"Wake up, Catherine."
Catherine shifted in her bed and pulled the covers over her head. "Mmrf," was the reply to her awakener.
Heero smiled a small smile, continuing to stroke Catherine's back as he sat beside her on the soft comforter. "Come on, Catherine. We've got a big day ahead of us."
Catherine's ears perked up. "What do you mean `a big day'?"
"Can you take the covers off of your head so that I can show you?"
Catherine hesitated, then reluctantly inched the sheets so that her eyes were revealed, heavy with sleep but still bright and curious. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes and blinking once or twice before being able to fully focus on Heero.
Heero was dressed in a tan suit, tailored to fit his body perfectly. The soft ruffles on the collar of his shirt contrasted the sharpness of his jaw line. He sat very postured on the bed, holding a small box in his right hand while continuing to stroke Catherine's leg through the blankets with his right.
"Good afternoon, malady," he said softly, scooting closer to her on the bed so that he could capture her lips in a soft kiss. She returned the kiss sleepily, smiling wide against Heero's lips.
"If that's the way I'm to be awakened each morning, I would get up sooner," she said, pulling away and gazing happily into Heero's deep blue eyes.
"Then I've found a strategy," Heero said, smiling, thrusting the box in Catherine's direction. "Open."
Catherine gingerly took the box in her hands, pinching her fingers around one end of the blue satin ribbon that held the box in place and loosening the knot carefully. The ribbon fell gently onto the bedspread and Catherine lifted the lid of the box to find a pearl necklace. Between each milky white pearl glittered a small diamond. Catherine lifted the necklace out of the box, her fingers shaking. Heero took it from her and undid the clasp that held it together, standing to fasten it around Catherine's neck. Catherine sat on the bed motionless as she felt the precious stones lay her exposed neck, touching them tentatively. Heero finished clasping the necklace around her neck and sat in front of Catherine again, who looked up into his eyes with admiration, astonishment, and love.
"Is it to your liking?" Heero asked, taking one of Catherine's hands and holding it in his own.
Catherine continued to touch the necklace around her neck, fingering it delicately. "I-I don't know what to say."
"Well, I was hoping you'd say 'why, thank you, Heero,'" Heero said, smiling.
Immediately, Catherine rose from the bed and embraced Heero forcefully, knocking them both to the ground. Before Catherine could apologize, Heero captured her lips in his own, running his fingers through her auburn, bedridden hair. Catherine reached up to cradle the sides of Heero's face as she felt their tongues clash, Heero taking complete possession of her mouth. She needed it. She wanted it like this.
She sat up atop the artist, straddling his hips as she parted her nightgown to reveal her body to Heero, planes of creamy white flesh exposed as her nightgown spilled around her and on the floor. Heero sat up slightly, pressing his lips to hers once more as his hands found her hips, then her bony ribs, then her firm breasts, rubbing the sides of them with his thumbs as he let his tongue massage hers.
Catherine felt like she would die from the intensity of it all. She'd never been with someone so extreme, so concentrated. Heero's hands wandered to press against the surface of her back, slick already with the sweat of passion. She unbuttoned Heero's shirt, ripping from him the clothes that had made him appear so noble, so powerful, and reduced him to another human, like her, pure.
Catherine's kisses were an aphrodisiac to Heero, drenching him with sensation and desire. Her soft, feather light kisses grew more and more persistent as they traveled further and further towards Heero's need. Heero's breath was now labored, set to an intense, heavy pace as he anticipated what was to come. As she journeyed down his chest and stomach, he felt the necklace dragging against him, a cold comfort from the heat that scorched from Catherine's lips.
Catherine shifted her weight, her breasts resting on top of Heero's thighs as she took Heero's erection between her lips. She recalled those who told her that this was dirty, that it was wrong. But she couldn't think of anything at the moment that could be more right as she enveloped the head of Heero's cock in her mouth, running her tongue along the span of it and tasting all she could.
