[ text – WRONG # ] I’m never talking to Duo again.

 

[text] Duo: Wait… What? Why??

 

[text] Triton: Oh shit! That was supposed to go to Heero! It’s not what it sounds like! I’m so sorry! I’ve been pretending I was angry with you…

-realizes he shouldn’t have said that either-

[text] Triton: So, um… I was just trying to get him to talk to you. So I made up something hoping he’d get irritated about it and talk to you to find out what it was over.

[text] Triton: Which sounds really lame in hindsight. Sorry.

 

[text] Duo: ……… Let’s say I chose to believe you, what the fuck does Heero have his spandex shorts in a wad over now?

 

[text] Triton: He doesn’t… that was how I was gonna start it. I just don’t think he should always be bothering the only other silent people in our group. Unless there’s some reason I don’t know about as to why he doesn’t talk to you or Quatre?

 

[text] Duo: I thought he just didn’t like talkin to me because I annoyed him er somethin. Donno why he wouldn’t like talking to Quatre. I thought everyone talked to him about everything.

 

[text] Triton: I don’t know either… I’m just sick of him always asking me for advice on things I obviously have no experience with. And Quat’s mentioned that Heero never talks to him. *shrug*

 

[text] Duo: Well, donno how much I can help ya with that. You ever just try tellin him ta ask Quatre?

 

[text] Triton: I have. He said that Quatre wouldn’t understand. But I’m certain Quat is better with relationship advice than I am.

 

[text] Duo: Ugh. And people yell at me fer bein stubborn.

[text] Duo: Wait. Relationship advice?

 

[text] Triton: Yeah, originally over what he should do about Releana but then he starting being all dumb about someone. Like he won’t tell me who it is, but it’s obvious he likes the person. Keeps asking how to ask them to do things with him. It’s really awkward because I’ve never done something like that so I don’t know what to tell him.

 

[text] Duo: Huh… Interestin… Eh, I guess it ain’t none of my business. Maybe we should just go poke him and tell him straight up that he needs ta talk to the rest of us.

 

[text] Triton: Probably, wanna come with me?

 

[text] Duo: Heck yeah. Meet ya after you and Cathie are done rehearsing for the night?

 

[text] Triton: Sounds good. See you then.

 

[text] Duo: See ya.

 

Duo gets himself dressed and drives himself to the circus, casually waltzing into the tent looking for Trowa.

 

Triton smiled down at the text and then headed off to another torture session with Cathy. A few hours later he was just being untied from the spinning board as Duo arrived. Currently upside down, because Cathy was sadistic, he watched him enter. “Over here Duo!”

 

Duo snapped his head around, and instantly burst into laughter. “TRO!!” He doubled over as he walked, looking at the poor man on the wheel. “DUDE! What are they doin to you?!” He looked the other up and down, and turns to Catherine. “Remind me never ta piss you off.”

 

Triton grinned up at him, “Nothin’ my sister’s just hucking knives at me again.”

 

Cathy smiled as she untied her brother’s wrists, “Haven’t you seen this act before Duo?”

 

Triton grabbed onto the edges of the wheel with his now free hands to keep himself up while Cathy untied his ankles, then he gracefully flipped off of the torture device. “Let me get changed and then we can go.”

 

Duo chuckled at Trowa’s response as he watched the two. “Yeah, just never seen ya comin’ down from it before.” He smirked and walked around them as he watched.

 

He whistled at Trowa’s graceful flip, and nodded. “Sure thing. Any idea where ya wanna head? I know a couple a good joints in the area, but depends what ya want.”

 

Triton looked behind him at Duo as he walked out of the tent and toward his trailer, “Weren’t we going to go bother Heero? You, know, tell him to start talking to everyone and not just me and Wufei?”

 

Duo blinked, then gave a nervous laugh. “Heh… Sorry. Been a little outta sorts lately. Yeah. Let’s go bug the stiff. Just a warnin’ though. I’m usin you as a shield if he gets mad.”

 

“Yeah, yeah.” Triton waved a hand in the air, “I’ll protect you from the big bad Heero. You comin’ braid boy?” He had reached his trailer and was waiting to see if Duo wanted to come in while he changed or not.

 

Duo smiled crookedly, and nodded happily. “Yeah, I’m comin’. Mind if I clean up a bit, too? I was kinda half asleep while I was at home.”

 

“Sure thing.” Triton held the door open for him and pointed out the bathroom as he headed back to the bedroom, “I’ll be right out.” So saying, he closed the door and devested himself of his clown outfit, thankful he hadn’t had to wear the make-up for practice. He changed into jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes then ran a comb through his hair before leaving the room again.

 

“Thanks, buddy.” Duo went to clean himself up a bit. He hadn’t bothered to fix himself up since he had been rattling around his apartment. Only after waking up a bit and seeing the others for comparison did he see he was a bit disheveled. He rebraided the end of his braid, a bit frustrated he didn’t have the time to redo the whole thing. He rubbed some water over his face, eyes still a bit tired. Once he was done, he went into the main room of the trailer and sat down. When Trowa came out. Duo was curled up in a comfortable little ball with his head down and eyes closed, seeming almost asleep.

 

Finding Duo nearly asleep on his small couch he looked at him with concern, “Did my mis-sent text wake you up Duo?” He wasn’t really sure if he’d get an answer or not, but he had to ask.

