Title: Paraffin and Peonies 3/? (Okay, I think I can do this in 5… three wasn't enough. Damn me being too wordy!)

Major pairing: 3x4

Author: The Fablespinner ~*D*~

E-mail: fablespinner@hotmail.com

Rating: R

Genre: AU: Late 18th Century England Romance

Archive: http://fablespinner.steelsong.com/fanfiction/fanfiction.html

Author's Note: Loosely based on the Novel "The Secret Garden" Several Major Changes to story line will take place. Only similar elements will appear from the Original story.

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Disclaimer: Inspiration from many places, none of them mine, much to my lament.

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Quatre felt overwhelmed, but gloriously so. All the servants were so very nice towards him, and he couldn't help bursting into tears as Sally, Hilde, and Catherine fussed over him like elder sisters.

"He's just so skinny. For lunch I think tea sandwiches with extra butter and thick cream tea. Then a special trifle pudding I think." Sally said sizing up Quatre with her deep blue eyes and engaging smile.

"I agree, and I need his measurements. I'll make him something that will fit better than Duo's trousers. And he needs a hair cut too, his bangs are hiding his eyes, and such pretty eyes you have too Master Winner." Catherine said brushing his hair with her fingers.

"I'm making an apple pie, I'll make sure to save you piece Master Quatre." Hilde said and that was the final straw and the happy water works began.

"Oh, oh don't cry please Master Quatre!" All three girls began muttering in alarm dabbing at his eyes with aprons.

"I can't help it, you're all so wonderful. I feel like I've died and gone to heaven." Quatre sobbed as a strong hand encased his shoulder and squeezed tenderly. Without thinking, Quatre just rested his cheek against the back of Trowa's hand and rubbed and nuzzled his cheek against the warm comfort.

"Thank you Trowa." Came the whisper and three girls snickered and looked at Trowa's face. Where he stood, Quatre couldn't see his face, but the other's could, and his softened featured belied his deeper feelings for his charge.

"Be careful Master Quatre, I think Mr. Barton here likes your affections." Sally said smirking up at Trowa where she squatted by Quatre's side. Running almost motherly fingers through Quatre's hair.

Quatre blushed and looked up shyly Trowa smiled reassuringly. "It's all right Quatre. Sally's right, I do like seeing you happy like this." Trowa said and Quatre closed his eyes with a sigh. Trowa took that opportunity to glare daggers at Sally. She chuckled.

"Right, like father like son. Stick in the mud. All the more reason to tease I say." Sally said standing and brushing off her skirts. "Well seeing as Bitchlock and Gloomy Bloomy are gone, taking my poor sod Wufei with them, it's just us, and they left you in charge Trowa. What are we to do?" Sally asked grinning.

"I think it's Master Quatre's call. What would you like to do your lordship?" Trowa asked and Quatre smiled.

"Just call me Quatre please for starters." He said shyly and Trowa nodded.

"All right Quatre. What do you want to do?" Trowa asked and Quatre grinned.

"Are any of the roses in bloom yet? I can almost see one of the bushes from my window, I always wanted to see one up close and smell it." Quatre said and Catherine tried to stifle the whimper. Quatre's simple pleasures really struck a tender chord with them all.

"I'm sorry Quatre, it's too early yet. There are only buds on the bushes. I can take you to the garden if you like and show you others flowers that are blooming now instead if you'd like." Trowa said and Quatre nodded eagerly.

"OH! Picnic in the garden Trowa?" Catherine perked with a wink and Trowa nodded.

"Sounds good to me. I think we all could stand to entertain Quatre today." Trowa said and Duo cackled.

"It's day off mid-week! Whoo-hoo! Let's hear it for Quatre!" He chortled getting Quatre laughing and blushing in his chair.

Heero smiled and leaned over holding out his hand to Quatre. "It is a pleasure to see you, it really is. We were all curious about you." Heero said and Quatre shyly shook his hand.

