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"Band of Steel"Written By: Kaeru Shisho Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Wing
or its characters, nor do I make any monetary profit off this story. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, shounen-ai, yaoi in later chapters,
some language, drugs Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 Summary: With the Sanc battle of the bands contest on the horizon, do the GW boys need the exciting singer from L2 to give them the winning edge? Other credits: Songs are credited in the chapters they are used. Recognition should go to the late Mitch Hedburg for a couple of his wonderful one-liners used. In chapters 7, 11, 12, 15, 17, and 18, dialog from the anime was incorporated directly into the storyline. Acknowledgment goes to someone else for the 'cats are gay', 'knowing color names is gay', and other gay jokes sailing around the Internet. And the New Age affirmations are not mine, but may seen and heard everywhere, even in the GW universe. (Original version 2007 - this is the rewrite version
2009) "Band of Steel " Chapter 6 - Bohemian Like You Zechs returned from the garage after having taken Noin home that morning. He grabbed a croissant and studied his five resident boys, his responsibilities. They had all gathered around the sturdy round table for a very late Sunday brunch. Duo had started a new tradition, dispensing with the more formal dining room in preference for the cozier, more intimate kitchen atmosphere. There was no conversation for a long time. Even Duo was quiet. Zechs let Duo feel his steely gaze settle heaviest on him. "Hey," he said to Zechs in greeting. "Duo, good morn..." He paused in his morning greeting and made a correction. It worked to attract everyone's attention to him. "Well, the morning is long past, so let's just call it afternoon. You're all up late." Zechs smiled. "Quatre?" "Hmm?" Quatre's mouth was full, his expression guilty as hell. He was likely to blurt out the whole story, Zechs thought, with very little encouragement on his part. "Your hand. It looks painful." Quatre's eyes fell to the raw sores on his right hand. He hid it under the table and reached for his cup of tea with his left. "It's okay." Zechs' eyes roved over them all again, collecting evidence to seal their fate if they didn't confess soon. "Looks like you've been fighting by the split knuckles." Wufei, hair pulled back in a punishingly tight ponytail, had taped his hands. "Yes. We demonstrated our differing techniques for Duo. We must stay strong. Weaklings shouldn't fight." He seemed content with that stilted explanation and returned to his meal. "I see." They drank their drinks and looked in different directions at indifferent space. Zechs waited them out. Shouldn't take long and he was a patient man. He followed the imaginary dotted line of Heero's intent gaze and came to rest, a little surprised, on Duo, who was completely unaware. Zechs started thinking about both young men, their interactions, and wondered how they were getting along. Duo was staring intently into his coffee mug, as if he could read the future in it. As Zechs studied him, he opened his mouth to confess, possibly, when unexpectedly Wufei stood, slamming his palm hard on the table. "I used the spare key." His glare dared Zechs to punish him for that. "You should have asked." "You never said 'yes' before; besides, you were busy." "Not too busy to talk-- ever." Zechs' gray eyes drilled into Wufei's. "You haven't a license to drive." "I didn't go far. We didn't go joy-riding." "I know. You filled the gas tank and left it in pristine condition." Time to get to the real culprit. Never before had any of them defied him before, so Zechs surmised the new addition was behind it all. He needed proof. "Had you altered the mileage I would have known you were trying to be deceptive." Zechs cast about for another weak point. Trowa was passive and Heero a blank wall. There was nothing to be told by their stoic countenances. Both the boy from L2 and Quatre were currently squirming. Which would cave first? "Jesus fuckin' Christ!" Duo exploded. "We were scouting clubs for the band. Lay off!" Zechs turned his penetrating gaze back onto the disheveled-looking singer. The braid needed care. "No need for swearing, Maxwell. This isn't an inquisition." "Coulda fooled me." "I don't think you are a fool. But then, what's my own humble opinion compared with yours?" Zechs muffled his chuckle, but was pleased to see that Duo could laugh at himself. "Heh, heh...yeah, okay. We, ah, did find a few possibilities, one in particular that pays good and wants local talent. I gave'em a taste and they were interested." "Just a taste? Really? Well, I'm sure they were." Zechs opened a drawer, pulled out a pad of paper and pen. "Here. Jot down the names. I'll call them." Duo nodded. Zechs didn't think Duo would