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Five
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A rehearsal later within the Moulin Rouge, Treize presented the score to a new song and Quatre ran through it with the other musicians. Zechs stood up on stage, facing Heero for the scene. Their lines were spoken and they ran through the dialogue two times before preparing to sing the new song. The instant the piano began playing, Heero keeled over and Duo, on the other side of the stage, started laughing.
“Oh perfect timing.” Shaking his head he hurried over. “Uh... I'll take care of him.”
Dorothy groaned. “We need to get through this.” She looked towards Treize wearily, eyeing him and then Zechs. Sighing, she said, “All right, you sing in Heero's place.”
Treize moved a bit closer to the stage looking at Zechs and not at the script as the music started. Although they had just written it that morning, he already knew the words by heart.
“Never knew I could feel like this; like I've never seen the sky before; want to vanish inside your kiss; everyday I love you more and more; listen to my heart can you hear it sing; telling me to give you everything; seasons may change winter to spring; but I love you until the end of time; come what may; come what may; I will love you until my dying day...”
“Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place; suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace,” Zechs sang quietly in response.
Their voices rose as they sung together the next line, “Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste...”
~ * ~ * ~ *
Another day found the two in Treize's apartment, lying on the bed with one sheet covering their naked bodies. Zechs traced his fingers down Treize's face as he laid a gentle kiss upon the shoulder on which he was resting. “It all revolves around you,” he sang softly, smiling up at his lover.
“And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide,” Treize joined in.
They kissed again, preparing for another bout of lovemaking. The sun shone brightly outside the window, providing warm fingers of sunlight to creep across the room and run over the lovers on the bed.
~ * ~ * ~ *
“Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side; storm clouds may gather and storms may cover,” Treize and Zechs sang together during the next rehearsal, Heero being once again unavailable. As Duo guarded Heero, he smiled while watching the two sing.
“But I love you,” Treize smiled.
“I love you,” Zechs echoed.
“Until the end of time...” they sang once again in unison.
Duo caught sight of Quatre smiling, shaking his head as he played the piano. Trowa's eyes were not on his music but instead watching the two singers. Even Wufei was smirking faintly from the side. Duo grinned to himself and ran a finger down Heero's face. “You have perfect timing, love,” he murmured.
Persian blue eyes opened to gaze up at Duo. “Of course,” he replied softly, smirking. Duo snickered as his partner once again closed his eyes, playing unconscious.
~ * ~ * ~ *
“Come what may; come what may; I will love you until my dying day,” Treize began, Zechs following his lead. They sat on the ledge outside Treize's apartment as they watched the setting sun. Hugging him close, Treize smiled into the pale strands of hair. “Come what may; come what may; I will love you until me dying day.”
Zechs tilted his head back, kissing Trieze's chin lightly as he smiled at his lover. They were still managing to avoid the Duchess and were enjoying wonderful moments alone together. He whispered softly, “I love you.”
Treize grinned, caressing Zechs' face. “As I do you,” he murmured, leaning down for another kiss.
~ * ~ * ~ *
“Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place,” Zechs sung at the dress rehearsal. Heero was on stage, for once, although Treize still joined in at the duets.
“Come what may, come what may, I will love you until my dying day!”
The people offstage began clapping and some cheers rang out. They would be performing tomorrow night, and the play seemed to be quite successful - even if Duo was still having trouble with a line of his.
One of the dancers of the Moulin Rouge was leaning against the back of the Duchess's chair. Une bent over, an incredulous look on her face. “I don't know about this. Just look at the ending. It doesn't make any sense. Why should the courtesan ditch the maharani and go for the penniless writer? Whoops! I mean sitar-player.” Catching Noin's startled gaze, Une smirked at her before walking off
Noin's attention switched between Zechs, standing onstage, and Treize, who stood off to the side. Lips pressing together angrily, she stood up stiffly.
“What do you think, Duchess?” Dorothy questioned anxiously.
“I don't see why the courtesan would choose the sitar-player over the maharani! The sitar-player has nothing to offer yet the maharani will provide well for him! Why would the courtesan choose the sitar-player over the maharani?” she demanded, anger soaking her words.
Treize shouted, “Because he doesn't love you!”
Everyone's attention suddenly focused on him. Noin glared at him hatefully while Zechs stared between the two, heart beating rapidly in fright.
“Her...” Treize said, swallowing. “The courtesan doesn't love her...”
Noin sneered at him and looked back at Dorothy. “I want this ending changed or it's a no-go! There will be no secret lovers song, and the courtesan will choose the maharani!”
