Hey! Since everyone seems to like this fic so much, I'm posting it as quickly as I can. Anyone who has been reading my Too Much Coffee Too Early In The Morning, it is on hiatus because I want to type a few chapters in advance.
Also, Link Worshipper, thank you for pointing out that little problem in the plot for me. I didn't notice it. Good eye. I hear you're good friends with Sao. Since she's my best friend, and she says good things about you, I'll take any advice you're willing to give me. Kudos on your fics, 'specially Smells Like Teen Spirit. Thanks again. ^_^
Miaka
Chapter Three: "Welcome to Athens, Georgia. Population: Enough"
Eight days after that fateful discussion with his mother and Quatre, Heero sat in first class on the plane to Athens, Georgia Thursday morning, thoroughly confused.
You see, poor Heero had been under the impression that he and his family would be riding in second class, but apparently things don't work like that when a Winner is in your flight party. The week before, after receiving the flight information, Quatre called the airport and got himself added on. But along with that his prestige got them first class seats and three square meals in one hour. Heero was still slightly stunned, and had stared at the bubbly blond for the past hour as he chattered on.
"...and we can stay in one of my estates until you're more settled. My sister Fadir should have no problem with it. She's not married and the manor has more than enough room for a few more people," the blond said, smiling at Thalia, Odin and Heero. "And did you know Heero already has a friend living here? He'll be meeting us at the gate, of course. I wonder what he looks like? I spoke to him through an email once. He said...."
Heero drowned out Quatre's voice by putting on his CD player and blasting Dir en Grey's MASK through the headphones. As the song reached its peak, Heero booted up his laptop and signed on to his Instant Messenger. Shin was, of course, waiting for him.
Shinigami247 odin? u already here? i thought u said noon
WingedAzian11 I did. I am currently on my flight there.
Shinigami247 oh, well then ohayo. that's how u say it, ne? i've been practicin
WingedAzian11 Hai, that's correct. Ohayo.
Shinigami247 cool. so, wassup?
WingedAzian11 Remember Quatre? He heard that I was going to be meeting you today, so he booked a seat on my flight. He's here with me now.
Shinigami247 really? can i talk to him?
WingedAzian11 Sure. Let me tell him to sign on.
Shinigami247 ok. i'll wait.
Heero looked over at Quatre and waved a hand. "Quat?" he said.
"Hai, Heero?" Quatre said, smiling.
"Could you log on to your laptop and go on your IM. Shin wants to talk to you," Heero said. Quatre grinned and nodded. A moment later he was on.
DesertPrince180 signed on at 10:52 am
DesertPrince180 Hello.
WingedAzian11 Welcome, Quatre.
Shinigami247 ohayo, q-bean
DesertPrince180 Q-Bean?
WingedAzian11 Shin has a penchant for giving people nicknames. Basically mutilating what he started with.
DesertPrince180 Oh. That's understandable. He *is* American, after all. ^_^
Shinigami247 hey! i resent that _
DesertPrince180 He's funny, Heero. I like him.
Shinigami247 heero?
WingedAzian11 Quatre!!
DesertPrince180 *blush* Gomen ne.
Shinigami247 hey, what's goin on? sumthin wrong?
WingedAzian11 Iie, Shin. Look, I think we should go. I'll talk to you when I get there, ne?
Shinigami247 *pouts* sure, o-chan. whatever. i'll be holdin' a sign for you, k?
WingedAzian11 Hai. Ja ne.
DesertPrince180 It was nice meeting you, Shin
Shinigami247 ditto, q-bean. guess i'll be seein' u at the gate too, ne? just gotta modify my sign then. laters
DesertPrince180 Good bye.
Shinigami247 signed off at 11:30pm
DesertPrince180 signed off at 11:30pm
WingedAzian11 signed off at 11:31pm
Heero shut down his laptop and sighed, then turned to glare at Quatre. The blond grinned back sheepishly.
"What's wrong?" Thalia asked, her hand wrapped around her sleeping husband's arm. Odin Lowe Sr. was a tall, well built man with messy black hair and grey eyes you couldn't see at the moment. He was very handsome, and gave Heero his slanted eyes and strong bone structure.
"Quatre just told Shin my real name," Heero said, shooting another venomous glare at the blond. Quatre rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously.
"I didn't mean to, Heero. I'm just so used to calling you by this name," he said. Then he glared. "And what do you mean? Odin is your real name, and that's what he knows you by!"
Heero blushed. "I never thought of it that way," he said. "I'm just so used to Heero now that I think it's my proper name."
"It's just the name you give true friends, Woden," Thalia said, smiling. "Don't worry about it. Your father and I are the same."
"You have special names too?" Quatre asked.
"Yes. My special name is Tali. Only family and friends know it. Odin's special name is Din-chan," she said.
