Part 17
Sanq for it's own part was still digging out of the sandstorm. The storm had hit the town hard, burying part of the town and ripping off shutters and roofing tiles, shattering windows and generally making a mess.
Throughout the next few days, the people of Sanq worked together to fix the wind damage, and none worked as hard as Trowa. He laboured in unburying a window shutter from the sand, shirt off and flexing muscles in the hot sun. Managing to pop the shutter out finally, he drank deeply from a water canteen and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth.
Quatre, watching from a nearby porch, smiled. He walked over to him quietly, placing a hand on Trowa's shoulder. Trowa looked up and smiled slightly at him.
"Hard work?" Quatre inquired softly. Trowa stood, brushing his bangs out of his face for a moment.
"Certainly as hard as arranging to get more glass for the windows in town out of your own pocket," Trowa said in return, running a hand along Quatre's cheek. Quatre ducked his eyes and blushed.
"It's really the least I can do..." Quatre started, but Trowa put a finger to Quatre's lips to silence him.
"You know what the least you could do really is," Trowa said sternly. Quatre's expression was sad.
"I know..." Quatre said softly. Trowa took Quatre by the hand and they walked along. Trowa pointed out areas that had been fixed and others that still needed fixing. Quatre nodded and commented. They then walked in silence for a few moments before Trowa broke the silence.
"Something is troubling you," Trowa pointed out. Quatre sighed and nodded.
"Trowa, Heero hasn't returned yet," Quatre said, walking several steps away. His hands were clenched into fists and he looked down. "He was shot Trowa, what if something horrible happened to him?" Quatre turned suddenly. "What if he died out there?"
Trowa walked up to Quatre and enfolded him in a hug. "Don't worry about Heero. I know he can take care of himself. I'm sure he's fine."
Quatre sighed and leaned into the embrace. "I wish I could be as certain," he said as the wind picked up, bringing with the damp scent of a storm. "What now?" Quatre asked in wonder as the sky opened up and began dumping water on the town.
"Rain!" Trowa said, tilting his head up to let the rain drops fall on his face. Quatre smiled as he let the rain fall on him. Children ran around giggling as the rain fell harder and harder.
There was a bolt of lightning and moments later a crack of thunder. People looked at each other in panic and scrambled inside as Sanq braced itself for another tumultuous night.
TBC...