August 1998

Twist Of Fate by Kuwabara no Miko

Quatre made a perfectly lovely girl. Of course, no one had doubted he would. The green plaid schoolgirl uniform looked as though it had been made for him, and it only took a hint of shadow and a touch of lip gloss, and he was prettier than most of his sisters.

Trowa just looked like a boy in drag, but there wasn't much they could do about that. His usual air of calm indifference was missing as he fidgeted uncomfortable with his woolen skirt. Quatre smacked his hand.

Wufei...

Quatre boggled as the Chinese boy sulked his way into the room.

"Wai! Wufei, you should have been born a girl!"

Only the silently threatening presence of Trowa kept Wufei from flying for Quatre's throat.

"Tell me again why we're doing this?" Trowa asked painfully as Wufei fumed and sputtered and turned purple, and Quatre blushed over his slip of the tongue.

"Uh... eto... B-because Duo messed up the entry data when we tried to enroll," Quatre managed to stutter.

"Where is that dishonorable cur anyway?" Wufei queried, kohl-darkened eyes narrowing, his cheeks still flushed with fury -- which color went quite nicely with his rouged lips and the bright red bow holding his loosened hair back from his face.

Quatre blinked at him, still taken aback by the transformation. "Heero's 'helping' him change." The blonde boy -- who was currently dressed as a girl -- giggled a bit nervously. "Duo didn't want to put on the uniform."

"Which is unfair, as it's his fault we all have to wear them," Trowa put in, frowning ever so slightly. He tugged at the skirt again.

Wufei sighed and flopped down in a chair in a decidedly unfeminine manner, legs askew. "Well, we--" he began, but just at that moment the door opened, and all eyes turned that way.

Heero didn't look much better than Trowa, being far too masculine to carry off the demure look demanded by this charade, in spite of the cold, delicate perfection of his features. He stalked into the room, fingers wrapped tightly around a few tendrils of long brown hair.

The other boys watched curiously, as eventually Duo followed at the end of said hair, squalling up a fit. His uniform was rumpled, the skirt crooked, his face was bright red, and his hair tumbled about his shoulders and chest, trailing behind him in wispy masses.

"Oro! Duo-kun, I never realized you had so much hair!" Quatre exclaimed, eyes wide.

His only reply was a steady stream of half-coherent swear words that spilled from Duo's pink-glossed lips with the ease of long familiarity. Quatre blushed, but the curses were evidently aimed at Heero, who came to a stop in the center of the room, and released Duo's hair.

"Ninmu kanryou," he intoned emotionlessly.

Suddenly dangerously silent, Duo stormed over and came to a stop directly before Heero. Hauling back, he slapped Heero across the face with all his strength, the sound echoing through the room and causing the other pilots to flinch.

"If you EVER touch my hair without my permission again, I will KILL you, Heero Yuy!" Duo gritted out, his eyes blazing blue slits, his face drawn in a distorted snarl of pure fury. "You got that?!"

Heero merely looked back coolly.

"Anou... Duo..."

"Saa~aaa, Quatre!" Duo spun, and Heero got a face-full of chestnut brown hair. "At least you look like a girl! Look at me! I look ridiculous! And look at this! Look at this!" he nearly screeched, reaching back and grasping a couple of thin, tight braids that were linked together at the back of his head.

"That looks like Relena-san's hairstyle," Quatre said, blinking.

"Exactly!" Duo snapped, waving the braids wildly. "Can you believe this crap?!" He spun again, this time catching Wufei with the mass of loose hair. "Heero, you idiot! Why the hell did you do my hair like Relena's?! Are you that stuck on her?!" He stomped a foot, then glanced down at the shiny black patent pump he was wearing. "Aiyah! This is so humiliating!"

"It's your fault," Trowa pointed out mercilessly.

Duo took one look and fell over laughing. "Oi, Trowa, man, you look awful!"

"And you're wearing boxers," Trowa commented, completely deadpan.

Quatre covered his mouth and tried to stifle his giggles.

Duo blinked up at him through tangled strands of dark hair. "Of course." His eyes took on a manic gleam. "Why?! What are you wearing?!"

Trowa actually flushed slightly. As did Quatre. Wufei stood.

"Well, we're all ready." His face was twisted in an expression of disgusted distaste. "Shall we go get this over with?"

Duo popped up off the floor. "Waah! Wufei!!" He bounced over. "You look so pretty! Will you go out on a date with me?!"

Wufei punched him in the nose.

"How about that one?"

"Too fat."

"Aw, you're right. That one?"

"Idiot! That one's too skinny!"

"Fuck off. Hey, there's a looker!"

"That's a *teacher*!"

"Oh."

"We want a *girl*, not a woman."

"But she's hot..."

"She'd be more trouble than she'd be worth."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"..."

"How about we try some other school?"

"Iie. I like these uniforms."

"Weirdo."

"Nani ten no?"

"Uh..."

"You should talk! You're here too, you know!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, here comes a bunch!"

"Ne?"

"Not bad... How about the Chinese kitten? She's exotic."

"Looks too stuck on herself."

"Pretty, though."

"Naw. We want a cute one, not fancy. Ech, that tall one looks like a dyke to me!"

"Heh. Shit, the blonde's gorgeous!!"

"Too delicate. She'd break before we got any fun outta her."

"Mm. Seems to be with the tall one anyway."

"Perverts."

"That dark one looks like trouble. Pretty, though..."

"Hair's too short."

"You're too picky. I say we grab one and go. We'll be in deep shit if we get caught!"

"We're not gonna get caught. Okay, I've decided."

"Nani?"

"That one, jumping around in the back."

"You've got a thing for hair, don't you?"

"Urusai! She's perfect; cute, spunky, nice legs, looks like she could take a little -- heh-heh -- rough handling..."

"All right, all right, I agree. That's the one. Now, how do we separate her from her friends?"

"Leave that to me."

"Ryoukai."

Duo finally gave up trying to get out of Heero exactly what he was wearing underneath his skirt. The long-haired pilot was sorely tempted to just flip it up and find out for himself, but he liked his head right where it was, thankyouverymuch!

"Maa, Heeroo~oooo, are you ignoring me? You are, aren't you! Are you still mad 'cause I messed up the registration? I think the other guys are mad at me! But you never talk to me anyway, so I can't really tell if you're mad! You haven't threatened to kill me yet; does that mean you're mad? Bet it does! Wai! Heero, talk to me! You're so mean!"

Heero came to a stop just outside the private school gates. "Duo."

Duo froze before he slammed into Heero's stiff back, eyes wide. "Nanda?"

"Be quiet."

Duo folded his arms, scowling, and watched as Heero paced sedately through the gateway, looking almost, but not quite, like the girl he was masquerading as. There was only so much the 'perfect soldier' could manage, and female impersonation evidently hadn't been a part of his training.

"Biii-dah!" Duo stuck out his tongue and tugged down one lower lid in the time-honored manner. "Think you're such hot stuff, Heero Yuy," he muttered, moving to follow the rest of the pilots. "Well, you--"

A heavy hand on his shoulder stopped him. "Ojousan. Sumimasen..."

Duo looked around curiously, and nearly jumped out of his skin. "Wawk!" A Federation soldier?! Shit! Was his cover blown?! He darted a glance over his shoulder where Heero *wasn't*. He was on his own, too. Well, one soldier shouldn't be too tough to take down. It was a bad idea, in a public area, but if he had to...

"Sumimasen," the soldier repeated, brows rising as he held both hands up in an appeasing gesture. He seemed sincerely surprised by Duo's violent reaction, and Duo calmed a little. The guy had called him 'ojousan', so he must think Duo really was a girl. Duo found that highly insulting, even though that was what people were supposed to think, and he ought to be glad not to be recognized as who -- and what -- he really was.

"Anou... gomen," he faltered, smiling weakly.

"Daijoubu ka?" the soldier asked cautiously.

"Ah." Duo nodded, grinning more broadly. As always when on his guard, he took refuge behind complete innocence. It actually worked better as a 'girl' than when he was himself. He gazed up at the soldier with wide eyes, clasping his hands before his chest to disguise the fact that he was rather flat. Bad enough Heero had messed with his hair -- Duo hadn't been *about* to put on the brassier that had come with this tacky outfit!

"Can I help you, oniisama?" He carefully kept his voice soft to disguise how deep it actually was. He came off breathy and husky... actually sounding good for a female.

Life was NOT fair!

The soldier smiled back, looking relieved. He was young and rather attractive... if you liked guys. Which Duo *didn't*! Uh-uh, no way!

Well... There was Heero...

But that was entirely different!

And besides, Heero had no interest in him, except as a punching bag.

Nope, life was definitely *not* fair!

"I seem to be a bit lost. Do you think you could help me?"

Duo's hackles rose immediately. Never mind that the guy seemed nice enough, and was smiling in a friendly, embarrassed way; Federation soldiers did *not* get lost, and even if they did, they would most certainly NOT ask schoolgirls for directions!

"Uh... I just moved here myself," he stuttered, taking a few steps backwards. "B-besides, I'm late for school!"

