Catherine stood in front of the mirror, her locks of auburn hair curled in
tight ringlets around her face. She smiled in contentment at the girl that
smiled back in the mirror. Her lips were painted a dark shade of reddish
brown to blend with her hair; in contrast, her skin was powdered a pale
white as was the fashion of the day. Beyond the streaks of bright green eye
shadow, a gleaming violet shone through in her eyes which sparkled with
excitement and wonder.
Trowa sat on the soft bed spread, regarding his sister as she stood in front of the mirror for what felt like the fiftieth time that night. He was happy that she had something to be excited about...he'd feel terrible once she knew the truth.
//Or,// Trowa thought, leaning back on his elbows. //Perhaps I'LL be the one who will discover a truth beyond what Heero is showing me.//
Catherine turned to face Trowa, still smiling brightly. "So?" she asked, twirling around once more. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful," commented Trowa, who attempted a small smile in return. "You're nervous," he added, noting that Catherine's hands were trembling the slightest bit while she held up the dress that swept the floor as she walked.
"I know," said Catherine, blushing. "I just...just think about where we WERE, Trowa," Catherine said, sitting beside her brother on the bed. She grasped Trowa's hands in hers, and she grinned widely. "I was wrong to doubt your certainty about leaving the train...we've got what we've always wanted! Money and food...more than enough of it...and even a place to stay."
Trowa agreed, in some aspects. Money and food were his original intentions for letting Heero take them under his wing...but now that he had it, things were seen in such different lights. He wanted...he wanted something he couldn't quite put his finger on. He stood, wishing his sister a fabulous time as he excused himself to seek out Heero and see that he was preparing for the night as well.
He closed the door to the room he shared with Catherine, and walked towards Heero's room, finding himself face to face with a closed door. Trowa realized that Heero's door was most often found closed, even when Heero was alone in the house. Knocking softly, Trowa stood outside Heero's door.
"Heero?" he called in a whisper. Recognizing Heero's request for his entrance - a simple "enter"-he turned the knob fully and walked in, closing the door softly behind him. At once it was an onslaught, Heero pressing Trowa into the door, Heero's tongue teasing Trowa's lips and the corners of the taller man's mouth. Trowa's arms wrapped around Heero's neck, letting their tongues clash together in a wildly tiny hurricane as Heero grasped Trowa's hips.
Suddenly, images of Catherine and Heero's lips pressed together firmly flashed into Trowa's mind, and he pulled away softly.
"Not now, Heero," he said, wiping his mouth. "Catherine's waiting for you."
Heero cocked his head. "Are you sure you're feeling well, Trowa?" He gazed into Trowa's emerald, passionate, but clouded eyes, as the stare became too much for Trowa and he stepped away, holding the door open for Heero.
"Have a good time," Trowa said. "I'm going to bed in a couple of hours; I'll see you in the morning, I suppose."
Catherine stepped into the hallway, her skirt whooshing and swooshing around her ankles. She smiled at Heero and Trowa at the other end of the hallway. "Are you ready, Heero?"
A smile tugged at Heero's lips, but he couldn't bring himself to a full grin. "I'll be right there. Sebastian is out by the carriage and I'll join you in a few moments."
Catherine curtseyed politely and walked into the kitchen where the stairs would lead to the door to the outside.
Heero looked back at Trowa one last time. "Are you sure nothing is wrong?"
"Yes. Now go...I'll be here in the morning, you know."
Heero smiled fully and then pressed his lips to Trowa's, cradling the back of Trowa's head. Heero then left, looking back one last time to nod to Trowa, who stood at the doorway like an abandoned child.
Trowa heard the door slam and he looked down at his feet.
//Nothing is wrong,// he tried to convince himself. //Nothing.//
----------
Catherine and Heero entered the ballroom hand in hand. Catherine walked beside Heero, her eyes capturing rich visions of the orchestra that provided soft background music to lavish couples, some swaying together on the polished dance floor and others stopping to admire Heero's paintings that were displayed among other established artists. The paintings would be auctioned off later that night.
