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"Greeting Cards"Written By: Kaeru Shisho Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Gundam Wing
or its characters, nor do I make any monetary profit off this story. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Yaoi, funeral practices, AU, fluff Pairings: 1+4, 1x2x1, 3+H, 5xH, 3x4, 6x9 Summary: Each chapter is based on Heero’s
greeting cards and Duo's mortuary. "Greeting Cards "
Chapter 25 -- December Wonder, Part 2 I could see my boyfriend leaning against the lamppost, a piece of luggage at his feet and a smile threatening at the corners of his mouth. Man, that just-out-of-bed hair, and strong, lean body was mine to love and did I know I was lucky! I could see his lips move so I rolled down the window. "Hey, beautiful. Wanna go for a drive?" he drawled. I smiled at Heero's attempt to sound casual, or a least less stilted than usual. Must have been the bowling that had loosened him up a bit. We had put the play behind us and had gone out earlier in the week for dinner and bowling. 'Ro was good at the sport, as he seemed to be at anything he attempted, and I was okay, so it was a good kind of date. This, however, was to be a romantic getaway, courtesy of Heero's bonus check. "Ooh, I love a smooth-talking guy with bowling moves. Well, more so than a smooth-talking guy with moving bowels." His face scrunched up. "That is a terrible pickup line." "Sorry. How about 'hop in, babe'?" "Better." He stood, hand on the driver's door and stared. Hard. "I think it is my secret hideaway we are going to." "Right you are!" I unlatched my seatbelt and cross-legged it over to the passenger spot, thankful to be both flexible and agile. He tossed a small overnight bag into the back and slipped into the driver's seat, leaned over, and kissed me experimentally. Things were private so I grabbed his neck and pulled him in for a real kiss. God, I felt needy all of a sudden—in need of a good lay. That would have to wait a little longer. He broke away and threw the car into gear. I glanced into the back seat. "So, I figure you gotcher a change of clothes in there?" "I packed a bag, just in case you were worth the trouble." His smile was more of a smirk. He kept his eyes straight ahead. "Uh, huh. I'm worth lots of trouble." I smiled and stretched my legs and arms, giving him a good look at what I had. His eyes left the road and swept over me, stripping me from head to foot. "Some trouble," he allowed. We exchanged smiles over that, and to keep up the playful mood I asked, "You're driving us away someplace for the night, right?" "Yes, for the night and the next day until you tell me you have to get back to the morgue. Sound acceptable to you?" "Yeah. Can't wait." "But you will." While he drove, I searched the floor for a CD, whistling. I was in good spirits and wondered what kind of surprises my sexy boyfriend had in store for me this time. Boyfriend. That sounded nice, so I said it again, in my head, not aloud or 'Ro woulda thought I was crazy. Boyfriend. 'Course... 'Ro was one quirky boy to befriend, too. A greeting card designer—no-- an artist who liked to do fun and dangerous things. He also liked to take me out to cool places, so I'd packed a change of clothes and a toothbrush. And some condoms and lube with unconcealed motive; at least, I hoped I didn't need to make a secret about my feelings, my desire for him. Even though we hadn't repeated our one time fucking experience, with all the effort he was putting into making this outing special, I didn't think he was going to put off another go at it tonight. That had been something. A big deal for both of us. He seemed to be into it, but never tried it again. Or talked about it. It had been exciting watching him bridle his desires in order to please me longer. But now I really wanted him to take me hard, and I wanted him. I wanted that intimacy with him that we had been skirting around. And, man, did Heero just ooze sexuality behind the wheel of a car. What was he expecting from me, I wondered? If I was reading him correctly, and I believed I was, then I would have to help him overcome some anxieties. Maybe I hadn't prepped him good enough, or maybe Ty had hurt him too bad. I dunno, but I hoped letting him drive would help build up his self-image. He liked driving, that was for sure, and soon we hit the highway. I cracked open my window and let the breeze ruffle my bangs. The evening was markedly cooler than the day had been, and the air was dry with the stars visible and bright as dusk deepened into night. I took a deep breath. "Winter. It smells like ice; and it's dark already." "Correct. The first day of winter is only a few weeks away." "Don't remind me," I