Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing and I make no financial gain from these stories.
Note: Many thanks to KS for editing - and tracking Taco - and to everyone who has been reviewing.
Quatre's POV:
Chapter 52:
As Trowa and I make our way to the show ring together, he has the most adorably goofy grin on his face and he is humming some sort of tune under his breath, something that sounds like it might be the theme from a Disney film.
This is turning out to be one of the best days of my life. It was so sweet what he just said; that I'm the best thing that ever happened to him.
I can't wait to get him home to show him properly just how much I love him. Every so often he glances down at me with a little smile shining in his eyes, and squeezes my fingers, very gently.
This is just the most perfect day.
Even seeing Dorothy making her way through the crowd, Taco in tow, and glaring viciously, doesn't dispel the mood, not for one second.
'Dorothy? I didn't realise you were entering any of the classes.'
She scowls at me. 'I wasn't planning to, but Uncle Dermail said I should; his company is one of the sponsors and he thought it would look good for me to take part. They should be flattered to have such a highly bred dog in their stupid little show. I've a good mind to go and complain to someone. Taco didn't deserve to be eliminated; it wasn't his fault that stupid woman grabbed him; of course, he bit her!'
'What exactly happened?' I ask. 'I mean, did she just come up to Taco and grab him or what?'
Dorothy snorts, flicking back her hair and almost blinding a passer-by. 'It was too ridiculous. Just because she was the judge, she thinks she has a right to grope the dogs. So undignified; I'm glad Taco bit her!'
'Judges do need to check the dogs' teeth as part of the competition,' Trowa puts in, and gets a megawatt glare for his trouble.
'I'm not putting up with this. I'm going to complain.' She thrusts Taco's lead into my hand. 'Watch him for a minute, will you? I'm going to the committee tent.'
Trowa shook his head. 'Seriously. I don't know how you put up with that girl. She's a nightmare!'
'Oh, she's not that bad,' I bend down to pat Taco and withdraw my hand hurriedly from two tiny snapping jaws.
'Why don't you let me take him?' Trowa asks, reaching for the leash. 'I'd rather he didn't bite off any of your fingers. They come in useful sometimes.'
'Do they really?' I tease, laughing. 'How?'
'Cooking, playing the violin, playing other things.' He drops his voice for the last comment, smiling when I blush. Lost in the moment, neither of us notices when Taco somehow manages to twist his neck in a certain way, and slip his collar.
'Oh no!'
'Come on.' Trowa drops my hand, picking up Maggie. 'We'd better catch him before he gets into more trouble.'
'No, you stay here in case Dorothy comes back. Maybe tell one of the stewards to make an announcement over the intercom? He can't have gone too far.'
Finding a small black dog in the middle of a large crowd is much harder than I'd anticipated. Lots of helpful people have seen him, but by the time I get directions, he always seems to be a few steps ahead.
He does seem to be heading out of the busiest part of the show though, skirting the show-jumping ring, and heading to the corner of the field where the horse-boxes have been parked.
The place is virtually deserted, save for a teenage girl leading a small grey pony.
'Excuse me! I don't suppose you've seen a small black Chihuahua?'
'Oh, is that what it was?' She laughs. 'I thought it was a rat! He went down that way, a couple of minutes ago.' She points toward a line of parked horse-boxes. 'You'd better hurry. There are a couple of horses tethered down there and he might get trampled on if he spooks one of them.'
'Thank you!'
Where is the stupid animal? Since he doesn't seem to be wandering outside, I decide to give the horse-boxes themselves a quick search, just in case he dashed into one to hide. After all, he is a very small dog in a strange, crowded place; it seems logical that he might want to shelter somewhere quiet.
Eureka. A tiny, trembling black bundle is crouched in the corner of the very first one I check.
'Hey, Taco. It's me. Quatre. Are you OK? Poor little thing.' I squat down, holding one hand out to stroke him, and he slowly uncurls and crawls into my lap. 'There you go. Let's get you back to your mummy, how about that?'
'Quatre Winner.' A lazy, horribly familiar voice drawls my name. 'Imagine seeing you here. In my wife's horsebox of all places.'
'Mr. Khushrenada.' I straighten up slowly, Taco tucked under one arm. 'I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I was just looking for my friend's dog; I'll just take him now and we'll…'
'Always in such a rush,' he murmurs. 'You do like playing hard to get, don't you?'
'I have to go back and meet my friends and I'm sure you want to get back to your wife.'
