IV. Duet.
Poco a poco
Poco a poco
Little by little I'll win your trust
and bit by bit I'll have your affection
day by day, I'll sit and rust
Oh, cast your love in my direction!
Little by little I'll tweak your heart
And bit by bit I'll pique your interest
Day by day, part by impart
I'll show you who can love you best.
Part by part I'll love your form
Tit for tat, where the willow weeps
Inch by inch, 'til love's furied storm
Soaks through, and under our skin seeps.
Little by little I'll slay your wyrms
And bit by bit you'll reveal your heat
Day by day, I'll sit and squirm
Until, poco a poco, my life's complete.
-Q.R.W.
Little by little I'll war with my demons
And bit by bit I'll estrange those about me
Day by day, I am even more shunned,
Never alive and never replete.
Little by little my body is dying
And bit by bit my mind wastes away
Day by day, I but cause war and sing
Never aware of what to say.
Part by part I slowly expire
Tattered and sore, under old man Tit Willow
Inch by Inch, my depression grows higher
Until I'm a husk- both fathomless and shallow.
Little by little I'll lay myself down
And bit by bit I'll suppress all my pain
Day by day, I'll hide and frown
Until, poco a poco, I'm able to live again
-N.
Poco a Poco
Little by little he made his way up the stairs to his cold and lonely room. He curled up in his bed, deathly quiet, and gently sank his head into his softest pillow. Not one tear fell down his ivory cheek, nor did anything resembling a sob wrack his body. The covers came up as he performed a self-tuck, and he closed his eyes to greet the darkness.
Instead, he was bombarded.
'You left Treize there and ran like a coward ran like a spoiled child to your makeshift mommy you're so weak no wonder Nanashi wants to be in Treize's arms they're strong and he's virile not like you you're anemic and childish with leaking tear ducts and a perpetually limp penis why would something like Nanashi want you when he could have the most powerful man in the universe at his disposal he's too strong for you he'd never let you have him too beautiful for a pale skinny whelp like you you are a coward couldn't even confront them couldn't even meet Treize's eyes after all he's done for you he's probably the only one in the universe who knows how it feels to be empathic and you're dashing your chances of finding out what it's like to have someone understand you he's a wonderful person I can't believe the things he said to you no one else will ever say those beautiful things to you no one will ever love you you love everyone but no one wants you you could never control Nanashi he's too wild and smart for you you're so stupid why would something like him want to touch your skinny weak body and why would he want to listen to your useless chatter you sound just like your sisters all of the things you say are just shadows of the stupidest things they say you are stupid and belong to Romefellar and because of it you are going to let down Treize and you are going to have to watch him kiss and make love to Nanashi because he'll never leave if he were to leave he would take Nanashi with him and then you'd never get to see him or hear him again in love how can you believe that you're in love you've seen him three times and spoken to him once it's lust you just want what Treize has you want to be Treize but you will never be like Treize you just don't make the cut you are inferior and will never have the power to take Nanashi from him. You are so weak. . .'
"I. . .do love him." Quatre whispered to his demons. It was the only thing he was sure of, though he wasn't sure of why. Nanashi was cold and uninterested, but he affected Quatre as no on had ever influenced him. His heart felt warmed and comforted by Nanashi's stillness and tranquility, and Quatre felt the boy's pain and misery when the cold mask was removed. Quatre was also deeply changed after witnessing the boy's unearthly jade eye(s)- the power and intensity in it unleashed a wave of conflicting emotions and sensations. In those eyes, Nanashi held the power to bring the universe to his feet, with Quatre leading the throng. Nanashi's mysticism, intellect, sensitivity and aching beauty could easily start a war.
'He's my Helen of Troy. . . the face that'll launch a thousand mobile suits'
Quatre's eyes widened.
'. . .call me Paris.'
He shook his head in frustration and buried his nose in his pillow.
'Steal Nanashi from Treize and declare war on Romefellar? You're so daft, Quatre Raberba Winner. I bet you can't even lift him to throw over your shoulder as spoils of war. .. God, where's Aphrodite when you need her? But. . .Nanashi. . .'Quatre moaned softly, his imagination overloading as he pictured hoisting the stunning pilot over his shoulder while standing over Treize's stabbed and dying form. Shivering, he erased the fantasy.
