*sighs* fine then...I'm posting this. Part of it, anyway... this is Skeren's fault. ;P That is, the fic is her fault, and the fact that I'm posting it. Any kind of feedback and comments are welcome; this is the first time I've written this pairing, so. ^^;;;
Pairing: 2x6, 1xR implied
Warnings: slash, minor angst, language, eventual lemon
Disclaimer: characters are so not mine--why must you keep reminding me? ;.;
Status: draft, teaser, WIP, you name it--it's unfinished, unbetaed, and probably not going to be continued in the very near future (but who knows, my muses are fickle...)
When Relena Peacecraft married Heero Yuy, it was a spectacular event. Everyone who was anyone was there. Including, of course, the other four Gundam pilots and Relena's brother Milliardo, who preferred to be known as Zechs Marquise.
Zechs had given the bride away, much to his private dismay--he would rather have avoided the wedding altogether, but since Relena was his sister, there was no help for it. He was both relieved and sorry that the ceremony was over; actually, he was feeling somewhat melancholy as the huge reception which followed the wedding went on. Zechs watched the bride and groom as they led the way out onto the dance floor, and looking at Relena's bright, smiling face, his happiness for her sake was bittersweet. Not that he was not happy for her--he was, but he was also feeling a sense of loss which clouded his enjoyment of the festivities.
He was not the only one standing to the side, watching the dancers.
Duo Maxwell stood near a wall, outside the main crowd of celebrants, smiling and flirting lightly as he always did with those who approached him, but he did not move from his place at the edge of the room. A careful observer might have seen that when he was not conversing with someone, his eyes would return to the newly made husband and wife, and his smile become tinged with rueful affection and wryness, or perhaps regret; and something else.
That same observer might have recognized a kindred melancholy spirit, and guessed at the cause of it. And having done so, might perhaps have found it a welcome distraction to make his way across the floor to offer sympathy, or at least, understanding. It is true, after all, that misery loves company, even when that company is not really familiar enough to call a friend.
"You alright?"
Duo looked at Zechs in surprise. The tone of voice implied more than a casual question, implied concern that seemed to be aware of his carefully hidden mood, or at least of the possibility that it existed. He hadn't realized the man had known...maybe he was referring to something else. "What do you mean?" he asked warily.
Zechs smiled at him, a little sadly he thought. "I know that look in your eyes; I feel it. I was in love with him too."
Duo didn't know if he was more shocked by the admission, or the misunderstanding it implied; and he was at a loss for which to address first. "You what? No, it's not like that...I'm not--it's not him I was in love with," he finished finally.
The startled look he received indicated that Zechs was just as taken aback. "You mean...Relena...?" He blinked, and shook his head. "I am sorry, I didn't realize...you and Heero have always been so close, I just assumed..."
"So did a lot of people," Duo assured him sardonically.
"I apologize," Zechs said again.
Duo waved him off. "Nah, don't worry about it. It was a reasonable assumption." He gave Zechs a sharp look. "Didn't know you were after him though. Must have been tough, him turning you down for your sister."
Zechs shook his head, turning back to watch the newlyweds on the dance floor as he answered in a quiet voice. "He doesn't know. I never told him. It was obvious all along that he was head over heels for Relena, and she needed him more than I do. My sister has lost so much in her life, and he is right for her. They love each other. They belong together. I could not allow myself to come between them."
Duo nodded; he had never spoken to Relena, either, for much the same reasons. "Yeah," he agreed, "sucks to be us."
Zechs grimaced, and stared moodily into his wine glass. "I'm happy for them, really....but it's damn hard to watch. I dread living in the same house with them, even if it is big enough to get lost in. I am just glad they will be leaving tomorrow, and not be back for a month. Maybe by then I will have gotten my head straightened out to the point that I can look them in the eye without flinching," he said morosely. Damn, he needed a distraction. Or perhaps just a mind-numbing amount of alcohol. Maybe a combination of both. Something, though, to keep his focus off of the very obvious fact that the long time object of his desire and fascination was now hopelessly out of reach.
Duo snorted in wry amusement at his words. "You need to get laid, Marquise," he informed the man, not without sympathy.
"Probably." Zechs finished off his wine, and looked gloomily at the empty glass. "I need to get drunk," he muttered, "and then get laid. You too," he added, arching an eyebrow as he glanced at Duo.
"Probably," Duo said agreeably. He leaned back against the wall, shoving his hands in his pockets, and gave Zechs a speculative look.
"What?" Zechs asked him, warily.
"We could do that," Duo said slowly. "If you want--" he paused, then flashed a casual grin. "I'd do you," he finished, nodding once, sounding as if he were suggesting something perfectly reasonable and normal. He tilted his head, waiting.
Zechs blinked at him in shock, and not a little confusion. "I thought you were straight?" he asked, staring. He was surprised to find himself a little hopeful that the other was actually serious about this. He had to admit, Duo Maxwell was a very attractive man. As a distraction, he had definite possibilities.
The distraction in question shrugged, tugging on his braid where it lay across his shoulder, the gesture betraying the fact that he was not quite as sure of himself as he sounded. "I am," he replied simply, "but I've always been...curious, I guess you could say. We're friends, and we've agreed we both need to get laid--I wouldn't mind experimenting, and you are definitely easy on the eyes."
His gaze traveled the length of Zechs' body in an appreciative sweep, and Zechs felt his skin tingle in response. He studied the bright eyed young man, thinking about it, and the tightness in his pants informed him that certain parts of his anatomy were definitely interested.
"If it's all the same to you, though," Duo continued, "I'd prefer to be on top."
Zechs smirked to himself. Duo probably thought he would mind, but actually, he didn't. "That's fine," he acknowledged, unperturbed, "I like to bottom. I always have."
Zechs could see the questions in Duo's eyes and his raised eyebrows, but the braided man chose not to voice them, saying only, "I guess I'll find you after this over then." He pushed away from the wall, straightening, his eyes searching the room. "Meanwhile, I'm going to get started on the getting drunk part." He nodded to Zechs, and headed off in search of alcohol.
Bemused, the blonde man watched him go, then shook his head. Getting drunk sounded like a very good idea. But he was definitely distracted now. If nothing else, this was going to be interesting.
-tbc-
Eventually. Yeah. Later on, there is smut. ^__^ But I have several other fics in progress which have a higher priority, so I don't know when I'll get back to this...but if enough people are interested in seeing it continued, that does become a motivating factor. ^_~