Chapter 7 – Running Part 2

"Well, look who decided to show up this morning." Wufei greets us with his usual morning sourness. The tone in his voice earns him a look from Zechs and some words whispered in his ear, which make him frown grumpily. The frown, though, earns him a gentle kiss and I marvel at their relationship. They thrive off the little day to day conflict and use it to keep their lives interesting. It is like watching a tennis match waged between two of the most brilliant players in the sport. A match that will never end because the players feed off of each other, letting the back and forth volley provide the subtle details that make them stay in love with each other from day to day.

"I can't help it that we were helping a friend in distress. We could have sent him your way instead." I reply with a smirk.

With those words, Wufei's face lights up beet red and Zechs begins to laugh. By 'Fei's reaction it doesn't take much to figure out that whatever they were doing the other night was not something he would have liked to have been disturbed.

Wufei never ceases to amaze me. He's been relatively open about his relationship with Zechs. They attend all sorts of royal and posh functions together and Zechs always introduces Wufei as his partner with a possessive arm around his waist. Someone would have to be really dense to think that they were business partners and not lovers. Yet, despite the openness of their relationship, Wufei is highly embarrassed by the mention of anything sexual or suggestive in his presence. Heero, Duo, and I find it funny and take every shot we can at him, while Zechs finds it endearing and cute. That is why he is dating 'Fei and we aren't.

"So..." I decide to change the subject. "Has anyone heard from Duo or Heero?"

Zechs looks at me as he idly massages Wufei's neck. "I heard from Heero yesterday, before Duo got back. He requested that we run the 5 mile road course today." The blond chuckles. "I can only assume he planned on doing a lot of making up."

"So what is going on?" I try to pry for details and Zechs smiles innocently at me. "I know you and 'Fei both know."

"Why, my dear Quatre. You will just have to ask Heero. He should be able to fill you in on the specifics of what he is up to." He smiles smugly.

"You won this one Peacecraft. But do not expect to win them all." I shake my fist at him in false anger, grin at Trowa and drop to the ground to begin stretching out for the run.

As Trowa sits down next to me to begin stretching out as well, I hear him chuckling quietly. "What's so funny?" I glare at him with mock annoyance, my eyes giving away my mirth.

"The way you play off of each other. You are all very comfortable around one another." He observes. "It is nice to be around people who aren't superficial and fake." His words are soft, so I suspect I am the only one that can hear them. If Zechs or Wufei can, they don't show any outward sign that they do. Especially, as they have started to do assisted stretching, which involves a lot of touching. It works for them though, so I don't make too much fun of pair while they're at it.

"I think we're all just awkward enough that we've found kindred spirits who accept us for who we are. The mask only seems to work when we're in the spotlight." I glance at Zechs and Wufei and see the blond has stopped stretching and is gently tracing the tattoo on his boyfriend's leg.

Trowa catches my eye and looks over at them, noticing the tattoo for the first time. "It's a dragon, starts at his right ankle with the tail, wraps around his body and ends with the head on the left pectoral." I explain softly. "The Chang family guardian is a dragon and it is very fitting for Wu's personality. So Blondie over there offered the work to be done by the best artist in Sanc for their second anniversary. You'll probably see the rest of it later."

Trowa looks at me side-ways, a look of amusement on his face. "Duo's got some work too, which you'll probably see when or if he gets here." I add.

"What about you?" Green eyes glitter with curiosity.

"Well you've seen me without my shirt."

"That doesn't necessary mean that you don't have anything done." He grins at me.

"Nope. No work. I've been tossing it around since Wufei got inked, but I don't know if I am ready for tattoos yet. Kinda a big step. What about you?"

"None for me either. Not opposed to them, just don't know what I want yet."

"You guys ready? I think I just saw Yuy pass by." Zechs asks us as he stands and grabs his knee brace, which I had not seen lying there.

"Did you see if he had Duo with him?" Zechs shakes his head as he straps the medieval looking, heavy duty knee brace on. People have sworn off running for lesser injuries than having your knee reconstructed twice. Both times thanks to horses and yet, he still runs and rides. The man never ceases to amaze me. "I am assuming though, if he is actually here, they have managed to patch things up. I can't see Heero leaving Duo alone right now if they hadn't, especially after his little drinking binge the other night." Zechs adds as he stands up, flinging his head back to easily collect his long hair. He takes a thin hair tie from off his wrist and ties his platinum hair tightly into a high pony tail.