said, groaning. "I'm not in the mood for snow." "No? I thought you would like shoveling walks, slogging trough waist-deep drifts looking for cadavers." "Uh, uh. Not for me. I like it in the middle, like a lizard. Not too hot, not too cold." "You said that before, but I see you in front of a fire on a blanket." Now I did, too. "Yeah...yeah, that would be perfect, if I add you to that picture. Our place, ya know?" "Maybe. I think our house-hunting plans will have to wait until we see how this little party on Zodiac Island pans out first." "You think that will happen soon?" I asked. "Yes." Okay. "You don't say?" That was his cue to share what he knew about what we'd be doing next on Zodiac Island. Or not. Tap, tap, tap. My fingernails intervened, counting out the seconds. Tippity, tap, tap. He said nothing. Time's up. I could give him another opportunity to tell me what was up. "Zechs has dropped a few hints at work, when he's graced the place with his presence, but nothing firm's been decided." Hint, hint. I guess Heero needed to think more about the island intrigue, which was all right. I didn't like to be nagged about things I didn't want to talk about either. I'd get him in a weaker moment, heh, heh... We rode in silence for a long while. I recognized where we were. Cruisin' the coast road, ocean and fading sunset to the right, forested mountains to the left—what could be better? "We're staying on the ocean?" "Not exactly. There are cottages inland that overlook a lake and one in particular should have a very nice view of the moon rising over it tonight." I liked the sound of that. I glanced over to see 'Ro's profile. His hair rippled slightly in the wind. His lightly-tanned skin shone pale in the dim light from the dashboard, while his shoulders and chest were cast in purpling shadows. His was attractiveness rare in men with his deep blue, Asian eyes, Western nose, and a firm jaw, masculine not beefy. "This is it." If Solo had been my summer sun, glowing with health and vigor, then Heero was now my winter moon, partially masked in mists and mystery, imaginative and deadly. The image shook me with its intensity, but I found that the comparison suited him and, on further rumination, didn't disturb me deeply. He stopped at the office to check in and gather the keys before parking at one of the private log cabins. Inside the cabin was a small kitchenette, already stocked with a few items. I yanked open the curtains covering the expansive picture window and revealed a beautiful panorama. "Oh, wow. This is cool. I see the moon rising through the trees." He flopped onto the bed, legs dangling over the end, arms wide, beckoning me to join him. "You can see it from here even better." I looked him over, but didn't budge. "Fire first." He tried again. "Come here, love." "Don't worry. I'm a great and fast fire builder. See? One twist of the valve and a match and presto! Gas fireplaces rock." I wanted my damned romantic fire! "Duo." The fire roared and I turned it down to lick at the artificial logs. "Perfect, huh?" "Not for me." He did look lonely on that bed. He sounded really pathetic, too. "En route." This time I moved between his bent legs and looked down my nose at his smiling face. "I'm here." "Time to sleep?" he asked. "Why? You tired?" I asked. "No." "I'm such a tease." I fluttered my eyelashes at him. "I am going to get you one day." "I know." I crawled over him a bit and whispered, "And it will be so hot." He reached up, smoothing my arms with his hands a few times before pulling me down on top on him for a meaningful kiss. He felt solid beneath me and our jeans made raspy noises when our legs moved. After a delicious interlude, I broke away to breathe. "Undress me," he ordered in a voice gone husky. Shit, that got me more excited. I licked my lips and he inhaled sharply. "Starting with my shirt," he continued patiently, leading my hands to the top button, but moving no further. "And I want you to feel every inch of my body," he said. "You, ah, do?" I asked. This sounded fun. "Do you want me?" he asked. He was doing a bang-up job of sounding seductive. "Ya ya ya...yes." While I sounded dopey, I bet. Didn't matter. I had him and me out of our shirts lickety-split. "All right, um, stop," he said. "Huh, what?" I asked slightly out of breath. "I get to do this." He shoved me backwards, pinning me against the mattress, and attacked me with kisses, nipping, nibbling at my lips, jaw, whatever he could reach. "Oh, god, 'Ro. Do it." He grabbed my leg and lifted it to the side of his waist. As my hands roamed his back pulling him closer, he thrust into me and knocked the clock radio off the bedside table. It shattered when it fell, the sudden sharp noise making me