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"Puppy Love"Written By: Waterliliylf Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. All rights
remain with Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. No profit being
made here. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: sap, angst, fluff, Alternating Trowa/Quatre
POV, AU Pairings: 3x4 get together, Background 1x2, 5x6
Summary: quatre gets a new puppy and has ot take
it to the vet. "Puppy Love" Quatre's POV: Chapter 18: 'So.. how'd things go with Trowa?' Duo asks. I'd called back to see him after lunch with Trowa, and he'd suggested taking both dogs to the park behind their house. Shinnie is leaping around us in giant circles, every so often zooming back in to give Duo a quick lick or touch noses with Maggie. For such a boisterous animal, he's very gentle with her. 'Good,' I say happily. 'Very good, actually.' Duo laughs. 'So does that mean he ravished you on one of those steel surgical tables?' 'No, it does not!' 'Shame,' he remarks. 'I've always wanted to try that. Probably be pretty cold though. And uncomfortable. All that metal.' 'Duo! We just talked, and then we went for an early lunch. And I've asked him back for dinner when he finishes work.' 'Whoa! You're planning to cook? You'll probably end up poisoning the poor guy. I can give you something out of our freezer, if you'd like?' 'No, it's quite safe. I stopped off at that nice Italian delicatessen and got a lasagne and some salads. He suggested going back to his place again, but I thought it might be nice for him not to cook after he's been working all day.' 'Hmmm,' Duo murmurs. 'Let me guess; you're scared of the magnetic pull of the futon, right?' 'Certainly not,' I lie haughtily, despite the fact he's sniggering. 'Yeah, right. So….' he waggles his eyebrows, 'everything's really OK with you two?' 'I think so, yes. We had a long talk; I apologised for what I'd done and…' Duo snorts. 'You're unbelievable, Winner! You don't have to apologise for giving a guy a fricking blow job!' 'Well, it wasn't that so much, as that I felt I'd been leading him on,' I mutter. 'Aw, Quat.' There aren't any other people around and Duo pulls me into a quick hug. For a fraction of a second, I let myself wonder what my life would have been like if he'd ever cared for me as more than a friend. 'A little bit of teasing is OK sometimes, you know?' He shrugs. 'You've got to stop angsting so much over all this, buddy. Sure, sex is great and everything, but other stuff is important too.' 'I can't believe you're saying that! You and Heero can't keep your hands off each other for two seconds.' Duo grins. 'Yeah, we're both pretty touchy-feely, all right. But it's not like we're always pouncing on each other. Hell, if I've had a rough day, sometimes I fall asleep before Heero even gets my pants off.' 'Doesn't he mind that?' I pick up a stick and fling it for Shinnie, trying to imagine Simon's reaction if I'd fallen asleep when he wanted sex. 'Well, it's not exactly his favourite thing, but he sort of understands. He keeps telling me I work too hard.' 'He's perfectly right,' I say firmly. 'It's crazy; you can't keep working fourteen-hour days the way you've been doing.' 'I guess. What am I supposed to do though? Howard's getting on; it's not like he can spend hours up a ladder anymore. He was talking about maybe hiring someone else in the next couple of months, if things stay as busy as they are.' 'I think that's an excellent idea. And I know that Heero will too. So…is everything sorted between you two?' 'I guess. He called just after you left, and apologised for taking off like that. Says he'll be home some time this afternoon, and he'll make it up to me.' 'You need to talk to him, Duo. He's used to being able to take off whenever he wants to, but that isn't fair on you. You at least need to have some idea of his plans in advance.' 'Yeah, yeah…I just don't want him to feel I'm trying to tie him down or something.' 'I thought he liked that!' I say, just to make his laugh. 'Seriously, Maxwell, complaining about him to me and Hilde isn't going to help in the long run. And he's crazy about you; he'll be more than willing to do anything you like.' 'Fine, fine, I'll talk to him.' Duo whistles for his dog, who is tearing after a flock of seagulls. One of these days, he's just going to take off. He flicks me a sly little grin. 'After his brain's been fried from lots of sex.' 'Charming,' I groan. 'Weren't you just saying that relationships aren't all about sex?' 