Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Final Grade ❯ Chapter 4

Title: Final Grade
Chapter: 4/?
Warnings: Shounen-ai type stuff.
Disclaimers: Gundam Wing and all characters associated with it is not mine, nor am I making any money from this. This is purely for my personal enjoyment, and the enjoyment of the people who read this. GW is copyright Bandai, Sunrise, etc. I do not own Hunan Village (which is an actual restaurant), nor do I own the nice lady who works there. She and the restaurant are used without permission. La-La Land is not mine, either. I'm just a very frequent visitor. Don't use them! I'll have to spank you, or . . . something. ( ^o^ ) Enjoy!

'What have I gotten myself into?' Pale, slender hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as the sleek black Python pulled up next to Triton and Cathrine's trailer. 'If he's wearing another outfit like Monday's I'm going to shoot myself.' He sighed and contemplated just honking, but that would be rude, so Quatre got out and went up to the trailer, knocking on the door softly. A moment later and Cathrine opened the door, smiling at him.

"Mr. Winner, come in. Can I get you anything to drink?"

He smiled back and nodded as he climbed the stairs. "Thank you. Do you have any tea?"

"Any type you prefer?"

"Not really."

Cathrine nodded and motioned to the couch. "Please, sit down. Triton's still getting ready. I'll get your tea in a moment." She knocked lightly on a door as Quatre sat. "Triton, hurry. Mr. Winner's here."

"I leap for joy," was the dry, monotonous response.

"Brat, I can still whip your hide."

"I'd challenge you, but I don't hit girls."

Cathrine chuckled. "Good, that means I can beat you up and you won't do anything." A snort was all she got, then she moved into the kitchen area. "How has your week been, Mr. Winner?"

Quatre smiled at the exchange and leaned his head back. "Hectic. Finals are coming up."

"Oh." Cathrine came back out with a steaming mug in her hand. "Here."

"Thank you," Quatre smiled as he took the mug, blowing gently at the tea. "I really appreciate it." He looked around as he waited for the liquid to cool. "This is a nice place."

Cathrine snorted. "Right. Probably claustrophobic to you."

Quatre shrugged. "I like it. It's cozy."

"Yeah, but it can be hell living with someone else. Gets cramped, and personalities clash." Cathrine sat down in a chair and fastened a star earring in her right ear.

"Oh." Quatre shrugged and took a sip of his tea.

"Tell me something, Mr. Winner. You like Triton?"

The sheer casualness of the question made Quatre cringe. 'Oh, I think I'm in trouble.' "Well, yes. He's a very . . . bright student. Quiet, but he's a hard worker."

Cathrine nodded. "I see. He's a good student."

Quatre blinked. What was she after? "A very good student. I don't think it will take him long to catch up, if that's what you're worried about."

Cathrine got up and picked up a case from on top of the coffee table, sitting next to Quatre. "Oh, I'm not worried about that." She opened the box and took out a knife, flipping it up in the air. When she caught it she flicked her wrist, and one knife turned into six.

Quatre's eyes widened and he swallowed nervously. "That's . . . quite a talent, Ms. Bloom."

Cathrine nodded. "Isn't it? That's our act, Triton and I. I throw knives at him." She glanced at Quatre out of the corner of her eye. "Triton seems fond of you, Mr. Winner. From what I hear, you're rather fond of Triton."

'Shit. About ass-deep and sinking fast, I'd say.' Quatre swallowed again and cautiously nodded. " . . . Yes . . ."

Cathrine leaned closer to him and brought a knife up to his neck. "I don't care what you and my little brother do," she murmured, "as long as he wants to do it. If you do anything Triton doesn't want you to do, if he tells you to stop and you don't---" Triton's door opened and Cathrine sat back, putting her knives away. "You understand, Mr. Winner?" she asked conversationally.

Quatre stood up and set the mug of tea on the table shakily. "Y, yes, Ms. Bloom. I understand perfectly." He turned to Triton and sat back down before he fainted.

A forest green kimono covered Triton from neck to feet, a cream obi around his waist. The under kimono's were various shades of green, and green eyeshadow brought out the young man's eyes. That was the only make-up he wore, the only jewelry being the small emerald studs in his ears. He blinked once at the two on the couch before walking slowly into the room and bowing from the waist to Quatre.

"Mr. Winner."

Quatre blinked several times and swallowed twice before he could respond. "Mr. Bloom. Good morning."

