Roughly halfway through this as I have it outlined in my head, looking at 8-10 chapters at most. So much drama in this chapter, the boys are still not getting along so well. Mostly interactions, exposition, and general relationship drama. I hope this entertains people with their summer vacation starting/started, if not tell me what you'd like to see to make it better.
WarNinGS: Drama, infighting, relationship drama, language, still no Wufei.
Aishi Say
"It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie
And the moment to live, and the moment to die
The moment to fight, the moment to fight,
To fight, to fight, to fight..."
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
Duo sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, his head was really starting to kill him after all of the yelling. "Well bub you want to give me your assessment of the fallout?"
Quatre crossed his arms as he leaned back in his swivel chair, "It actually went better then I thought it would."
"You mean the fact most did not call us traitors or insane right? Yeah that was a win for us, God man this whole thing has become such a damn mess I am not sure how to fix it." Duo sighed face falling into his hands, God did he need a sign.
"Barton may have an idea or two, seems he has been fighting his entire life." Quatre had never expected and easy win but things had gotten more complicated then he would like. War was never black and white but he preferred clear sides and enemies to all this gray.
Duo groaned, "How about we leave the Red Coats right where they are for the moment huh? Still not sure if we can trust them, and I am still no fan of your crush."
Quatre frowned at his best friend, "He is no fan of yours either, seems to think kicking DeathScythe's ass would be fun."
"Oh the Hell he can," Duo muttered, the nerve of the guy. Sighing he leaned back, he just wanted to sleep until this whole thing was done and over with. "Hilde said as long as we can live with what we know the Reds have done then we can make a deal with their Master."
Quatre nodded absently, "That was the feeling I got as well, either way they will attack this new Alliance. I would rather their guns not turn on us as soon as they are done with them."
"That would be great and all but I don't trust O.Z. to not do just that truce or not, maybe if we had the majority of the Gundam on our side...which we don't, Hell Chang is hit or miss half the damn time." Duo hated to admit Barton had been right about the numbers, damn arrogant kitty.
"All the more reason we should be trying to turn Trowa rather then you antagonizing him every chance you get. Hilde is sure he is a good man, and from what I have seen he would not attack us if we were on the same side." Quatre knew Trowa was a damaged and dangerous young man, but he was not dishonest at least.
Duo groaned when the com beeped, just what he needed a new potential headache, "This is Duo and Quatre go."
"Sirs, Sam just brought Max in with a crushed hand."
"A crushed hand...how?" Quatre knew Max was bold and pushy but few people could crush his hand, sheer size and strength alone made it impossible for most.
"It seems he challenged Barton moments before Hilde showed up and stopped the fight. She is currently still at the holding cells with Barton and Yui, or she should be."
"Oh Hell, patch him up I'm on this." Hanging up Duo opened a channel to the cell in question, "Hilde you there?"
"Yes Duo we are all still here," Hilde's voice answered calmly.
Duo nodded, Hilde could control Barton at least, "Send your former Boss up here, we need to go over a few things."
"Talks went that bad huh? Duo wants you in command, I'll finish filling Yui in. He's on his way."
"Good, keep Yui there, I don't want them both just walking around right now." His personal feelings aside the last thing they all needed was more hurt hands, or worst.
"Will do, Hilde out."
Quatre frowned as he glanced at Duo, "What are you thinking Duo?"
"Nothing good little buddy." Duo answered, standing when the door opened and Trowa walked in, hands calmly clasped behind his back. "What the fuck are doing attacking my men you jackass!"
Trowa titled his head at the raging brunet, "Your man was useless and in my way."
"Not your damn call, this isn't your ship and you have no authority here, none at all." Duo wanted to slug the guy but already knew all he would mange was a messed up hand of his own. "You just do not get it do you you dumb son of a bitch? We are not allies, I am literately one step away from locking your ass back up."
"Our relationship is quite clear to me Maxwell, I am useful to you so I am kept alive. You will free Yui so we can continue our mission here," Trowa could stand there and counter Duo's ranting all day but he had things to do and less then three days to do it.
