Chapter 9
GS Note: YESSSSS!!!!!! After a month of screaming, kicking, cursing and hair pulling this chapter finally came out! Only a few more left peeps! I have to apologise for the absence. With winter coming old wound flare up and that includes my elbow from a riding accident so I have a time typing. Bob and Cho, my romance and angst muse, got hold of this chapter so most of the humour is gone until next part. I think Mors my humour muse is ignoring me for drawing her chibi. Anywho, this is drawing a lot from real life experiences and my own creative imagination. It's dark and sappy, weird combo but there is 17 pages of it so enjoy!!!!! (PS, unbetaed so beware of spelling and grammar)
The Beast Unmasked
"Duo?" was the first thing he heard in the morning. "Duo, wake up! You are going to miss the bus!"
"I'm not going!" Duo yelled sleep overriding his usual fear of Sister Helen and his voice muffled. "Leave me alone!"
"Duo," Sister Helen sighed. She was worried more then she was mad. He had stormed in last night after school and Solo hadn't told her more then that he had gotten into a fight. She learned long ago loyalty was the highest and most prided thing any kid off the street could have. She leaned on the small door and said in a pleading voice. "Come on Duo, time to go to school."
"I said I'm not going!" Duo yelled and buried his head deeper. His eye and cheek throbbed in protest when he accidentally hit his fist. Yesterday came rushing back to him. "Shit!"
"Hey!" Sister Helen frowned. "Watch your language! Open the door."
"Just leave me alone!" Duo threw back the thin covers and glared at the door. "I want to be alone!"
"You leave me no choice!" Sister Helen pulled the master key from her pocket and unlocked the small door. She peered around the dim room until she saw the rumpled figure on the bed dive back under his covers for safety. Sister Helen sighed and marched over to the bed. She roughly yanked the end of the cover off and pulled the curled teen to the floor. She pulled him unwillingly to his feet and held his chin so she could see his face. Duo glared and tried to pull away from the Sister's iron grip.
"Leave me alone! Don't touch me!"
"Come on," Sister Helen pulled Duo towards the door. "We have to get some ice on that."
"I'm fine!" Duo tried to whip his arm away snarling. "Get out!"
"Duo," Sister Helen had him at the door now. "We have to take care of that black eye and your lip whether you want to or not!"
"I don't need your help!" Duo managed to pull away and jumped back into his tiny bed. He pulled the covers over his head. "Leave me be! I don't want your help!"
"Duo," Sister Helen went back to the bed and gently pulled the covers from Duo's grasp. It was time for a different approach. "Come on. The bus is already gone. I just want to take care of you."
"No!" Duo practically spat. "Leave me alone!"
"What's wrong?" Sister Helen pleaded and released the covers. "I haven't seen you act like this for years. Please tell me what happened."
"Nothing!" Duo yelled. He curled up tighter. He just wanted to be left alone, in his own place without Dekim or Wufei or English assignments or Sally or Sister Helen. He just wanted to be alone! Why couldn't anybody see that? "Nothing is wrong I just don't want to get up!"
Sister Helen looked hard at the hidden boy. He had gotten like this the day he had arrived. She still had scars from the time she had tried to keep him from overeating the first time.
"Fine. Stay in bed. Rot away," Sister Helen stood. The final approach. "You can talk when you are ready."
Duo wrapped his hands around his knees under the covers and buried his head in his arms as he heard the door shut. He wanted to tell her, oh how he wanted to tell her everything! All about school, Quatre, his story, Dekim, Sally, Wufei, everything! But there was that little nagging voice in the back of his head saying, 'She's only pretending, she's lying, she's going to treat you like everyone else did.'
"Who?" Duo asked quietly. "Who is everyone else? Why can't I remember?"
He took a few calming breaths and remembered why he had pushed Sister Helen again. If that rage took him he could think straight. It was like he was drunk or high or something. He didn't want to hurt Sister Helen, not again. Duo buried his head deeper and winced as the blankets touched his sore eye. He sighed and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his good side of this face. He felt something wet and sticky cover his right eye. Startled, Duo looked at the side of his hand. It was caked in old blood and new was oozing over the bottom layer. Duo grimaced and flexed his hand carefully. He gasped when pain shot up his arm.
He stood up and reluctantly walked over to the door. He pushed it open and looked carefully down the hall. There was no one. He tip-toed to the washroom, carefully moving through the long boy's dorm room. He breathed a sigh of relief when he reached the door without anyone waking up. He went to turn the handle only to find it locked. For a second Duo felt like he was nine again and going to the washroom in the dark only to find Solo had locked himself in and had fallen asleep. He lost any stealth at that point.
"Hey, there are other people you know!" Duo pounded a fist. He immedently regretted it and leap away from the door to howl in pain.
"Jesus Christ!!" Duo yelled as he hopped madly and shook his hand hard. "Holy Mother of Mary!"
"Duo Maxwell!" a voice rang from the kitchen downstairs. "Watch your tongue, you are in God's house!"
This little act woke all the boys. They laughed as Duo stuck his tongue out at the floor. The door opened and a young red haired boy fell out laughing. Duo made a face at the room before dashing into the washroom and locking the door quickly behind him. He turned on the cold water and ran his hand under it before he realised how many times he had gone through similar scenarios in his life here. He smiled then winced as he saw the slivers of marble and plastic coating stuck in his hand. He turned off the water and left the bathroom. Most of the kids were up now and were chattering quietly or getting dressed. Duo knew there were twenty-two kids living in the orphanage not including himself and Solo. They were all either too young for school or in the younger grades with the exception of Matt who went to high school in grade nine with Duo and Solo.
Duo held his breath and walked down the thin curvy stairs to the underground kitchen. Sister Helen was stirring something smelling remotely like oatmeal and humming.
"Um, Sister Helen?" Duo asked quietly, a little nervous because he had been so rude to her. At least now he was awake and sure he was in control of himself. "I sort of need your help."
"With what Duo?" Sister Helen asked, politely ignoring the events of that morning.
"I sort of need you to help me with my hands," Duo said and painfully stretched out his hands and moved closer so she could see them. She gasped in horror and ushered him to the old wood table in the kitchen and pulled up a chair for herself. She pulled a thin knife from somewhere on her apron she kept for such emergencies.
Duo held a breath as she placed it along one of his cuts and carefully wedged a piece of glass-like plastic. Duo bit his lip as she began to pull out long, deeper pieces rapidly. Soon, his hand was bleeding freely and there was a small collection of long sharp edged lying on the table. Sister Helen got the first aid kit and held a gauze pad to one of Duo's hands and wrapped it with tape. She moved to the other hand and casually asked, "So how did this happen?"
"Um, I was in a fight," Duo lowered his head and said very quietly. Sister Helen raised an eyebrow but kept quiet. "Well, actually, this was from me punching the sink. Then I my face was messed fighting with 'Fei."
That made Sister Helen's other eyebrow rise. "You fought with one of your friends? Why?"
"Um," Duo ducked his head ashamed. Sister Helen finished the second hand and rose to get some ice. She passed the pack to Duo who gratefully held it over his face and hissed as the ice touched his eye. "It was that or hit my teacher. For the record I did give Wu fair warning."
Sister Helen just sighed. "Father Maxwell will be back in an hour. The funding was successful. I told everybody last night but seeing as you didn't come down…"
Suddenly, Duo's stomach reminded him that he had last eaten at an early lunch yesterday. Sister Helen laughed and walked over to the stove. She poured Duo a generous helping of the might-be oatmeal and set it in front of him. Duo began to eat eagerly as the other younger kids began to filter in and whine for food. There were some kids with a surprised look and questions as to why Duo was missing school but they were quickly quieted with a glare from the Sister. Duo spent the next hour helping getting the kids ready for school and playing with the two resident babies.
He was on his stomach and making faces at Sarah, the toddler, when Father Maxwell arrived home. He almost tripped over Duo on his way in.
"Duo! What are you doing home?" he asked confused. "And what did you do to your face?"
