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"Here's to Us"Written By: Presser Pairings : 1x2 Disclaimer : Gundam Wing characters aren't mine Rating : PG-13 except for part 12 which is NC-17 Warnings : AU, some sap, some fluff, some angst. Spoilers: None Feedback : Yes please!
"Here's to Us"
~ 2 ~ Duo stood scanning titles in the exercise section of Miranda's Book Nook. He didn't notice Miranda walk up until she stood right beside him. "Help you find something?" "Oh! Miranda! You startled me." "Sorry. It looked like you were deep in thought. Most people aren't so entranced by exercise." "No, it's not that. I've just had a bit on my mind lately." Duo shook his head as if to clear it. "I'm interested in getting back in shape, but most of these books are about yoga or running or things you do by yourself." "Sounds like you need a class, not a book." Miranda brushed strands of light brown and gray out of her eyes. "Yeah. I guess I'd respond more to a group effort. I'm not too good at self-starting." "Oh, now that's not true, Duo. Look at what you've done with The Emporium. I'd say that's a pretty big self-starter project." Miranda smiled broadly. "That doesn't count, Miranda. That's business; that's my livelihood." Duo smiled back. "Maybe you should try kendo." "Kendo?" "It's a Japanese martial art. 'The way of the sword,' I think it means. There's a martial arts studio over on Bruner Avenue that teaches it." "Really. I was just reading about martial arts in a magazine last week." Duo grew thoughtful. "How do you know about it?" "Oh, there are always flyers of some sort by the cash register. Someone from the studio must have come by and asked if they could leave a few. You want me to get one for you?" "That'd be great." Duo sighed. "I don't think I'm going to find what I want here." Miranda turned and walked to the front of the shop. Duo called after her. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I want to check out your cooking section again." * * * Duo headed to the front of the Book Nook with a slim volume entitled "The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie" tucked under his arm. As Miranda checked him out at the cash register, a friend walked by. "Quatre! Good to see you again." "Oh, hey, Duo. Yeah, it's been a while. I've been buried in term papers this week." "That's where professors are supposed to be, right?" A wide grin spread across Duo's face." "Tell me about it." Quatre ran his fingers through blond hair that brushed the collar of his shirt. "Well, when you need a break, drop by the shop. I'll make you a nice latte." "Give me time to get through mid-terms, and I'll take you up on that!" "Good! See you later, Quatre." Duo put his hand on Quatre's shoulder and squeezed gently. The other man smiled and then walked into the shop. "Didn't you and Quatre used to be an item?" Miranda said. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess." "What happened?" "Nothing much. I mean, I think that's why we broke up. Nothing much happened." Duo sighed again. "Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever find someone, Miranda." "You will, Duo. Just don't give up. Keep looking. Somewhere there's the right man for you." "Hope so." Duo smiled weakly. "Guess I should get going. I take Wednesday afternoons off, but the shop opens again at five." Duo picked up the plastic bag containing his purchase and headed to the door. "Wait. Don't forget your flyer." "Flyer?" "For the kendo." "Right." Duo took the flyer from Miranda and dropped it into his bag. "Thanks." "Come again." "You, too, Miranda. I know how you love my carrot cake." Duo grinned. "Like I need it," Miranda smirked. Duo's grin widened as he headed through the door. Duo turned left on the street, headed for The Emporium.
He sauntered past other shops on main street in his small town, the
florist, the hardware store, the little post office. As he reached
the front door of his own place, the sun broke through gray clouds
for the first time that afternoon. The warm rays on his back felt
good in the early autumn air. Duo pulled keys from his pocket and
unlocked the door, automatically pausing inside to turn the sign hanging
there from 'closed, please call * * * "Has he been back?" Rachel asked with bright eyes. "Who?" Duo said as he cleared dishes from the table. "Your Japanese friend." "Well, I wouldn't call him a friend." "Not yet, anyway." "Look, Rachel, I know you really want to 'find me a man,' as they say, but I'm fine. I don't mind waiting for the right guy to come along." "You are /not/ fine, Duo Maxwell. You're lonely." "And you would know how?" "I see the look in your eyes when you don't think anyone's looking." "Oh, so you're spying on me, now, is that it?" Rachel blushed. "No, no, I'm not - I mean I don't -" Rachel sputtered as she grasped at the right words. "Just hold on a moment. I'll be back." Duo finished bussing dishes, checked with his other customers, then returned to Rachel's table. "So where's Jason tonight?" "Oh, he's definitely not interested in lectures. Especially not about the civil war." "By the way, why /do/ they call it that? "What?" "It was hardly civil...." Rachel laughed out loud. "Oh, Duo, you're so silly sometimes. And don't change the subject!" "What subject?" "We were talking about you." Duo raised an eyebrow. "Before you checked on your other customers. You're lonely, and I'm determined to help you solve that problem." "Yeah, I know," Duo said under his breath. Rachel's eyes turned puppy doggy; she stuck out her lower lip. "Look, Rach, I appreciate what you try to do for me, but I sort of think it's something I have to do on my own. You know?" "I know, Duo, I know. It's just that I can't stand seeing you so lonely." "Rachel. I - I can't deny I have my moments, but I think I have a pretty good life. I love what I do, and I get a constant stream of rather nice people through the shop. I have plenty of friends in the community." "And are you convinced that that's enough? That you don't want someone to cuddle on the couch with after the work is done?" "You know, if Jason were here, he'd kick your butt for talking this way to me." "So it's a good thing he's not, right?" Rachel smiled. Duo smiled in return. "Tell ya what. When I find the guy for me, I'll
make sure you get an introduction, okay? Till then, why not let me
figure this out for myself? I'm a big boy, okay?" Duo took Rachel's
hand and squeezed it gently. "Now finish your coffee and get
back home to your husband. Don't want him thinking that there's something
more than friendship between us!" Rachel "Go take care of your customers!" Duo smiled broadly as he stood and moved behind the counter to check out a couple of guests. TBC |
