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"Permanent Press"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 *nods*, sap *yeppers!*, WAFF *you
bet’cha!*, slight angst, moderate lemon Pairings: 1x2, 3x4 Summary: A young man with big dreams finds more than he bargained for when a handsome stranger walks into his local laundry mat. "Permanent Press"
Ch 2 The day dragged on until he thought his eyes might bleed but eventually the inevitable happened and he was free to go home. However, home didn’t hold the usual appeal since he was in no hurry to sit and stare at the walls while the seconds ticked away. Dinner seemed like a worthy distraction from the fact that his apartment was as devoid of Hiiro as the rest of the world seemed to be so he pointed his toes in the direction of the nearest restaurant. It wasn’t the sort of place he would normally go for a bite to eat but he was feeling somewhat disjointed and in need of a change. Waiting to be seated was different since his favorite diners usually let you sit wherever you liked but the short conversation with the young hostess got his mind off of things for a minute. He was given a table by the wall beside a thick rubber tree plant that made him feel cozy without secluding him from the rest of the world. His server took his drink order then disappeared only to be called over by the people at a neighboring table at which point Duo felt his stomach turn a flip. There was no mistaking it; the young man talking to his waitress was none other than his CEO, Quatre Raberba Winner whose father just so happened to own the company Duo worked for. Duo had only seen him twice in the few months of his employ but there was no way he wouldn’t recognize him. Feeling somewhat self conscience because of having chosen the same place to eat Duo shifted in his seat. If Quatre noticed him and actually recognized who he was it could cause a rather awkward moment should he misunderstand and think Duo was stalking him or something. Concerned for his reputation and immediate state of employment he tucked behind his menu and tried to think of a way to deal with the situation should the need arise. “Have you decided?” Damn, she was back already? “I’ll have the New York strip,” he smiled frowning when she took his menu away. There were the usual questions about what sides he would like, salad or coleslaw and a brief inquiry over his age when he ordered a glass of wine before she glided away and left him staring blankly into the smiling face of Quatre Winner. Uncertain of what to do he offered a sheepish smile and turned his attention elsewhere trying very hard to act as if he didn’t know the young tycoon. It seemed to work as he went back to talking with his companions and Duo sighed a breath of relief then snorted softly to himself when it came to him that at least he hadn’t been pining over Hiiro for the past few minutes. He’d brought along a book Hiiro had mentioned in their conversations that happened to be in the company library and passed the time reading through it while he waited for his food. He’d barely scratched the surface when said food arrived in a timely manor and he made a note to try this place again when the occasion called for it. The meal was adequate and very flavorful and the prices weren’t so bad he couldn’t afford to dine there now and then. He smiled taking the last bit of his steak between his teeth as he wondered if Hiiro would enjoy eating there with him but almost choked on it when he glanced up to see Quatre winner approaching his table. “Good evening,” the blond smiled creasing his brow in concern when Duo coughed and stealthily spit the bit of steak into his napkin. “Forgive me,” Quatre went on. “But don’t you work for WEI?” “Y…yes, sir,” Duo rasped smiling apologetically as he reached for his water. “In research and development.” “I knew I’d seen your face before. Mr. Maxwell isn’t it?” the blond smiled offering his hand. “I’m…” “Quatre Winner,” Duo cut in confidently as he rose to this feet and eagerly shook the offered hand before it hit him. “I’m sorry if I disturbed your dinner,” he offered. “I’ve never been here before so I was surprised to see you.” Quatre smiled and waved the comment away. “It’s close to the office and the food is excellent,” he chuckled then sobered to ask, “Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t you submit a proposal a couple of months ago detailing the possibility of locating and manipulating solar anomalies?” “Yes!” Duo exclaimed reddening with embarrassment at his outburst but Quatre merely chuckled lightly. “Sorry,” he laughed along. “It’s just no one seems to understand what I’m getting at half the time.” “Considering the nature of your proposal I’m not surprised,” Quatre nodded and Duo felt his chest swell with anticipation. “Have you done any more research on the matter?” Duo’s face fell. “Not… officially,” he confessed. “Mr. Yantz doesn’t allow research on subjects that don’t pertain to department criteria but I have a compilation of my work on my system at home.” “You work at home?” Quatre smirked but Duo merely set his jaw and replied… “Trans-dimensional travel is my dream. No offence, but if I can’t make it happen with WEI then I’ll find another way.” The comment seemed to impress the blond CEO causing his left brow to twitch and the right side of his lips to curl. “I’d like to see that dedication applied to the future of WEI,” he told him. “Would you consider transferring to a position that would better serve both our interests?” Duo could hardly believe his ears. “Yes, sir!” he smiled breathlessly. “It’s Quatre,” the blond replied once again offering his hand. Duo grinned widely shaking on the deal and wondering offhandedly if Hiiro had any idea how he had inadvertently affected his life.
