What's Not to Use?

Chapter 8: Repairing
Pairings: 2+4, 1+3
~*~

In the dining room, a lone figure sat at the large table, idly picking at his food. Nervous about what was to come, he kept looking at a nearby grandfather clock, watching the long pendulum swinging back and forth, and listening the deep ticking. Almost hypnotized by the rhythmic sounds and movements, he forgot to check the time again...

*BONG! BONG!! BONG!!! BONG!!!! BONG!!!!!*

\"Wha!\" Startled by the sound, he slammed his fist down, knocking his plate, and causing the food to suddenly fly off of it. He watched it go high in the air before it started to arc, and plummet back to the ground....

But it never quite reached the ground....

\"Who\'s in here?...\"

*SPLAT*

\"Hey! Heero! What do you think you\'re doing?!\" Mary squealed, scrambled eggs and gravy all over the front of her dress.

Wide eyed, Heero looked at the cook\'s daughter in the kitchen door way, covered in his breakfast. \"Uhhhh.... Sorry.....\" Heero mumbled, trying not to laugh at her.

Glaring at the boy, Mary began to take off her apron. \"You better be glad that it mostly got on this... Now what has you so jittery? Ta be up at this hour, half the staff isn\'t even up yet.\" she stated, not used to this sort of behavior from the normally quiet boy.

\"Oh.. Well, a lot is supposed to happen today..... I guess I\'m just nervous about it.\" Heero explained, amazed at how easily he was talking with people lately. ~Ever since I opened up to Quatre, I\'ve been easier around people.... Hm.. Wonder how that happened.~ Deciding not to question it, he paid attention when Mary began to speak.

\"I guess strange things have been goin\' \'round lately....\" she thought aloud. \"Speaking of strange things, where\'s Duo, and Quatre\'s giant of a body gaurd?\" she asked curiously, finding the man very interesting.

\"Duo\'s out right now... And Rashid is busy working on something. I don\'t know when they\'ll be back.\" Heero answered, wondering just how long everything would take. Then, when he saw the dirtied apron in Mary\'s hand, he felt he had to apologize again. \"I am sorry about the projectile food a minute ago.\" he said honestly, amazing himself again.

Mary waved her hand dismissively. \"Don\'t trouble yourself about it. Last week, Duo dumped a huge bowl of chocolate pudding right on my mother\'s head....\" she giggled, remembering how many pots Duo had to dodge.

Heero smiled a little at the thought. \"Hn, sounds like Duo.... A while back he was crying like a baby over a muffin.\" he told her, and, after thinking it over, thought it was actually kind of funny.

She nodded. \"Yes, I remember... I also remember the fuss he put up asking mother for another.\" she giggled again, smiling warmly. \"He\'s such a sweet lad, I can see why little Quatre is so taken with him....\" Mary sighed, and shook her head before she turned back to the kitchen. \"I just hope he tells Duo how he really feels before it\'s too late.\" she added as she walked away.

That caught Heero\'s attention. Snapping his head up, he called out. \"Mary, wait! What do you mean how he really feels?\" he asked hoping it was what he thought.

Looking back, a surprised expression on her young face. \"Well don\'t you know? Quatre is head over heels in love with that boy. That doesn\'t bother you, does it?\" Mary asked, hoping she didn\'t say something she shouldn\'t have.

After blinking in shock, Heero suddenly started laughing happily. \"No! Not at all! I\'m glad you told me.\" He got up from his chair and bolted from the room. \"Thanks, Mary!\" he shouted back before he ran through the door.

Her dark eyes wide in shock and confusion, Mary just stood there for a moment, looking at the door the Japanese boy exited from. \"Umm.. Your welcome... I think...\"

~*~

In an elegant mansion far away from the mountain estate, a man sat behind a large desk, his thoughts wandering around a certain blonde. He was angered greatly by the fact that, while asleep, Quatre had managed to leave, but not before tying him to the four poster bed with silk scarves in very tight knots. Ever since his sudden escape, Trieze longed for the boy\'s soft touch again. The boy had been right about one thing....

Trieze felt himself quite addicted to him.

~I knew I should have restrained him before falling asleep, but did I? Nooo.... I was too busy counting how many times I could fuck him before I passed out.... But that was seven times that I will never forget.... I bet he got a good laugh after tying me up.... I admit that he did catch me very off guard, but still.... Did he have to tie that rose to my..~

\"Your Excellency! We have caught another one of the gundam pilots!\" a soldier shouted as he busted into the room.

Broken from his thoughts, Trieze looked at the soldier with great interest. \"Oh? Well, show him in.\" he commanded lightly.

The soldier bowed. \"Yes, your Excellency.\" He quickly left the room to carry out the order.

A small smirk formed on the colonel\'s lips. Neatly folding his hands on top of his desk, Trieze waited eagerly to find out which one this time. ~I doubt it\'s Quatre... Something tells me that entire night was fabricated only for the purpose of him getting access to information.... Even so, I enjoyed his methods...~ He thought with amusement, and in the back of his mind he wished more would think of getting information that way.

