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"The Boy Next Door"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU/Teenage Romance, Fluff, angst, sap,
eventual lemon, underage partying! Pairings: Eventual 1x2, 1+4, 2+3, 2+5, 3xOCs leading
to eventual 3x4 (they don’t know each other at first), mention of
(brief) past 3xHilde , 3+2, 3+5, eventual 5xM, 5+2, 5+3 Summary: This is the story of 4 teenage boy’s who grew up in the same neighborhood and the events following Quatre’s introduction to their school in which they learn some of the confusing and sometimes hard lessons of life. Beta'ed by Mechante Fille" ^-^ *snugs* "The Boy Next Door"
Ch 7 “Trowa!” “Shit.” Duo snickered when his friend tried to hide his bulk behind his slender form, the image of a rhino wedged behind a sapling coming to mind as Duo had yet to catch up with Trowa’s last ‘growth spurt.’ “Hi, Patty,” the long haired boy greeted the exuberant face of their Student Council president. “Hi,” the curly headed brunette smiled but her eyes were fixed on Trowa. “I finally caught up with you,” she breathed in relief teasing, “You’re a very hard man to pin down.” “Imagine that,” Trowa grumbled, making Duo and Wufei chortle under their breath. “I have wonderful news,” the girl beamed, clutching her clipboard to her chest. “You’ve been selected to participate in the Student Fair! Isn’t it exciting!?” Duo stopped trying to suppress it and let the grin take over. “Really?” he enthused, glancing back at his unhappy friend. “Yes,” she nodded excitedly. “And you’re going to love it!” she beamed, waggling a suggestive brow as she leaned in and conspiratorially revealed, “It’s a kissing booth.” “Sorry, can’t,” Trowa stated firmly, blatantly ignoring his friends’ open laugher. “Aww, come on!” Duo giggled as Patty’s face fell. “Sounds like fun!” “I’m working,” the taller boy mumbled, studying the menu above the lunch line on the cafeteria wall. “Oh no,” Patty groaned. “Can’t you get the day off?” “No.” “Darn,” she moped, looking at her clipboard a moment before her eyes brightened and she turned them on Duo. “Why don’t you do it then?” she suggested eagerly as his face paled to an ashen grey. “I’m uh… allergic to makeup,” he evaded, elbowing Trowa when he laughed. “Oh that’s not a problem,” the girl insisted. “We’ll just post a sign…” “I’m allergic to girls,” Duo deadpanned, stalling her words as a blank expressed settled in her eyes. “Hi Trowa.” The moment was invaded by an ominous wind at the sound of a familiar voice and Trowa forgot to remain in hiding, leaning curiously from the relative safety of Duo’s shadow to hesitantly respond. “Hi, Elliot.” Patty picked up on the odd undercurrent and quickly decided the recruitments for the fair could wait for another time, politely excusing herself. Duo, knowing the full history of the two boys, gently extracted himself from between them, easing quietly into a chair beside Wufei but making sure he was in a good position to aid his tall friend should it become necessary. The longing expression in Elliot’s eyes seemed to negate any such need however. “How have you been?” the boy asked tentatively. “Good,” Trowa nodded, albeit not as casually as he had intended. “You?” “All right, I guess,” Elliot shrugged, clutching his books to his chest. “Are you doing a booth at the fair?” he asked, looking over to where Patty was now working on a group of cheerleaders. “Not if I can help it,” Trowa chuckled. The milling sounds of the busy cafeteria rose into the awkward silence that wedged between them for a time then the boy suddenly sighed and smiled. “Well, maybe I’ll see you around.” Trowa nodded, watching him curiously as he turned to leave, his eyes playing on so many thoughts neither Duo nor Wufei could make heads or tails of it, both of them glancing at each other warily when Trowa’s eyes sought out Quatre. The mystery grew when a shadow passed over Trowa’s face as the blond boy was paying him absolutely no mind whatsoever before his gaze returned to Elliot’s retreating back. “Hey, Elliot,” he called, jogging to catch up. “Got a minute?” Duo’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “There, there,” Wufei consoled, tisking and shaking his head as Duo laid his on his shoulder and feigned a sob. “Where did we go wrong?” Duo mock whined. “It’s not your fault,” Wufei consoled. “He’s just going through a phase.” “Oh, Wufei,” the long haired boy sniffed theatrically and the Chinese boy lost the thread and laughed. ** “It’s good to see you,” Elliot smiled, leaning back against the stairwell wall. Trowa smacked the beast inside him that demanded he check out the clinging pants the slender, red headed boy was wearing and gathered his purpose securely around his wounded heart. “I’m sorry,” he said without preamble but all Elliot