Cathy rolled her eyes and continued eating her food while Lucrezia and Zechs did the same. Triton grinned over at Duo, “Well of course we are, the people at this table saved the world. What’s not fun about us? You should totally come over more often, then I won’t feel all young and inferior all the time.”

 

Cathy slapped the back of his head and glared at him exasperated as she went into the kitchen to bring out the sweet tea Triton had made earlier and sat it on the table. Triton smiled at her as she gave him a pointed look and returned to her chair and rose to fill everyone’s glasses before sitting down again.

 

“Heh-heh. Somehow I keep forgettin that. All right. I’ll take ya up on that.” He bit into the food again. “Just don’t complain when yer groceries start disappearin’ faster than usual.”

 

Duo gave a tight-lipped smirk as Trowa’s head was slapped. “Was that fer sayin’ you felt inferior, or for inviting me?”

 

“For stating I felt inferior of course.” Triton grinned at him.

 

“No worries about the groceries Duo, get me a list of things you like to eat and we’ll stockpile them.” Cathy smiled at him, her little brother needed to see people who understood him more often. And if food was what it took to make that happen, she’d buy out the grocery store!

 

Duo smirked. “Well yer not. You kicked the most ass outta anyone at this table, myself not included.” Duo puffed himself up proudly. He gave Catherine a smile and chuckled. “Please, I’m a garbage disposal. It’d be easier ta tell ya what I don’t like. As long as it don’t have sweet peppers in it and isn’t quite hot enough ta burn my tongue off, yer good.”

 

Cathy chuckled, “Fair enough.”

 

Triton simply stared at him like a fish out of water, his mouth moving but no sound ensuing, for a couple of seconds before smirking and turning back to his food. He really didn’t have a response to that.

 

Duo looked to Trowa, and shot him a small smirk. “Ya okay there, buddy? Hope I didn’t say nothin wrong.”

 

“No, you’re fine Duo, I just don’t have a response to that.” He grinned over at his friend before he finished eating the food on his plate and relaxed back into his chair. He was full now, and seriously sleepy.

 

Duo nodded, and returned to his own plate, which he’d been refilling bit by bit as he went. But the food coma and spent energy was starting to hit him as well, and he drooped over the table. “Wanna shower then crash on the couch er in yer room with some cartoons? Looks like we both need a rest.”

 

“Sounds good.” Triton lifted himself from his chair with a pat on Duo’s leg, “Excuse us please. Dinner was great you guys. I’ll clean up when you’re done, just come and get me.”

 

Cathy nodded her head at him, “Have fun you guys.”

 

He readjusted the towel around his waist before walking back to his room, he grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the bathroom.

 

A contented sigh left Duos’ nose at the pat. He slumped a bit as he polished off his plate, then got up to follow Trowa. “That was great, guys. Thanks a lot,” he said with his mouth full, wiping his hands as he got up to walk after the taller man.

Duo picked up his small backpack and took out his change of cloths. “I’ll help clean up after, too. Ya might hafta poke me a few times.”

 

Cathy chuckled at him, “No worries Duo, I’m sure we’ll be able to wake you.”

 

Triton hopped in the shower rinsing off the pool water as steam rose around him. He scrubbed off quickly and got out, dried himself off and got dressed in a pair of basketball shorts and a wifebeater before heading back to his bedroom. On his way he called out to Duo, “There’s clean towels on the rack in the bathroom, it’s all yours.”

 

“All right. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya. I sleep like a dead man.” When Trowa came out, Duo gladly went in after him. “Thanks, Tro. ‘Preciate it.” He looked back over his shoulder, giving a quick glance at Trowa’s backside, before he smirked to himself and went in to shower, as well.

 

“No problem.” Triton could hear the laughter from the dining room and wondered briefly what it was about but didn’t care enough to investigate. He entered his bedroom, tossing his swimsuit in the hamper before scrubbing his hair dry. He didn’t bother combing it or anything, just left it as is and flopped on his bed, tossing the towel at his desk chair. Full and warm from the shower he was content to just lay there and do nothing for a while.