If he hadn’t been pining over the handsome warp engineer he never would have stepped in that restaurant and stumbled into what was undoubtedly going to become a defining moment in his life. He couldn’t stop grinning all the way home and didn’t even mind that it was small, dark and empty when he got there. His feet were light but his stomach was heavy so he headed for the shower slapping the disk player on the way and spent the next forty five minutes draining the apartment complex’s hot water heater while he danced about his shower stall and wallowed in how good it felt just to be alive for a change. He had just finished rinsing the conditioner from his hair when he heard a strange timbre in the music and suddenly realized it was his phone. “Yo!” he gasped falling onto the couch as he snatched it up on the seventh ring. He was still dripping wet having only grabbed a towel to clutch around his waist so his long hair was drizzling all over the place but his concern for the upholstery disappeared the moment Hiiro replied, “Duo?” “Hi!” Duo smiled readjusting to a sitting position before having a sudden thought. “Did I give you my number?” “No,” Hiiro confessed sounding suddenly shy. “I have caller ID but if you’d rather I didn’t call…” “NO!” Duo exclaimed laughing at his exuberance as he rubbed the end of the towel on his hair. “I don’t mind at all, I was just curious how you knew. What’s up?” There was a short pause before Hiiro began with, “Um…,” and ended with. “Do you wear ankle socks?” “What?” Duo snorted a laugh. “I found a black ankle sock in the leg of a pair of my jeans,” Hiiro explained sounding very off balance and utterly humiliated. “That’d be mine,” Duo laughed lightly. “I didn’t even notice it was missing,” he confessed dragging his mane of wet hair over his shoulder. “How can you not know you’re missing a sock?” Hiiro wondered. “I don’t pair them.” Duo explained. “I just buy all the same kind and toss them in a drawer.” “Hn,” Hiiro grunted thoughtfully. “That’s very practical.” “Works for me,” Duo laughed. “Can you hold on a sec?” “Sure.” Duo laid the phone down and took a moment to tame his soggy hair rolling its massive length up in the oversized towel and curling down into the sofa with a throw pillow in his lap to cover his more chill sensitive area’s then picked it back up again. “Ok.” “What were you doing?” The blush came hard and fast but a quick swallow disguised his discomfort. “Just got out of the shower,” he explained. “My hair was dripping all over.” “You actually took that mass down?” Hiiro chuckled. “And got it wet!” Duo grinned. “You’re braver than I thought.” “It’s all in the wrist,” Duo snickered. “It must take forever to dry.” “It’s not too bad,” Duo shrugged. “But it does stay damp around the nape of the neck for awhile.” “It’s thickest up there,” Hiiro agreed going quite for a moment. “What?” Duo prompted grinning madly. “Ok,” Hiiro chuckled. “I have to know. How in the hell do you managed to braid it so tight by yourself?” “I’ve had a lot of practice,” Duo laughed. “You’ve always had to do it yourself?” The odd quality of Hiiro’s tone caught Duo off guard and settled his giddy elation as his mind wondered if Hiiro was probing about his past. “Yeah,” he sighed cuddling his throw pillow a little tighter. “Seems like it’d be easier if someone helped you with it,” Hiiro commented softly. “I had it done at a salon once,” Duo confessed. “But the gal kept saying it needed a trim then offered to trim all my other hair while she was at it so I never went back.” “Why do you keep it so long?” “I dunno,” Duo shrugged fighting off a yawn. “Because it’s mine I guess.” “It’s beautiful.” Duo felt his heart skip a beat at the comment flushing right down to his collarbones but couldn’t’ think of a single thing to say in response before Hiiro stuttered, “I…I mean, you know? It’s so long and silky. I bet it made everyone in that salon jealous.” “Scared them is more like it,” Duo laughed feeling somewhat lighter. “One of the guys made a comment that you couldn’t pay him enough to roll it.” “Roll it?” “For a permanent I guess.” “Oh, lord!” Hiiro laughed heartily. “Curls? That’s insane! We wouldn’t’ find you for years!” “I’d be an old man before I found my way out,” Duo chortled liking the sound of Hiiro’s laugher very much. “Naw,” Hiiro laughed. “I’d come in after you before that could happen.” The laugher slowly died away as an awkward moment settled in and Duo did his best to keep his heart in his chest. “Have you ever grown your’s long?” he asked groping for