Title: Winter Finery
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Heero Pagan Duo
Notes: Challenge 32. Baby Series 2 #55. Takes place four days after Report.
Spoilers: None
Warnings:
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Many thanks to Dulin for her work as beta.
Winter Finery
She looked magnificent. He stared appreciatively as Relena swept down the grand staircase. The dusky rose gown, winter weight in velvet and silk bared creamy shoulders and complimented her figure and he could only admire the view. He wished he could escort her but this night the formal courtship of the King and Princess began and he would no longer be alone in his regard for her. This night her brother was her escort and he would have other concerns.
"Master Yuy."
"Time, Pagan?"
"Indeed. Your car is waiting and I request you take Mr. Maxwell with you."
"I thought … Duo said he was not attending." Heero turned to face the elderly man.
"Master Maxwell will be attending the affair. Hunter has requested he attend as an agent for the Intelligence Service. The King has approved Duo's application as an agent. He is assigned to gather information, much as you yourself are expected to do this evening, on the intentions of our honored guests to Sanc."
Heero nodded briefly and glanced back to admire Relena. Her hair was piled high in an elegant and old worlde coiffure and touched with tiny star shaped flowers glittering with diamonds.
"Our Princess does us proud, does she not?" Pagan murmured.
"She is magnificent."
"Perhaps you might find it useful to develop an interest in poetry? I believe young women are susceptible to a genteel turn of phrase. If any are worthy of being wooed or likened to the most beautiful flowers of the world it is our Princess."
"Poetry?" Heero frowned.
He knew nothing about poetry but he wanted to court Relena and the young men to be presented to her at the ball would be exclusively educated and no doubt have past experience in attracting the interest of women. Milliardo had done his best to give him an opportunity to make his interest known to Relena and the court by permitting him to court her before the appearance of his rivals. From this point on the King's hands would be tied and Heero would need to compete on their terms, with no aid, or very little, from her brother.
"Hey, Heero. Lena looks good, doesn't she?" Duo joined them and ignored Heero's wide-eyed look.
"Duo … You look …"
"Different? Yeah, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this get up but it sure feels comfortable. Zechsy's tailors are alright, you know?"
The Sanc formal style suit with the light ruffle of lace at his cuffs and an impeccable cravat was so unlike the usual Duo Maxwell wardrobe that Heero could not help but stare and yes, he admitted, Duo looked good. Very good, actually and he smirked on noticing the newly arrived Milliardo was also enjoying the view.
"You look good."
"Not as good as him." Duo sighed eyeing the King.
"He is the King, Master Maxwell. No one is supposed to outshine him." Pagan murmured.
"No one could, Pagan. No one possibly could."
End
Karina Robertson 2006