Duo narrowed his eyes, "THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY? You seriously think I will just let your little playmate out because you tell me to? Get fucked."
"Duo!" Quatre snapped as he stood, getting between the brunets. "Barton what you did was wrong, do you understand?"
"I understand yet do not care, I am here to do my job and I will do so," Trowa answered evenly, morals were not his strongest point.
"The Hell you will bastard," Duo growled fingers twitching, who did this guy think he was anyway?
Quatre frowned up at Trowa, this was not helping, "If you want us to join forces with you than you have to do things our way."
Trowa sighed softly, "Your ways are ineffective but if that is what is required of me then I will comply."
"Oh just like that you'll behave?" Duo scoffed, he did not understand these people.
Trowa glanced at Duo, "Your understanding is not required."
Quatre sighed, these two were getting along about as well as Wufei and Duo had last time they had crossed paths. "Trowa please do not discipline anymore of our men?"
Trowa nodded, "By your will."
"Wait, seriously?" Duo demanded looking from one to the other, was that it?
"Please return to Yui, we will hopefully have something he can help us with soon," Quatre wanted to give Duo a little time to cool down.
Trowa glanced at Duo but nodded, "We do have less than three days."
Duo glared at Barton as he turned and walked out without another word, "Damn it."
"Duo you know Max is a jerk," Quatre soothed, no doubt in his mind that Max had started it.
"Yeah I know, and he probably deserved it, but the guy just will not listen. He can't go around barking orders and hurting people who annoy him, that isn't how we run this shit." Duo sighed, the last thing he wanted was to have to fight with Barton constantly for the next few days.
"Max is the only one he has hurt intentionally, I am sure he will not do it again." Quatre did not want Trowa to end up in a cell once again, it was no way to earn his trust.
"He's not a little kid you know? Seriously, stop making excuses for him huh? We need to figure out what to do about them," Duo did not want to fight about Barton anymore right now.
"Do you think Yui is here to hurt us?" Quatre trusted Hilde's assessment that Yui had come to back up Trowa, it was any other orders he may be working on that worried the blond.
Duo frowned as he considered the question, "I think he is here to back his bro up. It is still strange Rambo was left at home."
"He doesn't need a Gundam to fight a war, Hilde was a bit confused as well." Quatre was very thankful Trowa had not come with his Gundam, Duo did not trust him as it was.
Duo frowned at the blond, sure there had to be some reason he was not seeing but he had no way to know. If Hilde did not get it he was helpless, she knew Barton better then he ever planed to. "Bet that happens a lot. For the moment I'll leave them to Hilde, she can control them better then we can. I want you to try to get a hold of Chang again, he likes you better, I will go over the reports on the modifications Barton made."
Quatre nodded, Chang had been civil towards him, "He may come just to meet our guests alone. You want me to check in with Hilde or you once I'm done?"
"Hilde, she'll need your help more then I do, good luck kid." Duo was curious to see just what their heads thought of Barton's work, they seemed to like him personally well enough.
"And to you," Quatre said as he turned to leave, hoping Hilde did not need him.
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
Hiro nodded as Hilde finished debriefing him, most of what she had said did not surprise him. The fact she was a double agent Trowa still trusted intrigued him, her likeable personally was not the only reason. "You are not concerned I will deal with you as a traitor?"
Hilde frowned at the colonel, "Not as long as I am not a threat to your ally no."
"Good answer," Hiro complemented with a hint of a smile, "Betray him and I will kill you without hesitation."
"I would expect nothing less," Hilde smiled a little back, turning when the door opened and Trowa walked back into the room.
"Options?" Hiro asked as he stood, sitting in this cell was useless now that he was caught up.
Trowa sighed, "Duo is being needlessly obstructive still."
Hiro frowned, Duo was a stubborn opponent as one would expect form a Gundam pilot, "How much of a problem does that pose?"
"He is being difficult because he feels Quatre is too on board so it can't just be dismissed. Work has already began since their department heads were more open to my assistance then Duo has been." There was still much to do but at least he had been able to get a head start, Trowa did not enjoy dealing with pointless human drama.
