Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Strays ❯ Chapter 7

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Strays

Part 7

“I'm making tea, you want some?”

Milliardo almost jumped at the sound of his sister's voice. Relena was standing right behind him and he didn't even hear her approached.

“Tea sounds great,” he nodded. “I could use a break right now.” He had been studying for several hours already for his upcoming finals.

“Alright then, I'll go set the table.”

“Let me help you.” Milliardo closed his book, and rose from behind his desk. “How come are you home anyway? It's Friday, aren't you going out with your friends?”

“I am,” Relena confirmed. She put two cups and saucers onto the table. “I just thought we could have tea together before I leave.”

“I'm not complaining, just wondering.”

By the time they finished setting the table the tea was done, and they settled down.

Relena watched honey dripping from her spoon, forming a long thin line before hitting the tea surface in a little circle. “So, now that you had some time to cool off and think about it, will you call Treize finally back?”

“Lena!?” Milliardo frowned at her. “I thought we talked about this already.”

“Alright, alright.” She looked up, giving him a brilliant smile. “I won't talk about it anymore,” she promised. “I just thought I had to give it one more try… Oh, I almost forgot; I bought some cookies on the way home.”

She jumped up and hurried into her room, returning with a white paper bag a few minutes later. The teen arranged the cookies, an assortment of sugared, chocolate covered and iced pastries, on a serving plate and put it onto the table.

Milliardo laughed as he reached for a little, chocolate covered star. “What did you do; turned your entire allowance for this week into sweets?”

Relena giggled. “No, nothing like that. There is just this new bakery and they had a `Grand Opening Sale'.”

“Ah, I see. Well, they should have no problem attracting customers; these are really good.” Her brother reached for another cookie. “You're not having any?”

“I…umm…already ate a few on the way home.”

Milliardo nodded. “Ah.”

He munched a few more cookies, finished his tea and yawned as he put the dishes together. “Geez, I'm tired.”

“I'm not surprised. You have been up late, studying for the past few days.”

“That's true. And I still have a few more chapters I need to read through.”

“Why don't you take a nap? Then you can get a fresh start when you wake up.”

“Good idea. I think that's what I'll do.”

“I'll clean up here, don't worry about it.”

“Thanks.”

Relena washed the dishes, tidied up the kitchen and brought out the trash. When she walked back into the living room Milliardo was dead asleep on the couch. He didn't even stir when she covered him with a blanket.

“I'm sorry, Brother, but this is for your own good.”

#####

Treize studied his own reflection in the large dressing mirror, tugging at his sleeves and adjusting the tie until he was satisfied with his appearance. He was still somewhat surprised about Une's unusual choice of location for this business meeting, but he trusted her enough not to question her decision.

He checked his wristwatch. Where was she anyway? Weren't they supposed to get together before the meeting? Or perhaps he understood wrong and she had said that she and Mister Newark were going to wait for him in the sitting room?

Well, in any case…he could not let his guest wait any longer.

#

Milliardo woke slowly and almost instantly his senses told him that something wasn't right. There was a slight scent of sweet flowers and just a touch of seawater smell in the air. He could feel the sun shining directly onto his face. He slowly opened his eyes… and frowned.

What the…Where am I? The last thing he remembered was falling asleep at home on the couch in his living room. He was still lying on a couch alright, but this was definitely not his living room. His frown deepened as he sat up and looked around. The room was huge and expensively furnished, with large, seamless windows providing a beautiful view onto… the beach?!

Just as Milliardo swung his feet over the edge of the couch to rise, the door opened.”

#

Treize stepped into the sitting room with an apologetic smile. “I hope I didn't make you wait for too long. I…” he swallowed the rest of the sentence and stopped dead in this track. “You?”

“You?!” Milliardo echoed. “Where am I? How the hell did I get here?”

“I have not the slightest idea.”

The younger man snorted. “Yeah, right.”

“I swear, Milliardo, I have nothing to do with this.” Treize assured him.

Milliardo glared at him. He was not convinced. But before he could say anything, somebody behind Treize cleared his throat. “Sir? Do you want me to take Mister Peacecraft's luggage to the guesthouse?”

The tawny haired man turned. “Carlos, where is Miss Une, do you know?”

Carlos, a man in his mid 30th with olive skin and jet black hair, nodded. “Yes Sir, she left already.”

Treize's brows furrowed. “She left?”

“Yes, Sir, as soon as the plan was unloaded.”