think that was the end of the matter. He was a smart boy. So, he added, "But next time, let me join you. As manager and agent, that's my job." "Yeah, well, I don't know where the band's been playing so far, but that was Quatre's first time inside a club. How's he gonna perform on stage if the venue's a brand-spanking new experience for him, huh? Some places are real dives. We hit the high spots, or a few of them. But we're not likely to get many gigs at those starting out. What kinda rep do you got so far? Any? Man, we're gonna have to start at the bottom and work up, then-" Zechs put a stop to Duo's rant. "Not in Sanc. Not with my contacts." Duo's eyes widened, soaking up all the information he hadn't said. "Oh. Yeah. Forgot for a second 'bout the royal ass-hole-ci-a-tions." "Duo!" Quatre said sharply. Zechs knew Quatre was grateful for his hospitality, and respectful, so much so that it almost hurt. Zechs rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Quatre. Let him express how he feels, although I appreciate your loyalty." Duo blushed, mortified. "Sorry. Sometimes stuff just comes out when I'm not thinking." "Apology accepted. So, you were out exposing Quatre to the club scene of Sanc, Wufei, too, I'll bet, getting a feel for the places, looking into future venues," Zechs summarized. "Sounds like you're thinking about my offer, right?" "He's going to join!" Quatre cried out in relief. "He decided last night after...ah, we had such a good time together." "Is that right?" Zechs asked. He thought Quatre had more to say and he was curious to hear about their adventure, but Quatre clammed up instead. Zechs didn't understand why he was holding back, except that whatever had happened must have put them in danger, and from the way they were all banding together, it must have been something illegal. He really doubted he'd hear the whole story, though, unless the police paid them a visit. "Ah, yeah," Duo said. Heero and Trowa chipped in, describing the clubs, and the moment to dig deeper escaped. When Wufei joined into the conversation, Zechs knew that they had formed a shield around themselves, protecting whatever secret the night had brought them. Banded together. The older man smiled. One risky escapade into the Sanc club scene had brought them all together. Imagine that. Saved him a lot of trouble. "Well, that's great. I shall have to get busy and get you some jobs, then, while you practice." Zechs took another roll and a fresh mug of coffee, and decided he might as well deliver the penalty for staying out too late, if nothing else. "Oh, I don't suppose any of you remembered about the party tonight? No? My sister's graduation party is this evening. She came in late last night and was disappointed to find--; well, let's say no one was here to greet her." "Oh!" Quatre's face fell. "I'm so sorry!" "You should all be, except Duo, of course. Regardless, I'd like you all to attend tonight. It could be fun. She's inviting many young people your ages. Girls included. Some of you will know them from the high school. Others--" Zechs cleared his throat and swept his gaze over the expectant faces. "Noin's invited a few of her friends: Dorothy, Sally, and your sister Catherine, Trowa, whom you haven't seen for several months. You can introduce Duo. Oh, and help him find a suit that fits, would you, Quatre?" "Uh, yes," Quatre said, blinking. He smiled at the shocked faces, and remembered one last thing to say. "And Heero? Relena has moved back in for the summer, maybe permanently. No more Paris schoolgirl! Little sis told me to say 'hi' to you in particular." Zechs winked at Heero. Mission "discipline the boys" complete. On his way out, Zechs overheard Duo remark, "Is that guy for real?" Zechs hesitated and crooked his neck around so he could look the singer directly in the eyes. "I have direct experience that confirms that I create my own reality, Duo. Therefore, it is real for me. I have to accept complete responsibility for everything that happens to me. I suggest you take that to heart and subscribe to the same philosophy." He stared hard at Duo a moment to let what he'd said soak in before leaving the kitchen to relax in the sunroom. There was the staff to meet with over party preparations; a new color choice for the den that he must choose; and yoga. He must make time for yoga; he was getting a tension headache. (o) The weather was drizzly cold, so they remained indoors. Early summer weather was transitory in Sanc. "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes," they liked to say. No one was up to practicing music either. They were simply "whacked-out, but without the benefits of drugs," Duo said. At his request, the other four boys gave Duo the palace tour, but studiously avoided discussing the party no matter how hard he pushed for information. Trowa, quiet by nature, became a mute, while Quatre couldn't finish the