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"Ice Man"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: R Warnings: Fluff, mild angst, mention of lemon,
mention of past child abuse (mild) Pairings: 1x2, Rx1(unrequited) Summary: Sometimes all it takes is a warm smile
to melt a seemingly cold heart. "Ice Man" Part 1
“Hey, Duo!” “Keaton!” he smiled waving at his peer who was currently getting his makeup revamped. “How’s the shoot going?” “I’m freezing my balls off, how else?” Keaton laughed. Duo noted the lip color the makeup artist was putting on was intended to hide his blue lips and thanked the maker he was working indoors. “Is Selma working this spread?” he asked noticing a picture of the young model nearby. “Uh, no,” Keaton stammered while he quickly put the picture away and Duo grinned. “She’s jail bait for an old dog like you,” he laughed narrowly avoiding the reprimand of Keaton’s quick back hand. “Too slow!” he chuckled heading inside to report for his next job. “It suits you but it needs more bells,” Hilde grinned when she joined him while he was being prepared and he threw his jingly hat at her. “Everyone’s a critic,” he grumbled playfully while his attendant straightened his brightly colored caller. “Don’t worry,” Hilde chuckled while she pulled the jingly hat down over his hair. “With a face like that it hardly matters what you wear.” “Easy for you to say,” he grumbled looking in the mirror while the makeup artist situated his pointed, prosthetic ears. “You don’t have to walk around looking like a Christmas elf.” “This was your idea,” she reminded him. “My idea was to do a charity spread for Christmas,” he countered. “This elf thing is entire your fault.” “It’s an orphanage, Duo,” she chuckled. “It was either an elf or Santa and though your eyes may twinkle you’re lacking about ninety percent of the required fluff to pull off the jolly old guy.” “I know,” he replied then praised, “You’ve done a great job setting it up. It’s just embarrassing to walk around like this,” he laughed indicating his multicolored costume. “The kids will love it,” she assured him. “Now, get going or you’ll be late.” “You’re not coming?” he gaped clearly unhappy with the thought of traversing the building alone. “I’ll walk you halfway,” she chuckled nudging along. “But I have another client this morning so you’re on your own after that.” “What kind of person would abandon a Christmas elf?” he grumbled playfully and she flipped the bells on his hat before running off down the hall. “This is me,” she informed him when they were about halfway through the maze of offices. “What’re you working on?” he asked curiously following her inside to have a look. “It’s a promotion for men’s cologne,” she told him stepping over to speak with a young woman who held a clipboard while Duo eased closer to the set. “No bells or tensile?” he chuckled softly as they were almost ready to shoot. It looked like all that was left was that last spruce up on the model who was surrounded by at least three attendants. “This is for after the first of the year,” Hilde explained. “What’s the brand?” “Ice,” she breathed in a ridiculously over accentuated attempt at sex appeal. “For the cool in you.” “Nice slogan,” Duo snorted then slowly stilled when the attendants moved away to reveal the single most stunning face he’d ever seen. “You should go,” she whispered as the cameras started to flash but the action had caused the model to begin to move and Duo seemed to have skipped a beat. “Duo?” “Who is he?” he asked moving around the equipment so he could get a clearer view. “Hiiro Yui,” she replied in high amusement. “He looks so…serious,” Duo commented. “That scowl has made him the top pick for ninety nine percent of the new adds starting next year,” she informed him while he watched the model work and though he was striking in every way the indignation that was making him look so provocative made Duo’s chest hurt somehow. “Is there a problem?” someone asked when the photographer stopped shooting and stepped forward to speak to Hiiro then their eyes shifted to Duo and his heart sped up. He didn’t know what to think at first when the photographer came toward them and was unprepared for him to speak but the meaning came clear quickly enough. “Would you mind stepping outside? You’re distracting my subject.” “Wha…?” he began then gasped and slapped at his bright costume which was glittering and sparkling all over the place. “Oh, right!” he chuckled turning redder than the left side of his hat. “Sorry,” he offered to the model who simply scowled. “I’ll just…I have a photo shoot,” he told him backing out nervously and the crew went back to work as he shut the door. “Gods, that