Disclaimers: Don't own ANYTHING, just borrowing.
Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff/sap, I'm talkin' sugary stuff, romance, sweet humor intended, mild language, Duo's POV.
Notes: I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time getting a mission to care for Quatre's niece and Duo and Heero finding each other along the way. It sounded fun to me. Excuse errorz. Enjoy.
Thank you for the reviews minna-san, it's good to know people find pleasure in reading this fic. I didn't get to apologize for putting Haunted up as the second chapter, I was being rushed, gomen. I was using someone else's computer and it didn't have enough memory for me to write an apology -_-; I wanted to kick it. I still do. Anyways, thanks again and enjoy the fic!
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First Kiss Delayed
Part 3: Thursday
~!~!~!~!~
"All set?" I asked looking at Rachael in the back seat. She was wearing her hair in a ponytail and dressed in little girl colors. Baby blue shirt and lavender shorts, just how a kid like her should be in, but...she was wearing Gundam shoes...
Gundam shoes featuring yours truly, actually, just Deathscythe and Wing, I can't believe she wears those things.
But they were kinda cute on her.
I think that's funny, Gundam shoes on a little girl. I laughed.
Heero was HOT, just as usual. He wore a sky blue shirt that was loose and thin, sexy bastard! The lower half of him were in TIGHT dark blue jeans, if I may say, they outlined his figure very well.
I recalled my attire, black shirt button down with a white under shirt beneath and my favorite black jeans.
So I wore them two days in a row? I'll wash them later.
"Hai!"
"What about you, Hee-chan?" I turned to Heero who buckled his seatbelt and gave me a look, "I'm fine." he replied and muttered under his breath and reminded me, "I am not a kid..."
"Whatever." I mumbled only loud enough for him to hear. "Okay then." I turned on the engine, put 'er into gear, and headed for the fair with my two favorite people.
Yeah, somehow I can't resist either of them.
~!~!~!~!~
"We're here." I announced once I had parked. I looked around, we got a pretty good space, then again it was Thursday, and people had work. But there was still a good amount of people.
"Yay! Let's go, let's go!" Rachael literally jumped out of the car, "Well, come on!"
Heero and I got out of the car. I locked it and caught up with Rachael, damn what did Heero put in her breakfast this morning??? And they call *ME* hyper. I guess she has an excuse since she's a kid. That's SO uncool, or...maybe not.
Ten minutes later we were in the fair running after Rachael who was definitely enjoying herself.
"Rachael, come back here!" I called out to the girl zipping around here and there.
"Gomen nasai! But I want to do EVERYTHING!"
"Slow down little girl, we have the whole day. Not to mention that this isn't just a little kiddie place, so you can easily get lost. THEN your uncle and I would be in deep shi--"
Before I could finish, Heero grabbed my mouth covering it with his hand so nothing non g-rated popped out.
At least that's what I'm assuming.
"Duo!" he glared at me.
He's so cute, and I'm such a potty mouth.
"I guess you're right," Rachael said, putting herself in the middle, she took my right hand and Heero's left in her tiny ones, "and I want to have fun with my favorite Uncles!" Rachael skipped off dragging us to wherever she wanted to go.
~!~!~!~!~
"Sugoi! Look at all the plush I have!" Rachael held her giant bag up with all the plush that Heero and I had won for her. All of the games were rigged. Even so, that didn't stop Heero or me from mastering the activites. I think one guy even paid us to stop winning the ponies. We had already gotten at least ten, as far as I know, that was enough ponies for us. What the hell was she going to do with them all?
"But I need two more for Kurai and Sakura!" So that's why she wanted them...
"I think we can get them something else. Be diverse." I said.
"Okay," she gasped.
"Nani?"
"Can we ride the carousel???"
Heero and I sighed.
"Please???"
"Alright." I agreed and Heero didn't have any objections. Heero and Rachael headed for the carousel, but I didn't follow.
"Aren't you coming Uncle Duo?" Rachael asked holding Heero's hand.
"Yeah, but I have to get something, I'll catch up with you in a sec."
"Okay!"
"Duo...I'm not riding on a metal horse unless you do it too."
He's so cute.
"Don't worry Hee-chan, I'll be there. Go!" I said motioning them to go ahead. I watched them drift off into the crowd.
Now you're probably wonder what I'm doing. I ran to the gift shop and purchased a disposable camera.
~!~!~!~!~
"Where's Duo?" I heard Heero ask himself as I approached his back side.
"...Right here Heero," I whispered into his ear softly. He slowly turned around and I met up with a pretty face, "Hey..."
"Uncle Duo!" Rachael hugged my legs.
"Geez, I was only gone for about five minutes." I joked.
"...Baka." He said smirking at me. I walked beside him as Rachael pulled us to the line for the carousel.
We didn't wait long, as soon as we got on Rachael ran and claimed a black horse. She has the strangest taste for a seven year old. Come on, Gundam shoes? Anyway, apparently Heero and I weren't quick enough because as soon as Rachael claimed hers, other kids ran and took all of the horses, except one white horse with golden reins which was right behind Rachael.
I smirked.
Talk about luck.
"Get on Heero." I said grinning to myself.
"Nani?"
"Get on." I repeated. Heero gave me a strange look, "Get...on?"
"Yeah!" I saw the man who was running the machine walk to the controls which obviously meant he was going to start the ride.
Sure enough I was right and a jolt was felt as the carousel started. I grabbed Heero by his waist and lifted him up.
"Duo!" Heero cried as I placed him on the saddle. His hips were so slender and the touch felt good against my hands, I didn't want to let go, but if I didn't, I might have gotten a broken nose.
...*might have*.
"Nani? You think I would just let you stand here with an empty horse infront of you?" Heero glared at me, not a deadily one, a cute one. I whipped out the newly purchased camera.
CLICK!
Snapshot of one of my favorite faces...on a horse.
"Omae o korosu!" Heero deepened his glare.
CLICK!
"Did anyone tell you how cute you when you glare?" I said winding the camera up.
Heero's face changed from a glare to surprised expression, his eyes lightened up and eyebrows rose.
CLICK!
"The camera loves ya, Hee-chan."
He grabbed the bar connected to the horse, and to my surprised Heero smirked, this was a one time thing infront of the camera with Mr. Heero Yuy.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
"Duo no baka." Heero grabbed me and pulled me onto the horse. This was a shock. I held the camera out in front of us so we were both in the picture as well as the horse's head.
"Smile, Hee-chan!" I said wrapping an arm around the bar and his waist, Heero leaned into me to get closer together for the picture, which might I add a *very* unexpected gesture from him, but hey, I'm not complainin'.
CLICK!
"Rachael!" I shouted on the carousel, she turned around and smiled happily.
CLICK! CLICK!
The second time she had laughed, around and around the carousel went moving the horses up and down. I tucked the camera back into my pocket for safe keeping. These were going to be the best pictures.
~!~!~!~!~
"Did you have fun on the carousel?" I asked Rachael once we were off and the ride was done with.
"Hai!" Rachael attached herself to Heero and me.
After walking alittle, Rachael caught sight of something that she found interest in. "Uncle Duo! Let's go there!" Rachael pointed to a costume corner. "Let's go!"
Before either of us could say anything, we were being dragged to the corner. It was an area that I haven't ever seen before at a fair. The little area was filled with various attire for kids to dress up and play with. Rachael found a forest princess tiarra headband of some sort. It was kinda cool being a girly thing, not saying that I would want it or anything. The band itself was silver with stars randomly places on the egdes. Hooked on the back were long, thin, glittering strands of ribbon that were blue, purple, silver, and red.
"Wah! Isn't this cool???" Rachael exclaimed. She looked around for a mirror, but there wasn't one, "How am I suppose to see what it looks like with no mirror???"
"I think Uncle Heero could model for us." I replied grinning at Heero.
"Nani?!" I could of sworn that his cobalt orbs almost popped out of his pretty face.
"And I think that's a great idea, then I can see what it looks like on someone!"
"I agree, besides, you two look like you both have the same bone structure."
Heero glared, "Duo..."
I wasn't worried, he wouldn't kill me right in front of Rachael.
"Uncle Hee~ro!" I lifted Rachael up and she placed the band upon Heero's head, "There!"
He's so cute.
The flow of ribbon had a very nice effect on Heero's eyes. Heero folded his arms, but kept his eyes opened and glaring. I whipped out my camera...again.
"The Forest Prince has awoken!" I said.
CLICK!
"Hey!"
CLICK!
"Omae o korosu!"
CLICK!
Heero tackled me to the ground, but it wasn't hard, it was like...playful.
Fun.
CLICK!
"Duo!" Heero wrestled me rolling around.
"Don't worry, it looks good on you!" Heero looked at me with a face I hadn't seen before it was...
Happy. He was...really happy. I don't know WHY he was happy, I mean, think of what would happen if you put that damned thing on Wufei. Seriously, Wu-man's like equivelant to a major spontanesous combustion! But Heero was okay with it, and was HAPPY about this. Was it because of me? Was Heero happy because of me? Or Rachael?
