((I do not own Gundam Wing or Shoujo Kakumei Utena, blah blah blah. I
apologize once again for the belated update. I'm just plain lazy . . .
e.e))
"The Black Rose Confusion"
The rain refused to cease as Duo and Quatre arrived back down to the campus. School was now out of session, which meant that the campus was filled with students about rushing back to their dorms. Gradually, the rain had grown heavier; thunder was heard faintly. Searching for cover from the rain, Duo and Quatre headed for the main academy building, hastening inside. Once inside the building, Duo leaned against a nearby wall and took his braid in hand, twisting it and squeezing lightly to run out the excess water that occupied it. Quatre folded his arms over his chest quickly as he stood next to Duo against the wall.
"Hey Quat, you all right?" asked Duo, looking up to the blonde. Quatre shivered and shook his head, grinning.
"I'm fine, Duo. Thanks for asking," he replied. Duo stood up and released his braid, casually tossing it back behind him as he placed his hands inside his pockets.
"OK," he answered. The rain outside refused to slow down, even for a moment. Now, it looked as if hail was accompanying the freezing droplets of water. It was heard and gradually grew louder as it hit the roof of the main academy building. Inside the building itself, it seemed as if to increase its cooler temperature, also. Of course, it could've just been Duo's hair having an effect of drying on him, but Quatre didn't appear so comfortable, either. The halls of the building appeared empty, as even the classrooms seemed deserted. Perhaps, just as the bell rang and the rain increased its power, the teachers also left to their homes as quickly as possible. It seemed strange, though. The two boys beside the door seemed to be the building's only occupants . . .
Abruptly, Quatre sneezed. He wrapped his arms tighter around himself as he leaned against the wall more so, gradually falling to his knees. Duo quickly followed him.
"You sure you're gonna be OK?" the braided boy asked. Quatre nodded and forced a smile.
"Just a little cold. Don't worry about it," he said, still smiling. Duo adjusted himself onto the floor, sitting on his knees as he rose up from the wall. He began to unbutton his school jacket, shrugging off excess water as he did so. Quatre sat up, quickly.
"Don't trouble yourself, Duo! I'll be just fine," he said, another sneeze following his statement. Duo smirked as he finished unbuttoning his jacket and slipped it off his dampened arms, holding the cloth out in front of him as he twisted it tightly, ringing out the rain from it.
"Sure, you'll be fine. You'll just be in your dorm, sick with the flu or something, missing out on school, the Student Council, and whatnot," replied Duo as he untwisted his jacket and shook it out in front of him.
"Really, I'll be just fine! Don't worry about me," the Arabian continued to plea. Duo rose up again and took the jacket by its shoulders, holding it up behind Quatre as he wrapped it around him tightly. No resistance came from the latter boy, much to Duo's surprise. Perhaps he was just pleading to be polite.
"Keep it for a while. You need it more than I do, obviously," said Duo. Quatre, now caught in silence from the other boy's actions, nodded his head slowly, sending small droplets of water down from the tips of his golden hair.
" . . . Duo . . ." he began, casting his gaze to the floor. Duo leaned back against the wall, bending one knee as he folded his bare arms behind his head, now only wearing his short sleeved, white school t-shirt.
"Yeah?" asked Duo. Quatre kept his gaze to the floor, hugging the jacket around his torso a bit tighter.
"Thank you," he finished. Duo felt a smile appear on his face.
"No problem," he replied.
A few moments began to pass, and neither boy said a word to each other. The storm outside seemed to have cease at least a bit; to the point where the hail seemed to stop. Duo cast his gaze down to the floor, then to the glass door where both boys had entered. The campus was quiet; everyone must be inside their dorms. He looked to his left, towards Quatre, and saw that the boy was still shivering slightly. His arms were still wrapped tightly around him, as was Duo's school jacket. He looked very pale, even more so than he usually looked. Curious, Duo lifted his arms from behind him and reached out towards Quatre, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder. Even with the material over him, he could feel the shivers from the boy. Quatre gradually lifted his head and turned to Duo, forcing yet another smile.
"I-I'll be fine," he managed to say, as if he had read Duo's mind. Duo removed his hand from him and placed both of them into his lap, glancing down at the floor again.
"You don't look like it," replied Duo. Quatre shook his head quickly, due to his increasing shivers.
"No, I'll be all right; really. It's my fault, anyways. I asked you to come for a walk with me," he replied. Duo felt himself chuckle lightly. Quatre always had a tendency to blame himself for whatever cause, even if it wasn't his fault. It wasn't quite a flaw, but Duo found it slightly amusing.