"Good morning." Triton glanced at Cathrine, who smiled sweetly like she hadn't just been threatening Quatre's life. "Cathrine."

"Good morning, Sunshine." She got up and hugged him, then handed him a book bag. "Ready, love?"

Triton nodded and turned to Quatre.

Quatre stood again and smiled, holding the door open for his student. "Well. Shall we go, then? We've got a lot of work to do." Triton nodded and walked out, and Quatre looked back at Cathrine before following. "Anything that happens, Ms. Bloom, will be because Triton wants it to. You have my word." Cathrine nodded once and turned back to getting ready for work. Quatre slid into the driver's seat and started the Python up with a sigh, then flashed Triton a smile. "You have a very . . . forceful . . . sister, Triton."

The young man glanced at him, then back at his lap. "What did she do? She can be very over-protective at times."

"Other than threaten my life, absolutely nothing," Quatre responded cheerfully, then grinned at Triton again as he pulled onto the main road. At the raised eyebrows he shrugged. "She loves you. She didn't want you getting hurt." There was a moment of silence between them.

"Mr. Winner . . ."

"Yes, Triton?"

"About Monday . . ." Triton's cheeks burned red and he stared intently out his window.

Quatre swallowed again and nodded. "About Monday, yes?"

"I'm . . . sorry. I . . . that was . . . juvenile. Stupid. I'm sorry."

Quatre smiled and shook his head with a soft laugh. "Stupid doesn't even begin to cover Monday, Triton. I accept your apology and offer one of my own. The way I handled the situation did more harm than good, and was not the way I should have dealt with it. For that, I'm sorry."

'Don't be,' Triton thought. "Apology accepted," was what he said.

Quatre smiled and turned on the radio. "You like Arabic music?"

Triton shrugged. "I've never heard it."

"Really? Well, you've been missing out on a lot. It's wonderful." They spent the remainder of the drive listening to the radio, Quatre translating and occasionally singing along with the songs. When they got into the classroom Quatre turned serious, however, and asked to see any work Triton had done during his absence. Triton showed him the section and chapter summaries he had done and Quatre nodded. "Good. You won't have to work as hard, then. There's some labwork to do and I still have to lecture you, but this is very good. Plus there's not a room full of students who don't want to learn distracting us." He sat on the desk next to Triton's and cleared his throat. "Ready?"

Triton nodded and poised his pen above his paper. "Yes."

Quatre began.

* * *

"Now you need to do a thirty-minute essay," Quatre concluded. "You have fifteen minutes left, so you can do that after school or at lunch." He knelt by Triton and leaned over a bit to look at his notes. "Very neat and concise, good." He tilted his head and then the paper. "Bunny rabbits?"

Triton bit his lip. "I was bored."

"Bored? Am I not working you hard enough?" Quatre smiled up at him.

Triton shook his head. "No, maybe bored was the wrong word. When you paused I worked on them. They're cute."

"Like artist, like art," Quatre murmured, earning a quick glance from Triton. "Yes, they're very nice. Are you taking any art classes?"

Triton shook his head. "No. I'm not that good."

"Actually, you are, judging from these sketches. You're good at bodies." 'You've got a good one, too.' Quatre moved the paper a bit, hand brushing against Triton's. A little shock ran up his arm and Quatre's hand twitched as his heart jumped. He swallowed a bit and licked his suddenly dry lips. "Ahh . . ."

Triton felt it, too, and rubbed the back of his hand. "Uhm . . ."

The two spoke in unison and looked at each other for a moment, then Quatre slowly moved his hand so the back of it touched the back of Triton's once again. Triton gulped nervously and looked to the opposite side, pressing his hand against Quatre's a little more. Both men's hearts sped up at the contact, and then Quatre moved his hand again as he watched the paper, rubbing it in small circles along Triton's. Triton bit his lip gently and shivered when Quatre started trailing the tips of his fingers along the back of his hand and over his fingers, moving the slender digits against Quatre's, delighting in the ticklish sensation he got from the contact. Quatre smiled slightly and slid his fingers between Triton's, breath hitching when Triton turned his hand over and twined his fingers with Quatre's again. The blond squeezed gently and brought Triton's hand up to his mouth with painstaking slowness, turning his eyes to his student's head to gauge his reaction.

