Behold chapter two! -insert choir ah's now- I made my Beta happy with this one so let's see if I can do it again with anyone else. Sly likes the fact that while Cat is a nice guy but he's no cliché angel. Before Rashid bitch slapped our little saint he was the kinda guy Trowa would have shot, not that he would have been given the chance to hit him as easily as he did. I try to work in the fact that while he has changed that dark side was not banished when he snapped back from the Zero. Like all his friends Quatre has a nasty streak in him that he tries very hard to control, as well as certain wants eh? I get a lot of compliments on the way I write everyone, especially Trowa, and that makes me smile every time. Enjoy and review if you want chapter 3 before X-mas.
WarNinGs: Shounen-Ai, AU, Some back story, Verbal fighting, Dorothy Bashing, No Wufei in this chapter, that aught do it.
Aishi Say
"I'm no angel, but please don't think that I won't try and try?" This is from Dido's 'I'm No Angel' it just really makes me think of Quatre.
2Dress up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls2
"And you will not even believe what Dorothy was wearing, I mean God, is she one of those Goth people or what? All pale and dressed in black," Catherine threw her hands up before sitting down. "Now just where did you run off to after assuring the public the Barton's bright future is still alive hm?"
Trowa frowned, he hated being paraded around, his sister loved it but he wanted nothing to do with the public eye. He was thankful he was as grounded as he was, he would be more than happy to leave the future of his father's company to his sister and have nothing more to do with it. "Out," was all he said before sipping his coffee, bare feet on the table, new book sitting closed in his lap; mornings and he were not good friends.
"Out huh?" Catherine asked, unconvinced it was that simple; the only thing simple about her brother was his predator logic about right and wrong. "Wufei tells me he found you talking to two men in drag; if you were anyone else I would think something very naughty. Care to tell me what you were really doing?"
"And why do you care anyway? They aren't rich and will not join your fan club. As for Dorothy, she's more Emo than Goth with her craving attention and practiced victim routine." Trowa informed her absently, refilling his mug, "Besides, since when is talking a crime?"
"When talking to the wrong people reflects badly on your family. Not that you care, but you are a Barton, and that means something to people," Catherine frowned, "You should stick with your own kind."
"I am, and I am not a Barton, if you would care to remember, your family name is not my concern. Most of you wealthy family types are too mundane to even be worth a second thought. I don't enjoy being shown off, if I wanted to play a part I would have become an actor." Trowa often wondered why he tolerated Catherine, she wasn't his blood, not that he knew who they were, she had changed with age and not for the better.
"Father took you in so you are a Barton now. Why do you fight that so hard? Why are you so unhappy that father buys you whatever you want? He lets you go on those insane little trips, he even let you grow your hair out like that as much as he hates it, and yet you act like we treat you like a pet. What do you want anyway?" Catherine didn't understand him, he had everything and the will to use it, but he never seemed to enjoy it anymore.
"Freedom for one," Trowa answered looking out the window, "I always have to worry about the Barton name, everywhere I go they expect this perfect little genius. You ever go to a place where they don't speak English but know you by name? I never wanted this pampered life. All I want is to be me."
"You are you, that's why you're always running off. Don't you care how that makes us feel? My own brother running away from me every chance he gets because he's what…shy?" Catherine sat back in her chair, "Why not just leave forever if we treat you so badly hm? Your parents were good friends of father's, that's why he took you in, yes he's demanding, but you're insane with the stuff you can do. You owe it to the world to share your gifts, not just to father."
"I owe the world nothing and it owes me nothing in return, as for you, if I do leave who will invent all of father's little money making toys? Face it, his think tanks are sub-par, he's come to rely on me too much, and that is why he humors me, he has no choice." Trowa stood, frowning down at the red head not much older than he was, "I'll be gone, call me if you need me. Call otherwise and the phone will be turned off."