"Din-chan? Just like that?" Heero asked.
"Uh-huh. Not many people know it. You know how your father gets," Thalia continued.
"Who knows how I get?" came a rumbling voice masked slightly by sleep. Beside her, Odin Lowe Sr. stirred, eyelids rising to reveal grey irises.
"Everyone, anata," Thalia said with a laugh. Before anyone could say more, a voice crackled over the intercom of the plane.
[Good morning, passengers. We will be arriving in Athens in just a moment. Please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride. Turn off all electronic equipment including laptops, CD players and cellular phones. Thank you, and enjoy the last of this flight]
Once the voice faded away, the Lowe's and young Master Winner obeyed. Laptops entered cases, cell phones reunited with sleeves and holders, and diskmen rejoined their bags. Soon they were reorganized and all happily restrained by the seatbelts. Heero felt as they began to descend. After a good ten minutes, the intercom sounded again.
[Good afternoon, passengers. It is 5 minutes to noon, and we will be touching down in about a minute. Please sit tight and we'll be at the Gate shortly.]
The plane touched down and hopped a little with the impact. Quatre jumped a bit, a little scared. He had never flown before, as his father saw no reason to travel much. Actually, the Arabian boy had grown up with Heero in Kyoto.
[Passengers, we have just docked at Gate 6. Unfasten your seatbelts, retrieve all belongings and carry-ons, and have a nice stay here in Athens, Goergia. Thank you for flying Air Pacific. ^_^]
Grinning, Heero and Quatre hurried the adults, then dashed off the plane and skidded to a halt. They waited until Thalia and Odin were beside them before moving off towards a seat in one of the waiting areas. Heero looked around a bit, almost afraid to see Shin. Quatre was not so limited.
The blond Arab hopped up on one of the seats and scanned the large gate area. "Long chestnut braid, ne?" he asked, moving from seat to seat for a thorough look. Aquamarine blue eyes spotted a boy of medium height that matched Heero's description. The boy was holding a sign that said, 'Welcome, O-chan!' a big scribble mark, then a lopsided 'and Q-bean!' added.
"I see him, Heero!" Quatre cried, jumping down and waving at Heero's face. "Look, look!" The blond pointed toward the boy.
Nervous, Heero turned his head and searched for the boy Quatre thought was Shin. When he spotted him, a shock went through him from head to toe. He was just like he'd said he would be! Long, braided chestnut hair that looked soft to the touch, black priest's garb with black riding pants, and those expressive cobalt blue eyes that were currently violet, probably from excitement. The clincher was the ridiculous sign the boy was holding, with Heero's and Quatre's nick names on it.
"Kaasan, that's him," Heero said softly, pointing through the crowd at the lost-looking American boy. Thalia followed her son's finger, and smirked. So that was the boy her Woden was infatuated with.
"Him, hm? Well, lets go say 'hey', sweetie. Come along, Quatre." And Thalia Lowe herded her hesitating family toward the blue eyed boy standing near the gate. When they were in hearing distance, she called out. "Shin!" she said.
The boy whipped around and searched for the speaker. Thalia waved a hand and Shin spotted her. He looked confused. Thalia waved him over.
"Kaasan~!" Heero whined, embarassed. He hid himself behind Quatre and tried very hard to make himself disappear. He knew his face was as red as a tomato. When Shin reached them, Heero tried his hardest to climb into Quatre's skin.
"Um, do I know you, ma'am?" the braided boy asked politely, tilting his head to the side in question. Thalia smiled, this boy was endearing.
"Not particularly, young man. Thalia Lowe. Hajimemashite," she said, holding one manicured hand out. Suprised, Shin took it. Beside her, Heero's father waved.
"Duo Maxwell. Yoroshiku," he said ackwardly, shaking her hand carefully. It was obvious he was unused to speaking Japanese, but he did a good job.
Quatre grinned. It was time for the kicker. He stepped forward. "Quatre Winner desu. Yoroshiku, Duo Maxwell," he said, taking Shin's other hand and making the American boy drop his poster. Quatre spotted it and smiled.
"Ya know, I met a kid about thirty minutes ago named Quatre. It didn't strike me as a common name, though," Duo said, grinning. Quatre grinned back. "So if I'm not mistaken, I just met Q-bean, this woman man here must be Thalia Lowe, and O-chan should be right...here!" Duo pulled Quatre gently out of the way to reveal a blushing Heero. Standing together, the height difference between Duo and Heero was very noticable.
Still unbearably nervous, Heero reached a hand out. He didn't notice the trembling when he grasped Duo's hands. "Heero Yuy Lowe," he said, bowing slightly.
"Welcome to Athens, Goergia, O-babe," Duo said with a wink. They all laughed while Heero blushed.
