REALITY SUCKS

Duo hugged the purple key to his chest. Treize had given it to him on their second date and it meant more to him than anything that he'd ever owned. The ginger-haired man said that the shade of blue-violet matched the braided boy's eyes perfectly and since they were looking for a key, they might as well get that one.

Over the past month the older man had requested Duo's presence at least three times a week. How he could afford to pay the exorbitant price that Owen charged for one night on a student's budget, Duo didn't know. And truthfully, he didn't care. That the preceding weeks were the happiest, other than the ones while he was laid up, that had graced his life since his mother died.

Not only was the sex incredible, but Treize actually seemed to love and treasure him. That's why he decided to take a risk. If his father found out that he skipped out of his last class, he'd end up more shades of black and blue than he cared to think about. Hell, the old fart hadn't touched him since the first night he spent with his new sugar daddy, so no new bruises painted his skin.

He flagged down a cab and gave the driver Treize's address. He leaned back into the vinyl seat and ignored the faint scent of cigarettes and vomit. Desire curled in his belly and he shivered in response. When Treize got home he'd find Duo firmly ensconce in his bed wearing nothing but a shit-eating grin. He had just enough money in his pocket to cover the trip to the reporter's flat; he figured that they'd find a way to get him home before school the next day.

Duo sighed and closed his eyes. Anticipation got him hard and he intended to wear himself out with his new lover.

Treize moaned at the sight in front of him. Zechs' bare back lay beneath him, his tan hands gripping creamy skin and making a nice contrast between the two of them. He shoved his cock deeper into his lover, watching as he tossed his platinum locks when Treize hit his sweet spot. The ginger-haired man knew he couldn't last much longer and he sped up trying to bring his partner to a fulfilling culmination before his climax swept over him.

Zechs groaned loudly as he shot his load onto the bed and then cried out as the man behind him hit that hidden spot one last time before collapsing on the bed next to him. Neither of them had the energy to move for the moment and they just lay there basking in the afterglow.

After a few silent minutes Treize spoke, "It's so nice not to have to worry about whether or not I'm going to hurt you. You wouldn't believe what I've been through the last few weeks. That boy is so needy; I'm beginning to feel smothered."

"Well, it's your own fault, Treize," Zechs responded, turning to look his lover in the eye. "You're the one who chose to chase after an abused child with no thought to what it would mean to you." He rolled over Treize's body, so one thigh rested between his and he could easily rest his chin on the redhead's chest. "Quatre told me that he thinks Duo is being abused and you're not helping matters by leading him on. The poor little thing is one step from suicide and you are treating him like a little prince, only to get information from him." Zechs made a sour face.

"Well, I was hoping that he'd lead me to his pimp, but he's rather hesitant to give me the information that I need. As soon as I get that, I'm gone and he can fend for himself, once again."

"Asshole," Zechs murmured, biting down hard on the bared chest beneath him.

"That hurt!" Treize responded, flipping his lover onto his back and forcing himself between the blonde's legs.

A soft click from the living room echoed through the bedroom, followed by the sound of the front door slamming shut.

"Shit!" Treize spat, flinging himself out of bed and grabbing for the robe that hung on the bottom bedpost. "I hope that wasn't who I think it was."

"I'm sure it was Duo. You'd better go after him and see if you can act like a decent human being for once."

Duo had arrived at Treize's apartment and let himself into the flat. Instead of the silence he had thought to find, he heard very familiar noises, including the very intimate groan that Treize used when they were making love. He crept over to the bedroom door and stood there, in the shadows, watching the two men together. The way they acted after the deed was done, told him a lot about their relationship. And then he heard what his so-called lover really thought of him and he couldn't take it anymore. He gently set the key down and raced out of the residence, slamming the door behind him.

Heero marched up the stairs. Every Wednesday his parents insisted that he take piano lesson. Why he had no idea. While he was proficient enough, his performances always lacked something and he knew it. His parents might hope that he would become the world's first pianist/computer hacker, but he knew that they were wasting their money and his time. And to top things off, the only time that he could take his lessons is during his study period. Granted it was his last class of the day, but he usually used the time to finish what homework he had so that he could use his time at home more efficiently.

He trudged up the stairs to his teacher's apartment. The elderly lady lived on the sixth floor and Heero never used the elevator. At least by using the stairs he could get some exercise and not waste an entire afternoon.

A door slammed above him and the sound of someone running down the stairs was the only warning that he had before a lithe form slammed into him. His legs were buffeted by a knee-length braid of chestnut hair and the tattered, rusty black clothing looked vaguely familiar. The slight figure that crashed into him clung there, slim shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Heero recognized the boy in his arms. Duo Maxwell, if he wasn't mistaken. He could finally place the hair and clothes.

Softer footsteps followed the boy. When he heard them coming, Duo pulled free of Heero's grasp and fled down the rest of the stairs. The Japanese boy moved to block the way of whoever was chasing after Duo.

