New Years Eve
Contents/Warnings: Shounen Ai, sap.
Pairings: 3+4, 1+2, 5+D
Disclaimer: See all the others; status unchanged.
AN: Three ficlets, written for Challenge #2 at the gw500 LJ community. Thanks to nayla for beta-reading.
NEW (AC 195-196)
"Hey, Quatre - here."
Quatre smiled politely, and accepted the offered glass. "Thank you, Duo." Brief concern painted his face. "This is non-alcoholic, right? You know-"
Wide grin. "Sure, Quat. I know you've got religious issues with-"
The blond smiled, gave the glass a quick stir. "Oh, that's not the main reason." A whiff. "No, it's how it affects my judgement and temper. I tend to get violent - really violent." Duo's face paled just slightly, grin unsteady. Quatre didn't notice, and chuckled to himself. "Last time I got intoxicated, the property damages were... quite extensive." Another laugh. "Trowa said he thought I was under the effects of the Zero system again." He locked smiling eyes on Duo, raised his glass. "Cheers."
Before his lips could make contact with the brim, however, Duo's hand was on his, holding the glass back. "I think - this one might have alcohol in it, after all." Duo smiled sheepishly. Quatre's hold on the glass loosened, and Duo stole it back with a wink. "I'll just go get you another one - be back in a flash."
No sooner had Duo left did Trowa approach. He put an arm around Quatre's shoulders, the blond shooting a sunbeam to his partner's eyes before leaning into the loose embrace, chin resting on shoulder. "I couldn't help but overhear," the taller one began. "You were just toying with him, weren't you?"
Nod. "Yeah - just like he was with me." Sigh in a smile. "He wants me to loosen up, and probably figured that might do it."
Trowa's embrace tightened a tad, and he rested his cheek against the blond locks. "You seem to loosen up just fine to me."
Quatre momentarily tensed, gave him a glance, and blushed lightly.
In a whisper, Trowa added "I'm sure you stiffen nicely, too."
"Trowa!" Quatre hissed back, tearing free from the halfway hug, shaky smile on his lips.
Short, subdued snicker. Trowa reached out to capture the blond's hands. "Duo has the right idea, though - teasing you is fun."
Quatre shook his head, sighed. "For you, maybe. Not so much for me."
Step closer, slight head tilt. "Oh, I don't know..." Another step. "Are you sure there isn't a part of teasing you enjoy?" Closer still. Trowa's lips parted to speak again, but was interrupted by the sound of glass shattering, tearing the blond's attention and hands away from him. Trowa mentally cursed and glared in the direction of the sound.
Over by the drinks table, Heero and Duo were both watching the shattered glass at Heero's feet - until they locked eyes; Duo's wide with worry, Heero's with surprise.
"Looks like Duo finally told him," Trowa dryly commented.
Heero began smirking, stepped over the shards, and tentatively hugged Duo, soon trapped in an eager return embrace.
Quatre chuckled. "Looks like he got his answer, too." He turned to Trowa, soon enough engaging him in a hug of their own. "A new year, a new couple... new possibilities." He sighed, glanced at the big clock at the wall mercilessly ticking down towards midnight, and looked up to face Trowa. "Think 196 will treat us better than 195 did?"
Trowa kissed Quatre's forehead, hugged him tighter. "I'm sure it will. As long as you're here with me, it is certain to keep getting better."
The crowd of the victory party had long since begun parting and pairing up, and at ten seconds, the unison countdown began. At seven, Quatre's fingers grazed from Trowa's cheek to fasten at his neck. At five, he drew the Heavyarms pilot a bit closer. At three, the blond stood on his toes. At one, their eyes closed. At zero, their lips met, and a new year began - their new year.