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"Pawn Shop "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: Attempted NCS (mild), angst, fluff,
mild brutality against OOC6, mild lemons Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, mention of 13x6 Summary: The passage of certain items through a local pawn shop helps make the proprietors dreams come true. "Pawn Shop " Ch 3 *ching* “Yes? Duo!?” I gasped seeing him standing in my shop in the middle of the afternoon which was different from how he usually behaved and put me on guard. “Are you all right?” *ching* “How much is that?” he asked acting as if he didn’t know me while he glanced over his shoulder at the tall blond man that had followed him into the shop. I was instantly wary but I didn’t know what was going on nor did I want to cause Duo any problems so I played along. “Two fifty,” I replied keeping an eye on the blond guy while he moseyed around. Duo’s eyes flickered with some despair to the bit of chain that rested above my collar knowing full well his cross was attached beneath the fabric of my shirt but when my hand rose to touch it his eyes flashed and he gave an imperceptible shake of his head. “Seems a little steep,” the blond guy interjected having come up behind Duo and I felt my blood boil because he was standing much too close for my peace of mind. Duo seemed uncomfortable as well making me wonder what was going on until he sighed, “It’s not like I could buy it anyway,” and stepped away. “I’ll buy it for you,” the blond guy smiled moving along behind him and my hands balled into fists. “Zechs,” Duo breathed heavily in long suffering reprise. “You should take what’s offered,” he advised moving in so close he was nearly lying along his back. “I told you,” Duo grumbled heading for the door. “I don’t want anything from you.” This Zechs paused long enough to snip a quiet, “Stubborn,” under his breath before he followed and I jumped the counter and locked the door so I could shadow them. He followed him for a time before Duo finally got enough of it and stepped into a coffee shop where there were several overweight cops enjoying their afternoon break which prompted his shadow to walk on down the road. Once out of sight Duo emerged and beat a path the opposite direction but I was worried about him after that scene so I stayed with him until he turned into a rather shabby apartment building. I figured out pretty easily it’s where he lived when a light went on upstairs but stayed for a little while just to be safe. It was evening before I decided to head home since he hadn’t emerged and I couldn’t see him from my spot across the street but when I turned to leave I spotted Zechs on the sidewalk. Curiously, he turned into the same apartment building which set my hairs on end so I followed. “Good evening, Zechs,” a lady of about thirty greeted seductively the moment he was through the door but he regarded her with nothing more than mild interest. “My stoves acting up again,” she told him looking hopeful that he might spare her a moment but he never slowed down. “I’ll have Walker stop by to have a look tomorrow,” he told her making his way up the stairs. I shadowed him as closely as I dared fearing he might try to visit Duo in the night but he only stopped to stare at his door for a moment before easing into a door down the hall. It seemed odd that someone of his station would reside in such a place but if he owned it as was indicated by the woman downstairs it was reasonable. I had a feeling it had more to do with Duo’s residency than any desire to be close to his work though and forced my feet to carry me home. I had no idea what the cross had to do with it but it seemed obvious that Zechs was trying to pressure Duo into things he didn’t want to do. Things like what I had already done with him which gave credence to the idea that he had given himself to me because he wanted to. However, there was the cross and its part in the play but I still couldn’t figure out why it was so important and it just didn’t make sense that he’d pawn it for any reason if it was. I was worried about him but there wasn’t much I could do unless he let me so I waited for his return and was mightily pleased when he walked in just before closing the following day. “Hi,” he greeted looking very uncomfortable. “Hi,” I returned unsure of how I should proceed. “Sorry about that scene yesterday,” he offered. “No, its fine,” I assured him walking around the counter so I could turn the closed sign and lock the door. His eyes followed my movements nervously and I felt it in my throat when he swallowed. “I’m just glad you’re ok.” He smiled at me so sweetly I took a step closer while the need to hold him bubbled up inside me but I stopped when he flushed and glanced at the door. “I brought some money,” he explained pulling a roll of bills from his pocket and my heart sank into my toes. “It’s not the whole amount but…” he said letting his arm fall to his side when I didn’t take it. “Are you sure you can afford it?” I asked wishing he would just let me lay him down instead but he suddenly looked so pitiful I hated myself for the thought. “My landlord raised my rent again,” he confessed making me instantly