Creature of the Wood

Chapter 10

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Trowa lay on his side, one arm pinned to the bed by the sleeping weight of Quatre, the other resting over his own side slightly as slender fingers idly toyed with the soft blonde waves that curled lightly around the other boy's ears. It hadn't taken him long to get Quatre settled, but he had inadvertantly kept his friend from sleep when he's reacted in outrage upon seeing the zigzagging wounds that covered the Sidhe's back. It had taken a great deal of explanation from Relena and almost fifteen minutes of assurances from Quatre before he was able to stop himself from taking off towards the Freehold and revisiting each one of those lashmarks on Davin's body. From what he'd been told, the Freehold was no longer in Davin's control and now a friend of the Peacecraft family was holding that position. It still made him angry, though... every time his hand would drift across those raised markings that marred the slender Fae's skin.

He was thankful that Quatre had returned. It had given him something else to worry about other than his own misgivings towards his actions. For the first time in days, he had a purpose, and he would make damned sure that no one disturbed Quatre's rest.

"Trowa?"

Including well-wishing friends who were just as concerned as he was. The emerald gaze lifted to the door and caught sight of Duo and Heero... or more to the point, he caught sight of two pairs of eyes peering hesitantly around the frame. Pulling his hand from Quatre's hair, he brought a finger to his lips in a motion of quiet, then beckoned them in. The two moved into the room, closing the door behind them and crept towards the bed.

"How is he?" Duo whispered, his gaze softening slightly as he watched the blonde sleep. Concern was written plainly across his delicate features, and Trowa couldn't suppress a smile. The group of them had become fast friends, and that made him feel good, in some small way. Duo took a seat on the floor near the bed, only his eyes clearing the edge while Heero knelt beside him, one arm resting on the covers.

"He's doing better." Came Trowa's soft reply, his gaze shifting back to the one nestled against him. "He's hurting, but it'll fade over time. Apparently your father didn't take too kindly to him.

Duo nodded, swallowing back the guilt that threatened the edge of his mind. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Relena told me what was done to him." He looked as though he were about to say more, but stopped, bowing his head slightly. Heero's arm snaked around his shoulders, holding him close as the Satyr looked up to Trowa in worry. There was a silent exchange between the two, their expressions speaking volumes. Heero was concerned about Duo and the fact that the boy blamed himself for what had happened. Trowa understood, knowing full well that nothing could have stopped Quatre from helping, and it would have been useless to even try. There was no blame to be cast here. Each person involved made their own choices and decisions. If anyone was at fault, it was the Dauntain who had corrupted Davin's ideals and twisted his mind.

Tilting his head to the side, Trowa watched Heero trying to comfort Duo. There was a tenderness there that hadn't been present before, and he let a smile drift over his lips as he realized that the two of them had grown far closer than perhaps even they realized. It was plain to see in the way Heero leaned towards Duo, whispering consolation in his ear. It was in the way Duo sagged against him, letting the Japanese boy reassure him. Yes... the two of them were likely becoming inseperable. Trowa just hoped that they would realize it, since to his eyes it appeared as if the two of them were gravitating towards each other unconsciously.

Duo and Heero were as close to opposites as he could come up with... Heero was likely the most un-satyr-like Satyr he'd ever met. The boy was reserved, sometimes to the point of reclusiveness, and only seemed to truly blossom when Duo was around. Duo, on the other hand, was outgoing to a fault and carefree enough that he sometimes lost track of reality. They would be good for each other, he concluded, favoring the two of them with one of his rare true smiles.

None of them noticed as the door cracked open once more and Relena poked her head into the room. She started to speak, then simply grinned, resting her head against the doorframe and watching the four of them for a few minutes. Trowa noticed her first, and was about to say something, when Relena jumped as if poked from behind. She turned, hissing something in a low tone before turning back to Trowa and smiling apologetically. "Sorry about that. There's someone here to see you and she's impatient. OW!" She yelped, turning and glaring back out the door. As she reached down to rub her leg, where a foot had impacted it not a moment before, another figure wormed past her and moved into the room.

Dark auburn hair curled lightly over the curve of her neck, lavender-grey eyes dancing in happiness as the girl moved over to the bed. Duo and Heero just watched in openmouthed shock as she slid behind Trowa, molding her body against his own and nuzzling his neck lightly. If they didn't know better... they'd swear she was purring. "So here's where you've been hiding," she whispered, peering over his shoulder curiously at the curled-up form of Quatre. Trowa looked like a deer caught in the headlights for a few moments as he adjusted to his body being wedged between two people intent on getting as close to him as possible. The girl smiled up at him, kissing his cheek and grinning. "What, not even a 'hello'?"

"I... well..." He stammered, turning his head to face her as best he could without disturbing Quatre.

She just rested her chin on his shoulder, bringing one arm beneath his own and letting her fingers brush back a few stray locks of hair from Quatre's face. "If this is why you've been out of touch for the past months, I can't say I blame you. He's cute."

Duo stifled a giggle then, and turned to see his bemused expression mirrored on Relena's face as she stood behind them, watching. Heero was still trying to figure out just who this person was and why she was clinging to Trowa like a second skin. Bringing his elbow to rest against the side of the bed, Duo cast a mischievous grin at Trowa. "Sooo... going to introduce us, or has the cat got your tongue?" He wasn't disappointed when Trowa shot him a death glare worthy of Miss Une on one of her bad days.

"Hi, I'm Cathy. Nice to meet you." The girl squirmed out from behind Trowa long enough to extend a hand to Duo, who remembered his upbringing just long enough to kiss the back of her hand instead of shaking it, as she seemed to be expecting.

"The pleasure is mine, Cathy. I'm Duo, the goldfish here is Heero..." He elbowed Heero then, who closed his gaping mouth and just nodded, a soft flush rising to his cheeks. "... and the one you kicked earlier is my sister, Relena."

Trowa cleared his throat then, shifting slightly between Cathy and Quatre, trying not to disturb the blonde's sleep. "Cathy is an old... umm... friend of mine."

Quatre curled closer to Trowa then, half opening his eyes and looking up at Cathy and the rather flustered boy that they were both curled around. "Ah yes..." He muttered, stifling a yawn. "The infamous 'ummfriends'." He closed his eyes then, nestling closer and half burying himself under the blanket. "I'm an ummfriend too, last I checked... so if she's staying, we need a bigger bed." With that, the Sidhe fell back asleep, his body relaxing once more.

Cathy was chuckling, hiding her head against Trowa's back while the latter seemed to want to crawl into the woodwork. Duo couldn't help it, he nearly fell flat on his arse laughing as Heero just looked to him in confusion. "Heero... I'll explain. LATER!" He managed to gasp out between breaths, and sorely wished he had a camera to capture the look on Trowa's face.

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TBC