Try Again
By: Nurkio

Dese Peeps Ain’t Mine! Song by Aaliyah & Timbaland
[Present day]

Quatre Raberba Winner was biding his time. Nothing unusual, he’d been biding his time for a few months now. What was different this time was that he was through waiting, today was the day; he was going to act. Months of building his courage would be put to the test today, or so he assured himself, in front of his mirror where he was delivering this pep talk to himself. He would go down to breakfast, and wait for Trowa to come, and then when the time was right . . . no, no, no. He would go down to breakfast, and wait for Trowa, yes. When he appeared he would, Quatre breathed heavily, yes he would, take him aside and confess how he really felt. Yes!
That was the plan, he would execute it; mission accepted . . . or so Heero would say. He gave the boy in the mirror a sharp nod and a wink then turned away from his reflected twin. Finishing his toiletries and dressing in his usual, he headed downstairs to the breakfast table.

Heero was already up—no surprise there—and typing away at his laptop. Quatre doubted the boy had even eaten yet. But that was how Heero operated. Duo wasn’t present nor was Wufei, in a way that was good, Quatre supposed, there would be less people to witness his embarrassment. He sat at the table, too nervous to eat, occasionally thumping his foot on the floor or thrumming his fingers on the table. If Heero noticed his preoccupation he did not mention it.

Finally Trowa stepped in to the kitchen, face as expressionless as usual, green eyes softening slightly as he caught sight of Quatre sitting at the table. He sat beside him at Quatre’s invitation and plucked a Danish biscuit from the basket in the center of the table; breakfast. Quatre seemed inordinately nervous about something, and Trowa wondered what it could be, he did not have long to wait.

“Trowa can I talk to you about something really important?” the blonde Arabian asked, sucking on his bottom lip after he’d managed to voice the question. 'Lucky lip,' Trowa thought but inclined his head, silently telling Quatre to proceed. The blonde exhaled softly then gathered his courage. He looked toward Heero, briefly wondering if he should admit to something of this magnitude in front of him, but then decided that Heero would find out soon anyway. “Trowa I . . .”

“ . . . am shedding big time. I don’t think this weather agrees with my hair.” Duo replied to whatever imaginary friend with him as he entered the kitchen area. He had the long braid that cascaded down his back in his hand studying a few strands that had obviously come out of it. His amaryllis eyes were completed perplexed. He looked up to see his fellow pilots at the table and immediately brightened. “Ohayo minna!” he greeted cheerfully.

Quatre sighed. It was to be expected he consoled himself. His courage was slipping, he had to get this out now. “Ohayo Duo, did you sleep well?” Coward, Quatre reprimanded himself.

“Actually . . .” the pilot of Shinigami flushed slightly. “But we’re not talking about me are we?”

Yes we were, Quatre thought but immediately dismissed it. There were more important things afoot. “Trowa, I . . .”

“ . . . can’t find any justice in this place,” Wufei muttered, as he entered the room limping slightly and carrying some object in his hand. He fixed annoyed almond shaped eyes on Duo. “Yours?” he asked holding up a miniature action figure of the Grim Reaper.

“Hey!” Duo exclaimed, “I’ve been looking all over for that! Where’d you find it?”

“It was poking . . . ahem . . .” Wufei began, thought better of it, then promptly sat down and picked up a Danish roll. He shoved it in his mouth, effectively discouraging any comment.

Well that was fine too, Quatre allowed himself to believe. It gave everyone time to get used to the idea. “Trowa I . . .”

“. . . just received a new mission. Trowa it suggests you might be more suited to this.” Heero stated in his usual monotone. Quatre turned reproachful blue eyes on Heero, 'You too?' he bemoaned mentally. Trowa flashed Quatre an apologetic smile, which was really no more than a further softening of his green eyes. He finished the Danish and padded over to the Heero and the laptop to be briefed. An hour later he was in the cockpit of Heavy Arms flying toward his new mission.

Poor Quatre, he thought. He knew exactly what the sweet blonde had been trying to say. Only Quatre--who could be considered the braver of the two of them--was actually going to act instead of pretend what they felt for each other was a fluke. He hoped Quatre wouldn’t lose his nerve before he returned. He also hoped he wouldn’t be too frightened when it happened.

