Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Not So Straight Flush ❯ Two ( Chapter 2 )

A Not So Straight Flush

By Anne Olsen

Rating/warnings this chapter: This Fic has been rated in accordance with the approved TTFF Rating System.

OK (Oz/Kiwi spelling/grammar etc) - MA (Mature audience) - Sexual refs, suggestive language, angst, humour.

Pairings: 2+4, 3x4, 2+1

Author's notes: This fic is part of the 'Outlasting Time' arc, which is obviously being written way out of order. For more information and to read the other stories in the series check out the following

http://www.angelfire.com/ab7/shadesandechoes/outlastingtime.ht ml

Summary: When Duo visits Quatre, and they join Alimah Winner in a game of strip poker, more is revealed than either of them had initially anticipated. (A sidefic/prequel to 'At Your Side'.)

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing belongs to Bandai, Sunrise and Sotsu Agency. I promise to return the boys when I'm finished.

Thanks to: Bast, Raletha and Sakura for beta reading, comments and support. Also to Windsor for her suggestion re the 'soundtrack' for this chapter. It's wonderfully er....bohemian. *grins*

Feedback to: anneo @ paradise.net.nz

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Chapter Two

"Sure you're up to the role of dealer, Cat?" Duo asked, settling back into his chair and stretching. The day was still warm even though it was heading into evening, and the colony's imitation breeze ruffled the corners of the light cotton cloth covering their table. He allowed his gaze to wander around the room again, his eyes drawn to the Winner family portraits on the walls. Strange how there weren't any of all the children together. Duo remembered Quatre telling him that he had yet to meet all of his sisters, and that there were only a few of them that he knew well. He suspected Quatre was closer to his fellow pilots than he was to most of his family. It was also pretty damn obvious that the Winners had no idea who their younger brother and current heir really was. It would be fun to be a fly on the wall when they eventually found out, which hopefully would be soon, considering Quatre's determination to introduce his chosen partner. He wished he knew what the hell was behind Trowa's equally determined stance against it.

Raising an eyebrow, Quatre replied with a self-satisfied smile. "Oh, I'm sure I'll manage." The smile turned to one of amusement as though he were laughing at some private joke. "I have played before, and I'm well aware of the expectations required for my role in this game."

Alimah stifled a laugh, focusing her attention on the brightly coloured polish she was applying to her nails. Another glance passed between the siblings and Duo wondered again what he was missing. "Don't get snotty, Cat. Duo's just making sure you're up to his standard of play. Isn't that right, Duo dear?"

"I am not getting snotty," Quatre protested, giving her a glare. "That particular boyfriend of yours is long gone. There's no need to remind us of him by insisting on using that word."

"He wouldn't be gone if you hadn't scared him off," Alimah pointed out. "There's protective and then there's obsessive, brother dear, although I'm still not sure what exactly it was you said to him." She shook her head, and Duo decided the mental image of Quatre scaring off his older sister's prospective boyfriends was something he didn't want to contemplate.

"I didn't scare him off," Quatre corrected her. "You're quite capable of doing that on your own." He paused. "Sorry, that didn't come out the way I meant it to. He wasn't the right person for you, Ali, and we both know it."

"Yes, we do," Alimah indicated the pack of cards sitting on the table. "Come on, deal." She continued speaking as Quatre began shuffling the deck. "I just thank my lucky stars I found out about Richard before I got in too deep. Unlike some sisters we won't mention."

"Ghazal thinks the sun shines out of Glen's…" Quatre's voice trailed off. "Umm, sorry. Let's play poker, shall we?"

It took all of Duo's will power to focus on the game at hand. "Sounds like a good plan to me," he drawled, noticing how comfortable his friend seemed with his role as dealer. "What do you guys want to play? Stud or draw? Five or seven?"

"Five card draw," replied Quatre. "Kings and the lowest card in your hand are wild." The blond paused, splitting the cards between two hands and flipping them with an ease that suggested he'd done this before. "I can't decide which way I want to go. 'Kings and Low-Men' or 'No Vaseline'. What's your preference, Duo?"

"Huh?" Duo's mind had crashed to a halt with the realisation he might be further in over his head than he'd originally anticipated. "Kings and Low-Men," he mumbled, watching Quatre bring the two halves of the deck together before spreading them across the table. The smirk on Quatre's face as he'd asked for his preference, and the twinkle in his eyes after Duo had answered wasn't very reassuring. So okay, Quatre had read the rules of some of the not so common variations of the game and practised his card handling skills. It didn't mean he could actually play the game. Nah, that took a certain finesse. One which he was certain the Winner heir had no business knowing. He took a gulp from the glass in front of him, using the action to cover his surprise.