Soon, the same soldier entered his office again with two more behind him restraining a boy. Practically tossing the boy in, he stumbled a few times before falling on his knees in front of the desk. Head bowed, the boy refused to look up, mumbling curses under his breath.

Treize\'s smirk almost increased to the size of an evil grin at what he saw. \"You are dismissed, I\'ll take it from here.\" he stated in a strong tone, not taking his blue eyes off the boy.

\"Yes, your Excellency.\" With that, the soldiers left the room, leaving the colonel and the pilot alone.

When they were gone, Trieze couldn\'t help but laugh at the situation. \"Well, well, well.... How the mighty have fallen....\" He stood up and proceeded to walk in front of the pilot. \"I wasn\'t expecting this....\" he mused as he began to walk around the boy in a circle. \"I must be a very lucky man... First I manage to capture an angel....\" Trieze steps forward, and, reaching out, lifts the boy\'s chin to where he was looking up. \"And now, I have captured a dragon... My rare red dragon at that.\" Trieze laughed, loving the anger in the black eyes.

Black eyes that widened at the sound of the word angel. \"Angel?... You mean Quatre.... Hn, well I can say that you do have good taste, Treize.... He is quite the find...\" Wufei grunted, angered that others had been using his angel.

Treize nodded in agreement. \"Indeed... But far too giving...\" He ran his finger down the caramel skin of the Chinese boy\'s neck, then back up again. \"I prefer wilder, and more demanding prey.\" he practically purred out, earning a glare from his so-called prey.

\"Do you think I\'m going to surrender to you that easily, Treize?\" Wufei spat out, looking as wild as the dragon Treize called him.

Deep laughter burst from Trieze, a very amused expression on his face. \"My dear, dear Wufei....\" He knelt down on one knee and moved to Wufei\'s ear. \"That is exactly what I don\'t want you to do.\" he whispered hotly, nibbling on the ear lightly.

Wufei almost melted at the sensation, but shook out of it, and began growling again.

Laughing again, Treize stood and looked down at his brand new play toy. ~This is what was missing with Quatre... He gave into whatever I wanted, but I want a real challenge... ~ He smiled at Wufei charmingly. ~The challenge of taming a dragon.~ Raising his hand, he snapped his fingers, and the doors opened, the soldiers from before appearing again.

\"You called, your Excellency?\" one of them asked, but all bowing.

\"Yes I did. Take him away, you know the procedure.\" he ordered, still smiling at Wufei.

All three soldiers swallowed hard, knowing the procedure all to well. \"Yes, your Excellency.\"

Turning away from his new toy, Trieze added something......

\"And this time, secure the prisoner to the bed.\"

~*~

Stirring from his long deep sleep, Quatre felt oddly warm and safe. Shifting, he realized that he wasn\'t in the same bed as before, and his safe feeling quickly left him. Eyes snapping open, he didn\'t recognize where he was, so began to panic. ~Where am I? Who brought me here? Where\'s Heero?!~

Trying to keep calm, the blonde sat up carefully, looking around him for anything recognizable. After a minute he knew where he was, but that confused him even more. ~I\'m in...... The cabin? How did I get in the cabin? And.... When was there electricity??~ Looking at everything again, Quatre was amazed at what he saw.

The entire cabin had been remodeled on the inside. Electricity had been installed, and there was two lights that were on the ceiling, lighting up the room perfectly. Looking more, he saw that the fire place was cleaned, a very comfortable looking couch was pulled in front of it, a table and two chairs that was next to that, a dresser that was at the back wall of the cabin next to the window, and a refrigerator placed a few feet away from the stove. It had personal touches too. There were dark blue curtains placed on the windows that blocked out the light well, because Quatre couldn\'t tell if it was night or day. There was also a table placed beside his bed with a vase filled with brightly colored wild flowers. Yellow dandelions, pink and white daisies, blue bells, butter cups, and a little vine of morning glories draping out of it with five blooms wide open on it that were all the colors that morning glories came in.

Reaching out with his hand, Quatre lightly traced each one of them slowly....

The blue...

The violet...

The deep purple....

The light pink....

And finally the brilliant white one.

Soon, he felt his warm safe feeling returning to him. No one would go out and collect all of these flowers unless they were for someone they cared for. He then wondered who on earth would go to all this trouble just for him.

Then, he heard the sound of the door opening, and noted lightly that it was bright outside as it swung open. Looking at it with great curiosity, tinged with fear, he waited for his unknown host to step in. What he saw shocked him.

\"Duo?! What\'s going on here?\" Quatre exclaimed when he saw the braided boy enter with several bags in his arms. Looking over one of the bags that was blocking his view, he smiled brightly at his patient. \"Hey, Q! I see you\'re finally up. \'Bout time too, I was beginning to wonder if you were going to sleep for another day.\" Duo commented casually as he pushed the door closed with his hip.

Quatre blinked at his friend\'s behavior. The way he was acting would make someone think that the two of the had been living like this for months. Watching speechlessly as Duo walked to the table, dumping his load on it, Quatre was wondering if he was having another dream. ~What is going on? What is Duo doing?~

Finally, he found his voice. \"Duo? Would you please tell me what\'s going on?\" the blonde asked, uncertain about everything.

