Disclaimer: Not mine, don’t sue.
Warnings: Lime, eventual lemon, bitchy Relena, bad language.
Pairings: 3x2 main, possibly some others
Feedback is always welcome! Let me know what you think. Pretty, pretty please?
REDEMPTION – PART 4
“So how did it go?”
Trowa glared at Wufei for a few minutes before turning away to resume drinking his coffee. After the weekend he had had, he needed all the caffeine he could get in order to face the Monday. His friend followed him relentlessly, snickering a little when he saw the red eyes focus on him.
“I’m guessing you didn’t get much sleep this weekend,” the Chinese commented after being glared at. “I thought you didn’t want to be treated like a sex object,” he added with a smirk.
“I didn’t get any sleep this weekend because Duo wasn’t there,” Trowa huffed, recalling the long nights and the dreams that had prodded him awake at odd times. Each time he had roused, his body had been tightened in anticipation, the sensation of Duo’s mouth on his own vivid in his mind. During the day, he had pined for the other man, and had called the other man just to hear Duo’s voice for a few minutes. They had spent quite a lot of time on the phone, speaking as if they really had known each other for a very long time. “Here’s your card back, I didn’t need it.”
Wufei took the credit card and sat on the sofa, watching Trowa as he readied the gear he needed for the first shoot of the day. Trying to ignore him, Trowa went about his business with his coffee clutched in his hand as he adjusted tripods, drapes, and lights. “So was the date so bad that it gave you nightmares, or what?”
“Actually it was just the opposite,” he finally mumbled, knowing that Wufei wouldn’t leave him alone until he answered some questions. “We met next door, then went to eat at a diner. After that, we took a short hike and watched the sunset. Then he took me home.”
“That’s your idea of a good date? You have really got to go out more,” was the amused response.
“I’m hoping to. I’m supposed to cook for him next weekend,” Trowa’s mind immediately went back to the previous Friday. He tuned out Wufei’s presence, remembering how right it felt to hold Duo in his arms as the sun was setting on the side of the mountain. He was still able to feel the emotions that had run through him then, recalling the moment with but a thought.
It wasn’t until Wufei started snapping fingers in front of his face that he shook himself out of the reminiscence, his body shivering at the recall. “What?”
“I asked if you talked to him about modeling for us. I’m sure he could use the money,” Wufei reminded, his expression baffled.
“I don’t think he needs any money. I’m pretty sure he has plenty,” at his friend’s confused expression, Trowa decided to explain. “Duo has a Bugatti, and a Mercedes, and a Porsche that I know of. He did mention something about a motorcycle while we were on the phone yesterday, too. I don’t think he needs to earn any money. Besides, he said the store is doing well.”
After several minutes of silence passed, Trowa glanced back at Wufei and had to fight back a laugh. He took hedonistic glee at the look of shock on the other man’s face. He chuckled, getting Wufei’s attention. “He has a Bugatti?”
“Yeah. It was his father’s. I got to ride in it and everything,” he couldn’t help but add that in, knowing that Wufei was a car buff like himself. “What time is the first appointment, and what are we doing?”
Bringing up business was always the best way to make Wufei forget about an interrogation. “Ten o’clock. Relena Dorlian hired us to do some publicity ads for her new campaign. Commercial type stuff.”
“Senator Dorlian’s daughter? What kind of campaign could she be doing?” Trowa queried as he set up the more neutral colored drapes, assuming that they would be wanted. “She’s not going to run for office or anything, is she? I’m pretty sure she’s too young for that.”
Wufei shrugged while rolling his eyes. “Her secretary said something about trying to raise money in order to set up a scholarship program for underprivileged young women. Apparently Ms. Dorlian is going to be making several speeches across the country for her cause.”
With a shake of his head, Trowa continued to set up his lights, shifting the platform and moving in a tall stool that would be more appropriate. Wufei would often let other people use their services without signing a contract, usually for an obscene amount of money. When they had first opened the business, the extra work was welcome, the money it brought necessary. Now, however, Wufei mainly agreed for the publicity, as the name of the studio and modeling agency would be in plain sight on the bottom of each photo used.
Hearing a voice in the front room, Trowa and Wufei frowned at each other. Letting his friend investigate, Trowa turned his attention back to the job at hand, trying to remember what Relena Dorlian looked like in order to match the props and drapes, hoping to flatter her. Voices coming closer pulled his eyes to the door.
