Idle Chatter

Chapter 10: Quatre POV

Soon after arriving back at the circus, Trowa stomped off in the direction of Jonathan's office. He didn't look too happy and Charlie hid in my jacket pocket in fear.

Old man's gonna get it now… I wish I had a camera.

Ignoring Mean Quat, I made my way to the big top and scanned the audience. Sitting in the last row, right in the center section was Heero, all by himself with Meiran and Wufei a few rows down. Climbing my way up to them, I waved a polite hello to Meiran and Wufei - Wufei and the girl from the restaurant? Am I missing something?- and sat next to Heero in the nosebleed section.

"How did Duo do?" I asked Heero as I settled down, watching a pair of contortionists do their routine.

"He did just as good as expected, but he was really nervous," he answered.

"I wish I could have seen it."

"The real spectacle was watching Meiran nearly choke Wufei." Heero laughed.

"How do you know her?" I asked. There was something oddly familiar about that girl.

"She is one of Duo's best friends… and she was the waitress we had when we went on our date."

"Oh."

You imbecile! That's Meiran LONG! They're together because they're engaged, remember? Deliah's husband even drew up the paperwork.

"Oh, yeah, I remember now." I said out loud, without meaning to.

"Remember what?" Heero asked.

"Nothing."

"You know, you really should see a shrink or something." Heero mumbled.

"What the hell would you know, Yuy?" I snapped. "You think you're all high and mighty, ignoring everyone and everything. What do you care what I should and shouldn't do? No one asked you!" I spat.

Heero just raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Heero. I didn't mean to say that!" I apologized.

"Shut up, moron, yes I did mean it!" I said out loud, before slapping my hand over my mouth. Other Quat was getting out of hand lately and it was harder to control him.

"Sorry, Heero," I tried again when I regained control of the other me.

"It's okay," he said. "I know there's more than one person inside that twisted little blonde head of yours."

"Who you calling twisted, you freak!" once again, I slapped my hand over my mouth, trying my best to look apologetic.

"I suppose saying that you've been stressed out lately would be an understatement, wouldn't it?" Heero asked.

I nodded, not trusting myself.

"How did you know?" I asked, wanting to know. It was my best kept secret, and I didn't want everyone finding out.

Heero shrugged, "You are a very young person with a lot more responsibilities and obligations than most people ever have to deal with in the entirety of their lives. That sort of pressure has to show itself somehow. With you, you've developed a sweet Quat that'll smile in the face of the newspapers, television, and pubic relations, and a cruel Quat that just wants to see everyone suffer and die."

I had to laugh at that. I guess Heero was more observant than I gave him credit for.

He's not observant, he's an arrogant bastard what can't keep his big nose out of our business!

"So," I said, ignoring my inner voice, "is it that obvious?"

He shook his head no, and took a drink from his soda, "Actually, no. The only people that get to see the other side of you are the people you feel comfortable enough dropping your mask around. I see it mostly when you're with your sisters or when we're playing some sort of war game at the safe house."

I laughed again. He got me there. I let Mean Quat take over in our little war games, and when I did, I always won, hands down.

And as long as I keep doing that, you're going to stay away from any shrink that'll give you anti-psychotics that'll make me go away. Besides, you like me too much, you pansy.

The performance was almost done for the evening and we waited patiently for it to end so we could go find Duo. When we did find him, he was still dressed in black tights, boots, and a billowy silk shirt that was cinched at the waist by a thick black belt. His face was done up with stage makeup, giving him a pixie-like quality with glitter adorning his cheekbones, eyes, and hair.

When we got there, he seemed to be trying to calm his nerves, that he didn't even see us arrive.

"DUO!" Meiran yelled, getting there before Heero and I. "How could you do something like that!"

Preferring to stay out of it, I lingered away from them watching in amusement as Wufei was brought into the argument, and apparently, so did Heero.

"Aren't you going to go up there and defend your boyfriend?" I asked.

Heero just shook his head, "They've known each other for a long time, I'd rather not get in the way. It's too soon, after all."

"If you say so." I mumbled. Just then, Charlie jumped out of my pocket and ran up my arm and onto my shoulder.

"What's with the rodent?" Heero asked, amused. "Is Trowa rubbing off on you that much?"

Charlie flipped him off, giving an indigent squeak.

He blinked. "Um… did it just flip me off?" Heero asked, looking curiously at Charlie.

I laughed, "I believe he did. He's a very smart squirrel."

"Right…" Heero said, dubiously.

Charlie chattered and chirped at Heero angrily, shaking his little fist.

"Umm… I don't think we want to know what that means," I said, laughing.

"The thing can understand me?" Heero asked incredulously.

"Chirp!" Charlie nodded, little arms crossed.

"I think that's a yes." I laughed.

"Hn." Heero then walked away to rescue Duo from Meiran. "We'll be staying at the safe house for a few days," he said before leaving me and Charlie to wait for Trowa.

I didn't have to wait very long since Trowa came out soon after I decided to wait for him. In fact, Heero, Duo, Meiran, and Wufei were walking towards us.

"Hey, Quat, you up for some grub?" Duo asked with a big smile, "My treat."

By now, Heero had an arm around his waist and Wufei had a protective stance over Meiran. I couldn't help but smile.

"You don't have to do that, Duo," I said, taking Trowa's hand as he joined our little group, "I'll take care of it."

"You will not," Duo said, looking angry, "I'm paying and that's final."

And you thought YOU were a double-sided coin, Other Quat taunted.

"Well if you insist," I smiled, "It would be rude of me to object."

Duo grinned and we made our way outside. There was a boy I could really get to like, after all, he was insisting on footing the bill knowing full well that Heero, Wufei, and myself wouldn't even bat an eyelash if we were stuck with it. Yes, I liked this boy. He had the right attitude and I knew right then that Heero had made a good choice.