Idle Chatter
By: Nuriko and Jess
Title: Idle Chatter
Author(s): Dark Nuriko and JessEklom
Category: Gundam Wing
Genre: Humor/Romance/Angst
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xM
Warnings: Yaoi, language, lunacy, AU, and lime/lemon
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing belongs to Hajime. . .oh, you know. Jess and I don't know the G-boys, much to our dismay. We write solely for fun, so please don't sue us. We don't have much to our names, so it wouldn't be worth it anyway.
Author's Note: This story is one that Jess actually came up with and that I've gotten the information on so that I could begin it. This is the second story in our 'Chatter Trilogy'. This one is more offline and less online. This covers Quatre and Trowa. Quatre's tired of always being asked to do everything. From doing tons of things for all of his sisters to having to listen to every girls wish, little Quatre's finally had it. Yet when calm and collected Trowa shows up, it's a race to see which one will fall first. It's a dog eat dog world out there, but how do you fight when the one you want doesn't return the sentiment? Done in switching POV's. I'll be handling Trowa's while Jess will handle Quatre's.
Screen Names are the same from 'Rival Chatter':
Duo: AngelofDeathShinigami
Heero: PerfectOne
Quatre: ArabianPrince later changed to GentlemenPreferBlondes
Trowa: NoName
Wufei: UnleashtheDragon
Relena: PrincessofPink
Hilde: LveroftheUnused
Meiran: DragonTamerGal
Chapter One:
"No, Duo, you have to snap your wrist right before you release, not as you release," I commented to my only friend, Duo Maxwell. Duo was a rebel if ever there was one. Everything he owned was black and his chestnut brown hair was braided all the way down his back to his hips. His eyes were a very stunning amethyst color, one I happened to like. His attitude toward rich people and his normally cheerful outlook toward others who weren't wealthy was fun to be around. Yet he was also a very serious person. His artwork said it all, even though he rarely allowed anyone to ever see them. I was one of the few granted that privilege, and I was grateful for it. I even had a shirt with one of his works of art on it. He had hated it when I first showed it to him, but eventually he had calmed down about it when I showed him what I had written on the back of it. In fact, I always wore it when training him.
"I know, I just lost my concentration for a moment," he answered. I smiled and watched as he flawlessly released two more knives into the wooden target. They made a satisfied thump into it as they landed side by side, right in the center of the target.
"Nice one, Duo. I do believe we can hire you on as a knife thrower in just a few more short lessons." Duo laughed. I knew better than anyone that he loved tossing the knives, provided it wasn't at a living target. No matter how much he hated someone, he valued all human life above all else. This was not something he would ever do, not the way Catherine Bloom and I did. Catherine Bloom was my adopted sister. At least, that's the way the boss man and I looked at it. Jonathan Bloom was a very loud, boisterous, and easily excitable person. He enjoyed trying to get new people into the show. His current pet project was to try to talk Duo into working the show three nights a week and every other weekend.
"Naw, I'd never have the guts to do what you do, let alone what Catherine does." I laughed and walked over to the target, showing off the saying on my shirt. 'If you want to do something right. . .don't do it at all.' That was my mantra and I loved it. Too many idiots tried to do something when they didn't have the balls to admit they didn't understand what they were trying to do in the first place.
"Perhaps, but you can still practice the art of knife throwing toward the balloons. You could handle that, couldn't you? You could certainly use the extra money." Duo smirked while I laughed softly. That usually happened. One was never certain what was going on, but everyone was always knew we obviously were enjoying ourselves.
"If that's all he asks of me, then I suppose I can do it," Duo carefully agreed. Jonathan Bloom suddenly came out of no where, which he was good at doing, contract in hand. Duo jumped slightly as the older, slightly balding gentleman who was my father and owner of the Bloom Circus, focused entirely on him.
"Just sign here and you'll be well on your way to achieving your goals. I never skimp on paying my employees," Jonathan said. I felt my eye twitch slightly.
"Not to employee's, no, but family suffers," I muttered. Jonathan had the good grace to look nervous.
"I suppose so, yet you don't ask for much of your income and Catherine only uses what she needs to get by." I sighed. It was true. I wanted most of my money to be used to keep the circus going. The same went for Catherine. It was why we would never think of ever working for anyone else.
"Only three nights a week and every other weekend, John. I have lots to do at the orphanage and can't afford any more time away from it than that." Jonathan nodded, his eyes wide.
"You have my word, Duo. Trowa will see to it that I keep my word. Won't you boy." I nodded, wanting to reassure my friend.
"I'll make certain." Duo nodded before handing me back my blades. I used them during my act. They'd been good to me and I refused to use any others but them.
"I'll chat with you later online, Trowa. I've got to head home." I smiled, something I only did when around family and close friends. I wasn't a very open person when it came to people I didn't know. Yet I was very open when it came to people I didn't like. Now don't get me wrong, I don't hate anyone, but I do dislike many people very strongly.
"I'll see you online," I agreed. I then watched him leave, as did Jonathan. Once he was gone, Jonathan turned toward me.
