Love Is Blind

A limousine pulled up at the front of the Winner mansion. A blond boy hopped out of the car eagerly.

"Finally, home sweet home," he said, taking in a deep breath of the countryside's sweet-smelling air.

The butler came to receive him as a servant removed the luggage from the car.

"Welcome home, Quatre-sama."

"Rashid! How are you?" the blond boy ran to the tall, broad-shouldered man.

"I am very well, Quatre-sama," the butler answered, looking at the boy fondly.

"Quatre!"

The boy turned and saw his sister. "Iria!"

They hugged each other happily.

"Oh Iria, did you miss me?"

"Ha, I missed your naughty pranks and tricks, you little imp," Iria teased at him.

Quatre beamed at his sister. It felt so good to be home again.

"Oh, I want to see Jupiter. I have missed him so much at boarding school."

"Now, wait a minute, young man. You just came back. Aren't you going to see Father first? That horse can wait." Iria looked at Quatre annoyingly.

"Jupiter is not just a horse. He is my friend."

"Whatever. Let's go to see Father now. He has a lot to ask you about school." Iria pulled the grumbling Quatre into the house.

Rashid watched them in silent amusement. Quatre had really grown up. He remembered when he was still a toddler. Rashid smiled to himself. That boy was like a son to him.

=================

The family was having afternoon tea at the beautiful garden. Father Winner was asking his son about his studies and his life at the boarding school and Quatre filled his father with all the events in school. All the while, Quatre looked distracted. He kept looking out to the stables.

"Quatre, is something wrong?"

"Huh? Oh…nothing, Father."

"You want to see your horse, right?"

Quatre nodded eagerly.

Father Winner smiled knowingly. "Run along then."

"Oh, thank you." The boy excused himself from the table and ran off to stables immediately.

"Father, you are spoiling him," Iria complained.

Quatre ran into the stables and saw Jupiter tossing his head, whisking his tail to keep away the flies. He ran towards his beloved horse.

"Jupiter! Jupiter!" he cried. "How I have missed you!"

The horse whinnied and nuzzled his nose against the boy.

Quatre laughed and patted Jupiter's neck. "How are you, buddy boy?"

He opened its stall and let him out.

"Let's go for a run in the field," he said, "and I will groom you later."

From a hidden corner of the stables, a tall, lanky stable boy with long jagged bangs watched the blond boy and the horse in silence and with curiosity. He had heard some servants talking about the young master coming home from boarding school. But he didn't expect the young master to be a boy of his own age and such a beautiful boy too.

Since that day, the stable boy would always observe the young master from a hidden corner whenever he came down to the stables. He watched him as he rode his horse with freedom on the open field; his laughter filled the air. His platinum blond hair and his fair skin seemed to glow under the sun. He looked unreal - like an angel of a fairy tale, of dreams, like an angel basking under the sun. That was such a beautiful sight to the stable boy.

Then one fateful day, something terrible happened. Quatre was riding Jupiter as usual that afternoon when the sky turned dark with strong wind blowing. There was going to be a heavy downpour soon. Suddenly, a flash of lightning crossed the sky and a loud clap of thunder was heard. It startled the horse. Jupiter became wild and uncontrollable. It started running around wildly and kicking, sending Quatre flying off his back. Quatre cried out as he hit the ground.

The stable boy heard his cries and rushed out to see the boy lying on the grass, unconscious. The horse was running towards him! The stable boy dropped the bucket he was holding and ran towards the horse to divert it away before it trampled on Quatre. He managed to pull the reins in time and guided the horse away from Quatre.

"Quatre-sama!" Rashid ran to the boy and lifted him up.

"Go get the doctor now!" he shouted to the servants.

The stable boy calmed the horse down as he watched the butler and the servants rushed the injured boy into the house. His heart was filled with worry and anxiety.

=================

The doctor finished with the last bandage on Quatre's arm.

"How is my son?" Father Winner asked anxiously.

"He has a mild concussion and some bruises, otherwise he is all right. But that concussion has affected his vision, so he is temporary blinded," the doctor explained.

"Temporary blinded? When will he recover?"

"I can't really tell you when, maybe a week, maybe a month. But don't worry Sir, I will do my best to cure Quatre-sama."

"Father, how do you think Quatre is going to take this?" Iria asked worriedly.

Quatre slowly stirred and tried to open his eyes. There was a throbbing pain in his head.

"Quatre?"