'Not exactly. What I said was that there is other stuff involved. So..what's on your agenda for the rest of the day? You're welcome to hang around, but I might be sort of occupied elsewhere.' 'No, I'd better head home. I have some papers to mark, and I want to clean the house.' 'Your house is always spotless. Well, it is when I'm not there. And I'm sure your Trowa isn't going to be checking under the couch for dust bunnies.' My Trowa. That sounds wonderful, even if it isn't entirely true. I'm still not entirely sure why he would he want to settle for a messed-up guy who isn't even ready to sleep with him? When the doorbell rings at seven thirty, everything is perfect. I've made a fire, lit some candles, blown them out again as I don't want everything to look overly romantic, called Duo three times to check the cooking time for a lasagne, showered, changed twice, and fed the dogs. Fortunately, Dorothy left a message to say she was going out for dinner; unfortunately, she didn't bring her dog with her. I've tried enticing him into Maggie's puppy pen, but he's too sneaky to be bribed with treats. 'Something smells good,' Trowa comments when I open the door, giving me a bottle of wine and a quick kiss, before bending down to stroke Maggie. I grin down at him. 'I just had a shower. I'm glad you noticed.' 'Funny guy.' He straightens up and pulls me in for a much more…comprehensive kiss. Quite breathtakingly thorough, in fact. Walking into the kitchen together feels natural somehow. That in itself is odd. I've only invited very close friends into my sanctuary in the past year, but Trowa already feels like he belongs, opening the door to let the dogs outside, and holding the oven door while I take out the lasagne. 'That looks amazing. I thought you said that you didn't know how to cook.' 'I don't. But I'm moderately good at reheating.' I put the hot dish to one side to cool for a few minutes, as per Duo's instructions, and arrange a variety of salads onto two plates. 'I should probably learn though, now that Duo's moved out. It's terrible; I'm twenty-four and I've no idea how to cook the simplest thing.' 'I can teach you, if you like,' Trowa offers generously. 'But you must be able to make something. Didn't you watch your mother cook when you were a kid?' That makes me laugh. 'I don't think my mother even knew where the kitchens were. She used to email our chef with the day's menus every morning and that was that.' 'I can't imagine living like that,' he says, shaking his head. 'I can't imagine it now, either.' 'Your friend Dorothy isn't here tonight?' he asks, refusing my offer of wine and accepting a glass of apple juice. 'She's gone out to dinner' I carefully serve a portion of lasagne, and hand him a plate. 'She'll probably be back later, so you might get to meet her.' 'Maybe. Although I shouldn't stay too late; it's been a long day, and I've got another early shift tomorrow. How's it going with her anyway?' 'Today's been fine, but then we haven't actually seen each other so that probably doesn't mean a lot.' I take a sip of my own juice. 'I didn't think it would be so difficult to share a house with someone; Duo and I lived together for years, and we never had a real argument. Dorothy wasn't in the house for a full day before I wanted to kill her!' He laughs. 'I picked up on that when you called me last night. So how do you two know each other?' 'Oh, we've known each other since we were about four years old. Our parents belonged to the same country club, and Dorothy and I went to the same classes for tennis and sailing and dancing.' 'Dancing?' Trowa raises an eyebrow, grinning. 'Actual formal ballroom dancing?' I groan. 'Oh, yes. My parents thought it was a necessary social accomplishment.' 'That's just so cute,' he grins. 'Did you have a little miniature tuxedo and a frilly shirt with a bow tie?' 'I'm afraid so,' I confess, trying not to shudder at the memory of all those deeply ruffled pink shirts. My mother was so used to buying clothes for my older sisters that I think she shopped for me on auto-pilot. 'Like I said, totally cute. So … did all that turn you off dancing for life, or would you like to go out clubbing with me some night?' 'Oh, I'd love that,' I say happily. 'I know some really good places in town. Maybe we could go next weekend?' Trowa forks up a mouthful of lasagne. 'Sure. I guess you don't want to go up to Lake Victoria then?' Lake Victoria? Oh. I'd assumed that was off the cards. 'You forgot, didn't you?' 'No. I just wasn't sure that you'd still want to go.' 'Idiot. Why wouldn't I want to bring my gorgeous boyfriend to my favourite place? Assuming you still want to go, of course.' 