I took the chance and pinned Heero down. He stuck his tongue out at me.
"Nah!"
Ha! I knew it! Heero was indeed human. Screw you Wu! Always sayin' that he was some kind of alien.
"Why you little--" I cut myself off and put my finger to the button.
CLICK!
I heard giggling from behind me. Rachael was laughing at us.
"You guys are so funny!" Heero and I rose from the ground, "Uncle Heero, you do look nice though."
Heero took the band off and placed it on Rachael's head. She smiled up at us.
"I'm hungry!"
CLICK!
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Three hot dogs, two waters, chilli cheese fries, a Dr. Pepper , and three CLICKS of chilli covered girl and boys later...
"Uncle Heero, did you know that this place has a circus too?"
"No, I didn't."
"This place has a circus?" I asked. Last time I went to the circus was when...how ironic, the last time I went was after Heero self-destructed.
"Yeah, can we go? I want to see the lions!"
"Heero, ya wanna go?"
"Hn."
"Does that mean 'yeah', or 'I don't care'?" Rachael asked.
"Hey, you're catching on. I'm pretty sure it means 'I don't care'." I replied. I was surprised not many people can distingush between Heero's 'Hns'.
Rachael pulled us all the way to the circus which was on the other side of the fair. Actually, this fair was really large. I'm glad we came, it's been fun.
"Wah! Uncle Heero! Can you beat that strong man?" Rachael asked. She pointed on our way to the big tent to an EXTREMELY buff man flexing to get ready for his whatever-he-was-doing. I took a closer look, the man took a mallet and swung it down. When the mallet made contact with a pump, a metal ball traveled up on the scale. There was a bell, but he missed it.
94. Not bad.
"Of course Heero can beat him." I said nudging Heero, "Right Hee-chan?"
"..." Heero didn't say anything, but I know he was thinking that he could with no problem.
"You can Uncle Heero?"
Heero shrugged.
"Who will challenge this man???" someone asked with a thin, long, curly mustache parted in the middle who standing on a platform, "Who is brave enough to take him on? To defeat the number one man at his best event?"
Beat the number one man in his best event, huh? He's fixin' to be second best in his event. "This man will challenge him!" I yelled pushing Heero up on the platform.
"Duo! What are you doing???" Heero asked totally shocked.
"Don't sweat it Heero, you can beat him." Heero glared, "Do it for your niece? Prove to her that you don't have to be all bulky like *that* dude to be strong." I said throwing a thumb at that other guy.
"THIS man? Ha! This is not a man, but a mere boy. He couldn't carry my pet chicken to the hen house!" I glared at the spokesman, I know Heero's gonna have something against him now. "Alright kid, I'll bet $50 that you can't!"
"He can!" I said, "Right Heero?"
"I can." Heero said bitterly and glared at the spokesman for insulting him, "And I'll raise your bet by double..."
Whoa, that was certainly unexpected. Then again, that's Heero for ya. Always unpredictable. I love it.
"Okay, shake on it." the spokesman held out his hand, Heero shook it. "You're on kid." the man said handing Heero the same mallet just used, "You better tell your friend to prepare his money."
Obviously, this guy didn't know who he was messin' with.
"Uncle Duo! I can't see!" I put Rachael on my shoulders, "Go Uncle Heero! Yea!"
Heero looked at me. I smiled and he smirked, "Come on Hee-chan! That guy ain't nothing but a steroid carrier!"
The Japanese boy raised the mallet and firmly nailed the pump sending the puny piece of metal up and crack the bell.
DING!
"Yay!" Rachael shouted.
Heero walked over to two shocked men and let out a little cough, "I believe we had a wager?"
He's so cute.
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"...97...98...99..." the man sadly counted, "...100..."
"Pleasure doin' business with ya, thank you." I said as Heero folded his money. We walked away from the depressed man who had just lost one hundred bucks to a boy. Hey, at least he's cute. "What cha gonna do with all that money now, Hee-chan?"
"..." Heero shrugged, "I don't know."
"Well, it's not all gonna fit in your pocket, you're not wearin' spandex."
Heero looked at the handful of money, "I suppose we spend it."
"Yeah, save Quat some money, ne?" I grinned. As if he didn't have enough.
~!~!~!~!~
"What's this?" Heero asked as we were walking towards the lions . I think that's what we were walking to the lions, right? I don't know. Heero had pointed to a large platform with uh...neon lighted pods that was placed on it's side tilted upwards. The pods were spinning and well...tilting too.
I grinned.
I knew exactly what it was, "That's the Tilt-A-Whirl." [1]
"Tilt-A-Whirl?" he repeated.
"The Tilt-A-Whirl!!!" Rachael shouted, "Uncle Duo can we PLEASE go on it??? It would be so much fun! Please?"
"I don't see why not." I replied. We stood in a rather short line (surprisingly since everytime you go to a fair or something you have to wait foreeeeevvvvvveeeeerrrrrrrrr! I just hate that so much). At the front of the line was what appeared to be a long meter stick, we were all about to go get on the Whirly thingy, but a man in a uniform stopped us.
"Excuse me young lady, may I check your height?" the man asked Rachael, I assumed he was the one running the Whirl. She nodded and the man held the long ruler thing beside her. He frowned, "I'm sorry, but you're too short to ride this one."
"Too short?" Heero repeated, why does he do that? He's like some kind of parrot...a cute one though. Hold on, too short? This is suppose to be a *family* ride, how could she be too short? That meant that Rachael couldn't ride the ride...ride the ride. That's funny. Anyway!
"The kiddie Tilt-A-Whirl is over there." the man informed and pointed to a beat up ride with too much graffiti and grim all over it. There wasn't any way I was going to let her get on *that*. Hell, OZ prisons looked better than that thing.
"Listen Rach, we don't have ride this, we can find another ride that we can all go on." I offered, but the girl only shook her head 'no'.
"That's okay Uncle Duo, you and Uncle Heero ride, I'll just wait at the exit for you when you both finish." she maturely replied. Do you know how many seven year olds are told that they can't do something and then say it's okay? Not many, most of them cry until they either get it their way or get their asses whipped by their mama.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
She smiled up at me, "Of course! You guys should ride since Uncle Heero's never been on it, don't let me stop you, go and enjoy yourselves!" Woah...that's totally not a seven year old thing to do, "Besides, I might lose that hot dog."
I finally agreed, she waited patiently by the exit as Heero and I were seated on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Heero was on the inside and I was on the out. A metal bar flew down over our laps, and ya know what? I'm assuming that it's not good protection since it was about a foot away from out chest. Oh well, with bad comes good, ne?
"Hold on Hee-chan." I said as the Whirl began.
We moving in a counter clockwise twirl in a slow motion then quickly sped up. The Whirl was tilted up into the air, then the pod thingys began to spin, and gravity took place. Mmm...I like gravity, the gap between Heero and me closed as I slid down next to him, I was literally smashed up against Heero. I'll tell you one thing, he was warm. The people in front of us began screaming and Heero jumped from the unexpected noise.
"Why are they screaming?" Heero asked.
"What?"
"Why are they screaming!"
"What!"
He shook his head, "Nevermind!"
The Tilt-A-Whirl spun more quickly and soon Heero was smashed up against me. Mmm, I like this too. As thin and slim as we both were, the impact of the spun caused Heero to slide more violently, and like I said before, the bar didn't fit too well. Heero uh...'tripped' over my thigh with his and was flipped around so he was facing me. The good ol' centrifugal force of the ride held him in place, but as we turned we were sent sliding to the other side of the seat. Guess what happened.
Facing me, he fell and landed in my lap.
Fun.
I grinned inwardly as he quickly tried to move, I only wrapped my arms around his waist and held him, "Not much of a point to struggle now Hee-chan, you're in the safest place of the ride." I said, I know he knew what I was saying, he was capable of reading lips. The Japanese boy settled in his new seat upon my lap.
So much for that safety bar to keep you in place. Oh well.
A jerk was felt and I was sent forward, while he was sent backwards, somewhere in the middle we collided. He was crushed against my chest, in surprise he encircled my neck embracing me.
Ooo, I like this the best.
Again, I was shocked when Heero rested his head in the nape of my neck and shoulder. I smirked and held him tight throughout the remainder of the ride. The screaming from the front seat faded into the background and all I could think about was the boy in my lap. I held him even closer. I don't want him to leave.
Personally, I've never ridden the Tilt-A-Whirl like this before, but I know I want to ride it like this again sometime. I'll remind myself to take Heero to more fairs...
~!~!~!~!~
"That was fun, ne?" I asked when the Whirl was over. Heero nodded.
I was disappointed when the ride ended, I'm sure Heero was too. I couldn't contain the chuckle that emerged when we exited the Tilt-A-Whirl, Heero was walking crooked. He glared at me questionly, but I didn't tell him what I thought was so humorous. Besides, I liked watching his cute ass sway this way and that since he couldn't quite stand straight either. We finally made it back to Rachael. I don't know why, but she the most satisfied smirk on her face. It disappeared and a wide smile took its place.
