17 Apr 2001
Pairings: Treize, Zechs and Wufei puddle!
Warnings: lemon, lemon and lemon -- and angst, o' course. ^__^ Not owned by us. ^_^
Back in his own room, Zechs leaned back heavily against the door and tried to justify what he was feeling. /This can't be happening... I don't have feelings like this. They only lead to trouble - I learned that a long time ago. I don't want trouble... I don't want entanglements... So why can't I think of anyone else but him? Bloody *hell*.../
Crossing the room to the small office area, he sat down at the desk and turned on his computer, planning on going over the company prospectus until he knew it backwards and forwards and, hopefully, wasn't thinking this way about Treize Khushrenada any longer.
The other table in the room was still littered with the sketches Treize had made, doodles and more intricate pictures; on the floor near Zechs' desk was the crunched and balled up picture that had torn Treize so badly earlier.
Half an hour passed, then an hour.
Treize cracked open the door between their room slowly, peeking in with a bleary expression. Sleep just... hadn't come at all.
Zechs had been leafing through a large stack of papers when the folder they were in pushed the computer mouse off the desk. When he leaned over to retrieve it, Zechs's fingers brushed the crumpled paper and he lifted it up. Smoothing out the creases, he suddenly stopped with one hand above the paper and stared at the drawing. The three of them, together... /He's just remembering a particularly good training session,/ Zechs told himself. /There's no other reason for this except... Wufei... could he be...? Is Treize in love with Wufei? He said he didn't want to leave... that must be it... I wonder how Wufei will react when he finds out.../
Another thought had occurred to him as well - another explanation - but he'd passed that off as so unthinkable that it never got anywhere before the idea about Wufei moved in and took over completely.
"Master?"
Treize had watched him look at the picture, and his face had flushed with shame that Zechs *had* looked at it at all...
But now his voice reached out to Zechs from where he peeked into the room, tired and edgy.
"I can't sleep."
"Is something troubling you?" Zechs asked, rising from the desk and putting the sketch aside.
"I just can't sleep alone in a room," Treize murmured, stepping a bit into the room; he'd put on a pair of running shorts and a t-shirt to keep warm. "I... I'll sleep on the floor, if you want, but I j-just can't..."
Another validation of his new theory. Treize always slept with Wufei, so of course he would find it difficult to be without him. /And I suppose, if it's Wufei he loves... then there wouldn't really be a problem with him sleeping in here../
"Don't be ridiculous, Treize. I wouldn't make you sleep on the floor. Get into bed," Zechs murmured, "but I have to finish some work. I hope it won't keep you awake."
"Thank you," he murmured, tone truly grateful as he crossed the floor bare-foot, padding across the cool carpet before he slid under the sheets. There was a calming of his nerves, to not be alone in that room again, but there was also the guilty little glee he got from knowing that Zechs would be in bed with him, soon.
"Your sketching is very good, by the way," Zechs said casually, eyes on his monitor, fingers typing rapidly. "You shouldn't throw it away."
Pulling the blankets up around him, Treize tried to hide the bright-red flush on his face. "I... I... like the idea of all three of us like... that." Resting his head on one pillow, he closed his eyes. "It seemed peaceful, thinking of you sleeping, and Wufei there, and me..." /Have a weak-spot for holding tightly to things I want./
"I'm very glad you and Wufei have worked out your differences. I was certain you would be good for each other. I had thought of giving you your own room, but... perhaps you would prefer staying with Wufei?"
"I'd like my own room, but I can't sleep alone," Treize murmured. "We haven't really worked anything out -- just to stop fighting over you."
The rapid typing stopped and Zechs looked over at the man in the bed, one golden eyebrow raised. "Why on earth would the two of you feel the need to fight over me?"
Treize's eyes were nearly welded closed, he was sure of it. "Because both of us wants to be something special to you."
"But you are - both of you," Zechs said softly. "I don't let any other pet take over the household when I'm gone, and I haven't let any other pet come on my business trips before now. It's obvious to everyone in my house that you two have special positions."
Treize smiled a little, starting to doze lightly -- until Zechs got into bed, at least. "That why we've stopped fighting."
Watching him, Zechs smiled as well. "Well then, that's all right." He tidied up his work area and switched off the computer, standing and stretching before walking over the window opposite the bed. His eyes took in Paris's lights for a moment and then he shrugged gracefully out of his robe and laid it across an armchair. /I shouldn't be so happy that he's here,/ he thought, /but damn it all - I am./
Slowly, he walked to the bed, smiling at the sleeping man there before easing himself between the sheets, trying not to disturb him.
Half-awake, Treize made a pleased, sleepy little murmur before he turned, plastering himself efficiently against Zechs; an arm over his chest, leg over his legs, like a kitten that was cold and seeking warmth, Treize sought Zechs.
