Title: The Weekend Home (2/?)

Author: Talaquinn

Disclaimer: Not mine, just playing.

Rating: PG13 tops

Summary: How they got together, Duo's POV

A/N: Sorry so late guys, but it's done, that's all that matters, right? Anyway this chappie is for Anna and Nelia who kicked my proverbial butt into action, and as always to my beta, Kenny who doesn't like 1x2x5, but likes my writing.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Duo always was the last one out of bed, but it didn't bother him, because nine nights out of ten he was the last one asleep. Being the most paranoid of the three of them about safety these days, after the other two fell asleep he would get up and make sure the house was secure for the night.

Duo stretched and sighed happily, spreading himself across the entire bed. This was the life, being able to sleep in; and in a few minutes his wonderful niece and nephew would be coming in to wake him up. Then he would have a homemade breakfast created by Heero, and then perhaps they would take the kids up to the park to play, or perhaps take them to a sports game. This was the life. Duo couldn't actually comprehend living his life any other way, his heart, his soul, and his mind were all in sync for the first time in his life; he had a home, lovers, and, almost, children.

Duo smiled softly to himself remembering how he and 'fei shanghaied Heero into admitting that they were good for him.

******Flashback******

After the third time that 'fei had come home almost in tears after witnessing Heero and Relena's fights, Duo took manners into his own hands. He knew that his lover put different values on marriage then many did, and seeing unhappy couples broke his heart.

He invited Heero and the kids over for dinner one night when Relena was away at a conference and rented a cute movie for afterwards, for he had a plan.

When they arrived, Duo made sure to shower his usual amount of affection on the children before feeding everyone and watching Heero for signs of discontent.

Duo couldn't deny that he found the Japanese man attractive, and that he had a bit of a crush on him when they first met, but his heart had been quickly stolen by a certain black-eyed surly pilot who could make Duo's fears vanish with a glance.

The braided man also knew that Heero felt more at ease with him and 'fei. Their activities during 'pilots nights' proved that one quickly. The three of them always ganged up on Zechs or if they were felling particularly masochistic, Trowa and Quatre. There also were a few alcohol-blurred memories of protestations of love or lust, and a kiss or two. Heero had never been able to hold his drink, neither could Duo, but that wasn't the point. The point was, if there even was a breath of a chance that Heero wasn't happy with Relena, because he cared for someone else, there was no way that Duo was going to let his friend suffer in a loveless marriage. The American wouldn't let his friend suffer in a loveless marriage regardless, but if Heero loved 'fei, there was no reason to not give him a chance.

Sighing and looking down into his plate of rice Duo knew this was the real kicker, Duo found Heero attractive so he didn't mind, but all hints and events had lead him to the conclusion that Heero had it bad for 'fei and not him.

A memory struck him of Heero carefully tasting 'fei's lips then dragging the Chinese man in to his lap proceeding to snog him senseless. Duo nearly groaned, lust both remembered and real, running through him, but held back when he realised that his one true love was looking at him curiously, asking if he was okay.

"Yeah, fine 'fei. No worries; just not very hungry right now." He turned to Marion and Odin smiling brightly. "How 'bout you, kidlets? Finished eating? I rented a movie, a new one about some guy named James Bond?" He grin grew broader and more real when the children's eyes lit up. He hadn't been sure about the movie, and had had to ask the clerk about renting a version appropriate for those under ten, but he was sure glad now that he had.

"Let's watch the movie Uncle Duo! I saw the previews and things get blown up!"

Both Heero and 'fei laughed at the five year olds enthusiasm for violence and stood up to help with clean up. It was an unspoken rule that whoever cooked didn't have to clean up, so Duo gathered a child under each arm and headed towards the sitting room.

He put the kids on the floor in front of the couch and grabbed a pillow each for them to lie on. He then proceeded to tussle with his adopted niece and nephew until the other two occupants of the house decided to join them.

Sitting up and pushing a few strands of flyaway hair behind his ears, Duo smiled winningly at his lover who frowned in confusion then mouthed 'what are you up to?' Duo just smiled wider and looked at Heero, taking in 'fei's wide eyes, and then nearly laughing when the Chinese man broke into a large grin of his own. Heero if even a bit willing, didn't have a chance.

Duo started the movie and sat down at one end of the couch. Odin and Marion sprawled on their pillows, and 'fei took up residence at the other end of the couch. Heero looked at the space between them, at the floor where his children lay, and then back at the couch. Duo heard a muttered 'Screw it' before the blue-eyed man flung himself between his friends.

