Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Cries of an Undead Soldier ❯ Awkward Arrangements ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five

Awkward Arrangements

 

Treize stared out the window of the black SUV with boredom clear on his features, his bright blue eyes watching the buildings and people that lined the street flash fast as Heero maneuvered easily around corners and through lights and stop signs. In the seat in front of him sat Wufei, who was still grumbling softly to himself about various injustices as he had been doing ever since Treize started sharing an office with him earlier that morning. Duo was sitting between Wufei and Heero in the front seat, humming softly to the radio, and Trowa and Quatre sat to Treize's left, conversing in hushed tones.

 

“Hey! Treize?!” Treize blinked and turned away from the window, eyes falling on Duo, who had spun around in his seat to watch the tall man with bright violet eyes. Treize remained silent but lifted a forked eyebrow in question. “How was your first day as an agent?”

 

“It wasn't horrible, but I think I will like it better once I've been on a few missions.” Treize shrugged and turned back towards the window again, Duo turning back to the radio again, the rest of the ride continuing in utter silence…

 

***

 

Treize's eyes widened only a fraction as they pulled to a stop before a large house that wasn't far from being called a mansion. It was obvious that Quatre had some hand in the place; because Treize was quite sure Preventers work did not pay well enough for any of the young men to afford a house like that. The building was white with black trim and three stories high. Curtains of varying hues currently covered all the windows, though most of them were white.

 

“Well, here we are.” Treize plucked his bag out of the back of the SUV and nodded softly, a smile spreading his lips as he turned to Quatre and the others.

 

“I really must thank you again for allowing me to stay with you. I assure you I will be out of your way soon enough.” Treize bowed, but his rather formal attitude was broken as Duo clapped him heartily on the back.

 

“It's no big deal Trei, we have room to spare! Come on, let's get you settled in eh?” Duo led Treize up the steps to the front porch that ran along the entire front of the house and into the building. Heero followed closely behind them with Quatre and Trowa practically dragging Wufei into the house. Treize was led to the third floor, as all the rooms on the second were occupied by something or someone, and was given a large room that could easily have been a master bedroom if it weren't for the fact that practically every room was that size.

 

“Well, here's your room Treize. You know, it's yours…customize it or whatever you want to do. The kitchen and dining room is on the main floor, and so is the living room. There's a weight room in the basement if you're into that kind of stuff.”

 

“Thank you Duo, I'll just put my stuff away and then do some exploring on my own.”

 

“K. Just stay out of Fei's room, it's the one that we passed with the red door that has the gold dragon painted on it.”

 

“So I figured…but I'll be sure to steer clear of it. Thanks again.” Duo grinned and flashed his victory sign before leaving Treize alone in his room and heading to his own room with Heero.

 

Treize looked around the room quickly and then set about neatly folding all his clothes and placing them in the low dresser that was settled beneath a large mirror. Treize paused for a moment in front of the mirror, looking at his reflection with mild interest. His ginger hair was messy yet, strands falling to tickle against his forehead and tease the corner of his eyes. The dark Preventers jacket fit neatly to his frame, the royal blue t-shirt beneath it bringing out his eyes. Treize smiled and finished putting his things away. Once that was done, he shed his Preventers jacket, hanging it up in his closet, and decided to have a shower and change. Upon further inspection of his room he had discovered it had an adjoining bathroom, for which he was quite thankful.

 

Closing the bathroom door behind him, Treize pulled off his t-shirt, socks, pants and briefs before slipping under the hot spray he had started before undressing. The hot water beat against his flesh like tiny fists and Treize reveled in the feeling as he washed his hair with some shampoo that had been waiting to be used for god only knew how long. Treize made a mental note to buy his own shampoo, as the scent of lavender was not one that appealed to his senses. The conditioner, too, was lavender but Treize suffered through it and finished his shower quickly. Turning off the water and stepping out, he snatched a towel off the shelf and wrapped it firmly around his hips before exiting the bathroom. Just as he pulled an outfit from his dresser, a rather hesitant knock sounded on his door. Without even thinking about his current state of semi-dress, Treize called the other into the room…

 

***

 

Wufei had gone straight to his room upon returning home. Changing out of his Preventers uniform, he pulled on his typical black tank top and white silk pants, firmly tying his black sash in place. Once changed, Wufei sat down and attempted to meditate. It worked…somewhat. Not even ten minutes after he had started, Quatre entered his room, asking him what he wanted for supper. Wufei had merely growled his answer of “anything” and Quatre had hastily left, realizing his mistake too late.

