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The Portrait

Part 20

"Mind if I join you?"

Raising his head from his textbook Wufei change gazed up at his friend. "Ah, Milliardo. What strange wind blew you into the library so early in the morning?"

"It's called finals," the older youth grinned as he put down his own books and notepads and slipped into one of the chairs across from Wufei. Even though it was relatively early most of the other desks and tables were already occupied. "And my father's promise to make me pay back any money he spent on my education should I not graduate."

"I see your point." Wufei nodded.

"By the way, before I forget it, you and Duo are going to come to my house on Thursday. I'm planning a little BBQ. I hope you like steaks and bratwurst."

"Love them. Thanks. Is there anything we should bring?"

"Na," Milliardo shook his head. "Just your appetite."

"That shouldn't be too big of a problem," Wufei grinned. "Especially for Maxwell. So, how are things working out between your two 'housemates'?

"Rather civilized. I have to admit that I was a little worried, but I'm feeling better about it by the day."

"The professor hasn't noticed anything yet?" Wufei seemed somehow surprised.

"If he did he hasn't told me about it. I think Alexander tries to stay mostly out of his way. Me on the other hand, I feel like the connection between him and me is only getting stronger."

"You do look… tired," the other youth remarked. "And I assume that's not only due to extensive studying. Do you still having those dreams?"

"They have become more frequent again," Milliardo admitted. "It's usually only short flashback scenes, but when I wake up I find myself pondering them and unable to go back to sleep. I can't shake the feeling that Alexander is trying to tell me something through those dreams something that has to do with his death."

"What about Henry's grandfather? Was he able to tell you anything useful?" Wufei asked. His friend had told him about the old man and his connection to Alexander. Milliardo also mentioned that he and Treize were planning on going to see him again.

"He was of great help, able to answer some questions no one else would have been able to. But it seems that with every answer there comes a whole truckload of new questions." Milliardo quickly summarized what the old man had told them while his friend listened quietly.

"Hmm…" Wufei's brows narrowed as he thought about something for a moment. "Have you ever considered talking to the police? Mister Harold mentioned that Alexander died either by accident, was killed by his dog or murdered, neither of which is a natural cause of death. So it is quite possible that a case file was created about it."

"You know, that's funny. Treize was saying the same thing last night. I believe he was going to look into it. But it's been a hundred years and…" Milliardo trailed off and let the rest of the sentence hang in the air.

The other youth shrugged. "Never know."

"Yea, I guess."

###

Pulling up in front of his house Milliardo was somewhat surprised to see Treize's car parked at the other side of the street. As far as he knew the professor had to be at school by six for some kind of staff meeting, and it was cutting it awfully close if he wanted to get there on time.

"I'm back," the young man announced as he stepped through the front door and kicked off his shoes.

"How was class?" Treize's voice came from the living room. It sounded like he was rummaging for something in there.

"As usual, but I didn't expect to find you still here." Sure enough, as Milliardo walked into the room, his housemate was picking up pillows on the couch as so he was looking for something beneath them. "Did they postpone the meeting?"

"No, I should be on the road by now, but I can't find my car keys again."

The younger man huffed. "You really have got to start hanging them on the keyboard by the door. That's what we bought it for, remember."

"I know," Treize sighed as he checked his watch. "And I could have sworn I did."

Alexander?! "Why don't you take my car tonight," Milliardo suggested. "I'm sure your keys will show up eventually. They always do."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm not going anywhere tonight." the blond nodded as he walked back into the hall to grab his own keys from their hook only to notice Treize's set right next to them. "Hmm…unless you have bought another car I know nothing off, your keys are right here where they belong."

"Impossible!" Treize frowned. "I checked twice."

Milliardo gave an amused snort. "Maybe it's as they say; your eyesight goes first when you get old. Perhaps I should get you a pair of glasses for your next birthday."

The older man raised one eyebrow. "Are you mocking me? If I wasn't in such a hurry I'd put you over my knee and spank that baby butt of yours," he warned playfully.

"I that supposed to be a threat or a promise?" Milliardo grinned as he tossed him the keys.

Treize returned the smirk but didn't answer. With a brief hug and a quick kiss he headed out the door. Already at the stairs he held his step and turned his head once more. "We will have dinner at the meeting; it will probably run late, so don't wait up for me."

