April 198 AC
~Sunday Afternoon~
"Hey, Q-man!" Duo greeted in his customary cheerfulness as he intruded upon the music room unannounced where the blond executive and his mate were relaxing.
"Yes, Duo?" Quatre asked patiently as the flow of music pouring from the stringed instrument in his hands continued without mishap. His eyes remained shut even as the tone of the music changed, shifting into a more inquisitive beat. Beside him, sitting calmly on the couch, eyes closed as well, Trowa followed the melody's lead.
"You got anything planned this Friday," Duo asked, leaning over the back of the couch next to Trowa. "Or are you two staying in?"
The music fell into a thoughtful melody as Quatre ran over his week's agenda through his head.
"Dinner Thursday, banquet Saturday," Trowa answered, obviously thinking over the same agenda.
Quatre nodded, the melody dipping with him. "Friday's free," Quatre agreed. One blue eye peeked open. "Why?"
Duo was grinning-some would consider that a very bad sign. "Nothing, nothing," Duo said, though there was a twinkle in his eye and a note in his voice that said there definitely was something. But the braided-teenager called a quick goodbye and danced out of the room before either of the remaining two could call him on it.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Quatre asked his lover.
Trowa smiled and the flute sounded a high running trill.
"You're right," Quatre smiled. "We probably *don't* want to know."
~Friday Early Evening~
"Taking a shower," Duo announced, hanging inside the door to Wufei's private sanctuary. Dark brows wiggled as he grinningly asked, "Wanna conserve some water and join me?"
Wufei looked up from where he sat in a corner with his journal opened. "I fail to see how joining you will *conserve* water when we only succeed in taking up more time," he replied, failing to hide the small smile already playing at his lips as he returned his place marker to the book and set it aside.
"Maybe," Duo answered, grinning cheekily. "But you're so good at getting to all those hard to reach places."
Wufei crossed the room in even, unhurried steps and by the time Duo had finished talking was at the other teen's side. He moved his arms around Duo's waist, locking them there comfortably. "Un hn. And where's Heero? Or is he not as good as I for reaching those-hard to reach places."
"Oh, no. He's good," Duo almost laughed, his eyes twinkling as he dropped a light kiss on Wufei's lips. "But when you want the best, you go to the Master," Duo teased, winking at the Chinese teen and lightly kissing him again.
"I believe you lured this 'Master' out of his den with promise of a shower?" Wufei returned, enjoying the teasing as much as Duo.
"OH? Did I?" Duo mused, leaning into Wufei, wrapping his arms around his neck. "What a great lure." He took Wufei's mouth with a kiss full of teasing promise-promise Wufei knew he was good for. "Heero's getting ready for tonight," Duo answered finally.
"What's tonight?" Wufei breathed, only half interested in the question and its answer.
"Payback," Duo replied before pulling Wufei across the hall and into the suite he shared with Heero. From there it was into the bathroom where the hot water was already running-steaming up the glass and windows. They tumbled against the walls, knocking towels askew as they fumbled to help one another out of their clothing, mouths refusing to part save for the briefest seconds-and even that seemed too long.
Under the hot stream of raining water, Duo held Wufei close, burying his face in Wufei's throat and shoulder. Wufei held Duo just as tight, content for the moment to feel the longhaired teen's body pressed up against his.
"Missed you," Duo mumbled after a spell.
"I was only gone for two weeks," Wufei smiled, pleased beyond what was reasonable that someone had missed him-what ridiculousness.
"Long two weeks," Duo sighed, turning around and presenting Wufei with his back as he reached for the shampoo bottle. "Soap me?"
Wufei took the bottle from him with a mischievous grin the other couldn't see and poured a generous amount of the thick, gel-like substance into his palm. He pressed against Duo's back as his fingers slipped between two muscle-toned cheeks.
"Mmmm... that wasn't what I meant," Duo purred, relaxing and opening himself for his lover's administrations.
"Wasn't it?" Wufei almost moaned, sliding one finger inside Duo's warm body. He'd missed this-more than he cared to admit.
"Mmm, God, Wufei, don't tease me," Duo moaned, rocking back into Wufei's hand and body.
"Tease? Me? I would never," Wufei chastised as his slid his shampoo-covered hand over his arousal and presented it to Duo's opening.