did was stare at him. “For before,” he clarified. “I never meant to hurt you like that. Either of you.” Elliot’s expression softened considerably as a weight seemed to slip from his shoulders. “It’s ok,” he shrugged, blushing attractively as he looked toward the nearby window. “No,” Trowa insisted. “It’s not. I just… you know? I thought it was all just a game.” “I really liked you,” the boy stated. “I know,” Trowa sighed. “That’s why I’m sorry.” Elliot considered him for a time, then let a true smile slowly tug at his mouth. “Thanks,” he breathed, again demonstrating a release of pent up emotion. “It helps to know that.” Trowa smiled and for the first time in weeks felt it deep inside but it faltered instantly when the boy stepped toward him. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot,” Elliot confessed, his warm, sea green eyes beckoning in a way that would have had Trowa looking for a hidey-hole not long ago. “Elliot,” he warned, backing away. “Can’t we give it another try?” the boy asked hopefully, reaching to touch Trowa’s face but the taller boy gripped his wrist, stopping him short. “I’m sorry,” Trowa sighed, mustering up his most kindly expression. “It’s not that I don’t find you attractive,” he consoled, letting that beast have his bone by taking in the lovely view down south. “But?” the boy prompted dejectedly. “I don’t love you,” Trowa confessed, releasing his wrist. Elliot sighed heavily, the disappointment shimmering in his eyes as he nodded and shied away. “I’m sorry,” Trowa reiterated. “It was stupid from the start but I never thought you would take it so seriously.” “I did,” the boy snipped, softly as his eyes began to sparkle with tears and Trowa felt his chest constrict painfully when he confessed. “You were… I’ve never done anything…” “Fuck,” the taller boy groaned, snatching him into his arms. “Damn it,” he breathed, kissing his hair in apology. “I’m so sorry,” he said again as the full weight of his sin descended on his heart. “I really liked you,” Elliot sobbed, clinging on tight. “I’m sorry,” Trowa said again, rocking him gently as the memory of his brief interlude with Quatre surfaced to brand his mind and heart all over again. How could he have been so heartless? “I didn’t understand,” he confessed. “I didn’t realize how much it could hurt to care like that.” Elliot’s tears slowly subsided and the embrace became awkward, prompting them to step back from one another. After a moment to compose himself the boy looked up with a half smile and stated, “You’ve changed.” Trowa was openly stunned but more so by the happy little quiver the statement had caused inside him than by the information itself. He thought again of Quatre, felt the thorny embrace of the blond boy’s memory grip his heart again and shrugged. “Maybe.” “You have,” Elliot smiled. Trowa shrugged again at a loss as to how to respond then tensed when the boy quickly pecked him on the cheek. “Thanks,” he said, looking truly satisfied for the first time in Trowa’s memory before he turned and walked away. Trowa blinked after him, liking the feeling the encounter had left him with. His hand rose to his cheek as his mind replayed the oddity of such an honest expression of one’s feelings. Yes, he liked this feeling very much. ** Hiiro paused to wipe at the sting Wufei’s last blow had left on his lip. The Chinese boy was in rare form having bested him two out of three matches in a row. The exuberant display had caught the attention of most of the remaining members of the dojo who formed a loose circle around the sparring pair to watch. Hiiro smirked, Wufei grinned and the next round was on. It was only by an odd twist of fate that Hiiro slipped at an inopportune time but Wufei made the most of it, sealing his victory for the day, a triumph that shown brightly in his ebony eyes. “That was brilliant!” Choo Hee beamed as her dark hair danced in its high ponytail in her enthusiasm. “An honorable win,” Hiiro agreed, offering a shallow bow which Wufei happily returned. “You’re sure to win first place in the tournament!” the girl beamed. “Choo Hee!” “Coming!” she replied to her father’s call, rolling her eyes before flashing a bright smile and rushing off to gather her things. “You’d better nip that in the bud,” Hiiro smirked, following Wufei to his office. The rest of the group broke up as they entered, signaling the end of another day’s practice as Hiiro dropped into the couch. “Before her dad decides to nip you.” “It’s just a crush,” Wufei chuckled, sinking in his comfy chair. “Sensei!?” a young man of about twelve blurted, suddenly appearing in the doorway. “Hey, Hiiro.” The Japanese boy nodded his reply before the boy turned his attention back to his instructor. “Here’s the permission slip,” he smiled, handing Wufei a slip of paper. “Have you