"Breathless"

Written By: Waterliliylf

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. All rights remain with Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. No profit being made here.

Rating: R

Warnings: sap, angst, fluff

Pairings: 3x4, 13x2

Summary: Quatre finds himself introduced to an annoying young man, one he can't seem to get out of his head.

"Breathless"

 

Chapter II:

So lovely in the morning, his love. A perfectly placed shaft of sunlight fell across that glorious hair, burnishing it with warm bronze-gold glints, and gilding all that pale, ivory skin; flawless except for a few tiny marks, scattered like rose petals across his body, where Treize had marked him with lips or teeth. Duo's spine was a necklace of pearls strung on a bed of white silk, leading to smooth, rounded buttocks that invited the touch of a lover's hand.

The very picture of sweet submission, if one discounted the fact that he was fast asleep. A shame, really, to wake him, but oh, so very irresistible.

Duo had braided his hair haphazardly at some point during the night. Always a bone of contention between them; Treize loved seeing and feeling it loose while Duo preferred it neatly out of the way. Still, there were some advantages to the braid. It made a very effective wake-up instrument, for one.

Smiling, Treize brushed the very tip of the messy braid across Duo's mouth. The tip of a pink tongue flicked out, reacting to the brief touch.

Oh, lovely.

Trailing the strands of hair across Duo's cheek made him shift slightly, and mutter something. He was going to be so grouchy when he finally woke up, if Treize wasn't careful. Duo Maxwell was very definitely not a morning person. Waking him in a good mood tended to be an exercise in diplomacy; not easy, but all too rewarding if accomplished correctly.

Following the hair with one finger, stroking across his love's face, Treize was rewarded by Duo's mouth curving into a faint smile.

'Good morning, my heart.'

Those amazingly long lashes fluttered open, and Duo looked at him; a flash of deep indigo.

'How come you're always so damn cheerful in the morning?'

'How can I be otherwise, when I wake up beside you?'

'Oh, that's lovely.' Duo melted against him. He could take compliments, sometimes. At other times, he would just brush them off with a scowl and say he didn't like flattery. 'Hey. Where's Laragh?'

'Stretch your legs.' Treize grinned as his lover did just that, and gasped as his feet encountered a warm, furry body at the bottom of the bed.

'How the hell did she get under the blankets?'

'She seems to have your knack of breaking and entering. You know, we can't make a habit of this, love. It's not fair to her; we've already agreed she can't sleep in our room, and now she's going to be expecting it every night.'

'I know,' Duo said softly. 'I know you're right. But it was her first night with us. She sounded so lonely, and we'd taken her away from her home and her friends and she didn't really know if we were going to be kind or mistreat her. It was just so horrible hearing her cry like that and it was her first night with us. She'll be more used to us this evening.'

'I hope so.' Treize said, resolving that it wouldn't happen again. It wouldn't have happened in the first place, if Duo hadn't issued that ultimatum; either Laragh came up to their room or he would be sleeping downstairs with her. There was no way he could have permitted that; Duo belonged with him, in their bed, even if they had to share it with a whole pack of wolves.

'She looks so cute,' Duo said indulgently, pulling back the sheets to reveal his sleeping pet. 'And she must have felt safe and comfortable with us if she fell asleep.'

'Why wouldn't she be comfortable? She's lying on the finest Irish linens.'

'Like she knows it's part of her heritage,' Duo grinned.

'Well, we're not lining her basket with our sheets.' Not the antique ones anyway; hand-embroidered with the Khushrenada crest. Or maybe it would be worth the sacrifice of some bed- linen, to ensure a good night's sleep.

'What else would you like me to do to make her feel at home?' Treize teased. 'Paint the house green? Get some leprechauns for the rose garden? Have shamrocks carved into the bed?"

'Mmm.' Duo wound both arms around his neck and pressed closer. 'D'you know what I'd really, really, really like? More than anything in the universe?'

'It's yours,' Treize said instantly. He could never refuse his beloved anything, especially when his beloved was naked, and wrapped around him and looking at him like that.

'What I'd just love,' Duo murmured, pressing a trail of soft kisses along his partner's jaw line and smiling beatifically, 'is breakfast.'

