Title: In These Attics
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Duo + Milliardo
Notes: Challenge 191. Baby Series 4 #31. Takes place following Fantastic Adventures.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Extended Length
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: In These Attics
"Compasses, mermaids and whales, eh?" Duo stared into the depths of the attic and after a moment shook his head slightly. "Can't say that I have come across something as striking as that, but I have barely scratched the surface. I don't come here looking for something specific, as a general rule. I just come and start walking, letting my fingers do the exploring and allow something to just catch my eye."
"It is probably the best way to enjoy this place. Perhaps the only way, but this all needs to be sorted, catalogued. There may be treasures here stolen from other families and they should be identified. Photographs will be needed of every single item in here, in a bid to identify pieces and to whom they belonged."
"Ah."
Milliardo inclined his head slightly to observe the crestfallen look and he could not help but smile. Duo no doubt saw his own private wonderland vanishing before his eyes, and was probably regretting bringing him up here. But taking away this wonderland was not Milliardo's intention and he rested his hand on the younger man's broad shoulder.
"So what do you think? How good are your photography skills?"
"Eh?"
"I would not have just anyone know what lies in these attics, my friend. You would be staggered to know how much some of this is valued at, and some of it, historically speaking, would be considered to be priceless. It is a matter of security that not everyone should know exactly what is up here, so I need someone I can trust to do the initial work. When we have a photographic record of the pieces, we can begin the task of identifying where each piece came from. I will have Pagan close off the attic entrances to all but a select few."
"I get to do the work?"
"In your free time. I don't want to take all of the enjoyment out of exploring this place though, so it is on an entirely voluntary basis. I will compensate you, of course, and the work at the power station complex takes precedence, but given work on the power station is so slow at the moment because of the season, we might be able to get at least a short catalogue of photographs for an investigation team to begin to track down."
Those blue eyes were dark in the poor lighting but they gleamed with delight as he looked out into the dim distance. Milliardo could see his mind working in the glinting of those bright eyes and the subtle twitching of his fingers. Duo Maxwell was calculating time, effort and expenditure and pure unadulterated enjoyment garnered in such work.
"I spend half the night wandering around the palace twiddling my thumbs. No biggy, I'll enjoy it."
"I was hoping you would not mind having the odd evening's company?" Milliardo ran his eyes over the view again. "I'll have to get Pagan to do something with the lights though."
"Nah, it's okay. Section by section would be best, so I'll just change the globe in the immediate area being worked on. Save power that way, it's fine." He spun to face the King and his eyes gleamed. "You really meant it, didn't you? I get to go through this stuff?"
"Yes, Duo, I meant it. I might need to find you a GPS unit though, at the very least an old fashioned compass. I would not wish to lose you in amidst this mess."
"Oh funny, har de har har." Duo smirked and inhaled deeply before spluttering into a coughing fit. "Yeah, masks as well, and dusters. Plenty of dusters."
End
Karina Robertson 2012