Looking up from digging through the bags, Duo saw that Quatre was nervous and frightened of the sudden change of scenery. \"Calm down, Quatre...\" he said softly, leaving his bags as he began to walk to the bed. \"I\'ll explain everything...\" He sat at the end of the bed, looking at the blonde with a caring face. \"Okay, Heero told you about what he and Rashid were planning to do, right?\" he asked, taking things slow.

Quatre nodded. \"Yeah... They were going to talk to Wufei and Trowa....\" he mumbled, wondering how all of this fit together.

\"Well, while they\'re doing that, we thought it best if you got away from everything and recover from your ordeal....\" Duo started, reaching out and taking hold of Quatre\'s pale hand gently. \"And I volunteered to look after you while they took care of everything else. So as of now, you are my patient, and you gotta do as I say.\" he quipped. \"And right now I want to know how you feel.\" he stated instead of asked.

The blonde looked at him in wonder, not knowing how he felt. \"I... I feel confused... Why are you doing this, Duo? How did you do this?\" Quatre asked, still looking around the abandoned cabin in amazement.

Duo smiled at the blonde warmly, and scooted up to where he was sitting next to him. \"The how is because Heero and Rashid helped me. We came in a few days ago, while you were still out, and got things ready for you.\" Seeing a slight upset expression on his face, Duo explained further. \"Don\'t worry too much, Q. I didn\'t tell them about the caves, or the water fall, or the tunnels, or any of that stuff. We got all of the stuff here by air, and Rashid and Heero are the only ones who know about this, but they don\'t know how to get here on foot. I\'m the only one who does.\" He lifted a hand and brushed back the soft blonde hair. \"It\'s still your secret, and I\'m not telling anyone.\" he whispered, smile still firmly in place.

Quatre blinked in shock and confusion. \"But why?\" he asked, an odd tugging feeling in his chest.

Leaning in close, Duo could feel the blonde\'s breath quicken, so he placed a hand on his cheek, rubbing it softly. \"Because....\" he whispered \"I love you...\" Slowly, he lightly pressed his lips against Quatre\'s in a gentle, soul filled kiss.

~*~

It was now noon, and there was still no sign of Wufei, or Trowa.

Heero and Rashid were staying in the library, waiting for word from either of the two pilots, both wondering where they were.

\"What is taking them so long? They both said they would be back by today in the morning.\" Heero thought aloud, pacing back and forth by the computers.

Rashid, who was sitting in a chair close by, watched the boy pace, and commented on his mumblings every now and then. \"I\'m sure we will hear something from them eventually. Why are you so eager to meet up with them?\" he asked, a light curiosity in his voice.

The Japanese boy froze in his tracks at the question. \"I... I just want to get this over with quickly.\" he stated flatly, trying not to blush.

Noticing his embarrassment, Rashid decided to drop the subject. \"Alright.\"

The silence and the pacing then started once again.

*beep beep beep beep beep*

The sound of a message coming through on the computers quickly cut through the silence. Before Rashid could even turn his head, Heero had pounced on the computer chair, and began accessing the message. Deciding that Heero had it under control, Rashid went back to his book that he was glancing at every now and then.

Heero\'s hands were flying over the keys, and in less than a second, saw that the message was a live transmission. Accessing it, his cobalt eyes widened at what he found...

Wufei, looking as if he had gotten dressed in a hurry, with a similar look of surprise on his face. <\"Yuy? What are you doing there?\"> the image asked.

Heero frowned deeply. \"I could ask you the same thing... Where are you? Was your mission a success?\" he grunted flatly, turning into the old Heero.

He noticed that the Chinese kept glancing over his shoulder at something. he mumbled, an actual look of nervousness on his face.

Blinking, Heero decided not to ask where he was again. \"When are you coming back?\"

<\"That\'s what I called to tell you... I\'m not coming back.... Don\'t worry about my things, I don\'t need them...\"> The image look over his shoulder again, as if he was making sure no one found him. <\"And, if you could give Quatre a message, please tell him that I will no longer ask for his services... Umm.. I have found other lodgings.....\"> Heero could then hear the sound of a door opening, and another voice in the background.

<\"There you are, my Dragon... Come now, what are you doing all by yourself in here?>\" the voice asked smoothly, and Heero recognized it instantly to be Treize\'s.

Heero watched in amusement as Wufei paled greatly. <\"Ummmmm.... Nothing... Nothing at all...\"> That was the last thing Heero saw, or heard as the connection was cut, leaving a blank blue screen behind.

Turning in his chair, he met up with curious dark eyes. \"What was that?\" Rashid asked, having not caught everything.

Heero was trying not to laugh as he answered. \"I think you don\'t have to worry about handling Wufei.... Someone else is dealing with him quite well on their own.\" he mused, thankful that now it was only Trowa they had to deal with.

Rashid blinked, but chose not to ask further. \"Well, then I guess that leaves you to deal with Trowa.... Do you think you will need any help?\" he asked, wondering if the Japanese could handle the Frenchman as easily as he stated.

\"I\'ll be fine... What are you going to do now that Wufei is taken care of?\" Heero asked, redirecting the questioning.