Triton turned his head to see what Quatre was doing, meeting his teacher's eyes after confirming that Quatre was about to kiss his hand. Quatre simply stared at him as his breath tickled Triton's hand, then the Arab's lips touched soft skin and Triton's heart almost stopped. His breath sped up even more and Triton licked his lips, unaware of how erotic that simple gesture was. The skin around Quatre's eyes tightened in what could have been a grimace of pain, but Triton knew that it wasn't. Then Quatre opened his mouth slowly, breath hot on Triton's skin as he kissed the emerald-eyed young man's hand again, sucking softly as he drew his head up from the contact. The next time he kissed Triton's hand he slid his tongue out to taste the smooth skin, eyes almost completely closed.

Triton turned his head away and Quatre drew his own head up. When Triton turned back to see what his teacher was doing, he found their faces not three inches apart. His eyes widened slightly but he stayed still, wondering, anticipating what was going to happen next.

'Please,' he begged, 'don't stop. Keep, keep doing what you're doing, Mr. Winner, please.'

Quatre blinked once at the pleading in Triton's eyes as he moved his face closer, a soft smile on his lips. He brought the hand not holding Triton's up and gently touched the young man's cheek before their lips made contact, Triton letting out a soft sigh as his eyes fell closed. They immediately popped open again as Triton faced images he didn't want to see, and he leaned into the kiss. Quatre slid his hand to the back of Triton's neck and pulled the Latin boy closer, giving small kisses, lips never breaking contact with Triton's. He watched the boy still, alert for any signs of resistance, but Triton wasn't giving any. Once Quatre was sure it was safe to continue he did so, opening his mouth and gently sucking on Triton's lower lip.

This made the boy jump, but he warmed to the idea quickly and opened his mouth as Quatre had hoped he would. This gave the Arab the opportunity to fasten his mouth over Triton's, tongue sliding out to gently run over the young man's lips before moving further into Triton's mouth, meeting Triton's tongue and pausing as the young man tensed.

Triton froze when Quatre's tongue touched his, mind whirling. Did he want this? Was this all right? James had forced him like this, forced his tongue into Triton's mouth. That young, it had almost choked the child, and Triton's heart started racing in fear, not pleasure. Quatre must have sensed his panic because the man pulled away slowly, still watching him. Triton buried his head in his arms on the desk and stared at the top of it, breath sounding loud in the enclosed area. He gulped several times and then looked at Quatre, who was looking as flustered as Triton felt.

"Mr. Winner . . ."

Quatre stood up abruptly and moved to his desk. "I'm sorry. Look, Triton, maybe this studying thing was a bad idea." He didn't look up when Triton got up and walked over to him. "I mean, if I can't keep my hands to myself in the room, if you come over, who knows---"

"Mr. Winner," Triton interrupted softly. Quatre looked up at him with a blink.

"Yes?"

"Thank you." Triton smiled softly at his teacher and sat down as Hilde and Duo walked in.

Duo looked at Triton, then looked at Quatre. He looked at Triton again, then again at Quatre. His head snapped back and forth between the two before he whistled lowly. "Man, you can feel the sexual tension in this room!" He nudged Hilde. "Can't you?"

Hilde shook her head and moved to her seat. "You sure know how to ruin a moment, Duo."

"Hey, I try my best."

Quatre smiled at the two and glanced at Triton. The boy gave him another small, soft smile before turning to his book.

* * *

"My, aren't you looking lovely today. Heero would like that outfit, I think."

Triton's mouth twitched upward slightly as Sylvia sat next to him. "Thank you, Sylvia."

She leaned over. "What are you working on?"

"Thirty-minute essay for psychology. I have ten minutes to finish."

"Oh." Sylvia took out a book. "I'll sit here and be quiet, then."

"Thank you." Ten minutes later Triton stretched, covering a yawn.

"Thank you for suggesting those books, Triton. I'm almost done with the third one."

Triton raised an eyebrow. "Already? It's only Wednesday."

Sylvia grinned. "I read fast, especially when it's something I like. I like these books." She looked up. "Hello, Quatre."

Triton jumped and looked around as Quatre sat next to him. "Hello, Sylvia. How's Heero?"

"Oh, grumpy as usual. Last I checked, he and Wufei were just staring at each other. I swear, they've got telepathy or something." She and Quatre shared a laugh before the blond man turned to Triton.

"Hello, Triton." The softness in his voice made the young man flush slightly, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye.

"Hello, Mr. Winner. I'm . . . done with the essay."

"May I see it?"

