by Hex
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. And the GW boys thank God for that every day! ^_~
Warnings: Teenage pilots, teenage angst and insecurities, bad language and plenty 'o' innuendo.
Credits: Inspired by the picture "Bribing Kisses" by Fablespinner.
Pity: For the Gundam boys who ended up in my high school. For Quatre who has all the extre curricular activities I did in high school plus a few more I borrowed from my friends^_^.
Send comments to hexadecimalrebooted@yahoo.ca
The rest of the day was, well, boring. Trowa had suffered through a very dull English class. The teacher was great and Trowa usually would have been exceptionally excited about reading Orwell, but his heart wasn't in it today. He wanted the day to end so he could meet up with his friends like they had promised just after lunch. French had been canceled, leaving him wandering the halls hoping to accidentally run into Quatre. No such luck. Thankfully the bell signaling the end of the day had finally rang and students poured out of classes. He felt himself get nudged in the back.
"Yo Tro-man We're going to have to wait for Heero. He's gotta go talk to one of the teachers so let's hang out by my locker 'til he's done. Wufei will show up here." Duo said and began walking into the throng of people milling around. Duo and Trowa ended up hanging out by his locker for some time waiting. Wufei, who had showed up a few minutes after Duo, had told them to call him when they were going to go out and left. The halls were basically clear. A student or teacher would come by occasionally but the majority of the student body was gone.
"What in the hell is Heero doing? Did he get lost?" Duo muttered pushing his bag on the ground with his foot. They were both sitting at the base of Duo's locker now, their legs stretched across the floor.
"Duo, I have a question." Trowa began his words a little hesitant.
"Shoot Tro. There's very little you can ask me that I won't answer." Duo said smiling evilly. Trowa began to wonder what it was Duo wouldn't say and decided he really didn't want to know.
"Well when you and Heero... that's not right...... how did you...... what did you say?" Trowa began frowning. He had problems asking things like this, even of Duo. It was easiest to ask Quatre, it always had been, but he's couldn't ask Quatre this.
"You mean how did I tell him I wanted him. As more then just a friend. Like how I told him I've been in love with him for as long as I can remember like you have been with Quatre?" Duo asked his right eyebrow shooting to his hairline.
"Yeah." Trowa supplied as Duo looked at him expectantly.
"It was kinda Quatre's fault. That poor kid. That was a really shitty week for him. It was his first week here and with everything that had happened I ended up telling Heero I was gay. I told him that I was in love with someone too, and had been for a long time. Heero took it the wrong way. But Heero always does that when I allude to something. He always seems to miss it. I know I'm not subtle very often but hey I was hedging because I was scared as hell. He didn't say anything and I thought he just didn't want to acknowledge what I had said. I could deal with that. Maybe he didn't love me but I thought it meant we were still friends. Then he started avoiding me and I got pissed. Then it went from bad to worse. I found out Heero was in a fight with the new guy. And the only new guy around was Quatre. I freaked right out. I just didn't get it. So I ran to find them slumped in front of the lockers together. Heero was staring stupidly at his hand and Quatre was holding his face. Heero had hit Quatre. Not punched him but just opened hand across the cheek. I freaked on him. Later I actually felt worse for Heero then Quatre though because Heero was so heartbroken he had done that. He had never ever hit Quatre before, ever. Even when we played rough or anything like that. At the time though I ripped into him like you would not believe. I called him names I don't even want to remember. Heero let me do it too. Quatre got in my face back. He told me to shut my motor mouth and that we all had to talk about this. Heero just started to cry. It was the first time I had seen Heero cry in I couldn't even remember. Heero told us there was nothing to talk about that involved him and that he'd leave us alone so I could tell him how I felt. It made sense after that. He thought I was in love with Quatre. Quatre for his part really didn't help matters when he started laughing so hard he was snorting. Heero got even more upset and I kissed him. I didn't know what to say or how to make it work out so I as usual, did something before I thought about it. For once it turned out without anyone having to pull my chestnuts off the fire. Heero and I have been an item ever since. Quatre and Heero both got sent home with notes from the school though. I felt bad for Heero. It was the first time he ever did anything like that and it was all a big mistake. So we didn't really say anything to each other. It happened in the messiest way possible." Duo finished with a half smile on his face. "Tro man save yourself the trouble and just tell Quatre, although I'm pretty sure he knows already, he needs to hear it. It will just work out a lot better if you tell him straight out."