I hop up off the ground and offer a hand to Trowa who takes it, and I pull him up. "They better not be indecent." Wufei mutters unhappily and Zechs smiles, winks at Trowa and I, then grabs his boyfriend's hand, pulls him close and kisses him deeply. 'Fei turns several different shades of red in the process while Trowa and I stifle laughs.

"Was that indecent?" Zechs asks his breathless boyfriend.

When Wufei finally regains his composure, he grumbles. "Of course it was." He snaps then turns and marches off over-dramatically towards the parking lot to, I assume, find the rest of our running party.

Zechs smiles mischievously at us and lightly jogs to catch up with his boyfriend. Trowa and I smile and shrug before following Zechs and 'Fei. The parking lot is around the corner of the dining hall and when we turn the corner, I see Wufei standing still with his mouth wide open, staring at Heero's black Hybrid SUV with something akin to disbelief in his dark eyes. I follow his gaze to the car and start giggling.

"Looks like they made up." Though stating the obvious, I think it is necessary to get Wu' to stop staring. Somehow, in the short span of time it took for Heero to drive past us, to the time we got there, Duo had managed to straddle Heero's lap for an impromptu make out session in the driver's seat. It sure as hell does not look comfortable. From my vantage, it looks like Duo is using the steering wheel as a seat without setting off the horn. I have to say, I am impressed by that feat.

"Should we inform them that they have an audience?" I ask with the most serious face I can muster.

"I think, if they want to go running with us, we should. And I am pretty sure that if we don't stop them now, they will truly do something indecent." Zechs grins over his shoulder at his boyfriend then walks up to the car. As Heero begins to push Duo's shirt up, Zechs raps on the window. Heero looks at him innocently through the glass and carefully lowers Duo's shirt.

I can see Duo start laughing and lean so his face is hidden in Heero's neck to say something. Or at least I assume he says something, since I can't see his face, but Heero's body language make me think that it was a reply. Then again, they could be fucking with us. Who knows?

Heero bites the area where Duo's shoulder and neck meet and opens the door.

"You asshole." We hear Duo shout with a huge grin on his face and playfully punches Heero's arm before climbing off of him and out of the car.

"Do you have to act like teenagers in heat?" My Chinese friend snips, and Duo bounces towards him and throws his arms around 'Fei's neck, planting a solid, wet, sloppy kiss on his cheek.

"Ah, what's the matter Wuffers? Never seen two boys make out?" His violet eyes dance over to Zechs, who appears to be incapable of doing anything at the moment but laugh.

"I…what…fuck off Maxwell." He stutters and pushes Duo off of him. "Go back to Yuy." He makes a shooing gesture and slinks off to stand beside his prince.

I watch Duo bounce back to Heero, who grabs the hyper man by the waist and pulls him tightly to him. Well something's changed. I glance at Trowa with a knowing smirk on my face. "Come on." With a nod of my head, I edge Trowa into following me, and then I look over at the two couples and shake my head. "Come on you lovebirds, we've got five miles to run." I warn and break into a light run. Trowa doesn't miss a beat and in two steps he is in sync with me.

"Oi, Quatre. Be nice, we're sore." Duo bellows.

Wufei groans, Zechs chuckles, Trowa looks at me from the corner of his eye, and I retort. "I can't help that Duo. You should remember to use the handcuffs with the thicker lining when you intend on going at it all night."

"Fuck Q. We couldn't find them last night. And we…" Heero clears his throat loudly. "I broke the lightweight ones." The braided wonder babbles happily.

"You know that is way too much information Duo. And you, Heero, are not helping the situation at all you know." I glance over my shoulder at Heero, who is running side-by-side with Duo, and he shrugs with a smirk.

I hear Duo's pace pick up and he is running by my side. "Oh come on Quat." He says with a playful grin in his eyes and I look over at Trowa. "Oi. Trowa, o you care?"

Trowa looks past me to Duo. "Actually, I was going to ask you where you got your handcuffs. There was a really neat place in the Northeast where I went to school that had some really great leather gear."

I gasp quietly and look dumfounded between the two. Ok, I know Heero and Duo are the biggest bondage bunnies that I have ever met, but Trowa's interest in the subject makes me a bit nervous. I've never really understood the whole bondage thing, but then again, I've only had sex with one of the people I have gone so far as to call my boyfriend.