 

As he tried to start again, the sound of running water reached his ears, the sound coming from upstairs. He growled, knowing instantly that Treize was showering, as the older man had the entire top floor to himself. But the idea of Treize in the shower led Wufei to imagine and think of other things that made him curse explicitly in both Chinese and English. So Wufei decided to forget meditating and decided to have a shower instead…a cold one mind you.

 

The cold water had felt amazingly good and had calmed his raging hormones that he cursed repeatedly as he dressed. Just as he was finished dressing, pulling his tank top over his head, a knock rattle against the door.

 

“Who is it?”

 

“Quatre. I just came up to tell you dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. Do you think you could go and get Treize?” Wufei groaned and wiped a hand across his face in mild frustration. He had just washed away rather intoxicating thoughts of the ex-OZ general and now he had to go tell him dinner was ready…

 

“Fine.”

 

“Thank you Wufei.” Wufei listened to the blonde's retreating footsteps. A moment later, Wufei steeled himself and left his room, making sure to close the door firmly as he made his way down the hall and up the stairs to the top story. He went to the first door to his right and rapped his knuckles firmly against it. When told to come in, he merely shrugged slightly, seeing no harm in it, and swung the door open only to freeze in his tracks. Just what he needed, an unwanted fantasy come true! He groaned silently and tried to compose himself as he stepped a bit more into the room, trying not to stare at the vast expanse of creamy skin revealed to him that glistened with moisture from its recent wash.

 

Treize merely turned and lifted an eyebrow at Wufei, awaiting words from the solitary dragon. “Is there something you wanted Wufei?” Wufei made sure his mouth was closed and cleared his throat as he wrenched his gaze away from Treize's figure.

 

“Yes…ahem…Quatre sent me up to inform you supper will be ready in about ten minutes.”

 

“Thank you for letting me know; I'll be down in a few.” Wufei nodded curtly and quickly left the room, closing the door with a sharp snap. Hoping to take his mind off of Treize at least until dinner, Wufei all but ran to the basement to practice his katas before dinner. However, even as he worked out, Wufei could still smell the scent of lavender that had clung to Treize; he hoped that his hormones would settle before dinner…

 

***

 

Quatre called everybody for dinner, Wufei rather cautiously making his appearance from the basement, a soft sheen of sweat over his visible flesh. He looked around as he sat down, trying not to meet anybody's eyes. His hormones had calmed thankfully, but he was unsure as to how they would act when Treize came down to join them for dinner. Wufei watched Duo and Heero seat themselves along one side of the table out of the corner of his eye, Quatre and Trowa seated across from them. The only other open space, thankfully, was at the other end of the table directly opposite to Wufei. It was a moment before Treize made his appearance.

 

Treize entered the rather small dining room, smiling rather apologetically as he took the seat left open to him.

 

“I'm sorry if I kept you waiting.” Quatre graced Treize with a dismissive smile, laughing softly.

 

“I assure you that we were not kept waiting Treize. I gather you have settled in nicely?”

 

“Yes, I must thank you once more for the opportunity to stay with you five.” Quatre and Duo both grinned at Treize, who smiled in return, and then everybody dug in. Tonight's dinner was pasta in meat sauce; simple but very good. Treize quite enjoyed it…and Wufei tried to keep himself focused on his meal. Treize was looking very…striking…and what pissed Wufei off more than anything was that the man wasn't even trying to be so alluring. Even in such mundane clothes as a snug black t-shirt and black jeans Treize looked…Wufei cut off his train of thought abruptly and stabbed a piece of pasta viciously with his fork. He ignored the amiable conversation that Treize and Quatre had started and the incessant chatter of Duo trying to get Heero and Trowa to join him in a conversation. To say the least, Wufei was very glad when supper was done and over with. But wait! Quatre's going to torture him further with dessert!

