Open Your Eyes

“Hey, there you are, man!” Duo’s cheerful voice jolted Trowa out of his contemplative mood and he couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the braided boy waving his hands excitedly to attract his attention. He had been waiting at reception like he’d said and grabbing Trowa’s arm; he pulled the taller boy over to the cafeteria. “So, how’s your day going so far?” Duo asked as they searched for an empty table to sit at.

“Okay,” Trowa replied casually. “How about you?”

“Oh, Biology is the best class ever!” Duo exclaimed, steering Trowa over to the far end of the room. “We got to dissect some frogs and I got yelled at and threatened with expulsion when I accidentally set fire to one of the lab tables.”

“You did what?” Trowa screeched feeling embarrassed when the two girls in front of them turned and gave him a strange look.

“You have to see the scorch marks I left behind,” Duo crowed, laughing hysterically. “Honestly, the table has a burn mark this wide!” he added, holding his hands apart as if to measure the distance in the air.

“Duo, I can’t believe you!” Trowa hissed. “This is our first day and you’ re in trouble already! What will Sister Helen think?”

“Sister Helen thinks I’m a saint thank you very much and that’s the way it’s going to stay,” Duo replied with a grin. Trowa was still muttering threats under his breath when Duo startled him with a loud yell. “Hey, Quatre!” he shouted and Trowa looked up to see a small blonde boy wave back enthusiastically from a table in the far corner of the room. “This way.” Duo pushed Trowa in the direction of the table and made him take a seat before plopping down unceremoniously next to him. “This is Quatre,” Duo said to Trowa in way of introduction. “He’s in my Biology class.”

“Quatre Raberba Winner,” the boy said with a smile, offering his hand for Trowa to shake. Trowa stared at his hand as though it might suddenly wrap itself around his neck and strangle him. Eventually he decided that the blonde boy wasn’t a threat and he took the hand, shaking it as quickly as he could before releasing it.

“And this is my brother, Trowa Barton,” Duo informed the blonde.

“Your brother?” asked Quatre, looking back and forth between Trowa and Duo. “You do look kind of similar I suppose, but not enough so to be twins. How come you’re both in the same year?”

“Oh, we aren’t biologically related,” Duo explained. “Trowa’s my adoptive brother and he’s the best there is, aren’t you, Tro?” He slung his arm around Trowa’s shoulders who just shrugged and fished his lunch out of his bag. The sight of food made Duo perk up even more and he too dug around in his bag for his own lunch. Quatre’s eyes widened when he caught sight of what Duo had brought with him.

“You’re going to eat that?” he asked in disbelief.

“You bet,” Duo replied happily. “This is my double decker, mega super sandwich that I invented all by myself. It has everything you could ever want on bread; egg, bacon, mayonnaise, cucumber…” He went on and on telling his new friend the ingredients of his sandwich while Trowa just shrugged and made a start on his own cheese and tomato sandwich.

“Oh, Heero, you made it,” Quatre said with relief, putting a stop to Duo’s endless droning. Trowa looked up and his heart jumped when he realised that it was Heero Yuy, the boy from his earlier classes. “Guys, this is my friend, Heero,” Quatre informed the other two.

“Hi!” said Duo through a mouthful of sandwich, almost spraying the boy with half-eaten food. Heero looked at him disdainfully and uttered a small, “hnn,” before turning his attention to his lunch.

“That’s Duo,” Quatre informed Heero. “And this is his brother, Trowa.”

“Heero and I have met,” Trowa said quickly before ducking his head.

“Oh, you’re friends already!” Quatre said happily. “I’m so pleased for you, Heero!” He turned to Duo and Trowa who were sitting across from him. “Heero doesn’t socialise very much I’m afraid,” he said apologetically.

“That sounds like someone I know, eh, Trowa?” Duo said with a laugh. Trowa just frowned and nudged him. Unfortunately, Duo chose that moment to start choking on his sandwich and Trowa slapped his back until he could breath properly again. “Thanks, Tro,” he said weakly, coughing a little before going back to his sandwich. Trowa just sighed in response.

“You’re related to him?” Everyone looked up when Heero spoke and he glared back at them before directing his attention to Trowa who just nodded in response.

“They’re adoptive brothers,” Quatre said helpfully.

“Hnn,” Heero replied and then fell silent again.

Duo rolled his eyes. “I can see you two are going to get along famously,” he said to Trowa who just shrugged and picked at his sandwich. Duo was quick to notice. “You going to eat that?” Trowa just lifted one shoulder as an answer. Duo placed a hand on his arm and leaned in, speaking so that only Trowa could hear him. “Look, you have to eat, man,” he said in a low voice. “For me?”