'Don't be a pervert, Quatre. Treize is your friend, so you should at least spare his life when you come to claim Nanashi for your own. . ."claim Nan. . ." Quatre, stop it! What is wrong with me? He's a person, not some property acquisition! He's driving me mad! I can't stop thinking about those eyes! Treize, I'm such an awful friend!' Quatre began to bang his head on the mattress. 'But I've never wanted anything or anyone! How is it fair when I've given so much love to the universe but none of it is returned! I didn't even get a mother, and now I don't have a father or my lover. My lover?!?! Right, Quatre. .. no, all I have are twenty nine sisters who think of me as a glorified Ken doll. That's it. . .and. . .Treize. I have Treize. . .so I can't hurt him. . .I hate myself. ..'
The call of the hermit thrush interrupted his self-abuse. Huffing, Quatre jumped to his feet and strode angrily to the window.
"Go away you. . .you. .. you crow in thrush skin!" He waved his arms madly, wailing at the darkening landscape. "You black-faced molter, pea-brained harpy! Your poison song has no place on these currents- go caw and crow to another ear!" Quatre let loose a primal (albeit slightly impotent) wail of frustration. He waited, daring the thrush to sing again. Instead, he got a low whistle.
". . .That was. . .dramatic."
A thoroughly guilty, delicious shiver ran down his back and he closed his eyes. With moistened lips he addressed the thrush.
"I. . .didn't know it was you. I'm sorry for yelling at you. . ."
"Don't apologize- I am but a crow in thrush skin." Nanashi murmured with a secret smile that massaged Quatre's bruised heart. The young pilot cocked his head to the side. "Do you usually dismiss your unwanted guests with such poetic vigor, Master Winner?"
Quatre blushed and shook his head.
"N. . no, I. . .was just. . .venting."
"You turn into Goethe when you vent."
The intention of Quatre's blush switched from embarrassment to delight.
"Thank you, Nanashi."
The appellation rolled off his tongue like sacred poetry- like practiced poetry. Quatre caressed it with his lips and gums, unconsciously drawing out the nasal consonants. The owner of said name pursed his lips grimly- he seemed to bite his tongue. But instead, he retorted with a pleasant:
"I'm honored to be the recipient of those finely-tuned words, Master Winner."
"Quatre."
"I know your name, Master Winner." Nanashi's eyes narrowed while a eyebrow arched seductively. Quatre giggled and lowered his face.
'A. .are we flirting? Is this flirting? I. . .have no clue! But I feel giddy!'
"You can call me Quatre, Nanashi." He laughed.
"Then you can call me No-name, Quatre." Nanashi lifted his head and quirked the other eyebrow. Quatre giggled again, as he was incapable of suppressing his delight.
"All right, I'll call you nothing. I'll just whistle for you." He demonstrated with a feeble attempt at the thrush's call. Nanashi bit back a smirk.
"Speaking of crows in thrush skin. . ."
"Hey!" Quatre grumped and crossed his arms over his chest. Out of nowhere a powerful and wondrous laugh permeated the air and Quatre was dazzled to discover that its resonating orifice was the soft-spoken knight.
Quatre noticed, at that moment, that all his demons had been quieted.
"I'm glad you find my ineptitude amusing." The young heir sniffed and spoke with fabricated snootiness. Nanashi bit his lip and lowered his head.
"Actually, it was your pout- it was rather cartoonish. . ."
Quatre graced him with another, even more pronounced, sulk, which brought a substantial smirk to the handsome face. They rested together in comfortable silence and Quatre found himself admiring the other boy's voice and wit and wondering if Nanashi really thought him a good poet.
"Are you well, Quatre?" Nanashi asked in all seriousness. Quatre was startled by the question.
"Am I. . .of course I am. Why?"
Nanashi furrowed his brow.
"You did not meet his excellency for your evening walk. He was concerned for your health. . ."
'So that's why he's here.' Quatre's entire mood darkened. 'Treize sent him to find me. Dammit. . .' He thought of something quickly.
"I'm fine, Nanashi. One of my sisters came to find me- she was having a bit of a crisis- so I had to leave quickly. I hope Treize didn't wait long- I'll have to apologize tomorrow. . ."
"Don't worry yourself about it- you have a great deal of responsibility. Treize is treating this like a holiday instead of the invasion it is."
"I suppose he'd rather be pleasant with this. . ." Quatre responded, a little unsure of what he meant.
"He definitely has the system down pat." Nanashi murmured ironically. "But let's not discuss any of that- I'm sure he's pumped you as full of Romefellar propaganda as you can possibly handle." Kicking at the white brick of the wall, Nanashi pointed up. "Is it all right for me to come up? All of this neck-craning is going to affect my performance tests tomorrow."
