<grins> For T-bat, as usual... <huggleglomp>

AU, fantasy, OOC, yaoi, weird, blah blah blah you know the drill.

Duo took one look at Quatre's bleak expression over breakfast and immediately abandoned any thought of teasing his liege about getting a good night's sleep. So, he tried another topic in lieu of that. "Hey, isn't Trowa going to be joining us today?"

The butler volunteered an answer. "He broke his fast around dawn, sir, and went out since the storm has passed."

The wizard blinked. "The storm...? Well, I'll be damned, it *has* stopped!"

"Idiot," Heero pronounced gravely.

Duo made a face at his lifebond. "You don't appreciate me enough," he sniffed. "By the way, Quatre, what did you want last night, a cantrip to help you sleep?"

"Something like that, Duo."

Duo winced at the savage way Quatre was devouring his meal and held his peace.

"Lady Ca-"

Cathrine barely looked up at Quatre. "Give him time. He needs his space to think."

Quatre stopped short. "How do you know that's what I was going to ask?"

She chuckled. "What else would you need to ask me about if not my brother?"

"Then you're saying I should be patient."

Cathrine finally looked at him. "Yes. Very patient. It's Trowa's way to draw back and think whenever new situations turn up. And this, I believe, qualifies as new."

Quatre took a deep breath. "Would you tell me about him? Please?"

She seemed surprised. "Tell you about him? Why?"

"I think we both know that he doesn't talk about himself... so I know what he's like *now*, but I don't know anything else about him."

"I see. I suppose I can oblige." Cathrine indicated a chair. "This may take a while."

He smiled, wryly. "I seem to have the time at the moment."

As he settled himself, Cathrine collected her thoughts. "Our mother died while we were both young, so we were more or less raised by nannies and tutors. Since Father always knew Trowa would not be the one to inherit his title, I studied with Father to learn about running the estate. It never seemed to bother Tro that I'm going to inherit what should be his title. But I doubt he'd say anything if it did.

"Let's see... what else? We always knew that Trowa was - shall we say 'promised?' - I guess that makes a difference when you're growing up. He and Father never were very close, maybe because Father distanced himself from everything once Mother died. I'm probably the closest to Trowa... and even I - Well, he doesn't tell *me* everything." Cathrine paused. "I think that's why he invests so much time in his books and animals, since they're ways for passing the time.

"He spends a lot of time alone. Father and I are busy a lot, making sure the estate is running smoothly. Maybe that's why he's so quiet, because he got used to the silence... so. What else do you want to know?"

Quatre leaned forward. "Tell me... about the person who hurt him."

There was something simple and uncomplicated that Trowa liked about walking through the fresh-fallen snow. Perhaps, he reflected, it had something to do with the fact that walking was the only simple thing about his life - at the moment, anyway.

Well, it had been a few years since his life had really been *simple*, but it had been a lot less confusing before Quatre had arrived.

In a way, Quatre's claim made a lot of sense... The rebellious streak in him explained the reason for the trip (a distrust in the stars), anyway. And his apparent dislike of court games explained the desire to escape, at least for a while. And Quatre had done *something* to persuade Cathrine of his veracity, certainly. Generally, she wasn't easily convinced.

He trudged onwards through the snow, thinking. If he accepted Quatre intellectually as being the heir, then what did he do next?

*It wasn't supposed to happen this way.*

It had seemed all his life he'd been preparing for that journey south, to the Eternal City, to the faceless, nameless man who would become his lifebonded mate. That would have been easy. He'd been cultivating the calm, expressionless detachment for years.

But, if Quatre was genuine, the Crown Prince was no longer anonymous, and had already found a way to get past his defenses. He'd already made the mistake of opening up to Quatre... maybe even gone so far as to fall a little bit into love with the stranger. Trowa didn't know if he'd be able to withdraw into his facade around Quatre... if Quatre even permitted it.

"I," Trowa announced to the silence that was disturbed only by the sounds of his footsteps, "am an idiot."

He kept walking. With any luck, Quatre would construe his absence as a tacit wish that they leave.

*Note to self: I am going to stay on this man's good side,* Cathrine decided.

"I am going to *kill* him," Quatre ground out. "Slowly. Painfully. With my own two hands."

"Perhaps. Please keep n mind that I'm sure Trowa never told me the whole story. I've only told you what I know," Cathrine reminded him.

