~ Chapter One ~

Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more. Trowa Barton thought to himself as he strode into PS 046 Tappan School on a dreary Friday of September. His brown loafers squished against the linoleum tiled floor as he turned into the hall. The reflection of the flickering fluorescent lights against the ground made him wince. More students than lockers lined the dirty, cream colored walls. The passage echoed with conversational chatter. The cheerleaders giggled amongst themselves about the latest fashions and whom was going with whom to Homecoming. Truly imperative news. He thought, rolling his eyes.

Trowa's fellow basketball teammates nodded to each other, puffing out their chests to get the attention of the cheerleaders. Good luck with that. The Goths sneered at the popular students from under their dark hair and kohl eyeliner. The noses of the nerds stayed buried in books or peeking over at the girls when the jocks eyes were turned. The skaters' boisterous laughter sounded louder than anyone else's, and then finally the thespians and the bandos animatedly conversed with each other completely ignoring the rest of the school.

Such simpletons, the lot of them. Trowa adjusted his book bag and slumped on ahead. He yawned and rubbed his grumbling stomach. He stayed up far too late waiting for his mother to get home from her date. He had slept so late there wasn't enough time for breakfast.

A dark-skinned gang member hovered in a door way to his right, blocking the men's room. Trowa continued past him, a slight shudder going down his back once the black eyes grazed over him. He arrived at his locker, a gray copy amongst all the others. He set his bag on the ground with care and put in his combination. He exchanged his tattered Edgar Allen Poe book for his American History.

"Morning, Trowa!"

Ah! Trowa closed his eyes and took a deep refreshing breath of Irish Spring. He smiled and turned to gaze down at Toboe Hughes; whose russet head in his five feet two inch height only went up to his chest.

Daily, Trowa thanked whoever graced Toboe with his warm, almond-shaped brown eyes, his button nose, and cupid's bow mouth. His auburn hair fell in wisps around his cherubic face and curled under his chin. His petite stature barely had any meat on it, only because he burned all his energy as soon as he inhaled it. Toboe wore his favorite orange NASA t-shirt that read 'I Need My Space' over green cargo pants and dark brown flip flops.

Trowa tucked a strand of silky hair behind Toboe's ear and his smile stretched even wider. "Good morning, little one."

The tiny boy put his arms up so Trowa could lift him into their customary good morning hug. Toboe could be as cuddly as a puppy, if he stood still long enough.

"Oh, my God! I really, really, really have to tell you something!"

Trowa carefully set him back on his feet and watched his friend's fists shake under his chin. Something certainly excited him.

"Well!" Toboe jumped up and down. "Remember how last night you were telling me you thought something was bothering me?"

Trowa blinked. "Did I?" He couldn't remember. Tapping a finger on his chin he tried to think. He did recall a few things from the night before. Toboe wanted to take his telescope out on his roof to see if he could find some band of stars he learned about. Trowa's lips curved into a smile. Something in the moonlight brought out blond hues in Toboe's hair. And, his eyes stayed so wide the stars glittered in them. Did we actually even talk?

"Trowa!"

Startled he slowly floated back down to earth and blinked at Toboe. "I'm standing right here, you don't need to yell."

The petite boy rolled back on his heels his face flushing a rosy color that brought more color to his lips. It was quite pretty.

Toboe stamped his foot once. "Are you listening to me?" He shook a finger at Trowa.

"Of course." Trowa answered, reaching forward to tame a fly away wisp of hair.

Toboe sucked in a breath at the contact and opened his mouth again. "I realized that I lo-"

"Did I miss him?" Trowa's best friend Heero Yuy interrupted. Thrusting himself between the two of them and looking to and fro down the halls.

Trowa leveled a malevolent glare at his teammate. "Curse your timing, you cold bucket of water."

Heero didn't deter. "Did I miss him?" He demanded, slitting his sapphire eyes at Trowa. Since he only stood five feet eight, he had to look up to meet Trowa's eyes, totally thwarting his effort.

