The Young Miss of Spring
Heero and Quatre trudged through their one hundredth mile of flowers in a field that seemed endless. Both men felt that the flowers were quite refreshing…for the first ten miles; now they were quite exhausted and annoyed by the endless field.
"It must end eventually." Quatre groaned.
Heero grunted his reply and Quatre stopped and looked at him. "Are you okay?"
Heero paused and met Quatre's eyes. He forgot that Quatre was not used to his gruff exterior. He nodded slowly. "Yes. I'm sorry. I sometimes forget that you aren't Duo."
Quatre smiled slightly. "I'm surprised you can get us confused. I'm no where near as energetic as Duo."
Heero chuckled despite himself. "I don't think anyone is as energetic as Duo is." He smiled and Quatre gasped. Heero's smile was unlike any he had ever seen. Sparks of the dream he had been having the past few nights came rushing back to him and suddenly he sat, trying to conceal his growing arousal. Heero looked at him curiously and Quatre giggled nervously.
"I just thought we should take a little break. After all, we've been walking for a long time."
Heero remained unmoving for a moment. Finally, he nodded and sat with Quatre. The two beings avoided each others gaze in an awkward silence before Heero cleared his throat.
"Our brothers seem to be getting closer each day they spend together." He said.
Quatre, relieved for the break in tension nodded. "Yes, they do." He smiled. "I've never seen Zechs more happy than he is right now. Usually he's so serious, but since he's met Duo…I don't know. He just seems to have a brighter aura around him. It's nice."
Heero nodded. "Yes, even Duo seems to be happier – which is saying a lot." He leaned back on his elbows. "He may seem like an idiot on the outside…but he's really not. He's smart and even somewhat troubled."
Quatre lay on his stomach and propped his head in his hands, looking at Heero. "Troubled?"
Heero turned to Quatre. "Hn. He and I were…" He paused and looked down.
Quatre, sensing much distress in his heart, sat up and moved closer. "You what? You can tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone."
Heero met Quatre's piercing blue eyes and found that he couldn't lie to him. "We…we were beaten by our father as children." He said softly. "I learned to deal with it and when it stopped, I got over it, but Duo never did. He hides it on the outside…but I know that he remembers."
Quatre looked down, saddened. He couldn't imagine a father who beat his children could exist in any of the Heavenly Realms. "I knew there was something I didn't like about him…" Then he looked up at the shocked look on Heero's face. "Your father, I mean. Not Duo." He corrected and then looked back down. "I could always sense something inside his heart but I never quite knew what it was."
Heero nodded and then looked seriously at Quatre. When Quatre didn't look up, he moved forward and tilted his chin up to look at him. Quatre blushed at the contact and grew nervous when Heero didn't let go.
"I don't want you to feel sorry for me." He said, as thought reading Quatre's thoughts. "And I don't want you to tell Zechs. If what he and Duo have is real, then Duo will tell him when the time is right."
Quatre nodded and felt his heart beat increase when Heero moved forward even closer. Suddenly Heero hesitated and quickly let go of Quatre's chin, returning to his original position in the flowers.
I can't believe I almost kissed him! Heero's mind was screaming. He felt flustered and furious at the same time. This mission must end quickly before I do something I'll regret.
Decided, Heero stood up and brushed himself off. He looked down to Quatre and offered his hand.
"We should get moving." He said.
Quatre, still confused by Heero's behavior and slightly disappointed that Heero backed away, took his friends hand and rose. The two continued on their path in silence. Heero was still berating himself for his thoughts and Quatre had begun day dreaming about what kissing Heero would really be like.
Maybe I should just do it? Quatre thought. I could just get it over with. If he doesn't like me, then he doesn't like me. Quatre thought about that. What if he doesn't like me? I…don't know if I could handle that.
Quatre's thoughts were silent echoes of Heero's. While Quatre troubled himself with what almost happened, Heero was troubling himself over what could have happened.
If I would have kissed him…I don't know if I can control how far I went. He stole a sidelong glance at the blond beauty next to him. He's so innocent. I can't do that to him. He clenched his fists. I won't do that to him. I can hide my feelings. He'd never have to know. I'll keep them locked up and he'll never know. Heero promised himself. He began to walk straighter after that, feel confident in his choice.
It wasn't long before Quatre sat down again. "I think we're going in circles." He said, exasperated.
Heero let out a frustrated sigh and nodded. "I think your right." He sat down and stared hard at his surroundings. In every direction it was the same: Flowers; Flowers as far as the eye could see.
"Maybe this is why it's so hard to find her." Quatre offered picking one of the small pink poppies and bringing it to his nose.
Heero turned to him and opened his mouth to speak but he froze. He watched Quatre gently sniff the flower and had to contain the moan that threatened to escape. He watched, enthralled, as the soft pedals brushed against his lips and the smile that slowly curled his features. Heero felt his resolve fading and he struggled to regain it; to look away.
You made a promise, Heero. He hissed to himself. You don't break your promises. With much effort, Heero managed to look away and face the ground.
"I'd say let's start walking again, but that doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere." He said instead.
