Excerpt:
Quatre expression falls further than it already has, into a solemn, defeated look. "Father says the outside world is too dangerous for me. He says it's to keep me safe."
Even he doesn't sound convinced by that. The words are too mechanical, too rehearsed to be his own.
"Doesn't your father keep strict rules as well?" he asks quietly, turning to look at Duo again.
"Nothing like not being allowed to go outside," Duo says quietly. "I only get in trouble when I make trouble by, say, breaking things. Or stealing. I used to steal things when I was little 'cause I didn't have any other way to get them."
Duo shakes his head. "But that stuff doesn't matter," he says. "And the stuff about the world being 'too dangerous' is still stupid. If it's 'too dangerous,' then I wonder what he's got to say about all the people whose kids go to school. Y'know, like we're supposed to."
Quatre blinks, reeling, trying to keep up with his string of logic. "Do you…go to school?"
"That doesn't matter," Duo quickly dismisses him. A few gears turn in his head. He makes a preposterous proposition.
"What if I steal you?"
Until Next Time
- Authors: ktlab (katopiyo) & TarotFox
(4x2) 40k
Duo lets out some sort of noise between a grunt and a groan as his vision adjusts. As he simultaneously regains his other senses, he realizes that he's been tied - or, more accurately, his arms, torso, and legs have all been tied - to a chair. And the ropes are thin. If he's still at the Winners', they've really cheaped out.
My notes: This is a 1910s-20s crime AU. Duo is a thief, Quatre is the heir to a very controlling and powerful family. Nothing's going to stop them. I love the setting, and it's nice to see a Quatre that is decidedly not particularly woobie, just inexperienced... and a force of chaos once he learns more.