Thanks again so much to the reviewers! You've been very supportive and patient so I decided to post Chapter 3!
Ok, this chapter was kinda boring to write at first but I went back to change some things and it still needs revision that I'll do as I type it. ^ ~ ^ I hope it is better and not too boring to read! And Please review!
Another note: Neko reviewed the story and asked a good question which I shall answer now. She asked: "How could trowa visit every week when he's traveling in the circus? Or is he not in the circus in this fic?" Very good question indeed. I hadn't really thought too much on that when I wrote the chapter so sorry for the confusion. I will make it known now though that Trowa is not in the circus, he's just…around I guess. Sorry for not really having a specific job for him but I dunno too much about all that. Also, Quatre isn't in charge of Winner Enterprises either and Duo is just living life as it goes. (Again, sorry for no specific occupation) Thanks for your review Neko!
Yet Another Note: Sorry, I forgot to mention at the very beginning of the story that it is a Saturday. So this chapter takes place on the day after, which is Sunday. (I know you knew that but I'm slow enough for everybody and had to mention it)
Disclaimer: Do you really think I own them? *silence* Didn't think so.
Visiting Hours
Chapter Three
Duo's POV
I awoke to the sweet smell of bacon and eggs.
I followed the scent out of my room and down the hall until I eventually found myself in the kitchen. Quatre stood over a steaming platter of bacon, eggs, and pancakes, his eyes shining. I felt the drool slowly trickle out of my open mouth. I shook my head vigorously and ran to the food. Only one problem; I stubbed my big toes on a chair and in pain fell over, hard.
As my face hit the ground, I heard a plate drop and break as footsteps ran towards me. Immediately Quatre was by my side helping me sit up again.
"Are you okay? Duo?" I could see Quatre's face…s? When did Quatre grow another head? And another?
I managed to get over my dizziness enough to reply with a yes and proceed to grab my big toe in pain. Quatre helped me to my feet and then over to the nearest chair. I sat down and held my toe close.
"Do you want some ice for that?" Quatre sounded too concerned. I had only stubbed my toe even if it did hurt like hell. I looked to him to say no thanks only to find he was already getting some. I gave in not wanting to fight with him. He handed me the ice and I nodded my thanks.
Quatre smiled. I always loved his smile. So caring and gentle…like Kurt. My face fell as I thought of why I had come here in the first place. I missed Kurt so much.
Suddenly there was a plate piled high with food in front of me. I looked up and saw Quatre's worried glance on me again. He bent down and gave me a quick hug as Trowa walked in giving me a weird look before sitting across the table from me. I looked sullenly at him before I mouthed 'I'll tell you later.' He understood and started a conversation with Quatre and I.
"So, what have you two been up to?" Quatre chuckled a bit as he placed another plate piled high with food in front of Trowa and a less amount of food for himself.
"Poor Duo stubbed his toe just now. Oh, you should have seen him fall over Trowa, it was hilarious! Just like the old days!" Quatre laughed as Trowa pictured the scene in his mind and smiled. I mock glared at them.
"Hey! I resemble that remark!" I retorted grouchily but couldn't hide my grin as I had purposely confused the clichéd remark. We all had a good laugh and ate our breakfast in each other's company.
------------------------
After much conversing and a hearty meal, I limped my way over to the sink to wash my dish; my toe still hurt! [1] Trowa followed suit and placed his own dish in with mine.
"You should really stay off that toe at least for an hour or two Duo. If you walk around too much you might just make it worse."
I sighed. "Yes, of course. Quatre, can you bring me a chair?" Quatre picked the chair up and brought it to me so I could sit down. I continued my washing as I rested my toe.
Noticing the plate he had dropped before, Quatre bent down to pick up the pieces. Carefully, he placed them in the garbage and turned to me. Somehow, some syrup had gotten stuck to this plate and I was having a hard time scraping it off. Quatre smiled and took the plate from me.
