Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Last Unicorn ❯ Chapter 1
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Arigatomina 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.08.2002 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 437 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Fantasy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.08.2002 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.9K | Visits: 437 | Status: Completed
Author's Notes: inspired by the book/movie The Last Unicorn, deviating greatly from both.
Category: Yaoi, anime, Gundam Wing, AU
Warnings: None
Pairings: 3+4/4+3
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina@hotmail.com
Complete Archive: www.geocities.com/arigatomina
The Last Unicorn
Part 1
He'd been alone for far too long. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he had a vague recollection of his father having been with him as well as many others. Time had passed slowly since then and somehow he'd learned to survive. Not that it was difficult in the enchanted forest in which he lived, but by the time he reached the age of fifteen, he began to feel restless. And lonely. His loneliness was growing until finally it became a driving force in his life. He had no idea that as far as the rest of the world was concerned his kind no longer existed. When he left his forest to search for the others, he didn't know that he was the last, the last unicorn.
* * *
It was a small camp, tattered in appearance with a large rickety old wagon set off to the side and three covered cages positioned around the too small fire. None of this mattered to Trowa, however, as he was willing to work for little at any job required. Entering the camp, he went directly to the young woman who was standing next to the fire, stirring a large kettle that hung over it. Walking loudly enough so as not to startle her, he waited for her to look up. Noticing him, she paused in her stirring, arched brows lowering as she looked him over.
"Have you come to see a show?" she asked, eyes narrow as she took in his less than wealthy appearance. "Ten gil."
"No," Trowa said slowly, stopping when a growl emanated from the cage beside him. Looking from the tarp thrown over it to the woman, he wondered if he wasn't wasting his time. "I'm looking for work. I have a way with animals."
"Is that so?" At his expressionless nod, her eyes narrowed. "I tell you what boy, you stick around here tonight and tomorrow I'll see if there isn't something I can use you for. Until then I guess you can acquaint yourself with the animals." Pointing to the covered cages, she spoke. "That's Fang there, he's a vicious one so watch your hands. Over here we got the weird one, I don't got a name for him yet. And that there is my newest addition. Whitey I call him, and he's about as rare a creature as you'll find. If you can get him to eat, I might have a job for you. As it is I'm set to scrap the thing and stuff it before he wastes away. Well, go ahead boy. But don't go gettin' yourself into trouble or I'll set Fang on you. He's a right good guard if you catch my drift."
Trowa nodded, and watched as she turned back to her kettle, stirring slowly. Looking toward the tarp under which the growling 'Fang' was, he decided against bothering the creature. He'd seen shows like this before and if the creature followed the woman's orders, he was more of a guard than an actual exhibit. Instead, he moved to the tarp with the unnamed creature in it, listening to the silence for a moment before carefully undoing the curtain and holding it aside.
Trowa's eyes widened at the large ugly creature. Glancing at the woman, he swore under his breath. Only a fool would dare to capture a troll and expect to get away with it. From the way this young one grinned at him, Trowa knew it would be in his best interests *not* to stay here tonight. Despite their taste for human flesh, trolls were very protective of their children and would definitely be coming for this one. And they would not be the least bit lenient on any creature they found when they did come.
With this in mind, he let the tarp fall and moved to the last cage. The woman he could abandon easily since he cared nothing for other people. Innocent animals were another matter. Lifting the tarp, he had another shock and knelt quickly to look at the creature. As the woman had claimed, he was indeed a very rare creature. And she was even more the fool to have perpetrated such a sacrilege as to lock up a unicorn.
Although he couldn't remember his parents, he'd always had a bond with animals. Since he excelled at it, he'd spent time listening to the stories of old about the many creatures that had once roamed the world. He'd even had the pleasure of rescuing a dragon kit when he was ten despite the many claims that dragons were among the extinct races. The mother of the kit would have had argued with these claims. Obviously, there were more creatures that had survived time than people knew about. There had to have been, if a unicorn had survived.
