Name: Story Time With Trowa or Once Upon a Cross Dresser
Author: Nataku's Child
Archive: Not available yet...still...
Feedback: Yeah! Shininikki@hotmail.com

Couples: 1+5 (Eventually! I swear!) 2x4 (implied) and 2+4+3

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing... I didn't make up the story of Cinderella, nor did I write Ever After... but this story has swung kinda far from both of those... so do I even need to say that anymore?

Story Time With Trowa or Once Upon a Cross Dresser

Chapter Eight

Quatre was sitting in the living room, Friday night, staring at the wall. His lips pressed tightly together and his forehead wrinkled, he was glaring at the wall so fiercely that he didn't even notice Duo walk in.

Duo had gotten bored of his computer and had gone looking for entertainment. Well, that or sex... either would have been fine. But instead he found Quatre looking like a clam making himself a pearl of an ulcer.

Duo frowned a moment before jumping on the preoccupied blonde.

Quatre yelped in surprise as he fell against the couch, a grinning Duo on top of him. "Duo!" he gasped when he realized what had happened.

Duo grinned wickedly at him before leaning down to take a quick kiss. When he pulled away, he grinned again. "I thought I'd cheer ya up...what's wrong?"

Quatre sighed and looked past Duo to the direction of their rooms. "He's been in there every night since Tuesday..." he said softly.

"Hm?" Duo blinked and followed Quatre's gaze.

Trowa's door was closed. Night had fallen and most of the lights in the house were on, but no light seeped from under Trowa's door.

"I don't know what's wrong..." Quatre said forlornly.

"We forget his birthday?" Duo asked, sliding off of Quatre to sit beside him.

"I don't even know when his birthday is," Quatre said, looking ashamed.

Duo looked over at the blonde and frowned. If he kept worrying himself like that, he really was going to give himself an ulcer.

"You want me to talk to him?" Duo asked, reaching over to tuck a bit of hair behind Quatre's ear.

"Would you?" Quatre asked, relaxing a bit.

Duo smiled. "No problem."

Quatre smiled back and gave Duo a quick hug. "I'll go start dinner!" he said before running off to the kitchen.

Duo smiled softly and got up, walking to Trowa's door. He hesitated a moment before knocking. "Tro'?"

No answer.

He knocked again, frowning. "Hey Trowa, you awake?"

When again he didn't answer, Duo carefully opened the door and poked his head in. "Tro'?" he whispered, squinting in the darkness.

No answer.

He stepped in and closed the door soundlessly behind him. The room was dark. The curtains were drawn to cut out any light, even in the dim of night. It took Duo's eyes a few moments to adjust to where he could make out shapes of furniture. Stepping lightly, he walked over to the window and opened the curtain a crack.

The mingled light of streetlamps and moonlight poured through the small break, cutting like a knife through the darkness to give a small slice of vision.

Trowa lay in bed, his face upturned and peaceful in sleep. He looked pale in the sparse lighting, his skin seeming stark against the dark of the bed sheets. Duo walked over, silent and invisible in the shadows. Stepping into the light, he sat on the bed beside Trowa, looking down at the smooth, untroubled face of his friend in slumber.

Friend...

His hand moved on it's own, lifting to trace over Trowa's soft eyebrows, down and over his cheekbones... Then slowly, barely touching as though afraid of being caught, Duo's fingers traveled over his bottom lip. Trowa's lips were parted slightly in sleep, drawing in slow and even breaths.

The memory of their kiss flashed in Duo's mind. For a moment, the insane idea of kissing Trowa as he lay unguarded seduced his thoughts. He even started to lean over, but he caught himself and shook his head. It could lead to an awkward awakening. But he couldn't bring himself to straighten. Hovering slightly over Trowa, Duo was quickly forgetting why he was there, or even that Trowa had been acting oddly at all. He looked so peaceful, how could anything be wrong?

His hand moved from Trowa's lip to his neck. The sheet that covered him came up to his underarms. He was shirtless, his bare arms crossed over his stomach. His neck ended in a sharp dip, leading to a well-muscled chest. His arms were perfectly toned, strong but not bulging. His body fit him, you could say: strong, but subtly so.

Duo couldn't help his hand from traveling down Trowa's neck and over his shoulder. The urge to kiss him came back, stronger this time. His body leaned in on it's own, driven by that insane desire.

Inches away, Trowa's eyes opened.

~

He was back with Cathy at the circus.

It was before he had been given the scholarship for college, before he was practically forced into the Preventers, before he moved in with Duo and Quatre.

