Chapter Ten

Tentative Emotions

Heero remained outside for the rest of the night. The others gave him his space but they were started to get worried about him when the moon came out.

"He shouldn't stay out so late. What if something happens?" Quatre asked.

"He can care for himself." Wufei said from the stairs.

Quatre turned to him with a worried expression. "I know. But I'm worried about his emotional state."

"I'll check on him."

Wufei and Quatre turned when Duo came into the room.

"But you're children…" Quatre muttered.

"Are sleeping." Duo smiled. "Don't worry. They sleep as soundly as I do. They won't peep. Besides, I'll be back soon." He smirked and walked out of the house.

The moon was bright that night and Duo had no trouble watching where he was going. He stopped at the tree he and Heero had spoken at earlier and saw footsteps heading away from it, into the forest. He sighed and silently followed them. He knew by the shape of the feet that Heero had been running and he was hoping the ex-Wing pilot was okay. He entered the forest and the footsteps became harder to see. It may have been a while since the war, but Duo never lost his tracking ability. He followed along the narrow paths, twisting around trees and bushes, until he came across a small clearing. In the center was a pond with a very slow waterfall trickling down the rocks making a soothing sound fill the area. Heero was sitting on the grass, staring into the water. Duo frowned slightly and walked forward. He watched Heero tense slightly as he sat down, but he never said a word. He knew that Heero wouldn't want him too.

The two friends sat in silence, staring into the water and listening to the waterfall. The tension between them slowly began to lift and soon it was a comfortable silence between them. Heero watched Duo in the reflection of the water. Why had he come? Did he really care that much? Or did the others send him? Should he ask him? Could he be sure that he could trust him after so long? Heero sighed. He was being stupid. Of course he could trust Duo. Duo was his closest friend…was being the key word. Heero turned and looked at the braided man beside him.

"I…I'm sorry." He said and turned back to the water.

Duo looked up and over at Heero. "Sorry…sorry for what?"

Heero sighed. Duo was going to force him to say the words. He should have known better. He took a slow deep breath and let it out even slower before speaking. "Duo…It hasn't been that long…since Relena…" He turned and stared at his friend but when there was no reply he continued. "I…I never thought I could feel again…after she…" He looked back down, unable to say the word. "What I'm trying to say is…I'm afraid. Afraid of what happened to us… Afraid of what might happen between us in the future…but most of all…I'm afraid of loosing someone I care about again. I…I don't think I could handle that."

Duo, who had remained silent through the whole speech, smiled sadly and nodded. "I understand, Heero. When Hilde died, I closed myself up. I didn't want to feel what I felt for her, for anyone else. I thought it would be like betraying her." He chuckled and looked down into the water. "She'd probably hit me if she were still here." He smiled and turned to Heero. "But what can I say? It's hard."

Heero nodded but didn't look up. He watched his reflection ripple from the waterfall and he sighed. "I just…don't know if I want another relationship right now."

Duo nodded and smiled sadly. "I understand. To be honest…I don't know if I want one either. I may have been years since Hilde but…" he shook his head and trailed off.

Heero nodded and turned to face Duo. "Do you…want to try?"

Duo looked up, slightly shocked at Heero's question. "I…" He trailed off and smiled. "I don't know. I suppose we'll never know until we give it a shot, eh?"

Heero nodded and looked back into the water. "Duo, there's something you need to know…"

Duo reached over and placed a comforting hand on Heero's knee. "Yeah?"

"I…I've never been with…a man…before…" Heero admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly.

Duo smiled but forced himself not to chuckle. "It's alright, Hee-chan." He leaned closer and brushed his fingers through Heero's hair causing Heero to turn and gaze into his eyes. "We don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. And if it makes you feel any better…" Duo leaned in and whispered into Heero's ear: "I've never been with a man either."

Heero leaned back slightly, surprised. "You haven't? But I thought…you and Quatre…"

Duo chuckled. "Quat and me? No way! That's ridicules!" He smiled.

Heero raised a brow. "But during the war…you two were so close…and you lived with him for a while…I just thought…"

Duo shook his head and placed his hand on Heero's cheek. "No. Me and Quatre never hooked up. He was too head over heels for Trowa to bother with me." He smiled.