"Okay," Quatre began dealing the cards. "Kings and Low-Men it is then. We'll have to try for 'No Vaseline' another time." He chuckled. "Although I've heard it's better with it."

Duo choked as his water went down the wrong way and Alimah laughed. "I do believe you've shocked the poor boy, Cat."

"Have I?" Quatre's tone didn't sound repentant at all, and the grin on his face was nothing less than smug. "He's always telling me he doesn't believe the innocent routine." Quatre placed the remainder of the deck on the table and examined his hand although it was hard to gauge his reaction to whatever cards he'd dealt himself.

From her position on Quatre's right, Alimah did the same and Duo followed suit once he'd stopped coughing. King of diamonds, Jack and seven of spades, five and six of hearts. I've had better, he thought, deciding to ditch the number cards and keep the rest.

"I'll open with one…" Duo paused. "Hey, what are we playing for anyway?"

"I'd like to see that t-shirt come off first," Alimah suggested. "What do you think, Cat?" She turned to her brother to get his opinion.

"What the hell are you guys…?" Oh shit. Duo groaned. They couldn't be serious.

"T-shirt, definitely," Quatre agreed, "although his trousers do hold a certain appeal." His eyes twinkled in silent laughter and Duo felt a sudden flash of anger. He'd been played like a damn amateur and had fallen for it hook, line and sinker.

Right, if that's the way you want to play the game. It's fine by me.

Removing his t-shirt slowly, and enjoying the slight colouring of Quatre's cheeks as he did so, Duo calmly placed it on the centre of the table. "Going to match my opening bet?" he taunted. "Or are the stakes too high for you?"

"Tsk, tsk," Alimah answered. "Getting excited are we? And the fun is only just beginning." One hand went to her ear and she removed a single earing, placing it on Duo's t-shirt, her fingers stroking the cotton material in a deliberate slowness before sitting back in her chair.

After a moment Quatre slid his watch off his wrist, adding it to the pot. "Nice abs, Duo," he noted approvingly. "But I suspect we'll get a better view when you lose the vest underneath."

"I hope you have a vest on under your own shirt, Quatre, unless you don't mind me getting a view of your abs." Duo was proud of the way he retained his composure, although the temperature of the room seemed to have risen several degrees following Quatre's remark. No way was he going to lose any more clothing. Now he knew the stakes, Duo was determined to play to win. The gloves, or in this case shirt, were off. It was time to concentrate on showing these two amateurs how this game should be played.

Re-examining his hand after drawing three new cards, Duo noted that Alimah had discarded three cards, and Quatre two, and he wondered if their hands were in line with his own. King of hearts, nine of diamonds, six of spades. Lowest card wild. Duo rearranged his cards. Three of a kind. He could definitely live with that.

Casually tossing his own watch into the pot, Duo allowed himself a minute smirk. "I'll see your watch and raise my own. Alimah?"

"Too rich for me," Alimah grumbled. "Better to leave it to the experts. I fold." She grinned. "Besides it's more fun sitting on the sidelines and watching two guys lose clothing."

"Ali, stop being a pervert," Quatre scolded.

"Why should I let you be the only pervert in this family?" Alimah protested.

To his amusement Quatre blushed. "I am not a pervert," he muttered, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket and throwing it onto the table. "I'll see your watch and raise you a handkerchief."

"Uh huh," Alimah rolled her eyes. "Shall I ask Trowa about that one? I bet you and he have all sorts of fun on these romantic trysts of yours."

"Shame you'll never know isn't it?" Quatre poked his tongue out at his sister. "You'll have to excuse her, Duo," he apologised.

"No problem," Duo reassured his friend. Truth be known, he was enjoying the banter between them. This was a side of Quatre he was sure very few people got to see. Damn shame Trowa wasn't here to join in. That might raise the stakes a bit. "What ya got?" he asked Quatre, laying his own hand on the table with a flourish. "Three of a kind. Kings." Beat that, his tone suggested.

"Good hand," Quatre admitted. "But not good enough." He smirked before revealing his cards. Duo groaned aloud as he read the cards. Jack, ten, eight, seven, three. Damn it. Lowest card wild. "I'm sure a straight beats three of a kind. Better luck next time."