'Come up? To my bedroom? No no no no no no no. . .'
"Of course. Just open that door to your right and come up the stairs and. . .the heck?!?"
One hand dug into a stone groove, then another. With astounding acrobatic agility, Nanashi began to scale the wall with flooring ease. Quatre gulped and looked around his room.
His room. . .
"Crap! This place is disaster."
The multitudes of clothing still lay in mountains all across the floor from the morning freak-out. The bed was unmade, the floor was muddy and Quatre was about ready to set fire to his mildew-covered bathroom.
'Don't I have servants?!? Shoot shoot shoot.'
So, as Nanashi climbed the four stories to Quatre's bedroom window, the little Space King scurried about like a human broom, sweeping his clothing into his closet and under his bed. His sheets got stuffed under his large pillows and the thick duvet was thrown haphazardly over the entire thing. There was virtually nothing he could do about his bathroom, save wipe the toothpaste off the faucet and shut the door, hoping the pilot had some sort of contraption installed in his space suit to take care of his bodily functions. Then, with a sigh, he flounced on the bed and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"You didn't have to clean up for me, Quatre- I'm a soldier. I live in filth, remember? Honestly, it's almost too clean. . ."
Flicking on an extra light, Quatre shrugged.
"It was. . .pretty messy, actually."
"Then I probably would've felt more at home." Nanashi quipped and gently caressed the bed spread. "I. . .I've never seen anything so white. . ." The pilot stared at the snow-colored duvet in fascination. Quatre pinched himself to bring his mind back out of the gutter.
"Irea says white's easy to wash- just throw it in the washer with a half-cup of bleach. I always got really dirty when I was little, so that was an issue." Quatre spoke nostalgically.
"I just can't see you as the mud-covered, prodigal son, Quatre." Nanashi chuckled and sat on the ornate rug covering the hardwood floor, facing Quatre on the bed.
"Well, I was!" Quatre grinned and sat Indian-style on the fluffy bed. He glanced down at his rubber-clad companion and bit his lip.
"Say, is that all they give you to wear, or is air-tight rubber actually comfortable?"
A tiny, self-deprecating smile graced Nanashi's smooth face.
"I have other clothes- I seem to get them in truckloads- but I'd rather wear this. Just in case something comes up and. . ."
"You have to go back into outer space, right?" Quatre finished. Nanashi nodded wistfully. "Do you. . .do you think you'll get to go to A0206 tomorrow?" Quatre knew what answer he wanted.
"Do you think your sister's professional integrity can be bought and sold?"
"No, of course not!" Quatre answered automatically. Nanashi snorted.
"Then, no- I won't be. She decides if I go or not, and once she sees my test results she'll forbid me from touching Epyon again."
"Why? Were your test results bad?" Quatre asked, suddenly worried. Nanashi shrugged.
"I'm not sure- bad enough for Treize to call Zechs over from L2. I suppose I have been working hard, but I still don't agree with their decision."
"You were pretty vehement." Quatre acknowledged. Nanashi nodded solemnly.
"The more passionate I am, the more inclined Treize is to give in. But. . .he must've found something in the test data to deny me that request."
Quatre swallowed hard at Nanashi's choice of words and put on a brave face.
"Well. . .at least you get a vacation!" Quatre answered brightly. "It's a beautiful time of the cycle on L4- I can show you around if you'd like. I just got my license and I've been dying to take my dad's sports car out of the hold and. . ."
"I'd like that- thank you Quatre."
Quatre beamed and chewed on his lip.
"Perhaps, if I'm permitted, I'll show you my mobile suit."
"Really?" Quatre gushed (not meaning to, of course.). "That would be wonderful! I mean, I've seen some before- I was kidnapped in space once and met these pilots who had mobile suits and they let me touch them- the suits, of course- but we don't generally have mobile suits on L4 because we're a pacifist nation. I'd love to see yours though- what kind is it?"
"It's. . .um. . .an Epyon." Nanashi rubbed his arm. A faint blush appeared on his cheeks and nose, mostly triggered by Quatre's enthusiasm. "It's an original model- there are only two of its kind in the universe. The prototype is the Tallgeese model- Colonel Zechs Merquise is the pilot-, which was the original mecha designed for the alliance. However, after recent discoveries, we've concluded that the model is far superior to the modern mobile suits, thus we fashioned the Epyon Mobile suit from the remains of another, similar suit."