want to kill one tall, blond letch. “But it won’t be due until the end of the month.” “Duo,” I breathed closing the distance between us. “You don’t have to do that,” I told him pushing the money away. He looked like I’d just smacked him for a moment then chuckled and shook his head. “You can’t possibly be so hard up you’d let me pay with my body again,” he commented and I took a big step back. “I didn’t mean…” “It’s ok,” he sighed shoving the money in his pocket while he reached for the buttons on his shirt and my blood simmered and smoked. “I don’t mind being with you but it seems like you’re getting the short end of the stick.” I took one look at his sultry torso and breathed dazedly, “Not at all.” He laughed softly while his skin pinked and I swallowed the enormous heat rising in me while I led him in the back and up the stairs. “Where are we going?” he asked since he’d never been up there before. “My place,” I explained opening the door to my small apartment. “I live above the shop.” “Are you partners with the owner?” he asked seeming comfortable in my space which made me unreasonably happy. “No,” I replied. “It’s my uncles. I’m just working here while I finish school.” “That’s convenient,” he commented folding into the couch while I fished in my mini fridge for some drinks. “Uh…yeah,” I agreed momentarily stunned by the maelstrom of images that whirled in my mind while I looked at him. I couldn’t believe the things I was thinking and it all started with kissing those sweet lips. The scary part was it didn’t end until we were buried in matching urns. “Do you have a bed?” he asked looking around my one room abode. “Are you in a hurry?” popped out of my mouth and I blushed when he chuckled at me. “Sorry,” I offered along with the soda in my hand. “You’re sitting on it actually.” “Oh,” he replied sipping his drink while I stood there staring at him until he shifted nervously and I realized I was gaping. “Do you mind if I make something to eat?” I asked not exactly sure what was making me hesitant because I was dying to rock that body of his hard. “All right,” he smiled sending a different kind of thrill through me so I bounced over the hot plate by the window and set up a pot of water to boil. “I hope you like ramen,” I cringed realizing it was all I had in the cupboard. He laughed in the middle of a swallow and dribbled soda down his chin while he replied, “It’s my staple,” and I found it so charming I stumbled mentally and had to regroup. “Sorry,” I offered pulling two cups of beef flavor out but paused when I opened the drawer making him crease a brow. “What is it?” “Um…how are you with chop sticks?” I never realized it was all I had. He laughed out right then held out his hand for them and I smiled all the way down to my toes. He was very curious about my life so I told him all about how I’d worked my way through school and my ambition to become a robotics’s engineer. I was surprised by his knowledge on the subject until he confessed a long time interest in mechanical beasties as he referred to them. He learned everything he knew from experience on the street though, so his formal training was lacking. Still, he’d managed to impress a company in the city enough to land him an entry level position on a new project so things were looking up. I couldn’t stand the thought of his leaving but it was too early to start demanding anything from him. I was glad he was doing better and moving up so I consoled myself with the idea that once I started at WEI full time we’d both be in the same area. I didn’t realize it was so late until our tongues got tired and my mind started roaming all the savory curves of his body, his long legs so strong and sure when they wrapped around my hips… “Is the bed big enough for two?” he asked softly and my blood pressure went right through the roof. “Come here,” I breathed already so deep inside him in my mind I couldn’t get the bed open fast enough. I have one lamp that I’d already dimmed earlier in the evening so his skin glowed softly brown when I slowly removed his shirt. I could hardly believe he was real because no one was that beautiful but he proved it to me every time he looked into me eyes. I spent the night worshiping him slowly because the last thing I wanted was for him to leave and as long as I was rooting around in the luxury of his compliance he was content to stay with me. I couldn’t keep it up forever though he seemed willing to let me try. We fell asleep in the early morning hours but I woke alone and felt like a whole had opened in my life that only he could fill and was still moping about his retreat when Quatre called me later that day. “Yes,” he was saying. “I’m afraid we’ll need a better explanation. The flux inhibitor is a little difficult to comprehend.” “All right,” I agreed welcoming the chance to get out of the store and away from the memories of Duo. I had a pretty good idea why he left without saying goodbye but it still bothered me. I thought I’d made it clear it wasn’t about the deal anymore. “Hi,” Quatre greeted when I joined him in one of the companies enormous, underground labs. It was the size of a military hanger and just as well equipped so I was drooling before I got