Coffee Shop Encounters CSE-7: Hot Chocolate
Duo and Heero walked into Roberto's as usual after the last class of the day, hand in hand. What was unusual was who they found there.
Roberto pinned both with a look as they came in and pointed with his chin from his place at the bar. Intrigued, the two let their eyes trail across the room-
"Heero, what on Earth is Quatre Winner doing in here at 3PM?"
The Japanese student shook his head as the two automatically began steering themselves in that direction. "Taking a much needed break?" he tried.
Duo's glib reply died on his lips, though, as they caught a glimpse of the blond's face- the young man was clearly upset about something, and it had to be big to pull him from his office in mid-afternoon! The long-haired boy felt his heart twisting inside of him as he picked up his pace and took a seat next to Quatre, noting how Heero took up a position on the other side. "Hey, Q. What's the matter?"
The blond tried to summon a smile as he finally noticed the presence of his two friends. "Oh- hi, guys. Um... is it really that obvious?"
Heero grunted. "Yes. Anything we can help with?"
Quatre's eyes dropped back to the table top and he sighed heavily. "Not unless you can turn time back and make me look like less of an idiot."
Duo surpressed the urge to groan as he wrapped an arm around the blond's shoulders and gave a little squeeze. "It can't be that bad..."
"It was, Duo. Trust me- I was there."
Heero and Duo exchanged glances over the other boy's head, and the Japanese man prompted gently, "Tell us about it. It will help."
Quatre sat in stony silence, staring at an empty table.
Duo rolled his eyes. "Okay- we need some basic soul-searching supplies, then. I'll be right back, okay?" Quatre didn't bother to look up as the braided boy moved towards the bar and began talking to Roberto in a strangely quiet voice for him.
He did look up, however, at the delicious smells that accompanied Duo back to the table- chocolate?
Duo caught his look of surprise and chuckled. "I live in a house full of kids, Quatre, and there's always been one sure way of getting them to loosen up and talk to me. Cocoa and cookies!" He set three mugs down with a flourish and winked at Heero as he turned with a flip of the braid. "Be right back with the snacks!"
He returned, grinning so broadly that even Quatre couldn't help the small smile that graced his face. He allowed Heero to push a steaming mug of coffee into his hands and took a sip appreciatively. "Now tell Heero and Duo all about it," the braided young man prompted, settling comfortably into his seat.
The blond took another sip and reached for a cookie before he slowly began to talk. "Well... it's just... It's about Trowa." He took a bite. "These are good cookies!" he whispered appreciatively.
Heero nodded his agreement as he stuffed one into his mouth, and spoke with his mouth full, "Yup." Duo chuckled- it was rare that his fiancé went out of his way to be so cute around other people.
Quatre smiled again, though it quickly slid to a frown. "How long..." He blushed furiously. "This is going to sound like a terribly impertinent question, but how long did you two wait before..." he sputtered a little, trying to find a way to say what he wanted to say gracefully.
"Before we jumped in bed together?" Duo finished for him, smiling even brighter at the way Quatre blushed. Crudity always did it with the little blond! "It's a big step to take, Quatre, but we knew fairly quickly that it was right for us. Right, Heero?"
He got a nod and a smile in return, and smiled back before turning a serious face to Quatre. "So let me guess- you think you're ready for that with Trowa, but you're not sure if he is?"
The blond shook his head. "No! I mean yes, but... Let me start over." He took a deep breath. "I think we're both ready. I just don't know... I don't know what to say! I don't know what to do! And he won't take the first step because he's afraid of pushing me about it, and I just keep backing away..." the words came out in a harried jumble as an invisible barrier broke in Quatre's mind. The other two simply sat back and let it flow.
"... so it's driving me crazy! All I can think about is that I'll screw it up and he'll hate me, or something..." He gave a wry smile. "It sounds stupid, but there you go."
"No, it's not stupid," Heero replied, shaking his head. "You're overstressing, but I can understand it. I did, too."
Duo turned wide eyes on his fiancé. "You did? But you seemed so cool and collected!"
Heero gave him a wolf's smile. "It took me almost a whole week to come up with the best way to ask you. Some people don't have your affinity for the spoken word, Duo."
He turned back to the blond, though, with serious eyes. "What you need, if you want this and you think you're both ready, is a plan. Something smooth and romantic- something to calm you down enough and get you wrapped up in the moment so it won't be so hard." Duo hid a grin behind his mug of cocoa.
