Two Sides of a Triangle

Wow, its been a while, huh? Sorry guys!
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Duo came out of the bathroom with his hair still damp, but combed out into some semblance of order. He had wrapped a towel around his waist because he hated wearing dirty clothes. There were too many memories of wearing the same gritty outfit for what seemed like decades at a time from his life on the streets and even during the war. There wasn’t a whole lot of time to stop by a laundry mat or carry several extra sets of clothes as a terrorist.

His time with Q in the desert was really his first experience with having clean clothes set and waiting for him on a frequent basis, and the habit stuck. He wasn’t a fanatic clean-freak, but if he had his preference…he’d wear the towel.

Quatre was still laid sprawled across the sheets where they left him. A brief spark of worry shot through Duo. Maybe they had worn him out; too much, too soon, but then Quat’s head turned slowly towards him and gave him a lazy smile. Duo couldn’t help but smirk back.

He crawled onto the bed and looked down at the blond for a second before laying a chaste kiss across his lips. “Heya, gorgeous.”

“Heya, yourself.” The lazy expression faded and a strange expression replaced it.

Well, it wasn’t entirely strange; Duo had seen it before. A few years back, Duo would have called it determined. Back when Q was full of confidence and vigor, that face meant: ‘my mind is made up, and you can’t do a thing to stop me.’ Now though…it had been years since he’d seen that expression on Q’s face, and Duo was no longer sure it meant the same thing it used to. “What are you thinking on so hard?”

Quatre’s hand moved fast to Duo’s shoulder, rolling them over so the thief was pinned by the weight of the other man. Violet eyes went wide as that determined face hovered above his own before claiming his lips possessively, prying Duo’s lips apart and plunging in.

He was a little shocked at Q’s actions but participated nonetheless, sucking that tongue into his mouth suggestively.

Quatre pulled back before things went farther. “I apologize, Duo. I really have been an ass lately, haven’t I?” Regret replaced determination, and blue eyes struggled to maintain contact.

“I already forgave you, Quatre. You know that.” Duo’s eyes couldn’t help but flicker back and forth between blue eyes and that tempting mouth.

The blond sat up completely, hand running absently among Duo’s collarbone, eyes trailing the movement. “I do know, but I’ve also just realized how badly I treated you. I can’t help but apologize again.”

Duo rolled his eyes. The return of Q’s assertive nature (if only briefly), their position, and that innocent exploration of the texture of his skin were going to have sexy consequences if things didn’t change course. “Its appreciated but unnecessary. Now, come on, lets go see what our lover has got planned for breakfast. Something smells good.” Duo sat up, facing his friend and lover, but Q’s face changed again.

“He is, isn’t he?” There was a wistful quality to his voice.

“Huh?” Now Duo was confused.

“Our lover.” He stressed ‘our’ just slightly, and Duo felt his heart jump in his chest.

He felt his face go soft and smiled gently. “Yeah, Q. He is.”

“I’m glad.” His response was shy but firm.

“Me too.”

Quatre’s smile was brilliant, and Duo felt happier than he had in a long time. A teasing lilt painted those lips as the blond spoke. “Are you going to get dressed?”

Duo looked taken aback, trying to prevent the laugh that wanted to surface. “I am dressed; you’re the one who’s still naked.” Q blushed, but Duo continued. “Besides, getting back into dirty clothes doesn’t appeal to me.”

“Me neither.” His nose wrinkled slightly in distaste before his eyes slid to the door they both assumed held Trowa’s clothes. “Do you think…?”

Duo laughed. “You want to raid Trowa’s closet?”

Quatre smile shyly, looking slightly uncomfortable, but eager, too. “Well, in the movies, after a couple has sex, there’s always a scene where the girl is wearing one of his dress shirts.”

Duo couldn’t help but tease. “And you’re a girl now?”

The corporate heir grabbed the nearest pillow and hit that laughing mouth. “No, but I always thought that was sexy, wearing those oversized shirts. Its like a claim, you know?”