Toboe tried to weasel around Heero to get closer but the brunette Japanese boy resembled more of a wall than a door. "Heero!" He set to trying to push the other teen but the solid mass of muscle wouldn't budge a bit.

"If you are inquiring about the abominable Duo Maxwell, he has not appeared and stolen our breaths with his imperious presence."

Heero straightened, knocking his feet together. "Good." He ran his hands over his army shirt so it smoothed over his flat stomach. He always wore hideously faded t-shirts, black shorts, and ratty yellow tennis shoes that Trowa's older sister Catherine baulked at and threatened to throw in the furnace one night when Heero stayed over.

The foolish boy had been in love with Duo Maxwell since freshman year, the absurdity baffled the mind. Heero refused to realize that everyone lusted after Duo. Duo didn't even know Heero existed, that any of them existed for that matter. Not that Trowa cared, if it wasn't for Heero he wouldn't have to be subject to Duo's display of blatant sexuality every day. He really needed to find another friend; another like Toboe would be refreshing.

Toboe finally managed to squeeze in-between them. "Trowa!" He exclaimed jumping up and down, waving his hands trying to gain his attention.

"Barton, you need to write a poem about that," Heero muttered, eyes glued to a chestnut-colored braid as it paraded by, "The freakin' embodiment of lust."

Trowa watched with bored eyes as Duo Maxwell strut down the hall in black jeans small enough to give Heero a nosebleed. He turned to talk to one of his admirers giving them a look at his black t-shirt that read "friend with benefits" in big bold letters. "And what shall I call it? Duo Maxell: Sex in a Pair of Doc Martins?"

Heero paid him no mind; drooling over Duo with half the other students in the hall. I could definitely write a poem about that. Teenage Disease of Mindless Lust.

"Trowa!" Toboe tugged on his sleeve red in the face again, poor thing.

Blinking down, Trowa acknowledged him "Yes?" He pet his soft head affectionately.

The small boy's face lit up and he opened his mouth, "I-"

"What the fuck is wrong with you people?" The final addition to their quartet's voice cut through the hall with its icy sneer. "Take a picture, Heero. It lasts longer." Omi Tuskiyono dropped his backpack by his feet. Omi's short, blond hair and dark blue eyes looked innocence from afar, but upon closer inspection, the low eyebrows, hooded stare, and permanent frown lines killed that illusion. Omi always dressed for comfort in blue jeans, black tennis shoes and t-shirts, almost always black, that always mirrored his mood which on any normal day ranged from angry and cynical to malicious and degrading. Today's statement 'Why Kill Them with Kindness, when you can use an AX?'

Finally snapped out of his trance, Heero turned to them. "Where were you last night? I called and left a message with Lita."

Omi leaned on the locker next to Toboe giving him a nod in greeting, "Your first mistake was even thinking I wanted to talk to your sorry ass, and the second mistake was leaving a message with Lita." He mocked.

Heero smiled that smile that usually caused Toboe to run and hide behind whoever could shield him. "I thought we were cool now."

"Cool?" Omi's eyes narrowed as he made to step closer to the other boy, but Trowa grabbed the back of his shirt to hold him back. "I'll show you how cool we are!"

"I understand that you are envious of Duo, but we had something special over the summer."

Heero and Omi, for reasons unbeknownst to the rest of humanity, started dating at the end of sophomore year. They spent the summer together, which still amazed Trowa since he allotted them less than a week. Probably since Toboe spent most of the summer at camp.

"Envious of Maxwell? I don't give a fuck about Maxwell."

Trowa puffed out a breath. Heero really needed to learn to pick his battles. This feud with Omi could be easily finished. Omi continued to pull against Trowa's hold. Trowa gave Toboe a reassuring smile and tightened his grip. "So what was it you wanted to tell me?"

