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"A Moment in Time"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: Fluff, mild angst, mild language, squishy lemon (nondescript), prissy Relena Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5+M, Rx1 (unrequited) Summary: The lives of several guests at a plush resort are changed during Christmas with the unexpected arrival of a strange visitor from the far north. Authors note: This fic has some cannon moments embedded in it but that’s as far as they go. It is in no way a cannon fic lol. "A Moment in Time" Part 1
“Not one bit,” she snipped as she turned to stare out the window of their limo to sulk. ** Hiiro did a mental check of his itinerary as he drove. The night was clear though there was a light sprinkling of snow that lit up in his headlights while he climbed the long mountain but it wasn’t the promise of the Yuletide that begged his presence. There was a small area in the southern part of Africa that had endured the totalitarian rule of their oppressive leader for far too long but there seemed only one way to end the people’s misery. ** A clock ticked merrily on the wall of the brightly colored workshop while conveyer belts transported items from here to there. Most of the machines were steam powered ensuring the operation remained low key and in synch with the world in general until a horrendous screeching rocked the complicated array and sent the workers scurrying for cover. “DUO!” an older gentleman with pointed ears yelled in the midst of the chaos while the workers scrambled around trying to save what they could of their ailing equipment. ** “I didn’t mean to,” Duo moped. “What were you thinking?” his large, cherry faced employer exclaimed in frustration. “The production is too slow,” Duo grumbled. “We barely managed one gift per kid last year.” Kris sighed heavily and tried to explain…again, “I am only one man with a small workshop.” “That’s why we need to ramp it up,” Duo explained. “We’re doing everything we can…” “It’s not enough.” “Duo,” Kris breathed coming closer so he could see his eyes. “We are all that is left,” he reminded him kindly. “You’re intentions are pure but we must do what we can instead of dwelling on what we cannot.” Duo knew it was true as he’d seen their numbers dwindle over time but it didn’t make it any easier to suffer the disappointed faces on Christmas day. “There must be a way.” “There will be no more attempts to improve the workshop,” he was told firmly. “Maybe we could give them something besides toys,” Duo wondered causing his bosses merry eyes to widen fearfully. “Perhaps your love and affection would suffice?” he hedged hoping to nip whatever was blossoming in Duo’s overactive imagination in the bud but the comment brought a disturbingly happy grin to his lips. “That’s it!” Duo crowed jumping up excitedly. “No,” Kris countered growing more alarmed. “All we have to do is find a way to remind them to love each other!” Duo enthused and the sparkling jubilation in is eyes brought a slow smile to Kris’s lips. “You have a plan?” he asked knowingly. “Well,” Duo replied while his expression fell thoughtfully, “No…but…” “Then perhaps you could travel to Leechenburg for supplies while you figure it out?” Kris smiled. “Alright,” Duo agreed though his mind was clearly busily working on the problem while he made his way out. ** “Wufei, come,” Fei Wen prompted her reluctant son. “Where are your glasses?” “I don’t need them,” he insisted. She sighed but let it go and informed him, “You must try to be more tolerant.” “My happiness is in no way relevant to this insanity,” he grumbled. “Why must we be subject to this westerners holiday?” “We’ve come to celebrate the New Year,” his father reminded him. “The Chinese New Year is over two weeks away,” Wufei countered. “The Brighton’s value the Christmas holiday,” Fei Wen informed him sternly. “It’s only polite to honor their traditions.” “Our presence has nothing to do with honoring father’s business partner’s holiday traditions,” Wufei spat angrily. “Perhaps you’ll be more agreeable to the arrangement once you’ve met Meilan,” his father commented. “Not that it matters!” Wufei growled going red faced. “You will honor our decision!” “Keung,” Fei Wen soothed her agitated husband. He calmed but only to a point he wasn’t screaming when he informed his son, “This is how it’s been done for many generations in the Dragon Clan and you, like your forefathers, will do what is best for our family!” “How does this benefit us?” Wufei asked standing his ground. “She’s not even directly related to them.” “She is a distant relative but one