This story was inspired by, and borrows heavily from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. It's not quite the same, but follows the basic plot closely enough so that anyone who is familiar with the play will recognize the story line. This is obviously an alternate universe piece, and relies very heavily on a strong dose of fantasy. I hope you enjoy it!
Copyright: All characters contained herein are the property of Sunrise entertainment. The story idea was compliments of Sir William Shakespeare. I hope the former doesn't sue. I'm pretty sure the latter won't.
"Lord, what fools these mortals be!" -Puck
"Thank you for coming over, Duo, I greatly appreciate it," Quatre Raberba Winner bowed deeply as the slim, dark-haired youth walked into his office.
"Not a problem, Quatre; anything for an old friend," said Duo, "but I am kind of curious. What's this all about? All you told me on the phone was that it involved some friends of ours."
"Well, it does. I didn't want to go into too much detail over the phone, because I didn't want anybody else overhearing."
"That secret, huh? That's not like you," Duo frowned. "All right, Quatre, I know you're the tactical genius, and I think I have a pretty good idea what this is all about."
"Well, you know how Relena has had her sights on Heero since...oh, since about Operation Meteor, I'd imagine."
Duo nodded. "It's no big secret. That all?"
Quatre shook his head. "Well, not exactly. There's also Wufei and Sally."
"Waaait a minute, Mister Winner," Duo intoned. "Since when did you become a matchmaker?"
"Since Lucrezia and I--well, Noin tells me all about Sally, since they are such close friends, and... well, Relena never kept her fascination with Heero secret from anyone, especially Heero."
"Yeah, yeah. So what does this have to do with me?"
"Well, it goes something like this. I've developed a product that might alleviate all their problems."
"A...product?" Duo raised one eyebrow.
"Yes. I don't want to go into too much detail, but it's kind of like a love potion."
Duo shook his head. Quatre had obviously been spending way too much time with Noin. "Now, I've heard some crazy schemes in my day, but this one takes the cake. A love potion?"
"Well actually, it's more like a love powder," Quatre admitted. "It's simple to use. Simply sprinkle it on the person's food, and the next time they wake up, they fall in love with the first person they see. I figured it would be easy enough to pull it off, but I need your help."
"Sounds like a big hassle to me. Besides, why can't you do this yourself?"
"Because, they--well, Heero trusts you. And Wufei listens--well, sometimes listens to Heero..."
"And?"
"And I haven't talked to Trowa in over a year..." Quatre said, a distant expression in his eyes. Duo knew how much he missed his old friend. He nodded. "Uh-huh. No Trowa. And?"
"Well...Noin kind of...let slip...that I had a...uhh...a plan...to Sally, so I don't think Heero or Wufei trust me very much any more."
Duo shook his head. "You never cease to amaze me, Master Quatre." Quatre flushed slightly at the sarcasm in Duo's voice. "Buuutt...I figure I owe you for a few times back during the war...so I'll do this for you..."
Quatre's expression grew hopeful.
"...but don't let this go to your head. I'm not your errand boy."
Quatre shook his head. "Oh no, Duo, I promise that this is the only time I'll ever ask you for this kind of help."
"Good. Now, show me this stuff of yours..."
Quatre opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a leather pouch. He carefully loosened the drawstrings and poured a small amount of the powder into his hand. It sparkled faintly in the light.
"Quatre, that looks like fairy dust. What makes you sure this is even going to work?"
"My scientists created it. I'm not even sure what's in it, or how it works. They just assured me that the tests brought back encouraging results."
Duo snorted. "Quatre, why on earth did you decide to create something like this?"
"Well, I wanted to end sadness of a sort...I thought that if this were available to people in love, that it would help somehow..." Quatre's voice trailed off.
"I see. For divorces and stuff."
"Yes, in a way."
"Tests?"
"I didn't ask them how or who. I was just informed that the preliminary results were successful, and that this prototype was safe for presentation to...higher authorities." He carefully poured the dust back into the bag.
"Yeah. So why are you giving it to me?"
"Because I'd rather see my friends happy than make a profit..."
"Which is something you Winners hardly need to worry about," muttered Duo under his breath. "All right, all right. I'll do this. Might be kind of fun to see Heero besotted over someone for a change."
"Duo, that's not what I--" Quatre admonished.
"Don't you worry about a thing, Quatre. Before you know it, you'll be hearing wedding bells!" He snatched the pouch from Quatre's hand and tightened the drawstrings. He sauntered toward the door.
"Duo, wait! I have to give you some instructions! Be careful with that stuff! If the wrong person takes it, there's no telling what might happen!"
"Hey, it's me! What's there to worry about?" With that, he cast a crooked smile over his shoulder and headed out the door.
"That's exactly why I'm worried in the first place," moaned Quatre softly.