Triton pushed the paper toward Quatre, inhaling sharply as their hands brushed again. Quatre didn't seem to notice as he read the paper over, occasionally making a soft noise in his throat. Finally he set the paper down, hand once again touching Triton's.

'Is he doing that on purpose?' Triton asked himself, biting his lower lip gently. 'I think I might faint. Swooning, I think it's called . . .'

"Very good. I'll grade it later. Now, the reason I'm here is because I've got a bit of time for lunch, and I was wondering if you'd like to get something to eat, Sylvia?"

Triton let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding, disappointed. 'Why? Because he didn't ask me to go to lunch with him? What's wrong with me?'

Sylvia nodded. "I'd love to."

Quatre smiled, then glanced at Triton. "You're welcome to come, too, if you have the time. I have an hour left."

Triton's heart skipped a beat and he nodded. "Thank you. I have the time."

Quatre smiled as they all stood, linking his right arm through Sylvia's left and offering his other arm to Triton. After a moment's hesitation Triton took it, mouth twitching at the gentle squeeze Quatre gave him. "Well, ladies---"

"I'm not a lady," Triton murmured.

Quatre grinned. "Well, lady and cross-dresser---"

Triton glared at him softly.

That brought a chuckle. "Well, lady and one who is temporarily wearing women's clothing, shall we go?"

Sylvia laughed. "Yes, we shall."

They walked out of the building arm-in-arm, passing Duo.

"Hey!" he remarked, "Quatre's got a harem! Where do you sign up?"

Quatre chuckled. "You need an interview by appointment only, and I'm all booked up until next year. Sorry, Duo."

"You're that popular?!"

"I'm just that good," Quatre nodded.

"Oh? What makes you so special, hmm?" Duo was walking backward in front of them, grinning.

"Easy. I'm the Winner heir. I've got the money." Quatre drew himself up regally and stuck his nose in the air. "And with these looks, who wouldn't want me?"

Sylvia and Duo laughed. "And the ego to go with it," the young woman commented to Duo, who snickered.

"No kidding." He looked around. "Oh, there's Hilde! Gotta run, 'bye!"

Quatre smiled as Duo trotted off, waving frantically to his friend. "What a character." He glanced at his companions, gaze lingering on Triton, or so the boy thought. "Anywhere in particular?"

Triton bit his lip. "There's Hunan's . . ."

"Hunan's?"

"Well, Hunan Village. It's . . . good. Chinese."

Quatre nodded. "Sounds good. We can take my car." He led them into the parking lot and unlocked the Python, then Triton held the door open for Sylvia.

She shook her head. "I can sit in back. Up front won't mess up your kimono as much." She opened the rear door and climbed in. "Get in, please. I'm perfectly all right back here."

Triton looked at Quatre, who shrugged and got in, then climbed in and shut the door, fastening his seatbelt. Sylvia opened a book and started reading, which left the two in the front to make conversation on their own. Triton was lacing and unlacing his fingers, and Quatre reached over and took his hand. Triton jumped and looked at him in mild alarm, but the Arab was only looking at his hands.

"Elegant. Do you play an instrument?" Quatre rubbed the palm of Triton's hand with his thumb as he watched the road.

"Ah, the flute . . ." A glance in the mirror assured him that Sylvia was well involved in her book, so he experimentally gave Quatre's hand a slight squeeze.

Quatre smiled slightly at the pressure and returned it, resting their entwined hands on Triton's thigh. "I thought so. Not about the flute, but the instrument. How long have you played?"

His breath sped up as Triton blinked, trying to think. "Since . . . since I was five. Do you play anything?"

"Everything." Quatre smiled and pressed their hands into Triton's thigh, squeezing his hand gently again. "Well, a lot. Violin, piano, flute, guitar . . . lots."

'Oh, God . . .' Triton squirmed a bit and ended up with Quatre's hand resting against his hip, almost between his legs. 'Oh, God.' His head fell back against the headrest and he panted softly. 'Oh, please . . .'

The Arab noble bit his lip as he glanced at his student. 'God, he's so very beautiful. He's also so very aroused. Eh heh, I think I'm the first person he's ever been attracted to, and it's hitting him really hard. Great.' He glanced at Sylvia. Good, she was still reading. That meant she wasn't seeing what was going on in the front seat, and Quatre wasn't sure if this was a good or a bad thing. He sighed as they pulled into the parking lot of Hunan Village. "Sylvia, we're here."

