Duo Mawell - AC203 December 23th
Duo, warmly snuggled into his brand new coat, rimed with warm false fur, perched over a stone railing, was looking after the Merquise twins. Relena had dragged Lucrezia and Hilde to the spa, under the pretense that the brunets couldn't attend the party without a full massage, scrubbing and whatever women were suffering through in those places. Duo suspected it was mostly to try and win over the difficult soldier, with the help of a woman Hilde actually looked up to.
Zechs had been basically kidnapped by Quatre, probably about contracts or whatever.
So, Duo was left with babysitting duty. Not that he minded.
The two adorable shrimps were currently trying to make a snowman. It didn't take them long to enroll Duo's help, except that he had never done one either. They were still struggling with the making of a body that wouldn't fall apart every five minutes.
Since they were near the mansion at the top of the hill and on the road side, they couldn't miss the arrival of the brightly colored trailers.
_ Is that the circus?" Luc piped in.
_ Circus, circus!" Millie crooned happily clapping her hands and bouncing on her heels.
_ Yes it is. And who says circus says?..." Duo trailed with a huge grin, prompting the children to finish.
_ Clowns!" Yelled Millie.
_ Lions!" Roared Luc.
Duo laughed. Whatever might happen tomorrow, or how much crap Wufei would hand him; coming down here would have been worth meeting those two adorable, innocent, little terrors.
The snowman soon forgotten, they climbed down the hill toward the flattest part of Relena's domain lawn where the caravan was heading. Duo still made them stop far enough that they wouldn't disturb the settlement nor risk one of the children getting hurt.
The three of them watched the trailers settle, trying to guess what wonders were hiding under the thick lavishly painted tarpaulin. The kids cried with delight when the Tiere passed before them, still a bit saddened that the beasts were mostly sleeping.
_ Aren't they cold?" Millie piped in worriedly. "Maybe they need covers?
_ I don't know cutie pie. But what I know is that Trowa is their caretaker. And he wouldn't let the Tiere get ill or hurt. He's a great guy. They did make a very long trip, they must be tired.
_ What is Tiere?
_ It's German for the wild animals.
_ Like a beast?
_ Ma na, kind of… But I like how Tiere sound better.
Then Luc sneezed three times in a row and Duo ushered the children inside, promising they would come back the next day "first thing in the morning" to say hello to the animals. He just hopped the kids' chatter wouldn't bother the usually quiet man or his poor beasts.
The circus was finally coming into town. Tomorrow would come the much dreaded Christmas Eve's party. Then he would be able to spend another whole week of wandering around on Hilde's arm, enjoying the company, the sun and the snow.
After a sexy evening with his thoroughly pampered girlfriend, Duo was very inclined to make a redo on a lazy morning. Until some banging at their door interrupted what was promising to be a wonderful handjob.
_ Who the hell…?
The banging wasn't that loud but surprisingly fast.
_ Unc'Duo, Unc'Duo… You promised!
_ You said we would get to see the lions! And the bear!
_ And the clowns!
_ Get up ! Get up!" the two little terrors urged him in unison making Duo groan in dismay and Hilde giggle at his predicament.
Damn, it wasn't even eight in the morning! Couldn't have those menaces waited until at least ten? Especially today. Honestly, Duo would have been perfectly fine with not getting out of the room until tomorrow morning. At least.
_ Well… you promised Sexy Thing. And if you're nice and behave, I might treat you before tonight." Hilde purred near the one ear that wasn't hidden under the pillow Duo was holding above his head.
On the other side of the door, the twins were still pounding and half pleading half demanding for Duo to come out. His braid rolled around his neck like a scarf, he was already suffocating from heat anyway. And since the day was most likely to end catastrophically, despite Hilde's promise, he might as well make sure to start nicely.
_ I'm up, kids! I'm up! Just let me get clean and clothed. And, please make sure there's some breakfast with my name on it. I ain't going outside without some nice pancakes in my belly!
He could hear the kids giggle behind the door as he was heading to the en suite bathroom then scurrying away like the two chipmunks they were.
He dropped his head and shook it dejectedly. "I hate Terrans." He muttered without heat.
A teasing pair of hands went on his sides seconds before a warm body molded itself behind his back.
_ No you don't. Now, shall we quickly take care of that before your worshipers come back?
Her hands hadn't been long to go south. Duo moaned and leaned on her, knowing she could hold his weight just fine despite being slightly shorter, totally agreeing with that part of the morning routine.
Twenty minutes later, he was seated in the Peacecraft mansion's kitchen trying to eat his pancakes while the children were tugging at every part of his clothes they could grab, urging him to hurry.
_ If you could give me one minute…" He growled grumpily.
And, little innocent sheltered angels they were, they giggled some more at the implied threat. Duo did a double take at that. Man, even ozzies knew better that to treat Duo's growls lightly. Blessed the children who grew up in peace and safety.
He finished his cup of coffee, pocketed his remaining pancakes in a clean napkin and went up, patting Luc and Millie's head on his way to his warm and fuzzy coat. This was after all exactly for what he had fought. For little kids to giggle when meeting a grumpy adult, not fear for their hides or lives. He still hoped Zechs had taught them better than to trust just anyone.