Quatre opened his eyes to the sound of his name and looked around. Why was everything in pitch dark? Where was he?

"Father? Father, is that you?" Quatre called out in confusion.

"Yes, son."

"Where are you, Father? I can't see you. Where am I?"

Father Winner and Iria exchanged worried glances.

"Son, you are in your room. You had an accident while riding and you are…..temporary blinded."

"Blinded? You mean…you mean I can't see anymore?" Quatre held up his hands in front of him but he saw nothing, only darkness.

"No! NO!"

A loud anguished cry was heard from the room.

=================

The stable boy was very worried about the young master. He kept tabs of his conditions through the servants' conversations and what he heard disturbed him very much. The young master refused to take his meals or his medication. He was throwing tantrums and chasing away anyone who entered his room. Even Father Winner was helpless about him.

"He won't be able to get well like that. I got to do something," the stable boy decided.

He stepped into the house quietly. Stable hands were not allowed in the house but he wanted to help that beautiful boy.

"I don't know what to do. Quatre-sama won't let me into the room. He keeps screaming and shouting away," the servant said to Rashid helplessly, holding up a tray of untouched food.

The butler frowned in concern. The boy had been like that for days.

"Will you let me try?"

Rashid turned around and saw the stable boy standing behind him.

"You are not allowed in the house!" the servant yelled at him but Rashid intervened. He looked at the silent boy.

"You think you can get him to eat?" the butler questioned.

"I will try." The boy took the tray of food from the servant and entered the room quietly.

Quatre was sitting on his bed, shouting away. Pillows, blankets and other items were strewn around the floor.

"I said go away! I don't want any food. Just leave me alone!"

The stable boy just stood at a corner in silence until Quatre quiet down before he approached him slowly.

"You must get well soon. Jupiter misses you very much," the stable boy said quietly.

"Jupiter?" Quatre suddenly remembered his beloved horse.

"What happened to Jupiter? Did they do anything to him? It wasn't his fault, he was scared." Quatre asked anxiously.

"Jupiter is fine, don't worry," the stable boy assured.

"How do you know? Who are you?" Quatre demanded.

"I am a stable boy in your father's estate."

"A stable boy?" Quatre frowned. He didn't remember seeing any stable boy around. Was this another trick pulled by them to get him to eat?

"What is your name?" Quatre questioned.

"Trowa."

"So you are saying Jupiter is fine?"

"Yes. I groom him everyday. He is a magnificent horse."

Quatre wasn't sure whether to believe this boy or not but he sounded sincere and he knew much about Jupiter.

"He has been with me ever since he was a foal. I have looked after him, fed him and groomed him personally until I have to leave here to go to a boarding school. You have no idea how sad I felt then."

"That is understandable. You have grown attached to him."

"Yeah." Quatre smiled as fond memories of the past came to his mind.

"If you really love Jupiter, you must get well fast. You don't want him to feel guilty, do you?"

Quatre sighed. "I know but what's the use? I am already blind. I can't see him anymore."

"This is only temporary. You will get well," Trowa replied confidently.

"You think I will regain my sight again?"

"Yes, you will. But first, you must eat. An empty stomach won't do you any good."

Trowa placed the tray of food on the table and slowly fed Quatre with it. Quatre munched the food reluctantly. He didn't understand why he was letting this boy doing this or why he trusted him so much. It was a feeling he can't explain.

=================

Quatre began to look forward to Trowa's everyday visit. He had accepted his friendship without any doubts. Everyone in the house was very surprised by this but was glad that their Quatre-sama was finally cheering up.

Quatre loved talking to Trowa although most of the time he was the one doing the talking while Trowa just listened. Quatre would tell him everything about Jupiter and the other horses in his father's estate. The everlasting horse conversations between them went on and on. Trowa helped him out of his room and took him to the stables to 'feel' Jupiter. Trowa accompanied him around, taking him for short strolls around the garden.

Soon Quatre began to feel very much attached to Trowa. The friendship had developed into something else, something called infatuation.

"Can I…..can I touch your face? I want to feel how you look like." Quatre asked hesitantly one night.

Trowa took his hands and placed them against his cheeks. Curious hands began to grope about on his face, touching his brows, his eyes, his cheekbones. Quatre cocked his head from side to side as if trying to remember every feature that his hands had came in contact with. Rounding to the back of Trowa's neck, he paused for a moment before pulling Trowa towards him. He felt for Trowa's lips. Finding them, he replaced his fingers with his lips.

