"When the Nightmares are Real" (Part 9 and Epilogue)
Notes: Wow, guys, it's finally DONE. And it's a HAPPY ending. Hope you like it…I was thinking of my school when I wrote it…Only, sadly, I will not walk down those steps to Pomp and Circumstance…No, we don't use that here. But I don't care. And neither do Quat or Tro, really, I bet.
Part 9
Quatre sat reading happily in the bright sunlight on the front lawn of the school. Trowa was sitting a few feet away, trying to do his homework. Earlier that day Quatre had gotten another call from Iria. She couldn't tell him where she was; she didn't want to risk their father finding out. But she was safe, and that was what Quatre cared about. And if Quatre was happy, Trowa had nothing to worry about. Other than school, which he was trying to keep on top of. Not an easy task when Quatre sat there smiling softly, absorbed in his book, looking so absolutely wonderful.
"What are you thinking about Trowa?" Quatre's voice brought Trowa out of silent reverie, without completely shattering the moment.
"Hmm…Nothing, school, you. It's good to see you happy." Trowa smiled slightly and went back to scribbling his homework down on paper.
Quatre looked at him for a moment and went back to staring at the page he was supposed to be on in the book he was reading. He kept looking over at Trowa, always looking back at his page when Trowa looked up at him. Then Trowa caught his eye, and smiled. Quatre could feel the blush tingeing his cheeks red as Trowa looked at him.
"What are you thinking about Quatre?" Trowa asked, throwing the question back at Quatre playfully.
"I…I…Trowa, I have something to tell you," Quatre said quietly. Trowa's eyes expressed care and concern. He watched as Quatre cast about in his mind for the right words, not wanting to say anything, knowing Quatre would tell him when he was ready. "Trowa, having you here these past few weeks has meant so much to me. I don't know how to say this, but I care about you, and you've just been so kind…." Quatre let is words trail off, hanging his head, afraid to look in Trowa's eyes.
"Quatre? You care about me?" Trowa took Quatre's chin in his hand and slowly forced Quatre to look at him. His eyes held caring, hope, longing, happiness, all churning together, the emotions obvious. Quatre let out a soft exclamation as he saw the depth of emotion those eyes held, and smiled.
"Yes, I care about you, Trowa, I don't know anyone who's made me feel so safe, so cared for."
"Good, because I care about you, and I don't know what I would do if I lost you because of it." Trowa was smiling fully now, his expression light and happy. Quatre had never been able to see Trowa look that soft, that vulnerable. Quatre laughed with happiness, everything was all right now. He cared about Trowa and Trowa cared about him.
.