"What happened to that suit? If the model is so good, why didn't you just re-build the Epyon and keep the two original suits?" Quatre asked innocently. But Nanashi was impressed.
"Why indeed. . ." He mused and shook his head. "I. . .destroyed the first model before the mechanics on L3 could complete it."
"You destroyed it? Why?"
"Because I hated it." Nanashi stood and stretched. " I flew into outer space and self-detonated." His voice was completely devoid of sentiment. Quatre gaped.
"Y. .. you 'self-detonated'? What does that mean?"
"It means I blew myself up, of course." He answered matter of factly. "What do you think it means?"
"Well. . .I. . .shoot." Quatre ran a hand through his wild bangs. "I don't know- why did do that?"
Nanashi didn't answer the question. Instead, he focused his attention on the intricate detailing on Quatre's bed posts and skirted the issue. "Epyon is a far more superior model, anyway. Treize utilized the initial design of the Heavy-arms and combined it with features that incorporated the Romefellar ideals and suited my physicality. He improved the speed and Howard and Doktor S. invented a new Gundanium alloy that allowed for more flexibility. And, of course, Treize had the emphasis shifted from distance to close combat. I had to adapt to that, since I'd used the old alliance suits that focused on long range fire power. Treize named it- pretentious fop- but I can deal with the name if I'm allowed to pilot it in combat."
'Wow. .. that was really thorough. I guess I'll have to see this Epyon.'
"But you, Quatre- what do you do? I realize that you're now the leader of colony and soon to be Romefellar's new darling," Nanashi sneered at this. "But what do you love? What makes you happy?"
'You.'
"I. . .No one's really asked me that." Quatre replied, rubbing his still bandaged hand. "I. . .hm. . .I suppose I love music best." He smiled shyly. "I've always loved music- listening to it, playing, composing. . .I think that's what makes me happiest."
"What do you play?" Nanashi asked softly, sitting beside Quatre on the edge of the bed. He paused for a moment, and bounced lightly, then hid behind his hair. "I apologize. Your bed's really soft. What instruments do you play?"
"Oh, I play almost everything!" Quatre exclaimed. "But I mostly play the piano and the violin- they're my favorites. I try to practice every day but. . ." Quatre trailed off and looked at his hand. Nanashi caught the glance and frowned.
"Your hand. . .is it healing well?"
"Not enough to play, I'm afraid." Quatre answered sadly. "But it doesn't matter- the conservatory was ruined during the siege." He hung his head. "The piano was shot to hell. . ."
"Quatre. . .I'll get a new piano for you." Nanashi whispered and cautiously reached out to rub Quatre's shoulder. A sudden shock ripped through their forms. They stared into each other's eyes, acutely aware of something neither of them understood.
'I. . .want to kiss you.'
Treize didn't exist in this moment. Pain didn't exist in this moment, nor did Nanashi's illness or Quatre's suffering. It was just chemistry at an organic level.
Then it was gone.
"Your father's memorial service is tomorrow evening, is it not?" Nanashi pulled his hand away and stroked the cool material of the duvet. Quatre nodded, but said nothing, mourning the lost moment. The pilot apparently sensed Quatre's new emotion, for he rose slowly and coughed.
"I. . .should probably leave you. It's getting late. . ."
"No!" Quatre jumped up and grabbed the boy's hands. Nanashi stared at him in shock. Quatre panted. "I. . .I. . ."
'You stupid idiot! What are you going to do now?'
"Please don't go, not yet. I. . .get so lonely." 'You sound pathetic!' "Nanashi, I. . .don't really have any friends- just my sisters and they're pretty annoying." The pilot hid his face subtly. "Just, stay a little longer, than you can take off. You're not bothering me- I'm sorry our conversation got stilted and sad- It's just been really hard around here with everything that's going on. Please, keep me company a little longer?"
The moment that passed seemed infinitely long, but it was all made better with Nanashi's mind-blowing secret smile.
"Of course."
Grinning, Quatre ran to his cupboard, flung open the doors.
"Would you like to listen to some music?" Quatre asked his guest. Nanashi nodded politely. Rummaging through his disks, Quatre pulled out a simple, labeless diskette and inserted into his digital player. Pressing play, he shrugged and grinned.
"I'm not sure what you like, so I figured this was safe."
"What is it?"
