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"Keep In Time"Written By: Dentelle_noir Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing AC or the
characters. They belong to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. This
is a work of fiction and written for fun, not profit Rating: R Warnings: AU, sap, angst, fluff Pairings: 3x4. Summary: A suspicious accident leaves Trowa without
a skating partner, sentencing him to a year without competition. Quatre
is an injured dancer, trying to find a way to live without his joy.
Together, they make new rules and find a new path. "Keep In Time" Chapter 15 “On my way! Sry!!” Trowa texted on his cell while waiting at a red light, kicking himself the whole time. He should have kept a better eye on the time, but he had been doing so well at his afternoon practice! He was now nearly half an hour late for Quatre’s cousin’s birthday and his only excuse was a killer axel! At least, he consoled himself, he had warned Quatre he might be late… but after Quatre had been so adamant about Trowa being there he felt like a bastard being late. Quatre had been reminding him for days about the party, and while Trowa was looking forward to being with Quatre, he was not looking forward to going to the Lowe rink. He didn’t think he ever mentioned that the Lowe skaters were Trowa’s most hated rivals. As far as Trowa was concerned, the spoiled rich brat skaters at the Lowe Rink were cheating slime balls. He avoided even speaking their name in public conversation. He was perfectly content pretending that Heero fucking Yuy did not exist in his city. He had a hard enough time trying not to rip his throat out when they met in the dressing rooms of a competition, but once or twice Trowa had met him waiting in line for a movie or perusing the shelves at the local skate supply store and it was a glaring match each time. They never once came to blows, and both were able to completely block out the other’s presence- unless Relena the queen bitchess was there and goaded Trowa into something. He hated her almost more than he hated Yuy, but that was justified. She had hurt Cathy. Everyone knew it! It had to be her! Trowa nearly went ballistic on Relena after Cathy’s “accident”, but she and her partner had fucked off to an international competition right after and tending to Cathy had been more important than revenge. Relena and Yuy was even cocky enough to send Cathy a beautiful vase of flowers to the hospital! Trowa tossed them out and nearly went after him then. Dimitri thought Trowa hated Yuy so much out of jealousy. Which was ridiculous! Trowa was not jealous. He had more medals that Yuy (although, their last two wins during his and Cathy’s hiatus put them dangerously close). He had more talent. He had a better coach. And while Yuy, perhaps, had a much bigger fan club, and more advertisements, and sponsorships, and better facilities, and more ice time, and a hot tub in the locker room, that didn’t mean a THING and it didn’t bother Trowa at all. Nope. Not one whit. Trowa was taller too. And Heero Yuy couldn’t throw money at it all he wanted, but Trowa would always be taller, so HA on Heero fucking Yuy for that one. He was not jealous. Trowa parked outside the sports center, grabbed his duffle and grudgingly walked through the big shiny doors. Damn-near everything shined in the Lowe rink; it looked brand new. The concrete was still smooth and bright, the lobby carpets crisp, and all along the walls were bright posters advertising hockey teams, curling tournaments, and of COURSE, the upcoming charity skating gala—which he had never been invited to participate in before, despite being a champion skater. No, he didn’t go to the prestigious private school, so he was overlooked whenever they put together charity events in favor of Team Lowe. They were the private school’s big name stars, really. While the private academy also had champion soccer and baseball teams, it was Team Lowe that always made the recruitment posters. Trowa didn’t even want to be IN this rink, to be honest. All around him were the framed pictures of Team Lowe’s impressive string of medals. But he did take heart in knowing that every time he saw Heero fucking Yuy and Princess Relena holding a second place trophy in a picture, he knew that he, Trowa Barton, was holding that year’s gold in his own set of pictures. Every time Trowa failed, the Lowe’s brought home gold, and whenever the Lowe’s couldn’t catch up to Trowa