'Oh, not at all. Leia is quite content by the show ring. What a fortunate thing that I came back here to make a 'phone call. You know, Quatre, I'm starting to think you don't like me, for some reason. I was most upset when you didn't bother to acknowledge my invitation for Friday night. I'm not used to being brushed off like that.'
'I'm sorry about that.' I take a deep breath, telling myself there's no need to be anxious about any of this. Of course there isn't. It's broad daylight for Heaven's sake. He's a creep but he can't actually do anything. 'But I thought I made it clear that I'm already in a relationship. I love my boyfriend; I have no intention of cheating on him.'
'I'm not remotely interested in your silly little romance. I thought I made it clear that I found you attractive.' He slams the door shut, taking a couple of steps forward so he's standing directly in front of me. 'You are lovely, you know.' One finger reaches out to stroke my cheek.
'If I'm supposed to be flattered by that, I'm not!' I snap, jerking away from him.
'Silly boy,' he croons. 'I told you, I do enjoy a challenge on occasion. It's rather enjoyable having to chase my quarry for a change; normally they can't bend over fast enough.'
'Well, you can stop chasing me! I have no intention of being caught.' I transfer Taco to my left arm, just in case, and duck around him, heading for the door.
'I really wouldn't do that if I were you. I left my dog outside on guard and he's attack trained. It would be such a shame if he harmed that lovely face of yours. Or damaged that little rat you're holding.' His mouth contorts into something that's probably meant to be a smile. 'If you don't believe me, just go ahead. He's legally allowed to defend my property from trespassers.'
'What do you want?' My mouth is suddenly very dry.
'Dear Quatre, I thought that was obvious. I want you.'
'What?' I gape at him. 'You can't mean…here and now?'
'Very good. You're quite clever when you try. And yes, here and now. As I've said, I was very disappointed when you failed to appear on Friday night. I'd been looking forward to spending some time with you.
'I don't want to have sex with you. And you're the lawyer. I'm sure you realise that sexual assault is illegal in this country.'
'As a lawyer, my lovely, I'm very aware of how hard is to prove those sort of allegations. Of course, you know that as well as I do, don't you? Really, it comes down to which of the two parties is the more credible. And I can't imagine that anyone would believe you. Face facts, Quatre. No in the universe is going to doubt the word of a highly respected, married gentleman over that of a little bitch who's been cast off by his own family. Especially given your…personal history, shall we say? I've had my assistant do a little research on you. Very interesting.'
He sits back on a hay bale, one leg crossed elegantly over the other. 'What it comes down to now is how you want this to proceed. If you're prepared to co-operate, I'm sure you'll enjoy the experience. If not, well, like I say, a challenge always adds a little spice.'
No. This is not going to happen to me. Right. Deep breath, Quatre.
'All I have to do is to call for help.'
One freakishly forked eyebrow lifts. 'Call whom precisely? The show-jumping championship has just started; everyone is there. I doubt very much that anyone would hear, over the noise outside. And even if anybody comes, what are you going to say? I haven't done anything. Actually, I've found you trespassing on my property. If anyone does summon the police, I'm sure they'll be more interested in that fact than any ridiculous allegations you make.'
Shit. Think, Winner. Door locked, scary dog outside. Scarier man inside. Not good.
Think.
'Please. Don't hurt me,' I plead. 'I'll do whatever you like.'
'I don't want to hurt you, little one.' He advances on me with a sickly sweet smile. 'I can make this so good for both of us.'
Ugh.
Little one, indeed! Well, he's going to pay for that.
'Put the dog down, Quatre. He's only going to be in the way. Good. Now come here.' He's so sure of himself, standing there with one hand extended towards me, that nasty, nasty smile showing all of his teeth. Taco retreats back into the corner, growling low in his throat. Damn. Why couldn't Dorothy have owned a Great Dane or something?
'Promise you won't hurt me?' I don't let myself look up as I take a couple of steps closer, head hanging submissively. Apparently just what he expects.
'Oh, you little beauty.' Abruptly, my hand is captured by his, drawing me forward. Almost close enough. I flinch at that awful, gloating tone and he laughs. 'I won't hurt you, not if you do exactly as I say. You'll try very hard to please me, won't you?'
'Yes. Yes, anything.' I stammer. Oh, God. There is no, no way I am going to let him touch me. My shoes are almost flush with his long, highly polished boots; out of the corner of my eye, I can see Taco standing uncertainly to one side. He's not used to hearing me sound like this.