 

“YEAH! CHOCOLATE CAKE!” Duo all but leapt onto the table, but the funny thing was that everybody present, save for Treize, knew that it was Trowa who had the huge chocolate fetish. But everybody also knew Trowa was just too controlled to actually jump on the table and dive for the chocolate cake Quatre was placing on the table.

 

“Down Duo! Heero, please control him.” In response, Heero grabbed Duo's braid and deftly pulled the young man back into his seat. Quatre laughed and started to divide the cake, Treize leaning back in his chair with eyes half-lidded out of relaxation. But they opened as Quatre placed a plate in front of him, blue eyes sizing up the rather larger piece of chocolate cake. He chuckled and picked up his fork, eying Quatre suspiciously.

 

“Are you trying to fatten me up or something?”

 

“Of course not!” Quatre said with faux offence before smirking and handing out cake to the others, Wufei included (Wufei typically does not indulge in sweets). Trowa and Duo both dug into their cake with vigor, though Trowa tried to keep some control that only lasted for a few bites before he was devouring his slice like a rabid canine. Treize paused, fork halfway to his mouth, and lifted an eyebrow towards Trowa. Quatre couldn't contain a giggle.

 

“Trowa's developed a tremendous…weakness…towards chocolate. I'm afraid you'll just have to get used to it and never eat anything chocolate around him.” Quatre grinned and shrugged, Treize chuckling softly as he turned back to his own dessert.

 

“I'll be sure to remember your wise advice Quatre. And might I add that this cake is simply decadent.” At the compliment, Quatre blushed and nearly dropped his fork.

 

“Thanks…Duo helped me though…”

 

“Then I must also commend Duo on creating such a wonderful dessert.”

 

“Sh'no prob'em.” (Spoken through a mouthful of cake) Heero tugged on Duo's braid, glaring shortly at the other young man.

 

“Don't talk with your mouth-full Duo.”

 

“You usually don't seem to mind it…” It was Wufei's turn to almost drop his fork…except he succeeded. No matter how long he knew Duo, or any of the other pilots for that matter, he never got used to their ways of so casually talking of sex or slipping innuendos in everywhere. Wufei's fork fell to the floor with a clatter and he hurriedly bent to pick it up, a dark scowl on his features as he glared at Duo over the edge of the table. Treize could not contain a chuckle at both Duo and Wufei's expense (as well as Heero, he wasn't blind and didn't miss the blush that crept over Heero's cheeks).

 

“You're quite open, aren't you Duo?” Treize asked with a smirk, waggling his fork at the braided boy.

 

“You'll have to ask Heero, he's always the one who-” At a loud choking sound, Duo was stopped and all eyes turned to Wufei just in time to see him drop his fork and dash from the dining room. Treize watched Wufei go and met Quatre's eyes, noticing the concern on the blonde's face.

 

“Duo, you know that Wufei doesn't like it when you get like that.” Quatre stated frankly, seriously eying Duo as Trowa wiped chocolate from around his mouth with his normal composure back once more.

 

“Oops…I guess I should probably…” Quatre shook his head as Duo went to stand and rose to his feet, pulling Trowa with him.

 

“We'll go talk to him Duo. Sorry about leaving in the middle of dessert. Treize, could you help Heero and Duo with the dishes?” Treize nodded and watched Quatre and Trowa walk off before helping Heero and Duo gather the plates. Leftover pieces were placed on a styrofoam plate and put in the fridge for later consumption. Once that was done, Duo washed the dishes, Treize dried, and Heero put them away (Treize would've, but he didn't know where everything went). Once finished, which happened quite quickly, the three retired to the living room, Duo grabbing the remote while throwing himself into Heero's lap, which made both Treize and Heero wince. Duo turned on a very loud movie and Treize shook his head as he settled back to watch whatever movie it was…

 

***

 

Quatre and Trowa entered Wufei's room without bothering to knock, knowing Wufei would just tell them to go away. They found Wufei lying face down on his bed with a pillow hugged beneath his chest. As Wufei heard them enter, he growled and turned a dark glare on them.

 

“Go away.” Rolling his eyes, Quatre ignored the threat/command and instead moved to sit on the edge of Wufei's bed, levelling a questing gaze on his friend. Trowa moved to stand behind his lover, eying Wufei flatly. Wufei merely grunted and turned his back to them, clearly showing that he wanted them to leave him alone.