jump. "Don't worry about it," he said between kisses along my neck. "You're... sure?" I was panting and breathless. "Positive," he said giving me a small bite. I kissed him full out and his tongue filled my mouth. I felt him press into me harder. His weight was incredible. His hands were incredible. I felt his hands wander from my back all the way down to my ass and give a good firm squeeze. I broke the kiss and he looked like he was kissing the air for a second. "Um," I moaned. I could feel his hips grinding into mine. Of course by now our erections were rock solid, and clothing was still in the way. He noticed, too. "Clothes," he said in a voice more like a gasp. I pushed him off to the side, no mean trick, and he fell back on his butt. I crawled over him, keeping my head low until it reached his crotch and then slowly licked from his naked waistline up to his neck, sending him writhing and moaning under me. I kissed him with a peck, and then sat up and began to undo his belt. The look in his eyes was indescribable but amazing. It was like nature took over; we were doing all of this in silence. I undid his belt and slid his pants off, even his underwear. I didn't even think to look down because I was too focused on kissing him. The room was dim anyways and it wasn't a size competition, I just wanted to be with him. My jeans were magically on the floor beside his. Then I felt him reach back and slide down my boxers. I helped him out, kicking them to the ground. He had one hand behind my head as he kissed me deeply and leaned me back down onto the bed, with him on top. When he started grinding onto me, I felt like I was going to explode. And then he stopped. "I-I can't. I am so sorry, Duo, but I... cannot." "Can't...what?" WHAT!? He rolled onto his back and threw an arm across his eyes. I could feel his misery spinning off him and entangling me. It had to be bad to interrupt sex with the moon, lake, and fire crackling nearby. Somehow Heero psyched himself up to take charge and then he can't go through with it because of... what? It had to be Ty Keel. That brutalizer was butting into our bed, uninvited, and there was no way I was doing a threesome with that asshole piece of crap. "I'm not him. Ty. I'm not going to force you, babe." He removed the arm and met my eyes. "I...know. It's just...hard." "Hard while he's in here." I tapped his head. "I can practically feel him pushing me outta the way." Heero glared over my shoulder. "Push back." "I'm no shrink, so I don't know any magic words to fix what he did to you, but what I can do is guide you step-by-step through the art of love making." "I know what to do; you know that." "Love making. L-O-V-E." "Sta-ay with me." His voiced cracked. "Eye's on me, babe. He can't be here, if all you see is me." He gave me one of his clipped nods for a 'yes', and then he reached over to the night table and grabbed a bottle of lubricant with its seal intact. So he had thought to bring some, too, I thought. He opened it quickly with his mouth (nice trick, 'Ro) and poured a generous amount into the palm of his hand. He then lowered his hand down to the space between us and he began to rub some of the lube into the cleft of my ass, finding the right spot eventually. And then some on himself. I just lay on my back, retaining eye contact, and letting him explore me first before launching any move of my own. We paused often to appreciate the full moon rising over the lake, and bask in moonbeams shining through the window. Not that I was the teacher all the time. He was so artful that I never fully realized when we'd traded places and it wasn't me who was directing the action. He made it seem as if I were the primary one choosing positions or actions. Always so caring. I treasured every moment and discovered all over again how deeply in love I was with him. I delighted in his reactions; his absolute enjoyment of my every caress and his encouragement for me to try more. I felt that this love making was something we were pretty good at and should enjoy on a more frequent basis. He was so appealing with his lithe, lean body and hard, smooth muscles, which rippled as I ran my hands over his chest or along his thigh. A night and a morning seemed a short time to lie with him. Parting the next day would be a challenge. Parting to go home alone would be harder still. And it would continue to be until we found a house to share. Together. I decided, when I was lying awake sometime in the wee hours watching 'Ro breathe, the last of the moonlight painted his resting form in still life, that he was more important to me than anything else, even the morgue. That pleasant thought eased my mind as I passed back into dreamland. And the return to reality