“Yeah, I know what you mean…so we’re raiding his closet, huh?” He repeated his earlier statement, and Quatre smiled at the realization that Duo would follow his lead.

They were giggling like school girls as they scanned for what to wear. Duo couldn’t help but take a mental step back as Quatre was flipping through the hangars. This is what he was missing so much, the friendship between he and Q. Their teasing banter, their mischievous antics, the laughter, the smiles, blue eyes bright and brilliant with joy…it had been too long since they had spent time like this.

“Well, he’s certainly gained more adventure in the fashion department than during the war.” Quatre’s comment pulled Duo out of his musings.

He was right. There was everything from leather and chains to a brushed silk tuxedo hanging in that closet, and Duo was reminded exactly what Trowa did for a living. He had to have something that could fit in on the darkest streets and back alleys and something that could impress those who make millions at the cost of others.

Duo tried not to think of it, wanting to make sure Quatre stayed in the joyous mood. “Yeah, the tight turtle-neck and jeans were sexy, but I guess he’s branching out. Not a bad thing.”

The blond was reaching for a mesh shirt and ripped jeans that Duo was pretty sure was Quatre would have concerns about when he quickly snatched a white button-down dress shirt and handed it to him. “Here ya go, Quat. I think I’m just going to snag a pair of his boxers.”

He turned and headed towards a chest of drawers near the closet as his new lover hesitated between getting dressed and continuing to explore the depths of Trowa’s closet.

“Man, I’m starving.” Duo slipped into a pair of soft black boxers. They were a little too big, sitting sideways on his hips, very low, showing the ‘v’ of muscle between his hipbones and down to inappropriate depths. Very nice.

His words had the effect he wanted, and Quatre gave up the search, slipping into the shirt and modestly buttoning the front. Duo shook his head, slowly walking over to the other. Blue eyes were fixed on the flex and slide of his abs as Duo moved closer. His finger began at the exposed skin of Quatre’s throat and travelled down to where the buttons blocked that flesh from view.

Duo’s fingers began slipping the fastens open again, undoing the work done until just below the ribs. The shirt was big on the smaller man; longer in the front and the back, it saved a bit of his modesty while showing off those fair legs beautifully where the shirt came up on the sides.

And now his chest, a deep triangle of flesh, exposed to just above his belly button. Tempting.

They looked fucking hot. Duo’s face went devious, and Quatre smirked. It was the first time in a long time that they were on the same wavelength, and both knew what the other was thinking, what they were both planning.

They made their way across the unfinished floor, bare feet picking up the dust and dirt from remodeling. Trowa’s back was to them as they reached the kitchen. He glanced, quickly, over his shoulder and back to the frying pan in front of him, just on instinct.

Then froze. His head turned slowly back towards them, body following after. Duo took two steps to bring him right behind Q, propped his elbow on the shorter man’s shoulder, and popped his hip out. Trowa’s eyes darkened with lust as Duo smirked, knowing exactly how tempting the two of them were for the quiet man.

Quatre’s voice was smooth, a little nervous, but he definitely made his point. “We borrowed some of your clothes, I hope you don’t mind.” It was teasing, meant to provoke action.

Trowa took a step forward before the remembered the heat at his back. He spun to turn off the stovetop, and began forward again, closing menacingly on the other two. “Actually, I do mind.”

Blue eyes widened, but Duo’s presence kept him from taking a step back as Trowa invaded their personal space. “You should probably take them off before I get angry.”

Quatre licked his lips, and Trowa was so close he felt like he could taste the moisture. Duo watched his lovers stare each other down, impressed that the blond hadn’t looked away, even though the blush across his cheeks made it fairly obvious he wasn’t as unaffected as he was pretending to be.

Green eyes flicked to the side to follow Duo’s movement as he circled around behind Trowa. Surrounded. A soft noise echoed through the man in front of him as Duo ran his tongue along Trowa’s spine from shoulder blades to hairline.