Hiro nodded, underlings were often more open to taking orders their higher ups were not, "What do you need?"
"Most of the software updates have been done and are online, I can't complain about ITs work ethic around here. Some hardware can be updated or upgraded but some bases are loss causes, not that they will be needed one way or another." Trowa was unsure if he would be destroying them or taking care of something else after they won.
Hiro nodded,"Their M.S. in good repair?" Bases were of little concern unless the Rebel refused to join them.
"The records say so, I have not had a chance to inspect them for myself. Rebels are ineffective in their briefings and trust issues." Trowa frowned, he did not blame Duo for his distrust but if he was trusted to walk free why not use him? Civilian logic could beyond him sometimes.
"To be fair Trowa you are not the easiest guy for outside the box thinkers to work with." Hilde reminded her friend, she loved him but he could be Hell to work with.
Trowa arched a brow, arms crossing with the tilt of his head, "Only when they don't trust me."
Hiro shrugged, as long as they would not betray him trust was of little issue, "Would Maxwell really risk his people because he dislikes you?"
Trowa sighed, "He is an emotionally driven individual but while he may throw his life away for an ideal he would not risk his cause so easily. The question is whether Winner can wear him down in two days so he will be useful."
"He would defect rather then join forces with us over something so petty?" Hiro did not understand it, he simply ignored those he needed that he disliked.
"No, he's just worried and stressed...God the timing of everything sucks so hard," Hilde muttered in frustration, if only they had more time.
"How long do you estimate it will take to get a read on their M.S. fleet?" Hiro knew his friend had a gift for assessing tech not many outside those with multiple engineering degrees did.
"If their records are up to date three to four hours between docking bays and repair bay docked suits," Trowa answered doing the math in his head, B.J. seemed to have fairly accurate records at least.
"They may a bit out of date since Duo and like half the others aren't into paper work. If you stay with Yui I can go check on that for you? I know which heads keep up and which let it slide," Hilde knew Trowa would stay if he said he would, Yui was just as honest even if she did not know him well. Trowa frowned slightly for a moment before nodding. "Should take about 30."
Hiro nodded to Hilde as she left the room, "Nice girl. Plans?"
"We might as well get started on the repair bay since they'll need the most work." Trowa answered ignoring Hiro's comment, Hilde was nice girl it was a simple fact.
"Won't that cause trouble with Duo once he fines out?" Hiro was curious if Hilde taking part would pacify the Rebel pilot, he did not have enough information to be entirely sure one way or the other.
Trowa sighed rubbing the bridge of his nose, "We do not have the time to bow to his moods, not if we want these Rebels to be useful in time."
Hiro frowned, Trowa stressed was unusual, "Will that matter if our actions push him to say no?"
"Duo is not the only leader here, and we need to show them we are serious about helping them survive. This base would not last long under an assault form any Gundam let alone Libra," Trowa had little patience for needless drama and distractions. Duo was no threat to him, and the Rebels as a whole meant nothing to him. If they wished to stand between him and his objectives then their blood was on their own hands, he was well known for showing no mercy.
"As you wish, lead then I shall follow." Hiro knew his orders as well as Trowa's, if Trowa did not care if they made Duo an enemy he saw no reason to either. He was curious about his fellow pilot but that would have to wait until they had a chance to meet. There was not a doubt in his mind Duo would would not take Trowa's defiance well, even if Rebels should be used to working with mercenaries. Trowa nodded, slipping the keys into his pocket before walking out of the room daring anyone to try and stop him.
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
"I wish Hilde would have had more to add about Yui then what is pretty common knowledge…you sure Barton didn't say anything?" Duo was scanning through a few reports, frowning more in thought then annoyance. It seemed whatever exactly Barton had done it was all working, and no nasty surprises were found hidden in the code. It improved Duo's mood a little to know Barton was at least somewhat trustworthy, Hilde and Quatre's assurances aside.
Quatre shook his head, "He implied Treize has a Special just for political assassinations but otherwise the Specials were referred to as a unit." The fact Trowa had also implied he was not just used for killing was kept to himself, Duo disliked Trowa enough already.