Life had been simpler, though not entirely happy. He loved his sister, and she loved him. She was always kind, happy, loving... But there had always been something missing.

He had finished a performance. He gave his last bows to a nearly screaming audience, the applause thundering in his ears.

Cathy stood beside him, smiling brightly and waving at the crowd.

He felt like he was watching himself, detached from his body.

He was walking back to his trailer now.

The stars seemed especially bright as he walked across the packed earth.

There was noise coming from his trailer as he neared.

Odd.

He had always lived alone.

When he opened the door and stepped in, it was filled with unusual light and warmth.

Quatre was at the small oven, stirring something.

He turned when Trowa entered and smiled. "Trowa! How did the performance go?" he left the stove and walked over to Trowa. Not waiting for an answer, he hugged the taller boy tightly.

Trowa watched himself reach down and -tipping Quatre's head up, kiss him softly.

Quatre was smiling when they pulled away. He went back to the stove, humming softly to himself.

"Trowa?!" Duo came bounding in from the little bedroom, grinning. He practically jumped on Trowa, pulling him down for a fierce kiss. He pulled away after a few moments, leaving Trowa breathless.

Duo winked, a wicked grin on his lips.

Trowa smiled and started to reach for Duo again, but for some reason, he was too far away.

Like the sensation you get when in a dream you feel you're falling and then you're suddenly jerked back into your body, Trowa slammed into the Trowa he had been watching. He could see his own hand, reaching for the smiling boy in front of him.

Quatre walked away from the stove and drew Duo into a hug, snuggling against the other boy.

They were looking at Trowa, both smiling.

Trowa stepped forward and tried to reach for them again, wanting to feel them in his arms this time...

But again, they were too far.

He walked forward, but he didn't go anywhere.

They seemed so close, but he couldn't reach them.

The room was warm and bright, but he felt cold.

They started to walk away, the trailer dissolving around them.

"Wait!" the plea tore from Trowa's throat as he tried to run after them.

Their laughter sounded distant.

Trowa ran but felt him self go nowhere.

Tears stung at his eyes and he reached, his arm straining, but he could no longer see the other boys.

"Don't leave me..." Trowa whispered, falling to the floor as the warmth and light fled, and the darkness enveloped him.

And once more, he was alone.

Always alone.

He screamed.

It tore at his throat, the cry coming more from his soul then his body.

The sound hammered at his ears.

Tears streamed from his eyes.

And just when the cry reached its zenith, and he felt as though he would burst from it's force, he awoke.

~

Duo's cheeks warmed in a blush as Trowa blinked awake. He was frozen, unable to even move from where he was inches from Trowa's face.

Dark green eyes were glazed over, still holding the emotion they had expressed in sleep behind closed lids, a mixture of fear and pain... so heartbreakingly strong.

Duo noticed Trowa's pulse under his fingertips was fast.

'What's wrong?'

Trowa's eyes focused. "Duo?" Trowa's voice was soft, doubtful. The pained look in his eyes melted away into something akin to relief.

Duo blinked, realization hitting him like a wall of icy water. 'This looks bad!' He pulled away, his eyes wide. "Hey...Tro' I was just-"

"Don't go!" Trowa sat up and grabbed Duo's wrist as it pulled it away from his neck.

Duo froze.

Trowa looked at the hand that held Duo's wrist. His eyes cleared, as though he was only now waking from his dream. He dropped Duo's hand and looked away.

"I'm not goin' anywhere Tro'..." Duo said softly. He lifted a hand to touch the other boy, but held it back at the last moment, unsure.

Trowa was silent, not looking at Duo.

Duo forced a grin onto his face. "Hey man, I'm sorry, about...you know. I was just coming in to see..." his voice softened a fraction. "How you were doin'."

"I'm fine."

Duo knew it was a lie, and he was fairly sure that Trowa knew that he didn't buy it. "Come on...what's bothering you?"

"It's nothing...I'm just tired." Trowa said, still not looking at Duo.

"Trowa..." Duo smiled lopsidedly and leaned sideways to look Trowa in the eyes. "You lie worse then Quatre."

Trowa's eyes flicked to Duo's.

Duo's smile dropped. The pain he had seen earlier was stronger, though the fear had gone.

"You love Quatre..." Trowa said softly.

Duo blinked. "I care a lot about Quatre..." and before he could keep it from slipping. "I feel the same about you."

Trowa threw back the covers and got out of bed. "It's not the same." He breathed.

"It's exactly the same, Trowa."

~

Trowa's entire body froze. He was sure his heart stopped. He turned slowly to look at Duo.

