|
"Taking Care "Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU/Romance, Mild angst, fluff+sap=sticky/puffy
Gundam pilots nee? *ggggg*, mild language, mention of lemon Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, background 5x6x13
(mentioned) Summary: The new assistant caretaker of a local
orphanage and school finds his post a little more than interesting
when the resident demon livens up his life "Taking Care " Ch 1 *giggle* ‘Oh, my god! Get down!’ ‘Did he see us?’ *giggled* ‘Did you see his eyes?!’ *swoon, giggle* *giggle* ‘What’re you two letches up to?’ Duo asked curious as to what poor boy had become their target for the day. The two girls just about jumped clean out of their skin at the sound of his voice. ‘Geez! Don’t do that!’ Mariamaia growled clutching her rapidity thumping heart, her bright red bangs curling cutely in the odd contrast of her blue eyes. ‘Who’re you spying on?’ the braided boy pressed on peering out of the second story window the girls were using as a hunting blind. ‘The new assistant caretaker,’ Midii giggled resuming her station so she could see. ‘He looks so young,’ Mariamaia commented, a gentle sigh of adoration lingering in her youthful voice as she gazed down at the tousle headed young man that was rumored to have taken up office in their little, orphanage/home/school. The Maxwell Church wasn’t much but the home that had been donated to the old priest to house his life’s ambition, a home for orphaned and wayward children they called St. Helens Academy, adequately provided for them all. It wasn’t a large manor, just ten bedrooms, but it served its inhabitants well. The upstairs was home where the bedrooms acted as small apartments for the kids that lived there. The downstairs had been converted into several classrooms dedicated to the education of said inhabitants. Many of the town’s people also sent their children to attend the small school because of its exemplary standing in the community. It was quite exclusive, however, due to limited room so usually only the children that really needed to be there were admitted. ‘I heard he’s only seventeen,’ Midii gushed fawning over the window sill. ‘Still in school huh?’ Duo mused memorizing the supple curvature of the dark haired boy’s shoulders. He couldn’t see his face at that angle as he stood on the front path by a rather impressive looking black limo and spoke with their current Head Master. Father Maxwell. Duo had known the man since he was a small child having been the only resident of the house that had never been adopted in his twelve years at the orphanage. The old priest had given up on settling the braided boy with a family some years back finally just taking him in himself as his own son. He was the only child in the orphanage to bare the Fathers name though most people knew him best as Maxwell’s Demon. He’d earned the title over the years as one family after another returned him because of his impish ways. ‘I heard Noin tell Lady Une that he’s a Harvard graduate.’ Midii confessed sounding impressed. ‘Oooh. it’ll be so cool to have someone so well educated helping to mold and shape us.’ Mariamaia cooed clicking her teeth against the ball piercing in her tongue. ‘If he’s really a Harvard Grad I doubt he’s into thirteen year old girls.’ Duo reprimanded her. He got his first glimpse of the new caretakers face when he turned slightly to address his new boss. He couldn’t help but be a little impressed when the newcomer didn’t so much as flinch under the stern Lady’s glare. Lady Une wasn’t a bad person but it was well known to all that you didn’t want to get on her bad side. Most of the kids regarded her as if she were a witch or crone out to make them her midnight snack but Duo knew another side of the cross looking woman. Sometimes it was almost as if she were two entities residing in the same flesh. It was a lot of fun at parties. ‘Well, if that’s the case.’ the longhaired boy sighed. ‘Either he’s a lot older than he looks or he’s got way to much time on his hands,’ he surmised. ‘Now get,’ he told them nudging Midii in the ass with his foot to urge them along. ‘Second bells already rung.’ ‘Your not in class,’ Mariamaia groused picking her books up off a desk. ‘I have my own business,’ Duo grinned. ‘Yeah,’ Midii huffed rolling her dark brown eyes. ‘Like... I wonder what’ll turn up in the meatloaf today?’ she asked her friend sarcastically as they left the violet eyed imp to his work but whatever high jinx he had been planning had taken a backseat in light of the new arrival. He’d been told they would be receiving a new assistant caretaker but he was a little miffed that he hadn’t been informed of his arrival day and time. He would have liked the chance to prepare a … proper welcome... for their newest faculty member. He was taken with the fact that he looked so very young from up there and wondered if the rumor of his age was true or not. He got his answer when the newcomers dark blue eyes sifted somehow capturing his gaze as they looked at each other for the first time. Duo was vaguely aware of seeing Father inadvertently introducing him as he motioned towards his still figure framed by the second story window. It was so odd how the boy’s gaze never faltered. It was like looking into the eyes of a bird of prey, deep, calculating and impossible to look away from. The blue eyed boy broke the gaze first turning momentarily to speak to Lady Une who was so obviously warning him about Duo it wasn’t even funny. The longhaired boy took the opportunity to silently and quickly disappear. He stayed long enough to get a look at the odd expression on the blue eyed boy’s face when he glanced back up and Duo was gone. Hmmmmmm…. This could get veeeery, veeeery interesting! That’s what he thought as he went to finish replacing all the ice in the cafeteria with dry ice instead. He just loved a challenge. An assembly was called later that day during last class in the dinning room that had been converted in to a cafeteria. Small round tables adorned the black and white, Spanish tiled floor as the sun light glimmered through the tear shaped crystals hanging from the old chandelier that still graced the ceiling. The walls were a dark red above the intricately carved wooden molding that bordered the room about waist high, the oddly sticking color offset by the many prints of oil paintings of different Saints that hung there. Below was a moderate taupe color where great works of art had once graced the room but now it harbored only the meager drawings and papier-mâché sculptures of the houses inhabitants. There was a small dais on the far wall that was usually used for addressing the student body, except during Christmas when a large paper and wire tree was erected there. This was where the eyes off the students were trained today as Father Maxwell stood to give his address. ‘Good evening,’ the old priest smiled, the twinkle in his aging blue eyes flashing once when the whole of the assembly replied in kind. ‘Good evening Father Maxwell.’ There was little Tia, a three year old ebony haired girl that had only just come to them three weeks before. She looked much better than when she’d first arrived. He was glad to see she was healing after the death of her parents. Walter, an eight year old boy full of freckles and mischief, the product of an abusive uncle that was now in prison and Karin, he ended up in fights a lot because of the fact that his name, Ka-din, was easily mispronounced as the feminine Karin by westerners. The two boy’s had been practically inseparable since Walter had arrived six months prior. Mariamaia, Lady’s Une’s personal ward, Midii, the daughter of a mercenary that had been dropped on their door step two years before. She had become such close friends with Mariamaia the two managed to somehow thwart any adoption efforts in order to remain together. Osa, a Bulgarian boy that spoke little to no English, Amy, Jose and Sandra. He knew them all, the speckled faced twins, Mike and Ike who’s working single mother simply could not cope without the help of the school. They didn’t live in the house but they had become a part of the family much like all the children there. And of course Duo, who sat in one of the chairs backwards straddling the seat with it cocked up on two legs and his long arms draped over the back. Father Maxwell frowned taking in the expression in his oddly violet eyes. He knew that look only two well. ‘As you all know,’ he began keeping a watchful eye on his devilish son. ‘We have been anticipating the arrival of our new Assistant Caretaker for some time,’ he paused, his eyes glancing around the room for anything that might appear out of the ordinary then back to the smiling visage of Duo’s calmly passive face. ‘We are pleased to announce that he has joined us today and will be here momentarily to introduce himself to you all.’ ‘Is it true he’s only seventeen?’ Amy, a fifteen year old from town that lived with her ailing grandmother inquired. Father had admitted her two years before free of charge, as was the case with most of the students. ‘Yeah,’ Midii added enthusiastically. ‘Is he really a college grad?’ ‘Will he be teaching classes?’ ‘Does he do sports?’ ‘Does he have a girlfriend?’ ‘Mariamaia,’ the old priest said sternly gently reprimanding the redheaded girl for her promiscuous inquiry. ‘Your curiosity is understandable,’ he added to the room holding up a hand to forestall any further questions. ‘However, I would rather leave the answers until Mr…. Ah… here they are now,’ he smiled as the large double, cheery wood doors opened. There was a great deal of whispering and giggling, particularly on Midii and Mariamaia’s part as Lady Une led her new assistant into the room. Father smiled, the Lady glared and the newcomer ground to a halt as all four of Duo’s chair legs suddenly found the floor. The room fell silent as the two boys regarded each other. The stranger’s steel blue eyes locking fast with Duo’s own violet. Neither flinched though the energy of the confrontation could literally be felt in the air. ‘I would think someone of your age would be aware of the proper usage of a chair,’ the Lady said crossly clearly unsettled by the longhaired boy’s audacity. The interjection caused the new boy, for that’s what he was, the rumor of his age confirmed in his youthful face, to break the gaze first again though he didn’t miss the corners of Duo’s mouth curling up in delightful triumph. ‘Mr. Yui,’ Father greeted bringing a more relaxed air back to the room. ‘If you would please?’ he asked motioning for the dark haired boy to join him on the dais. ‘This is Mr. Hiiro Yui,’ Father began gaining more giggles and whispers at the mention of the boy’s name. ‘As you already know, he will be taking up the position of Assistant Caretaker here at St. Helens,’ he went on. ‘I trust you all to show him a warm welcome and help assist with his integration into our family,’ he smiled moving aside to make room for the subject of his short speech. ‘Mr. Yui… if you please,’ he said graciously giving him the floor. ‘My name is Hiiro Yui,’ the boy began, his voice cool and even. So much so it sent a chill through the room. ‘However, I would expect anyone with proper manors to address me as Sensei as I will be your superior,’ he went on earning himself a few dark frowns. His dark eyes strayed from one face to another, devoid of even a hit of a smile though his expression bore no malice either until they lighted on a pair of glittering, amethyst orbs. ‘It will be my duty to see that you and your class mates are well adjusted, well educated and prepared. I ask for your cooperation in bringing these ideas into reality,’ he added sweeping the room with his gaze. ‘Hey, Hero,’ Duo called out making the entire assembly, save the Father and the Lady, laugh out loud at the misuse of the boy’s strangely pronounced name but Hiiro showed no sign of anger, insult or surprise. ‘Just exactly what do you figure we need to be prepared for?’ Duo asked kicking his chair back up on two legs again as he grinned at the silent Japanese boy. ‘Life,’ Hiiro replied evenly. Duo laughed letting his chair rock back again before he stood up. ‘That’s the funny thing,,’ he said still grinning as he stepped up to the door. ‘No matter how much you prepare,’ he added looking back over his shoulder, ‘Life’s just full of unexpected surprises,’ he smiled before shutting the door behind him. There was an eerie silence that blanketed the room after his departure in which everyone but Hiiro looked to the ceiling, walls and floor as if awaiting their doom but nothing untold happened. ‘Yes... well,’ Father said finally still glancing nervously at the walls and windows. ‘I believe that will do for today,’ he went on seeming to relax a tad. ‘Please see that your all available as your new Car... Sensei,’ he corrected himself wanting to show some support to the new Caretaker. ‘Will be calling you all one at a time out of your classes over the next few days for an initial interview. You’ll have some one on one time to get to know each other, right?’ he smiled clapping his hands enthusiastically as the usual murmur of assent rose from the students. ‘Very well, then,’ he told them ‘You’re dismissed.’ The moment the man said the words three of the students suddenly fell to the floor as they tried to stand up and their chairs went with them. Several others gasped, two girls shrieked and Lady Une looked as if she might actually blow a hole in the top of her head like a volcano when they all realized each and every child was glued tightly to their seat. ‘DUO!’ the Lady growled over the dismayed panic that ensued. Chairs banging about as kids tried to free themselves, girl’s weeping over ruined jeans or skirts, the little ones laughing or crying, Mariamaia and Midii all but busting a rib in their hysteria and Hiiro Yui standing in the midst of it all calmly regarding the discord with a casually discerning eye. It took three hours to sort it