Duo looked at the ground and twiddled his thumbs. "Er, well…"
Father Maxwell looked up to see Sister Helen in the doorway. He looked at her confused as she made a slashing motion over her throat.
"What?" he whispered and waved his hands to indicate he had no clue what she was talking about. She glared and used both her hands to cut her throat. He was even more puzzled. She sighed annoyed and stomped her foot. She mouthed something that was also lost on the ageing priest. He shrugged and she glared more. Duo realised something was going on above him by now. He looked to see Sister Helen standing with her hands on her hips and tapping her foot furiously. He looked over his other shoulder to see Father Maxwell shrug confused. He turned back to Sister Helen to see her slash her throat with both hands again. He giggled and turned to Sarah.
"You have very confusing guardians," he said solemnly and picked her up. He walked passed Sister Helen and said over his shoulder. "I'll just go get my stuff."
He laughed as he walked into the nursery and placed Sally with Thomas her playmate in the playpen. Father Maxwell could be so clueless sometimes. He glanced at the clock and figured he'd be back at school for at least the middle of French if Father Maxwell went directly to the school. He grinned. He'd be getting an extra lunch. Now, who was on it?
He walked to his room so he had to go through the empty boy's dorm and down the small hallway. His mind drew up blank. He picked up his bag and slung it carefully over his shoulder and thought outloud.
"Merian, Heero and Quat have second, Wu has fourth, Doro and Trowa have fifth. Damn it!" He stopped in the hall and stomped his foot. He glared as he walked down stairs and saw Father Maxwell pull out his keys. The old man smiled, "Ready to go Duo? I have to make a few stops on the way so you'll be late."
"No problem Father," Duo grinned. He followed Father Maxwell out of the side door and down the street to the free parking lot down the street. He climbed in the front seat with him of the old van and did up his seatbelt. He found a lot of things were trickier with his fingers bandaged together but he was all ready getting well practised in it.
"I have quite a few things to do. I was planning on staying at the Church for a while but there's no time like the present."
Duo felt guilty, Father Maxwell hadn't been back since last week and he had probably been looking forward to resting. Duo glanced at the priest who was squinting to see if cars were coming or not.
"Hey, Father," he asked hesitantly.
"Yes Duo?"
"Can I drive?"
A few minutes later, they were zipping down the highway. Father Maxwell found himself in the same predicament Heero had been in a few days ago. Duo had the window open and one hand resting on the door while he easily drove with the other, bandages or no bandages.
"Honestly, I would why they still haven't given me my license, I- Same to you! Asshole. Anyway, as I was saying, I've never had an accident and- Open your bloody eyes, hag!"
"Maybe you should slow down," Father Maxwell managed to say calmly. Duo glanced over.
"Don't worry Father, you're allowed to do twenty over the limit without getting in trouble!"
Father Maxwell saw the speed about 40 over and rising. He gulped and gripped his seat tighter. Duo saw their destination and quickly slowed down slightly. He turned off the road and did a controlled spin into the small post office off the road. He easily landed in a free parking space coming out of a 360 and smiled. "All right Father, you go and mail those stuff. I'll wait here."
Father Maxwell nodded, his face white and his breathing a little laboured. "I might be a while Duo, you might as well get comfortable. And, uh, I promised to do some grocery shopping after and I'll have to drive."
"But Father, it's only down the road-" but the ageing priest had already disappeared into the post office. Duo scowled. "My driving isn't that bad!"
Deciding he had nothing better to do, he balanced himself on his arms and moved into the passenger seat. He pushed the seat back and pulled out his notebook. It took some more creative thinking to hold his pencil but he got eventually around to writing sloppily.
//Wufei cursed his pride. Damn that stupid prince! Even if he acted like a jerk Wufei still felt honour-bound to protect him. After making sure Duo was locked in his room for the night, he snuck down the back staircase. Well, not snuck down, Otto knew where he was and was kindly taking his shift at the bottom of the stairs. Wufei had made sure to wear more comfortable clothes this time. Instead of his stuffy, tight uniform, he had a loose black shirt with a high comfortable collar. It was sleeveless and his pants were matching with soft soiled black boots. The silk didn't even whisper as he moved stealthily down the dark staircase.
He paused every time he heard a noise. After making sure it was only Nion from the kitchens on the other side of the wall or a mouse, he continued until he eventually made it to the end of the stairs. He gently pulled the back of the tapestry back and looked cautiously into the room. It was a normal room, much like the one Wufei had. It was sparsely decorated, a bed in one corner and a basin on a wood table in another. There was the one tapestry over the hole but it wasn't highly entertaining to be in. The only real prominent thing in the room was an old oak framed mirror reaching from the floor to the ceiling. Wufei moved from the entrance and stood in front of the mirror.
There were shiny round dots at the bottom, they looked very plain next to eh elaborate carvings on the mirror. Wufei looked it up and down. It was perfectly normal and would probably never had gotten a second look if it had been in a prince's or noble's room but in a servants it rose suspicion. Wufei crouched and looked more at the buttons there were nine in rows of three off to the side and on there were the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and a 0 sticking out at the bottom. Curious, Wufei touched one.
He jumped back and landed on his back when it emitted a loud beep. He scrambled back and looked wide-eyed at the mirror.
"It must be possessed by powerful magic," he thought to himself. He heard that female voice outside his door. He jumped up and quietly disappeared behind the tapestry again. He stayed near the entrance though and quieted his breathing. The door opened and he heard something drop on the ground.
"That damn man had better love me for this," he heard the female voice grumbled. She moved across the room and knelt in front of the mirror. Wufei saw her back from the small gap in the wall and the tapestry. He watched the ginger-haired girl look closely at the numbers.
"Ok, four, then six then seven. Then it's three, two, zero and eight," she muttered and pressed the shiny white numbered buttons. Wufei almost gave himself away when he jumped as it rang. The mirror rang. It RANG! Wufei held his breath until he knew he would be able to breathe normally. He crept back over to the door and saw the ginger-haired girl looking at the mirror suspiciously. The once reflective surface was now cloudy gray.
It clear suddenly and the girl was a little startled when a shadowed face appeared.
"What is it?" the high, comical voice asked from the other side of the mirror. Wufei watched hypnotised.//
Duo jumped when he heard the driver's side slam shut. Father Maxwell smiled at him and started the van. Duo just sighed and tucked his book under his arm. Father Maxwell drove the short distance down the small highways and found a parking spot easily near the store. Duo got out with him when he saw the list of items Father Maxwell had.
"So what are we getting?" Duo asked as the doors to the old grocery store opened for them.
"This week's groceries," Father Maxwell squinted. "Could you read this off for me?"
"Eggs," Duo glanced at the first item. "Six dozen."
They rapidly filled two carts. They were near the bottom as Duo cautiously placed the last cam of spaghetti sauce on his pile. He stepped back and it didn't fall. He sighed and slowly began to push his cart down the aisle to where Father Maxwell was holding a pack of noodles and trying to read the price. Duo sighed behind his mountain of food and slumped down, bored.
"Can I help you sir?" an accented familiar voice asked in front of Duo. The braided boy started and his head shot up. He saw Father Maxwell gratefully hand the list over to a young Chinese boy and asked him to read the last item.
"Wufei," Duo breathed, panic rising. Wufei looked at the list, frowned and grudgely pulled out a pair of small, oval, thin-wired glasses.
"It says, ten dozen loaves of bread," Wufei read carefully. He looked at Father Maxwell surprised. "That seems like a lot of bread for one person."
"No, it's not all for me," Father Maxwell laughed. "It's for the Church Orphanage."
Duo sighed in relief. At least Father Maxwell knew the golden rule about mentioning the Church's name.
"I did not know there was an orphanage in this town," Wufei said pleasantly. "Could I been of some service for you?"
"No, but thank you for the offer," he smiled. "I all ready have an assistant." He pointed to the second towering cart. Duo felt sweat gathering on his forehead as he ducked farther behind the cart. He could mentally feel Wufei staring at the cart.
" I see sir," Wufei nodded and looked back at Father Maxwell. "I am waited for my mother to come and take me back to my school. I wouldn't mind walking staying with you two until she comes back."