was so lame,” he groaned smacking his head against the door. “Duo!?” “Coming!” he sang out and dashed away as he was five minutes late for his own shoot. The session went well even with the energetic group of kids who were there from St. Helen’s orphanage and some of the other local homes. It was a pet project he did every year where he used his leverage and talent to help them advertise their cause. More often than not, this endeavor included the orphans as he had suffered the life of a waif himself not so long ago. However, once he met his agent, Professor G, his career took off as he was blessed with uncommon beauty which he used to the best of his ability to help others. “I want the lace hat!” one of the children grumbled attempting to snatch it from the head of another girl. “You can wear that one!” she retorted clinging to the lace hat determinedly. “Now, girls,” one of the haired looking aides attempted to sooth. “We’re almost finished so just…” “It’s my hat!” the first snapped while she fought for the prize and the aide sighed heavily having had more than enough childish enthusiasm for one day. “Cool,” Duo chirped breezing by to snap up the felt hat that had been abandoned on the floor. “Then I can wear this one,” he grinned replacing his jingle elf hat with the pretty little bonnet. “That’s silly!” the first girl laughed trying to take her hat back but Duo danced away. “You don’t like it?” he gasped playfully while he batted his eyes at her. “You look like a girl,” she giggled. “An elf is better?” he laughed while he returned the hat to her which she happily pulled over her blond curls while she informed him… “You’re much more handsome as an elf.” The aide mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ to Duo before ushering the girls into place for the next series of shots. It was important for them to get the photo’s they would need because the agency would only provide the one session but it wasn’t so difficult to capture the smiles of the children with Duo around. He was dubiously playful by nature, clever enough to stay one step ahead of them and understood their particular situation intimately which went a long way toward ensnaring their hearts. By the time it was over the boys were fighting over who got to wear Duo’s jingly hat and most of the girls were writing him love letters but all thought of the children bled away when he noticed Hiiro standing in the wings with a young blonde girl. “Wait!” Jessup wailed when Duo turned away from their game. “It’s my turn!” “Fetch!” Duo grinned tossing his jingly hat, which had become the prize of the day, across the room prompting a gaggle of children to scurry off after it. “Hi,” he smiled when he stepped in front of Hiiro and his guest. “This is him?” the girl scoffed haughtily making Duo’s brow crease curiously until Hilde popped up beside them. “Duo,” she smiled. “How’d it go?” He offered the prissy blonde an uncertain scowl and replied. “We’re all done.” “Then why are they still here?” the blonde girl asked distastefully. “We were playing,” Duo informed her evenly letting her know how he felt about her attitude by the depth of his glare. “Une want’s a spread on you and Hiiro,” Hilde cut in tactfully. “Us?” Duo exclaimed mildly surprised while he glanced at Hiiro but his trademark scowl was all he saw. “Why?” “Who knows,” Hilde sighed jotting down some information. “Maybe she’s doing a bit on opposites.” Again Duo glanced at the stoic Hiiro but nothing had changed. “Here,” Hilde told him handing him the information with the instruction, “Don’t be late.” Duo noted that the location was a local fine jeweler and smiled at Hiiro as he and his companion left but that scowl appeared to be permanently attached to his face. ** “Duo!” Hilde sighed in exasperation. “Sorry,” he chuckled while he danced around trying to untangle the leash of a small puppy from around his ankles. “Why do you have a dog?” Hilde deadpanned. “Patrice found him in the park this morning,” he explained looking chagrin. “But the Mistress wouldn’t let her keep her.” “Don’t call her that!” Hilde scolded smacking him in the arm while he picked the rambunctious puppy up. “She’s a nun for criminy’s sake!” “That doesn’t mean she has to walk around with a sour puss,” he grumbled laughing when she tried to smack him again and missed but the mirth died when he noticed Hiiro standing nearby looking as sour as ever. “Um, hi,” he offered handing the pup to Hilde who sighed heavily and trotted off to find someone to look after it. “You’re late,” Hiiro observed. “Yeah,” Duo agreed while he scratched nervously at the back of his neck. “It’s sort of a hobby of mine,” he chuckled but didn’t get the