'Oh, I do!' I assure him earnestly. 'Really.' 'That's sorted then,' Trowa grins. 'The thing is, I finish at lunchtime next Saturday, and I've got Sunday off, so we could stay overnight if you liked.' I swallow a mouthful of food, giving myself a little time to think. 'Um, the thing is, I'm not sure if I can afford it. Duo and Heero stayed at the Lake Victoria Resort last month and it was really expensive.' 'Oh, we wouldn't be staying there. A friend of mine from university is working for the Parks Service up there; they have some cabins for staff, and there's usually one empty. I'm sure he could fix us up.' I get another of those knowing grins. 'It's totally unromantic, if that's what's worrying you. The huts are very basic; no electricity or running water, and bunk beds. But they each have a fireplace and amazing views of the lake, if you don't mind roughing it for a night.' He gives me a slightly doubtful glance. 'Or maybe that's not your sort of thing. We could probably find a B&B nearby if you'd prefer something a bit less rough and ready.' 'Not at all. I 'm perfectly capable of roughing it when necessary.' I make a face at him, but actually it's rather nice that he's considering me. When Simon and I went away, he just booked the trendiest hotel in whatever destination was considered fashionable. And he would never in a million years have thought of spending a night in a cabin in the middle of the forest. 'Anyway, firelight and candlelight sound rather romantic.' Actually, it all sounds wonderful. 'You could even bring Maggie as a chaperone, although it's quite a long drive for a puppy, especially when she's only ever done short trips before.' 'I'm sure Duo will be happy to take care of her for one night. Actually, I'd better let them in. I think I can hear Maggie scratching at the door.' My dog trots in proudly, dragging a banana skin behind her. 'Where did you get that, sweetie? 'Looks like she's been foraging in your compost heap,' Trowa chuckles. 'That's fenced off. And all the rubbish goes into a sealed bin outside. There's no way they'd be able to open that. If you'll excuse me a minute, I'd better see where Taco is.' Taco, in fact, is standing amidst the contents of a shredded black plastic sack. Dorothy has obviously emptied the kitchen bin, and just left the bag of rubbish by the back door. At first I think he's getting sick, and then I realise he's choking, frantically gasping for breath and making piteous little sounds of distress. 'What was in the bag, Quatre? Chicken?' Trowa is suddenly beside me as I kneel down to try to help the poor little dog. 'I - ah - I don't think so. There might be some ham bones. Oh, God, can you help him?' 'I hope so.' He has Taco on his lap, prising his jaws apart. 'Can you get my jacket? There's a forceps in the pocket.' 'Of course.' I'm back in record time, Maggie trailing uncertainly behind me. Trowa nods his thanks, not bothering to look up. 'You were right; it's one of those little round ham bones. Just the right size to in his mouth but too big to swallow. It's wedged between his back teeth, and I can't get a finger in there. Hey, little guy, let's get you sorted, out, OK?' I squat beside him, taking Maggie on to my lap. His voice, as he croons reassurances to his patient, is unbelievably gentle. One hand is cradling the tiny skull as the other somehow manipulates the forceps. 'There we go! Gotcha!' He says triumphantly, pulling out the little piece of bone, and grinning. 'God, I'm so glad you were here. He could have died otherwise.' My voice is a little shaky as I try to imagine being here alone, not having a clue what I should do. 'Not necessarily,' Trowa offers kindly, putting an arm around my shoulders. 'He might have coughed it up by himself.' 'Maybe.' I have a feeling he's just saying that to be nice, though. 'I could never have faced Dorothy again if anything had happened to her dog.' Trowa snorts. 'If she's so concerned about her pet's welfare, then maybe she should be more careful about leaving stuff like this lying around. If he had choked, she would have had only herself to blame.' 'Not really. I should have told her that I don't just leave these garbage sacks outside. 'Now you're being ridiculous,' he says crisply. 'Any sensible person would realise it's foolish to leave a bagful of lovely smelly rubbish within reach of two dogs, one of them just a puppy.' His arm tightens just a little, then he lets me go. 'I'd better this little fellow back inside and get him warmed up.' 