Disclaimer: Gundam wing is not mine.
Quatre's POV.
Thanks to those of you that reviewed!!
The circus had grown since the last time I had seen it. It was a now huge arrangement of booths and rides all grouped around the center tent where the main show was held. I had paid my admission and was wandering around the place, happy to simply walk around by myself like a normal person, when I heard something familiar.
"Heero! Admit it! I beat ya!" The voice was the same. Light and cheerful with a hint of laughter in the tone.
"My equipment was inferior." That voice was the same too. Deep and faintly scornful.
"Aw, c'mon man, just this once admit that I'm faster!" I turned and glanced to my right. Heero and Duo were standing in front of one of the booths. Despite the fact that I hadn't seen them for years, I knew them immediately. Duo's braid and Heero's blue glare were unmistakable. They were taller and broader than I remembered. Duo was actually an inch or two taller than Heero now, but the Japanese boy was more powerfully built.
Duo's braid was swinging back and forth as he laughed at Heero. Heero was glaring at Duo from under his bangs. It was a very familiar picture. How often had I seen them in just that pose? Duo was teasing Heero about his aim now, trying to get the Japanese man to laugh.
Gods, I had missed them. Did I dare approach them? What the hell could I say? Sorry I'm really late? Before I could decide, they had vanished into the crowd. Part of me was disappointed, but the other half was relieved. I turned towards the main tent. The show would be starting soon.
I found my seat easily enough. A row from the front and right by the center ring. I should be able to get a clear view of all the performances. The gods were on my side today.
Then I decided the gods hated me. Heero and Duo appeared and sat in front of me.
They were laughing- how mind bending was that- Heero Yuy laughing like a normal person and not a crazed lunatic?- as they sat down. Duo twitched his braid to avoid sitting on the end and it flew back and hit my knee.
"Oops sorry," he apologized to me.
"No problem," I smiled back and he blinked.
"I keep telling you to be careful, Duo," Heero chided. "You're going to put someone's eye out with that thing."
"Heh, good thing you're wearing glasses, huh?" Duo grinned at me.
"Why, were you going to aim for my eye next?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nah, not unless you drop popcorn in my hair."
"I hate popcorn," I responded cheerfully. "So I'm safe then?" He laughed.
"Maybe."
"Duo," Heero shook his head. "Quit bothering the nice man." He looked up at me. "I can't take him anywhere." I chuckled and realized that several years of Duo's company had changed the Perfect Soldier. For the better in my opinion. Duo was blinking at me again and I felt a twinge. Had he recognized me? I met his gaze and wondered if I wanted him to recognize me or not. He flushed.
"Sorry for staring, but you remind me of someone..." He frowned and tugged on Heero's arm. "Doesn't he?"
"Hn?" Heero glanced up at me again. "I don't think so Duo."
"Hmm... ever been to L2?"
"Not for years," I replied honestly enough.
"Any ties to the salvage biz?"
"Nope." I shook my head.
"Hmmm," Duo's gaze narrowed. "I wonder why you seem familiar then."
"Duo, you think everyone is familiar," Heero laughed. "You're the only person I know that thinks everyone is just a long lost friend."
"Well, so what? Is that a bad way to look at the world?" Duo turned a bit more in his seat and grinned at me. "So what are you doing here at the circus- and by yourself too?"
"I played hooky from work today," I answered, again truthfully enough. "I needed some time away."
"Ahhh, so why the circus?"
"I just kind of ended up here," I shrugged. "Why are you here?"
"We're here to see some of our friends. They perform with this troupe."
"That sounds like fun," I smiled at Duo, relaxing a bit. He didn't recognize me.
"It has been. Hasn't it Heero?"
"Yes." Heero replied. "Now settle down, the show's going to start." He gave me an apologetic glance and I smiled back.
The show started. It was amazing. The troupe had gotten larger and there was so much going on in the three rings that it was hard to focus on just one thing.
I saw Wufei first. He was performing acrobatics with another man and three girls in the middle ring. The act required a lot of strength on Wufei's part- not that it surprised me how strong he was- and they were very graceful. They finished and bowed out to be replaced by Catherine and Trowa. Catherine's aim was as good as always, I was faintly relieved to note. I knew Trowa trusted Cathy implicitly, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stand still if one of my sisters threw knives at me. Of course, my sisters wouldn't throw knives unless they were aiming to kill. They finished and a few acts later I saw Trowa perform his tight-wire act. Wufei and Cathy did a trapeze act as well.