of Chinese linage and a direct descendant of the Long family who served along side our ancestors,” Keung reminded him. “And your marriage will help ensure the prosperity of our people.” “You mean hitching me to this girl will open the door for you to do business with the West!” Wufei spat. Keung shifted his weight and straightened his back before he elaborated, “And build a foundation for the Brighton’s in the East.” Wufei snorted disdainfully before he turned on his heel and walked out. ** “Duo?” “Hiya, Quat,” he grinned while he tightened the harness and secured the small sleigh. “What are you doing?” Quatre asked coming into the stable. “You can’t take him, he hasn’t been feeling well.” Duo looked the reindeer over then patted his neck and insisted, “He’ll be fine. There’s a storm blowing around so I might need him to get back.” “He is not fine,” Quatre countered starting when the animal snorted. “And his light doesn’t work when he’s sick anyway.” Duo peered at the side of the reindeers head then smacked him gently on the antler whereupon his nose glowed brightly while he stamped his hooves indignantly. “See,” Duo grinned climbing in the sleigh. “We’ll be back in a few hours. Kris wants the troughs kept full until the twenty fifth.” “Duo!” Quatre protested but received only a wave of his mittened hand as he shot skyward. “It’s nice to be out of the pin he, Rudy?” Duo smiled as they soared through the sky but all the animal did was snort. Duo considered him cautiously wondering if Quatre had been right but he seemed okay so he kicked back and let his mind wander. “There has to be something we can do.” But nothing that crossed his mind seemed to help and soon they were touching down outside the small village of Leechenburg where they often bought hay and meal for the reindeer. “Hi, Duo,” Mitty, the young daughter of the local feed store smiled when he pulled up outside their store. “Hi,” he greeted. “Is your dad around?” “He’s gone to fetch Wilton from the mill,” she smiled coyly sauntering up to his side. He offered her an awkward smile then headed for the barn. “I need three bails and a sack of oats,” he informed her. “I can add it to your tab,” she offered helpfully while he stacked the items on the sleigh. “Thanks,” he smiled granting her a soft brush of his fingers on her cheek that left stars sparkling in her eyes before he made his way out of town. He chuckled when he entered the woods recalling how her mother had behaved in much the same way when she was her age then checked the road and lifted over the trees. It was a two hour flight to the workshop and he didn’t like the look of the clouds moving in from the east. “Better pick up the pace,” he said urging Rudy faster but he seemed reluctant to cooperate. “Hey,” Duo prompted trying to get a better look at him but he suddenly snorted violently almost sending them into the trees below. “Whoa!” Duo gasped doing his best to guide them to safety. “Are you alright?” he asked growing more concerned as the stars winked out above them. “Hey, buddy,” he coaxed nervously. “We could use a little light.” However, all Rudy did what snort loudly again and Duo suddenly realized he was sneezing which not only meant he couldn’t guide their way but every time he sneezed he completely lost his sense of direction and sent them careering all over the sky. ** “Will we be stopping for long?” “Be patient, Relena,” her father smiled while he gazed in her window. “The driver will take care of the gas and I need to make a phone call. I can’t seem to get any reception with this storm moving in.” “Yes, Father,” she sighed and he smiled tolerantly before going inside the small store. She huffed the moment he was gone clearly unhappy but forgot her boredom when a sleek looking car pulled up to the pump beside them. The door opened revealing a young man of Asian decent though she’d never seen a Japanese man fill out a jacket quite like he did and felt it in the tendons of her neck when he turned to scowl at the horizon. She glanced at the store while he was busy getting his gas then giggled and exited the car. “Hello,” she greeted the handsome young man but he offered nothing more than a cold glance. “Are you staying at the resort?” she pressed on undeterred. “My father is making me accompany him for the holiday,” she huffed leaning against the pump sulkily. “I really don’t know why I had to attend. He won’t even remember I’m here once he meets up with his colleagues.” Her brow creased curiously when the guy finished with the gas and took his receipt from the pump. “Perhaps we’ll see each other again,” she hurried to say but he