23-Jan-2000
I admit this is an odd concept that nobody else will write about, but
they look good together. Ralph is Ralph Kurt from Blind Target. This
story supposes that Ralph & Trowa ended up living together some time
afterwards.
Probably OOC. Sorry for any crossposts.
"Trowa?"
"Yes, ne-san?" said Trowa.
"Let's talk privately in my trailer."
"All right."
Trowa followed Catherine to her trailer. He could tell she was upset by the way she was striding, her hands clenched into fists. I wonder, he thought, if I've angered her somehow.
Once he stepped in, Catherine locked the door behind her and sat down on a folding chair. "Sit," she said.
Trowa sat on another nearby chair. "Catherine. Why are you so angry?"
"I'm not angry. I'm worried. About you." She had her arms folded across her chest and her back was straight. Her legs were crossed and one foot impatiently swung this way and that.
"What for? My performance... "
"It's not about that at all. It's about the fact Ralph's moved into your trailer."
"It's our trailer," Trowa said mildly.
"I don't know who this guy is."
"I know him. He's an old friend."
"But you told me you hadn't seen him in years."
"Ne-san. It doesn't really concern you."
"Don't ne-san me. You take people in like an old woman takes in stray cats. Remember Heero? When he took up with Duo; who was the one who had to get you to talk about it when you were hurting?"
"Ne-san."
"And when you had to explain to Quatre why things weren't working out, who was the one who had to get you to eat afterwards?"
Trowa sighed. "Ne-san."
"If this man breaks your heart, who'll be doing the clean-up, eh, Trowa? So, it is my business."
Trowa gave her a small little smile. "I'm used to doing dangerous things. And I promise that I won't bother you with any more of my relationships."
"That's not what I mean at all!" protested Catherine. "I'm just... "
"I understand, and I'm glad you feel this way. You're always trying to protect me from myself. But this time you don't have to worry. I'm not as I used to be."
"That's true," sighed Catherine.
"You have always watched over me. You were the one who kept me from self-destructing that time and you took me in when I didn't even know my own name. I was a stray myself."
"No."
"Yes. Even though I don't say it as often as I should, I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Trowa, you don't have to say things like that. Just take care of yourself."
Trowa gave her a little smile. "I promise."
Catherine sighed. "OK, that's all I wanted to say."
Trowa gave her a little nod, got up and left without saying another word.
Ralph said, "Is Catherine completely bald from pulling out her hair yet?"
"What?" said Trowa. He was feeling very sleepy and not simply from twirling around under the big top.
"I saw you walk out of her trailer again. Did you get another scolding about something?"
"She's just being concerned."
"Concerned, yeah, concerned." Ralph began playing with Trowa's bang by pushing it down gently, then letting it spring back up.
After letting Ralph do this a few times, he swatted the hand away.
"I'm sleepy."
"Still can't get over the fact your hair does that. It reminds me of some other things."
Trowa said nothing, but simply rolled on his side. "Shhh."
***
It was morning when Chris arrived at the L3 colony spaceport. She walked through customs with only one piece of rolling luggage. She walked past the luggage carousel as she had nothing to pick up. She had no plans to stay long. I hope Ralph will be happy to see me. I've got such great news. It took me a while to track down where he was, but I really want to tell him about this opportunity. And there are other things to talk about as well.
She looked up at the sunny sky. A smile crossed her face then she hailed a taxi.
"Ralph," said Trowa from the bed.
"Yes, Trowa," Ralph said as he finished buttoning up his shirt, then putting on his boots.
"I had a strange dream last night."
"What kind of dream?"
"A strange dream. I dreamed that I was standing still against the wall like I do when Catherine performs her act. But instead of Catherine standing with her knives, it was you standing there with your sniper's gun. I had an apple on my head and you kept asking, `Do you trust me? Do you trust me?' It was so strange because I couldn't say anything." Ralph paused, then turned to Trowa. "I think that you're still not used to this yet. It's only been a couple months since I moved in. I'm sure once you're sure, it won't come again."