I was sorry when the finale parade started. I had been - happy - sitting here in the dark watching my friends perform, with the comforting presence of the other two in front of me. I couldn't remember the last time I had just been happy. The parade passed in front of us and I saw Wufei wink at Heero and Duo as he went by. Trowa was sitting on the back of Catherine's elephant and he lifted his hand up as he went by. I studied him intently, meaning to preserve this image of him in my head.
Then I saw his visible eye widen in surprise and I realized that he was looking at me. A frown flashed across his face. I should've known that I couldn't hide from Trowa. He was an expert at seeing through masks. Especially mine. He looked angry. I guess he hadn't forgotten. Damn. Time to go. As the rest of the parade went by I rose to my feet and got the hell out of there. A part of me was wondering what the hell I thought I was doing- they were my friends.
No, not were - had been. They had been my friends. I needed to remember that. That they weren't anymore- and were obviously mad at me- was my fault.
As much as it had hurt seeing them, I was glad I had. Now I could go hole up in a hotel room for a few days and catch up on sleep or something. No more emotional turmoil for me.
I managed to get outside easily enough and headed for my car. I threaded through the booths towards the exit, wishing that it was a simple straight path out, but of course it wasn't. I made it to the exit gate and had to stop. Where had I parked? Blue car- I reminded myself as I looked around the lot.
I didn't register the sound of running feet behind me until it was too late. Hands grabbed my shoulders and spun me around.
"Quatre!" Trowa stood in front of me, still in costume, his hands tight on my shoulders. I tried to pull away but he was always stronger than me. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
"I didn't know I was," I replied calmly. "Not until this morning. It was a spur of the moment thing." His hands didn't let go. His eyes narrowed.
"Why are you leaving?"
"I didn't want to bother you." His hands tightened and I flushed. "I didn't think you'd want to see me."
"You didn't stay away all this time because of that, did you?" Trowa looked upset. "I told you it didn't change anything."
"It changed everything, Trowa." Wufei, Duo and Heero appeared in that moment, slightly breathless.
"Trowa, what are you doing to that guy?" Duo asked. "Did he sneak in or something?" Trowa turned without letting go of me and looked incredulously at Duo. "What?"
Wufei and Heero were looking back and forth between the two of us and I saw Heero's eyes widen in recognition.
"Quatre."
"WHAT?!?" Duo looked at me.
"Why didn't you tell us it was you?" Heero reached out and touched my arm. Duo was studying me intently.
"I KNEW IT! That's why you looked familiar!" He crowed, vindicated. "Hey, yeah- why didn't you say something? We didn't know you were coming!"
"He didn't want to bother us," Trowa answered grimly.
"WHAT?!?"
"NANI?!" Despite everything, I had to grin. Heero really had been corrupted by Duo.
"Winner, when did you become such an idiot?" Wufei spoke for the first time. He was frowning.
"Quatre?" Trowa prompted.
"I was waiting for a break in the conversation," I replied with a faint smile, finally managing to tug myself free of Trowa's hands. "Look I'm sorry, I really am." I turned and glanced at Duo. "What I said was true. My schedule was completely booked- just like always. My sisters ambushed me in my office this morning and..." I gestured at my clothes and hair. "Then they threw me out and told me not to come back til Monday. I didn't know what to do. I thought of the circus at the last minute. I thought you and Heero would already be gone by now."
"Nope." Duo shook his head, braid swinging in counterpoint. "We're here through the weekend."
"Why not tell us it was you? Were you upset that we hadn't recognized you?" Heero asked.
"Oh no. I didn't even recognize me this morning. I just..." I paused. Ah hell. "Look, I know that I've let WEI take over my life. I know that I'm the one who's at fault for falling out of touch. I honestly didn't think you'd really want to see me."
"Quatre!" Trowa scolded.
"I invited you to meet us here!" Duo said at the same moment. Wufei was still frowning. Great, they were all mad at me. Well, I deserved it, and had been expecting it as well. I shouldn't be surprised. Heero suddenly lost his frown and stepped towards me. I wondered if I should step away, but he moved faster than I anticipated and suddenly I found myself in his embrace. I hugged him back, in shock over the change in our Perfect Soldier.
"We've missed you Quatre. I'm glad you could make it." He hugged me tight for a moment, then let me go, smiling at the surprise on my face.
"I've missed you too, Heero. I see Duo has been a good influence on you."
"I don't know if I'd call him a 'good' influence," he drawled and Duo punched his arm lightly. Duo pulled me into a hug next.
"Idiot," he scolded. "We always want to see you." He let me go with a slight shake. "You know that you're spending the rest of your weekend with us now." It wasn't a question.