"I always wanted to be among you. Watching you from my window and all, I hope you don't mind me spying on you." Quatre said and it was Duo's turn to comfort.

"Not a bit Quatre. What else could you do? I'm just glad you got a chance to do that." Duo said and Heero snorted.

"And that you could still want to be in Duo's company after seeing the idiot in action." Heero added.

"Hey! Kiss my ass Yuy."

Quatre just laughed. Trowa smiled and cleared his throat. "Right, Duo, Heero. I'll need your help here. Hilde mentioned something this morning that has me thinking. Quatre is there anything wrong with your legs that you know of?" Trowa asked and Quatre shook his head.

"Other than I don't know what to do with them half the time, no. They aren't very strong Mrs. Tatlock says cause I'm sick." He said and Trowa snorted.

"Not very strong cause you never use them more like. Duo, take his chair to the garden please? Heero grab an arm with me, it's time Quatre learns to use these legs of his. We can carry him if he gets too tired." Trowa said and Heero nodded smiling. Duo whooped diving for the chair and Quatre held his breath as two men took an arm each and draped it over their shoulders.

"Okay now, we'll get you in a standing position, Duo will move the chair and we'll see how you fair standing first. We won't let you fall, but we have to see how much weight you can hold up on your own. All right Quatre?" Trowa asked and Quatre nodded chewing his bottom lip as they lifted him upright, onto nervous and shaky legs.

Duo moved the chair as small pink feet rested on cool kitchen tile. Quatre shivered. "The floor is cold." He said and Trowa chuckled.

"Yes, it is, all the more reason to walk to the warm ground outside under the sun. Now get ready, Heero and I are going to let go for just a moment so we can see if you can stand on your own. Don't be scared, we won't let you fall. But I believe you can do it, believe in yourself Quatre." Trowa said as he and Heero let Quatre take his own weight.

He stood wobbling; looking terrified but determined, "It hurts." Quatre said biting his lips, but standing.

"It will, your muscles aren't used to it, but you're standing Quatre, all by yourself. It won't hurt once you get used to it. But you will be sore for a while, but that's nothing an Epsom salt bath and a good massage won't cure after the fact. Are you getting tired yet? Can you continue or do you want me to carry you to the garden?" Trowa asked and Quatre shook his head, almost loosing balance. Trowa was there to steady him and grateful, teary eyes gazed up at him.

"My, you're tall. And I want to try more, even if it hurts. I want to walk like a normal person." Quatre said and Trowa nodded.

"Then walk you shall, Heero if you please…" Trowa said and Heero was back supporting Quatre's opposite side.

"You use us for support Quatre, you will need it at first. When you're ready, take one foot and put it in front of you then lean on it, while you move your other foot. Understand?" Trowa asked and Quatre nodded and kicked out his right foot forward. Then grunted as he gripped Trowa's and Heero's shoulders leaning forward.

"Oh god, it hurts. But I can do it!" Quatre said fiercely, bringing his other foot up to stand again.

"Someone just took his very first step. Congratulations Quatre." Trowa said and Quatre stood crying and laughing simultaneously.

"AGAIN!" Quatre wailed gripping shoulders and throwing out another foot. The pain burned his legs, but it was worth it, he was using limbs he thought he'd never be able to use.

"Don't over do it Quatre." Trowa cautioned as Quatre sobbed in pain, but continued.

"Please, I want to." Quatre gasped, his knees finally buckling under him on the fourth step, Trowa catching him up with ease and lifting him up in strong arms.

"I know you do, you have a lot of fire in you Quatre, and that's a very good thing. But these muscles are new to you, and will take time to build up. Rest for a bit, and we'll walk again in a few hours okay?" Trowa asked and Quatre still crying from pain and accomplishment nodded burying in head in Trowa's shoulder. Trowa rubbed his cheek gently atop Quatre head then proceeded to carry him out to the garden.

Heero felt Catherine's arms wrap around his waist and she buried her tears in his back. He smiled and patted her hands where they rested against his stomach. "You're so soft Cathy." He muttered and she sniffled in his back.