"I know. I just need the courage to do it. It's so much easier to leave things the way they are now and save myself the fear." Trowa replied leaning his head back against the lockers.
"Won't work. You'll want to tell him really badly eventually. The idea gets stuck in your head and won't go away." Duo said grinning. "Along with the other ideas like the whipped cream and the handcuffs and elaborate sexual positions." Duo said holding his hands up in an L and 7 to make a little frame. "Ah the glory of horny teenagers nearing their sexual peak."
"Duo can you have a conversation that doesn't involve sex?" Trowa asked exasperated.
"In theory I could. In theory Communism works [9]." Duo said grinning.
"My cats breath smell like cat food." Trowa mumbled. Duo snickered.
"I bent my Wookie. I love Ralph[**] he's--- Where in the hell have you been buddy?" Duo demanded of the figure that was approaching them from the stairs.
"I was talking to Dr. Flint about the physics contest and once he gets going well you know." Heero said shrugging.
"Me and Tro have been sitting here for a while so you're buying Pizza tonight." Duo declared stabbing his finger in his boyfriend's direction.
"No way Duo I can't afford to feed you." Heero replied digging into the locker he shared with the braided boy.
"What are you implying?" Duo demanded with false affront.
"That you eat like a pig." Heero returned.
"Well screw you to then." Duo said standing.
"Maybe later." Heero replied.
"I'll take you up on that offer. For now I need to take a piss.[10]" Duo stated and walked away to the bathroom.
"How was your day?" Heero asked Trowa who was still slumped by the locker.
"All right." Trowa replied.
"You haven't seen him yet." It was a statement rather than a question. Heero could tell by the flatness to Trowa's voice.
"I will soon I hope." Trowa said with raw desire in his voice. Then suddenly Trowa slid up from the floor along the lockers. Heero didn't need to ask who was there. He knew without turning from the look on Trowa's face. Quatre walked up the stairs his arms pilled full of papers speaking with a girl with short dark hair and bright cornflower blue eyes and a boy with spiky red hair.
"Quatre we want to run the next pizza day as a fund-raiser for out Amnesty International group." The girl said.
"Hilde you're talking to the wrong person. You'd have to clear that with Relena and Dorothy. They're in charge of the Student Council Fundraising committee and they usually do the pizza days. You'd have to propose it to them at a meeting or if you can corner them on your own. Right now I think the Charity committee is doing the next pizza day anyway so you'll have to wait. I know Hitomi has been trying to pull this together for the Firefighters Burn Fund so I don't think you'll get it for now. You may have to wait a while. Or come up with something else." Quatre said struggling with the papers and blowing his bangs out of his eyes. Trowa smiled softly. He loved that. It was probably the most adorable face Quatre made. Puffing out his lower lip to flutter his bangs from his face revealing his bright aquamarine eyes.
"What else can we do then Quatre?" Hilde sighed. "And where the hell have you been all day I've been trying to track you down."
"Q-Ball! Your back!" Duo declared and flung himself into Quatre's already full arms. Papers flew and Quatre made a strangled squawk.
"Oh no!" Quatre wailed. "ACK!" Quatre stooped down and started grabbing papers before they got trodden on.
"Whoops sorry Q. hehheh." Duo said sheepish.
"Duo Maxwell if Heero wasn't one of my best friends I'd be forced to shave you bald." Quatre growled low.
"EEP!" Duo said and scrambled behind Hilde.