"Of course, I would be delighted. I was just going to bring my companion to school, it wouldn't happen to be the high school would it?"
"Yes sir, I had an appointment to pick up my glasses today but I am going back for fifth period."
"Could I trouble you to help me put these things in my van and perhaps have you take my assistant to school when your mother comes back."
"It will be no problem," Wufei smiled.
By now Duo had peeked and had seen Father Maxwell's smile. He knew that this was Wufei, one of Duo's best friends and now knew there was no danger to Duo if Wufei found out where he lived.
"Duo," Father Maxwell raised his voice slightly and turned to Duo's direction. "I'm sure your hands are hurting again. Why don't you let Wufei push the cart to the cash register?"
Duo groaned and rested his head on his hand. He heard Wufei say his name in a shocked voice. "Duo?"
He looked up as Wufei came around the side of the cart and looked at him in utter shock. Duo sighed and rested his head in his hand again. Wufei sputtered for a minute then shook his head as if deciding something and said, "Let me push it."
Duo grinned weakly and moved so Wufei could grab the handle. Wufei had to strain for a minute before the cart moved. Once momentum built up he half turned his head to speak to Duo.
"So," he paused and thought for a minute. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Duo sighed and picked at his white bandages on his hands. " Um, that's a long story."
"I look forward to hearing it," Wufei said mildly then turned back fully to the cart, only barely being able to see Father Maxwell's head.
"Look Wu, I'm sorry about yesterday," Duo said embarrassed and picked more at his hands. " I just uh, needed to punch something."
"And I just happened to be something?"
"If it helps, the sink in the boys bathroom had the same problem," Duo held up his heavily bandaged hands.
"I lost a tooth Maxwell," Wufei glared. "It is a good thing it was only a wisdom."
"Well you gave me a black eye," Duo glared as Wufei leaned back to stop the cart from running over Father Maxwell who had stopped.
"You asked for it," Wufei pointed out. He leaned on the handlebars and heard the items being beeped in. "I see we are at the cash register now."
"Yea," Duo nodded and absently started to read the headlines on the tabloids.
"Care to tell me why you are not at school now?" Wufei asked after a short pause.
"I couldn't get up," Duo replied nonchalantly. He grinned wickedly and shot a look over to Wufei. "I heard you got your glasses today?"
Wufei scowled and looked down. "Weakling doctor. There have been no cases of people needing glasses in my family yet she now feels that I must have them."
"Injustice huh?" Duo grinned.
"Yes! Injustice!" Wufei scowled, oblivious to the fact he was being teased. "I can read quite well and do not need small pieces of glass to correct my vision! I-"
"Wufei!" a sharp voice rang out from the door. Duo looked to see a short Chinese woman standing at the door quietly scanning the store. It was Wufei's mother. Wufei waved his arm over his head and shouted something in his native language. She spotted him and walked over. Duo nervously toyed with the magazine as Father Maxwell continued to over load the belt. Wufei's mother always made him nervous.
The short stern-faced woman easily made her way up behind Wufei and started to say something to him. Unfortunately, it wasn't in English and Duo was quickly lost. His Chinese vocabulary consisted of one or two words.
Father Maxwell listened with one ear as the cashier rang the items through quickly and the two baggers' hands flew. His minimal Chinese was able to pick up that Duo could indeed get a ride with Mrs Chang. He continued to lift the heavy packed bags into his cart with the baggers.
Mrs Chang smiled slightly at Duo then left. Duo watched her go curiously then turned to Wufei to get a translation.
"She said that you can get a ride with us," Wufei said calmly and started to unload his cart on the belt. Duo went to help him but with only slight success. Eventually all the items were rung in and the carts were hurried out the door to the Maxwell van. It took a lot of seat and cursing on Wufei's part but the van was loaded to the brim. Duo swore it was sagging to the ground.
They waved good bye to Father Maxwell and Duo grabbed his bag. He followed Wufei to his mother's beat up station wagon. He climbed in the back seat with Wufei and automatically buckled up. Mrs Chang put the car in drive and Duo finally realised what his passengers felt like when ever he drove. His hand never left the door handle until they had lurched into the parking lot of the school. After gathering his wits, he thanked the woman shakily and got out. Wufei wasn't even sweating.
They hurried up the steps and into attendance. Duo handed the prepared note from Sister Helen and got a slip to show his teachers the next day. Wufei already had one.
"So Wu," Duo said as they stood outside of the office in the empty hallway. "We got about half an hour before sixth period. What do you want to do?"
"Hm, beats Art I suppose," Wufei mused quietly. "This is Trowa and Dorothy's lunch so we might as well find them."
"It's Heero's spare," Duo said eagerly. "If he's here today. I'm gonna bet that Trowa is by his locker, there are no classes by it and it's quiet."
"You just want to get your books," Wufei rolled his eyes. "And you are trying to con me into coming with you."
"But Wu!" Duo opened his eyes wide and fluttered his eyelashes. "I'm sa lonely!"
Wufei just rolled his eyes again. "You go and get your books. I have to get mine then we can look for Barton, Dorothy and Yuy."
"Great," Duo laughed as he and Wufei parted to their lockers. Surprisingly, the area around the locker was vacant except for a group of three boys sitting down the hall and laughing while having a smoke. Duo just wrinkled his nose and opened his locker. He carefully sorted through the books this time, Trowa really worked too hard to keep it neat.
He was shoving the last of his books away when the boys near him peeled out in a loud laugh. Duo glanced and saw them looking at him and covering their mouths. Duo frowned but ignored them and stood up, his bag on his shoulders.
"Hey!" one of the boys yelled before he could leave. Feeling a cold pit starting to form in his stomach, Duo turned slightly and glared at them.
"What?"
"Well, we was just talkin'," the speaker of the group slurred. Duo looked into the boy's dilated eyes and far off gaze. They were smoking more then cigarettes. "And, we was just wonderin' how much you was."
"How much what?" Duo asked, annoyed and more then willing just to leave them.
"How much," the boys turned from a giggling high to a more dark and excited look. "For you to suck me off."
Duo was no innocent. He had faced people that he would have never faced had he a choice. He had been accused of things that only the most desperate of people would have done. He had long ago put to rest the demons and nightmares he faced when he had gotten into the wrong crowds of people in grade school. He was definitely no beginner when it came to the darker side of reality. That didn't mean he was going to put up with this.
"Too high for you to afford," he glared and turned to leave.
"Bitch," he heard the boys stumble to their feet behind him. Duo stopped as fear started to well in him. "Whore. You're not worth that much."
"I'm worth more then you can imagine," Duo growled, adrenaline starting to course through him. His hands left the straps of his bag to rest by his sides, fist clenched. "Now, I'm going to leave and you are going to stay here."
"She's pretty," one of the guys whispered to his friends, loud enough for Duo to hear. "Sluts like that always crack for the right price."
Frustration boiled under Duo's skin. Girl? They thought he was a girl. Damn it. His eyes narrowed more and his knees bent. "What am I?"
"Slut," the lead boy called, angry that this wasn't going as planned. "Whore. Bitch. Hooker. Choose somethin' and you're it."
"I think you should rephrase that," Duo said, his arms left his sides to come up in a classic stance. Anger rushed over him and he welcomed it. This was the side of him he despised yet loved. The part that protected him when no one else could, the part that he could retreat into. The part that often ended him in the hospital or the police station. He was already beyond the point of where he had been yesterday when he had fought Wufei. At least then he had tried to stop. This wasn't the case. His hearing slowly dimmed out the chant that the boys had started and his body moved.
He could hear the screams, the cry of pain, the begs of mercy. He felt that bones snapping as he whirled around in a wild flurry of destruction. He was no longer in control, the terrible rage settled into place and tore the area around him. He vaguely heard and saw the images around him but he chose not to go to them. Instead he stayed in the blank void that had welcomed him and screamed his torment. The passion that had built up over three years relentlessly pounded on the other boys in a barrage of punches and Duo did nothing to stop it.