was slow in coming. The next day, both of us were floating on a cloud of euphoria. I was certain of his affections and he sure as hell knew I adored him, which was all that mattered at the moment. If we were meant for each other then there would be time later for the telling of future hopes, dreams, and commitments, if. We had slept in late, missed breakfast, and now were weighing the importance of eating over lazing about. Eating required getting up, dressing, and driving for lunch, while lazing required doing practically nothing. I chose lazing, which was an indicator of how infatuated I'd become. By one in the afternoon, however, I was forced to snap back to reality and declare the 'date' over. We showered, changed, and packed up to leave. "We'll drive a little and stop for lunch. That sound okay to you?" "Yes," Heero said, sighing. "Hey, don't look so glum. The week will be over in no time and then you know what?" "My big début in the art world. All right, I'm packed, but definitely not ready to go. I would like to do it again, soon." His suggestive attitude left no doubts as to what he meant, but he added just in case, "Making love to you by the moonlight is second to none." "Yeah, I make a place pretty special, don't I?" I laughed on my way out the door. "You have no idea," I heard him whisper. Me and him left the cabin wearing shit eating grins. That's when he decided to kiss me openly, in public, right outside the building. "Are you nuts? Someone might see us!" I said. "A risk I am willing to take now." Before I could do anything he leaned in and kissed me. When his lips touched mine softly there was a spark. Like getting hit by lightning! I didn't do anything at first and he was slowly kissing me and I was beginning to feel foolish just standing there. So I started to kiss back. I felt his arm go behind me and hold me close to him as he kissed me passionately. By now it was full on make out and I was beginning to feel like I was going to faint. I pulled away from him and he took my hand in his. He continued to kiss it frequently. All the way to lunch, and then after when he dropped me at the morgue. (o) I took Heero to his art show's grand opening early. It was either that or Relena would have given him a ride and I wanted to be the one he could count on. This meant scheduling the work so I could leave the morgue early, get home, shower, and change clothes before appearing at the Peacecraft residence. Zechs hadn't shown for work that day, making me suspect he'd gone hunting up more trouble in his attempt to tie all our cases together. He was sly and clever and likely in command of oodles of information I'd be interested in, but not tonight. Tonight, I only wanted 'Ro on my mind. "'Lo, babe." Man, he looked good in a navy suit and white shirt open casually at the neck. "Hi." He crushed my lips with a possessive kiss at the door, and so stifled the conversation for a bit. When he let me up for air, it was because his cell phone was buzzing. "Five minute warning." "Warning for what? Duo's no-air limit?" The corner of his lips flicked up, then back. "Do I look okay?" "You'd look okay in sweats. You look great, outstanding in a suit. You'd look arty with a long white scarf draping--" "No scarf." I blinked. He sounded so... intense, to put it mildly. I knew then I'd touched on something sensitive. Time for a diversion. "How about me? Do I pass muster?" "Yes. I didn't know you owned a suit that wasn't black." "Oh, yeah? Was that a joke, 'cause if it was--?" I didn't get to finish that thought either, but who was I to complain when being gently mauled by my boyfriend? "Am I done?" I asked. "I don't know," he said. "Are you?" "In a word, I am not at all done." "That's six words," he said. Ignoring him, I was about to say he needed a flower in his lapel or something when a beep from said boyfriend's irritating cell phone signaled, "Let's go." We arrived early, as Relena had requested. It gave her a chance to walk Heero around, let him get accustomed to seeing his pieces on the walls. I toured alone. I had to give the lady this much—she sure could give a party. Dramatic lighting against the glowing carved woods, some wonderful background music, and the posh interior decor made this one elegant exhibit. Prominently posted at the entry in a glass wall case, I found the schedule for the one-week event: Hiro Yuy-- artist Saturday 3:00pm Art Show Opens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main doors opened 6:00pm Refreshments Bar Opens. . . . . . . . . . . . . Offering full bar and selected wines 7:00pm Art Show Closes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main doors closed Gallery open for viewing Sunday-Friday 12:00 noon to 6:00pm