"It's so beautiful, Heero," Catherine remarked as she tilted her head towards the eloquent chandeliers above her head.
"Indeed," was all Heero said, also looking around the room. What *he* was looking for, however, were possible buyers of his paintings, feeling contented as he saw the mayor and his wife among the reputable-and wealthy- guests who were smiling as they gestured towards a landscape of his.
He led Catherine to a table, pulling out a chair for her to sit upon. Catherine took her seat, pulling it towards the table. Before her was a plate that held a variety of hors d'oeuvres. Catherine's eyes widened as she reached for something of which its identity she did not know anything about, but that it appeared tasty. Heero put his hand lightly over hers.
"Not yet, but soon," he said.
Catherine immediately blushed a fine crimson, but Heero patted her hand comfortingly. "You can eat, but it is considered impolite. See Madame Pomfry stuffing her face? She has no dignity to lose."
Catherine giggled as felt at ease as she watched the overly voluptuous woman who shoved food in her mouth just as quickly as she was speaking, food spewing from her mouth and onto the floor where her lap dog ate up the leftover crumbs. Catherine smiled at Heero, who squeezed her hand in return as they heard someone announce that dinner was served.
"...Heero?" Catherine started. Her violet eyes darted eagerly to the untouched food on her plate to Heero and back again.
Heero smiled his rare smile. "You may eat now, Catherine."
Catherine smiled sheepishly as she picked up an hors d'oeuvre and bit into it. Immediately, her mouth was overcome with exquisite flavors she'd never had before. She was beginning to love this new life as she took each savory bite.
Heero looked on, still mesmerized by the wonder found in Catherine's eyes with each new luxury that he found unnecessary and excessive. It was like watching a child unwrap birthday presents. The wonder and pleasant surprises were found in Catherine, the wonder and surprise Heero had lost so long ago and was now drowning in the beauty he found in both Catherine and Trowa.
//Am I fond of Catherine?// he thought. He really didn't know for sure. She gave him so much; for the gifts of awe and excitement and curiosity, he tried to reimburse her with material things he continued to feel inadequate about.
The night continued on-Heero's paintings sold well and Catherine talked excitedly about it on the way back home in the carriage.
"I'm so happy for you, Heero!" she praised him. "Wow...all that money you won...I mean...I know it's rude for women to talk to men about their investments-"
"Some of it will go to your brother; I have more portraits I'd like to do of him." Heero was holding Catherine's hand as they sat side by side, her head on his shoulder. She was a wee bit tipsy; her lack of earlier alcohol intake gave her a rather low tolerance. Heero had seen her down three or four glasses during the night; who knows how many she'd had when he *wasn't* looking.
"That's great, Heero!" she said, slurring the "r" in his name.
"Okay, Catherine, as soon as we get home, we're going to bed, okay?"
"`We'?" she said, smiling a little too gleefully. "Heero, you're a naughty boy!" she said giggling as she tilted her head up and clumsily crushed her lips against Heero's, not waiting for permission before diving her tongue into his mouth.
Before Heero could fully comprehend what was happening, Catherine was straddling his lap, her knees on the cushion of the carriage, pressing her supple breasts against Heero's chest, pressing her crotch against Heero's teasingly. The skirt of her dress was pulled up as Heero ran his hands along the sides of her muscular legs, strong after years in the gypsy train.
Catherine ran her hands along Heero's chest, continuing to kiss him ferociously and with demand. She rocked against his groin which was slowly coming to life with Catherine's purpose. His breath was shallow as she grazed her teeth against his cheek and she began to suckle firmly on his neck, teasing the nerve centers she located by Heero's slight grunts of pleasure.
Heero was blinded by what Catherine was making him feel, completely oblivious to the fact that Sebastian had purposely circled the street two or three times, hearing the sounds of their passion.