Without another word, Duo sat up from the wall again and faced Quatre. The latter looked up at him questionably as Duo leaned towards him, and then drew his arms around him, pulling him away from the wall and against his torso. Quatre's eyes widened very slightly, as he attempted to stop his embarrassing shivers.
"Duo, I-I'm fine, really . . ."
"No you're not," Duo instantly replied, drawing one of his arms up Quatre's back and resting the palm of his hand against the back of his head. His hair felt near freezing. He pulled him closer as he forced the blonde boy to lean against his shoulder. Quatre easily obliged.
". . . Thank you for your concern, Duo," he said. Duo felt himself smile.
"No problem, Quat," he replied.
As before, both boys sat there in silence. Gradually, the rain began to cease, as it was heard on the roof of the academy building again. Duo instantly noticed that Quatre's shivers halted, as both of them began to warm up from their venture earlier in the rain. Holding Quatre so close to him made Duo relax entirely, the heartbeat of the smaller boy's against him. He had his eyes closed and savored the moment for as long as possible . . .
Suddenly, there were fast, faint footsteps behind them, followed by the opening and slamming of a door. Duo instantly shot up and looked behind him. A door leading to outside had just been shut. Whoever had just left abandoned Duo with a chance to see who it was. Quatre looked up slowly from his arms.
"Who was that?" he asked, in a voice barely above a whisper. Without tearing his eyes from the door, Duo shook his head slowly.
"I don't know. Didn't get a chance to see" he said as he steadily turned back to Quatre. The Student Council member shrugged slightly and leaned against Duo, once again.
"Perhaps we should be going back to out dorms now. I'm all right," said Quatre, though he continued to lean against Duo.
"You all right now?" asked the latter, arms still around Quatre. Quatre finally pulled back slowly, lifting his head up to him and smiling gently.
"I've been all right, Duo. No need to worry about me; though I really appreciate it," he said, still smiling. Duo couldn't help but grin.
"Liar," he replied. Just before Quatre could reply, the remaining lights inside the building suddenly flicked, then turned off. Both boys looked about themselves inside the building.
"Maybe they're closing up the building?" Quatre suggested. Duo nodded and stood up, offering his hand down to the blonde.
"Yeah, so now would be a good time to leave, right?" the brunette asked. Quatre nodded and took his hand, himself being pulled slowly to his feet.
"Trowa must be wondering where I am," he said as he slowly removed Duo's jacket from around him. Duo's face faulted. Casually, Quatre held out his jacket back to him.
"Thank you, Duo," he said. Duo quietly took his jacket and slipped it back on. It was warm. Quatre placed his hand onto the glass door handle and pushed gently, the door easing to his command and opening. The sound of the rain grew louder as both boys exit the building, shading under the building's shade.
"Quatre, before we go, can I ask you something?" asked Duo. Quatre faced him and nodded. At that signal, Duo continued.
"Do you think that . . . you could ever fall for me?"
Quatre paused for a moment, folding his arms over his chest and casting his eyes to the ground. Duo felt his heart beat heavier with anticipation. Great, perhaps he shouldn't have been so blunt . . .
"I love you!"
Quatre's eyes shot up from the ground to Duo. Duo took a step back, clapping a hand over his mouth. Shit! Talk about being blunt . . .
"Duo," Quatre began, reaching a hand out to the braided boy. Duo tore his eyes away and looked over to other parts of the Ohtori Academy. He felt Quatre's hand slowly wrap around his.
"Duo, look at me," came Quatre's voice. Duo swallowed and unhurriedly turned to Quatre. The latter's expression seemed serious; determined . . .
"I'll be honest. I love Trowa, but . . . I . . . If I," Quatre suddenly seemed nervous, ". . . If I don't watch myself, I'm going to find myself at your feet . . ."
At that last statement, Quatre's hand slipped away as he turned his back to Duo.
"I'll see you tomorrow at school, all right?" he said, before making a quick dash into the rain. Duo felt his throat tighten, standing in the entrance door's shade, dumbfounded.
~*~
"So the Rose Bride agreed?"
"Yes, Noin."
"Don't you feel any guilt at all? I mean, since she's your sister and all . . ."
"No guilt; I just want this stopped before it gets out of hand."
"What do you mean 'out of hand'?"