"He say anything else I should know about?" Duo asked not surprised Barton did not talk about his unit much, Rebels knew what the Special were after all. How many there were, did they all have creepy powers, was there any infighting, all useful things they needed to know.
"He is loyal to Treize though I am not entirely sure why." Quatre answered frowning, "Treize called him My Stray, touched his shoulder in a friendly manner, and I do believe he cares for Trowa even if he would order his death if it furthered his agenda."
"The guys is messed up, child soldiers do not grow up making healthy relationship choices." Duo could feel for the guy and still not like him, he was a terrible Catholic anyway.
Quatre frowned at his best friend, "Aren't most of us to some extent?"
Duo sighed as he stopped walking, "Look Cat I feel for the guy, really I do, but he is dangerous and I'm not going to just trust him because some of my friends do. He behaves and I'll let him go, no harm no foul, but he becomes a threat he's getting dealt with."
"I know," Quatre reminded his friend hanging his head, he was not happy about it.
Duo patted the blond's shoulder, "Hey he seems to be inclined to behave for you so it should be okay." Knocking on the cell door he frowned when he did not hear Hilde, "Hil you got them sitting in the corner or something?" Opening the door he closed his eyes mentally counting to ten. "Son of a bitch."
Quatre frowned as he stopped beside Duo, the cell was empty and there was not even a note, "Perhaps Hilde took them somewhere? Hiro will need a room if he is not going to be kept in a cell."
Duo crossed his arms, "Always looking for that silver lining ain't ya? Benefit of the doubt for the moment promise."
"Well that took about as long as I tough it would," Hilde said before looking up from her screen and blinked before frowning. "Why are you frowning now Duo?"
"Did you leave our 'guests' somewhere, or did they run away from home?" Duo asked frowning at his best female friend. She sounded like she had left them alone to deal with something so he was siding with ran away.
Hilde frowned, "They were talking about repairing and upgrading our fleet and I offered to make sure our records were up to date and Trowa...only agreed to stay with Hiro but not here damn it."
Duo smirked, "Nice to see he plays those games with everyone, feeling less outsider now."
Quatre sighed, now was not the time, "Did anyone mind the idea?"
"No one I talked to, Trowa made a decent first impression with most of the heads yesterday, and he is a known killer of civilian killers as well." Hilde answered turning her attention to Quatre.
Duo nodded absently, "Can't fault him there." Sighing softly the brunet uncrossed his arms, "Hilde be a dear and check our bays, Cat see to the repair one they should be in one of them. I'm going to go hunt down our heads who are not up to their elbows in work right now. Clearly the boys need a sit down and have our rules explained to them since they are not sinking in."
Quatre glanced at Hilde who nodded, "It may be a good idea to get everyone on the same page. If we cannot work together fighting together may be out of the question."
Duo nodded but did not smile, "True, I'll make sure there is fresh coffee and sweets because we'll need them. Don't mad dash but don't dawdled, good luck."
"He is not happy," Hilde commented as Duo walked off, this was going to get loud most likely.
Quatre nodded, you did not need empathy to tell that, "They just seem to fight each other, there is no need."
"Some people just repeal each other Kitten, good luck," Hilde waved heading off, she had a few bays to check.
"You too!" Quatre called as Hilde jogged away, glancing around the cell for a moment before heading for the repair bay.
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
Hiro frowned at the tablet he had been handed by Trowa, its owner arm deep in a gashed leg. "How much do they know about Libra?"
"Nothing more then it is a code name for a weapon of ours, it will come as a bit of a shock we have something that big ready to use." Trowa answered frowning at the charred wiring, it would need replaced along with the gash being sealed.
"Have you been authorized to tell them about it?" Hiro was not sure how much Trowa was allowed to share.
"My mission is to try and get the Rebels on our side, if learning we can destroy a colony or base with a single shot does so then yes. Even all three of their Gundams cannot stand against Libra and us so it is of little concern." Trowa pulled his arm free turning to his friend, "Something is troubling you, why?"
Hiro sighed, "Winner likes you."
Trowa nodded, that was not exactly a secret, "That is part of the reason Duo doesn't, what about it?"
