Disclaimer: Just playing.

Bored at work one day, I popped onto to entertain myself. I found this little story that was 1x3 and I thought, "What the hell?" So I read it and the pairing made sense to me so I found myself inspired to write one myself. I know it's not my normal fav pairing but I think it really works. Hope you like it.

Hidden Hearts

Chapter 1

"You're lucky."

The two words hung in the air between the two men, much like their breath in the chilly morning air. Both were early risers so when Heero entered the kitchen to find Trowa pouring himself a fresh cup of coffee, there was no surprise. Instead, a comfortable silence was shared as the two friends took their cups of steaming fresh black coffee out to the front porch to enjoy the sunrise over the snowcapped mountains.

The former Gundam pilots had a tradition of spending Christmas through New Years together at one of Quatre's family homes and this year found the group in the appropriately wintry setting of a mountain retreat.

Heero personally preferred the white setting to last year's tropical locale on L7. Christmas on a beach with a decorated palm tree seemed blasphemous to him. But this year the five of them had gone out and chopped down a huge blue spruce and decorated it while there was a roaring fire and snow falling outside. That had been yesterday and today was Christmas Eve.

"I suppose so."

Heero took a sip from his mug to hide the smile. He expected no less from the quiet man next to him.

"How's Catherine?"

"Very happy. She met someone."

Heero turned his face towards Trowa just enough to reveal his raised eyebrow and silent question. Trowa smiled and allowed a soft chuckle.

"He's a good man. Kind, and down-to-earth."

Heero just nodded and returned to facing front, the snow adopting a soft orange tint from the rising sun.

Trowa observed the pensive profile momentarily before looking out over the landscape. He couldn't get Heero's initial statement out of his mind. Why did he say that? Is it the holidays making him sad? Or could there be something on his mind and that was the only clue he was willing to share?

He noticed how Heero quickly changed the subject after his response to the odd statement. And he changed it to family. Another clue? Perhaps….

"It's a shame Relena couldn't join us this year."

No response from his coffee companion. Not even a twitch. Through the gossip mill that was Quatre and Duo, Trowa had overheard the two speaking about the recent separation of Heero and Relena. By all accounts it was a mutual breakup so Trowa was left wondering if perhaps that information was incorrect. Was he truly in love with her and she broke his heart?

"We both knew it wouldn't work but she said she still wanted to try."

"Practicality was never one of her strong suits."

This earned Trowa a smile which he accepted wholeheartedly. It wasn't often he saw Heero so unguarded with his emotions. They were very similar in that respect. Both men were calm and collected and hid their emotions and thoughts well. Maybe too well.

"The truth is she was never the one I loved."

In a moment of desperation Heero let down all his barriers and gazed deeply into green eyes, exposing all his feelings, hoping that Trowa could see what he couldn't say aloud.

Trowa met the cerulean eyes and allowed himself to drown in their depths. Those eyes which usually held such strength and determination now shimmered with emotion. He saw everything. He saw the fear and insecurity. He saw the loneliness. And he saw the unspoken truth that had existed between them for years.

Is he finally ready? After all this time…..are you ready to admit your feelings to me, Heero?

"Heero….tell me----"

"Good morning, you two!"

Trowa swallowed his words and turned to see Quatre walking out onto the porch bundled in a robe and boots and stocking cap, coffee cup grasped firmly in both hands.

"Good morning, Quatre."

"Morning."

The cheerful blonde ignored the tension and sat down between Trowa and Heero. When Trowa had gotten out of bed taking his heat with him, Quatre had woken up shivering. So he thought he would join his longtime boyfriend for some early morning peace and quiet. But when he approached the door he heard voices and stopped to listen. As he heard the limited conversation between Trowa and Heero his stomach twisted painfully. He had been clued into Heero's feelings for Trowa a few years ago when Trowa had been bed ridden for weeks with pneumonia. Quatre had been away on business and found out through his sister who informed him everything would be ok because their friend Heero had arrived to take care of Trowa in Quatre's absence. Apparently Trowa had been speaking with Heero on a vid phone when the observant pilot of Wing Zero noticed how pale and weak Trowa looked.