"As long as..."
"Of course we want you to," Wufei finished for me, as he stepped forward and gave me a brief embrace. "You're our friend, baka."
"Hey, that's my nickname," Duo laughed.
"We are glad to see you Quatre," Trowa was the last to hug me.
"I'm glad to see you too," I replied. Trowa pulled back a bit and graced me with a teasing smile.
"You finally hit that growth spurt, hmm?" I realized that I was as tall as he was now.
"Well it's about time, don't you think?" I smiled back.
"All right!" Duo clapped his hands. "Let's get organized! Did you bring any luggage, Qat?"
"My sisters packed me a duffle," I replied. "I'm almost afraid to look in it."
"Gotta love those girls. So let's go grab it and find you a place to bunk down for the weekend."
"He can bunk with me," Trowa laughed. "I'm sure he won't want to disturb any of you lovebirds."
"Lovebirds?" I repeated. To my surprise both Wufei and Heero blushed, while Duo laughed.
"Yeah, Wufei's got a girlfriend," Duo leaned over and nudged me in the ribs. "He really likes being teased about her too."
"Maxwell!" Wufei flushed.
"I'm looking forward to meeting her," I smiled at Wufei calmingly.
"You know her," Duo laughed. "It's Cathy."
"Really?"
"Really," Duo was still chuckling, but whether from my surprise or Wufei's anger I wasn't sure. "How did she end up with you anyway, 'Fei?"
"MAXWELL!" Wufei frowned. "One might ask how someone like you ended up with Yuy." I raised both my eyebrows and Duo froze.
"You and Heero?" I asked.
"Uh yeah..." Duo suddenly looked unsure of himself and out of the corner of my eye I saw a worried look cross Heero's face. I laughed out loud.
"About freaking time."
"What?!"
"Oh come on Duo. It was totally obvious to me a long time ago." I tapped my chest lightly and mock-glared at him.
"It was not-" he protested and I laughed again.
"Yes, it was. The two of you drove me crazy!" Duo finally smiled at me. Heero was chuckling.
"Now that it's settled, let's go grab Quatre's stuff before the next show."
No sooner said, than done. We tossed my duffle into Trowa's trailer. Cathy came looking for Wufei and Trowa since the next show was starting soon. Duo, Heero and I headed out to grab some supplies.
The circus had grown since the last time I had seen it. It was a now huge arrangement of booths and rides all grouped around the center tent where the main show was held. I had paid my admission and was wandering around the place, happy to simply walk around by myself like a normal person, when I heard something familiar.
"Heero! Admit it! I beat ya!" The voice was the same. Light and cheerful with a hint of laughter in the tone.
"My equipment was inferior." That voice was the same too. Deep and faintly scornful.
"Aw, c'mon man, just this once admit that I'm faster!" I turned and glanced to my right. Heero and Duo were standing in front of one of the booths. Despite the fact that I hadn't seen them for years, I knew them immediately. Duo's braid and Heero's blue glare were unmistakable. They were taller and broader than I remembered. Duo was actually an inch or two taller than Heero now, but the Japanese boy was more powerfully built.
Duo's braid was swinging back and forth as he laughed at Heero. Heero was glaring at Duo from under his bangs. It was a very familiar picture. How often had I seen them in just that pose? Duo was teasing Heero about his aim now, trying to get the Japanese man to laugh.
Gods, I had missed them. Did I dare approach them? What the hell could I say? Sorry I'm really late? Before I could decide, they had vanished into the crowd. Part of me was disappointed, but the other half was relieved. I turned towards the main tent. The show would be starting soon.
I found my seat easily enough. A row from the front and right by the center ring. I should be able to get a clear view of all the performances. The gods were on my side today.
Then I decided the gods hated me. Heero and Duo appeared and sat in front of me.
They were laughing- how mind bending was that- Heero Yuy laughing like a normal person and not a crazed lunatic?- as they sat down. Duo twitched his braid to avoid sitting on the end and it flew back and hit my knee.
"Oops sorry," he apologized to me.
"No problem," I smiled back and he blinked.
"I keep telling you to be careful, Duo," Heero chided. "You're going to put someone's eye out with that thing."
"Heh, good thing you're wearing glasses, huh?" Duo grinned at me.
"Why, were you going to aim for my eye next?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nah, not unless you drop popcorn in my hair."
"I hate popcorn," I responded cheerfully. "So I'm safe then?" He laughed.
"Maybe."