###TBC###
Okay, CRAPPY ending, I know. I can't even look at it. *cringe* I'll try to do better next time, ne?
Ja. Miaka
Also, Link Worshipper, thank you for pointing out that little problem in the plot for me. I didn't notice it. Good eye. I hear you're good friends with Sao. Since she's my best friend, and she says good things about you, I'll take any advice you're willing to give me. Kudos on your fics, 'specially Smells Like Teen Spirit. Thanks again. ^_^
Miaka
Chapter Three: "Welcome to Athens, Georgia. Population: Enough"
Eight days after that fateful discussion with his mother and Quatre, Heero sat in first class on the plane to Athens, Georgia Thursday morning, thoroughly confused.
You see, poor Heero had been under the impression that he and his family would be riding in second class, but apparently things don't work like that when a Winner is in your flight party. The week before, after receiving the flight information, Quatre called the airport and got himself added on. But along with that his prestige got them first class seats and three square meals in one hour. Heero was still slightly stunned, and had stared at the bubbly blond for the past hour as he chattered on.
"...and we can stay in one of my estates until you're more settled. My sister Fadir should have no problem with it. She's not married and the manor has more than enough room for a few more people," the blond said, smiling at Thalia, Odin and Heero. "And did you know Heero already has a friend living here? He'll be meeting us at the gate, of course. I wonder what he looks like? I spoke to him through an email once. He said...."
Heero drowned out Quatre's voice by putting on his CD player and blasting Dir en Grey's MASK through the headphones. As the song reached its peak, Heero booted up his laptop and signed on to his Instant Messenger. Shin was, of course, waiting for him.
Shinigami247 odin? u already here? i thought u said noon
WingedAzian11 I did. I am currently on my flight there.
Shinigami247 oh, well then ohayo. that's how u say it, ne? i've been practicin
WingedAzian11 Hai, that's correct. Ohayo.
Shinigami247 cool. so, wassup?
WingedAzian11 Remember Quatre? He heard that I was going to be meeting you today, so he booked a seat on my flight. He's here with me now.
Shinigami247 really? can i talk to him?
WingedAzian11 Sure. Let me tell him to sign on.
Shinigami247 ok. i'll wait.
Heero looked over at Quatre and waved a hand. "Quat?" he said.
"Hai, Heero?" Quatre said, smiling.
"Could you log on to your laptop and go on your IM. Shin wants to talk to you," Heero said. Quatre grinned and nodded. A moment later he was on.
DesertPrince180 signed on at 10:52 am
DesertPrince180 Hello.
WingedAzian11 Welcome, Quatre.
Shinigami247 ohayo, q-bean
DesertPrince180 Q-Bean?
WingedAzian11 Shin has a penchant for giving people nicknames. Basically mutilating what he started with.
DesertPrince180 Oh. That's understandable. He *is* American, after all. ^_^
Shinigami247 hey! i resent that _
DesertPrince180 He's funny, Heero. I like him.
Shinigami247 heero?
WingedAzian11 Quatre!!
DesertPrince180 *blush* Gomen ne.
Shinigami247 hey, what's goin on? sumthin wrong?
WingedAzian11 Iie, Shin. Look, I think we should go. I'll talk to you when I get there, ne?
Shinigami247 *pouts* sure, o-chan. whatever. i'll be holdin' a sign for you, k?
WingedAzian11 Hai. Ja ne.
DesertPrince180 It was nice meeting you, Shin
Shinigami247 ditto, q-bean. guess i'll be seein' u at the gate too, ne? just gotta modify my sign then. laters
DesertPrince180 Good bye.
Shinigami247 signed off at 11:30pm
DesertPrince180 signed off at 11:30pm
WingedAzian11 signed off at 11:31pm
Heero shut down his laptop and sighed, then turned to glare at Quatre. The blond grinned back sheepishly.
"What's wrong?" Thalia asked, her hand wrapped around her sleeping husband's arm. Odin Lowe Sr. was a tall, well built man with messy black hair and grey eyes you couldn't see at the moment. He was very handsome, and gave Heero his slanted eyes and strong bone structure.
"Quatre just told Shin my real name," Heero said, shooting another venomous glare at the blond. Quatre rubbed the back of his head and chuckled nervously.
"I didn't mean to, Heero. I'm just so used to calling you by this name," he said. Then he glared. "And what do you mean? Odin is your real name, and that's what he knows you by!"
Heero blushed. "I never thought of it that way," he said. "I'm just so used to Heero now that I think it's my proper name."
"It's just the name you give true friends, Woden," Thalia said, smiling. "Don't worry about it. Your father and I are the same."
"You have special names too?" Quatre asked.
"Yes. My special name is Tali. Only family and friends know it. Odin's special name is Din-chan," she said.
"Din-chan? Just like that?" Heero asked.