and Cathy’s skill, they had to settle for silver. Trowa’s team had won MORE gold than team Lowe, but because Lowe’s rink had the money to burn on advertising, Heero Yuy and Relena Darlain were like celebrities, while he and Cathy only seemed to get any respect on the ice. It was infuriating to say the least. He put his anger behind him, though, and went to find the changing rooms. Quatre was waiting for him and Quatre had nothing to do with his rivalry with Heero Yuy or Team Lowe. Trowa had even been careful not to ever mention it so that Quatre never had to worry about it. Quatre didn’t have anything to do with which rink was booked, so he just had to suck it up… but that didn’t stop him from punching the hot tub on his way past. Pansies. He didn’t need a hot tub in his change rooms to win. Since Trowa didn’t trust his gear unattended in Lowe Territory he continued through and went out to the rink, breathing in the comforting sounds and smells of the ice. He heard a bright, merry laugh and for a moment thought it was Quatre, but it was a little girl walking passed him with bright blonde hair up in pigtails, laughing as another girl with the same hair chased her around the outside of the rink. She was wearing ballet tights and her bun was coming loose from the exertion, leaving wispy blonde strands falling all around her round, cherubic face. This was definitely Quatre’s family… Trowa couldn’t stop the smile from tugging at his cheeks. He was in a bad mood because of being at the Lowe rink, but he couldn’t stay like that, knowing that he’d get to see Quatre soon and skate with him in his arms. He put his gear down on a bench and pulled out his boots—he tied them up in a heartbeat and pulled off the skate-guards and put them on top of his coat for easy-access. He had only been off the ice for the drive to the Lowe rink, so he was already dressed in Quatre’s favorite outfit: Black long-sleeved body suit and thin, black, water-resistant jazz pants that he wore slung low on his hips and covering all the way down to the tops of his black practice skates. Quatre always drooled when Trowa bent the right ways wearing that. From the stands, Iria waved brightly and Trowa waved back, moving towards the gate to get onto the ice and find his boyfriend. He pushed off from the gate and scanned the skaters. Quatre must have had a billion cousins, and a lot of them were blonde, but he noticed that a great deal were Asian, making a very unusual scene. Maybe Quatre’s family married into an Asian family? He moved with the flow of skaters, looking around, peeking through couples and trying to find Quatre. He spotted Iria again, and she took pity on him and began to point. Behind him? Trowa turned, hoping to see Quatre…. And instead he saw a picture from his nightmares. Heero. Fucking. YUY! He was right there, as brash as could be, showing off a simple step sequence to some youngsters. And then right behind Heero came two hands, sliding around the skater’s waist and tugging him back—little purple mittens that Trowa knew too well wrapping around him in a hug. Then Heero turned around and fucking put his arms around slim hips and lifted. And there was NO mistake after that. Quatre laughed brightly, holding onto Heero’s shoulders as Trowa’s rival pushed off into a spin. Quatre was letting Heero fucking Yuy spin him. Letting him TOUCH him. And laughing in delight as he did it! Trowa wanted to throw up. This couldn’t be real! Did Quatre know what the hell he was doing? Who that was! Trowa had to get him out of here NOW! Just then, another screech started from the area of the stands, and ‘Princess of the ice’ Relena Darlian stood in fury, her face twisted in anger and she pointed at Trowa. “GET OFF OUR ICE, BARTON!” It was like one of those movie-moments, where everything suddenly stops and everyone stares. But this was no movie, and Trowa was not laughing. “TROWA BARTON!” Heero growled with venom. He put Quatre down onto the ice abruptly and skated in front of him as if to protect him from some threat. “Who the fuck invited YOU here?” Trowa FUMED, staring at Heero’s arm, holding Quatre back. And then his temper went through the roof, “Get your hands off my boyfriend, Yuy!” Trowa growled like a wild animal. And everything exploded from there. Relena had taken to the rink, her little pink princess outfit contrasting with her ugly snarl. She stomped her foot and moved to get between Heero and the invader, hissing “This is our rink! You have