'Such a pretty thing,' Treize coos. Right, this is it. I probably only have the one chance. He has all the advantages of weight and height and the only thing I have going for me is that he won't expect me to fight back. When I pretend to stumble a little, he reaches out to steady me, putting himself off balance and loosening his grip on my hand.
Here we go, Quat.
I close my fingers around his wrist, and twist it backwards, throwing my whole weight into it. Dorothy's darling, wonderful dog darts forward at precisely the right moment, throwing himself into the attack and throwing Khushrenada further off balance, until he crumples to the floor, writhing in pain and cursing. I'm not sure if the cracking sound I hear is just my imagination.
I've never physically harmed anyone before.
Taco, scooped up into my arms whines softly and I realize I'm squeezing him far too tightly. Oh God. We have to get out of here.
'You little bastard!' Khushrendad grates, face twisted in pain. You broke my arm. I'm going to have you arrested for assault. It will be rather interesting to see how long that prissy attitude of yours lasts in prison. I'm sure your pretty little ass is going to be very popular, if you get my meaning.'
'You won't be suing him for anything. Not unless you want me to tell people about what happened between us.'
The door abruptly swings open, flooding the trailer with light, and Wufei is standing there. Not Trowa, but almost as welcome.
Watching Treize's expression is …almost amusing.
'You were over eighteen. I did nothing illegal.'
Wufei just shrugs. 'Perhaps not technically. But I'm sure the Sanque Law Society would be interested to hear how one of their members seduced a young university student who was doing work experience. I don't think the senior partners at Romefeller would be too impressed either. I see they've recently had to deal with several accusations of sexual harassment at management level. From what I hear, a number of former clients have left as a result of all that negative publicity; I'm sure they don't need any more negative PR.'
'You didn't take much seduction, as I recall,' Treize's mouth twists nastily. 'You wouldn't have been worth it. And you don't have any proof that it ever even happened. Who's going to believe you?'
'Rather a lot of people. I'm actually quite well-regarded by the other members of our profession. So, if it really does come down to your word over mine, I think it's quite likely that I'd be believed. People have long memories, Khushrenada, and I hear there were a few rumours about you doing the rounds five years ago. That's why you were transferred the office in Moscow, isn't it?'
'That's slander, Chang. You do realise that?'
'Slander is by its very nature false.' Wufei's voice is silky smooth; I can just imagine him in a courtroom, eviscerating the opposition. 'Don't you remember that from law school? If you wish to take me to court over what I've said, I'm more than willing. In fact, I'll look forward to it.'
'Get out. Both of you. Now,' he snaps. 'Before I have you both arrested for trespassing.'
'I somehow doubt you'll be doing that.' I realise that Wufei is enjoying himself, enjoying having the upper hand. 'But we're more than ready to leave. Come on, Quatre. Incidentally, I'd advise you to stay away from him in the future. From both of us. And I seriously hope he's planning to press charges against you. I'll be delighted to act as a witness.'
We're both silent as we walk out into the sunlight, even Taco is lying quietly in my arms. There is loud applause coming from the show ring; Treize was right. Even if I'd shouted, no one would have heard.
I'm not sure where we're going, but Wufei leads me to the refreshments tent, finding a table in an empty corner, and buying us both tea and huge wedges of cake.
'Put some sugar in your tea, Quatre. It's good for shock.'
'I'm not sure if I'm in shock. I feel OK. God, Wufei. Thank you so much! How did you get past that terrible dog? He said it was trained to attack.'
He gives me a faint smile. 'I live with Nataku. Nothing canine can possibly scare me. The animal ran off when I shouted at him. Are you sure you're all right? There's a medical tent if you want to lie down for a bit.'
'I'm fine. Really. Just a little bit rattled.' Taco licks cake crumbs off my fingers; I know he must be in shock when he doesn't even try to nibble me. Not that I'll ever complain about his behaviour in future. I really have to find Dorothy; she'll be worried about her pet. And Trowa.
'I'm not surprised.'
A little bit rattled is starting to be an understatement. 'How ever did you find me?'
He picks up his slice of cake and takes a bite. 'Zechs said he wanted to spend a few minutes with Nataku before their class; I met Trowa looking for Taco and then he said he didn't know where you'd gone either, so I offered to help. I was asking people about a little black dog and a girl with a pony told me she'd already told a blond guy to look around the horse-boxes.'