Wufei entered with a pained expression, a young woman following behind him. The blonde woman was followed by a slightly older woman with short black hair, carrying several sets of clothes in her arms. The Chinese man stopped quickly, almost causing the young blonde to run into him. “Trowa Barton, allow me to introduce you to Relena Dorlian and Lucrezia Noin, her assistant. Trowa will be your photographer today, Ms. Dorlian.”
“Please call me Relena. Ms. Dorlian makes me feel so old,” the blonde gushed. Trowa controlled the wince when she spoke, her voice immediately grating on his nerves. As he watched her, she hurried across the room toward him, holding out her hand, palm tilted to the floor a bit. Trowa knew what she wanted him to do, but her assumption that he would fall at her feet was annoying, so he lifted her hand in a short shake before releasing it. She gave him a scandalized look before turning her attention back to Wufei. “I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to wear, so I brought several outfits,” she waved at the black haired woman, who seemed about to buckle under the weight of the clothes.
The Chinese man steered the struggling woman to the sofa he normally lounged in, taking the time to sort through the clothing in order to help Relena decide what to wear. The final decision would be left to Trowa since he was the professional that would be taking the photos, but Wufei would help make the process easier.
Eventually, they managed to get the clothes sorted and Relena in one of the dressing rooms. Trowa resented the early arrival of the women, since it took away the opportunity to see Duo as he came in that morning. He had been nearly desperate to see the other man all weekend, and had been looking forward to their weekday routine. A glance of Duo would have been all he needed to put him in a better mood, a few minutes alone with Duo would have put him in the clouds for the rest of the day.
“I apologize for the inconvenience of our early arrival,” the black haired woman commented, at his side. He jumped slightly at her sudden appearance, quickly shrugging off her apology. She gave him a soft smile and held out her hand, “Please call me Lu. It’s a lot easier to say than Lucrezia. Relena calls me Noin, but it’s not something I prefer, feeling it’s too formal.”
“I’m Trowa Barton, as you already know,” he shook her hand briskly. The older woman’s honesty was refreshing after having to listen to Relena’s faux humility. “Is she always like that?” he muttered disdainfully.
Realizing what he had said, his eyes widened in horror. Lu laughed lightly, “You mean is she always a brat that runs over everyone? Usually. There are very few people that treat her as a normal person. She’s used to being treated like a princess.”
“While she’s posing for me, she will need to do what I say when I say it. If she argues, I won’t do the shoot,” he informed her, deadly serious.
Nodding her understanding, she turned her head to look at Relena coming out of the dressing room, dressed in a pastel pink pantsuit. “I’ll let her know she has to do as you say. What she’s doing is important to her, so I hope she’ll listen.”
Almost an hour into the shoot, Relena began to argue about everything, from the clothing to the poses. Trowa was almost at his wits end, his bad mood intensifying with every whine that came from her mouth. He was about to throw his camera at the woman when a new voice floated across the room, stunning him into immobility.
“Relena, shut up and do what the man tells you. He’s the best and you damn well know it or you wouldn’t be here in the first place.”
All eyes turned to the man lounging in the doorway. Trowa felt his heart speed up as Duo straightened and moved across the room to him, his eyes taking in every sensual movement. The jeans Duo wore hugged his slim hips, the tight black t-shirt molding to his torso. Trowa had never thought that combat boots could be sexy, but changed his mind when he saw them now. He took the cup Duo held out, feeling a shiver run down his spine at the glint in the cobalt eyes. He had the feeling Duo wanted a few minutes alone as much as he did.
Apparently Relena chose to ignore the tension between the two men, curling her lip up and snarling at the long haired man. “What are you doing here, Duo? Come to ruin my photo shoot?”
Trowa caught the broad grin and wink from Lu as Duo spun on the young blonde. He held his breath in anticipation, assuming that Duo was one of the brave people that treated Relena as a normal person. “Lena, I didn’t know that you were here. If I had, I would have waited to come over until after you were gone so your bitch germs would have cleared from the area. Not everything in the world is about you, Princess, and your life will be easier when you figure that out.”