“You mean she took the jet?”

“Of course, Sir?”

Treize swallowed a curse as he pulled out his phone.

“What's going on?” Milliardo wanted to know. He had been following the conversation between the two men with bewilderment.

“That I'd like to know too. Give me a few minutes, Milliardo, to figure it out,” the older man replied. He dialed Une's number. She picked up right away. Apparently she had been expecting his call.

“Ah, Treize. Is something wrong?”

“You really have to ask? What are you doing?”

“I'm heading to the meeting with Mister Newark of course,” she replied innocently. “Don't worry about a thing. Just enjoy your weekend. I'll give you a full report when I return Sunday Night.”

“Anne! Don't you dare… Turn around at once!”

“I'm sorry Treize; did you say something? You are breaking up. I can't hear you.” With that the connection was cut.

“Damn that woman!” Treize turned off his cell phone.

Carlos cleared his throat again. “Sir…The luggage…?”

“Oh, right. Yes, take to the guesthouse.”

“That won't be necessary,” Milliardo intervened. “Carlos, could you please call me a taxi instead, to take me to the nearest hotel?”

Carlos looked at Treize then at Milliardo. “I'm afraid there is no hotel around here.”

“Fine, then I'll drive directly to the airport.”

Carlos gazed at Treize again, a somewhat puzzled expression on his face. The tawny haired man heaved a heavy sigh. “Milliardo, you don't understand. There is no hotel here and no airport either, just this estate and a couple hundred acres of jungle and shoreline. See, this is a private island. In other words we are stuck here until Une returns on Sunday.”

“You have got to be joking.”

“I swear I'm not,” Treize assured him. “I'm afraid we got duped. I can't believe the two of them actually got together and pulled this off. I'm not sure if I should be furious or intrigued.”

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it. Une could not have done this without your sister's help.”

Relena?! Milliardo's brows knitted. Of course, it made sense. She has given him something to `knock him out'. The tea? No, the cookies. That's why she hadn't eaten any herself.

For some reason that realization made him feel slightly better. At least he could be sure that she wasn't worried and panicking about his `disappearance'.

Milliardo tried to suppress a yawn. Apparently the drug hadn't totally left his system yet.

“Carlos, why don't you take Mister Peacecraft to the guesthouse,” Treize suggested. “I have a few things to take care off.”

“As you wish, Sir.” The servant gestured for Milliardo to follow him. “This way, Sir.”

The guesthouse was located directly at the beach, only a few hundreds yards from the main building. It was a two story structure. Carlos unlocked and opened the door then waited for Milliardo to enter before he followed.

“The bath and bedroom are upstairs,” he explained as we walked over to the window to draw open the blinds. “The kitchenette is to your right. Make yourself a home, Sir. I'll be right back with your luggage.”

“Thank you.”

Aside from the small kitchenette, the entire lower floor was one large room, separated decorative dividers into a sitting and a dining area. Milliardo was still looking around when Carlos came back with his luggage. He wordlessly carried the two bags upstairs. When he returned he asked. “Would you like some kind of refreshment, Sir?”

Milliardo shook his head. “No, thank you. I'm fine.”

“Very well; I'll leave you then. If you need anything you can use the house phone to call me.”

“Thank you.”

Once he was alone the young man made his way upstairs into a very impressive, and tastefully furnished bedroom. He stifled another yawn as his eyes fell onto the large king-sized bed. Perhaps he should lie down for a while.

###

Milliardo yawned and stretched leisurely on the bed. He had fallen asleep, but not for very long. The young man rose and walked over to the open patio door. A gentle sea breeze ruffled his hair as he stepped outside. He leaned against the low railing as he watched the ocean below. The dark blue water against the golden, evening-sky made for a beautiful picture.

A flight of stairs was leading from the patio directly to the beach. Milliardo took of his shoes and socks and rolled his pants up to his calves before climbing down the stairs. The sand was still warm and felt comfortable beneath his bare feet. He walked all the way to the water's edge. The incoming waves tickled his toes. The water was warmer than he had expected. The horizon had turned from gold to blood-red as the sun was slowly disappearing into the ocean.

“It's beautiful, isn't it?”

Milliardo's head snapped around at the sound of Treize's voice. The older man was standing just a few yards away. He was barefoot as well, and wearing a loose pair of tan cotton pants and a half-buttoned white shirt. The blond turned; ready to head back to the guesthouse.