"I know." Still absorbed in the story, the young blond got out and walked in the general direction of the restaurant.

Triton got out as quickly as he could and took her elbow, leading her in the right direction so she wouldn't run into anything. "This way, Sylvia."

"Thank you . . ."

Quatre opened the door for them, greeted at the front desk by a small Chinese woman.

"Welcome. Table for three?"

"Yes, thank you." Quatre glanced at Triton as the lady led them through the quiet, nearly empty restaurant to a table by the windows, handing them menus. Quatre glanced over his, then again at Triton. "See anything you like?"

"Uhh . . ." the young man glanced up, then shrugged. "I usually get the sweet and sour pork luncheon."

"You like sweet and sour pork?"

A shrug. "And the chow mein. I like lemon chicken, too."

"I like spicy stuff . . ."

Quatre chuckled at Sylvia. "I'm sure you do." He reached over and lowered the book from her face. "Sylvia?"

She blinked. "What? Oh, I'm so sorry. Put a good book in my hands and I'm off to La-La Land." She blushed slightly.

"That's all right. So, what would you like?"

"Some sezchuan beef would be lovely."

"Triton?"

"I'll have the sweet and sour pork luncheon."

Quatre nodded and called over the waiter. "We're ready."

The young man nodded. "Go on."

"The lady would like some sezchuan beef, please. The young man would like your sweet and sour pork luncheon."

"Soup or salad?"

"Salad," Triton murmured.

Quatre continued. "And I would like some lemon chicken." He winked at Triton.

"Anything to drink?"

The other two shook their heads. "No, just tea."

"All right. Your order will be done soon." The waiter moved off, leaving the three alone.

Sylvia tapped her fingers on the table and stole glances at the book next to her as she sighed. "Oh, boy. The torture of not being able to read." She shrugged. "Ah well. So . . . How are you two doing? This is a little odd because I don't really know Quatre," she explained to Triton. "He's Heero's e--- ah, old friend."

"Oh." E--? Ex? Ex-lover? Triton glanced at Quatre and shoved the anger at Heero Yuy down deep inside. Why should he be angry if Yuy and Mr. Winner had been lovers? It hurt, too, that knowledge. Triton was sure that was what Sylvia had been about to say.

Quatre watched the flash of jealousy in Triton's eyes before the boy shut the emotion off and almost smiled. 'God, he's jealous of Heero! I think I might have a chance, after all. "Yes, Heero was a good . . . friend." He placed a slight emphasis on the last word and watched Triton out of the corner of his eye, suppressing a chuckle at the suddenly forced casualness of his attitude.

"Really? That's nice. I'm happy for you." Triton winced inwardly as he nearly spat out 'happy.' 'I sound like a jealous lover! Jealous . . . jealous? Am I jealous of Heero Yuy?' He looked down at his lap, not looking up when Quatre's hand came into view and took his. 'Why should I be jealous? I don't love Mr. Winner . . . do I? How do I tell? I need to ask Cat . . .' He let Quatre play with his hand, grateful that the older man didn't pull their hands to his own lap. The last time Triton's hands had been in someone else's lap they'd been in James' pants, and that wasn't an experience he wanted to repeat. 'Well, not in public. And . . . not in public?' Triton sighed. 'If it was Quatre, I'd do it. Am I that in lust with him? Or am I just that much of a slut?' He squeezed Quatre's hand gently and stood as he felt tears starting to come to his eyes. "Please, excuse me." Triton fled to the safety of the bathroom and locked himself in a stall as he fought to not cry, tears of confusion that were tearing him apart inside.

Quatre looked after Triton as the boy almost ran to the restroom before turning worried eyes back to Sylvia. "Sylvia . . ."

She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe . . . maybe you should go talk to him? Give him a bit, first, though. What were you doing to him?"

Quatre flushed. "Ah . . . holding his hand."

"And?"

"Playing with it, rubbing it, things like that. In his lap, not in mine, and mid thigh."

Sylvia shook her head and sighed. "He's jealous of Heero, did you notice?" Quatre nodded. "Quatre? Are you all right?"

"What do you mean? Of course I'm all right."

The young woman shook her head. "No. Quatre, how exactly do you feel about Triton? Is it love? Or just lust? I know Heero says it's love, but this is Heero we're talking about."