Toboe clenched his fists under his chin and watched their two friends warily. "I…um…"

Heero, again, interrupted. "You can hit me again, if you'd like."

Omi wasn't the only one that stopped and stared at him, "What?"

"Hit me again. The first one didn't hurt, so if it makes you feel better you can hit me again." Heero kept smiling.

Well, in that case. Trowa let go of Omi's shirt and before Heero could even finish his sentence Omi's fist came crashing into his nose. The force knocked him to the floor. He gurgled and choked on the blood running through his fingers.

Omi threw his bag over his shoulder and sneered at him. With not even a hint of concern, he stalked off down the hall proclaiming, "For the record, that one hurt."

"Oh, my God!" Toboe shook his fists under his chin. "He's bleeding!" He dropped onto the floor by Heero and tried to get a look at the injury.

Heero swatted him away with his free hand, saying something Trowa could only assume was vile.

Picking up Toboe under the arm with one hand Trowa pulled him to safety, "Why don't you go make sure Omi is okay?"

"But—but—but—"

"I'll take care of Heero."

Toboe looked like he wanted to argue, but his eyes moved to the direction his best friend went. "Okay…but I really, really, really need to talk to you."

"I'll see you after lunch, now hurry along before Omi gets himself into more trouble." He gave Toboe a push and the little boy took off after the disgruntled blond.

Heero stayed on the ground, looking quite pitiful, it almost made Trowa feel bad for him.

Trowa stooped in front of him "Nice. I didn't know he could hit that hard." He held out his cloth handkerchief that had his initials embroidered on it, to his friend.

Heero couldn't grunt, so he settled for a glare that asked, whose side are you on? Trowa helped him to his feet. "You'd think being the captain of the basketball team would give you better reflexes." Having Heero unable to snap back was just how Trowa liked him. "Your mother will not be pleased. She will probably ground you for getting into a fight at school."

Heero sent him a hateful look around the bloody handkerchief. He yanked out of Trowa's grip and teetered almost falling over.

"Come on. I'll take you to the nurse. That is going to need ice."

If Heero could have snorted, he would have.

Laughter ripped through the students as they walked past. Word traveled fast and Omi had received detention. Alas, civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

Through her thick glasses, the nurse gave the two of them a disapproving look, "A little early for a fight, isn't it, boys?"

Trowa shrugged elegantly, "Not a fight per se…"

Heero glowered, the first touch of the ice pack making him jump.

"Fare thee well Heero, I'll see you at lunch." Trowa left the nurse's office with a satisfied smirk. Perhaps the day would not be as unpleasant as he thought.

Hige Parker stretched his arms over his head. Sixth period, lunch time, had finally arrived. He settled into his usual corner seat, one wall at his back the other to his left. It was an effort to slide onto the low, Formica benches being six-foot-one and two hundred and ten pounds but he managed to straddle one. His Advanced Placement classes were really tough on him. He looked balefully at his backpack. Damn thing weighed as much as his weights did. At least he had most of his classes with Quatre, or they would be downright unbearable.

Quatre Winner slid next to Hige. He had trailed a few minutes behind him, having to ask the teacher a question. He ran a delicate hand through his blond bangs before acknowledging Hige. "This year is going to be rough."

Hige grinned, "I second that."

Quatre watched Hige a moment, as if he wanted to say something. His blue-green eyes showed a brief flash of something that caused Hige's breath to catch, but then the moment passed and he began to dig through his book bag.

Quatre, or Q as he and Duo referred to him as came from the extremely wealthy Winner family. Quatre was the only son and the rightful heir to the family fortune. How he managed to get his parents' permission to go to a public school eluded Hige, but he spent half his time making sure Quatre didn't get jumped for his 'attitude.' It wasn't attitude, or maybe it was. Quatre just walked with an air of elegance that couldn't be hidden by casual clothes. He wore a blue check button-up shirt, with a pressed pair of khakis, and brown loafers. His blond hair lay unconstrained on his shoulders. He wore a cheap wrist watch at school, not the nicer ones Hige knew he owned. He couldn't see it tucked under the shirt, but Hige knew Quatre also wore the gold chain he had bought for him years ago for his birthday. It had a small gold music note charm on it.

