09.10am
The bus stop.
'Why am here again? Someone please tell me I'm dreaming and still in my warm comfy bed and not in the middle of nowhere.' Duo thought miserably while waiting with Wu Fei and Kenji, who was wrapped up in some makeshift clothes of Quatre for the bus to arrive. The weather mirrored Duo's enthusiasm. A steady trickle of fine rain started as soon as they left the safe house. Great.
The three stood in silence until Duo had enough and decided to voice his opinion of them waiting in the rain for some stupid bus if they could have been sitting inside with a mug of hot chocolate. But no decided was decided – who had the right to order Shinigami around anyway? Oh yeah, Quatre, forgot about His sweetness…Damn! – so what's better than annoying Mr. I-have-a-stick-up-my-ass to cheer oneself up.
"'Fei, why the heck are we here ten minutes early again? You said the bus arrives at 09.20. So why do we have to stand in the rain if we could have waited a bit longer in the house?" Duo asked irritated.
Not being used to rain since water was a luxus on L2 he hated it to be wet and cold. Duo had been very curious as to how the seasons were on earth. L2 had always been the same. Dirty, cold, almost no rain and where he had grown up artificial light was used sparely. Just imagine to constantly live in a state of twilight which by the way made stealing a bit easier. So now after the warm spring and hot summer Duo decided he definitely didn't like fall not with the constant rain and cold wind. G had told him that it's all a matter of were you are on Earth so Duo made a mental note to himself. 'Don't spend fall in Northern Europe if not absolutely avoidable.'
Having been so incrossed in his thoughts he had almost missed Wu Fei's reply.
"The bus is supposed to be here at 09.20. So we will wait here." End of discussion.
'Geez, that guy is as boring and stuck up as Yuy is.' Duo peeked a look at the 05 pilot. 'Looks like our dragon loves the rain as much as I do.' He noted that even Kenji looked forelorn and miserably. 'The first thing I'm going to buy in town –if the bus ever comes- is an umbrella. Should be essential in each safe house.' Duo thought annoyed.
The casual clad teen shifted from one feet to another wishing he had his braid to play with but partly because of the weather partly because of being incognito it was stuffed down the back of his coat. All three of them were clad in civilian clothes as to drag no suspicion to them.
"Say Wu Fei. What if someone asks after Kenji? He still doesn't speak a word English. Could be damn embaressing if you ask me." Duo said. 'Second try in striking up a decent conversation.'
"Don't worry about that. If someone asks questions we'll say that he's our little brother."
Duo frowned. 'First godfather, now I also have to pose as a brother? And anyway does that mean….'
"You don't actually think someone's going to buy that YOU are my … my brother?! Sure maybe the brat but YOU????" Duo laughed.
"Ever heard of divorced families? Nowadays it happens often enough that two halfs of a family find each other and make a new one. Those two old halfs would be you and I and let's say the unity of our family is Kenji. Can you follow me?" Wu Fei smirked at Duo.
The Deathscythe pilot gaped at the black haired teen. 'Now Wuffers, way to go. I'm impressed.' Loud he said. "Wow, Wu Fei my man. I didn't know you had it in you. This is a whole family you created there." Duo grinned. "Don't you wanna give your new brother a hug?" Duo opened his arms and motioned for a hug.
"Try that. And I will have to deal only with one more brother." Wu Fei replied coolly.
Duo who had expected that kind of retort winked playfully at him. 'Maybe he's not that bad. At least he knows how to play with words.'
Kenji tugged at Wu Fei's coat asking him something in Japanese. Wu Fei answered and the little one got back to kicking small pebbles with his feet.
Duo grinned at Wu Fei. "Ha, guess he's as bored as me. Where's your stupid bus anyway? It's 09.20 and no bus."
Wu Fei sighed. "First yes, you are right. But I said from the beginning that you and Yuy were more alike than you'd ever admit. Secondly I don't know. I said it's supposed to be here at 09.20 not that it will be here at 09.20."
'What kind of logic is that?!' Out loud Duo said. "Whatever man." Then he walked over to the bus plan pinned to the bus stop sign. 'Me and Yuy being alike. Not in a hundred years.' He snorted.
'Hm, where the fuck are we….' The braided teen traced the colored lines and found their stop. A look to the plan though brought him back confused. "Hm? Hey, Wuffers what kind of plan is that? It only says that the bus is departing in St. Lothran at 08.50. How do you know it's supposed to be here at 09.20?" Duo wondered.
