Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing

Warning: language, shounen ai

Quality Time with Tsubarov

Well this was swell. The weekend just had to rush past them, Sunday blending into Saturday and all that, and now the next thing that Solo knew it was Monday.

Monday meant that they had to get up early. Monday meant school. Monday meant that whatever it was that his father and uncle were working on with Duo's father would be picked up.

But most of all, Duo still seemed down in the dumps. Whether it was because of his father's sudden appearance or he was still brooding on beating that group of guys up, Solo didn't know. Not even the freedom that was guaranteed on a Sunday had lifted Duo's spirits up one bit. He would know, he hadn't left Duo's side once since Saturday.

As they walked down the hallways of their school, it seemed Duo's mood was affecting their fellow students. The asses would stop what they were doing and stare at the long-haired duo as they trudged down the clean hallways, immediately beginning to gossip about what they saw as soon as they passed. Solo knew; he kept overhearing them.

The rumor mill was working overtime and the two hadn't reached their first period class when the gossip about them caught up to them. Solo grinded his teeth together as he heard about the "inevitable" breakup between him and Duo. He had no doubt that someone among the hoards of females that were busy trying to flirt with him was responsible for that tidbit and it did nothing to assuage his anger. As if to prove them wrong, he wrapped his arm around Duo's shoulders as he usually did. Whether or not that had an effect, the blond didn't know.

He just wanted to punch something, anything, and, if he could, murder someone in particular. Typically, these murderous thoughts were foreign to the blond but this time was special.

He would actually risk prison time and his position in the Winner family for this.

Entering into their first period classroom, Solo led the braided one to his seat and had to actually gently make Duo sit down in it before sitting in his own. The two remained in silence, even as other students trickled in. Solo caught sight of Dorothy trying to make a move towards them.

However, she stopped a few feet away and slowly made her way towards her own seat, as if warded away by the dark cloud that seemed to have settled over Duo. Looking at Duo again, Solo had to turn away. If he kept looking at his friend, he would probably drive himself into a depression with just the sight of Duo alone.

Damn that asshole for doing this to Duo!

The only person that didn't seem to be affected by Duo's mood was the teacher as she perkily entered the classroom just as the bell rang. She also seemed ignorant about how downcast the class seemed to be as she readily jumped into her lesson plan. After a few minutes, Solo buried his head into his folded arms, trying to block out the teacher's voice. She was just too damn cheery today and it was giving him one hell of a migraine.

It should be a crime for somebody to be this happy in the morning.

Eventually, the drone of the lady's voice became a tolerable hum and Solo allowed himself to begin casting glances at Duo every now and then. Unlike everybody else, Duo didn't change one bit throughout the class. Solo was more than worried as the seconds ticked by and Duo remained in his depressed state.

The sound of the intercom sliced through the tense atmosphere causing the blond to jump unnoticeably in his seat. However, that wasn't going to be the only surprise in the next few seconds as somebody from the main office requested for Duo, also mentioning that his father was there to pick him up.

Needless to say, Solo was immediately suspicious. Looking at Duo, he was a bit relieved to see the braided one blinking in surprise. At least he knew that Duo was still in there but then he saw Duo's facial features harden as the braided teen stood up and gathered his things. Solo wanted more than anything to go along with him but knew that he couldn't. He was put at ease somewhat when Duo spied him from the door and offered him a small smile. It wasn't much but Solo would take anything that he was offered.

The moment the door closed behind him, Solo sighed as he slumped down in his seat.

This was just too much drama this early in the morning and what was worse was he wasn't even high yet…

--

Whatever suspicions Solo had were nothing compared to those that resided with in Duo as he headed towards the main office. Anything that involved him and that bastard Tsubarov in the same sentence was never good.

Was he trying to kill him again? It wouldn't be the first time…

As soon as he entered the main office, he was immediately instructed that his father would be waiting outside for him. That only served to put him in a fouler mood than before and he was once again trudging through the hallways.

This time, though, he had the unexpected pleasure of running into Heero along the way, the injured teen coming out of a restroom. Duo caught the wicked look that the Japanese youth expressed upon catching sight of him, obviously thinking of ways of brutalizing the braided one. Duo just increased his walking pace and when he was within a few feet, he warned, "Don't even think about it. Not in the mood."