"I'm not sure." Quatre laughed and sat beside his friend on the cool bed. The tinny sound of the piano trickled into the room, then burst into an almost erotic passionata as the bass intensified and the melody soared.
"It's. . .beautiful." Nanashi listened attentively, virtually spellbound. The pilot brought his legs up under him and sat hunched over, ensnared by the traveling arpeggios and passionate melody. Quatre nodded wordlessly and leaned back against his headboard. The position gave him a clear view of the pilot, utterly seduced in a-minor. Quatre became breathless as Nanashi did- the sealed chest rose and fell quickly with the throbbing pulse of the piece. The young King's royal-blue eyes drooped heavily with desire as he witnessed the sensuous reaction in the sensitive pilot.
'So beautiful. ..you have no idea. . .'
The music picked up, turned major and chaotic, which, in turn, affected Nanashi. His long-fingered hand grasped the ornate bed post, as if he were in danger of being swept away. The long bangs grazed the oak post when Nanashi chose to lean his dreaming head against the fine grain. He finally closed his eyes and gave in.
He was utterly entranced which, in turn, claimed Quatre as a lover and a fool.
The song ended gently, then drifted into another lovely, though less intense piece. Shaking his head, Nanashi rose as if from a dream, and looked guiltily at Quatre.
"I. . .enjoyed that."
"I hadn't noticed." Quatre answered in all seriousness, then burst out giggling. Nanashi blushed a brilliant red.
"I play the piano a bit. . ." Nanashi justified. "Treize arranged for a good teacher when we were on Earth, so I learned quite a bit. I'm not very good at reading music- I'd rather play by ear. That was how I learned the flute during my childhood. I found an old, slightly tarnished one in the forest behind some aristocrat's house when I was six, so I brought it back to the camp and cleaned it up- shone it up with silver polish- and taught myself to play. I. . had nothing else, so it was my favorite thing in the world. After completing a mission, I would play for the soldiers in my brigade and I'd usually get a special treat- a new gun on my mobile suit, or sometimes candy. I. . .sold my flute when I was ten so I could afford to catch a transport ship to L3. Two years ago, when Treize took me in, he gave me his mother's flute. Supposedly she had lulled him to sleep with it when he was an infant. So I played it for him- it was the least I could do. . ." He trailed off and leaned back on his elbows. Quatre was perplexed, though.
"'Took you in'? What do you mean?"
Nanashi glanced over and frowned.
"He took me in as his ward. I'm an orphan, Quatre."
"An orphan." Quatre gasped. "No. That's so sad. . .Nanashi." The pilot shrugged.
" I grew up on earth and was raised by a mercenary group until I was ten."He contineud, unfazed. "Then my corps was annihilated and I decided that space was the answer. After traveling to L3 and working with a sweeper group, I worked for the Barton foundation as an assistant mechanical engineer. That's where I met Treize, two years ago, when he arrested Trowa Barton for espionage and terrorism. After that, I stayed on with him and became an Oz soldier."
"Trowa Barton. . ." Quatre whispered. "Trowa Barton was assassinated two years ago. . ."
"Yes." Nanashi lowered his head.
" It was something to do with the illegal construction of mobile suits. . .something about an invasion. . ."
"It's common knowledge in Romefellar, Quatre, so you're allowed to know. The Barton Foundation, under Trowa's command, had started to fashion a league of powerful mechas which were going to be used to take over Earth. This siege was to be called "Project Meteor" and would render Earth powerless. However, Treize discovered Trowa's plan when he was visiting his daughter, who is also Dekim Barton's grand-daughter, Trowa's niece. But, there was no way Romefellar could allow Trowa to remain alive."
"Trowa was killed by Oz. . ." Quatre was shaking. He remembered the day Trowa had died- the public had blamed terrorists and had mourned for the heir. Quatre's father had sent him away to be protected. During that same time, his beloved Instructor had been arrested and taken to earth. It had been a hellish time for the colonies. "So. . .Treize killed a member of his family?" His voice was quiet and sad. Nanashi shook his head.
"No. I did."
Quatre gasped.
"N. .na. . ."
"And I would do it again." Nanashi's voice was robotic. Quatre shook his head madly.
"I c. .can't believe that you would. . ."
"Kill a murderer? A child molester? A fascist madman?" Nanashi offered simply. Quatre wrung his hands miserably.
"Kill anyone. Cold blood."
"My death count is almost a thousand, Quatre. You're sitting in bed with a killer."