“If Howard knew how you spoke to me…”
“He would probably say it’s about damn time for someone to introduce you to the real world, and you know it. You need to get acquainted with reality before it jumps up and bites you in the pink ass,” Duo snarled back, moving a little closer to the irate woman, fisting his hands on his hips.
Relena seemed to deflate for a moment, her eyes saddened by the comment. It was when she pushed her shoulders back with a twinkle in her eyes that Trowa tensed, wondering what she was going to do but feeling that it was going to be bad. “If your father was alive-”
“Oh, Jesus,” was the only warning the tall man got from the black-haired woman, the words a horrified breath.
In the space of a second, Duo had crossed the room with a speed that Trowa hadn’t known was possible, his hand clamped around Relena’s throat. She squeaked in surprise, her hands clasping Duo’s wrist. “If you ever speak of my father again, you won’t have to worry about anything ever again,” Duo warned, his voice low and deadly.
Quickly moving to the long-haired man, Trowa put a hand on the tense shoulder. He was surprised when Duo instantly released her and stepped back, placing his body against Trowa’s. Wufei intervened, gesturing Trowa toward his office with a jerk of his head. “Let’s take a short break and get some refreshments. If you ladies will follow me, I have set some things up in the other room.”
Not waiting to see if Relena was going to argue, Trowa guided Duo to his office, shutting the door behind him. As soon as the door closed, he found himself with an armful of Duo as the other man wrapped his arms around Trowa’s waist and leaned his head on the strong chest. Trowa returned the embrace, running a hand down Duo’s long hair in an effort to soothe him.
“Sorry, damn, I’m so sorry.” Duo apologized, his voice muffled by Trowa’s shirt. “My parents are a sore subject, one I don’t feel comfortable talking about to a lot of people. I should’ve known she would say something. Relena’s good at finding a person’s weakest spot and using it against them. No doubt I’ll get a phone call from Howard tonight, telling me to learn how to control my temper.”
“To be honest, I was considering doing the same thing before you came in,” Trowa shared, inhaling Duo’s scent deeply. “She really gets on the nerves, doesn’t she?”
The soft laugh rumbled through Duo and into him, making him feel better than he had all weekend. Lowering his head, he whispered in Duo’s ear, “I missed you.”
Duo leaned back and tilted his head up. If Trowa had had any doubts about what the smaller man wanted, the firm pressure at the back of his neck would have told him for sure. He willingly let himself be pulled down, their mouths meeting with a desperation he had never experienced before. Minutes passed before he was willing to break the kiss, his breathing labored.
There was a small moment of surprise when he found that he had pushed Duo against the door, pressing their bodies together. He smirked when he saw that the cobalt eyes were a bit dazed, looking back at him. “I think you might have missed me, too” he whispered softly.
“Have dinner with me tonight?”
The sudden question threw him off for a moment, but Trowa quickly recovered. There was something in Duo’s tone that worried him, but he put his concerns to the side for now. “Yes, but I won’t get done here until after eight,” he warned.
“You could come over to the store when you get done,” Duo suggested, his eyes pleading. When Trowa agreed, the other man fished in his pockets, pulling out a small set of keys and taking one off the ring. “The door will be locked. This is the key, so you can just come in. I’ll be in the back of the store, in my office, probably.”
They shared another long and probing kiss that left them both breathing heavily before Duo left, disappearing almost silently out of the studio before the other three occupants were aware of his presence. Trowa took a few minutes to smooth out his clothes, which had become more disheveled than he had believed possible in mere minutes. When he walked into the studio, the others were already there, waiting for him.
He nearly growled when Relena walked toward him, her hands clasped in front of her body, “Where is Duo?”
“He left,” the answer was rude, but the woman had angered him by bringing up a subject that was painful to the long-haired man that he was beginning to realize he cared a great deal about.
Her face crinkled into a worried pout, “Oh, dear. I wanted to apologize to him. I never should have brought up his father. I know that it’s a sore subject. Of course, I wouldn’t want to speak of it if my father had been assassinated, either.”
Blinking in surprise, it took several tries before he could speak, “Excuse me?”
Relena had started to walk away after her ‘apology’ and turned back when he spoke. She had a sly smile on her face, “You have no idea who Duo really is, do you?”
Saying nothing, he made his way to where he had left one of his cameras, checking the settings and changing the lens. Taking the hint, Relena sat back down on the stool, leaning back on her hands a bit, the smile changing into a knowing smirk. Wufei moved to stand beside his friend, just in case support, or possibly restraint, was needed. Lu moved as far away from the trio as possible, already knowing Relena was about to do something really stupid.