*What would you do
To get to me
What would you say
To have your way
Would you give up
Or try again
If I hesitate
To let you in*

[Night before]
Duo lay in his bed trying to sleep but failing miserably. For once he’d gotten lucky and was bunking with Wufei. Well not in the way he wanted but it was close. He was on the bottom bunk, Wufei the top, again not how he’d seen it in his dreams but close enough. And he still wasn’t sleeping well.
In the darkness he heard a soft thump and felt a light breeze of air. Apparently Wufei wasn’t sleeping so good either. He heard a stealthy footstep and then a *BANG*, followed by muffled curses, a nasty death threats.

“It usually works better for amateurs to turn on the light,” Duo replied helpfully.

Wufei whirled to face the bed as that disgustingly cheerful voice spoke. “Maxwell, how can you navigate this disaster area?”

“I know where everything is,” Duo answered just as cheeky as before. He arose from his bed and proceeded to show Wufei exactly what he meant. A few seconds later the lamp clicked on, casting it’s dim glow about the room. “See Wufei, it’s eas . . . ehh . . .” During this little ‘I told you so speech’ Duo had turned from clicking the lamp on to gauge just how pissed off the China-man was. He had not been expecting the sight that greeted him.

Now recalling his dreams, this picture was just about right. The only thing it was missing was a sexy ‘come hither’ look on Wufei’s part. Damn! The fantasy was so close but so far. But Wufei naked was Wufei naked, and an opportunity to look his fill at golden skin, abs, pectorals annd his pe . . . “Maxwell, what are you staring at?” Wufei demanded as he noticed the glazed expession on Duo's face.

Bananas, ice cream, hot fudge, whip cream, and a cherry right on the ti . . . “Maxwell!”

“Uhh . . . nothing, nothing. Well you can do whatever it was you were going to do,” 'Preferably me, but let me get over the shock first'. Duo’s chest constricted the moment Wufei disappeared in to the bathroom. Fighting for air he sat back down on his bunk and tried to think the most unappealing thoughts. 'Is it hot in here or is it just me?' By the time Wufei exited the bathroom Duo had his breathing back to normal--but then concentrating on Siberia would do that to a person. The light clicked off, and the bed squeaked as Wufei settled back in it.

Believing he’d get a good night’s sleep now, Wufei hugged his pillows to him and closed his eyes. He did not expect the poignant “Wufei, are you asleep?” coming from Duo.

“What, Maxwell,” Wufei sighed, it was better to just see what he wanted and get it over with.

“Can I sleep with you?”

“What!!”

“Not in that way, get your head out of the gutter. It’s just I can’t sleep and I sleep better with someone else at these times.” Duo wondered if Wufei would fall for this one.

“Maxwell . . .”

“Heero always lets me sleep with him,” Duo remarked, his voice still low and whimpery. Perfect, Duo thought smugly.

“Maxwell . . .”

“I’ll be quiet.” Hook, line, and sinker.

“Well, come on then, but if you snore I’m pushing you off,” Wufei relented. Duo was up in his bunk in a matter of seconds, snuggling up to him as if he were a human sized teddy bear.

“Oyasumi nasai, Wufei,” Duo mumbled, thinking as he drifted off to sleep: Half-ass fantasy . . . Complete.

When Wufei heard the soft rhythmic breathing he allowed himself to relax and drop his guard. He pulled the pilot of Shinigami closer in to his embrace, liking the feel of Duo’s silk boxer shorts against his naked skin. He wondered if Duo would be telling all tomorrow, but then dismissed it as irrelevant. For the time being he could be himself with the one he loved.

*Now would you be yourself
Or play a role
Tell all the boys
I keep it low
If I say no
Would you turn away
Or play me off
Or would you stay, oh, oh,*

{Scene shows Quatre alone in his bed clutching his pillow to his chest, but still determined}

*And if at first you don’t succeed
Then dust yourself off and try again
You can dust it off and try again, try again
Cause if at first you don’t succeed
You can dust if off and try again
Dust yourself off and try again, try again (and again)*

{Wufei holds Duo close and then shifts uncomfortably. What the hell was poking him?}

[That night]
Heero raced across the terrain as stealthy as a tiger and as sleek as a panther clinging to the darkness for cover. It had taken forever for Wufei and Duo to go to sleep, hampering his escape. He hoped he wasn’t too late for the rendezvous. He was on a mission of sorts, and he hated not finishing a mission.