The large man thought for a moment. \"Hm... Well, I was asked by Mary to join her on a trip to the city.... I guess, since everything is fine here, that I will.\" he concluded, placing his book on a nearby table, and standing up. \"You\'re sure that you will be alright?\" Rashid asked, not wanting any of them hurt.

Heero nodded. \"Yeah, and I\'ll let you know anything about Quatre if Duo calls.\" he told him, hoping himself that the two in the cabin were alright.

Rashid nodded in acceptance. \"Very well. I shall see you later then. Good bye.\" With that, he walked over to the door and exited quietly, hoping that Heero would work things out with Trowa.

Sighing after Rashid left, Heero walked slowly over to the back windows of the library. His thoughts heavily playing through the different outcomes that the day could have, Heero could have cried at the horrible things his mind was coming up with. Fear of rejection was overcoming him, but he kept shrugging it off, thinking that he had to try. Absently, he took a rose out of a nearby vase, and began playing with it. Twirling it around in his fingers, he watched the white petals swirl around in a blur of motion, musing how he had seen Trowa do something similar before when he would use his acrobatics.

Looking up from the flower out the window, Heero froze in place at what he saw...

It was Trowa, walking up the stairs to the main entrance, but something was wrong...

The Frenchman looked ragged, he was holding his left arm close to him, and seemed to wince at every move he made. Knowing that he must be very injured to wince like that, Heero dropped the rose and made a dash for the door. He was out of the room before the rose had even touched the ground.

~*~

After over an hour of coming to terms with their feelings, Quatre and Duo both made the decision that they should take things slow for now.

One, because Duo felt that Quatre should still take it easy for a while longer,

And two, both of them were new to the concept of having a loving relationship, so both were still nervous about it.

In the meantime, the two of them together were having fun turning the ancient log cabin into a cozy little get away. Still outside, as Quatre soon found out, was more furniture for the cabin. Duo brought it in, while Quatre told him where to put it. The braided boy had already brought in cabinet where they were going to put the dishes that he had got earlier, a few plush rugs for the floor, and a coffee table for in front of the couch. Now he was struggling with a bookcase, while Quatre was deciding where to put it.

\"Ummm... Maybe over there by the dresser?\" the blonde offered.

Duo frowned at the long way he had to walk with the case. \"Okay....\" he grunted, hefting the fair sized case up, he started for the dresser. As soon as he got there, he sat it down and wiped the sweat from his forehead. \"That\'s heavy...\" he mumbled.

Looking it over, Quatre shook his head. \"No, Duo, on the other side of the window.\" he corrected, pointing. \"Over there?\" Duo whined lightly, looking at far he would have to go again.

\"Yeah, right over there.\" Quatre repeated, concentrating on the placement, rather than the braided boy\'s complaints.

\"Over there... Okay...\" Grunting again, Duo lifted the heavy bookcase up again, and carried it over to the other side of the window. Setting it down, he leaned on it to catch his breath for a moment. \"How\'s... That.... Q?\" he asked, not really caring though.

Thinking again, he shook his blonde head again. \"No... That doesn\'t look right either... I know! Over next to the bedside table. That should work.\" Quatre stated happily.

Duo\'s jaw dropped. \"Over there? That\'s a good twenty feet away!\" he exclaimed, not really wanting to move the case again.

\"Yeah... Last time, please???\" Quatre asked with a pout.

Melting at the pout, Duo grunted again as he hefted the case back up, and made the long walk over to the bed side table. Huffing and puffing, Duo finally made it, and sat the case down gratefully. \"Okay... There ya go....\" he panted out.

Stepping up next to his love, Quatre considered it. \"Hmmm... No, I think it really looked better by the window.\" he concluded.

Violet eyes popped open before frowning again. In a blink, Duo grabbed Quatre and slung him to the bed. Squeaking in surprise, the blonde bounced on the soft bed a few times as the braided boy jumped up on top of him, pinned him down, and pressed their foreheads together. \"Now where did you say it looked good?\" he asked in a playful growl.

Loving the feel of Duo on top of him, but wary of the evil glimmer in his eyes, Quatre answered. \"Right where it is looks good.\" he said quickly.

\"Good.\" Duo grunted before crushing their mouths together in a deep passionate kiss.

Opening his mouth without prompting, Quatre welcomed Duo\'s tongue in, caressing it with his own in greeting. Duo lightly teased the roof of Quatre\'s mouth, causing the blonde to moan in his mouth. Shuddering, Quatre willingly gave up control to the braided boy, marveling how he was being forceful, but gentle at the same time. Then, as all good moments must, it ended with Duo gently nibbling on Quatre\'s bottom lip.

Breathing faster, they both were silent as they just stared into each other\'s eyes. For an instant they both wondered how this happened, how did they become so close to the other? It didn\'t take long to find the answer sparkling deep in their eyes...

Some things are just meant to be.

Quatre smiled brightly and nipped at Duo\'s nose. \"You know what?\" he asked playfully.

Duo returned the smile. \"What?\"

\"I love you.\" the blonde purred.

\"I love you too, Q\" Duo answered, kissing his pale forehead.