Ever since then Quatre had been terrified of losing Trowa to Heero. He thought his worries were over when Heero and Relena became a couple but that barely lasted a year. He stood frozen as he heard Heero's confession, but as soon as Trowa spoke up Quatre panicked and burst onto the scene before anyone could say anything further.

The trio sat on the porch, hips pressed together, sipping coffee and lost in their own thoughts. Quatre took a sip of his coffee and turned to Trowa with a warm smile.

"This is nice. No wonder you get up early. You should wake me next time."

"Of course."

Quatre's smile brightened and he leaned in giving Trowa a quick kiss before leaning his head on his shoulder. That was when Heero stood and went back inside without another word. Trowa could say nothing and kept his gaze fixed on the awakening world before him.

Would you have told me, Heero?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Trowa stood in the loft and leaned his arms on the railing looking down on the scene below. Heero and Wufei were playing chess while Duo made smores in the fireplace.

"Ok! Who wants one? Hot and fresh and gooey!"

"I'll take one."

Trowa spoke up as he trotted down the stairs, his mouth already watering at the prospect of the freshly prepared treat. He graciously accepted the confection and sat down by Duo, ready to help make more once he was done.

"Here's the eggnog!"

Quatre entered with a tray containing glasses and a pitcher, placing everything on a nearby table and pouring glasses for himself and Trowa before joining his boyfriend by the fireplace.

"For you."

Trowa accepted the glass and the kiss with a smile.

"Hey, Quat, where's mine? I'm working hard here ya know."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Duo, of course I'll get you one."

"Sit, I'll get it."

Quatre smiled and watched Trowa walk away, admiring the lithe figure as it crossed the room. But his smile quickly faded when his eyes fell upon the figure Trowa was standing next to waiting to pour a glass of eggnog. He was sure he was being irrational, but he swore the pair was standing closer than necessary. Did he just offer to go because he saw Heero standing over there?

He kept staring and felt his stomach churn as he watched Heero place the pitcher back down and before he could let go, Trowa had placed his hand over Heero's. There the two stood, not moving, just sharing a stolen moment of holding hands in their own secretive way. Trowa….do you really love him that much? Where did these feelings for Heero come from? What happened to your feelings for me? Do you not love me anymore?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Heero casually observed Trowa join Duo by the fireplace and suppressed a smile as he watched the man known for his restraint savor every morsel of the chocolaty concoction known as a smore. It always amused him that Trowa had such a sweet tooth.

"Here's the eggnog!"

At the sound of Quatre's voice Heero turned his attention back to Wufei and the chess game. He already knew the move he was going to make regardless of what Wufei did so he patiently bided his time. I'll get some eggnog while he's thinking.

He cast a glance over to see Quatre smiling at Trowa and his stomach twisted. How could I even think to say something to Trowa? I'll be hurting Quatre in the process. And if he truly felt the same way about me, wouldn't he have said something by now?

Suddenly he felt a very warm presence next to him. Trowa was radiating heat and the smell of chocolate from sitting next to the fireplace. Heero concentrated on the task of pouring a glass of eggnog, tightening his grip on the pitcher. He put the pitcher down with a quiet sigh and when a warm hand enveloped his own he closed his eyes and soaked up the pleasant, calming effect, his body immediately relaxing.

"You shouldn't worry so much, Heero. All you can do is make your move and hope you are victorious."

He looked up at Trowa and gazed in bewilderment as the man gently pulled the pitcher out of Heero's slack grip and poured a glass of eggnog. Deep in his heart he wanted to believe that Trowa was not speaking about his game of chess with Wufei. When Trowa had poured the glass he looked up at Heero, a small smile curving his lips and Heero watched helplessly as Trowa walked away and rejoined Duo and Quatre. Were you trying to tell me something, Trowa or has my mind as well as my heart finally been consumed by you?

To be continued….