"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 29:

In which Duo starts to think he's fallen down a rabbit hole…

'Here you go, sweetheart.' Treize carefully manoeuvred the tray on to a small table without Laragh stealing the contents. 'One white hot chocolate with marshmallows.'

'Yum. Thank you.' Duo smiled up from his nest of cushions on the couch.

'Can I get you anything else?'

Duo patted the cushion beside him. 'Stay here for a minute. If there isn't something in the kitchen you have to do.'

Treize smiled lovingly down at him. 'I do rather think you take priority over dinner. Now, let's get comfortable.' Duo ended up lying on top of him, with his head tucked under Treize's chin and Treize's arms around him. 'How's this?'

'Mmm. That's nice.' Duo snuggled against him, letting his eyes drift closed as Treize began to stroke his hair.

It was something he would only ever admit to Treize in the deepest, darkest depths of midnight, but there was a part of the ultra-independent Duo Maxwell, the part that had come into being when he was seven years old and a catholic nun had cared for him like he was something to be treasured, that utterly adored being pampered.

And Treize loved doing it, which made them totally perfect for each other.

'How are you feeling?'

'Loved.' Duo opened his eyes, smiling past the faint ache in his skull. He'd been given meds at the hospital for the headaches, but the pain was bearable, and he'd lived with Trowa for long enough to have been infected by Tro's dislike for drugs.

'Good.'

'Yeah, it is pretty good.' Duo tangled the fingers of one hand in Treize's. 'Sorry I gave you such a scare.'

Treize squeezed gently. 'Well, I'm sure you didn't mean to attack a granite floor with your skull. Just don't do it again, please.'

'Ugh. Not planning to.'

'I'm very glad to hear it.'

They lay without talking for a few minutes, with Chopin playing softly in the background and Laragh's tail thumping against the floor, happy to have her two humans close.

'What is for dinner anyway?'

'Roasted monkfish. And Quatre said he'd bring dessert.'

'Cool. Who was that on the 'phone a minute ago?'

'A wrong number.'

'Another one? Weird.' Duo stretched blissfully as Treize found that place on the back of his neck and stroked gently. 'Oh, that's good. I thought it might've been Tro. He said he'd be here for six and it's nearly half past.'

'I think Quatre may be corrupting him.'

'Little bit of corruption never hurt anyone.' Duo gave his partner a wink and then lowered his lashes demurely.

His doctor had sent him home with instructions to take things easy for a week or so. Duo had translated that as taking a couple of early nights and no heavy lifting. Treize had taken the more extreme interpretation that Duo wasn't to lift a finger, or any other part of his anatomy. He'd finally agreed to drop the total bed rest after Duo had argued he could rest just as well on the couch and he'd prefer not to receive visitors in their bedroom.

Unfortunately he was still sticking to the 'no sex' rule.

It hadn't been an issue for the first couple of days because Duo hadn't been in the mood anyway. But three days of abstinence – apart for a little bit of kissing and cuddling – was more than enough for anyone.

He had plans. A little bit of teasing and flirting during the evening, just to get Treize all warmed up and sap his will power. He gave his partner an artless smile, and shifted position slightly; a little reconnaissance. Always good to scope a place out first.

Treize lips curved appreciatively, another significant part of his body giving its own very definite version of a smile. Yes! Lift off! He moved again, just enough to slide against the 'smile' between Treize's legs, and then trailed one hand down his chest.

'Demon.' Treize caught the wandering fingers in one hand and kissed them. 'No.'

'No?' Duo tried for his best pout, combining it with fluttering eyelashes and a flick of his braid.

'No. You're not supposed to be doing anything strenuous for a while. You know that.'

Duo peeked up at him. 'If you did do all the hard work, I'd just have to lie there and enjoy.'

'Hmm. I have very, very little faith in your ability not to become more involved than that.'

'I'm sure you could find a clever way to keep me from exerting myself. Isn't that what handcuffs are for?'

Treize sighed. 'Sweetheart, the doctor said a week. It's only a few more days.'

'It's an eternity,' Duo huffed. 'People can die of sexual frustration.'

'I think you'll survive. You did have many years of practice before you met me.'

'Before being the operative word!' Duo protested. 'And now I've got all those years to make up for.'