 

Duo cleaned himself quickly, only taking a bit of extra time on his hair, which always slowed him down when he washed it. He came out clean, in a t-shirt and boxers, with his hair down. Normally he’d be braiding it already, but he felt comfortable enough to let it down while he was here. After tiring himself out swimming, stuffing his face, and cleaning up, all while with Trowa, he felt oddly comfortable and safe. He went to Trowa’s room, hugging the clean extra towel he brought with him. His eyes were a bit heavy, but he looked completely pleased. “Thanks again fer everything, Trowa,” he said as he sat beside the man on his bed.

 

“No problem.” Was mumbled into a pillow as Triton was currently laying on his stomach. He’d watched as Duo came into the room a bit in awe over the man’s hair, he’d never seen it down before. He scooted over toward the wall more so that Duo had more room and then turned his head to face him fully, “What’re you wantin’ to do?”

 

Duo settled in with a sigh, head drooping and eyes closing. He had a small smile on his face– full belly, clean body, tired and comfy. He smoothed his hair to the side and laid down beside Trowa. “You got a laptop in here? How about some cartoons till we pass out?”

 

Triton chuckled, “I do, but it’s way over there on the desk and it’s off.” He reached into his headboard and pulled out a remote and flipped on the small TV at the foot of his bed and flipped through channels until he heard cartoons, since he wasn’t looking at it. “How’s that?” He replaced the remote and buried his head back into his pillows.

 

Duo smiled a tired smile. “Perfect.” He settled in, body completely relaxed. Slowly, his body melted into the bed. He looked over at the other, then wiggled closer to Trowa, resting his head against the other’s arm. “This is–” he was cut off by a yawn, but kept trying to talk, “real nice, Trowa…”

 

“Mmm...” Triton was practically asleep already, but enjoyed the warmth that came with Duo’s body getting closer to his own. Now if he could just convince the man to quit using his wartime persona as his name he’d be on Cloud 9.

 

Smiling, Duo simply nuzzled back against him, closing his eyes and letting himself relax. It didn’t take love for him to start dozing, at which point he flipped himself over to face Trowa, and unconsciously wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close and snuggling into his chest.

 

Triton was completely out until Duo wrapped an arm around him, the movement not something he was accustomed to. He froze until his eyes could focus and he saw Duo’s hair splayed out across the bed. He relaxed with a smirk and wrapped his own arm around the guy, pulling him closer before going back to sleep.

 

Cathy came in to get them to help clean up but simply stopped in the open doorway. A light smile graced her lips and she closed the door before heading back to the kitchen to clean up the leftovers herself, since Zechs and Lu had just left.

 

Duo remained dead asleep through it all, completely settled being so close to his friend. It was a deep, easy sleep he only had in the company of people he trusted. And that day had poised him for it perfectly.

 

Triton woke several hours later on his back with a weight over most of his body, with an odd look on his face he tipped his chin down to see what exactly it was his arms were holding so tightly to him. A smile wiped away his original expression when he saw that Duo was using him as a body pillow. And while it was comfortable and seriously adorable... he needed to use the bathroom. “Duo?” He shook the man slightly, “Duo~ I need to get up.”

 

Duo had curled himself around Trowa, arms and legs wrapped tightly around him. He slept peacefully until Trowa moved him, his eyes fluttering open. “Hnn? Mmmm… Mph, What?” he said with a yawn, curling tighter around the taller man.

 

Triton had to laugh, he enjoyed having Duo wrapped around him but, “You are adorable. But you need to get off of me, I need to pee.”

 

Duo muttered softly, and curls in on himself. “M’kay… Yer comin’ back then, right?” He looked up at the other with tired, needy eyes.

 

“Of course I am.” Triton smiled down at him softly as he rose from the bed, “It’s warm here, I’ll be back in a heartbeat.” He placed a soft kiss on Duo’s hair before heading for the bathroom.