Duo had his head down, looking interested in the sheet he was idly plucking at. "It's always been the same...God, Trowa!" He looked up, his eyes the only thing clearly visible in the dim light. "Did you really think the constant flirting was a joke?" He shook his head and looked down. "When I kissed you, I meant it."

Trowa's heart came back beating with a vengeance. "But Quatre..." he said softly.

"Quatre?" Duo looked up, his usually light-hearted expression was replaced with a deeply serious one. "Quatre feels the same way I do. He cares for both of us."

Trowa stared at Duo.

'It can't be true... it has to be some cruel joke Duo's playing...' but even as he thought it, he knew it was wrong. Duo wouldn't kid like that, let alone outright lie.

Duo got off the bed. He had grown tall. He only stood three or four inches shorter then Trowa. He hesitantly reached out to touch Trowa's arm. "Trowa..."

Trowa looked down, and not being able to hold his feelings back any longer, drew Duo into a tight hug. Duo returned it for a few moments before pulling away slightly, only to pull Trowa down into their second kiss.

It was almost painfully relieving to Trowa, knowing Duo returned his feelings. He didn't want to let go, afraid it was just another twisted dream.

They stood there for what could have easily turned into a half an hour, but eventually Duo reluctantly drew back. He smiled and laughed lightly. "I think I was supposed to get you for dinner...or something... I forgot... Quatre!" Duo's eyes went wide and he grinned. "We need to tell Quatre!" He started pull Trowa towards the door but froze. He turned back to Trowa. "Or... I... Quatre... too..." he said awkwardly, motioning nonsense with his hands.

Trowa frowned. "What?"

Duo sighed and tried again. "I still want to be with Quatre... I mean, I like both of you... and you know, Quatre really likes you too and-"

Trowa quickly covered Duo's quickly moving lips with a finger. "I understand." He said, almost laughing. "I feel the same way."

Duo grinned and they kissed again.

~

Quatre shuffled through the cabinets, taking out a few things and placing them on the counter.

Duo had been gone a while, and he had begun to worry.

'What could take Duo so long? Is it a good or bad sign?' he thought as he dumped a few things into the small pot on the stove. 'And what could be wrong with Trowa? Oh...what if he doesn't approve of Duo and me? He did seem uncomfortable last story time... oh... I don't know...'

He sighed and shook his head. 'I just have to be patient...' he thought as he made his way to the fridge and started shuffling through.

When he stood, a pair of arms slid around his waist.

Quatre sighed in relief and relaxed into the embrace. "Duo..." he breathed, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. "Did you...?" Quatre's voice died out.

Duo felt... different...

Quatre opened his eyes and met green ones.

"Trowa!" Quatre squeaked and twisted around, his face on fire. "What...I..." he stammered. He tried to step away and almost fell into the fridge.

Trowa caught him by the waist, a small smile on his lips.

Quatre's mouth hung open in shock, and had the items in his hands not been taken away, he would have dropped them. Duo smiled at him from behind Trowa, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he took the jars from Quatre's hands.

"I'm sorry I worried you..." Trowa said softly, brushing Quatre's face with his fingertips.

Quatre trembled slightly. He had hardly grown at all, just barely coming up to Trowa's shoulders. The air from the refrigerator cooled his back, making the warmth of the body holding him even more evident.

'What's going on?' Quatre thought, unable to speak.

Trowa looked down at him, the small smile gone. "I couldn't stand seeing you two so close. I'm sorry. I didn't want to be so selfish, but I couldn't help it. It hurt to see you two so happy together...without me."

Quatre's eyes widened.

"I was lonely." Trowa continued, pulling Quatre slightly closer. "But I didn't want to ruin your happiness... even if it meant I would be alone."

"Trowa..." Quatre breathed, his heart breaking.

Trowa smiled softly. "But then Duo told me something. He showed me that I didn't have to be alone, that what I had wanted all this time... had been near by..." Trowa's lightly touching fingertips glided under Quatre's chin, tipping it up. "...Waiting for the same chance..."

Quatre's eyes fluttered closed as Trowa leaned down and took his lips in sweet kiss.

~

After dinner, Trowa was shuffled into Quatre's room and pushed onto the bed. Duo and Quatre snuggled on either side of him, Trowa smiled softly.

"Story." Duo encouraged, kissing lightly at Trowa's neck.

Trowa thought for a second. "Where did I leave off last?"

"Heero kissed Wufei... Wufei didn't seem too happy about it." Quatre piped in.

Trowa laughed shortly. "Oh, right..."