Saturday 11:00am Art Show Opens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main doors opened 12:00pm Refreshments Bar Opens. . . . . . . . . . . . Offering full bar and selected wines 3:45pm Art Show Closes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Main doors closed 4:oopm Art Pick Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Purchased artwork may be picked-up So official! The opening tonight was exclusively by invitation, and was the only time Heero would be required to attend and mix with the crowd. Relena hoped he'd like it so much that he'd return for the closing sales. I wasn't so sure. Heero really liked his privacy and avoided crowds. I could see the two of them deep in discussion over the ordering of a few pictures, which from what I could figure, were grouped seasonally. He must have won the argument (Was there any question that he would?) because now he was repositioning floral pictures between "spring" and "summer". I was still standing at the starting point, winter. Of course, Heero's artwork looked terrific, each card mounted in a frame. Not only the one he had made for me, but hundreds of others, some blown up to poster size and framed to look like the masterpieces they were. Mostly, Relena had chosen his Asian-inspired art to enlarge as focal points for the exhibit. These weren't his favorites, but they were...wow. You couldn't read what was inside the cards, because the interiors were hidden, something Heero set as a requirement, as my name often appeared in the inscriptions. I thought this was a shame since his poetry was good, but only for a second. A glimmer of gold caught my eye and I looked skywards. Relena had taken the poetic lines and had them printed out in large fancy gold lettering that circled the main showroom. I recognized them at once. I had read and re-read the words many times, committing them to memory. "Can you catch my heart?" "Can you win my heart, while you're chasing rainbows?" "Don't be fooled into mismatches, limiting your chances for the genuine." "Friendship grows, from which sometimes love blossoms" "Look again or love escapes your notice. Wait too long and it escapes your grasp." "You've captured my mind, my heart, my imagination, and yet I feel liberated. Hold me and never let me go!" "May I be there to share each day's journey and bring you closer to your dreams?" "May love bind us through sickness and in health though death do us part." "Thrill me, chill me, haunt my heart forever." "Adore me, treasure me, never let me go." "Duo?" Heero's voice contained that note of urgency and alarm I hadn't expected so soon. Maybe he just needed to hear some reassurances from me. I jumped at the sound of his voice in my ear, his hands resting on my shoulders. "Whoa! I musta been in dreamland. What is it, babe? Your stuff looks sensational." His eyes traced the line of the ceiling. "I didn't say she could use the poetry." "Yeah, well, we didn't stop her either. When you loaned them to her, you knew she'd open them up and read what you'd written, did you? It's pretty romantic." "Yes. I wanted her to. I wanted her to know how I felt about you. You don't mind?" "Her knowing? Hell, no. Saves me the trouble of having to define my territory and lets me gloat." He nodded, but I could tell something more was bothering him, so I asked, "What else?" "It exposes us." Ah, so it did. He noticed my hesitation and misinterpreted it as anxiety, and added quickly, "I'll put a stop to this whole thing, if you are uncomfortable about that." Oh, yeah. What with me glued to his side and holding hands, it was clear for whom the words of love were intended. God, it made me so proud that a talent like his included me. I drew him into an embrace and kissed him lightly. He relaxed in my arms and we remained like that a moment before I eased back to say, "Do you know how much it means to me that you don't mind acknowledging us so publicly?" "You're ready for this? It could hurt your business. You told me that." "And now I don't care. I figure, once Trowa's my full partner, I can't ask him and Quatre to hide what they've got going. And... I can face those kinds of people now, those obstacles, with your support." His face lit up. "Then this is all for you-- like a monument to you of how I feel." Oh, God, what did I ever see in a selfish man like Solo? Heero and I just stood with my hands on his waist and his on my shoulders with what were probably goofy smiles on our faces, lost in a world we just created, until a discrete cough grounded me again. Relena was watching us, curious about gay men, I assumed. We were just like other men, only not hung up on pleasing women. I could be polite to her, though, so I dropped my hold