"I meant in a romantic nature," Hiro clarified, not sure how much attention Trowa was paying this conversation.
Trowa tilted his head as he took the tablet and began to type, "I am aware."
Hiro sighed, that did help explain some of Maxwell's resistance, "Do you not care at all?"
"We have a job to do Hiro, romances are distraction we can't afford." Trowa answered handing back the tablet before moving on to the next suit, its lower arm crushed and twisted.
"I have been reminded there will be a life to live after this mission," Hiro had never considered his personal happiness much growing up either.
"Only if we manage to survive, though if this battle doesn't kill us nothing much could." Trowa frowned at the damage, this arm was scrap.
"Are you planning on not making it through the fight?" Hiro knew they were all ready and willing to lay down their lives but that was not the same as not even trying, they were friends and he wanted to know.
Trowa sighed, "What good will we be in the new order beyond attack dogs? Those that remain fear and hate us, New Type or not we are good for killing and little more, once we have won there will be little use for us."
Hiro nodded, "That is true, but the Rebels will need us after this mission. There will be resistance to peace, it will need to be crushed."
"And you want me around to help you do that of course? I have no intention of following Treize to his death, but if I need to die so his vision is realized so be it." Trowa was not all that concerned with his continued survival, never had been.
"I am sure Quatre would prefer you made it as well." Hiro was growing tired of all the fighting as well, maybe there was nothing more for people like them but to fight till they died.
"What he prefers is irrelevant Hiro, people like us are damaged and dangerous, people like him should stay clear of us." Trowa sighed gripping the railing looking down at the floor littered with bits of fallen debris and oil splattered like blood. "He's empathic, the darkness in my mind will destroy his."
"He seems willing to take that risk as Hilde was," Hiro countered wishing he had someone who cared that much about him.
Trowa shook his head, "He is a fool who thinks he can just hug people hard enough and all their broken pieces will go back together rather then crushing them completely. It is better he not get any ideas in his head, we are expendable he is not."
"We are soldiers, and maybe we can never be more but I would like to think there is still a reason to try. There are people who care if you live or die, that is more important than you seem to know." Hiro knew he may never find happiness in this life but he kept trying regardless, Trowa had more to lose than he did.
"As long as they survive my own survival is irrelevant, you worry too much," Trowa reminded his friend, frowning as he looked up.
Hiro frowned, enhanced senses not detecting anything out of the ordinary, "Nani?"
"Cassie girl I need you in the briefing room, thanks."
Trowa frowned slightly before turning his attention towards the door, "Quatre?"
Quatre frowned slightly as he stopped, debating what to say for a moment, "Duo wants you both."
"Well that did not take long," Hiro commented walking up to Trowa's side.
Trowa nodded, "We are done here anyway might as well get the yelling over with."
Quatre sighed, at least the indifference was making it easier to ignore what he had over heard, "You could refrain from provoking him for five minuets."
"And he could allow us to do our jobs, come the sooner this meeting takes take place the sooner we can get back to work." Trowa could care less if Duo yelled, it was nothing he was not used to.
"You do not make things easy for civilians Barton," Hiro reminded his partner with a hint of a smirk.
Trowa smirked a bit back, "Not how Mercs work Yui. Is Hilde in trouble?"
"No, though Duo may not trust her to keep you in line anymore," Quatre answered absently wondering if Hilde had yelled about his self-destructive nature.
Trowa nodded, getting his friend in trouble with her people would be unfortunate, "Your damaged suits are in better shape then most, you have a few actual pilots here."
Quatre frowned when Trowa commented on pilots as if nothing was going on, entering the room with his hands folded behind his back. Hiro frowned as he entered, copying the pose as many soldiers did. "They were working in our repair bay."
Cassie eyed the new Red Coat, he had an intense look to him, "He looks sane."
"Looks can be deceiving Cass, you two can sit if you want," Duo offered nodding to the empty chairs around the long table. It made no real difference to him if they sat or stood, inhumans didn't tend to get tried as fast as humans did.
Trowa frowned, "If all you plan to do is yell I would prefer you just get on with it so we can get back to our work. Your fleet needs work if you plan to survive Doll waves."