“Duo Maxwell,” Relena said, a finger to her lips and wearing a thoughtful expression, “son of Jeremiah and Helen Maxwell. Helen died when Duo was two in a car accident. She died from something as simple as an icy road at night on the way home from a friend’s house. Nothing could have prevented the crash, and she died instantly, from what I heard. Jeremiah’s death was a different story.” Her voice was full of false sympathy, and Trowa hated her.
She stopped speaking for a moment, waiting for a reaction. When none was forthcoming, she narrowed her eyes at the two men. “Jeremiah Maxwell was one of the wealthiest people on the planet, and was asked to run for the Presidency. There were quite a few that didn’t like the idea of a rich man in office, and decided to take matters into their own hands. That’s the theory, at least. The person that shot Jeremiah was never caught. His entire fortune went to Duo upon his death, making an eight year old one of the richest people in the world.”
Trowa wasn’t surprised to learn that Duo had money, had actually suspected it from the man’s cars. He was more startled to learn who Duo’s father had been. He could vaguely recall the fervor that had occurred when Jeremiah Maxwell was killed while making a speech. The man had been a favorite of many, having worked his way into his wealth and not being born into it. President-elect Maxwell had been aware of the struggles of the regular person and had been intent on making things a little easier for those people with several ideas about health and tax reform plans.
Taking the silence as anger or frustration, Relena smirked to herself. Duo had always been better than her at everything, and more attractive – so she had been told by the man she had wanted for years. She had been looking for a way to get even with him ever since and she believed that she had finally found that way.
It was with surprise a few minutes later when Trowa spoke, his voice calm but his visible eye hard as it watched her. “I remember when Jeremiah Maxwell was shot,” he said with his voice carefully modulated. “It was a shame that our country lost such a great man. I don’t appreciate you bringing him up around Duo and I’ll ask that you not do it again.” Relena gaped at him for several long minutes, finally closing her mouth when she comprehended the deadly promise behind the soft tone. “Now you will do what I tell you so we can get this photo shoot completed, or I will spread the word that you are difficult to work with. Models talk a lot to each other, and to other people. The word will spread, and people will refuse to work with you. I suggest you not argue with me again.”
The rest of the shoot went smoothly, Relena coming to the conclusion that it would be best to keep her mouth shut. When she was done, she went into the dressing room and changed back into the outfit she had arrived in. “Where does Duo work?”
“The bookstore next door,” Trowa said shortly. “If I learn that you said anything to upset him, I will not hesitate to share the details of the first half of our shoot, including you going for blood toward someone you see as competition.”
Relena’s pale skin flushed and her mouth opened and closed several times before she regained her composure, “Very well. I will apologize to him and leave it at that.” She turned her nose up and spoke to her assistant. “Come, Noin. I do believe that it is time for us to go.”
The black haired woman looked at her for a moment with disgust. She then shoved the bundle of clothes in Relena’s arms, shocking the young blonde. “Actually, I think I quit. I happen to like Duo quite a bit and I don’t like what you did today.”
“Noin, you aren’t quitting because of what I said to Duo,” the blonde huffed, dismissing the idea completely.
“No, I’m actually quitting because I’m tired of watching you treat everyone like trash. I don’t want to be associated with you any longer. I’ll talk to the temp agency for you, and try to find you a replacement, but I will not go back with you. If you want to speak with Duo, you should hurry. I called for your car about ten minutes ago. Pargan will be here shortly, and you shouldn’t keep him waiting.”
Wufei led the stunned woman out of the studio, taking pity on her and taking half of the clothing as he went. Trowa could hear him explaining the process of developing the pictures and letting her know that he would call when they were ready to be looked at. Tuning out his friend, Trowa let his eyes fall on the woman that had slumped on the sofa, her face carefully blank.
“That was a brave thing you did,” he sat on the sofa beside her.
Lu’s eyes jerked to his, her nervous laugh tinted with confusion, “I just couldn’t take it anymore,” she smiled weakly. “I don’t know what I was thinking, though. I have no idea what I’m going to do now.”
