Part 12
By tan
Warnings: AU, shounen ai, 3x4, 1x2, 5xH, eventual 4+6, and 6x13... o____o; Did I get it all? Sap, an attempt at drama, poor to no plot, attempted humor, blah blah blah.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any characters therein.
Summary: Quatre Winner returns home from Arcadia Asylum.
Note: 8/7/02: o_O;; Been a while... XD LOL. I've written some, but haven't posted, and I've updated the chapters a bit, but I'm too lazy to upload them here just yet. If interested, you can access them at http://nekobo.com/~tantrys. ^____^v
You're going to hate me for leaving off at this chapter. Say it with me-- 'cliffhanger! arrg!'
PART 12
He's very handsome.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Hmm," Relena murmured. "'Nothing' is making you blush? Quatre, you've been staring at someone for twenty minutes..." She interjected a dramatic sigh. "There are so many people here-- I can't figure out who it is..."
*Blushing*?! Quatre gave Relena what he hoped was a nonchalant frown, although it was probably more panicked than casual.
"What makes you think it's a person?" He glanced quickly at Trowa's distant figure before giving her his full attention.
Relena blinked her eyes innocently. She looked marvelous tonight in a pastel pink gown, matching shoes and purse, which she'd used to beat Quatre with when he'd laughed at her color choice.
She was playing the color fully. Pink brought out her eyes, and it brought down one's defenses: who would suspect such a charming, beautiful young lady to be the bearer of a sharp wit, and tongue?
"I'm Chief of Personnel-- it's my job to know these things." Relena wrapped a comforting arm around Quatre's shoulders when he folded his arms to pout. "And I'm your friend, Quatre." She squeezed him cheerfully, and leaned closer to whisper in his ear.
"I've got it narrowed down to six people. Well, five since one of them ran off with a waiter..."
Quatre wondered if he could wring Relena's neck, without anyone noticing... Then I'd have to add premeditated murder to my list of ailments. Wouldn't Iria be proud?
"Your brother's here," Quatre sighed. If I can't choke my friend to death, I'll try and change the subject. Yes, much less violent.
Relena laughed charmingly at Quatre's obvious attempt to redirect the conversation. Even she admitted he was a master at distraction. But Relena was also very good at thwarting his attempts.
"Shall we greet him, then? He hasn't seen you since grade school."
Apparently deciding not to harass Quatre further, she steered his shoulders gently in the direction of the front doors. Quatre planted his feet on the hardwood floor, and pointed in the opposite direction.
"He's in the back. Probably sneaked in through the kitchen..." Rashid is having a fit, Quatre mused. He could feel threads of tension, and definite irritation; very obviously and uncharacteristically Rashid.
Zechs had always been a master at ruffling Rashid's feathers-- and an angry Rashid was the only thing that frightened Zechs, at least marginally.
Relena hummed softly, then obediently turned Quatre around.
"You'll have to tell me how you know these things someday, Quatre," she whispered. Quatre was pleased that she didn't stop to ask why, or how, or state the impossible like everyone else. It was so rare to have unconditional acceptance...
As they neared the dining hall, voices rose and fell in the rhythm of an argument. Rashid was nearing the edge of his tolerance. The responding presence that Quatre detected was highly amused.
"... impossible to use the front doors, Mr. Marquis? They are there for a reason."
"How conventional Rashid!"
"It's normal, Mr. Marquis..."
"Normal is extremely overrated. Now, just lead me to wherever the prime rib is kept, minus Mrs. Schrieber-Chang please. I'll be in and out of your jurisdiction before you can say 'it's a pleasure to see you again, Mr. Marquis!'"
Quatre stifled a giggle as Rashid mulled through Zechs' speech, then fumed silently, attempting calm, but gradually and assuredly failing. Relena stepped boldly into hall, unaware of the imminent explosion of Rashid. Not that it would stop her, Quatre observed.
Relena struck a defiant, superior pose in the middle of the room between Rashid at one end of the banquet table, and Zechs at the other. She paused for effect, then pointed her pink enameled fingernail at Zechs. Quatre watched from the safety of the hallway.