//I don't want to hurt Trowa...I don't want to...I don't want...oh, god, that feels good.//
Suddenly, all the desire burned out as the carriage came to a stop in front of the house. Catherine threw herself off of Heero and they both straightened their clothing promptly. Sebastain opened the door with a secretive knowledge in his eyes that he shared with Heero, who led Catherine out of the carriage.
She immediately slipped and fell onto the road.
"Oof!" was her cry, the dress spilling out over her legs as she fell. In one movement, Heero scooped Catherine in his arms, carrying her into the house, nodding his thanks to Sebastian as he traveled upstairs.
He found darkness from Trowa's room as he carried Catherine down on his bed, then closing and locking the door to his bedroom. Frantically stripping off his shirt, he dove onto the bed, hovering over Catherine's body and kissing her in an almost psychotic frenzy, fondling her breasts roughly and smashing his lips against hers, his tongue seeking her throat. She accepted all of Heero's passion fully, arching her back into his touch, opening her mouth wider to take him in. Her dress was unbuttoned clumsily, her skin exposed to the cool night air, yet the sweat of her desire mixed with Heero's.
Heero could hear nothing but Catherine's small whimpers and sighs of the pleasure he provided. He could feel nothing but the way Catherine's core enveloped him as he pistoned into her body. He could taste nothing but the arousal that hung in the air like a thick fog. He could smell nothing but the scents of burning wax, of Catherine's perfume, and the smells of sex. He could see nothing but Catherine's beautiful face, her curious, eager face twisted in ecstacy.
Climaxing, he slumped against her body as her vaginal walls continued to pulse and throb against his erection that still lingered in her body. They heaved against each other, their breath intermixing. He pulled out, and lay beside her, stroking her hair away from her eyes which continued to dance as she closed them and surrendered to sleep, feeling that words weren't necessary.
Heero waited until he heard Catherine's breath even out, knowing that she was indeed asleep. He tiptoed quietly into Trowa's room to find the beautiful man in a deep slumber.
Trowa was completely nude, the covers kicked away during a dream. His body was a work of art, each muscle sculpted perfectly, each facial feature in its perfect place. His eyelashes fluttered as a dream overtook Trowa's world.
Heero sat down beside Trowa, pulling out the same charcoal and paper he'd stashed away from before. He began to draw.
----------
Trowa awoke, the sun blinding him for a few split seconds as he waited for his eyes to adjust. The sun was just rising over the horizon, spilling its glaze over the clouds in the wee hours of morning.
He tried to sit up from the floor, but his hand was unsteady and slipped from beneath him, sending him down onto his elbow. He looked down at the distraction to find himself.
A drawing of himself. Fifty, sixty sleeping Trowas lay scattered on the floor at his side, forming a bed for Heero, who slept slumped against Catherine's bed fast asleep, charcoal pencil still in his hand, which was black from the charcoal itself.
Trowa smiled at Heero, who was naked as he was, his groin covered by the sketch pad on his lap. He glanced up to see Catherine asleep as well...only to find an equally naked bed.
Trowa furrowed his brow and stood, quiet as not to wake Heero. He stepped outside and into the kitchen hoping that Catherine was there.
She wasn't.
He made his way back to his room, and dared to glance into Heero's open bedroom door. The glance became a glare as his eyes rested upon his sister in Heero's bed, the covers pulled up over her body...her shoulders bare, hinting at what the rest of her body wore-nothing.
Heero awoke; judging how the sun nearly fried his eyes as he woke, he judged that it was midday and that he'd have to get stronger shades to block out the sun. He tried to sit up, only to realize he already was. As his eyes adjusted, he also realized that someone else was sitting on the floor in front of him. It was Trowa.
Trowa was silent for a few moments; he'd taken a cup of coffee into his lap, stirring it occassionaly while watching the cream dissolve into the black heat.
"So," Trowa began. "You invited her into your bed."
Heero looked down, ashamed. //Oh god,// he thought. "It's not what he thinks...or is it?// "Yes, I did," he answered plainly. "And I'd like for you to know my intentions."