"It's all about calculation, Maxwell. I happened to take the bus before and after a couple of times waiting for the bus I have the time narrowed down to 09.20. Of course one can never be correct so make that +/- 10 minutes."
Duo starred at Wu Fei unbelievingly. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you implying there's no fix time when the bus is supposed to be here?"
Wu Fei nodded.
"I don't believe that." Duo raked his hands through his wet hair gesticuling wildly with his base cap he had ripped off. "It's god damn raining and we are standing here speculating when the bus will come or maybe he doesn't even come at all." Duo stared furiously up to the grey clouds as if daring them to rain one more drop on his already very much wet self.
"That's another possibility. Happened last week. I had to walk down. Very good training."
"Gah, you sound like Yuy. How can those people who live - eh - somewhere around here put up with that crap? I mean they spend half of the day waiting for the bus."
"You're exaggerating." Wu Fei glanced at his watch.
"So what?! I'm cold and wet. I have all the right in the world to be pissy. Just you wait I will have a word with the bus driver. Forget it Wu Fei, it's past 09.20. I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."
Wu Fei only shrugged and continued to stare out at whatever what.
'Geez, that's not my favourite way of spending free time. Maybe I should try to roll up Wuffers in another 'real' conversation. Not that you could call that one from before could be called one.' Duo rolled his eyes and was about to open his mouth when Kenji suddenly started to jump up and down.
"What's wrong with you kiddo? Got bugs in your pants?" Duo asked.
Kenji answered something in Japanese which wasn't much of a help to Duo's non-comprehending-Japanese brain but following Kenji's pointing he could spot a bus nearing their station.
'Yeah. Finally.' Duo sighed and hopped onto the bus with the other two. But while the others got their tickets Duo just had to open his mouth and do what? Complain of course.
"Good morning. Mind explaining what took you so long. I don't want to be impolite-" – 'even if I don't care' – "- but you were almost twenty minutes late. I mean hey I don't have all day."
The driver shrugged and explained in a bored voice. "There's nothing I can do about that. You see the weather, the small road. If you live up on the hill you have to calculate on a lot of things. There's no way to say when one will be there. If it bothers you you should just move down to the city."
'Sure. If there's a garage big enough to hide five Gundams and stay unsuspiciously. No problem, asshole.' Wu Fei send him a glare daring him to reply so he bit his tongue 'hmpfed' and stomped over to where Kenji and Wu Fei were seated. Kenji who was sitting opposite of them was glued to the window while Wu Fei glowered at him for his stupid mouth.
'Gah, shove it 'Fei.' Duo ignored the Chinese and drifted off. 'Got I wish we were already in the city. The driving style definitely makes me sick.' Duo glanced over to Wu Fei who also seemed to be a bit pale in his face.
Indeed the driver seemed to have his foot glued to the gas. That wasn't exactly funny if you go down a narrow street from the hill with corners and turns to no end. On the left side there was nothing than air since the ground was leveled deep into a valley with houses on the right and cars convientely parked at the side of the road so it was one hell of a thing to get the damn bus around it with cars behind you and from the other direction. Duo wondered what kind of criteria you have to get here to become a bus driver. Probably only have quick reflexes, a heavy foot on the gas and a potty mouth. Hey, he would be perfect for the job but no it wouldn't go nicely with him being sick half of the time. Deathscythe was much cooler anyway.
Duo turned his attention to Kenji who was frowning at him and Duo was just about to ask him what is it now when he felt someone carressing his neck. He froze.
'Calm down. Calm down. You're in a public bus. Red would make those brown shades even uglier. Take a deep breath and smile.' Duo composed himself and put a happy grin on his face. A smile was too difficult at the time before turning around. Maybe it was just some old lady who liked his hair – but hell he was wearing a base cap so why would –
Duo's line of thought trailed off as he looked straight into the olive tanned face of what the locals spoke of arab immigrants. Now Duo was never one to judge people on first impressions they could often be wrong but usually his gut feeling was never wrong. So when that hand came again to carress his cheek it took all his might not to break it. Duo could feel Wu Fei tense in the seat next to him but there was no way they could deal with this the usual way. Let's say a bus full of witnesses where a bit difficult to hide six feet under besides who'd drive them down that freaking hill. He needed to keep his cool.