Sighing contently, Quatre got a little evil glimmer of his own. \"You know what else?\"

\"What?\"

\"I think you need a shower.\" the blonde giggled. \"Too bad we don\'t have one here.\" he commented lightly.

Sitting up a little, Duo looked down at his pinned love with a slight annoyed glare. \"Well, we added one of them too, you just haven\'t seen it yet.\" he stated, loving the cute surprised look he got. \"Besides, I\'m too busy for a shower right now.\"

Quatre looked at him puzzled. \"Busy doing what?\"

Duo got an evil grin. \"I\'m too busy kissing and tickling you until your sides hurt. Now to get started on that. Charge!!\" Quickly, Duo crushed his mouth against the blonde\'s once more, and reached down to his sides where he knew the smaller boy was most ticklish.

In no time Quatre was squirming and squealing, trying to get away from the annoying hands, but still wanting the kiss Duo was persisting. If he got away from the hands, they wouldn\'t be tickling him anymore, but that meant breaking the kiss. If kept up with the kiss, that meant enduring more tickle torture. Quatre did neither. Instead of enduring, or giving up, he pushed hard, and made Duo roll over, leaving him on top. Satisfied with their new position, Quatre smirked evilly down at wide violet eyes.

\"My turn.\"

~*~

After a brief discussion, Heero found out the Trowa\'s mission had been a success, but at great cost to both mind and body. The Frenchman was a wreck, he was nervous, jumpy, almost paranoid. Every little sound made him jump, and look around wildly. Heero was worried about him greatly. What could have happened on a routine mission to have caused the normally calm and collected boy to have such a personality change?

Heero wasn\'t having much luck on getting the details about the mission. Trowa could barely string two words together without getting startled by something. The Japanese doubted an explanation from the taller pilot any time soon.

Having lost Trowa about ten minutes ago when he left to get a medical kit, Heero began to search for him, hoping that he would be alright. He had already searched just about every room, including Trowa\'s room, but still no sign of him. Now he was walking down the hall where the master bedrooms were, wondering where the hell Trowa could be.

~Where the hell is he? I turn my back for one minute, and he disappears.... He was bleeding rather badly when he came in... Why did he run off like that?? I told him that I would help him... Since when did \'I\'ll help you.\' mean \'Run for your life!\'?!.... Evidently since I said it......~ As he was walking, he realized that he had checked every single room in the mansion except for one. ~Quatre\'s room!~ Running down to the end of the hall, Heero just about knocked the large door down as he hurried to open it.

Opening the door wide, Heero\'s heart almost shattered at what he saw.

Trowa, curled up on Quatre\'s bed, crying silently.

Heero thought he would never see the day that Trowa would break down, but here he was, so absorbed in his own grief that he didn\'t realize that Heero was watching him. Shutting the door behind him, Heero walked into the room. When he reached the bed, he placed the medical kit on it, trying to ignore the blood that was smearing on the white sheets from Trowa\'s arm. Without a word, Heero gently took a hold of the French boy\'s shivering form, and slowly guided him to sit up, leaning his back against the headboard for support. Trowa refused to look up at him, and kept sobbing, not caring if Heero saw, he just couldn\'t hold the tears back any longer.

A little hurt at the fact that the broken pilot wouldn\'t acknowledge him, Heero decided to just go ahead and tend to his wounds. After a quick glance, he saw that the most of the bleeding was coming from Trowa\'s left arm, Heero knew that was where he should start, but there was one problem....

Trowa was wearing his turtleneck, and it would cause more damage to have him move his arms to get it off. Knowing that there was only one way to get the sweater off, Heero reached into his jeans\' pocket and pulled out his pocket knife.

Hearing the click of the blade locking into place made Trowa\'s head jerk up. His green eyes focused only on the blade, and he began to panic. His breathing became rapid and shallow, his ears rang with the sound of corse laughter, and his mind flashed memories of the past before him quickly and painfully. He wanted to run away from them, but he was frozen to the spot, too frightened to move. All he could manage was a small soft whimper that almost sounded like a puppy crying.

Heero caught the sound easily, and knew what he was going through. ~The pain from his injuries have caused his past pain to return to him... He came looking for Quatre to get rid of them, but when he couldn\'t find Quatre, he just broke down.... His memories are hitting him so hard that he can\'t bury them as well as before... He must be going into a stage of mental shock, much like Quatre had.... Only Quatre had several days to sleep it off, but Trowa is too afraid to even close his eyes.... I got to get him to calm down...~ Setting the knife aside, Heero did the only thing he could think of....

Reaching out, he grabbed Trowa, and pulled him to him, embracing him firmly, but being careful of his injuries. Rubbing his back soothingly, Hero began to whisper calming words to the French boy. \"Shh... It\'s alright, Trowa.... No one\'s going to hurt you.... I won\'t let anyone hurt you....\" he told him, wanting to shield him from everything.

Trowa was shocked back into reality when he realized that the arms around him were protecting him, rather than hurting him. Looking up through tear clouded eyes, he watched Heero curiously. The question of why was on his dry lips, but his throat was too sore to speak out.

Knowing what the green eyes were asking him, Heero loosened his grip on him a little. \"Trowa, I have to get you bandaged up..... Will you let me?\" he asked, hoping for a yes.