sentences he began. Heero's mood was dark, reducing his communication to single syllable grunts. Duo wondered where all the anxiety was coming from and if this Relena person had anything to do with Heero's mood, but couldn't get a straight answer out of anybody about anything and gave up. Wufei, more cheerful than usual, chose to work out in the gym, dragging the others along for company until late in the afternoon. After nosing about and touching nearly every damned thing out of boredom, Duo ended up at the CD player and Wufei's spot. "How about some tunes?" Duo said. Wufei seemed happy to oblige and flipped on the CD player. "Dandy Warhols, I think. I especially like the tom-tom intro and then the guitar work reminiscent of Jumpin' Jack Flash." "Yeah, they're cool," Duo said, watching Heero load up the weight machine. "You've
got a great car, Duo left Heero and Wufei with the machine to wander around the room. He considered the running machine again, but there was time for that after he found out what Trowa was doing. "I
really love your hairdo, Yeah, "So, Trowa, what do you like to do down here?" Duo asked. "No,
I haven't heard your band, "Depends." Trowa took the jump rope off the wall hook, changed his mind and put it back. He turned his back on Duo and sat on the stationary bike. He pedaled it in high gear with one foot, expending as little energy as possible. "Sure," Duo muttered, exasperated by his uncommunicative manner. Moving on-- "Cause
I like you, "So, Quatre, how many sit ups can you do?" Duo asked. "Hundred or so. Today, I'm lucky if I can do twelve," Quatre replied. His eyes met Duo's. "Maybe you can spot Heero so Wufei can unleash some of his energy." Duo knew a "leave me in peace" line when he heard one. He didn't need to be told twice. He wandered back to Heero and Wufei, where the Chinese boy was thrilled to show Duo just what to do and watch for, before making his escape. Heero stripped off his t-shirt and took up his position flat on his back. Duo clamped his jaw shutting off a squeal of delight. He watched for Heero's arms to give out or for a peek at exposed sweaty leg skin-- anywhere skin wanted to show was good. He thought he could support the bar, if it slipped, as long as he kept his mind on task. "Cause
I like you, "More." "More, what?" Duo asked. "Weight! Take the 20's. Put them on the ends. Right." Heero's chest glistened with beads of sweat like golden-hued pearls. Duo shivered. It was all he could do to control the urge to lick them off. Corded ropes stood out from Heero's neck and arms, and Duo wondered if Heero needed help, or if he should just to get down on his knees and worship him. He was pretty sure he couldn't hold up the bar weighted as it was. "It's
you that I want so please, "That's it," Heero said, returning the weight bar to the rack. "I'm going to get cleaned up." "Okay." Heero's body language screamed: Don't touch me or even look like you might! Duo backed up to give him space to move. Moses parting the Red Sea couldn't have made more space than that vision in spandex shorts. "Wanna t-towel?" Duo asked, his voice cracking. "Thanks," Heero said, taking the offering before stalking off. "And
I like you, The others followed Heero's lead and called it a day. On the way out of the gym, Duo once again tried to start a conversation with Quatre. He was short of clothing, after all. "What about a suit?" Duo asked. "I've never had one. My pilot's uniform, but I didn't bring that." "I'll look, um, and collect some things and leave them in your room," Quatre said. His mind was not on the conversation; that was obvious. "You okay, Quat?" "Yes, just tired, but I'm glad we went last night." "Glad you feel that way. I, ah, had fun. Sorry about the trouble, though." Quatre looked down at his freshly-bound hands and flexed his fingers. "It was worth it." He smiled weakly. "I never danced with another boy before. Um, I'd like those dancing lessons sometime, if you are still offering them?" "Sure am. Great. Well-" "I'll be by in a few minutes," Quatre said. He leaned into Duo and quickly brushed his lips across his cheek then left Duo standing in the hall with nothing to do. Wasn't he getting all brave now? "Guess I'll start on my hair," Duo muttered to himself. He picked shampoo and conditioner from the vast store of cupboard supplies, and pampered himself with a bubble bath first and a long, long hot soak afterwards. His mind wandered the paths of the day, searching for Clarity, which escaped him, being just around a corner, out of reach, and obscured by Big Unknowns. Understanding would have to wait. Party. Girls. Most guys would have been excited, but this bunch seemed depressed, except for Wufei. Girls. Well, that explained Wufei's smiling mug. He must have been expecting one in particular. Maybe the others were, too. Quatre seemed attracted to Trowa, though. Whoa... If Trowa had a