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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 28: Duo is grinning broadly when I walk into our favourite Italian restaurant. 'Well, well. Miracles will never cease. I actually got here before you!' 'I'm so sorry, Duo! Some of my pupils have an exam tomorrow, so I stayed late to give them an extra class and then one of them was panicking so I had to try to calm her down.' 'I'm just teasing, Quat.' Duo hands me the menu; not that I need to look at it. We've been coming to Don Giovanni's practically every Wednesday for the past few years; we know the menu off by heart. 'You're such a committed teacher; you'd probably hold those kids' hands through their exam if you could.' 'I'm not sure if that would actually help them pass a violin exam,' I tell him, and then we both turn our attention to ordering. 'So,' I take a sip of my water and look at him. 'Are you going to tell me now what the problem at work is?' 'Ah, shit. I should've known you wouldn't let that go. Look, Quat, can you just forget I ever said anything? It's stupid.' 'It's not stupid if you're worrying about it,' I say firmly. 'Just tell me, all right? Otherwise, we'll sit here for the next two hours with me nagging you and you know that you'll just tell me in the end.' 'Fine, fine. Whatever. The thing is, it's nothing I can even put my finger on, you know? Just a…a feeling?' 'About the guy you're working for?' He nods. 'Duo, you're probably the most perceptive person I've ever met when it comes to judging people. You don't like him, do you?' He shakes his head, nibbling a breadstick. 'Nope. That's the thing. There's no real reason not to like him. I mean, he's paying us really well, never quibbles over us doing overtime, signs cheques without even looking at them, and he seems to think we're doing a great job. And I guess he's pretty nice; you know, he brings us coffees and stuff, and he's always saying how much he loves our work.' 'But…' 'It's totally stupid, right? It's just - OK, you swear you won't tell Heero any of this? I mean it, Quat.' 'I won't. Has he…tried to hit on you?' Duo shrugs. 'Not exactly. No. I could deal with something like that, just tell him I'm already taken. It's - I've caught him looking at me a few times, and it's…sort of creepy.' He hesitates, crumbling the remains of his breadstick on to the tablecloth, and then takes a deep breath. 'I'll tell you what it's like. When I was living on the streets, I used to see these rich guys slumming it with the hookers. They'd look at the kids like all they had to do was crook one finger and they'd get whatever they want. That's how this guy looks at me sometimes.' 'That's horrible, Duo.' 'Yeah. It really freaks me out. The thing is, the first couple of times, I didn't really pay too much attention when he wanted to watch me work; said he found it interesting or whatever, and I figured it was no big deal. It's his house, right? He's the one paying the bills. And then he started, I don't know, looking more at me than what I was doing, and it just…it's gross, Quat.' 'Have you told Howard?' 'Nothing to tell, really. What am I supposed to say? That I want us to quit this amazing well-paid job because the guy who's paying us has a weird way of looking at people?' 'You know Howard wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable. And he'd listen to you.' The waitress brings our starters and we both fall silent for a minute. 'We can't just walk out. There's a contract; he'd sue our asses for not completing the job. And word gets 'round in this business; no one's going to want to hire renovators who can't even finish the work they've started. If we do a really good job on this, he'll probably recommend us on to his friends, and we could do with the business.' 'Anyway, it's only for another couple of weeks. We should finish then and I'll never need to see him again.' He takes a deep breath. 'I was wondering if I could ask this huge favour.' 'You don't have to ask, you idiot.' ''Kay. Thing is, I've got to go in on Saturday morning to do some stuff; Howard's going away with his bowling team, so it'll be just me in the mansion, and I was wondering, would you mind coming and helping? It'll just take a couple of hours and I'll pay you and everything.' 'Of course I will. And you don't need to pay me, Duo. It'll be fun; I've been dying to see this house anyway. It sounds amazing.' And I'll watch your back, which is rather the main point… 'It is pretty cool. Thanks, Quat. Just he said he'd probably drop by on Saturday, and I'd rather not be there alone. I'd ask Heero but, well, you know how protective he gets.' He looks down at his plate, braid drooping in sympathy. 'It's not like I can't handle myself. Just I'd probably freak out if he did try anything when I'm alone with him, and then he'd have me arrested for assault or something.' 'It's no problem. Honestly. I'm just glad I can help. Now, what film are we going to see anyway?' Duo flicks his fork around his pasta sauce. 