"Think he'll be all right with his new job?" I nodded, confident on his ability.
"Yeah. He'll be perfect." Jonathan smiled, trusting my judgement. He then moved to leave.
"By the way, Trowa, after dinner we have another show. It appears we have a rather large family coming. I don't know how many will be with them, but I hear there is thirty children alone in the family." I raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. I then nodded and headed toward the lion cages.
"Then I'll check on Hunter before dinner." Jonathan smiled and left me to my work. I walked casually over to the lion cage, holding out my hand toward the only other one I considered a friend. This lion had been really angry and unresponsive before I came along. Yet somehow, animals and I had a connection. We get along a lot better than I do with most humans, and that in itself says a lot. "Well, Hunter, I hope you're ready for another long evening," I said to him. The big cat purred in answer before butting my hand. I scratched behind his ears, enjoying the feel of his shaggy mane under my hands.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I now ask you to turn your attention to the center ring, where you shall witness an amazing feat of bravery from our very own Lion Tamer. Now watch closely as he never moves while my lovely daughter throws knives at him. Mind you, no one should try this at home. They are highly skilled professionals and are very good at what they do."
I kept my face expressionless while Catherine began to throw the knives at me with deadly accuracy. As it came close to the finish, I realized something was off and as soon as she threw her knife I felt it graze my cheek. A warm trickled began down my cheek, yet I ignored it as she finished throwing her knives. Once she had taken her bow, I had moved off to the back, pressing a cloth to my cheek. Catherine rushed in behind me, worry in her crystal blue eyes.
"Trowa, are you all right?" she asked, her nerves making her voice shake.
"I'm fine, Catherine," I say, trying to reassure her so she wouldn't feel guilt. "I realized something had thrown off your concentration and knew it was going to cut me. I moved just the barest of movements so that it only nicked me. I'm fine. Really I am." She cried a little before hugging me tightly. I held her in return before letting her go and heading toward the side exit.
"Trowa?" she called questioningly. I looked back at her and smiled.
"I'm just going to get some ice, so I can slow the bleeding. Don't worry, I'll clean up tonight. You've obviously scared yourself pretty badly this evening." She nodded in thanks and watched me leave. I sighed and turned back to where I was going, not really worried about the little bit of blood that seemed to seep from the wound. It really wasn't that bad, after all. As I made my way through the back of the bleachers, I could hear the girls begging for things from someone they called their little brother. From the sound of it, the poor boy was going to be getting quite a few things for them, seeing as he never argued. He just said all right to everything they asked. Feeling curious as to who would be so accommodating, I took a relaxed pose against one of the thick tent poles and waited for him to come around the bend. Imagine my surprise when I saw one of my school's very own Regal Three, Quatre R. Winner, coming from where the group had been.
"What are you doing here?" he asked as he took in my relaxed posture. His aquamarine eyes glimmered darkly at me. I'd be pretty angry too if I let that many sisters run my life.
"I work here, I'm allowed to be here," I answered, not bothering to take offense at his angry tone.
"Whatever," he muttered, moving to head toward the concession stand, or rather in the direction he thought it was in. I smiled before letting my lips return to a straight line and simply shrugged.
"If I was a real man, with all the money you have, I would have stood up to all those girls back there," I muttered. He turned toward me, his eyes flashing blue-green fire at me.
"What would you know about it?" he questioned hotly. I shrugged non-chalantly and looked away.
"I'd know enough to be a real man and not a doormat," I answered, only half joking. If I had as many sisters as he did, perhaps I would be just as much a doormat. I still can't stand to see tears in a woman's eyes and too many of them took advantage of tears to get their way. I stood up from leaning against the post and moved in the opposite direction, toward the exact area he was being sent to. "I'd also know I was heading in the wrong direction. The concession stand is this way," I said, motioning with my hand in the direction I was going. Glancing at him with my covered eye, of which I could see him through, I didn't fail to catch the flush that crossed his cheeks.
"I knew that," he muttered. He soon began stalking behind me.
"I'm certain you did," I answer, not bothering to hide the amusement in my voice, of which I was certain he didn't take too kindly too.
"Why are you going this way?" he growled after a moment. Boy, he was all sweetness and light in school but here he was a spitfire. His hair was simply the wrong color for that kind of temper.
"I have something I need to get," I said, passing my cloth over my cheek. Pulling it away I noticed it was still bleeding fairly well, even without me messing with it. Luckily I wasn't bleeding too heavily.
"Did that happen during the show?" Quatre asked, finally showing a little concern, although I was certain he hadn't wanted to show any such emotion toward me.
"Yeah, Catherine's normally flawless, but something startled her and she kind of missed missing me. Nothing too dangerous. This isn't the first time it's happened and I'm certain it won't be the last time either." Moving up to the concession stand, I smiled at the young man behind the counter. He also resided at the orphanage, and was one of Duo's Remainders. His short black-blue hair and dark eyes had a lot of women drooling. Yet many of them wouldn't allow anything due to the fact he was an orphan. Unlike Duo, he went to our school every day, but his grades were only average. He looked up to Duo, but never allowed him to change his mind. He didn't believe all wealthy people were like the one's Duo had been around, but he was still wary of them. "Hey, Sasuke. I need some ice, if you would be so kind." He smiled at me.