Trusting the look of concern in his eyes, Trowa managed a faint nod, still unable to speak.

Glad that Trowa accepted his help, Heero placed him back against the headboard, and picked the knife back up. Moving slowly so that Trowa was aware of what he was doing, the Japanese boy pulled the end of the dark sweater out of his pants, and placed the knife under it. With careful movements, he cut the sweater open up the middle. When he reached, and cut through the collar, Heero moved to the injured arm, and began to slice through the material, taking extra precaution to prevent any unnecessary pain. Finally, with the two cuts in the sweater, Heero was able to remove it without inflicting any pain.

Tossing the ruined garment aside, Heero examined the wound on the arm. It was a deep gash along Trowa\'s upper arm, looking as if a piece of metal had been lodged there. Heero quickly grabbed for the medical kit, opened it, and pulled out all the gauze and bandages that was in there. After cleaning up most of the blood around it, and slowing the bleeding, he got the antiseptic, looking up at Trowa first, knowing that this would burn badly.

Also knowing, Trowa gripped with his good hand at the silk sheets beneath him, and gritted his teeth before nodding.

Steadily, Heero poured some of the antiseptic around, and into the wound, watching as Trowa swallowed a scream, and practically ripped the sheets. Quickly, Heero wrapped up his arm snugly, and proceeded to tend to the other scrapes and cuts first before he had to take Trowa to the city hospital to stitch up his arm. Heero knew that he could do it himself, but he wanted Trowa checked out for any other injuries that he couldn\'t find.

During the entire time that Heero was doctoring him, Trowa watched in wonder, and curiosity. Finally, he was able to voice his question. \"Why?\"

Finished with all of the minor things, Heero looked at the confused green eyes and smiled slightly. Leaning over, he brushed Trowa\'s long bangs back, and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. \"Ask me that question later.\" he whispered.

Then, without another word, Heero stood from the bed, bent over, and gathered Trowa in his arms. Slowly, he carried the French boy out of the room, making his way to get him to the hospital.

~*~

When the tickle war entered into its second hour, the two in the cabin declared a truce in the light that they were both exhausted. Once they had caught their breath, Quatre drug up the point about the shower, knowing that they both needed one. Crawling out of bed, Duo led Quatre out of the cabin, and around it. Quatre was shocked to see an addition that was built next to the cabin. It even looked like it was part of the cabin, but only smaller.

Opening the wooden door to the new addition, Quatre saw that it was a large bathroom. With marble tiling, mirrors, and linen closets, it had everything that his bathroom had at the mansion, even a hot tub. The blonde was amazed at this, and almost giggled with delight when he noticed the skylight directly over the hot tub.

\"Oh, Duo, this is perfect... You though of just about everything...\" Quatre whispered in awe, touched that the braided boy went to so much trouble just for him.

Wrapping his arms around the blonde, Duo smiled and chuckled. \"Anything for you, my Kitty Q.\" he stated, liking the sound of the nickname.

Quatre blinked up at him. \"Kitty Q? Where did that come from?\" he asked with a laugh.

Duo shrugged. \"I dunno.... I thought that it seemed to suit you.... You don\'t mind, do you?\" he asked, thinking it cute.

\"I guess not..... It\'s a change... So yeah, I don\'t mind being your Kitty Q.\" Quatre giggled, moving up and giving Duo a kiss on the cheek.

Smiling brightly, Duo hugged the blonde tightly before letting go and heading for the hot tub. \"I\'ll get the water in the tub, you go grab some robes from the closet.\" he stated, working on getting the water the right temperature.

Quatre was startled by that. \"You... you want to get into the tub together?\" he asked, some of his fear rising up again.

Instantly hearing the fear lacing the sweet voice, Duo looked up from watching the hot tub fill. \"Oh.. Quatre, if you\'re not ready for that yet, I guess we could use the shower instead.\" he offered quickly, kicking himself mentally for not considering the blonde being afraid.

The blonde head shook rapidly. \"I... I don\'t mind being in there with you.. It\'s... It\'s just all of my scars....\" he whispered, knowing you could see every one of them if you knew they were there. \"I... I\'m covered with them....\" he told him, feeling shame creep into his thoughts.

Frowning in concern, Duo stood in front of the blonde. \"Quatre, I\'ve seen them before... I\'ve seen just about all of you before... There\'s nothing to be ashamed of.\" he said honestly, trying to help him over come his self pity and fear.

\"But you\'ve only seen the larger ones...\" Quatre bowed his head. \"And you didn\'t know the real reason for them then.....\" he whispered.

Duo wished he could make Quatre\'s pain and shame disappear, but he knew that he could only soothe it until it didn\'t hurt anymore. Thinking of something that might work, Duo reached out and began to unbutton Quatre\'s shirt.

Quatre was surprised at this, and looked up at the braided boy. \"Duo?.... What are you doing?\" he asked nervously.