Zechs laughed lightly and walked offstage, his face a mask of calm. “Let us forget about it right now. I will go change and see you for dinner.” He smiled wantonly at Noin, eyes blocking his true emotions.
She studied him carefully, eyes once flickering to Treize and then coming to rest on Zechs. “Yes, that will do well. I will see you soon, my dear.”
Zechs leaned in to kiss her cheek lightly before heading towards the dressing rooms. Noin left the building to make her dining arrangements while Treize dashed after Zechs.
He caught up with the pale-haired beauty back stage and intercepted him, hurt drawn on his face. “I don't want you to sleep with her,” he whispered.
“Treize, please...” Zechs shook his head, not meeting his lover's eyes. He knew that if he looked into that sapphire gaze, he would never be able to go to see Noin. “I have to do this,” he answered quietly, eyes shut tightly to block out the pain on Treize's face. “You promised you wouldn't be jealous... please... Treize...”
Holding back tears, Treize shook his head and cupped Zechs' face in his hands. “Please don't...”
Zechs opened his eyes. It hurt to look at Treize. “Don't do this to me...” he pleaded before he broke away and ran towards his dressing room, tears rolling down his face.
Left alone in the narrow hall, Treize hit the wall with his fist, sounds of frustration passing his lips. He leaned back against the wall, feeling the pain and jealousy already eating at him.
~ * ~ * ~ *
It was storming outside, making the early evening turn much darker and fitting Treize's mood perfectly. He leaned against one of the pillars along the theater's wide hall. He glared at an undefined spot in front of him, turning his jealousy and pain into anger, wishing it would be easier to cope with.
The other members of the Moulin Rouge sat around the wide hall, all quite silent as everyone waited... Waited for something unknown... Perhaps just for Zechs to return, or for the news if the performance would go on the next night or not.
Dorothy was nowhere in sight. Probably she wanted to be alone in her office to think.
From a number of feet away, Une called, “Don't feel so bad. What did you expect?”
One of the male performers snorted, adding his own comment, “Prostitutes can't fall in love.”
Tensing, Treize pushed away from the pillar and began walking away from the group. He had to find someplace to vent his emotions, where he could get rid of the pain that was eating him alive. He heard a dark tango start up behind him and he glanced back as the male performer seemed to gather an improvisational act together. The deep voice echoed forebodingly, “Jealousy... it will drive you... mad!”
The melody stuck in his head. He walked out the doors and into the rain. Stuffing his hands in his coat pockets as he walked through the downpour, he sang aloud his frustration.
“Her eyes upon your face; her hand upon your hand; her lips caress your skin; it's more than I can stand!” Treize shook his head, looking through the rain towards the half-hidden moon as he passed through the doors of the complex and onto the street. “Why does my heart cry? Feelings I can't fight. You're free to leave me, but just don't deceive me...” His feet were taking him closer to where the Duchess stayed, and looking up, he could see Zechs and Noin standing at a window. His up-turned face betrayed the pain eating away at him as he met Zechs' pale blue gaze. “And please believe me when I say I love you...” He stayed there, staring at Zechs, eyes pleading, pained tears mixing with rain on his face.
Zechs had been treated to an elegant dinner with Noin. As servants cleared the plates away Noin stood and walked towards where he sat at the other end of the table. Also standing, Zechs waited patiently as she approached. A servant came forward with a velvet pillow in hand. Zechs turned to look at the object resting on it and gasped softly to see an expensive choker necklace of diamonds. Noin lifted the necklace from the pillow and sent the servant off as she placed it about Zechs' pale neck. He swallowed carefully, raising his eyes to meet Noin's as she smiled softly at him.
Playing his part, Zechs leaned in, grazing a kiss over her lips. “Such a lovely gift... I'm truly astounded.”
“Nothing is too much for you, Mirialdo,” she replied softly.
Noin led him towards the windows overlooking the stormy city, and she wrapped her arms about his waist from behind. She kissed his neck softly, making him want to cringe away. She wasn't Treize.
“What about the play?” he asked quietly.
Smiling, Noin replied, just centimeters away from his ear, “Let Dorothy keep the fairytale ending...” She pressed a kiss to Zechs' jaw as she continued, “But I want to know about that writer.”
“He's just an amusement for now...” Zechs managed to reply, staring down at the empty muddy streets below.
“You are not to see him again after tomorrow night's performance.”
Zechs parted his lips, searching for what to say. Softly he agreed, “All right...”