A creature of old, unicorns were said to have had magic that centered around the long sharp horn that protruded from their foreheads. Some rumors had it that they could change shapes, others that they could speak to any creature in any language. On one point the rumors agreed. This was that unicorns had the ability to heal life threatening wounds and that they could purify both water and land. It was said that the disappearance of the unicorns was the reason the land had died in certain regions.
Looking at the dirty creature that lay, legs folded beneath him, head curled around his knees, Trowa swallowed roughly. Compassion was not an emotion he felt often, but it was there now, as was rage at the treatment of such a pure creature. As dirty as it was, mane and tail matted, he might have doubted that it really was a unicorn had it not been for the long horn that shone even in the dark, light glinting in its clear crystal depths. Glancing at the woman who was sprinkling herbs into the pot, muttering to herself, Trowa looked over the lock of the cage.
He wasn't a thief by nature, but there were certain skills that had to be learned if one was going to live alone and take care of one's self. As he'd expected, the lock was as simple as the woman who'd purchased it, making him even angrier to think that *she'd* been able to catch a unicorn. This brought him to the creature itself. It hadn't looked up when Trowa'd opened the tarp and he wasn't sure it would be able to make an escape even if he were to release it. With this in mind, Trowa reached a hand through the bars of the cage and lightly touched the unicorn's neck. The reaction proved that while the unicorn was weak it still had lightening reflexes.
With it's head lowered so the deadly horn was pointed at Trowa's outstretched hand, the unicorn stumbled to its feet, moving against the back of the cage. Despite the fact that Trowa had made no move to withdraw his hand, the unicorn did not attack, confirming his thought that they were basically passive creatures not prone to injuring unnecessarily. Holding very still, Trowa waited for the unicorn to look up at him, eyes never leaving it's lowered lashes. Finally, it did and he found himself looking into deep orbs that seemed to show a different world. It was as if there was a forest from a dream residing in its eyes or its soul as the eyes were said to be the window to the soul.
Staring into it's pale blue-green eyes, Trowa smiled a small yet gentle smile. "Hello there," he whispered. The unicorn jerked its head back for a second, then blinked its eyes, tilting its head to the side as it looked from Trowa's outstretched hand to his face. "I won't hurt you."
Turning, it looked at the woman's back, eyes wide, then back to Trowa. Slowly, it stretched its neck toward the outstretched hand, not touching or smelling it as Trowa had expected, but looking at it from all angles before inching closer to look at his face again. Blinking, it looked down at his clothing and feet, then looked back up again, meeting his green eyes with a penetrating gaze. Ever so slowly, it lowered its head until the tip of the long horn touched Trowa's palm lightly.
//Help me...? Please let me out.//
Eyes widening abruptly, Trowa stared, hand twitching when the horn moved away, bright eyes blinking at him. "Oh my God...I didn't know you could talk. I thought...I thought it was just a rumor."
//Please? I'll die in here.//
"You," Trowa glanced over his shoulder, making sure the woman wasn't paying them any attention, then looked back, leaning forward. "You're talking in my head..."
//I...can't breathe in here...// Lowering his head, the unicorn slowly sank to the bottom of the cage again.
"Oh! Can you run? If I get you out she'll set that monster of hers after us. She could catch you again."
//No. I...I didn't know she'd hurt me. Get me out and nothing will catch us. I promise.//
"Alright." It didn't take long to pick the lock. Opening the door was another matter. As rusty as it was, it was guaranteed to make a lot of noise. The unicorn climbed to its feet again, stretching one leg at a time and slowly moving its neck. Finally, it looked Trowa in the eye and nodded.
//As soon as I'm out, climb on my back. Can you ride?//
"Ride," Trowa said slowly, looking uncertain, "Ride a unicorn?"
//I don't mind. Can you?// At Trowa's nod, the unicorn lowered its head, muscles tensing. Then the door was jerked open and he lept out, pausing long enough for Trowa to swing himself onto his back, hands buried in the long white mane. Rearing slightly, the unicorn bolted, not sparing a backward glance at the woman's cry of fury or the roar of the creature inside the cage as she hurried to loose it. //Hold on very tight and let me know if you slip.// Feeling a stronger pull on its mane, the unicorn sped up until the trees of the woods passed in a blur.