"Oh, you know what Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero?"
"What?"
"I saw a petting zoo next to the big tent."
"Petting zoo?" Heero repeated...again.
"Uncle Heero, you know what that is right?" Heero shook his head, the blonde girl gaped at him, "Only one of the coolest things at the fair!" she turned to me, "Uncle Duo can we go to that? I'm sure I'm not too short for a petting zoo!"
"Okay." I said. Rachael grabbed our hands again and pulled us to her desired desination.
~!~!~!~!~
"Is it suppose to smell like this?" Heero asked in disgust.
"Well, what do you think?"
Hero shrugged.
I grinned as a mischievious thought came to mind, "Does it smell that bad Hee-chan?" I didn't wait for a reply, I pinched his nose shut. "How 'bout now?"
"Duo!" he cried in a more nasally voice than usual, "Omae o kowosu!"
I released his nose, "Omae o kowosu?"
"Omae o korosu!"
"Oh."
"Come on Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero!"
Heero and I cocked an eyebrow at Rachael, she was holding a bucket of...stuff, "Where did you get that?"
She pointed to a woman with many more buckets, "From her, she said that it's free with a child's admission."
"You paid?" I asked, she smiled and handed me a black zipper wallet--wait! That's *mine*! "You picked my pocket???" Rachael smiled and entered the petting zoo. "How did she...?"
"Maybe you two are related and you don't know it." Heero said. I glared at him and followed Rachael. Since when did she learn how to pick pockets? I didn't even notice. Picking pockets is *not* a course in finishing school!
"Duo what the hell is that???" Heero asked. I looked at what he was talking about and laughed. It was a black, white, and gray, little four-legged hoved creature with horns at the top of its head with a petite mouth gnawing on my shoe. "Nani?"
"Hee-chan, it's a goat."
"Goat?"
"Uncle Heero, haven't you ever seen a little billy-goat?" Rachael asked, she was bent down feeding the small animal.
"In pictures." Heero replied.
I pulled the Japanese boy down towards the goat and pat it on the head, "Pet him Hee-chan." Heero lifted a hesistant hand, but didn't do anything with it. I placed mine atop of his and guided it along the fur of the innocent creature, I felt his hand tense and relax like he did with anything new. He smirked at the goat.
"There ya go Heero, just like that..." while kneeled behind the Japanese boy of my dreams, I stuck my hand in the bucket and grabbed a handful of pellets, then instructed Heero to open his hand, he did and I gave him the animal food. The other hand had ceased its stroking and mine was settled on top of it. Heero's left hand was filled with animal food and was feeding it while mine was supporting from under it. The small goat nibbled and licked the bottom of his hand when it finished the food.
Suddenly more goats came...lots more, like...a herd more...and a flock of sheep. They all surrounded us seeing that we had something for them to eat. A fawn cautiously approached us and ate from Rachael's opened hand. I pulled out my camera, yeah, I still got it.
CLICK!
Rachael walked away with the animal pellets, I could have sworn Heero was saddened by the animals' departure. He watched the girl play with the tamed creatures from a distance, why didn't he join her? I saw a rabbit hopping by and quicked rabbit napped it and put it under my shirt. I hope it doesn't bite.
"Hee-chan..."
Heero turned to me, I reached down into my shirt and pulled the critter out gently, "Ta da!" I handed the rabbit to him. He held the white creature in his hands and smirked, "Kawaii, ne?" I asked.
"Hai, desu."
CLICK!
Heero with a white rabbit...
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"Can we see the lions now?" Rachael asked anxiously after the petting zoo scenario.
"Okay, okay, we'll see the lions."
If Rachael wanted to see the lions, Rachael was gonna see the lions. We finally found them thanks to Heero's nice tracking skills and the map. Along the way we bought cotton candy and snowcones. Guess what flavor sonwcone Heero got.
Here's a hint:
It's pink.
That's right, strawberry!
He ate the snowcone with no problem, guess he thought it was similar to the ice cream from the other day. But when it came to the next treat, Heero just glared at the bright blue puff in front of him.
"What cha doin' Heero?"
"What is it?"
"What's what Uncle Heero?"
"*THIS*..." Heero pointed to the fluff on a stick.
"It's cotton candy, Heero. Duh, it even said on the wrapper you stared at for the longest time before we pulled it off." I informed as Heero examine the cotton candy as if it was going to explode or something.
"I know that...but--"
"Uncle Heero, it's not going to kill you or anything." Rachael interupted Heero.
"Rachael, what do you say we assist Uncle Heero, and show him how to eat that?" I asked, Heero gave me a 'what the hell are you thinking' look.
"Okay!" I pulled out a chunk of candy and Rachael did the same.
"Alright Heero, this is how you eat cotton candy." I held the candy up and opened my mouth to make it look like I was going to eat it, ditto with Rachael.
Wrong.
Rachael and I stuffed it in Heero's mouth.
Heero glared at us with a mouth full of cotton candy petruding from the cheeks and the opening of his mouth.
CLICK!
"TTouooo!" Heero tried to say as the cotton candy quickly dissolved.
Rachael and I were laughing our heads off. I dropped my camera while doing it.
He's so cute!
Before we knew it, our mouths were invaded by a rapidly dissolving treat.
CLICK! CLICK!
Rachael and I paused then blinked a few times, "...hahahahahahahaha!"
Heero smirked at us.
When giggles subsided, everything was some what calm and I got my camera back, we finally stumbled into the large circus tent. There were lions and all sorts of animals too. The show was just beginning when we walked in. Good timing. Rachael found us a nice spot in the first row. How she managed to find seats when it was this crowded was kind of strange to me. We all sat down and enjoyed the show.
"Look, the lions!" Rachael shouted in joy pointed to the parading beasts jumping through burning hoops.
"That lion looks familiar..."
"ExCUSE me?" I asked turning to Heero, "Did you just say that LION looks *familiar*?"
"Hai." Heero replied as if what he just said didn't sound slightly strange, "I think I've seen him before."
"And I think I've seen that flea on his back." I joked.
Heero shrugged, "I still think I've seen him before."
I cocked an eyebrow, "Okay, that's cool, you've meet a lion?"
"With Trowa."
"Maybe that's him then."
"Could be. All I can say is that I know that lion."
"WAH!!! Did you see that? It was GREAT!!! He just jumped through all of those hoops on fire! FIVE in a row!" Rachael shouted loudly in our ears.
"Fun. I bet Heero could do that too." Heero pulled my braid, "Itai!"
"Baka."
The rest of the show was interesting enough for me to stay, but even if it wasn't, I couldn't leave anyway. I thought I saw Catherine throwing knives, but I wasn't sure.
We witnessed the bearded lady, a man that swallowed knives, tight rope walkers, and dancing bears.
I think Heero enjoyed the dancing bear part was the best.
While I was watching the show, I was thinking to myself. This mission was alot more fun then I had ever thought it would be. I never knew that taking care of a little girl could be so much fun, especially with Heero. The past days had been interesting. I almost wished that next Tuesday would stay as far away as possible.
~!~!~!~!~
"Wow, that was really, REALLY cool!" Rachael commented as we exited the big tent, it was dark and getting late. I looked at my watch which read 9:53 PM. I ruffled Rachael's hair.
"Well, I already knew that you would like it, what about Hee-chan?" I asked Heero.
"...it was okay."
"Yeah, that's why you couldn't take your eyes off of the knife thrower..." I teased tapping Heero's nose.
"Nani??? I wasn't looking at the knife thrower!" Heero surprisingly took my comment seriously.
"Hee-chan, I'm only kiddin' with you!"
"Did someone say knife thrower?" a female voice said from behind us. Heero and I turned around. The reddish haired girl smiled at us. I knew this lady in magenta tights, "Well if it isn't Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell at the fair."
"Catherine." Heero nodded.
"Hey, so it was you!" I knew it! Honest! "Nice to see ya again."
"You too, and just who might this lovely newly-turned seven year old be?" Catherine asked bending over on her knees to match Rachael's height.
"Auntie Catherine!" Rachael glomped the older woman.
Catherine hugged her back, "Good to see you too."
"Where's Uncle Trowa?"
"He's not here, but he said if any special visitors come, to let them see the lions as an apology for his absence." Catherine told Rachael as she released her from her embrace. "And I guess you're that special visitor."
Rachael looked up at Heero and me, "Can I see them PLEASE???"
"Sure, just don't get your arm bitten off or anything like that, got it?"
"Okay, I won't, they like me." Rachael smiled and grabbed Catherine's hand.
"Heero, would you like to see Leo? He's still here and was just performing. This is the best time for guest to visit him now." Catherine invited.
"That's alright." Heero politely turned the offer down. Heero nudged me, "I told you he looked familiar..."
I rolled my eyes.
"Okay, you can pick Rachael up in the back of the tent whenever you feel like it."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Of course, I love the time I can get to be with my brother's niece. Don't worry, she'll be fine."