Slowly, he felt himself being restrained and a voice cutting through his senses. He struggled and kicked. His feet thrashed the shins of the person who held him but reluctantly, the emptiness that had embraced so eagerly before him pushed him out and back into the shell of his body. He gradually slipped back in and felt the warm arms encasing him. He opened his eyes to the bright light and tried to find out where he was.
He was in the hall. The three guys were lying in the hall, a pool of blood surrounding them. Duo felt sick.
He looked down and saw the gauss on his hands was blood soaked, whether it was his or there he didn't know. He looked back up and saw Dorothy balancing on her feet over the boys and checking their pulse. Trowa looked nervously down the hall. Duo looked sideways slightly to see how was holding him.
"Heero," his voice cracked slightly and was raspy, like he hadn't used it in a while.
"Take him Heero," Dorothy looked over with icy blue eyes. "Go before Wufei gets back with a teacher. They are alive if barely but he can't be here right now."
Duo felt himself being lifted in the air and rested against a strong warm chest. Duo closed his eyes as he felt himself being rapidly moved down the hall. He didn't open them until he was stopped.
Heero had taken him outside, in the forest. It was a quiet place, just behind the school with a few trees in the way. It as too chilly right now for couple to come out as it did have one bench so they were alone. He was moved to be cradled like an infant by the strong arms and Heero sat down.
They sat together, silent as Duo rested his head and was lulled by the heartbeat beneath his ear. Heero's hand stroked his braid in a calm, soothing gesture. Duo almost fell asleep, the exhaustion of letting the rage go made his limbs weak, when Heero asked a gentle question.
"Why?"
Duo's hand tightened on Heero's expensive silk shirt. He studied the wrinkles his fingers made for a minute before answering.
"They were bugging me," he said silently and let go of the shirt as his hand trembled. Pain stabbed through him comfortingly as he looked at the bloodstains on the navy blue shirt.
"It was more then that," Heero never stopped stroking Duo's braid. He tucked Duo's head under his chin and snuggled him closer. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Duo, you've never lied to me before, don't start now."
"You first."
"What?" Heero asked shocked and pulled back to look at Duo's face. His hand stopped.
"You first," Duo looked up at him with a steely look. His brain frantically searched for a reason. "Why have you been so distance and jumpy. Before you left you took me out. When we got to your house you were moody. You're never moody. Why?"
"If I tell you, you have to promise you will tell me what's wrong," Heero tugged Duo closer again and started to pet Duo's hair again. Duo mutely nodded and closed his eyes. Heero sighed as he started.
"There is this one girl-" Duo stiffened. "No, no, not like that! She's been stalking me. After the first day she had her schedule changed to follow me around. The only class I don't have with her is sixth because I'm not in a co-ed gym class. That Thursday she came up to me on fifth and told me that she had been following me because she had a major crush on me."
Duo nodded and started to fiddle with the end of his braid.
"I told her I was already in love with an incredible person and was very happy. She said that she knew but just in case something happened that she was there for me. It really creeped me out and got me to think that maybe something may happen to you. You live in a rough neighbourhood. In two years you will be too old to live at the Church. This is a horrible school, my parents disapprove of you, there are so many reasons. And I started thinking what I could do if anything should go wrong. Before I knew you I was pretty lost and you know it. I had no friends, no real parents and the only thing I would have a chance at after college would be running my father's company.
"But you made me realise there is more to life then a desk and a computer. I never want to lose you and it scared me. I realised just how much I love you."
Duo pulled away slightly and looked into Heero's prussian eyes. He said very seriously in a voice that betrayed his trembling hands, "I love you too. And I don't want anything to happen to you. From the first moment I saw you I knew there was something special, just someone wanting to come bursting out. I'm glad you finally did and I want you to know that you've help me a lot. More then you could ever imagine."
Their lips met in a chaste kiss, no more then a whisper of skin on skin. Duo pulled back and opened his eyes. He placed a tiny kiss on both of Heero's eyelids and they gradually opened. He smiled slightly and rested his head on Heero's shoulder content.
They stayed like that for a while until the bell from the far off school dimly sounded to them. Duo grabbed Heero as he moved slightly and said in a tiny voice, "I don't want to go back in."
Heero looked surprised but settled back and started to caress Duo's braid again. Duo calmed down and after a few minutes he took a calm breath and pulled farther away. He looked straight at Heero as if sizing him up then stood. Heero's hand followed him but hovered just above Duo's back.
Duo turned and sat beside Heero, close enough to feel his heat but not close enough to touch him. He grabbed his braid in both his hands and started to twist it. His eyes focused at a stone on the ground and he could feel Heero's eyes on him. He refused to look up.
"I suppose I should start at the beginning," he said slowly. "As far back as I can remember. I was six, it was cold and there was a tall building in front of me. Naturally I figured I could go and maybe steal something. I was cold after and I hadn't eaten in a few days. I went up but before I could push it open I was knocked over in the snow.
"It was Solo," Duo grinned slightly at the memory. "He was the first guy Sister Helen had brought home off the streets. He had only been there a few weeks but it was enough to endear him to the Church. He and Father Maxwell were going out to the park to see the Christmas lights. I remember sitting on the snow, shivering as the wind blew more of the white fluffy stuff over me. He came right up to me and smiled. Just smiled and offered a hand. It was the best decision I can remember taking. He pulled me up and Sister Helen took me in as Father Maxwell took Solo.
"I was scared too of course, I had no clue what was going on. Sister Helen was just fussing and told me to take a bath. I refused of course, no street kid in their right mind would just strip for no reason for a stranger. I told her so and spat at her. She wasn't even bothered. I knifed her too. She fed me and then took some away when I had thrown up. It wasn't deep but it was enough. I got terrified and ran. Me, hurting a nice lady like that? Who knew what was going to happen to me. Before I could leave though, Solo came in and I ran him over. I was too frightened to do much so I hid under a bed. Took 'em a week to coax me out.
"But that's all in the past. As I grew up and met Doro that little kid was tamed. Didja know that Doro was the one to teach me to read? I was a smelly outcast and she was a clean one so we banded together. I taught her to pick locks and she taught me out of her comics. Nothing will ever come between us.
"I met Merian in grade seven when she moved there but she hated boys and was better friends with Doro. It wasn't until I showed her Wu that she lightened up. I met Trowa and we got sort of close, you know like the people you will pair up with and hang out with if you're alone? Then Wu met you and introduced you to me and from then I met Quatre and that side that could knife the nicest nun sort of disappeared.
"This semester I got no classes with you but I could deal with that, we were beyond the part where we always need to touch and always keep in sight."
Duo looked up at Heero with curious eyes. Heero looked back calmly. "You don't know what I have sixth, do you?"
Heero shook his head and Duo nodded and continued. "I have History with Dekim. First day I thought he was pretty cool because he told us to call him Dekim instead of Mr Barton. The first few weeks were ok 'cause he had too many students to pay attention to me. But by the end of the month he did start to notice me. At first I thought it was because I was getting good grades.
"Nope," Duo shook his head, his hands nervously reversing the direction he was twisting his hair as it could twist anymore. "It wasn't that. Everyday he asked me to stay behind and after the first day I realised what it really was he wanted from me. I tried to switch out of the class but I've put off getting my History credit and I had to take it this year! I won't tell 'em the rest reason why I want to change, there'll be a huge thing about it and I just don't want //that// kind of attention! I tried to go on about how long the walk is but you know me and them so I didn't get it switched.
"Anyway, he's been getting' really bold lately and I've been avoiding stayin' after class. Thursday was the closest he'd ever come to… well you know. Then Mr Marquise walked in and stopped him. So far it's his word against mine so I can't do anything about it."
"Duo-" Heero started to speak and reached for Duo but the braided boy batted his hands away and stood up to start pacing a little in front of the bench.
"You have to promise me something," Duo turned and fixed Heero with an icy look. "Don't breathe a word of this to anyone. Dorothy, Trowa, Sister Helen, nobody!"
