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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 2
“It’s the orphanage,” Hiiro noted. “Does it bother you to visit?” Duo asked while he gathered the presents form the back. “I never stayed in a home,” Hiiro confessed taking a stack of the boxes from him. “You had family?” Duo wondered. “A friend of the family,” Hiiro explained. “Though he was never very happy with having me around.” “What makes you say that?” “Because he beat me every time I came home,” Hiiro evenly intoned and Duo stopped to assess if he was putting him on. “You look alright,” he commented noting that were no visible scars. “I’m a better fighter than he is,” Hiiro chuckled making the confession a little less difficult to take. “Come on,” he smiled walking up the path but Hiiro stopped on the porch when he opened the door. “What’s wrong?” “I’m not very good with kids,” Hiiro confessed. “I think I’ll just catch a cab home and…” “DUOOOOO!” suddenly rang out from inside and a mass of children attacked and assimilate him before Hiiro could finish. “Heeey! Whoa! Slow down!” Duo laughed as he was carried away on a joyous tide. “Let me put the presents down!” “PRESENTS!” the kids crowed relenting while they bounced around. “Well, come on in,” an old lady in a nun’s habit smiled at Hiiro who inched in the door and stood quietly by the wall. “You can put them over there,” she told him prompting him to carry the boxes inside where he was surrounded by energetic kids who couldn’t seem to wait to see which one was theirs. “Thanks,” Duo smiled taking the stack to put under the sparse tree in the corner. “Who’s that?” one of the young boys asked while he pointed at Hiiro. “He saved Mary,” Patrice informed them wrestling the puppy into her lap while Duo grinned and avoided the disapproval in the nun’s eyes. “This is Hiiro,” Duo informed them picking the boy up. “He’s come to visit so you’ll have a proper audience tonight.” The kids cheered while he put the boy back down and smiled at the confounded expression on Hiiro’s face. “Would you like some hot cider?” “Got anything to put in it?” Hiiro asked cautiously navigating his way through the pillows and toys all over the floor. “Sure,” Duo grinned opening the door to the kitchen while he offered, “Cinnamon.” Hiiro rolled his eyes but accepted and ended up helping make a cup for half the kids in the house. “Alright,” Sister Margret announced calling the kids to the main room while Duo situated Hiiro and himself on the couch. “Me first!” Patrice insisted tugging Mary forward but a stern look from Sister Margret changed her mind. “Youngest first,” Duo reminded them coaxing a very small girl forward. “Come on, Ceilia,” he smiled while she toddled onto the rug in the center of the floor. “Do you have something special to show us?” he asked the three year old who giggled madly then spun her teddy around three times and headed straight for Duo’s lap. “Heeeeey!” he grinned catching her while she laughed like mad then squirmed around until she was wedged between him and Hiiro. Duo grinned when Hiiro tried to scoot over but there wasn’t room so he was stuck. The next was a young boy with a piccolo who played something that sounded a little like Mary had a Little Lamb then a girl a bit older who showed off her latest artwork of noodles and paint. Then it was Patrice’s turn who made a grand show out the fact that she already knew Hiiro while she tried to convince the puppy to sit, roll over and play dead. The only one she got right was the sitting but everyone clapped anyway. They watched for a time while one child after another came up to share something before Duo realized Hiiro hadn’t said a word since they started. “Would you rather wait in the sitting room?” he asked quietly while one of the older girls played a song on her clarinet but all he got was a quick shake of Hiiro’s shaggy head. Upon closer inspection he noticed that Hiiro’s eyes were shimmering oddly and the tips of his ears were cherry red. “Would you like a valium?” he asked biting his lip to keep from laughing when Hiiro shook his head again. The show ended soon after and the kids were allowed to open one present which turned out to be the one’s Duo brought most of the time. He spent time with each child in turn and relished the hugs and kisses they lavished on him before the younger ones were sent off to bed but before Patrice could take Mary upstairs Hiiro called out her name. “Yes?” she inquired practicing good manors by coming to stand before him. Duo watched intently while Hiiro stared at her then seemed to realize he was making her nervous and reached into his pocket. “For meee?” she sang when he produced a small, golden ring with a petite emerald setting and gave it to her. “Oh, thank you!” she breathed then crawled up in his lap where she kissed his cheek warmly, hugged his neck and took Mary off to bed. “That was very generous of you,” Do commented once they said their goodnights. “What were you doing with a ring like that in your pocket?” “It was for Relena,” Hiiro explained while he gazed back at the house so he didn’t see