"You don't have to wash these. I'll do it. You and Trowa go have a good time." I took the plate right back from him. I was about to respond but the soap covered plate fell from my also soap covered hand and shattered on the floor. Even Trowa flinched from the doorway as the plate hit the ground.
"Aw man, I'm sorry Q," I bent down to pick up the pieces and was followed to the ground by Quatre. I was going to say something stupid to lighten the mood like, 'What're you stalking me Quat?' but at the sight of Quatre's revealed forearms, I could only gasp.
"Quatre." He pulled his arms into himself quickly. Trowa watched intently fro, his stance as I took Quatre's hands into mine.
I peeled away his sleeves to reveal the several cuts and bruises I had seen mere seconds ago. I thought back to last night and how I had done this same action but it was too dark to really see what I could now.
"Did they do all this to you?"
Again, Quatre pulled his arms away and quickly stood walking into the sitting room. I glanced to Trowa before following Quatre to the room with Trowa close behind. Quatre sat faced away from us in an armchair on the other side of the room.
Carefully we approached Quatre and proceeded to gather around his chair. While Trowa remained standing at the side, I kneeled in front of Quatre and watched his movements.
"I'm so sorry that you all know about this." It was faint but did not go unheard. I stared up at Quatre and watched as he traced the scars along his arm with his finger. I saw the tears in his eyes and instantly went up to hug him.
--------------------
Trowa silently closed the door behind us. Quatre had cried as I held him for about a half hour before falling asleep. It was only the middle of the day but with the circles under Quatre's eyes I would've insisted he sleep anyhow. I had carried him to his bed wand Trowa locked all the windows before we retreated back to the sitting room.
We treaded onward until we landed upon my room. Trowa settled to sit in a chair while I sat in my temporary bed. I pondered for a while on the situation at hand.
"Whatever those people are doing to Quatre is really scaring him. It seems he can't eat or sleep without worrying." Trowa's omniscient voice cut through the silenced. I nodded in agreement to his statement. Quatre was definitely thinner. Then I thought of something.
"Trowa?" He acknowledged my presence. "You come here every week right?" I took the silence as a yes and continued. "Has Quatre never said anything about this gang?" Trowa shook his head. "And you've never encountered them before?" Again, Trowa shook his head and added a bit more to his response.
"Usually, I come here for breakfast and stay until just before dinner on Sunday. We just talk of the week's trials and tribulations, reminisce and then part. Last night was different though. I was free so I decided to surprise Quatre and come the night before usual." He paused. "He never mentions anything about his problems."
I could hear the slight anger in his voice with his last statement as he clenched and unclenched is fists. I was getting frustrated.
"Ugh! Why are they doing this?!" I sighed in anger and thought back to what Mitch told me the night before.
"Ok, so last night Mitch basically said that he wanted Quatre's money. So why not rob him blind and leave him alone. Why do they keep coming back to torture him." The statement ran through our minds and I tried to think of some reason why.
"Maybe Quatre refuses to give them the money," Trowa suggested this but continued on to contradict himself. "But why not just ransack the house and look for the money themselves unless the money isn't here?" He looked to me. I thought for a moment.
"If they couldn't find the money they could just take Quatre or kill him. And besides, Mitch seemed like he wants money but he wasn't exactly asking for it while he was trying to stab Quatre."
The day was growing darker and I let out a defeated sigh. I heard my stomach growl and made my way to the door but stopped as Trowa spoke.
"We are missing something. Something else has to be going on here or we'd be able to connect the dots easier." I silently agreed with Trowa but with another growl from my stomach, I made my way to the kitchen.
I heard muffled noises coming from the kitchen and arrived to see a rested Quatre cooking dinner. He saw me and smiled but there was something in his eyes that didn't quite fit with his happy face.
"What's up Q-man?" I wandered over to the kitchen table with only a slight limp; I guess I really did bang up my toe. I chose a window seat and propped my injured foot up on the chair next to me.
"Not much, does your toe still hurt that bad?" He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked to me. It was weird to think about how just that day he had been bawling in my arms and begging for forgiveness for something out of his hands. It wasn't his fault that that bastard Mitch was torturing him mentally and physically. Damn him and his stupid gang!