Stumped for only a few seconds, Heero's eyes narrowed and he made after his fleeing prey, pissed that he was just being written off like he was. Despite having to use crutches to get around, Heero fully intended to beat the crap out of the braided queer-rat.

However, Duo heard his approach. Fed up, Duo gave no warning this time as he spun around and kicked Heero's crutches to a side, removing the Japanese youth's only means of mobility. As Heero sought to retain his tenuous balance, Duo swiftly removed his backpack and used it as a club to bring Heero down to the hallway floor violently.

Without another word or even one glance back, Duo left Heero sprawled out where he had fallen.

The sunny day that greeted him as he exited the school building did not match the braided one's current mood. That limo just ahead whose driver was waiting at the rear passenger's door didn't help to lift his spirits either.

Gruffly, he marched over to the waiting automobile and got in, sitting as far away as he could from the cab's current occupant. He set his backpack next to his leg, close by so that if he felt the need to use it, it was readily available.

"What do you want?" he snarled, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Ever the conversationalist," Tsubarov commented in jest. "Is that the way you speak to your father figure?"

"Wouldn't know," Duo shot back. "I seem to have a lack of that, especially since that 'father figure' played hooky all my life."

"Now that just hurts," Tsubarov said, putting a hand over his heart as if what Duo had said greatly pained him.

"Why don't you just cut the crap," Duo stated. "What is it that you want? You never wanted to have anything to do with me and now suddenly I'm the most important person in your life? I don't think so. Just tell me what you want. My time's just as important as yours, you know."

A flash of unmistaken anger made its appearance in Tsubarov's eyes but was quickly masked. "Was that really necessary? Here I am, offering to extend an olive branch and take an interest in your life and you insult me to my face. If I wasn't the patient man that I am, I would have kicked you out of this car by now."

"Especially since we're moving, right?" Duo added dryly. "By the way, newsflash! You aren't a patient person!"

"Things change," Tsubarov replied.

"Depends on what things."

"Is it too much to ask that I spend a little quality time with you?" Tsubarov snapped.

"Quality time," Duo repeated skeptically.

"Yes," Tsubarov said. "Get to know you more, have a pleasant meal with you, that sort of thing. I've been absent enough of your life and you are on the verge of entering a new stage of it."

Duo didn't know whether or not to laugh at this. This was becoming too cheesy. He highly doubted that this asshole would have a sudden change of heart after spending all of his, Duo's, life trying to ruin it. He hadn't gotten as far as he had by being gullible and stupid.

"So I take it you've given up trying to move up the date of graduation," he said dryly.

Tsubarov blinked in surprise. "How'd you—?"

"I wasn't born yesterday, pops," Duo said. "So whatever it is that you want, spill it now. I have better things to do than to sit here and spend 'quality time' with you."

"I guess I deserved that one," Tsubarov commented. "I haven't really been there for you, have I?"

To an untrained eye, this man was a superb actor. To someone like Duo who had a trained eye, he sucked at acting. No really, he did. He kept changing topics too quickly, never leading into them. It was something that wasn't completely obvious but when you had to deal with the man as Duo had, it was easy to spot.

"I'm trying here, boy, I really am," Tsubarov continued, using his Oscar-winning performance to try and score some pity points from the braided one. "I'm willing to spend the whole day with you, doing whatever it is that you want. How about it? Just some father-son time that we can catch up on, eh?"

Oh, he was going back to that again, huh? Well two could play at this game.

"Father-son time, huh?" he repeated thoughtfully, tapping into his own acting abilities. To tell the truth, they weren't the best but hey, they managed to fool that ugly idiot over there. Tsubarov was nodding eagerly, too eagerly in Duo's opinion. Time to make the bastard feel the pain now. "Sure, why not?"

--

It just wasn't the same without Duo there. Whatever depressive mood that had hung over Duo was now acting as a repellent for Solo as he plowed his way through this glorious Monday. With Duo gone, the opposite sex was taking the opportunity to go after him as if it was open season or something. As stated before, that depression that Duo seemed to have transferred to him. However, whenever Solo got into a depressive mood, if he ever did, he took an angry appearance, one that dared anybody to mess with him.