"Duo," Heero shook his head. "Quit bothering the nice man." He looked up at me. "I can't take him anywhere." I chuckled and realized that several years of Duo's company had changed the Perfect Soldier. For the better in my opinion. Duo was blinking at me again and I felt a twinge. Had he recognized me? I met his gaze and wondered if I wanted him to recognize me or not. He flushed.
"Sorry for staring, but you remind me of someone..." He frowned and tugged on Heero's arm. "Doesn't he?"
"Hn?" Heero glanced up at me again. "I don't think so Duo."
"Hmm... ever been to L2?"
"Not for years," I replied honestly enough.
"Any ties to the salvage biz?"
"Nope." I shook my head.
"Hmmm," Duo's gaze narrowed. "I wonder why you seem familiar then."
"Duo, you think everyone is familiar," Heero laughed. "You're the only person I know that thinks everyone is just a long lost friend."
"Well, so what? Is that a bad way to look at the world?" Duo turned a bit more in his seat and grinned at me. "So what are you doing here at the circus- and by yourself too?"
"I played hooky from work today," I answered, again truthfully enough. "I needed some time away."
"Ahhh, so why the circus?"
"I just kind of ended up here," I shrugged. "Why are you here?"
"We're here to see some of our friends. They perform with this troupe."
"That sounds like fun," I smiled at Duo, relaxing a bit. He didn't recognize me.
"It has been. Hasn't it Heero?"
"Yes." Heero replied. "Now settle down, the show's going to start." He gave me an apologetic glance and I smiled back.
The show started. It was amazing. The troupe had gotten larger and there was so much going on in the three rings that it was hard to focus on just one thing.
I saw Wufei first. He was performing acrobatics with another man and three girls in the middle ring. The act required a lot of strength on Wufei's part- not that it surprised me how strong he was- and they were very graceful. They finished and bowed out to be replaced by Catherine and Trowa. Catherine's aim was as good as always, I was faintly relieved to note. I knew Trowa trusted Cathy implicitly, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stand still if one of my sisters threw knives at me. Of course, my sisters wouldn't throw knives unless they were aiming to kill. They finished and a few acts later I saw Trowa perform his tight-wire act. Wufei and Cathy did a trapeze act as well.
I was sorry when the finale parade started. I had been - happy - sitting here in the dark watching my friends perform, with the comforting presence of the other two in front of me. I couldn't remember the last time I had just been happy. The parade passed in front of us and I saw Wufei wink at Heero and Duo as he went by. Trowa was sitting on the back of Catherine's elephant and he lifted his hand up as he went by. I studied him intently, meaning to preserve this image of him in my head.
Then I saw his visible eye widen in surprise and I realized that he was looking at me. A frown flashed across his face. I should've known that I couldn't hide from Trowa. He was an expert at seeing through masks. Especially mine. He looked angry. I guess he hadn't forgotten. Damn. Time to go. As the rest of the parade went by I rose to my feet and got the hell out of there. A part of me was wondering what the hell I thought I was doing- they were my friends.
No, not were - had been. They had been my friends. I needed to remember that. That they weren't anymore- and were obviously mad at me- was my fault.
As much as it had hurt seeing them, I was glad I had. Now I could go hole up in a hotel room for a few days and catch up on sleep or something. No more emotional turmoil for me.
I managed to get outside easily enough and headed for my car. I threaded through the booths towards the exit, wishing that it was a simple straight path out, but of course it wasn't. I made it to the exit gate and had to stop. Where had I parked? Blue car- I reminded myself as I looked around the lot.
I didn't register the sound of running feet behind me until it was too late. Hands grabbed my shoulders and spun me around.
"Quatre!" Trowa stood in front of me, still in costume, his hands tight on my shoulders. I tried to pull away but he was always stronger than me. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"
"I didn't know I was," I replied calmly. "Not until this morning. It was a spur of the moment thing." His hands didn't let go. His eyes narrowed.
"Why are you leaving?"
"I didn't want to bother you." His hands tightened and I flushed. "I didn't think you'd want to see me."
"You didn't stay away all this time because of that, did you?" Trowa looked upset. "I told you it didn't change anything."
"It changed everything, Trowa." Wufei, Duo and Heero appeared in that moment, slightly breathless.
"Trowa, what are you doing to that guy?" Duo asked. "Did he sneak in or something?" Trowa turned without letting go of me and looked incredulously at Duo. "What?"
Wufei and Heero were looking back and forth between the two of us and I saw Heero's eyes widen in recognition.
"Quatre."
"WHAT?!?" Duo looked at me.
"Why didn't you tell us it was you?" Heero reached out and touched my arm. Duo was studying me intently.