Quatre was shocked to hear the words. Hadn't it been only moments earlier when Nanashi had been spellbound by the raw and glorious modality of the piano piece? Witty Nanashi, who had compared Quatre to Goethe, who could mimic the song of the thrush- who had the most beautiful, clandestine smile.
Quatre smiled sadly. He pushed the misery aside.
"You're a walking paradox- a web of complexities. I. . .don't think I'll ever be able to figure you out."
"Good. I don't want anyone to delve that deep. I don't want to scare you too badly, Master Winner." Nanashi murmured, suddenly at ease. Quatre was shaken, but he was hardly afraid of Nanashi.
He was too in love to worry about such silliness as death.
"Quatre, I don't know how you can possibly stay awake sitting on this thing." The pilot laughed. "It's like lying in clouds. The duvet even looks like a cloud."
"Are you falling asleep, Nanashi?" Quatre teased. The music in the background twinkled in the instrument's upper register.
"No, of course not. . ."To punctuate his point, Nanashi yawned and covered his hand like a little darling. Quatre giggled, Nanashi glowered. "I'm not tired. I was just making an observation. . ."
"You should try laying down on it." Quatre beamed and snuggled into his pillows. "I bet you'd fall asleep in a second! No more thoughts of Epyon or war or anything- you'd be dreaming of puffy white sheep and clouds shaped like fauns."
"Is that what you dream of?" Nanashi asked, eyebrow arched. Quatre glanced at him haughtily.
"It was simply a random example." He uttered with disdain and a wave of his hand.
"Well then. . ." Shimmying over to the far side, Nanashi stretched out his body alongside Quatre's.
Choking down his exuberance and trying desperately to calm his rapid pulse, Quatre observed Nanashi who was presently burying his cheek into Quatre's pillow.
'It would be so easy to put my arm around him and kiss him. His past be damned- he's a miracle.'
"Mmm. . .Quatre," Nanashi mumbled into the pillow. The husky tone caught the Space King off guard and Quatre found himself growing a little uncomfortable in the groin region. "I've never felt like this. . .And to think I've been sleeping on the floor for the last. . .well, most of my life. I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to concrete or dirt."
'You can sleep in my bed whenever you want. . .'
"Don't get too comfortable-" Quatre warned. "You fall asleep in this and I have a feeling you'll be lost to the world. It'll make you soft like me."
"Mmm. . .I wouldn't mind that."
Quatre mustered up the courage and poked the pilot in the side.
"You can't sleep in that space suit. . . "
"Watch me. . ."
"Nanashi!"
"Hmm. . ."
Quatre giggled and pulled on the boy's arm. "Tell you what- since you're getting me a piano, the least I can do is get you a bed. Maybe it'll make you feel better- a good bed is critical for good health, y'know. Of course, if you had a good bed, you'd get lazy like me and sleep in 'til noon, and then Oz would lose their best pilot. So. . .well, I guess it's your decision, Nanashi. . .Nanashi? H. .hey!"
Quatre rolled the deathly quiet soldier onto his back and then swore.
'He's sound asleep!'
The measured breath and placid demeanor were indications that yes, Nanashi was asleep. Quatre had to laugh, despite himself.
'I can't just let him stay here all night! He'll be angry with me! Well. . at least I won the bet. He must be so exhausted- Treize is probably right in revoking his pilot status. . .Treize. . .Treize is probably waiting for him to return. . .waiting to touch him and. . .stop, don't think about that. . .he's here- Nanashi is here. He's happy- he's peaceful and healthy. He's laying in kissing reach .' Quatre touched the boy's face with a hesitant finger. The young pilot mumbled incoherently, but remained asleep. Reaching up to touch the tip of Nanashi's bangs, Quatre watched the boy sleep. 'He's perfect. Treize can wait all night. Nanashi is mine tonight. There's no harm in that. Just for tonight he can be mine. . .'
Quatre turned the lights off and threw a cover over Nanashi's rubber-clad form. Then, curling up on the other side of the bed, Quatre listened to the gentle strains of lulling music- the music that had seduced Nanashi for him. He then fantasized about Nanashi- replayed their evening together in his mind and let his wild and hormonal imagination run rampant. He was tempted to unzip the pilot's space suit- it looked really suffocating. Plus, it would give the blond-haired boy a chance to see more of that lovely caramel skin. Quatre imagined divesting Nanashi a hundred times until he finally fell asleep- his angelic face still plastered in a wicked grin.