"Two weeks is an awful long time," Duo gasped, pushing back as Wufei thrust forward. "You must have really missed me to jump me the first time you see me."
Wufei's arms wrapped around Duo, holding him possessively. "YOU have an addicting body," the Chinese teen replied, sinking himself gratefully into said body.
Duo's answer was cut off by a cry and he had to brace himself against the wall to prevent either of them from slipping as Wufei began to pound into him.
It always ended too soon it seemed-with both of them panting as they leaned heavily against the wall; Duo still in Wufei's arms.
"So, what's this payback of yours?" Wufei asked, moving a soap-sudded hand over Duo's arm.
The long haired teen laughed. "It's a surprise. I'd tell ya, but then I'd hafta kill ya," the violet-eyed boy teased, turning in Wufei's arms and kissing him again.
"Hn."
"I wash you, you wash me?" Duo asked, clearly not willing to budge on this.
~Friday Night~
Duo was first to come down that night dressed to go out. The dark purple leather pants rode low on his hips and hugged his ass and thighs. The purple-grey-white camouflage shirt was about two sizes too small and clung to his chest and arms. His long chestnut hair was free from its braid but pulled back into a low ponytail. He grinned at the three young men waiting for him in the living room-who were trying so hard to make it look like they were doing anything but.
"Hey guys," he greeted, dancing over to the side of the couch where Wufei was sitting and Duo propped himself up on the arm of the sofa. "You guys wanna come with us?" he asked, knowing they were dying to know where and why.
Quatre cleared his voice and asked, "Where're you going?"
Duo's grin rose to new heights as he leaned over and draped an arm around Wufei's neck. "Heero and me are dragging Wuffers out to the *Karaoke bar*. You should come. It'll be a blast."
Wufei growled, pulling Duo off the side of the couch and onto his lap, slapping his ass affectionately. "Don't call me 'Wuffers.'"
Quatre looked over to Trowa, blue eyes glowing with the scent of devilish fun. "I think it would be fun," the blond said and his mate shrugged.
"Whatever," Trowa replied, not all too crazy about spending an evening at Maude's but assured it was better than spending an evening alone.
Quatre turned back to Duo and Wufei, who were casually feeling each other up. "Sure, we'll tag along-As long as you don't mind."
"More the merrier, right Heero?" Duo called and the three other men turned to see their fifth teammate standing in the doorway. Dressed in dark denim and a navy tee, the dark haired boy just shrugged.
"Who said I'm *going*?" Wufei asked, bouncing Duo off his lap.
Dou leaned back over him and asked, "Who said you had a choice?" before kissing him again.
When Duo pulled away to head off out of the room, Wufei looked over to Heero. "I didn't have a choice, did I?" he asked, pushing up from the couch.
"Don't worry, 'Fei," Duo called back to him. "If you don't enjoy yourself even a *little* tonight... I'll... " The long haired teen spared a deliciously wicked leer for his boyfriend. "Do *anything* you want to make up for it."
Wufei *looked* at him, thinking up just what exactly he'd have Duo first.
"Besides," Duo grinned, "You don't want to miss Heero singing, do you?"
"Heero? Singing?" Quatre asked, looking from one boy to the other. Even Trowa's eyebrows rose with amusement.
"Hai," Heero answered, nodding briefly.
"See!" Duo called. "Lots of fun!"
Wufei followed them out, sparing a look for his Japanese lover. "This I will *have* to see... "
The five young men could have easily piled into one of the larger cars in the garage but personalities and habits found them taking three different vehicles to the pub. Duo lead the way behind the wheel of a midnight blue all-terrain-roomy enough to toss Wufei's bike in the back. Heero sat quietly beside him. A large, iridescent ivory town car followed closely behind with Quatre and Trowa. Wufei and his motorcycle danced in front of, behind, and in between the two larger vehicles all the way there.
"You didn't have to tell them," Heero said after miles of nothing but Duo's singing and humming to fill the silence.
"Tell them what?" Duo asked, startled out of his reserve. His lover just frowned and stared at the road in front of them. "Oh, oh! You mean about you singing tonight?" Duo grinning. "I thought they might like to see you, you know?" Heero didn't answer. "You're not embarrassed, are you?" the longhaired teen teased.
Heero answered with another grunt. Duo just smiled and launched into another tune.