I nod. 'Thank you. I'm really, really glad you turned up just then.'
He shrugs off the praise, colouring slightly. 'Not at all. You seemed to be handling things perfectly well by yourself. What the hell did you do to him? He must be twice your weight.'
'Oh.' I swallow a mouthful of tea, folding my suddenly-shaking fingers around the cup. I was holding Trowa's hand less than ten minutes ago, wrapped up in love. 'The first apartment Duo and I shared wasn't in a great neighbourhood. He showed me some techniques for defending myself. I - I never had to use any of them before now.'
He shakes his head, smiling faintly. 'You're full of surprises, aren't you? I can see why Trowa is so taken with you. Quatre, what I said to Treize, you weren't shocked. I gather Trowa had already told you.'
I can't lie, not after what we've been through. 'Please, don't be angry with him. It wasn't like we were gossiping about you or anything. He was trying to explain that he had some, well, some commitment issues, and he said that one of the causes was that his best friend had been very badly hurt and he didn't want the same thing to happen to him.'
'I never knew that. Gods.' He puts his cup down, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
'May I ask you something? You could have complained to the Law Society years ago, couldn't you? '
He shakes his head, rather regretfully. 'I know I should have. It was wrong that I didn't; he should have had to face the consequences. But my family would have been devastated. They came here to make a new life for themselves, in a new land, so I could have so many opportunities that weren't available at home. They were so very proud when I began to study law; when I began interning at the Romefeller practice. They are very private, conservative people. Back then they didn't even know I was gay and I just couldn't do it. There would have been a very high profile court case, he would have said all kinds of things about me that would have been reported in the media. I know I should have; it's wrong that he keeps getting away with that sort of thing. Quatre, I heard most of what went on between you in there. If you do want to press charges, I'll be more than happy to testify.'
'I have a family too,' I say slowly. 'They - most of them - try to pretend I don't exist, but I'd like to think they will, one day. And that won't happen if I accuse someone they actually know socially of something like this.'
Wufei just nods. 'I do understand. But he'll keep doing this until someone actually stands up to him.'
'Oh, no.' I say very positively. 'He most definitely is not getting away with it. You and I are going to dig up every grain of dirt on that sleaze and we are going to destroy him. What?' I add, realising that he's looking at me oddly.
He shakes his head. 'Trowa said that you could be…determined about things. I'm starting to see what he meant. Quatre, are you quite sure you're all right? I can take you home if you like.'
'I'm fine.' I actually mean it. 'It's probably adrenalin or something, and I'll collapse once I get home and it all sinks in, but right now I'm pretty good.' I take another swallow of too-sweet tea. '.I think he's insane. Or some sort of megalomaniac. He seriously thought he could get away with….with hurting me like that. I know it sounds horrible, but it felt great, standing up to him.'
'I know what you mean. It's perfectly understandable.' Wufei's own hands are shaking slightly as he raises his own cup. Of us both, he actually seems the more upset about what happened. 'I've wondered for years what would happen if I ever met him again, you know. How I'd react.'
'You were brilliant, the way you faced him down!' I lift my cup in a salute. 'Absolutely brilliant. How did it feel?'
'Good. Like you said, pretty good. We should probably get back to the others, before Trowa starts to worry about you.'
'Or Zechs about you,' I have to add. 'You two…everything is all right?'
'Yes.' Right, I still need to put in some work on his sharing skills, but the one word is totally heartfelt.
We both rise, Taco growling softly as I pull him away from the goodies. 'Come on, boy. I promise, I'll buy you a whole cake of your own tomorrow.'
The first person we see as we head back to the pets area is Zechs. Slumped on a bench, he looks absolutely dejected. Nataku in contrast is sitting perkily at his feet, tail waving.
'Wufei, I'm so sorry. I thought it was all going so well, and then she took a dislike to a Lhasa Apso who tried to sniff her and it rather went downhill from there. It was a nightmare! They had to postpone the class while the stewards tried to get everything under control and we were eliminated. I'm so sorry,' he repeats sadly. 'I know how important this was to you, and to your grandmother.'
'It's not important in the least.' Wufei says it very gently, moving to sit beside him and actually sliding an arm around the blond's shoulders. 'It's just a silly show. I'm sorry if I put you under pressure. I should never have asked you to take part in any of this. What was important was that you tried to help me; nothing else matters to me.'
Oh. This is very personal, and I really shouldn't be listening. Even if I want to. I force myself to turn away and find myself face to face with Trowa.