There was nothing he could say as she sat up and put her face in her hands. He had no idea how to comfort the woman, his normal hesitation rearing up again. Resolutely, he gave the problem some serious thought, surprising himself when he thought up an answer. “I might have an idea, if you are willing to listen.”
Heaving a sigh, she lowered her hands, “Right now, I’ll listen to any suggestions you might have, as long as I don’t have to sell my soul. I’ll get another paycheck from Relena’s father, and I have some savings, but other than that…” she let the words trail off, her blue eyes worried.
“Let’s wait a few minutes, then go talk to Duo. Would you mind working for him a little?”
“No, but…do you think he would hire me? I really have no experience with books, other than reading them.”
“Actually, I would like you to work for him part time, and for me part time.” When she looked at him, baffled, he explained his idea. “I would like to train you as my assistant. It’s something I’ve been putting off for a long time. I believe that you would be good at the work, if you agree, that is. You obviously are detail oriented, and have the patience of a saint. Both are qualities you’ll need when working with models.”
Her face lit up, “Work with the famous Trowa Barton? I would love to. I’m an amateur photographer,” she sheepishly admitted her secret passion, pleasing Trowa. He had seen her looking closely at his cameras, and she had asked some questions about technique, timing, and the lighting. Her curiosity was one of the reasons he had decided to take her on as an assistant. It was the least he could do after she had stood up to Relena, defending Duo the way she had. “I know how to develop in a darkroom, and I know a little about lighting, but I’ll need more practice.”
“That is why you will be training with me. The hours can be long sometimes, and some of the models we work with are worse than Relena, but the rewards are good.”
Wufei returned with his face set in a frown, complaining under his breath about the woman that had just departed. Trowa quickly outlined his idea, his friend agreeing that they would give the black haired woman a chance. They had talked in the past about getting Trowa a helper, but there hadn’t been anyone that the photographer would seriously consider working with. Lu had come along at the perfect time, showing her mettle by standing up to a spoiled woman used to getting her way.
They waited for thirty minutes before going to Redemption, leaving Wufei with their newest client, going over paperwork and contracts. Trowa entered first, his eyes searching out the man he longed to see. Even after seeing him earlier, the craving he felt for Duo was still a tangible thing. When his eyes fell on the braided man stretching on his toes to reach a book on an upper shelf, he couldn’t stop the appreciative moan. He also couldn’t help the stare that focused on the strip of firm abdomen that was revealed by the raised shirt.
“I wondered if the two of you were just friends,” Lu said softly from his side.
Having forgotten her presence, he jumped slightly then blushed at her knowing smile. “More than friends, but I’m hoping for even more. I think he feels the same, at least I hope so.”
At that moment, Duo turned and saw them. His eyes widened as his mouth pulled into a pleased smile. Lu elbowed Trowa slightly, “If that look means anything, I’d say he feels the same way. I’ve never seen him so happy to see someone,” she added quietly as Duo made his way to them.
“Trowa…I…Hi,” Duo finally said, his face reddening as he stumbled over his words. Trowa realized that it was usually the other way around, with Duo surprising him into incoherency. “To what do I owe this visit?”
The woman stepped forward, getting Duo’s attention. “I’m sorry for what Relena said. It was a cruel thing to do.”
Duo waved off her concern, “Not your fault. You can’t help it if she’s a bitch, no matter how hard you try.”
“I was hoping you would be able to hire her on, part-time, for a while,” Trowa outlined his plan once again, hoping that Duo would help the woman out.
The long haired man listened silently, his eyes intense on Trowa’s. When Trowa finished talking, those eyes moved to Lu, looking at her closely. “Do you like books?” he asked suddenly.
Lu nodded quickly, “I read a lot, both new and older books. I have a degree in literature,” she added. “I didn’t know what I was going to do when I got older, so I took a lot of classes in college that I didn’t really need, hoping I would figure it out eventually,” she explained when she got some confused looks.
“You’ll have to wear different clothes,” Duo stated gently, taking in the pantsuit that she wore. “Jeans and a decent shirt would work fine here. Sometimes it gets dirty when we get a new shipment in.” He thought for another minute, then nodded, “Come tomorrow when you can and we’ll take care of paperwork then. Trowa and I can work together on your hours,” he lifted an eyebrow in a silent question.