It's not that I didn't trust Catherine with Rachael or didn't think that she wouldn't be fine with her, I just...I don't know, I didn't want Rachael to leave us. What if something happened to her? I didn't like the fact that she wasn't in my sight all the time or not with Heero and me.
Duo Maxwell? Over protective?
Never!
"Alright, Rachael, you be good, and don't forget, you have to come home with us. Not the lions."
"Hai!" Rachael tugged Catherine's hand, "I want to see the lions!"
The two girls walked to the back of the tent where the lions were kept.
That left Heero and me alone at a fair.
~!~!~!~!~
Not much talking had taken place with Rachael's departure. Heero and I were just walking around admiring the lights and happy people of the fair. The silence was pleasant in a way. Nothing to disturb us. We came across more games near the ferris wheel. We would have to go there later, I would make sure we went.
I saw a game with an interesting prize; a soft, dark, brown teddy bear with sharp crystal deep blue eyes and a black ribbon around the neck not too small, not too big. It was perfect!
"Hey, Heero?"
"Yeah?"
"Wanna go on the ferris wheel?"
"What's a ferris wheel?"
I pointed to the round structure that could be seen for miles away, "That."
Heero looked at at the ferris wheel, "Okay."
YES!!! Yeyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes! Elated, I just wanted to jump up and down that moment. Heero wanted to go on the ferris wheel with me!
Ahem, I collected my thoughts and replied, "Cool, go on over there, and I'll catch up with you in a sec."
"You're not going to buy another camera...are you?" Heero asked eyeing me.
I shook my head and chuckled, "That is...unless, you want me t--"
"No." Heero said as he cut me off.
I grinned, "Just go over and wait for me, ne?"
Heero nodded and headed toward the ferris wheel.
Now's my chance.
"Oi, what do I have to do to get that bear?"
~!~!~!~!~
Heero and I entered the ferris wheel, Heero on the left and I was on the right.
"What now?"
"We wait for it to start just like any other ride." I said leaning back on the seat and stretched my arms out as Heero leaned against it.
The ferris wheel started.
Heero tensed alittle, I could feel him twitch against my arm.
"What's wrong Heero? Decided that you don't like it already?"
"Hn." Heero replied. I gently ran my fingers under his loose sleeve and over his bare shoulder. Heero began to relax at the touch and rested his head on my shoulder just like during the series that we had watched last night. The ferris wheel slowly cranked us higher and higher stopping every now and then. The wheel finally halted when we reached the top.
"What happened?" Heero asked concerned looking around frantically, "Why did we stop, Duo? What's wrong?"
"It's okay, it's all apart of the ride," I said as I squeezed his shoulder, comforting him, "Enjoy the view, look at all of the lights. Lot calmer than in Wing, ne?"
Heero and I admired the lights from the top of the wheel, "They're so...bright." he said.
"I know." I pulled out something that I've been hiding, "Here..."
Heero lifted his head from my shoulder and looked at me then at the object in my hand, "Duo...?"
"It's for you Heero, it wouldn't be right to let a seven year old take all the plush." I handed Heero the bear, "I thought you might like a teddy bear for yourself."
Heero accepted the bear stared at it for a long time before he said anything, "Arigato, Duo." Heero held the bear against his chest.
"You're welcome, Heero." I replied pulling him closer into a hug, "Do you like it?"
"Hai..."
Heero sat closer to me and kept quiet again. Not that I thought I could get some grand response from him like 'Oh my Gods Duo! I love it!' nor 'Thank you SO much, you're so sweet' or anything like that. C'mon this is Heero, so I wasn't expecting something like that out of him, but I think this silent time was what we both needed. I wasn't about to say anything that would ruin his thoughts. I knew he would say something soon enough.
And he did.
"Duo, this is the first gift anyone has ever given to me..." Heero finally broke the silence looking at the bear again.
"Well, I'll make sure it's not your last then, ne?" I said giving him a half smile.
Heero sighed, "Gomen nasai, I didn't get you anything..."
I shook my head, "Don't worry about it."
"But--"
"Heero, it's alright. You don't have to ever need to feel that." I said, "Actually, I think I have everything I need now."
Yeah, him with me at the time.
Heero hugged me and smiled a real Heero Yuy smile. The one I knew he had, but didn't want to show to the world. Funny how he willingly shows it to Death.
He's so cute.
CLICK!
The bright flash caused Heero blinked a few times.
"Gomen, I just like your smile..."
The boy cocked an eyebrow, "I thought you said that you weren't going to buy a camera."
"I didn't, it's the same one as earlier." I explained.
Heero rested his head on my shoulder again and closed his eyes. I wanted to kiss him. Make him mine. Love him. It was the perfect time. But I didn't. And ya know what?
I AM SO *STUPID*!!!!!!!!
ARGH!!!
I blew the chance away. I let it slip through my fingers like precious time, and didn't do anything about it. I should have done it. I really, really, REALLY wanted too. Even if it was perfect, I knew that if I was patient, I would get an even more perfect time. That still didn't help the feeling of the burning want to kiss the angel next to me.
It was quiet again.
"Duo?" Heero asked tiredly.
I was pretty tired myself. "Aa?"
"How did you know that I liked teddy bears?"
Here I was thinking about how badly I wanted him, and there he was thinking about how I knew what he liked.
I chuckled.
"Duo?"
"Ah, Heero. You're so kawaii."
I resumed my chuckling.
When I finally stopped, Heero was still looking at me for an answer, "I guess I'm not gettin' away this time, ne?"
"Hai."
"Heero Yuy, I've known you long enough to figure this stuff out." I said.
"But other people have known me just as long, even longer and they don't know anything about me," Heero replied playing with the sliky black ribbon around the plush's neck. He paused before resuming his sentence, "...just you......only you..."
Just me. I was the only one.
"You think all I did was talk all those times we shared a room?"
Heero nodded.
"Yeah, well, I watched you too. Like when you watched me while I slept..."
"You knew?" Heero blinked.
"Hell yeah." I replied. Heero slightly blushed.
Pause.
"Duo, you know what I hate about you?"
"What's that?"
"You've always been able to figure me out. Especially when I didn't want you to. And you still do."
I did, didn't I? I never really thought about that until now. I guess when you break it down, I did always manage to solve his eeriness.
"I was meant to be an enigma. But it's impossible to do that around you." Heero frowned, "...how do you know me so well? I mean, you yourself confuses the daylight out of me?"
I bent down to touch his forehead to mine and I stared into his eyes.
He only looked back.
"That's my secret..." I whispered.
Another quiet moment passed.
I blew on his face and smiled.
Bet he wasn't expecting that.
"Duo!" Heero reacted slightly pouting. He looked at the bear again, "What should I name him?"
"I don't know."
"Well, he has to have a name. You can't just have a nameless bear, I'm assuming since you can't have tasteless ice cream."
I chuckled, Heero has a thing for turning words around, especially mine. "Okay, then, what are you going to name it?"
Heero thought for a moment. Finally, he thought of a name, and a good one might I add.
"Shinigami...I'll name him Shinigami."
~!~!~!~!~
We were so wrapped up with each other, we didn't even notice the the ferris wheel had finished its rotation.
"Okay kids, ride's over." the controller of the ride said. Heero and I reluctantly left the cart.
After the ride on the Ferris Wheel, everyone was beginning to take their things down and close the fair for the night. It had quieted down a bit to where we could hear random crickets chirp quietly. I took Heero's hand in mine.
We walked around the vacant fair watching the little things around us. Heero laid his head on my shoulder and yawned.
"Let's get Rachael and go home..." I gently said.
"Aa. Let's go home."
Home. I never thought that I would ever have a home, but even if the safehouse wasn't a real home, it sure did feel like one. It felt like a home.
Our home.
~!~!~!~!~
The drive back felt like forever. Rachael and Heero fell asleep on the way back. Rachael with her many plush and Heero with his single teddy bear in his grasp. I smiled at them both. I decided to use the last of my pictures twenty six.
CLICK! CLICK!
I like cameras.
The streets were emptied as I passed through them. It wasn't even that late either, I pulled into the local drug store and quickly ran in to drop off the film. Soon, I was at the safehouse. First I picked Rachael up took her shoes off, and tucked her into bed. I went back to the car and gathered Heero in my arms. I slipped out of my shoes and shirt then managed to get Heero's shoes off. I put Heero to bed--still clutching the bear, and joined him.
"Oyasumi...Heero."
I closed my eyes and fell into my dream world without nightmares for a second night.
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
I liked this part. I hope you enjoyed it too. Yah, I know the fair has been used alot, but it would be so psychedelic if they went to the fair! They're so kawaii! Yes, psychedelic. I like that word. Well, I just hope that I can finish this fic.
Wow...this part got long...how did you manage the patience to make it down here???
Okay, would you prefer long parts like this, or shorter ones (cause I know long ones can get boring)?
[1] Tilt A Whirl, I hadn't originally planned on having that, but diane suggested it. Sounded fun so I couldn't resist adding it in. Arigato diane!
Warnings: Shounen Ai/Yaoi 2+1, 3+4; 5+S, OOC, Lots of fluff/sap, I'm talkin' sugary stuff, romance, sweet humor intended, mild language, Duo's POV.