Quatre gave himself a mental slap, forcing the fury away. "Maybe I'll have him flogged and given to Trowa for a wedding gift," he muttered darkly.

"Vicious, aren't you?"

"Only when it comes to Trowa," Quatre admitted.

She smiled. "I think you and I are going to get along just fine."

"Damn it! Heero, you asshole! Come back here with that spellbook!" Duo yelled furiously, giving chase to the warrior.

Since Quatre had left them to their own devices all day long, he and Heero had been amusing themselves in various ways... Duo was still chuckling mentally about the head cook's scandalized expression from when Heero had gravely requested a bowl of whipped cream. However, Duo had decided that, for responsibility's sake, he really ought to study a few spells...

Which was why he was now trying to chase Heero down, since his lifebond was possessed of other ideas regarding Duo's responsibilities. "Heero! You bastard. Just you wait till I get my hands on you!"

"...is that a promise?"

*Well... I don't _have_ to study...* "Yeah, I guess!"

Heero laughed. "Then you'd better catch me!" He put on a burst of speed, veering from the corridor into the castle's main hall.

Duo laughed and followed him, smirking as he saw Heero slowing suddenly. "You're mine, Heero!" He tackled his lifebond, sending them both sprawling and rolling across the smooth floor in a tangle of bodies. Laughing, the wizard started tickling Heero relentlessly.

A polite cough interrupted his fun, and Duo looked up slowly to the stern expression on the face of the Prime Minister. "Maxwell! Yuy! What the hell are you doing here?!"

Duo blinked. "Shit... uh... hello, Wu. You're running a little early, aren't you?"

Wufei glared at him. "No thanks to that infernal storm.... What in God's name are you two doing here?! You're supposed to be with His Highness in Forsynthton."

"Um... He told us to take a vacation for our health?" Duo tried desperately.

Wufei snorted. "I doubt it."

Duo and Heero scrambled to their feet, casting uneasy glances at each other and Wufei. "Uh... actually... it's really a pretty funny story, when you think about it."

Wufei crossed his arms, face expressionless. "Do tell."

"Ah, more visitors! Welcome to my home, my lords and lady!"

Duo could not have been more relieved by the viscount's timely arrival.

"Forgive me, my lady, but there have been arrivals."

Cathrine lifted an eyebrow. "Guests? Who?"

The maid seemed awed. "The Prime Minister is here. They're with your father, in the west study."

"Wufei?! He's here?" Quatre blanched.

"We'll be joining them at once, Ilse... do see to it that the appropriate arrangements for their lodging are made." The maid hurried away. "I take it this is a problem?"

"I told you, no one knows I'm here - Wufei wasn't supposed to arrive for another week." Quatre jumped out of his seat, pacing. "Hell and damnation."

"Well, you might as well get it over with," Cathrine advised, rising.

The viscount, perplexed, looked from one party to the next. "The crown prince? Here? It's impossible!"

"Well, it should be," Wufei muttered, glaring at Duo and Heero.

His wife snorted. "Remember which trio we're discussing, Wufei. It's entirely possible. Knowing His Highness, even likely."

"Meiran, because I love you, I am going to construe that as a compliment," Quatre said lightly, entering the study behind Cathrine.

The viscount's face cleared. "Ah... sir, may I present my daughter Cathrine, and our other guest, Quatre?"

Wufei stared hard at Quatre, then rounded on Duo. "Maxwell! What did you do to him?"

"Relax," Duo grumbled. "It's just your basic glamour. Even *you* could dispel it."

Wufei looked back at Quatre. "Your Highness... if I may?"

Quatre waved a hand. "If you must. I suppose it doesn't matter at this point."

Wufei uttered a short, sharp command, returning Quatre's appearance to normal. Then he and the other members of the escort bowed.

"Oh, stop it, we're not at court," Quatre muttered.

Meiran smiled faintly. "I suppose there's a perfectly logical explanation for this."

"Isn't there always?" Wufei grunted.

Quatre shrugged and addressed the viscount. "Forgive me, sir, for the deception, but I felt it was necessary at the time."

The man was struggling between shock and fear. "Your Highness - I - forgive me -"

"Nonsense," Quatre said crisply. "There's nothing to forgive. Your generosity and hospitality are faultless, and many to the south could take lessons from you. Now, if I may explain..."