Trowa dared not look into Heero's eyes, for he knew if he did, he'd get the firey and encapturing stare of Heero's intensity. "Proceed."
"Trowa," he began. Truth be told, he didn't know what exactly his intentions were either. "You know how women are towards men-"
"No," interrupted Trowa curtly. "Actually, I don't-and I didn't think you would either."
Heero sighed. "Listen, Trowa. She was drunk. I was a little tispy myself. I was...I was irrational. I wasn't thinking as clearly as I could and I'm sure Catherine wasn't either. I don't know how I can explain this to you."
Trowa glared at the hard wood floor he sat upon. "Try."
Heero inhaled, closing his eyes. "Do you remember when I told you why I painted in the candlelight? Because it was inconsistant, as everything is?" Trowa's silence he took as an affirmation and he continued. "Life changes, Trowa. People change. Things...don't stay the same. Relationships flicker and die out like a candle; but sometimes they seem to dim a little and then burn brightly again." Heero scooted closer to Trowa. "I understand why you're hurt. All I can do is apologize, and I do. I'm so deepy sorry that I've hurt you. It must be hard for you to understand me. But we must trust each other through the flickering of life. And perhaps-" he took Trowa's hand "-perhaps we can shine again together."
Tears fell from Trowa's eyes. "I don't know what to say." He finally chanced a glance at Heero; instead of a glare he found compassion. It was what he needed. "It's hard to understand you, Heero," he said. "I'm trying so goddam hard."
"Why do you continue to try?" asked Heero, his voice soft and cracking with the sobs that caught in his throat.
"Because something tells me that if I keep trying, it will be rewarding. Something tells me that we'll continue to burn." He smiled through the light tears that streamed down his face.
"Whatever that something is," Heero said, his own tears shining on his cheeks. "I'm glad you're listening to it." He joined his lips to Trowa's, their kiss sweet and nurturing. A warmth spread between them, contrasting the cool air in the room. Their hands touched each other's faces, each worshiping the other's physical features, each other's touch.
A gasp was heard and echoed in the small room. Heero and Trowa both turned to face Catherine, who stood at the doorway, her body wrapped in Heero's bedsheets.
--to be continued--
Trowa sat on the soft bed spread, regarding his sister as she stood in front of the mirror for what felt like the fiftieth time that night. He was happy that she had something to be excited about...he'd feel terrible once she knew the truth.
//Or,// Trowa thought, leaning back on his elbows. //Perhaps I'LL be the one who will discover a truth beyond what Heero is showing me.//
Catherine turned to face Trowa, still smiling brightly. "So?" she asked, twirling around once more. "How do I look?"
"Beautiful," commented Trowa, who attempted a small smile in return. "You're nervous," he added, noting that Catherine's hands were trembling the slightest bit while she held up the dress that swept the floor as she walked.
"I know," said Catherine, blushing. "I just...just think about where we WERE, Trowa," Catherine said, sitting beside her brother on the bed. She grasped Trowa's hands in hers, and she grinned widely. "I was wrong to doubt your certainty about leaving the train...we've got what we've always wanted! Money and food...more than enough of it...and even a place to stay."
Trowa agreed, in some aspects. Money and food were his original intentions for letting Heero take them under his wing...but now that he had it, things were seen in such different lights. He wanted...he wanted something he couldn't quite put his finger on. He stood, wishing his sister a fabulous time as he excused himself to seek out Heero and see that he was preparing for the night as well.
He closed the door to the room he shared with Catherine, and walked towards Heero's room, finding himself face to face with a closed door. Trowa realized that Heero's door was most often found closed, even when Heero was alone in the house. Knocking softly, Trowa stood outside Heero's door.
"Heero?" he called in a whisper. Recognizing Heero's request for his entrance - a simple "enter"-he turned the knob fully and walked in, closing the door softly behind him. At once it was an onslaught, Heero pressing Trowa into the door, Heero's tongue teasing Trowa's lips and the corners of the taller man's mouth. Trowa's arms wrapped around Heero's neck, letting their tongues clash together in a wildly tiny hurricane as Heero grasped Trowa's hips.