"No shit?" Duo looks at Trowa with approval. "Well, Heero and I have to take a trip there soon, since we're down a set. You're welcome to come with us." He looks to me. "We could make a whole day of it. Get the rest of the guys to come along so you're not along with just Heero and me. I would only wish that on Wuffles because I like to see him squirm. Just 'cause he's always so composed."

Trowa looks at me as if asking for permission. "You wanna go?"

I know I look nervous, and I lick my lips. "I've never been. So I guess it would be ok."

Trowa's lips curl into a grin. "What's the place called Duo?"

"Leather and a Lot More." Duo replies with a grin.

"Sounds like fun."

"Cool. I'm gonna tell 'Ro." Duo chuckles and then slows down a bit so that he is running even with Heero.

Trowa looks at me. "You sure it is ok?"

I feel my face flush and not from exertion. "Yeah. I'm kind of curious."

"Ok. I just don't want you to think that I'm trying to push my way into the group." He looks unsure of himself, and I can feel the worry emanating from him.

I grin. "No, I like it. Really. I'm glad you get along with my friends." I add hastily, and cringe at the same time because I realize how suggestive that sounds. Allah, he isn't my boyfriend.

"So where did you go to school before coming here?"

"A small school in Massachusetts. I spent the last two years getting straight A's and getting scholarships in place so I could come to Sanc. My father didn't want me going to school for civil engineering or sociology. So he told me if I wasn't going to be a lawyer or a business professional, I would have to pay my way through school." Now I felt really bad. Here I am with more money than I know what to do with, and he had to pay his own way.

I groan audibly much to my chagrin. "Are you happy?" I ask hesitantly. Allah, I feel more socially inept than Heero right now. Why do we always act stupid around the people we like?

"Actually, yes. I had no interest in being a lawyer or business professional, so I went out on my own and accomplished more than I would have if I had stayed at home." I feel even worse at those words, and he sees the worry and sadness in my eyes. "I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. We deal with what life gives us. I was dealt a hand with two pairs you were granted a Straight Flush. They are both useful hands, both can win the pot, it is just you have more of a chance of getting something than me. My hand is fine for me." He gives me a small smile and a blush crosses my cheeks. "How far have we gone?" He asks, changing the topic.

I look to my right bicep and see the mp3 player and notice a distinct lack of connectivity from it to me. "Hum I seem to have forgotten to set it up, so I have no clue."

"Talk about leather and handcuffs and your brain leaves you? Hum. I'll have to remember that."

I gawk at him, and he laughs. "Don't worry. I won't do it at inappropriate times." I do not stop gawking. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Does he mean it in that teasing sort of way or in that 'I want to see what colors you turn before I jump you' way? Then the catcalls begin. Ah, wonderful distraction.

Trowa's pace falters at the first whistle, and he begins to look around frantically, his eyes landing on a group of relatively good looking woman, dressed in skimpy running gear joining our little group. The look on his face is on par with horrified. "What the hell…?"

"Ooops, forgot to warn you. We have a fan club. Consists of anywhere between ten to fifty females and a handful of men. Look back at the other four. Any persuasion can tell that they are art in motion." I look back over my shoulder and grin. The other four have removed their shirts and tucked them into their running shorts. After about two miles in this heat and humidity, it becomes quite unbearable, and we cherish the slight breeze on wet skin, but I didn't this time for the sake of our guest. The other four, however don't seem to be all that concerned.

Zechs and Wufei are running last in line. The blond appears to be smiling and chatting with Wufei about something. Wufei looks annoyed, but I cannot help but look at the brilliant tattoo of his. His muscles ripple as he runs, giving the dragon the illusion of movement. And the early morning sun and sheen from sweat just adds to the illusion, making the colors pop out in stunning brilliance.

Ahead of them and directly behind us, run Heero and Duo. Heero is the stoic chiseled god in human form. Sexy and toned, with his own special following of art and history majors. Then there is Duo. He gets those gothy types out and moving. Must be something about the tattooed bat wings that extend to his elbows; or the bust of Death nestled between the wings with Shinigami written in Kanji on the skull's forehead.

Then again, it could be the nipple piercings. Today's rings look to be black tribal-like shields, maybe to draw attention away from the multiple bite marks on his neck and upper chest. Not that he ever gave a damn what other people thought of him. Just Heero. Even before they started dating, Heero's opinion always mattered. I idly wonder if Heero realizes that most people are smart enough to look at the mutual bite marks and shared knowing looks and put it together that they are a couple.