laugh. “Are we doing a period piece?” he asked seeing that Hiiro was dressed in an eighteenth century waistcoat. “It’s a Charles Dickenson angle,” Hilde explained looking haired and annoyed when she returned having pawned the dog off on one of the assistants. “Now, go get dressed.” “Who’s he?” Duo asked smiling while she pushed him along. “Scrooge,” she grumbled. Duo snorted but tucked it away when Hiiro’s scowl deepened. “And who am I?” “His nephew, Fred,” she huffed as he had stopped at the door to the dressing room to grin. “I don’t believe having me related to him is in the best interest of the moral code of condUCT!” he laughed as she shoved him inside but the comment caused a slight variation in the crease on Hiiro’s brow. “Places!” Hilde shouted when she turned around only belatedly realizing that one of the models was still getting dressed whereupon she added awkwardly, “in…five. Five minutes!” she shouted banging on the dressing room door before she disappeared. Hiiro was waiting with everyone else when Duo emerged in a top hat and tails and by the time he took his place the collective had forgiven his tardiness. “Here,” Hilde smiled bringing a tray full of small boxes along. “These are the pieces you’ll be working with,” she told them pulling a heavy, golden chain out for Hiiro. Duo was supplied with several small chains that displayed masculine charms at different lengths, a wide cuff for his wrist and an elegant stud for his left ear which was pierced though he hadn’t been wearing any jewelry when he arrived. Hiiro was also given an ear piece but it was a dashing cuff with a diamond roughly the size of a small grape. “Could you try to work the light a little more?” the photographer huffed in frustration once they got started. “What’s wrong?” Hilde inquired. “They need to accentuate the jewelry more.” “Maybe if it wasn’t back dropped by ruffles and white cotton you could see it,” Duo grumbled. “If you think you can do better you’re welcome to try!” the photographer snipped in frustration. Duo cocked his head and Hilde started to say something but he beat her to the punch. “Alright,” he agreed turning to his coworker. “Do you mind?” Hiiro shrugged then scowled a little deeper when he stepped forward and started to unbutton his high caller. “Sorry,” he offered as the position was somewhat awkward while he opened the waistcoat and unbuttoned the shirt far enough to expose a good portion of his magnificently tanned chest. “We should just…” he breathed while he glanced nervously into Hiiro’s firm gaze but he wasn’t helping so he was forced to push the shirt open and arrange the thick, gold necklace around his strong neck where it glimmered and gleamed against his bronze skin. Ahem, the photographer interrupted though there was the light of creativity in his eyes when Duo turned his way. “That’s not bad,” he smiled looking Hiiro over like a juicy pork chop. “What about you?” Hiiro asked stalling their attempt to reset the scene. “Oh, umm,” Duo replied but he was having trouble opening his shirt with all the chains in the way until Hiiro stepped forward and took over whereupon his arms went lax while he gazed into his eyes. It took a minute to get him ready since his shirt had to be opened even lower to accommodate the longer chains and his sleeves, which had a row of tiny buttons almost to the elbow, had to be unfastened for the bracelet. However, he was utterly oblivious to the minutes that passed by and was having some trouble catching his breath before it was over. “Drop the lights,” the photographer ordered excitedly while he reached for a different camera and Duo was taken aback when he thought he saw the tiniest of smiles in the corner of Hiiro’s mouth. The shoot was finished up quickly as the jewelry looked stunning against their bare skin and the poses they offered dripped with a sensuality no one could readily explain. Hilde was in agreement that Scrooge and Fred should not be seen in such a light together but the owner of the shop was ecstatic once he saw the previews. “This was fun,” Duo smiled while he changed into his street clothes. “It’s work,” Hiiro scoffed. Duo glanced back at him and was unable to stop his eyes from following the strong contours of his back when he informed him, “Work can be fun.” “If it were fun they wouldn’t call it work,” Hiiro countered as he slipped his jacket over his naked torso and walked out. “Does he always walk around half naked?” Duo asked Hilde when she met him at the door. She watched him go with Duo while she replied, “I guess he was in a hurry.” Duo offered her a sad little smile then went to finishing changing. ** “Maaarrryy!” Patrice sang as she chased the run-a-way