\"Shhh...\" Duo continued to unbutton the blonde\'s shirt, and slipped it off his pale shoulders where it puddled down on the floor. Looking over the creamy pale skin, he could see every single scar that was there. Now that he did see them, Duo realized something. Smiling at his love, Duo quickly unbuttoned his own shirt, and threw it behind him somewhere. He then took Quatre\'s hand and placed it on his own chest, while he placed his hand on the blonde\'s. \"There\'s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, Quatre... Especially around me... We\'re the same, Quatre... We know the pain of being used.... We know the shame of being overpowered..... We know the heart ache of being alone....\" he told warmly, smiling when he felt the heart beat beneath his palm quicken.

What Duo had said made sense to Quatre, and he thought that he was right. \"We are the same....\" he whispered. Looking down at his hand on Duo\'s strong chest, Quatre could see all of Duo\'s scars....

They looked similar to his own. The blonde could tell easily which scars were caused by what. The short thin ones on his side were made by knives, the wide long ones across his chest were lashings, and short wide ones were caused by deliberate scraping. Quatre wondered why he never noticed this sooner, and thought it was the same reason that Duo didn\'t know about his.

Both boys didn\'t want the other to find out about their past.

They were the exact same in mind and body, and knowing that lifted a great weight off of Quatre\'s shoulders. \"Duo... We\'ll accept each other no matter what?\" he asked, although already knowing the answer.

Duo nodded with a smile. \"No matter what.... As far as I\'m concerned, those scars are a part of you...\" He pulled the blonde to him, and pressed their bare chests together. \"And I love you, so I love them.\" He kissed him softly on the lips before pulling back and grinning. \"Now shall we jump in the tub before it runs over?\" Duo asked eagerly.

Quatre laughed at Duo\'s enthusiasm. \"Alright, but only if you help me with my pants.\" he purred playfully.

\"Yes, Master Quatre, as you command, Master.\" Duo purred back, dropping down on his knees.

\"Duo that tickles!\"

\"The truce is over! Charge!!\"

~*~

Heero had gotten Trowa to the hospital as fast as he could, and it didn\'t take long for the doctor to stitch up the French pilot\'s arm. After a short check up, Heero had been informed that Trowa was not seriously injured anywhere else, and that news made the Japanese boy very relieved.

The two of them were now back at the mansion, and neither had said a word since they left. Taking Trowa to his room to rest, Heero was about to leave the room when he was stopped by a voice. \"Heero.... You told me to ask you a question later.... Will you answer it now?\" he asked, this question having run through his mind since the Japanese pilot offered to help him.

Heero looked back at Trowa who was sitting up in his bed. \"What was your question?\" Heero asked, wanting to hear it again.

\"Why did you help me?\" Trowa asked, his soul wanting it to be the answer he only dreamed of.

Walking back to the bed, Heero stood next to it, looking down into hopeful green eyes... ~Wait a minute.... Hopeful? Why do his eyes look hopeful? Does he feel the same way?~ Surprised at this, Heero almost forgot what he was going to say. \"Because.... You\'re my comrade, my friend...\" ~the love of my life... I can\'t say it yet... I need to find out why he went to Quatre first...~ \"And I also know what\'s been going on with you and Quatre.\" he added.

It looked as if Trowa had been completely shattered by that. His eyes grew wide in fear, and he backed away slightly. \"Y-you know?... How?\"

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Heero took a deep breath before answering. \"Because I did it too, Trowa... I had sex with Quatre too.\" he admitted to him at last, wondering his reaction.

Trowa was beyond shocked as he blinked several times, and stared blankly at Heero. \"You did?.... Why?\" he asked in a whisper, wondering if it was for the same thing he did, or if he loved the blonde.

\"Same as you, I wanted to escape the pain from my past....\" Heero could see Trowa\'s muscles untense after he said that. \"But, Trowa, I had to stop, you have to stop. You have to stop going to Quatre now.\" Heero stated seriously.

The French boy instantly tensed back up. \"Why? Heero, you don\'t understand, it hurts too much, he\'s the only one who can help me!\" Trowa exclaimed quickly, breathing faster again. Taking hold of his shoulders, Heero shook Trowa roughly. \"Trowa, listen to me, you can\'t go to Quatre any more. What you\'re doing is killing him! Every time you have sex with him, another little piece of him dies. He can\'t take that kind of pain anymore.\" Heero told him firmly, glaring into his eyes.

\"But, Heero... I can\'t take the pain... It\'s too much...\" he whimpered pathetically.

Heero grabbed his chin and made him look at his eyes. \"Trowa, if you think your pain is too much for you to handle, then how do you think Quatre feels? He has to deal with the pains, and memories of countless people added to his own. I\'ve had to watch him over night, and look on helplessly as he screams in pain in his sleep from memories that may or not be his own.\" Heero growled, trying to make Trowa understand. \"He may not have shown it, but his fears and pains run far deeper than yours or mine. One night he sounded in so much agony that Duo and Rashid broke down in tears just having to listen to it. And that night he was remembering a time when he was a boy, and his father would rape him on a nightly basis.\" A tear streamed down Heero\'s cheek when he remembered the terrified screams that night.

Trowa couldn\'t speak for a moment, too shocked and ashamed to make his voice work. ~Oh Quatre..... What have I been doing to you? I\'ve been acting just like those mercenaries!!! Taking advantage of you, raping you cruelly!~ Suddenly, Trowa began crying again, rambling about everything and nothing. \"I could have killed him.. I was doing to Quatre what the mercenaries were doing to me.... Going to him when I felt like I needed it, forcing him to do things.... What have I done?!\" he cried out hysterically, looking around wildly, not seeing Heero anymore.