"How was the family dinner last night?" Hige asked carefully. The Thursday family dinner with Quatre's parents always put the blond in a sour mood until Monday. But that gave him a grand excuse to steal him home and kiss away his anger and frustration. But right now, Hige smiled and pulled Quatre to him, he probably needs a nice, long neck massage.

Quatre fished around his bag for his lunch before shoving his book bag on the bench on the other side of the table. He sank against Hige, tense muscles hesitating to respond to his talented hands. "Oh, it was lovely." He said so airily, so flippantly, Hige cringed. "Mother had her usual litany of things for me to change." His voice dropped to a low growl.

"Like?" Hige frowned.

"My music sounds like I'm 'grinding teeth,' my test scores at dismal, and apparently my health is failing…" Quatre counted off the listed one finger at a time. "Oh, and she mentioned you and Duo several times."

Hige worked a knot out of Quatre's lower back. "You listen to me. Your music is beautiful, you are going to be the valedictorian, as for your health… that's her own damn fault, and me and Duo sure as hell aren't going anywhere, so she can shove it."

Quatre snorted in an undignified manor. Then he laughed. He settled against his friend, a different type of tension creeping up his shoulders. "Hige…"

"Hmmm?" He stroked his thumb on the soft skin of Quatre's jaw.

Duo Maxwell, the final member of their posse, arrived, dramatically throwing himself down across from them.

The two of them broke apart, Hige muttering a curse under his breath. As usual, Duo's timing is impeccable.

Quatre pointedly ignored the new arrival as he pulled out a zip lock bag of carrot sticks from his lunch.

"T'sup?" Hige asked, before Duo let out the sigh he knew followed.

"Haru! You know what that shithead did?" Duo slammed his fist on the table and grabbed the lunch bag from Quatre's hands. As he went through it he said, "He walked right fuckin' past me!" He pulled out a bag of vegetables, looked at them oddly and then threw it at Quatre. "What the fuck is up with that?"

Hige lazily studied his friend. Duo's eyes were violet slits of anger. His girlishly full lips had formed one thin line, instead of their customary grin. Duo ran a hand up and down his braid where Hige knew he stored a small, but deadly knife. Maybe this was the final downswing and they'll break up, Hige thought.

Quatre raised an eyebrow at Hige. "Perhaps he didn't see you?"

Duo snorted. "How can anyone not see me? Hello?" He emptied the lunch bag onto the table, several containers of vegetables, crackers, and nuts fell on the table. "Q… what the fuck are they feedin' you?"

Quatre quickly gathered them up. "I'm on a new diet," The blond muttered, embarrassed.

"You want some real food?" Hige offered some of his sandwich to him.

With a grateful look, Quatre took the offered half.

"Haru went straight for his freakin' cousin! No kiss… no grope, walked right past me." Duo continued, not caring if his friends were listening.

Quatre smiled, "You mean Yuki?" He ravenously finished the roast beef, Swiss, and romaine sandwich.

Duo's eye twitched. "Yes."

Hige grinned, "Well, he is hot." Yuki Souma, had just transferred to their high school Monday. A petite boy with short grey hair, startling violet eyes, and a polite personality that would get him knifed if Hige hadn't seen him knock out three Bloods without trying. Yuki managed to be beautiful and still very male. If he wasn't related to Haru, Duo would have already approached him.

"He's got those creepy purple eyes." Duo shuddered.

"Because your eyes aren't." Quatre pointed out. "It's not like the two of you have a monogamous relationship. If you can sleep with whomever you want, so can Haru."

Duo glared at Quatre. "That's not the point." He sounded like he meant it.