"This will only take a minute. I have a map in the truck--"

"No way, asshole!" Duo lost his honeyed tones, but at this point he didn't much care. He spun, ready to dash into the school after Heero and the others...

...And ran face-first into a hard, brown-uniformed chest. "Itai!" He took a moment to rub his nose, still sore from Wufei's punch, which had met unpleasantly with the hard buttons.

Big mistake.

There was a dull thudding sound, and his head suddenly exploded in red and white sparks, the entire world shattering around him, pain overloading every synapse in his brain.

"Not *too* subtle," he heard the second soldier say in sarcastic tones as he tumbled gracelessly over into the man's arms, his body numbing as every nerve-ending flew to the one temple that felt as though it had been crushed by the first soldier's blow. The bastard must have hit him with the butt of his gun or something, in order to damage Duo's hard head this badly.

"Shut up and help me get her to the truck before someone comes along!"

Creeps! The adrenaline born of pure fury that suddenly flooded his short-circuited system gave Duo enough strength to strike out with one foot as he was manhandled into the waiting vehicle. He was rather gratified to feel his shiny black pump meet with something soft and yielding, and the soldier he'd caught with that kick gave a little mewl of pain, releasing his legs.

He drove an elbow back into the other man's stomach, and found himself dropped heavily to the bed of the truck, hard metal slamming into his back, blasting his breath from his lungs and setting his poor abused head reeling. He wasn't even sure any longer which way was up or down, his senses were so shaken by the blow, but he could see light, and he lurched toward it, hoping for a chance to escape. He was Duo Maxwell, proud pilot of the Gundam Shinigami! He wasn't going to be taken down by two Federation soldiers! He couldn't be--

His world was rocked again, and everything stood still a moment, as something hard struck the back of his head. His sight narrowed to a tunnel of darkness as he felt himself tumbling through the air and hitting what must be pavement with a heavy crunching thud. It seemed he'd made it out of the truck, but consciousness was rapidly deserting him, and he no longer had any control over the body that was currently nothing but a source of pain for him.

"Maa, aren't you boys playing a little rough?" a new voice asked, distant and tinny, barely audible through the wild ringing in Duo's ears. He peered up through a red haze and tangled hair, his stunned gaze meeting cool, slightly amused blue eyes.

"Relax, kodomo," the strange man smiled, his expression remote but gentle. "I shall take care of these ruffians."

Duo blinked. Whoever this guy was, he must be insane, going up against two Federation soldiers! But that was no longer his concern. His tenuous grasp on reality was slipping, and he was falling down the tunnel into darkness.

With a soft exhalation, Duo gave himself over to senselessness.

Duo woke slowly, mind detached from his body. He was aware he was awakening, but he couldn't feel his limbs as anything other than lead weights, and they didn't even seem connected to him; he knew there was no way he'd be able to voluntarily move.

There was warmth surrounding him, almost smothering it was so all-encompassing. Perhaps that was what was holding him motionless. Even the air he drew into his lungs was warm, and as his senses slowly unfolded, he detected a strange scent; sweet without being cloying, and in some odd way strong yet delicate at once. It took him almost a full minute to identify it as the smell of rose blossoms.

Duo struggled within himself, and with what was for him a supreme effort, he managed to crack his eyes open. Everything was a blur through his thick lashes; shades of rich golds, deep browns, pale, translucent whites...

As though this one motion had broken through some barrier, his entire body swiftly shed its earlier lethargy. Much to his chagrin, Duo discovered his head *hurt*! He almost wished he hadn't awakened...

Suddenly, full awareness of the last few minutes before he had lost consciousness returned to him, and he started up with a gasp. Not the most intelligent move for a soldier possibly in enemy hands, but it was an instinctual reaction.

The world spun about him in a nauseating manner and Duo moaned, nearly falling over again, bowing his head to his lap.

"Itai..."

He clutched at the thick blanket covering his legs until the searing pain ringed about his head faded a little. It was bad enough that bastard had whacked him in the temple, but he'd also tried to cave in the back of Duo's skull! Or maybe that had been the other one... Well, whatever! It hurt, and he was going to get even, even if it killed him!

Duo blinked, distracted from his thoughts of vengeance, staring down at the rich coverlet clenched between his fingers. Strange... He'd never seen embroidery this fine, cloth this thick yet soft. The delicate browns and yellows woven into soft patterns soothed his pain-blurred sight, yet he was rapidly growing very confused.

He jerked his gaze up, ignoring the screaming protest from his battered head, and looked about a little wildly.

Where in the bloody HELL was he?!

He'd *never* been in a room this nice! Not even while visiting Quatre! Everything was shades of warm golden brown and rich mahogany, all the furnishings of understated elegance, and yet clearly the best that money could buy. The walls were paneled halfway in a warm wood, then creamy plaster was dotted with tasteful landscapes and small portraits. A large silver vase on the table across the room held dozens of pink roses. The bed was curtained in smooth, transparent white linen, the swathes roped to the bedposts with thin gold cords. There were thick scarlet curtains hiding the bay window at the foot of the bed. A small fire crackled in the simple brick and loam fireplace set in one wall.

There wasn't a thing out of place... except for one Duo Maxwell. This room made him feel small and dirty and grubby. He most definitely did not belong here.

A heavy weight against his chest; a familiar weight; caused Duo to drag his eyes down off his astonished surveying of the room. His... braid...

What the *hell*?!?

He ran a hand over his face. It was hard to feel anything other than the pain surging through his temple and the entire right side of his face, but he was pretty sure he was missing that disgusting heavy feel of makeup. Really, how girls could stand to wear that stuff...

His fingertips came away clean -- no gloss, no shadow, no blush. And, of course, there was the fact that he was bare-chested...

Well, wherever he was, his cover was well and truly blown. What worried him most, though, was the braid. Whoever had placed him here -- and he rather doubted it had been the two soldiers who'd been trying to pick up a little schoolgirl to "play" with -- might have just done it for convenience sake, but it still chilled him. What if they knew...?

And who was "they"?

He tried to think back. Those soldiers probably would have killed him; if not for the damage he'd done them, then they surely would have upon discovering he was really a male. But that had not happened. He rubbed his good temple, trying to think, and discovered there was a thick bandage wrapped around his head, that he hadn't noticed before.

Huh. Well, whatever was going on, at least it didn't look as though he was going to be killed just yet. And where there was life, there was hope -- especially where Duo Maxwell was concerned!

But who had...?

The entire encounter was a wild blur in his memory, from the moment he had been struck on the head on. It was hard to pick out individual details, and even more difficult to remember the sequence of events.

The soldier had hit him... he'd fought back... actually done some damage, which was gratifying... the asshole had hit him again... he'd fallen out of the truck... Um...

Duo squinted, as though this might help narrow his internal vision as well. It made his temple throb unpleasantly, sending a stab of sick pain through his belly and closing his throat, but it *did* seem to help. A face was swimming into his mind... A cool, handsome face... Warm blue eyes... Thick, short, golden-brown hair...

His head snapped up, eyes growing wide as the latch clicked and the door opened. A tall, broad-shouldered man strode into the room, looking perfectly at ease in the opulence surrounding him.

He smiled cheerfully, white teeth flashing. The very same face Duo had just dredged up from his patchy memory. "Ah, I see you are awake, kodomo."

Duo blinked rapidly. "Uh..."

Oh, shit, he was in trouble now! Even without the stiff uniform, he knew this man, now that he wasn't dazed and barely conscious.

He was at the mercy of the leader of the Specials, the head of OZ...

Treize Khushrenada himself!

Shit...

"Well, you were the last one to see him, weren't you, Heero?"

"Hn." Heero didn't seem overly concerned.

"He'll turn up eventually," Wufei spoke from where he was sprawled on his stomach on his bed, reading a text book. He'd removed the makeup as soon as they retired, but in accordance with the part they all had to play until they could get enrolled in another school -- as the boys they *were* this time -- his hair was still loose, caught up out of his face with two small barrettes, and he was wearing pink pajamas. He *somehow* managed not to look utterly ridiculous... with the stern look on his face and the reading glasses perched on the bridge of his straight nose... but only just barely.

"But what if he doesn't?" asked Quatre, his sweet features drawn in a worried expression. He still had traces of makeup tinting his eyes and cheeks, and he was clad in the lacy white pajamas. Trowa, seated next to him, looked supremely uncomfortable, though it was unclear whether it was because of Quatre's appearance, or the stiff grey flannel nightgown he wore. Quatre had taken one look at him and burst out laughing, in spite of his anxiety over Duo's extended absence. He'd apologized, but Trowa was still painfully aware he looked ridiculous.

It was small comfort that Heero looked just as bad, in his pale blue night shirt. It had originally had a huge ribbon at the collar that kept flying up in Heero's face every time he moved, but he'd finally torn it off with a low snarl. No one asked -- they all knew Duo had chosen that particular outfit for the other pilot.