'Is it now? I believe it's your turn.'

'I know.' Those huge indigo eyes gazed up at him soulfully, lashes fluttering. 'But if I have to walk all the way downstairs, and cook, and then come back up here carrying a tray, I'll be so tired that I won't have energy for anything else and I'll probably just fall straight back asleep.'

'That would be bad. Of course, if certain people didn't object to us having a live-in housekeeper, we could just call the kitchen and order something.'

Duo nodded. 'But then we couldn't have sex all over the house, and you couldn't walk around naked.'

He'd give in of course; he always did with Duo, but it wouldn't hurt to make him wait a little. 'Breakfast, hmm? And what would your heart desire this morning?'

'Desire?' Duo's voice was just a little groggy as his lover bent down and licked across his chest. Treize teased a nipple until the deep violet eyes had begun to glaze over and then lifted his head.

'Do pay attention, my heart. We were discussing food.'

'Something really gooey and messy and sticky that I can smear all over you and then lick off?' Duo suggested.

'Now, that sounds like a good idea.' One last, lingering kiss and Treize eased himself out of bed. 'Shall I take Laragh with me? She might need to go out. And she will be a little superfluous when I come back.'

'Planning on coming, are you?' Duo laughed up at him. 'Yes, please. Maybe you could give her some breakfast too.'

Treize kissed him and pulled on a dressing gown. He wouldn't normally have bothered, but they'd both discovered the previous night that full nudity wasn't the best idea around a large dog with an inquisitive nose, and sharp claws.

Ten minutes later, there was porridge simmering, coffee percolating, and a tray carefully arranged. Perfect. Especially when Duo padded barefoot into the kitchen. He'd pulled on his favourite, faded jeans stray curls and tendrils of hair were making a gallant attempt to escape from the loose braid. The perfect sight on a lazy Sunday morning.

'I thought you were too tired to trek all the way down here.'

'I got lonely without you,' Duo said simply, slipping both arms around the taller man's waist from behind and resting his cheek on Treize's shoulder. 'What are you making?'

Treize grinned. 'As requested, something sticky and messy and gooey for smearing purposes.'

'You spoil me.'

'I do try. It should be another five minutes or so. And I've fed Laragh.'

Hearing her name, the dog looked up uncertainly from her bowl.

'Hey, baby. It's OK.' Duo dropped to his knees and hugged her. 'She's still pretty nervous, isn't she? Oh, there's the 'phone ringing. Shall I answer it?'

'Definitely not. People who call this early on a Sunday don't deserve to be spoken to.'

The 'phone clicked into voicemail and Quatre Winner's voice

'Good morning. This is Quatre Winner.'

'Better get it.' Duo decided. 'You know what he's like; he'll just talk for about an hour otherwise, and clog up the entire mail service. 'Hey, Quat.'

'Duo! Good morning! How's the little puppy? Did she sleep all right last night?'

'She did once we took her into bed with us.'

Quatre gave a little crow of laughter. 'I knew you'd end up doing that. She must be so cute! Do you think I could come and see her later?'

'Yeah, she's super adorable but not all that little. And you can come and see her whenever you like. The only thing is, I'm not sure what we're doing today, so maybe you could call over this evening. You could come and have dinner with us if you liked.'

'I'd love that, if it's not too much trouble. I'm going to be in the office for most of the day anyway. I've got a meeting now, actually. Are you sure it's all right if I stay for dinner? I don't want to be any trouble.'

'You're not. Listen, get your ass over here for six or we'll be driving by WEI and dragging you out. Got that?'

'Yes, Duo. I'll see you then.'

Duo hung up, shaking his head. 'Eight o'clock on a Sunday and he's got a meeting. We have got to get that guy a life.'

'I didn't know we had plans for today.'

'Oh!' Duo took a jug of chilled orange juice out of the refrigerator and poured two glasses. 'Well, we don't actually, but Tro mentioned that he might call by this evening and it would be kind of nice to introduce them properly. It's awful that they still hardly know each other.'

'Well, they have met. They've both been to parties in this house, and they've both attended exhibitions at the gallery.'

'Oh, that doesn't count,' Duo said airily. 'There were always dozens of other people around, and they never really had a chance to talk to each other properly.'