"Yes, that sounds right. Ralph?"
"What?"
"Never mind."
"I'll be back and don't worry so damn much."
"Yes."
Trowa laid back down on the bed. It was his day off today and he could rest. Ralph had gone into town for some groceries. Knowing Ralph, he was likely to pick up some take-out and maybe a small bottle of wine.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the circus, Catherine saw a pretty blonde woman walk towards the encampment. Catherine, in cut-off denim shorts and a sleeveless vest shirt, put down the knives she was sharpening and turned to the woman and said, "I'm sorry but it's our day off. Tomorrow, we'll be reopening... "
"No, I'm not here to watch any performances. I want to talk to a Ralph Kurt. I heard he was here."
"Why do you want to see him?" said Catherine.
"I have important business to discuss with him and I also have personal reasons. Just tell him it's Chris. He'll know who it is."
"I'm sorry, but he just went into town."
"I'll wait for him."
Catherine frowned, then licked her lips. "He lives with my brother Trowa in his trailer."
"Oh, which trailer would that be?"
"I meant that they live together," said Catherine. Do I have to spell it out for you? She thought.
Chris blinked, then said, "You're saying that... they're involved with each other."
"Yes."
"I find that hard to believe," said Chris.
"You can ask them if you like."
"Even if it is true, I still have to talk to Ralph."
Catherine crossed her arms and a frown darkened her face. "I hope you're not going over to the trailer with the intention of creating a scene or hurting Trowa. If you do, you'll have me to deal with." She fanned her throwing knives at the woman in front of her.
"I'm not that type of woman," said Chris coolly. "Now if you don't mind, please show me to the trailer so I can wait for him."
Catherine put her knives away in their case and walked towards a group of trailers at one end of the circus, past the animals.
Catherine went up to the door and knocked. "Trowa, are you there?"
She heard some scuffling, then the door opened to reveal Trowa wearing only a pair of jeans.
"Catherine, what... "
"A visitor especially for Ralph," Catherine said, emphasizing the word 'especially.'
Trowa blinked at the woman standing behind Catherine and blinked. "I see. Come in."
"Thank you," said Chris.
Catherine threw a worried glance at the woman, then looked at Trowa. Trowa gave her a small reassuring smile and said, "Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Catherine threw her hands up in exasperation and walked away.
Trowa closed the door and looked at the visitor. "Please sit down on one of the chairs."
Chris did so and said, "Thank you."
"What is your business with Ralph?"
"Once when Ralph and I were children, he saved my life. I never really got to say thank you. I've been meaning to do so for a long time."
"I'm sure he'd be glad to hear that. But it must be more than that."
"Yes, it is." Chris opened her briefcase. "Words didn't seem to be enough. Recently, however, I joined the terra-forming project on Mars. You should see it. There's already a bio-dome that covers the surface area of a single colony. Many more are planned. The genetically modified moss has taken hold on the polar regions, releasing oxygen into the air. Also, we've drilled deep into the bedrock and found a vast supply of underground water. The project is even a little ahead of schedule. There's limitless opportunity on Mars." She paused.
"You want Ralph to move to Mars."
"Yes. There are several positions open and many of them are pretty high-level. I believe that Ralph has the brains and the drive to help supervise the project. Zechs and Noin asked me if I knew anybody that would be a perfect addition. The first person that came to mind was Ralph. This time it's a cause that won't disappoint him. He could make a future for himself there."
"And of course, your coming here has nothing to do with the fact that you will also be there on Mars," observed Trowa drily. His eyes neither flashed nor flared, but simply reflected a piercing awareness of what the person before him was thinking.
There was a few moments of silence. "There is that, too," she admitted. "Your sister Catherine told me you and Ralph were living together. It appears that it's true. But I still want to hear what he has to say."