"You deserve it you know." Hilde said. Trowa watched Quatre crouch down and begin to pick up the papers as he did Quatre tilted his head to the side slightly and locked gazes with him.
"Trowa." His name was mouthed. Whether or not it had been audible at all Trowa wasn't sure but he watched as the papers already in Quatre's hand fell to the floor again. Trowa smiled just a little in his direction. Quatre just looked at him for a few moments before the smile was returned a hundred fold in one of the brightest Trowa had ever seen grace Quatre's face. The spell was broken in an instant when a low chuckle was let loose from behind Quatre. There stood Zechs leaning against the doorway.
"Problems Quatre?" Zechs asked grinning. Quatre let an exasperated look speak for itself and he began picking up his papers once more, breaking his eye contact with Trowa.
"All right you vultures leave Quatre alone he just got back there are quite a few things that he needs to do. I'm sure you've got the information you need Hilde so go now. Duo quit jumping him, this shit's probably important." Zechs said bending down and helping Quatre gather the last of the papers from the ground.
"It is important they're the letters for the year book advertising campaign." Quatre said.
"Sorry Quatre." Duo said scuffing his foot on the ground.
"It's all right Duo. I'll phone you later but I have some stuff to finish up." Quatre said.
"And don't forget you have practice." Zechs reminded.
"Argh!" Quatre muttered rolling his eyes in the back of his head. Whatever practice was Quatre had apparently forgotten.
"It's not that bad Quatre, this shouldn't take too long." Zechs said laying an arm over the now upright Quatre's shoulders. "Later." He called steering Quatre back down towards the stairs.
"I have to put these in my locker first." Quatre said and ran over to Trowa. "Call me tonight after 9. I should be home then. Promise?"
"Pinky swear." Trowa said softly as Quatre pulled him off the locker he was leaning on opening it and putting the papers in a neat pile inside. Trowa was to distracted by Quatre's proximity to realize that Zechs had walked over until he was there.
"I have good luck. You were just the man I was looking for." Zechs rumbled as Quatre turned to leave with him. Trowa felt a flicker of annoyance as Zechs draped his arm onto Quatre's shoulders again.
"You and the rest of the freakin' school." Quatre said sourly making a face at Zechs. Zechs let out a rumbling laugh and lead Quatre away from them.
"Well I guess that counts Quatre out for tonight. Let's go to my place and phone Wufei. Maybe him and his dominatrix will come out to play." Duo said. "Sorry Tro."
"It's not like it's your fault he has things to do Duo." Trowa said softly. "I got to see him though."
"Let's see a movie." Heero said pulling his backpack onto his shoulders.
"Naw. Let's do something we can talk while we do. Let's go play pool." Duo said. "Sound good? Besides we have to make sure Trowa is home promptly at 9." Duo said waggling his eyebrows dancing away from Trowa. Trowa waited for him to turn his back and then kicked Duo in the ass.
"OI! You wanna start something lanky?" Duo demanded.
"No. But I felt you needed that." Trowa retorted his lips twitching.
"Yeah, yeah you guys all get off on tormenting me. I know it." Duo said rubbing his ass provocatively and smiling at Trowa.
"Cool your hormones Duo. Trowa keep any part of your body away from my boyfriend's ass. Only I'm allowed to pound it." Heero said his voice completely flat and serious. Duo could only stare at his other half in shock, Trowa couldn't keep himself upright. He was laughing so hard his knees no longer worked.
"You know Heero I would say you've been hanging out with me to much but I like it that way." Duo said wrapping his arms around Heero's waist and nuzzling his neck.
"Let's go. I'm hungry." Heero stated pulling away from his boyfriend after squeezing his ass.
"We just have to peel Mr. Hyena here off the floor." Duo said nudging Trowa who was doubled over on the ground with tears in his eyes.
