touching scene they had after you left," he mused, walking over to the window to watch for the two mercenaries when they got past the stairs.
"Are you going to take the film back?"
"A token chase, my men are instructed to let them go if they become too dangerous. It hardly matters, since Mr. B is kindly providing us with more material as we speak. A pity though, that they weren't from Dorothy. Their teasing has left me in an uncomfortable state." The man sighed.
Zechs smirked and pressed up against him. "Well, let's see if I can change that."
Quatre and Duo moved through the crowd without speaking, hoping to get out of there before Treize changed his mind and sent someone after them. The blonde paused for a moment to glance up at the window. He could see Zechs pressed up against the glass, Treize standing behind him. Both were fully clothes, though by the motion of their hips, they wouldn't remain so for long. Quatre hastily turned away, catching up with Duo, telling himself that no, he wasn't the least bit curious how it would have felt to be between those two dangerous men.