Duo's own sleepwear; bright red, with a smiling chibi-neko stenciled on the front; lay on his bed, neatly folded, a disquieting reminder that they hadn't seen the other boy since that morning.

"What if he doesn't?" Quatre repeated, clasping his hands anxiously.

Wufei snorted and rolled onto his side, pushing his glasses up with one finger. "What if he doesn't?"

Quatre's mouth dropped open, then his face firm in an expression of disapproval. "Wufei!" he protested, frowning slightly. "You don't mean that!"

Wufei shrugged, but his face softened slightly. "Ne, relax Quatre-kun. That American is like a cat. Drop him and he'll land on his feet. Kill him and he'll just come back to annoy us again."

Eloquence exhausted, Wufei returned to his book, ignoring Quatre's little squeak at his last sentence. Heero raised a brow.

"Duo will be all right, won't he, Trowa?" Quatre asked, looking up at the taller pilot pleadingly.

Trowa gazed into those hopeful blue eyes and remained silent.

"D-doko...?" Duo stuttered. Best to play stupid, and he *was* still rather shaken. More by the fact that he was seeing Treize Khushrenada in person and in a loose linen shirt than by the blows to his head, it was true. But whatever the cause, he didn't have to fake the slight glaze that had overtaken his eyes.

"Relax, kodomo," Treize smiled easily, crossing the room in a few smooth unhurried strides. He drew up a chair Duo had missed seeing before -- obviously a quality antique -- and sat beside the bed, still smiling. Duo eyed him suspiciously.

There was something about the man -- Duo thought he vaguely recalled hearing it described as charisma -- that almost compelled him to let down his guard, here in the clutches of his one greatest enemy, just because Treize urged him to.

Treize smiled more broadly, seemingly amused. "You are in a guestroom in my private estate, to answer your question. Rest easy, kodomo. No harm shall come to you here."

"Ah?" Duo scratched at the bandage on the undamaged side of his head. "Why am I here?"

Treize shrugged elegantly and sat back. Duo decided Treize looked a *lot* younger out of that stiff uniform. Still, it was hard to remember a man this powerful and self-possessed was a mere nine years older than he was. "Hospitals are so impersonal these days. I knew you would be more comfortable here, and you are, in a manner, my charge, so why not?"

Duo frowned, trying to think. His head still felt fuzzy from the blows he'd taken, but that just didn't sound right to him. "Your charge? You mean 'cause you saved my life?"

"Un." Treize nodded decisively.
"Oh." Duo thought some more. That *really* didn't sound right.

"And I have to admit to being curious as to what a handsome young man like yourself was doing dressed as you were." Treize grinned, his eyes suddenly sparkling with mischief, looking more human than previously, as Duo blushed bright red. "Somehow you don't strike me as a common pervert."

"Uh... eto..." Duo stuttered, trying to quell his furious blushing. He suddenly scowled. "You mean like those jerks?! Oi, what'd you do to 'em?"

Treize's face grew dangerously still. "They shall not be molesting any more children, ever again."

Duo's eyes grew huge, a chill racing up his spine. Not that he wouldn't have gladly killed the assholes himself, if given a chance, but it was unnerving seeing the coldness behind the genial mask, the uncompromising man Treize Khushrenada could really be. "H-honto ni?"

"Ah." Treize nodded grimly, then his dark expression lightened, the ice in his blue eyes warming to rich velvet. "But why speak of such unpleasantness? You are my guest now. Tell me, do you feel up to joining me for the evening meal?"

Duo thought quickly, trying to come up with an escape plan. Nothing came to mind. It made his head hurt to try, a dull throb beating in his temple, making it impossible to concentrate. "Uh... I guess... Could I wash first?" Anything to stall, and he really did feel dirty and unkempt in this elegantly refined room.

"Of course." Treize rose. "I shall have the bath prepared, and clothing chosen for you. Just give me a moment."

"Sure thing, man!" Duo winced a little. Normally he didn't think anything of his coarse upbringing and questionable manners, and he certainly didn't consider the upper classes any better than himself, but he was definitely feeling out of place here.

Treize just gave him a warm smile that looked genuine as far as Duo could tell, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and bowed slightly before leaving the room.

Duo was up in a flash -- relieved to discover he was still wearing his boxers underneath the sheet -- and over to the window.

Barred.

"Aaaw, shit!" he whined. "Doesn't he trust his guests?! Jeeze!"

Sulking, Duo resigned himself to dinner with Treize.

"Oh yeah, this is gonna be loads of fun!"

Duo wrinkled his nose. The bath water smelled like roses! Yech! He was supposed to bathe in water that smelled like a *flower*?!

But there didn't seem to be any option. There was nothing as modern as a shower stall in this bathroom, and it would take a lot longer than it would be worth to drain the tub and refill it. Duo was pretty sure it was already close to midnight, from the quick glimpse he'd gotten outside, and he was *starving*! If Treize had really been kind enough to wait the meal this late, the least he could do was to bathe as quickly as possible. And he was *starving*!!

With a heavy sigh, Duo stripped off his boxers and plunged in.

Aside from the scent -- which was delicate and sweet, but *not* masculine, in his opinion -- this wasn't so bad... was actually pretty nice! Duo sighed and lay back, letting the water lap up around his chin. The tub was deep, the water well-heated without being too hot, and the scent was actually rather pleasant, as long as he didn't dwell on the fact that he'd be reeking of it once he got out.

He sat up, after a moment, and unwound the bandage from around his head. Craning his neck, he peered into a nearby mirror. There was a huge, dark bruise on his temple, spreading down to his cheekbone, but he'd suffered worse before. His head was still tender, but the headache was already receding.

"Sister Helen always said I had a thick skull!" he chuckled to himself, unbraiding his hair and grabbing the soap from the little shelf built into the side of the tub. "Guess sometimes it comes in handy!"

Then he gave himself over to the highly involved task of washing his long, long hair.

Too bad the soap smelled like roses too.

Finally finished with his bath, Duo swiftly replaited his wet hair, and dragged on the clothing Treize's servants had prepared for him. The clothes fit perfectly, but...

Duo snorted as he planted his hands on his hips and examined himself in the full length mirror. A simple tunic of black silk, with a scarlet dragon twisting itself on coils over his right side, and matching loose black silk pants.

"Kya! Looks like something Wufei would wear to bed!" Duo laughed, cocking his reflection a jaunty grin. He looked pretty stupid in it, he thought, but he was clean and warm, the clothes fit and were smooth against his body, and he was about to get something to eat. True, he was trapped within the private home of Treize Khushrenada, but he was Duo Maxwell! He'd be out of here soon, no worries!

Right after dinner...

"Oi, dontcha have any normal clothes?" Duo asked, plucking unhappily at the front of his tunic. He was aware that he was speaking a little too loudly, as well as being a bit rude, but he'd had several glasses of what was probably very old, very fine wine -- though *he* certainly had no way of telling -- and was buzzed enough that he couldn't help himself. At least the alcohol had cleared up the last of his headache. Strange, though, the way his brain felt even more fuzzy than before...

Treize smiled, even though the manservant refilling his glass was frowning horribly in disapproval. The young head of OZ seemed genuinely amused by his guest's antics and pleased by his straightforward manner. "It depends on what you mean 'normal', kodomo," he replied gently, waving the servant away. "I'm afraid I don't possess any jeans or teeshirts. The only clothing I had in your size is what you are wearing now."

"Well, it's all right," Duo grudged. "But I keep feeling like I'm gonna slip right out of this chair onto the floor, and I just *know* I'm gonna spill something on this shirt... if I haven't already."

Treize surprised Duo by bursting into real, cheerful laughter. He blinked and smiled inanely back, then slouched down in his chair. Only to sit up quickly when the seat of his pants started sliding over the smooth cushion. He hadn't been joking, even if Treize seemed to find it funny.

"Ne, man, could you stop calling me that?" he asked suddenly. Treize cocked an inquiring brow and Duo raised his chin. "I'm not a kid!"

"Ah?" Treize gave him a long, piercing look, making him squirm uncomfortably in his chair. *Way to go, bonehead!* he berated himself. Finally Treize nodded slightly. "Souka. Well, then, young master, might you gift me with your name, so that I can call you by that?"

Duo eyed Treize suspiciously, but the man seemed serious, not mocking. He guessed he just wasn't used to people being formal as a way of behaving normally. "Uh..." He froze. Shit! He couldn't very well tell Treize his real name! He didn't *think* OZ knew any of the Gundam pilots' names... but he certainly couldn't take the chance! He thought fast. "Uh, Solo!" He gave Treize a cheeky grin, very pleased with himself for being so inventive. The thought nagged that it really ought not take so long for someone to introduce himself, but his wine-fogged mind easily pushed that detail aside.

Treize leaned his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his hand, giving Duo a lazy slit-eyed look. "Hajimemashite, Solo-kun."

"Uh... yo!" Duo lifted a hand and flashed a V-sign as he smiled broadly. Somewhere in the back of his head warning sirens were going off, but it was much more pleasant just to sit here and drink good -- he assumed -- wine and eat better food than he'd ever gotten at any fast food place.