It was a hesitated, yet gentle kiss. Surprised by this unexpected gesture, Trowa pulled away abruptly, backing away from Quatre. His mind was whirling in confusion.

"Trowa?" Quatre sounded anxious. "Are you mad at me? I'm sorry."

When there was only silence, Quatre became panicked. He got up from his bed and began to grope around, making slow, unsteady steps forward.

"Trowa? Trowa, please don't leave." His hands wandered around trying to find Trowa. Quatre knocked into the foot of the bed and cried out. Snapping out of his reverie, Trowa quickly ran forward to catch him before he hit the floor.

"Quatre, are you hurt?" Trowa held the boy up slowly and led him back to his bed.

Quatre clutched at his hands tightly. "You are still here? I thought…I thought you have left."

"No, I'm still here."

"I'm sorry about that, Trowa. Please don't be mad at me. I…I just can't help myself." Quatre apologized.

"I'm not mad at you."

"Please don't leave, Trowa. Stay with me, please," Quatre pleaded, his grip tightened on Trowa's hand.

"I'm not leaving." Trowa assured him.

Quatre smiled in relief.

"Will you…will you let me…..kiss you again?" Quatre asked in a small voice.

Trowa placed his hands on Quatre's shoulders and lowered his lips to Quatre's. Quatre was pleasantly surprised but he kissed Trowa back hungrily. He felt Trowa's lips quivered. His arms quickly encircled Trowa's back, holding him tight, afraid that Trowa might ran away. His mouth became more insistent, more possessive.

That night, Trowa spent the night in Quatre's room, holding the blond boy in his arm as Quatre slept peacefully and blissfully.

=================

The servants in the house were speculating about their Quatre-sama's unusual friendship with the stable boy. The two boys had become very close to each other. This worried Rashid very much. He knew they were more than just friends. He had caught them kissing at the stables. Rashid was deliberating if he should inform Father Winner about this. He must uphold their reputation. If this illicit affair spread out, it would become a scandal to the family.

He knocked on Father Winner's door.

"Come in." An authoritative voice was heard.

Father Winner looked up as Rashid entered the room.

"What is it, Rashid?"

The butler hesitated. "Sir, there is something I believe you need to know."

~~~~~~~~~~

The family doctor came to check on Quatre again and announced a piece of good news to them. Quatre's eyesight was getting better. The doctor will come again the next day to remove the bandage and Quatre will be able to see again.

Quatre was very excited.

"Did you hear that, Trowa? Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will be able to see you."

Trowa was leaving Quatre's room when Rashid stopped him.

"I need to speak to you," the butler said grimly.

The boy followed him to the servant's quarters and the butler handed him an envelope.

"This is your pay. From now on, you are no longer the employee of the Winner estate," the butler said.

Trowa looked baffled. "Why? Have I done anything wrong?"

"All I can say is that you shouldn't have been so close to Quatre-sama."

Trowa knew what he meant. They had found out about his relationship with Quatre. He understood the butler's concern. He didn't want to leave but they were a reputable family and he certainly didn't wish to mar Quatre's name. That night, he packed and left the Winner estate with much regret. He didn't have the chance to bid Quatre good bye.  

Standing below Quatre's window, Trowa looked up at the brightly lit room and whispered softly, "Goodbye, Quatre. I will never forget you."

~~~~~~~~~~

Quatre waited impatiently as the doctor slowly removed the bandage around his eyes. He blinked and squeezed his eyes shut again, unaccustomed to the sudden bright light. He slowly opened his eyes again and focused. He saw his father and sisters' anxious faces.

"Son, can you see us?"

"Yes." Quatre looked around for Trowa, for the boy whom he had long to see but all he saw were the familiar faces of his family members. Where was Trowa?

"Where is Trowa? Did anyone see him?" Quatre asked.

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing how to tell Quatre.

Quatre turned to Iria. "Please get Trowa here for me? I want to see him."

Iria looked at him helplessly. How was she going to tell him that Trowa was forced to leave after their father learnt about their unusual relationship?

"Iria, please?" Quatre pleaded again.

When Iria remained motionless, Quatre became vexed. He pushed back the covers and tried to get off the bed.

"What are you doing, son? You need rest." Father Winner stopped him from getting up.

"You won't get Trowa for me, I will go find him myself."

"You can't! He...he is gone." Iria blurted out.

Quatre stared at her in disbelief.