no business here!” Trowa glared, wanting to rip her throat out! That little bitch was going to go DOWN!, “And you had no business fucking with my sister’s SKATE you little bitch! It’s your fault she got hurt!” Relena’s nostril’s flared and her temper soared, “I never touched your sister’s things! I don’t need to cheat to win! Unlike HER! How DARE you say shit like that in my rink! GET OUT!” He wanted to. Wanted to get over to Quatre (who was looking at the girl in shock, as if she’d grown a second head), grab him, and get out happily. But he couldn’t get near him. A boy that Trowa recognized from Quatre’s computer screen (Duo? His best friend?) came out of nowhere and shoved Trowa into the boards with a snarl, flying past him to wrap his arms around Quatre protectively, glaring at Trowa, “You aren’t WELCOME HERE, Barton!” Quatre tried to wriggle out of Duo’s hands, his eyes wide, looking aghast, but as soon as he got loose, Heero came around to pull Quatre against his chest, holding him there and growled at Trowa. Heero looked ready to take Trowa down with his bare hands if need be, but he wasn’t backing down! Heero made a move to attack, but Quatre moved in front of him, putting his hands on Yuy’s chest to hold him back, trying to settle him. As if they were friends. Or lovers! Everyone knew Heero was gay! Quatre was fucking around with Yuy when he was supposed to be with him! He couldn’t even THINK straight, he was too angry! Trowa’s temper couldn’t take this! And instead of Quatre trying to get over to Trowa, he looked imploringly at Yuy. He left his arms around him. He was perfectly comfortable hugging him. Hugging Heero Fucking Yuy! Quatre was holding Heero Yuy trying to calm him down instead of coming over to Trowa. Trowa lost it, and the words just tumbled out in a barrage of anger, “YOU FUCKING LITTLE SLUT!” His eyes were glued to Heero’s hand around Quatre’s waist, his head replaying the scene of Quatre in Heero’s arms, laughing and spinning and hugging. If he hadn’t been interrupted, would they have been kissing a moment later? He thought Quatre actually cared about him! For ONCE he thought someone fucking cared about him, and not his fame, but apparently he was wrong. Quatre was no different than all the girls Cathy warned him about. Quatre pushed out of Heero’s arms and FINALLY skated closer to Trowa, looking hurt and upset, “It’s not LIKE that, Trowa! He’s my COUSIN! The one I was telling you about?! And Duo’s my best friend!” The one he was telling him about?! Trowa was supposed to take that?! It never once occurred to Quatre that being related to Heero FUCKING Yuy might be a problem?! And Quatre had the nerve to look at Trowa as if he was the one at fault! Trowa knew he hadn’t mentioned Yuy around Quatre, but why hadn’t Quatre ever mentioned that Heero YUY was his cousin! There was only one reason he wouldn’t have… “You’re a fucking spy!” Trowa spat, feeling even more hurt. Not only was he used, he was used as part of some strategy game? Quatre was just playing along to get information on him? That was it? He really thought Quatre cared about him! But obviously he was wrong. Dead wrong! “They all said you were! Dimitri, Petra, Cathy—Cathy was RIGHT about you! And I let you convince me she was wrong. I listened to you!” “I’m not a SPY!” Quatre huffed, stomping his skated foot to accentuate his point, even as his face reddened. Half in embarrassment and half in fury. “I’m not like that! I thought you would get along! Talk shop and all that! You’re causing a scene!” Quatre hissed the last bit, skating closer to Trowa, trying to calm him down. Trying to touch him. Trying to reason with him, “Let’s get out of here and we’ll talk about it, okay?!” “I fucking stood UP for you!” Trowa tossed back. He wrenched out of Quatre’s grip, skating backwards. His fury was stoked so hot that his eyes burned and he had to wipe tears from the corners of his eyes, not letting them fall, “And you were with HIM this whole TIME! And I fell for it! Fucking gullible Trowa! I fell for it so fucking hard… I thought you actually… FUCK YOU!” Quatre’s eyes burned and he glared, gnashing his teeth to keep from saying something biting back. It wouldn’t help the situation. Quatre took a deep breath, and reached out for Trowa again. Managing to get a hold of his sleeve this time, Quatre put his arm on Trowa’s shoulder, “Okay, calm down Trowa.. please… I fucked up. I should have told you. I- I didn’t think it would be like this… I