Social Graces by scheherezhad
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Diplomats throw the worst parties. Zechs has a better idea.
Disclaimer: Don't own, making no money, please don't sue.
Author's notes: Written for 03/02/06, and because I still owe April a Duo/Trowa fic. I wanted there to be pr0n, but it was like beating my head against a brick wall. Just wasn't gonna happen in this story.
Feedback: Hells yeah. scheherezhad@yahoo.com

"These things are dead boring, aren't they?"

Duo looked up in surprise as Zechs appeared next to him. He'd been hiding in a corner all night in the hopes that Relena wouldn't spot him and drag him up in front of the room for some kind of special recognition. Diplomatic soirees to celebrate the end of the war were so bothersome, but he couldn't skip out on the damned things. If he did, Heero would chew him out. He did not need another page-long email detailing the trouble Relena had gone to to put the event together and how they should all be proud of their accomplishments and blah blah blah blah blah.

Um. And Zechs had asked him a question, hadn't he. "Yeah." Nice save. "I, uh, I only come to these because I never hear the end of it if I don't."

"Yuy?"

"Yep."

"I know the feeling. Relena likes to play the 'family obligation' card," Zechs said.

Duo nodded slightly. Then they both fell silent and surveyed the other guests. Some were dancing, but most were milling about, making sure they got noticed for their clothes or their escorts.

"You look about half as excited as I feel," Zechs murmured. "Care to join me elsewhere?"

"Why not? Lead the way, man." Duo started after Zechs, then paused when he noticed Trowa trying to edge away from Quatre over by the balcony. "Hold on a sec. I need to make a detour for a rescue mission."

Zechs followed his gaze. "Barton does seem rather...put upon at the moment. Shall we invite him along?"

Duo gestured for Zechs to follow him. "Hey, guys," he said when they reached Quatre and Trowa. "What's up?"

"Duo," Trowa greeted, souding relieved. "Zechs."

"Oh, Duo, I was just telling Trowa-" Quatre began, but Zechs interrupted smoothly.

"Might we borrow Mr Barton for a moment? I was going to show Mr Maxwell my collection of vintage motorcycles, and he suggested that Mr Barton might be interested in viewing them, as well."

Quatre frowned, but he had been trained from childhood to be exceedingly polite at formal functions. "Of course. Trowa, I'll find you later."

Trowa nodded and followed Duo and Zechs out of the room. "Thanks. I couldn't figure out how to get away from him without causing a scene. He's nothing if not persistent."

"No prob, buddy. You looked like you could stand to get out of there, too," Duo said. He turned to Zechs. "So where exactly are we going? You never said."

"We could go down to the garage, if you'd like to see the motorcycles," Zechs began. He stopped in front of a door that looked no different than any other they had passed in this hallway. "But I had something a little more...interesting in mind."

Duo and Trowa shared a look of surprise when the door opened. Zechs had brought them to a bedroom.

"As far as my sister is concerned, this is my private meditation room. There's a hidden lock that responds only to my fingerprints," he explained. "I hope my brashness hasn't put either of you off. I simply thought that we would be...compatible, Duo. When you added Trowa to the mix, it made the possibilities all the more intriguing."

Duo had to admit, Zechs was plenty easy on the eyes, and he had had more than a couple of thoughts about what Trowa might be like in bed. It was that "strong, silent type" thing. Made him wonder if Trowa would actually cut loose a little during sex, or if he would stay quiet and purposeful.

Trowa studied both of them coolly, then inclined his head. "I wouldn't be a very gracious guest if I declined my hostess's dear brother's invitation," he said, a hint of a smirk on his lips.

"Too true, my man," Duo agreed.

"Well then. Shall we?" Zechs swept an arm out, motioning them into the room before himself. Duo and Trowa slipped in, and Zechs followed, shutting the door firmly.

Downstairs, the party dragged on.