Breath coming in gasps, Trowa squinted against the wind in his eyes, marveling at the speed of the creature and the powerful muscles propelling them forward. As much as he hated the thought that he might hurt the creature, he gripped the whipping mane tight, leaning forward when a backward glance showed no sign of pursuers. After an unknown amount of time, he spotted something shining in the distance and felt the unicorn slow slightly. By the time they reached a walk, Trowa saw that it was a river. He didn't recognize it, but he couldn't be sure how far they'd come.
Releasing his grip on the unicorn's mane, Trowa met it's gaze as it looked over it's shoulder at him. //I'm filthy. Would you mind if I wash?//
"Of course not," Trowa said quickly, sliding off it's back.
//Thank you for saving me. My name is Quatre...what's yours?//
"Trowa."
A minute passed as they looked at each other, then Quatre lowered his eyes. //Trowa...do you think you could help me some more? I...I don't know this world. I don't know who I can trust.//
"Help with what?"
//I'm alone. I've been alone for years. I wanted to find the others. The other unicorns.//
"Quatre," averting his eyes, Trowa sighed. "I don't think there are any left. You might be the last."
//No. I can't believe that. I have to keep hoping.//
"I'll help you find out for certain," Trowa said. "I know someone who might know if you can communicate with her. But we'll have to be careful. Everyone who sees you will try to catch you."
//Why?//
Trowa smiled slightly. "Because you're a unicorn."
//Hmm. I'd really like a bath. I've never been so filthy.//
With a light chuckle, Trowa waved him toward the water. "Go ahead. I'll be here."
Looking at the water, the unicorn slowly made its way through the shallows until its back was covered. Rearing on his hind feet, he kicked his front feet in the water, splashing his front and neck. Then, ducking his head, he rolled under the water. After minutes of profuse splashing, he made his way back to the shallows and inspected his work. Looking up at Trowa's laugh, he looked back down at himself. Now he was dirty *and* wet. Looking miserably at Trowa, his eyes suddenly widened and he turned abruptly, moving back into the deep part of the water.
Stifling his sudden laughter, Trowa frowned in remorse when the unicorn headed back into the water. Then he leapt to his feet as it reared on its hind legs and the long horn suddenly glowed a blinding white. Shielding his eyes with his hand, Trowa turned his head until the light disappeared. Looking back, Trowa scanned the water frantically seeing no sign of Quatre. Then his eyes widened in disbelief as he spotted the back of a *human* head. //Changing shapes,// he thought with awe as hands reached the pale yellow hair and the figure slipped beneath the water again. //It was true.//
Satisfied that he'd finally gotten the dirt off, Quatre turned toward Trowa, smiling as he saw the boy's shock. "I'll attract less notice like this, right?" Blinking at hearing his voice for the first time, he didn't notice when Trowa's mouth dropped open slightly.
//He...// Breath caught in his throat as he looked at the boy, eyes moving over his beautiful face then lower over his pale chest. Swallowing, he couldn't move, couldn't look away when Quatre suddenly started walking again, the water covering less with each step he took. //Oh my God...//
Marveling at the way the water and air felt against his skin, Quatre smiled again and looked at Trowa. Seeing his expression, Quatre's brows narrowed in concern. "Trowa?" The tall boy flinched as if struck and his wide green eyes met Quatre's for a moment before he jerked and turned his back abruptly. Stopping, Quatre frowned in confusion as his eyes burned. Looking at Trowa's stiff back, he shook his head. "What did I do?" he asked, voice strained. "Trowa. What did I do wrong?" Stepping out of the water, he flinched as his tender feet touched the sharp rocks. "Please tell me?"