"Hey, dude!" Duo bounced over to the window, pulling aside the curtain and peering out at the moonlit garden. He turned and cocked a curious look at his host, who was leaning against the doorway, his face amused. Duo was even more talkative when overly-buzzed, and he was just glad Heero wasn't here to pound him into the floor. Treize at least seemed to tolerate his babbling. "How come ya got bars on the window?" he asked, twitching the curtains and frowning comedically. "I thoughtcha said this was a guest room!"

Treize padded across the floor in stocking feet and looked over Duo's shoulder. "Why, so there are. I hadn't noticed." He looked thoughtful. "Perhaps they are there to deter burglars. I did not order them placed; they must have been put in before I became the sole resident of this house."

Duo blinked up at the taller man, craning his neck. "You sure do use a lotta big words," he commented, his eyes wide. "I mean, I'm not stupid; I know what they mean! I just never heard anyone use so many to just talk normal before!"

"No?" Treize placed a hand on Duo's shoulder and steered him toward the bed. "I fear it was the way I was raised, Solo-kun."

"Well, there isn't anything wrong with it!" Duo hastened to assure him, crawling up to sit cross-legged on the bedspread and gazing earnestly through his long bangs as Treize seated himself on the chair once more. "It's just sorta... weird. I mean--! Crap! Um, I don't mean *you're* weird! I mean-- Um... Shit!"

Treize seemed to be fighting laughter. "Indeed, Solo-kun, I understand your meaning. No need to fret."

Duo squinted at him, flushed a little from embarrassment and even more from the wine. "Yer a lot nicer than Hee-- uh, my friend. He'd have hit me for that one!"

Treize blinked. "A friend would hit you?"

"Uh-huh! Hard too!" Duo nodded firmly, then grabbed the bed when his head began swimming. "Whoa! I didn't drink that much, did I?"

"Not too much. But it was powerful wine and you are perhaps not used to that."

"Nope. I can handle beer okay, but not anything fancy. Story of my life!" Duo laughed, finding that inordinately funny, even though it really didn't make much sense. He wasn't drunk -- quite. He'd been drunk before, and this wasn't it, but he was very buzzed. There was a fine line, and fortunately Treize had cut off his wine before he'd crossed it.

Of course, there were also the two recent head wounds to contend with...

"Your friend sounds rather violent."

Duo grinned. "Well, I push him to it. I mean, if I don't get on his nerves, he just ignores me!"

"Ah. And you would rather get harmful attention than none at all."

"Uh-hum." Duo nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sorta stupid that way."

"It is not stupid. You obviously care for him a great deal."

Duo's cheeks flared crimson. "Hey, how did--?! I mean... Well, he's... you see..." he sputtered, unable to come up with a coherent sentence.

Treize raised a brow. "I seem to have struck a nerve. My apologies, Solo-kun. I did not mean to discomfit you."

"You-- you mean... you didn't mean..." Duo blushed even more brightly, sinking down on the bed. "Oh, cripes, me and my big mou--YIPE!"

Courtesy of his silk clothing and the fine bedspread, Duo slipped right over the edge of the mattress and fell in a tumble of legs, arms, and braid at Treize's feet.

"Itai... fuck!"

Treize burst into hearty laughter, seemingly unable to contain his mirth any longer. Duo glared up at him from between his knees, and tried to struggle into a sitting position. But he was in an awkward spot, and he discovered one elbow was resting on his braid when he tugged it painfully before he realized. He bit back a yelp as hot agony flared through his bruised scalp, and tears smarted in his eyes.

Suddenly powerful hands were helping him up off the floor, and he fell against the bed, rubbing gingerly at the back of his neck. "Itai..."

"Gomen nasai, Solo-kun," Treize apologized, looking serious as he moved Duo's hand aside and examined the wound himself.

"S'no biggie," Duo mumbled, feeling distinctly uncomfortable having Treize so close to him, touching him with gentle fingertips. Shit, what he ought to be doing was killing the guy right now! That would probably put an end to OZ right there, as well as bring an end to the war. But...

Hell, he couldn't accept the man's hospitality, eat his food, drink his wine, then turn around and kill him! Maybe Heero could, with his mindless dedication to "The Mission", but Duo couldn't live with his conscience if he did that. And he wasn't as eager to self destruct as Heero apparently was. He was *ready* to die if need be, but he certainly didn't *want* to!

Besides, Treize had saved his life this afternoon. To take the man's life in return wouldn't just be dishonorable; it would be the worst sort of treachery. It made his stomach hurt just to contemplate it.

"Do you have something else I can wear to bed?" he asked, scooting back a little and sitting on the edge of the mattress. He cursed and Treize caught him as he slipped again. "Sheesh! Not that I'm not grateful, but I'm gonna slide right out from between the covers if I wear this thing!"

Treize looked thoughtful, his hands still resting lightly against Duo's slim ribcage. "I'm not sure. What do you normally wear to sleep in?"

"Teeshirt and shorts. Or a tanktop and boxers. Whatever's handy." Duo twitched away from Treize and climbed back up onto the bed, more carefully this time. "Depends on who's around and where I am."

"Ah. Souka. You change location frequently?"

"Yeah," Duo shrugged, playing with his braid to avoid the intent stare Treize was giving him. The guy was so nice that it was really hard to remember this was his mortal enemy. Shouldn't he be old, ugly, and mean? Duo sighed heavily.

"Well, I cannot supply those things, but you can borrow some of my sleepwear if you like," Treize said warmly, rising from his chair. "It will be a bit too large, but--"

"As long as it isn't silk!" Duo exclaimed emphatically.

Treize grinned. "Not all of it."

Duo stared as Treize left the room, unable to decide whether the man was joking or not. He sincerely hoped so, but with fancy, high-class people like this, he really couldn't tell.

While he waited, Duo returned to the window. There didn't seem to be any guards or anything, and the wall he could just barely see through some trees and the night shadows didn't look as though it would be too hard to scale. He could get out of here, easy!

Problem was, escaping the bedroom. If he didn't know better, he'd think Treize was hanging around just to keep him from running off! Well, true, the guy was still curious as to what Duo had been doing dressed as a girl, which subject Duo had somehow managed to avoid all through dinner. And Treize seemed fascinated to have found someone who treated him like a person instead of a... a... Well, whatever most other people treated him like. If it was anything like Relena's fanclub, Duo couldn't blame the guy! Relena seemed to expect such adulation, but Treize struck him as a more pragmatic, sensible, intelligent person than Relena-*sama* could ever hope to be.

Or maybe he was just letting his jealousy make him bitter.

Naw! Any girl blind and stupid enough to continually chase after a guy who'd made it clear he didn't like her, and who was bound to kill her one day...

But then, this *was* Heero, so he could sympathize a little with her obsession...

But *he* cared more about Heero than Relena ever would, and he *knew* him! They'd spent time together, talked! True, he'd done most of the talking, but he was still certain he knew Heero better than Relena did. And he could understand him, in a way she couldn't, since they were fellow soldiers! That... that girl certainly didn't know the horror of claiming countless lives, of being forced to kill time and again...

Duo sniffled, slowly becoming aware he was being overly emotional because of the wine. Strange. Beer made him more hyper until he crashed. The wine seemed to be getting him depressed. Maybe it was a good thing he didn't drink it regularly.

"Ne, Solo-kun, doshita no?"

"Eh?" He turned, blinking rapidly. Treize looked more curious than concerned as he placed some folded cloth on the bed. "Saa... nan demo!" He waved a hand airily. "Whatcha got?" He bounced over, melancholy vanished. He lifted the top, eyeing it. The cream color material was fine and soft, but not silk, which was the most important thing. "Sugoi!" He grabbed the pants and darted toward the bathroom. "Be right back!"

"Ah."

Quatre sat up quickly as the door to their dorm room clicked softly. He'd been laying, sleeplessly staring at the shadowed ceiling, counting Wufei's breaths beside him and fretting over Duo. The clock read one thirty a.m. and still he'd been unable to fall asleep.

"Did you find anything?" he asked anxiously, sliding his legs over the edge of the bed and leaning toward Heero and Trowa, who'd just returned. Wufei snorted and stirred, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"Two Federation soldiers were killed close to the school," Trowa answered quietly, shedding his jacket. "It seems to have happened about the time we lost Duo, but Heero doesn't think Duo did it." He cocked his head toward the silent boy.

"Too neatly done," Heero grunted when Quatre gave him an inquiring look.

"But it couldn't have been a coincidence... could it?" Quatre asked, frowning slightly.

"Stranger things have happened," Wufei yawned, brushing loose hair out of his face. Quatre looked at the stern Chinese pilot sitting there in his pink pajamas and had to agree. Still...

"But this is Duo we're talking about," he argued.

"True." Wufei sighed.

"So we still don't know anything?" Quatre pursued.

Trowa shook his head silently.

Heero frowned and moved to stare out the window.

"Hmph!" Duo glared at the mirror again, his hands on his hips, but this time in a completely different outfit than earlier that night.