puppy through the park. “Go wide!” Duo shouted veering off to try and get in front of her. “Grrrr!” “Winston!” Duo growled turning on a dime when the boy’s hijinks scared the pup into bolting the other way. “Maarrrryy!” Patrice yelled doing her best to head her off but her little legs weren’t fast enough to stop her from dashing into the street where she was plucked up by none other than Hiiro Yui. “Ah…man,” Duo panted coming to a sudden stop in front of him when he stepped onto the sidewalk with his friend. “Thanks.” “Mary!” Patrice cried holding out her arms while Hiiro handed the small dog to her. “There are leash laws,” the blonde girl beside Hiiro reminded him. He gave her a look that clearly asked what her problem was then pointed out, “She’s wearing a leash. She just got away from us. Thanks again,” he smiled at Hiiro. “If we’re finished chasing lost dogs for unattended waifs,” she sighed impatiently and Duo laughed which appeared to totally confuse her. “Sorry,” he offered glancing at the odd look on Hiiro’s face. “I just can’t help but wonder who stole your teddy bear.” “Some of us are no longer reliant on childish dependencies,” she informed him haughtily. “You should take things more seriously.” ‘That’d take all the fun out of it,” Duo chuckled. “Thanks again,” he offered to Hiiro before jogging back toward Patrice and the other kids. ** “Hey, Duo! Sit with us!” “What’s up, Cheri?” he smiled while he set his lunch tray down. “We heard you did a shoot with the Ice Man,” she chuckled glancing at a large poster on the wall of Hiiro looking very debonair in front of a black backdrop with a tumbler of ice and some small amount of bourbon upon which was written the slogan ‘For the Cool in You’. He didn’t notice the small bottle of cologne in the corner until he looked for it and had to wonder what it was they were trying to advertise but Cheri cut into his thoughts with, “Man, he’s so hot!” “Did you really take his shirt off?” Carmela giggled then squealed when his ears pinked. “I didn’t…take it off,” he laughed batting her with his napkin. “But they were trying to shoot gold jewelry on top of ruffles and white cotton.” “So you stripped that glorious bod!” Cheri enthused. “Just the part around the collarbone,” he grinned laughing when they squealed again. “Geez, chill out,” he told them amusedly. “It was just a photo shoot.” “Yeah,” Carmela sighed dreamily while she gazed at Hiiro’s picture. “I guess there’s just no way to crack that ice.” “Relena’s still trying to melt it way,” Cheri chuckled. “Relena Darlian?” Duo inquired. “Yeah,” Carmela nodded. “She’s been all over him since his European tour last summer.” “She follows him around like she’s queen bee,” Cheri went on. “But he won’t give her the time of day either.” “Wasn’t she top ten a couple of years ago?” he asked recalling the name. “Yeah,” Cheri nodded. “Her daddy put up the dough for her to start a fashion line but she refused to model anything else so when it bombed she dropped out.” “I heard she’s doing hair ads now,” Carmela giggled. “I wonder why he puts up with her,” Cheri sighed. “I thought they were going out,” Duo commented but they both laughed so hard he stalled. “She can try from now till doomsday and she’s not getting through that glacier he has around his heart,” Carmela snickered. “It’s too bad,” Cheri breathed. “He’s just soooo hot!” ** “Duo! Duo!” Hilde barked as she burst into the employee lounge. “Look!” she said excitedly. “Bonjour want’s you on next summer’s campaign!” “Really?” he smiled then stopped her dead in her tracks when he asked, “Why?” “Why?” she echoed. “Why?” she gasped while she slapped him until he was laughing loudly. “Because you’re gorgeous, talented and about to be the world’s top male model!” “Better check again,” Duo told her raising a brow. “What do you mean?” she grumbled looking the information over. “The first shoots tonight,” he pointed out. “So?” she snorted then stopped while her eyes went wide. “Oh, no you don’t! Duo! This is the chance of a lifetime!” “Sorry,” he offered shrugging his shoulders while he snagged his jacket. “But it’s Christmas Eve.” “No, no, no,” she exclaimed stepping in front of him. “You don’t understand. Mr. Myers picked you because he saw the layout for the jewelry bit. If you don’t take this job they’ll offer it to Hiiro and you can bet he’ll be more than willing…” “I don’t work on Christmas,” Duo told her calmly as he headed for the door. “Tell Hiiro congratulations.” He chuckled when she threw the papers up in the air in exasperation then paused when he heard a commotion down the hall. “You don’t have to stay long!” Relena was practically screaming at Hiiro who was heading into the men’s