"I don't see dry cheeks on you either Heero Yuy. That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. He's exactly what master Quatre needed, I only hope it lasts." She said and Heero nodded.

"I do too Cathy, I do too. We have two weeks, let's just pray for more miracles like the one we all just saw today. God's sent Quatre a guardian Angel named Trowa a fool can see a higher power at work here. Even if they can't see it, I can. Look at their eyes, it's all right there." Heero said and Catherine nodded.

"I did see that. I mean Quatre was happy to see us all, but he didn't look at any of us the way he looks at Trowa. And an idiot could tell that mask Trowa wears is cracking under pressure. I think it's divine, and damn Bitchlock to hell if she tries to shatter this when she gets back." Catherine cursed and Heero turned and kissed her lightly.

"I'll remind you later you said that. Now, we've got a picnic to get ready, what can I carry over for you ladies?" Heero asked as Sally and Hilde flew threw the kitchen grabbing unused picnic gear and loading up Heero's arms. With a grunt Heero shouldered his burdens and followed in the wake of Trowa and Quatre towards the garden.

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The afternoon was blissfully and unseasonably warm as everyone descended into the garden for the day. Trowa pushed Quatre around in his chair showing him the various beds of flowers and plant life.

Quatre spotted a small area that looked newly tilled. "What's going in there?" Quatre asked and Trowa smiled.

"Peonies, they are a late spring, early summer blooms. They were my mother's favorite. Would you like to plant this bed Quatre?" Trowa asked and Quatre nodded eagerly.

Trowa pulled off his shirt and laid it on the back of Quatre's chair then said "Lift" and Quatre raised his arms, as he pulled off Quatre's shirt. "No sense in us getting our clothes filthy too. Now come here." Trowa said helping Quatre out of his chair, but allowing Quatre to do most of the work by himself.

Once settled on the ground, Trowa handed Quatre a small hand rake. "Make some rows to put the seeds in with this." He said and Quatre, still smiling brightly, did as told.

Duo nudged Hilde "Pssst, hey look over here guys." He said spying Trowa and Quatre half undressed and planting seeds in a small patch of earth.

"Oh god, that's sooo romantic." Hilde purred as the peeked over the hedge to spy on Quatre for a change.

"No fair, Wufei is with Bitchlock. I want a snuggle too." Sally playfully pouted and Duo hooked an arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his arms with Hilde.

"More than enough of me to go around. Now shhhh, they'll hear us." Duo said as everyone sat dreamily behind the bush and watched.

Trowa took Quatre's hands and poured some seeds from a small bag into them. "Now place them about an inch or two apart, like this." Trowa said demonstrating with a couple. Quatre nodded and leaned forward and began placing his seeds. Biting his bottom lip in concentration as he tried not to over balance himself on his knees. As Quatre lay the seeds Trowa smoothed the dirt over with his hands, patting the earth gently to settle the seeds in place.

Quatre watched Trowa's hands, they were large and weathered, he'd been working in the earth with them for a long time, he could tell. They were beautiful strong hands, and Quatre fell into almost a trance as he watched long fingers follow his path of seeds.

Quatre lost concentration on his balance and fell forward, but he never hit the ground, he fell into the strong arms. "Whoa, I think you're tired now. We'll stop and rest a while." Trowa said softly, shifting Quatre in his arms and laying Quatre's head in his lap. "Take a nap Quatre. We'll eat when you wake up." Trowa said softly and Quatre smiled up at him and without thinking, just reacting as his heart told him to, Quatre reached up and laid his hand on Trowa's cheek.

"So beautiful." Quatre said through a yawn and Trowa's eyes widened momentarily.

"Quatre, don't. You have no idea what you're doing." Trowa replied with his voice tinged with regret.

"Don't I? I know more than you think I do." Quatre said, the tone of his voice almost husky in the heat of the afternoon. Trowa's mind swam in a fog of confusion and want.

"Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him!" Sally chanted softly in the bushes.