Quatre sat back with wide eyes. They were really going to give him advice on how to... romance Trowa? Putting it that way, it sounded so incredibly corny and stupid, but... The blond businessman couldn't help but think that if anyone would be able to point him in the right direction, it would be these two!
He took a long pull on his cocoa and snatched another cookie from the plate. "A plan- I can do that. I'm good at that. So... so what do I need to do?"
Even Heero couldn't contain a small smile at the look Quatre was giving them- so trusting and hopeful!
Duo finished chewing before answering, "Well, set the scene. Something romantic and intimate after a nice dinner on the town..." He tapped his chin, lost in thought. "Trowa's pretty athletic... How about going ice skating and following it up with a few drinks at your place? That would be cool..." He was cut off by an ill-concealed laugh from Heero, and he turned to look at the other boy in surprise. "What?"
Heero tried again to swallow his grin, but his eyes danced and snapped in mirth. "Don't you remember what happened when we went skating, baka?" When Duo shook his head negatively, Heero laughed out loud. "Blocked it out for a reason, then!" He turned to Quatre, still wearing his smile. "I took him skating once, really early on in our relationship. He's actually a pretty good skater-" Duo glared from the other side of the table- "okay, a very good skater, and we were having a great time... Until some kid knocked into him. You see- Duo was dressed to kill- tight jeans and all- and when he fell..." He chuckled again, as a blush began to rise in Duo's cheeks. So he did remember, after all! "His jeans split on the butt, Quatre. Ruined the mood completely!"
Duo squawked at the way the other two laughed at him, blushing even more and finally hiding his face in his hands. "Not my fault," he mumbled through his fingers, "damn kids!"
As the laughter quieted down, Quatre took a few deep breaths. "So maybe ice skating isn't a good idea- what else?"
"A romantic dinner?" Roberto suggested, as he came up behind them to refill the decimated plate of cookies.
Quatre shot the bartender a look. "You've been listening in on us this whole time, haven't you?"
The Cajun smiled. "What else is dere for me to do, eh? Dis is mo' interestin' den bartending..."
Duo shook his head, though. "We've got that part. Then what?"
Roberto placed his hands on his hips while he thought. "You know de boy better dan me- wha's he like to do?"
Duo's eyes lit up. "A Jazz Club! You know how much Trowa loves music! He'd love it! He's a pretty good dancer, too..."
Heero shook his head. "Too upsetting for the heteros, Duo. Especially with Quatre's reputation to think about. Two guys dancing together is a no-no."
The braided boy's face fell in disappointment. "But he loves music! He even plays music in his spare time!"
Quatre shook his head. "No- Heero's right. A bunch of angry, annoying people would break the mood, too."
Heero looked thoughtful. "He likes the outdoors- you could do a wilderness weekend..."
Duo shook his head. "Too cold for that right now! Unless you went to some kind of resort- a skiing place..."
Roberto nixed that. "A whole bunch of rich people to talk about dem and point dere fingers... Not good."
They sat in silence for a moment, sipping at their cocoa.
Duo finally looked up again. "Well, there's always the tried and true- dinner and a movie? Something like 'Casablanca'..."
"Oh, please!" Heero exclaimed, rolling his eyes.
Duo tossed his hands in the air in frustration. "Why not? It's a perfectly good idea- worked on you, if I remember correctly... OW! Hey- what was that for..."
He turned to find Wufei smirking at him, still holding onto the end of his long braid of hair. "I think we all remember the occasion, Duo." He quickly took a seat, before the braided boy could retaliate. "Now what are you two arguing about?"
Heero fixed his Chinese friend with a stare. "Do you think the movie 'Casablanca' is a romantic date-type thing to watch?"
Wufei shrugged. "Sure. I thought Humphrey Bogart kicked ass in that role."
Duo pointed at the Chinese boy and smirked in triumph. "You see?"
"And so... why are we arguing the finer romantic points of a cinematographic classic?" Wufei asked, wondering what could possibly have brought this about, not to mention why Quatre was not in his office, as usual...
The blond looked up and shrugged. "It's my fault, actually. I asked them for a little advice."
"Romantic advice, I take it," Wufei continued, trying to wipe his smile. It was obvious that the blond was in serious need of someone to talk to. "Well here's my take on it. Whatever these two might think is the right choice, it has to work for you. You have to be comfortable with it, and you have to find it romantic. Trowa needs to feel comfortable, not Maxwell."