 

“Wufei…look at us…”

 

“Go to Hell.” Wufei grunted firmly, but Quatre and Trowa remained unmoving, keeping gazes locked on Wufei's prone figure. It was only a matter of time before Wufei… “Why the fuck does he have to live here?” Wufei asked angrily, still not looking at his friends. Quatre wasn't sure exactly who he meant, but his confusion was promptly cleared up. “Why the fuck does Treize have to live here?”

 

“Does this have something to do with Treize?”

 

“Yes! I mean no! I mean…damn! You know I've been having those stupid dreams since the end of the war! Why does he have to be alive after all that?!”

 

“Wufei…I don't think this is entirely about Treize.”

 

“Damn it Quatre!” Wufei finally sat up, throwing his pillow ferociously against the far wall. “I'm sick and tired of having to watch you and Trowa and Duo and Heero be so damn happy together! And don't you dare say anything about Sally Po!” Quatre and Trowa both blinked in surprise, never really having guessed that Wufei was so unhappy about not having anybody. Quatre was speechless, but for once, Trowa wasn't.

 

“If you're so lonely, do something about it Wufei. You can't expect us to baby-sit you.” Wufei blinked at Trowa, as did Quatre, and Wufei then growled lowly, eyes narrowing into a glare.

 

“Get out…” He spoke in a dangerously low voice and pointed towards the door. “Now.” Without hesitation, Trowa nodded and turned towards the door, making his way out. Hesitantly, Quatre followed. Once they were gone and the door closed, Wufei growled and got off his bed. Grabbing his katana from its rack, he hurried down to the basement to practice his katas and pulverize a punching bag…

 

***

 

Treize turned as Quatre and Trowa joined him, allowing his questions to show in his eyes. Quatre and Trowa didn't say anything and merely shrugged as they, too, settled down to watch whatever movie they were watching. Treize took no notice of the title, not being one for movies really, and finally decided he'd leave them to their video. Rising from the armchair he was seated in and stretching, Treize bid the others leave and went up to his room, an idea in his mind. Once in his room, he picked up his sword, the only thing from his old uniform he had saved, and headed to the basement.

 

Upon entering, he found Wufei brandishing his sword, obviously practicing. With a small grin, Treize pulled the sheath from his blade and threw it aside. As Wufei's blade made a sweeping motion, Treize stepped nimbly forward and blocked the swipe, causing Wufei to start from his meditative state and glare at him.

 

“What do you want Kushrenada?”

 

“Just a small, meaningless duel. You seem frustrated and I always found a good duel helps relieve tension.” Wufei snorted softly in disbelief and pulled his katana back to his side, eying Treize up. Wufei finally admitted to himself that the man, at least, did not look dead. On the contrary, he looked very alive. His blue eyes glistened challengingly and his stance told that he was ready for combat. Beneath the taught black tee, Wufei could see the shift of well-formed muscles as Treize withdrew his sword to his side.

 

“A duel then.” Wufei nodded and Treize did the same in return, smiling and remaining silent. Both blades were extended and, as sword touched sword, the duel began. Wufei lunged and found his attack deftly dodged and his path blocked by a steel blade the met his katana. Spinning around, Wufei tried again to catch Treize and, once more, his assault was nimbly dodged and parried easily. “You fight as well as ever Treize.”

 

“Death has not taken away my skill nor has four years diminished yours.” They're brief conversation was easily spoken even as their blades clashed and attacks were dodged. As Wufei swung a rolling kick towards Treize's head, Treize ducked to the side, spun around, and brought his sword to rest beneath Wufei's chin, a small smile on his features. “It would appear that I have won.”

 

“It was pure luck.” Wufei grunted, narrowing a glare on his victorious opponent.

 

“But you fought well and I would like it if we could duel more often?” Treize found his scabbard and sheathed his sword in it easily, eyes never leaving the Asian. Wufei met the pair of blue eyes that remained on him and nodded sharply.

 

“Fine. I suggest you do not surprise me every time you wish to duel though.”

 

“I shall remember that. Now, judging by the sounds of things the others still have a movie going on. Shall we join them?” Treize motioned courteously up the stairs and, in answer, Wufei nodded and headed upstairs, Treize following with a small victorious smile on his features that Wufei didn't see…