Title: Rainbow Sherbet (10/P+11)
Author: Bronze Tigress
Genre: yaoi lemon lemon with plot plot

For this Part:
Pairings: 5x2, 3+D permanent; reference to 2x3x5
Rating: NC-17 for adult discussion topics
Warnings: yaoi lime
Spoilers: none

For overall rating, full range of pairings, full warnings, full spoiler
notices, author notes, and disclaimer see Prologue.

~*~*~*~*~
Part 10: Saturday afternoon and evening
Dinner with Dorothy: Reprise

Lying tangled up on the floor between two strong warm bodies is very
close to heaven, Duo decides, except for one thing. Whatever that one
thing is, it's starting to hurt where it's digging into his arm. A soft
warm laugh in Wufei's beautiful honeyed tenor catches his attention,
and Duo realizes he must have missed part of the conversation because
Wufei's next words, "Did I not tell you so?" are obviously a response to
something.

"Tell him what, D-baby?" Duo asks, voice still a little hoarse from
sleep and... other things, as the taste there finally registers, recalling
the events just preceding his apparent nap.

"Awake, now, little tiger? Did you enjoy that?" Wufei's voice is
calm, sure, and asking only because he knows Trowa needs to hear the words,
but Duo nods anyway.

"Mm, hmm... that was... indescribable... and very, very good," Duo
concludes, then he pouts just a little. "Why can't we keep him, W'fei?"

Wufei raises an eyebrow, then grins. "Because you do not wish to
become spoiled by too much attention, Brightness, and because he has already
been claimed. Here," he offers, then moves in to kiss Duo, who sighs
happily into the kiss, then moans as it deepens, and is left panting
when Wufei backs away again. "Happier now?"

"Mmm, much..." Duo stretches a little, then winces as the movement
brings him back into contact with whatever that sharp thing is. "Ouch."
He fumbles with his free hand, finally emerging with the offending
object - a small bent bit of plasticized foil. He stares at it for a
moment, then abruptly registers what it came from, and smiles, before
tossing it off *that* way with a muttered "Go 'way".

Then he is being gently turned over, to face Trowa, who takes a while
to search his face before asking, "Keep me? really?"

Duo nods, "Really, Tro - that was incredible. If you weren't already
spoken for... You, m'dear, have nothing to worry about, okay? You do
like that, you'll be just fine. You feel... really good. Hah - listen
to me, out of words for the occasion. Dorothy's a lucky girl to have
you - and going to be luckier, I think - whenever you get to that, that
is. Is anybody else getting hungry or is it just me?"

Trowa laughs, and then kisses him lightly. "I think I will be soon
enough."

"Hah, good. You could use more feeding," Wufei chuckles as well, then
rolls back to sit up and glance towards the clock in the kitchen.
"Although it is a bit early yet for dinner. Still - perhaps your lady is
done with her work, and can join us for the meal? Somewhere other than
here." He looks around the room, then nods. "Definitely, somewhere
other than here."

"Okay! You go shower, Wufei, and Tro can call Dorothy, and *I* am just
gonna lie here until it's my turn to get underwater," Duo says, before
flopping dramatically over onto his back and faking a snore. Wufei
just *looks* at him, then at Trowa, and motions towards the phone even as
he starts to rise from his place on the floor. Trowa has barely gotten
to his own feet when a startled "Waaugh!" from Duo causes him to look
around in time to see his friend being slung fireman-style over one of
Wufei's shoulders and carted off towards the bathroom.

"It is your turn to get underwater, Duo - unless you did not wish help
with getting that mop combed out again after?" Wufei sounds distinctly
amused, but any response is cut off by the closing of the door. In a
moment, the sound of running water further muffles any conversation.