Heero felt his cheeks blushing. Now he felt stupid. How could he think that Duo and Quatre were a couple? So much for his observation skills. He sighed and looked into Duo's eyes. He found the same comfort that he once saw in Relena's eyes. Could this be what he needed after all? Before he realized what he was doing, he had leaned in and brushed his lips against Duo's. Duo felt a chill run down his spine at the contact and quickly returned the kiss. He placed his hand on the back of Heero's head and ran his fingers through his hair while his other arm snaked around his waist. Heero couldn't contain the moan in his throat when Duo pulled him close. He didn't realize how much he had missed the feeling of loving arms around him. He placed his hand on Duo's cheek and the other around his middle and pushed Duo slowly down onto the grass.

Duo's mind was racing. The feel of Heero's warm lips on his was almost too much to resist. He was having trouble containing himself…but he knew he had to. Heero needed this. He needed to feel love, not lust. To be honest, Duo wasn't sure if he was in love with Heero, but he did know that he wanted him to feel good again. Duo made a silent decision that he would let Heero be in control of that night. Whatever Heero wanted, Heero would get. Duo would make sure of that.

Heero pulled back from the kiss and looked deeply into Duo's eyes. Slowly, a smile spread across his lips that nearly took Duo's breath away. Duo brought his hand up to caress Heero's cheek.

"You should do that more often. It suits you." He whispered.

Heero chuckled and the smile grew. I haven't had much of a reason too…until now." He said and leaned back down. He kissed Duo's lips softly and passionately. He wanted this moment to last long into the night and he wanted Duo to enjoy every minute of it.

Back in the house, Quatre paced back and forth in the living room waiting for Duo to return. He was worried about Heero and wanted to know that he was going to be okay. Trowa had been sitting on the couch watching Quatre pace with a frown for the past hour. Finally he stood up and grabbed Quatre by the arms to keep his still.

"You're going to make yourself dizzy." He said in his normal monotone voice.

Quatre sighed and looked down. "I…I know." He looked back up into Trowa's eyes. "I just want Heero to be alright."

"Let Duo worry about Heero. You know him, he can cheer anyone up."

Quatre smiled and giggled softly. "Yes…you have a point." He sighed and Trowa released him. Quatre backed up and leaned against the back of the couch before looking at Trowa. "He will be alright though…right?"

Trowa shrugged. "Heero is a tough man. He'll make it though." He walked closer to Quatre and leaned against the couch next to him. "You mustn't worry so much."

Quatre smiled sheepishly. "Yes…I know. I suppose it's a flaw of mine." He looked up to Trowa and their eyes locked. They hadn't spoken much since the drunken game of strip poker. They both felt a little awkward about it and neither knew how to pursue the topic.

"Trowa, can I ask you something/Quatre, we need to talk." They said in union. They both paused and then laughed.

Trowa shook his head and smiled. "You first."

Quatre smiled. "No, you go. I insist."

Trowa chuckled. That was Quatre; ever the polite one. "Alright…" He said. He stood and moved to stand in front of Quatre. He reached forward and carefully cupped Quatre's palm. "Quatre…I think we need to talk about the other night."

Quatre blushed softly but nodded. "Yes…I…I agree."

Trowa smiled softly and leaned closer to Quatre. "Quatre…I know that we were…together…only because we were drunk." Quatre opened his mouth to protest but Trowa silenced him. "However," He smiled, "from what I remember…I enjoyed it. And besides that, I enjoyed waking up beside you."

Quatre smiled. "Yes…I enjoyed that too."

Trowa chuckled. "I'm glad." He moved closer and looked into Quatre's eyes. "Quatre…ever since Nura's mother died, I haven't really been with anyone else. I've had a few dates here and there, but none of them wanted to be parents. I've always believed that Nura deserves more than that, but I've never found anyone worthy of her." He took a step forward and pulled Quatre into him, wrapping his arms around the small blond. "But she really seems to love you…and from what I've seen…you love her."

Quatre smiled and nodded. "I do. She's a wonderful child."

Trowa nodded. "Yes she is. And she deserves the best." He leaned his head down until his lips were hovering over Quatre's. "I think…that you are the best, Quatre Raberba Winner."

Quatre felt his eyes watering but he fought to keep the tears down. "R-really?"

Trowa smiled and nodded. "Yes…really." He leaned in and kissed Quatre's lips softly.

"I would think that if you were going to express you're emotions that you would want to be in private."

Trowa and Quatre turned and stared, horrified, at Wufei as he stood in the door with his arms crossed over his chest. The two remained frozen, afraid of what the Chinese man might think. Then, he surprised them, by smileing.