"We can already take your little Taurus class, nice lines," A cocky looking man bragged.
"You have not told them about the Virgo?" Trowa asked Hilde turning his attention to his former underling.
Hilde bit her lip, "I didn't want to over share."
The cocky man glared at Hilde, "Traitorous little..." The man froze when a k bar imbedded itself in the wood near his right hand.
Trowa glared a knife held in each hand, "Don't."
"Lay off Josh this is one thing me and Barton there are 100% on the same page about. Hil seriously though?" Duo was not worried about the blades, nor did he think Trowa would put them away if he snapped so he did not.
"You guys were busy, plus I don't have the schematics memorized," Hilde had seem them and they did not look fun to try and take in a Leo.
Trowa sighed as he typed into his tablet, it taking a moment for him to hack the large viewing screen. "Virgo are the newest mass produced O.Z. MS, each is equipped with a built in shield system making ranged weaponry less effective without actual military grade pilot training." The footage of the black suits activating shields and weapons drew murmurers. "Assisted targeting can help civilian pilots, also Doll programing is less adaptive than trained human reflex. Questions?"
"Can they be hacked?" Cassie asked, not surprised Barton had just taken over as he had.
"Not by any of you but yes, as they ours we will not detail how," Trowa answered evenly.
"So you're going to crush the bad guys with an army of RC M.S.? Not seeing it," Duo had no doubt they would be cannon fodder but the sheer number they would need was insane.
Glancing at Hiro who nodded Trowa brought up the large battleship, it's distinct four large diamond sections joining into a smaller one was unmistakeable. "Behold the Libra, the weapon we will use to win this war. Overall height 1,500 meters, overall length 3,500 meters. Carries a fleet of WF-12SMS Taurus, WF-02MD Virgo II, OZ-02MD Virgo MS. The center diamond houses a beam canon more than capable of destroying a colony cluster, fleet of M.S., or a Gundam, various small beam cannons are for single target destruction. As you see we have prepared for this last stand since the beginning of our campaign."
Duo blinked at the base and suits on display, how the Hell could they fight all of that? Glancing at Barton and Yui he frowned as they stood there as indifferent as ever. They knew they had the upper hand, they had always had it. Glancing at Quatre he noted the blond looked uncomfortable, "Well what the Hell do you need us for when you have that damn thing?"
"Crushing the enemy is easy, rebuilding the world so the fighting will truly end is harder, that is where you all come in." Hiro answered, ignoring the murmuring, "If you all refuse to join us then we will continue as planed, the choice is yours."
"Fucking bastards," Josh muttered, reaching to pull the knife out he frowned when it did not move.
Trowa glanced at the man before smirking, "I'm stronger then I look."
"Well I can't exactly tell you to go fuck yourself when you have a fucking Deathstar ready and waiting to blast us. Get out, go do whatever just get out," Duo muttered as he slumped in his chair.
Trowa typed for a moment before nodding to Hilde, "Take over the Q and A Hilde, I am sure there will be a few once we leave." Turning he walked out without another word, the Rebel's now understood their place. Hiro bowed his head to the seated rebels before following Trowa out, there was work to do and neither of them were big on apologizing.
Quatre watched the pair go before turning to Duo, his friend looked exhausted, "Duo?"
"Don't, the Red Coats played a Hell of a trump card. We can't fight that damn thing even with 3 Gundams, Hell maybe not even with the full set of 6." Duo could not believe they had something like that and the Rebels were just now hearing about it, from O.Z. itself even.
Hilde sighed as she typed in the commands to access the information she needed, "That is how the Specials work, if a look won't work you pull out a big old stick. The Libra is something even I did not know about until recently, let alone the thing was ready to use."
"They'll use that on us if we don't bow to them right?" Josh asked glaring at the display.
"Without hesitation yes, the enemy must be defeated or all those who have suffered and died will have sacrificed for nothing. Trowa and Yui may not be the warm feelings type but they do value loyalty and sacrifice." Hilde knew Trowa better then most, and Josh was lucky his hand had not been pinned to the table.