thought you’d be happy to meet him, I thought it would be a nice surprise… I was wrong. Obviously. Let’s just get out of here…” he pleaded. Trowa began to settle, Quatre’s touch working it’s magic… letting his head clear a little… But he didn’t have time to think things through before Duo skated up behind them, glaring at Trowa with venom, “Get your hands off Quatre, Barton!” and then he touched Quatre’s shoulder, pulling him back, whispering in his ear (loudly), “He’s a fucking Barton! What are you doing hanging out with that trash!?” Trowa saw red, and he pushed forward with his fist raised, ready to pummel that braided loudmouth into the ICE! Quatre was fast, though, and he pushed Duo out of the way, “Trowa! STOP IT!” he yelled, pushing Duo further away. But the damage had already been done. Trowa had aimed the first punch. Heero was on him in seconds, smashing his fist into Trowa’s face to protect Duo, and Trowa retaliated with a vicious uppercut to Heero’s stomach. The two of them went down onto the ice HARD, clawing, punching and kicking. Trowa got a great shot, smashing his fists into Heero’s cheek to pay him back for earlier before he was grabbed by at least four fully-grown men and yanked off. Heero stood a second later, his glare so hot it could bend steel. Quatre stood in the middle of the two, torn between helping his lover or helping his cousin, and that split second of hesitation was all Trowa needed to know. Quatre was on Yuy’s side and would always be. “I’m LEAVING,” Trowa growled—Relena cheered, howling a very unlady-like ‘good riddance’ behind him. Trowa shouldered his way out of the men’s arms and pushed off the ice like a bullet, hopping off the rink and onto the floor, grabbing his things in record time and tossing a pair of slip on shoes onto his feet before half the crowd even knew what was going on. Even before his red-hot anger could melt away, he could feel his heart shattering. Oh god… How could he turn on Quatre? His Quatre? But god, how could he be so in love with a guy who sided with Heero YUY! He couldn’t handle it! He couldn’t handle seeing Quatre looking so upset. But he had to get out of there before he lost it again. Grabbing his bag, Trowa lifted it over his shoulders and turned, shaking all over in anger and hurt, staring at Quatre… oh god… his Quatre… He was crying. He had to give him one chance… Cathy would call him weak for even that. She would have walked out and shredded Relena’s costume on the way… but Trowa couldn’t just leave Quatre like that. Not Quatre. “Y-you’re with them, or you’re with me!” Quatre went pale, “Wha… I.. I… they’re my FAMILY! You can’t ask me to choose! Let’s talk about this, Trowa!” But how could Trowa believe him when he was right there, dabbing a tissue to Heero Yuy’s bloody lip. That was it. Trowa’s lip curled up, baring his teeth like a wounded animal, and he got out of there as fast as he could. He couldn’t take it! No more! Trowa’s chest tightened and his stomach twisted so tight he could feel his protein shake coming up his esophagus, but he didn’t stop. Didn’t turn around. Couldn’t! He went straight into his Jeep and peeled out of the parking lot, hardly obeying traffic laws as he aimed for home, trying not to let his tears blur his vision.
Quatre wrapped his arms around Heero’s neck and buried his face in his shoulder, sobbing until he was cried out. He didn’t know what else to do. He screwed up. Badly. He screwed up so badly he couldn’t even figure out what went so wrong. He rewound every conversation he ever had with Trowa about his cousin or about the party, and he thought he must have mentioned his name before. But he couldn’t remember ever having done it. And Trowa never mentioned anything about competing against Heero. How could he choose Trowa over his family? Over his cousin? His best friend? How could they ask him to? He and Heero had been friends since they were both wearing footie pajamas. Heero had joined skating the same year Quatre joined ballet. He’d been his best friend. How could he choose Trowa over that? Why should he have to! Other than Trowa -who obviously didn’t know him as well as Quatre thought he did- Heero and Duo were the only people who knew who he really was. He didn’t have to pretend to be somebody else to stay friends with them. They had his back, through thick and thin. And if Trowa couldn’t understand that… Maybe they were better off without each other.
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