Hearing the hurt in the boy's voice, Trowa turned, forcing his eyes to go no lower than Quatre's pale blue-green ones. "Nothing," he said quickly, jerking his pack off his back and rummaging through it until he found some clothing for the beautiful boy who was starting to shiver from the air on his wet skin. Taking the clothes and pulling off his cloak, he moved to Quatre, wrapping the cloak around his shoulders and rubbing his thick blonde hair dry. "You didn't do anything. I was just...surprised."
Biting his lip uncertainly, Quatre looked over his face. "I just thought if I looked like you I wouldn't get us in trouble. I should have warned you."
"It's fine," Trowa said, pulling the cloak closed around the boy. "Here, put these on." Handing Quatre the clothing, Trowa started to turn around when his arm was grabbed.
"How?"
Eyes widening, Trowa choked. Taking a deep breath, he swallowed painfully. //I can do this. I know I can. Oh my God I can't do this...// Turning, he looked into Quatre's wide eyes.
"Did I do something wrong again? I'm sorry, Trowa, I don't mean to be trouble. I should go. I've been alone my whole life...I just don't know how to act."
Staring at the boy's hopeless expression, Trowa swore silently at his behavior. //He's not even human. He's young and innocent and I have no right to keep hurting him like this. So he's perfect and I'm attracted to him. That doesn't mean I can't help him. He won't know I'm attracted and as long as I don't do anything, I won't hurt him.// "No," he said softly, nudging the boy's chin up with his knuckles so he met his eyes. "I'm not used to being around people either. I'm sorry. Now, let's get you dressed, it's too cold to go around without any clothes on."
Sighing, Quatre smiled tentatively and nodded quickly. "I *am* cold."
Steeling himself, Trowa knelt and set the clothing down. Picking up the under shorts, he pushed the cloak aside. "Hold onto my shoulder and lift your leg," he said, determined to think of the boy as a child. Eyes on the clothing only, he quickly dressed him, answering Quatre's questions and showing him how to fasten the pants and shirt. Wrapping the cloak around him again, Trowa gestured for him to sit against a tree near the water as he started a fire. Laying out his blankets, he called Quatre over and wrapped him up, bidding him goodnight.
* * *
TBC
Category: Yaoi, anime, Gundam Wing, AU
Warnings: None
Pairings: 3+4/4+3
Author: Arigatomina
Email: arigatoumina@hotmail.com
Complete Archive: www.geocities.com/arigatomina
The Last Unicorn
Part 1
He'd been alone for far too long. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he had a vague recollection of his father having been with him as well as many others. Time had passed slowly since then and somehow he'd learned to survive. Not that it was difficult in the enchanted forest in which he lived, but by the time he reached the age of fifteen, he began to feel restless. And lonely. His loneliness was growing until finally it became a driving force in his life. He had no idea that as far as the rest of the world was concerned his kind no longer existed. When he left his forest to search for the others, he didn't know that he was the last, the last unicorn.
* * *
It was a small camp, tattered in appearance with a large rickety old wagon set off to the side and three covered cages positioned around the too small fire. None of this mattered to Trowa, however, as he was willing to work for little at any job required. Entering the camp, he went directly to the young woman who was standing next to the fire, stirring a large kettle that hung over it. Walking loudly enough so as not to startle her, he waited for her to look up. Noticing him, she paused in her stirring, arched brows lowering as she looked him over.
"Have you come to see a show?" she asked, eyes narrow as she took in his less than wealthy appearance. "Ten gil."
"No," Trowa said slowly, stopping when a growl emanated from the cage beside him. Looking from the tarp thrown over it to the woman, he wondered if he wasn't wasting his time. "I'm looking for work. I have a way with animals."
"Is that so?" At his expressionless nod, her eyes narrowed. "I tell you what boy, you stick around here tonight and tomorrow I'll see if there isn't something I can use you for. Until then I guess you can acquaint yourself with the animals." Pointing to the covered cages, she spoke. "That's Fang there, he's a vicious one so watch your hands. Over here we got the weird one, I don't got a name for him yet. And that there is my newest addition. Whitey I call him, and he's about as rare a creature as you'll find. If you can get him to eat, I might have a job for you. As it is I'm set to scrap the thing and stuff it before he wastes away. Well, go ahead boy. But don't go gettin' yourself into trouble or I'll set Fang on you. He's a right good guard if you catch my drift."