Several hands and items of clothing later Duo decided he smelt a rat. A golden haired former Gundam pilot rat to be precise. There was no way Quatre could be winning hand after hand like this. Shit, no one's luck was this good. Alimah caught his eye discretely and smiled sympathetically although she didn't do a good job of hiding her amusement at his increasing state of undress.

"You're down to your boxers, Duo." Quatre's statement of the obvious annoyed the hell out of him, as did the smirk he was tempted to reach over and wipe off his face. The blond tapped the table in an impatient gesture. "I'm waiting, or is the great Shinigami too embarrassed to get naked in front of an audience?"

"I'd love to see you in just your boxers," Duo replied, annoyed that Quatre had managed to hang onto every item of clothing except a freaking handkerchief. Who went into a poker game with six handkerchiefs in their pocket anyway? He'd been well and truly set up. There was no way he was parting with his boxers. A guy had to have some pride. A sudden flash of inspiration hit, and he reached for the end of his braid, shaking his hair out of its confines as he threw the hair tie down in front of Quatre. "Looks as though you'll have to wait a bit longer to have your wet dreams fulfilled doesn't it, Quatre?"

To his surprise Quatre paled, his previously calm composure vanishing in a reaction Duo hadn't been expecting. "If that's what you think, Duo," he said quietly, hands shaking as he poured himself a drink from the water pitcher.

"Quatre, dear, could you do me a small favour?" Alimah fluttered her eyelashes at her brother and he looked at her suspiciously, the glass he was holding poised in mid air.

"What kind of favour?" Quatre covered his nervousness by shifting his attention onto his sister.

"I'm feeling chilly. Could you go fetch my silk scarf for me?"

Quatre snorted. "It's not that chilly. If you want to get rid of me at least be discreet about it." He took another sip of water, his brow creasing as he glanced between Alimah and Duo. "What are you up to, Ali?"

It amazed Duo how Alimah managed to plaster a convincing expression of hurt on her face so quickly. "You wound me, little…"

"Ali!" Quatre blushed, and Duo wondered not for the first time, what the hell the phrase was he kept reacting to. "How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that," Quatre muttered, pushing his chair back from the table as he rose to his feet. "Whatever it is you want to talk to Duo about, I'm sure you could do it with me in the room. But if you insist, I'll humour you this once." He headed for the door. "Which silk scarf? You have so many of the damn things."

"The pink one." Alimah sniggered. "The one you loved to borrow when you used to play dress up when you were younger." Duo laughed and Quatre shot him a glare. "Although I'm still wondering why it found its way into your luggage the last time you went on holiday. Tying that boyfriend of yours to the bedpost with it were you?"

"You misplaced it. I didn't take it on holiday with me." Quatre's voice was calm, but the way he brushed an errant lock of hair off his face suggested he wasn't impressed with the teasing.

It's the small gestures and body language which give people away, Duo thought, unable to wipe the grin off his face. He attempted to drum up some sympathy towards his friend regarding his evil big sister but remembering the last hand of poker, decided not to bother. However, Quatre's reaction to his earlier remark had been weird to say the least.

"If you insist," Alimah shrugged.

"I do," Quatre replied, and Duo shivered in the breeze created by the motion of the door closing as he exited the room.

"Okay, so what was that about?" Duo asked.

"Huh?" Alimah tore her glance away from the door, not quite managing to cover her concern before Duo noticed it. "Damn that boy," she muttered, and Duo got the impression she wasn't talking about Quatre. Sounded as though he wasn't the only one aware of the present situation between Quatre and Trowa.

"They'll sort it out," Duo said softly, blushing when she turned to fix him with an intent gaze, which soon turned into a grin after she examined his current state of undress.

"If they don't I'll sort the two of them out myself," she told him, "even if I have to lock the pair of them in a room together." Alimah rolled her eyes. "I don't know what's up with Trowa but Cat's too damn stubborn for his own good." She paused, her grin turning decidedly wicked. "So what are you going to do about what my darling brother is doing to you?"

Now it was Duo's turn to come out with the less than brilliant "Huh?"

"Do you honestly think Quatre's winning the game by just his good looks and luck?" Alimah seemed amused by the idea. "Come on, Duo. I thought you Gundam pilots were supposed to have some brainpower." She smirked. "Unless he's not the only one distracted by thoughts of…"

Cutting her off, Duo had to admit he too was suspicious of Quatre's winning streak. "So what's your brilliant theory?" He stood, daring her to come up with a scenario he could live with.