Notes: I don't know, it seemed like a good idea at the time getting a mission to care for Quatre's niece and Duo and Heero finding each other along the way. It sounded fun to me. Excuse errorz. Enjoy.
Thank you for the reviews minna-san, it's good to know people find pleasure in reading this fic. I didn't get to apologize for putting Haunted up as the second chapter, I was being rushed, gomen. I was using someone else's computer and it didn't have enough memory for me to write an apology -_-; I wanted to kick it. I still do. Anyways, thanks again and enjoy the fic!
~!~!~!~!~
First Kiss Delayed
Part 3: Thursday
~!~!~!~!~
"All set?" I asked looking at Rachael in the back seat. She was wearing her hair in a ponytail and dressed in little girl colors. Baby blue shirt and lavender shorts, just how a kid like her should be in, but...she was wearing Gundam shoes...
Gundam shoes featuring yours truly, actually, just Deathscythe and Wing, I can't believe she wears those things.
But they were kinda cute on her.
I think that's funny, Gundam shoes on a little girl. I laughed.
Heero was HOT, just as usual. He wore a sky blue shirt that was loose and thin, sexy bastard! The lower half of him were in TIGHT dark blue jeans, if I may say, they outlined his figure very well.
I recalled my attire, black shirt button down with a white under shirt beneath and my favorite black jeans.
So I wore them two days in a row? I'll wash them later.
"Hai!"
"What about you, Hee-chan?" I turned to Heero who buckled his seatbelt and gave me a look, "I'm fine." he replied and muttered under his breath and reminded me, "I am not a kid..."
"Whatever." I mumbled only loud enough for him to hear. "Okay then." I turned on the engine, put 'er into gear, and headed for the fair with my two favorite people.
Yeah, somehow I can't resist either of them.
~!~!~!~!~
"We're here." I announced once I had parked. I looked around, we got a pretty good space, then again it was Thursday, and people had work. But there was still a good amount of people.
"Yay! Let's go, let's go!" Rachael literally jumped out of the car, "Well, come on!"
Heero and I got out of the car. I locked it and caught up with Rachael, damn what did Heero put in her breakfast this morning??? And they call *ME* hyper. I guess she has an excuse since she's a kid. That's SO uncool, or...maybe not.
Ten minutes later we were in the fair running after Rachael who was definitely enjoying herself.
"Rachael, come back here!" I called out to the girl zipping around here and there.
"Gomen nasai! But I want to do EVERYTHING!"
"Slow down little girl, we have the whole day. Not to mention that this isn't just a little kiddie place, so you can easily get lost. THEN your uncle and I would be in deep shi--"
Before I could finish, Heero grabbed my mouth covering it with his hand so nothing non g-rated popped out.
At least that's what I'm assuming.
"Duo!" he glared at me.
He's so cute, and I'm such a potty mouth.
"I guess you're right," Rachael said, putting herself in the middle, she took my right hand and Heero's left in her tiny ones, "and I want to have fun with my favorite Uncles!" Rachael skipped off dragging us to wherever she wanted to go.
~!~!~!~!~
"Sugoi! Look at all the plush I have!" Rachael held her giant bag up with all the plush that Heero and I had won for her. All of the games were rigged. Even so, that didn't stop Heero or me from mastering the activites. I think one guy even paid us to stop winning the ponies. We had already gotten at least ten, as far as I know, that was enough ponies for us. What the hell was she going to do with them all?
"But I need two more for Kurai and Sakura!" So that's why she wanted them...
"I think we can get them something else. Be diverse." I said.
"Okay," she gasped.
"Nani?"
"Can we ride the carousel???"
Heero and I sighed.
"Please???"
"Alright." I agreed and Heero didn't have any objections. Heero and Rachael headed for the carousel, but I didn't follow.
"Aren't you coming Uncle Duo?" Rachael asked holding Heero's hand.
"Yeah, but I have to get something, I'll catch up with you in a sec."
"Okay!"
"Duo...I'm not riding on a metal horse unless you do it too."
He's so cute.
"Don't worry Hee-chan, I'll be there. Go!" I said motioning them to go ahead. I watched them drift off into the crowd.
Now you're probably wonder what I'm doing. I ran to the gift shop and purchased a disposable camera.
~!~!~!~!~
"Where's Duo?" I heard Heero ask himself as I approached his back side.
"...Right here Heero," I whispered into his ear softly. He slowly turned around and I met up with a pretty face, "Hey..."
"Uncle Duo!" Rachael hugged my legs.
"Geez, I was only gone for about five minutes." I joked.
"...Baka." He said smirking at me. I walked beside him as Rachael pulled us to the line for the carousel.
We didn't wait long, as soon as we got on Rachael ran and claimed a black horse. She has the strangest taste for a seven year old. Come on, Gundam shoes? Anyway, apparently Heero and I weren't quick enough because as soon as Rachael claimed hers, other kids ran and took all of the horses, except one white horse with golden reins which was right behind Rachael.
I smirked.
Talk about luck.
"Get on Heero." I said grinning to myself.
"Nani?"
"Get on." I repeated. Heero gave me a strange look, "Get...on?"
"Yeah!" I saw the man who was running the machine walk to the controls which obviously meant he was going to start the ride.
Sure enough I was right and a jolt was felt as the carousel started. I grabbed Heero by his waist and lifted him up.
"Duo!" Heero cried as I placed him on the saddle. His hips were so slender and the touch felt good against my hands, I didn't want to let go, but if I didn't, I might have gotten a broken nose.
...*might have*.
"Nani? You think I would just let you stand here with an empty horse infront of you?" Heero glared at me, not a deadily one, a cute one. I whipped out the newly purchased camera.
CLICK!
Snapshot of one of my favorite faces...on a horse.
"Omae o korosu!" Heero deepened his glare.
CLICK!
"Did anyone tell you how cute you when you glare?" I said winding the camera up.
Heero's face changed from a glare to surprised expression, his eyes lightened up and eyebrows rose.
CLICK!
"The camera loves ya, Hee-chan."
He grabbed the bar connected to the horse, and to my surprised Heero smirked, this was a one time thing infront of the camera with Mr. Heero Yuy.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
"Duo no baka." Heero grabbed me and pulled me onto the horse. This was a shock. I held the camera out in front of us so we were both in the picture as well as the horse's head.
"Smile, Hee-chan!" I said wrapping an arm around the bar and his waist, Heero leaned into me to get closer together for the picture, which might I add a *very* unexpected gesture from him, but hey, I'm not complainin'.
CLICK!
"Rachael!" I shouted on the carousel, she turned around and smiled happily.
CLICK! CLICK!
The second time she had laughed, around and around the carousel went moving the horses up and down. I tucked the camera back into my pocket for safe keeping. These were going to be the best pictures.
~!~!~!~!~
"Did you have fun on the carousel?" I asked Rachael once we were off and the ride was done with.
"Hai!" Rachael attached herself to Heero and me.
After walking alittle, Rachael caught sight of something that she found interest in. "Uncle Duo! Let's go there!" Rachael pointed to a costume corner. "Let's go!"
Before either of us could say anything, we were being dragged to the corner. It was an area that I haven't ever seen before at a fair. The little area was filled with various attire for kids to dress up and play with. Rachael found a forest princess tiarra headband of some sort. It was kinda cool being a girly thing, not saying that I would want it or anything. The band itself was silver with stars randomly places on the egdes. Hooked on the back were long, thin, glittering strands of ribbon that were blue, purple, silver, and red.
"Wah! Isn't this cool???" Rachael exclaimed. She looked around for a mirror, but there wasn't one, "How am I suppose to see what it looks like with no mirror???"
"I think Uncle Heero could model for us." I replied grinning at Heero.
"Nani?!" I could of sworn that his cobalt orbs almost popped out of his pretty face.
"And I think that's a great idea, then I can see what it looks like on someone!"
"I agree, besides, you two look like you both have the same bone structure."
Heero glared, "Duo..."
I wasn't worried, he wouldn't kill me right in front of Rachael.
"Uncle Hee~ro!" I lifted Rachael up and she placed the band upon Heero's head, "There!"
He's so cute.
The flow of ribbon had a very nice effect on Heero's eyes. Heero folded his arms, but kept his eyes opened and glaring. I whipped out my camera...again.
"The Forest Prince has awoken!" I said.
CLICK!
"Hey!"
CLICK!
"Omae o korosu!"
CLICK!
Heero tackled me to the ground, but it wasn't hard, it was like...playful.
Fun.
CLICK!
"Duo!" Heero wrestled me rolling around.
"Don't worry, it looks good on you!" Heero looked at me with a face I hadn't seen before it was...
Happy. He was...really happy. I don't know WHY he was happy, I mean, think of what would happen if you put that damned thing on Wufei. Seriously, Wu-man's like equivelant to a major spontanesous combustion! But Heero was okay with it, and was HAPPY about this. Was it because of me? Was Heero happy because of me? Or Rachael?