Tired by his day's exertion, and having found a marginal sort of tranquility within himself, Trowa only just found the time to bathe and dress for dinner upon his return to the castle. As it was, he rushed to the dining room, prepared to apologize immediately. The words died on his lips the moment he entered, surprised by the row of strange faces at the table.

His father, with a slightly strained smile, introduced him. "My lord, my lady - my son, Trowa. Trowa, the Prime Minister, Lord Wufei Chang, his lady, Meiran..." He rattled off the names of the more minor aristocrats at the table. "And last... His Highness, the crown prince."

An unfamiliar blond winced in a completely recognizable expression at the title, and Trowa allowed himself a moment to gape. *He's... he's... he's Quatre?*

Numbly, Trowa bowed and took his seat, his sense of equilibrium thrown completely off-kilter once again.

*How... fascinating.* Wufei could feel the headache already pounding at his skull. *Why does Quatre have to be so damned impulsive?*

Across from him, Meiran smirked. She, obviously, was amused and at least a little bit sympathetic to Quatre's position. Of course, *she* wasn't the one who would end up making a report to His Majesty.

And here he'd thought retrieving the royal fiancé was going to be an *easy* task...

Concepts filtered in slowly. Mostly Trowa stared at his plate, appetite gone completely away.

The Prime Minister. There to take them south. Quatre *was* the crown prince. It was all real.

Too fast. It was all happening much too fast.

Standing abruptly, Trowa excused himself and fled the room, needing space to think.

Cathrine immediately excused her brother. "Forgive him, he's had quiet a few surprises this evening. Normally, he's much more equable."

Meiran smiled. "I'm sure we all understand. Arranged marriages are never simple, even when governed by the stars."

"God knows you and Wu had a hell of a time of it," Duo muttered, just loud enough to be heard.

"Maxwell... I caught that. Just remember that you're in a *lot* of trouble right now, and that it doesn't do to antagonize your friends."

Duo grinned. "But I swear it was all Quatre's idea!"

Quatre nodded. "Indeed, I didn't give Duo or Heero any choice." He faked a yawn. "Excuse me... I didn't sleep well last night."

"Then you should rest," Wufei said instantly.

"I think I will. Goodnight, everyone." Quatre left the table, acutely aware that it was only with marginally more dignity than Trowa.

*Now... what did Cathrine say? The south tower, that's where he sometimes goes to think.* Quatre headed off purposefully.

He wasn't too surprised when he heard the quiet footsteps on the parapet behind him. "Cathrine."

"No, Quatre. She told me I could find you here."

"Ah." Trowa continued to stare out across the night-draped landscape and glistening snow. "I guess you really are him."

"Yeah." Quatre moved to stand beside him. "Are you still angry with me?"

"No, not really. I wasn't ever that angry to begin with."

"Well, I guess that's something. It's pretty up here."

"I like it. It's a good place to think."

"Am I intruding? I can go."

"You don't need to. I don't know what to think anymore."

Quatre shook his head. "I've messed things up pretty badly, haven't I?"

"I wouldn't say that. I always pictured you in my mind as some sort of unapproachable mortal god. I never thought you'd be real to me."

The prince laughed. "If you ask Wufei, he'll tell you I'm too real. He'd prefer that I behave like a properly decorous crown prince."

"It wouldn't suit you."

"I'm glad you think so, because you're going to be stuck with me."

Trowa shrugged slightly. "I guess that's not so bad."

Quatre smiled and changed the subject. "Cathrine spent her day telling me about you, since you weren't around to do it yourself."

Trowa blinked. "She did?"

"Uh-huh."

"That's... not fair," he protested mildly.

"Well, if you decide to even the score, Duo will probably be more than happy to help."

"I'll remember that," Trowa chuckled.

Quatre's breath caught. "I was afraid I wouldn't get to hear you laugh again."

"Don't say things like that."

"Why not?"

"You make me believe you mean it when you do," Trowa told him, his voice rough.

"Why is that such a bad thing, Trowa?" Quatre laid his hand on Trowa's arm.

"You talked to Cathrine today, *you* figure it out, Quatre."

"Oh... that." Quatre gritted his teeth. "When I get home, I *am* going to kill him. Cathrine offered to help, but I think it'll be more satisfying to do it myself."