'Just…a….few…..more …..days,' Treize murmured, punctuating each word with a teasing kiss. 'You're always saying that you like to have things to look forward to.'

'Mmm.' Duo wound both arms around his neck, pressing closer. 'I also sort of like instant gratification. Please?'

'And there's the door bell.' Treize pressed a kiss to the tip of his nose and gently moved to stand up to answer it, Laragh trailing behind him.

Quatre was first through the door, with Trowa, laden down with carrier bags, a step behind. The blond bent down to give him one of those warm hugs that felt like being wrapped in sunshine. 'You look so much better than you did yesterday morning! Now, these are for you. You said you were bored being at home all day, so I got you some DVDs you might like, and some books.'

'Cool!' Duo beamed up at him. 'Thanks for that, Cat.'

Quatre laughed. 'Oh, it was no problem. Any excuse to go shopping. And there are a couple of other little things I got you.' He handed Duo a small carrier bag from his favourite café. 'One iced caramel latte. And…' He delved in one of the bags and produced a large cardboard box. 'My father flew back from New York this morning. I asked him if he could bring back something for you.'

'Real doughnuts!' Duo flung his arms around his friend's neck. Sanque had some of the finest patisseries in Europe but not one of them could make a decent doughnut. 'God, Quat, I totally love you.'

He emerged from the embrace to find Trowa and Treize staring at them, both wearing expressions of extreme oddness. Treize was the first to move, offering to get drinks; then Trowa said he wanted to spend a bit of time training Laragh before it got dark outside and they both vanished.

'Whoa.' Duo whistled. 'Is it just me or was that seriously weird?'

'Oh, it was adorable!' Quatre bubbled happily. 'They're actually jealous. How sweet!'

'Jealous? What?' Duo did a double take. 'Who?'

'Our respective partners. Well, you did throw your arms around me and say you loved me.'

'That's stupid. Why would Treize be jealous of you?'

'That's not very nice, Duo! I'm a very attractive person.'

'Oh, sorry, you know I didn't mean it like that.' He frowned. 'You really think that's what it was?'

'I hope so!' Quatre sighed blissfully. 'It's going to be so much fun if they are! Just think of the possibilities.'

'You're weird,' Duo said flatly.

'Your weird doughnut-bearing friend,' Quatre reminded him. 'Duo, I'm just joking. I don't really know what that was about. It was…rather odd, wasn't it?'

'Sure was. Cat, can I ask you something?'

'Of course you can.'

'It's sort of about Tro. Is everything OK with him? With you two?'

Quatre nodded. 'Everything's wonderful, actually. Well, apart from the fact he hardly ever talks about himself and it would be nice to have a boyfriend who occasionally confided in me. We did have a row the night you had your accident, but we made up, and he's even agreed to come to my parents' party. Why?'

'Oh, I don't know. Probably nothing. He's just been a bit off the past couple of days. Not that I've seen much of him; he was supposed to come over yesterday evening and he called with some lame excuse. Was he with you?'

'No. I met Wufei for dinner last night.' Quatre had the grace to look a tiny bit self-conscious.

'Oh, for God's sake,' Duo groaned. 'I thought that was all off. Zechs was here this morning and he was raving about his date with Chang.' Duo wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that. On the one hand, if Zechs was in the picture, Wufei wouldn't be roaming the streets interfering in other people's relationships. The only drawback was that as Zechs' boyfriend, he'd be around a lot, and maybe he'd bring his weird friend into the circle.

'Oh, yes. Wufei told me all about it. They must look wonderful together; don't you think? And it doesn't mean we can't still be friends; it'll actually be easier this way. If Wufei has a boyfriend, Trowa won't mind me spending so much time with him.'

Duo shrugged. 'I guess. And Chang obviously goes for blonds. You don't mind the two of them hooking up?'

'Not at all,' Quatre said earnestly. 'Wufei and I are just friends, Duo. I've told him there can't be anything else.' Then he spoilt it all by giving the scary smile that usually presaged some horrific announcement. 'Actually, I don't think he and Zechs are really suitable for each other, but that's all right. I have a different plan for him.'

'No! No plans.' Duo flipped open the lid of the doughnut box and reached for one. If Quatre was going to go off on one of his insane schemes, large amounts of sugar would be needed.