I took the chance and pinned Heero down. He stuck his tongue out at me.
"Nah!"
Ha! I knew it! Heero was indeed human. Screw you Wu! Always sayin' that he was some kind of alien.
"Why you little--" I cut myself off and put my finger to the button.
CLICK!
I heard giggling from behind me. Rachael was laughing at us.
"You guys are so funny!" Heero and I rose from the ground, "Uncle Heero, you do look nice though."
Heero took the band off and placed it on Rachael's head. She smiled up at us.
"I'm hungry!"
CLICK!
~!~!~!~!~
Three hot dogs, two waters, chilli cheese fries, a Dr. Pepper , and three CLICKS of chilli covered girl and boys later...
"Uncle Heero, did you know that this place has a circus too?"
"No, I didn't."
"This place has a circus?" I asked. Last time I went to the circus was when...how ironic, the last time I went was after Heero self-destructed.
"Yeah, can we go? I want to see the lions!"
"Heero, ya wanna go?"
"Hn."
"Does that mean 'yeah', or 'I don't care'?" Rachael asked.
"Hey, you're catching on. I'm pretty sure it means 'I don't care'." I replied. I was surprised not many people can distingush between Heero's 'Hns'.
Rachael pulled us all the way to the circus which was on the other side of the fair. Actually, this fair was really large. I'm glad we came, it's been fun.
"Wah! Uncle Heero! Can you beat that strong man?" Rachael asked. She pointed on our way to the big tent to an EXTREMELY buff man flexing to get ready for his whatever-he-was-doing. I took a closer look, the man took a mallet and swung it down. When the mallet made contact with a pump, a metal ball traveled up on the scale. There was a bell, but he missed it.
94. Not bad.
"Of course Heero can beat him." I said nudging Heero, "Right Hee-chan?"
"..." Heero didn't say anything, but I know he was thinking that he could with no problem.
"You can Uncle Heero?"
Heero shrugged.
"Who will challenge this man???" someone asked with a thin, long, curly mustache parted in the middle who standing on a platform, "Who is brave enough to take him on? To defeat the number one man at his best event?"
Beat the number one man in his best event, huh? He's fixin' to be second best in his event. "This man will challenge him!" I yelled pushing Heero up on the platform.
"Duo! What are you doing???" Heero asked totally shocked.
"Don't sweat it Heero, you can beat him." Heero glared, "Do it for your niece? Prove to her that you don't have to be all bulky like *that* dude to be strong." I said throwing a thumb at that other guy.
"THIS man? Ha! This is not a man, but a mere boy. He couldn't carry my pet chicken to the hen house!" I glared at the spokesman, I know Heero's gonna have something against him now. "Alright kid, I'll bet $50 that you can't!"
"He can!" I said, "Right Heero?"
"I can." Heero said bitterly and glared at the spokesman for insulting him, "And I'll raise your bet by double..."
Whoa, that was certainly unexpected. Then again, that's Heero for ya. Always unpredictable. I love it.
"Okay, shake on it." the spokesman held out his hand, Heero shook it. "You're on kid." the man said handing Heero the same mallet just used, "You better tell your friend to prepare his money."
Obviously, this guy didn't know who he was messin' with.
"Uncle Duo! I can't see!" I put Rachael on my shoulders, "Go Uncle Heero! Yea!"
Heero looked at me. I smiled and he smirked, "Come on Hee-chan! That guy ain't nothing but a steroid carrier!"
The Japanese boy raised the mallet and firmly nailed the pump sending the puny piece of metal up and crack the bell.
DING!
"Yay!" Rachael shouted.
Heero walked over to two shocked men and let out a little cough, "I believe we had a wager?"
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"...97...98...99..." the man sadly counted, "...100..."
"Pleasure doin' business with ya, thank you." I said as Heero folded his money. We walked away from the depressed man who had just lost one hundred bucks to a boy. Hey, at least he's cute. "What cha gonna do with all that money now, Hee-chan?"
"..." Heero shrugged, "I don't know."
"Well, it's not all gonna fit in your pocket, you're not wearin' spandex."
Heero looked at the handful of money, "I suppose we spend it."
"Yeah, save Quat some money, ne?" I grinned. As if he didn't have enough.
~!~!~!~!~
"What's this?" Heero asked as we were walking towards the lions . I think that's what we were walking to the lions, right? I don't know. Heero had pointed to a large platform with uh...neon lighted pods that was placed on it's side tilted upwards. The pods were spinning and well...tilting too.
I grinned.
I knew exactly what it was, "That's the Tilt-A-Whirl." [1]
"Tilt-A-Whirl?" he repeated.
"The Tilt-A-Whirl!!!" Rachael shouted, "Uncle Duo can we PLEASE go on it??? It would be so much fun! Please?"
"I don't see why not." I replied. We stood in a rather short line (surprisingly since everytime you go to a fair or something you have to wait foreeeeevvvvvveeeeerrrrrrrrr! I just hate that so much). At the front of the line was what appeared to be a long meter stick, we were all about to go get on the Whirly thingy, but a man in a uniform stopped us.
"Excuse me young lady, may I check your height?" the man asked Rachael, I assumed he was the one running the Whirl. She nodded and the man held the long ruler thing beside her. He frowned, "I'm sorry, but you're too short to ride this one."
"Too short?" Heero repeated, why does he do that? He's like some kind of parrot...a cute one though. Hold on, too short? This is suppose to be a *family* ride, how could she be too short? That meant that Rachael couldn't ride the ride...ride the ride. That's funny. Anyway!
"The kiddie Tilt-A-Whirl is over there." the man informed and pointed to a beat up ride with too much graffiti and grim all over it. There wasn't any way I was going to let her get on *that*. Hell, OZ prisons looked better than that thing.
"Listen Rach, we don't have ride this, we can find another ride that we can all go on." I offered, but the girl only shook her head 'no'.
"That's okay Uncle Duo, you and Uncle Heero ride, I'll just wait at the exit for you when you both finish." she maturely replied. Do you know how many seven year olds are told that they can't do something and then say it's okay? Not many, most of them cry until they either get it their way or get their asses whipped by their mama.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
She smiled up at me, "Of course! You guys should ride since Uncle Heero's never been on it, don't let me stop you, go and enjoy yourselves!" Woah...that's totally not a seven year old thing to do, "Besides, I might lose that hot dog."
I finally agreed, she waited patiently by the exit as Heero and I were seated on the Tilt-A-Whirl. Heero was on the inside and I was on the out. A metal bar flew down over our laps, and ya know what? I'm assuming that it's not good protection since it was about a foot away from out chest. Oh well, with bad comes good, ne?
"Hold on Hee-chan." I said as the Whirl began.
We moving in a counter clockwise twirl in a slow motion then quickly sped up. The Whirl was tilted up into the air, then the pod thingys began to spin, and gravity took place. Mmm...I like gravity, the gap between Heero and me closed as I slid down next to him, I was literally smashed up against Heero. I'll tell you one thing, he was warm. The people in front of us began screaming and Heero jumped from the unexpected noise.
"Why are they screaming?" Heero asked.
"What?"
"Why are they screaming!"
"What!"
He shook his head, "Nevermind!"
The Tilt-A-Whirl spun more quickly and soon Heero was smashed up against me. Mmm, I like this too. As thin and slim as we both were, the impact of the spun caused Heero to slide more violently, and like I said before, the bar didn't fit too well. Heero uh...'tripped' over my thigh with his and was flipped around so he was facing me. The good ol' centrifugal force of the ride held him in place, but as we turned we were sent sliding to the other side of the seat. Guess what happened.
Facing me, he fell and landed in my lap.
Fun.
I grinned inwardly as he quickly tried to move, I only wrapped my arms around his waist and held him, "Not much of a point to struggle now Hee-chan, you're in the safest place of the ride." I said, I know he knew what I was saying, he was capable of reading lips. The Japanese boy settled in his new seat upon my lap.
So much for that safety bar to keep you in place. Oh well.
A jerk was felt and I was sent forward, while he was sent backwards, somewhere in the middle we collided. He was crushed against my chest, in surprise he encircled my neck embracing me.
Ooo, I like this the best.
Again, I was shocked when Heero rested his head in the nape of my neck and shoulder. I smirked and held him tight throughout the remainder of the ride. The screaming from the front seat faded into the background and all I could think about was the boy in my lap. I held him even closer. I don't want him to leave.
Personally, I've never ridden the Tilt-A-Whirl like this before, but I know I want to ride it like this again sometime. I'll remind myself to take Heero to more fairs...
~!~!~!~!~
"That was fun, ne?" I asked when the Whirl was over. Heero nodded.
I was disappointed when the ride ended, I'm sure Heero was too. I couldn't contain the chuckle that emerged when we exited the Tilt-A-Whirl, Heero was walking crooked. He glared at me questionly, but I didn't tell him what I thought was so humorous. Besides, I liked watching his cute ass sway this way and that since he couldn't quite stand straight either. We finally made it back to Rachael. I don't know why, but she the most satisfied smirk on her face. It disappeared and a wide smile took its place.