Catherine watched the young man walk away, he had a point, their father had focused too much on Trowa's trouble shooting and programming skills to Barton Inc. the top at what they did. Yui Enterprises' heir was already close to him, if he left their Japanese partners would go with him, tearing their father's company apart. He had all the power he wanted and he just might use it if he remained so dissatisfied with his life. Were a few appearances really so bad? "You use to be happy...what happened to us?"
2Dress up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls2
Quatre rubbed his temples with a sigh, he looked up when the door opened, "Oh hello Rashid. Please, do come in?"
Rashid sat down across from his master, frowning slightly, "Long night?"
"No, Duo had us home by two; it was a long morning and then a long afternoon." Quatre groaned, pushing back from his desk, "I just want to go home and soak. Do you need me?"
Rashid shook his head, "No, and neither does anyone else as far as I know. Would you like me to come with you?"
"That's sweet Rashid, but you must have something better to do, don't you?" Quatre asked, Rashid was head of security for the entire Winner family, not just himself.
"No Master Quatre. I would like to see you back to your hotel at least, you look exhausted," Rashid was thankful Duo hadn't kept him out all that late, as he had before.
"As long as no one else needs either of us that would be nice, thank you," Quatre smiled, wondering if Barton had come by while he was gone, or maybe he would be there when he got back. The idea of a handsome and mysterious stranger coming to call on him was not something he disliked in the least.
"Make sure you have everything in order, I will go make sure neither of us are needed and meet you." Rashid stood bowed with his fist on his heart before walking out of the office.
Quatre sighed softly as he leaned back glancing at his desk with a frown; the last thing he wanted was more work. "It can wait until tomorrow Duo will be so proud."
2Dress up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls2
"Damn it! It's a good thing the Kitty and the Raven weren't here when Rashid was, if Raven doesn't like you Angel Boy imagine what Rashid will think?" Duo asked, brushing out his still damp hair; lose red tank top straps moving with his arms.
Quatre frowned from his bed, white towel not matching the very pale pink Terry robe he was wearing. "I really don't want to think about that, Rashid disliked you for two months before finally accepting you weren't going to corrupt me beyond recognition. Right now I'm just glad to not have any work to do tonight. Listen to the rain...it sounds angry doesn't it?"
"It's just raining hard, but I guess so, that's how it rains out here, hard or nothing. Pissed or not the clouds didn't have to soak you like some drowned kitten, I mean geez." Duo shook his head as Quatre went back to drying his hair, it was so fine it would dry quickly on its own, but whatever. Sitting down he smiled, "Would you braid this for me buddy?"
"Are you sure?" Quatre asked, after receiving a nod he gently parted the long hair Duo loved so much for very deep and personal reasons. It wasn't the kind of thing he shared with strangers, but they were far from those days. He had met Duo almost three years ago when they were both 15, the blonde had started at the private school and his first day hadn't been so good. His fragile appearance had attracted the local bully, Duo had snapped his nose to the right, giving Quatre a smile and helped him up. Since then Duo had dedicated his time to teaching Quatre about the world and life here in America, so he would be able to look after himself. He had learned a lot while he honed his natural gift of reading people; he had to be careful who he let close. "There you are all better. It's not practical to wear lose all the time with how long it is."
Duo stood and stretched as the doorbell rang "No kidding. I wonder if that's Rashid again? I'll get it, you just finish drying yourself Kitten." Quatre nodded, staying on the bed as Duo walked up to the door. "Ello, ello!" Duo greeted, opening the door before actually looking at who was standing there, "Well look what the cat dragged in. You do know you're all wet don't you?"
"It's hard to miss. Is Quatre here?" Trowa asked ignoring his dripping bangs, they were only a minor annoyance.
Duo nodded, looking over his shoulder, the blonde in question wasn't paying them any attention. "Yeah he's here. What do you want with him Mr. Barton?" Violet eyes caught the frown before the other sighed softly.
