Two Sides of a Triangle

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Duo entered his office Friday morning to find a note sitting on his desk. It was simple, to the point, just like its sender:

/Sometimes its best to just listen./

He knew it was from Trowa; even if the advice hadn’t completely embodied the stoic man, he’d have known because he was expecting it. Last night he was supposed to talk to Quatre, so something had to happen today, either fallout or fall together.

He had hope; he wanted this to work so badly, but Trowa’s words were a warning: say nothing, let someone else, probably Quatre or Trowa would have just spoken the warning before starting a conversation, do the talking before you speak. It was good advice; Duo rarely had the patience to wait someone else out like that, but Trowa was planning this, and the thief had to play backup or risk ruining those plans.

It was worth it if they both got what they wanted, Quatre. But then, Duo was pretty psyched about getting Trowa, too. The man was unpredictable and forced Duo to stay on his toes, superficially solemn, but when he turned it on, the man dripped sex appeal. Being given this option of both had spoiled him; now Duo was afraid nothing else would be able to satisfy.

He resigned himself to waiting for someone else to approach him so he could listen, as advised, what else was there to do?

Zechs walked into the office and dropped two thick files on Duo’s desk. Oh yeah, he was supposed to be working, wasn’t he? With a heavy sigh, the braided man opened the first folder and began scanning the information given within. He got wrapped up in the text in front of him that listed out offenses and suspected crimes of a few thugs the Preventers currently had in their crosshairs.

It seemed like only an hour had passed when he heard a knock on the door; both he and Zechs turned to see Quatre standing in the doorway. “Umm, Duo, could I have a word with you?”

Duo felt his stomach drop and uncertainty filled him. “Yeah, sure.” He really hoped Quatre wasn’t planning on doing this in the hallway, but the blond stood stationary right outside his door.

“Do you think, maybe, we could have a dinner and movie night, tonight?” The stategist was hesitant and unsure, and Duo was already not looking forward to it, but there was no question as to whether or not he would agree.

“Sure, what time do you want me over?” It was a Friday, and Duo knew he was in for a long night, and possibly and even longer weekend starting with a really awkward conversation.

Quatre shifted uncomfortably. “Maybe we could do it at your place tonight? We need to talk, and I really don’t want to risk the possibility that someone would overhear.”

Oh. Duo’s tried and true jester personality was steadfast, but inside he was kinda flipping out. “That’s cool, Q. I’ll stop on the way home and pick up some pizza. Any movie in particular you want to watch?”

“Whatever you want, Duo.” Quatre gave him the weak, half-smile that had been parading across his face for the past few weeks.

Duo smiled, nodded, and ducked back in the office, sitting down in his desk and letting the tension flow out of his chest. He didn’t know why it was there, but he knew it was uncomfortable and wasn’t looking forward to its return.

The day passed entirely too quickly in Duo’s opinion. He wasn’t sure how to cope with the development of Quatre wanting a guys’ night. Every possibility from Q railing at him for betraying him with Trowa to Quatre wanting to practice intimate maneuvers on him went through his mind. He tried to imagine questions the heir would ask, and how he would answer them a week ago, back when Trowa was an asshole and Duo was desperately trying to ignore his own heart to save Quatre’s.

After work, he stopped by and picked up two pizzas, one for each of them. He decided to just stick in a movie he had at home; he didn’t think they’d really be watching it anyway.

Quatre arrived a little after seven, and Duo had everything set up. Pillows and blankets were thrown across the couch for easy access, movie queued up, their preferred drinks, napkins, and the pizzas all set out in front of the television. No need for plates on guys night, just eat out of the box.

Standard greetings were made except for Quatre being visibly anxious and Duo being nervous as hell.

The first few minutes of the movie were watched in silence with the two concentrating on their pizza, but about halfway through the second piece, the blond couldn’t hold back anymore. “Duo, I’m so sorry! I was so concerned with other things that I’ve neglected our friendship. I never meant to let it take over so much of my attention. Please forgive me.”

Well, that’s not what he expected. He felt that easy going smile settle over his features. “All’s well, Q. Don’t worry about it.”