Then there is me. I'm there to provide extra eye candy for those who like to look at pretty boys. I'm actually relieved that Duo commands the biggest crowd. Makes things easier for everyone else to comfortably hide out in the open. Granted, the immense morning following annoys Heero to no end, and we tend to hear him say choice things about it at his earliest convenient chance. Yet, still he runs with us everyone morning. Really, I think that he secretly likes the attention and has no real way of being able to express it in a way he sees as appropriate.

"You'll be all the rage if you keep running with us. We've tried changing times and start locations, still the obsessed still find us." I explain as we run, we're probably about three miles in, and I am just starting to feel it.

Trowa looks at me like I have grown three heads in the last few minutes. "You're being serious."

I nod my head. "Very, but the fan club isn't allowed to do anything but run near us. Wufei and Heero both flipped on a few of the fans when they tried hitting on their respective boyfriends. It wasn't pretty. So Zechs said that they were allowed to run behind or to the side of us, but when they were told to leave they had to. What he used as leverage? I have no clue. Don't even think 'Fei knows. I asked him once, he shrugged and looked annoyed. Like he didn't want to let on that he didn't know the answer."

"You know all of that is really fucked up, Quatre." He says to me with a high level of amusement in his voice.

"Yes, yes it is. You still want to be friends with us?"

He nudges my shoulder slightly. "It makes life interesting and as long as you don't mind me being around, I'd like to stay." I laugh, and he grins as he increases his pace. Before I realize it, he is pushing me into a friendly competition of who can run the last two or so miles the fastest. I hear Duo shouting something behind me, and I just grin and focus on trying to beat Trowa. Whatever Duo was saying probably isn't all that important, and if it was he can catch up to me and tell me.

Trowa's long legs provide him with an unfair advantage, but I try to make up for it with sheer stubbornness. The track that we run is basically a large five mile circle around part of the campus. I see the parking lot and Heero's SUV coming into view, grin at Trowa, and kick myself into high speed, hoping I still have the energy for a mile or so sprint. "First one to Heero's car wins."

"What's the prize?" Trowa asks me and I can hear the breathlessness in his voice.

"To be determined over breakfast." I let out a gleeful laugh and push myself as much as I can. Unfortunately, at this very moment I realize that being shorter than Trowa seals his victory, as he gently touches the hood of Heero's car mere seconds before me.

"I think that means I win." Trowa gloats playfully as he bends over, panting and rests his hands on his knees.

I grumble something, trying hard to look upset, but I really can't say that I am. Curious, but wary as to what he will try to claim as his prize, yet excited at the same time. "Better start thinking about what you want for winning."

"Oh, trust me I am." Well that response fills me with a certain amount of dread. I'll just have to trust him not to completely dick me over. I groan inwardly realizing how crazy that sounds, since I just met the guy two days ago. He stands up and pushes his sweat drenched bangs back off his face. Allah, he has such beautiful eyes. It is such a shame he hides them behind his bangs.

Muscles threaten to rebel if I don't start moving again, so I beckon Trowa to start walking with me around the parking lot. "We shouldn't stand still."

"I know." He nods. "Got distracted." He offers me a quick wink and begins to walk and stretch out his upper body.

"What the hell were you two doing?" Duo shouts as he nears the parking lot.

"Running. What did it look like we were doing?" I give him a cheeky smile, though I'm not sure he can see it from where he is.

"I don't fucking know." Duo shrugs with a maniacal grin.

"Actually, I challenged Trowa."

Duo doesn't say anything as he slows down to a jog to catch up with us. "What was the prize for winning?" His violet eyes narrow slightly, and I get a bad feeling.

"Prize to be determined over breakfast." I respond going on the defensive; I know that his 'Protect Quatre' alarm has been activated.

"Who won?" It is a simple question he asks and it may seem to the casual observer that he asks out of simple curiosity, but I know better. Duo has always been able to hide his true feelings behind a mask of bubbly enthusiasm and child-like fascination.

I quickly glance at Trowa, he smiles but doesn't say anything. "Trowa did."

"Congratulations." He chuckles and turns and jogs back to where Heero is in the parking lot.

"Shit." I hiss as soon as I see Duo settle into pace with Heero.

"What?" Trowa looks at me, a worried look on his face.

"Listen. If Duo pulls you aside and asks you questions, answer what you will, but don't lie to him. He won't let on that he knows you're lying to him, but he's pretty good at spotting lies

"Why would he pull me aside and ask me questions." Trowa looks at me confused.