Trowa nodded, and watched as she turned back to her kettle, stirring slowly. Looking toward the tarp under which the growling 'Fang' was, he decided against bothering the creature. He'd seen shows like this before and if the creature followed the woman's orders, he was more of a guard than an actual exhibit. Instead, he moved to the tarp with the unnamed creature in it, listening to the silence for a moment before carefully undoing the curtain and holding it aside.
Trowa's eyes widened at the large ugly creature. Glancing at the woman, he swore under his breath. Only a fool would dare to capture a troll and expect to get away with it. From the way this young one grinned at him, Trowa knew it would be in his best interests *not* to stay here tonight. Despite their taste for human flesh, trolls were very protective of their children and would definitely be coming for this one. And they would not be the least bit lenient on any creature they found when they did come.
With this in mind, he let the tarp fall and moved to the last cage. The woman he could abandon easily since he cared nothing for other people. Innocent animals were another matter. Lifting the tarp, he had another shock and knelt quickly to look at the creature. As the woman had claimed, he was indeed a very rare creature. And she was even more the fool to have perpetrated such a sacrilege as to lock up a unicorn.
Although he couldn't remember his parents, he'd always had a bond with animals. Since he excelled at it, he'd spent time listening to the stories of old about the many creatures that had once roamed the world. He'd even had the pleasure of rescuing a dragon kit when he was ten despite the many claims that dragons were among the extinct races. The mother of the kit would have had argued with these claims. Obviously, there were more creatures that had survived time than people knew about. There had to have been, if a unicorn had survived.
A creature of old, unicorns were said to have had magic that centered around the long sharp horn that protruded from their foreheads. Some rumors had it that they could change shapes, others that they could speak to any creature in any language. On one point the rumors agreed. This was that unicorns had the ability to heal life threatening wounds and that they could purify both water and land. It was said that the disappearance of the unicorns was the reason the land had died in certain regions.
Looking at the dirty creature that lay, legs folded beneath him, head curled around his knees, Trowa swallowed roughly. Compassion was not an emotion he felt often, but it was there now, as was rage at the treatment of such a pure creature. As dirty as it was, mane and tail matted, he might have doubted that it really was a unicorn had it not been for the long horn that shone even in the dark, light glinting in its clear crystal depths. Glancing at the woman who was sprinkling herbs into the pot, muttering to herself, Trowa looked over the lock of the cage.
He wasn't a thief by nature, but there were certain skills that had to be learned if one was going to live alone and take care of one's self. As he'd expected, the lock was as simple as the woman who'd purchased it, making him even angrier to think that *she'd* been able to catch a unicorn. This brought him to the creature itself. It hadn't looked up when Trowa'd opened the tarp and he wasn't sure it would be able to make an escape even if he were to release it. With this in mind, Trowa reached a hand through the bars of the cage and lightly touched the unicorn's neck. The reaction proved that while the unicorn was weak it still had lightening reflexes.
With it's head lowered so the deadly horn was pointed at Trowa's outstretched hand, the unicorn stumbled to its feet, moving against the back of the cage. Despite the fact that Trowa had made no move to withdraw his hand, the unicorn did not attack, confirming his thought that they were basically passive creatures not prone to injuring unnecessarily. Holding very still, Trowa waited for the unicorn to look up at him, eyes never leaving it's lowered lashes. Finally, it did and he found himself looking into deep orbs that seemed to show a different world. It was as if there was a forest from a dream residing in its eyes or its soul as the eyes were said to be the window to the soul.
Staring into it's pale blue-green eyes, Trowa smiled a small yet gentle smile. "Hello there," he whispered. The unicorn jerked its head back for a second, then blinked its eyes, tilting its head to the side as it looked from Trowa's outstretched hand to his face. "I won't hurt you."