didn’t seem to hear her while he got in his car and drove away but she smiled anyway and offered to his absence, “I’m Relena…Relena Darlian.” ** “Rudy!” Duo shouted over the howling wind but he couldn’t see past the end of his nose and knew the reindeer was near hysteria. If there was one thing Rudy wasn’t accustomed to it was running blind so there was nothing either of them could do when the sleigh clipped the top of a pine and sent them crashing to the ground where they skidded down a small hill and crashed into the side of a car knocking it off the road, down a slope and into a snow bank. “Rudy?” Duo groaned and though his head was still spinning he saw the frantic flight of a young reindeer racing off through the sky. “Are you hurt?” “What?” he inquired wishing the stars would stop flashing in his eyes but when they did he didn’t feel much better. “Who’re you?” “You knocked me off the road,” the guy told him. “We crashed?” Duo inquired trying to look around but as he was still on his back he couldn’t see much. “Yes, you hit my car.” “Car?” Duo echoed then gasped, “A human!” while he pulled his hat down over his ears. “Relax,” the guy soothed. “Just rest a moment. Does it hurt anywhere?” “Uh…no,” Duo replied making sure his ears were covered while he pushed himself to his feet. “Oh, noooo,” he groaned when he saw his ruined sleigh. “I hope you’re insured,” the guy commented going to check the damage to his car. “Where are we?” Duo asked trying to get a bearing but the wind was still blowing so much snow around he couldn’t see the stars. The guy stared at him a moment then asked, “You don’t know where you are?” “I forgot my map,” Duo lied dreading having to explain how he wrecked the sleigh to Kris. “We’re about two miles from the Carrington Resort.” “Greenland!” Duo gasped startling his companion. “That’s a thousand miles from…” he began then froze and deadpanned, “Kris is going turn me into a marionette when he finds out.” “Are you alright?” “Peachy,” he smiled. “But it looks like we have a long walk ahead of us.” “The car might run. If you help I’d be glad to give you a lift to the hotel.” “Hotel?” Duo echoed numbly then chuckled, “No…thanks but…there are…humans up there. I’ll just walk for awhile,” he grinned backing cautiously away. “It’s fifteen degrees,” the stranger stated. “And we’re in the middle of a storm.” Duo looked up at the swirling sky and sighed. “Alright,” he conceded. “But can you just take me to the nearest town?” “That’s twenty miles away. The resort is just up the hill. You can call someone from there.” Duo smiled sheepishly since there was only one way he could call someone and he had to be far away from any human being to do it. It wasn’t going to work in the storm though, so he was forced to help dig out the car which had a huge dent in the side but started and ran alright. “Are you a performer?” the stranger asked taking in his brightly colored clothes while they drove up the mountain. “No,” Duo replied tugging his hat down securely. His companion considered his grumpy expression for a moment then offered, “I’m Hiiro.” “Duo,” he returned then scrubbed his red nose on the back of his bright red mitten. “What were you doing out in this mess in a sleigh?” Hiiro wondered. “Crashing into you,” Duo snorted. “Man, I’m gonna be in so much trouble,” he groaned. “The sleigh wasn’t yours?” “It’s Kri…it belongs to my boss,” Duo explained. “And he wasn’t very happy with me before I left,” he confessed staring up at the darkened sky. “I sure hope Rudy’s alright.” “Who?” “My rein…deer,” Duo replied stalling when he realized what he said. “Listen,” he added before he could ask any questions. “It’d really help me out if we didn’t have to tell anyone about this.” “This is a rental,” Hiiro explained. “I’ll be liable for the damages if we don’t.” “Right,” Duo nodded looking more miserable by the moment. “Here we are,” Hiiro said as the brightly lit resort came into sight but Duo’s only response was to pull his hat down as far as it would go and sink down in the seat. “Come on,” Hiiro coaxed as he’d had to open his door and offer his hand to tempt him out of his seat. “Is there a problem, sir?” the valet asked seeing the damage to the car. “We’ll take care of it,” Hiiro assured him tossing him the keys. “Woooow,” Duo breathed when they entered the massive lobby as it was decorated heavily for the season with silver balls and tinsel. There was thick garland wrapped in lights around every marble pillar and an enormous tree of silver and blue in the center that stood no less than twenty feet high. “You like it?” Hiiro chuckled seeing the wonder dancing