Reunion AC 197
Part 13
Resisting the urge to look back, Duo tried to put a smile on his face and a
swagger in his walk as he approached Wufei and Zechs. The two were staring
deep into each other's eyes and didn't notice the longhaired boy's approach.
Therefore, they both jumped when Duo appeared and clapped them both on the
back, and announced loudly, "Hey guys! You doin' it or what?"
Wufei nearly choked and Zechs blushed, and Duo immediately felt guilty. In a
lower voice, he said, "Sorry, guys, I guess I'm a little nervous. And when
I'm nervous, my mouth runs off."
Wufei smiled and said, "That's ok, Duo, I was nervous too."
Zechs added, "And we're not trying to keep it a secret," and he put his arm
around Wufei's slim waist.
Duo gazed at the couple. "I'm happy for you guys, I really am."
Inadvertently, his eyes strayed to Trowa and Quatre engaged in conversation
across the room. "I'm glad someone managed to find some happiness out of the
damn war."
The other two followed Duo's gaze, and Wufei raised an eyebrow questioningly.
Before they could ask, Duo supplied, "I have no idea what happened to them. I
hope they work it out. They look just as good together as you two."
"Speaking of looking good, Duo," Zechs began, "You look amazing as usual. How
are things for you? Turning the admirers away as always?"
Duo laughed self-deprecatingly. "Yeah, right. Thanks, Zechs, but everything
is fine. I'm alone. As usual."
Wufei locked eyes with Zechs and frowned. "I find that hard to believe,
Maxwell. What about..." the Chinese boy trailed off at the look on Duo's face.
Duo shook his head. "Don't ask. Nothing ever works out the way we think it
will, does it?"
Trying to lighten things up, Zechs said, "Well, we need to have a good time
tonight. Hang out with us."
Duo tried to protest, "No, thanks, guys, but I don't want to intrude."
But Wufei insisted. "That's a great idea. You'll keep us company."
Zechs grabbed fresh drinks for the three of them and Duo tried to relax.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. A good song began to play. Duo
downed his drink.
+
Heero had developed the habit of checking out a room completely since
becoming Head of Security, and tonight was no exception. So it was only
slightly awkwardly he found himself observing the ballroom from a balcony,
telling himself it was for security purposes. Others were guarding Relena
tonight, but a habit was a habit. Then Duo walked in.
Heero's breath caught; he had never seen Duo's hair loose before, but had
often dreamed of it. The reality was much more impressive than any dream.
Duo's hair flowed around him, shimmering and silky and making Heero's fingers
ache to touch it. Underneath all the hair, Duo wore black vinyl hip-huggers
that fit him like a glove, cradling his lower body to perfection and
emphasizing his long legs. His shirt was short and small and shimmery purple,
leaving his stomach and arms bare except for his hair that continually
caressed him. Duo's upper body was slim and lithe and sleek, his creamy skin
begging for Heero's touch. Just gazing at Duo from a distance was enough to
make him instantly rock hard, and Heero gripped the balcony's edge in
despair. How could he get the gorgeous creature to even listen to him, let
alone forgive him? After his behavior a year ago, Heero didn't even deserve
Duo's contempt, let alone the love he dreamed of.
Heero watched as Duo talked with Quatre, feeling an unreasonable stab of
jealousy at their closeness. Then Trowa arrived, and Duo went over to Wufei
and Zechs. Heero still watched, unable to bring himself to confront Duo. He
cursed himself for his cowardice; finally he could accept his own feelings
for the other boy, but now he lacked the courage to do anything about it!
Finally, he forced himself; leaving the balcony, he made his way downstairs.
Reentering the room, Heero realized that the music had picked up. Quatre and
Trowa were still locked in conversation, and Duo... with a start, Heero
realized that Duo was now on the dance floor, sandwiched between Zechs and
Wufei and looking like he was having way too much fun.
Heero could only stare; not only had he never seen Duo dressed this way, he
had never seen the longhaired boy move so deliberately provocatively. Heero
hadn't thought he could get any more aroused, but the sight before him made
it possible. His erection throbbed in its confines as he watched Duo's hips
sway, grind and move like in his dreams, pressed tightly between the two men,
Zechs behind him and Wufei in front.