girlfriend, that would explain Quatre's gloom. Trowa didn't seem thrilled about seeing his sister-that Duo couldn't grasp. If he had had a sister ...! Actually, he didn't know what he'd do, but he wouldn't avoid her. Family was important, as were friends that were like family. He thought about his friends he'd left back on L2 and felt his heart squeeze in his chest. He knew they were doing fine without him. Things were probably better that way. He brought more problems than solutions to any table he joined. And then, for the first time in days he thought about Solo, and how he had told Duo to take a hike. "Yer gittin' a big head, singer boy, Mr. Sex with a Braid. Yer juss too big for the Sweepers." Well, a guy had to aim high, right? Apparently, not right. Duo thought he'd been living okay on L2, but he'd wanted more, to DO more. "More, huh? Well, L2 was good enough for the rest of us," Solo had told him, "so why the hell not for Duo Maxwell?" Because. "Think I can't get me better ass than what you've got? Go Earth-side and see just how little you're worth!" "NO!" Dashing cold bath water over his face broke him out of that unwanted reverie. "Jesus Christ!" Sweepers was over. He and Solo were over. He had to get over all of that. All. Of. That. It was safer to think about the evening's plans. Back to Relena, Zechs' younger sister. What would she be like, he wondered? Zechs had said that she had looked forward to seeing Heero. What if she and Heero had had a thing going? Duo didn't think it could have been much, since Zechs had said she had spent most of her time away at school. Still, that would be messy. Heero wouldn't want to fool around with him, not with a princess to flirt with. 'Course, Heero sure seemed pretty keen the other night. Just curious, probably. Horny, certainly. Duo sighed. It was disappointing if all that was true. Still, he'd never been to a fancy party in a palace. Food, music, and friends. Something fun in there someplace! Feeling cheered, Duo dried off, shaved, pulled on a pair of workout shorts he'd borrowed from the pile of sweat clothes, and wrapped his hair in a towel. He picked up a brush and comb and left the bathroom to fix his mop in his room, the guest room, now his room. His stuff was on L2. What was going to happen to that? Duo was so lost in thought he didn't notice Heero march up until he had nearly bowled him over. "Whoa! Man, I'm surprised, Heero," Duo said. "You really turn up in the most unexpected places." He readjusted the towel around his hair and smiled. "I, ah, wasn't expecting you. Come in?" Heero unfolded his arms and followed Duo into his room. Heero's eyes scanned the room while Duo looked him over. He had showered and his hair had dripped onto his sweatshirt. It didn't appear to Duo that Heero bothered to comb his hair. Since he didn't say anything, Duo felt obligated to do the talking. "I have to take care of my hair and try on clothes, if Quatre remembered to drop any off. Ah... he did. Bless his sweet, boy-lovin' heart." That's when he noticed that the clothes he had brought with him had been cleaned and pressed. Some hung visible in the open closet and others, he assumed, had been hidden away in the dresser. Duo shook his head. Maid and laundry service. He couldn't believe the place was for real and that he was a part of it. He laughed aloud and danced across the room, ending in a swirl before collapsing on his bed, just missing the suit, tie, and shirt Quatre had left out him. "Jeez... This is the life!" He opened his eyes when Heero cleared his throat. "Really! This is like...paradise. Don't you think so?" "In many ways it is," Heero agreed. Duo liked the hungry stare. He liked Heero's hard eyes, softening in their exploration of his purposefully exposed body lying supine, passive. It was his best asset, except his sparkling personality, and... maybe his voice, which, Duo knew, wasn't going to get him a man. "No shit. This is the only time that I ever got anything for good behavior!" Duo laughed as he sat up and unwrapped his hair. "Nothing to do but play and eat. Um, you just gonna watch me comb out my hair or help?" "How can I help?" Help? Help! Duo couldn't help himself. Heero made the perfect straight man, not heterosexual straight, but good-to-bounce-funny-lines-off-of straight. He fell back, resting his weight on his elbows. His grin widened as he lowered his voice to its sultry best and said, "Now, I haven't known you very long and I shouldn't be asking you for this so soon, but I really need it badly." "Ahh." Heero shifted his stance as Duo shifted to a sitting position, long legs draped over the edge with seductive slowness, inviting imaginative fantasies. "I haven't had it for a while and I can already feel it going in good and hard and coming out nice and soft." Duo rose and stepped away from the bed, his hair damp and swinging free over his shoulders, down his back