Quatre looked up from his flower and nodded. "I agree." He set it down and looked around them. "I'm not even sure where to begin…"
Heero nodded. He felt frustrated. He hated not knowing what to do. He stood up and looked around them, hoping to see something – anything – that would give them a clue what to do next. A soft breeze blew through the field, carrying a warm fragrance with it. It was different than the smell of the flowers. It reminded Quatre of fresh baked cookies.
"Do you smell that?" Quatre asked, standing up.
Heero nodded and tried to pinpoint the source. "Can you tell where it's coming from?"
Quatre shook his head. "No…it I didn't know any better I'd say it was coming from the flowers."
They looked down to inspect the flowers. The scent they gave off was still there, but faint. The warm smell was surrounding them now. It was almost intoxicating. Heero turned to Quatre and suddenly his lust flared up. In the back of his mind he could remember the promise he had made only moments ago, but now it seemed like a distant memory. He could tell that Quatre was feeling it too. His soft eyes had grown hungry with lust. Before Heero could stop himself, he had practically lunged forward and smashed his lips against the blonds. Quatre recovered from his shock quickly as his lust was inflamed. He wrapped his arms around the other and pressed his body hungrily against him.
Heero moaned, feeling Quatre's erection rubbing against his thigh. Without wasting any time with clothing, Heero had pulled Quatre's robe up and slammed into him in one fluid motion. Quatre shouted in pain and pleasure but neither boy seemed to be able to stop for anything. Quatre clung to Heero with his arms and legs, loudly begging for more. Heero was more than happy to oblige and with the rapid, neither boy lasted long.
After the climax, Heero and Quatre collapsed against one another, panting heavily, both too tired to move. Quatre caught his breath first and suddenly gasped. He gazed up to Heero in horror when he realized what had happened. The warm scent was gone and it occurred to them that someone had manipulated them into the act of lust. Heero quickly pulled out of Quatre and moved away from him as though he had been burned. The two stared at each other in stunned silence for what seemed like an eternity.
Quatre recovered first and sat up. He covered himself with his robe and tried to ignore the throbbing pain in his rear. "I…" He hesitated. What did you say after something like that?
Heero sat up and looked at Quatre. "I'm sorry." He said.
Quatre was thrown off guard. He wasn't exactly expecting that. He knew it wasn't Heero's fault. He reached out and touched Heero's hand, but he jerked it away. Quatre froze. "I…I'm sorry." He looked down.
Heero sighed and guilt flooded his being. He moved forward and sat next to Quatre. "No…I am. I shouldn't have done that."
Quatre looked up at him. "It wasn't you. It was that smell. There was something about it…It was like I…" He blushed slightly and looked down. "It was like I couldn't control myself."
Heero nodded, the guilt coming back in droves. "Yeah…" He looked over at the small blond. "Did I…hurt you?"
Quatre looked up and his eyes locked with cobalt blue ones. "Well…a little. I'll be okay. I…I wanted it just as much as you did." He said and blushed a bright red.
Heero blushed too and wrapped his arm around Quatre. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm…I'm sorry."
Quatre looked down and shook his head. "No. It wasn't your fault." He looked up and blinked. "That wasn't there before." He pointed.
In front of them was a small cottage. Heero and Quatre exchanged surprised glances and stood up.
"We…can talk about this later?" Quatre asked.
Heero nodded and they walked off towards the new structure. The building was small, barely taller than Heero, and very plain. They hesitated at the front door.
"Do we knock? Or just go in?" Quatre asked.
Heero wasn't sure, but knocked anyway. The door screeched open and Heero poked his head in. The room was mostly empty except for a small gray rocking chair in the middle of the room. Heero pushed the door open and he and Quatre walked inside. The door slammed closed behind them and a cackle filled the air.
"It's about time you showed up!" Said an old ratty voice.
Heero and Quatre turned around and found an old hag sitting in the chair. Heero raised a brow and Quatre took a step back.
"Who are you?" Heero asked.
"Oh just an old lady trying to serve my Young Miss." She replied with a shrug.
"You work for the Young Miss of Spring?" Quatre asked.
The woman nodded and grinned revealing a total of three teeth. Quatre hid the grimace that threatened to show and stepped forward. "Please, we need to find her."
The woman cackled again. "And you will! You found me did you not?"
Quatre frowned. "What do you mean?"
The hag rolled her eyes, annoyed. "You really don't get it to you?" When Heero and Quatre remained silent, she continued. "Spring is the time of love. Love will direct you there just as Lust directed you to me." She winked, knowingly.
Quatre blushed a bright red and Heero clenched his fist. "You did that?" He hissed, anger showing in his voice.
The hag cackled again just as Heero lost it. He dove at the old lady who merely cackled and danced away from him. "Remember to follow your hearts!" She cackled and disappeared along with the house, leaving Quatre and Heero standing back in the field of flowers.
Heero fumed and turned to Quatre. The small blond was staring at the floor. "That…makes since." He said softly.
Heero approached him and met his eyes.
"That makes since!" Quatre repeated louder. "The Young Miss of Spring is known for her connections to love! I should have guessed that!" He said, berating himself. He turned away from Heero and looked out at the empty field.