 

Duo sighed softly, letting himself relax. “Good.” He watched at Triton got up. His eyes widened and he smiled at the kiss, and twisted himself to watch Trowa walk out. He felt a slight warmth rise in his cheeks.

 

Triton went to the bathroom and quickly came back, but he paused at the door... with a frown he went to the kitchen and found everything already cleaned up. With an embarrassed blush he headed back to his room, closing the door behind him. He was going to have to remember to thank his sister in the morning. He crawled back up onto the bed and over Duo to settle back into his previous spot.

 

Duo watched with a craned neck to watch the taller man. He looked at him curiously, head turning to watch as he climbed into bed. “Everythin okay?” He gladly wiggles up next to Trinton again, happy to have him back.

 

“Yeah, everything’s fine. Though apparently Cathy cleaned up without us.” Triton wrapped an arm around Duo again as the man snuggled closer. A huge yawn cracked his jaw and he hid his face in his pillow until it was over, “Sorry. What should we do now?” He was hoping the man didn’t have to go home, but he would leave staying or going up to his friend.

 

Duo pouted slightly, though still partially asleep. “Aw… Sorry, man. I would’ve helped.”He seemed genuinely a bit disappointed that he wasn’t able to help, but quickly relaxed again when Trowa came over to snuggle him. Duo contently nuzzled the man’s chest, and smiled. “S’okay.” Duo yawned in turn, then gave a small smile. “We can stay like this if ya want. I ain’t in no hurry. Though, if you wanna do somethin’ else, I won’t object. I do like layin’ here, though.” He smiled at the man. He liked laying there with someone he trusted and cared about. But that last bit seemed a bit too much for his tired mouth to utter.

 

Triton grinned, “Stayin’ here works for me.” He nuzzled into Duo again and closed his eyes, he hadn’t felt so peaceful in a long time. Sure they weren’t at war or anything any more... but he was generally active and never really took the time to just relax. It was nice having a friend around who didn’t want to be active, who didn’t find just laying on a bed boring. He felt he was only seconds away from sleeping again.

 

“Good,” Duo smiled. He wiggled closer to the other man as both of them started to get heavy eyes. He settled in with his face right next to Trowa’s. As Triton’s eyes closed again, Duo looked up at him. He had a strange urge he hadn’t felt in some time, and took an unusually lengthy amount of time for him to think about actually doing it. Then, cautiously, and readied for any possible response, he tipped his head up and kissed the other on the chin.

 

Triton had nodded sleepily and wrapped his arms tighter around the smaller man as he got closer. He had just barely gone to sleep when Duo’s breathing changed and not for the sleeping version, concern for the other waking him back up slightly. He felt the brush of lips on his chin and grinned, without opening his eyes he murmured, “You missed.”

 

At that response, Duo’s face lit up. He pushed himself up with his toes against the bed, and lightly pecked Triton’s lips with a quiet giggle. He settled back in bed, and smiled at the other, lightly rubbing their noses. “Didn’t expect you to say that.”

 

Triton grinned and opened his eyes to look at Duo much more awake now. The small peck hadn’t been enough, but he wasn’t going to push it either. He rose a brow at him and tilted his head to kiss Duo’s forehead, “Why’s that?”

 

When Trinton opened his eyes, Duo gave him an awkward, crooked smile. “Heh-heh… I, uh, I just didn’t know if you’d be okay with it we not.” He bit his lip. “Just glad ya didn’t freak out…”

 

“You are adorable.” Triton bent his head and kissed Duo’s nose, he hugged the man to him for a moment a doofy smile on his face before relaxing back into the bed.

 

Duo’s nose scrunched up and his smile pushes his bright pink cheeks up into his eyes. He giggled and wiggled into the man. “Heh-heh. Yer not too bad ta look at, yer self.” He nuzzled up into Triton’s chin.

 

“I wasn’t talking about the way you look. Just you in general are adorable. I won’t use that word to describe the way you look. But thank you for the compliment.” He smiled as Duo seemed to burrow into him and closed his eyes again content to just lay there holding him.