"Yeah Trowa, go for it man." Duo quietly urged. But Trowa let them all down.

"Well let's give it time then and make sure you really do understand and are not mistaking these feelings for something else. Sleep Quatre." Trowa said rubbing a smudge off Quatre's cheek.

"I'm not mistaken. I love you." Quatre sighed closing his eyes and reveling in the joy Trowa had brought to him this day. He could wait forever, so long as he had Trowa near, the world was beautiful.

Trowa wanted to weep, and he waited until Quatre was asleep before leaning over and whispering "God help me Quatre. I love you too."

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Quatre didn't sleep long, only an hour or so, and Sally awakened him with a gentle nudge "It's lunch time. I have cucumber sandwiches and tea for you Quatre." She said helping him sit up.

"Where's Trowa?" He asked rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

"He's helping Duo and Heero carry over the table so we can eat. He's not left you love." Sally said and Quatre sighed and blushed.

"Do you think he likes me?" He whispered in query and Sally laughed.

"Oh love, he more than likes you. All of us can tell he loves you, never you fear." She said tucking blonde hair behind Quatre's ears.

"You think so? Really? It's not wrong is it? I mean the doctors that come tell me I'm not normal, and it's because I'm sick I like boys more." Quatre said and Sally wanted to vomit, she was now livid.

"What did the doctor's tell you?" She asked making sure she heard right.

"Well, when I was about fifteen, I was reading a really good book about this knight who came and helped a mercenary Woman in battle, and they were both so strong, and they fell in love, and it was really good. And I began dreaming about BEING that soldier who fell in love with the knight and no the lady. I told Mrs. Tatlock about it, and the next time the doctors came, they told me it was wrong to like other boys and not girls. Among other things." Quatre said glossing over the 'among other things'.

Sally was more than livid and she took Quatre's face in her hands. "Listen to me Quatre. There is nothing wrong with you. Love is beautiful, in all forms and love is never wrong to feel. So you love whomever you want to, whomever your heart tells you to love." Sally said and Quatre smiled and fell into her protective embrace.

"You need to tell Trowa about the doctors Quatre. I think it's something he needs to know." She added and Quatre nodded as Trowa reappeared.

"Good afternoon sleepy eyes. You look rested." Trowa began and Quatre nodded. "Good. Now you're getting a little pink in the sun here, let me put this ointment on your back and shoulders so you don't burn." Trowa said still shirtless, as were Duo and Heero now for that matter as they all basked in the warm spring afternoon. Trowa dropped to his knees behind Quatre and began to smooth the cool cream across back, neck and shoulders. Quatre almost purred it felt so good.

When Trowa reached his chest, Quatre did purr and he felt Trowa's hands begin to tremble. "Please don't stop Trowa, it feels nice." Quatre said and Trowa swallowed deeply, getting the task done as innocently and as quickly as possible.

Once complete he helped Quatre settle on the bench at the table as the girls served up the tea and sandwiches.

Quatre looked at his plate "How do I eat this? Am I supposed to it? They look too pretty to be food." Quatre asked poking his small finger sandwich with his finger. Sally laughed and picked it up.

"Open wide." She said and Quatre did, placing the sandwich between his lips. "Now just bite it and chew." She said and Quatre obeyed like a child.

Again that look of near orgasmic joy crossed Quatre's features, and everyone felt swept into the moment and just watched the simple pleasures in life make their golden master glow with almost a heavenly fire.

"Damn, did he react like that a breakfast?" Hilde asked and Trowa nodded still smiling at Quatre.

"Wow, talk about making me feel good about my cooking." Hilde said laughing and leaning over to hug Quatre's shoulders. "You make sure as you try new things to tell me the things you like the very best okay Quatre? That way I'll know what treats to slip you when Bitchlock isn't looking." She said and Quatre nodded eagerly.

"I really like these. What did you call them?" He asked and Hilde smirked.

"Cucumber and tomato sandwiches. Sally made those. That's cream tea in your cup."