=================

Quatre put his arms round Jupiter and hid his face against the horse's neck. He was feeling utterly miserable. It had been a week since Trowa left. He didn't understand why he left. He questioned everyone in the house but all of them provided him with only vague answers. He knew Trowa wouldn't have left on his own accord. Something must have happened.

He went to Iria and pleaded her to tell him what happened. Quatre was so persistent that Iria finally gave in and told him the truth. He was shocked to learn that they knew about his love for Trowa. Quatre knew it was illicit for him to love another boy but he can't stop himself. Trowa meant so much to him.

Leading Jupiter back into the paddock, Quatre leaned on the gate and watched him trotting around. The stables felt so empty without Trowa. Quatre put his head in his hands and cried. He didn't know how he was going to live his life now without Trowa. He had become a significant part of his life.

Iria watched her little brother from outside the stables. It broke her heart to see him so sad, so depressed. He was getting thinner and looked wan. Iria decided to do something to help her beloved brother, even if it means she had to go against her father's wishes.

~~~~~~~~~~

Quatre cried himself to sleep again. He kept waking up in the middle of the night feeling lost. How he wished Trowa was there with him, with his arms around him protectively.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door.

"Quatre." A soft voice called out.

Quatre opened the door and saw his sister standing outside his room, looking around cautiously.

"Iria, is anything the matter?"

Iria closed the door and turned to him.

"Quatre, I have found Trowa."

"Trowa? You found him? Where?"

"He is working in a circus at the outskirts of the town," Iria said. "Go look for him, Quatre. Go to him."

Quatre studied his sister quizzically.

"Why are you doing this, Iria? Don't you know you are defying Father's orders?"

"I know but you love him, don't you? I don't want to see you miserable. I want you to be happy again."

"You…you accept our relationship?" Quatre stared at her in disbelief.

Iria heaved a sigh. "I don't understand your relationship with Trowa and I don't think it is acceptable in any ways. But if you strongly believe he is the one for you, he is the one who you wish to be with for the rest of your life, you have my support."

"Oh Iria, thank you." Quatre hugged his sister. "Thank you for being so understanding."

Iria hugged him back.

"Go pack your things now. You better leave before anyone found out about this."

"But what if Father finds out? How are you going to answer him? I am running away from home."

"Don't worry about me, I can handle that. Wait till this whole thing cool off before you come back. Hopefully Father will understand by then."

Iria watched her brother's receding back disappeared into the darkness of the night. She knew she was incurring her father's wrath by helping and encouraging her brother to leave home to look for Trowa. But for the sake of Quatre, she was willing to bear the responsibility.

"Take care of yourself, Quatre," she prayed.

=================

Quatre walked into the circus compound tiredly. He hadn't stopped his journey since he left home the night before. He was afraid to stop, in case his father found out what happened and was coming after him.

Walking around, he saw a boy grooming a performing horse. Instantly he knew that was Trowa. He might not have seen how Trowa looked like but he knew in his heart that was him. The feeling was unmistakable.

"Trowa!" he called out.

The boy turned around and gasped.

"Qu...Quatre?" he whispered.

Quatre came running to him.

"Trowa! Oh…I missed you so much." Quatre felt for his face, his hands touching that familiar lips and brows. Yes, this was Trowa, he was very sure. There was no mistake.

"Trowa!" Quatre hugged him tightly and leaned his head against Trowa's chest, sobbing.

Trowa put his arms around him hesitantly. He wasn't expecting to see Quatre again. He missed him a lot. And suddenly Quatre appeared before his eyes, running into his arms, holding him tightly. This was too good to be true. He hoped all these were not dreams. Quatre pulled away to look at Trowa. For the first time, he saw Trowa's beautiful emerald eyes, so mesmerizing, so captivating. Quatre tiptoed and brushed his lips against Trowa's. Trowa responded with a passionate kiss.

That night, Trowa turned to look at Quatre, as they lay cramped together in a small bed in his trailer.

"Quatre?"

"Yes?"

"Why did you leave the comfort of your home to look for me here?" Trowa asked curiously.

Quatre smiled at him. "Because I love you."

"But why would you? I am just a poor stable boy. I have nothing to offer you and I am certainly not worthy of you."

"But you have a kind heart and that is priceless to me."

"But I still don't understand why you love me."

Quatre pondered for a moment before answering. "Because love is blind."

~~~The End~~~  

Copyright © 2000 Minky