Her virginal efforts were not in vain; Heero lay back with his mouth agape, silently screaming, his eyes burning into Catherine's as she continued to pleasure him with her lips, tongue, and mouth. Forcing her gag reflex to relax, she sheathed his erection fully in her mouth, her lips hitting soft brown curls as Heero's head hit the ground, grinding his groin against her lips. Soft sighs and moans escaped from his mouth as she became accustomed to his organ, sucking gently and experiencing it all for the first time.
Heero felt his impending climax approaching and he warned Catherine beforehand; instead of retracting, she began to suckle vigorously, Heero beginning to twist on the floor. He sat up, leaning against one elbow and using the other hand to tilt Catherine's face up so that their eyes met. One look at Catherine, her lips wrapped around his cock and her head bobbing up and down, her curls tickling his pelvis, and Heero orgasmed, his ejaculate running down the back of Catherine's throat.
Catherine didn't have any trouble swallowing Heero's essence, and she licked her lips clean, savoring the flavor that was truly Heero. She crawled into his arms and he accepted her gratefully, letting her mold into his body. He thanked her by planting small, loving kisses along her forehead as she lay her head against his chest. He felt the necklace cold against his chest, contrasting the warmth that Catherine's both provided against him as they lay naked with each other on the floor of the room.
The silence that spread between them was of a peaceful kind, the kind one finds in the companionship of a fire; warm and comforting. Heero kissed Catherine atop her head and chuckled slightly.
"If this is how you show your gratitude, I'll want to give you gifts all the time," he said.
Catherine sat up on her elbows, holding her chin in her hands as she looked down at Heero, kissing him softly against his bruised lips. "Thank you," she said, manipulating the necklace between her slender fingers. "It's truly quite lovely."
Heero looked up at Catherine, his head resting against the floor as he peered into her soft, becoming eyes, her curls dancing against his cheeks. "I'd like to paint you, Catherine."
Catherine's eyes automatically lit up, smiling brightly. "Really?" she said.
Heero almost laughed at her eagerness and he nodded, kissing her on her nose. "Yes."
Catherine grinned even wider, pulling the sheets around her and Heero as she snuggled closer to him on the floor. "I don't mean to sound entirely superficial...but what am I to wear?"
Heero laughed a little, causing Catherine's face to bounce from where it lay on his chest. "I propose the white gown we chose at the department store. With this." He looped his finger around the necklace, the diamonds glittering vibrantly.
Catherine smiled, snuggling closer. "I'd like that."
Suddenly, Catherine's stomach began to gurgle, causing Catherine to fly into a fit of embarrassed giggles. "I guess I'm kind of hungry."
"Well, it IS almost two o' clock," Heero pointed out, stroking the back of her head as she began to sit up. "I'll make you something to eat."
Catherine pulled her nightgown over her shoulders again, carefully buttoning each button as she felt the silky fabric envelop her again. "I'd like that," she repeated.
----------
Trowa was at the table as Heero entered the kitchen, his jacket off and his shirt disheveled. Trowa furrowed his brow as Heero swooped down to give him a quick kiss. Trowa pulled their faces together, loving the taste of Heero's lips each time they kissed.
Only this time, they tasted different. Something was different, Trowa didn't know what.
"You taste differently," Trowa said as Heero walked into the kitchen, opening the cabinets and pulling out various items to prepare food for Catherine.
"Do I?" Heero said, taking the bread from the cabinet.
"Yes." Trowa said nothing more, sipping his coffee and staring out the window at the hustle and bustle of Saturday afternoon passerbyers.
"Hn." Heero made a sandwich for Catherine, picking up the plate and carrying it back towards Catherine's room. He turned around at the last minute to face Trowa, who still sat motionless, gazing out the window. "Oh, before I forget, I won't be working with you tonight."
Trowa didn't tear his gaze from the window as he spoke to Heero. "You'll be using Catherine tonight?"
"Yes."
