"Last night's ball was a blast." Duo stated while walking with Heero to Trowa's cabin for breakfast.
"I don't know, Duo. I thought after the ball was more fun." Heero grinned.
"I think you're right." Duo kissed Heero briefly on the lips.
Heero raised his hand to knock when the door suddenly flung open.
"Whoa, Trowa!" Duo exclaimed, a bit startled.
Trowa took a step back. "What do you guys want?"
"Geez man. We just came to get you for breakfast." Duo said, a little irritated.
"I don't have time to eat right now. There's something I have to do." 'Rather, someone I have to find.'
"Oh come on, Trowa. My brother's supposed to join us this morning." Heero complained.
"Look. I'm really sorry but I can't. I'll see you guys around." The tall brunette shut his door and dashed away. He decided that he would find his blonde boy and confess his love to him. But not knowing the boy's name made Trowa's mission much harder but not impossible. 'I'm in love with him.' Trowa thought. With this in mind, Trowa's determination grew ten-fold, blowing away any doubt he might have had.
As Trowa dashed up the stairs, the elevator doors opened, revealing Quatre and Wufei.
"They said that they'd be at their friend's room. I think we can meet them there." Quatre said, looking up at the Chinese man.
"Oy Quatre! Wu-man!" Duo called, seeing the pair walking by.
The two turned to see Duo, hand-in-hand with Heero, grinning at them.
"Maxwell, why do you always have that grin on your face?"
"Cause I get so happy when I see you, Wuffiekins." The braided boy said, pinching Wufei's cheek to annoy the scholar.
Quatre and Heero just laughed. Over the night, Duo had found out that it was great fun to annoy Wufei. Wufei, though he never would want to admit it, finds Duo's attempts funny and humors the boy by getting angry.
"Dammit Maxwell! Touch me again and you won't have any fingers to pinch me with!"
Quatre, Heero and Duo burst out into fits of laughter all over again.
"So, can we join your for the day?" Quatre asked when he finally caught his breath.
"Of course." Heero said. "Where's Iria and Sally?"
Wufei rolled his eyes. "They're off doing feminine things." He said with a wave of his hand.
"Yeah. Didn't you say your friend was gonna be with you?" Quatre noticed the lack of said friend.
"He was. But he ran off. He said he had to do something important. Or something…" Duo shrugged.
"Well then, shall we go?" Wufei turned back towards the elevator. The other three followed and began a discussion on fighting techniques.
Quatre smiled at his friends before him. He was very grateful to have them with him. He needed something to distract himself from the events of last night. Quatre had cried at his stupidity through most of the night. The blonde still felt horrible now that the new day had sprung and hoped that he wouldn't have to have to encounter the taller boy throughout the rest of the trip.
* * *
"Dammit!" Trowa growled and punched the wall of his room. His mission was unsuccessful for he did not see the blonde boy anywhere. Trowa assumed that he must have stayed in his room all day. The brunette sighed. 'I guess it just wasn't meant to be…' Trowa fell into his bed and wept.
* * *
The next day, Trowa felt horrible. It was well into the afternoon when he decided to leave his room. Just as he stepped out, he almost crashed into a certain cobalt-eyed boy.
"Heero! I'm sorry."
"It's all right. I didn't think you'd be coming out today, Trowa."
"Well, here I am."
"Hn. Are you okay? You look awful."
"I feel awful."
"Why? What happened?"
Trowa sighed. "I'm sorry, Heero. I'm sorry for being a jerk to you, to Duo, during this trip. I'm sorry for not meeting with your brother like I said I would."
Heero eyed his friend carefully. 'He's distressed.' "Come on Trowa. Let's take a walk." Heero nodded towards the stairs.
"All right." Trowa sighed again, following his friend. The two walked in silence to the first deck. They were standing at the front of the ship where Trowa and his blonde were the night of the dance. Trowa leaned against the exact bench that his blonde had been leaning against while Heero leaned against the one opposite him.