 

Duo wiggled slightly in his sleep. He made a small noise, but didn’t lift his head. He actually looked rather peaceful there, curled up and nuzzling the arm of the sofa. He let out a sigh, like a sleeping dog, and mumbled softly.

 

Chuckling softly Triton went over and shook the man lightly to see if he could wake him. If not, he’d carry the man into the bedroom and lay him on the bed himself. There was no way they could deal with Heero if they were sleepy, and Triton had to admit that he was tired at the moment. But he was going to eat something first.

 

Duo whimpered softly, tired eyes fluttering open. He blinked and looked up at the man. “Hnn? Huh… Ah, shit,” He mumbled softly, “Did I fall asleep?” He looked up at Trowa with his big, indigo eyes. They actually looked more violet in the warm light of the trailer. He seemed completely unaware that he’d been dozing off.

 

Triton giggled a bit at his reaction, “It’s alright. If you would like to sleep we can go bug Heero afterwards. But the bed is more comfortable.” He pointed to the door of the bedroom, “I’m gonna make some food.” With that he rose from kneeling beside the couch and headed over to the tiny kitchen area.

 

“Mmn?” Duo mumbled, still not completely awake. He leaned forward and slowly rose to follow him. “Hm? What ya makin’?” He asked in a tired stupor, coming over and leaning on the counter.

 

“Figured I’d make something quick... so just making mac and cheese. You want some?” Triton looked over at him, “Seriously though, if you wanna sleep you can. And I apologize if my mis-sent text woke you up.”

 

Even in his tired haze, Duo smiled wide. “’D love some. One of my favorite foods.” Duo came around to stand next to Triton, and shook his head. “Nah. Just ain’t slept. Been up all night workin’.”

 

“Then we’ll sleep after we eat. Cause I’m not going to allow you to wander around without sleep.” Triton grinned at him and quickly made up the mac and cheese, pulling out two bowls and dishing it up. He grabbed two glasses from the cupboard, “Do you want milk? Or I have apple juice. And do you want a spoon or a fork?”

 

Duo nodded with a tired smile, watching the other cook. He smiled as the food was served, pleasantly surprised by the turn the night took. “I’ll take some milk if that’s okay. Thanks fer this. I hope I ain’t bein’ any trouble for you.”

 

Triton smiled at him, “You Duo, are never any trouble. Heero’s debatable though.” He poured them both milk before sitting down at the table to eat.

 

Duo snorted and rolled his eyes. “I think he just tries ta keep us away.” He started eagerly wolfing down the Mac and cheese. “Like… He’s scared or somethin’, whatever therapists say.” He took a long drink of the milk and sighed. “But thanks, Trowa. I really appreciate it.”

 

“Any time. You’re always welcome here. I enjoy not eating alone.” He smiled over at him as he ate his own food, “Finish eating and then go crawl into bed, I’ll clean up.”

 

“I can help,” Duo said between bites. “I don’t wanna be a complete freeloader.” He ate happily, content sitting across from his friend. “How’s the act comin’, by the way? You and Cathy seem to be doing real good,” He said with a chuckle, remembering Trowa hanging upside down.

 

Triton grinned at him, “Don’t really need help with such a small amount of dishes.” He chuckled, “We’ve been doing alright. The act is fine, she’s gotten much better with those knives, I don’t get nicked nearly as often when I’m spinning on that board.”

 

“Just thought I’d offer,” He said, his head rested on his fist as he nearly began to doze off into his food. “Don’t wanna be a freeloader.” At Trowa’s answer, Duo looked up and smirked. “HA! Well, ger fer you guys. I take it she hasn’t managed to cut off anything sensitive, huh?”

 

Triton shook his head at the man, “Finish eating Duo, then go lay down. You could never be a freeloader, and I appreciate the offer. And no, she’s never cut off anything more than a few strands of my hair. Nicks and cuts, sure, but never actually lost anything other than blood.” He finished eating his own food and washed up his dishes waiting for Duo to finish.

 

Slowly, duo nodded, and turned back to his food. He ate quickly, head down to the bowl and scooping straight from it to his mouth. Once he had cleaned every crumb up, he pushed the bowl forward and gave a tired chuckle. He opened his mouth to make a comment, but yawned instead.

 

Triton took the dishes and washed them, setting everything aside to dry. He grinned at Duo’s yawn and yawned himself, “Let’s go get some sleep. We’ll harass Heero later.” He offered the other man a hand up as he came around the table.

 

Duo gave the man a tired smile. “All right.” He gratefully took the hand, and stood with a small grunt, then promptly flopped onto Triton’s shoulder. “Mmmmnngghh…” A tired Duo was an even more nonsensical Duo.

 

Triton chuckled as Duo flopped into him, he reached his arms around him and supported/dragged the man to the bedroom. Once inside he moved over to the bed and nudged Duo to it. “Make yourself comfortable.”

 

Duo made tired noises as he was dragged to the bedroom. Immediately, he flopped onto the bed with a groan. “Hnnnnng. Thank you,” He muttered into the sheets.

Triton chuckled and crawled up on the bed beside him, setting an alarm for about four hours later. He got comfortable on the other side of the bed from Duo and drifted off, “Goodnight Duo.”