The top wasn't too bad, once he'd rolled up the sleeves a little, and the cut of the soft material was simple and unadorned. The pants, however, had been hopelessly outsized, so he'd just pulled on his boxers, which had still lain where he had discarded them before bathing. Since the top came nearly down to his knees, it didn't make too much difference.

He looked like a lost little child, though, and he didn't think much of this new image. His hair was mussed, threading from the braid where he'd gotten it caught in one of the wooden buttons on the silk shirt he'd been wearing earlier, and his round cheeks were still flushed from the wine he'd had at dinner. His legs were bare, lean and knobby, the cream color cloth of the top clinging to his slim shoulders and hanging loose around his arms and hips, as though he was playing dress-up, and he just looked...

"I look stupid!" he decided. His reflection nodded vigorously. "Baka," Duo grumbled to himself. Then a sudden image of what nightwear he ought to be wearing -- what *Heero* must be wearing right now! -- flashed through his head, and he nearly fell over laughing. Maybe he didn't look so stupid after all!

"Oh, shit! What I wouldn't give to see that!" he gasped, staggering out the door, still giggling.

Treize looked up curiously from where he knelt, pushing a new log further into the hearth with a poker. He smiled slightly, seemingly pleased at seeing Duo in better spirits.

"The pants were way too big," Duo explained, crawling back up onto the bed and flopping on his stomach. "So I just wore my boxers 'nstead."

"Souka," Treize said softly, replacing the poker and standing gracefully. "It was a good thing you were wearing them under your skirt then, ne?" He cocked a brow.

Duo laughed, rolling around cheerfully, then sat up and tugged the band from his braid, pulling the tangled strands through his fingers. He'd have to replait it after catching it in those stupid buttons. "Hai! Could you imagine if I wasn't? Wah!" He blushed bright red, then laughed some more. The wine must really be catching up with him. "I'm still dying to know what Heero was wearing under *his* skirt, though," he continued, mostly speaking to himself, not giving a thought to what he was saying. "Probably those same biker shorts. Yeesh!" He rolled his eyes, then winced as he tugged at the hair on the bruised side of his head. "Itai! Damn, I wish I had a brush!"

He started as Treize sat on the bed beside him, requested hairbrush in his hand. He'd almost forgotten he wasn't alone in the room. Though how something like that could have slipped his mind, when Treize was such a powerful presence, was beyond him.

"Turn a bit," Treize said, pushing at Duo's shoulder as he moved to sit behind him, one leg curled beneath him.

"Saa... You don't hafta..." Duo blinked and frowned, but moved as instructed. He glanced over his shoulder as Treize lifted the mass of his unbound hair into his lap. "You know... It's kinda a personal thing... I didn't even like Heero messing with it, and Heero--" He stopped and blushed. He'd already blurted out enough stupid things tonight.

"Ah. Wakatta," Treize said gently, carefully carding Duo's hair through his fingers to free it of the worst tangles. "But you are in no condition to care for it yourself tonight. Please, allow me to help."

Duo flushed further and bowed his head forward. "All... all right..." Treize's fingers felt good on his scalp, massaging away the dull ache that still remained. He hadn't had anyone but himself to care for his hair in a long time. Part of the reason he'd been so furious with Heero earlier for touching his braid was because the other pilot hadn't asked first, and part of it was the style he'd ended up threading it into, but most of it, Duo had to admit to himself, had been because of the cold, businesslike way Heero had handled his self-appointed task. Not a moment wasted, merely another inconvenience to be taken care of. Maybe if he'd shown even a speck of appreciation...

"You have very lovely hair," Treize commented, carefully beginning to run the brush through the chestnut locks. "It must be special to you."

Duo's mouth twisted. It would have been nice if Heero had said something like that, or had at least touched it the way Treize was, with soft, lingering strokes. "Yeah," he answered simply, shrugging his shoulders, too disheartened to say anything more.

"Daijoubu desu ka?"

"Ah. Daijoubu."

They were silent for many long timeless minutes, the only sounds in the room the hissing, spitting crackle of the fire, and the light sparking sounds as the brush ran through Duo's long hair. Duo began to relax, closing his eyes and enjoying the soft, steady tugs against his scalp. That actually felt really good. Treize even thought to avoid the areas of his skull that had been struck earlier, holding the hair away from his skin to keep from pulling.

Duo yawned widely, leaning forward, loose silken strands cascading over his shoulders to stream down his chest and pool in his lap. He didn't think it had ever felt this nice when Sister Helen had brushed his hair, when he was younger...

Finally Treize seemed satisfied -- after spending far longer on Duo's hair than he himself had ever bothered -- and set the brush aside.

"It seems a shame to restrain this beauty in its familiar bonds once more," Treize said softly, causing Duo to jump a little.

"Huh?" he queried intelligently.

The older man's powerful fingers slid through his loose hair and dug into the muscles at the crux of Duo's neck and shoulders, smoothing away the last remaining tightness he found there. Duo nearly collapsed in a boneless heap. Gods, that felt good!

Treize chuckled. "I am saying that I do not think I will braid your hair just yet. It is too lovely as it is now."

"Eh?" Duo straightened a little, rubbing his eyes and turning to glance at Treize. "I'm a *boy*!" he protested, though not too vehemently. He was floating in a warm haze from the wine and Treize's skillful ministrations and felt too good to get in an argument. "Guys aren't supposed to be pretty!"

"No?" Treize smiled, his eyes crinkling, one hand resting warm and heavy on Duo's shoulder, the other running over the endless fall of his hair. Duo was suddenly hyper-aware of the heat and closeness of the man, made more than a little uncomfortable. But he was too relaxed and bemused to try to pull away. "You made a very pretty girl."

Duo blushed brightly. "Saa... Well, that was... I mean, I..." he sputtered.

"But you make an even more lovely boy," Treize said softly, tugging Duo's shoulder so that he fell back against the man's broad chest. Duo's eyes nearly started out of his head as Treize's lips brushed warm against his undamaged temple, the man's arm winding around his shoulder and upper chest.

"I... You..." For the first time in his life, words seemed to have deserted Duo. His head was reeling and he couldn't think coherently. "Wha...?"

"Do you disagree?" Treize asked, sounding amused. His breath washed warm over Duo's cheek, his free hand stroking the loose hair falling over his chest, sending tingles through the flesh he was incidentally caressing through the soft material of Duo's borrowed shirt. "Why were you dressed as a girl?"

Duo blinked, completely confused. Was that what this was about? Was Treize just trying to psyche him out, get the truth out of him? If so, why was Treize's hand now resting on the bare flesh of his thigh, in a non-threatening, but very direct manner? And why did it feel so...

"I... We were--" Eep!! Duo clapped a hand over his mouth quickly. Whatever Treize's motives, his methods had almost worked! Duo cursed himself roundly for almost giving himself and all the other pilots away so easily. Baka! Baka! Baka!

"Ne?" Treize queried softly, his mouth warm against Duo's cheekbone, his arm heavy around Duo's shoulders, his hand sliding smoothly along his thigh.

Duo gulped. "Uh..."

Treize chuckled. "Daijoubu. I will not ask you again. I would not wish to force you to lie."

Duo wondered vaguely why in the hell he wasn't struggling, wasn't pulling away, wasn't screaming at Treize for being a pervert, wasn't trying to punch his lights out... Why the hell was he just laying here, letting Treize touch him in ways no one ever had before? He swallowed thickly as Treize shifted his hold, turning Duo toward him while still keeping him within the circle of his embrace; a trap that tightened as he slipped his free arm around Duo's waist.

"What... what... what are you...?" Duo managed to gasp out, blinking up into Treize's warm blue eyes, his face surely flushed a brilliant shade of red.

"I believe you know the answer to that," Treize said, smiling slightly as he lowered his head and pressed his lips to the corner of Duo's mouth.

Duo jerked his head back, his breath catching in his throat. "Wh-*why* are you...?"

The worst thing was, he decided, that this actually felt really good, and he still liked Treize. Even though the man was his ultimate enemy, and was trying to seduce him besides... Duo had every reason to hate the guy, and yet he still found he... he... he *liked* him! He didn't fill Duo with the same heated hunger and raw longing that Heero did, but there was a warmth there, and it was something of a heady mixture, that Treize was so thoughtful toward him and also wanted him. Duo had never been on the receiving end of desire before, and had rarely been treated so kindly. To resist both at once was more than he was capable of at the moment.

"Because you are beautiful. And it seems a shame to waste this opportunity."

Duo blushed crimson and opened his mouth to speak. Which movement Treize evidently decided to take as an invitation, as his lips closed over Duo's, gently but firmly.

Duo let out a smothered gasp, stiffening, and before he knew it, Treize had lifted his head, and his first kiss was over.

A tiny frown creased between Duo's brows as he peered up at Treize. "Is that what all the fuss is about?" he asked, somewhat indignantly. For some reason he'd thought kissing would be a lot more... well, exciting!