"So what's wrong? You've been acting weird lately. Even for you."
Trowa closed his eyes. "I'm in love with someone whose name I have no idea."
"Whoa…love?"
The taller boy opened his eyes and stared off into the distance. "I know it's real soon, but I also know that I love him. But I'm an idiot."
"Trowa, why don't you start from the beginning?"
"It started the day this ship took off. I caught him staring at me." Trowa chuckled, much to Heero's surprise. "He looked so adorable. When I realized he was on the same ship as I, I was practically giddy. And you know me. I'm never giddy. I just wanted to dream about him all day in my room. I had a good start until you asked me to meet your brother. Being friends, I agreed. When we were in the elevator, I saw him going towards the stairs. That's why I left you guys. I followed him up and was going to say something to him until I saw a girl come up and kiss him. I was heartbroken. I felt so foolish to believe him to be gay. And that's why I was so upset during dinner. After storming off, I decided to walk around. Then I saw him outside, crying. I went right up to him and asked him 'what's wrong?' He didn't tell me at first but then I convinced him to walk with me. I learned a bit about him and he of me. Then he told me about his previous relationship with a boy. I was so happy when he told me that he was gay. But of course, outside I remained calm. Remembering his ex-boyfriend made him sad again, so I held him in my arms. I felt so comfortable with him so close to my body. The next thing I knew, he was kissing me. Before my mind could register any response, he pulled away, surprised at what he had done. He ran away from me, ashamed and embarrassed. I tried to follow him but I lost him in the ballroom. I hated myself for not responding sooner. Yesterday, I decided to try to find him. That's why I blew you guys off again, but I failed. Now, I don't think I'm supposed to find him. It's not meant to be…"
Heero regarded his friend. "Trowa, if you feel so strongly about this guy, I don't think you should give up so easily. It seems you two connected somehow. I mean, he obviously has a hold on your for you to feel the way you do. I've never seen you like this before and knowing your story, it's nice in a way to see how much you care for your mystery guy. Don't give up, Tro. You don't want to lose a good thing."
"Oy!! Heero!"
Heero turned to see Duo and Quatre walking over. "Duo's coming. I guess you can finally meet my brother. He's coming too."
"Hm." Trowa just stared at the water ahead of him, while letting Heero's words sink in.
"Oy! Tro! Looks like you acme out of your shell." Duo smiled.
Quatre smiled as well, staring at the taller boy's back.
"Quatre, this is my good friend Trowa Barton." Heero introduced. "Trowa, this is my brother Quatre Raberba Winner."
"Nice to finally meet…" Quatre started as Trowa turned about to face the blonde. Quatre's smile immediately fell into a look of surprise. "You!"
Trowa blinked, his mouth agape. It was his blonde! His love!
"Oh God…" Quatre backed away. "I'm sorry. I-" Quatre felt his tears pour out and turned to run away.
"No! Wait!" Trowa called. He attempted to jump over the bench that separated them, but failed miserably. "Wait! Please!"
But Quatre was already long gone.
"NO!" Trowa slammed his fists against the bench before slumping down onto his knees.
"Did I miss something?" Duo asked, confused by what had just happened.
Heero quickly knelt down next to Trowa. "Quatre's the one?"
Trowa nodded covering his face in his hands. "I love him…"
Heero bit his lip. "Go to him."
Trowa's head shot up and he looked into the pair of cobalt eyes. "What?"
"Third deck, room 112. Go to him."
"Thank you Heero." Trowa jumped up and ran to the third deck. To his love.
Author's Notes/Disclaimer: I don't own the GW characters. I own a t-shirt that says "HEROS IN A HALF SHELL!!" Turtle power!
What will happen next? The plot thickens...Muahahahaha! Or does it? I don't know. I'm as lost as you. Well...maybe not. Oh well. You'll just have to wait and see. Trowa finally confronts Quatre, next! Yah!