Hige ignored his friends' bickering. His hazel eyes scanned the lunch room. It was a crowd of mostly black and Hispanic, with a few scattered white kids. The students had packed themselves riotously into the tables. There wasn't enough room to walk through between them, forget balancing a tray of food in your hands. All the tables were full. The three had taken the far corner of the last table to keep a watchful eye on the crowd.

Something in the opposite corner caught Hige's eye, a tiny russet-haired boy, with large brown eyes and a tiny pink mouth, seated next to a blue-eyed blond. He wore an orange t-shirt with something written on it, and green cargo pants, none were gang colors and the boy was white. He looked twelve at the most. The boy shook his fists under his chin and rambled very fast. The blond looked annoyed and placed his hand on top of his friend's head causing all movement to instantly stop.

An off button? Hige let out a laugh.

"What?"

Hige turned to see both Duo and Quatre staring at him. "Huh?"

"What's so damn funny?" Duo asked, eyes narrowed at his friend.

Hige coughed, and nodded with his head over towards the two boys who had caught his interest.

Duo, very obviously, turned and stared over in their direction, while Quatre looked from the corner of his eye.

"Freshmen?" Duo asked, wiggling his eyebrows at Hige.

"Not freshmen," Quatre said, turning his attention back to his lunch.

"How'd you know that?"

"The little one entered the school art show last year." Quatre explained. "And the blond is too big to be that young. Unless he failed out if his class."

"Oh." Duo wrinkled his brow. "Damn, Hige… he's kinda small."

Hige leaned over the table toward his friend. "How would you like that tiny mouth wrapped around your cock?"

Duo stroked his chin, casting another look in that direction. "Point taken. Think he's a virgin?"

"Obviously. How 'bout the blond?"

Duo gave a sensuous smirk, "If he is, he won't be for long."

"Ah, a conquest." Hige smirked.

"Most definite."

"What about your boyfriend?" Quatre reminded him innocently.

"Fuck him." Duo spat.

"Or not." Hige interceded.

"Heh." The distraction worked as Duo returned to questioning Hige. "But what about you? You don't have much experience with blushing virgins."

Hige shrugged. He stole a glance back at Quatre.

"Is it entirely possible for either of you to think of anything other then sex?" Quatre asked, annoyed.

"Not with you sittin' in front of me, Q-baby." Duo purred, reaching across the table to stroke Quatre's face. "I distinctly remember Hige taking a very pretty blond some years back. Was he gentle with you?"

Quatre smacked Duo's hand off. "He's better than you were."

Duo's jaw hit the tabletop with almost and audible thud. "Damn, Q, I was just playin'!"

Hige pointedly ignored this conversation. Let Duo dig himself his own grave. His eyes wandered back in the direction of the little boy that had caught his eye. He making faces at his friend, disregarding his half eaten lunch. Damn those eyes are expressive. The boy suddenly looked up and met Hige's gaze, he blushed an adorable shade of pink before ducking his head back down.

Hige jumped slightly when he felt a hand on his knee. Duo had slid under the table while his eyes were turned. He cast a look over at Quatre, who dropped his book bag in front of the table so no one could see under it.

Duo's skilled fingers easily un-zipped his pants and slid them down, just enough so he could get Hige out of his boxers. Hige inhaled sharply as Duo's hot mouth covered him. He braced his back against the wall, as Duo gripped his thighs.

Oh, fuck yes… He clenched his jaw, refusing to make a single sound. Duo gave damn good blow jobs. He could vaguely see Quatre through the haze. The blond watched Duo go down on him. Hige snapped the plastic fork in his hand as Duo so lightly grazed his teeth down his cock. With a lick and a slurping noise that sounded too loud Duo swallowed Hige again. He knew he wouldn't last much longer.

Quatre's blue green eyes bright with desire gazed hungrily at Hige. The sight did him in. He kissed Quatre and released his seed. Hiding his face the curve of Quatre's shoulder Hige smiled. Duo moved away, leaving him to re-fasten his pants.