"Painting her?"
"Yes."
Trowa nodded. Heero began to leave, but Trowa grabbed Heero's sleeve from behind him, holding Heero back. Heero tensed, then relaxed.
"I've extinguished," said Trowa slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Perhaps one day I'll burn with you again."
Heero began to protest, but Trowa held up a hand, letting go of Heero's sleeve.
"Go to her." Trowa said nothing, sipping more coffee and letting the bitter flavor settle onto his tongue. He heard Heero walk away quickly, and shut the door to Catherine's room.
Trowa sat back in his chair, letting the coffee mug sit on the table. He leaned over the table, his head in his hands.
----------
"Are you sure Trowa's all right on his own?" asked Catherine, fiddling with her gown. It was the white one that Heero had chosen for her, and she straightened the creases diligently as they rode together in the carriage. Heero had invited her to go to one of Madame Pomfrey's banquets, where Heero would be showcasing his work. Madame Pomfrey was one of the most established women in the nation, and she frequently invited Heero to her famous parties. He'd always gone alone; until now.
"I'm sure he'll be all right; we've left him alone at the house before," Heero pointed out, kissing the side of Catherine's temple for reassurance.
"I know...but he was acting kind of strange when we left." Catherine leaned back into Heero's arms, rubbing Heero's knee with her hand.
"I don't know, but I'm sure he'll be fine."
From outside the carriage, Heero heard a soft "whoa, girl" from Sebastian, and their carriage came slowly to a stop. He had to admit, Catherine looked beautiful. The low-set collar of her white gown framed her elegant neck and collarbone beautifully, and the bodice made her breasts especially full, accentuating her thin waist even more. Her small, feminine feet teetered in a the pair of heels he'd gotten for her as well-the heels Catherine had feared would make herself an embarrassment.
The carriage door opened shortly after, Sebastian's warm, smiling face appearing. He gestured towards the entrance to the ball, which was decorated with beautiful, fragrant gardenias.
"This way, Mr. Yuy and Miss Catherine," Sebastian said.
Catherine was hesitant. "I'm not so sure about this anymore, Heero."
Heero smiled, putting his hand on her shoulder. "It'll be all right, I promise. I'll be beside you the whole time."
Catherine, feeling a little more assured, stepped tentatively out of the carriage and onto the cobblestone street. She maintained her balance and smiled as she picked up her dress and found her footing rather well.
"Well, this isn't so difficult," she said to herself, Heero stepping out of the carriage and bidding Sebastian farewell, promising to meet Sebastian out in front of the building in three hours.
Heero held out his arm, Catherine looping her arm through it and they walked up the stairs together, greeted by Madame Pomfrey herself. Catherine curtseyed politely and cautiously, careful not to fall. Heero took Madame Pomfrey's hand and kissed it lightly.
"Good evening, Madame," Heero said.
"Heero Yuy, a pleasure," said Madame Pomfrey. She smiled as she nodded towards Catherine, who smiled the smile that Heero adored. "And who would your lady for the evening be?"
"This is Miss Catherine," said Heero. The two women nodded to each other politely. Madame Pomfrey returned her attention to Heero.
"She's quite lovely, dear," she said, winking at Catherine who blushed faintly. "Are you thinking of finally settling down?"
Heero smiled awkwardly. "Well, not yet, I'm afraid. But, yes, Miss Catherine deserves the highest praise; her beauty outmatches any woman's I've come across-except for yours of course, Madame."
Madame Pomfrey laughed a deep belly laugh that Catherine enjoyed almost as much as the attention Heero was putting on her. "Heero, stop humoring me! And is this young lady to be the next subject of your work?"
Heero nodded. "As a matter of fact, I've just decided to do so today."
Madame Pomfrey smiled. "Splendid! I can't wait to see it displayed at my next soirée. Now, you two young ones go have fun! I'll see you inside a little later when dinner begins."