Trowa looked at the blond woman sitting in front of him and tried to summon up some hatred, but couldn't. In her way, he thought, she means only the best for Ralph. Besides, I don't own Ralph. If it's his choice to leave, I can't really prevent him. And I can tell by the look in her eyes that she sincerely cares deeply for Ralph. Besides, hurting her feelings simply to be mean would be the lowest. "Thank you for being honest with me, Chris. I... "
The door flew open. "Trowa, I got... Chris?" said Ralph.
Chris stood up, looking rather embarrassed. "Ralph!"
"Excuse me," said Trowa. "I believe you two have lots to talk about. I have to go and practice now." With that, Trowa walked out of the trailer.
He walked over to Catherine's trailer and knocked on the door.
Catherine's door nearly flew open. "Well, what happened!"
"She's talking with Ralph now."
Catherine's eyes widened. "She's talking to him? Why aren't you there?"
"It's his choice whether or not to stay with me."
"But... "
"What is it that you expect me to do? Cling to his pants? Cry? I refuse to do either."
"No, fight for him. Tell this woman exactly what you think about her!"
"I always thought that a man who hurt a woman on purpose was the worst."
"Trowa, your chivalry will be your undoing."
"Perhaps, but it's who I am. Sis... "
"Yes."
"Can I come in for a while?"
Catherine sighed, then gave him a hug. "You drive me crazy, Trowa. I swear to God, you do."
As Trowa walked in, he said, "Ralph said that one day you'd go bald from all the worry I cause you."
"Why... that... oh!" fumed Catherine, infuriated.
A woman arrived at the spaceport alone. He won't come now, Chris thought as she waited for her shuttle. But he will come later. Ralph, all of Mars awaits you. You know where to reach me if you ever change your mind.
The intercom announced, "Flight 13 to Mars, please board at Gate 8."
After seeing Chris leave, Trowa walked into the trailer to see Ralph standing in the middle of the room. "So, what happened?" said Trowa.
"I told her I wasn't interested."
"I see." The corners of Trowa's mouth involuntarily lifted into a little smile. Then he noticed the pissed look on Ralph's face.
"What's wrong?"
"You know, you could've fought for me a little." There was a scowl on his face and his eyes were filled with puzzlement. "Chris said you reacted like you didn't care whether I left or not."
That statement wiped the smile off Trowa's face. "You know that's not true."
"So, was she lying to me when she said that you would be fine with me leaving for Mars?"
"I don't think she was intentionally lying, but I said nothing of the kind," said Trowa. I'm trying to keep calm, he thought, why does he have to stir things up like this?
Ralph snorted. "Did you really think I'd leave with her? I want an honest answer."
"I... was hoping you wouldn't go. But I don't own you. You wanted me to beg you to stay, to threaten her? You know that is not the way I am."
Ralph sighed. "That's true."
Trowa went up to him and put his arms around him. "I'm sorry if I've disappointed you."
"No, you haven't. I'm sorry." Ralph gave him a reassuring kiss.
"So, her offer of a job on Mars didn't tempt you at all?"
Ralph sighed and rolled his eyes. "What, with five knife blades sticking out of my back?"
Trowa chuckled at this. His sarcastic sense of humor somehow managed to push the right buttons. "Ralph."
"Yeah."
"If there ever is a time you want to go somewhere else, if someone else offers you an opportunity you'll regret turning down... "
"Enough."
"I'll go with you."
Ralph raised an eyebrow. "But I thought Catherine and the circus... "
"It's true that being here makes me feel secure, but I'd go with you anyway."
There was a moment of silence between them, then Ralph stroked his hair and said, "Let's go to sleep."
"Yes," said Trowa.
Later, the dream came to him again. He was again standing against the wall and Ralph was asking him again if he trusted him. Trowa smiled radiantly at him and said, "Yes, I do."
With that, the rifle went off and the apple above his burst in two, leaving him unharmed. He and Ralph then stepped towards each other, held each other's hand, then bowed to the applauding crowd.
The End
(:./mk/stray)