Duo and Quatre teamed up to pin Trowa beneath them, mouths and hands roaming. His noises were so incredibly hot. He would hold every ounce of noise within him to the best of his ability until a sharp burst of sound forced its way out.

But Duo remembered Trowa’s confession about not being accustomed to casual touch…and that had to go. The session on the kitchen floor was meant to chip away at that particular quirk of the taller man.

Trowa’s hands clenched at the legs of the chair above his head as Duo’s tongue teased his cock, fingers trailing along his inner thighs and balls. Quatre’s hot breath diffused across the lobe of his ear, tongue trailed the line of his jaw, neck, and collarbone. His mouth would come close and then dance away from Trowa’s questing lips, hands tormenting his chest and stomach.

The acrobat came in a brilliant burst of sound, a sharp cry that dragged out into a groan, filling that laughing mouth with his essence as Quatre finally gave in and sucked the last of that sound into his own mouth.

When Trowa’s eyes began to obey him again, they focused on his lovers, Quatre on his hands and knees above Duo, who was sprawled on his back, both mouths busy as if they hadn’t just tortured him to climax. Quatre’s shaft was buried to the root in Duo’s mouth as the blond’s cheeks hollowed, sucking hard on Duo’s cock.

Trowa’s abs tightened, body reacting to the sight as the pace sped and their movements became jerky, fighting and forcing their way through the pleasure the other was pouring through them, both determined to push the other over first. Duo reached up, fingers splayed and slapped Quatre’s ass. The sudden surprise, sharp pain boiled over into the pleasure filling his head, and he could hold on no longer.

The vibration of Quatre’s moan against his shaft paired with the sudden rush of fluid in his mouth brought Duo right after, shaking and panting his release.

Needless to say, breakfast was a little delayed. Trowa salvaged the meal for the most part, as Quatre and Duo fetched drinks and utensils before sitting down. The taller man set plates in front of Duo and Quatre before turning to fill his own. Breakfast was a plateful of diced potatoes with spicy sausage fried up together. It could have been the precursor to breakfast burritos if there were only eggs and tortillas, but it was still pretty good, if a little overcooked from the delay. But then again, Duo had never been picky when it came to food.

“So what are the plans for today?” Quatre was chipper, tired but sated and, well…happy. This was…this was good. He was realizing his most intense dream, but better because it wasn’t just Trowa anymore. Duo was involved in his fantasies now, and everything was almost perfect.

Almost.

The almost part was what was bothering him. Duo had opened up, maybe not completely voluntarily, but Quatre could sense him now. He could feel the former thief’s emotions when they came together. But not Trowa…

Trowa was still a blank spot, which Quatre figured was better than the flood of negativity he used to get when around him, but why was Trowa trying so hard to block him out? Even touching the man, even when he was at his weakest, his most out of control, there was nothing there.

Was he merely just hiding his contempt of Quatre for Duo’s sake? His happiness drained from him quickly. How long could this threesome work if Trowa hated him?

Duo spoke up. “I don’t know about you, but I planned on staying in bed all day.” He was back to his lecher personality, and it brought Q’s spirits up a bit.

The blond decided not to let his thoughts dictate his actions too much. It wasn’t completely hopeless. Someone as closed off as Trowa couldn’t be made to love someone in only a few days, so Quatre resolved to lock his hurt away for some time and try to win affection from the man he’d loved for so long. Isn’t that what he wanted anyway? He just wanted the opportunity to get close to him, now he had it.

So he shouldn’t be sad, right? “What were your plans for today, Trowa?”

The man finished chewing briefly before responding. “Until yesterday, my plans were the house. Every spare minute had me trying to finish the interior.”

“Well, you’ve got help if you want it.” Duo understood was Trowa wasn’t saying. Every spare minute was devoted to work on his house to try to finish in time, soon enough he’d be off on assignment again.

Trowa nodded. “Thanks.”