'I don't suppose you'd fancy that Japanese Samurai thing?' 'Not terribly. I didn't think you'd be interested in something like that.' 'Um, I'm not really. Thing is, Heero's going to see it with Zechs and I haven't seen him much lately, what with him training Shinnie for the dog show, and me working a lot of overtime. I know Wednesday is always just the two of us, but, well, would you mind? Just this once?' 'I don't mind at all, silly. Why is Zechs going? He hates those long epics.' 'Duh!' Duo grins suddenly. 'Earth to Quat. In what universe is he not going to like a movie full of hot Asian guys waving swords around?' 'Ah. Good point. I'm don't really care what film we go to see, and it would be fun for us all to do something together. Provided Zechs isn't going to go on and on about Wufei. He's been driving me insane lately. He wants me to act as some sort of matchmaker for the two of them.' 'Well, he deserves marks for trying,' Duo says tolerantly. 'And I wouldn't worry; he's got the retention span of a goldfish when it comes to guys. He'll probably have forgotten all about 'Fei by now.' He laughs. 'It's probably good for him to meet someone who's not fawning all over him for a change. He can charm the pants off most people without even trying.' I raise my eyebrows at him. 'Are you speaking from personal experience there?' 'Sure I am! Hell, I wasn't going to turn down some sizzling hot prince who wanted to spend time with me.' He shakes his head. 'No way! I'd never thought that someone like that would ever want to be with someone like me.' 'Duo, don't talk like that! You're an amazing person!' 'Whatever. I'm being realistic, Kitty Quat. He's royalty and I grew up on the streets. There's usually only thing his sort want with people like me and it's not the pleasure of my sparkling personality, right?' 'But…Zechs wasn't like that! He really liked you. He still does!' 'I know that,' he says quietly, reaching out to ruffle my hair. 'He's one of my best friends. I'm just saying because of who he is - you know, the title, the palace, the incredible body - he just bowls most guys over. It's probably good for him to meet someone who's ZR - Zechs resistant.' 'Hmmm. I don't know about that. Or at least, you're perfectly right about that. But Wufei genuinely doesn't seem interested, and Trowa says he's not looking for a relationship right now.' My friend shrugs. 'I'm not sure if he's as uninterested as all that. He sure spent a lot of time with Zechs at the barbeque. And he was giving him some pretty interested glances on the rare occasions when Zechsy was talking to someone else. It'd be kind of nice if those two did hook up; we could all go on treble dates. And then have orgy parties!' 'Duo!' I gasp, scarlet. 'Quatre. You're just way to easy to tease, you know that? And speaking of dates, how's the HVG behaving himself?' 'He's great,' I say, smiling happily. 'I'm missing him though. We're both really busy at work this week so I haven't seen him since Sunday. We were planning to meet for lunch today and then he had an emergency so he couldn't make it.' 'That's pissy,' my friend comments. 'But he's staying in touch, right? Lots of 'phone calls and naughty texts and flowers?' 'No flowers, no. But we call each other all the time, and we're going out tomorrow night.' 'Somewhere nice?' 'I'm not sure. Just dinner, I think.' 'Dinner's good. Actually, you have to bring him over some Sunday evening to eat with us.' 'That would be wonderful. I'll check when he's free and let you know.' Sunday dinner for Duo is something of a ritual; an occasion for his closest friends to get together. Inviting Trowa is an unequivocal way of showing that my new boyfriend has been accepted. 'Thank you.' 'No problem. He seems like a decent guy so far, and it's time Heero and I got to know him a bit better. Since it seems like he's going to be sticking around for a while.' I nod, holding his gaze. 'I really hope so.' 'Good! Heero's dying for a chance to sit down and talk to him properly.' 'You're not going to interrogate him, are you? Promise me.' 'Sheesh, Kitty Quat!' He rolls his eyes at me. 'It's not like we're planning to torture him or anything.' He tosses me a sly little grin. 'We won't need to, anyway. Odin's got this new truth drug from one of his buddies in the CIA and he's been dying to try it on someone. It's totally colourless and tasteless; the HVG won't have a clue what's going on and we'll be able to find out all his darkest secrets. And his PIN number!' 'Ha ha….I'm not that gullible, Maxwell.' I'm sure he's joking, anyway. Probably. Possibly. 'I'm not bringing Trowa anywhere near either of you unless you promise to behave yourselves. I mean it.' 'You're no fun,' he complains. 'But, yeah, we'll play nice. Don't want to mess up your shiny romance.' 'Good. I really do like him, Duo, you know. And he's going to help me train Maggie at the weekend.' 'You should just send her over to our house. Shinnie could probably teach an obedience class at this stage. How's my little princess?' 