No one took the dare.

He really needed something to take the edge off. His mind soon drifted back to that missing stash of weed and he wondered briefly about it. Damn, he really needed to get high…

Having Quatre and/or Trowa escort him to his classes didn't help with his mood either. He still hadn't memorized this place yet.

Oh, he missed Duo. What could he possibly be going through, especially since he wasn't there to protect him from whatever tortures his piece of shit, sorry excuse for a father was enacting on him.

If only he could be there…

--

If Solo had been there, he probably would have felt a bit more pity for Tsubarov.

Maybe…

The truth was, if anybody was doing the torturing, it was Duo as he ran the man ragged all around the city.

Tsubarov was red in the face but whether that was from exhaustion or murderous anger, Duo didn't know nor did he care. That man had made his life a living hell for eighteen years and now it was time for some payback.

As can be seen, the braided teen was a very vindictive person.

"I'm pooped!" the braided one declared as he flopped back into the limo's seating.

"Finally!" Tsubarov muttered, careful not to let Duo hear it. "Are you sure there isn't anywhere else you might like to go?" he asked aloud instead, still trying to suck up.

Duo took a moment to actually think about it. Should he or should he not continue to torture this man? Hmm, decisions, decisions…

"Nope, can't think of a thing!" he declared with a cheeky smile. It was more because he was tired than the fact that Tsubarov looked like he was on his last legs. Even though he was younger and more energetic than this slob of a man, even he had his limits.

"If you are sure," Tsubarov said, acting as if he could go on a little bit longer while performing a happy dance in his head, "where would you like me to drop you off."

Taking a look around at the passing scenery, Duo decided that he wanted to get away from this man as soon as possible. "Here's fine."

Tsubarov didn't even try to reason with him. "Well, before you go, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Oh boy, here it was, the hidden string attached. What did this asshole have up his sleeve this time? Was he going to try and bribe him again? Wouldn't be the first time he tried. Last time he tried, he had wanted Duo to give up the child support money that he was owed.

"There is this deal that I am in charge in," Tsubarov explained. "It is very important, not only to the company but to me as well."

"What do you want?" Duo hissed, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"I would really appreciate it if you could use whatever influence you have with Raberba Winner and…persuade him to see things my way, Romafellor's way if you will," Tsubarov explained eagerly.

"Why should I help you?" Duo demanded, body tense.

"I did treat you to this fabulous day, didn't I?" Tsubarov stated. "What more could you want?"

"Nothing material that you could offer," Duo snarked. "Stop the car, I want out."

Eyes lighting up with an idea, Tsubarov smirked. "I see what you want."

"No you don't," Duo snapped. "You never did."

"You want a father figure," Tsubarov continued blithely. "I don't know why I didn't see if before. I think you're going to like my new offer."

"You just never give up, do you?" Duo muttered.

"If you help me and this deal goes through, I will give you the thing that you want most," Tsubarov declared. "I will acknowledge you as my son and rightful heir to my estate. You will get to come home and live with me. What do you say?"

Duo froze, one foot out the car door. Those words, he had waited so long to hear those words, so long that he gave up, doubting that he would ever hear them. As a young boy, it had been more than a hope but a dream, a glorious fantasy that only a child come imagine, one that had never attempted to come true. Now, after all this time, he finally heard the words that he had craved to hear as a little boy and now…

Slowly, he turned to face the man that had sired and abandoned him. "It's a bit too late for that," he stated coldly. "Go fuck yourself asshole and go to hell."

Not allowing himself to listen to Tsubarov any longer, he got out of the limo as fast as he could and slammed the door harshly behind him. With long strides, he sought to distance himself from the limo that held his biological father.

Tsubarov did nothing though. He remained where he sat but instead of the characteristic fury that would have enveloped his face. Instead, there was a thoughtful look.

"Not before you do," Tsubarov said to himself. "Driver! Take me home," he ordered.

So his plan was a bust. No problem. He always had a contingency plan incase the first went up in flames. He hadn't gotten as far as he had by being a moron, after all.

Once he got back to his home, he would need to make a few calls…