Duo noticed that he never even mentioned Trowa’s name. Was it because he was trying so hard not to let it consume him as it had previously, or was it still so potent that he couldn’t bring himself to open the subject?

But Quatre was shaking his head. “Don’t, Duo. You can’t tell me I didn’t hurt you. You avoided me you a day and a half. Don’t just blow it off; talk to me.” That last phrase was a plea, and Duo couldn’t deny him.

“Yeah, ok, so I was pretty bummed; disappointed that I hadn’t gotten to see much of you, but I’m over it, and you’ve apologized. So we’re cool.” Duo turned his attention back to the screen, the colors of the movie painting his cheekbones as Quatre continued to study him.

“You’re still troubled by it, Duo. You can’t hide something like that from me.” His voice was quiet, as if apologizing for the truth he thought he spoke.

But Duo continued to keep his eyes on the screen. “I’m not hiding, Q. I’m just cautious. You’ve apologized, and we’re having a guys’ night now, but I’m just worried what will happen in a few weeks, months, a year from now.”

“Oh.” Quatre looked somewhat surprised as Duo turned to look at him.

“But for now, we’re good.” Duo smiled and finished off his last slice.

The blond looked down at his neglected meal. “Alright.” His smile was tentative, but he began eating again, and for that the braided man was grateful. They relaxed back into watching the movie, and Duo was still rather tense.

There was another subject, a big one, that he knew was coming. Well, maybe not, maybe Q would choke and not bring it up. Or maybe Quatre was biding his time because he was royally pissed that Trowa and he had hooked up the other day. The uncertainties were gnawing away at him, and he wanted it over with already.

“Hey, Duo, what do you think of Trowa?” Quatre was tearing at one of the remaining crusts in his pizza box.

Then again, maybe he didn’t want it over with. What would he have said a week ago? “He can be a real asshole.” Duo muttered, crossing his arms over his chest. It was true, but he didn’t feel that as strongly has he did in the past.

“Really, Duo. You’re good at reading people. What are you’re thoughts?” He was watching Duo closely now.

Fuck. This was getting really hard to stay honest and still keep his answers similar to what he would have said before Trowa propositioned him. “He has absolutely no tact, and is not sensitive enough when it comes to dealing with you. He’s got quite a bit of work to do in order to find his personality, and he’s too quiet.”

Quatre was smirking at him. “You’re pouting. Are you really opposed to just speaking of him?”

Duo sighed, and the Winner heir looked uncomfortable all of a sudden before speaking. “Do you think you and Trowa would ever make a good match, romantically speaking?”

Holy shit! Was he really doing this? Was Quatre really testing the waters of a threesome? Because that’s certainly what it sounded like. How in the hell did Trowa convince Quatre…and now Quatre is the one trying to convince Duo to come into it? Duo had thought he would have to sit here and persuade the strategist to allow the triplet to come about, but that’s not it at all.

That silver-tongued bastard conned Quatre into doing the job. Exasperated humor filled Duo’s lungs, but his face gave none of that away.

He couldn’t give away that he was already in on this. How would he have answered three days ago? “What!? Are you kidding me, Quat? I would never…! You and Trowa…I couldn’t…!” Duo took a deep breath, every way he started would turn into a lie because, fact was, he already had. He had hooked up with Trowa already, so saying he couldn’t was a blatant lie.

And Duo Maxwell didn’t lie. But the flustered words worked to his advantage, and the brunette stopped babbling, took a deep breath, and started again. “You are head over heels for the man. Do you really think I would do something like that?”

Quatre had a sweet smile on his face, shaking his head. “You’re taking it the wrong way, Duo. If…” He hesitated, thinking. “If Wufei and I were together, and Heero was happily Mr. Peacecraft, do you think you and Trowa could make something of yourselves?”

Duo did his best to look dumbfounded, shook his head, and threw his hands up in the air. “Jeeze, Q. Look, I’ll be the first to admit the man is hot, but our personalities are so different. It would be hard to find anything in common outside the bedroom.”

The blond chewed on his lip, eyes pinned to the floor as he nodded. “What if…what if it were you, me, and Trowa?”