Trowa stared at him for a long moment and then sighed, nodding his acquiesence. Duo patted him on the back and grinned, watching Trowa carefully to make sure that he finished his meal. Trowa purposely ignored the curious stare of the other two boys and to their credit, neither of them asked any questions.

“So, what’cha got next, guys?” Duo got out through a mouthful of food.

“Music’s my next class,” Trowa replied.

“Mine too!” Quatre piped up enthusiastically. Trowa resisted the urge to smile at that. The blonde boy seemed so likeable, so nice. “You don’t play the violin by any chance, do you? It’s just that there are only two of us in the group, so we’re always looking for fellow musicians.”

Trowa shook his head. “The flute is my main instrument,” he said. “But I play piano as well sometimes.”

“So do I! Hey, what do you say we try out a few duets together sometime? It’s not every day you see a violin and flute together. Here, I have something we might try.” Quatre hefted his bag up onto the empty seat beside him and pulled out a music book, leafing through it excitedly. “We could try a few of these pieces if you’d like. Ms. Frecheville is always trying to pair me up with someone to duet with for the orchestra’s performances anyway, so what do you think?”

Trowa could only nod, feeling somewhat taken aback by the smaller boy’s eagerness. People weren’t usually this friendly to him, but Quatre seemed to genuinely like him. Trowa glanced up at Duo who was grinning at him and giving the thumbs up and the corners of his mouth tugged up in a tiny smile.

“Well, I’ve got Art next,” Duo announced. “What about you, Heero?”

“Computer Studies,” the dark-haired boy grunted, not looking up.

“Well, at least we’ll all be together in PE last thing, right? What are you guys doing in that class, soccer? Basketball?”

“We had basketball last week, so it’ll be something different today,” Quatre informed him. “Could be soccer, I don’t know.” He made a face. “I hope not anyway, I’m not too good at it I’m afraid. PE isn’t exactly my favourite subject.”

“Well I like it just fine,” Duo said with a grin. He was just about to add something to that comment when the bell rang signifying the end of lunch. “See the rest of you in PE then,” Duo said before waving goodbye.

Trowa’s music class was actually rather enjoyable. The teacher seemed a little eccentric, but was willing to let Trowa and Quatre find a place in the corner of the room to practise while the rest of the group worked on their compositions. Trowa had been a little apprehensive about playing with Quatre, but his nervousness quickly vanished as soon as they began their first notes. Quatre seemed to be very advanced, but he had been kind enough to find something slightly easier for them to play to Trowa’s relief. He could only handle so many key changes in one piece.

At the end of the lesson, Trowa followed Quatre to the changing rooms and both boys quickly changed into their kits. Trowa fought the urge to pull his coat on over the thin tank top and shorts ensemble. He tugged at the bands on his wrists, adjusting them slightly so that the scars beneath weren’t visible. Quatre noticed his fidgeting and smiled reassuringly.

“These outfits pretty much suck, don’t they?” he said with a smile. “At least the colours aren’t awful, but black has never been a favourite of mine.” He tugged at the waistband of his black shorts and wrinkled his nose. “The grey top I can work with. I still don’t see why we can’t have anything tasteful like, oh I don’t know. Pink or something.”

Trowa snickered at that. “I think I’ll settle for what they give us now.” He couldn’t even begin to imagine himself in pink. Duo would be able to pull it off he had a knack for turning the most ridiculous outfits into a fashion statement. Trowa almost jumped out of his skin when a pair of hands covered his eyes. “Guess who?” a voice fairly bellowed into his ear.

“Stephen Spielberg,” Trowa replied flatly and Duo lifted his hands away.

“Oh, come on, Tro. You say that every time! You need something new,” Duo huffed, flinging down his bag. He stared at Trowa and arched an eyebrow.

“What?” asked Trowa, crossing his arms over his chest defensively as the braided boy looked him up and down.

“It’s not often I get to see you showing this much flesh in public,” Duo teased, clapping him on the back. “Lookin’ good!”

Trowa just rolled his eyes and tugged the hem of his shorts once more. Did they have to be so damn short? “Hey, did you see Heero at all on your way here?” he asked casually.

Quatre was the one who answered him. “He’ll be late. He always is when he has a computer class. I have to physically tear him away from those machines sometimes.”

“Should we wait for him?” Trowa questioned. He wasn’t sure if Heero would appreciate anyone waiting for him, but he just wanted to see the other boy again.

Quatre shook his head. “He’ll turn up, don’t worry. Come on, we’d better hurry. The sports halls are this way.” He led the other two boys out of the changing rooms and up to the hall. Other students were already milling around in pairs and small groups and Trowa looked around for some clue as to what they would be doing once the teacher arrived.