halfway across the floor. “Thank you for coming.” “It’s no trouble,” I told him because it was true. It was my ideas they were tinkering with. “How can I…” but the words stalled when the guy with the long shock of hair over his eyes came around a piece of equipment. Quatre looked back at him with a familiarity that bordered on intimacy and I suddenly understood. “You really did return it home,” I chuckled. “Trowa?” Quatre inquired and I wasn’t surprised one bit when he stepped up and slipped his arm around his waist while he smirked sideways at me. “You’re stud,” he explained. “I found it in Hiiro’s shop.” “Wha…?” Quatre gasped reaching up to touch the earring. “But it was stolen over a year ago.” “It is a pawn shop,” I reminded him. “Thanks for holding onto it,” Trowa smiled resting his chin on Quatre’s shoulder. “You still had it after all that time?” Quatre wondered. “He kept it safe,” Trowa whispered in his ear revealing that he understood exactly why the price had been set so high. “Thank you,” Quatre smiled relaxing in his arms. “Trowa had it commissioned for our anniversary so it’s very special to me.” “I’m glad it found its way home,” I confessed before we turned our attention to the work at hand. I discovered Trowa was more than a tiger keeper when he helped put together a simplified model so the others would be able to follow along. It was refreshing to be in the company of people with the same mindset as me, not to mention the same sexuality, and I was feeling more at home all the time. I kept thinking about the stud and relating it to Duo’s cross wondering if it had been a special gift from a past lover but I didn’t like that thought so I pushed it aside but I ended up outside Duo’s apartment anyway. He was home because I could see his shadow moving around inside but I didn’t dare go up and knock for fear he’d think I was stalking him or something. I was content to simply be where he was for the moment until I saw Zechs enter the building and my jaw clenched. I wished he would get a clue and go find a room at the Hilton but my sour mood didn’t turn dangerous until I saw Duo walk past his window to open his door. I bowed up when he stepped back and I saw he was clearly annoyed but then he moved back again and Zechs stepped into the picture. The next thing I knew he had a hold of his arms and was trying to kiss him and my feet were carrying me up the stairs at breakneck speed. “Hey!” I shouted finding them on the couch when I burst through the door. Zechs was on top of him trying to worm his way beneath his shirt and I nearly popped a vein. “UFF!” he huffed when I picked him up and threw his sizable body across the room to slam into the far wall. “Who the hell’re…!?” he began then got a good look at me and gaped. “You’re fucking the local fence?” he laughed pushing himself to his feet but he went right back down when I punched him dead in the face. “Stop it!” Duo shouted staying my next blow but the son of a bitch wasn’t moving so I was satisfied. “Gods,” Duo groaned looking down at him. “What am I supposed to do now?” “Were you sleeping with him?” I demanded feeling a rage growing inside me the likes of which I’d never known before. “Tell me!” I shouted causing him to stumble and fall while he stared wide eyed up at me. “Did you sleep with him!?” “N…no,” he stammered and I suddenly felt like a complete idiot. “Did he hurt you?” was my next question and I was pleased when he let me help him up. “I don’t think so,” he replied nervously straightening his shirt. “Damn it,” he groaned turning to look at his unconscious landlord. “He’ll evict me for sure.” “Good riddance!” I spat almost managing to kick him in the head but Duo pushed me so I missed. “Shit,” he breathed sinking into a chair. “What am I going to do?” “Can’t you find another place?” “I don’t have the money,” he sighed. “I can’t start my new job until I relocate but…” he paused and glanced at me and I suddenly understood the nature of my sin. He refused to go without his cross and I’d kept it from him because I wanted him so badly. “Here,” I said reaching up to take it off. “Take it,” I told him feeling the weight of the loss when his fingers closed around it uncertainly. “I’ll forgive the loan. You just go put your life in order.” “What about your uncle?” he asked quickly fastening the chain around his lovely neck and I clenched my jaw at the thought that I’d never get to kiss it again. “I’m working on a deal that will cover it,” I explained. “Thanks,” he offered but didn’t look much better. “But I still don’t have anywhere to go until I get my first check.” A thousand lights suddenly sprang to life in my mind and I tentatively and with great effort offered, “You could stay with me.” He just stared at me. “You know,” I amended hoping I wasn’t pushing too hard. “At least until you have the money for your own place.” His smile was somewhat on the demonic side when he asked, “And how would I repay you?” I shrugged as casually as I dared and replied, “We’ll think of something.” It was an excuse on both our parts, I knew that but there was no way to know how it would play out. It was possible he wouldn’t like living with me in spite of the great sex I was so dearly looking