Lunar Symphony
Nuriko:grins wickedly as Jess runs and hides:
Duo: What's that for?
Nuriko: Jess thinks we'll be upset with her. I'm nowhere near upset. I also think we found out Heero enjoys being domineered.
Heero: Hn.
Nuriko:shakes head: No, Heero, there isn't anything wrong with it.
Heero:raises one eyebrow: If I ask, you aren't gonna tell me how you understand, huh?
Duo/Nuriko: Nope.
Duo: It's our special ability. If we tell, everyone would do it.
Nuriko: Also, readers have to read to see what happens. I can't just tell you.
Heero: Fine, on to chapter fifteen. :walks off to find Jess:
Duo:shares a look with Nuriko: Did he just introduce your chapter?
Nuriko:shrugs before nodding: Oh well, this just gives me a little more time. :instantly gets to work:
Chapter Fifteen: Duo POV:
Our anniversary night had been even better than I had ever imagined. During the long night Heero had woken me up three times. Each time we had the most sensational lovemaking. There were no condoms this time around, either. I had gotten a clean bill of health from Sally, who had given me a check-up three days ago, and Une had allowed me to check Heero's health file as well, not that I had expected anything. As usual, Heero was in perfect shape and health.
Heero had taken me twice while I got to have him once more. That time had been slow, unhindered, and mind shattering. Heero had been pleasantly surprised when he realized we could last for over an hour and a half. I had taught him a few new tricks and he had showed me some interesting new erotic ideas.
Now, two days later, I was going around with a giant smile on my lips and Heero moved into the Haven with me. We were both reluctant to be apart and when we weren't working, we could be found where-ever the other one was. I had taken to going to the Preventer HQ to workout with Wufei every morning. I had also talked with Une about joining as a stealth and demolitions expert. I wanted to help train others in the art of stealth so that what had had to Wufei would happen again. Une had admitted to being ill prepared when it came to stealth so I told her I'd teach her more promising students if she promised to keep Heero out of danger and stationed on L2. Surprisingly, Une had been very agreeable and had set up my training school for stealth and demolitions only a block away at the old sweatshop the former mayor had been running. This way, I wasn't too far from my kids. I loved the arrangement.
"Duo, you're skills are required at the old weapon shop near the former shantytown," Morgana said, walking into my office with my newly sent over all black Preventer uniform. I grinned brightly at her and took the uniform from her.
"Thanks, Mor. How's training coming along?" She smirked.
"They're still children, dad, at least in the stealth department. I'm really glad Lady Une thought I'd be helpful." I snickered at the memory.
It's a little hard to say no when you stole everything of hers, including her glasses and bra without her realizing. She was seriously impressed. So was I."
"Thanks, dad. I love working with you. Since you've agreed to help Lady Une, you've become a lot more skilled. I can't even change your hair ties any more."
"I haven't gotten more skilled. I've simply gotten back into the shape I was in before I stopped being a pilot," I told her.
"You've simply realized your true potential, Maxwell," Wufei's confident voice remarked from the doorway. I laughed, my head tipped back. Travis was hovering in the doorway as well, a star-stuck expression on his face. He was a die-hard fan of Wufei's. Ever since he had met the former Altron pilot, he'd been going through a severe case of hero worship.
"Was that a compliment, Wuffles?" I asked, gaining a small giggle from Morgana. Both Travis and Wufei shared twin expression of exasperation.
"The name's Wufei," the two replied, gaining another laugh from me. They were too cute together. The Haven currently housed twenty-seven children. Kali, Luc, Lucian, Gabriel, Kyle, Ian, Violet, Cassie, Chris, and one other had all been adopted during that first month the Haven had been running. It was only recently that they had been moved out. True, Kali and Luc hadn't been snatched instantly, but I knew my friends would love them. Yesterday alone had seen to another ten adoptions, all of which went quicker because I was the only one needed for the okay. We had also gained ten more yesterday. Among them was a young Chinese boy who reminded me a lot of Wufei.
"Right, I'll try to remember that," I answered with a grin once I could control my laughter. Wufei sighed.
"I have something important to tell you, Maxwell," Wufei began suddenly, his expression serious. I instantly sobered up.
"You found more orphans?" Wufei shook his head.