Quatre downed the rest of his cocoa. "I think I know what you mean."
Wufei grabbed a cookie from the plate and stuffed it in his mouth. "Casablanca is a good idea, though. You should have heard the ruckus these two made after watching it..."
Quatre flushed again, as Roberto bust out laughing. "Dere are some tings we don' want to hear about, Chang!"
Wufei arched an eyebrow. "Did they tell you about the ice skating incident?"
Duo choked. "Yes, as a matter of fact, we did discuss that, and now that I'm thoroughly embarrassed, I'm going home to let the kids embarrass me more." He downed the rest of his cocoa and stood, throwing his scarf around his neck with as much dignity as he could muster. "Are you coming with me, Heero?"
The Japanese stood as well and pulled his jacket from the back of his chair. Zipping it up the front, he turned back to Quatre and gave him a reassuring half smile. "Chang's right- it has to feel right for you. I'm sure you'll come up with something."
Duo added, "Yeah, and take it from us- if Trowa didn't want this, too, he would never have stayed with you this long. Try not to be too nervous about that." The two left with a cheerful wave.
Well, from Duo, at least.
Quatre, too, stood and pulled his coat from the nearby coat rack. "I should get going, too. I've wasted so much time here..."
Wufei shot him a glance. "Don't go back to the office, Quatre. It won't do you any good and you know it."
The boy sighed. "You're probably right." He looked up and gave his friend a smile. "Thanks for the advice, Wufei. See you around." He waved to Roberto on his way out.
~*~
The Chinese boy and the Cajun were deep in conversation when the door opened again- a cold blast of air accompanied Trowa Barton in as he dropped a heavy-looking bag to the floor and sat on the empty stool to Wufei's right. "Hi, Wufei."
The Chinese boy smirked. "Do you have half the lab in that bag, Barton?"
Trowa shrugged. "A little more than half, I think. Have you seen Duo or Heero?"
"They were here earlier. Why?"
He scooped up his bag again. "I just wanted to ask them something, that's all. D'you know where..."
Roberto interrupted. "Forget dem righ' now, boy! I got some advice for you."
Trowa held up his hands, as though in surrender. "If you're going to tell me to eat lunch again, I'm already doing that and it doesn't make the slightest difference..."
Roberto hushed him with a wave of his hand. "No, boy. I'm tellin' you to get going to Quatre's house! Now! He's depressed an' he'll want to see you."
Trowa spun to ask Wufei, "Was he here, too?" Wufei nodded.
He took off with a smile, and Wufei and Roberto have each other knowing looks.
~*~
Rashid looked troubled as he opened the door, and Trowa immediately felt a stab of fear. What was wrong? "Hi, Rashid. Sorry to drop in on you..."
The tall man cut him off, "Not at all, sir! Please do come in- maybe you can get him to stop!"
Trowa pinned the taller man with a hard look. "Stop him? What is he doing? Tell me!"
Rashid simply led the way down a long, well-decorated corridor. "He's in his music room and won't come out- he's going to play his fingers bloody again, and Miss Iria will have a fit when she gets home..."
"What do you mean by playing his fingers bloody?"
Rashid led him down another hallway, and Trowa could vaguely make out something musical coming from the general direction. "His violin- whenever he gets really upset, he goes in there and plays until either the bowstrings break or he cuts his fingers open." He stopped in front of a door and gave Trowa a long look. "He hasn't done this in a very long time- not since his father died."
Trowa swallowed hard and nodded. "I understand." He gave Rashid a small smile. "I think I can calm him down."
Rashid opened the door, and Trowa stepped in.
He had never seen a music room like this one before, even at the University. The instruments in the room were all obviously antiques and very well cared for- all still in prime playing condition. His hands positively ached to touch the grand piano in the far left corner, but his eyes were drawn instead to the slim, blond figure in the middle of the room, who swayed and rocked with every heart-wrenching note he played. Quatre's eyes were sealed shut, a thin trail of tears sparkling on his cheeks as the bow moved furiously.
The music was turbulent and despondent, the emotion in it so palpable that it almost felt as though the blond had punched Trowa hard in the stomach. He felt like crying, himself- to see the person he loved in so much obvious heartache...