"Okay," the blond acknowledged.

He watched the professor climb into his car and drive off before he closed the door and walked back into the house. It was only a quarter to six, but his stomach reminded him with an unhappy rumbling that his lunch, grabbed on his way from the library to class, consisted of only a coke and a bag of greasy chips from a wending machine.

"Alright Alexander, Treize won't be back until late. You know what that means, right?" he smirked. "Movie night; just the two of us. Why don't you pick something for us to watch while I order dinner?"

As he headed into the kitchen to get the number for the 'China Dragon', a nearby restaurant specializing in Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine, Milliardo could hear the TV turn on and he couldn't help but smile. It seemed that Alexander enjoyed their occasional 'movie night' just as much as he did, even though (or maybe because) they usually ended up watching some kind of old fashion detective show on the mystery channel instead.

#

"You smell wonderful," a deep sultry voice breathed into his ear and Milliardo/ Octavian could feel himself blush.

"It's the cologne you gave me for my birthday," he replied, as he found himself on a blanket beneath the open sky in a field in the middle of nowhere.

Besides him, Alexander played with his long silky hair. The older man was wearing knee-high boots and a coat of deep maroon color over cream colored breeches, and Octavian was dressed in riding habit as well. Their horses were grazing only a few feet away, tethered to the only tree around, while Peritas slept in its shade.

"More wine?" Alexander pushed himself up and reached for a half-filled bottle of Bordeaux sitting at the edge of the blanket.

"No thank you, I had more than my fill. Another glass and I'm afraid I might fall of my horse on the way back."

"You could always ride with me," the other man suggested. "I'd keep you safe, I promise."

Octavian chuckled softly. "As tempting as that might be, I think I'll pass."

Putting the bottle back down, Alexander smiled. He leaned in slowly, his eyes meeting those of his lover's as their lips met in a drawn out, passionate kiss. Octavian moaned quietly.

A sudden flash of lightning, followed by the deep ominous rumbling of thunder not long after, caused the two men to break their kiss and look up into the sky. The sun was still shining but heavy black clouds were approaching from the south. A thunderstorm at this time of the year could move in quick and furiously.

"We should find shelter," Alexander suggested. He was first on his feet, extending his hand toward his lover.

Octavian nodded as he allowed himself to be pulled up. "We passed an old farm house on the way here I believe."

"Let's head there. It is probably the only structure around for miles."

The older man grabbed the wine bottle and glasses, stuffing them into his saddle back along with the blanket, while Octavian already untied their steeds. Sensing the approaching storm, the horses snorted nervously.

It was only a relatively short ride and they could already see the old rundown farm when the downpour started. Another flash of lightning illuminated the now black sky and the thunder followed almost instantly. Spurring their mounts on, they galloped to safety, with the dog following right behind. The farm must have been abandoned years ago. The stable roof had collapsed partially, but at least the side adjacent the main house was dry. Peritas gave a displeased sound as he shook the rainwater from his long silky fur. Octavian couldn't help but laugh.

"I thought he loves water."

"Not when it comes from above and interrupts his afternoon nap." Alexander replied dryly as he dismounted and tied up his horse. He pulled his hunting rifle from the saddle and turned toward his lover. "Stay behind me when we enter the house, just to be safe. Peritas, with me!"

As it turned out the farm house was just as empty as the stable.

"A fireplace, and there is even dry wood." Alexander noted as he looked around what appeared to have been the family room. It didn't take the young man too long to build a fire. Still on his knees he watched the flickering flames for a few moments before turning his head toward Ocatavian.

"What are you waiting for, take off your clothes."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your coat and your trousers are soaking wet, you will catch pneumonia or worse if you do not dry yourself off."

Octavian flushed slightly. "…ah, yes of course."

"I will be right back." In one smooth motion Alexander rose to his feet. "Peritas, stay!" he commanded. But the dog had already made himself comfortable by the warm fireplace, and didn't seem to have any intention to follow his master anyway.

The tawny-haired man left the house, only to return a few moments later, carrying the blanket and the bottle of red wine. "It seems the rain won't stop any time soon, but at least we have a roof over our heads and can keep warm from the inside and out.

Octavian meanwhile had slipped out of his riding coat and now, after a moment of hesitation was taking off his boots and breeches.

Alexander tossed him the wool blanket. "Take this, it will keep you warm."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine." The older man assured him as he started to undress as well.