Heero had to remind himself to breathe as he watched; platinum and chestnut
silk mixed as Duo threw his head back against Zechs' chest, violet eyes
glittering. Three sets of slim hips moved together, and nearly everyone in
the room had to watch. Zechs and Wufei were certainly beautiful, but Heero
couldn't take his eyes off Duo. Lust replaced the courage he had lost, and
his whole body ached with the thought of never touching that beauty. If Duo
rejected him now, Heero knew he might never recover. He took a halting step
toward the dance floor. At that moment, Duo looked up.
+
"Why, Trowa? Why did you leave me?" Quatre was ashamed, but he couldn't seem
to keep a tremble out of his voice as he asked.
Trowa was speechless. What did Quatre mean by that statement? "Quatre? I..."
But Quatre had to speak before he lost his nerve. "Was I that terrible? I
thought it was the most amazing night of my life. But you must have felt
differently."
"But, Quatre," Trowa mumbled, completely confused.
"I'm not done, Trowa! How could you make love to me like that, then just
leave me to wake up alone?"
Trowa was still lost. "M-make love?"
Quatre was nearly trembling now, small hands on hips defiantly. "Was I that
forgettable? Was that it?"
Trowa couldn't speak. "I... I..."
But Quatre, once he begun, would have his say. "Maybe you do things like that
all the time. But it was my first time! How do you think I felt, to wake up
all alone? Then, when I did track you down, you ignore me!" Quatre paused.
Trowa was silent. "Oh, I get it, Trowa. You're ashamed. Ashamed of what we
did. Is that it? You were drunk, and did something you regret. So you thought
if you ignored it, it would go away. But I didn't, did I?"
Trowa sounded miserable. "It wasn't like that..."
"No? Then what was it like, Trowa? Please tell me. I've had a year to obsess
over it. Now that you deign to talk to me, please tell me what it was."
Quatre crossed his arms and managed to look defiant yet angelic.
Trowa appeared to be trying to speak. Quatre glared at him.
"But Quatre! I... raped you! There was blood, and your clothes were ripped,
and... and...I don't remember much, but I was so ashamed that I hurt you,"
Trowa seemed to be gathering speed now, "That I couldn't bear it, so I ran
away. I meant to call you, to apologize, but I am a coward. I couldn't bring
myself to hear you say you would never forgive me. So I stayed away. Until
now. Now I am here to beg your mercy. Do what you will to me, Quatre. My life
is meaningless without you. I love you, yet I did the most unspeakable thing
to you. I am nothing, yet I beg you to forgive me. That is how weak I am."
Trowa finally seemed to finish, and stood with eyes downcast, unable to look
upon his angel's radiance.
Quatre stood stunned and speechless. He truly couldn't think of a thing to
say. Was this why Trowa had stayed away? How could he think such a thing?
Trowa waited. Taking Quatre's silence as a rejection, he turned to go. Then
he felt a small yet strong hand grab his arm.
"Where do you think you're going?" Quatre said shakily.
"It doesn't matter," Trowa answered in a monotone.
"Yes, it does! I think it does. Damnit, Trowa, look at me!" Quatre sounded
angry, and Trowa looked at him automatically.
"Listen to me, Trowa. You didn't rape me. I was fully willing and able to
consent. And I did! There was a little blood, nothing too bad. We were drunk,
we made a mess. That's all. Do you understand me?" Quatre was practically
shaking the taller boy now, as if that would make him understand.
Trowa stared at Quatre. "I... I..."
"I loved every minute of it. I love you. I still do. Get it?" Quatre let go
of Trowa.
Trowa sagged as if he was going to fall over. "You mean... all this time... I
thought... and we wasted all that time... I almost..."
"We shouldn't have drank so much, we probably shouldn't have had sex in the
middle of the floor, but we both wanted to and we did it," Quatre stated.
"Nothing bad happened."
"Oh, Quatre!" Trowa was nearly crying. "You love me? Still? I love you more
than life itself! I would die rather than hurt you! So when I thought I..."
Quatre interrupted gently. "That's where you're wrong. I know that you would
never hurt me, no matter how drunk you were. I would never believe you could
do such a thing to me. You love me, Trowa?" Trowa's words had just sunk in.
"Yes! Yes, I love you, my beautiful angel!" Trowa was practically beaming.
"Forever."
Quatre threw himself into Trowa's strong arms and clung tightly. "Always,
Trowa."
And Trowa held him tight.
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