Why can't you just admit it, Quatre? I outgrew you.
"Hey Quat! Can you believe it? Here I was driving down Del Mar and BAM larger than life Trowa's face is plastered on a billboard for Bleu de CHANEL! Don t ask what I was doing in San Diego but our pal Trowa is definitely big news. He sure has made a name for himself - well an assumed name. I hear he's going by the alias Triton Bloom these days, who could have guessed Trowa - a model." Duo's voice gushed and gurgled with mirth as Quatre strained to pay attention. Nimble fingers flicked through paperwork and scrawled elegant signatures on dotted lines as Quatre grimaced, fighting hard to keep a smile on his face.
"Well Quat, I don t mean to hold you up. I just wanted to give you a ring-a-ding and catch up. I've been earthside for quite some time and I guess I just miss space. I'm not naive you know-" Scrambling to collect his thoughts, Quatre's reply failed to convey the right amount of surprise.
"Huh? Duo I," He paused, did it make sense to deny his pain.
"If this is painful for you Quat just say so, I know that you and Trowa-"
"I don t want to talk about this right now Duo." Quatre's eyes twitched upward as he tried to convince himself and Duo he no longer felt the same aching pain since Trowa left. "I'm fine, really. I m happy that Trowa - Triton is successful. It's what he wanted."
"Quat," Duo began but thought better of it as he gracefully slide the car's steering wheel beneath tanned hands. "One day we're gunna exercise those demons, you try to hide from me. I want you to know that I m here for you and even though you think 2 years is a long time, when you love someone it never truly goes away."
"Don't say that Duo, I have to hope. I have to hope that one day when I wake up I don't miss him. He's not a part of my life anymore and I need to get over it I'm tired of crying all the time and I just - I just," plaintive murmurs left Quatre's lips before Alcide knock interrupted them both.
"My apologies Mr. Winner, the GM is here to see you regarding the acquisition of Helion Company. He wants to discuss the current state of bidding and provide some possible projections."
Pursing his lips together Quatre responded, "It's 13:20 have him set up in the board room I will be there shortly, thank you Alcide."
"Very corporate, Mr. Winner." Duo's devilish smirk and remark seemed to revive some part of Quatre as he laughed along.
"Oh Duo, how I wish it were that glamorous. Between the endless meetings, paper cuts and final drafts I hardly fit the bill of a young successful corporate Mr. Winner."
"That's a lie! You know for a FACT you're on the Fortune 500 watch list, easily the most eligible bachelor in space and a looker to boot!" Duo's easy charm and friendly flirting seemed to lift both their spirits as Quatre responded with mock surprise.
"Why Duo! I had no idea you carried a torch for me?!" Peals of laughter came through Quatre's phone as Duo tilted back his long elegant neck and roared with delight.
"Keep your eyes on the road DUO!" Quatre squealed as tears of joy overtook him.
"Oh Quat, I really do miss you. How long has it been?"
"It's been forever Duo but if we start reminiscing I'll never make it to my meeting!"
"Do me a favor before you go Quat, take a moment to just breathe."
Puzzled by this sudden turn in conversation, Quatre smiled and said his goodbye to Duo's radiant face. Sighing to himself, Quatre thought 'I wish I could be just like you Duo, smiling always smiling.'