Duo looked over the two guys who had switched their seats to sit behind him and Wu Fei. Their buddies were still in the back and oggling him. Both were definitely of arabic origin. He wondered briefly how Quatre could be such a cutie when those two were so disgusting. Oily, greasy black hair, gold chains, lecherous stupid grins on their face. Duo had to muster all his strength not to puke. Instead he started to play.
"Hi guys. What's up?"
"Hey, pretty. What's your name? You're new here? I can show you around."
"Yeah." His friend piped up. "What's your number? Where are you from?"
"Max. The name is Max."
"Nice name. You have awesome hair, you're so pretty. Wow, never saw this kind of eye color before."
Duo grinned some more waving his hand. "Only fake. Contact lenses you see. Looks like they work." He winked at them.
The boys laughed. 'You disgusting little motherfuckers. I hope your *** shrivels up and falls off. Guess you're mother had a shock when she first saw your face. Geez, I hope we're can get off soon or I'm going to smash their faces in. I hate taking the bus. I really really hate it.'
It was one of Duo's secret weapons. If he got angry at someone but could't show he just imagined all the 'nice' things he'd do to them one day. Anger is always good. Keeps you focosed as long as it's controlled. Let it get out of hand well it can get ugly.
Duo was grateful when Wu Fei finally motioned to him to get off the bus.
"See you around, Max." The guys called after him. Out of the bus they were silent.
"Max, hm?! I have to admit I'm impressed, Maxwell. I haven't met them before but I can say for sure I wouldn't have handled the situation as well as you did."
Duo stared silently at his comrade. "What no honor talk?" He asked a bit suspicious.
Wu Fei gave him a small smile. "They suspected we were tourists and you gave them the suitable attitude. I can't say it was "right" but it at least made no one suspicious."
Duo nodded. 'Wow, I'm speechless. Open acknoledgement. Maybe there's still hope for this fellow.'
"But say Maxwell, I don't want to intrude but you handled it like this happened before." Wu Fei looked uncomfortable as Duo studied him.
'Would he understand? Sure, he's a gundam pilot but before we met… As far as I know from those couple of weeks living together our backgrounds are totally different. Ah, screw it. Give it a shot.'
"Frankly Wu Fei. I'm used to it." Wu Fei looked clearly shocked. "What do you mean? How often does it happen that someone is eh hitting on you like that?" Wu Fei was blushingly furiously but Duo ignored it wandering in the direction of the mall which was across from the parking place.
"Well for one thing L2's "visitors" had that kind of attitude against the locals. For them we were just some cheap playthings. So there were only two options play along and save you're neck or bite the hand who's feeding you which got you usually in some kind of juvi if you weren't fast enough."
Duo glanced at the Chinese who looked disturbed at the information. 'Shit. Maybe that was a bit too 'frank'.'
"Common Wuffers. It's not that bad. If you grew up where I did it's an every day thing and honestly who could resist someone as charming as me?!" Duo posed and winked at Wu Fei.
"Shut up already, Maxwell. I got it." Wu Fei grinned suddenly. "You should have seen what kind of glares Kenji shot at them. He didn't understand a word of what they said but I actually feared they might catch fire if that was possible with those kind of greasy hair." He rumpled his nose.
"Aw, Wuffie, what's with your hair. All slick and shiny."
"It's a matter of astethic. And I'm telling you the kid has developed a rather intense protectiveness of you." Wu Fei snickered.
"Sure, what do I need a half portion for protection?"
"It might come in handy one day." Wu Fei sauntered past him in a I-know-something-you-don't-know manner.
"Wu Fei, stop shocking me today. I'm not sure if I can take much more."
Duo had stopped and theatrically gripped at his heart.
Kenji was watching them with interest a slight smile around his lips as if he understood every word.
"Common kiddo. Let's go. We can't let Wu Fei wander off in that big big mall. He might get lost." Duo grinned at Kenji who jumped happily – it had not happened very often that Duo acted positivly around him.
The three had reached the mall quickly and decided first to get a couple of things for Kenji so they went to C&A, a huge chain store. After snooping around the kids clothing for a bit they had to admit they needed help.
"Gosh, Wu Fei who in the hell makes those sizes? Is that some kind of code? It says 62 in that pullover." Duo shoved a red something under Wu Fei's nose.
"Not so close, Maxwell. I can't see anything. And it's not a code it's those weird European children sizes."
"Hmpf. Couldn't they take American sizes? It's much easier. You know the age of the kid, you know which size to buy."
