"A Christmas Story" Chapter 10

Trowa sat on the bench watching several people skate across the frozen lake. Then he saw a small familiar blonde skate gracefully across the ice. The word angel came to mind, unbidden.

The blonde moved with an easy grace, his body movements fluent. Aquamarine eyes caught emerald surprising Trowa, who turned away. Trowa didn't notice someone sit down beside him before a voice spoke up.

"I can't believe I'm doing this, it so isn't like me."

Trowa looked into smiling aquamarine eyes but he couldn't seem to find his voice.

"Um it is Trowa right? Duo you skate?" Quatre asked a light blush touching his cheeks.

"No, I've never skated before," Trowa answered.

"Want to give it a try? It really is fun," Quatre offered standing up.

Trowa shook his head, "Uh no I don't think so."

"Well all right, if you don't want to. It was nice seeing you again," Quatre replied. "I guess I'll go now."

The brunette knew if Duo was there he would have laughed at what he was about to do. "I don't have any skates."

Quatre turned back a smile on his face, "Tennis shoes will work just fine."

Trowa stood up from the bench and slowly approached the frozen lack as the small blonde skate back on the ice. He began to wonder what kind of fool he was being, attempting to ice skate.

Quatre watched him, silently cheering him on with his eyes and smile. Trowa finally stepped on the ice amazed he didn't automatically fall on his butt. The blonde approached offering out his experienced hand.

Trowa took it reluctantly finding his balance even more stable then before. Quatre began pulling the taller man around the large oval. After several turns and twists they stopped, both breathless.

"So have you enjoyed yourself?" Quatre asked sitting down on an empty bench.

"Surprisingly, yes, it was very exhilarating," Trowa answered sitting down beside him.

"Are you here alone?" Quatre wondered glancing around.

"Yes, I'm used to it."

"Oh do you want me to leave you alone then?"

"I don't mind your company," Trowa replied. "You are very kind."

"Actually I'm terribly shy."

"Doesn't seem like that to me, you seem very outgoing and friendly," Trowa observed.

"I'm trying to be, my sisters don't think it is healthy to avoid people."

Trowa glanced over at the smaller man, "Maybe they are right."

"I just wish I didn't have so many responsibilities," Quatre sighed leaning forward. "I hate it! I feel like I'm suffocating sometimes."

"What kind of responsibilities do you have?" Trowa asked genuinely curious.

"My father wants me to take over his business one day, so he's training me now I barely get out anymore," Quatre answered looking over at Trowa.

"Your father has a lot of respect for you."

"Why would you say something like that?"

"He must believe in you, to give you such responsibilities, but also to think you can do them without him having to worry."

"I've never thought about it like that thank you for the new perspective. What about your family?"

"Duo and Wufei are my family," Trowa answered without looking up.

"That bad?" Quatre asked concern in his voice.

"I never existed to them I was their mistake, but I am past the hurt of their mistakes. I only need my friends; I find no reason to cling to the past."

"You are a very strong and noble person Trowa, I'm very happy we met," Quatre whispered resting his hand over the brunette's.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*


"I wish it would snow," Quatre said as he and Trowa walked through the lit up downtown. "Especially since Christmas is so close. I wanted to thank you again for coming with me shopping, I hate shopping alone."

"I don't mind at all," Trowa replied adjusting his grip on the bag he carried. "It has been fun. You are fun to be with."

Quatre smiled at him. "Thank you."

The pair walked silently admiring the festive store windows. Most had lights, a tree, and even fake snow piled up. Some were more elaborate then others with figurines and villages set up. It seemed to put them both in the Christmas spirit.

"How are Duo and Heero?" Quatre finally asked breaking the comfortable silence.

"They really aren't together, as much as Duo wishes it," Trowa explained.

"Oh, well I think they make a cute couple," Quatre replied. "So do you have someone special in your life?"

"No."

"You don't want anyone," Quatre stated a hint of sadness in his voice.

"It is not that, just haven't found the right person," Trowa amended.

"Oh."

"What about you, I imagine you have someone special?"

"Actually I don't, I haven't found them yet. Are you like Duo?"

"What do you mean?" Trowa asked stopping.

"What I mean is do you like..."

"Guys?" Trowa finished for him.

"Gosh you must think I'm so rude for asking"

"Yes," Trowa interrupted him stopped the blonde's embarrassed apology.

Quatre stared at him through the reflection in a store window. He was silent, not asking the thousands of questions that flashed through his eyes. Maybe he had been surprised that Trowa had answered honestly. The taller man stared back, their eyes meeting in the window.

Finally the blonde turned and faced Trowa, "Do you like me?" He asked blushing.

"I don't know," Trowa answered. "Don't really know you."

"Would you like to?" Quatre asked his blush growing and darkening.

"Yes," Trowa said taking the plunge. "Would you like to go to dinner?"

"That sounds nice."

"How about right now, it is about dinner time?"

"All right, where should we go?"

"How about that restaurant on the corner of first," Trowa suggested.

"Pasta sounds good, so let's go."

The pair walked back the way they had come, stopping in front of a small Italian restaurant. Going inside they were seated and waited on immediately.

Quatre sipped his ice tea before speaking. "This is the first date I've ever been on."

"That surprises me," Trowa replied setting his water back down.

"Why?"

"I would think many people have tried to take you to dinner, you have so many strong and wonderful qualities," Trowa answered drawing another blush from his date.

"You compliment me way to much, I don't deserve such praise," Quatre said looking at the table.

"Why would you think that?"

"I'm no one special," the blonde finally answered unable to meet Trowa's eyes.

"I find myself disagreeing with that," the brunette replied when their food arrived.

"What are you doing for Christmas?" Quatre asked trying to change the subject.

"Not sure, Duo said he needed to talk to me but I don't know why," Trowa answer. "What about you?"

"The same thing I did last year," he replied a hint of sadness in his voice. "Celebrate alone while father works and my sisters go to parties with their husbands."

"If you would like, you can celebrate with me and my friends, whatever it is we are doing," Trowa offered.

"Oh no, I don't want to..."

"You wouldn't be, Wufei will bring Milliardo and I know Duo will have Heero beside him. You won't be intruding," Trowa said cutting him off.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely, they would be glad to have you there and so would I."

"Well okay then I will."

"Great, I'll let you know as soon as I learn something," Trowa said smiling at Quatre who smiled back.