Duo’s expression falter. “You look like you enjoyed yourself,” Duo commented moving them toward the car. “It was almost like a real family,” Hiiro confessed. “There are always all these horror stories about life in a home,” he commented. “But it wasn’t horrible at all.” “Not all of them are so lucky,” Duo informed him. “Did you grow up here?” Hiiro asked while they got in the car but all Duo offered in response was… “No.” Hiiro was gearing up to dig deeper when Duo inquired, “Can I drop you somewhere?” “Do you mind if I hang around?” he asked hopefully. Duo eyed him then asked, “Should’nt you go make up with your girl?” “She’s not my girl,” Hiiro scoffed. “What about that ring?” Duo wondered. “My manager bought it for me to give to her,” Hiiro explained. “He and her father fancy a match between us.” “But you’re not into her?” Duo hedged. “Hardly,” Hiiro snorted. “She’s not even the right gender for me to…” but he stopped suddenly and glanced nervously at Duo but he was smiling bigger all the time. “Good,” he grinned causing Hiiro’s cheeks to pink. “Feel like dropping in on some friends?” “I don’t have any friends,” Hiiro informed him. “Well,” Duo smiled. “Let’s see if we can change that.” “Why are we here?” Hiiro asked when they pulled up outside a pub that was popular with their peers. “I have a little Christmas cheer to spread,” Duo smiled clicking two small, brightly wrapped boxes together before tucking them into his pocket. ‘What is this?” Hiiro asked when he saw the people laughing and carrying on inside. “It’s called a party,” Duo grinned. “I think I’ll get that cab after all,” Hiiro sighed while they stood on the sidewalk and looked into the cheerful pub. “Why?” “I don’t think they like me very much,” Hiiro confessed but stalled when Duo barked a laugh. “You’re kidding, right?” he chuckled. Hiiro’s trademark scowl deepened when he explained, “They call me the…” “Ice Man?” Duo smiled bringing a dark shadow to his eyes but the gentle expression on Duo’s face eased his mind. “They always act so strange when they see me,” Hiiro sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with you, Hiiro,” Duo smiled while he took his arm. “Hell, Cheri and Carmela would probably build you a shrine.” “What?” Hiiro gasped resisting moderately as he was guided inside. “You’re their idol,” Duo grinned. “But…I’ve never even talked to them,” Hiiro reasoned then clammed up when they entered and were confronted with the happy faces of a good number of their peers. Duo rolled his eyes when he saw the dark expression that had taken over Hiiro’s face then smiled and turned his attention outward. “Duo!” “Hi, Millie!” he smiled dragging Hiiro her way. “You know Hiiro?” “Do I!” she gushed somewhat over excitedly while she beamed at the stoic young man. “You know, you’re last Ice spread was so hot!” Hiiro’s ears pinked while he stared at her but when he noticed Duo’s expectant expression he offered an awkward, “Thank you,” which put a bright smile on Millie’s lips that sort of stunned him. “You guys want a drink?” she asked turning to the bartender. “Eggnog,” Duo told him when he arrived, “But go easy on the brandy. I’m driving.” “And you?” he asked Hiiro who considered Duo before he requested… “The same.” “Duo?” “Hi, Cheri,” he smiled while he tried not to laugh out loud at the astounded look on her face. “You know Hiiro.” “Hello,” she breathed reverently making the crease on Hiiro’s brow deepen. “Hiiro?” Hilde greeted coming to join them. “What’re you doing here? I thought…” “Leave the office at the office for one night,” Duo butt in handing her one of the boxes he’d brought. She glanced suspiciously between them while she took it but left off the shop talk in favor of opening the gift whereupon a large smile graced her pert lips. “How do you always know what I want?” she chuckled while she hugged his neck. “I listen,” he replied recalling the day she’d fawned all over the calligraphy set. Hiiro’s brow had knit while he watched but fell into a horrible scowl when Cheri popped off with, “Do you dance?” The expression backed her up a step until Duo laughed and grabbed their drinks. “Come on,” he smiled pushing through the crowd with Hiiro tagging along. “Duo!” “Hi, Brit,” he smiled accepting the kiss she placed on his cheek as they went by. “Hi, Hiiro,” she added seeming somewhat in awed by his presence while he managed an amiable nod. “Duo?” “Carmen, hey,” he greeted. “How’s Tress?” “O for four,” she chuckled glancing at a tall lady who was playing darts nearby before her eyes took a delighted tour all over Hiiro. “Here,” Duo said setting their drinks down on a high top by the dance floor. “You shouldn’t let it bother you,” he told Hiiro as he looked like he was trying to set fire to the room in general with his eyes. “They’re just being friendly.” “That’s friendly?” Hiiro snorted looking back at Carmen who was still stealing glances at his ass. Duo snickered while he took a seat and inquired, “You have no idea how attractive you are, do you?” “I’ve never understood what they see in me when there are people like you around,” Hiiro replied freezing solid when Duo’s