Heero nodded, shocked at the strange promise. Duo sighed and tugged at his braid and increased his pacing a bit more. "I can handle this myself. I've already told Dekim I wasn't interested but he won't take no. Last class, he…" Duo paused. "He just single me out for sleeping in his class. Of course everyone sleeps but that's beside the point. He told ME, not anyone else and I got mad. I mean come on! I take more crap from him then anyone else! He torments me in class 'cause I won't let him get his jollies off me and he just give m these-" Duo shuddered and stopped. "These looks! They creep me out more then other stares I've gotten in alleys! Just the thought of those wrinkle hands on me-"
Duo had to stop and wrinkled his nose in disgust as his body shuddered violently. Heero stood up and wrapped his arms around Duo and rested his head on his shoulder, offering comfort. Duo gratefully closed his eyes until he calmed down. He continued quieter, his eyes closed and relaxed against Heero.
"I just snapped at him, lost my cool and almost hit him. It was that part of me I had thought had left. Ever since I met you there has been no reason for it to really come out. Sure I've gotten angry but I've always been able to hold it at bay. I almost decked him but Ms Po let me leave. Do you know who Ms Po is?"
Heero shook his head. "She's Mr Marquise's replacement while he's gone and she's quartering our class. She let me leave and I went into the bathroom but I was just so angry! I hit the sink," Duo held up his hands for Heero to see. "Then I went to Wu's gym class, your gym class, and got in a fight with him. Trowa had to drag me to clean me up again then I went back to class. Dekim was mad and gave me a lunch detention and I just couldn't face it. So I slept in on purpose and kept runnin' that scene over and over 'til I was good and angry again. I almost went after Sister again but I got back to myself first. Then Father came back with more funding and stuff was going great 'til I got back to school with Wu.
"My pet peeve is when people mistake me for a girl but I'm used to it. Those guys were high and kept tellin' me to suck 'em off and such. The whole thing with Dekim wasn't resolved 'cause I never did get to whack someone with my full anger, Wu was just a minor valve. So when those guys started to call me a slut and whore and stuff, I snapped. I just lose myself for a while there. I think I kicked ya, sorry 'bout that."
Heero allowed a faint grin that Duo felt on his neck. "It's okay," Heero told him. Duo sighed and wrapped his arms around himself and Heero moved his arms to cover Duo's. "I can understand why you did it. And I do promise not to tell anyone about Dekim unless something really does happen."
"Nothing will," Duo mumbled. "I won't let it."
"I know," Heero rubbed his arms gently. "But just in case."
They stood like that for a while until Heero heard the final bell ring. He sighed and buried his head at the base of Duo's neck and breathed in the faint traces of shampoo.
"I suppose we had better be getting back," Heero said softly. Duo sighed too.
"Yea, Doro'll be worried," Duo raised his arms over his head and stretched. Heero smiled as Duo settled back against him. He gave a small kiss below Duo's ear. He placed more kisses until he reached Duo's cheek.
"I guess we should leave."
"Yea," Duo yawned. Neither of them moved. After a few minutes Duo heard his name called from the school. It was Solo. He giggled and pulled away. "Now we really have to go back. I need to catch my bus."
"I suppose," Heero sighed and offered his arm. "Well let's go then."
Duo slipped his arm in Heero's and laid his head on Heero's shoulder. He felt a lot lighter, as is a huge weight had been removed from him. He felt a blissful peace he hadn't felt all year as they started to walk back to the school.
Chapter Ten
Findings
//"What is it?" the high, comical voice asked from the other side of the mirror. Wufei watched hypnotised.
"I seem to have found what your witch wanted," Wufei recognised the voice of the woman from the stables. He leaned farther to see the girl better. Her hair was simply done with two thin braids keeping the hair from falling in her eyes. She had light blue eyes that looked to serious for her age. Wufei held his breath as the man's voice continued.
"Excellent. She will be coming to join you soon Peacecraft. She will arrive within a few days."
Wufei stayed frozen behind the tapestry while the blonde servant hit a button on the mirror and it returned to a reflective state. The girl stood and left out the door with a satisfied look on her face.
Unknown to Wufei he was being watched by a certain blonde Wish. Quatre's eyes narrowed and he uttered one word that fell on deaf ears. "Evil."//
Duo stepped off the bus feeling refreshed for once in his life. His hands were bloody and his limbs would barely support him but he had a broad smile on his face and a light in his eyes that Solo hadn't seen the past few days.
"Duo?" Solo asked as they walked down the door off to the side of the Church. Duo grinned and gave a little spin at the bottom of the old wooden stairs and faced him.
"Solo!" Duo threw his arms open, narrowly missing the doorframe. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"
"I suppose." Solo said cautiously. Matt stood behind him still on the stairs. Duo grinned and wrapped his old friend in a giant hug. Solo stiffened, extremely weirded out. He ducked behind Duo the second he was released and Duo turned his hugging frenzy on Matt. The smaller blonde boy also froze as Duo let him go and began to bounce.
"Whew, I'm gonna fall down!" Duo giggled and did just that. He panted as he sat on the old stone floor of the kitchen. Solo stood behind him and Matt stood above him on the stairs as Sister Helen walked in.
"Duo!" she scolded, her hands on her hips and Timothy holding her apron with a bewildered expression. "Look at your hands! Now I have to change the bandages again. Come, sit!"
Duo shakily got to his feet and wobbled over to the old plain chairs around the small table in the kitchen. Sister Helen picked up Timothy and handed him to Solo.
"He should go back upstairs with the younger children," she told Solo as the boy nodded and easily held the giggling toddler. Matt left quickly too as Sister Helen took a pair of scissors out of her apron and started to carefully snip the bandages off. "Look at this, the blood is dried on now! I'm going to have to soak it off." She stood to get a bowl of water.
"Heero came back today," Duo said, his goofy grin in place. "He was in France but he's back and we're going out tonight."
Sister Helen's expression softened and filled the large bowl with warm water. She could tell that even after three years Duo was still madly in love. And from the look she often saw Heero give Duo, the feeling was mutual. She carefully set the bowl down on the table and took Duo's hand. While he was staring off with a far away look, she plunged his hand in the water. Duo yelped and snatched his wet appendage back.
"Ow," he said in a very obvious tone. "Was that really necessary?"
"Yes," she scowled back the smirked playfully. "Now, put your hand back in so I can fix your bloody hands."
Half an hour later Duo was thanking Sister Helen while dashing up the stairs two at a time. He was barely at the top when he was tackled by a tiny, dark haired girl.
"DUOOO!" Hilde yelled as she attached herself to his midsection. She gazed adoringly up at him. "You're back! You were actin' strange yesterday and I missed you! Yesterday was so cool, we got reading buddies and they're in grade six and the girl I got is really cool and my teacher really likes this idea so we spent the whole day…"
Duo picked her up as she continued her chatter. He walked around until he found Father Maxwell in his office looking over papers. He politely knocked on the door when Hilde took a breath.
"Father?" he asked, not wanting to disturb the quiet air in the office.
"Yes Duo?"
"Could I use the phone please? I would like to get my homework from Quatre."
"We aren't expecting any calls on the private line," Father Maxwell swivelled his chair and placed an aged hand thoughtfully on his chin. "Of course, go and ask Sister Helen for the cordless one."
"Thank you Father," Duo smiled and placed Hilde down when she started to squirm. She grinned brightly at Father Maxwell and ran back out the door to the where the younger kids were playing and doing homework. Duo closed the door quietly behind him and dashed off to the kitchen. He still had his heavy shoes on and they made a dull thud on the ground so Sister Helen heard him coming.
"If you wish to be let out of this Church again, take off those shoes," she glared as he ran into the kitchen. Duo hastily kicked them off in the general direction of the shoe pile.
"I need to use the phone, Father Maxwell said we weren't expecting calls," Duo said, his small little bubble of happiness and adrenaline popping with fatigue. Sister Helen sighed and pulled the cordless phone off the wall and handed it to him.