"Oh wait I think that's him now dear." Trowa heard his mother say. Trowa scrambled into the house ditching his backpack at the door and diving for the phone. "It's--"
"Hi Quatre!" Trowa wheezed a little in his excitement. Trowa's mom stood blinking for a few seconds opening and closing her hand where the phone had been. She sighed and smacked him up side the head with the newspaper and left the kitchen.
"Hi Trowa." Trowa could hear Quatre's smile over the phone.
"How did you get the number? I don't even know it yet." Trowa asked smiling as he plunked down at the kitchen table.
"Your mom phoned my dad actually and it's been so long since I talked to her I figured I should or I'd get an earful" Quatre said laughing a little.
"No kidding that's my mom. The little boss." Trowa said grinning.
"Oh shut up! Just 'cause your Mister Legs Up To His Neck." Quatre grumbled.
"It's really not my fault you guys are short. I just happen to be genetically superior. There's nothing wrong with that." Trowa replied sounding bored even though he was anything but.
"Genetically superior my ass!" Quatre snorted.
"Is it really? I never knew that." Trowa said airily.
"Trowa Barton are you trying to bug me or is it just a by product of talking to you." Quatre pouted.
"I just like to keep you on your toes. Couldn't have a Winner boy getting soft now could we?" Trowa teased.
"You know what I'm hanging up on you. You're a butt head. The people at school keep me on my toes enough." Quatre replied.
"Are you having a rough day?" Trowa asked in all seriousness concern taking the teasing from his voice.
"Rough week. Everything is happening at once. All the assignments and tests and all the activities for student council. On the upside we sold enough tickets to actually hold the Halloween dance this year. I fully expect you to buy a ticket because you're my friend and I know you want to help me out right?" Quatre asked.
"Why do I feel like I'm being conned." Trowa groaned. "I hate dances. They're stupid and lame and I hate most of the music."
"Trowa please, I have to be there so you, Heero, Duo, Wufei and Sally are all going no if and or but's about it buddy." Quatre said.
"Fine I'll go! I'll go!" Trowa gave in exasperated.
"Promise?" Quatre asked.
"Pinky swear." Trowa replied.
"Cross your heart?" Quatre asked.
"Yup." Trowa said.
"Hope to die?" Quatre asked a slight snicker being muffled.
"Yup." Trowa replied again.
"Eat a horse manure pie?" Quatre asked.
"Yup." Trowa stated. "Why is it when we have a conversation we have to quote Simpsons?"
"How could we not?" Quatre asked feigning shock.
"I guess it's unavoidable." Trowa mused.
"Ummm.... Did I mention the dance was semiformal so you have to dress up." Trowa could hear the cringe in Quatre's voice.
"Ooooohhhh Do I have to Quatre?" Trowa whined. In all honesty Trowa rarely whined but he hated wearing formal clothing, he felt awkward. On the other hand he would get to see Quatre all dressed up. There was something far too attractive about that prospect for Trowa to pass up. Trowa tried to imagine what Quatre would look like in a sport jacket shirt and tie. Last summer Quatre had shed most of his childhood chubbiness, bought contacts and had his braces removed. The blond looked even better now than he had last summer having filled out even more. Quatre was starting to get solid and lean. His shoulders were broader and he was at least three inches taller. Trowa hadn't really thought about it until after they had left the school how the top of Quatre's head was at his nose rather than his shoulder. How Quatre filled the shirt he was wearing rather nicely and his pants clung to his ass in just the right way as he walked. Trowa smiled to himself. There were bound to be other things that had changed Trowa just hadn't had time to notice them all. Trowa felt really excited about being home again. The sensation washed over him with the need to be animated. Trowa took the cordless with him as Quatre went into some of the details of the dance that Trowa might have wanted to know.
"So Quatre what's peer counseling?" Trowa asked as Quatre finished his commentary on the dance.
"Oh well basically people in the school vote for who goes into the program. You vote for the people you go talk to about your problems the most often. Then those people get interviewed and get training on the best way to handle the problems their peers are asking them about." Quatre replied. "It's a really good program. I'm in level 2 so I had to go away for 2 days with a group for the workshop."