~()~

The forest passed by in flashes of green and the stings of branches hitting his face.

Wufei ran as fast as he could manage, burning with rage.

'How dare he?!' he screamed mentally as he stumbled into his favorite clearing. 'of all the... where'd he get the idea... we were just...' He fell in a heap in the middle of the clearing, exhausted. His chest heaved and he held his burning face in his hands.

He had never felt so...vulnerable. It had happened so quickly, so unexpectedly that he had no way of stopping it. How could Heero think he wanted to... do... that...?

'I thought we were just friends...' Wufei thought with a deep frown. 'Maybe I was stupid to think he had stopped thinking of me as a woman...' he ran his hand through his hair, vaguely wondering when it had lost it's tie. 'Lies... it's all these god damn lies... I'm tired of them!'

He looked down at his fake breasts with contempt. Locking his jaw, he tore off his shirt and unbound them from chest. 'These... I hate these!' he threw them a few feet away and stood, glaring at them. 'That's why... that's what makes me a lie! Those are why he...' Wufei couldn't even bring himself to think it.

"I am a man!" He yelled in his own voice, harsh from anger.

He ran, leaving the fake breasts and shirt behind him. He ran home. Ran back to where he was known as Wufei, the Chang son. Not Heero's...

Wufei stopped, just short of his house.

"What am I to him?" he asked quietly. After a moment, he shook his head firmly. "It doesn't matter." He told himself and began walking again.

His parents weren't at home. His father was probably in town and his mother was probably working in the garden. Wufei looked around the house, marveling at how different it looked. No, how different it felt. He no longer felt comfortable here, as though he didn't belong. It wasn't his home anymore, only where he slept at night. And for a moment he felt as though his heart stopped.

His home was that dark shed now...wasn't it?

His home was with...Heero?

Wufei shook his head sharply. 'No! I wont even think it! I'm just not thinking right... damn Heero...'

He heard a cough coming from another room. 'Meiran?' Wufei quickly went to her room.

Meiran lay in her bed, looking thin and pale. Her hand was pressed over her mouth and her frail body convulsed with coughs. Wufei rushed to her side and smoothed her hair, unsure of what to do. Awkwardly, he made soothing noises until the fit subsided. Meiran opened her eyes slowly as she removed her hand.

"Wufei?" She blinked a few times and then smiled. "Brother!"

Wufei attempted a small smile. 'Has it been so long?' Meiran looked so much worse then he remembered. She could hardly lift the hand that she had used to cover her mouth.

She frowned slightly. "You're back from work? So early?"

"They gave me the day off," Wufei lied. "Do you want something to drink?"

Meiran nodded. "It's over there."

Wufei dipped a small ladle into the bucket she had indicated and brought it to her lips.

When she was done, she sank back into her pillow. "Ugh... how degrading..." she glared at Wufei, some of her old fire lit her eyes. "Once I get out of this bed, I'll beat you so bad it'll be you who needs help drinking."

Wufei smirked. "I look forward to it."

'I pray for it,' he thought sadly.

~()~

Quatre sighed sadly. "Does she have to be so sick?"

Trowa looked down at the worried blonde. "I could change it, if you want..." he offered.

"No!" Duo protested. "'Cause this is supposed to be like real life. In real life, people get sick and people die. It can't all be happy."

"Why not?" Quatre asked, sitting up. "Why can't life be easy?"

Duo sat up too. "Because it's not real! Bad things happen, it's just the way things are."

"Well, can't we just hope that things are always good and because of that hope, maybe they'll turn out fine?" Quatre countered.

"It doesn't work that way..." Duo answered.

Quatre sighed. "I know..."

Duo frowned, not liking that he won the mini argument. "But you know... some bad things happening, only make the good things better. It'll turn out in the end." He offered.

Quatre smiled softly and lay back down next to Trowa. "You're right Duo... it is a fairy tale."

Duo grinned. "Yup."

Trowa was silent for a few moments. "Is it over?"

Duo laughed. "Yeah, we're done."

"Alright..."

~()~

The next day, Wufei stood outside of the wooden room, staring at the door and trying to build up his courage. Being attacked by fifteen people at night with a broken leg would have been easier then going back into that room.

Wufei locked his jaw and balled one hand into a fist. 'Just do it!' with his other hand, he slid open the heavy door.

Heero sat in the middle of the room, his back straight and his eyes closed.

'He's...meditating?'

Heero's eyes opened and he turned his head towards Wufei.

"Sleeping?" it slipped out of Wufei's mouth before he could stop it.

And Heero... smiled. It was small, but it was a smile.