So far gone in what he was doing that he didn't even notice that he was no longer alone.
Trowa moved quickly to the piano and sat down. His instrument of choice had always been the flute, but he was also an incredible pianist, and he had an idea of how to get through to the other. He could feel what Quatre was trying to express... and he was going to join him.
The blond was not quite certain when he noticed another instrument playing along with him- it seemed as though the two sounds met and blended perfectly, so much so that they had been playing to one another without even realising it.
But the feeling in it... Quatre had decided to play and play, until his mind was clear. He wanted to let it all out- all of his fears, all his insecurities, his love, even...
He was pouring out his soul, and someone was pouring it right back into him.
The tone of the music gradually changed, and Trowa nearly cried out as he felt Quatre accepting it and embracing it. His heart swelled to the majestic trills and arpeggios flowing from his fingers and accompanied by hauntingly beautiful runs from the violin in his love's hands. Soft and lilting, like snow slowly drifting through the sky. Warm and sultry, like an ocean breeze, refreshing as a waterfall...
The music slowly came to an end, and both boys opened their eyes to stare at one another.
Quatre gave a hesitant smile. "I'm glad you came, Trowa."
"Did you mean it?"
Quatre blinked. "Mean what?"
Trowa pointed to the Stradivarius. "What you said- you meant it."
Quatre nodded, unwilling to spoil the moment by saying the wrong words.
Trowa stood and walked over until he stood only inches from the other boy. "Are you sure?"
The blond nodded again, reaching out to put one hand on Trowa's chest. "I've never loved anything like I love you."
"Quatre..." Trowa's lips covered his in a passionate kiss that left him trembling and weak. The taller boy chuckled as he took the Strad from Quatre's hands and put it on top of the piano. "Wouldn't want to damage that, now would we?" he joked, pulling Quatre back into his arms.
Quatre hugged him fiercely, burying his face in the warm shoulder that offered itself to him. Pulling back, he looked up into Trowa's face. "Trowa, would you... would you make love to me?"
He felt his heart start beating double time as a smile graced his love's graceful features. "Only if you promise to reciprocate it, Cat."
Quatre's smile was bright and trembling as he took hold of the hand Trowa held out to him. "Deal." Wrapping his free arm around the other boy's waist, he pulled him close and kissed him passionately, a thrill of excitement as arms tightened around him and he felt the other boy's growing arousal hard against his hip.
He smiled as they pulled apart for air. "Come on- let's get out of here and somewhere a little more comfortable, okay?"
Trowa nodded and they left hand in hand.
~*~
Rashid smiled as he watched the two boys sneaking into Quatre's room. "It's about time." He laughed to himself- several among his staff had wondered how long it would take the two boys to realise what they had.
Still chuckling to himself, he went down to Quatre's office and quickly cancelled the dinner meeting the blond was supposed to attend. He was certain the boy would not be attending!
~*~
Quatre was late for work the next morning.
Julia couldn't contain her smile as the boy bounced into the office an hour late- she had never seen him smiling so broadly, resonating positive energy and happiness as he was today.
Even if Rashid hadn't tipped her off, she would have guessed.
She smiled at him. "Good morning, Quatre! Glad to see you looking better today."
She was shocked, however, when he walked over to her and hugged her, right in the middle of the office. He smiled at her winningly. "Thanks for telling me to get out of here yesterday, Jules. You were right- and I think I really love the world right now."
She smiled right back. "You're most welcome, sir."
~*~
Six heads came up as the young couple walked into Roberto's that evening. Quatre was surprised to see his sister with his friends, but he waved the thought away- why not?
Sally Po looked up from where she was cuddled against Wufei's shoulder and smiled. "We missed you two last night." She shared a smile with Duo.
Quatre simply raised an eyebrow. "Yes, well we had more... pressing engagements to attend. I'm sure you understand."
The comment Duo was about to make was silenced by a light tug on his braid- Trowa shot Heero a grateful look. Heero said instead, "Of course we do. Have a seat."
Roberto gave them a smug grin as he approached and asked, "What will it be tonight, gentlemen?"
Trowa answered, "I'll take a White Russian, thanks," but Quatre echoed with, "a Sex on the Beach for me!"
Roberto laughed out loud as Trowa replied to his lover, "I'll book the tickets first thing in the morning, Cat."
There was a moment of shocked silence before the entire table of people began laughing along.
OWARI
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