Silence took over for a moment before Quatre spoke up. “Well, Duo and I need to find some clothes if we’re going to help. I’d rather not think of all the places you could get splinters if not covered.”

Duo laughed. “Well if you do get a splinter in a naughty place, you can trust us to kiss it make it better.”

Trowa smirked as Q flushed. “Lecher.” The heir huffed before his caretaker side took over. “Anyways, one thing that needs to be done, if not today then soon, is going to the grocery store. All you have in your refrigerator is meat and potatoes, Trowa.”

“Hey, lay off, Q. Maybe Trowa likes meat and potatoes.” Duo’s smile took the edge off his words.

“I don’t like potatoes.” Trowa’s voice was smooth as glass, nothing revealed with his tone, which made the other two stop, glance down at their plates, at each other, and then back to Trowa.

Maybe it was a joke? A really dry, not funny joke, but maybe? But before either of them could comment, he continued. “They’re filling, and they can feed many. Potatoes were a staple with my mercenary unit. I guess you could call it a comfort food for me, but I don’t necessarily like them.”

Duo and Quatre just stared at him; Duo’s mouth was open just the slightest, confusion painting both their faces.

Trowa looked uncomfortable. “I can peel a ten pound bag in less than three minutes. I can cut and cook them in any style you want, but that’s really the only thing I’m good at cooking out of necessity more than desire.”

Duo pointed his fork at Trowa. “What about the meat, then? You had many different kinds.”

Trowa shrugged. “Fresh meat doesn’t stay fresh long. It’s the opposite. I never got to have it much as a merc, and I like it, so I get it. It’s not hard to cook.”

Quatre still looked stunned. “So what foods do you like besides meat? And what particular kinds of meat, beef, pork, poultry, fish?”

“I don’t know. Food is food, for the most part.” Trowa finished off the last few bites on his plate. “There’s more on the stove if you’re still hungry.”

“You don’t know.” Blue eyes closed as the confusion faded into determination. “Then we’ll find out. You and Duo are coming to dinner at my place all week. If my chefs can’t find something you like, I’ll bow down and kiss Une’s shoes.”

Duo watched the interchange. One part of him was satisfied, seeing more and more of Quatre’s personality emerge. But the other was saddened and a bit disappointed. There was a lot of work to do. Quatre was right to begin with, Trowa was letting himself become the automaton he had been as a merc. He flushed himself of most personality traits in order to be able to slip into any role without leaving clues to who he really was.

To the point where he didn’t know or care what he ate or drank, the clothes he wore, the solitude he surrounded himself with. It seemed like the only thing he kept for himself was his house. It made sense, a sort of safe haven, but still not revealing if someone where to break in. Even the books on the bookshelves in his bedroom were random titles. There was no one genre, a very eclectic mix.

Duo wondered if Quatre realized how far Trowa really had retreated, but on the bright side, it looked like he was at least willing to let more and more of himself open up to the two of them. He had let a few confessions slip past his lips that never would have been exposed to air if he wasn’t trying.

So there was hope, and as long as all of them were trying, they could get through it.
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AN: So...unless the boys throw me a loop, only 1-2 more chapters needed. I had several people express regret, and one reviewer actually suggested me develop this into a novella...evil. Cuz then the plotlines attacked. So yeah, I kinda have this completion kick. I want to finish this fic, but I also have a pretty wicked idea for a sequel which would pick up almost immediately after this. (It revolves around the various physical and psychological complications of Trowa being gone for months) So, for those of you who are like me and hate waiting for updates and get a serenity out of resolution. Peace is near at hand, for those of you who want to follow more, you can stay with me.

Lol, so that was kinda bullshit. Mainly its because I'm getting reeeaaaalllllyyyy tired of naming chapters. Yeah, I can write 10 page chapters, but coming up with a title, too much for me. *shakes head* I'm such a dork. lol

Anywho. Review responses will be posted tomorrow sometime. Hope ya liked, and drop me a line if ya got some time!

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