"I only want to talk to him Duo, will you please move?" Trowa asked the braided youth, though he wasn't planning on taking a no from him. The use of mister annoyed him, but he had not given them a first name.
Duo thought for a moment, weighing Quatre, Rashid, or this guy mad at him and decided on Rashid or Quatre. "Just making sure, you know how the world is. He's right over there, and take the coat off I hate wet carpet."
Trowa nodded, accepting the other's logic at face value, slipping his duster off as he entered the room. He allowed Duo to take it before walking up to the bed, frowning slightly at the blonde, "Zoning out is bad for you."
Quatre looked up and just blinked, sure he wasn't seeing what he thought he was. The very idea of the stranger showing up after being talked about was too strange, frowning he let the towel fall to his shoulders. "Duo?"
"Don't look at me he came to see you. Play nice now, I'll get you a towel." Duo smiled ducking through another door; this could be fun, poor Rashid.
"I don't understand," Quatre admitted, still frowning up at Trowa, "Why are you here? It's pouring outside, aren't worried about getting sick?"
"I just wanted to talk with you, and get out of the house." Trowa sighed softly shrugging, "I could have just gotten your number, but…maybe I should go?"
Quatre grabbed a lose hunter green sleeve before he realized what he was doing, "You do not have to go. I am sorry, it was rude of me to not notice you there." Aqua gaze looked down, "My day was long, but that is no excuse. How may I help you Mr. Barton?"
"You can start by calling me Trowa," Trowa answered, looking up when Duo reentered the room towel in hand, "Thanks."
"No big, I'm going on a food run be back in thirty or so max. Do not die of boredom without my awe inspiring presences now." Duo waved as he walked out, leaving Quatre with his new little friend.
Quatre giggled at Duo, "He's rather sure of himself, he means nothing by it."
Trowa could care less if Duo was serious or not, "I know the type. Chang's so gonna flip when he finds out about this."
"Rashid will also be displeased, but what harm is there in talking? Duo would rather starve then leave me alone with someone…untrustworthy." Quatre watched Trowa pace as he dried his hair; he seemed half lost in his own thoughts. "Now Trowa what can I help you with?"
"You ever have anyone judging your friends without meeting them? As if she even cares who I hang out with, damn she pisses me off." Trowa muttered thinking back on his conversation with his sister; he still wanted to break her jaw.
"Yes, Trowa did someone say something about me?" Quatre asked, they were not friends really, but he wanted to be.
Trowa ran his fingers through his long bangs, looking up with an exasperated sigh, "Yeah my sister. All she cares about is what would people think of the family, the Hell with what I think. Some of her friends have private lives like some soap opera, so she's really one to talk."
"Chang told her did he? Please calm down? She is not here to cause problems," Quatre stood placing his hands on Trowa's shoulders, tensing at the frustration he felt so much clearer with touch. "Does her opinion even matter?"
"It matters to the Old Man. What's wrong with you? You're all pale," Trowa reached up and gently touched his face. "And a little warm, so much for me getting sick."
"Hm?" Quatre asked opening his eyes; the other's frustration had been replaced by concern. "Oh, I'm fine, really," The blonde assured the worried youth, releasing him as he took a step back. "Please sit down before you worry me," There was no doubt in his mind he would anyway, but he would rather be sitting when he did.
Trowa frowned at him, but accepted the blonde at his word, with a sigh he sat down on the bed. "Duo doesn't seem to worry about much does he?"
"Duo tends to just do, it works more than it fails so…About last night…um," Quatre bit his lip blinking when Trowa chuckled softly, "What?"
"Relax I don't care if Duo likes men or not, it doesn't bother me." Trowa leaned back, hands on the bed, long legs crossing, "Did you think it would?"
Quatre fidgeted a little, "A few people have become uncomfortable in the past. I didn't insult you did I?" Curious eyes glanced at the long folded legs; he hadn't noticed them before, "If I did, please forgive me?"
"There are homophobes even here in Vegas. You didn't insult me or anything like that, so relax will you?" Trowa glanced at him, "You all right?"