Treize lifted an eyebrow. 'Matchmaking, love? I hardly think those two would suit. I can't imagine two less similar people.'

'Oh, yeah? Sometimes opposites attract. I mean, we got on pretty well.'

'I thought we got on rather better than that.' Treize ladled porridge into two bowls and added small jugs of cream and honey to the tray. 'There should be fresh raspberries in the 'fridge, Duo. Can you get them please? Now, since it's a glorious morning, would you consider eating outside in the hot tub? I do realise the licking may be difficult, but I'm sure we could find some other ways to amuse ourselves.'

'Can we go back upstairs afterwards?' Duo wondered, licking at the condensation on the side of his glass.

'Keep doing that, and I'll be dragging you upstairs right now.'

'You don't like me doing this?' The little wretch pressed his lips to the glass, dabbing the crystal with his tongue, and then danced a few steps out of his lover's reach.

'I like it far too much.' Treize grabbed the flying end of Duo's braid as he darted around the table. 'Let me show you.'

'Hey! My hair's not a damn leash!' Duo squeaked as he was reeled in.

'No?' Damn, it felt so good slipping through his fingers. If Duo wanted to tease, then he was more than willing to join in.

'Treize, stop!' Duo said suddenly. 'You're scaring Laragh.' The dog was cowering under the table, growling low in her throat. 'Oh, angel, we're just playing. It's OK.'

'Here, girl.' Treize held out his hand, and she approached slowly. 'I wasn't hurting him, honestly.'

'I guess she'll get used to us fooling around.' Duo sounded slightly uncertain, as he hugged the dog to him.

'We'll be more careful in future,' Treize promised. 'She'll soon learn it's only play. Now, shall we go and eat?'

'Mmm. This is lovely.' A few minutes later, Duo lazed back in the hot tub, one hand holding his bowl and the other dangling to pull Laragh's ears. 'You know, it might be nice to get married in the early morning. Just as the sun is rising.'

Treize laughed. 'You're far too grumpy in the mornings for that. We do need you to smile for the photographs.'

'I'm sure you could think of some way to bring a smile to my face.' Duo twirled his tongue around a spoonful of honey. 'And then you could sweep me upstairs and ravish the hell out of me.'

'That idea does have a certain appeal,' Treize admitted. 'But what would our guests do while you're claiming your conjugal rights?'

'Take bets on how long we're going to take?' his lover teased, drizzling honey onto his porridge and licking the spoon lasciviously. 'It could be a fun party game! Seriously, though, if we wait a couple of months, the roses will be out and we can have the ceremony in the rose garden.'

Treize made a face. 'Do we really want hordes of people wandering around?'

'Hardly hordes,' Duo scoffed. 'Treize! We agreed it was going to be small, remember?'

'Within reason, certainly. And we still haven't made any definite arrangements.'

Duo swallowed another mouthful, this time without any embellishments. 'What exactly does within reason mean?'

'Sweetheart, there are certain people I have to invite. My family, for instance.'

'Why d'you have to invite them? You don't even like most of them!'

'I know, but they are family. It's traditional. And I can't discriminate about which of my relations to ask, or I'll cause rows that will go on for generations.'

Duo muttered something that was inaudible, probably luckily. 'I thought this was supposed to be our day. How come we don't get to have things the way we want?' His eyes narrowed. 'Or is it that I don't get to have any say in this?'

'Of course you do. Duo, I'm sure we can work something out that will please us both.'

'Yeah, well, what would please me would be to invite people we like. Not all these stuffy aristocratic tenth cousins of yours who'll probably be looking down their noses at me. Next, you'll be saying you want to invite everyone who's ever bought a painting from the gallery, or who's ever sold you one.' He caught Treize's quick blush. 'Oh, no way, Treize. No fucking way.'

'I'm not suggest we invite everyone on the gallery mailing list. But I've known some of those people for years; I consider them friends.'

'So…this is all going to be like some giant PR exercise, right?' Duo jerked away from him. 'You want half of the upper crust of Sanque to be there when we get hitched. Pity you didn't choose someone who'd actually fit in with all that grandeur, isn't it?'

