Choices of the Heart - Part 12 by Keara
Standard disclaimers apply
Quatre took a long, deep breath before he opened the
door, his heart running wild in his chest as he fought to remain calm.
He turned, looking over at Duo, only to see his friend smiling back
at him. Quatre smiled, even if only slightly, appreciating Duo’s
presence greatly. He didn’t know if he could do this without
Duo’s help . . . he was just so scared of being around all those
people that were downstairs, even if they were all either family of
friends of his . . . with the exception of Rasid.
A moment after Quatre had pulled the door open, Duo gently urged
the blonde to move. Quatre stepped out, laying his good hand over
the one Duo had placed around his waist. Together, they walked down
the stairs, moving slowly so that the movement wouldn’t irritate
Quatre’s injuries too much.
As soon as Quatre stepped from the last step, a wave of panic washed
through him. What if they thought he was a baby for how he was acting?
What if they hated how scared and frightened he had become? He had
to fight the urge to turn and run back up the stairs to his room.
All he wanted to do was bury himself under his blankets and hide for
the rest of his life, but he knew he couldn’t do that. So, with
a bated breath, he started walking again, Duo right beside him. The
other young man was whispering soothing phrases into his ear to reassure
him as they moved into the living room.
Quatre smiled despite his fear as he stood in the doorway, watching
as Wufei and Meiran bickered over something as they usually did. Heero
was ineffectually trying to get them to stop, while Rasid just watched
the group of teenagers. Iria was staring out a window, apparently
lost in thought.
Beside Quatre, Duo cleared his throat, immediately gaining the attention
of all the occupants of the room. Quatre was tired, sweating already
from exertion, and once again wishing he had stayed in his room now
that everyone was looking at him.
Iria rushed to his side, pulling Quatre away from Duo and leading
him to sit in a nearby chair, fussing over him. Heero placed a hand
on Iria’s shoulder, telling her to calm down, while Duo took
a seat as close to Quatre’s as he could get.
Rasid stepped forward, bowing slightly. “Forgive me. I did
not mean to frighten you earlier today.” He said calmly.
“It . . . It’s okay really. I’m sorry I hid from
you in my room all day.” Quatre replied, lowering his head out
of shame. “I was acting foolishly.”
“Quatre, don’t be so hard on yourself.” Meiran
stated, laying her hand on his shoulder in a gentle offer of comfort.
“Yes, you have been through a traumatic experience, it is only
natural for you to be skittish for a while.” Wufei replied,
oddly enough agreeing with Meiran. “I'm sure you will recover
in time.”
Quatre smiled. “Thank you for being so understanding.”
Duo cleared his throat again. “Uh, guys, Quatre has been locked
in his room all day without food. I think it would be a good idea
to get some dinner right about now.”
“You’re right.” Iria agreed. “What do you
want, Quatre?”
Quatre lowered his head, bashful and worried that he might seem childish
for asking for what had just popped into his mind. He blushed slightly,
his eyes remaining lowered as he whispered his request. “Chicken
soup?” He asked, fondly remembering how his mother had always
given him a bowl of chicken soup whenever he wasn’t feeling
well.
“I love chicken soup!” Duo exclaimed, immediately causing
Quatre’s fears to vanish.
Quatre smiled, still blushing as he looked over at Duo, grateful
that he had said that. Then he looked up at Iria. “May I have
some?” He asked, politely.
Iria smiled. “Of course, Quatre. Everyone else want chicken
soup too?”
Several nods and affirmative answers replied to her question. A moment
later, Iria left to go make dinner. Rasid moved to stand by the window,
looking out of it. Quatre watched him warily, still not sure he could
trust the large man.
Meiran knelt in front of Quatre, gaining his attention. “Did
I tell you?” She asked. “I’m going to try out for
the wrestling team this year as soon as tryouts start.”
Quatre nodded. “Yes, well I heard you say something like that
yesterday when you and Wufei were bickering.”
“And I remember telling you that it’s a foolish idea.”
Wufei huffed.
Meiran glared at him. “I didn’t ask for your opinion,
you chauvinist pig!” She replied.
“I’m only stating what should be plainly obvious to you.
You’ll never get on that team.” Wufei said with a shrug.
“Oh yes I will, Wufei Chang!” Meiran exclaimed, rising
to her feet and facing off against Wufei, almost touching noses they
were so close. “I’ll make the team . . . you’ll
see!”
“Ha! If you make the team, then I’ll become a cheerleader!”
Wufei snapped.
Meiran’s face immediately lit up with happiness. “Deal!”
She smirked.
Wufei groaned. “I did not mean that literally. I was not challenging
you to a bet.” He said quickly, apparently trying to take back
what he had said.
It was no use though. Meiran had already caught him with his own
words. “Oh, are you trying to back out? Afraid that I will make
the team, Chang?”
“There’s no way you’ll make the team.” Wufei
growled, glaring at the dark-haired girl in front of him.
“Then there’s no reason for you to back out of this bet
. . . unless you’re chicken.” Meiran taunted.
Wufei’s eye twitched. “Fine . . . it is a bet then. If
you make the wrestling team, I will try out for cheerleading. But
if you don’t make it, YOU try out for cheerleading. I think
you would look nice in that skirt.” He said smugly.