"You. Bad Zechs. No food until dinner, and you're definitely not getting any treats for dessert." Relena glanced back at Quatre, and winked. "It's primitive, but it's the only way to handle him sometimes..." She sighed dramatically.
"I love you, too," Zechs muttered. Quatre grinned, because Zechs did love her, and Relena was beaming happily as well. Sauntering footsteps approached, and a slender, pale haired figure slithered into view.
Zechs had let his hair grow out. It fell mid-back, straightened slightly from its natural wave, and sun bleached white. His face rested gently on Relena's head, and he kissed her with thin, pale lips.
"Too much perfume," he murmured into her hair. Relena didn't physically rise to the bait, but Quatre knew from experience that such a statement did not bode well for Zechs later. And her purse is *heavy!*
"Shut up and be civil, it's Quatre's party. Come say hello." She pulled away and pivoted Zechs to face Quatre lurking in the hall. Quatre stepped forward eagerly. It felt good to see another childhood friend--
Shock. Desire. Quatre faltered in his steady approach, then stopped altogether at Zechs' flux of emotions. Desire?
"*That's* Quatre?" Zechs' brows raised, partly disbelieving, and mostly appreciative. His eyes raked over Quatre's figure slowly, and eventually leveled with Quatre's curious gaze. Desire.
"He grew up nicely," Relena affirmed proudly. "He won't show me, but I think he has a six-pack--"
"Relena!" Quatre finally squeaked, after he blushed the color of her handbag. Relena laughed at him, and escorted Zechs the remaining distance to Quatre. She paused to capture Quatre's arm, then continued forward. Rashid retreated in the opposite direction, muttering darkly.
"Don't worry, Eye Candy. We'll go swimming later; I'm patient." Relena grinned sharkishly.
"Eye candy," Zechs hummed. Quatre swallowed nervously.
Desire-- it can't be for *me*. Well, it can, but it's damn hard to believe. This is me. I'm not desirable, I'm... *me*-- hardly 'eye candy'.
"Relena, a moment please?" Iria waved from the ballroom doorway as the three approached. She was buzzing, Quatre noticed. Iria was in her element at social functions; a good thing considering Quatre wasn't wonderfully adept at handling them.
Iria smiled cordially at Quatre, and beamed when Zechs kissed her hand.
"It's been a while, Zechs. You look great-- look at your hair!" Iria laughed as Zechs tossed it over his shoulder, and struck a model pose. Relena elbowed him aside.
"Treize is here?" Relena demanded importantly. Iria nodded sharply, and the two stalked off. They shifted into business mode effortlessly.
"Treize? Kushrenada?" Zechs wondered aloud. He looked at Quatre expectantly. "Isn't he Winner Corp's rival?" Quatre nodded. "Your sister invited him to your welcome home party??"
"Diplomacy," Quatre muttered. Zechs mirrored Quatre's grin, and they lapsed into a comfortable, pregnant silence. Zechs was appraising him, and from what Quatre could discern...
He likes what he sees. I'm blushing again-- Quatre ducked his head, and decided to try something resembling conversation.
"How have you been, Zechs?" Real smooth.
Zechs smiled languidly, and moved across the hall toward Quatre. They were effectively shielded from the ballroom's view, and definitely alone.
Say something else-- this is worse than with Trowa! At least I had no idea what he was feeling!! Quatre tried a nervous smile as Zechs spoke.
"I've been traveling a lot. Italy, mostly. Beautiful beaches." He paused before Quatre, and leaned against the wall. The crisp white cotton of his dress shirt set off the golden tan of his hands. His eyes twinkled, to match.
Zechs leaned close as if to share a whisper, then wrapped elegant fingers around Quatre's wrist, and stroked the palm with his thumb.
"It's been too long, Quatre," he murmured. "You've changed..."
Quatre shivered minutely. Not completely... I can still feel...
He's going to kiss me.
Don't hurt me: I know I hate cliffhangers. I really, really do. ^^;;; I've made lots and lots of notes on this fic, mostly about characters and tiny bits of background. It's at http://nekobo.com/~tantrys..... o___O;;;