face lit up. “I mean…” “Thanks,” Duo chuckled easing the rising color in his face. “Duo! You made it!” The look in Duo’s eyes was less than appealing but he managed to find a small smile before turning to greet the young man. “Hello, Kevin. Merry Christmas.” “Merry Christmas,” he beamed then looked Hiiro over critically. “You know Hiiro?” Duo inquired patiently. “I’ve seen your ad,” Kevin nodded then turned back to Duo to ask, “You want to dance?” Hiiro’s gaze did a quick check around the room where he noticed Tress and Carmen spinning around together and a young, male couple by the door who were having an intimate drink embedded in the crowd. When he turned back to question Duo with a glance he merely shrugged and looked decidedly uncomfortable while tried to think of a way to turn Kevin down. However, the young man didn’t give him time to respond reaching out to take his hand and tug him toward the dance floor but before they got two steps Hiiro stood and moved in so fast Kevin was left staring blankly at them while he spun Duo across the floor. “You dance,” Duo smiled settling easily into his arms. “I know a step or two,” Hiiro confessed while he cast a glare at Kevin that sent him on his way. “Do you often do it with men?” Duo chuckled while he wrapped an arm around his neck comfortably. Hiiro’s ears flushed while he looked around at the gasping expressions on many of their peer’s faces but replied, “I don’t really care what they think.” “Then why all the covert evasion?” Duo wondered. “It’s none of their business I guess,” Hiiro shrugged but he was quickly forgetting about the crowd. “Careful,” Duo smirked as he let him pull him close. “You’re Ice Man persona might melt.” Hiiro’s mouth curled into the first true smile Duo had ever seen on him while he tucked into him and explained, “I’m not feeling very cool right now.” “You look cool,” Duo grinned drunkenly. “You look hot,” Hiiro growled softly and Duo’s knees almost buckled when he pressed their bodies together. “Good thing opposites attract,” Carmen laughed while she and Tress twirled by and set both of their faces on fire. As the night pressed on Hiiro became more and more comfortable until he was laughing along with Duo and their friends and his days as The Ice Man had been completely forgotten. It wasn’t always easy but he made an effort for Duo’s sake and discovered the people he worked with were actually a lot nicer than he thought. “No way!” Cheri enthused while they sat at a table and chatted. “When did you work in Japan?” “I was born there,” Hiiro explained. “It’s where J first found me.” “Man, would I love to work overseas,” Carmen sighed. “As long as they have a decent football team, I’m in,” Tress laughed as she draped her arm around her shoulders while Cheri glanced in open disappointment at Hiiro, sighed and sipped her drink. “Ut oh,” Carmen sounded off when she noticed a young, blonde girl of their acquaintance at the bar. “What’s she doing here?” “She never comes to our parties,” Tress agreed then shot a look at the angry scowl that had appeared on Hiiro’s face before she suggested, “Maybe you two should…” “Run,” Carmen interjected then rolled her eyes when Relena spotted them. “Too late.” Duo watched carefully while Hiiro’s expression chilled with her approach but chose to observe. “Hiiro!” Relena breathed in utter exasperation when she stopped huffily at their table. “What in the world are you doing here?” she asked glancing around the room distastefully. “Hello, Rel,” Cheri sort of smiled. “Don’t call me that,” Relena snipped. “It’s better than Lena,” Carmen snickered into her girlfriends shoulder but the retort on Relena’s lips was stalled when a snorted laugh made it past Hiiro’s frosty shell. “Hiiro,” she sighed heavily. “Mr. Myers was very upset when you didn’t show up earlier. I can’t believe you took the chance of throwing away your future on this frivolity. Now, come on. We might be able to fix this if you…” “It’s Christmas,” Duo cut in smiling amiably while he inquired, “Why don’t you stay and have a drink?” She looked properly affronted then glared and informed him, “I have better things to do than swill whiskey with this lot.” “Then maybe you should get to it,” Hiiro suggested causing her face to fall into dismay. “Hiiro…” “It’s Christmas,” he informed her while he draped an arm around Duo’s shoulders that made him smile but Relena’s head almost exploded when he informed her, “No one should be forced to work on Christmas Eve.” “Well said!” Cheri piped up raising her glass. “Here, here!” Tress and Carmen chimed in clinking theirs to it while they laughed and Relena stomped her foot when she stormed away. “You know,” Carmen smiled at Hiiro, “You’re really a cool guy.” “As expected from The Ice Man!” Cheri chimed in jovially while they toasted Hiiro’s glass and he laughed understanding the tag to be a term of endearment instead of the cruel teasing he had once thought it to be. “Goodnight! Merry Christmas!” Carmen giggled from under Tress’s arm when they parted later in the evening. “Merry Christmas!” Duo smiled while he fished out his keys. “Can I drop you somewhere?” he