in his eyes. “It’s amazing,” Duo smiled. “I didn’t think humans cared for Christmas anymore.” Hiiro’s brow wrinkled at the odd use of the word humans again and he made a mental note to see that he visited a doctor. “Registrations this way,” he informed him having to tug on his bright red and yellow sleeve to get him moving. “Look at that,” Duo giggled when they passed a shop window where a small train was making it’s way merrily around a track set in a fake snow bank. “That’s Santa’s train,” a little girl who had been watching it through the window informed him. “Santa doesn’t have a train,” Duo countered distractedly. “The tracks would get mucked up in the snow.” Her brow creased while she watched the little train chug along the track and asked, “Then what does he use.” “Sleighs,” Duo grinned. “Duo?” Hiiro prompted casting a bemused glance at the train while he led him away. “You have a reservation for Hiiro Yui,” he told the clerk who busied herself with a confirmation. “You’re in suite twelve twenty one,” she informed him handing him a card key. “Do you need a room for the night?” Hiiro asked Duo but he was so captivated by the sparkling decorations he had to ask again. “Duo, can you call someone to come get you or will you need a room?” Some of the light faded from Duo’s eyes while he tried to think of some way to contact home but there was no way he could do it in the resort. “I guess I’ll need a room.” The clerk smiled and went to work then informed him, “I have a single on the fourth floor but the fee is at the holiday rate.” “There’s a fee?” Duo whispered to Hiiro who was taken aback by the inquiry. “Five hundred and twenty a night,” the clerk informed him. “Five hundred what?” Duo asked. “Perhaps you could share my suite,” Hiiro offered asking while she worked, “Is there a physician on duty?” “Are you in need of assistance?” she asked looking Duo over cautiously. “We had a little fender bender on the way in,” Hiiro explained. “I’m afraid we don’t have a doctor,” she informed him. “But there’s a fire station about five miles east.” “Thank you,” Hiiro smiled accepting the second card key but as he turned around to collect Duo he saw his mark stepping out of the elevator and paused. He was traveling incognito as was his custom when he took pleasure trips and had a scantily clad young woman on either arm while he made his way toward the casino where he would, no doubt, gamble away some poor mans life savings. Hiiro was just about to follow when a young, blonde girl stepped before him. “Hello again,” she smiled flashing a critical glance at Duo and his brightly colored attire. “Relena?” Mr. Darlian scolded, “You shouldn’t wander.” “Excuse me,” Hiiro said trying to go around but she nabbed his arm and laughed. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten me already?” she chuckled. “Who’s this?” Darlian inquired. “Perhaps the only reason I won’t be utterly bored while we’re here,” she smiled coyly. “Who’re you?” Duo wondered. She looked him over seeming displeased with something before offering, “Relena Darlian. And you are?” “I’m sorry, I don’t believe we’ve met,” Mr. Darlian interjected offering his hand to Hiiro. “I’m Robert Darlian.” “Vice Foreign Minister Darlian,” Relena added haughtily. “Hiiro Yui,” Hiiro replied distractedly but he couldn’t see into the casino well enough to keep track of his mark. “You see,” Relena commented demurely while her eyes took in Hiiro’s strong body, “You’ll have no reason to worry over me this year. Hiiro and I have…” “Excuse me,” Hiiro cut in pushing Duo along as he made a hasty exit leaving the girl gaping in mid sentence. “Do you know her?” Duo wondered glancing back to see her and her father moving on. “No,” Hiiro told him cursing his luck when he couldn’t locate his mark. “What’s that?” Duo wondered when he heard a happy melody in the air. “What?” “I know that song,” Duo grinned heading for the sound. “Duo?” Hiiro called chasing after him. “Look!” Duo sang when he stopped in front of a small group of people who had gathered to sing carols. Hiiro watched in stunned amazement when Duo suddenly jumped the short fence surrounding the risers and joined in the song. The people didn’t seem to know what to think at first but his enthusiasm as he danced and twirled around them soon had them laughing and clapping their hands. A moment later Duo had snatched up a plate and fork from an abandoned table and was tapping out a lively beat in accompaniment. Hiiro watched while he inspired the group into one song after another and a crowd gathered in response to his jubilation until he suddenly spun to a halt right in front