"I love these. Breakfast was really good too, but these I like even more. Thank you so much." Quatre said getting misty again.

"Ah, ah. Ah. No tears Quatre. Just enjoy the moment and eat up, there's plenty more to come yet." Trowa said smiling down upon the glorious young man so full of life and joy by his side.

Trowa wanted to show him the world, just so he could selfishly live vicariously through Quatre and see the world again through fresh and un-jaded eyes.

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That evening, after a supper of beef stew and vegetables and fresh baked bread, Quatre could barely move he was so full and exhausted from his day. He was half asleep in his bowl when he felt Trowa move to pick him up. "Someone is dead on his feet methinks. There's always tomorrow Quatre, I can hear your bed calling you." He said and Quatre yawned and chuckled.

"I am exhausted. Today was the best day of my life." Quatre said sinking into those arms as he was carried back to his bedroom.

"Then I am just going to have to make tomorrow even better." Trowa said setting Quatre down on his covers then moving to unbutton Quatre's shirt. Removing it, the then moved to the breeches. And again thinking ugly thoughts to distract himself, he removed them as well. Then lifting Quatre's tired legs up into bed and he pulled the covers up over him.

"Trowa?"

"Yes Quatre?" Trowa asked sitting down on the edge of the bed before leaning over to blow out the candle that lit the room. Plunging them into darkness.

"Do you have to go? Will you stay?" Quatre asked and Trowa's mouth went dry.

"I'm not going anywhere, I'll be here in the morning." Trowa said and he heard Quatre chuckle and then light airy fingers reach up to touch his face in the darkness.

"That's not what I meant. I want to hold you like you held me today. I can only do that here. Will you stay with me tonight? Will you let me hold you?" Quatre asked and Trowa's more agreeable voice inside was doing somersaults of joy inside. His rational side however was saying no, he'd better not, Quatre wasn't like him, he was just confusing gratefulness with love.

"Quatre, I don't think I should."

"I see, the doctors were right then. I understand. I won't ask again."

Trowa's mind screeched to a halt. "What do you mean the Doctor's were right?"

"Nothing, it's nothing."

"Tell me please Quatre." Trowa urged moving closer and running fingers through soft hair in the darkness.

"That's it's wrong for me to like other boys like I do. It's because I'm sick in the head and possessed by the devil they say."

That was it. Trowa leaned over and pulled Quatre into his arms. "Don't ever think that Quatre. They were wrong. Horribly mistaken in fact. You think I'm normal right?" Trowa asked and He felt Quatre nod against his chest.

"And so are you then." Trowa said closing the gap and claiming Quatre's lips in a tender kiss. A kiss that brought Trowa to his spiritual knees with longing and Quatre to feel ten feel tall as he drank in Trowa's kiss.

"It's not that I do not want to stay with you Quatre. I fear I will not be able to control myself being so close to you. I refuse to compromise your bettering health with my lust. I want you; I want you more than you know. But right now is much too soon, do you understand now Quatre why I say no?" Trowa asked and Quatre smiled and held tight.

"I do. I can't help loving you more for that either. You care about me, no one ever cared about me before." Quatre said as Trowa pushed him gently back into his pillows.

"I do care, very much Quatre. Now sleep, and ring the bell here when you wake up and I'll bring your breakfast. I want you to sleep in late if you can, you did work very hard today and you need your sleep." Trowa said planting another kiss on those welcoming lips before rising.

"Goodnight Quatre." He said once more from the door before shutting it behind him.

"Goodnight, Brave Knight." Quatre said almost giggling as he finally had a face to give the knight of his dreams and favorite book.

He was tall, with defiant auburn brown locks that fell forward and shaded a sharp, angular and stunning face, and emeralds eyes, far more precious than the jewels they resembled. And his Knight's name was Trowa Barton.

Quatre sighed and snuggled into his covers, a blissful smile clinging to his lips as his dreams began and sleep pulled her shroud over his exhausted body.

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tbc…