“That’ll be fine,” Trowa answered, glad for any reason to spend more time with the man. Turning back to Lu, “Can you be at the studio tomorrow at nine? That will give me time to show you the basics before our first appointment comes in.”
It wasn’t long before Lu left, leaving the two men alone. Duo looked around the store, taking note of the few customers and his employee at the register, “Hey, Brad!”
The teenager looked up from the book he was reading, a smile on his face as he looked at his boss, “What’s up, D?”
“Keep an eye on things for a few minutes for me?” Not waiting for the answer, Duo grabbed Trowa’s hand and pulled him into the small room he used for an office.
Trowa looked around the small room, seeing the books stacked everywhere there was space. Papers littered the desk, adding to the chaos effect of the room. He barely had time to think that the room suited Duo’s gregarious nature before he found himself pressed against the wall, Duo’s mouth on his.
Gladly letting all thoughts fly away, he met the intensity of the kiss, moaning as he felt slender but strong hands working under his shirt. He repaid the favor by burying his hands in Duo’s hair, his fingers digging into the other man’s scalp. He felt more than heard the low groan that answered the motion.
Coming quickly close to the point of no return, he broke the kiss, moaning as Duo’s mouth moved to his neck, laving it with a hot tongue. “Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” he panted, his eyes sliding closed under the pleasurable assault.
“A few reasons,” Duo replied, still using his mouth on Trowa’s neck and sending shocks through his body. “First, that you would help Lu that way. She’s had a hell of a time with Lena. Second, you look really good right now. Third,” he pulled Trowa down for another fast but erotic kiss, sucking on the other man’s tongue before releasing it, “I love the way you taste.”
Using all the willpower he possessed, Trowa reminded Duo, “I have to get back. I was only supposed to be gone for a few minutes. We still have several shoots today.” Another moan worked its way out of his mouth as Duo trailed a warm tongue up the side of his neck. When Duo began to nibble on his earlobe, his knees began to feel weak, so he wrapped his arms around the slender body and pulled Duo close.
The long-haired man finally relented with a deep sigh, pushing their bodies together for another moment before stepping back. Looking up at Trowa through his bangs, he offered a small smile, “Sorry. It’s just really hard to control myself around you. I swear I’m not always like this, and I want more from you than sex. A lot more.”
Trowa gave Duo another kiss, one that was more gentle but still just as probing, “If you had just wanted sex, you could have had that on Friday,” he reminded gently, his body tightening further at the reminder. The shiver he saw Duo give made him feel a little better. “We still having dinner tonight?”
“Ummm, yeah. Is there anything that you prefer, or don’t like?”
“Nope, I’m easy to please,” his eyes widened when he saw the cobalt darken with lust. With a chuckle, he ran a hand down Duo’s cheek, reveling in the smooth skin, “I’m not allergic to anything either. I’m guessing you have some ideas?”
“Yeah,” the other man’s tone was dreamy and he shook his head. “I have an idea, but wanted to make sure you weren’t picky. I need to tell you about some things before we go any further,” his eyes were worried as he leaned against Trowa.
Instinctively knowing Duo wanted to tell him of his past, Trowa chose not to share that Relena had told him some of the details. He wanted to hear the whole story from Duo, knowing they needed the disclosure before they could take their burgeoning relationship any farther than it was now.
While his mind knew this, he was having a difficult time getting his body to remember the fact. Physically, he wanted Duo now, right now. On the desk would work, or perhaps with him pinning Duo to the wall and taking him while they stood, or on the floor. His brain didn’t help by supplying him with vivid images of what the man before him would possibly look like naked, his photographers mind more than happy to help him imagine the lean lines and lithe muscle. At the thought he grew painfully hard and attempted to stifle a groan of frustration.
Trying to ignore his body’s urging, Trowa moved his mouth to Duo’s ear, intending to speak, but forgetting his words when Duo moaned as breath teased his ear. With a feather light touch, Trowa moved his tongue over the shell of Duo’s ear, smiling as a tremor passed from one body to the other. Recognizing the weak spot for what it was, he promised himself to remember the spot for later. “I have to go,” he finally whispered.
“Okay, I’ll see you later tonight,” Duo replied, his voice tremulous.
Slightly dazed, Trowa returned to work, ignoring Wufei’s lewd comments about his disheveled appearance. The remainder of the day passed in a blur of anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see Duo again, the man taking up most of his conscious thoughts.