of Hiiro’s astonished eyes. “I thought you’d forgotten about us!” Duo beamed through rosy cheeks and a smile as bright as the sun. “But you didn’t did you? You kept the old memories alive!” Hiiro was forced to swallow before he could speak but when his jaw dropped he couldn’t think of a single thing to say. “The show was lovely,” a woman standing nearby smiled while she patted Duo on the shoulder and handed him a five dollar tip but Duo’s smile fell when his stomach growled loudly. “Would you like to get something to eat?” Hiiro chuckled. “With this?” Duo grinned holding up the five. “Keep it,” Hiiro laughed turning them toward the restaurant. “I’ll cover dinner.” “Alright,” Duo smiled shoving the five in his pocket while he followed along. “Just two?” the hostess inquired. “Yes,” Hiiro nodded chuckling when Duo stuffed his face in an arrangement of flowers and inhaled deeply. “What are these?” he asked when he resurfaced. “The greenhouse sent the wrong arrangement,” the hostess explained. “We were supposed to get poinsettia’s but they sent a spring mix.” “This is what spring smells like?” Duo asked while he gazed at the flowers wondrously. “If you’re lucky enough to work in a flower shop I suppose,” she chuckled glancing inquisitively at Hiiro but he had no ready explanation for his odd behavior. “Shall I show you to your table now?” she asked pulling Duo’s attention away from the flowers but his eyes fell instantly on the tank of lobsters behind her station. “Woooow!” “You can choose one now if you like,” the hostess informed him. “For what?” Duo asked while he tapped on the glass and giggled at the odd creatures. “For dinner, of course,” she chuckled. “You eat them!?” Duo gasped rounding on her in utter horror. “Well, yes,” she confirmed looking to Hiiro for guidance. “He’s a vegetarian,” he told her unaware that he’d pegged it right until they sat down to order. “You really eat…meat?” Duo asked sounding ill at the thought. “Does it bother you that much?” Hiiro inquired while he tried to find something on the menu that wouldn’t offend his companion. “Well,” Duo thought it over. “I suppose all the animals of Earth hunt and kill for food. I guess I just figured you’d be a little more humane…you know…being human,” he explained while he studied the menu so he missed it when Hiiro’s brow knit. “How about a nice salad?” he asked after a time. “Cool,” Duo grinned laying his menu aside. They ordered and were halfway through their meal before Hiiro’s curiosity got the better of him and he commented, “You’re still wearing your hat.” “Oh,” Duo smiled sheepishly making sure it was still pulled down tight. “My ears get cold easy.” “You can take a hot shower when we turn in,” Hiiro offered. “Thanks,” Duo replied averting his eyes when they lighted on a steak a gentleman nearby was eating. “Do you live around here?” Hiiro asked in an attempt to distract him but when he saw one of the lobsters being brought out of the kitchen his bottom lip began to wibble. “Why don’t we take this upstairs,” he suggested waving their waitress down. “It’s a little chilly in here anyway.” Duo smiled gratefully and tried to keep his eyes off the food while they packed up, paid the bill and headed for the elevator. “Is something wrong?” Duo asked when Hiiro stopped to watch a man coming out of the casino. “No,” he replied scowling at the way he was laughing drunkenly and molesting his babes as he led them toward the bar. He’d have to deal with him later after he got things cleared up with Duo so he stepped up and called the elevator. It was so strange how Duo seemed captivated by even the simplest things and he laughed silently while he watched him push each button for each floor and giggle happily as they lit up. The fact that the lift would be detained until the commands were cleared only made it that more amusing and he was inspired to laugh out loud when Duo gaped as the door opened on each floor. “Where are you from?” he asked wondering how someone of Duo’s age could have survived without having used a standard elevator before. “Um…up north,” Duo evaded reaching for the fire alarm but Hiiro chuckled and intercepted shaking his head when Duo looked at him curiously. “We’re in Greenland,” Hiiro reminded him doing a mental check on anything that was north and coming up with nothing but ocean and ice. “Oh, well,” Duo shrugged easing into their room. “It’s not that far, really.” “You said something about a thousand miles before,” Hiiro recalled. “That was just…you know…the heat of the moment,” Duo explained. “Would you like me to hang up your coat?” Hiiro asked holding his hand out expectantly. Duo