He was there however, beneath the tree they’d dubbed theirs. His pale blonde hair gleamed in the moonlight, his regal bearing obvious. Heero deliberately let his footsteps be heard as he approached. Zechs, or should I say, Miliardo Peacecraft looked up at the sound a small smile alighting his features.

“Hey,” he murmured, beckoning Heero to his side. “You’re late.”

Heero decided to let that go. Miliardo was gentry after all, and in order to not be late by their standards, one had to arrive fifteen minutes to a half-hour early. Heero didn’t have that luxury.
He wrapped his arms around the taller pilot and Miliardo did the same, holding Heero close and breathing in that earthy sent that seemed cling to him. He smelled wonderful.

Taking the smaller pilot’s face between his hands he leaned forward intent on kissing the psychopath that made battles worth fighting. However, Heero turned away.

“How long does this last?” he queried in his usual monotone. Miliardo sighed, it was the same question he’d been asking himself; only Heero would let it come between them now.

*I’m into you
You into me
But I can’t let it go
So easily
Not ‘til I see
Whether this could be
Could be eternally
Or just a week*

[Week before]
Relena wondered around the ballroom curious as to where Heero had gone off to. It wasn’t unusual for him to just disappear from a school after whatever it was he was sent there to take care was through. But she had been smart and had extracted a promise from him to dance with her just once before the night was over. And killer though he was, he would keep his word--as long as it didn’t involve killing her at least. And then there he was making a beeline for her. He must really love me to stay, Relena sighed dreamily, conveniently forgetting what she’d thought just a minute before in regards to Heero’s integrity.

She allowed herself to be led on to the floor in a daze, dancing around with Heero in perfect bliss. When the war was over she would track Heero down again and make him marry her, she fantasized. They were meant to be together after all.

Heero somehow managed to keep looks of long-suffering from his face. Where was Miliardo when he needed him?

*Ay yo chemistry
Is off the chain
It’s perfect now
But will it change
This ain’t a yes
This ain’t a no
Just do your thing W
e’ll see how it go, oh, oh*

{Miliardo pulled Heero into his embrace again and firmly pressed his lips to Heero’s resisting ones.
He knew he could not promise forever just now, but he would make the most of the time they had. A moment later Heero was enthusiastically leaning in to the kiss.}

{Relena stared up at the stars and wrapped her arms about her. Heero had taken off after the dance, he was probably long gone by now. But that was okay, she’d found him once she could do so again.}

[Week later]
Trowa placed his gundam back in the hangar and slowly approached the mansion. The mission had been a success and all he could think of was Quatre. The blonde Arabian, however, was way a head of him.

Quatre had been patiently awaiting Trowa’s return by sitting at his window day in and day out. The moment the tall pilot’s silhouette appeared on the horizon Quatre raced from his viewing spot and out the mansion. He completely surprised Trowa as he leaped into arms; tackling him to the ground. Bellflower blue eyes gazed into forest green before a clumsy attempt at a kiss was delivered. Awkward though it was, Trowa found it to be the sweetest one ever given . . .

Duo stared at the magnificent form gracefully executing the katas as if they were second nature.
Before his Nataku, Wufei sensuously danced his unique dance, either unaware of his audience or uncaring. When the last graceful kick was delivered to the imaginary enemy Wufei bowed and turned to Duo; annoyed, but that was nothing new. Duo had something very important to announce . . .

“Wufei . . . can I have your baby?”

“What!?”

Anou, Duo thought scratching at his temple, confused. Damn it! That hadn’t come out the way he’d planned!

*See you don’t want to throw it all away
I might be shy on the first date
What about the next date?
Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?*

Heero lay on the blanket spread out below the stars. The surrounding scenery curtained by long platinum blonde hair. His sweat slicked body met every thrust into his tight sheathe from that of the one above him. Pleasure coursed through his veins; a name on his lips, “Mmm . . . Miliardo . . . more . . .”

*See you don’t want to throw it all away
I might be buggin’ on the first date
What about the next date?
Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?*

Relena gazed heavenward wondering if Heero was looking at the same stars. She’d know soon enough, she decided with a sharp nod of her head.

“Miss Relena, we’ve everything settled. Heero is on a colony not far from here. The plane will be ready to leave in thirty minutes.”

Relena Darlian Peacecraft nodded at the servant and smiled up at the stars. “Hold on, Heero, I’m coming . . .” she whispered.

Little did Relena know, but at that same moment Heero was too . . .