"The blanket is big enough for both of us; let's share."

"If you insist," Alexander smiled softly.

A few moments later the two men were sitting; huddled together beneath the warm blanket, while their clothes dried by the fire.

The rain was pounding against the windows; the lightning strikes sounded much closer now, and the thunder rumbled ominously.

"Octavian, you are shivering. Are you still cold?"

"Just a little," he admitted. "But I'm sure the room will warm up soon."

Slowly and gently Alexander brought his arm up and put it around his lover. "Better now?" he asked.

Octavian could feel his heartbeat quicken, as he was pulled against the other man's warm body. "Yes, thank you," he nodded.

There was a long moment of silence before the younger man asked. "Don't you think people will begin to wonder if we keep going hunting but never bring back any game to show for?"

"No worry," Alexander chuckled. "We can always blame Peritas for chasing off all the prey. He really is the world's most terrible hunting dog."

"Good," Octavian looked up, a soft smile curving his lips, "because I really love going hunting with you."

#

Milliardo woke to someone gently stroking his head; soft fingers running through his hair.

Alexander?!

From what he could tell his head was resting in someone's lap, and a blanket had been pulled over his body. For a moment he considered going back to sleep, but then curiosity got the better of him and he opened his eyes slowly.

"Treize?!"

The other man looked down at him, an amused sparkle in his eyes. "Who did you expect?"

"How long have you been sitting here?"

"A good fifteen minutes."

"Why didn't you wake me?"

"You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn't have the heart to," the other man smiled.

"How did the meeting go? I mean what do you guys talk about for…" The young man blinked away his sleepiness and squinted at his watch. "…four hours?"

Treize shrugged. "Curriculum… finals… graduation…"

"Graduation?!" Milliardo echoed, cuddling closer against the other man's warm body. "I can't believe it's not even two months from now. Time really flies."

"It surely does, doesn't it?" the other man agreed. "But you know, if you keep falling asleep on this torture rack they call a couch you will end up with a stiff neck or back sooner or later."

"Too late already," the blond groaned as he tried to sit up. He raised one hand to rub his muscles where the shoulders met the neck.

Treize shook his head and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "You should have known better. Come here, turn around and let's see if this helps."

As the younger man complied the professor put his hands onto Milliardo's shoulders with his thumbs pointing at the base of the neck, and slowly started to massage them.

"I always fall asleep watching TV. Ah yes, that feels good." Milliardo closed his eyes in delight. "A little more to the left, please."

"In that case we really should get a new couch. Something that's soft, but more supportive. I swear this one was invented by a chiropractor fishing for new patients."

The younger man gave an amused snort. "Well then, why don't we put that on our to-do-list for the weekend?"

"How about putting a hot tub on that list as well?"

"Hot tub? Now you got my attention. But where are you going to put it, outside in the garden?"

"No, actually I was thinking about the master bath. If we get rid of the shower/tub combination that's in there now, put a new shower a few feet to the left, there will be more than enough room for a Jacuzzi, even one of those larger ones that fits more than one person."

"I love the way you think," Milliardo nearly purred as the older man's hands continued to massage his shoulders. "You got any other brilliant ideas?"

"Actually, I do. I would like you to come with me to visit my mother."

"Sure why not," the blond joked. "Does it have to be tonight, or can it wait until tomorrow?"

"I wasn't kidding." Treize's hand's stopped for a moment. "I'll be visiting her for her birthday as I always do, and I thought you might want to come along."

Milliardo turned his head. "When exactly is her birthday?"

"On the 26th, I was thinking of flying home on Thursday the 25th and come back Sunday night."

"Sorry, no can do. I still have finals on the 25th and 26th."

"Do I detect relief in your voice?" Treize asked, a slight smirk on his lips.

"Of course not," Milliardo insisted. "I'd have loved to meet your mother."

"Liar," the older man accused.

"That hurt." Milliardo batted his eyes in the most innocent way he could master. "Do I look like I could lie to you?"

"My apologies," Treize chuckled but played along. "What can I do to make it up to you?"

A sly smile crossed the younger man's face. "You could start by continuing what you were doing before you accused me of lying, and then slowly work the way up to a full body massage?"

"Full body massage, huh? Well, we will see..."

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T.B.C.

Author's Note: