You hear a car pull up. Glancing out the window, you see a flash of platinum blonde. "Oh my gosh! It's him!" You check the mirror one last time and head for the door.
You open it, and there he is, eyes glowing, hair blonde as ever, with that soft smile on his face. His is Quatre Raberba Winner.
"Hello. You look very…um, pretty tonight. Happy Birthday." He blushes and looks down holding out a bouquet of your favorite flowers and a box.
Equally bashful, you take them, thank him, and invite him in. You show him the party room and introduce him to you're two friends who came early to help set up.
"These flowers are beautiful, they're my favorite," you say.
"I hoped you would like them." Quatre replies.
You smile at him and go to get a vase for them.
Later, your guests are all constantly whispering to you that they can't believe that you are really friends with him. Your female friends are apparently almost all jealous that he seems to like you, but you know they'll get over it.
After dinner, you open your presents. You get a lot of great stuff and the last box is Quatre's present.
Your heart beats as you unwrap it. You open the box and there is a pretty silver chain with a black charm inclosing a shining, silver star.
"It's beautiful!" you exclaim. "Does this come from outer space?"
He nods, smiles, and you throw your arms around his neck. Later, one of your friends will tell you that at first he looked surprised, then he put his hands gently on your back, tilted his head so that it rested against yours, and closed is eyes for a second.
She will say that was a picture perfect moment.
Eventually, you pull away and both of you blush and look down. Then the dance music starts. You give all you guy friends each a dance and most of them express either envy towards Quatre or congratulations to you for finding a cool guy who actually likes you.
At the beginning one of your favorite slow songs, you are looking around to see which of your friends you haven't danced with yet. You feel a hand softly touch your arm and hear Quatre's voice whisper, "May I have this dance?"
"Of course," you reply.
"So, how has your birthday been?" He asks.
"Great!" You say with enthusiasm.
"That's good," he adds.
"Yes, so far it's been one of my best ever, but it's not perfect."
After a pause, you ask, "Are you staying here long?"
"No, I'm sorry, I must leave tomorrow."
You feel your heart sink. "Oh," you say in a much less spirited tone than before.
"Don't look so sad, it's not good for you…I guess I shouldn't have told you."
"No, it's ok, I asked…I will miss you, though." You look down.
"I'll miss you, too."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Feeling better, you change the conversation to other things.
After dancing with a few other boys, you go out onto the balcony and stare at the sunset as it's last colors fade away. You think about Quatre and his mission as a Gundam pilot. You don't really understand any of it. You figure that in war, the less you know, the better. A young man like Quatre Winner, with a kind disposition and those soft, deep eyes, can only fight with determination for something that is good.
Your thoughts are interrupted by footsteps behind you. "You're missing your own party."
You glance over your shoulder and smile at him, then turn back to look at the sky. Quatre comes up behind you and carefully places his hands on your waist. You bend and twist to see his face. He looks at you and smiles. Then he looks up toward the horizon. The wind gently ruffles his hair and he looks noble and strong, despite his baby cute face and light coloring.
You turn back, cross your hands, put them over Quatre's, and lean against him. The stars are starting to come out. For a long time you just stand there enjoying each other's presence and the beauty before you.
Then, as he's looking down at the trees and far off mountains surrounded by the night air, he speaks, "It's so beautiful, you're so lucky to have grown up with the beauty of the Earth around you."
"Your admiration for its beauty amazes me. I kind of take it for granted have lived on Earth all my life," You look up at the stars, "but isn't outer space lovely, too?"
"I love outer space; the colonies are my home, but Earth has welcomed me, and the 'naturalness' of the earth is amazing. Most of outer space is so…artificial. Beauty like this gives me reason to fight. To protect the beauty and innocence of the world from pain and destruction, that is why I fight. Not just innocent things…people, too…especially people."
You untwist out of his arms so that you are facing each other holding both hands. "People like me?" You ask, searching his eyes.
"Yes," he answers, "and don't make that face, innocence is nothing to be ashamed of. Innocence is a wonderful thing. I wish more people were like you, if that were so, there could be peace, but right now, that's not possible."
"Is it ever possible?"
"Maybe," Quatre lets go of your hands and turns, putting is right hand on the railing, "but there's something driving about war. As long as people love the thrill of battle, they will fight. If only that drive could be controlled and used only for good, then there'd be nothing to have to fight against. Personally, war makes me sick, but I go on with it because I have too. The colonies, the other Gundam pilots, the World…they all need me."
You put your hand left hand on top of his right, "I hope you will be able to stop fighting soon, Quatre."
"So do I." He touches your face gently with is left hand.
You hear an announcement from inside about it being the last slow song.
"You want to go in and dance?" He asks.
"I'd be delighted to." You start to take your had off of his, but he lifts his of the railing and takes it. Holding hands, you walk back into the dance room.
You dance, and towards the end of the song he asks, "Is your birthday perfect now?"
"Not quite." You say, looking into those blue-green eyes.
He kisses you softly, "Now?"
"Yes, perfect."



All comments, praises and thoughts can be sent to:Brittany }}{{