Disclaimer: Just playing.
A/N: This is it kiddies. I thought it would be a few more chapters, but I liked the idea of just having these conversations move things along. It's different than what I normally do (I think) but I like it. Here's hoping you do too.
Hidden Hearts
Chapter 9
Trowa sighed contentedly as he leaned back against Heero, the pair stretching out on the bed with Heero propped up against the headboard, arms around Trowa. They had just finished their dinner, leftovers reheated and eaten in their shared room. Heero had felt like he could take a deep breath after his talk with Duo and knowing the air had been cleared between them left him free to worry about his main concern:
'So now what?"
"I thought I'd go home with you."
Heero's eyes went round but he quickly recovered himself and hugged Trowa to him tightly.
"Are you sure this is what you want?"
"It's a bit late in the game to be asking me that question, don't you think?"
Heero only smiled and squeezed tighter, while Trowa closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Heero's arms around him and the scent of spices tickling his nose as he turned his head and buried his face in the crook of Heero's neck.
"So…..do you have a room to spare?"
"No." Heero pulled back and gave Trowa a tender kiss on his forehead. "But I do have a life I'm willing to share."
"Lucky me."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Trowa figured it was safe to go downstairs in the early morning hour to get some coffee. He had been very careful and respectful of Quatre's feelings and so he'd tried to avoid the blonde at all costs. But his theory of early morning peace was shattered when he walked out onto the porch and found Quatre sitting on the bench, looking lost.
He was going to go back in the house but Quatre looked up at him and he found himself drawn to the big, sad teal eyes. He sat down and looked out over the snowy landscape, and thought about the last time he was sharing the bench, his thoughts focused on Heero, even when he was sitting there alone with Quatre. Not much was different from that time and this time, except Quatre knew he was thinking about Heero as well.
Trowa took a sip of his coffee and braced himself for the conversation that was needed.
"I apologize for how poorly I handled the situation. You deserved better."
Quatre nodded and kept his gaze to the side, admiring the sparkle of the white snow in the early morning hours. So cold and beautiful. I wish I were like that, then this wouldn't hurt so much.
"I know this is asking a lot of you, but---"
"Then don't ask."
Quatre stood up and looked down, meeting the deep green eyes, determined to see this conversation through with some dignity and not give in to the heartache threatening to break free.
"I don't believe you're in a position to ask anything of me and I for one do not feel the need to grant you anything."
Trowa's gaze never faltered and Quatre found himself cursing the brunette for his calm façade. Doesn't he feel anything for me? Remorse? Love? Hatred? Pity? Anything?! Quatre clenched his fists tightly, his heartache suddenly giving way to anger as he continued to meet Trowa's even gaze.
"How can you just sit there like that?! Don't you feel anything?! Is that why you're leaving me for him? So both of you can just be together and feel nothing?!"
Quatre bent down and grabbed Trowa by his collar, but still the brunette showed no outward reaction other than standing up.
"What's wrong with you? What's wrong with me?! Why wasn't I enough? Why him?!"
Trowa reached up and cupped Quatre's wet cheeks in his palms, freezing the ranting blonde. He wiped the tears away with his thumbs and then leaned in, delivering a tender kiss to Quatre's trembling lips.
"I am sorry for hurting you, Quatre. I do love you, as my precious and dearest friend. Heero and I are kindred souls and I deeply regret that it was you that was hurt because of our foolishness in denying our feelings. You have every right to forsake us, but I hope that someday we can all be friends again. Goodbye, Quatre. Be well."
Trowa once again kissed Quatre tenderly, lingering a few extra seconds before backing away, leaving the petite blonde alone on the front porch, eyes closed, tears still streaming down his cheeks.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wufei was grateful that for all the drama of the past two days, things were quiet and it appeared they would be able to end their holiday, albeit early, on a peaceful note. Everyone was packed and Trowa and Heero would be leaving ahead of the rest of them. Transportation had been a bit of an issue, since not everyone arrived in their own vehicles. But for the sake of harmony, and more to the point, being too depressed to care, Quatre offered the car he and Trowa arrived in to Trowa and Heero since Heero had arrived in a cab. Wufei was more than glad to take Quatre to the airport along with Duo who had made the trip with him to begin with.
Earlier that morning he'd heard Quatre's raised voice coming from outside so he decided to go back upstairs and wait a half hour or so before trying again. When he returned, Wufei found Heero pouring two cups of coffee. Both greeted each other in their normal, nonverbal manner and then Heero proceeded back upstairs.
Wufei hadn't seen Quatre all morning but a brief chat with Duo assured him that the broken hearted man was doing well enough. Although Wufei wasn't sure he could say the same for Duo. He looked awful with dark circles under his eyes, wrinkled clothes, and his hair was becoming stringy. Wufei would have scolded him for being so careless with himself, but he knew that Duo was only trying to take care of his friend and he would soon b back home where he would fall into his normal routine and be the gregarious man he knew once again.