Catherine said farewell politely and was lead into the large mansion by Heero, who supported her with his arm in case she were to topple, which was likely considering that Catherine was paying attention to everything but her footing. The fine garnishing, tapestries, and paintings that adorned the house were exquisite, the most expensive no doubt, and they captured Catherine's wonder as soon as her eyes laid upon them.
"Heero, this is beautiful," she commented. Heero kissed the top of her head lovingly; where else would he find such naïve incredulity? He cherished it.
"Let's dance, shall we?" Heero said, gesturing towards the dance floor.
Catherine hesitated. "I might fall-"
"Don't worry about it; just follow my lead, all right?"
Catherine smiled at Heero's assurance. She trusted him. "Let's dance."
----------
Trowa sat in the corner of Heero's library, a room he liked to turn to while Heero was away. Books fascinated him--he'd never gotten to read much while traveling as much as he did, and he was making up for it now. Heero was lucky enough and well known enough that he received books by the dozen through the mail, each brown paper package Trowa treasured as he let his finger slide under the string to unwrap it carefully.
He had just finished the latest novel, "A Tale of Two Cities," and he slid the book between two others of the same author. Dickens was it? He would have to remember later, but he was tired. He stretched his arms over his head, standing on his tip toes and feeling the muscles in his back and stomach loosen as he slumped back into the large leather arm chair of the library.
He gazed around from where he sat in search of a new book. His eyes lazily scanned the titles for something interesting, when he came upon a leather bound book with nothing on its spine. Curious, he stood to fetch the book, and found that it was a photo album.
Still curious, he sat back into the familiarity of the arm chair and brushed off the dust that had collected on the cover. He opened the cover, careful not to rip the spine which was rapidly deteriorating.
To Trowa's surprise, the first page held a single picture of a young gypsy boy. Trowa squinted his eyes to see the picture better; the only means of light were by candlelight. He came to a realization so astonishing that he felt he had to study the picture more closely; but his assumptions were becoming truth. The same dark, intense eyes, the same square jaw, the same unruly hair--who else could it be but Heero?
Trowa flipped through the album carefully, absorbing each image, drunk with the sights that he'd never be able to witness that had been part of the life Heero closed off from him.
//Heero was a gypsy,// Trowa said to himself, the same repeated phrase that had been playing in his head for the past hours he'd been gaping at the album in his lap.
Once he got past the initial shock, he flipped back through the pictures, noticing a reoccurring boy in the photos he'd become privy to. It was a tall, anything but lanky boy, muscle shown off by the fantastic contortionist work displayed in the photographs. The boy had Heero's intense eyes, and elegant strands of light-colored hair that wrapped around his body like a cloak. He looked a little older than Heero, but still looked under eighteen years of age. His eyes were fascinating to Trowa; they depicted a sense of precociousness that was shown in the way the boy glared at the camera.
He was...animalistic.
Trowa realized he'd seen this boy before.
He slid the book back in place and left the library, careful to lock the doors with the key that Heero had privately given to him. Trowa walked up the stairs into Heero's study; he knew Heero didn't want him in there while he was gone, but he felt no guilt as he pushed the doors open and walked over to the painting on the wall that was the focus of his attention during last night's painting.
It was the same man.
Only this time, the man was considerably older...perhaps in his late twenties. Trowa gazed at the man who sat between two beautiful women, one of the women laying across his lap, the other standing behind the couch with his arms around the man's neck. The man's eyes were still intense, an icy blue Trowa discovered, despite the position he was in.
The man also wore the clothes of...the clothes of people like Heero. Refined gentleman of the day; a black suit with a white shirt and a black tie, the dark colors of his attire contrasting the pale blonde of his hair.
There were certain aspects about the man that reminded him of his own situation with Heero.
Trowa sat back in the chair he had been posed in the night before. He leaned his head back against the cushion of the chair and closed his eyes. What did all of this tell him? Where is this man now, the man with the cold blue eyes?