Turning, it looked at the woman's back, eyes wide, then back to Trowa. Slowly, it stretched its neck toward the outstretched hand, not touching or smelling it as Trowa had expected, but looking at it from all angles before inching closer to look at his face again. Blinking, it looked down at his clothing and feet, then looked back up again, meeting his green eyes with a penetrating gaze. Ever so slowly, it lowered its head until the tip of the long horn touched Trowa's palm lightly.
//Help me...? Please let me out.//
Eyes widening abruptly, Trowa stared, hand twitching when the horn moved away, bright eyes blinking at him. "Oh my God...I didn't know you could talk. I thought...I thought it was just a rumor."
//Please? I'll die in here.//
"You," Trowa glanced over his shoulder, making sure the woman wasn't paying them any attention, then looked back, leaning forward. "You're talking in my head..."
//I...can't breathe in here...// Lowering his head, the unicorn slowly sank to the bottom of the cage again.
"Oh! Can you run? If I get you out she'll set that monster of hers after us. She could catch you again."
//No. I...I didn't know she'd hurt me. Get me out and nothing will catch us. I promise.//
"Alright." It didn't take long to pick the lock. Opening the door was another matter. As rusty as it was, it was guaranteed to make a lot of noise. The unicorn climbed to its feet again, stretching one leg at a time and slowly moving its neck. Finally, it looked Trowa in the eye and nodded.
//As soon as I'm out, climb on my back. Can you ride?//
"Ride," Trowa said slowly, looking uncertain, "Ride a unicorn?"
//I don't mind. Can you?// At Trowa's nod, the unicorn lowered its head, muscles tensing. Then the door was jerked open and he lept out, pausing long enough for Trowa to swing himself onto his back, hands buried in the long white mane. Rearing slightly, the unicorn bolted, not sparing a backward glance at the woman's cry of fury or the roar of the creature inside the cage as she hurried to loose it. //Hold on very tight and let me know if you slip.// Feeling a stronger pull on its mane, the unicorn sped up until the trees of the woods passed in a blur.
Breath coming in gasps, Trowa squinted against the wind in his eyes, marveling at the speed of the creature and the powerful muscles propelling them forward. As much as he hated the thought that he might hurt the creature, he gripped the whipping mane tight, leaning forward when a backward glance showed no sign of pursuers. After an unknown amount of time, he spotted something shining in the distance and felt the unicorn slow slightly. By the time they reached a walk, Trowa saw that it was a river. He didn't recognize it, but he couldn't be sure how far they'd come.
Releasing his grip on the unicorn's mane, Trowa met it's gaze as it looked over it's shoulder at him. //I'm filthy. Would you mind if I wash?//
"Of course not," Trowa said quickly, sliding off it's back.
//Thank you for saving me. My name is Quatre...what's yours?//
"Trowa."
A minute passed as they looked at each other, then Quatre lowered his eyes. //Trowa...do you think you could help me some more? I...I don't know this world. I don't know who I can trust.//
"Help with what?"
//I'm alone. I've been alone for years. I wanted to find the others. The other unicorns.//
"Quatre," averting his eyes, Trowa sighed. "I don't think there are any left. You might be the last."
//No. I can't believe that. I have to keep hoping.//
"I'll help you find out for certain," Trowa said. "I know someone who might know if you can communicate with her. But we'll have to be careful. Everyone who sees you will try to catch you."
//Why?//
Trowa smiled slightly. "Because you're a unicorn."
//Hmm. I'd really like a bath. I've never been so filthy.//
With a light chuckle, Trowa waved him toward the water. "Go ahead. I'll be here."
Looking at the water, the unicorn slowly made its way through the shallows until its back was covered. Rearing on his hind feet, he kicked his front feet in the water, splashing his front and neck. Then, ducking his head, he rolled under the water. After minutes of profuse splashing, he made his way back to the shallows and inspected his work. Looking up at Trowa's laugh, he looked back down at himself. Now he was dirty *and* wet. Looking miserably at Trowa, his eyes suddenly widened and he turned abruptly, moving back into the deep part of the water.
