Title: Refuge
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Zechs + Duo + Wu Fei
Notes: Challenge 214. Baby Series 4 #100. Takes place approximately an hour following To Dream.
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: Refuge
'We are One. One People. We came from many lands, in the past and the present, but in Sanc we found common ground. Those who came before us saw something here that was beyond the call of the land that reared them. They recognised it and in turn left their mark. What was it they found? What was it they saw here than made them stay? Here They saw hope. Hope. Hope that there was more to be found than scrambling around in a never ending hunt for wealth. Hope that there was more to be found than the bloodshed and destruction of conflict, that bitter purge and grab for power...'
He reached to turn off the radio and stretched slowly, luxuriously. Sometimes politicians vying for re-election actually said something intelligent. But that was the voice of the real world and he was not quite ready for that yet. It was rare for him to sleep more than a few hours and even rarer that he awoke feeling so refreshed and relaxed... and thoroughly revitalised.
He heard Duo stir, the curse as he found his braid caught tangled about the bunk post... And how had that happened? Amused at the mild cursing and the still sleepy grumbles from Chang as he went to assist Duo to free his hair, Milliardo sauntered toward the kettle.
A cup of tea for him and Chang, coffee for Duo... A perfect start to the day.
It would be wonderful if they could continue on like this. One small set of rooms, containing everything they could need. It was a refuge in which they were one in their mutual desire to escape from the real world and find something more... Intimate.
A dangerous word that he dared not use with any frequency, but it fitted for the night just past and he was in too mellow a mood to guard his thoughts as, perhaps, he should.
It was nice. The scrounge through the attics, the peaceful interlude as they cleaned up, sharing a post midnight snack in the small hours of the morning. That quiet time with just the three of them, undisturbed by the cares of the world. Their own private world.
It was a pity it was to be interrupted, but they each had responsibilities. They each had people relying on them. Real life, he mused, could never be ignored for long. But for a little while it was a relief to close it out and exist in a quieter, more pleasant time. He glanced over to the younger men and wondered briefly if they considered their time together as he did, or if it meant far less to them than it had to him.
It would be so easy to turn his back and walk away from all of the responsibility and seek out a quieter life. A simpler life. A few rooms, peace and quiet... and good company. But would they be so cowardly as he and wish to run away from the realities of life?
No, most likely not. And probably for much the same reason as he would not actually turn away. This was reality, harsh reality and there were people depending on him. To make life easier to live. No, he was not so much a coward as that and this was the latest hand that life had dealt him. He needed to live it, however it presented.
Sometimes life sucked, as Duo would say.
A sharp rap on the door and before any of them could speak it was thrust open and his valet entered, looking around the room and offering a disdainful sniff of disapproval.
"Master Pagan requested I bring you a change of clothing, Sir, and for Master Chang. Breakfast will be in the Blue Room in the presence of the Marquis Wayridge in thirty seven minutes. Mr. Maxwell, I am advised the city council has dispatched a new set of documentation for you to look over."
Milliardo grunted softly. He really did hate the man and Pagan had best hurry up and find him a more tolerable aide. "Mr. Maxwell will be joining us for breakfast. See to a set of appropriate clothes."
Duo glared at the closing door and huffed. "What am I, a bad smell lurking under his boot?"
End
Karina Robertson 2013