I must've been glaring at my toe for a while because before I knew it Quatre was by me waving his hand before my face and asking if I was all right. I nodded to him and apologized.
"Just spacing…oh…what was your last question? Sorry, I forgot it." Quatre chuckled at me and shook his head.
"I asked you if your toe still hurt that bad and by the look you were just shooting its way it must be killing you." I smiled sheepishly.
"Nah, it doesn't hurt that bad," I paused. "I've had it propped up for a while so it should be better soon." I shot him my hundred-watt smile and nodded in return, getting up to check on his cooking.
"So, what're we eating? I'm starved!" Heh, my classic line. Quatre lifted a pot over the sink.
"Nothing special, just Fettuccini Alfredo [2]." He smiled at my sudden intake of breath.
"That is my favorite! Well, beyond burgers of course, I mean burgers are just so…Quatre? Q, you okay?" I ran (as much as a person with a limp can run anyway) to his side.
He stood over the pot, one hand clutching the counter for support and the other over his heart. His empathy was kicking in.
"What's wrong? What's going on?" The last time I saw him this frightened, Quatre had a dart in his neck; I had a right to be worried.
"It's Trowa," he said in a shaky voice. "He's in trouble!" He dashed out the door and down the hall with me surprisingly close behind.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*TBC*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The suspense is killing even me! What's wrong with Trowa? Find out in the next chapter!
[1] - Trust me, I once tripped and fortunately was able to regain my balance before I fell flat on my face but I ended up landing full force on my bent big toe. It was swollen for a few days and still hurt the month after. It even hurts now still and this was back at Christmas!
[2] - This was the only thing I could come up with for dinner. Coz burgers or pizza sounded to plain I guess.
I feel like my story is so clichéd but that's probably only coz I keep running the idea through my mind to try and figure what will happen next. Please review!!!! Even if you want to flame me for no apparent reason! I love getting reviews and feedback and tips on how to improve my writing! ^-^ Chapter Four should be up soon!
Ok, this chapter was kinda boring to write at first but I went back to change some things and it still needs revision that I'll do as I type it. ^ ~ ^ I hope it is better and not too boring to read! And Please review!
Another note: Neko reviewed the story and asked a good question which I shall answer now. She asked: "How could trowa visit every week when he's traveling in the circus? Or is he not in the circus in this fic?" Very good question indeed. I hadn't really thought too much on that when I wrote the chapter so sorry for the confusion. I will make it known now though that Trowa is not in the circus, he's just…around I guess. Sorry for not really having a specific job for him but I dunno too much about all that. Also, Quatre isn't in charge of Winner Enterprises either and Duo is just living life as it goes. (Again, sorry for no specific occupation) Thanks for your review Neko!
Yet Another Note: Sorry, I forgot to mention at the very beginning of the story that it is a Saturday. So this chapter takes place on the day after, which is Sunday. (I know you knew that but I'm slow enough for everybody and had to mention it)
Disclaimer: Do you really think I own them? *silence* Didn't think so.
Visiting Hours
Chapter Three
Duo's POV
I awoke to the sweet smell of bacon and eggs.
I followed the scent out of my room and down the hall until I eventually found myself in the kitchen. Quatre stood over a steaming platter of bacon, eggs, and pancakes, his eyes shining. I felt the drool slowly trickle out of my open mouth. I shook my head vigorously and ran to the food. Only one problem; I stubbed my big toes on a chair and in pain fell over, hard.
As my face hit the ground, I heard a plate drop and break as footsteps ran towards me. Immediately Quatre was by my side helping me sit up again.
"Are you okay? Duo?" I could see Quatre's face…s? When did Quatre grow another head? And another?
I managed to get over my dizziness enough to reply with a yes and proceed to grab my big toe in pain. Quatre helped me to my feet and then over to the nearest chair. I sat down and held my toe close.