and turned her way to acknowledge her existence. "This looks fantastic, 'Lena. You have done a professional job of it." She beamed approval. "Thank you, Duo. It was a labor of love from beginning to end." Especially end. Emphasize the "end" part. Oh, and while you're at it, de-emphasize the love. "It's just too bad I don't have the latest December card." If she was hunting for it, too bad. Even I hadn't seen it. "Me neither," I confided, "But you have winter pretty well covered." "I do, don't I? I love how the snow on the cherry blossoms of spring segues perfectly into the winter scenes." Heero rolled his eyes and reached for my hand. "Want a drink before the doors open?" "Bar's not open, dude," I said, showing him the schedule and laughing at his irritated expression. "You'll do fine. I'll take you out back the minute you think the masses are moving in on you." "I hope you mean that," he said. "I gotcher back always, babe." We strolled the gallery a few more times, missing the door-opening moment, enjoying the place to ourselves, until we noticed a few well-dressed men and women sauntering by. A little reverb signaled someone was going to use the microphone, and since it wasn't either of us, it had to be our hostess. And there she was. A hush silenced the throng. Where had all these people come from? Dripping in diamonds, wrapped in silk like filthy rich packages, Heero's customers crushed us into a corner. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen." Relena stood at the podium in the crowded room and proceeded to greet the gathering. "Thank you for joining me today." "By consistently offering exceptionally high quality art work in a multitude of subject matters and media, specifically created and produced for the Peacecraft Art Shows, we are able to please the diversified tastes of art enthusiasts all over Sanc." "Let me introduce this week's featured artist. Originally from the Asian community of L1, Mr. Hiro Yuy's work will seem familiar to you, I'm sure, if you have ever been the lucky recipient of one of his exclusive custom cards." I helped extract Heero from our hiding place and lead him to the podium. I stood near as he shuffled beside Relena to acknowledge the introduction with a simple, "Thank you for coming." "Mr. Yuy will be here for you to meet and answer your questions," Relena said, smiling continually to make up for Heero's nervous scowl, I guessed. "Anyone who has ever attended a Peacecraft Sponsored Art Show understands the meaning of "The Peacecraft Experience." It is more than a visual show. It touches all of your senses. The feeling you get when viewing the incredible art within the confines of the finest of Sanc's galleries cannot be duplicated anywhere. " "ALL artwork, purchased or not, must remain in the gallery until closing of the show on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS! Special arrangements to pick up purchased art following the art show are available. "We will be happy to ship most purchased artwork. Please speak to a sales representative at our sales counter during the show for details." We eventually got our hands on a glass of wine- Heero a bubbly red and me a, ah, bubbly pink. Well, it started out as a dry white wine and I drank half, but then 'Ro didn't like his choice and poured some into my glass and, presto! Pink with bubbles. Which wouldn't have mattered except that Relena gravitated over. "Where did you get that? I love Chamboix !" she gushed. "I'll get you one," I said. I could be gallant and, hey, I got the guy. I could be a gracious winner. I turned up the charm and talked the lady pouring the drinks to make up a bubbly pink "for Miss Relena". By the end of the night, everyone was sipping the new Peacecraft Gallery favorite, the "Miss Relena." No one else could remember a name like "Chamboix" either. Heh, heh...I'm so good. When I first noticed Heero getting a little fidgety, I should have taken him home. That's the cool thing about retrospect—it oozes wisdom. What I thought instead was that he was stretching his comfort barriers damned well and could stretch a bit more. Relena walked over with a man on her arm. "Heero, I'd like you to meet one of the gallery's more generous donors, Mr. Volpinex." Mr. Volpinex had apparently been our age when he'd died, several thousand years ago, and in the depths of the pyramid been given this simulacrum of life. The ancient chemists had dyed his flesh a dark, unhealthy tan, and painted his teeth with that cheap, gloss white enamel used in rent-controlled apartments. His black suit was surely some sort of oil by-product. His smile was another. I looked askance at Heero, who mouthed, "undead." To cover for him, I extended my hand to shake. "I'm Duo