and chest. Heero swallowed hard, parting his lips in anticipation. "If you would do this for me no one would ever know, and I am sure you can satisfy my needs and I'd be very grateful if you would." Duo moved close enough that he could hear Heero's shallow, accelerated breathing. If Heero was at all impulsive, Duo expected him to do something at any moment. "I am very desperate and I need your help. Yeah, I know you must think I have a lot of nerve, but I can feel my tongue wrapping around it and sucking out all the juices until it's very dry." "Duo...I ah..." "I am not going to beat around the bush any longer so..." "Y-yes?" "Do you have a piece of gum?" "W-what?" Heero frowned, then understood the joke and stepped backwards. "No! That... that wasn't funny." Duo jumped in front of him, blocking Heero's flight path out of the room. Heero's face was flushed. He looked deeply embarrassed and irritated at the same time. Duo realized that he'd gone too far and his overt suggestiveness had really made his friend uncomfortable. "Hey, sorry, man. Just a stupid joke, okay?" On second thought, it was possible that just having a response to it, getting turned on, had angered Heero. In either case, Duo had some making up to do, he could see that. "Gods, Heero. I needed something to think about tonight while you get all hot and heavy with your princess, and that expression of yours when you looked at me... that will help." "My princess?" Heero spat. "Well, the moment Zechs mentioned Relena's name, you went all bi-valve on me-- clammed up." Duo reached out and touched Heero's arm. "You gotta know all my life I've had to share my dream guys with their girls, so it's just hard. The joking around-" "It's your defense. I get it. Now, drop it." Heero turned away. "Talk about something else." "Ooookay." Duo felt the temperature drop in the room two seasons. So, his joke went flat like stale beer and Relena was off topic. Fascinate him with your brilliant wit, instead of being such an asshole. Fat chance. "So, thanks for helping me out last night, there in the alley." "I'm a trained soldier," Heero said. "That's what I do. You should be more careful." "Uh, huh. Soldier? Really?" Duo nearly asked him to fill in the background material, but hacked that thought off at the roots before it could grow into another contentious subject. "Yeah, well, I had my knife and know how to use it. You don't think I got this far on L2 without knowing how to defend myself, do you?" "I meant you shouldn't have got into the situation in the first place. It was a stupid thing to do." "Ouch! I got the point last night. I stand corrected, okay?" "Hn," Heero grunted, leaving Duo to once again search his brain for something safe to discuss, or lose the opportunity to learn more about the intriguing object of his current interest. Then Heero asked, "Any more questions?" "Like what? You gotta tattoo to show off?" "No." Heero's expression included a bit of wonder with the disgust. His eyes examined Duo from head to foot in one pass. "Why do you wear your hair so long?" "My...?" Duo remembered his hair was loose. In preparation for braiding, he raked his fingers through a dense portion, separating it from the rest and flung it over one shoulder to his chest. "Uh, habit. Saves money? Uh, a conversation starter? I dunno. I guess I like it. My turn." He repeated the gesture, moving another rough third of hair over his other shoulder, and decided to ask what he wanted to after all. "How is it that you can kill a man with your bare hands?" "I didn't!" "Just short of. Didn't learn that here at Resort Sanc or whatever this place is, I assume." "No." "You seem reluctant to tell me. Makes me curiouser and curiouser." "I just met you!" Duo was sure Heero knew that was as lame an excuse as it sounded. They were silent a minute. Heero, Duo could tell, wanted to say something, and he didn't know how. Duo couldn't help him; he didn't know what it was he wanted to say. Finally, Heero cleared his throat and said, "I never knew my parents or if I ever had any family." "Yeah, me neither," Duo commiserated, but no more. He would let Heero make his point unassisted. "I was raised by an assassin to be a soldier, who, it seemed to me, killed anyone if offered enough money. He taught me how to shoot and defend myself, including some martial arts. It wasn't until I was twelve that I learned who the OZ syndicate was and that he worked for them." "And you helped? You helped some motherfucking murdering syndicate asshole kill innocents?!" Duo was livid. He had Heero by the neck, ignoring the fact that the other boy could snap his in the blink of an eye. "Shut up, you idiot!" Heero extracted himself from Duo's choke hold with practiced ease. "I was a kid! I didn't know anything else. I said, when I was twelve I figured it out, who Odin was. We were ambushed and... You don't want to listen. You don't