Now was time to see if he could drop the kids on Trowa and see for himself if the guy was as good with children as Quatre said. And finish enjoying his breakfast in peace.
Duo made a face at the gray weather, felt the chilly wind and almost went back inside. If not for the pair of little hands slipped in his who tugged him forward. And the simple prospect to see Trowa again.
They had barely known each other at the end of the war. The only thing Duo knew about the silent pilot, besides his combat skills, was: Heero trusted him, he had one hell of a punch and he was real good at chess.
Duo hadn't learned much more since then, but he had enjoyed going spend some quiet time and get a free tour of the menagerie at each stay of the Circus in the L2 cluster. They had acquired somehow a lemur and a baboon some years ago and Duo just loved the playful furry things.
Enjoyed,… after Trowa's mother hen of a sis' threatened him with all kind of nasty things if he dared drag the sad clown into trouble again. She has stayed very mad at him for a long time for bringing Quatre in and throwing her adoptive brother back into the heat of the war.
It had been so long since the circus came around that he hadn't even realized Catherine had been pregnant until Quatre told him and Hilde. A quick calculation made Duo decide she must have been in her first month last time he saw them.
Catherine might hadn't even had known yet.
Duo laughed at that. He hadn't occurred to him first but the idea of Catherine "Knife-thrower" Bloom as a mom was almost as hilarious as Trowa being a dotting uncle.
As soon as they arrived to the camp ground, the kids pulled him out of his thoughts by trying to steer him to the huge cages. At that Duo had to dig his heels.
_ No. Nope. We can't go see the big cats without their caretaker's permission. Would you like for strangers to come to your rooms without your mom and dad knowing?" Duo added when he saw their pouts soon to be turned argumentative.
He let a relieved sigh when they shared a look and tentatively shook their head.
_ Good ! Now that we are on the same page: let's find our resident clown.
And Duo steered the two children toward what looked like the 'main entrance' of the ground site; namely a gap slightly wider between two trailers and at the opposite side of the menagerie. Duo vaguely remembered Trowa letting a word or two about too many passerby being stressful for the caged Tiere. Even on the Peacecraft's vast lands, letting the wild beasts roam around wouldn't be a brilliant idea.
Unless… It would make for an interesting evening… Duo shrugged. It would, but it would also get Tall and Broody in a lot of unnecessary trouble.
It actually was quite painfully easy to find the Barton-Bloom family. You just had to follow the wails. When they reached the peak of the awful noise, Duo couldn't help but double in laughter at the scene that greeted his little group.
Trowa, clad in grease stained overall, was awkwardly trying to hold onto a very red and angry looking little girl without staining her clothes. At his feet, his sister and the (un)lucky father, were still in night gears and were trying to coax the baboon into getting out of his hideout under a truck and, once the first part of the task done, wrestle the baby's bib from it.
Too bad for them, as soon as the deceitfully harmless looking monkey spotted Duo, he ran to him, crying almost as loudly as the tiny human in Trowa's hands. By instinct, the braided man put the kids behind him, earning some startled gasp, and crouched.
Flucky was usually friendly but Duo wouldn't take chances. Especially not with children.
He did escape a relieved laugh when the baboon jumped on him to wiggle his way into his chest and warm coat. Then kindly handed the bib to Duo.
_ I knew I loved you for a reason Flucky." He made sure Luc wasn't going to run haywire in the minute before letting go of his tiny hand and take the offered present. "Tanks buddy, but I'm not exactly fond of lactose. And the little thing there looks like it needs that bib' more than I do.
Catherine was already by his side when he looked up, he handed the frightening mother the precious item that might save his ears from bleeding anytime soon.
_ Hi there.
She nodded to him and hurriedly went back to the pocket monster she gave birth to in a courageous attempt to save them all, checking the nipple for dirt before sticking it in the wide open tiny mouth. It took some time for the distraught child to realize she had exactly what she wanted and start gorging on the formula milk.
At least Duo hoped it was formula and not... let's say mare's milk.
She handed the bottle for Trowa to hand "Your punishment" and breezed away, her man in tow. It was kind of cute to see the tall, wiry man hunched protectively over the tiny bundle secured in the crook of his arm and softly cooing at her. Grease all forgotten.
Duo, a wide grin on his face, one arm securing the monkey who had yet to leave its warm hideout, the other hand still holding Millie as Luc was holding the rim of his coat, waited for Trowa to feel secure enough to acknowledge their presence.
_ Once a tamer, always a tamer." Duo muttered fondly.
Once he was positive his niece was calmed down and wouldn't fuss again in the near future, Trowa looked up to Duo, and soon raised a questioning eyebrow upon spotting the two brats hanging on him.
Duo shrugged and moved forward.
_ Don't get any idea there, they are Merquise's. I wouldn't have come and bother you with how little time you'll have to be ready for the evening show but I … kind of got kidnapped there. The kids want to see the big cats.
Trowa nodded and gave a more leisure look over the children. Duo could feel them squirming under his stare. And snorted softly as he idly wondered how long of Heero's stare they would be able to bear before running and screaming.
_ Kids, this is Trowa Barton, a friend and the lion's caretaker. So…" He leaned toward them and mock whispered. "Didn't you chipmunks have something to ask him?
They looked at him, uncertainty in their eyes, needing a little more prompting.
_ It's OK guys, the baby looks terrifying but Trowa there won't let her bite you, promise." He made an exaggerated wink that got more giggles and a slight push to have them going.
Soon enough they were crowding the tall circus man and bugging him with pleas and a long stream of "Want to see the lion first. You have 'popotam? Duo said you had a bear. Can we feed them?" and a million questions and demands per second like only small, secure, children knew how to fire.
Duo grinned impishly and waved as Trowa sent him a mild glare. Then, as his inner softy melt upon looking at those adorable faces, Trowa led them to the menagerie, sternly warning the kids about the safety rules around the cages and carefully bouncing the baby to get her burp.
And they listened, hanging onto his every word as if he was the Messiah. According to Duo, it looked like a serious case of hero-worship in the brewing. Zech would have a hard time convincing those two it would be nice coming back to the very rough environment of Mars.
So… he clapped his hands as he settled on a barrel where he could see his charges petting the horses, time to finish breakfast. He dug into his pocket, only to find an empty napkin. And a cold sensitive baboon grinning at him, utterly unashamed.
_ I hate you." Duo claimed, not meaning it for one second.
When it was time for the circus crew to get ready for the evening. Duo wasn't sure which one was more unwilling to come back to the mansion, him or the twins. He had seen one of Relenea's limo come back from outside. Wufei was there.
So in between different pleas from the kids, Duo, very seriously asked if he could hide in Trowa's trailer.
_ That bad?
Duo shrugged. He would only know exactly how bad when he would meet the guy. Wasn't looking forward to. Trowa patted his shoulder, without an ounce of compassion.
_ You could just ask your woman to kick his ass. The shame should drive him away for a while.
Duo shook his head. He'd love to see Hilde hand Wufei's ass to him. But whatever it was the Chinese had against him, wasn't concerning her.
_ But you've got no qualm dragging me in.
_ I promise, no one would know." He knew he was whining, childishly so.
_ Duo, we have work to do. And Hilde will get worried. Go. I'll see you after the show.
_ You not coming for lunch?
For only answer, the tall man pushed them out of the camp ground, passing by the almost ready big top; Duo could see the workers install the seats and sand the ring.
_ You'll survive.
Maybe?
Trowa Barton - AC195
The room was as frilly and old fashioned as the lady's cardigan might have suggested and had two beds. One single pushed in a corner and one double, larger than a queen, smaller than a king. A peek at the window told him why the other boy had rented this particular princess-ish room: large overview and an easy exit, leading straight to the parking lot where the truck was.
_ She'll find it weird if the two beds are touched now." He commented calmly upon seeing his companion put his belongings at the foot of the smaller bed.
Apparently, the brunet didn't care much about whatever the tenant would think of them once they're gone. He didn't seem to care about sticking around either. So he took a change of clothes, he did stink, and went to the bathroom.
A few years ago, when he reached puberty, the guys had made a point explaining to him about hormones and morning (or basically anytime as long as he would be a teen) wood and how to take care of the 'distraction' his hormones would pose. Not that they ever touched him, the boss was nowhere near warm and fuzzy, but he had a strict moral code, and underage kids were definitely off limits. They did hand him a few magazines and some videos, 'to help'.
They didn't really help. And he never understood the fascination some of the guys seems to have with the act. But, after having had to spend three hours in a MS with an on and off hard on, he dutifully did as told. It was mostly mechanic and he usually used that down time to reflect on the past day, review the repairs he would have to make on the MS,…
This time his thoughts kept wandering around the enigma he could hear shuffling around on the other side of the thin wall and what could they do now. The treat over the colonies if a Gundam ever showed again in battle. How long would he wander with the other pilot? Had he a plan? Should they join back Quatre or Wufei? And about the last pilot, the one his quiet partner seemed so amused/derisive/fond about?
The release took him by surprise, both in strength and the weakness it brought behind his knees for a second. He only realized he must have let some kind of sound escape when the other boy's voice rose, asking him if he was ok. He wasn't certain he was.
When going back to the main room, it was to find his fake lover bare chest trying to rub the smelly ointment Catherine had given them over the tender flesh of his scaring wounds and burns.
After their coma patient had awakened, he had let all the handling to Catherine. Tending to an unresponsive body was way different than a living, moving one. It had never felt weird when it was his fellows mercenaries, but this boy was difficult to approach. This time, he would have to do it. It was too obvious the young pilot was struggling; he could never reach his back. He would be a jerk not offering his help. He feared it would be awkward if he did.
And it was, a bit. There was something oddly fascinating with how the tanned skin (too tanned for a true colon) was moving, twitching under his fingers. Until he realized his patient was a bit flushed and sour looking, in embarrassment about needing the help, he hoped. And not because he was making it awkward. So he steeled himself to curb his unwarranted interest and finish quickly before they went down for dinner.