--to be continued--
Catherine shifted in her bed and pulled the covers over her head. "Mmrf," was the reply to her awakener.
Heero smiled a small smile, continuing to stroke Catherine's back as he sat beside her on the soft comforter. "Come on, Catherine. We've got a big day ahead of us."
Catherine's ears perked up. "What do you mean `a big day'?"
"Can you take the covers off of your head so that I can show you?"
Catherine hesitated, then reluctantly inched the sheets so that her eyes were revealed, heavy with sleep but still bright and curious. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes and blinking once or twice before being able to fully focus on Heero.
Heero was dressed in a tan suit, tailored to fit his body perfectly. The soft ruffles on the collar of his shirt contrasted the sharpness of his jaw line. He sat very postured on the bed, holding a small box in his right hand while continuing to stroke Catherine's leg through the blankets with his right.
"Good afternoon, malady," he said softly, scooting closer to her on the bed so that he could capture her lips in a soft kiss. She returned the kiss sleepily, smiling wide against Heero's lips.
"If that's the way I'm to be awakened each morning, I would get up sooner," she said, pulling away and gazing happily into Heero's deep blue eyes.
"Then I've found a strategy," Heero said, smiling, thrusting the box in Catherine's direction. "Open."
Catherine gingerly took the box in her hands, pinching her fingers around one end of the blue satin ribbon that held the box in place and loosening the knot carefully. The ribbon fell gently onto the bedspread and Catherine lifted the lid of the box to find a pearl necklace. Between each milky white pearl glittered a small diamond. Catherine lifted the necklace out of the box, her fingers shaking. Heero took it from her and undid the clasp that held it together, standing to fasten it around Catherine's neck. Catherine sat on the bed motionless as she felt the precious stones lay her exposed neck, touching them tentatively. Heero finished clasping the necklace around her neck and sat in front of Catherine again, who looked up into his eyes with admiration, astonishment, and love.
"Is it to your liking?" Heero asked, taking one of Catherine's hands and holding it in his own.
Catherine continued to touch the necklace around her neck, fingering it delicately. "I-I don't know what to say."
"Well, I was hoping you'd say 'why, thank you, Heero,'" Heero said, smiling.
Immediately, Catherine rose from the bed and embraced Heero forcefully, knocking them both to the ground. Before Catherine could apologize, Heero captured her lips in his own, running his fingers through her auburn, bedridden hair. Catherine reached up to cradle the sides of Heero's face as she felt their tongues clash, Heero taking complete possession of her mouth. She needed it. She wanted it like this.
She sat up atop the artist, straddling his hips as she parted her nightgown to reveal her body to Heero, planes of creamy white flesh exposed as her nightgown spilled around her and on the floor. Heero sat up slightly, pressing his lips to hers once more as his hands found her hips, then her bony ribs, then her firm breasts, rubbing the sides of them with his thumbs as he let his tongue massage hers.
Catherine felt like she would die from the intensity of it all. She'd never been with someone so extreme, so concentrated. Heero's hands wandered to press against the surface of her back, slick already with the sweat of passion. She unbuttoned Heero's shirt, ripping from him the clothes that had made him appear so noble, so powerful, and reduced him to another human, like her, pure.
Catherine's kisses were an aphrodisiac to Heero, drenching him with sensation and desire. Her soft, feather light kisses grew more and more persistent as they traveled further and further towards Heero's need. Heero's breath was now labored, set to an intense, heavy pace as he anticipated what was to come. As she journeyed down his chest and stomach, he felt the necklace dragging against him, a cold comfort from the heat that scorched from Catherine's lips.
Catherine shifted her weight, her breasts resting on top of Heero's thighs as she took Heero's erection between her lips. She recalled those who told her that this was dirty, that it was wrong. But she couldn't think of anything at the moment that could be more right as she enveloped the head of Heero's cock in her mouth, running her tongue along the span of it and tasting all she could.