Trowa snorted. "Right."

"You don't think I'd do it? You don't know me very well yet, then."

"I'm not worth it, Quatre, believe me."

Quatre pulled Trowa's arm, forcing the taller man to turn and face him directly. "Stop saying that," he said fiercely. "Stop believing that. You *do* matter, got that? People care about you, and it hurts us all to hear you say things like that."

"Us?"

"Yes, us." Quatre glared at him. "God help me, I don't know how it happened so damned fast, but I've developed a very *large* soft spot for you. Do you think I'd get this upset otherwise?"

"I don't know."

Quatre released his grip on Trowa. "Well, fair enough." He smiled. "Just take my word for it, okay?" He looked up at the stars, exasperated. "I wish Wufei hadn't shown up early."

"Why?"

"I just wanted a few more days to take this more slowly... assuming, naturally, that you hadn't asked us to leave."

"I wasn't planning on it."

"Oh?" Quatre looked back to Trowa's inscrutable face.

"I like having you around," Trowa confessed.

The blond smiled again. "That's good to hear, since Duo and Heero are hard to get rid of." He paused. "You know, it's *really* cold out here."

"I never notice it anymore."

"That's lucky for you, I guess." Quatre grimaced. "Oh well, being up here is worth it."

"I'll miss it."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, it's not your fault. What do the stars look like from the Eternal City?"

Quatre looked up again, studying the pattern of the twinkling stars. "Not as clear, or as bright," he decided finally. "They're harder to see, because the city lights get in the way. It's funny, when you think about it... since the stars are supposed to be what guide us all, and you can barely see them."

"Why does that bother you so much?" Trowa asked curiously.

"What?"

"The idea of destiny... it really seems to annoy you."

Quatre laughed. "Blame it on being told too many times *exactly* how my life is going to play out, beginning to end. The consistent lack of a choice started to rankle after a while. How about you?"

"I've always tried to avoid thinking about it."

"I guess that works, too." Quatre looked at him. "You're shivering."

"It *is* the dead of winter, Quatre," Trowa said drily. "And we happen to be standing outdoors with the wind blowing and snow on the ground."

"I know *that*," Quatre retorted. "I may be from the south, but even I'm not that ignorant. What I meant was that you said the cold doesn't bother you."

"I said I never notice it," Trowa corrected him.

"Oh. I'd suggest going inside, but I don't want to face Wufei yet." Quatre grimaced. "I'm sure he's building up all sorts of lovely things to say to me about my lack of responsibility." He caught sight of the faintly amused expression on Trowa's face. "What?"

"Nothing," Trowa replied innocently.

"I don't believe you." Quatre sniffed. "You think I'm being childish, don't you?"

Trowa hesitated. "Well - a little bit."

Quatre pouted, crossing his arms petulantly. "Well... that's good, because I'm being incredibly immature." He grinned. "Everything that Wufei yells at me will be completely accurate and more than earned. Doesn't mean that I want to hear it, though."

"Then why did you do it?" Trowa asked.

"We thought we wouldn't get caught?" Quatre suggested. "Seriously? I wanted to do it. I wanted to know who Trowa Barton is. And I'd do it again, knowing that I'd get caught."

"So... what do you think of what you've found?"

Quatre smiled, reaching out and cupping chilled fingers around Trowa's cheek. "That I like what I see... and that I am going to spend a long time learning everything there is to know about you... and that maybe I ought to put a little more faith in the stars." Quatre pulled Trowa's face closer to his, kissing him.

Trowa hesitated for a moment as Quatre's lips touched his, before accepting the kiss. *This... is all right. He isn't trying to hurt me or use me...* Slowly, he lifted his arms, wrapping them around Quatre. He felt Quatre smile as he slid his arm around Trowa's waist.

Quatre broke the kiss for want of air, tilting his head back to smile at Trowa. "You aren't shivering as much now."

"Maybe you make me feel warmer," Trowa replied softly.

"Then... I'll make sure you're never cold again," Quatre promised him.

Trowa's voice shook slightly. "Let's go inside... I'll show you the back hallways, where no one but the servants go."

"Okay," Quatre whispered. "I'd like that."

And now, because I am *exhausted*, I am going to bed. Find out what happens next tomorrow...

C&C always desired and appreciated!

Lys ap Adin