Maxwell of the mortuary fame. How do you do?" "Yes." His hand was as dry as stranded driftwood and his eyes never left Heero. "We were wondering, Heero," Relena said to further cover the awkward moment with what had the potential to be even worse, "if you could do something special, for his birthday?" Heero may be a bit out there at times, creating his own imaginary scenarios, but then there are other times when he can interpret what others say at face value, which he did on this occasion, and act without question. He peeled a white napkin from a stack on a side table, conjured up his magic pen from the air around us, and proceeded to whip out a sketch. "Um," Relena said to stop him, "I think he means to order a—" The animated un-dead creature stopped her. "I want to see this." Naturally, this wouldn't cost him a penny! On the napkin, there appeared a star with twinkle lines and outlines like hills and a trail of footprints disappearing into the distance. "In winter there's a birthday you're perfect for," Heero said. I had to lean in close as he printed, "I understand that when you were born—" He flipped open the napkin and jotted, "three wise men left town." "Here." He handed the napkin Volpinex. "I am," he said with the smile of a bone grinder, then looked up at Relena for help. "Honored. Oh, Heero! You gave him an original and for free! How thoughtful!" This activity drew a crowd and one man looked at the card with interest. "Not bad." He grinned at Heero and rammed a napkin in his direction. "Let's see what you have for me. I own the Marlie dried fruit plant in town." Heero nodded curtly then got down to it. "Up with the sun and on the run," appeared on the inside of the napkin decorated with a crowing cock on a fencepost by a fruit tree. The horrified expression on Relena's face was worth the price of admission, believe me, but the fruit man thought it was hilarious and thought he might use it in an ad, with Heero's permission and a contract, of course. "Hey, Rolly! Come over here." Now we had Mr. Rollings, the owner of Sanc's largest bank, lumbering over. "Oh, Heero... be nice. He is a very important man." Relena really had desperate supplication down with those watery blue eyes and quivering lip. "I am nice." I couldn't have put it better. Heero's smile had a strange pulled look as he scribbled out another card. This one had a stretch limo on the cover, which read, "I upped my income five percent last year." Inside he finished it off with a pithy, "Up yours." "Here you are." Heero's smile was positively evil now. "Anyone else?" he asked of Relena, who looked as if she wished they hadn't even started this exercise. "Lady Dobblemaster!" The Prune man, who seemed to be the most amused of them all, wheeled around a bitter-faced old lady, perhaps the result of a fruit-drier accident. She stared up at Heero from her wheelchair. "Is this the best you can do with your time?" She waved a flabby arm about like a fledgling bird, or... plucked chicken. "Yes," Heero told her with no elaboration. He was busy decorating a card with what turned out to be a yawning grave. Nice. Inside, the card said, "Drop in anytime." I heard a gasp from the withered stick at my elbow, and felt a tug at my sleeve. "Duo." It was Relena bobbing her head toward the rear exit. "We still have another half hour," I told her. "Our promise." "New promise. Take him." And I would, later. I didn't think she meant right here and now, heh, heh. Heero seemed pleased with his performance overall and with the outcome, which allowed us an early retirement. He accompanied me out the door with a lift in his step. "There is one card that isn't on display tonight," he told me, smiling slyly. I could see the corner of a card peeking from his pocket. "Mine." Of course it was. "For December." "Follow me for your reward." I did. And it was spectacular. There were other holiday cards on display for the winter. Christmas, naturally, seemed well represented, but mine was white and silvery with glassy glitter like snow on pine branches. It even smelled like pine. "You scented this?" I asked. He shrugged. "A little. Go on and open it." The paper was thick, shiny white inside with candy cane striped lettering asking: "Will you marry me and free my aching heart?" And there I stood, Heero's expectant eyes on me, waiting for an answer. In the distance, the hubbub of Sanc's elite enjoying their drinks and the artwork seemed a world away. Here I had a marriage proposal in my hands, from the love of my life, and I couldn't think of what to say. No words came. "Duo?" And now I couldn't even meet his eyes knowing how my hesitation was worrying him. So I said, "No."
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