"Well Noin, as you know, the Prince won't have any excuse other than what actually happens. The Rose Bride- my sister- has agreed with my plan and partake her destiny as the Rose Bride."
"What about her life? Aren't you at least scared for her that she's going to die?"
"She's going to be free, Noin. I want her to be free; I want all of us to be free . . ."
~*~
The rain had slowed to a stop. Duo arrived at the East Hall dormitory, where he and Relena reside. The dark clouds still hovered above the campus, making twilight come quickly. Slowly, Duo placed his hand onto the door knob, when suddenly, he felt a hand upon his shoulder, yanking him around to face away from the door. Soon, he was face-to-face with an angry Wufei.
"Maxwell, why are you so late?" he asked. Confused, Duo shook his head.
"I just got back!" he replied, that being the quickest answer he could muster. Wufei growled and pushed him back against the door, moving his hand up to his neck and squeezing tightly.
"I saw you, Maxwell. You were with Quatre, weren't you?" he asked. Duo grunted and placed his hands upon Wufei's wrist, tightening his fingers around it.
"Where are you . . . getting at?" Duo asked, finally gathering enough strength to push away Wufei. The Chinese narrowed his eyes dangerously as he took a couple of steps back.
"I challenge you, Maxwell, to a Duel," he said, his voice low. Duo's eyes grew in surprise.
"What?!" he shouted. Wufei turned his back to him and began to walk away, slowly.
"Tomorrow before class; meet me at the dueling grounds," said the onyx haired boy, waving a hand behind him idly to the confused Duo. Suddenly, there was a click, and the door behind him opened with a creak. Duo spun around and met Relena.
"'Lena," he began, when Relena placed both her hands upon his shoulders and literally yanked him into the dormitory, the door closing slowly behind him.
"'Lena, what are you doing?" asked Duo, when unexpectedly, Relena pressed her body against his and placed her lips over his. He grunted lightly in surprise, and quickly pushed her back.
"Relena, what's this for?!" he asked, startled. Relena threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. By reaction, Duo placed his arms in front of him and pushed her back again, then took a firm grip upon her arms, to prevent her from doing anything else.
"What are you doing?!" he asked the Rose Bride. Relena looked up at him into his eyes, her own full of tears that suddenly dripped down her cheeks. Duo raised an eyebrow.
". . . Kill me, Lord Duo," she said in a whisper.
"The Black Rose Confusion"
The rain refused to cease as Duo and Quatre arrived back down to the campus. School was now out of session, which meant that the campus was filled with students about rushing back to their dorms. Gradually, the rain had grown heavier; thunder was heard faintly. Searching for cover from the rain, Duo and Quatre headed for the main academy building, hastening inside. Once inside the building, Duo leaned against a nearby wall and took his braid in hand, twisting it and squeezing lightly to run out the excess water that occupied it. Quatre folded his arms over his chest quickly as he stood next to Duo against the wall.
"Hey Quat, you all right?" asked Duo, looking up to the blonde. Quatre shivered and shook his head, grinning.
"I'm fine, Duo. Thanks for asking," he replied. Duo stood up and released his braid, casually tossing it back behind him as he placed his hands inside his pockets.
"OK," he answered. The rain outside refused to slow down, even for a moment. Now, it looked as if hail was accompanying the freezing droplets of water. It was heard and gradually grew louder as it hit the roof of the main academy building. Inside the building itself, it seemed as if to increase its cooler temperature, also. Of course, it could've just been Duo's hair having an effect of drying on him, but Quatre didn't appear so comfortable, either. The halls of the building appeared empty, as even the classrooms seemed deserted. Perhaps, just as the bell rang and the rain increased its power, the teachers also left to their homes as quickly as possible. It seemed strange, though. The two boys beside the door seemed to be the building's only occupants . . .
Abruptly, Quatre sneezed. He wrapped his arms tighter around himself as he leaned against the wall more so, gradually falling to his knees. Duo quickly followed him.
"You sure you're gonna be OK?" the braided boy asked. Quatre nodded and forced a smile.
"Just a little cold. Don't worry about it," he said, still smiling. Duo adjusted himself onto the floor, sitting on his knees as he rose up from the wall. He began to unbutton his school jacket, shrugging off excess water as he did so. Quatre sat up, quickly.
"Don't trouble yourself, Duo! I'll be just fine," he said, another sneeze following his statement. Duo smirked as he finished unbuttoning his jacket and slipped it off his dampened arms, holding the cloth out in front of him as he twisted it tightly, ringing out the rain from it.