forward too but I couldn’t help but hope he’d become as dependant on me as I already was on him. He agreed regardless so we packed his things and left Zechs lying in the middle of the floor to sleep it off. “You can put you’re things in here if you want,” I told him offering the bottom two drawers of my three drawer dresser that were perpetually empty because I only own three sets of clothes. “Thanks,” he smiled dropping the small bag he’d brought in the second one. “Do you mind if I have a soda?” “No, help yourself,” I told him making a note to pick up more so he’d have plenty on hand. “I’ll pay you back,” he told me but it was the last thing on my mind. “Don’t worry about it,” I chuckled curious over what else I might provide that would make staying with me appealing. “Do you cook?” I asked making another note to pick up something besides ramen. “My stove never worked,” he laughed curling into the couch. “But I can if you’d like me too.” “You don’t have to,” I explained putting a cup of water in the microwave to heat. “But there’s the hot plate and I have some basic utensils if you want to make yourself something.” “Like fried noodles?” he asked raising a comical brow while I stared at the boxes of cup noodles in my cabinet beside the tea. “Right,” I laughed along taking out a box of chai. “Would you like some?” “I’m good,” he smiled holding up his soda. The conversation stalled while I made my tea giving my mind time to wander the delicious planes of his body which made me eyes take a trip all over it when I glanced his way. I knew he was aware of my hungry gaze because his face was hot and he was having trouble looking at me when I joined him but I couldn’t make myself stop. “Tired?” he asked setting his empty bottle aside. “It’s a little early,” I commented sipping my tea. “Yes,” he nodded yawning so hugely I knew at once it was an act. “But it’s been…such a long day,” he smiled and ohgoddamn. “Yeah,” I nodded sitting my cup aside. “I still can’t believe that letch tried to force you.” “He’s always been an ass,” Duo explained then asked on an off note, “How’d you know where I lived?” I blushed but hid it by turning away to open the couch and shrugged, “Just happened to be passing by.” His smile revealed his skepticism over the matter but he didn’t push it and I was grateful because I already felt like a cad. I’d extorted sexual favors from him, stalked him and totally invaded his life but he seemed ok with it so I let it ride. “You seem very dependable,” he commented so close behind me I stood up. “He was hurting you,” I reasoned while my heart raced. “And you saved me,” he breathed laying his scrumptious self along my back. “Duo,” I rasped turning to take him in my arms and kiss him and everything went away for awhile. He was right there beside me when I woke up so I wrapped him up tight and prayed for time to stop. It was an unreasonable wish because I had an appointment with WEI later in the afternoon and had to get up to open the shop. It hit me while he was at the sink brushing his pearly, white teeth that he could solve one of my problems and I could help him at the same time. “You wouldn’t want to run the shop for me for awhile this afternoon would you?” I asked while I dressed. “You mean work here?” he asked without taking his tooth brush out of his mouth which made him look like a chipmunk and I got a case of the warm fuzzies while I watched. “You could earn some money and help me out,” I suggested. “I could do it today,” he explained pausing to rinse his mouth. “But my schedules sort of packed.” “All right,” I nodded though with his financial problems I couldn’t help but ask, “If you need a ride anywhere just let me know.” “Actually,” he smiled coming to melt into my arms and I grinned from ear to ear. “I have class in the morning but staying here is going to put me another ten minutes away. If you have time to drop me off…” “No problem,” I smiled kissing him warmly before heading down to open up. I was delighted to discover the other pack he’d brought along was filled with text books and that he’d already achieved his secondary degree which meant he was well advanced for his age. This made me feel a little drunk as it confirmed that we had more in common that a lust for each others bod’s and I spent the day in high spirits while I tinkered with some of my projects until it was time for my meeting. “I’ll be back by dinner,” I told him pecking his sweet lips on my way out. “Everything is marked so you shouldn’t have any trouble.” “I’m ok,” he assured me but I already had every confidence in him. He’d proven himself capable and intelligent, trustworthy and the single most incredible lover I could have ever hoped for so I left with a spring in my step and success on my mind. My meeting went amazingly well but I wasn’t working with the regular Joe’s down at the local pub. These guys were top notch scientist and engineers so it didn’t take long to explain my theories to them. Predictably, they tried to modify and tweak them to their liking but in the end it was my ideas so they were forced to abide by my will, something Quatre was adamant about and I left more confident than ever that things were going my way.
~ * ~ tbc... |