"Nothing like that, Maxwell. I was hoping you'd allow me to adopt Travis and Li." I was silent for a moment. Out of everything I had been expecting, this wasn't it.
"I'd love to okay it, Wufei, but with you being single with a life threatening job it wouldn't be wise for the children." Travis's little face turned sad and I really hated to have been the one to place it there.
"I realize this, Duo. That's why I asked Une for a more family-minded position. I am now the new head of inter-galactic affairs. I also handle combat training. Its not a safe desk job. . ." I smirked as he trailed off.
"But its as close to one as you'll ever get, eh, Wufei," I finished for him. He nodded. "Adoption approved. Ask Sandra to give you the correct forms to fill out and I'll take care of it as soon as I return."
"Stealth mission?" he questioned. I nodded this time. It was amazing how cool it could be to have a changing area in my office where only my neck and head could be seen.
"Are there any others I accept?"
"No." He seemed deeply in thought for a moment. "Need back-up?"
"Naw, I'm good. It's another bug and run. I last clocked myself at two-minutes and one second a placement. I'm faster without help."
"Understood. If things get too warm, get out." I rolled my eyes. Who did he think he was talking to, an idiot?
"Of course. I'm a family man now. I can't risk myself." Wufei looked down at Morgana then, giving her a gentle smile. She was one of the few onna's Wufei could stand. Her hair was once again in the same style as mine. She claimed it made it easier to work that way. Since that was my own reason for my braid, I really couldn't argue. Morgana smiled back at him. Also like me, she was impervious to glares, frowns, stares, and all other looks meant to intimidate. If I had been a bit older in AC 193, I'd almost say she was my real daughter.
"Would you mind if I helped with your class today, Morgana?" she flushed prettily.
"Not at all, sir," she answered. When Morgana had begun training Preventers with me, she had taken to calling all higher up agent's sir, or ma'am. It drove Quatre insane, but he also thought it was cute. Too bad he just couldn't get over how old it made him feel.
"Good." Wufei looked at me. "You better go. Heero only has three hours of work left today."
"You haven't told him?" Travis asked. I shook my head.
"I was waiting for tonight. Une's had a construction team on the two buildings that are soon to become the Preventer training center working day and night. They'll finish this afternoon and then Une will give him a proposition. We've all fought so much in these past years. Une understands why we all have a need to settle down at an early age." Wufei snorted.
"That onna may understand, but she'll never do it herself." I stepped out from behind my dressing area in my Preventer black. Morgana whistled loudly at me.
"Looking good," she remarked.
"Still determined to wear black I see," Wufei added. I nodded.
"Of course. Its perfect for stealth operations." I then waved to Wufei and hugged Morgana. "I'll be back soon." That said I rushed off to get my equipment from Quatre and head to work.
Two and a half hours later I was on my way home a little lighter than normal. All I could think was that the man was lucky war wasn't still going on. I would have killed him on the spot for what he did if the war was still raging. Instead, I knocked him out and tied him up. Heero would want to kill him, war or no war. He has too much fun with all of it not to get upset over it. I stepped into the shop and pulled off my Preventer's cap as I took a seat in a chair.
"Antonio, fix it. I know it's impossible to put it back together, but as least make it look decent again." Antonio was the best hairdresser I knew. He was the only one who took care of my hair, beside myself. He was the only one I'd allow near it, besides Heero.
"Duo, what happened?" Antonio asked, his gray-violet eyes roaming over the obviously shorter braid. His own long red hair was braided down his back all the way to the floor. He was tall too, almost 7' 3" in height. Yet he was very feminine in both look and attitude. He made me look a lot more masculine than I was.
"Hazard of my new job."
"I thought being a Preventer wasn't for you?" he asked, taking in my beat up uniform. I sighed.
"It wasn't, until I realized those I cared about were in danger without my special skills. We all had out own abilities and mine was stealth. Nothing will change that." Antonio sighed romantically.
"Having all those men in uniform around must be heaven," Antonio said dreamily.
"There's only one man in uniform that I'm interested in. He's currently living with me." As I talked, Antonio got to work on un-braiding my hair and washing it so it would be easier to cut. The walking dead man had cut it unevenly. Now, I had to get it cut just to get it even once more.