"Obvious really," Alimah shrugged. "He's cheating." She popped a salted nut into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "The question of course, is how we play him at his own devious little game."

"Cheating?" Duo wondered what the hell he was missing. "I agree about the devious bit, but I can't see Cat cheating. It's just not him."

"Oh I doubt he's doing it intentionally, but it still doesn't make it right. And it doesn't mean we're going to let him win." Alimah paused. "I know you're aware of my brother's…ability to read other people's emotions."

"His space-heart you mean?" Duo nodded. "Yeah, but I didn't know you were."

"I'm his sister, Duo. Of course I know about it." Alimah dropped her voice to a whisper. "Although between you and me, I doubt anyone else does apart from you, I and Iria. And Trowa of course. There's no way he wouldn't have told Trowa. The rest of the family hasn't a clue, which is a very good thing. But then those idiots haven't a clue about a lot of things."

Duo grinned. "That about matches the conclusion I'd come to regarding what goes on around here too. No offence of course." He'd been correct in his initial assessment of Alimah Winner. She was one smart lady.

"None taken. Now," Alimah chewed her lower lip, "my theory is that he's picking up on your reactions to your hands and playing his own accordingly." She chuckled. "I do have an interesting idea on how to distract him and use it to our advantage." Alimah stopped and sighed. "Of course it all depends on whether you're up to it."

"I'm a Gundam pilot, Ali. Of course I'm damn well up to it." Duo leaned in closer. "Now spill…"

After glancing around as though she was afraid she might be overheard, Alimah leaned back in her chair before continuing. "Quatre's concentration levels are very high when he's playing to win. However," her mouth turned up in an evil smirk, "I doubt he has the same control over his hormones. After all, Gundam pilot or not, he is still a teenager and male to boot."

It was hard to resist the temptation to snort. "Hey," Duo protested, "Watch it." Quatre wasn't the only one matching that rather accurate description. His brow furrowed. "How the hell are you suggesting we use his hormones to level the playing field? The one person who would distract him isn't here."

"No, but you are."

"No way," Duo shook his head. "Cat's a friend, Ali. And he's your brother. You can't be serious."

"Oh but I am." Alimah smiled and he shivered, although he wasn't sure if it was in anticipation of what she was suggesting or because the idea scared the shit out of him. "Don't you see. This could be just the distraction he needs to take his mind of his current problems." Her smile turned sad. "You can cut the tension in the air with a knife, especially over the last few days." Alimah shrugged. "Of course if you don't mind losing those boxers in the next ten minutes, I'm sure I can cope with seeing you naked. I am quite enjoying the view so far."

Hmm, she did have a point, screwed as it was. There was no way he was going to lose these boxers, and a bit of flirting never hurt anyone. After all it wasn't as though this was going to go that far. Just enough to distract Quatre and put him off his game. "Okay," He conceded. "So any brilliant ideas as to how we put this master plan into action?"

"For a Gundam pilot, your education is sadly lacking." Alimah shook her head. "But then I suppose Quatre was the strategist, though for some reason I can't see him coming up with this one." She laughed at his blank expression. "Cat can pick up on emotions. Focus on what or who turns you on, and I'm sure it would be quite contagious if you know what I mean." Alimah winked.

Duo felt himself blush as a mental picture of Heero entered his mind without much effort. "I can't do this," he mumbled. "It's… personal. It's not right." He took another sip of water. "You're an evil woman, Ali."

"Don't be such a prude," Alimah told him. "It's not going to hurt anyone. Besides I saw the way Cat looked at you when you took your hair down. You're a looker, Duo, and he knows it. It wouldn't take too damn much to get him going." She glanced towards the door. "That's all I'm suggesting. He's with Trowa. We both know that. I'm not expecting you to end up in bed with him, but a kiss between friends? That never hurt anyone. You're both moping around, and neither of you can go on like this."

"Both moping around?" But Quatre had insisted he hadn't told anyone about Heero. What the hell was Alimah going on about?

"It's damn obvious you've got a touch of what's bothering Quatre. I haven't a clue about the story behind it, but I can pick up on it a mile off. Have some fun, Duo. Work off some of the tension. It sure as hell isn't going to do any harm. I trust you enough to know you're not going to take advantage of him, or I wouldn't be suggesting this. What's the matter? Don't you think you've got the will power to control yourself?"

"Of course I have will power." Duo rolled his eyes at the suggestion. He'd come through the war with his Gundam more or less intact, kicking Ozzie butt in the process. Where did she get off suggesting he wasn't up to controlling his own hormones?