“Hi, Quatre! Who are your friends? Are these the new guys?”

“Yes, Miss Dorothy. This is Duo Maxwell and Trowa Barton.”

“Hey, babe,” drawled Duo, grinning widely. The girl who Quatre had announced as Dorothy gave him a look as though she had just discovered something poisonous and Trowa bit back a smile. Then she turned her attention on him and his smile faded. She stared at him like a hawk and he shifted under her gaze. Even though she was considerably smaller than he was, he couldn’t help but feel somewhat afraid by her domineering aura. And there was also the small matter of her rather unique eyebrows. Trowa wondered if she purposely shaped them that way.

Maybe they were genetic, he thought to himself, snickering inwardly. Apparently she saw something that she must have liked about him because she held out one manicured hand for him to shake.

“My name is Dorothy Catalonia,” she announced grandly. Duo made a gagging noise behind her back, but if Dorothy heard it, she didn’t react. Trowa shook her hand quickly, but she didn’t release his hand right away. Those pale blue eyes scrutinised him for a long moment before she spoke again. “You seem to be quite athletic, Mr. Barton. You don’t look as though you rely on pure strength so I’d say you were more of a speed type.”

“Come again?” Trowa muttered nervously, trying to escape her iron grip.

“I’m sizing you up as an opponent,” Dorothy replied. “I challenge you to a fencing match.”

Trowa’s jaw dropped. “A fencing match?” he repeated in disbelief.

“That’s right,” Dorothy said with a small smirk. “And I say we place a little wager to make it more interesting. If I win, you take me out on a date this coming Saturday.”

“A date?” Trowa gasped, in full panic mode. God dammit, he had to do everything in his power to make sure she lost! “So, what if I win? What do I get?”

“You would get the pleasure of arranging a re-match with me.”

Some pleasure, Trowa thought, trying not to scowl. Finally, Dorothy released his hand and he pulled it back as though he had been burned.

“Get your gear,” Dorothy told him. “I’ll see you in five minutes.” And with that she stalked off, leaving a rather open-mouthed Trowa behind. He whirled round to see Duo howling with laughter and although Quatre was smiling also, he did look to be rather sympathetic.

“Duo, you have to get me out of this!” he begged, grabbing the smaller boy and shaking him.

“Hey, hey, chill out,” said Duo, still laughing. He pushed Trowa’s hands away and smoothed the wrinkles out of his tank top. “Just try your best to win. Cheat if you have to.”

“Duo!” Quatre gasped in shock. “That’s very wrong!”

Duo just waved him off airily. “Come on, do you want poor Trowa to suffer the torment of taking Little Miss Eyebrows out on a date?” He walked over to where the fencing outfits were and brought one over to Trowa who just looked at it dubiously. “Put it on,” said Duo encouragingly and Trowa did so, wondering what he had done to deserve this.

“I can’t do this,” he muttered as he donned the necessary equipment. “I can’t fight a girl!”

“Sure you can,” Duo told him, handing him a rapier. “Just go for the eyes.”

“Duo!”

“Okay then, the throat.”

“Duo, this is fencing we’re talking about here,” Trowa reminded him with a glare. He looked down at himself and raised his arms in frustration. He jumped when he felt a tap on his shoulder and he turned round as slowly as he could, knowing who would be waiting for him.

“Are you ready to rumble?” asked Dorothy with a smirk, raising her rapier so that the tip of it was pressed against Trowa’s throat. He made a small sound of agreement, wishing he were anywhere but here. Dorothy gave a small chuckle and moved away. Trowa followed reluctantly, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. It didn’t help to hear Duo chanting, “Go, Trowa, go, Trowa!” and pumping his arms like he was shaking invisible pom-poms.

Duo sat down on a nearby bench to watch the show and Quatre lowered himself next to him. “He has my utmost sympathy,” he told Duo with an apologetic shrug. “She did the same thing to me when I first moved here.”

“She challenged you to a match too?” Duo asked. Quatre nodded. “So, what’s she like? She doesn’t look to be all that strong.”

“Appearances can be deceiving,” Quatre said wryly. He lifted the corner of his tank top to reveal a small scar on his side.

Duo’s eyebrows raised considerably. “She did that?”

“Yep. I don’t accept any of her challenges anymore. She’s been following me around for the better part of four months, so although I hate to say this, I’m thankful at least that she seems to have focused her attention on Trowa instead of me.”

“Poor Tro-man,” said Duo sadly, shaking his head. “It’s a sad day when a girl pushes you into a fencing match only to stab you and then drag you out on a date afterwards.”