"I don't think I've heard of anything that was more you. What do they teach you?" Trowa asked, really curious.
"Well this workshop we talked about other people we can send our friends to when we're in over our heads and how to know when there's to much for us to handle within a problem. And the second day we spent the entire thing talking about sex and birth control." Quatre answer. Trowa could hear shuffling sounds as Quatre played around with the contents of his desk. Quatre always sat in his room for their conversations. The blond was honest but he liked his privacy.
"A whole day on sex? Is that all they think we do?" Trowa couldn't help but wonder.
"It makes sense if you stop and think about it. I mean how many people do you know that would talk to their parents about sex and birth control?" Quatre asked. "Me personally I would rather talk to one of my friends. I think it would freak my dad out. So then why not teach the people who are statistically speaking more likely being asked for advice the right answers to the questions?"
"So basically because lots of people come to you for help you're a peer councilor already so why not show you the best way for you to do it and tell you who to call if you don't think you can." Trowa said as he paced in the living room.
"Exactly. They teach me how to help people more than I already do and give me more information on the topics that will come up than I had to begin with." Quatre stated emphatically. Trowa could tell by his tone alone that Quatre thought the program was a great idea. Trowa grinned into the phone. Despite the fact that in truth the only distance that had ever been between Quatre and Trowa had only been physical and never emotional, reaffirming that fact with smaller physical distance between them made Trowa feel much better than he had in most of his adolescent years.
"You know you never cease to amaze me at how much crap you take on. I think you need to take some time for yourself." Trowa said trailing a finger down the wall.
"Not you too." Quatre sighed. "If I have one more person breathing down my neck about taking care of myself I'll go batty. You Trowa Barton, are not allowed to worry about me. Do you understand?"
"You can't stop me." Trowa retorted grinning. "Besides I can't help it you're my friend. My best friend. I'm not going to let you get overwhelmed by everything when I'm actually here to stop it."
"Trowa......." Quatre began and paused. He seemed to be wrestling with words. That was new. Usually Quatre knew exactly what to say and Trowa was the one trying to find a way to accurately express himself.
"Yeah?" Trowa prodded.
"Thank you." Came the soft reply. Trowa pulled the phone from his ear and examined it for a moment. He knew, just knew that was not what Quatre wanted to say. There was something else but Quatre was not one to divulge his feelings before he was ready. The blond may have appeared more open about his feelings but that wasn't exactly accurate. He expressed what he was certain about and sorted through the rest on his own. There was something that was bothering Quatre that the blond had not quite figured out yet. It hurt Trowa that Quatre did not want to talk it through with him but he understood that Quatre wanted time and Trowa knew pressing would get him less answers rather than more. So for now he would have to be content and wait.
"Trowa I have to go get some work done. I'll talk to you later." The pitch to Quatre's voice had changed. Something was definitely bothering him.
"OK. Quatre I'll be home a lot, I'm sure, so if you need to you can call me." Trowa offered.
"OK. Thanks Trowa. Bye." Quatre's voice had dropped to an almost whisper.
"Bye Quatre. Good night." Trowa said and hung up before he tagged on 'I love you'. That would not have helped matters at all. Quatre seemed so frazzled Trowa did not want to put more pressure on the blond than necessary. I'll deal with that later, for now I might as well catch up on my classes and get used to being back home.
[9] Simpsons Quote. I'm going to throw a lot of these in here. I've always wanted to have Duo and the other pilots Quote the Simpsons. I don't know why. Maybe because I'm twisted. Yeah actually I think that's it.
[**] This didn't make sense to Neri and I realized it most likely will not make sense to anyone who does not live off of Simpsons so "My cat's breath smells like cat food." and "I bent my Wookie" are Ralph Wiggum quotes. Those are my favorites. Don't ask.
[10] For some reason I had to write that. It seemed like such a guy thing to me. I dunno why^_^