"I'm glad you two have finally come to terms with you're feelings." He said. "I wish you health and happiness." He finished with a bow before turning and leaving the room.

Quatre laughed softly and turned back to Trowa. "Who would have thought…" He muttered.

Trowa smiled and looked at the blond in his arms. "Being married has softened him." He teased.

Quatre giggled and nodded before being silenced by another passionate kiss. When Trowa pulled away, Quatre was out of breath.

"However, I think he has a point." Trowa smiled and laced his fingers with Quatre, leading him back to their bedroom.

One step into the room and Quatre couldn't contain himself anymore. He attacked Trowa with a flurry of kisses along his neck. It was all Trowa could do to get them to the bed before they both went tumbling to the floor. Trowa covered Quatre with his body and kissed him passionately. He pulled back and smiled at him.

"I love you, Quatre Winner." He whispered.

The flood gates opened and Quatre couldn't hold his tears back anymore. They slowly flowed down his cheeks as he held Trowa to him. "I love you too, Trowa Barton."

Trowa smiled as he kissed his lover again and again, never getting enough of his taste; his smell; his touch. A creaking of the door made them both realize they had left it open.

"That may not be wise." Quatre smirked.

Trowa chuckled and nodded. "You're right." He stood and walked to the door, but before he could close it, Nura walked sleepily down the hall and up to him.

"Daddy…" She yawned.

Trowa sighed and turned back to Quatre with an apologetic look. Quatre smiled and sat up with a shake of his head. "Go to her." He mouthed.

Trowa smiled and wrapped his arms around his approaching little girl. He brought her into the room and sat her on his bed.

"What's wrong, mioche(1)?" He cooed to her.

She yawned again and looked up at him. She opened her mouth to talk when she realized that Quatre was in the room. She looked confused for a moment and then turned back to Trowa. "Daddy? Why is Uncle Kat here?" She asked (She still wasn't able to stay "Quatre").

Trowa looked up to Quatre who smiled and nodded. Trowa returned the smile and looked back down to Nura.

"Well Sweetheart, Daddy has fallen in love with Uncle Quatre." He explained in soft tones.

She turned to Quatre and looked at him for a moment before turning back. "Like you loved Mama?"

Trowa smiled and nodded. "Yes, just like that."

Nura seemed to be trying to process this new information. "Does that mean you don't love Mama anymore?"

Trowa shook his head and stroked Nura's hair. "No, Darling. I will never stop loving Mama. I just love Quatre also."

She turned back to Quatre and stared at him for a moment. "Do you love Daddy too?" She asked.

Quatre giggled and nodded. "Yes, Nura. I love you're daddy very much." He said with a glance at Trowa.

Nura seemed to understand and she turned back to Trowa. "Does that mean I will have two Daddy's now?"

Trowa chuckled and glanced at Quatre. "We'll see, Honey." He leaned down and kissed Nura's forehead. "For now, he is still Uncle Quatre." He explained.

Nura nodded, seeming satisfied with this answer. She looked up to Trowa again, as though just remembering why she sought him out in the first place. "Daddy, can I sleep with you? Adi and Ryo snore!"

Quatre and Trowa laughed and the indignation in her voice. Trowa glanced at Quatre for approval and Quatre just smiled and nodded happily. Trowa picked up his daughter and lay her down in between the two of them. "Alright. But you can't do this every night. Okay?"

"Okay." She said and snuggled under the blankets. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

Trowa shook his head and smiled. "I'm sorry, Quatre." He whispered.

Quatre giggled softly. "Don't be sorry." He reached over and gently brushed his fingers across Trowa's cheek. "If I'm going to be with you, I'll have to get used to it…right?"

Trowa smiled and nodded. "I suppose so." He leaned over his daughter and kissed Quatre's lips softly. "Good night, Ma Petite(2)."

Quatre felt a chill run down his spine at those words and he smiled. "Good night, Trowa." He whispered and they settled down in the bed with their arms wrapped around Nura.

1) mioche – French word for "child"

(2) Ma Petite – French for "my little one"

Well, there's chapter ten. Sorry it took so long. I was really stuck for a while there. Anyway, I'm back on the ball now! I hope you enjoy it and I just want to thank my reviewers: AutomatedRose, anissa32. You guys are awesome! Thanks a bunch!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the story. Happy Reading!