'Mag-gie is fine,' I say, enunciating my pet's two syllables clearly. 'I wish you wouldn't call her that.' 'What; Princess? It's her real name; on her Kennel Club papers and everything. Maguanac Desert Princess.' 'Well, I know, but it just sounds so gay!' 'Memo to Quat; we are gay, remember?' 'I'm not that gay! And if I called her Princess, I'd have to put ribbons on her tail and buy her a diamond collar or something.' He laughs. 'Like the one Dorothy's little Mexican rat wears, you mean?' 'I suppose so. Listen, if you really want to see that film, it starts at seven. We should probably get moving.' Zechs pounces on me as soon as we walk into the cinema. 'Quatre, how nice to see you. Tell me, have you had a chance to talk to Trowa yet about his friend?' 'Um, not exactly. But Trowa did say Wufei was very wrapped up in work right now and doesn't have a lot of free time.' 'He seems to have some free time tonight. He's over there,' Duo chips in suddenly, pointing to the food stands. 'Buying popcorn.' Actually it's Trowa who's buying popcorn; Wufei is standing beside him, though, holding a sports drink and looking disdainfully at the array of confectionery. He gives me a polite smile and then stands aside so I can talk to my boyfriend. 'Quatre,' Trowa gives me a delighted smile. 'What are you doing here?' 'Going to see a film, hopefully. We're going to the Japanese Samurai saga. What about you?' 'Same. I didn't think this would be your sort of thing,' he murmurs. 'Oh, it's not really, but Heero and Zechs were going, and Duo wanted to be with Heero so…' I shrug, suddenly delighted with Duo's choice of film. This way, I get to sit with Trowa for two hours, quite unexpectedly. Or maybe not; he's here with Wufei; he might just want to sit with him. 'Cool. We can all sit together. So can I get you some snacks for the movie?' 'I've actually just had a huge dinner.' 'Then you need to eat dessert. Come on, we can get a big bag of sweets and share them.' By the time we've filled a bag of our favourites at the Pick and Mix counter, the others are all ready to go into the cinema. Duo is beaming indulgently at the two of us; Heero is checking his watch; Zechs is turning the charm on Wufei, and Wufei looks ready to run. Oh dear. I somehow can't see those two ever getting together. Inside, Duo immediately scrambles onto Heero's lap, Wufei stares fixedly at the screen, and Zechs ignores the hot Asian guys on the screen in favour of covert looks toward the equally hot and equally inaccessible Asian guy at his side. I can't remember the last time I went to the cinema with a boyfriend. Simon hated the cinema. God, it's hard to remember now what I ever saw in him. I love going to the movies. Darkness and a fantasy world on screen and the smell of buttery popcorn and my boyfriend a few inches away. It would be perfect if he'd just put his arm around me. Hmmm. I slouch down a little further in my seat, inching slightly closer to his arm rest. Surely he'll take that as a hint. 'Are you OK, Quatre? Can you see all right?' 'Yes, thank you.' Duo and Heero are snuggling; Wufei is apparently trying to pretend he's on a different planet. Zechs is practically drooling over Wufei's admittedly perfect profile. This is rather boring, actually. Although, I suppose I can't blame Trowa for behaving like a perfect gentleman. After all, I did tell him I'm not terribly comfortable with public displays. I can't complain if he respects my boundaries. I'd rather like him to disrespect them at the moment. Come on, Winner. He's your boyfriend. He said he was crazy about you. Of course you can get him to put an arm around you. Accordingly, I move just a little closer to him, sliding my arm on to the rest between our seats. Instead of taking the hint, Trowa murmurs something that sounds like an apology and shifts farther away, allowing me my personal space. Great. He'll be changing seats next. Or running away…. He's still holding the bag of sweets on one knee, and I lean over, taking my time to pick out a chocolate Brazil nut, and brushing my fingers against his. Lord, he's dense. Instead of grabbing me, he hands me the bag of chocolates, eyes still fixed on the screen. Blast. All I want to do is snuggle my boyfriend a little bit. Why is he being so obtuse? What am I going to have to do; physically pick up his arm and drape it around my shoulders? I pick up his arm and drape it around my shoulders, and then tense. Maybe he doesn't approve of public displays in the cinema? Maybe he wants to watch the film and I'm distracting him? Maybe he just isn't into cuddling? Oh dear. His arm settles around me and suddenly I'm snuggled blissfully against him. He's still watching the action on screen - an army of computer-generated Samurai is fighting what looks like a dinosaur - but there's a tiny smirk on his lips. 'You should have just told me this was what you wanted, honey.' Yes, well, maybe next time I will…..
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