Standard Disclaimer: How many times do I have to admit that no matter how much I want them, I don't own the Gundam boys?!
Warnings: language, Shonen ai hints, underage drinking, cross-dressing
A/N: Sorry I've been so slow about getting these chapters out. I hope to be able to post a lot while I'm out of school for Winter Break.
[blah] = thoughts
Renaissance
By skyprincess
Chapter 6:
After blinking a few times at the buildings, [How did we get here so fast?] Duo disregarded the door, and jumped out of his jeep. Quatre stifled a giggle and opted to actually use his door, and Duo playfully scoffed, "Conformity," before resuming their earlier conversation.
The boys fell silent as they passed through the halls of the dorm. Careful not to alert anyone to Quatre's unfemale appearance, they slipped down the corridors to the elevator, using all of their training.
Upon entering Quatre's room, Duo flopped onto the sofa. Quatre disappeared momentarily, only to return with two bottles of Evian. Duo quickly chugged his and set the now empty plastic on the nearby table. Quatre had a strange and sudden urge to reach out and wipe away the stray droplets that eluded Duo's mouth and now dripped down his chin, but he hastily quashed the idea.
"Man, your friends must love coming up to your room," Duo concluded, breaking the silence. The blonde abruptly found something interesting on the floor. He studied it silently, not wanting to meet Duo's gaze, although he could feel the amethyst eyes burning into him.
"Q, are you okay?"
A soft voice responded slowly, "You're the first person to ever come into my room."
Duo sat in flattered shock, "The first? Not even that girl I always see you with?"
"No, not even Sissa. I'm really quite embarrassed by it and I don't really trust anyone enough to let them in."
It was at that moment that Duo remembered how self-conscious Quatre was about his family's wealth. Then the weight of Quatre's last sentence hit him like a bag of bricks. [Quatre?! Not trust people?!?! My God! What has Trowa done to you?!] "Quatre, I . . ." he began, but was promptly interrupted.
"Duo, please listen to me. I haven't had so much fun in a long time. You are one of the only people I can talk freely with, and I enjoy your company more than I can say. You make me laugh," he paused and smiled shyly at his friend, "I would appreciate it greatly if you would move up here with me. I have an extra room. We can put your stuff in there. Please, Duo? For the first time in months, I don't feel so lonely."
Duo's heart broke at those words. [If only you knew.] How could he refuse . . . why would he refuse. The opportunity to live in the lap of luxury, with his best friend. . . sounds good. In fact, the idea thrilled him. He answered in a remarkably calm voice, "Of course Q, but what are we gonna say?"
"Leave the registrars and dean to me."
"You know, it's going to look pretty scandalous for me and Quatrina to be sharing a dorm," Duo stated, raising an eyebrow.
"Let them think what they will," Quatre replied with a smile.
"Alright then. Let's have a toast." Duo walked over to the mini-bar and searched momentarily before extracting two wine glasses and champagne and walking back to where Quatre sat.
The blonde grinned, "You sure know your way around those."
"It's second nature to me," Duo replied, filling the glasses.
"Mmm. Martini and Rossi? . ."
"What can I say, it's the bubbly." He handed a glass to Quatre who looked at him expectantly. "A toast to new roommates," Duo exclaimed and added to himself [And an end to loneliness.]
The glasses clinked and the boys sipped and chatted and sipped and chatted for hours, until the bottle was gone and they passed out on the sofa.
Once again, Quatre's internal alarm saved his ass. Morning rays tickled his eyelids until they opened. He stretched and yawned and stumbled into the kitchen. The microwave glowed 7:00. He scratched the back of his head and poured a glass of o.j. The slightly hung-over blonde shuffled back to the sofa. He gently nudged Duo whispering, "Rise and shine, sleepyhead. We've got class in an hour."
Duo groaned . . . Why did morning have to be so damn early? He rolled onto his back and looked up into Quatre's gentle face. [How can anyone look so good in the morning?] His morning voice came out huskier than usual, "Hey Q, what's up?"
The Arab smiled as Duo yawned, "I brought you some juice. During lunch I'm going to take care of the room arrangements."
Duo thankfully took the beverage and let it run down his dry throat. His voice sounded more normal as he said, "Thanks . . . I had the worst case of cotton mouth."
"No problem. But I have to get ready, and it's a bit of a process."
Duo grimaced slightly. "Understood. I gotta go too. I'll talk to you after class. Good luck with the room thing," and with that, Duo was out the door.
The blonde went through his transformation process and emerged from the bathroom as Quatrina. He went to his classes, hung out with Sissa, visited the registrar about changing Duo's room, and went up to his room to wait.
Duo's day went by like molasses. He had a lot to think about and wasn't given any good opportunities to do so. He grew impatient and headed towards the gardens. [Fuck afternoon classes.] He sat out there on his usual bench, absorbing the soft breeze, sweet spring scent, and lovely surroundings. The snapdragons by the fountain were in full bloom and he admired their beauty and simplicity. "There's so much shit that I don't understand," he sighed.
Quatre sat in his room wondering where Duo was. He glanced at his watch: 5:30, almost sunset. He jumped to his feet in realization, "I know where Duo always is at sunset," he told the empty room, before hurrying out.
The blonde approached the garden hesitantly, not wanting to disturb his friend's thoughts. He looked out and saw Duo seated under a crepe myrtle tree. The features of his delicate face were relaxed with serenity as the light breezes swept through the long bangs. Lavender crepe myrtle blossoms floated down around him. They flipped, curled, and spun during their descent; dancing about the violet eyed pilot. The scene was truly picturesque and at that moment Quatre realized how gentle and peaceful the so-called Shinigami really was.