Her virginal efforts were not in vain; Heero lay back with his mouth agape, silently screaming, his eyes burning into Catherine's as she continued to pleasure him with her lips, tongue, and mouth. Forcing her gag reflex to relax, she sheathed his erection fully in her mouth, her lips hitting soft brown curls as Heero's head hit the ground, grinding his groin against her lips. Soft sighs and moans escaped from his mouth as she became accustomed to his organ, sucking gently and experiencing it all for the first time.
Heero felt his impending climax approaching and he warned Catherine beforehand; instead of retracting, she began to suckle vigorously, Heero beginning to twist on the floor. He sat up, leaning against one elbow and using the other hand to tilt Catherine's face up so that their eyes met. One look at Catherine, her lips wrapped around his cock and her head bobbing up and down, her curls tickling his pelvis, and Heero orgasmed, his ejaculate running down the back of Catherine's throat.
Catherine didn't have any trouble swallowing Heero's essence, and she licked her lips clean, savoring the flavor that was truly Heero. She crawled into his arms and he accepted her gratefully, letting her mold into his body. He thanked her by planting small, loving kisses along her forehead as she lay her head against his chest. He felt the necklace cold against his chest, contrasting the warmth that Catherine's both provided against him as they lay naked with each other on the floor of the room.
The silence that spread between them was of a peaceful kind, the kind one finds in the companionship of a fire; warm and comforting. Heero kissed Catherine atop her head and chuckled slightly.
"If this is how you show your gratitude, I'll want to give you gifts all the time," he said.
Catherine sat up on her elbows, holding her chin in her hands as she looked down at Heero, kissing him softly against his bruised lips. "Thank you," she said, manipulating the necklace between her slender fingers. "It's truly quite lovely."
Heero looked up at Catherine, his head resting against the floor as he peered into her soft, becoming eyes, her curls dancing against his cheeks. "I'd like to paint you, Catherine."
Catherine's eyes automatically lit up, smiling brightly. "Really?" she said.
Heero almost laughed at her eagerness and he nodded, kissing her on her nose. "Yes."
Catherine grinned even wider, pulling the sheets around her and Heero as she snuggled closer to him on the floor. "I don't mean to sound entirely superficial...but what am I to wear?"
Heero laughed a little, causing Catherine's face to bounce from where it lay on his chest. "I propose the white gown we chose at the department store. With this." He looped his finger around the necklace, the diamonds glittering vibrantly.
Catherine smiled, snuggling closer. "I'd like that."
Suddenly, Catherine's stomach began to gurgle, causing Catherine to fly into a fit of embarrassed giggles. "I guess I'm kind of hungry."
"Well, it IS almost two o' clock," Heero pointed out, stroking the back of her head as she began to sit up. "I'll make you something to eat."
Catherine pulled her nightgown over her shoulders again, carefully buttoning each button as she felt the silky fabric envelop her again. "I'd like that," she repeated.
----------
Trowa was at the table as Heero entered the kitchen, his jacket off and his shirt disheveled. Trowa furrowed his brow as Heero swooped down to give him a quick kiss. Trowa pulled their faces together, loving the taste of Heero's lips each time they kissed.
Only this time, they tasted different. Something was different, Trowa didn't know what.
"You taste differently," Trowa said as Heero walked into the kitchen, opening the cabinets and pulling out various items to prepare food for Catherine.
"Do I?" Heero said, taking the bread from the cabinet.
"Yes." Trowa said nothing more, sipping his coffee and staring out the window at the hustle and bustle of Saturday afternoon passerbyers.
"Hn." Heero made a sandwich for Catherine, picking up the plate and carrying it back towards Catherine's room. He turned around at the last minute to face Trowa, who still sat motionless, gazing out the window. "Oh, before I forget, I won't be working with you tonight."
Trowa didn't tear his gaze from the window as he spoke to Heero. "You'll be using Catherine tonight?"
"Yes."