Gracefully pulling himself back to his seat, Duo licked his lips.

Hige panted and after a moment pulled himself back together.

Quatre regarded Duo.

The braided boy smirked at him. "How you doin?"

"Care to find out?" he asked.

Duo leaned over the table closer to the blond and whispered into his ear, laying a kiss on his neck.

Hige put in his two cents. "Not out here, you're too loud." He told them quietly.

Duo reluctantly pulled away from Quatre, who was now flushed in the cheeks. "Bathroom?"

Quatre nodded wordlessly.

Duo pulled him up and gave Hige a look telling him to guard the door and disappeared out the cafeteria door with Quatre on his heels.

Hige cast another look over at the small boy in the corner, before grabbing all three backpacks and following them out. Duo and Quatre had already disappeared in the bathroom by the time he got there. Damn. He felt slightly put out but he'd already gotten his tumble, so to speak. He tried to ignore the images of Duo taking Quatre against one of the stalls or over the sink. Unless Quatre felt hard enough to take the top.

"But you really, really, really should apologize!" Toboe shook his fists, "He had to go to the nurse's office!"

Omi snorted, picking at his turkey sandwich. "And I got detention, who gives a fuck?"

Toboe poked his bottom lip out at his best friend. Trying to talk sense into Omi never worked out quite the way he wanted it to.

The blond ignored him, "It served the bastard right anyway."

"But he's your friend!"

Rolling his blue eyes Omi made a face. "Then why don't you go bug him about that?" He continued to rip tiny pieces of bread off his sandwich.

"Omi!" He whined picking up his fists again. "You have to be the bigger person! This is Heero! He really, really, really cares about you! You hav-"

Omi's hand plopped on his head making his mouth snap shut. "Can it, bean."

Giving his fists another shake he collapsed back against his seat and stared at his lunch. "You're so mean."

"I know." Omi replied with a smirk.

Toboe stuck out his tongue out. "It wasn't a compliment."

A shudder suddenly shot down his neck that made his head come up. He met eyes with another boy across the cafeteria. His heart palpitated, threatening to ride up into his throat.

He blushed and quickly looked away. Was he really just staring at me? He snuck another glance up and sighed when he noted the other boy's attention turned to the blond seated next to him.

Toboe blinked feeling a bit disappointed. His face warmed again when he studied the other teen. He was really cute! He had a mop of light brown hair that spiked more in the front than in the back. He couldn't really tell the exact color of his eyes, but from the look of them they were brown. His chin had a chiseled line a lot like Trowa only this guy has a lot more meat on him. His mouth stretched wide, he smiled a lot Toboe realized with a little tap of his foot. He probably gave really good hugs too. He wore a large yellow sports jersey. Why haven't I seen him before?

He was with Duo, maybe Heero would know who he was. The other boy, the blond, Toboe was sure he should know, but he couldn't think of a name. He did know that the blond boy was as popular as Duo, if not more so; it made sense they were friends.

"Fuck, what's that whore doing looking over here?" Omi grumbled, snapping Toboe's attention from his thoughts.

His gaze reluctantly went from the friendly looking boy to Duo. His stomach somersaulted landing at the bottom with a thud; the brunette was indeed staring right at them.

Duo's lips curved into a smirk that made Toboe's throat go dry. Oh, my God. Duo finally turned back to his friends with a laugh. That's really creepy.

Chancing a glance over at Omi, he felt queasy. His friend was sneering and sending death glares across the cafeteria. "I just totally lost my appetite."

"Who's sitting with him?" Toboe asked, hoping maybe Omi could satisfy his curiosity.

"Fuck if I know, or care." He answered, giving Toboe a pointed look, "The blond is in my French class."

"Oh." Toboe worried his lip, maybe Trowa knows then. Trowa knew a lot more than he let on. He could ask him at movie night.