"I know that too, Maxwell. Probably about the only useful thing those guys in oversea managed." Wu Fei said and stomped off in search of one of those bustling females.
Duo cast a look at Kenji who had been glued to his side all the time. "Well kiddo one thing is for sure. You're going to need everything one size smaller anyway." He shuckled and went to follow Wu Fei.
"Listen Maxwell. I will handle this." Wu Fei motioned to Duo to shut his mouth and stopped an employer.
"Good day ma'am. We require assistance with suitable clothing for our little brother here." He pointed at Kenji who was lingering beside Duo.
"Well of course, how old is he? Three, four?" The older lady eyed Kenji who involontary shrank back.
"He's five." Wu Fei spoke up.
"Oh really?" The lady eyed Kenji critically. "Well, follow me."
The three trudged after her. 'Wow, I've never guessed 'Fei could actually be civil with the female species. Wonder oh wonder.' Duo thought bemused.
Right now the lady was collecting several outfits suitable for the current weather as well as shoes and a pyjama. Wu Fei nodded, commented, frowned, disapproved and after the poor lady was almost close to collapse the Chinese was satisfied and paid.
"Woah, Wu Fei never guessed you have a hidden talent for shopping. You would make a great boyfriend…" Duo snickered.
"What do you know about boyfriends?" Wu Fei grumbled.
'Oh uh, careful here. He's getting touchy again.' Duo decided to change the subject to avoid a grumpy Wu Fei.
"How about we split up? I go to the tech store, you go eh you go buy a tooth brush. I take the bags, you take the brat." Duo grinned and was about to take their shopping bags as Wu Fei interferred.
"Forget it Maxwell, as soon as you see some high tech stuff you drift off. I'm not about to let someone steal our newly purchased clothes. I'm saying you take the brat, I stick with bags AND buy the stupid tooth brush. 13pm food court." With that the pilot turned and left a baffled Duo.
"Ouch. Back off brat. What did I tell you about touching my braid?"
Kenji who had been pushed around by all the grown-ups with lots of bags was having trouble standing his ground so he had simply grabbed the tip of Duo's braid which had poked out underneath his jacket.
Duo scowled but realized it probably wasn't a good idea to have Kenji trail behind him. He'd be gone in less than a second. Now Quatre wouldn't think that funny.
"Okay brat. Since I don't favour certain blondes in zero mode I make you a deal. You take my hand and in turn you leave my braid alone, 'kay?!"
Duo offered Kenji his hand to make himself understood. Staring at first uncertainly at the hand Kenji happily grabbed it and the both went in search of the tech store.
"Common kiddo, gotta hurry before Wu bear is back and hauling our asses back home." Duo said to Kenji dragging him through the packed store.
Finally they stopped in front of the newest lap top models. "Woah, look at those babies, even yours or better Yuys couldn't compare to those. Though he'd probably could care less about looks and extras as long as he has enough programs to hack into all the convieniant places." Deathscythe's pilot muttered under his breath.
Kenji who was far to small to see the laptops properly tugged impatiently at Duo's sleeve. "What?" Duo shot him barely a glance too busy trying out some stuff.
But Kenji was far from giving up. He tugged harder and was just about to yank on Duo's braid when said youth shot around.
"Ha. I knew you'd try that. Geez, stop pouting already. Yuy pouting gives me nightmares." Duo shook his head. "So what do you want already?"
In reply to that Kenji lifted his arms to Duo.
"Oh no kiddo, this is me you're asking here not Quatre, you don't really think I would…" Duo trailed off as Kenji's eyes became even more pleading trying hard to control tears of disappointment.
"Geez, okay okay kiddo. Don't need a scene in here." Duo sighed and bend to pick Kenji up. "Nothing interesting to see for you …" Duo had wanted to say 'anyway' but trailed off as Kenji started clicking away on the keyboard and kept making fascinated noises in Japanese.
Duo was speechless for a second but then rolled his eyes. "Typical. Should have known that Yuy was already obsessed as a kid with computers. It's in his blood." He shook his head and joined Kenji exploring the laptop.
That's how Wu Fei found them. A very amusing sight seeing the "arc-enemies" bend over a piece of machinary forgetting everything around them.
"Aehm. I have to agree with Quatre. You are definitely "cute" together." He said into Duo's ear who in turn almost dropped Kenji in surprise.
"Geez, Wu Fei. Make yourself known next time." Duo said embarrassed and put Kenji down.