'Stop it. Stop it, Duo. When the hell are you going to get over thinking you're not good enough for me? You are far, far more than I deserve. Half of Sanque is jealous of me because I've got you and you'd know that if you could see for one second past that gigantic chip on your shoulder!'

'If I'm so great, then stop yelling at me!' Duo snapped back. 'I'm not the one with the inferiority complex! I'm not the one who wants to impress all those snobs with some big extravaganza. Why can't we just have a simple ceremony with the people we actually like? Why do we have to make a big circus out of it?'

'Because if we don't, if we have some rushed, hole-in-the-corner ceremony, it's like we have something to be ashamed of.'

'Like what? I don't care what people think. Come on, Treize, it's not like anyone's going to think that I'm pregnant, you know!'

'Not for want of trying,' Treize murmured and saw from Duo's expression that the joke had fallen flat. 'I'm sorry. I'm terribly proud of you, sweetheart; I suppose I want to show the world just how much I love and appreciate you.'

'Why don't you show me how much you love me by listening to what I want for once!' It's like you want everyone in the entire universe to know and I just don't get that!'

'I don't get why you're determined to hide the fact that we're engaged,' Treize retorted, and saw a quick flush spread across his lover's cheeks.

'I am not hiding it.'

'Yes, you are. You've refused to let me give you a ring. You've said you don't want any announcements in the paper. You haven't even told Quatre or Trowa, and you've asked me not to tell anyone. If you're so ashamed of being my fiancé, perhaps we shouldn't even be thinking about this.'

It hurt terribly to say, but perhaps it would be for the best. He had, after all, pressured Duo into agreeing in the first place, while his lover thought they were perfectly happy as they were.

'No!' Duo catapulted into his arms, hair flying. 'It's not that.' He lifted his eyes to Treize's, pleading. 'I - just - I know what it's going to be like when we start telling people. We'll have those stupid tabloid journalists after us for photos and interviews and we won't have a minute's privacy.

'It's not my fault that you're incredibly photogenic.' Treize ventured, tucking Duo under his arm, and trying hard not to laugh at his lover's indignant expression.

'They'll all be saying I'm a gold-digger and your toy-boy and all that shit.'

'A minute ago, you said you didn't care what people thought. And in the interests of strict accuracy, you are technically my toy-boy,'

'Oh, very funny.' He was trying to sound sour, but he'd relaxed delightfully into the curve of Treize's body.

'Sweetheart, listen.' Treize kissed the top of that tousled, chestnut head. 'If you'd rather not do this, I'll understand. We can either forget the whole thing, or else have a long engagement. Whatever you like.'

Duo huffed at him. 'I wonder sometimes if you ever listen to me. I said that I don't want all the engagement hoopla, and I don't. I never said I didn't want to marry you. I only wanted us to enjoy this for a few days. I thought we could tell Quat and Tro tonight, over dinner and then we can start telling everyone else.'

'You're quite sure this is what you want?' Treize held his breath, waiting for Duo to answer. He never lied; he would, surely, be honest about this.

'You're an awful idiot sometimes, considering you're a fairly intelligent guy. Of course I want this. I said yes, didn't I? You'd better not be trying to fob me off, or I'll sue you for breach of promise and take everything you've got.'

'Why bother?' Treize asked softly. 'You already have it all. You just have to ask. If you want this to be just a small ceremony, then that's what we shall have.'

'Well…shit.' Duo blew his bangs out of his eyes. 'Okay, here it is. I'm not comfortable in a grand ball room crammed with aristocrats. Yeah, I know, you are and want a big party, so, let's split the difference. Small wedding with just a couple of close friends—'

'Twenty. At least'

'--Or so, followed by a blow-the-top off party afterwards—'

'A reception.'

'Call it whatcha will, that's for everyone else-- all of Sanc, if that's what you want. How does that sound to you?'

'Perfect,' Treize told him, meaning it. Everything was perfect.

It stayed perfect right until the moment when Laragh got curious as to what her new owners were up to, and decided and decided to join them in the water at the most inopportune moment possible.

~ * ~

*I should possibly point out here, for the benefit of non-Irish readers, that 'Laragh' is pronounced to rhyme with 'Tara'. It does not resemble a choking sound.

~ * ~

Chapter 3

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