"We should go out tonight." Omi blurted, forgetting about the glare contest and wrapping the remnants of his once turkey sandwich in its paper.

Toboe jumped. "What?"

"Go out, you and me. I don't feel like going to movie night and I'm sure as hell not going home."

With a frown, Toboe asked "Without Heero and Trowa?"

"Of course without them!"

"But!" Toboe blushed tapping his pointer fingers together a few times before mumbling a quick, "I wanted to hang out with Trowa tonight."

"And do what?" Omi asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Sit on his couch with his mammoth cat and listen to him recite poetry?"

"I like Trowa's poetry!"

Omi rolled his eyes with a little smirk, that should have been playful but on Omi it was just scary. "Oh, I'm sure you do."

Toboe cringed turning even redder.

"You guys just need to fuck and be done with it."

Gasping Toboe jumped up in his seat. "What?"

"Forget it, bean. On to more important stuff, I want to go clubbing, at the Underground."

Toboe's mouth dropped open. Oh, my God! "We can't go there!"

"Why the hell not?"

"Heero said no." Toboe blurted before he could stop himself. "And well- and then- but Trowa-"

"Who gives a fuck!" Omi slammed his hands on the table. "You don't want to come fine, I'll go by myself."

And he would too. Flailing his fists again Toboe fidgeted in his seat. "No! You can't go alone! It's dangerous!"

"So then you are coming with me?"

"Yes!" his eyes widened and he gasped, "Wait, no! Omi!" he whined.

The blond snickered. "You make it too easy."

"We'll get in trouble!"

"Not if you keep your mouth shut."

Feeling scandalized Toboe's mouth dropped open, "You mean lie?" Doom blew over him like a cold wind. His parents always told him nothing good ever came of lies.

Omi tapped his mouth shut. "Not lie, just play the silent game, starting now." He stood up gathering his stuff. "I'll catch you later, bean." He was about to walk off but stopped to lean over the table. "Don't tell Barton."

Toboe opened his mouth but quickly shut it again.

Finally satisfied, Omi walked away muttering to himself.

Pouting after the other boy, Toboe sighed. Now what? Trowa would definitely ask what he and Omi would be doing, if he told him they weren't coming to movie night.

He stole a glance over at Duo's table and was surprised that Duo was no longer in sight. I wonder where he went. The larger teen Toboe had been admiring looked a bit red in the face as he turned to the blond who had the weirdest look on his face. What's going on over there? Toboe wondered.

He got so lost in his own thoughts he almost didn't notice the tall boy lean over and actually kiss the blond. His face burned as he scrambled to grab his stuff. Oh, my God! I can't believe they just did that! He took off toward the door. He definitely didn't expect to see that. He caught another sight on his way out the door, and that was Duo sliding up from under the table. He had a very scary smile on his face. Toboe needed to find Omi! He darted out into the hall completely not paying attention and ran right into Trowa who was in the process of walking towards him.

"Trowa!" Toboe squeaked as he dropped his book bag. "Oops."

His friend chuckled. "Usually people rush to lunch not away from lunch."

Laughing nervously, Toboe quickly retrieved his bag. He stared at floor to catch his breath before noticing the buttons on Trowa's long sleeved green shirt.

"Little one?"

They were pearly white, like on one of his Papa's work shirts. Through the open collar a white t-shirt was visible underneath. Toboe reached forward and touched the fabric. Trowa's mother made a lot of his clothes. She usually used soft fabrics that felt good against Toboe's skin whenever he hugged the taller boy.

"Toboe."

He squeaked again, jumping and finally looking up into Trowa's calm green eyes. "I'm so sorry."

Raising an eyebrow Trowa gave him an amused smile. "Are you alright?"

"Yes!" He blurted, eyes widening a bit, "Yeah…I-I'm fine."

"You look a little flushed." He noticed, reaching down and touching his check. "Did Omi upset you again?"