Quatre blinked, "Yes, sorry I…" He trailed off biting his lip, there was so much he wanted to say. "I've never met anyone like you." A faint blush caused him to turn his head, embarrassed he had admitted that, it was a childish thing to say.
Trowa smiled, amused by the other's bipolar shyness, "That is a good thing I assume? Mm…it has been a long day."
Quatre turned at the moan, watching him stretch, "Yes. What will you do when you go home?" It didn't sound like the other would be happy going back anytime soon, but he may have misunderstood him.
Trowa sighed wearily, "Well if Cathy's still out then not much, we'll fight tomorrow. The Old Man will probably ask where I was all day, then pretend he cares if he doesn't yell. The normal routine really, I seem to cause everyone a lot of trouble."
"Not me," Quatre assured him, "Are you up to all of that fighting? You look tired, but I don't know you all that well." He wished he could help in some way, but he didn't know what he could do.
"I am, but that's not important," Trowa glanced at the door, "Thanks for the warm welcome, but I should get out of here soon."
"No please?" Quatre pleaded, placing a pale hand on Trowa's darker one, "Relax for a while longer, I see no need to rush home when all they will do is yell."
Trowa frowned, the blonde had a point, but he was not alone, "But Duo…"
"Has his own room, please I would feel better if you would?" Quatre would prefer he never had to return to that place, but he couldn't keep him like some stray, even if he wished to.
Trowa frowned down at the blonde, leaning close he placed a hand on the other's bare leg, "That Rashid guy won't mind some you and some strange guy alone in a room, with you in a bathrobe? That is awfully suggestive don't you think?"
Quatre closed his eyes, freezing at the touch, his breath catching in his trout, "Perhaps it is, but I trust you, that alone will pacify him." It amazed him how he could keep his voice so calm when his mind was not, part of it wondered what he would do if that hand moved any higher on his leg.
"Yes, well, let's skip the bathrobe part with Wufei, those hot pants were bad enough, and those were clothes." Trowa chuckled, not adding that they were harder to get off, it would likely make the blonde jump and his hand slip. "You really want me to stay…why?"
'Where should I start?' "You might as well get some peaceful sleep before dealing with your family, and since you came to me I feel I should help you." Quatre wanted to be able to do something for the young man who had sought him out in the rain, keeping him around was an add on.
Trowa closed his eyes, bowing his head, "Yeah I did…thanks." Dark eyes looked back, catching the blonde's sweet smile, and he just had to smile back, "I'll pay you back sometime."
"You owe me nothing," Quatre assured him, relieved he had agreed to stay, if only for a little while.
"Oh I know, but someday you'll need me, when you do feel free to show up at my doorstep." Trowa removed his hand, "Did Duo die?" He asked as he slipped his shoes off, the teen in question should have been back by now.
"Oh he's always late when he goes on a food run, he's just like that. He'll be touched you worried," Quatre watched Trowa, hoping he didn't mind, if he did he really should say something.
"Oh I bet he will be, so are you," Trowa didn't have to look at him to know how he felt; he had never met someone so honest in his life. Not a big surprise when he considered the cities he spent most of his time in, Vegas and New York were not known for purity of any kind.
Quatre looked down, surprised he had not been more embarrassed by how he was dressed, normally he would have never talked to anyone like he was, except Duo. It didn't surprise him so much that Trowa had touched him; he had to know that would help make his point. The blonde turned, blinking when he noticed Trowa was unbuttoning his shirt, "Trowa?"
"Hm?" Trowa asked, turning to look at him confused, "What?"
Quatre blinked at the black tank top, blushing a little at his train of thought, "Do you need anything?"
"No, though you should get dressed, unless you want Duo to make some sort of joke?" Trowa had a feeling the other could come up with a few good ones. 'Good thing he didn't catch us earlier Quatre would have died.'