Trowa grins after the pair, then sits down at the desk and runs his
hands over his hair before dialling up Dorothy's celvid line and checking
to see if she's free to join them for dinner. Checking the clock - and
leaving plenty of time for the shower to clear - he sets up dinner
arrangements, then blows Dorothy a quick kiss before hanging up. Taking a
look around the room then, he begins shaking out blankets and folding
them, mostly as something to do while he waits. He hasn't gotten too
far, however, before he notices that the water has stopped, and barely
manages to get the current blanket finished before the door creaks open
and he's told that it's now his turn, and there *should* be plenty of
hot water left for him. Duo is still scrubbing at his hair with a towel
as the pair exit the bathroom and head towards their bedroom to find
clothes.

By the time Trowa gets out of the bathroom himself, some ten minutes
later, and wanders into the living room, his hosts are already seated on
the couch, and Wufei is already in the process of braiding up Duo's
hair. In another minute the job is finished, and Duo remarks, "That was
quick."

"As you say - some things are private - and we are in something of a
hurry as well. We can dry it properly after we get back," Wufei replies,
snapping the elastic around the end of the tail and rising from the
couch. He drops a small kiss on the back of Duo's neck, then looks around
and spots Trowa lurking in the hallway. "Are you planning to dress
again, Triton?"

"Uh, yeah. My stuff's out there still, though..."

"Whoops!" Duo chuckles, as Trowa heads for the couch, where his things
are still neatly draped. It doesn't take Trowa long to pull his
clothes back on, and rather than running back to his own quarters, Wufei
offers him the use of a spare jacket. Duo suggests they finish clearing
the floor now, since they have a little more time than Trowa bargained
for, and with three sets of hands the apartment is soon fit to receive
company again.

***

The three are even a little early for their dinner date. Dorothy is,
predictably enough, a little bit late - a last minute emergency with a
headscarf, she explains breathlessly as she is shown to the booth by the
side windows of the small cafe, where the three young men have already
been seated. Trowa stands up to let her slide to the inside seat by
the window, across from Duo, then sits back down, unconsciously taking up
the same guard position Wufei has.

Duo looks at them, then grins as he recognizes their postures, but says
nothing aloud. He knows very well that he's nowhere close to being in
Wufei's class at hand-to-hand, should things come to that, just as
Wufei is no marksman - and it makes Wufei feel good to be able to take the
more obviously protective role. Besides, in all fairness, if Wufei's
skills are called upon, then that really isn't a viable quick exit route
anyway, so it really isn't a sacrifice on that count either. Not to
mention, a few extra seconds to aim don't hurt anything. No, instead,
Duo slips a hand under the table to rest on Wufei's knee, giving it a
small squeeze, and when Wufei leans back with a questioning look, he leans
in close enough to whisper in the proffered ear, "You're doing it again
- and I love you too."

Wufei blinks, then realizes what Duo is talking about, and flushes a
little, but squeezes Duo's hand back - and promptly resumes his position,
giving Duo the tiniest of smirks as he does so, and inclining his head
briefly towards Trowa.

"I know," Duo mouths back, grins, and picks up his water glass.

Dinner arrives shortly, Trowa having put an order in for Dorothy, and
the conversation soon turns to the doings of the day. "So," Dorothy
begins rather bluntly, turning to look at the pair across the table,
"Triton assured me you two would be taking good care of him this weekend."

Trowa flushes a bright red and drops his face into his hands.

Wufei, Duo notices when he glances that way, is even beginning to
colour, although it isn't nearly as noticeable on his darker features.

"Well, dahlin'," Duo drawls, "Ah could tell y'all he's been a *verrah*
good boy." He pauses, then resumes in his own voice, "But I think I'd
embarrass him *and* Wufei half to death if I did. Don't worry,
Dorothy, he's nearly as important to us as he is to you." There is a definite
hint of steel and gunpowder in his voice as he notes, "At least - as he
*ought* to be to you." His voice softens almost immediately however,
as he continues, "We've been being very gentle and careful with him,
although we have been hurrying things a bit. I'm sure *I* wouldn't mind
keeping him for some more review, though, if you don't want him back
right away."

Trowa, who had been just about ready to pick his head up out of his
hands, aborts the movement and, if it is possible, turns an even brighter
shade of crimson.