signed the entry sheet?” “Yep,” Wei beamed excitedly. “Tae Kwan Do Sparring and Taichi Staff.” Wufei looked the paper in his hand over carefully, noting the boy’s parents’ signatures and attached check for the admission fees, then nodded his head. “Sign up for the junior Karate Sparing too.” “Aww, man! That’s for kids!” the boy protested, falling silent when Wufei’s black eyes arrested him. “You’re still of proper age,” the Chinese boy reminded him. “And considering the line up we’ll be using in the junior class we might need an easy win.” The inadvertent praise instantly placated Wei’s disgruntled expression, replacing it with prideful determination. “Ei!” “Ba xian,” Wufei excused him, smirking privately when the boy made a hasty retreat, his pride at having his fellow countryman as a valued student shining in his eyes. The boy had no sooner vacated than Quatre filled the door but he didn’t bother with a greeting, merely going to take a seat in the empty chair. “Another dinner at the Winner Estate?” Wufei probed with mild concern. “Father doesn’t give up easily,” Quatre confirmed, turning shortly to Hiiro. “Ready?” Not much passed between the blond and his friend as they made their way to the limo parked outside. Abdul, one of the boy’s personal body guards and usual chauffeur offered Hiiro a glance that dripped with pleading, though the Japanese boy was only somewhat aware of why as he crawled into the back of the car with his unusually quiet companion. His eyes took in the raised partition glass that was, in any other case, never raised but fully closed now and he felt his concern grow as Quatre stared silently out the tinted window while they drove. “Did Iria make you grade exams or something?” “Hm?” Quatre hummed then chuckled at the raised brow above Hiiro’s left eye. “No,” he sighed. “You want to talk about it?” Hiiro prompted kindly. For a moment the blonde’s expression turned thoughtful then sank resolutely. “Thanks but… I think this is one I’m going to have to deal with on my own.” The concerned curiosity in Hiiro’s eyes prompted a quick change of subjects. “What about you?” he asked smiling knowingly. “Any progress on the braided journey?” The diversion worked incredibly well as Hiiro’s ears reddened and he suddenly found the passing tundra irresistibly fascinating while Quatre suppressed a snicker. ** “Michael?” “Coming!” the boy sang, taking a moment to crawl back through a loose board in the fence separating Hiiro’s house from the home’s backyard. “What were you doing?” Duo asked suspiciously. “Hiiro said I could watch,” Michael defended, piquing the braided boy’s curiosity. “Watch what?” “It’s so cool!” the boy enthused, grabbing his hand with his good arm and dragging him toward the fence. Duo chuckled at his excitement but felt his heart thump as they neared the loose board. A thudding sound reached his ears, bringing a suspicion to his mind but he was still utterly unprepared when the wooden curtain was pulled back, revealing Hiiro standing in his back yard, an axe held over his head and every muscle in his finely sculpted body standing out in sharp relief under deeply bronzed, slightly sweat soaked and shimmering skin. Duo swallowed so hard it hurt and prayed for mercy as his lower regions throbbed when the axe fell, the large log beneath its heavy head splitting with a resounding crack under the irrepressible strength of the Japanese boy’s powerful blow. “Wow!” Michael cheered, dashing into the yard. “That was awesome! It almost exploded! Do it again!” Hiiro chuckled then paused when he noticed Duo slipping through the fence, his already flushed skin taking on an even pinker glow as Duo approached. “He’s not being a pain is he?” the braided boy inquired, ruffling Michael’s hair which earned him a mock scowl but the boy still let him put his arms around his shoulders and hug him loosely from behind. “No,” Hiiro shrugged, leaning on his axe. “I was just filling the wood box.” “They said it was gonna get cold this weekend,” Duo nodded, failing to keep his gaze from wandering the rippled plains of Hiiro’s jazzy torso. “You’re welcome to take some if you like,” Hiiro offered. “We don’t have a fireplace,” Michael grumbled but brightened instantly. “Hey! Can I try?” he asked, pulling out of Duo’s arms and heading for the axe. “Sorry, kid,” Hiiro chuckled, placing a firm hand on his head to hold him back. “This isn’t a toy but you can stack the wood if you want.” “K!” the boy grinned, diving on the smaller pieces of wood lying about with great enthusiasm. Duo felt his knees go weak when Hiiro raised the axe one handed and embedded it in the stump he’d been using to cut wood. “He’s an interesting kid,” Hiiro observed, walking toward a table on the nearby back porch where a glass of water awaited him. “That’s one