'No! They're for dessert.'

'I thought they were for Duo?'

'For Duo's dessert,' Quatre said firmly.

'Huh. Were you this mean to Tro when he was sick?'

'I was perfectly lovely to Trowa. Poor darling; he needs someone to look after him.'

'He's actually pretty good at looking after himself, Quat. And I'm not getting involved in any of your crazy plans, so don't think it.'

'Piffle. Of course you're going to help. I need you. It'll be such fun! And stop trying to steal doughnuts!' Quatre slapped his hand away from the box. 'They're for after dinner. I think I should put them away, actually.'

'Fine. Just slap the guy with the gaping wound in his skull,' Duo grumbled. Quatre's laughter trailed after him as he headed for the door, doughnut box firmly in hand. Trowa came in just as the blond was leaving; they did look good together, Duo decided, watching them. Quatre tilted his smiling face up to be kissed, and Trowa obliged, looking more than happy to do so. Tro wasn't usually into the whole PDA thing, and Quatre liked flirting but never seemed to carry it any farther.

Somehow they looked like they totally belonged together.

'Hey, Max.' Trowa wasn't looking at him though; his one visible eye firmly fixed on Quatre's departing back view, specifically the little diamanté heart on the back pocket of his jeans.

'Hey, Tro,' Duo grinned. 'Nice ass.'

'Don't call my boyfriend an ass.' Trowa came and sat on the edge of his sofa, reaching over to ruffle Duo's hair.

'Wow, you said the 'B' word.' Duo marvelled, pulling himself upright, not wanting Trowa to see him lounging about like an invalid. 'You actually said it. In public.'

Trowa shrugged. 'Well, he is, isn't he? About Laragh, have you been giving her sweets again?'

'No! We've been really careful. Oh, shit!' He glanced down; the mug of chocolate, which he'd totally forgotten about, was clean as a whistle.

'Shit's right,' Trowa said wryly. 'Still, she made it outside in time.'

'Well, that's good. So what's up with you?'

'Nothing.' He dropped his gaze as he said it though, looking fixedly at his shoes.

'Don't give me that crap,' Duo said firmly. 'I've been lying here with a hole in my head for the past three days, and this is only the second time you've been to see me since I got out of hospital. There's something wrong. Did you and Treize have a fight? Or have I done something wrong?'

'No. Of course you haven't.'

Duo waited for him to get his thoughts in order, not in the least expecting what he'd say next.

'You know Chang?'

'Quat's Chang? Sorry, you know what I mean. Yeah, I know him a bit. He's a jerk. I didn't think you knew him, apart from seeing him at that bike rally. What's he got to do with anything?' Oh. Suddenly he knew. 'You're being an idiot, Tro. I know Quat's a bit flirty and all.' OK, that was a serious understatement; Quatre Winner would flirt with a good looking corpse in the absence of anyone better, if it got him a little bit of attention. 'I know what he's like. He'd never actually do anything.'

'I know that.' Trowa sighed heavily. 'It's not about Quatre. It's me. I like Chang.'

'No way,' Duo breathed. 'Tro, you can't. I mean, you've only met the guy for about two seconds.'

'It was a bit more than that,' Trowa confessed. 'You know I told you he helped me out after I took a header at the bike race? He patched me up in the truck, and he sort of came on to me.'

'Bastard,' Duo hissed. 'That's so fucked up. Quat's supposed to be the one he's after, and Chang damn well knows you're taken. I hope you decked him.'

'I kissed him.'

'No fucking way.'

'There wasn't any fucking. It was just a kiss.'

Duo gaped at him. 'You have a boyfriend. The high maintenance blond guy; remember him? And you can't fall for Chang of all people. You do know his little hobby is helping the police out with art crimes? Oh, of course you do. That's probably part of the attraction. For God's sake, Trowa!'

Trowa shook his head, hair falling every which way. 'I can't exactly control who I'm attracted to, Max.'

'No, but you can damn well control acting on those feelings.'

And Trowa was good at that. He had, Duo supposed, had practice. With Trowa Barton, emotions weren't so much repressed as locked behind steel doors, buried under concrete, strung with barbed wire, and sunk to the lowest point of the ocean with giant sea monsters guarding them.