Wufei, meanwhile, is having a hard time deciding between joining the
blush brigade, rolling his eyes at Duo's behaviour, and smirking smugly
at Trowa's reaction. However, when Duo continues, an impish sparkle in
his bright blue eyes, "'Cause I think Wufei has been having nearly as
much fun with him as I have," his decision is made. A deep wine colour
stains his cheeks as one hand comes up to cover his eyes.

"So... it's going well, then? I mean, um - you've, ah, shown him
whatever it was he needed to see? He's going to be able to work the rest
of it out alright?"

Duo abruptly sobers, and focuses his full attention on Dorothy. "Look,
Dorothy," he begins, expression as serious as his voice. "Unless you
see something that doesn't show up in a mirror, I can't wave some magic
fairy wand and make everything perfect. There's no nice tactful way to
say this, so I'm going to settle for short and direct. Trowa's been
through more shit than any of us, which is saying something, when it
comes to love and trust. That isn't going to just disappear overnight, no
matter what anyone does. We are *all* going to be having the
nightmares for years to come, depressions, survivor's guilt, weird flashbacks
and bouts of deja vu. It isn't pretty, and it is going to take time to
deal with, love, support, lots of understanding. I know you've got more
insight into what we've been through than most people, but even you
really only know about a small portion of what happened during the war -
and a lot of Trowa's shit is a lot older than that. Wufei and I, we're
here if either of you need us, okay?"

Wufei has, by this point, recovered himself, and nods in agreement,
when Dorothy looks in his direction. Trowa, as well, is watching both
their faces. Under the table, his hand meets Dorothy's as both move to
make contact with the other, and he twines his fingers loosely with hers.

"We've basically managed to show Tro a few possibilities that he didn't
know about before, and reminded him that there is a gentle man
underneath all the shells - one who can touch the world without causing pain.
But we've done this a handful of times, maybe, compared to what he has
spent his entire life believing. No fairy wand, remember? Hearing
something once or twice is only the beginning, and there's a lot of work
ahead for him. I know he can do it, though," Duo says, glancing over at
Trowa. "He's made it this far, and he's not alone any more. I didn't
find a family just so I could stand by and watch my brothers get hurt."
The note of fierce protectiveness in Duo's voice startles Dorothy.

"He's going to need your help with some things. You can't expect him
to read your mind. You're going to need to talk. Lots. Clearly and
explicitly. You're going to need to ask for what you want, and tell him
what you like, or don't. Make sure he knows what you're feeling - and
that you will *keep on* telling him. And make sure he does the same -
especially when he starts going silent on you," Duo instructs her.
"Beyond that, it's really not my place to say, right? Except that you
both need to make sure you're both on the same page before you try
anything new. And you," he says, turning to look at Trowa, "I know you have
been, but keep talking to her. That's why you ran into trouble in the
first place - not talking about it. She can't read *your* mind, either,
right?"

Trowa nods, a bit abashed, but speaks up anyway. "True, but - in this
case just her knowing and telling me different wouldn't have done much
good."

"Perhaps not, Triton, but it might have saved Dorothy some self-doubt,"
Wufei points out. "And you are not alone any more; you do have people
to turn to who are going through exactly the same sorts of things - and
you are welcome to come to us again - for any reason." Duo gives
Wufei's knee a squeeze under the table.

"Seriously, Dorothy, I think we've been over everything we planned to
do at least once. I skipped out on Professor Chang's lecture," Duo
says, "but from what little I overheard, he went well beyond just the
basics. We *did* skip a lot of the lying around and exploring stuff, but
under the circumstances it seemed like the thing to do, and I'm sure you
can figure that part out by yourselves. The physical part, that's
easy. The emotional part, that's a lot more complicated, but I think we
did okay for a kick-start, and again, most of it's up to you two. Yes,
he's any good, yes, we'd take him back in a heartbeat, and no, we have
no intention of trying to. Did I miss anything?"

"No, I don't think so," Dorothy says, a considering tone in her voice.
"I gathered that you'd originally planned to keep him through tomorrow,
too, but since you three are basically done, maybe Triton and I should
take the time together ourselves instead - do some of that talking?"