"Because the gang is overprotective of me, and that is putting it mildly. You're new to the group, and we haven't had anyone new to the group in forever." I explain to the best of my ability, knowing that there is far more to it than that.

"Ok." He responds hesitantly. "I'll be ok? Right?"

A nervous laugh escapes my lips. "You should be. Duo's not the violent one. Too laid back to be violent."

Trowa starts laughing. "Ok. If you're sure."

"You'll be ok. Promise" He offers me a large beaming smile, and my stomach does this weird twisty thing in that good and exciting sort of way.

"So what are the agenda for the rest of the day?"

"Go back, take showers so we're not icky, and go get some food."

"Sounds like a plan. You want to head in now." I nod, hoping that if we head in now we'll be able to avoid Duo.

We start walking towards the apartments, and it seems like we will manage to escape without Duo trying to pull Trowa aside for an in depth game of 20 plus questions. "Hey Quatre, can I talk to you for a moment?" Heero calls after me. FUCK FUCK FUCK! I look over my shoulder and see Heero and Duo making their way towards us. I know the game they are playing, and I am not happy about it.

I look at Trowa nervously. "Can it wait 'til a little later Heero, I've got some things to do today."

"Please Quatre. It is kind of important." I sigh, knowing that I'm not going to be able to keep 'the talk' from happening.

"I'm sorry." I say softly to Trowa just as Heero and Duo reach us.

"You mind chillin' with me while Heero picks Q's brain." I hear Duo say as Heero grabs my arm and gently starts to drag me away.

"Uh." Trowa looks at me and all I can do is shrug and look sorry. "Sure." He replies to Duo and I watch them walk in a direction opposite of us.

"You know Heero, you guys don't have to do this. I'm capable of figuring my own shit out."

He shrugs. "I actually do need to talk to you, and I figured that now would be as good a time as any. Duo's not going to say anything to you about what he finds out. Think of it this way. At least he didn't hunt him down and talk to him without you knowing."

Ugh, I know he has a point, but it still doesn't make me happy. I grumble audibly. "So what do you need to talk to me about?" I look at him.

Heero stops, blushes bright red and shuffles his feet for a second. Wow, defiantly not the reaction I was expecting. "First, I want to say thank you for making sure he didn't get hurt or anything. Let me know if I can do anything to thank you for that." You could leave my non-existent love life alone."Second, do the Winner's have a house on the beach that I might be able to borrow for a week or two? I want to take Duo someplace quiet and out of the way to apologize to him for being a dick."

"I'm sure I can have someone go make sure one of the beach houses is stocked and ready for guests. What time frame are you looking at?" Despite the oddness of Heero's request, I figure that it is for a good cause and I should help him.

He frowns, thinking. "Two weeks from Saturday."

I balk at him. "That isn't a lot of time Heero."

"But is it possible?" He pushes.

"Anything is possible, Heero. I'll have to make a few phone calls to find out."

He offers me a small smile. "I would really appreciate it."

"I'll see what I can do. So do I get to find out what caused Duo to down a bottle of rum and go joy-riding?" I look at him expectantly.

The quiet asshole smiles at me slyly. "Let's just say I was getting him a gift and wanted it to remain secret and ended completely fucking everything up."

"What gift?" I press.

"It's private." Heero replies with a chuckle, and I shiver as every single sex toy I have every laid eyes on or heard about runs through my mind. I don't need to be reminded constantly that their love life is more than adequate.

"Gah, Heero. Too much information." I shake my head violently.

He shrugs. "You asked, Quatre. And it was your mind that threw my comment into the gutter. I could have gotten him a lovely hair tie."

"Somehow I doubt it was a hair tie. Some other type of tie, just not one for his hair." I give him a half-hearted glare then look over at Trowa and Duo. "Can you go tell your boyfriend to leave the new guy alone? I'd like him to come back."

Heero smirks at me. "I don't think that will be a problem."

"Gah!" I run my hands through my sweat dampened hair.

My friend begins to chuckle. "Relax Quatre. You go take a shower. I'll go make sure that Duo doesn't detain Mister Tall and Sexy too long."

"I should wait for him." I reply nervously.

"You go inside, and Duo will get straight to the point. You know he's being intentionally confusing right now because you could be listening." That I could not disagree with Heero on, Duo was a master at verbal gymnastics.

I throw my arms up in the air grumpily. "Fine." I say loudly and jog towards the apartments. "Trowa, come over when you're ready to head out." He smiles weakly over his shoulder, letting me know he had heard me.