'What happened to you? Shit, I was just about ready to get the stewards to announce that you were missing! Quatre,' he stares at me, his voice gentling. 'What happened, love? Are you all right?'
'I think so. Trowa, please, can I tell you when we're alone? Not in the middle of this crowd.'
'That's it,' he says firmly, taking Taco from me. 'We'll find Dorothy and then I'm taking you home. I don't give a toss about Heero's stupid class.
I nod. Home suddenly sounds wonderful. Trowa turns to tell Zechs and Wufei we're leaving and then a middle-aged lady, dressed in tweed from head to toe and wearing a judge's ribbon, storms up to us.
'Which of you owns the Pekinese from the last class?' she demands.
'I'm her handler,' Zechs steps forward nobly. 'I take full responsibility for what happened, and I will be more than happy to pay any recompense necessary.'
'No.' Wufei lays one hand on his boyfriend's arm. 'It's my fault. She belongs to me.'
The lady's face breaks into a broad smile. 'Well, I've seldom seen a finer specimen and I've been judging Pekes for years. Have you ever thought of showing her internationally? With a little training she could almost certainly win her class at Crufts.' She looks at Zechs. 'I can give you a few tips if you have a few minutes. Have you ever thought of breeding her? I have a wonderful stud dog who's already won three Championship Certificates. They'd have the most perfect puppies. Now, come along, I want to give you my contact details.'
Trowa starts to laugh as they walk away. 'That should keep your grandmother happy, Wufei. OK, Nataku didn't win today, but she's been invited to England to compete in the world's most famous dog show.'
'I'm not taking her,' Wufei states firmly. 'She'd probably provoke some sort of international incident.'
'Whatever.' The laughter in Trowa's eyes dies abruptly as he looks at me. 'Wufei, I'll talk to you tomorrow. I'm bringing Quatre home.'
'There you guys are!' Duo shouts suddenly, rushing up with Dorothy close behind him. Heero, following more slowly, is reading a programme and muttering. 'We've been looking all over for you!'
The intercom crackles into life, at that precise moment, announcing that Mr. Treize Khushrenada has been obliged to withdraw from the Senior Obedience Class, following an accident.
Wufei and I exchange tiny, private smiles, and I lean over to whisper in his ear. 'And his dog is probably traumatised from you yelling at it!'
When I sit back, Duo is staring at us. 'What gives, Quat? You want to share what all the whispering is about? That announcement wouldn't possibly have anything to do with you, by any chance?'
Wufei just shrugs, leaving it up to me, and I decide just to go for it. After all, everyone is here; I may as well get it over with.
'All right. The real reason he withdrew from the class is because I think I may have broken his arm when he tried to rape me half an hour ago.'
Chaos.
I could possibly have phrased that a little more…subtly.
Heero is on his feet, threatening to kill the fucker, Trowa is wrapped around me, with Dorothy and Duo bracketing me on either side.
'Please,' I manage to choke once I can get some breath into my lungs. 'I swear, I'm OK. Nothing actually happened. He didn't touch me. Heero, please just sit down for a second.
We are going to make him pay, but right now, but you have a class to win and Duo won't like it if you're arrested for murder.'
'What makes you think I'd be stupid enough to get caught?'
'Oh, love.' Trowa pulls me into the warmest, closest embrace ever. 'I swear, we'll make the bastard pay for that. The fucker! Once you've calmed down a little bit, we'll go straight to the police and report him.'
'I can't.'
'Shush. I know it's going to be horrible, but I'll go with you. You've done nothing wrong, Quatre. You've got to report him. You see that, right?'
'I can't, Trowa.' Easing myself out of his arms is one of the hardest things I've ever done. 'I'm sorry. I can't.'
His expression darkens as he stares at me. 'Quatre. You have to. You can't let him get away with treating you like that.'
'He doesn't want to,' Dorothy snaps, and I realise she's clinging to Taco and crying into his fur.
'Back off, Barton.' Duo, my best friend, is suddenly the one who's holding me. 'It's OK, Kitty Quat. No one's going to make you do anything you don't want to. Heero can just arrange a nice little accident for him. Way simpler.'
'No.' I take a deep breath, meeting Trowa's eyes. Heero wants to sort this himself; Duo won't want to get the police involved. I already know Wufei is on my side, and that Dorothy will do anything to help. My boyfriend is the one I have to convince.