And Zechs, melting into the warmth and intensity of that embrace, smiled inwardly and refused to give in to the urge he had to scold himself.
And the embrace didn't fade, as Treize faded into blissful oblivion.
~~~~~
The phone was ringing; that was the first thing Treize was aware of, second being that Zechs was still in bed with him!
Zechs growled softly at the intrusion of sound. "Mmmnnn - you get it..." he muttered and pulled his pillow over a tousled mane of fair hair.
"Nnn!" Treize wanted to do the same, but he fumbled a hand over to the ringing.
A pleasant voice greeted him, and informed him in perfect french that this was the wake-up call. He nodded into the phone blearily, then hung up before sliding under the sheets for a moment more. It was *tooo* damned comfortable....
"Wake call," he mumbled, giving Zechs a half-hearted nudge.
Without moving, Zechs growled again, softer this time. "Please tell me this is only a cruel trick you are playing on me. I'll forgive you completely only tell me it's not morning..."
Treize's arm around him clung closer, while the slave shook his head. "Sorry. 's morning, Zechs."
One last growl and the blond pulled his head from under the pillow, pale gold hair falling around him like a storm. He stared at Treize for a moment, a sleepy, slightly cranky frown on his face and then, in an instant, the frown turned into a sly smile. "Good thing I always get my wake up calls a full hour before I have to really wake up." He edged closer to his pet. "Usually I just go back to sleep, but since I've got *company* today..." Without warning, he pounced on Treize, fingertips digging lightly into the older man's sides, tickling mercilessly.
Strong fingers tangled into Treize's already twisted t-shirt, making the tickling all the rougher as Treize playfully pushed back at Zechs, laughing. "Bad...Heh, bad, Zechs, bad..." One hand poked Zechs in the stomach, while the other reached to tickle the backs of Zechs' thighs.
A slight yelp came from the younger man and Zechs rolled onto his back in order to escape Treize's fingers. "An admirable defense," he said between laughs, "but not enough to save you from your fate..." Long legs clamped hard around Treize's thighs, effectively immobilizing him, and the fingers dug in anew - this time under the shirt.
"Ha, heh..." He tried to not laugh, squirm away or struggle too much --just token protests, as he tried valiantly to tickle Zechs back. Fingers touched and rubbed over Zechs' bare skin just as was being done to him.
"Ah, the only way to stop you..." the blond breathed and twined his fingers in Treize's hair, pulling him close, and claiming his lips in a fierce kiss.
The hands that had been tickling stopped, and slid up to rest on Zechs' back, pulling him closer; such a nice way to wake up, and to have slept, beside his master for all that enjoyable time...
With every kiss they shared, Treize tried a little harder to press his advantages, to see how far Zechs would let him get before he was over-powered.
His master, however, was too caught up in the feeling of Treize's hair and mouth and skin to notice that his own position was bordering on submissive. Fingers continued to burying themselves in silky hair and arms wound tightly around Treize's neck as their kisses continued.
Though still on the bottom, Treize was winning, little by little, in the pleasurable battle; his tongue forged hotly through the warm cavern, teasing and tasting his master. /Want this forever.../
[MISSING PART]
The blond gave a slow, almost wistful smile. "Because I'm the one who owns you both, which means I pay the bills and keep you fed and warm, and get to join in the fun now and then - when I'm not watching the two of you together... like a beautiful work of art."
/Delusional.... anti-delusional, in fact. Why does he work to unconvince himself of things...?/ "Because I want you, Zechs. Because I want to stay because of *you*."
A warm thumb brushed across Treize's lips and Zechs's eyes looked suddenly sad. "You want something that I'm incapable of giving, Treize. I don't have it in me to... to feel that way - about anyone. I suppose I was just born without it. I've never had a lover - well, not really. There's only been one person who ever came close to that and it turned out horribly. I don't think I was ever meant for emotions like that. But I know that you treasure them, and that you want them for your own and God I wish I could be the one to give them to you..."
He turned his head away and took a breath to regain some control. "Wufei can feel those things... how I wish it could be me..."
"Master..." Treize's voice was raw as he hugged the other man closer, face pressed to Zechs' neck. "I'll take what you can give me, Master --please, just keep trying -- there's no harm in trying, Zechs, not at all...." /Don't do this -- open yourself up, PLEASE!/
"There can be great harm in trying, Treize," Zechs whispered in reply, holding the older man tightly. "Great harm, indeed..."
/No, Master... there isn't any at all..../ Treize sighed, kissing gently at Zechs' neck. /But how do I convince him of that?/
~~~
Zechs tossed his briefcase into the back of the small roadster they had rented in Paris and let out a heavy sigh. They were leaving the second of what was to be three meetings to hammer out the terms of the merger and it was going on 7pm. "Is it just me," he asked Treize who stood on the other side of the car, "or was that a particularly *grueling* encounter?"