'Of course.' I take a deep breath, holding it until I feel a little calmer. 'I'll just clear this mess up, in case Maggie needs to go back outside later. Why don't you and Taco go and sit by the fire, and I'll make some coffee. You don't have to go just yet, do you?' Ten minutes later, I walk into the living room, holding two cups of decaffeinated coffee and a plateful of the organic biscuits I'd bought at the deli. 'Oh, you look so sweet,' I blurt before I can stop myself. Trowa is sprawled on my couch, with Taco in his lap and Maggie snuggling against him. It's wrong to feel jealous of a dog, particularly one who's just had a brush with his own mortality, but I really would like to be in Taco's place right now. Or Maggie's. 'Sweet?' Trowa asks, not sounding overly thrilled at the description. 'That's not exactly on my list of desirable adjectives.' 'It's true, though.' I shift Maggie gently to my lap, laughing at Trowa's disgruntled expression. 'You look cute and adorable and totally sweet.' 'I am not sweet,' he informs me firmly. 'And people who spent their childhoods running around doing the polka or foxtrot or whatever it was in frilled shirts do not get to make derogatory comments about anyone else.' 'It was a compliment, Trowa,' I protest, laughing. 'Sweet is good. But if you don't like it, I won't say it again.' I'll think it, though. And he does look…the unmentionable 's' word, leaning back against the cushions with his hair hanging over one eye and that monster happily lying on top of him. Duo's right, actually; Taco does look a little bit like a rat. A cross rat. Trowa sips his coffee, and Taco shoots me a baleful glare. 'Unmannerly creature,' I retort, glaring back at him. 'I helped to save your life and you repay me by stealing my boyfriend's lap.' Trowa laughs. 'That's easily fixed.' Before I realise what he's about to do, Taco has been decanted on to a cushion, and I'm installed in his place. 'Better now? You comfortable?' 'Mmm.' More than comfortable, actually, with Trowa's arm firmly around my waist, and my head fitting perfectly into the hollow of his shoulder. 'This is my idea of perfection,' Trowa echoes my sentiments exactly. 'You, coffee and chocolate, all within arms' length. ' He reaches over for the plate and selects one of the cookies I'd hoped he'd enjoy, full of chunks of dark chocolate and crystallised ginger. 'How on earth did you know my favourite biscuits?' 'Didn't I tell you about my psychic powers?' I laugh at his expression. 'You told me you like dark chocolate, and you ordered vegetables with ginger in the restaurant last week. It was just a lucky guess.' 'Good guess.' He leans over and nuzzles my mouth, licking up a couple of stray crumbs. 'If you keep spoiling me like this, you'll never get rid of me.' I'd like that… 'It's the least I can do,' I say aloud. 'After all, you did save Taco's life.' 'You'd have managed,' he tells me. 'But if you really want to show your appreciation, I can suggest a few ways.' 'I really, really hate to say this,' he remarks around a huge yawn three cookies and several lingering kisses later. 'I have to feed Leo and I'm working at seven in the morning.' 'OK,' I reluctantly stand up and lead him to the hallway. 'So…I guess this is it 'til the paint-balling. Is there anything special I should bring with me?' 'Just something very old and casual. They do provide suits but it's still pretty messy. And bring a good pair of running shoes, and something to change into for dinner.' 'Check.' His mouth brushes tantalisingly against mine. 'I really have to go now, Quatre.' 'I know.' I release his hand but he still doesn't move. I want him to stay so badly I have to bite my lip to stop him blurting out an invitation. Tonight has just been so perfect - well, apart from Taco's misadventure, it's been perfect. All the things I've been dreaming of; just sharing a meal and snuggling on the couch. If he stayed, we could watch a movie, or just stay up all night talking. It's so long since I've done that with someone who isn't Duo. But I can't exactly ask Trowa to stay over and expect him to sleep in the guest room, can I? It's been so long since I've dated anyone that I'm not entirely sure of the correct protocol. Still, I'm sure that an invitation to sleep over implies that there will be sex involved. And I'm not ready for that. 'I'll see you on Wednesday,' I say finally, reaching
past him to open the door, hating myself for sending him out into
the cold. Hating the fact that I can't just invite him to stay with
me.,,,.
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