“So would you, Chang.” Meiran laughed.
Quatre snickered, the image of Wufei wearing one of those cheerleading
outfits now stuck in his mind, even though he knew male cheerleaders
didn’t wear the skirts. He covered his mouth with his hand,
erupting into giggles despite his attempts to stop them. Beside him,
Duo also laughed, Heero smiling as he fought his own laughter. Wufei
blushed a dark crimson, which only served to make Quatre laugh harder,
and for Heero to let out a few chuckles of his own.
Quatre wrapped his arm around his waist as he laughed, aches springing
up along his already sore abdomen. He didn’t really want to
stop laughing. He was happy. However, he did stop after a few more
moments, smiling. Wufei looked totally embarrassed, but he smiled
in return, apparently glad that Quatre had found amusement even if
it was at his expense.
A few minutes later, Iria called out that dinner was ready and waiting
for them in the dining room, inviting Rasid to dine with them as well.
Heero and Wufei helped Quatre up, leading him out of the room. As
he walked, Quatre cast a glance in Duo’s direction, watching
as his friend pulled a small white pill bottle from his pocket and
take out a few pills, popping them into his mouth. Quatre turned back
to watch where he was heading, thinking nothing of Duo’s actions,
assuming that his friend just had a headache.
During the meal there was a lot of idle chit chat. Mostly it was
just talk of school or work. Quatre was happy to have conversed with
Rasid, finding out that the hulking bodyguard had a family, even seeing
pictures, which Rasid had pulled from his wallet, of his lovely wife
and children. Quatre knew that Rasid had been in the bodyguard business
for several years now, proud of the fact that he had never had a client
get hurt while on his watch . . . that comment had made Quatre feel
quite safe, at least more so than he had before.
Duo didn’t talk much about himself, not really mentioning family
or anything. He was oddly silent for much of the conversations, only
pointing out things if a person was wrong, talking about work if anyone
asked him what he did with his time.
Wufei and Meiran continued to argue. They acted as if no one else
was in the room with them, they were so focused on proving the other
wrong. During once such argument, Duo leaned over and asked Quatre
if the two of them were dating or something. Quatre smirked at the
picture that went with that thought, finding it agreeable to see his
two friends in a romantic relationship. Perhaps if they actually got
together, they wouldn’t fight so much, although if they got
together then maybe they’d fight even more.
After dinner, Duo handed the tin of brownies back to Quatre. Quatre
of course, offered a brownie to each of his friends and family members,
smiling when they enjoyed the chocolate treats that Duo’s roommate
had made. Quatre had just finished his second brownie when he felt
his eyes drooping shut.
“Quatre, you look tired . . . why don’t you go to bed?”
Iria suggested.
“But it’s still early.” Quatre argued, even as
he yawned. “Father isn’t home yet.”
Heero shook his head. “Quatre . . . you know your father would
want you to go to sleep if he were here right now.”
“Yeah, buddy. I don’t want you all exhausted when I come
visit you tomorrow afternoon.” Duo said smiling brightly.
“Really? You’re coming back tomorrow?” Quatre asked,
knowing his expression was hopeful as he watched Duo with expectation.
Duo nodded. “Of course. I’ll even help you with your
biology homework . . . I do remember you didn’t like the dissecting
and our homework was to go through the notes we made before. Since
you’re my lab partner, I guess we have to work on it together.”
“Yes, I suppose we do.” Quatre replied, slowly rising
to his feet. “I guess I will see you tomorrow then.” He
yawned again, this time losing his balance and nearly falling over
since he was in mid-step when it happened. A pair of large arms caught
him though and Quatre looked up, only to see that Rasid had caught
him. “Thanks.” He smiled.
“Allow me.” Rasid said, gently sweeping Quatre off the
ground and into his arms. “You do not look like you will make
it all the way up the stairs on your own right now.”
Quatre nodded tiredly, his eyes barely open. He bid goodnight to
everyone in the dining room, distantly hearing as they replied to
him, wishing him sweet dreams and a good night’s sleep. It had
been a good day after all, Quatre decided as Rasid carried him up
the stairs and into his bedroom.
Quatre must have dozed off, because the next thing he knew he was
sitting on his bed, dressed only in his pajama bottoms, although he
didn’t remember changing out of his sweat pants or T-shirt.
He looked down at himself, noticing that his sling and some of his
bandages were missing from his pale and bruised body. Then he noticed
that Rasid was kneeling down in front of him, wrapping a fresh bandage
around his arm where he had rubbed his skin raw in the shower.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty to get
you changed into something more comfortable.” Rasid said, taping
the bandage off.
Quatre blushed. “No . . . it’s ok. Thank you.”
Quatre whispered, trusting this man although not knowing why.
Rasid helped him put on his pajama top, then to lie down. He pulled
up the blankets for the young blonde, idly brushing his fingers through
the young man’s bangs before saying goodnight to him. Quatre
smiled, quickly drifting off to sleep, mumbling a reply to Rasid,
although he couldn’t really be sure of what he had said to the
older man.
*******
TBC
*******
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