"What? No scornful of you being cute with Kenji? You getting soft over him?" Wu Fei laughed.
The braided teen scowled. "Shut up Chang. Why don't you take the brat for awhile and I buy the needed parts." With that the furious teen pushed Kenji over to Wu Fei and stormed off.
Wu Fei gave Kenji a small grin. "Looks like we hit a nerve there."
Then in Japanese. "Let's go wait outside."
Half an hour later, they stood again at the bus stop, again with an annoyed Duo.
"You know I think I'm going to kill him. I mean what are they doing all the time. It is too much to ask to actually pick us innocent passengers up and get us up on that god damn forsaken hill?!!!" Duo was pacing like a tiger – a very pissy tiger – up and down in front of the bus stop. They had been waiting for twenty minutes – no bus.
"Calm down, Maxwell. Better don't waste your energy I think we have to walk up."
"No – freaking – way – in – hell – I'm – going – to – walk – up – there." Duo grounded out.
"Okay, then. See you tomorrow then. Since that was the last bus I guess you have to wait here in that 'beautiful' weather until tomorrow. Maybe you'll be lucky and the bus actually comes." Wu Fei said sarcastically and motioned Kenji to follow him.
"Goodbye then." Duo pouted and settled on the dry ground under the small under stand. Kenji looked concerned at him obviously thinking that they shouldn't leave Duo there all alone. But Wu Fei told him something in Japanese and they walked off.
Wu Fei and Kenji weren't even at the first shortcut when they heard someone running after them. Before Duo had reached them Wu Fei winked at Kenji and whispered. "See, I told you he would come sooner or later. There's one thing Maxwell can't say no to. A warm meal and a warm bed."
Wu Fei turned to Duo. "So Shinigami. Changed your mind?"
"Gah, be quiet. I just wanna get out of that constant trickle of rain. I mean if it's raining it should be real rain or none at all."
Wu Fei snorted. "You shouldn't say that. Too often you get what you wish for and…" He hadn't even finished his sentence as the wind picked up and brought 'real' rain drenching the three in a matter of seconds. The Chinese glared at Duo.
"Don't Wu Fei. Don't. I don't want to hear it." Duo said annoyed.
Wu Fei smiled innocently. "I don't know what you had in mind. I only wanted to ask you to pick up Kenji since he won't make it up the hill by himself with that kind of wind."
"What? I'm not a taxi. He has his own two legs. You said it's good training."
"Wasn't it you who said this morning training is not right for a kid his age?"
Duo stared dumbfounded at him before turning to the soaked and tired kid.
He sighed and got down for a piggyback. "Get on already brat. I don't have all day." Duo mumbled grudgingly.
Kenji got on and put his head on Duo's shoulder with his hood covering him to avoid the rain in his face. Sneaking his fist around the tip of Duo's braid Kenji yawned and dozed of beside the uncomfortable weather.
As Wu Fei passed snickering an annoyed looking Duo he could hear some of Kenji's mumbling.
"Love computers. And love Duo, too." In English.
He was sure Duo had heard it. But would you comment on something Shinigami doesn't want to hear?
Not if you want to live to tell the others about it…
***
I know this got kinda long but you see all the things I wrote about the bus is true. I was half an hour late last time for school. My actual bus decided to take another route, the school bus didn't want to take me and my friend down because we were no real students AND it was raining like hell!!! But I don't want to bother you with my bus episodes. True is Wu Fei's calculation (it comes too early or to late but never really at the estmated time), the location on the hill, that the bus doesn't come at all and you've got to walk which is about half 20 min for me, the stupid excuses of the bus driver, those disgusting arabs who think every white girl are there for them to get laid (sorry but I'm not a racist but it's sadly true here), the driving style and the road (it really makes you sick, last time my cd-player flew half way through the bus cuz the bus driver decided to apply the brakes suddenly…), anyway though it was a bit long this time I wanted to get Wu Fei and Duo a bit more closer since I think they'd make good friends in a weird sort of way. Don't forget the guys don't know each other very long yet.
Oh and lastly about shonen ai. Some want it in the story some not. I have decided to keep everything neutral as long as Kenji is a kid. I think first the pilots should try to get to know each other and become friends, ne?! If I hate something it's those stories were they meet each other, proclaim their undying love and then fuck each other senseless. Sorry but that's mindless besides I've got a friend like that in real life so I've got enough of that shit already. Geez, what's with me and my loose tongue today…? I'm off. Until next Friday, Karen