Braids and Waves

Parings: 1x2, 2x1 (eventual!) 3x4

Warnings: Swearing, angst and Heero (you’ll understand when you read it).

Notes: Right so now some of you may hate me for this chapter… I’m evil… yes that’s my defense! Might upset some of you… I really hope not too much and do note this isn’t last chapter! Um ignore what I said in last chapter as I’ve found a way round it so posts should be normal… crosses fingers. Due to the fact that this week got messed up I’ve posted this chapter like normal so you get two chapters in two days! Hugs to all.

Thanks: To my little demons (my muses!) who would not let this story
lie.

Summary: Duo is living with Quatre and Trowa. But what no-one
realises is why. And what happens when they find out the truth,
especially Heero.

Enjoy

Chapter 10 – Can Merpeople Cry?


Duo woke to find himself still held in that warm embrace. He kept his eyes closed, just to enjoy the moment before reality had to barge in. It felt so good; he could wake up to this every morning. He knew for a fact that that could never be. He sighed, knowing he had to get up. He managed to wriggle out of Heero’s grasp and perched on the side of the bed. After rubbing his face in his hands, he looked back at Heero. He looked so peaceful in sleep, almost childlike. Duo smiled warmly then stood and walked over to the window and opened the curtains far enough so that he could look out.

It was another beautiful Florida day, the sun was bright and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It just made Duo feel worse. He had to leave all this behind him. Leave with only a memory of the one night of lust and passion he had shared with Heero. But even as he thought about it, he regretted their love making. Not that he could ever feel any shame about having that time with Heero. He could never do that, but the fact that it made his leaving that much harder. If he disappeared now, he knew Heero would search for him. He had to leave no trace of his movements, he needed to vanish completely. And that was why it was so hard. He had to leave all of them behind. Quatre, Trowa and Wufei, everyone he was close to. No one could know. Then he would never be found. It was the only way. He had to. He would go and live the remainder of his miserable life alone.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Duo nearly jumped out of his skin as Heero’s warm arms wrapped around him and a throaty voice whispered in his ear.

“Just… things I have to do.” Duo replied trying to sound calm.

“Good morning love.” Duo relaxed back into the embrace, his body once again betraying him, wanting to be held next to that muscular body.

“Morning.” He closed his eyes and sighed deeply as Heero began nuzzling at his neck. Before it could go any further, a loud knock sounded at the door.

“Good morning you two. We’re all waiting for you to join us for breakfast.” Duo was half relieved and half annoyed to hear Quatre’s voice.

“Morning, Q. We’ll be down in a minute.” They both sighed and the embrace was broken. When there was food on the table, it was impolite to keep everyone waiting. Heero threw his trousers on and grabbed the rest of his uniform and walked back to his room after bestowing Duo a quick kiss. He ignored the glances that were thrown up at him from the dining table as he passed.

Duo dressed quickly and was sitting at the table and waiting for Heero by the time he came downstairs. He could feel three pairs of eyes on him as he waited which then switched to Heero when he made his appearance. No one said anything but Quatre looked far too happy for someone who had had a near death experience less than a day ago. Trowa had a knowing glint in his eyes and Wufei looked like he had been caught up in a bar fight and got hit twice, one to each eye. The dragon was not happy, which was rather apparent from the slight frown he wore. However no one said anything and breakfast remained a quiet meal. When everyone had finished Quatre stood up and told the table brightly,

“I suggest we have a day by the pool. Just chill out and relax. It’s not often we get to do nothing.” Everyone agreed, even Duo tentatively. He couldn’t cut himself away from the guys, as that would just draw more attention than not. Besides, Quatre did say BY the pool, not IN it. He noticed the smile Quatre gave him and returned it fully.

-x-

It wasn’t long before they were all in swim shorts and by the pool. The day was already building up heat but it was still pleasant enough. Heero and Trowa had gotten into the pool first and had started a water fight. Quatre was laughing at the pair of them. Wufei was standing well back, his face a cross between excitement, confusion and disgust. He wasn’t sure whether he wanted to join in or run away and that confused him more.

Duo was on a lounger, away from the pool. His legs were just in the sun, catching the rays, while he was half in the shade which allowed him to read a book that he had brought with him. Not that he was getting to read much of it from all the distractions around him.

Wufei finally decided that he would join in and took a running jump into the pool. Duo winced as he noticed how the close the water got to him. When he felt he was safe again, he attempted to read the page he already tried three times to get into his head, and was getting frustrated when he recognised bits of it.

Quatre, who had been laughing, suddenly noticed the predatory glint in a certain pair of green eyes.