He felt the woman's hands reaching up to his chest, running down his shirt and rubbing his sides. Her lips were traveling down his neck to his collarbone. He knew his part, knew what to play and how to act. He'd done it most of his life. He was preparing to turn around and kiss Noin when a lone figure on the street below caught his eye and he suddenly experienced a jolt of pain.
“Why does my heart cry? Feelings I can't fight....” Treize continued to stare up at the window, seeing that Noin was making her advances on his lover. Zechs' eyes were wide, his face pale and suddenly looking pained and frightened. Not able to bear it, Treize looked away and moved on, heading for his apartment.
“No,” Zechs whispered.
Noin froze. “No?” she demanded.
“No!” Zechs snapped, pulling away from her, breaths coming rapidly as fear and pain shook him. He looked outside again, noting that Treize was turning his head away.
Noin followed his gaze, and her eyes narrowed. She glared fiercely at Zechs. “I see now! But you're going to stop playing me the fool!” She advanced on Zechs and gripped the collar of his shirt, her hold amazingly strong. Zechs grabbed her wrists and pulled back, trying to free himself. Noin ripped his shirt and pushed him back with one hand. Zechs hit the wall painfully. He stumbled.
His falter enabled Noin to overpower Zechs. They struggled until she pushed him hard into the other room. Zechs tripped, falling backwards onto the bed. Noin straddled him, holding him down while her hand reached behind his neck, fingers slipping between his skin and the tight necklace. Zechs gasped, trying to breath as he clung to her wrists, dots dancing in front of his eyes. She was screaming at him, snarling at him, but her words never registered in his mind as he struggled to hold onto consciousness.
And as sudden as the mood change had been, he could breath easily and his vision began to clear. He stared up at the ceiling, gasping in the newfound oxygen. Noin had fallen to the floor. Sitting up slowly, he noticed a bleeding cut on her forehead. Still regaining his breath, he looked to the shadowed corner and saw Otto's concerned gaze.
Zechs began to shake. Tears ran down his face as the fear from the past few minutes caught up with him. Otto hurried in. Picking up the trembling body, he rushed from the building.
~ * ~ * ~ *
Treize had just dried off and changed, sitting on his bed with his head in his hands. He could hardly bear it, knowing that Zechs was with someone else, being touched by someone else. The performer had been right - jealousy could drive one mad. If he couldn't get his feelings together he knew he would do something drastic and regret it later. “Damnit... why...” he muttered.
There was a knock on his door. Although he didn't feel like dealing with anyone, he stood up and angrily flung open the door - only to find Otto standing there with a shaking Zechs in his arms. Stunned, Treize moved aside as Otto entered the room and put Zechs down on the bed.
Lips trembling, Otto stammered, “I... I couldn't let it happen...”
Nodding, but not understanding, Treize motioned to the door. “It's all right... I'll... I'll take care of him.” Otto left, one last look cast to Zechs before he exited and closed the door.
Soaking wet, Zechs shuddered, crouched over himself as he kept biting back sobs. Treize sat next to him and then pulled Zechs onto his lap, holding the man tightly in his embrace.
“Oh God... Treize, I thought... but I saw you and I couldn't do it...” He sobbed, clinging tightly to Treize's shirt, “I couldn't do it!”
“Shh... shh... it's all right,” Treize assured, resting Zechs' head against his shoulder as he comforted his lover.
“I got so scared...” Zechs whispered, pressing his face against Treize's chest. Tears rolled off his cheek.
“Let's leave this place,” Treize suddenly said.
Surprised, Zechs pulled his head back, wiping his tears away as he stared at Treize. “What?”
“You go and pack your things and then let's leave! We don't need to be here! Let's just leave Dorothy and the Moulin Rouge, get away from the Duchess! We have each other and that's all we need!”
Zechs stared at him, eyes wide. “You're serious...?” he whispered.
“Yes, yes of course,” Treize assured, kissing him lightly for comfort.
Standing, Zechs pulled at his ripped shirt while he thought. He started laughing then and turned back to smile at Treize. “Why not? Why should we remain here?”
Treize also stood, happy that Zechs was willing to accept his plan. “Go pack, love! And I'll do the same. We'll leave immediately.”
Taken with the idea, Zechs embraced Treize tightly, kissing his temple. “I'll be right back... I'll go pack and then return.” He pulled away, smiling. “I can't believe I'm agreeing...” He laughed.
Treize smiled at him, squeezing his hand tightly before he let Zechs return to the Moulin Rouge.
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