"Sure, Trowa. Did you get nicked again?" he asked with a small smile for Quatre and me. He then handed me some ice in a small cup. I nodded my thanks as he turned his attention on Quatre. "What can I get for you, Mr. Winner, sir?" he asked, all business. Sasuke was the best concessions worker we had ever had. He remember names easily and many of our regulars loved the fact he could remember their orders before they ever said them.
"I'm afraid I'm at a loss. You know me, but I don't know you," Quatre said, falling into his kind and considerate mode. I almost decided to sneeze the word 'faker', but I was too mature for that.
"Sasuke Uchiha. I have English and Science with you. Although, I'm certain you're too busy to remember me. Yet that's all right." He then graced Quatre a large smile and motioned in the direction we had come from. By this time I had pulled out an ice cube and was pressing it to my cut. "I expect your sisters want what they always want when they come here. Twenty-five diet sodas, three waters, and one Dr. Pepper. I also assume some of them wanted glasses of ice, no water in them. Perhaps seven of them?"
"Ten, actually," Quatre answered in surprise. "Otherwise you've got it correct."
"Sasuke isn't always great at school, but names and orders are easy for him," I commented, feeling my fingers go numb. So I switched hands, realizing the cube was red, as was my cloth as I dried off my cold fingers.
"Let me," Quatre said softly, taking the ice cube from me and pressing it lightly against my wound. I blinked in surprise. He was now standing beside me, the soft baby power scent assailing my nostrils. His soft pink shirt and black slacks looked good on him, even though I never really thought of pink as a guys color. He was feminine in looks, its true, but I could tell he was a lot more manly than he revealed. He looked really good. My eyes widened slightly as I realized I was vaguely attracted to the shorter blonde. Too bad nothing would ever come from it. My attitude was really bad toward people, and I had already shown him how shockingly honest I could be. It didn't matter that he had money. To me, he was just another human.
"Thanks," I mumbled. Sasuke smirked.
"I'll take this to your family, Mr. Winner." Quatre smiled gratefully, never taking his attention from my injury.
"Thank you, Sasuke," he answered. Once Sasuke was gone, he turned his full attention on me, locking eyes with my own. "Why did you say what you said to me earlier? No ones ever done that before." I laughed softly.
"I hate to say it, Quatre, but I don't treat anyone special. To me, wither you have money or not is not an issue. You're just a person to me." I sighed and pulled away from his light touch. "Sorry if that bothers you, but I can't help it. This is who I am." I walked over to the stand and pulled out a small mirror I kept there. I checked on the cut and was glad to see the blood had stopped. I heard a small laugh from behind me, yet when I looked over my shoulder, Quatre was simply standing there, looking toward me. Perhaps it was my shirt, or maybe my words. I really didn't know. All I did know was that I liked the sound and would like to hear it again sometime. "Thanks. If you ever want some unbiased advice, email me. I'll gladly help you grow a back bone."
"I didn't ask for your help," he muttered, although there wasn't as much anger in his voice as there had been earlier.
"I know. I never said you had to email me, now did I?" I asked. He shook his head. I handed him a piece of paper with the word and nodded as I started away. "Other than that, you can always find me here after school. Have a nice evening, Quatre." I began walking away but stopped as he spoke up.
"But I don't know your name!" he called out. I smiled toward him and waved.
"Trowa. I'm Duo's friend. You know him better as Maxwell. He's the one your friend, Wufei Chang makes fun of." That said I left before he could ask anything else or I could react and say something else. Being that close to him was a danger to me, and one I really didn't want to handle, not at the moment. After the circus closed and I was done cleaning up, I realized I had forgot to meet Duo online. I knew he'd understand and I just signed on long enough to check email before going to sleep. There, sitting in my inbox, was a single email. I opened it and read the sender name before a small smile formed.
To:
Subject: About your offer
I know I said I didn't ask for your help, but maybe I actually do need it. It seems that after arriving at home and having all of my sisters push at me to do things for them, I just can't say no. So I shall make this short and simple. Will you help me to learn how to tell them no? You were right when you called me a doormat. I can't say no and in turn I get walked all over. So will you help me?
Signed,
Quatre
I blinked in surprise before smiling softly. Perhaps things weren't as hopeless as I had believed. After all, if he had still written to me, after I had told him I was Duo's friend, then perhaps he wasn't like the others. Duo would be upset if he knew I was consorting with his enemy, but he'd get over it. After all, he didn't push his ideas on anyone else. He simply let everyone know exactly what he thought, no matter how bad it was. Quickly I typed out a short and simple reply.
To: About your question
Meet me at lunch on wed., in the library, and be prepared to deal with Duo as well. Together, we'll teach you the fine art of saying no.
Trowa
After sending it I logged off and went to bed. I was happier than I ever had been before. Only being with Hunter had ever made me this content. Perhaps I would at least gain one more friend. At least, I hoped so.