"Oh, you know what Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero?"
"What?"
"I saw a petting zoo next to the big tent."
"Petting zoo?" Heero repeated...again.
"Uncle Heero, you know what that is right?" Heero shook his head, the blonde girl gaped at him, "Only one of the coolest things at the fair!" she turned to me, "Uncle Duo can we go to that? I'm sure I'm not too short for a petting zoo!"
"Okay." I said. Rachael grabbed our hands again and pulled us to her desired desination.
~!~!~!~!~
"Is it suppose to smell like this?" Heero asked in disgust.
"Well, what do you think?"
Hero shrugged.
I grinned as a mischievious thought came to mind, "Does it smell that bad Hee-chan?" I didn't wait for a reply, I pinched his nose shut. "How 'bout now?"
"Duo!" he cried in a more nasally voice than usual, "Omae o kowosu!"
I released his nose, "Omae o kowosu?"
"Omae o korosu!"
"Oh."
"Come on Uncle Duo and Uncle Heero!"
Heero and I cocked an eyebrow at Rachael, she was holding a bucket of...stuff, "Where did you get that?"
She pointed to a woman with many more buckets, "From her, she said that it's free with a child's admission."
"You paid?" I asked, she smiled and handed me a black zipper wallet--wait! That's *mine*! "You picked my pocket???" Rachael smiled and entered the petting zoo. "How did she...?"
"Maybe you two are related and you don't know it." Heero said. I glared at him and followed Rachael. Since when did she learn how to pick pockets? I didn't even notice. Picking pockets is *not* a course in finishing school!
"Duo what the hell is that???" Heero asked. I looked at what he was talking about and laughed. It was a black, white, and gray, little four-legged hoved creature with horns at the top of its head with a petite mouth gnawing on my shoe. "Nani?"
"Hee-chan, it's a goat."
"Goat?"
"Uncle Heero, haven't you ever seen a little billy-goat?" Rachael asked, she was bent down feeding the small animal.
"In pictures." Heero replied.
I pulled the Japanese boy down towards the goat and pat it on the head, "Pet him Hee-chan." Heero lifted a hesistant hand, but didn't do anything with it. I placed mine atop of his and guided it along the fur of the innocent creature, I felt his hand tense and relax like he did with anything new. He smirked at the goat.
"There ya go Heero, just like that..." while kneeled behind the Japanese boy of my dreams, I stuck my hand in the bucket and grabbed a handful of pellets, then instructed Heero to open his hand, he did and I gave him the animal food. The other hand had ceased its stroking and mine was settled on top of it. Heero's left hand was filled with animal food and was feeding it while mine was supporting from under it. The small goat nibbled and licked the bottom of his hand when it finished the food.
Suddenly more goats came...lots more, like...a herd more...and a flock of sheep. They all surrounded us seeing that we had something for them to eat. A fawn cautiously approached us and ate from Rachael's opened hand. I pulled out my camera, yeah, I still got it.
CLICK!
Rachael walked away with the animal pellets, I could have sworn Heero was saddened by the animals' departure. He watched the girl play with the tamed creatures from a distance, why didn't he join her? I saw a rabbit hopping by and quicked rabbit napped it and put it under my shirt. I hope it doesn't bite.
"Hee-chan..."
Heero turned to me, I reached down into my shirt and pulled the critter out gently, "Ta da!" I handed the rabbit to him. He held the white creature in his hands and smirked, "Kawaii, ne?" I asked.
"Hai, desu."
CLICK!
Heero with a white rabbit...
He's so cute.
~!~!~!~!~
"Can we see the lions now?" Rachael asked anxiously after the petting zoo scenario.
"Okay, okay, we'll see the lions."
If Rachael wanted to see the lions, Rachael was gonna see the lions. We finally found them thanks to Heero's nice tracking skills and the map. Along the way we bought cotton candy and snowcones. Guess what flavor sonwcone Heero got.
Here's a hint:
It's pink.
That's right, strawberry!
He ate the snowcone with no problem, guess he thought it was similar to the ice cream from the other day. But when it came to the next treat, Heero just glared at the bright blue puff in front of him.
"What cha doin' Heero?"
"What is it?"
"What's what Uncle Heero?"
"*THIS*..." Heero pointed to the fluff on a stick.
"It's cotton candy, Heero. Duh, it even said on the wrapper you stared at for the longest time before we pulled it off." I informed as Heero examine the cotton candy as if it was going to explode or something.
"I know that...but--"
"Uncle Heero, it's not going to kill you or anything." Rachael interupted Heero.
"Rachael, what do you say we assist Uncle Heero, and show him how to eat that?" I asked, Heero gave me a 'what the hell are you thinking' look.
"Okay!" I pulled out a chunk of candy and Rachael did the same.
"Alright Heero, this is how you eat cotton candy." I held the candy up and opened my mouth to make it look like I was going to eat it, ditto with Rachael.
Wrong.
Rachael and I stuffed it in Heero's mouth.
Heero glared at us with a mouth full of cotton candy petruding from the cheeks and the opening of his mouth.
CLICK!
"TTouooo!" Heero tried to say as the cotton candy quickly dissolved.
Rachael and I were laughing our heads off. I dropped my camera while doing it.
He's so cute!
Before we knew it, our mouths were invaded by a rapidly dissolving treat.
CLICK! CLICK!
Rachael and I paused then blinked a few times, "...hahahahahahahaha!"
Heero smirked at us.
When giggles subsided, everything was some what calm and I got my camera back, we finally stumbled into the large circus tent. There were lions and all sorts of animals too. The show was just beginning when we walked in. Good timing. Rachael found us a nice spot in the first row. How she managed to find seats when it was this crowded was kind of strange to me. We all sat down and enjoyed the show.
"Look, the lions!" Rachael shouted in joy pointed to the parading beasts jumping through burning hoops.
"That lion looks familiar..."
"ExCUSE me?" I asked turning to Heero, "Did you just say that LION looks *familiar*?"
"Hai." Heero replied as if what he just said didn't sound slightly strange, "I think I've seen him before."
"And I think I've seen that flea on his back." I joked.
Heero shrugged, "I still think I've seen him before."
I cocked an eyebrow, "Okay, that's cool, you've meet a lion?"
"With Trowa."
"Maybe that's him then."
"Could be. All I can say is that I know that lion."
"WAH!!! Did you see that? It was GREAT!!! He just jumped through all of those hoops on fire! FIVE in a row!" Rachael shouted loudly in our ears.
"Fun. I bet Heero could do that too." Heero pulled my braid, "Itai!"
"Baka."
The rest of the show was interesting enough for me to stay, but even if it wasn't, I couldn't leave anyway. I thought I saw Catherine throwing knives, but I wasn't sure.
We witnessed the bearded lady, a man that swallowed knives, tight rope walkers, and dancing bears.
I think Heero enjoyed the dancing bear part was the best.
While I was watching the show, I was thinking to myself. This mission was alot more fun then I had ever thought it would be. I never knew that taking care of a little girl could be so much fun, especially with Heero. The past days had been interesting. I almost wished that next Tuesday would stay as far away as possible.
~!~!~!~!~
"Wow, that was really, REALLY cool!" Rachael commented as we exited the big tent, it was dark and getting late. I looked at my watch which read 9:53 PM. I ruffled Rachael's hair.
"Well, I already knew that you would like it, what about Hee-chan?" I asked Heero.
"...it was okay."
"Yeah, that's why you couldn't take your eyes off of the knife thrower..." I teased tapping Heero's nose.
"Nani??? I wasn't looking at the knife thrower!" Heero surprisingly took my comment seriously.
"Hee-chan, I'm only kiddin' with you!"
"Did someone say knife thrower?" a female voice said from behind us. Heero and I turned around. The reddish haired girl smiled at us. I knew this lady in magenta tights, "Well if it isn't Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell at the fair."
"Catherine." Heero nodded.
"Hey, so it was you!" I knew it! Honest! "Nice to see ya again."
"You too, and just who might this lovely newly-turned seven year old be?" Catherine asked bending over on her knees to match Rachael's height.
"Auntie Catherine!" Rachael glomped the older woman.
Catherine hugged her back, "Good to see you too."
"Where's Uncle Trowa?"
"He's not here, but he said if any special visitors come, to let them see the lions as an apology for his absence." Catherine told Rachael as she released her from her embrace. "And I guess you're that special visitor."
Rachael looked up at Heero and me, "Can I see them PLEASE???"
"Sure, just don't get your arm bitten off or anything like that, got it?"
"Okay, I won't, they like me." Rachael smiled and grabbed Catherine's hand.
"Heero, would you like to see Leo? He's still here and was just performing. This is the best time for guest to visit him now." Catherine invited.
"That's alright." Heero politely turned the offer down. Heero nudged me, "I told you he looked familiar..."
I rolled my eyes.
"Okay, you can pick Rachael up in the back of the tent whenever you feel like it."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Of course, I love the time I can get to be with my brother's niece. Don't worry, she'll be fine."