“Milliardo, wait! Are you planning on running away from me the whole weekend? Don't you think we should at least acknowledge all the trouble your sister and Une went through and take this chance to talk?”

Milliardo stopped. “Talk about what?”

“You are still angry?” Treize sighed. “I'm sorry, Milliardo. I really never intended to hurt you. You have got to believe me.”

Milliardo turned to face the other man. “Then what exactly were you trying to do?”

“I'm not really sure.” Treize admitted. “I guess I didn't want what we had to end. I realize it was stupid, but they say that love makes you do stupid things, don't they?”

“Love? Don't you think that you are confusing love with lust?”

“I'm not. I love you, Milliardo.” Treize covered the distance between himself and the blond with a few steps and reached for Milliardo's hand. “Please, give me another chance.”

The younger man pulled his hand away. “You seem to have forgotten that you are engaged.”

“No, I'm not, not anymore.”

Milliardo's brows furrowed. “You broke off your engagement?”

Treize shook his head. “No, it wasn't my choice.”

“You mean she dumped you?” He couldn't say that he blamed her, but at the same time Milliardo couldn't help but sympathize with Treize.

“I wouldn't actually call it `dumped', it was…” the older man paused, then grimaced wryly. “No, I think that's exactly what happened. She just was a little more `classy' about it.”

“Do you still love her?”

Treize shrugged. “That depends on what you mean by that.” He turned to face the ocean and stared out onto the water. “Anne is a wonderful woman. And I care a great deal about her,” he admitted. “But if you are asking if I am romantically attracted to her, I would have to say no.”

Milliardo swallowed. “Treize, you are an idiot.”

He older man turned back toward him, a crooked grin on his face. “I know.”

“No, I mean it. Instead of standing here apologizing to me you should be trying to patch things up with her. You and I are just too different. This will never work out.”

Treize frowned. “You didn't seem to think so before you knew who I was.”

“But that's just it. The person I knew isn't the `real' you. Besides, look at yourself. That outfit you are wearing right now, I bet it cost more than I paid for my entire wardrobe. My weekend retreat is a friend's two-room cabin in the mountains, yours… a private island. You work at your own company while I still struggle to get a degree…”

“That's it?” Treize gave a short bellowing laugh. “That's what's bothering you? Alright, I was born into money; I can't change that. But I'll quit my job in an instant if you ask me to. Do you need a live-in housekeeper? I'll work for room and board.”

“Treize, I'm serious.”

“So am I.” he replied. “I really want to be with you; that's all that matters to me.”

Milliardo heart was pounding in a mixture of joy and fear. He had sworn that he would never let anybody get close to him again. He grinned, trying to cover his apprehension with humor. “Sorry, but I'll think I'll pass. I have just gotten used to sleeping in my own bed again.”

“Well,” the other man smirked back at him, blue eyes sparkling with mirth. “I don't see a problem with that. It's a pretty large bed if I remember right. I don't mind sharing.”

Milliardo put his hand up. “Slow down! You are moving way too fast here.”

“Am I? I'm sorry.” Treize chuckled. “If I promise to take it slow, will you take a walk with me?”

Milliardo hesitated, but he knew that it was already too late. The walls that he had so carefully put up around his heart were already crumbling. “I guess I can do that.”

“Excellent. I'm hoping that once you get to know the `real' me a little better you will realize that we are not that different after all. Let's go, shall we, before the sun has totally set.”

They walked quietly along the beach for a long while before Treize spoke again. “By the way, I gave Carlos off for the rest of the weekend, so he won't be bothering us. Of course that means we will have to cook our own meals.”

“I think I can live with that, if you are the one doing the cooking.”

Treize laughed. “Actually... I checked; there is some freshly caught Alaskan salmon in the fridge. You still have to teach me how to cook fish on an open fire.”

“Are we allowed to make a bonfire at the beach?”

“This is my island. We are allowed to do whatever we want.”

Treize stopped and turned toward the younger man. He reached out to brush his knuckles gently over Milliardo's cheeks before cupping the blond's face with both hands tilting it slightly upward until their eyes met. “May I?” he whispered.

Milliardo just nodded, afraid that his voice might fail him.

Treize leaned in slowly. He captured the younger man's mouth in a gentle kiss. A soft moan escaped Milliardo as their lips parted.

“God, I've missed you.” He didn't even realize that he had spoken those words out aloud, until the other man quietly replied. “I've missed you too.”

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T.B.C.

 

Author's Note: 

 

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