"That sounds like a very good idea, Dorothy," Duo replies. "Besides, I
think I have something to, um, discuss with Wufei anyway." Wufei lifts
an eyebrow at that. "But you're also both welcome to come back with us
tonight. That way, if you think of anything we *did* miss, we'll be
right there to ask. The guest room's got a double bed, or someone can
take the couch - up to you - and we can certainly drop by your place to
pick up a change of clothes on the way, if you wanted to stay over. Or
one of us can walk you home later. It's entirely up to you, but the
option is there if you want to take it."

After some further discussion, Dorothy decides that's probably not a
bad idea, awkward as it may initially seem, and so the walk back from the
cafe takes a slight detour. Wufei and Duo drop back on the sidewalk to
let the other couple lead, since they are actually familiar with the
route, and both are happy to see Trowa's arm slip around Dorothy's waist,
and vice versa, although Duo is made a little wistful by the sight.
Still, he leans in to whisper "That's a good sign, there," to Wufei, who
nods back. They soon arrive at the building where Dorothy lives, and
when Trowa looks back for them, he finds that Duo and Wufei are already
finding comfortable bits of the front wall to hold up, settling in to
wait there.

"So, Duo," Wufei asks as Trowa opens the building door for Dorothy, "am
I to get a hint as to what this mysterious 'something' is that you
wanted to discuss with me later?"

"Oh, just something about fair play," Duo answers somewhat evasively,
but he leans in to whisper something to Wufei as the doors close behind
Trowa.

"Are you sure they won't mind having me there, Triton?" Dorothy asks of
her boyfriend, as they are heading up the stairs towards her floor.

"Yup. They won't mind a bit. They'd never have asked you if they did
mind - wouldn't have even mentioned the possibility, or that it's a
guest room. Hmph," Trowa replies, "I'd almost say they were checking you
over and making sure you were suitable."

Dorothy laughs. "You've got big brothers now, hmm?"

"Something like, yeah, although Duo always seems younger. You worried
about making a good impression?"

"No, not really. It's just - I mean, it just feels a little weird
somehow. I know you've said they're together, and from the cafe just now,
but looking at them *now*..."

Trowa smiles lightly at that, and replies, "Oh, they are most
definitely together. I think it's mostly that Wufei doesn't feel very
comfortable with being physically affectionate in public - or something like
that. He seems to be expanding his definition of 'non-public', but it's
going slowly." The pair arrives outside Dorothy's door and they stop
while she looks for her keys. Trowa continues, "I remember, back in May,
he and Duo were, I suppose, testing the waters to see how we'd react if
we thought they were together. I think we were all wondering where the
pod was; Wufei was wrapped around Duo like... like this," he says,
stepping up to press his body firmly against Dorothy's side, one arm
wrapping around her front, the other coming up to gather a handful of her
hair, "and he had Duo's braid wrapped around his other fist here. Heero
sprained his elbow, falling on it, he was so surprised. And the thing
is, it *was* honestly a joke then, for the most part. If you remember,
that evening at the party they were all hands-off again; I'm guessing
now, they didn't want to tell anyone else besides us guys." He steps
back from Dorothy then, and she turns the key in the lock, and opens the
door to her apartment.

Dorothy kicks her shoes off, and pads further into her home. Trowa
takes the opportunity to look around, and notes the flowers still sitting
on the kitchen table with a smile. It doesn't take Dorothy long to
find what she needs and come back out of her bedroom, carrying her own
small duffle, which Trowa takes from her. Shoes back on, they head out
again, leaving the door to lock itself behind them.

"So, you're telling me what I've seen isn't what I get, then?" Dorothy
picks up the conversation again.

"Yes and no. What you normally see is perfectly real, although I think
there's a second level to a lot of their conversations that you have to
really know them to even think to look for. Duo just *does not* lie;
if he says something, it's strictly the truth, although what he doesn't
say or the tone he uses can make it seem like something else
completely, and he is a *master* of evasion. Wufei is very much the same way,
although his reasons are different; more to the point, though, he's a
very private person. Count yourself lucky, I think, to be given this
opportunity."