Stifling his sudden laughter, Trowa frowned in remorse when the unicorn headed back into the water. Then he leapt to his feet as it reared on its hind legs and the long horn suddenly glowed a blinding white. Shielding his eyes with his hand, Trowa turned his head until the light disappeared. Looking back, Trowa scanned the water frantically seeing no sign of Quatre. Then his eyes widened in disbelief as he spotted the back of a *human* head. //Changing shapes,// he thought with awe as hands reached the pale yellow hair and the figure slipped beneath the water again. //It was true.//
Satisfied that he'd finally gotten the dirt off, Quatre turned toward Trowa, smiling as he saw the boy's shock. "I'll attract less notice like this, right?" Blinking at hearing his voice for the first time, he didn't notice when Trowa's mouth dropped open slightly.
//He...// Breath caught in his throat as he looked at the boy, eyes moving over his beautiful face then lower over his pale chest. Swallowing, he couldn't move, couldn't look away when Quatre suddenly started walking again, the water covering less with each step he took. //Oh my God...//
Marveling at the way the water and air felt against his skin, Quatre smiled again and looked at Trowa. Seeing his expression, Quatre's brows narrowed in concern. "Trowa?" The tall boy flinched as if struck and his wide green eyes met Quatre's for a moment before he jerked and turned his back abruptly. Stopping, Quatre frowned in confusion as his eyes burned. Looking at Trowa's stiff back, he shook his head. "What did I do?" he asked, voice strained. "Trowa. What did I do wrong?" Stepping out of the water, he flinched as his tender feet touched the sharp rocks. "Please tell me?"
Hearing the hurt in the boy's voice, Trowa turned, forcing his eyes to go no lower than Quatre's pale blue-green ones. "Nothing," he said quickly, jerking his pack off his back and rummaging through it until he found some clothing for the beautiful boy who was starting to shiver from the air on his wet skin. Taking the clothes and pulling off his cloak, he moved to Quatre, wrapping the cloak around his shoulders and rubbing his thick blonde hair dry. "You didn't do anything. I was just...surprised."
Biting his lip uncertainly, Quatre looked over his face. "I just thought if I looked like you I wouldn't get us in trouble. I should have warned you."
"It's fine," Trowa said, pulling the cloak closed around the boy. "Here, put these on." Handing Quatre the clothing, Trowa started to turn around when his arm was grabbed.
"How?"
Eyes widening, Trowa choked. Taking a deep breath, he swallowed painfully. //I can do this. I know I can. Oh my God I can't do this...// Turning, he looked into Quatre's wide eyes.
"Did I do something wrong again? I'm sorry, Trowa, I don't mean to be trouble. I should go. I've been alone my whole life...I just don't know how to act."
Staring at the boy's hopeless expression, Trowa swore silently at his behavior. //He's not even human. He's young and innocent and I have no right to keep hurting him like this. So he's perfect and I'm attracted to him. That doesn't mean I can't help him. He won't know I'm attracted and as long as I don't do anything, I won't hurt him.// "No," he said softly, nudging the boy's chin up with his knuckles so he met his eyes. "I'm not used to being around people either. I'm sorry. Now, let's get you dressed, it's too cold to go around without any clothes on."
Sighing, Quatre smiled tentatively and nodded quickly. "I *am* cold."
Steeling himself, Trowa knelt and set the clothing down. Picking up the under shorts, he pushed the cloak aside. "Hold onto my shoulder and lift your leg," he said, determined to think of the boy as a child. Eyes on the clothing only, he quickly dressed him, answering Quatre's questions and showing him how to fasten the pants and shirt. Wrapping the cloak around him again, Trowa gestured for him to sit against a tree near the water as he started a fire. Laying out his blankets, he called Quatre over and wrapped him up, bidding him goodnight.
* * *
TBC