"So you finally won over your Heero?" he asked. I had told him about Heero on more than one occasion.
"More like we won each other. He kind of caught me on the street one day and my life hasn't been the same since."
"Must be fun."
"Of course," I answered. He was silent for a moment, which was unusual about him.
"Seems its serious as well, if that band is anything to talk about." I swiftly opened my eyes and was rewarded with a dose of water in them.
"What are you talking about?" I asked once he sat me up to wrap a towel around my hair. He held up my left hand. Sure enough, there was a simple ring there. I pulled it off and checked it out. Engraved on it were the simple words 'Marry me Koi'. It was so a Heero thing to do that I almost creamed. "Why that sneaky little. . ."
"Now, now, Duo. You don't talk that way about loved ones." He then began combing and clipping my hair. "He must have done something while you were drunk for you not to remember him proposing."
"That's just it, Toni, he didn't propose. He must have slipped this on my finger once I had fallen asleep."
"I've never heard of a non-proposal before. If someone places something like that on your finger, it means they want to go the long haul. Why wouldn't they ask you to your face?" I frowned as I listened to the scissors.
"I don't know. I only know he'll have to ask me personally before I accept." I slipped the ring back on. Antonio smirked.
"So you plan on accepting, then?"
"Of course. I love him too much to let him go." He started blow-drying my hair, brush in free hand. Once done, he carefully re-braided my now dry and even hair. He let it go and I felt the tip smack the middle of my back. I almost wanted to cry. "How long is it now?"
"A little past the middle of your back, Duo. It's not your lovely butt-length hair now, but it's still fairly long. It would have been worse if he had cut your braid higher up. Like at the neck or higher." I glared at him.
"Don't speak it. Don't even think it. I refuse to even dwell on what could have happened." I stood up and pulled my wallet from my back pocket. I then took out two twenties and placed them in his hand.
"Duo, I haven't changed my prices. It's still only five dollars."
"I know, but this is for all the times you took care of my hair when I couldn't pay you." He laughed, but pocketed the money. His place was modest, but well kept up. Une and Relena both agreed he could stay; that he was no harm to the neighborhood.
"Your hair is always heaven to work with. I didn't mind the few freebies I had to give you." I laughed.
"I'll see you in about a month."
"Later," Antonio called as I pulled on my cap, braid tucked under it, and headed out of the shop. He must have moved to place the money in his register because I soon heard him shout. "DUO!" I smirked and headed home, my wallet now a hundred dollars lighter.
Heero was sitting with Trowa and several children when I returned to the Haven. I avoided him and went into the kitchen. I found Quatre there, making a rather large lunch for the entire Haven. I smiled and stole a single French fry from the bowl he had just filled. He glanced toward me, aquamarine eyes bright.
"Duo, no snacking. This is for lunch." I smirked.
"Cool, but what are the kids going to eat?" I joked. Quatre smacked my cap off, causing my braid to fall back. Quatre gasped.
"Duo, what happened to your hair?"
"An idiot decided to take a swing at me with a knife and caught my braid. I had to get it trimmed to even it out."
"I'm so sorry. I know how much you love your hair." I waved off his words.
"Don't sweat it, Q-bean. Everything's fine. I'm just waiting for it to grow back. Besides," I continued, shivering. "It could have been worse." Quatre nodded.
"So it could have." We shared a grin.
"Duo! When were you planning on telling me about the Preventers?" Heero's voice called from the kitchen doorway. He stalked in and stopped dead in his tracks as he looked at me. His eyes roamed over me three times before he finally spoke. What he said was anything but heartwarming. "What in hell happened to you?"
Nuriko:smirks: You're turn for fun, Jess.
Heero/Duo/Jess:glares: You cut the braid!
Nuriko: Only a little. I was gonna cut it all off. So chill.
Duo:pales: All?
Nuriko: Yep, all of it.
Duo: I'm fine as is.
Jess: I suppose I can live with that.
Heero:death glare: Omae o Korosu!
Nuriko:sighs: I know Heero. I know. At least I die at the hands of a very handsome man.
Duo:hand on Heero's shoulder: Calm down, love. It's not too bad.
Nuriko: Until next chapter, ja mata ne!