"Painting her?"
"Yes."
Trowa nodded. Heero began to leave, but Trowa grabbed Heero's sleeve from behind him, holding Heero back. Heero tensed, then relaxed.
"I've extinguished," said Trowa slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Perhaps one day I'll burn with you again."
Heero began to protest, but Trowa held up a hand, letting go of Heero's sleeve.
"Go to her." Trowa said nothing, sipping more coffee and letting the bitter flavor settle onto his tongue. He heard Heero walk away quickly, and shut the door to Catherine's room.
Trowa sat back in his chair, letting the coffee mug sit on the table. He leaned over the table, his head in his hands.
----------
"Are you sure Trowa's all right on his own?" asked Catherine, fiddling with her gown. It was the white one that Heero had chosen for her, and she straightened the creases diligently as they rode together in the carriage. Heero had invited her to go to one of Madame Pomfrey's banquets, where Heero would be showcasing his work. Madame Pomfrey was one of the most established women in the nation, and she frequently invited Heero to her famous parties. He'd always gone alone; until now.
"I'm sure he'll be all right; we've left him alone at the house before," Heero pointed out, kissing the side of Catherine's temple for reassurance.
"I know...but he was acting kind of strange when we left." Catherine leaned back into Heero's arms, rubbing Heero's knee with her hand.
"I don't know, but I'm sure he'll be fine."
From outside the carriage, Heero heard a soft "whoa, girl" from Sebastian, and their carriage came slowly to a stop. He had to admit, Catherine looked beautiful. The low-set collar of her white gown framed her elegant neck and collarbone beautifully, and the bodice made her breasts especially full, accentuating her thin waist even more. Her small, feminine feet teetered in a the pair of heels he'd gotten for her as well-the heels Catherine had feared would make herself an embarrassment.
The carriage door opened shortly after, Sebastian's warm, smiling face appearing. He gestured towards the entrance to the ball, which was decorated with beautiful, fragrant gardenias.
"This way, Mr. Yuy and Miss Catherine," Sebastian said.
Catherine was hesitant. "I'm not so sure about this anymore, Heero."
Heero smiled, putting his hand on her shoulder. "It'll be all right, I promise. I'll be beside you the whole time."
Catherine, feeling a little more assured, stepped tentatively out of the carriage and onto the cobblestone street. She maintained her balance and smiled as she picked up her dress and found her footing rather well.
"Well, this isn't so difficult," she said to herself, Heero stepping out of the carriage and bidding Sebastian farewell, promising to meet Sebastian out in front of the building in three hours.
Heero held out his arm, Catherine looping her arm through it and they walked up the stairs together, greeted by Madame Pomfrey herself. Catherine curtseyed politely and cautiously, careful not to fall. Heero took Madame Pomfrey's hand and kissed it lightly.
"Good evening, Madame," Heero said.
"Heero Yuy, a pleasure," said Madame Pomfrey. She smiled as she nodded towards Catherine, who smiled the smile that Heero adored. "And who would your lady for the evening be?"
"This is Miss Catherine," said Heero. The two women nodded to each other politely. Madame Pomfrey returned her attention to Heero.
"She's quite lovely, dear," she said, winking at Catherine who blushed faintly. "Are you thinking of finally settling down?"
Heero smiled awkwardly. "Well, not yet, I'm afraid. But, yes, Miss Catherine deserves the highest praise; her beauty outmatches any woman's I've come across-except for yours of course, Madame."
Madame Pomfrey laughed a deep belly laugh that Catherine enjoyed almost as much as the attention Heero was putting on her. "Heero, stop humoring me! And is this young lady to be the next subject of your work?"
Heero nodded. "As a matter of fact, I've just decided to do so today."
Madame Pomfrey smiled. "Splendid! I can't wait to see it displayed at my next soirée. Now, you two young ones go have fun! I'll see you inside a little later when dinner begins."