Treize was leaning against the car, arms folded and resting against the roof, as he stifled a yawn. "Ugh, dreadfully so. I think that man --Piget, was it? -- was brain dead. Kept asking me the same question, over and over, thirty different ways..."
"Oh, *him*" Zechs said in mild disgust. "I can never tell if it's early-onset senility or just his being so very *French.* Shall we have a bite of supper before going back to the hotel?"
"Please?" Treize replied, his own version of 'yes'. "My stomach is trying to eat it's way free!"
"Oooh - how very unpleasant," Zechs said with a smile as he slid into the car and they headed toward the older, more elegant part of town. "It's true though, they never feed you enough at these things. And I have to admit I've always been reluctant to eat much at merger talks because there's always some disgruntled vice president of something who could have put something nasty in your canapes." They were driving slowly down the main street of the old city. "See anything that suits you?"
"Food suits me," Treize chuckled, as he gestured to a little cafe with a large cement patio. It looked quaint and, well, like it had food. If it held promise to be good, Treize wasn't very picky about what he ate. "Could we eat outside? It's a wonderful evening, and I believe that meeting left me slightly claustrophobic."
"Claustrophobic?" Zechs asked, pulling into a tiny parking space that was barely legal. "Could it have been Archier's gallon of cologne? Or perhaps Therault's cigar smoke? Or the fact that they turned the entire ventilation system off in order to get us to give in to their outlandish demands? Deux, sur le patio, s'il vous plait. " This last bit had been directed to the waiter who welcomed them just inside the door of the small cafe. He led them to a table by the front of the restaurant and they found themselves next to a black, wrought-iron fence topped with flower-boxes of late chrysanthemums.
"Yes. the smoking and cologne was to make us give in faster, I'm *sure*," Treize uttered as he sat down across from Zechs. The night's air was cool, refreshing -- perfect. "This is nice -- a nice change."
Zechs had been perusing the drinks list but looked up at Treize's words. "Good," he said smiling and feeling inordinately pleased that Treize was happy. "What do you say we forget all about the merger tonight and just enjoy ourselves."
At that moment a waiter appeared and asked if they wanted drinks. "Gin and tonic for me, please, but only if you have Sapphire." The waiter nodded that they did and then turned to Treize expectantly.
"Ah, Cognac," Treize murmured, as he smiled at Zechs, "of a drinkable type." That was always the test of a restaurant, and he loved to give it -- would they give him sewage, or one of the better types?
The waiter slid politely away, and that made Treize happier -- the man was going to be as unobtrusive as possible, while still serving them. "I don't plan on thinking about this merger until we get a wake-up call tomorrow."
"Ah yes, wake-up calls," Zechs mused. "You know I have to say that you handled that one this morning in an *expert* manner. I think I'll let you handle all of them from now on." He smiled over the prix fixe menu and raised his eyebrows once for emphasis.
"Can I handle you in the same manner, too?" Treize asked in a gentle tease, as his gaze slid over the menu. So very pleasant and peaceful to be sitting there with his master, his... *his* Zechs.
"Miriald?!" came a girl's voice from near-by the table.
Zechs froze, the smile on his face disappearing with stunning speed. He turned, slowly, to face the speaker, hesitated a minute and then, very calmly said, "Good evening, Relena. Isn't this a surprise?"
"God, Brother!" She smiled as she came up to the table. "What a coincidence!!! What are you doing here? And who's your... my God!"
The man sitting across from Zechs had frozen, entirely; he wasn't trying to hide, wasn't trying to crawl under the table like he'd thought he'd do if this ever happened -- he just froze in shock and fear.
"Treize," Zechs said softly, "I believe you are already acquainted with my sister, Relena Peacecraft. Relena, I believe you also know my assistant, Treize."
Treize appeared, however, to have gone into a complete mental shut-down, minus the bells and whistles.
"Treize... Oh God!" she exclaimed softly. "Miriald, how did you... why hasn't he.... Ah, Treize!" The young woman's arms were around him quickly, giving a panicked hug to the man she'd thought dead.
"Relena, *dear*, do let the man have some air," Zechs said with an edge to his voice. /God, he's completely in shock. Damn her... why of all places in the world.../
The waiter appeared at that moment and set down Zechs's gin and tonic and then placed a small tulip glass in front of Treize. "I think you'll find this drinkable, monsieur. It's a Cognac Guerbé Club Blend - a V.S. made especially for sipping as an apperitif."
"Y-yes, of course!" she exclaimed shakily, pulling away to give him air; he hadn't blinked yet, seemed to be barely breathing before he picked up the glass of cognac and took a *large* sip.