Treize blinked, his blue eyes filling with the amusement Duo was becoming familiar with. His lips twitched, then he pressed his forehead to Duo's, laughing richly. Duo could feel the arms around him loosening as Treize shook with mirth.

If he pushed away now...

"Oi, what's so funny?" he protested, reaching up and grasping some of Treize's shirt in his fist, tugging at the material sharply. "You've been laughing at me all night, man!"

"Gomen, gomen," Treize said quickly, tightening his arms and lifting his head up to meet Duo's gaze. He was still smiling broadly, his eyes gleaming, and Duo glared. "Forgive me, Duo-kun." He cocked his head. "Would you like me to show you what all the fuss is about?"

Duo felt his face heat up. He'd led himself right into that one! "Uh, that's okay, really! I don't--"

He closed his eyes instinctively as Treize's mouth moved to smother his babbling, his foggy mind struggling to process the new sensation. His first kiss had been over with so quickly, he hadn't had much time to analyze the experience. This time... This time...

Treize's lips were soft yet firm at once, and they definitely didn't feel like his own lips. There was very little stimulation in the mere pressure, but then Treize moved his mouth slightly, and a flash of... something shot through Duo's entire body. Sweet agitation. The feeling of flesh moving over flesh was unexpected and strangely pleasurable, like nothing he'd ever encountered before. He gasped a little, and found that when he parted his lips, that gave Treize much more leeway to plunder the depths of sensation that could be drawn from this simple molding of their mouths.

Almost without noting it, he leaned into the kiss, his arms slipping up to wrap about Treize's neck, his eyes still tightly closed as he tried to take in every racing spark that flared through his mind and flesh.

Too soon, it seemed, Treize lifted his head away, and yet Duo found he was gasping for breath already. He slitted his eyes open, gazing dazedly up at Treize from beneath heavy lids. His cheeks were warm again, but not with embarrassment this time, and any thoughts of escape had flown from his mind.

"Better?" Treize inquired simply, his face solemn, eyes bright and curious.

Duo swallowed and nodded mutely. His lips were still tingling with the echoes of pressure and friction, and he didn't think he could get them to form words, even if his brain had been functioning coherently at the moment anyway.

Treize smiled slightly, then bent to reclaim Duo's mouth. And Duo answered eagerly, surging upward to meet those demanding lips, his own moving inexpertly but with enthusiasm over Treize's. He whimpered as Treize captured his lower lip, toying with it, then gasped as the man's tongue ran a wet line along the sensitized flesh. His eyes started open, then slid slowly closed and he melted against the powerful body. Treize's tongue moved over his lower lip again, then the upper, then between the two, teasing at the opening afforded by his slackened jaw. Duo tentatively sent his own tongue to taste Treize in return, moaning softly as they met and twined in the slick space between their joined mouths. Heat and wetness and such strange pleasure...

He could feel Treize's hands on his back, warm and bracing, supporting him and moving gently over the smooth material of his borrowed shirt, but he was focused so completely on the kiss that all else faded to vague impressions at the best.

Duo let out a small, protesting sound as Treize broke the kiss, his eyes flickering open. But then Treize's hot, moist mouth moved to his jaw and he tilted his head to accommodate this new experience, shivers passing over his flesh. There was a heat building somewhere within him, and his stomach was twisting in a strange new way. It was slightly uncomfortable, and yet at the same time it felt better than almost anything he'd ever felt before. He frowned, keeping his eyes closed, trying to understand all these unaccustomed sensations.

He whimpered and squirmed as Treize's tongue found its way within his ear, the tightness in his lower belly constricting, making his thigh muscles clench and his chest ache as his heart began racing faster. It felt so weird, and yet he only wanted more, didn't want it to end.

Still, he was rather relieved when Treize relinquished his assault upon his ear. The reactions dragged from his body had been a little too intense, almost more than he could handle.

Duo gazed in bemusement through thick lashes as Treize kissed his chin lightly, then his eyes crossed as those lips brushed softly over the tip of his nose.

"Oi!"

Treize chuckled.

Duo sighed and lowered his head to rest against one of Treize's shoulders, closing his eyes and trying to calm the storm of wild emotions raging through him a little. Treize didn't seem to mind, merely holding him and running his fingers lightly over Duo's back, stroking his hair and the soft material resting over his skin. There were little tingles rushing out from these areas of contact, but nothing like the force that had grasped Duo earlier. This was something he felt he could handle.

"Daijoubu?"

"Daijoubu," Duo smiled, nestling his head against Treize's collarbone, sliding one arm down from around the man's neck to rest his hand over Treize's muscular chest. He could feel Treize's heart beating through the warm flesh, not quite as fast and hard as his own, but certainly more strongly than normally. It was immensely gratifying to know that he could have such an effect on another person.

Duo sat up suddenly, staring Treize in the eyes. The velvet blue widened, but when Duo made no move, spoke no words, Treize's face softened, and he reached up, brushed sweat-damped hair back from Duo's face. Duo winced a little as Treize fingertips ventured over the bruise on his cheekbone, and yet the slight flare of pain only added to the fire building deep in the pit of his belly.

Treize was gazing at him with peculiar intensity, and Duo flushed. He lowered his eyes to where his hands were lying over Treize's chest, his fingers dark and sturdy on the delicate white cloth of Treize's shirt. Duo frowned slightly, then gave in to the inexplicable inclination swaying him, and moved those same fingers to the laces securing the front of Treize's shirt. The sleeves of his own top had come unrolled and fell over the backs of his hands, and his eyes were heavy, the lids falling lower, until he almost felt completely removed from his actions. His fingers fumbled, faltered, and Treize gently grasped his hands, holding them captive within his as he leaned up to lightly kiss Duo's mouth.

"Here. Let me." Treize released Duo's hands -- which Duo spread to brace himself against Treize's chest once more -- as his own moved to the fastenings of Duo's top.

Duo sighed as Treize pulled the thin material away, swaying slightly where he was seated in Treize's lap, his hair falling heavy and cool in a loose curtain over his back. Treize swept his hands through the long strands, his hungry gaze fixed on Duo's own, as Duo leaned forward, pressing his stomach against Treize's, his fingers spreading, pushing apart the front of Treize's shirt. He held his mouth just before Treize's, not touching, but close enough to feel one another's heat, to taste one another's breath. Treize looked a little startled as Duo regarded him with a slit-eyed smirk, a challenge, almost, in that dark gaze, then his own gleaming blue eyes narrowed and he smiled back.

Duo gasped as Treize's hands moved over his chest, smoothing, caressing, leaving trails that cooled quickly even while burning into his senses. He closed his eyes, allowing the sensations to wash over him in rich rolling waves. He had never thought something this simple could feel this...

"Oh!" He jerked, eyes starting open, as Treize's palm brushed over one of his nipples, sending a tight twist through his stomach, another pleasurably uncomfortable spark. He bit his lip, leaning into the feeling, his hair falling to frame his pale chest. He shivered a little at the heat that flared in Treize's eyes. He almost felt as though Treize's gaze was touching him more intimately, more thoroughly than his hands were. It was frightening, the burning desire in those rich blue flames, and Duo closed his own eyes, unable to deal with the intensity.

His lids flew open again as Treize shifted them both, turning him so that he was lying on his back against the pillows, while Treize moved to lean over him. He swallowed thickly and closed his eyes again, trying not to be afraid. Treize's mouth brushed over his brow, pressed warmly against his lips, then passed downward.

Duo gasped and arched upwards, grasping the powerful arms suspending Treize over his prone body, as Treize suckled fiercely on the soft flesh of his neck, sending spiraling flashes of passion through his skin, through his stomach, to cloud his mind. He moaned and twisted beneath Treize, his fingers clenching the material of Treize's shirt almost tightly enough to rip the delicate cloth.

Treize's fingers twined in Duo's hair, stroking his undamaged brow soothingly, even as his teeth and tongue and hot, heavy mouth dragged forth further sounds and squirming from his captive.

Duo sobbed for breath, arching toward Treize, trying to press his body against the larger man's, wanting to share the delicious warmth spreading through his entire being, making even his toes tingle from scattered sensation. Treize pulled back a moment, causing Duo to protest incoherently, but he only stripped off his shirt, then lay down once more beside Duo, allowing the boy to wriggle closer, arms wrapping tightly about his broad shoulders.

Duo felt his hands trembling as he ran them over the hard muscles of Treize's back. Treize's flesh was heated, and shivers ran through the pads of Duo's fingers at the feeling of smooth silk over steel. He discovered it felt almost as good to touch as to be touched, and his hands roamed curiously, as Treize nuzzled his neck, his collarbones, his chest. He grasped the thick golden-brown hair at the nape of Treize's neck and pressed upwards, then let out a whimpering cry as Treize's mouth closed over one of his nipples. That felt even better than when Treize had touched it earlier!

Too soon Treize pulled away, levering up to rest on one elbow beside Duo. Duo lay on his back, staring up into those intent blue eyes, trying desperately to catch his breath, to slow the furious pounding of his heart. Treize brushed a warm hand over the smooth contours of Duo's chest, his upper stomach. Duo twitched, his muscles tensing under the gentle fingers, closing his eyes and clenching his teeth, trying to keep the hot rush of fire from consuming him totally.