There was some crazy chick with frizzy red-blonde hair belting out the same tune when the five young men entered Maude's and made their way to an empty spot. They had to push two tables together to make room for the five of them since all the larger tables were already taken, but with Heero and Trowa doing the work, the other three didn't complain any. There was a splattering of polite applause from the audience and loud catcalls and shouts originating from the small outcropping of people the blonde had popped out of and was-gratefully-returning to now.
A smiling/wincing waitress made her way to them to take their order and when she'd gone, Quatre turned a winning smile on Heero. "So what will you be singing tonight, Heero? Do you have a song in mind yet?"
"Hai," Heero's expression dared anyone to say anything else.
Instead, Quatre turned to the lengthy boy at his side. "See?"
Trowa shot a long-suffering look at Heero before rolling his eyes and looking down at his beloved. "Quatre, I love you. I'll work for you. I'll play for you. I'll even beg you for sex if you ask me to. But I'm not going to stand up in front of a crowd of drunken men and women to sing for you."
The others smiled-it was a familiar exchange for them-while Quatre pasted a mock pouty frown on his face. It was almost a tradition for them now, ever since Duo had dragged them all here the first, second, fourth, fifth time. Duo had no problems getting up and singing on the small stage and after a couple of prompts he'd managed to convince the blond executive to join him-out here Quatre was just Quatre. Not "Mr. Winner, CEO of WIE." Out here he was just a teenager, like the rest of them, one who could drink and hang out like any other adolescent 17 years and older. Quatre had loved it and laughed at the others to join them. Heero, Wufei, and Trowa had staunchedly refused-until tonight, that is. Thus, in Trowa's mind, if the 01 pilot did go up there and sing tonight, he was a traitor to the cause. At least until the next round of drinks...
It was almost half past eleven before Heero finally stood and made his way to the stage. Quatre and Duo had both been up several times-solo and one duet for them. When the familiar opening chords blared out of the speakers, three men at their table looked wide-eyed from Heero to Duo and back again, quickly. Heero was about to sing what they'd all just unofficially titled "Duo's Song"-the one he *always* sang: "The Joker".
Duo leaned over the table so the others could hear him while Heero started singing the first stanza. Those violet-hued blue eyes, however, never left the face of his lover on stage. "Heero first sang this to me about a year ago. I'd been burning my candles out at both ends, trying to do too much, too fast. Home late every night, out again before morning shift everyday. I came home one night, late as usual, and he sang for me. I've been trying to get him to do it again every since."
"He's very good," Quatre offered in more of a conspirator's tone of voice.
Duo's smile twitched and he reached out under the table for Wufei's hand before leaning back into his Chinese lover. "I know."
There was a crowd of chicks lusting in front of the stage, shouting and screaming their encouragement for more of the hip-dips and pelvis swivels the young man on stage was performing with too much skill. To the people who thought they had known him best, it was like seeing a stranger wearing their friend's face, singing with their friend's voice.
"Some people call me the space cowboy!"
And then Heero was done, frowning with impassiveness as he passed the microphone over to one of the employees, pushing past the pond of girls trying to get his attention and congratulating him. Heero sat down and picked up his drink, downing the remainder of it in one gulp before motioning the waitress for another.
Heero gave the four boys at the table a scrutinizing look before halting on Duo's radiantly beaming face. "Happy now?"
Duo laughed, lunging forward to toss his arms around Heero's neck, pressing his lips against his. "Love you."
"Hai."
"Love you even more for this," Duo tugged on Heero's shirt, smiling against his lips.
"Hm?"
"Heero, you were really great up there!" Quatre called. "You should come up and sing with Duo and me!."
"Hn."
Wufei grinned and leaned forward, his hand slipping into Heero's thick hair, pulling lightly on his head, bringing Heero's lips to his. "You looked great up there," he said softly.
Duo wiggled in Wufei's lap, his arms still around Heero as he leaned back into Wufei. "So, when are you gonna go up there and sing for me, Wufei?"
The dark-haired Asian boy scoffed, a hand wrapping around Duo's middle. "Never. You don't want me to sing." Wufei smiled.
"Is that a threat?" Duo teased, eyes gleaming with renewed purpose. "Or a challenge?"
End Part 6
Andrea Readwolf
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