Suddenly, images of Catherine and Heero's lips pressed together firmly flashed into Trowa's mind, and he pulled away softly.
"Not now, Heero," he said, wiping his mouth. "Catherine's waiting for you."
Heero cocked his head. "Are you sure you're feeling well, Trowa?" He gazed into Trowa's emerald, passionate, but clouded eyes, as the stare became too much for Trowa and he stepped away, holding the door open for Heero.
"Have a good time," Trowa said. "I'm going to bed in a couple of hours; I'll see you in the morning, I suppose."
Catherine stepped into the hallway, her skirt whooshing and swooshing around her ankles. She smiled at Heero and Trowa at the other end of the hallway. "Are you ready, Heero?"
A smile tugged at Heero's lips, but he couldn't bring himself to a full grin. "I'll be right there. Sebastian is out by the carriage and I'll join you in a few moments."
Catherine curtseyed politely and walked into the kitchen where the stairs would lead to the door to the outside.
Heero looked back at Trowa one last time. "Are you sure nothing is wrong?"
"Yes. Now go...I'll be here in the morning, you know."
Heero smiled fully and then pressed his lips to Trowa's, cradling the back of Trowa's head. Heero then left, looking back one last time to nod to Trowa, who stood at the doorway like an abandoned child.
Trowa heard the door slam and he looked down at his feet.
//Nothing is wrong,// he tried to convince himself. //Nothing.//
----------
Catherine and Heero entered the ballroom hand in hand. Catherine walked beside Heero, her eyes capturing rich visions of the orchestra that provided soft background music to lavish couples, some swaying together on the polished dance floor and others stopping to admire Heero's paintings that were displayed among other established artists. The paintings would be auctioned off later that night.
"It's so beautiful, Heero," Catherine remarked as she tilted her head towards the eloquent chandeliers above her head.
"Indeed," was all Heero said, also looking around the room. What *he* was looking for, however, were possible buyers of his paintings, feeling contented as he saw the mayor and his wife among the reputable-and wealthy- guests who were smiling as they gestured towards a landscape of his.
He led Catherine to a table, pulling out a chair for her to sit upon. Catherine took her seat, pulling it towards the table. Before her was a plate that held a variety of hors d'oeuvres. Catherine's eyes widened as she reached for something of which its identity she did not know anything about, but that it appeared tasty. Heero put his hand lightly over hers.
"Not yet, but soon," he said.
Catherine immediately blushed a fine crimson, but Heero patted her hand comfortingly. "You can eat, but it is considered impolite. See Madame Pomfry stuffing her face? She has no dignity to lose."
Catherine giggled as felt at ease as she watched the overly voluptuous woman who shoved food in her mouth just as quickly as she was speaking, food spewing from her mouth and onto the floor where her lap dog ate up the leftover crumbs. Catherine smiled at Heero, who squeezed her hand in return as they heard someone announce that dinner was served.
"...Heero?" Catherine started. Her violet eyes darted eagerly to the untouched food on her plate to Heero and back again.
Heero smiled his rare smile. "You may eat now, Catherine."
Catherine smiled sheepishly as she picked up an hors d'oeuvre and bit into it. Immediately, her mouth was overcome with exquisite flavors she'd never had before. She was beginning to love this new life as she took each savory bite.
Heero looked on, still mesmerized by the wonder found in Catherine's eyes with each new luxury that he found unnecessary and excessive. It was like watching a child unwrap birthday presents. The wonder and pleasant surprises were found in Catherine, the wonder and surprise Heero had lost so long ago and was now drowning in the beauty he found in both Catherine and Trowa.
//Am I fond of Catherine?// he thought. He really didn't know for sure. She gave him so much; for the gifts of awe and excitement and curiosity, he tried to reimburse her with material things he continued to feel inadequate about.