"Here's your scarf, Ali." Duo jumped at the sound of Quatre's voice behind him. He'd been so engrossed in his own thoughts that he hadn't noticed his friend re enter the room. "I hope whatever you guys were discussing was worth it."

"So do I," replied Alimah, giving Duo a meaningful glance before wrapping the thin scarf around her shoulders. Protection against the cold? Yeah right. No wonder Quatre had been suspicious. "Are you ready for another hand, boys? I'm looking forward to seeing rather more of your good looking friend here, Quatre." She wolf whistled. "But then I'm not above seeing how you've changed since you used to run around naked as a toddler either."

The silence in the room following her remark was deafening, both boys bowing their heads to examine the cloth on the table as their faces burned bright red. The thought of a naked Quatre, even as a child, was not something Duo needed right now. He was having enough problems keeping thoughts of another unclothed Gundam pilot out of his mind.

Quatre dealt the cards quickly, muttering something in Arabic under his breath. One of these days Duo was going to ask his friend to teach him the basics of his native tongue, although he suspected he'd then lose any illusions he had left about the blond. Swearing in another language had distinct advantages in company.

With a shake of her head, Alimah informed them she was sitting this hand out. After the chat they'd just had, Duo wasn't surprised. She nodded as he picked up his cards in way of encouragement to put their 'plan' into operation. Still trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing, and helping Quatre, Duo concentrated on examining his hand in an attempt to buy more time. Crappy cards, he snorted, mentally rolling his eyes. At this rate he'd be losing his boxers fairly shortly.

"The opening bet is yours, Duo," Duo could have sworn Quatre's grin was almost lascivious, but maybe that was just his own guilty conscience regarding what he was about to do?

The only item of clothing he had left to bargain with were his boxers. Oh what the hell. This was war, and they were both experienced soldiers. "Give me a minute to examine my options," he muttered, focusing on the task at hand. Duo closed his eyes, imagining Heero was in the room with them, a very obliging Heero who was only too happy to remove his clothing for a good cause. Duo swallowed hard, as his imagination went into overdrive. God, the guy was freaking gorgeous, and with the spandex he'd worn during the war it really didn't take much effort to visualise what was under it.

"Duo?" Duo opened his eyes to meet Quatre's. The other boy was pulling at his shirt collar, unfastening the top few buttons, and taking a sip of water.

"It's warm here in the evenings," Duo commented, noting the smirk of approval from Alimah.

"Yeah," Quatre replied, frowning. "Maybe I need to turn up the air conditioning?"

Discreetly shifting one hand under the table, and thankful for the overhanging cloth hiding what he was about to do, Duo stroked himself lightly through the black silk of his boxers. At the same time he imagined Heero slowly doing a provocative striptease for his benefit on the top of the table directly above him.

There was a crash as the water pitcher Quatre was using up ended on the table, soaking the cards, and the cloth. Duo quickly removed his hand as he was brought back to reality with a bang. He rose to his feet, but then sat down again as he noticed the tell tale bulge in his boxers. Clever, really clever. All he'd achieved was to give himself a hard on that he had no way of relieving without looking obvious. He groaned aloud, his mind groping in an effort to hang onto a mental picture which was rapidly fading as fast as his chances of finding a suitable explanation out of this mess.

Quatre was staring at him in confusion, the grin that had been there earlier changing into a slow smile as a blush spread across his features. Quatre swallowed before licking his lips, his gaze travelling downwards to take in Duo's rather prominent erection after lingering wistfully at Duo's unbraided hair.

"Trowa's hair isn't weird," Quatre's earlier words repeated in his mind, as he put two and two together. "It's cute. I was going to say sexy, but I thought I'd told you enough about our sex life."

The guy had a thing about hair. Firstly the comment about Trowa's, and now the way he was staring, entranced, at the sight of Duo's locks brushing against his hips and clinging to the damp material of his suddenly very tight boxers.

"Beautiful," Quatre, seemingly in a daze, murmured the word so softly Duo barely heard him. The blond rose to his feet and pushed back his chair, one hand resting on his chest. "Duo…I…"

Before Duo could answer Alimah spoke from the other side of the room. He'd been so engrossed with his imagined fantasy and the effect it seemed to be having on Quatre that he hadn't noticed her flipping through the extensive collection of CD's. "Oh, this is perfect, [1]" she exclaimed. "Got to have the right background music for these occasions, right boys?"