"Do you want some ice for that?" Quatre sounded too concerned. I had only stubbed my toe even if it did hurt like hell. I looked to him to say no thanks only to find he was already getting some. I gave in not wanting to fight with him. He handed me the ice and I nodded my thanks.
Quatre smiled. I always loved his smile. So caring and gentle…like Kurt. My face fell as I thought of why I had come here in the first place. I missed Kurt so much.
Suddenly there was a plate piled high with food in front of me. I looked up and saw Quatre's worried glance on me again. He bent down and gave me a quick hug as Trowa walked in giving me a weird look before sitting across the table from me. I looked sullenly at him before I mouthed 'I'll tell you later.' He understood and started a conversation with Quatre and I.
"So, what have you two been up to?" Quatre chuckled a bit as he placed another plate piled high with food in front of Trowa and a less amount of food for himself.
"Poor Duo stubbed his toe just now. Oh, you should have seen him fall over Trowa, it was hilarious! Just like the old days!" Quatre laughed as Trowa pictured the scene in his mind and smiled. I mock glared at them.
"Hey! I resemble that remark!" I retorted grouchily but couldn't hide my grin as I had purposely confused the clichéd remark. We all had a good laugh and ate our breakfast in each other's company.
------------------------
After much conversing and a hearty meal, I limped my way over to the sink to wash my dish; my toe still hurt! [1] Trowa followed suit and placed his own dish in with mine.
"You should really stay off that toe at least for an hour or two Duo. If you walk around too much you might just make it worse."
I sighed. "Yes, of course. Quatre, can you bring me a chair?" Quatre picked the chair up and brought it to me so I could sit down. I continued my washing as I rested my toe.
Noticing the plate he had dropped before, Quatre bent down to pick up the pieces. Carefully, he placed them in the garbage and turned to me. Somehow, some syrup had gotten stuck to this plate and I was having a hard time scraping it off. Quatre smiled and took the plate from me.
"You don't have to wash these. I'll do it. You and Trowa go have a good time." I took the plate right back from him. I was about to respond but the soap covered plate fell from my also soap covered hand and shattered on the floor. Even Trowa flinched from the doorway as the plate hit the ground.
"Aw man, I'm sorry Q," I bent down to pick up the pieces and was followed to the ground by Quatre. I was going to say something stupid to lighten the mood like, 'What're you stalking me Quat?' but at the sight of Quatre's revealed forearms, I could only gasp.
"Quatre." He pulled his arms into himself quickly. Trowa watched intently fro, his stance as I took Quatre's hands into mine.
I peeled away his sleeves to reveal the several cuts and bruises I had seen mere seconds ago. I thought back to last night and how I had done this same action but it was too dark to really see what I could now.
"Did they do all this to you?"
Again, Quatre pulled his arms away and quickly stood walking into the sitting room. I glanced to Trowa before following Quatre to the room with Trowa close behind. Quatre sat faced away from us in an armchair on the other side of the room.
Carefully we approached Quatre and proceeded to gather around his chair. While Trowa remained standing at the side, I kneeled in front of Quatre and watched his movements.
"I'm so sorry that you all know about this." It was faint but did not go unheard. I stared up at Quatre and watched as he traced the scars along his arm with his finger. I saw the tears in his eyes and instantly went up to hug him.
--------------------
Trowa silently closed the door behind us. Quatre had cried as I held him for about a half hour before falling asleep. It was only the middle of the day but with the circles under Quatre's eyes I would've insisted he sleep anyhow. I had carried him to his bed wand Trowa locked all the windows before we retreated back to the sitting room.
We treaded onward until we landed upon my room. Trowa settled to sit in a chair while I sat in my temporary bed. I pondered for a while on the situation at hand.
"Whatever those people are doing to Quatre is really scaring him. It seems he can't eat or sleep without worrying." Trowa's omniscient voice cut through the silenced. I nodded in agreement to his statement. Quatre was definitely thinner. Then I thought of something.
"Trowa?" He acknowledged my presence. "You come here every week right?" I took the silence as a yes and continued. "Has Quatre never said anything about this gang?" Trowa shook his head. "And you've never encountered them before?" Again, Trowa shook his head and added a bit more to his response.