Heero stood, his smile dropping. "I wasn't sure you would come."

Wufei crossed his arms. "I wasn't going to."

Heero looked away.

"I...have a favor to ask." Wufei said awkwardly.

Heero looked back at him.

"And it's not because of yesterday!" Wufei said, his forced feminine voice angry. But he wasn't angry, not anymore. "Though I'm willing to forget about... that, in exchange. Or anything else, or I can get a job to pay you back, or..." Wufei stopped, realizing he wasn't getting to the point.

"What is it?" Heero asked, taking a step closer.

"It's my sister..." Wufei looked down. He didn't want to ask, but he knew he had to. "She's sick. Very sick. We're sure that if she doesn't get a doctor soon, she'll die." Wufei spoke the words out loud for the first time. It hurt. "We can't afford a doctor." He said quietly.

Heero was silent a moment before walking a little closer. "I understand. I'll have Quinze send someone."

Wufei bowed low. "Thank you." He said softly, his sad eyes hidden.

"Stop that. It's nothing." Heero said shortly before walking to the other side of the room and getting into his 'ready' position.

Wufei straightened and smiled slightly before getting into his own 'ready' position.

~

They leaned against the rough wooden wall, catching their breath after a whole day's spar. It was peaceful, and Wufei felt satisfyingly worn out. His lips were curled in a small smile, though he didn't realize it.

Heero watched him sidelong for a few moments, inwardly smiling himself, before clearing his throat. "It's getting warmer, we might want to move outside soon."

Wufei nodded. "You're right."

"Tomorrow then..." Heero said, closing his eyes and leaning his head against the wall.

Wufei looked over, and without realizing, began to stare. Heero's knee was brought up casually to his chest, his arm resting on top of it. His hair fell near his eyes in an almost careless cut, falling softly in just about every direction. His face was loose, unlike the hard, severe expression he had shown when they first met. He had a sort of boyish look when he wasn't so closed off...

The door slid open and Wufei snapped to attention, his face warming slightly as though he'd been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.

"Well, this looks interesting." A deep voice called sarcastically through the darkness.

'The sun is down already?' Wufei thought.

"What do you need, Zechs?" Heero asked coldly.

"Tsk-tsk, Heero, don't be so testy. I've come under orders from your dear mother."

Wufei felt Heero tense.

"What does she want?"

Wufei's eyes were adjusting to the change in lighting, and he could see Zechs' outline and the white flash of a smile.

"It's just a simple dinner invitation." He said innocently.

"Those are never simple." Heero murmured to himself. He stood and brushed himself off. "By invitation, she means mandatory, I suppose." He said louder.

"Of course." Zechs said, laughter in his voice. "I'll tell her you're coming... and leave you two to say your 'goodbyes'." The door slid closed before either Wufei or Heero could glare at him.

Heero ran a hand through his hair, looking tense. "You had better go, before she finds out that you're still here."

Wufei stood and straightened his shirt thoughtlessly. "What's wrong with her knowing I'm here?"

Heero laughed short and humorlessly. "She's been all but outright saying she wants to meet you. I'm saving you the trouble."

Wufei smirked. "Is she that bad?"

Heero nodded, his eyes troubled. They were uncomfortably silent for a few minutes before Heero spoke, "I should go." He started to leave.

Wufei frowned and almost stopped him. Something didn't feel right, something felt unfinished, but Heero was gone before he could figure out what it was.

~()~

Duo yawned and stretched before draping his arm lazily over Trowa. Quatre stifled a small yawn and snuggled against the taller boy, his eyes half open.

Trowa looked down at the two, smiling softly. "I think that's enough for tonight." He said softly, starting to sit up but finding that he couldn't.

Duo and Quatre held onto him tightly, despite their sleepy appearances.

Duo nuzzled Trowa's neck. "Where do you think you're goin'?" he mumbled.

"To bed,"

"Mmm... We are in bed." Quatre pointed out, closing his eyes and wrapping his arm around Trowa's waist. "And you're too comfy. You can't go."

"Mm-hm." Duo agreed, yawning again.

Trowa settled back down, hesitating only a moment before smiling and placing an arm around each of the boys.

Quatre smiled. "Goodnight."

"G'night." Duo mumbled sleepily.

"Goodnight." Trowa said softly.

To be continued...

Next Chapter:
In which Heero has a nice happy family dinner... ::snort::

Author note:
Yeah, I know, it's cheesy... but this wasn't meant to be a work of art in the first place ^_^ hopefully, it's not so fluffy-sweet to be unenjoyable.