/Hell, hell, hell, hell.../ The familiar spike and burn in his throat, comforting and enjoyable. "Very good," Treize managed to eke out to the waiter, and then set the glass down.
"Miriald, how did you find him?! Treize, everyone thinks that you're dead!"
The blond man's eyes never left Treize's face as he answered his sister with detached calm. "We met in London. He'd been badly beaten by some thug or other and I had him come live with me. He's only just getting over the effects of whatever the brutes did to him... but I'm talking as if he wasn't here. My apologies, Treize." He smiled softly, he hoped encouragingly, at the other man.
The smile helped a little to calm quickly fraying nerves. "I-It's... all right, Zechs," Treize answered, the new name, what Relena had called him, sounding... too strange to use.
"Why didn't you just come back, though, Treize? Oh, God, what happened? It's been so long!"
"Relena, the *last* thing he needs in an inquisition from you in a public place. He's put a lot of work in for me today and we were both trying to relax. Now stop treating him as if he's under interrogation." Zechs's eyes were flashing and his manner had gone from easy going to dominating in no time at all. He stared at her, as if willing her silence with only a gaze.
"I apologize for my sister's bad manners, Treize. Please forgive her."
At best, Treize looked badly shaken, as he took another sip of cognac. When he spoke, it was with another, almost mechanical, "It's all right."
Relena just stood there, eyes still wide as she looked at him. "Oh, brother, I'm so sorry, Treize... It's just that I'm so shocked..." She shook her head. "What hotel are you staying at, Miriald?"
"Why do you want to know?" he replied with a slight hint of ice in his voice.
"So I can... get in contact with you again," she spoke softly. "I'd like to talk to Treize at a better time, and I haven't seen you in forever..."
"Yes, well - there might be a reason for that..." Zechs muttered under his breath. "I think I'll leave the decision up to Treize." He leaned forward and touched the older man's hand. "Will you want to talk with Relena at another time while we're here, Treize?"
"I... I..." The hand beneath Zechs' was trembling. "At another time, yes. Not... not now."
Relena watched this little exchange with some curiosity, before she realized what was going on -- that her brother was still as toppish as he had been before, and that Treize was entirely in his thrall.
"I think it would be best, Relena," Zechs said, "if you gave me a number where I can reach you. When Treize feels like talking to you I'll give you a ring, but not before." His gaze traveled to his sister, moving slowly down her body and then up again before resting on her face. "Understood?" he said in a breathy, almost dangerous-sounding voice.
"Of... of course, Miriald," she smiled uneasily, pulling a piece of paper from her pocket-book to write out her number. "Treize, Mari and Anne are going to be *so* happy to know you're all right...!"
Zechs said nothing, but looked over at Treize, trying to judge his reaction to Relena's remark.
The man had seemed to draw further into himself, silent in the face of Relena's waiting -- finally she turned away. "Call me, Miriald -- I want to talk to you, too," she murmured, before giving Treize a smile and slipping off.
After a moment of thoughtful silence, the tall blond leaned over and caught Treize's hands in his own. "What can I do to help, Treize?"
Treize's hands clutched desperately at Zechs'. 'Help..." he uttered in a raw voice. "I don't want to go... back, I can't, I..."
Leaning over further, Zechs whispered fiercely, "Go back? What makes you think I'll let you go back? You're mine, Treize. You belong to me and with me and I won't let *anyone* take you away! Do you understand me?" He reached out a hand and cupped Treize's cheek, caressing it lightly with his thumb. "You're mine for eternity, Treize... I'll never let anyone change that."
"Thank you," Treize murmured, leaning into that hand, eyes closing as a tear slipped out of one eye. There was something affirming in Zechs' words, something calming...
"Would you rather eat at the hotel?" Zechs asked, still concerned about Treize's state of mind. "I really don't mind either way."
"C-could we?" he asked tentatively, still clinging to Zechs' hands. "I'd like that.."
"Of course," Zechs said decisively and caught the waiter's eye for the check. "I'll take you back to our rooms, order something to be sent up, and keep you in my arms for the rest of the evening."
The waiter brought it, a little surprised, but he was efficient.
Treize gave a very shaky nod to Zechs' suggestion. "Please."
"What is it that you're most afraid of, Treize? In regards to my sister, that is?"
"That's she'll turn you... us, in," he murmured. /That you want me gone. And that it was just a.../
"I wouldn't worry about that, Treize." Zechs's voice was strangely calm and confident. "Relena wouldn't do that. Not to me. She knows better."
"But to me..." Treize shivered, shifting against the seat belt as he drew his long legs up under him.
"*You* are with *me*, therefore she will *not* do a thing. I trained her too well."
/Trained.... Relena?/ oh, that was a horrid thought, that even *she* was more easily trained than he himself was... "Of course," he uttered softly, "of course."
End of Chapter 27
(:./kumiko/velvet27)