"Sure, you'll be fine. You'll just be in your dorm, sick with the flu or something, missing out on school, the Student Council, and whatnot," replied Duo as he untwisted his jacket and shook it out in front of him.
"Really, I'll be just fine! Don't worry about me," the Arabian continued to plea. Duo rose up again and took the jacket by its shoulders, holding it up behind Quatre as he wrapped it around him tightly. No resistance came from the latter boy, much to Duo's surprise. Perhaps he was just pleading to be polite.
"Keep it for a while. You need it more than I do, obviously," said Duo. Quatre, now caught in silence from the other boy's actions, nodded his head slowly, sending small droplets of water down from the tips of his golden hair.
" . . . Duo . . ." he began, casting his gaze to the floor. Duo leaned back against the wall, bending one knee as he folded his bare arms behind his head, now only wearing his short sleeved, white school t-shirt.
"Yeah?" asked Duo. Quatre kept his gaze to the floor, hugging the jacket around his torso a bit tighter.
"Thank you," he finished. Duo felt a smile appear on his face.
"No problem," he replied.
A few moments began to pass, and neither boy said a word to each other. The storm outside seemed to have cease at least a bit; to the point where the hail seemed to stop. Duo cast his gaze down to the floor, then to the glass door where both boys had entered. The campus was quiet; everyone must be inside their dorms. He looked to his left, towards Quatre, and saw that the boy was still shivering slightly. His arms were still wrapped tightly around him, as was Duo's school jacket. He looked very pale, even more so than he usually looked. Curious, Duo lifted his arms from behind him and reached out towards Quatre, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder. Even with the material over him, he could feel the shivers from the boy. Quatre gradually lifted his head and turned to Duo, forcing yet another smile.
"I-I'll be fine," he managed to say, as if he had read Duo's mind. Duo removed his hand from him and placed both of them into his lap, glancing down at the floor again.
"You don't look like it," replied Duo. Quatre shook his head quickly, due to his increasing shivers.
"No, I'll be all right; really. It's my fault, anyways. I asked you to come for a walk with me," he replied. Duo felt himself chuckle lightly. Quatre always had a tendency to blame himself for whatever cause, even if it wasn't his fault. It wasn't quite a flaw, but Duo found it slightly amusing.
Without another word, Duo sat up from the wall again and faced Quatre. The latter looked up at him questionably as Duo leaned towards him, and then drew his arms around him, pulling him away from the wall and against his torso. Quatre's eyes widened very slightly, as he attempted to stop his embarrassing shivers.
"Duo, I-I'm fine, really . . ."
"No you're not," Duo instantly replied, drawing one of his arms up Quatre's back and resting the palm of his hand against the back of his head. His hair felt near freezing. He pulled him closer as he forced the blonde boy to lean against his shoulder. Quatre easily obliged.
". . . Thank you for your concern, Duo," he said. Duo felt himself smile.
"No problem, Quat," he replied.
As before, both boys sat there in silence. Gradually, the rain began to cease, as it was heard on the roof of the academy building again. Duo instantly noticed that Quatre's shivers halted, as both of them began to warm up from their venture earlier in the rain. Holding Quatre so close to him made Duo relax entirely, the heartbeat of the smaller boy's against him. He had his eyes closed and savored the moment for as long as possible . . .
Suddenly, there were fast, faint footsteps behind them, followed by the opening and slamming of a door. Duo instantly shot up and looked behind him. A door leading to outside had just been shut. Whoever had just left abandoned Duo with a chance to see who it was. Quatre looked up slowly from his arms.
"Who was that?" he asked, in a voice barely above a whisper. Without tearing his eyes from the door, Duo shook his head slowly.
"I don't know. Didn't get a chance to see" he said as he steadily turned back to Quatre. The Student Council member shrugged slightly and leaned against Duo, once again.
"Perhaps we should be going back to out dorms now. I'm all right," said Quatre, though he continued to lean against Duo.
"You all right now?" asked the latter, arms still around Quatre. Quatre finally pulled back slowly, lifting his head up to him and smiling gently.
"I've been all right, Duo. No need to worry about me; though I really appreciate it," he said, still smiling. Duo couldn't help but grin.
"Liar," he replied. Just before Quatre could reply, the remaining lights inside the building suddenly flicked, then turned off. Both boys looked about themselves inside the building.
"Maybe they're closing up the building?" Quatre suggested. Duo nodded and stood up, offering his hand down to the blonde.