Treize flew down the staircase, trying to catch up to his Pulitzer Prize in the making. Granted the kid was a pain in the ass, but he was also the only way that the ginger-haired man could think of to make a name for himself. No longer would he be under the pall of Daniel Khushrenada's reputation. But only if he could get closer to the young man who had just run out of his life. He careened over the cement steps and nearly plowed into a dark-haired young man he had never seen before.

"Excuse me," he gasped, trying to move around the figure blocking his way. The boy moved back into his path. No matter which direction Treize tried, the stranger impeded his route. "Do you mind?"

"No," Heero answered back.

"Then move!"

"No. I don't think that young man wants anything to do with you. So, why don't you leave and go put some clothes on. Your tallywacker is hanging out."

The distant sound of the outside door slamming shut, sounded like a death knell to the redhead. He glared at the boy guarding the stairwell and stormed back up to his flat.

Heero allowed a slight smile to cross his features before continuing his journey upward. He could still feel the heat where Duo's body had rested against his. Tomorrow he intended to find out all he could about the braided boy. And he knew the perfect place to start...Quatre Raberba Winner.

Duo wandered through the city, heading back to his family's home. He was going to be very late, but didn't feel like moving any faster. Owen would probably beat the crap out of him, and right now he really didn't give a damn. Treize's words ran in a continuous loop in his head, each repetition dug deeper into his soul. He had known that things were too good to be real and that his lover was hiding something. Well, today he found out what that nasty surprise was. The ginger-haired man hadn't really cared for him, only used him for the information Duo could give him in order to write his article.

A car horn broke through his misery and he looked up to see who was trying to get his attention. A pale blue limousine pulled up beside him and the back window powered down.

"Hey Duo!" Quatre said, sticking his head out of the open window. "What are you doing on this side of town?"

He flashed the little blonde a weak smile. "Nothin'. Just visitin' a friend, but he's not home today."

"He's not one of your special friends, is he?"

"Yeah, we had a date today, but he stood me up. And since he's not home, I'm SOL." A single snowflake drifted down and landed in his chestnut hair. "Ah, hell! Can this day get any worse?"

"Hop in; we'll give you a ride."

"Thanks, Kitty-cat," Duo said, opening the door and slipping onto the soft, leather seat. He drew his tattered coat closer to his body and stared out the window, discouraging conversation.

Quatre sighed and gripped Trowa's hand a little tighter. Every since leaving the hospital the braided boy had pulled away from the two who had befriended him. And he was coming to school with fewer and fewer bruises. The blonde knew that his friend wasn't seeing clients like he had been, or at least according to Mr. Reid.

The whole situation raised alarms in Quatre's mind. There were things that were hidden and he, Quatre Raberba Winner, intended to find them out. Trowa nudged him and brought his attention back to the limo.

"What do you want to do tonight?" the banged boy asked.

"Well, we've got a test in history that needs to be studied for and Zechs is going to be home, at least for a short time. He'll probably return to student housing later tonight." Duo's sniff of disbelief drew the interest of the other two in the vehicle. "Duo, do you know my brother?"

"Never met him," Duo said, not turning his focus from the window. "I hear he's just great though."

"Yes, he's the best. He and his friend Treize are in some of the same classes," Quatre burbled. "I hear that you've met Treize."

"You could say that." The coldness in Duo's voice caused the blonde to shiver. "Look, this is my street; you can just let me off here." He reached for the door handle before the car came to a complete stop. "Hey, Trow, can I ask you something? Alone I mean."

"Sure Duo, whatever you need." He leaned over and gently kissed Quatre on the cheek.

The two boys exited the car and stepped a short distance away. Quatre could see their mouths moving, but they were too far away for him to hear what was being said. The feelings he had gotten off of Duo weren't good. Something had happened and the braided boy was suicidal. And that something had to do with Treize Khushrenada. When he got his hands on the jackass, Treize would pay for upset the fragile boy.

Duo and Trowa shook hands and walked away from each other; the chestnut-haired boy towards his home and Trowa back toward the car. He had a very disturbed expression on his face as he settled back into the warmth and comfort of the vehicle.

"What..?"

"I can't tell you," Trowa said, looking very disturbed. "I made a promise to Duo and I'm not gonna break it."

"Okay, I won't ask about it. But when you can tell me, please do so."

"I will, promise."

Duo walked into the house, totally oblivious to what was going on around him. Owen's hard hand grabbed a hold of his arm. The boy hissed in pain and he looked up at his father.

"Where the hell have you been?" Owen growled. "I got a very disturbing call from your school today."

"So?"

"Is that all you have to say?"

Duo pulled away from the older man and rushed into the kitchen. He grabbed the biggest, sharpest knife out of the butcher's block that sat on the counter top.

"Back off or I'll turn you into a eunuch!" he yelled, brandishing the blade.

Owen stepped back at the vehemence of his son's tone; that and the eight-inch cook's blade cause him to pause.