Carefully, Treize rolled Duo onto his stomach, and Duo clutched the sheets in his fists, not certain what was going to happen now. But Treize only gathered up his loose hair, threading it through his fingers, easing the slight tangles that had begun to snarl the thick chestnut sweep. Then he brushed most of the soft mass to one side, and ran his hands firmly but gently over the tight muscles of Duo's shoulders and back, working out much of the unbearable tension Duo had been suffering from.

"Relax, young warrior," Treize said softly in Duo's ear, running his hand over the line of Duo's spine, resting his heated palm at the small of his back.

Duo nodded into the pillow, feeling the fear in him bleed away, along with most of the feeling of being out of control. He was left with the lovely warmth and the tightness of his lower belly, but those he could deal with. He raised his head and then rolled onto his side, smiling shyly up at Treize, most of his anxiety banished. Treize regarded him gently, a soft look on his face. There was still the hunger and intensity in his deep eyes, but it was tempered with kindness.

"Better?" Treize asked for a second time, only now with an entirely different meaning.

In answer Duo squirmed closer and wrapped an arm around Treize's chest, pressing his face to the supple flesh. Treize smelled like roses, just as Duo knew he did, and, more, like fresh sweat and a strange heady musk that gripped Duo's inflamed senses and sent his mind reeling.

He flickered a tongue out, daring to taste, and Treize let out a small surprised, pleased sound. Encouraged, Duo tracked over the smoothly defined line of a pectoral muscle, feeling Treize draw a tight breath beneath his mouth. A large hand settled once more at the base of his spine, than slid lower, cupping his buttocks through the material of his boxers.

Duo gasped, arching toward Treize. That felt... "Ah!" He rubbed his cheek against Treize's chest, his eyes closed, soaking in the shivers of pleasure that danced through every inch of his body, but centered in his groin, as Treize flexed his fingers over the taut muscles. He clutched Treize more tightly, his open mouth resting on Treize's chest, harsh breaths gusting over bare flesh. He could feel with slight embarrassment his erection pressed tight against Treize's abdomen, but from the hardness burning into his own thigh, he was not alone in his arousal.

He whimpered, pressing closer, instinctively thrusting, his hips moving without his conscious control. Treize's hand tightened, pulling him closer, then holding him so that he could no longer move against him. Duo squirmed unhappily, his entire being singing from the small amount of friction he had achieved before being forced into immobility. That had felt... better than anything yet, and there had been quite a few times tonight he hadn't thought it could get better!

"Hanasee..." he whined, trying his damnedest to wriggle free. Actually, that felt pretty nice too, but it wasn't the pure liquid pleasure he knew he could be receiving.

Then Treize released him, moving back. Duo frowned and tried to sit up, but Treize held him down with a powerful hand against his chest. He glared up at the man, wondering why the hell Treize was smirking like that.

"Lie still," Treize commanded.

Duo narrowed his eyes, but did as told.

Treize gave him a long, probing look, and Duo widened his eyes, looking as guileless as only he could manage. Even though he was twitching, trying to keep his hands away from the erection burning in his boxers.

Unexpectedly, Treize bent and pressed a kiss to Duo's stomach just above the band of his boxers. Duo caught his breath, his muscles clenching, and reached down to grip at Treize's hair. Oh gods... Fire was coursing through his veins, and he didn't think he could take much more...

It was almost a relief when Treize stripped away his boxers, but Duo felt as though he was going to die of embarrassment. Sure other guys had seen him naked before, but the greatest rule in public bathing houses was *no looking*. And he didn't think anyone had ever seen him hard as a-- And certainly not someone who had previously been sucking on his tongue.

Duo flushed bright red. Maybe he'd get lucky and the sheets would swallow him whole.

Then he jerked and cried out as *Treize* did his best to swallow him whole. More or less. Duo couldn't believe Treize was... was--

Belief, disbelief, thought, observation; everything shattered and Duo drew breath after strangled breath with the sole purpose of existing in sensation, of living within the molten waves of unadulterated passion that broke over his straining body, driving him beyond the boundaries of his physical form and into a world where there was nothing but pleasure, winging through his soul with silver-tinged feathers of darkness.

Then everything that had become so expanded as to encompass his entire being rushed into a tight focus, and there was too much sensation, too much intensity, and something gave, sending a hot flood of ecstasy through Duo, flinging him back into his body with a hard shudder. Warmth spread through his limbs, drowning him in a sweet, sated lethargy, a deeply felt sense of repletion that was completely new, while at the same time seeming inherently familiar.

As Duo slowly became aware of his surrounding, he found himself cradled in Treize's arms, resting against that broad chest, as Treize stroked his back and hair lightly.

"Wh-what was...?" he whispered, stretching his arm around Treize's chest, his eyes wide as he gazed up at the man. He supposed he ought to be utterly mortified, but he felt too good.

Treize smiled down at him, not bothering to answer. After all, there really only was one answer.

Duo flushed a little.

"Are you ready to continue?" Treize asked softly, pressing his lips lightly to Duo's temple.

"There's more?" Duo blurted, incredulous.

Treize chuckled against his heated flesh and shifted his body so that Duo could feel the hardness still bound within Treize's pants. He blushed more darkly.

"You're young yet," Treize replied cryptically.

"Huh?"

Duo blinked in confusion as Treize rolled him onto his stomach again, but he still felt too good to argue. Besides, he'd had his pleasure already; he owed Treize.

He sighed as Treize's hands and mouth moved over his shoulders and back, sending warmth spreading through his body once more. Not the hard, demanding flames from earlier, but a sweet, comfortable sensation.

He barely noted it when Treize removed his hands; though he mumbled a protest into the sheet; or when the bed shifted as Treize leaned over him and reached for something in the table beside the bed, then shed himself of his pants.

"Young warrior," Treize breathed in his ear, his hand coming down once more to cup Duo's buttocks.

"Hm?" He raised his head, blinking heavy-lidded eyes. "Nani?"

"Do you trust me?"

He wrinkled his brow. "Ne...?"

Treize smiled slightly and brushed a soft kiss to his temple, but his eyes were dark and serious. "Do you trust me? If I tell you I will not hurt you any more than is necessary, if I tell you there is pleasure beyond the pain, will you trust me?"

Duo gulped, suddenly realizing what Treize wanted. He hid his face in the pillow, sure it was blazing brightly red. But he nodded jerkily. He wanted this, and, the gods help him, he *did* trust Treize... Even though the man was his greatest enemy; as a Gundam pilot if not as a person.

"H-hai," he managed to choke out, nodding again, but too embarrassed and -- if he admitted it -- too afraid to lift his head.

Treize uttered a soft sound of approval, and returned to his exploration of Duo's bare back. Slowly he restoked the fire, and Duo soon found himself arching into the warm caresses, ready and willing once more. There wasn't the sense of hot urgency he had experienced before, but that made the experience all the more enjoyable, as he was able to take in the feeling of flesh on flesh without being overwhelmed by the sensation.

There was a soft pop and the scent of warm spices as Treize opened a jar, and Duo blushed once again, burying his face more deeply into the pillow. He couldn't help but stiffen a little as Treize's slick fingers slid between his buttocks, even though he tried not to. He slowly relaxed, however, as Treize merely left his fingers there, his mouth a distracting tickle at the base of Duo's spine, his free hand threading once more through Duo's hair.

"Ah!" Duo gasped out as Treize slowly inserted one finger into him. It didn't... hurt exactly, but it wasn't a very comfortable feeling. Still, he'd promised...

He winced and squirmed and tried his damnedest not to clench up as Treize worked him patiently, first with one finger, then two, and finally three. He sobbed into the soft embrace of the pillow, not sure whether he was enjoying himself or whether he regretted his words. It was such a strangely profound sensation, being penetrated so.

Suddenly he realized how long it had been, and how much this must be driving Treize insane. Shit! The guy really did have inhuman control! It might hurt, but Treize had promised it would get better, and Treize had already been beyond patient.

"Now," he gritted, lifting his head off the pillow, but too afraid still to look back. "Do it now!"

He didn't get any argument from Treize. He could hear the man's breath hissing between his teeth and he winced more for what he knew Treize must be feeling than he did at the hot, hard thickness that pressed into the cleft of his behind and pushed slowly in.

Treize was right, it hurt. But not as much as he'd expected, and just before Treize seated himself all the way, his length pressed against something deep inside that jolted Duo's entire world again, throwing him violently back into the wild rush of passion he had so recently been immersed in.

Duo let out an inarticulate cry, jerking up onto his elbows and pushing back, wringing a throttled groan from Treize's throat. "Wh-what the hell was that?" he managed to gasp out, writhing beneath Treize.