"Yeah, so now would be a good time to leave, right?" the brunette asked. Quatre nodded and took his hand, himself being pulled slowly to his feet.
"Trowa must be wondering where I am," he said as he slowly removed Duo's jacket from around him. Duo's face faulted. Casually, Quatre held out his jacket back to him.
"Thank you, Duo," he said. Duo quietly took his jacket and slipped it back on. It was warm. Quatre placed his hand onto the glass door handle and pushed gently, the door easing to his command and opening. The sound of the rain grew louder as both boys exit the building, shading under the building's shade.
"Quatre, before we go, can I ask you something?" asked Duo. Quatre faced him and nodded. At that signal, Duo continued.
"Do you think that . . . you could ever fall for me?"
Quatre paused for a moment, folding his arms over his chest and casting his eyes to the ground. Duo felt his heart beat heavier with anticipation. Great, perhaps he shouldn't have been so blunt . . .
"I love you!"
Quatre's eyes shot up from the ground to Duo. Duo took a step back, clapping a hand over his mouth. Shit! Talk about being blunt . . .
"Duo," Quatre began, reaching a hand out to the braided boy. Duo tore his eyes away and looked over to other parts of the Ohtori Academy. He felt Quatre's hand slowly wrap around his.
"Duo, look at me," came Quatre's voice. Duo swallowed and unhurriedly turned to Quatre. The latter's expression seemed serious; determined . . .
"I'll be honest. I love Trowa, but . . . I . . . If I," Quatre suddenly seemed nervous, ". . . If I don't watch myself, I'm going to find myself at your feet . . ."
At that last statement, Quatre's hand slipped away as he turned his back to Duo.
"I'll see you tomorrow at school, all right?" he said, before making a quick dash into the rain. Duo felt his throat tighten, standing in the entrance door's shade, dumbfounded.
~*~
"So the Rose Bride agreed?"
"Yes, Noin."
"Don't you feel any guilt at all? I mean, since she's your sister and all . . ."
"No guilt; I just want this stopped before it gets out of hand."
"What do you mean 'out of hand'?"
"Well Noin, as you know, the Prince won't have any excuse other than what actually happens. The Rose Bride- my sister- has agreed with my plan and partake her destiny as the Rose Bride."
"What about her life? Aren't you at least scared for her that she's going to die?"
"She's going to be free, Noin. I want her to be free; I want all of us to be free . . ."
~*~
The rain had slowed to a stop. Duo arrived at the East Hall dormitory, where he and Relena reside. The dark clouds still hovered above the campus, making twilight come quickly. Slowly, Duo placed his hand onto the door knob, when suddenly, he felt a hand upon his shoulder, yanking him around to face away from the door. Soon, he was face-to-face with an angry Wufei.
"Maxwell, why are you so late?" he asked. Confused, Duo shook his head.
"I just got back!" he replied, that being the quickest answer he could muster. Wufei growled and pushed him back against the door, moving his hand up to his neck and squeezing tightly.
"I saw you, Maxwell. You were with Quatre, weren't you?" he asked. Duo grunted and placed his hands upon Wufei's wrist, tightening his fingers around it.
"Where are you . . . getting at?" Duo asked, finally gathering enough strength to push away Wufei. The Chinese narrowed his eyes dangerously as he took a couple of steps back.
"I challenge you, Maxwell, to a Duel," he said, his voice low. Duo's eyes grew in surprise.
"What?!" he shouted. Wufei turned his back to him and began to walk away, slowly.
"Tomorrow before class; meet me at the dueling grounds," said the onyx haired boy, waving a hand behind him idly to the confused Duo. Suddenly, there was a click, and the door behind him opened with a creak. Duo spun around and met Relena.
"'Lena," he began, when Relena placed both her hands upon his shoulders and literally yanked him into the dormitory, the door closing slowly behind him.
"'Lena, what are you doing?" asked Duo, when unexpectedly, Relena pressed her body against his and placed her lips over his. He grunted lightly in surprise, and quickly pushed her back.
"Relena, what's this for?!" he asked, startled. Relena threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. By reaction, Duo placed his arms in front of him and pushed her back again, then took a firm grip upon her arms, to prevent her from doing anything else.
"What are you doing?!" he asked the Rose Bride. Relena looked up at him into his eyes, her own full of tears that suddenly dripped down her cheeks. Duo raised an eyebrow.
". . . Kill me, Lord Duo," she said in a whisper.