want to hear the truth." "Hey, I, ah... Sorry. Damn. Sit down, Heero. It's just that the syndicate has screwed over L2 so bad. It's a real sensitive issue for me. Really, sorry. Go on. Tell." Duo had to part his hair again. "Hn. Okay." Heero took his time getting started. "The staff of the hospital, where the hit was supposed to happen, tried to stop us, and did. Alliance supporters were using the hospital for a base of operations." "Shit, I hate it when the bad guys hide behind innocents like that. Go on." "They took him out. Me, they didn't see as a threat. I was held and treated for injuries then I ran away, but was captured by the police. Then out of the blue-" "The prince?" "Yes, him, Zechs Merquise. Though, since he's gone all New Age, he prefers the 'Peacecraft' name." "That's weird though." "Maybe. Anyway, it was him who scraped me off the cell floor and brought me home. The others were already here. Winner was first, but then Barton and Chang and I came only weeks apart, and now you." "Yeah, and now me. Years later. Why do you think he does it?" Heero just shook his head, signaling they had reached another dead end discussion. Duo didn't want him to leave, though, and since Heero was answering, Duo asked another question. "You play guitar before you came?" "No. Zechs provided me lessons. The others had some music training. He brought in a guitar teacher for Barton and me. Chang had a few drumming teachers come through, but he's a natural and pounded away for hours at a time listening to music through head phones. Dedicated. Your braid isn't straight, by the way." "He had a wife who was killed on L5, Wufei said." Duo tore out the braid and combed it out straight again. "A... wife? I didn't know. He never said. Five years--" Heero picked up the dress shirt laid out on the bed for Duo. He shook his head. They both winced at the delicate blue and lavender tie he held up next for display. "Quatre's?" Duo chuckled. "How could you tell?" "Pale blue." "Pastel blue, babe." "Hn. I have a white one that would look better." "Do you have a gray shirt and maybe a black tie?" "You like to go dark." "I'd go all black if I could." Heero smiled, just a little. "I'll see what I can do." When Heero left, Duo slipped off the shorts and dug out a clean pair of boxers, his dress pair. It was then that he remembered that he hadn't asked Heero why he'd come for a visit. Duo decided that it must have had to do with the clothes and turned back to the slacks Quatre had donated. He was pleased to find Quatre's clothes accommodated his slender form, although the taupe gray-beige color wouldn't have been his choice. He waited in the slacks until Heero arrived with a couple shirts and ties. He was relieved that he and Heero were speaking and not yelling, and seemed to share a bond, which could grow into a lasting kind of friendship. Or it could become a sexual liaison, which might mess with the band. But it might not. "The yellow one's good with your hair," Heero said. Duo smiled and tried the charcoal shirt next. "Put on the jacket." Duo followed orders and turned to the mirror. "Well? Which will it be?" "This one, the gray." Heero offered him a tie. "Ever wear one before?" "Yeah, with my pilot uniform when I got my license, but never again. Ah, Hilde tied it for me." Heero snapped the tie between his hands and smiled. "Trust me?" No! Duo's eyes answered, but aloud he said, "Ah... yeah, um, I should braid my hair first." Duo hesitancy was probably what made Heero chuckle. "You don't trust me at all. That damned braid, will it take long? I need to get dressed." Duo suddenly felt self-conscious. "Go on then. I'll meet up with you later." (o) "Don't look at me for help with that noose," Wufei told him. He touched the edge of green, satin Chinese jacket, where there was no use for a tie. "I was looking for Heero." Duo stopped. "He's already down there, huh?" "Yes." Wufei looked away uncomfortably. "I came back for my earring." Duo leaned closer to get a good look at the gold charm dangling from Wufei's ear. "Dragon? Damn, that's cool. No, Heero, huh? Well, that sucks. I guess I'll just have to go without the tie." "Here comes Winner. Apparently, he's managed to talk Barton into joining the party. I will leave you in his capable hands," Wufei said all aglow, then trotted downstairs, taking them two at a time. Duo felt his disappointment like a tangible entity hanging in the air. He needed to deal with it before moving on. Mentally, he kicked it onto a shelf, while he muttered aloud, "Stay put and outta my way." No, he needed all the self-confidence he could muster. "If Heero's undecided, then it's up to me to make myself irresistible," he continued then chuckled. "Yeah, I can chastise myself out of any mood!" He grinned, straightened his jacket, and called out, "Hey, Quat! I need your magic fingers!"
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