Heero shifted uncomfortably behind him. While Quatre reasoned out the chant of the hag, Heero couldn't help the feeling that rose in his chest. All the thoughts he had for Quatre – the dreams – he had thought they were nothing more than lust; But…when he had Quatre…when he finally had Quatre like he had dreamed…he wasn't satisfied. He realized that he didn't just want to bed Quatre…he wanted to be with Quatre. He wanted to wake up every morning next to Quatre. Heero gasped as the realization dawned on him: He was in love with Quatre!
Quatre hadn't noticed the gasp, as he was still reasoning out a path to the Young Miss. Heero knew what he had to do. If they wanted to find her, he had to confess his feelings. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to build up the courage. He had battled all forms of beasts and none of them had ever scared him, but this…was terrifying. He walked up behind the still chattering Quatre and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Quatre stopped talking and turned to face Heero. Their eyes met and suddenly Quatre felt nervous. There was an intensity in his eyes unlike Quatre had ever seen. Heero stepped forward and took Quatre's hands in his.
"Quatre…" his voice was husky and intense, "I…I know this is a weird place to say this…and given recent events…it's going to sound…I love you."
Quatre's eyes widened and he suddenly felt faint. It was just like his dream. Quatre was so stunned that he could barely breathe.
"I know," Heero continued. "This sounds…oddly convenient. I'm sorry for that. I…I just didn't realize it until now. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since Duo brought me to Limbo that day. I…I love you."
Quatre opened his mouth to speak and when no words came out, he closed it again. He wasn't sure what to say. How do you respond to something like that? He thought back to what it felt like being in Heero's arms; what it felt like to have him thrusting like that; could that be love? Or was it nothing more than the lustful spell of an old hag? Quatre didn't have much time to dwell on this because the ground began to rumble.
In the distance, a tall tower emerged from the ground and the rumbling grew in intensity. Heero and Quatre were knocked to the ground by the tremors and they watched in wonder as the tower was followed by several more until a tall castle stood on the horizon. Quatre thought back to the words of the hag, "Love will direct you there".
He really does love me…Quatre thought in amazement.
They two beings watched as the large gates opened and a majestic carriage rode out and headed straight for them. Heero stood and pulled Quatre up with him as they watched the carriage draw near. Heero instinctually stepped in front of Quatre as the carriage drew nearer. It stopped a few feet in front of them and a short man jumped from the reigns and ran quickly to the door. He straightened and placed his hand on the door handle.
"Presenting…" He said and looked closely at Heero and Quatre, "her grace, the Young Miss of Spring!" He opened the door and out stepped a beautiful young woman. Her dirty blond hair was cut short to her shoulders and her blue eyes sparkled with kindness. She smiled warmly at the two angels and Heero noticed two delicate butterfly wings on her back. The wings were adorned in a intricate pattern of blues and pinks and purples and the colors brightened her pale blue dress. She stepped towards them and curtsied.
"Welcome to my garden." She said.
Heero and Quatre exchanged a glance before stepping forward. Quatre, being more diplomatic, stepped forward and smiled warmly.
"It's a pleasure to be here, Miss." He bowed to her and nudged Heero to do the same. When they rose, she was smiling even brighter than before. Quatre took this as a good sign and continued. "Please Miss, we have something of great importance to speak with you about."
She nodded. "Of course." She clapped her hands and the man was at her side. "Narcissus (1), please take the carriage back and bring some tea and muffins out to us."
The man bowed. "Yes, Miss Relena (2)." He said and ran off with the carriage.
Miss Relena sat gracefully on the field and her dress fanned out around her. After another nervous glance at each other, Heero and Quatre did the same.
"Now, what is it you wish to discuss?" She asked.
"Well, Miss, we're on a quest…" Quatre explained about the prophecy and about his brothers dream in great detail. Through the whole explanation, Relena sat politely attentive, listening with great interest to the plight of the angel. When Quatre finally finished, she sat back to process the new information.
"And you think that I have something to do with it?" She asked at last.
Quatre sighed. "It's the only lead we have, Miss. We've tried to think of what else it could mean but…"
"We haven't thought of anything." Heero finished.
Relena nodded and looked down, deep in thought. Suddenly, it seemed a light had turned on in her head and she smiled. She looked up at the two boys before her and nodded her head, as thought deciding something. She stood and laced her fingers together in front of her. Narcissus had long returned with her carriage and she was now climbing on to it. Heero stood up, outraged.
"You're not even going to help us!" He shouted.
Narcissus shut the door and through the small window, Relena looked out. "There is nothing I can do for you. You must discover the answer yourselves." She smiled and winked at them before the carriage drove off and faded along with the castle.
Heero looked outraged and Quatre was on the verge of tears. "What…do we do now?"
(1) Narcissus: A soft white flower that grows next to streams. From Greek Mythology.
(2) Miss Relena: This is the Relena from the very last episode of the series when she is just getting on the plane and finds that Heero has left her a birthday present. I think she looks the best with her hair short, so that's what she looks like here.