The night continued on-Heero's paintings sold well and Catherine talked excitedly about it on the way back home in the carriage.
"I'm so happy for you, Heero!" she praised him. "Wow...all that money you won...I mean...I know it's rude for women to talk to men about their investments-"
"Some of it will go to your brother; I have more portraits I'd like to do of him." Heero was holding Catherine's hand as they sat side by side, her head on his shoulder. She was a wee bit tipsy; her lack of earlier alcohol intake gave her a rather low tolerance. Heero had seen her down three or four glasses during the night; who knows how many she'd had when he *wasn't* looking.
"That's great, Heero!" she said, slurring the "r" in his name.
"Okay, Catherine, as soon as we get home, we're going to bed, okay?"
"`We'?" she said, smiling a little too gleefully. "Heero, you're a naughty boy!" she said giggling as she tilted her head up and clumsily crushed her lips against Heero's, not waiting for permission before diving her tongue into his mouth.
Before Heero could fully comprehend what was happening, Catherine was straddling his lap, her knees on the cushion of the carriage, pressing her supple breasts against Heero's chest, pressing her crotch against Heero's teasingly. The skirt of her dress was pulled up as Heero ran his hands along the sides of her muscular legs, strong after years in the gypsy train.
Catherine ran her hands along Heero's chest, continuing to kiss him ferociously and with demand. She rocked against his groin which was slowly coming to life with Catherine's purpose. His breath was shallow as she grazed her teeth against his cheek and she began to suckle firmly on his neck, teasing the nerve centers she located by Heero's slight grunts of pleasure.
Heero was blinded by what Catherine was making him feel, completely oblivious to the fact that Sebastian had purposely circled the street two or three times, hearing the sounds of their passion.
//I don't want to hurt Trowa...I don't want to...I don't want...oh, god, that feels good.//
Suddenly, all the desire burned out as the carriage came to a stop in front of the house. Catherine threw herself off of Heero and they both straightened their clothing promptly. Sebastain opened the door with a secretive knowledge in his eyes that he shared with Heero, who led Catherine out of the carriage.
She immediately slipped and fell onto the road.
"Oof!" was her cry, the dress spilling out over her legs as she fell. In one movement, Heero scooped Catherine in his arms, carrying her into the house, nodding his thanks to Sebastian as he traveled upstairs.
He found darkness from Trowa's room as he carried Catherine down on his bed, then closing and locking the door to his bedroom. Frantically stripping off his shirt, he dove onto the bed, hovering over Catherine's body and kissing her in an almost psychotic frenzy, fondling her breasts roughly and smashing his lips against hers, his tongue seeking her throat. She accepted all of Heero's passion fully, arching her back into his touch, opening her mouth wider to take him in. Her dress was unbuttoned clumsily, her skin exposed to the cool night air, yet the sweat of her desire mixed with Heero's.
Heero could hear nothing but Catherine's small whimpers and sighs of the pleasure he provided. He could feel nothing but the way Catherine's core enveloped him as he pistoned into her body. He could taste nothing but the arousal that hung in the air like a thick fog. He could smell nothing but the scents of burning wax, of Catherine's perfume, and the smells of sex. He could see nothing but Catherine's beautiful face, her curious, eager face twisted in ecstacy.
Climaxing, he slumped against her body as her vaginal walls continued to pulse and throb against his erection that still lingered in her body. They heaved against each other, their breath intermixing. He pulled out, and lay beside her, stroking her hair away from her eyes which continued to dance as she closed them and surrendered to sleep, feeling that words weren't necessary.
Heero waited until he heard Catherine's breath even out, knowing that she was indeed asleep. He tiptoed quietly into Trowa's room to find the beautiful man in a deep slumber.
Trowa was completely nude, the covers kicked away during a dream. His body was a work of art, each muscle sculpted perfectly, each facial feature in its perfect place. His eyelashes fluttered as a dream overtook Trowa's world.
Heero sat down beside Trowa, pulling out the same charcoal and paper he'd stashed away from before. He began to draw.