"Usually, I come here for breakfast and stay until just before dinner on Sunday. We just talk of the week's trials and tribulations, reminisce and then part. Last night was different though. I was free so I decided to surprise Quatre and come the night before usual." He paused. "He never mentions anything about his problems."
I could hear the slight anger in his voice with his last statement as he clenched and unclenched is fists. I was getting frustrated.
"Ugh! Why are they doing this?!" I sighed in anger and thought back to what Mitch told me the night before.
"Ok, so last night Mitch basically said that he wanted Quatre's money. So why not rob him blind and leave him alone. Why do they keep coming back to torture him." The statement ran through our minds and I tried to think of some reason why.
"Maybe Quatre refuses to give them the money," Trowa suggested this but continued on to contradict himself. "But why not just ransack the house and look for the money themselves unless the money isn't here?" He looked to me. I thought for a moment.
"If they couldn't find the money they could just take Quatre or kill him. And besides, Mitch seemed like he wants money but he wasn't exactly asking for it while he was trying to stab Quatre."
The day was growing darker and I let out a defeated sigh. I heard my stomach growl and made my way to the door but stopped as Trowa spoke.
"We are missing something. Something else has to be going on here or we'd be able to connect the dots easier." I silently agreed with Trowa but with another growl from my stomach, I made my way to the kitchen.
I heard muffled noises coming from the kitchen and arrived to see a rested Quatre cooking dinner. He saw me and smiled but there was something in his eyes that didn't quite fit with his happy face.
"What's up Q-man?" I wandered over to the kitchen table with only a slight limp; I guess I really did bang up my toe. I chose a window seat and propped my injured foot up on the chair next to me.
"Not much, does your toe still hurt that bad?" He wiped the sweat from his brow and looked to me. It was weird to think about how just that day he had been bawling in my arms and begging for forgiveness for something out of his hands. It wasn't his fault that that bastard Mitch was torturing him mentally and physically. Damn him and his stupid gang!
I must've been glaring at my toe for a while because before I knew it Quatre was by me waving his hand before my face and asking if I was all right. I nodded to him and apologized.
"Just spacing…oh…what was your last question? Sorry, I forgot it." Quatre chuckled at me and shook his head.
"I asked you if your toe still hurt that bad and by the look you were just shooting its way it must be killing you." I smiled sheepishly.
"Nah, it doesn't hurt that bad," I paused. "I've had it propped up for a while so it should be better soon." I shot him my hundred-watt smile and nodded in return, getting up to check on his cooking.
"So, what're we eating? I'm starved!" Heh, my classic line. Quatre lifted a pot over the sink.
"Nothing special, just Fettuccini Alfredo [2]." He smiled at my sudden intake of breath.
"That is my favorite! Well, beyond burgers of course, I mean burgers are just so…Quatre? Q, you okay?" I ran (as much as a person with a limp can run anyway) to his side.
He stood over the pot, one hand clutching the counter for support and the other over his heart. His empathy was kicking in.
"What's wrong? What's going on?" The last time I saw him this frightened, Quatre had a dart in his neck; I had a right to be worried.
"It's Trowa," he said in a shaky voice. "He's in trouble!" He dashed out the door and down the hall with me surprisingly close behind.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*TBC*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The suspense is killing even me! What's wrong with Trowa? Find out in the next chapter!
[1] - Trust me, I once tripped and fortunately was able to regain my balance before I fell flat on my face but I ended up landing full force on my bent big toe. It was swollen for a few days and still hurt the month after. It even hurts now still and this was back at Christmas!
[2] - This was the only thing I could come up with for dinner. Coz burgers or pizza sounded to plain I guess.
I feel like my story is so clichéd but that's probably only coz I keep running the idea through my mind to try and figure what will happen next. Please review!!!! Even if you want to flame me for no apparent reason! I love getting reviews and feedback and tips on how to improve my writing! ^-^ Chapter Four should be up soon!