Treize chuckled, amazingly enough, leaning down, his chest resting against Duo's back, his breath gusting hot and wet over Duo's ear. "Ask your young Chinese friend," he whispered, thrusting sharply with his hips. Duo pressed back, panting for breath, ready to let the flames consume him once more, not really paying any attention to anything except the warm body above him and the hot, hard length pressing deep within him.

Treize's breath caught, and he gave himself over to pleasure as well, his hips rocking with controlled bursts at first, mindful of Duo's inexperience. But control swiftly dissolved and the two moved together to the rhythm of instinct, of timeless connection.

Duo succumbed first, unused to such deeply felt pleasure. He shouted into the pillow, twisting beneath Treize, and in one brilliant focused moment as the jolt of his climax ended, before the warm sleepiness fuzzed his brain, he spared a thought to regret that he'd probably just ruined that fine bedspread.

Treize followed shortly, emptying himself into Duo's still tensed body. The two fell together to the bed in a tumble of limbs, and Duo turned to cuddle against Treize's chest, feeling really... well, just really damn good!

"Arigatou, Duo-kun," Treize breathed in his ear, as he shifted to pull the covers over their entwined bodies.

Duo heard his name; his true name, for the second time that night; but he couldn't bring himself to care. He felt too satisfied, as well as being utterly exhausted by the day's -- and night's -- events. He simply mumbled an incomprehensible something and pressed his flushed face into the hollow of Treize's throat, giving over all cares to his next waking. And if there was no waking...

Shit, he didn't care. He was wiped out and he'd promised to trust Treize.

And, stupid as it was, he *did* trust Treize.

He fell asleep, Treize's hands stroking his hair softly, a deep sense of well-being following him into slumber.

Duo woke up with no idea where he was.

There was nothing unusual in that; most people suffered from morning amnesia at times. Duo had always figured it was the brain's way of keeping one from waking up screaming.

Why did that thought have such an ominous ring to it right now?

Of course, warriors like Heero -- and possibly Trowa and Wufei -- probably never suffered from this particular condition. But Duo sometimes appreciated it; especially when he woke up somewhere he really didn't want to be.

Again the feeling of dangerous aptness tweaked at the foggy edges of his brain.

Duo grumbled and curled up under the thick bedclothes, snuggling closer to the warm body beside him. He was about to let sleep reclaim him when...

Wait a minute...

Holy shit!

Duo managed to clamp his mouth shut over the exclamations of horror that threatened to pour forth, as he sat bolt upright -- or as upright as the heavy arm draped over his waist would allow him to bolt -- in the bed.

Oh, man! Oh, shit! Oh, no way! No way! No way, he had not--

He had.

He groaned and flopped down next to Treize once more, giving in to the firm arm wrapped around him and his own inability to make any decisive move to get away.

Giving in... Well, why not? He'd given in last night...

Last night.

Duo blushed furiously crimson as Treize tugged him closer in his sleep. What in the hell had possessed him last night?!? He'd just let Treize... let him...

Shit, he hadn't just *let* Treize -- he'd encouraged him, done a great deal of it himself!

Duo wondered if it was really possible to will oneself to death. Because right now, that seemed to be a much more comfortable option than continuing to live!

The wine, it must have been the wine. Or the blows to his head. Or the late hour. Or his confusion over being Treize Khushrenada's guest...

He was really starting to reach.

Actually, all things considered, every one of those factors had probably added to the end result.

End...

Duo wriggled experimentally, then winced. Yep, he was pretty sore... er, back there. He blushed wildly. How embarrassing! How did Wufei continue to act normally? As though nothing had...

Ooh, shit! How was he ever going to be able to look Wufei in the face again?!

And more importantly; *how* the hell could he face Heero?!?

Oh, great gods...

He didn't *like* guys! Not like that! Or, at least, he'd thought not...

He'd always known he had a crush on Heero, he thought possibly that he loved him, but he'd always considered that to be because of the person Heero was; that the feelings were there in *spite* of Heero's gender, not *because* of it!

But he'd certainly not been repulsed by Treize. He'd accepted his kisses without a murmur, had kissed him back, and had gone a hell of a lot further than that!

It was supremely hard to envision, in the pale golden light of day that was washing in through the bay window where he'd left the curtain cracked. The night's events, the seduction and sex were hazy in his memory, flashes of sensation and emotion. He couldn't really recall everything that had happened, couldn't reconstruct *why* it had happened, why he'd gone along with...

He groaned and buried his face in the mattress next to Treize's shoulder. Treize knew his true identity -- maybe he'd get lucky and the guy would off him.

But somehow Duo didn't see that happening.

Treize had taken his virginity.

No. That wasn't right. He'd *given* Treize his virginity! As much as he wished he didn't remember that part, it was indelibly printed in his mind. He hadn't been a victim; he'd been a perfectly willing accomplice, the whole night through.

Sure he'd been buzzed. Shaken up by the knocking around those soldiers had given him. But he knew -- just *knew* -- that if he'd really resisted, Treize would have left him alone last night. If he'd objected even once...

But he hadn't. And that was both frightening and humiliating.

Good gods, he'd really screwed himself over this time!

Duo stifled the mad thread of laughter that bubbled up in the back of his throat and nose at that thought. It was too true!

No, no, no, no...

Treize stirred and Duo froze, feigning sleep. He was *not* ready to face Treize in the harsh light of day! He didn't want to ever face him again. But as they were still curled around one another in bed, naked as the day they were born, he figured it was inevitable.

Just... please... not yet...

Treize resettled, sighing in his sleep, but Duo barely noticed as exhaustion grasped him once more, smothering him in warm, dark arms. He was more tired than he'd thought, and it was still early yet after a late night. He hoped he'd be able to sleep until noon, at least.

Maybe he'd get lucky and never wake up.

He yawned and snuggled closer to Treize.

The awkward morning after could wait. Duo was going back to sleep.

Maybe he'd dream of Heero...

Quatre looked up from the bag he was packing as the door clicked open. There was an immediate answering click as Heero cocked a gun toward the intruder.

Quatre's eyes lit up. "Duo-kun!" he cried happily.

Duo cast a sour look down the black maw of the gun barrel. "What, did I forget the secret knock?"

Heero snorted and lowered the gun. "Where have you been?"

Duo's eyes flickered to Heero's face then quickly away as his cheeks did a slow burn. "None of yer business!" he said, just a little too quickly, a little too loudly.

Quatre blinked. "Duo-kun, daijoubu desu ka?"

"Ah." Duo shrugged, head lowered as he fiddled with the buttons of his uniform vest. "Oops," he said dully as he twisted one off.

"Grab your belongings. We're getting out of here."

Duo glanced up involuntarily at Wufei, and Quatre could have sworn he blushed even more violently. "Ah."

"No more skirts!" Quatre said cheerfully, trying to restore Duo's regular good humor.

Duo sent him a sweet smile that was very clearly sincere. Yet Quatre couldn't help noticing Duo's eyes never quite met his. He fretted. Something had happened, obviously, something not good. But he didn't think now was the time to pursue the matter.

"Is that oil on your skirt?" Heero inquired coolly.

Duo's eyes widened and he cast a horrified look over his shoulder. "God, I hope so!" he burst out. His tense shoulders relaxed as he grabbed the thick material and ascertained that... "Yeah, it's oil."

"How did you get oil on your skirt?" Trowa asked, tossing Duo his bag, which had never been unpacked.

Duo grunted as the heavy canvas hit his chest. "Don't ask."

"Duo, where have you been?" Heero persisted.

Duo glowered at the floor, jaw clenching. Quatre decided it was up to him to come to the rescue.

"Yes, Duo. Heero was worried sick about you!" He smiled guilelessly as Heero choked and sputtered.

"Honto ni?" Duo queried, perking up a little as he glanced between Quatre and Heero.

Wufei rolled his eyes while Trowa gave Quatre a hard look, his lips twitching suspiciously.

"Let's get out of here," Heero gritted, grabbing his own bag in a rough hand as he glared murderously at the Winner heir.

Quatre smothered his laughter. Sometimes it paid being thought of as the "innocent" one.

"Ah." Duo sighed and slumped as he slung his bag over his shoulder. He winced as he ran a hand through his unbound hair, and Quatre frowned.

"Doshita no?" he asked, moving forward quickly and lifting aside Duo's long bangs with gentle fingers before Duo could flinch away. "Oh, Duo! How did this happen?" He stared in utter shock at the huge spreading bruise that darkened the flesh of Duo's temple and cheekbone to a deep, unhealthy purple that very nearly matched Duo's eyes. "Gods!"

"Nan demo nai," Duo muttered, good spirits lost once more. "I don't wanna talk about it."

Quatre blinked, at a loss for words as Duo twitched away from him and strode after Heero toward the door. Duo had smelled strange, like roses. There was definitely more to the story than his friend was willing to tell.

"Iku zo," Trowa said gently, pressing a hand to Quatre's shoulder and shoving him gently toward the exit.

"Ah." Quatre watched as Duo turned in the doorway and gave him a long, indecipherable look, then flushed and darted out into the afternoon. He sighed heavily.

"I wonder what happened..."

_owari_

(:./knm/fate)