Quatre stood, pulling his robe tight with his hands before frowning down at Trowa, "You would help him no doubt?" Trowa only smiled, getting a sigh, "Of course you would, brutes the both of you." The pale heir took the towel from the bed and smacked Trowa gently with it, "Allah save me."
Trowa laughed as Quatre walked into the bathroom closing the door, "Well don't make it so easy!" Laughing at the blonde's huff Trowa laid down, mood much improved. 'It was a good idea to come here after all…good to know.'
2Dress up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls2
Duo entered the room, setting his many bags down, turning when the bathroom door opened and Quatre walked out. "Hey," He greeted glancing at the bed, looking from it to Quatre, "So why get dressed in there hm?"
Quatre blushed, biting back a cry, "He did nothing," The blonde hissed, his white button down shirt shifting as he crossed his arms.
"Sure," Duo smiled before holding up his hands, "Alright you just wish he had. Why is he here? Did he run away from home or something? You know Rashid will never let you keep him."
"No," Quatre answered, ignoring Duo's joke about keeping him. "He would have been fighting with his family again…I didn't want that. Allah what am I going to do? Rashid knows you, him…if he knew what he did he would wish to kill him."
"Ah Ha! So he did do something, tell?" Duo demanded, grinning and forgetting Quatre's question about what to do.
"We were talking about him staying and he touched my leg, leaning so close I could feel his words. I could barely breathe, but he was just making a point. Duo I can't just never see him again, or lie to Rashid about him, it's not me." Quatre looked over his shoulder for a moment before walking up to the bed. Kneeling down he stroked long bangs, as Duo walked up behind him, "I'm so torn."
Duo watched those pale fingers move, so careful to not touch the sleeping youth's skin, "Don't worry just yet, Rashid doesn't know about him so you have time, and we'll work on it."
Quatre looked up, "You're right," Pale gaze looked back down and he smiled sadly, "He was worried you weren't back yet. He also doesn't mind your taste in partners."
"Well most agree hot and fun in bed is the way to go," Duo joked, glad really, "and you?"
"I didn't tell him, what could I say to him? He came here for a friendly ear nothing more. I'm not use to feeling like this…is there anything that helps you?" Quatre asked, hoping Duo knew some trick; he could not help Trowa if he felt like this every moment.
"Sorry buddy, there isn't one, not for love anyway, I wish there was." Duo wished he had some trick but he only had advice, "Just let him know you care, if there is anything there it'll show itself. If not…that's why they call it a crush. You think he likes Tai?"
Quatre turned, blinking, "I have no idea, Duo thank you for pushing me into him."
Duo smiled, "Any time, see ya tomorrow; sleeping beauty there reminds me I need to crash too. Give him a kiss good night for me will ya?" Laughing, Duo snatched a bag and walked out with a little wave behind him.
Quatre blushed at the joke, wondering if he could even get away with one kiss. Trowa hadn't stirred the entire time they had been talking, and he sensed nothing from him. Leaning close he studied him, he looked so serene it amazed him; he had never seen such a thing. 'Do you feel so safe here you can sleep so peacefully? Why do you trust me so much? Is it my looks, manners, can you sense me like I can feel you?' Hesitant fingers risked trailing down his cheek, mind reaching out lightly searching for any response. Leaning down he brushed his lips to still ones, pulling away with a blush, his fingers moving to cover his mouth. Trowa sighed before turning his head to look at him with closed eyes, undisturbed by the stolen kiss. Moving away from him the still red faced blonde curled up into his own bed, watching Trowa sleep for a long moment before closing his eyes. 'I am not worth your blind trust…I am not as pure as you believe, and for that I am sorry.'
2Dress up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls Dress Up Dolls2
All right well I know how my Beta feels about this fic so now it is time for all you other people to say something…anything? Yes since this is my Beta's fave it will never die, it will end but never die, but still any thoughts would be good. Don't like it that's cool give us a reason love it, thank you, same thing.