"I guess I need to get the others on board, and yes I know no Libra talk," Duo sighed getting to his feet and walking out.
"Hilde you and the others do what you can to help our guests I'm going to go help Duo," Quatre got to his feet, nodding slightly at Hilde before walking out as well.
Hilde nodded getting to her feet, "All right time for a crash course in O.Z. work ethics."
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
Quatre sighed as he knocked on a door, entering the room when Trowa called out enter. Closing the door the blond looked up blinking at the colonel sitting on the bed typing one handed. Damp hair hung half in his face, towel hanging from around his neck, right leg folded on the bed, chin resting in his left hand. "Haven't you done enough today?"
"If you are referring to annoying Duo you'll get no contrition from me, if you mean trying to keep your people alive than no." Trowa answered not looking up, tone even.
"I am sorry," Quatre apologized, ignoring Trowa's absent tone.
"For?" Trowa asked not sure what Quatre was apologizing for unless it was his greeting, as if that mattered.
"Doubting you," Quatre answered, biting his lip when Trowa looked up at him, head tilting at him curiously. "May I sit?" Trowa nodded and Quatre sat down facing the door, "I heard some of what you and Hiro were talking about...the other leaders are mostly on board, and the Libra is still a secret."
Trowa frowned, "That is all you are going to say?"
Quatre turned to face the other young man, legs folding to his right, "You told Hiro you are not planing to just die so what is there for me to say? It is not as if you care if I don't want you to die."
"You think so?" Trowa asked eyeing the blond, "Would you put your survival before your cause?"
"No, of course not. I mean because we are still strangers, Hiro is your friend, I'm just here," Quatre was not happy to admit it but it was true, they were not exactly best friends.
Trowa shook his head as he straighten, "Sounds like me but no. They know you are here?"
"After talking with other leaders I wanted to feel like I accomplished something, is that strange?" Quatre was grateful most of the others were willing to work with O.Z. without asking too many questions.
"And what part of this conversation is the accomplishment?" Trowa half teased with a smirk, curious to hear the blond's answer.
Quatre smiled with a soft laugh, "I like you like this."
Trowa tilted his head, "Half dressed?"
"Oh enough," Quatre chided rapping his knuckles off Trowa's chest playfully. "You will not get me to blush every time you say something like that." Not that he minded the shirtless look but the relaxed amused smile was better.
Trowa chuckled at the teasing, "We'll have to test that theory once this last stand is over. What, you are unhappy you have given me something to look forward to now?"
Frowning the blond grabbed both ends of the towel and pulled so Trowa's face was level with his own, "Don't joke like that."
Trowa closed his eyes and nodded, "I did not mean to upset you Quatre, though I was not joking entirely."
"Surviving just to say I told you so is more Duo's style," Quatre said with a smile, as long as Trowa came out of the fight alive he would be happy. Sighing softly he frowned, "Sometimes being empathic is exhausting."
"I can imagine," Trowa was perfectly happy to not have that skill, "Am I bothering you?"
"No," Quatre admitted closing his eyes, "You're so calm it's soothing...dose that make sense?"
Trowa frowned slightly at the blond, he looked worn out, "Can you not tune others out?"
"Usually yes but everyone is so emotional, conflicted, it is hard to block it all out. It is so nice and quite here with just your voice in my ears and not in my head." Quatre was drawn to Trowa, he wanted to understand why beyond Trowa needed his help.
"Curious, most would be uncomfortable being alone with me rather then relived...I will try not to think of anything unpleasant while you are here." It was intriguing really, Quatre had only ever really been weary of him in the beginning, it had not lasted long. Trowa was curious by nature, a trait often hidden behind feline indifference, it worked for him.
Quatre smiled, it was sweet of him to make that promise, "Thank you." Sighing the blond slumped, blinking when strong hands caught him, "Sorry."
"shh, just get some sleep I'll be staying here so I won't be giving Duo anymore gray hairs," Trowa titled his head at the blond. To be so effected by those around him was a concept, it had never been a problem for him as it clearly could be for Quatre. When the blond nodded Trowa laid him down, shaking his head when the blond curled up. "Bleeding hearts."