"I'm hunting your blood if you are on over an hour mister," Sister Helen glared. Duo grinned winningly and picked his way up the curvy wooden stairs more carefully. He moved on to the small storage closet that served as a room for himself and locked the door after him. He settled on his tiny bed and dialled the phone to a semi-familiar number.
The phone rang twice before being picked up with a very snobby voice. "Winner House, how may I help you?"
"I'm looking for Quatre please," Duo said politely. "It's Duo Maxwell."
"I will see if he is available. Hold please."
Some very crappy office-like music started playing. Duo rolled his eyes and reached for his ever present notebook.
//Duo woke up for breakfast earlier so he wasn't scrambling around. He had a particularly drear breakfast as his seating was rotated to a dim-witted princess and a nervous countess from a nearby estate who kept on dropping various utensils. Duo was very glad when he was released. He escaped back up to his room, ignoring the disapproving looks from King Solo and Zechs.
He slammed the door locked behind him and flopped on his bed. "That was the most boring meal I've ever had! At least Dorothy and Heero were more social. Speaking of which…
"Hey Quatre," Duo said slowly. He was ignored by the said person who was flipping through a book that Duo had never seen before. Duo frowned and propped himself up on his elbows. "Quaaatre, Quaaatre," he slowly drawled out.
The slender Wish looked up, "Yes Duo?"
"What are you do?"
"I'm looking something up in the company handbook. I think there's an assassin attempt out after you. If it's a witch I can handle it, especially from Evil Inc. I just want to brush up on a few things. And Trowa Barton has me very confused so I'm looking up a rule."
Duo just nodded, not having a clue what he was talking about. Then he remembered something, "Oh, Trowa! You said there was something different about his, um, aura?"
"Yea, it feels not quite human but the scans aren't quite from my world either. More like a mix but all half-breed children are illegal I think… Yes! Page 232, rule 1019; 'All halfling children are to be terminated on sight by a professional control unit. Any on duty employees are to report immedently to HQ.' That sounds harsh…"
"No!" Duo jumped up and almost grabbed Quatre. "You're going to ruin it! If Trowa is killed on my land it will be like an act of treason! My father would be held responsible 'cause we'd never be able to find out the murderers! Even if it was an accident!"
"I suppose," Quatre sighed. " I admit it would be a waste to kill him. I want to check him out more though but I can't use any of my magic unless I have a good reason."
"What's a good reason?" Duo asked, relaxing a bit.
"Well, if my client's life was at stake," Quatre looked at Duo with narrow, evilly glittering eyes. Duo took a step backwards, not at all appreciating-"//
"Mr Maxwell?" the same voice sounded over the phone near Duo's ear. Duo scrambled for the phone and hastily replied. "Master Quatre can speak with you now. I am transferring your call."
There was a beep and a pause before Quatre's familiar voice answered.
"Hello, Quatre Winner speaking."
"Hey Quat!" Duo grinned and sat up on the bed from where he was writing on his stomach. "What's up."
"Nothing much," Duo heard the blonde's voice brighten. "Are you feeling better? I heard you came back for fifth but Trowa wouldn't tell me more after that."
"I'm feeling great," Duo said sincerely. He really was after all. " I just got in another disagreement with a few kids, that's all. Anyway, I was calling to see if Nion assigned anything else in Math."
"No, she just made our presentation dates today. We go next Wednesday."
"Alright then," Duo grinned. "I only have like, 45 minutes left to talk so I'll be seeing you tomorrow at school, okay?"
"Sure Duo, see you!"
"Bye," Duo said and clicked the off button. He dialled another number and it rang three times before answering.
"Hello?"
"Hi, this is Duo, is Trowa around?" Duo asked. He knew the woman was Catherine, Trowa's legal guardian. She was nice and fed him whenever he came over for when Trowa and him had past assignments.
"Sure Duo, one sec," He heard the phone clatter down and a voice calling for his tall friend. A few minutes later the phone was picked up and Trowa's deep voice replied.
"Hello?"
"Hey Tro, I didn't get a chance to ask for English homework today. Now that you are in my class I figure I can take advantage of it."
"Sure. Um, page 45 in our text book we have to read that story and write a paragraph on the differences of the protagonist and antagonist. The next scene for Hamlet should be read too."
"Thanks Tro," Duo chirped.
"Are you okay?"
Duo paused and replied with an honest answer. "Yea. I just had some demons I needed to take care of. I'm fine now though."
"I'm glad. I'll see you in school tomorrow. Good bye."
"Bye," Duo said and clicked the phone off. He grinned and was suddenly glad for all the friends he had. He dialled another number from pure memory and automatic response. Hopefully Wufei would pick up.
"Wei, ni hao," a brisk woman's voice answered. Duo carefully didn't groan and said one of the few Chinese words Wufei had taught him for just this situation.
"Ni hao. Um," Duo conveniently forgot the next part. He sheepishly said, "Wufei?"
"Aa," the phone was gently placed down and the Chinese language was heard in the background. Duo could hear Wufei faintly answer then come clattering as he ran down the stairs nosily. His mother scolding him and he retorted before answering the phone.
"We, ni hao?"
"Not you too Wu-Chang!" Duo groaned.
"Oh, hi Maxwell. You called for your homework?"
"Yes," Duo said. "My French if you don't mind."
"Mme Goulash was out sick so we had a supply. We nobody did the work so don't worry about it."
"Good," Duo grinned. "And before you ask, I've gotten my head screwed back on thanks to my loving and wonderful boy friend."
"Good," Wufei sighed. "We all worry about you sometimes Maxwell."
"I didn't know you cared Wu! I have to call Doro though so I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yea, zaijian."
"Bye," Duo turned off the phone and checked his watch. He still had twenty minutes. He dialled a number without thinking about it. In fact it shocked him a little when he heard the phone ring and panicked when he could remember whether this was Heero or Dorothy.
"Hello, Catolonia house, Dorothy speaking."
"Doro!" Duo sighed in relief. "How's it going?"
"Our science project is what is going down the drain if you don't do something about it," Dorothy knew better then to even mention the events today. Duo had probably been asked the same question by all his other friends and this was something that had to be done in person to get the real story. "How is your timetable tonight?"
"Heero's picking me up at seven," Duo replied. "Other then that I'm free."
"Good, I'll borrow my sister's car and see you in a few." The phone was hung up without a good bye. Duo looked at the dial tone and chuckled as he called stood up to take the phone back to Sister Helen It would take Dorothy about ten minutes to get to the Church.
He padded more gently through the boy's dorm to get to the kitchen. He slipped the phone on the hook while Sister Helen was busy fixing a paper cut on a little girl's finger and scolding the boy that was suppose to be watching her. Duo felt sorry for the kid.
"Sister, I brought the phone back," he said loudly to catch her attention. "Dorothy is gonna be here soon so we can finish our project."
"Can you do that outside Duo?" Sister Helen asked sounding harassed. "Three of the children are complaining of a sore stomach and I think there's going to be another flu outbreak. Some of the others want to go to the park but I can't take them if I'm looking after them and Father is busy with the accounts."
"Sure," Duo said. "It's just notes right now."
"Thank you," she smiled. Then she turned back to the hazel-haired boy. "Daniel, you can't just leave Maria alone like that! We have the buddy system in for a reason…"
Duo bounded up the stairs, an ache in his knees reminding him that he was still tired but he ignored it. He went through the boy's dorm to the playroom between the two dorms. Father Maxwell was sitting in a corner with a small table and chair and was writing in a large book. Duo picked his way through kids to get to him. He placed a hand on his shoulder and startled him a little.
"Hey Father," Duo grinned. "I'm going to be taking a group to the park, do you know who's going?"
"Oh," Father Maxwell smiled gratefully. "I think it was fifteen kids at the last count. Just ask who wants to go. If it's over that then you have my permission to drag Solo or Matt with you."
Duo nodded and turned to face the loud room. He cupped his hands and yelled loudly. "I'm going to the park. Who's coming with me!"