'D'you really like him? I mean, if you do, you can't just keep stringing Quat along. I know he comes across as all bouncy and shiny like nothing really matters, but he's nuts about you. You'll really hurt him if you just dump him.'

'You know I wouldn't do that to him. I don't know if I even like Chang all that much. He's got a superiority complex the size of Iceland; you can tell he's used to getting his own way all the time.'

'Well, it was just a physical thing for you, right? All that adrenalin and stuff from the bike race kicking in? Just forget him and concentrate on Blondie.'

'Blondie wants us to be friends.' Trowa groaned at the thought. 'And I have already seen him since then. He called on Monday morning, a few hours before you got there.' His lips quirked slightly. 'He lectured me on looking after myself and he made me soup.'

'Yeah? That's so screwed up! What does Quatre think of his admirer playing Florence Nightingale with you?'

'I haven't told him.'

'Right. Tro, can I say something? You are fucking insane!'

'What Quatre doesn't know won't hurt him. I've made it very clear to Wufei that nothing is going to happen between us.'

'Sounds like it already has,' Duo said sarcastically. 'What with the kissing and soup making and all.'

'Just give it a rest, Max, OK? I didn't tell you any of this because I wanted a lecture. I don't get involved in your relationships. Stay out of mine.'

Duo sniffed, pulling his braid over one shoulder and smacking Trowa with it. 'Excuse me? Since when have you not been involved in everything I do, Barton? And I'm sorry if you don't like it, but that means I get to stick my nose into your business.'

'Can you at least keep your damn hair out of my face?' Trowa grumbled, grabbing the braid and giving it a tug. 'Everything's a weapon with you, isn't it, Maxwell?'

'Yup!' Duo grinned up at him. 'May I have my hair back now?'

'Are you going to back off?'

'No.'

'No hair then,' Trowa grinned, giving it another gentle pull. 'You don't normally get worked up about who I'm dating.'

Duo sniffed. 'Most of the guys you hook up have sell-by dates stamped on their butts, and you're only with them for a bit of fun. Quatre's not like that. I think it would be nice for you to have someone around who you actually care about.'

'I do. You know that.' His eyes were suddenly that deep jade colour, so dark they almost blended with the iris, and his hand was cupping the back of Duo's neck. It was…weird. Then he abruptly let Duo go. 'You can stop worrying about Chang. I've dealt with it. Now, can we talk about something else?'

'If you're not going to keep my hair hostage again!' Duo settled back on his mound of cushions, trying to lighten things up after that freakily intense little moment. He'd thought for a second that Trowa was actually going to kiss him. Properly. Hopefully, it was just the hole in his skull misinterpreting stuff. 'You and Quat are looking pretty cosy together right now. So? Anything you want to tell me?'

'No.' Trowa tried a rather half-hearted glare, and then gave up and grinned at him. 'We've had a long discussion about it, and we've decided to wait until we know each other a little better before taking our relationship to a more intimate level.'

'That's a direct quote?'

'Word for word.' Trowa shrugged. 'It's OK. He lets me do other stuff.'

'Whoa. Way too much information,' Duo decided.

'You did ask, Max. Where did he go anyway?'

'Kitchen. Talking to Treize, I guess.'

'Actually, I'm here,' Quatre announced brightly. 'Dinner's ready. Where would you like to eat, Duo? We can bring you a tray in here if you'd prefer.'

'I'm not that much of an invalid. I'll come in to the dining room.'

It was nice, having them all there; the three people he probably cared about most in the world. Trowa was quiet, like he always was around Treize, but he smiled at a couple of Quat's jokes, and actually joined in the conversation a few times. Once he even agreed with a comment that Treize had made.

And the two of them vehemently protested Duo's little suggestion that he take a stroll down to the beach after the meal.

'I can't believe you two are actually ganging up on me! That's not fair!'

'It's raining, love.' Treize squeezed his hand gently. 'The path's going to be slippery and I'd rather you didn't have another accident before you've even recovered.'

'He's right,' Trowa chimed in, and Duo started to wonder if he'd fallen down a rabbit hole or something. This was just way too surreal to be true.

 

~ * ~

Chapter 30

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