The movie was a long one, and between popcorn and bathroom runs, Duo and 'fei soon were leaning up against Heero, conforming to his warmth. When Duo felt a tentative arm wrap itself around him he smiled contentedly and snuggled closer, knowing 'fei was doing the same on the other side of Heero. By the time the movie had ended the braided man had wrapped both arms around Heero and was holding onto 'fei on the other side, who had been asleep for the last half-hour. Also asleep were the children, curled up at their father's feet; and Heero held his two best friends close to him, watching their reflections in the dark vid-screen. Just before heavy eyelids darkened Duo's world, he saw Heero's full lips pull themselves up into a smile.

After that night Duo sat 'fei down and they talked about Heero, both their feelings for the Japanese man, and how they would drag him, and the children into their home. The braided man ignored the pang in his heart when his lover showed no hesitation when asked if he found Heero attractive. For a brief moment there was the fear that 'fei would leave him for the married man, but it fled quickly because Duo knew that 'fei loved him, and would never leave him. It was one of the few things in Duo's life that kept him going.

They devised a plan, to smother the three Yuys in care and compassion, and let them see happiness instead of pain and tension.

They started by inviting them over when Relena was away on business, by making sure that at the parties Trowa and Quatre often held that Relena and Heero were kept apart, and that the chances for fights were never given in public. Duo also made sure that he and 'fei let Heero know slowly and surely that the loved him, as more then just a bother in arms.

It was like stalking a tiger sometimes. Heero would let them come close, and then skitter away, afraid of the implications of what they were offering.

Then one night things changed.

Heero had come over for dinner, lonely because Relena had taken the children to her mother's house, and the Japanese man had never been welcome there. So when Relena would take the children away for the weekend, Heero found himself at a loss, and usually took extra assignments or invited the other pilots to get royally drunk at his house. But since Duo and 'fei had started their slow seduction, the messy haired man had proven reluctant to get too drunk, perhaps afraid of losing his control. This of course didn't deter the braided man or his lover; they just worked on wearing Heero down enough to admit what he really wanted.

They were spread all over the sitting room, keeping in their own personal spaces for once, when Heero spoke into the comfortable silence. "I love my children."

This caused the other two occupants of the room to glance at the cobalt-eyed man in surprise. Of course he loved his children. That was one of the few things one could assume about Heero. He would kill you of you pushed him too far, he had an unnatural attraction to spandex, and he loved his children. That was the way it worked. They knew this; he knew this, so why was he telling them?

"I love my children, and want what's best for them. I don't know whether it's worse to stay with her, or leave anymore."

Duo blinked large violet eyes slowly, so Heero did know what they were up to, and he wanted it to, but the kids were his first priority. The braided man opened his mouth to reassure his troubled friend, but Heero continued.

"I can't say I never loved her, because that would be lying. I fell in love with her not long after meeting her; and it wasn't until she was pregnant with Marion that I realised that the love had faded to nothing. I hate fighting in front of the kids. I hate only being able to spend time with you two when she's away, and most of all I hate that I've fallen in love with both of you, and I can't do anything about it."

Heero fell silent, putting his head in his hands and after giving a quick glance at 'fei, Duo crossed the room to put his arm around his stricken friend.

"If you want us, we'll be by your side every step of the way."

Feeling another arm brush past his, the American lifted his head and smiled at the dark eyed man currently looking deeply into Heero's eyes.

"We can help you with whatever troubles you have, we love you as well." Duo loved the way 'fei's softer voice sounded so intimate, so close, he also loved the way Heero was looking at him a soft light in his eyes.

Wait, why was Heero looking at him like that? Deciding it didn't really matter, he moved forwards a bit and kissed the other man gently - on the nose. There was no need to move quickly, their feelings were new and they all knew that sex would not be a major factor in their relationship. At least not yet. Smirking, the braided man stood up and tugged the other two up with him.

"Come on guys, it's late, we've been thinking big thoughts, it's time for bed."

They made their way slowly up the stairs, and when they got there 'fei lent Heero his toothpaste, Duo gave over a pair of pj's.

Curling up together that night with the Japanese man sandwiched between the two established lovers, was something none of them had experienced before. But they knew that they liked it, and Duo briefly wondered if it would always be like this, with Heero being sheltered by the other two. Much like how he had protected everyone during the wars. Coming to the sleepy conclusion that it made sense, everyone needed to be protected sometimes, Duo sunk into sleeps embrace.

It took a week to move Heero into their place, and when Relena stormed over to demand they were doing, 'fei was able to hand her the divorce papers without flinching.

******~******

Duo stretched and smiled; in the end they had all gotten what they wanted. Now all that was needed was for Relena to realise that events had turned out for the better.

Ignoring the small part of his mind that wished for the children to be solely Heero's and perhaps his and 'fei's, Duo rolled out of bed. A desire to go to the zoo was helping to formulate his plan for the day.