“What are you up to Trowa?” The blonde asked uneasily. The look was added to by the grin as the tall man pulled himself out of the water. “Don’t you dare! Stop it! Heero, Wufei, save me?” Quatre pleaded hopefully. The two still in the pool, looked up smiling.

“Sorry, you’re on your own.” Heero stated simply. Wufei just shrugged.

“Traitors!” Quatre yelled as he tried to dodge Trowa. The length of his lover’s arms was the blonde’s downfall. Trowa easily managed to grab him and lifted him up off of the floor and carried him to the water’s edge. Quatre futilely kicked and yelled a lot before the sound was cut off by a large splash of water.

“… Don’t… have to… share a bed… with you, you know.” Quatre spluttered as he surfaced again. Trowa crossed his arms and pouted. Quatre glared at him before smiling. “Not that I could do that to you.” A small smile appeared before Trowa jumped back in the pool and resumed the water fight.

-x-

After a while Heero realised he was missing someone. Duo would probably be excellent in a water fight. It was surely his sort of thing. His blue eyes turned to the man sat on the side. He called to his lover,

“Duo, come join us.”

“Thanks, but no thanks, Heero.” Duo’s voice emanated from behind the book. “I’m fine here.” Heero looked at the others then back at Duo. He snuck away from the fight that consisted of Trowa and Quatre against Wufei. If Duo wasn’t going to get in the pool, the pool would go to Duo. In mid splash, Quatre suddenly noticed what Heero was about to do.

“Heero, don’t!” He tried to reach for the Japanese man but it was already too late. At Quatre’s cry Duo looked up in time to see the water heading in his direction. His eyes shot open wide as he tried to move out of the way. He didn’t make it. The water splashed up to his knees. It was enough. Quatre watched in horror while the other three looked on in shock as Duo’s legs merged into a pearlised lilac fish tail. Duo looked at it with terror then looked up at Heero and flinched.

The look in those blue depths was far from the love that had shone there only hours, minutes, seconds ago. Heero climbed out of the pool and walked over to Duo who was now helpless.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was low but Duo could hear the anger held just in check. His fists were clenched at his side.

“What would you have done if I had?” Duo looked away.

“That’s not the point. You had something as important as this and you didn’t think to tell me.” Now he was shouting.

“I did think, but I didn’t want to ruin our relationship.”

“Our ‘relationship’ only started last night.”

“I couldn’t tell you. Why do you think I’ve been avoiding you?”

“Couldn’t or wouldn’t? Duo you kept this from me, from us, no wait.” He span around to point at Quatre. “You knew.”

“I only found out by accident.” Quatre told him quietly. Heero turned back to Duo.

“So it’s ok for him to know, but not me? The person you’re supposed to trust. Last night you told me you trusted me. Was that a Lie?” Duo had never seen Heero look so angry.

“I didn’t lie, I do trust you, with my life if necessary, I just…I didn’t know how you’d react-“

“React? Well now you bloody know! Thanks a lot Duo! I loved you, trusted you and… this! This is what I get for it. Fucking deceit, lies…” Heero’s chest heaved with the force of his fury. He began to walk away. Duo tried to reach for him.

“Wait!” Heero turned to look at him. The disgust written on those features shattered Duo’s heart like a smashed mirror.

“You’re not even human. I can’t believe I fucked a fish! You disgust me. If I never see you again it’ll be too soon.” With that he stormed out of the pool area leaving shock and a broken heart behind.

“Heero. Heero!” Tears were filling Duo’s eyes. He tried to get up, but of course found he couldn’t and fell to the floor. He hit the ground with his fist, infuriated by his own inability. His tail slapped with more force, sending little droplets of water upwards. The tears fell like rivers as he slumped uselessly against the sun warmed tiles.

He nearly struck out as he felt gentle hands on him but looked up to see Trowa looking down at him with sadness and compassion.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered. Duo could only look back helplessly. The green eyed man knelt down and picked Duo up, the braided one wrapped his arms around Trowa’s neck, completely at his mercy. Trowa carried him to the pool and gently lowered him into the water.

“I always thought there was something odd about you Maxwell, but this…” Wufei didn’t mean to be cruel but he was in shock. Duo knew this but his cries became louder anyway. Quatre frowned at the Chinese man, who hung his head in shame.

“Don’t worry Duo, Heero will come round.” Duo glared at Quatre.

“Don’t say his name, just… don’t.”

“But…” If looks could kill, Quatre would have died there and then.

“I said don’t.” He dived under the water with a flick of his tail and curled up at the bottom of the pool and continued to cry, leaving the other three to stare at each other in silence. In the background they heard the front door slam. Heero had gone.


-x-

So who hates me ^_^! Love you all really!