'Trowa. Even if I go to the police, I'm not sure how much they can do. He didn't touch me. It'll really come down to my word against his. Wufei heard a little bit but he wasn't actually there. He didn't see anything.'
'What?' Trowa explodes, spinning around to look at Wufei. 'You knew this was going on! Why the hell didn't you do something?'
'He did! He was amazing, but he didn't actually witness Treize laying a finger on me. By the time, he arrived, I'd…already taken care of things. I'm not going to let him get away with this, love. I promise. But I'm going to do it my way. If you want to help, that will be great.'
Trowa's head shakes slowly, the long forelock of hair falling even farther over his face. 'You know I'll do anything. Just tell me what you want. I'm sorry I pressured you, back then. I'm just so damned mad at the thought of that sleaze going anywhere near you.'
'I know.' Suddenly, I reach up and pull him down for a very quick kiss on the mouth. At least, I'd planned it would be quick. Still, we're in a little huddle of our friends, so it's not really all that public. I hope. 'I love you. And we will sort this out. But tomorrow. Can we just enjoy the rest of today? Please?'
He smiles, that slow, lovely smile that starts with a little quirk of one corner of his mouth and slowly blooms all over his face. 'As if I could ever deny you any damn thing you asked me for.' He leans over and whispers in my ear. 'In bed or out of it. You know that, right? You know I love you. More than anything.'
'I love you too.' I want, very badly, to be alone with him. For his hands and mouth to wipe away the memory of Treize trying to touch me. To reassure him that I wasn't actually hurt, and that I'm not going to fall apart if he holds me.
In the end, Zechs and Wufei are the first to leave, offering apologies and ridiculous excuses for not staying to watch the obedience class. There's not really much doubt about what they're going to spend the rest of the day doing.
After that, Trowa and I end up staying for an hour or so. The five of us find a sunny patch of grass to sprawl on and eat ice-cream and try to stop Taco from slaughtering any other creatures. In the end Shinnie takes matters into his own paws, picking up the tiny black morsel and dropping him between his front paws and keeping him there.
'Hey, all those obedience classes are obviously paying off,' Duo grins. 'Even if he doesn't win a prize, you're still a top dog, Shinnie.' The collie wags his tail happily for Maggie to pounce on.
Surrounded by my friends and my lover, my heartbeat finally returns to something near its normal rate.
I'm still very jittery, starting at sudden loud noises and I think the others notice this, sitting very close.
Heero wins his class and is rewarded by a small plaque and a massive hug from his boyfriend, which is obviously far more appreciated. Dorothy drifts away to see friends during the prize-giving and then it's just the four of us. Six, including the dogs.
'Time to go home.' Trowa decides, getting to his feet and pulling me up. 'Well done, Heero. We'll see you guys during the week, OK?'
They both nod, and I realise just how easily he's managed to assimilate myself into my little group. It's like he's always been one of us.
Duo hugs me tightly, and makes me promise to call in the morning, and then throws his arms around Trowa as well. 'You look after him for me tonight, Barton. Or I'll get Heero to kick your ass. See you, Quat.'
'Are you sure you're all right?' Trowa asks earnestly as he leads me back to his car. I've lost track of how many times I've been asked that question in the last couple of hours.
'Sort of. I think I'll be better when I get home and close the door behind us. But, honestly, I'm not doing too badly. I really want just to go to bed. With you.' His face, watching mine, is just a little uncertain. 'Trowa, don't look like that. What he …tried to do has absolutely nothing to do with us, with what we do together. I love you.'
'God, Quat.' Caught up in his sudden, bone-crunching hug, I still notice it's the first time he's ever abbreviated my name. 'If he'd hurt you, Heero wouldn't have had a chance. I'd have got there first with a few nice little metal instruments. Or my bare hands.'
I nod, believing him. 'He wouldn't be worth it, Trowa. And I was able to look after myself.'
'Yeah.' He stares down at me. 'What the hell did you do to him? Wufei just said that when he got there, the bastard was on the ground in agony.'
'Duo's shown me a few tricks. I can show you if you like, later.'
'Quite the tough guy, aren't you? For a gay violin teacher? That's kind of hot.'
I laugh, just like I'm meant to, and then have to force myself to stop, suddenly very glad of Trowa's arms around me. It was so close.
'I'm not feeling terribly hot right now, actually. More very shaken and in need of some comforting. If you don't mind?'
'I don't mind,' he says softly, taking my hand and leading me to the car. 'Whatever you want, love. Now, come on. Let's go home.'