all out. Hiiro had gotten his first chance to prove his usefulness when he deduced the type of glue and came up with a solvent that saved most of the clothing and eventually freed the students from their temporary prison. Mariamaia had sulked the entire time Lady Une was working on her because it hadn’t been Hiiro and Tia had fallen asleep in her chair but all in all it turned out to be as harmless a prank as they always were. The Japanese boy appeared a little dismayed by the lack of hostility towards the longhaired imp. ‘I’m terribly sorry about this,’ Father apologized though he to didn’t seem to be able to wipe the fond smile from his face. ‘Duo is really a very bright, loving young man,’ he explained. ‘His behavior is counterproductive,’ Hiiro replied keeping time with the older mans steps as if he didn’t want to rush him. ‘That would depend entirely on ones definition of progress,’ the old priest chuckled. ‘He doesn’t mean any harm,’ he assured him. ‘I dare say he would be a great deal of help to you if you can win his approval,’ he advised. ‘Approval?’ Hiiro inquired pausing outside the man’s quarters. ‘Duo is not someone who is easily impressed,’ the Father informed him suddenly looking very much like a Priest. ‘Thank you for your guidance,’ Hiiro offered more out of respect for his position than the advise as he bowed softly to his new boss. Father nodded his head in return before taking his leave. The next few days were a real challenge for the newest member of the St. Helen’s faculty. If it wasn’t the grueling pace of his new schedule, the constant flirtations of Mariamaia and Midii who had taken it upon themselves to see that he was never lonely, it was the seemingly endless bounty of oddly infuriating events such as the quail eggs he’d found hatching in his desk drawer or the fact that the light in his bathroom always went out when he turned the shower on. Most of the kids figured it was only a matter of time before he moved on to less turbulent waters but at the end of the first month Hiiro was still with them and appeared to be settling into a groove. He and Duo had, for the most part, avoided each other. Their initial interview being the most time they’d spent together at one time since the new caretakers arrival. It became very clear, very quickly that the interview was a waist of time when Duo’s shoe laces decided to slither away under Hiiro’s desk. Hiiro had been aware since his first day that there was some sort of unspoken rule that forbid any serious punishment for the longhaired boys high jinx, however, he was far from powerless. In lieu of said punishment he managed to convince Lady Une, with little or no effort, that Duo would be well suited for more responsibility gaining him an afternoon tutoring class and weekend assignments to take the smaller children on field trips into the city in an effort to shorten his time spent causing trouble. It was most satisfactory that the number of pranks the Japanese boy had to endure had diminished since these actions were taken. It was with an air of success and a confident attitude that he went to see how Duo’s afternoon session was coming along. He paused to peer in the small window in the door before knocking. It looked as if the class were very interested in whatever the longhaired boy was showing them. ‘Yeah?’ Duo called absently from the center of the group of children that surrounded him. Not even Hiiro’s entrance drew their attention away. ‘May I observe?’ Hiiro asked not wanting to interrupt. ‘It’s your world,’ the longhaired boy replied not really paying him any attention as he continued to mesmerize his students. Hiiro took no offense at the oddly offending statement refusing to rise to Duo’s antagonism but came closer to see just what was so enticing. ‘Now,’ Duo said cautiously holding out a small test tube full of clear liquid to Amy as Walter, Karin and Osa crowded closer in their excitement. ‘When I tell you,’ Duo instructed rising from his seat and heading for the light switch. Hiiro’s brow creased curiously. Chemistry? ‘Pour that into the beaker, ok?’ Duo finished with his hand on the switch. Hiiro’s realization came too late. POOOOOOOFFFFFFF!’ When the lights came back on a moment later the lot of them were covered in bright purple polka dots including the seemingly unaffected Caretaker. Duo was laughing like a loon while the boys stood staring in shock and Amy chased him around the room trying to hit him over the head with her purse and Hiiro decided perhaps it would be a good idea to personally chaperon the outing that Saturday when the braided idiot was supposed to take the little ones to the zoo.
~ * ~ tbc... |