asked Hiiro who was standing by his side. Hiiro turned to look up at the light snow coming down and the somber expression on his face inspired Duo to suggest, “Or we could go to my place.” Hiiro shot him a look that turned his cheeks red but he held his ground until he nodded then smiled. There were more boxes in the trunk that had to be brought up to Duo’s apartment but they were light and no bother at all. However, Hiiro was a little surprised to discover that they were filled with homemade ornaments and Duo’s tree was barren of anything but the lights. “I always leave it till Christmas Eve,” Duo was telling him while he unpacked his treasures. “The kids work on these all month but they never have them finished in time so I just started waiting till the eve of to put them up,” he chuckled sounding more nervous than the situation called for. “They’re sweet,” Hiiro observed holding up one of gold painted macaroni. “That’s Patrice’s,” Duo smiled. “See? It’s a puppy.” “I thought it was a flower,” Hiiro laughed. “How’d you get them to let her keep it?” he wondered while he hung it on the tree. “I didn’t,” Duo confessed. “She’s just visiting for Christmas,” he told him sadly. “There’s no way she can keep her?” “It’s against regulations,” Duo explained. “There must be some way,” Hiiro insisted. Duo stopped to smile at him while he took the ornament from his hand and told him, “Don’t say anything but there’s a couple interested in adopting her.” Hiiro smiled widely which sort of made Duo’s brain hiccup but he recovered quickly. “They’ve already agreed to take Mary along if the adoption works out.” “That’s great,” Hiiro grinned. “Do you think it’ll turn out alright?” “Oh yeah,” Duo chuckled hanging the last of the ornaments on the tree. “The mom’s totally in love with her.” “And the dad?” “He’s…” Duo began but stalled when he turned to find Hiiro standing so close behind him. “Hiiro?” “Stop me now or you’re mine forever,” Hiiro whispered as he snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him close but all Duo could muster was a short squeak and a deep moan of appreciation when Hiiro kissed him. The evening progressed rapidly into night as they explored their new feelings and Duo discovered that Hiiro’s cool exterior was wrapped around a core of molten heat that he happily drowned in time and again. There was such kindness inside him he couldn’t comprehend that he’d ever been touched by darkness but when they took the time to talk about their pasts his was somewhat more tragic so it was a little easier to accept. “How did you survive?” Hiiro wondered while he held him gently in the wee morning hours. “Dumb luck mostly,” Duo chuckled recalling his troubled youth running the streets in a gang. “I probably wouldn’t have if Father Maxwell hadn’t found me.” “But you lost them too,” Hiiro commented hugging him warmly. “Yeah,” Duo sighed contentedly. “But they gave me a sense of family and home and I’ve been trying to recapture that for the kids ever since.” “Maybe you could help me too,” Hiiro mused. “How?” “I want to get them something for Christmas,” Hiiro confessed. “You don’t have to…” “Do not burst my bubble,” Hiiro chuckled bopping him on the nose when he raised his head. “I want to but I don’t have the slightest idea what to do.” “The stores won’t be open on Christmas Day,” Duo reminded him. “It doesn’t have to be toys does it?” Hiiro inquired. “Well, no,” Duo agreed. “What’d you have in mind?” “There’s that new Christmas movie playing at the theater,” Hiiro suggested. “Whoa!” Duo laughed. “Are you serious?” “Sure,” Hiiro replied. “Why not?” “You’re talking about taking twenty four kids to the movies,” Duo elaborated in utter astonishment. “Maybe Tress and the gang would like to help out?” Hiiro suggested and Duo grinned widely while he dove in for a happy kiss. “You…are amazing!” he gushed while Hiiro smiled dopily. “I’ll send a mass text right now.” “Duo,” Hiiro chuckled pulling him back into the bed. “It’s three in the morning.” “Oh, right,” he laughed sheepishly. “I’ll send it in the morning.” Hiiro laughed while he rolled him over and kissed him but the action knocked his coat off the end of the bed onto the floor spilling a small box from the pocket. “You missed one,” he told his lover reaching to pick it up. “Oh, that’s just…” “It’s addressed to me,” Hiiro noted laughing when Duo suddenly tried to wrestle it away from him. “You got me a present?” he smiled recalling having seen it when they arrived at the party the night before. “It’s stupid,” Duo shrugged looking awkward and uncomfortable while Hiiro opened it and laughed. “Tickets to a hot spring?” “They’re popular uptown,” Duo grumbled then laughed when Hiiro scooped him up and kissed him. “I thought it might help thaw you out,” he grinned. “If you’re there I might boil it dry,” Hiiro grinned down into his brightly shining face then calmed and smiled, “Thank you.” Duo returned the smile recognizing the deeper meaning of the words then kissed him and returned the sentiment with his entire body for the rest of the night. owari :)
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