And there it was. “Quatre?” Gentle prodding, kid gloves were needed here.

There was hurt in his eyes as he looked up, but his face was trying so hard to be joyful. “I think it’s a brilliant idea; I hadn’t actually thought of it before, but Trowa brought something to my attention.”

Duo held his breath. “What’s that?”

“You love me.”

The air was sucked out of the room, and Duo’s eyes widened. Quatre continued. “It’s the reason you can’t stay mad at me; isn’t it? I never saw it until he said it out loud, but its hard to miss now.”

Duo looked away, unable to hold gazes with the man he had loved for so long.

But the silence wasn’t enough of an answer for the strategist. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

The braided man nodded wordlessly, and Quatre continued. “This seems to be the only way to keep everyone happy. I mean, it could work; we’ll just have to make some adjustments.”

“Wait, Quatre. I know you’re the kind of guy that would bend over backwards for your friends, and I appreciated the consideration, but that doesn’t mean I need to barge into your relationship with Trowa.” His loyalty to his friend would not let him just take the opportunity and run. He wanted to make sure this is something the man he loved wanted.

He looked up to see Quatre’s eyes glassy with withheld tears, and an almost desperate look on his face. “But it has to be that way, Duo. Please. Don’t you see? You love me; I love Trowa, and Trowa loves you.”

“What?!” Duo’s jaw dropped open, but Quatre didn’t even pause.

He pushed on frantically, caught up in his own obsession. “He does; he said as much. Don’t you see? It’s the only way I can ever have him; the only way he’ll allow it is if you’re part of it.”

Duo was still stuck in the seemingly perpetual state of ‘WHAT?!’

Quatre didn’t seem to notice, though. “Please, Duo, say yes. It’s a win-win-win situation for all of us. Please.” His voice was getting higher with each successive plea.

Duo reigned in his confusion to try to calm the blond down. “Its alright, Quat. You know I’d do anything for you. Just calm down.” Duo’s arms wrapped around the trembling man.

But inside he was pissed as hell. That lying son of a bitch! He told Q that he was in love with Duo to get him to agree? That forked-tongued bastard really expected Duo to go along with such a lie? Of course he did, how could Duo deny Quatre when he was in such a state, and Trowa knew it would do this to the sensitive man, too! That fucker had another thing coming.

Duo laid his lips against Quatre’s forehead. “Trowa’s not in love with me, Quatre. He couldn’t be.”

The blond head pressed to his chest shook, negating Duo’s statement. “That’s what I thought, I mean, you can’t stand him. You two are never even in the same room for more than five minutes if you have the choice. You said so yourself, your personalities are polar opposites. You’re manic sense of humor would annoy him to death. You’re loud and abrasive; he’s quiet and reflective.”

Hey, wait a second…Duo might not have been number one on Trowa’s list, but that doesn’t mean he’s unworthy of his affection. He had only meant to console Q, not open the door to all these reasons.

But Quatre continued on. “Everything you do is just as governed on emotions as me, so why would he want you over me? He needs someone steadfast not moody, but he wants you. I just can’t understand it.”

Duo felt his heart clench a bit and pulled back from the upset man. “Its good to know that you don’t understand how someone could want me romantically, Quatre.”

Quatre’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean it that way, Duo.” His hands reached for one of Duo’s but thief’s hands stayed motionless between them.

“Yeah, you did, Quatre, but that’s ok. I told you I’d do it, and I will. But I think you’d better go now.” Duo couldn’t bring himself to look at his love.

“Duo, I…” There was nothing he could really say. “Duo, you’re an amazing person, and I love you very much. I’m afraid its just not the kind for which you’re looking. I guess we all just need to sit down together and work the situation out.”

Duo nodded, still not able to look into those teary eyes, knowing he would crumble. “Sure, Quatre, just tell me when.”

“I’ll talk to Trowa and let you know.” When he received no response, he bid the Deathscythe pilot goodbye and let himself out.

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I've got about half of the next chapter written, so there'll be an update during the week, its my apology for this one being such a downer.

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