Title: Building a House Part 4: Shingles
Universe: Young Avengers House of M AU
Rating: PG
Summary: Up on the roof.


William wasn't sure what he expected to happen on the roof, but whatever it was would not be happening in his dress clothes. But he also didn't want to look like a ragamuffin. So his usual 'climbing on the roof' clothes were out of the question.

He was standing in front of his wardrobe, trying to choose something to wear, when his mother came in.

"I saw your brother," Wanda announced. William spun around, trying not to look guilty. "I'm- William? Are you alright?"

"Yes. Of course. What did Thomas say?"

Wanda eyed her son suspiciously as she sank into his desk chair, swiveling it around to face him. "Did you know he's been going to human enclaves to go clubbing?"

William blinked. He'd known his brother went out most nights, but he'd never asked where, and Tommy had never volunteered the information. But he wasn't particularly surprised. His twin seemed to live for the thrill of new experiences, and there was nothing further removed from the life of a Prince of Genosha than the Sapien Towns that dotted the largest cities of the world. "No, Mother," he said. He walked over to Wanda, crouching at her feet and clasping her hands. "He never told me."

Wanda smiled sadly at her son and pushed a hand through his hair. "I remember, it wasn't that long ago that you two told each other everything," she said softly.

William thought back, trying to remember when that had changed. It was a fairly recent event... one he traced back to the awakening of Tommy's powers three years before. For the first time in either boys' life, there was a difference between them. Thomas had proven himself to be a true Lehnsherr, and William... hadn't. In fact, his own powers didn't manifest until nearly a year later.

Grandfather had been both annoyed and proud when he'd blown up part of the North Wing of the palace.

"Things change," he said, holding Wanda's hand.

"I know they do, my boy," she murmured back. "Now. Just what is it you're up to?"

"Nothing, Mother. What makes you think I'm up to something?"

Wanda freed her hand from William's grasp and cupped his face. "I'm your mother. I know when you're up to something."

"It's nothing," he said. "I was just going to go up on the roof for a while, then off to bed."

"Not sneaking out to meet up with a girl?" she asked.

"No, Mother." Just the Skrull Emperor.

Wanda ruffled his hair. "I don't see why not," she said. "You are such a handsome boy. You could take your pick of women."

William stood, planting a kiss on his mother's forehead. "You are the only woman I want in my life."

"You say that now..." Wanda sighed, getting to her feet. "I shall leave you to your rooftop meditations. Good night." She kissed his cheek.

"Good night, Mother," William said, watching her sweep out of the room. He stood there a moment, mulling over the conversation before the clock caught his eye. "Oh damn!" He was supposed to be on the roof fifteen minutes ago.

With a groan, he ran across the room to the open window and climbed out. He was about to swing himself onto the drainpipe when something wrapped around his waist and hauled him up to the roof. He let out a very unprincelike squeak as Dorrek set him down. The Skrull Emperor smiled impishly. "Billy."

William straightened his shirt, attempting to gather the remains of his dignity together. Dorrek waited, still grinning. "Sorry I'm late," the prince said. "Family thing."

"Mm." The blonde put his hands on William's hips, drawing close. Dorrek rested his forehead on the brunette's, his eyes half lidded. "Can you show me how to dance?"

William blinked. "Sure. If you really want to."

"I do," Dori said. "It looked like fun when you were doing it."

"It can be, with the right person." William put his arms around Dori's neck. He swayed a little as the half-Skrull pulled him closer, his lips parting. William closed the tiny bit of space between their mouths. Dorrek still tasted like oranges.

***

His mother's skill at guilt trips never ceased to amaze Thomas Erik Lehnsherr. He often fooled himself into believing he was immune, and then she would give him this look and suddenly he felt like he was six years old and in trouble for making mud pies in the flowerbeds. He had no idea how she did it. Sometimes he wondered of Billy felt like this all the time.

Of course, guilt never really slowed him down.

His brother and the blonde boy never even noticed Tommy as he streaked by. Sure, he could have gone through the palace, or around it, but there was a certain thrill in going up the wall and over the palace.

The next part was all about endurance. The trick to running over water was to maintain a steady pace and to not to too fast. If he went to fast, the water would boil up and explode under his feet, and that would be messy.

He grinned as he ran. Guilt be damned, he was going to catch up with Kate!

***

Kl'rt contemplated the Earth goods with the wary eye of one who had suffered Montezuma’s Revenge more than once. It looked edible enough, but that did not necessarily mean that it was.

He considered bringing this up with Dorrek in context with the prince he seemed to intent on. The human might be willing (he trusted his emperor to have the good sense not to pursue someone who was not interested), but that did not mean he would be good for Dorrek.

Kl'rt was already planning exit strategies, just in case they had to leave quickly.

***

The dancing lesson came to an abrupt halt when Dori trod heavily on William's foot.
The prince let out a startled yowl, and Dorrek immediately let him go. William sat down heavily, drawing the injured foot up for closer inspection. The emperor crouched next to him, looking rather like a puppy that expected a kick. "Are you alright?"

William pulled off his shoe, then peeled off his sock so he could inspect his mashed toes. "I'll live," he said.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I stepped on my share of toes when I learned." William assured him. Of course, he had been considerably lighter than Dorrek.

"I find that hard to believe," the blonde said. "You were grace itself down there." He cupped William's chin, stroking his jaw line with his thumb.

"I've been doing this for years," William pointed out. "You've been doing this for minutes."

"I'm a fast study."

They were kissing again, Dorrek's hand warm against William's cheek. It slid down to his collar, working open the button. "You know, if you just want to make out, you could just say."

More buttons. "I do want to learn. You looked like you were having fun. Why are there so many buttons?"

"Formal clothes. I think they're designed to be hard to get out of to discourage wearing them in the first place. You should see the jacket. How do you get out of this thing?"

"The catches are on the back."