toilet but she didn’t even slow down when she followed him in. “I just want you to take two minutes to meet my parents and…” Duo shook his head when they disappeared and headed for his car which was parked out front. Most of the time he had to park around the back but it was Christmas Eve so most of the suits who usually filled the prime spaces were already at home. It was cold but that allowed a sprinkling of snow to fall so he smiled and got in stopping to have a look at the presents in the backseat to make sure they would ride ok then Hiiro came out of the building with fire in his eyes and Relena hot on his heels. “…don’t understand why you have to be so cold!” she shouted. “At least say something!” But his only response to her ranting was to walk over and get in Duo’s car before he commanded, “Drive.” Duo looked out the window at where Relena was brewing by the door then smiled at his guest and put it in gear. “Anywhere in particular?” he asked once they were on their way. “The nearest bar?” Hiiro snorted. Duo cast him a sideways glance then said, “I have a better idea.” “Skating?” Hiiro deadpanned when they pulled up in front of a park where people were gliding around a small ring of ice. “Ice is your thing, right?” Duo grinned as he got out. Hiiro followed but his response was, “I’ll catch a cab.” “Or,” Duo replied, “You could jerk that stick out of your ass and have a little fun for once.” Hiiro stopped walking away and came back to glare at him while he asked, “What makes you think I want to spend my time entertaining you?” “You have something else to do?” Duo chuckled then added when Hiiro’s brow fell even farther, “I have an hour to kill but if you can’t skate then…” “I never said I couldn’t skate,” Hiiro snipped as he turned and headed for the skate rental booth. Duo smiled and followed but didn’t dare push any harder until Hiiro was securely in his skates. “The ice is perfect,” he commented pushing off to do a little turn and stop. “Come on,” he coaxed happily. “It’ll be fun.” “What is this fixation with fun?” Hiiro grumbled but stood and pushed his hands in his pockets while he moseyed around the ring at a moderate pace. “It’s fun,” Duo laughed whizzing around in front of him where he smoothly pushed himself along backwards so he faced him. Hiiro’s eyes flicked down to see how his feet moved and Duo grinned wickedly just before he took off, built some speed and did a perfect two point spin in the air. “Do you compete?” Hiiro asked when he came back around. “No,” Duo snorted doing circles around him. “Then where’d you learn to skate?” Duo cocked a half grin at him while he replied, “Playing with the kids,” just before he clicked his heels and veered off into a tight spin that left him winded and dizzy. Hiiro had stopped to watch but got moving again when Duo came around to join him. “The orphanage is your pet project,” he commented. “You could say that,” Duo nodded. “A charitable soul,” Hiiro snorted sardonically. “Well, you know,” Duo shrugged. “They’re my peeps so…” “You were an orphan?” Hiiro inquired contritely. “I am an orphan,” Duo corrected. “It’s sort of a lifetime gig.” “I know,” Hiiro replied while he turned to look at the darkening sky. Duo watched him for a minute before he was certain, “You’re one of us.” When Hiiro’s eyes dropped the scowl was hot and angry but the smile on Duo’s lips derailed it. “It happened a long time ago,” he told him. “Not that it matters,” Duo snorted amiably. Hiiro glanced at him then asked, “How long?” “Never knew them,” he confessed. “What about you?” Hiiro kept his silence for so long he thought he might not answer then confessed in a tight voice, “I never knew my mother. My father died when I was ten.” “That’s tough,” Duo commented skating along slowly beside him. “You must miss him.” Hiiro started to deny it but before the words could come clear he thought about the fact that Duo had never gotten the chance to know either of his parents and shifted to, “Yeah.” They moved along in silence for a time before Hiiro’s cell rang. “Hello?” Duo skated out in front a little so he had some privacy then slowed when he hung up. “They offered you the Bonjour gig?” he asked evenly. “Yeah,” Duo nodded. “But I don’t work on Christmas. Are you going to take it?” But Hiiro just stared at him. “I can take you back to the agency if you want.” “It’s a three million dollar contract,” Hiiro deadpanned but Duo only laughed and informed him… “I have more important things to do tonight.” “What could be worth loosing three million dollars?” Hiiro asked numbly. “Wanna see?” Duo grinned. Hiiro looked at his phone then back at the car and sighed heavily before he gave a short nod.
~ * ~ tbc... |