Toboe's stomach did a little flip flop. "Omi? Oh! No."

"Something happened." Trowa answered, crossing his arms and looking put out.

"No!" Toboe grabbed Trowa's arms pulling them down so he could grasp his hands tightly. "Nothing happened, I'm really fine."

Sighing Trowa gave a little nod. "Alright."

They stared at each other a moment. Toboe's body felt warm all over, Trowa was always so concerned about him, it felt good. Not like when Heero was concerned and just wanted to fix it.

"So, Heero is grounded."

"Oh?" Toboe reluctantly released Trowa's warm hands.

"Yes. The school called his mother."

Toboe blinked letting it set in. "Oh. No."

Nodding Trowa offered him another smile, wider this time. "So, did you want to come over? We could have a jam session."

Toboe desperately wanted to say yes, he really, really, really did. He bit his lip, dropping his eyes to his flip flips. Trowa's apartment always made him feel warm and secure, much like he did at home. Trowa was in the band at school and offered to teach Toboe new songs on his piano. Their latest project was the 'Peanuts Theme' which made Toboe giggle just thinking about it.

"Toboe?"

Squeezing his eyes shut. "I can't." he ground out sorrowfully.

"Oh."

Toboe's head snapped up at the disappointment in Trowa's voice. "I want to! But Omi is still really upset and he wanted to hang out tonight-"

"Bring him with you."

"But he wants to go out."

Trowa frowned.

Uh oh.

"Go out where?"

Toboe's eyes darted around as he tried to think of something believable. "The arcade?"

"Then I'll come with you."

"No!"

"Why ever not? You just said you wanted to hang out."

"I do!" Toboe flailed around helplessly. "I do! But you don't like the arcade!"

Trowa blinked at him for a long moment, his lips a long firm line. "I'd go to be with you."

Warmth spread through his body from his head all the way to his toes. He could feel the heat rise in his cheeks. Maybe he could talk Omi into going to the arcade instead? He shook his head.

"Toboe."

Shakings his fists double time Toboe looked everywhere but at Trowa. "Omi wants to do something without you and Heero this time. "
Trowa caught his chin and forced him to look up. He had an unreadable expression on his face. "Toboe."

Is he mad at me? His bottom lip quivered. "I promised I wouldn't tell you."

Trowa straightened releasing Toboe's face. "Ah. I see." He rubbed the side of his nose and silently went off into his own thoughts.

Cringing Toboe blinked meekly up at him. "Are you mad?"

"Of course not." Trowa pulled his bag around to his front and started searching through it for something.

Toboe cocked his head. "What are you doing?"

"Ah." Trowa pulled out his little green book. "I am compelled to write a poem."

Standing on his tiptoes he tried to look at what Trowa was scribbling. "About what?"

Trowa snapped the book shut in front of his nose. "About secrets."

"What?" He is mad at me! Toboe started shaking his fists and stamped his foot. "I'm not keeping secrets!"

"You do not think that refusing to tell me where you and Omi will be going is a secret?" Trowa sighed and put his book away. "And here I thought we were friends."

"We are!"

"Well, I'll be off now, Toboe. See you on Monday." He turned to walk away, shoulders hunched forward like Heero had jumped on his back.

"The Underground! Omi wants to go to the Underground!" Toboe blurted then immediately covered his mouth. Oh, my God! Omi is going to kill me!

Spinning around Trowa glared down at him. "The Underground?"

Uh oh.

"You can't tell Omi I told you!" Toboe pleaded. "I promised. You shouldn't break promises any more than you should keep secrets." He pouted, not liking himself. "I promised I wouldn't tell you or Heero, now I've lied."

Trowa took pity on him. "The city's dangerous, Toboe." He cupped the boy's face, a sweet smile on his face. "Don't worry, I won't tell Heero, but someone should know where you'll be. In case something happens."

"You won't tell him?" Toboe beamed up at him.

"I just want to know you're safe."