----------
Trowa awoke, the sun blinding him for a few split seconds as he waited for his eyes to adjust. The sun was just rising over the horizon, spilling its glaze over the clouds in the wee hours of morning.
He tried to sit up from the floor, but his hand was unsteady and slipped from beneath him, sending him down onto his elbow. He looked down at the distraction to find himself.
A drawing of himself. Fifty, sixty sleeping Trowas lay scattered on the floor at his side, forming a bed for Heero, who slept slumped against Catherine's bed fast asleep, charcoal pencil still in his hand, which was black from the charcoal itself.
Trowa smiled at Heero, who was naked as he was, his groin covered by the sketch pad on his lap. He glanced up to see Catherine asleep as well...only to find an equally naked bed.
Trowa furrowed his brow and stood, quiet as not to wake Heero. He stepped outside and into the kitchen hoping that Catherine was there.
She wasn't.
He made his way back to his room, and dared to glance into Heero's open bedroom door. The glance became a glare as his eyes rested upon his sister in Heero's bed, the covers pulled up over her body...her shoulders bare, hinting at what the rest of her body wore-nothing.
Heero awoke; judging how the sun nearly fried his eyes as he woke, he judged that it was midday and that he'd have to get stronger shades to block out the sun. He tried to sit up, only to realize he already was. As his eyes adjusted, he also realized that someone else was sitting on the floor in front of him. It was Trowa.
Trowa was silent for a few moments; he'd taken a cup of coffee into his lap, stirring it occassionaly while watching the cream dissolve into the black heat.
"So," Trowa began. "You invited her into your bed."
Heero looked down, ashamed. //Oh god,// he thought. "It's not what he thinks...or is it?// "Yes, I did," he answered plainly. "And I'd like for you to know my intentions."
Trowa dared not look into Heero's eyes, for he knew if he did, he'd get the firey and encapturing stare of Heero's intensity. "Proceed."
"Trowa," he began. Truth be told, he didn't know what exactly his intentions were either. "You know how women are towards men-"
"No," interrupted Trowa curtly. "Actually, I don't-and I didn't think you would either."
Heero sighed. "Listen, Trowa. She was drunk. I was a little tispy myself. I was...I was irrational. I wasn't thinking as clearly as I could and I'm sure Catherine wasn't either. I don't know how I can explain this to you."
Trowa glared at the hard wood floor he sat upon. "Try."
Heero inhaled, closing his eyes. "Do you remember when I told you why I painted in the candlelight? Because it was inconsistant, as everything is?" Trowa's silence he took as an affirmation and he continued. "Life changes, Trowa. People change. Things...don't stay the same. Relationships flicker and die out like a candle; but sometimes they seem to dim a little and then burn brightly again." Heero scooted closer to Trowa. "I understand why you're hurt. All I can do is apologize, and I do. I'm so deepy sorry that I've hurt you. It must be hard for you to understand me. But we must trust each other through the flickering of life. And perhaps-" he took Trowa's hand "-perhaps we can shine again together."
Tears fell from Trowa's eyes. "I don't know what to say." He finally chanced a glance at Heero; instead of a glare he found compassion. It was what he needed. "It's hard to understand you, Heero," he said. "I'm trying so goddam hard."
"Why do you continue to try?" asked Heero, his voice soft and cracking with the sobs that caught in his throat.
"Because something tells me that if I keep trying, it will be rewarding. Something tells me that we'll continue to burn." He smiled through the light tears that streamed down his face.
"Whatever that something is," Heero said, his own tears shining on his cheeks. "I'm glad you're listening to it." He joined his lips to Trowa's, their kiss sweet and nurturing. A warmth spread between them, contrasting the cool air in the room. Their hands touched each other's faces, each worshiping the other's physical features, each other's touch.
A gasp was heard and echoed in the small room. Heero and Trowa both turned to face Catherine, who stood at the doorway, her body wrapped in Heero's bedsheets.
--to be continued--