Catherine said farewell politely and was lead into the large mansion by Heero, who supported her with his arm in case she were to topple, which was likely considering that Catherine was paying attention to everything but her footing. The fine garnishing, tapestries, and paintings that adorned the house were exquisite, the most expensive no doubt, and they captured Catherine's wonder as soon as her eyes laid upon them.
"Heero, this is beautiful," she commented. Heero kissed the top of her head lovingly; where else would he find such naïve incredulity? He cherished it.
"Let's dance, shall we?" Heero said, gesturing towards the dance floor.
Catherine hesitated. "I might fall-"
"Don't worry about it; just follow my lead, all right?"
Catherine smiled at Heero's assurance. She trusted him. "Let's dance."
----------
Trowa sat in the corner of Heero's library, a room he liked to turn to while Heero was away. Books fascinated him--he'd never gotten to read much while traveling as much as he did, and he was making up for it now. Heero was lucky enough and well known enough that he received books by the dozen through the mail, each brown paper package Trowa treasured as he let his finger slide under the string to unwrap it carefully.
He had just finished the latest novel, "A Tale of Two Cities," and he slid the book between two others of the same author. Dickens was it? He would have to remember later, but he was tired. He stretched his arms over his head, standing on his tip toes and feeling the muscles in his back and stomach loosen as he slumped back into the large leather arm chair of the library.
He gazed around from where he sat in search of a new book. His eyes lazily scanned the titles for something interesting, when he came upon a leather bound book with nothing on its spine. Curious, he stood to fetch the book, and found that it was a photo album.
Still curious, he sat back into the familiarity of the arm chair and brushed off the dust that had collected on the cover. He opened the cover, careful not to rip the spine which was rapidly deteriorating.
To Trowa's surprise, the first page held a single picture of a young gypsy boy. Trowa squinted his eyes to see the picture better; the only means of light were by candlelight. He came to a realization so astonishing that he felt he had to study the picture more closely; but his assumptions were becoming truth. The same dark, intense eyes, the same square jaw, the same unruly hair--who else could it be but Heero?
Trowa flipped through the album carefully, absorbing each image, drunk with the sights that he'd never be able to witness that had been part of the life Heero closed off from him.
//Heero was a gypsy,// Trowa said to himself, the same repeated phrase that had been playing in his head for the past hours he'd been gaping at the album in his lap.
Once he got past the initial shock, he flipped back through the pictures, noticing a reoccurring boy in the photos he'd become privy to. It was a tall, anything but lanky boy, muscle shown off by the fantastic contortionist work displayed in the photographs. The boy had Heero's intense eyes, and elegant strands of light-colored hair that wrapped around his body like a cloak. He looked a little older than Heero, but still looked under eighteen years of age. His eyes were fascinating to Trowa; they depicted a sense of precociousness that was shown in the way the boy glared at the camera.
He was...animalistic.
Trowa realized he'd seen this boy before.
He slid the book back in place and left the library, careful to lock the doors with the key that Heero had privately given to him. Trowa walked up the stairs into Heero's study; he knew Heero didn't want him in there while he was gone, but he felt no guilt as he pushed the doors open and walked over to the painting on the wall that was the focus of his attention during last night's painting.
It was the same man.
Only this time, the man was considerably older...perhaps in his late twenties. Trowa gazed at the man who sat between two beautiful women, one of the women laying across his lap, the other standing behind the couch with his arms around the man's neck. The man's eyes were still intense, an icy blue Trowa discovered, despite the position he was in.
The man also wore the clothes of...the clothes of people like Heero. Refined gentleman of the day; a black suit with a white shirt and a black tie, the dark colors of his attire contrasting the pale blonde of his hair.
There were certain aspects about the man that reminded him of his own situation with Heero.
Trowa sat back in the chair he had been posed in the night before. He leaned his head back against the cushion of the chair and closed his eyes. What did all of this tell him? Where is this man now, the man with the cold blue eyes?
--to be continued--