way of putting it,” Duo chuckled, gazing on the boy as he rearranged his work until it suited him. “He can be a handful.” “Reminds me of someone,” Hiiro smirked. Duo blushed, snorting softly as his eyes lingered on Michael in lieu of looking Hiiro in the eye. “Let’s hope not.” “Why?” Hiiro wondered. “You turned out ok.” “I think the jury’s still out on that one,” Duo chuckled. Hiiro took another long swig from his glass, his gaze flicking away when Duo’s caught him looking at his chest. When he brought the glass down the braided boy was once again watching Michael intently but a small smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Duo?” “Yeah?” Duo replied a bit quicker than he’d meant too. Hiiro’s ears heated up as his brow creased with the effort of extracting the words. “Would you like to go to the movies or something sometime?” “Yes!” Duo barked and Hiiro’s expression went totally blank as the braided boy’s face flashed instantly red. “I mean… sure,” Duo chuckled, bringing it down to a crimson glow but it didn’t stop Hiiro’s smile from growing wide nor his eyes from sparkling with hope. ** “A buck a kiss! It’s for a great cause! Help the Student Council build a new student parking lot!” Duo paid his dollar and stepped into line behind his Chinese friend. “You’d better rethink this,” he chuckled as Trowa slid in behind him. “It’s not like we’ve never kissed before,” the taller boy grinned, moving up as the line of boys ahead of them grew shorter. “That’s exactly the point,” Duo snickered. “You’re liable to loose a taste bud or two.” “Hello, boys,” Hilde smiled, narrowing her eyes when she saw Trowa in line. “Hey, Baby!” Duo grinned, preempting the strike. “Still got some pucker in them lips for an old fiend?” “Tickets please,” Patty cut in, holding out her hand to collect them. “All right,” Hilde sighed theatrically while she preened her hair. “But don’t blame me if you’re spoiled for all other women.” “Like that’s a problem for him?” Wufei chuckled, grunting when Duo pinched his side. “I see you made it,” Patty commented, eyeing Trowa disapprovingly. “Change in schedule,” the tall boy shrugged, bringing a dark scowl to the young lady’s brow. “Get used to it,” Hilde rolled her eyes. “Honesty isn’t one of his strong points.” “Who’s first?” Duo cut in tactfully. “I believe that would be me,” Wufei smiled, stepping up to the window. “If I may?” “By all means,” she smiled; losing the slight curl of her lips when Wufei’s hand gently came to cradle her head, his mouth moving in to softly brush their lips together and Duo flashed a wicked smile when the girl visibly shuddered as the Chinese boy kissed her. It lasted only a moment but left Wufei with the slyest of smiles as he pulled away. “Thank you,” he grinned, supporting her head until she had regained full control of her equilibrium and replied... “Anytime.’ “Pucker up, Puddin,” Duo grinned, taking his place. Hilde laughed but did as he bid, making a show of pursing her lips out as far as she could as she leaned comically toward him. He grinned and took her head in both his hands making a loud ‘mmmmmmmmmmmmm’ sound as he planted a big, sloppy, wet one right between her eyes. “Ewww! Duoooo!” she whined, wiping the large wet spot on her face as he laughed and backed far enough away that she couldn’t smack him. Trowa chuckled softly as he stepped closer but the mirth drained away when she ignored him, peering around his impressive presence to the boy behind him and said, “Next.” “Still hate me, huh?” Trowa shook his head, moving closer. “What’s to love?” she smiled sweetly. Duo and Wufei remained close by just in case there was a need to call the medics and gave supportive smiles when Trowa glanced their way. “I’m kind of trying to figure that out myself,” he replied. Her expression shifted to one of curious suspicion but the cold curtain remained. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” he said, laying a handful of no less than fifty tickets on the ledge in front of her. “You think you can buy forgiveness?” she spat, glaring at the offering. “Not really,” he shrugged. “Then why give me these?” “Well,” he replied from the depths of the shadow of his bangs. “They’re not really for you, right?” Patty was already scooping the tickets up with gleeful eagerness but Hilde’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She was quite aware that the money wasn’t for her but if she did well there would undoubtedly be a special mention of her contribution in the year book. She was so lost in thought over the gesture she didn’t realize until it was too late that he’d cupped her hands and placed a small kiss on her cheek. “Thanks,” he smiled before rejoining his friends who stood with twin expressions of utter bewilderment on their faces. “What?”
~ * ~ tbc... |