"Hmm..." Dorothy muses. The pair reach the front doors of the
building, and once more pick up their silent tail as they continue on towards
the headquarters buildings, arms once again looped about each others'
waists.

When they arrive at the door marked #17,(1) the four young Preventers
quietly file in, leaving shoes and jackets at the door and making for
the living room. Wufei heads for the kitchen to set the kettle on, and
Duo flops dramatically along the couch, claiming it for himself. Trowa,
therefore, takes the obvious clue and leads Dorothy over to sit on the
love seat, turning himself slightly so that his shoulder slips behind
hers and his arm remains around her waist.

It isn't long before Wufei returns, a small lacquer tray with cups and
teapot held carefully in both hands. He deposits the tray on the small
table, and then *looks* at Duo until he sits up enough to make room for
Wufei on the couch. Once Wufei is seated, Duo promptly sprawls back
into his lap, earning himself an amused huff and a fond smile, much to
Dorothy's surprise. "Yes, yes, but you will still have to sit up for the
tea, Duo," Wufei remarks. Duo pouts cutely at that, but does in fact
sit up and swing his legs down to the floor, and when the tea is ready a
few minutes later he is the one who folds himself down beside the table
to pour and pass around the cups.

Meanwhile, the conversation has turned to topics of general interest.
Although Dorothy claims she doesn't know anything about the young woman
Quatre brought 'round to the office on Friday, there *is* a mischievous
twinkle in her eyes. Details, however, prove impossible to extract.
Frustrated in his curiosity, Duo turns to discussing the reasoning
behind Sally's imminent departure for Mars to play taxi for the newest set
of Agents to be assigned there and to pick up Noin and the other Agents
who joined her there. She's not due back until late in January, and
Trowa wonders vaguely that Zechs doesn't seem more excited about Noin's
impending return than he is, and Wufei speculates idly that it is a
toss-up whether Sally was chosen for this because she wanted more to see
the outbound crew off, or the returning crew safely home.

Duo, oddly enough, doesn't contribute much to the discussion, just
leaning his head back against Wufei's knees and smiling quietly. Dorothy
and Trowa, as well, gradually relax as the evening wears on, so that by
the time Duo yawns and mentions bedtime, Dorothy is tucked up on the
love seat, leaning comfortably into Trowa's loose embrace.

"Yes, it is getting late, is it not? We should be getting to bed, Duo,
so that our guests may retire as well," Wufei remarks. "Give me a hand
with the tea things?" The two discreetly disappear into the kitchen to
allow their friends a moment to speak quietly together.

Trowa sits up a little straighter, shifting Dorothy to sit facing him,
and takes her hands in his own, holding them lightly. "He's right, you
know," he says. "It's getting pretty late, and we should think about
getting some sleep as well. I'd like," he says, then pauses. Taking a
deep breath, he tries again. "I'd like it if you'd join me, in there,"
he gets out, nodding towards the spare room. "Just to sleep. If you
wanted to. But it seems a shame to waste the opportunity."

Dorothy takes one long, long moment to search Trowa's face, before
offering him a hand. "I'd like that, too, Triton."

They are interrupted by Wufei, who clears his throat rather loudly on
finding the pair still seated and evidently not planning to leave,
before turning to Trowa to remind him that he should know where everything
he might need is, and that they will, of course, be right down the hall
should some emergency arise. Then he turns to follow Duo towards their
bedroom, leaving the other couple to their own devices.

Perhaps ten minutes later, there is a knock on the master bedroom door.

"What is it, Triton?"

"Sorry to disturb you guys, but, uh... you wouldn't happen to have a
spare elastic, would you, Wufei? Thanks, man..."

From further into the room, a small chuckle escapes.

~*~*~*~*~

(1) That would be the number over Wufei and Duo's door. ;)

Next ---> Rainbow Sherbert 11

comments so far? e-mail Bronze Tigress!