The lyrics started in with the music, the slow but sensual beat doing nothing to ease the pressure growing in Duo's groin.

Quatre seemed surprised at Alimah's choice of music, but after a few moments his lips began mouthing the opening lyrics.

Duo stood and took a step backwards.

And I don't want to think too much about what we,

Should or shouldn't do.

"Umm, Cat," he mumbled. "What are you doing?" Out of the corner of his eye he saw the door open, and then close quickly as Alimah made her escape.

His voice low and throaty, Quatre closed the distance between them, caressing Duo's cheek with one finger. "I can feel you want it too, Duo." He smiled and Duo's boxers suddenly felt even tighter than they had a few moments before. "Music is good for setting the mood, don't you think?" Quatre paused, closing his eyes and rocking back and forth in time with the music, as he sang along with the words.

Lay my hands on heaven and the sun and the moon and the stars,

While the devil want to fuck me in the back of his car.

Nothing quite like the feel of something new.

Did Quatre know just how damn sexy he looked right now? Duo watched Quatre edge closer towards him, his breath hot as their lips met in a bruising kiss. Part of him knew he shouldn't be doing this. Hell, Quatre shouldn't be doing this. Maybe this idea of using his friend's ability to pick up on emotions against him hadn't been such a great idea after all? He was going to hate himself in the morning. Duo broke the kiss and attempted to move away. "Quatre, please…Trowa…"

"Trowa isn't here, Duo. You are…" Nimble fingers traced a path around the waistband of Duo's boxers, gripping the material to pull the two of them closer. "I know you want this. I can feel it." Quatre's eyes met his, and there was a hurt expression in them. "Don't you want me?" Quatre slowly undid the top button of his jeans and edged the zipper down. "I know I want you."

"Oh God, Cat." Duo swallowed hard as Quatre pressed against him before sliding his fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp in smooth even strokes. The hands of a musician, a very talented musician, Duo thought, groaning.

"Do you have any idea what your hair does to me?" Quatre purred, rubbing against him. "You're so beautiful, Duo, and your hair is so soft. So very soft."

He had to make one last ditched attempt to bring them both back to reality. "Hmm, Cat, did you ever tell Trowa about that kiss?"

"No, did you ever tell Heero?"

"Nope."

"Hmmm, then I guess we'd better not tell them about this either," Quatre replied, his mouth moving to suckle at Duo's breastbone, the action taking with it what was left of Duo's intention to stop this before it went any further.

Oh what the hell. What's the worse Tro can do to me?

In the background the music continued, both of them swaying in time, their moans barely audible over the slow thump thump of the bass line.

I swear,

I just found everything I need.

The sweat in your eyes, the blood in your veins,

Are listening to me.

Well I want to wrap it up and swim in it until I drown,

My moral standing is lying down.

Nothing quite like the feel of something new.

Something silky and soft moved against Duo's thigh, and Quatre's lips pressed up against his ear. "I know you want this, Duo." He nodded, lost in the feeling of Quatre's body pressed up against his, as the song moved into the chorus, the words a scary reflection of his present state of mind.

Maybe I'm all messed up in you.

This is the only time I really feel alive.

"Cat. What?" Duo felt himself fall backwards as he was pushed into a chair. Quatre's expression was feral, his eyes reflecting the rawness of his exposed emotions. In his hand was the pink silk scarf Alimah had jokingly accused him of borrowing from her wardrobe.

"Don't you want me to take you, Duo?" Quatre spoke softly, but his words were clear. "All of your desires, they're flowing through me like the rapids of a river." He placed his hand over his heart. "I can feel them, feel you." Quatre paused. "My ability, it's a strange thing. It's sometimes hard for me to tell the difference between my own wants and desires and those of someone else."

Before Duo realised what was happening, Quatre was bending over him and using the scarf to secure him to the chair.

"It's sometimes hard for me to tell the difference between my own wants and desires and those of someone else."

The words his friend had just spoken repeated in his mind, and Duo felt an emotional bucket of cold water hit him squarely in the face. Oh shit.

"Quatre," he protested, "I'm not sure this is such a good idea. What about..?"

"What about what?" Quatre stood upright and re zippered his trousers. "I'm going to find something which will make this so much easier for both of us." He licked his lips, his expression reflecting a regret that made Duo uneasy. "Kiwi," Quatre decided. "Trowa always liked kiwi." The blond waggled one finger. "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."

******

TBC

[1] The Only Time - Nine Inch Nails

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