Quatre had to laugh a bit at that. "Well . . . I'm not sure, Sylvia. Getting over my denial, it's very likely I'm in love with Triton. But right now, all I can think about is sex with him." He flushed and didn't meet Sylvia's eyes. "I . . . I'm almost completely sure he was molested. I am sure that he wants me. But . . ."

"But?"

"But I'm not going to just have sex with him, even though we both want it. Triton's so edgy, Sylvia. He'll get really close, then run off a safe distance, again and again and again." The young blond leaned his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands.

"That's hurting, isn't it?" Sylvia's voice was sympathetic.

Quatre nodded. "He's not toying with me on purpose, he's just not used to this. And . . . I admit, I push it at times. But Sylvia, I'm not sure how long I can take this!"

"Why not take a lover?"

"And hurt them when I call out his name, and not theirs? Smart."

Sylvia glowered slightly before sighing. "All right, I see your point. What about a close friend?"

"Other than Heero, there's none. And Heero's off-limits."

Sylvia chuckled. "That he is. Duo Maxwell's in your class."

"Are you telling me to sleep with Duo?"

The girl shrugged as Quatre looked up. "Hey, it's a suggestion. And you're not joining Heero and I, so don't ask!"

Quatre laughed. "I won't." He looked toward the bathroom.

"Go talk with him."

"I might end up fucking him if I do."

A chuckle. "Go see if he's all right."

Quatre shrugged. "If we get kicked out for lewd behavior I'm blaming you." He moved away before she could respond, entering the bathroom quietly. Small, contained sniffles were coming from the furthest stall from the door, so he knocked on it softly. "Triton?"

Triton jumped and gasped a bit, wiping roughly at his face. He hadn't been crying in the tears-down-the-face sense, but he'd been close. "Y-yes?" How long had Mr. Winner been in the room?

"Triton, may we talk please?"

"I don't care."

"Out here?"

Triton unfolded himself from the toilet he was sitting on and gave his face another wipe before opening the stall door a crack and peeking out. "What is it?"

Quatre's heart almost broke as he took in Triton's teary eyes and red face, then he sighed and backed up, sitting on the counter. "Come here, I'd like to talk."

"About what?" Triton edged forward a bit, not trusting Mr. Winner.

"About what just happened."

"Nothing happened. I had to go to the bathroom."

"You're almost in tears, Triton. Something happened. What I want to know is what?"

The young man's heart almost stopped as his teacher nearly quoted from the dreams he'd had. "N-n-noth---"

Quatre shook his head. "Don't lie to me, Triton. What happened out there? Would you rather I keep my hands to myself? Is that what's wrong?" Triton was silent as he leaned against the door frame. "Triton, talk to me, please? I can't . . . I can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?"

"This!" Quatre waved his hands around before covering his eyes with one of them. "This constant back-and-forth. You want me, you don't want me. You kiss me, you're scared of me. Which is it, Triton? You're playing with me, however unintentionally, and I refuse to be used. I know you don't mean to, but still." The Arab sighed. "What made you like this? Who made you like this?"

Triton was silent as Quatre spoke, words stinging. What made him like this? Who made him like this? 'Wouldn't you like to know,' he thought, but he kept his silence.

"Come here."

"Why."

"Come here, Triton. I'm not going to hurt you."

Triton moved closer to Quatre, then yelped when a slender arm shot out and pulled him against a surprisingly muscular chest. He started to struggle as panic rose within him, then Quatre's grip loosened and he just trembled.

Quatre looked down at the trembling boy he held and cursed himself for being weak even as he stroked the dark brown hair. He tilted his head down to whisper in Triton's ear softly. "Triton, don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to help." 'Help?' a small voice asked snidely. 'How? By seducing him every chance you get?'

Triton squeezed his eyes shut and took a shuddering breath as Quatre's arms encircled his waist. "You scare me," he whispered.

"Why?" was Quatre's whispered response.

"I . . . don't know." A lie, and Quatre knew it.

"Yes," he murmured, "you do. Why do I scare you?"

Triton bit his lip and shook his head. "I . . . ask Cathrine."

"Why can't you tell me?"

"Because I can't!" Triton straightened and wiped at his face again before pulling away and heading for the door. "Cathrine will tell you," he said again before returning to the table.

Quatre sighed and got up. 'All right, I'll ask Cathrine.' He followed Triton slowly and didn't look at either of them as he sat. 'Maybe Cathrine will help me understand you, Triton Bloom.'