Part 4: Fate

Smiling slightly, Quatre placed a mug in front of the quiet boy. Then he took the seat across the table from him, and took a sip of tea before smiling again.

"You know, Trowa, you never did explain what you were doing near that cave. While I am incredibly grateful that you showed up, I can't help wondering how you happened to be there."

Trowa looked down into his cup with a shuttered gaze, taking a slow drink so he could postpone his response.

What could he say? 'Well, you see, I've been following you for a year now?' No. Of course he couldn't say anything like that. Proclaiming himself as a stalker was a definite way to alienate the boy.

"I was flying by when I noticed all of you," said Trowa. "Maybe it was fate."

He glanced up and had to hide a wince when he met Quatre's trusting expression.

It wasn't entirely a lie. He had been flying by the first time he'd noticed the boy, and he'd certainly been flying by when he initiated that standoff. But he couldn't shake the guilt at having broken that straightforward trust.

"Do you believe in fate?" Quatre asked with a smile. "I'd hate to believe that mutants have suffered because it was predetermined, but if fate is responsible for your timely arrival then I might change my mind."

Trowa blinked, taken back for a moment.

"Yes," he said. "I do believe in fate."

Fate was the only explanation for his having flown past the boy's base so long ago. Something like that was too unlikely to have been mere coincidence.

Silence filled the room as the two sat drinking their tea, sneaking glances at each other.

After a few minutes Quatre set down his empty cup and stared at the tall boy until he looked up. Their eyes met and he felt something spark. It was as if some sort of current ran though him, stopping when he blinked. He didn't even realize how long he'd been staring until Trowa raised an eyebrow.

"Oh!" Quatre blushed abruptly. "I didn't mean to stare. I was wondering if you had any...hobbies? Anything you like to do? When you're not fighting of course."

He loved what Quatre loved. The words didn't reach the air, but Trowa's eyes flickered with a strange light.

"I love music," he said finally. "I like to play the flute. You?"

The violin. He knew.

Quatre's eyes lit up. "I play too," he said with a smile. "The violin is my favorite instrument, although I do play other things. Trowa! Would you like to play some music with me? I have a flute you could use."

He waited expectantly, a bright smile dancing over his face.

Trowa looked at him for a long moment, face expressionless. Then his eyes softened and he gave a solemn nod. "That would be relaxing."

"I've always found music to be very relaxing," Quatre said, with wide eyes. "It's nice that we have so much in common. Come on, I'll show you a room where we won't have any interruptions."

Following the shorter boy, Trowa stared at the back of his head, eyeing his pale hair. It was with a long-suffering but silent sigh that he forced his eyes away and looked forward at the hall they were moving down.

It was a large safe-house, but he doubted it had its own music room. Where was he taking him? Could it be...?

No. The thought didn't even fully form before he cut it off. He knew better than that.

Trowa smirked as Quatre opened a door to reveal a small room, no doubt a den. And he'd hoped the boy would take him to his room. It was simply amazing how pathetic he'd become.

Quatre took two cases off a shelf and handed the one containing a flute to Trowa.

"I hope this room is okay," he said. "I put them here when Heero and I moved in. I haven't had a chance to play since then, so I'm really glad you're here. It's just so lonely to play by myself. Don't you think so?"

Trowa stared at him, trying not to get lost in those deep eyes. "Yes. Music should be shared."

Quatre smiled, his eyes lighting up. "What do you like to play? I do hope we know the same music."

Not quite meeting his gaze, Trowa named three songs in an off-handed way. His mouth twitched when he heard Quatre gasp.

"Those are my favorites!" Quatre exclaimed in surprise. "This is so... It's such a coincidence. But this is great. Not many people know those songs anymore. Which one do you want to play first?"

.-.

Hearing music, Heero moved silently down the hall, pausing outside a partially opened door.

He watched for a moment, just taking in the scene. It certainly looked like they were relaxing.

But something struck him as odd and his eyes narrowed, pausing on Trowa. The tall boy's green eyes were fixated on Quatre's enraptured face. Quatre's eyes were closed, a small smile gracing his lips even as his brows were creased slightly as he concentrated on the music he was making.

Now that complicated things. Or maybe not.

Why was Trowa at the cave, anyway? Rather than a complication...maybe this was an explanation.

With one last look at Trowa's expression, Heero moved away from the door.

He'd ask them later. There was no reason to interrupt over something so trivial.

A glance toward the front door had him frowning, though. It wasn't trivial. Not to Duo.

Heero sighed, closing his bedroom door behind him and taking his quiet seat in front of the computer. And it wasn't trivial to him, either.