As Wufei made sandwiches for the flight back home he heard a noise and craned his neck to see Duo walking by towards the front door. The man looked determined, but a little fearful as well. Wufei knew to leave well enough alone but kept his ears peeled for any trouble. Just let them get out of the house without incident, please.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Trowa."
The tall brunette stopped on his way out the door and saw Heero's concern but just nodded for him to go ahead to the car. Trowa turned back into the house and stopped at the open doorway and Duo.
"Yes, Duo?"
"Before you go, there's something I need to know. Why did you choose Quatre to begin with?"
Trowa's lips slid into a sleepy smile.
"Because I loved him and he made me happy."
"What about Heero?"
"Heero was incapable of loving anyone at the time. He knew only one thing: the mission."
Duo nodded, knowing full well the extent of Heero Yuy's dedication to "the mission". But he changed and learned there was more to life. But I guess by then it was too late and so he had to watch Trowa from the sidelines. I can't imagine how hard it is to watch someone you love be with another.
"Don't worry, Duo. I'll take good care of him."
Trowa pat Duo on the shoulder and offered a small smile before turning and heading for the car where Heero was waiting, arms crossed over his chest, still looking worried. Trowa tossed his suitcase in the trunk and slammed it shut. He went to Heero's side and leaned in, whispering in his ear.
Duo saw Heero's cheeks getting rosy and suddenly his eyes went wide and he looked at Duo. Duo just nodded and Heero reluctantly returned the gesture before getting in the car. Duo watched the car disappear down the long driveway, marveling at the sight of Heero Yuy blushing. My god, it really must be love.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Duo gazed out the window, watching the landscape getting smaller and smaller as the transport took off. He couldn't get the sight of Quatre walking off to his flight by himself, shoulders slumped, gait sluggish. He looked so….defeated.
"I should have gone with him."
"Quatre is stronger than you think."
Duo looked to Wufei whose gaze was still lingering on his open book.
"It has nothing to do with strength, 'Fei. He's my friend and he shouldn't be alone. He should have a comforting presence."
"I disagree. It's time for Quatre to stand on his own. He's always had someone there to catch him and pet him and tell him everything will be alright."
"There's nothing wrong with that! I wish I always had someone there for me."
Wufei sighed and placed the open book in his lap, turning his full attention to his longtime friend.
"You had people there for you at times. But you also learned and became stronger during the times when you had nobody as much as when you had somebody. Quatre needs that lesson."
Duo eyed Wufei warily and crossed his arms over his chest and sunk down in his chair with a huff.
"So if I'd had my heart broken, you would leave me alone in the hopes that I would work it out for myself?"
"Of course not."
Wufei picked his book up again and presumably returned his attention to it rather than Duo, but he continued their conversation in a very matter-of-fact manner.
"I would come over to your apartment and we would watch movies, eat ice cream, and braid each other's hair."
Duo's frown begrudgingly turned into a lopsided smirk and he turned his head just enough to see Wufei's calm and unaffected face staring into his book.
"You would let me braid your hair, 'Fei?"
"As long as I get to pick the movies."
Duo chuckled and turned back to facing forward, his eyes closed.
"It's a deal."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Heero let himself into the apartment and smiled when his nose picked up luscious smells of home cooking. It had been six months since Trowa came home with him and he had been surprised at how easily they slipped into living together. Heero had always lived alone and he thought there would be an adjustment period, but having Trowa around felt natural and it felt like they'd been together forever. The only major change Heero had to make to accommodate his new roommate was get a bigger apartment, but that too felt good, a symbol of their fresh start.
"Hello?"
He tossed his keys in the nearby dish sitting on the foyer table and headed for the kitchen.
"Hello there."
Heero returned the subtle smile being offered from the man with the auburn hair who was stirring sauce at the moment.
"So this is why you left work early?"
Heero walked over and kissed Trowa on the cheek on his way to the cupboard to retrieve plates. Trowa merely shrugged and returned his attention to his sauce.
"It's ok. My boss is very lenient."
Heero smirked and headed out of the kitchen to set the table.
"And gullible apparently."
Trowa softly chuckled and continued to prepare dinner while Heero walked back and forth, setting the table and pouring drinks.
"Being trusting is not necessarily being gullible."
Heero stopped and leaned against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest.
"Whatever. I think you owe him an apology."
Trowa turned off the stove and approached Heero, reaching out and taking a firm hold of his hips while closing in and kissing him slowly, seductively, all the while Heero remained unresponsive with the exception of his lips. Then Trowa leaned in further and whispered into Heero's ear.
"I'm sorry….boss. Forgive me?"
Heero closed his eyes and reveled in the shivers running up and down his spine. When he finally spoke, his voice was thick with lust.
"Depends. What's for dessert?"
End.
I had this conversation between Duo, Wufei, and Sally as an aftermath kind of thing that would summarize what happened to people after the holidays, but I decided not to use it in favor of Trowa and Heero. They are the main characters after all. But the conversation was hilarious with Duo taking advantage of Quatre's "hospitality" and being a total DOG. I'll have to see about using it in another story.
Also, I always smile when I read the little exchange between Duo and Wufei on their way back home. Braids for everyone!