"Uh-huh. Not many people know it. You know how your father gets," Thalia continued.
"Who knows how I get?" came a rumbling voice masked slightly by sleep. Beside her, Odin Lowe Sr. stirred, eyelids rising to reveal grey irises.
"Everyone, anata," Thalia said with a laugh. Before anyone could say more, a voice crackled over the intercom of the plane.
[Good morning, passengers. We will be arriving in Athens in just a moment. Please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride. Turn off all electronic equipment including laptops, CD players and cellular phones. Thank you, and enjoy the last of this flight]
Once the voice faded away, the Lowe's and young Master Winner obeyed. Laptops entered cases, cell phones reunited with sleeves and holders, and diskmen rejoined their bags. Soon they were reorganized and all happily restrained by the seatbelts. Heero felt as they began to descend. After a good ten minutes, the intercom sounded again.
[Good afternoon, passengers. It is 5 minutes to noon, and we will be touching down in about a minute. Please sit tight and we'll be at the Gate shortly.]
The plane touched down and hopped a little with the impact. Quatre jumped a bit, a little scared. He had never flown before, as his father saw no reason to travel much. Actually, the Arabian boy had grown up with Heero in Kyoto.
[Passengers, we have just docked at Gate 6. Unfasten your seatbelts, retrieve all belongings and carry-ons, and have a nice stay here in Athens, Goergia. Thank you for flying Air Pacific. ^_^]
Grinning, Heero and Quatre hurried the adults, then dashed off the plane and skidded to a halt. They waited until Thalia and Odin were beside them before moving off towards a seat in one of the waiting areas. Heero looked around a bit, almost afraid to see Shin. Quatre was not so limited.
The blond Arab hopped up on one of the seats and scanned the large gate area. "Long chestnut braid, ne?" he asked, moving from seat to seat for a thorough look. Aquamarine blue eyes spotted a boy of medium height that matched Heero's description. The boy was holding a sign that said, 'Welcome, O-chan!' a big scribble mark, then a lopsided 'and Q-bean!' added.
"I see him, Heero!" Quatre cried, jumping down and waving at Heero's face. "Look, look!" The blond pointed toward the boy.
Nervous, Heero turned his head and searched for the boy Quatre thought was Shin. When he spotted him, a shock went through him from head to toe. He was just like he'd said he would be! Long, braided chestnut hair that looked soft to the touch, black priest's garb with black riding pants, and those expressive cobalt blue eyes that were currently violet, probably from excitement. The clincher was the ridiculous sign the boy was holding, with Heero's and Quatre's nick names on it.
"Kaasan, that's him," Heero said softly, pointing through the crowd at the lost-looking American boy. Thalia followed her son's finger, and smirked. So that was the boy her Woden was infatuated with.
"Him, hm? Well, lets go say 'hey', sweetie. Come along, Quatre." And Thalia Lowe herded her hesitating family toward the blue eyed boy standing near the gate. When they were in hearing distance, she called out. "Shin!" she said.
The boy whipped around and searched for the speaker. Thalia waved a hand and Shin spotted her. He looked confused. Thalia waved him over.
"Kaasan~!" Heero whined, embarassed. He hid himself behind Quatre and tried very hard to make himself disappear. He knew his face was as red as a tomato. When Shin reached them, Heero tried his hardest to climb into Quatre's skin.
"Um, do I know you, ma'am?" the braided boy asked politely, tilting his head to the side in question. Thalia smiled, this boy was endearing.
"Not particularly, young man. Thalia Lowe. Hajimemashite," she said, holding one manicured hand out. Suprised, Shin took it. Beside her, Heero's father waved.
"Duo Maxwell. Yoroshiku," he said ackwardly, shaking her hand carefully. It was obvious he was unused to speaking Japanese, but he did a good job.
Quatre grinned. It was time for the kicker. He stepped forward. "Quatre Winner desu. Yoroshiku, Duo Maxwell," he said, taking Shin's other hand and making the American boy drop his poster. Quatre spotted it and smiled.
"Ya know, I met a kid about thirty minutes ago named Quatre. It didn't strike me as a common name, though," Duo said, grinning. Quatre grinned back. "So if I'm not mistaken, I just met Q-bean, this woman man here must be Thalia Lowe, and O-chan should be right...here!" Duo pulled Quatre gently out of the way to reveal a blushing Heero. Standing together, the height difference between Duo and Heero was very noticable.
Still unbearably nervous, Heero reached a hand out. He didn't notice the trembling when he grasped Duo's hands. "Heero Yuy Lowe," he said, bowing slightly.
"Welcome to Athens, Goergia, O-babe," Duo said with a wink. They all laughed while Heero blushed.
###TBC###
Okay, CRAPPY ending, I know. I can't even look at it. *cringe* I'll try to do better next time, ne?
Ja. Miaka