stared at him for a moment as if uncomfortable with the request but unable to come up with a viable reason to refuse he simply breathed, “Sure,” and shed the garment doing his best to ignore the strange expression on Hiiro’s face. “It that a costume?” Hiiro asked while he hung their coats and tried to make sense out of the candy stripped, multi colored configuration upon Duo’s thin frame. “Well, it is Christmas,” Duo reasoned uncomfortably. “More so for some than others,” Hiiro commented. “The snows still coming down pretty hard,” Duo observed going to the glass doors that led to the balcony. “It’s supposed to last into tomorrow,” Hiiro informed him. “All day?” Duo groaned starting when he realized Hiiro was standing right behind him. “Is that a problem?” he asked smiling slowly when Duo blushed. “I can’t call home until the storms over,” Duo sighed moving around and away from him. “They have a land line if your cell can’t get a signal,” Hiiro told him. Duo moved nervously around the couch while he explained, “We don’t get very good reception at home. They won’t be able to take the call until the weather clears.” Hiiro wondered how remote this place must be to be so far removed but there was a more pressing query nibbling at his brain. “Are your ears still cold?” “What?” Duo stammered making sure his hat was down tight. “You’re still wearing your hat.” “Oh…ummmm…” “You can take a hot shower if you want,” Hiiro reminded him. “Right,” Duo chirped happily. “I have some PJ’s you can borrow if you need them,” Hiiro offered. “What?” Duo asked cocking his head. “To sleep in,” Hiiro elaborated while he sipped a short brandy he’d fixed himself at the bar. “Like a night shirt,” Duo smiled. “Sure, thanks.” Hiiro’s brow knit curiously while he thought the comment over but it didn’t help so he went to get the clothes. “They have legs,” Duo giggled when he held them up and Hiiro was left staring numbly again. “I’ll be out in a jiffy,” Duo told him then closed the door and stopped to take a very deep breath while Hiiro went to fix himself another drink. There were so many amazing things in the human world he couldn’t quite get his head around it. All he’d ever known were the wishes of the children, but they never got to see what happened to them when they grew up. Adults didn’t believe in Santa Claus and anyone who had stumbled upon the truth had inadvertently endangered them all so it was strictly forbidden to interact with them but the more he thought about it the more he questioned the reasons why. The bathroom wasn’t so different from his own but the controls were odd. He managed with little trouble though the glass door made him feel as if he were on display somehow. The soaps were nice but he left off washing his long hair since it would take so long to dry then eeped and nearly jumped out of his skin when he turned to find Hiiro standing outside the stall. “What’re you doing in here!?” he gasped holding the wash cloth over his groin. “Sorry,” Hiiro chuckled while he leaned against the counter and set his empty tumbler by the sink. “I just wondered why you never take your hat off.” “Wha?!” Duo gasped dropping the cloth in favor of slapping his hands over his ears but his skin crisped so hot when Hiiro’s eyes fell to his crotch he quickly covered himself again. “Is that why you’re embarrassed?” Hiiro asked glancing at his pointed ears. “What?” Duo snipped. “Because they’re misshapen.” “They are not misshape…” Duo growled but suddenly stopped and fumed silently. “You shouldn’t let it bother you,” Hiiro told him. “They’re kind of cute actually,” he smiled while he headed for the door. “It sort of makes you look like an elf.” Duo snorted a wan laugh as the door shut and mumbled, “Imagine that.” He decided he’d like to have some clothes upon his person after that scene so he finished up and quickly dressed discovering that the PJ’s were just big enough to make him feel like an idiot while they hung on his small frame. Well, he was tall for an elf but even short humans like Hiiro had him beat so he rolled up the arms and legs and went to join his roommate. However, when he arrived in the common room it was to discover that Hiiro had curled up on the couch and fallen asleep. A quick assessment of the room revealed a fresh blanket and pillow on the foot of the only bed and he smiled understanding that his new friend had sacrificed his comfort for him. It was all so strange but sort of wonderful since Hiiro was around so he spread out the blanket and snuggled into the big bed with a happy smile on his face and visions of a bright new future in his head.
~ * ~ tbc... |