Almost immedently there was a small horde surrounding Duo, books, crayons and toys forgotten. Duo laughed and held up his hands to calm them down. He took a quick head count. 23 kids, 15 boys and 8 girls. Duo quickly ordered them to go and get their coats by their beds and left Father Maxwell with the remaining ones. Duo himself went to his room to grab his jacket, the November air was turning chilly. Sister Helen had abandoned the kitchen as the kids trouped down for their shoes. There were a few break out over who's shoes were who's but Duo was an expert at this by now. He told the kids to wait inside while he grabbed Solo.
He found himself outside Solo's own single storage closet slash room. He knocked on the door. "Hey, Solo, I'm recruiting you to help with the kids at the park!"
"Duoooooo!" Solo groaned. Duo grinned. "Not now! I am trying to sleep!"
"I have like 23 kids to go! So, I sort of need you!"
"Go ask Matt!" Solo groaned and buried his head deeper. Duo laughed and replied. "If he's not coming that it's you by your toes!"
Duo ran to the boy's dorm where Matt was. Matt was a strange kid sometimes. He had been taken in at the age of thirteen, too late to be adopted and quite old to be taken in at an orphanage. He still had a lot of the instincts of a street kids and hated to sleep alone so when Sister Helen had asked him if he wanted to move into a single room he had refused, saying he preferred the comfort of several people while he slept. Now he was sitting on his bed, a math textbook in front of him and a notebook in his lap. He growled at the equations. Another drawback be being taken off the streets so old, he had started school in grade 8 and refused to be pushed back.
"Matt, want to come to the park?" Duo asked brightly, being careful not to sneak up on him. "I gotta take the kids and Solo refuses to come."
"If you help me with my homework," Matt looked up at him through shaggy blonde bangs.
"Dorothy's coming," Duo said slyly. "She got a 93 average in grade nine math."
Matt was up and in his jacket with his textbook under his arm almost before Duo could blink. "Lead the way."
They ran downstairs to the impatient kids. Dorothy had already been let in. She came here too often and was always mistaken for one of the kids. Right now she was letting the kids search her pockets for the chocolate candy she always brought.
"Hello Maxwell, Matt," she greeted the two teenagers. "I see we are working outside today."
"Yes," Matt started to wade through the kids to get his own shoes. Matt was quite scrawny and short so he had a hard time of it. Duo yelled over the chatter to get the kids attention.
"Hey, eyes over here! That's better. Now, remember the rules. No leaving the park, stay were I can see you, no mentioning where you live to anyone and if you have any troubles, come to me, Matt or Dorothy as soon as you can. Got it?"
"Yes Duo," the kids chorused. Duo grinned and located his own shoes under the stove. They were toasty warm and he wiggled his toes satisfied.
"Everybody ready?" They all yelled yes so Dorothy opened the door and the kids poured out excited. Duo was glad the Church was also a community centre, a huge swell of kids coming out could be mistaken as a group and they could be mistaken as volunteers. That was their cover story should anyone ask anyway.
The park was nearby and thankful didn't include crossing any streets. Once the teenagers settled on a bench, Duo did a quick head count and memorised the kids there. When he turned to ask Dorothy something he saw her and Matt already digging into his math homework.
"I've been dumped," he joked to himself and picked up his notebook, looking up often to check the kids.
//"Well, if my client's life was at stake," Quatre looked at Duo with narrow, evilly glittering eyes. Duo took a step backwards, not at all appreciating being looked at like a piece of meat.
"Wha- what?"
Duo soon found himself on a window ledge, holding on for dear like as he crouched against the high winds. Clouds had gathered and were brewing. He turned back over his shoulder and yelled to Quatre, "Are you /sure/ this is safe!?"
"Positive!" Quatre yelled back. Duo's braid waved over his shoulder as he looked down the high tower and gulped.
"Is this really necessary?" he yelled again.
"Yes!" Quatre yelled back annoyed. "Now stop stalling and jump!"
"If I die, I'm coming back to haunt you!" Duo yelled again and mentally counted to three. He took a huge gulp and pushed himself clear of the window, trying to distance himself from the wall.//
"DUO!" a voice pierced through his stops. "DUO!"
Duo was startled and put his book down beside Dorothy and Matt. He looked around worriedly for the voice. He also did a quick head count. Everyone was here. He sighed in relief as the voice called again, more impatiently. "Duooooo!"
Duo located the voice this time and jogged over to where a small nine-year-old girl Teresa and a ten year old boy David were playing. He knelt in the sand and looked to where they were playing. "What is it Teresa?"
"That mans lookin' at us funny," David jerked his head slightly. Duo half looked and saw a young man, no more then thirty-five or so watching the two intently. Duo gave a big smile and stood up, brushing the sand off his pants.
"Guys, you can't call me over for little things like that! I'm trying to do homework," he said in a mock whining voice but he gave them a little wink and headed back to his bench. He sat and pretended to write but looked up at the sun and shook his head. He leaned over to Dorothy, "I'm going to go sit over there, the light is too bright."
Matt nodded absently as Duo stood up but Dorothy looked at him quizzically. Duo ignored that and walked over to the bench where the man sat. He settled beside him and said, "Hi! Is this seat taken?"
"Huh? Oh, no, sure go a head and sit," the man moved over more as Duo took the seat beside him. He followed the man's gaze on the two kids in the sandbox, both of which were ignoring him.
"So, do you know those kids?" Duo asked politely.
"What? No, but that girl reminds me of my little girl," the man smiled sadly. "Her name was Rachelle, she went missing after a fire burned our house down. My wife died but they didn't find Rachelle's remains so I've been looking for two years now."
Duo was shocked at the wishful man's story. Teresa had been found a good distance from the Church two years ago, burn marks on her hands and having no memory of what had happened. Sister Helen had filed her down in the police station but no one had called to claim her. She had just adjusted to life at the Church easily. She still feared fire but she and David had bonded instantly when David had been handed over to them when his parents were killed in a car crash. Duo looked from the man's bushy hair and blue eyes to Teresa. She had curly hair that Sister Helen fought with constantly and the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen.
The man continued. "I heard there was an orphanage around here from the police in this town. No one had told me where it is though and I was hoping she might be there. But I just can't find it, it's like it doesn't exist!"
"Um, are you talking about the Maxwell orphanage?" Duo asked cautiously. The man turned to him eagerly.
"Do you know where it is?" he asked, looking like he was about to grab Duo by the shoulders.
"Well, you could say that," he ghosted a smile at the man. "I'm one of the kids there."
"Have you seen my little girl?" the man reached for his wallet. He pulled out a crushed and creased picture of a little seven-year-old girl in a school picture. There was no mistaking that smile or eyes. Duo looked back at the sandbox and smiled.
"Well, she does bear some striking resemblance to Teresa over there," Duo smiled. The man turned and looked. Then he looked back at Duo, his face bright and the lines disappeared making him look much closer to his age. Duo grinned back. "We are heading back to the orphanage in," Duo glanced at his watch. "About half an hour. You can talk to Father Maxwell and Sister Helen then. But you really should stop looking at them so closely. David is a street kid and you're freaking them out some."
With that Duo stood up and went back to Dorothy. She leaned over to him and whispered in his ear, "What was that?"
"Oh, just my good deed for the day," Duo grinned happily, feeling a bit giddy. He pulled out his notebook and said to Dorothy, "Oh and I'm leaving in half an hour, I gotta get ready for my date."
"Then I suppose I can ask you something," sh turned to him serious. "Why did you beat up those guys today? I haven't seen that in years, why did it come out today?"
Duo looked down and drew a picture casually in the dirt while Dorothy waited patiently. Matt looked up from his notebook and listened with inquisitive ears. "Um, well, they were just buggin' me and it made me snap."
"Oh, come on, I know you get teased more then the average person, why this time?"
"It was something they said. Plus… there was some long standing issues I have not yet dealt with that came out today. I talking about it with Heero though so don't worry about it!" Duo gave a laugh and added, "Now, how about that project you're so eager to be done with?"
It was a while later when Duo glanced at his watch. He tapped it then turn to Dorothy and said, " We have to get going. It's been an hour."