\"Trowa? Trowa!! Answer me, Trowa!\" Heero shook the French boy again, but Trowa was still on a rant. Not able to think of anything else, Heero pulled Trowa to him, held him tightly, and crushed their mouths together in a bruising kiss. Silencing Trowa very effectively, Heero began deepening the kiss forcefully, encouraged when the taller boy relaxed and returned his kiss roughly. They kept at each other for as long as they could, embracing tightly as if one of them would vanish into thin air.

Soon, they both ran out of air and parted, both gasping harshly.

Trowa, once he regained normal breathing, looked at Heero with the same question as before.

\"Why?\"

Heero raised his hand and gently placed it on the side of Trowa\'s face. \"I love you, Trowa... That\'s why... I have since the day I met you.\" he answered softly.

Trowa began crying again, but now it was for a different reason. \"I love you too, Heero.. I was too afraid to tell you...\" he whispered.

\"I know... I was afraid too. Don\'t worry, Trowa, we\'ll get through everything together...\" Heero said in a calming tone.

\"But what about Quatre? Where is he?\" Trowa asked, worried if he had hurt him badly the last time.

\"He\'s safe. Duo is helping him through his pain. The two of them should be perfectly fine where they are.\" Heero answered, smiling when he remembered how Duo looked when the had finished everything at the cabin.

Trowa blinked. \"Duo? You mean Duo is in love with Quatre?\" he asked curiously.

Heero nodded and chuckled lightly. \"Hopelessly in love with him, and Quatre feels the same for him. And don\'t worry about them, they both forgave me, I\'m sure that they will forgive you if they haven\'t already. Quatre doesn\'t even hold any ill will to Wufei, and he was hurting Quatre the most.\" he explained.

\"Wufei? You mean Wufei was sleeping with him too? Where is he now?\" Trowa asked, amazed that he never knew that.

\"He\'s getting a taste of his own medicine. He won\'t be bothering Quatre again.\" Heero smirked.

\"I see... What now?\" Trowa asked, wondering what was next for them.

Heero though for a moment. \"How \'bout you get comfortable, and I\'ll bring you something to eat?\" he offered.

Trowas smiled and nodded. \"That would be nice.\"

\"Alright, I\'ll be right back.\" With that, he gave him a quick kiss and got up to walk to the door.

As he got to the door, Trowa spoke up. \"Heero?\"

He turned to him. \"Yes?\"

\"I love you.\"

Heero smiled. \"I love you too, Trowa.\"

~*~

The tickle wars resumed during their bath, and made quite a mess of the brand new bathroom floor. It persisted to even when they were drying off, and ended up with Duo chasing Quatre back to the cabin, robes being clutched tightly during this. After getting dressed in only baggy sweat pants and loose t-shirts, another truce was called when they both were feeling hungry. And nobody likes to be tickled while, and after eating.

Duo, despite popular belief, was actually a fairly decent cook. He handled the wood burning stove with no trouble, and actually enjoyed the change. The two of them enjoyed a good meal in content silence, playing footsie under the table as they ate.

It has been a while after dinner, and the sun had set a few minutes ago. Quatre and Duo were now curled up on the couch, watching the fire that they had built in silence. They both knew that, since it was still summer, they didn\'t really need a fire, but they felt that it suited the mood of the evening...

Calm, warm, and perfect.

Quatre was snuggled down on top of Duo, and the braided boy held the blonde firmly in his arms. They were both thinking over the past events that led up to this moment. When they first were all invited to stay at Quatre\'s mansion, to the moment Quatre first showed Duo the water fall and the cabin. The day at the pool, to Quatre finally breaking down. The moment that the blonde woke up in the cabin, and they confessed their love to each other. All of those moments had a part to play in creating the one they were sharing now.....

And neither of them would change a thing. They were both glad of how it happened. Sure it was tough and painful for both, but they learned about each other, and themselves more than they would have any other way. As the day had gone by, the two boys felt their love for each other grow more with every minute that has past. Finally they both came to the same conclusion....

They wanted to be together as long as they lived.

Mind set, Quatre turned around to where he was straddling Duo\'s lap, a lust developing in his eyes that was mirrored in violet ones. \"Duo?\" he whispered in a husky tone.

Rubbing his hands up and down Quatre\'s arms slowly, Duo breathed out. \"Yes, Quatre?\"

Leaning over, he began to kiss along his jaw line up to his ear. \"Will you make love to me?\" Quatre asked, still in a whisper.

Duo wanted to shout out yes, but he had to be sure. \"Is that what you want?\" he asked, not wanting to push Quatre if he wasn\'t ready.

Moving in front of his face, Quatre pressed their foreheads together and stared into pools of violet. \"Yes... More than anything.... Please... Take me.\"

Needing no further prompting, Duo made the blonde sit back as he stood. Then, with quick and gentle arms, he gathered up the blonde and carried him off to the bed.

~*~

TBC