It's not that I didn't trust Catherine with Rachael or didn't think that she wouldn't be fine with her, I just...I don't know, I didn't want Rachael to leave us. What if something happened to her? I didn't like the fact that she wasn't in my sight all the time or not with Heero and me.
Duo Maxwell? Over protective?
Never!
"Alright, Rachael, you be good, and don't forget, you have to come home with us. Not the lions."
"Hai!" Rachael tugged Catherine's hand, "I want to see the lions!"
The two girls walked to the back of the tent where the lions were kept.
That left Heero and me alone at a fair.
~!~!~!~!~
Not much talking had taken place with Rachael's departure. Heero and I were just walking around admiring the lights and happy people of the fair. The silence was pleasant in a way. Nothing to disturb us. We came across more games near the ferris wheel. We would have to go there later, I would make sure we went.
I saw a game with an interesting prize; a soft, dark, brown teddy bear with sharp crystal deep blue eyes and a black ribbon around the neck not too small, not too big. It was perfect!
"Hey, Heero?"
"Yeah?"
"Wanna go on the ferris wheel?"
"What's a ferris wheel?"
I pointed to the round structure that could be seen for miles away, "That."
Heero looked at at the ferris wheel, "Okay."
YES!!! Yeyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes! Elated, I just wanted to jump up and down that moment. Heero wanted to go on the ferris wheel with me!
Ahem, I collected my thoughts and replied, "Cool, go on over there, and I'll catch up with you in a sec."
"You're not going to buy another camera...are you?" Heero asked eyeing me.
I shook my head and chuckled, "That is...unless, you want me t--"
"No." Heero said as he cut me off.
I grinned, "Just go over and wait for me, ne?"
Heero nodded and headed toward the ferris wheel.
Now's my chance.
"Oi, what do I have to do to get that bear?"
~!~!~!~!~
Heero and I entered the ferris wheel, Heero on the left and I was on the right.
"What now?"
"We wait for it to start just like any other ride." I said leaning back on the seat and stretched my arms out as Heero leaned against it.
The ferris wheel started.
Heero tensed alittle, I could feel him twitch against my arm.
"What's wrong Heero? Decided that you don't like it already?"
"Hn." Heero replied. I gently ran my fingers under his loose sleeve and over his bare shoulder. Heero began to relax at the touch and rested his head on my shoulder just like during the series that we had watched last night. The ferris wheel slowly cranked us higher and higher stopping every now and then. The wheel finally halted when we reached the top.
"What happened?" Heero asked concerned looking around frantically, "Why did we stop, Duo? What's wrong?"
"It's okay, it's all apart of the ride," I said as I squeezed his shoulder, comforting him, "Enjoy the view, look at all of the lights. Lot calmer than in Wing, ne?"
Heero and I admired the lights from the top of the wheel, "They're so...bright." he said.
"I know." I pulled out something that I've been hiding, "Here..."
Heero lifted his head from my shoulder and looked at me then at the object in my hand, "Duo...?"
"It's for you Heero, it wouldn't be right to let a seven year old take all the plush." I handed Heero the bear, "I thought you might like a teddy bear for yourself."
Heero accepted the bear stared at it for a long time before he said anything, "Arigato, Duo." Heero held the bear against his chest.
"You're welcome, Heero." I replied pulling him closer into a hug, "Do you like it?"
"Hai..."
Heero sat closer to me and kept quiet again. Not that I thought I could get some grand response from him like 'Oh my Gods Duo! I love it!' nor 'Thank you SO much, you're so sweet' or anything like that. C'mon this is Heero, so I wasn't expecting something like that out of him, but I think this silent time was what we both needed. I wasn't about to say anything that would ruin his thoughts. I knew he would say something soon enough.
And he did.
"Duo, this is the first gift anyone has ever given to me..." Heero finally broke the silence looking at the bear again.
"Well, I'll make sure it's not your last then, ne?" I said giving him a half smile.
Heero sighed, "Gomen nasai, I didn't get you anything..."
I shook my head, "Don't worry about it."
"But--"
"Heero, it's alright. You don't have to ever need to feel that." I said, "Actually, I think I have everything I need now."
Yeah, him with me at the time.
Heero hugged me and smiled a real Heero Yuy smile. The one I knew he had, but didn't want to show to the world. Funny how he willingly shows it to Death.
He's so cute.
CLICK!
The bright flash caused Heero blinked a few times.
"Gomen, I just like your smile..."
The boy cocked an eyebrow, "I thought you said that you weren't going to buy a camera."
"I didn't, it's the same one as earlier." I explained.
Heero rested his head on my shoulder again and closed his eyes. I wanted to kiss him. Make him mine. Love him. It was the perfect time. But I didn't. And ya know what?
I AM SO *STUPID*!!!!!!!!
ARGH!!!
I blew the chance away. I let it slip through my fingers like precious time, and didn't do anything about it. I should have done it. I really, really, REALLY wanted too. Even if it was perfect, I knew that if I was patient, I would get an even more perfect time. That still didn't help the feeling of the burning want to kiss the angel next to me.
It was quiet again.
"Duo?" Heero asked tiredly.
I was pretty tired myself. "Aa?"
"How did you know that I liked teddy bears?"
Here I was thinking about how badly I wanted him, and there he was thinking about how I knew what he liked.
I chuckled.
"Duo?"
"Ah, Heero. You're so kawaii."
I resumed my chuckling.
When I finally stopped, Heero was still looking at me for an answer, "I guess I'm not gettin' away this time, ne?"
"Hai."
"Heero Yuy, I've known you long enough to figure this stuff out." I said.
"But other people have known me just as long, even longer and they don't know anything about me," Heero replied playing with the sliky black ribbon around the plush's neck. He paused before resuming his sentence, "...just you......only you..."
Just me. I was the only one.
"You think all I did was talk all those times we shared a room?"
Heero nodded.
"Yeah, well, I watched you too. Like when you watched me while I slept..."
"You knew?" Heero blinked.
"Hell yeah." I replied. Heero slightly blushed.
Pause.
"Duo, you know what I hate about you?"
"What's that?"
"You've always been able to figure me out. Especially when I didn't want you to. And you still do."
I did, didn't I? I never really thought about that until now. I guess when you break it down, I did always manage to solve his eeriness.
"I was meant to be an enigma. But it's impossible to do that around you." Heero frowned, "...how do you know me so well? I mean, you yourself confuses the daylight out of me?"
I bent down to touch his forehead to mine and I stared into his eyes.
He only looked back.
"That's my secret..." I whispered.
Another quiet moment passed.
I blew on his face and smiled.
Bet he wasn't expecting that.
"Duo!" Heero reacted slightly pouting. He looked at the bear again, "What should I name him?"
"I don't know."
"Well, he has to have a name. You can't just have a nameless bear, I'm assuming since you can't have tasteless ice cream."
I chuckled, Heero has a thing for turning words around, especially mine. "Okay, then, what are you going to name it?"
Heero thought for a moment. Finally, he thought of a name, and a good one might I add.
"Shinigami...I'll name him Shinigami."
~!~!~!~!~
We were so wrapped up with each other, we didn't even notice the the ferris wheel had finished its rotation.
"Okay kids, ride's over." the controller of the ride said. Heero and I reluctantly left the cart.
After the ride on the Ferris Wheel, everyone was beginning to take their things down and close the fair for the night. It had quieted down a bit to where we could hear random crickets chirp quietly. I took Heero's hand in mine.
We walked around the vacant fair watching the little things around us. Heero laid his head on my shoulder and yawned.
"Let's get Rachael and go home..." I gently said.
"Aa. Let's go home."
Home. I never thought that I would ever have a home, but even if the safehouse wasn't a real home, it sure did feel like one. It felt like a home.
Our home.
~!~!~!~!~
The drive back felt like forever. Rachael and Heero fell asleep on the way back. Rachael with her many plush and Heero with his single teddy bear in his grasp. I smiled at them both. I decided to use the last of my pictures twenty six.
CLICK! CLICK!
I like cameras.
The streets were emptied as I passed through them. It wasn't even that late either, I pulled into the local drug store and quickly ran in to drop off the film. Soon, I was at the safehouse. First I picked Rachael up took her shoes off, and tucked her into bed. I went back to the car and gathered Heero in my arms. I slipped out of my shoes and shirt then managed to get Heero's shoes off. I put Heero to bed--still clutching the bear, and joined him.
"Oyasumi...Heero."
I closed my eyes and fell into my dream world without nightmares for a second night.
~!~!~!~!~
TBC?
~!~!~!~!~
I liked this part. I hope you enjoyed it too. Yah, I know the fair has been used alot, but it would be so psychedelic if they went to the fair! They're so kawaii! Yes, psychedelic. I like that word. Well, I just hope that I can finish this fic.
Wow...this part got long...how did you manage the patience to make it down here???
Okay, would you prefer long parts like this, or shorter ones (cause I know long ones can get boring)?
[1] Tilt A Whirl, I hadn't originally planned on having that, but diane suggested it. Sounded fun so I couldn't resist adding it in. Arigato diane!