"Shit!" Dorothy lost her cool and scrambled to her feet. "I told Mother I'd meet her fifteen minutes ago! She's gonna freak! See ya!"
The girl ran, her long blonde hair flowing behind her. Duo look again and did a head count. Then he stood up and yelled so the whole park could hear him. The light was faded. "Hey, we gotta get back guys! Sister Helen is gonna wonder where we are!"
There were several grumbles but the kids trickled in and Duo did a quick head count again. Once he was satisfied that all the kids were present he let Matt lead the way back to the Church while he brought up stragglers. The man joined him and followed slightly behind.
"So, do you have a name?" Duo asked jokingly over his shoulder.
"Tom Johnson," the man flashed a bright smile. He was definitely younger then thirty. "I'm a police officer but I don't have an active duty, I just file. My wife," he paused. "She insisted that I didn't do anything dangerous and boy is there a lot of paper work in the office."
Duo smiled as he watched the kids hurried down the stairs into the kitchen. He could hear Sister Helen scolding Matt for keeping them out so late. Duo held up a hand to stop Tom from going straight in. "Just wait, this is a hidden entrance. Maxwell children are not…regarded with much respect. We like to keep to ourselves. It's safer."
Tom looked at him strangely but choose not to question. Duo led Tom to the main door and into the real Church with the pews. He took him to the Sacristy and opened a door labelled 'bathroom'. They ended up in the playroom. Father Maxwell was still sitting at his table, eyes half closed as the youngest children that hadn't come played energetically around him.
"Father," Duo said quietly as the children stopped and looked cautiously at Tom. It was very rare any strangers entered the orphanage. Father Maxwell yawned and stretched before looking curiously at the man. "This is Tom Johnson. He was interested in adopting a child."
Father Maxwell snapped up at that. His face broad into a broad grin and he stood, wrapping an arm around Tom and leading him away while saying in a loud voice, "Tom Johnson is it? Well you've come to the right place!"
Duo grinned and went down the kitchen to take off his boots. He was caught on the stairs by the kids going up. He ended up hopping on the rickety handle to let them pass and prayed it would hold his weight. Matt gave him a grin as he went by and Duo jumped off.
"Duo Maxwell, are you wearing those boots inside again?" Sister Helen's voice came from the bottom of the stairs.
"Not for long Sister!" Duo replied cheerfully. He jumped the last step and stopped when he saw the person sitting at the table looking suspiciously at the mug of hot chocolate in his hands. "Heero! Is it seven already?"
"No, I'm early," Heero gave him a tiny smile before taking a small sip at the drink and wincing. "And I see you need to get changed."
Duo looked down at his clothes; black held the dirt he had gotten from running around to solve various problems in the park. He placed a hand sheepishly behind his head. "Yea, I suppose I do!" he kicked off his shoes and turned to bound back up the stairs again. "Sister? Heero and I are going to my room!"
"Keep the door unlocked," she said as Heero stood and hurried up after Duo. Several of the boys in the dorm waved to Heero as Duo dragged him to his little room. Once they were inside, Duo flicked on the light and closed the door, remembering not to lock it. Hero took a seat on the bed as usual as Duo went to go dig in his little chest of drawers.
"So where are we going tonight?" Duo asked, trying to decide what to wear.
"Nothing too fancy," Heero shrugged. "A little Italian restaurant I know, the movies, maybe a club or two."
"Aren't we underaged?" Duo looked up.
"Not if you're with me."
"Ah. So fancy?"
"Only semi-fancy," Heero replied as Duo sighed and reached for the outfit Heero had bought him last week.
"Okay then, go out while I get changed then we can go!" Duo pushed Heero off the bed and out the door. He locked it behind him, some habit are just hard to break. He dressed quickly and opened the door.
Heero stood uncomfortably outside of the door. He rarely stayed anywhere else then Duo's room at the Church, little kids made him nervous. The door opened a few minutes later and Duo stepped out. Heero felt his jaw drop and his eyes widen.
"Heero, can you help me braid my- what? Do I have something in my teeth?" Duo asked at Heero's shocked expression. Heero shook his head dumbly and stepped closer. Tight black pants hugged Duo's hips and legs. He wore a black silk button up shirt with the top four buttons undone to show off a deep violet, satin tee-shirt underneath. His cuffs were undone and a silver cross was around his neck. He had his hands on his hips looking at Heero with an expression crossed between confusion and amusement.
"You look gorgeous Duo," he said awed and touched Duo's arm.
"Well duh?" Duo winked and blushed. "Now, come help me rebraid it, it's fraying."
Heero spent the next few minutes brushing the long silky strands of Duo's hair while the boy chattered about what had happened at the park.
"So I go over and talk to this guy, his name's Tom Johnson. Turns out he lost his daughter and wife in a fire but the girl's body was never found. So Teresa looks just like his kids plus the story matches. Once they get a DNA test and it matches up he can take Teresa home." Duo looked at the wall, a dreamy expression on his face. "I love it when kids are adopted."
Heero smiled softly and braided Duo's chestnut hair with an ease that experience got. He wrapped his arms around Duo's shoulders and pulled him back to lean on his chest. Duo sighed happily and snuggled close, getting more comfortable by sitting in Heero's lap. Heero pressed small kisses on his hair and held him tighter. They stayed like that, basking in each other's presence for a while before Heero sighed and said, "I guess we'd better get going."
Duo groaned and pulled away. He jumped down from the bed and turned to give Heero a hand. Heero easily accepted it and they both straightened their clothes before Duo opened the door. Hilde stood outside, her hand up to knock on the door. She looked baffled when it opened but saw Duo above her and grinned.
"Duo! Hi! Sister Helen told me to tell you that it is seven o'clock and, uh, you two should be going off," she grinned brighter, proud to have remembered it all. Then she spotted Heero standing behind Duo slightly.
"Hero!" she giggled. She threw herself at his legs and held him in a tight hug and flashed a huge smile up at him. "I knew you'd be here! Duo doesn't go out on dates with anyone else and I've really been missin' you! You have to come back more often, did you bring me any candy? Dorothy did when she was here but I was too late to get any and I really want some so do you have any? It's Wednesday you know and you haven't been here since never and we was all missin' you! You gotta come back more often or else-"
She was cut off when Duo grabbed her around the middle and picked her up. She immedently forgot what she was been talking about and giggled as Duo swung her until she was back outside the door. He squatted down and told her, grinning madly. "Hilde babe, me and Heero have to get going, ok? I promise we'll get some candy for you and all the other kids when we get back."
"Does that mean Hero doesn't have any candy?" her face fell and she looked up at Heero with huge, sorrow filled eyes. "Why not Hero?"
"Um," Heero stammered, a light blush on his cheeks. "Well uh…"
"Hilde, come on," Duo whined. "I wanta gooooooo! And I can't until you move so we can get out of the dooooooor."
"But I don't want you to leave on now!" she turned her sad look on him. "Can I come on your date?"
"Well," Duo settled back on his heels, still squatting and looked thoughtfully at Heero. "If you want but we are gonna get mushy. And we aren't going to stop for you!"
She made a face but said evenly and casually. "It doesn't bother me."
Duo grinned wickedly and stood up until he faced here, a mischievous grin on his face and an evil gleam in his eyes. "Doesn't bother you huh?"
Duo leaned forward and grabbed Heero's chin in one hand while the other groped his ass. Heero was surprised at first then relaxed and returned the kiss full-hearted, closing his eyes and moaning slightly as Duo thrust his tongue roughly in his mouth. Duo pinned him against the wall, the hand holding Heero's chin leaving to brace with his elbow against the doorframe. Heero melted against Duo and groaned again as his own hands moved to run up Duo's spine and push his head close. They broke away gasping and Duo turned to Hilde again, a trumpet look on his face.
"Still want to come?"
"Ew, kissing," she wrinkled her nose. "No thanks!" she bolted down the hall as Heero sagged against the doorframe panting. Duo grinned and his hands didn't leave Heero's body. He glared at his braided boyfriend half hearted.
Heero glanced at his watch. He sighed regretfully. "It's getting late. We should get going."