Quatre smiled as he curled up, Trowa's calm presence less then a foot from him. At the other's teasing the smile grew, they were finally getting along the way he wished, "Bastard."
Trowa smirked leaning close, lips near a pale ear, "Agreed, now go to sleep."
"mm hm," Quatre hummed in agreement, he was safe where he was so sleep sounded good.
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
Quatre moaned softly as he raised his head, his mind confused for a moment as to where he was. Sitting up he turned, blinking to find Trowa still in the room as he had promised he would be. The blond had half expected the brunet to be gone, even if it was just to go see Hilde and/or Hiro. Scooting up to the still pilot he frowned studying the other, his gifts sensing the stillness of dreamless sleep. Trowa was half sitting up, his tablet sitting on the night table so he had not fallen asleep working at least, almost was likely. He had not bothered to get up and put on a shirt after Quatre had fallen asleep, the cyan towel was tossed to a swivel chair. Quatre wondered if Trowa had been concerned with his movements waking the sleeping blond, or if he had just not felt like getting up? Since he could not ask that just than he filed it away as he studied the sleeping pilot that was so very dangerous.
Up close he could see a few pale lines that no doubt had been from knives slicing through warm flesh in the past, they were hairline and few but impossible to miss now that he had seen them. Frowning he touched one running down Trowa's left collarbone, unsure if the aim had been to break the bone or go for the heart. Biting his lip he focused his gifts, a ghost of pain throbbed in his chest for a moment before he opened his eyes ending the connection. Being shot and being stab hurt in very different ways even though both were often unwanted metal entering the body. Reaching up he stroked Trowa's cheek, the smooth muscle hard but yielding to his touch. It was a strange sensation, most people he knew were not so solid to the touch without being much more imposing seeming. "Just don't die please?" Leaning close he froze pulling way, what was he doing? Sitting back on his heels he watched Trowa for any signs of life but he remained still, only moment slow breathing. Biting his lower lip Quatre shook his head and slid of the bed, as much as he would like to he could not remain there just watching Trowa sleep all morning. Sighing he stole one last look before walking out, door closing softly behind him.
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
"Yui seems alright really, he was mostly just backing his bro." Duo comment sipping his coffee, feet propped up on the table. A few plates stacked off to the side since he was pretty much done with breakfast.
Hilde nodded, mug held between both her hands, "They both are the same rank so whichever has the skill set needed takes point, works for them."
Duo nodded sipping his coffee, glancing up when the door open, "Hey, just talking a little over food."
Quatre nodded as he closed the door, "Anything interesting?"
"Not really, you boys talk shop I'll make sure the 'boys' behave," Hilde got up, nodding to Quatre before leaving the room with her mug.
Quatre sighed sitting down in Hilde's former seat, "Any word from Chang?"
"Nope," Duo answered s he pushed back and wheeled over to the coffee pot, refilling his coffee before filling a second mug. Wheeling back over he set the new mug down for Quatre, "If he shows up he'll just show up."
Nodding Quatre sipped the coffee absently, "Plans?"
"Well since you and Barton are all friendly I figured I'd get to know Yui a bit better." Duo was curious about the other brunet, the guy seemed alright. "Our suits kinda match even."
"Hilde said he was all right so I'm sure that will be fine," Quatre commented thinking for a moment. "I'm glad you're willing to talk to him."
"He seems fine, and if I can stand Barton Yui should be doable," Duo shrugged not all that concerned with it. Quatre nodded as he took a tablet and began reading the report on what the Red Coats had been up to. Duo tilted his head confused by Quatre's far away mood, shrugging he let it go, the blond would talk if he wanted. "Okay then."
4... … …THIS…IS…WAR… … ...4
Yes Wufei will be in the next chapter, seriously it is chapter 5 so yeah...moving on. If there is something you want to see, have explained, etc let me know and I'll see what I can do. At the moment I am not planing on doing a more graphic chapter on AO3 so don't worry about visiting 2 sites unless you want to. I may go back an edit some older work for A03 but that is another thing all together.