"I KNEW IT! That's why you looked familiar!" He crowed, vindicated. "Hey, yeah- why didn't you say something? We didn't know you were coming!"
"He didn't want to bother us," Trowa answered grimly.
"WHAT?!?"
"NANI?!" Despite everything, I had to grin. Heero really had been corrupted by Duo.
"Winner, when did you become such an idiot?" Wufei spoke for the first time. He was frowning.
"Quatre?" Trowa prompted.
"I was waiting for a break in the conversation," I replied with a faint smile, finally managing to tug myself free of Trowa's hands. "Look I'm sorry, I really am." I turned and glanced at Duo. "What I said was true. My schedule was completely booked- just like always. My sisters ambushed me in my office this morning and..." I gestured at my clothes and hair. "Then they threw me out and told me not to come back til Monday. I didn't know what to do. I thought of the circus at the last minute. I thought you and Heero would already be gone by now."
"Nope." Duo shook his head, braid swinging in counterpoint. "We're here through the weekend."
"Why not tell us it was you? Were you upset that we hadn't recognized you?" Heero asked.
"Oh no. I didn't even recognize me this morning. I just..." I paused. Ah hell. "Look, I know that I've let WEI take over my life. I know that I'm the one who's at fault for falling out of touch. I honestly didn't think you'd really want to see me."
"Quatre!" Trowa scolded.
"I invited you to meet us here!" Duo said at the same moment. Wufei was still frowning. Great, they were all mad at me. Well, I deserved it, and had been expecting it as well. I shouldn't be surprised. Heero suddenly lost his frown and stepped towards me. I wondered if I should step away, but he moved faster than I anticipated and suddenly I found myself in his embrace. I hugged him back, in shock over the change in our Perfect Soldier.
"We've missed you Quatre. I'm glad you could make it." He hugged me tight for a moment, then let me go, smiling at the surprise on my face.
"I've missed you too, Heero. I see Duo has been a good influence on you."
"I don't know if I'd call him a 'good' influence," he drawled and Duo punched his arm lightly. Duo pulled me into a hug next.
"Idiot," he scolded. "We always want to see you." He let me go with a slight shake. "You know that you're spending the rest of your weekend with us now." It wasn't a question.
"As long as..."
"Of course we want you to," Wufei finished for me, as he stepped forward and gave me a brief embrace. "You're our friend, baka."
"Hey, that's my nickname," Duo laughed.
"We are glad to see you Quatre," Trowa was the last to hug me.
"I'm glad to see you too," I replied. Trowa pulled back a bit and graced me with a teasing smile.
"You finally hit that growth spurt, hmm?" I realized that I was as tall as he was now.
"Well it's about time, don't you think?" I smiled back.
"All right!" Duo clapped his hands. "Let's get organized! Did you bring any luggage, Qat?"
"My sisters packed me a duffle," I replied. "I'm almost afraid to look in it."
"Gotta love those girls. So let's go grab it and find you a place to bunk down for the weekend."
"He can bunk with me," Trowa laughed. "I'm sure he won't want to disturb any of you lovebirds."
"Lovebirds?" I repeated. To my surprise both Wufei and Heero blushed, while Duo laughed.
"Yeah, Wufei's got a girlfriend," Duo leaned over and nudged me in the ribs. "He really likes being teased about her too."
"Maxwell!" Wufei flushed.
"I'm looking forward to meeting her," I smiled at Wufei calmingly.
"You know her," Duo laughed. "It's Cathy."
"Really?"
"Really," Duo was still chuckling, but whether from my surprise or Wufei's anger I wasn't sure. "How did she end up with you anyway, 'Fei?"
"MAXWELL!" Wufei frowned. "One might ask how someone like you ended up with Yuy." I raised both my eyebrows and Duo froze.
"You and Heero?" I asked.
"Uh yeah..." Duo suddenly looked unsure of himself and out of the corner of my eye I saw a worried look cross Heero's face. I laughed out loud.
"About freaking time."
"What?!"
"Oh come on Duo. It was totally obvious to me a long time ago." I tapped my chest lightly and mock-glared at him.
"It was not-" he protested and I laughed again.
"Yes, it was. The two of you drove me crazy!" Duo finally smiled at me. Heero was chuckling.
"Now that it's settled, let's go grab Quatre's stuff before the next show."
No sooner said, than done. We tossed my duffle into Trowa's trailer. Cathy came looking for Wufei and Trowa since the next show was starting soon. Duo, Heero and I headed out to grab some supplies.