something to say. “You wouldn’t have spoken to me if I had,” Hiiro chuckled gratefully. “Why?” “It sort of just grows straight out,” Hiiro confessed. “Like an afro?” Duo sniggered. “More like an angry hedge hog,” Hiiro replied then had to wait for Duo to stop laughing before they could continue. “Well, it looks nice the way it is,” Duo finally choked. “Short hair suites you.” “Really?” “Mm,” Duo nodded tugging the towel from his hair so it could air dry a little. “You have such a strong neck it would be a shame to cover it up.” “I bet your’s is stronger than mine,” Hiiro replied. “It has to support all those lovely tresses after all.” Again Duo blushed even though the comment was obviously in jest and couldn’t think of a ready reply. “It’s scrawny like the rest of me,” he finally commented brightening all the way to red when Hiiro softly replied… “Nothing about you is scrawny.” “They used to call me stick boy,” Duo insisted. “I bet they’re all overweight couch potatoes by now,” Hiiro reasoned. “I wouldn’t know,” Duo replied sinking a little deeper into the couch. “I left them all back in Trenton Falls.” “You’re from the Midwest?” “Only for the past twelve years or so.” “And before that?” “I ran the streets of L2.” He didn’t realize what he was saying until it was too late and fear gripped his chest that Hiiro might think he was worthless like all those people who had looked down on him when he was a street rat on L2 but the first thing out of Hiiro’s mouth was… “You’ve come a long way.” Hearing the pride he felt for his accomplishments in someone else’s voice did things for him he couldn’t quite understand but he knew he liked it very much. “Things were better once I arrived on Earth,” he explained. “I got to go to school and eventually made my way here.” “Is that why you want to succeed in creating a trans-dimensional doorway?” Hiiro queried. “So other people will be able to make it to Earth?” It was a bit like he’d reached inside his head and picked out his most intimate thoughts but it felt oddly comforting somehow and Duo smiled and hummed, “Mm hm.” “You’re really going to change things,” Hiiro commented once again voicing Duo’s innermost dreams. “It’ll be easier to help if people aren’t cut off from their origins,” Duo yawned. “I had to stow away on a freighter to get here but I got lucky. Most people who try it don’t survive.” “Are there that many willing to do such a thing?” Hiiro asked quietly as Duo’s voice was growing softer with each intonation. “Thousands on L2,” Duo sighed fighting heavy eyelids. “But space travel is expensive so they’re SOL unless they wanna take a chance on becoming a space pop.” “And you wanted it so badly you took the chance.” “I knew I wouldn’t die,” Duo replied yawning hugely again. “I couldn’t,” he mumbled. “Not before I set foot on Earth.” Hiiro remained quite listening to the gentle rhythm of Duo’s breath as it deepened and evened out. When the longhaired boy again blinked open his eyes his first confusion was over why his phone was in his lap, his second, why was he sleeping naked on his couch? He didn’t figure it out until after he’d dressed and washed his face then the horrible embarrassment over having fallen asleep on the phone set it and he wondered how he would face Hiiro that night. He’d just have to apologize and hope he’d understand how little sleep he’d gotten the night before. Hiiro was a reasonable guy after all. However, all thoughts of Hiiro were banished when he arrived for work and discovered his desk was gone. “Maxwell!” “What?!” he gasped jumping six inches off the ground at Yantz’s shout. “Think you’re hot shit don’t ya!?” the man growled towering over him. “What are you talking…” Duo began wondering if he’d been transferred to the mailroom after all then it hit him. Had Quatre done something so quickly? “Don’t think just ‘cause you moved up a floor it means you’re any better than the rest of us!” Yantz snarled but it shifted to something of a pout when Duo suddenly grinned. “I don’t even want to know what you did to get promoted overnight girly boy,” the man sneered going suddenly red faced when Duo’s knee connected viciously with his groin. “Nothing you’d ever understand,” he smiled tossing his jacket over his shoulder as he strode off toward the elevator and left his ex-boss wheezing in the hall. When he stepped off however, he wished he’d waited a bit longer to reclaim his dignity as he had no idea to where or whom he was supposed to report. Unlike the floor below he noticed immediately that there was a receptionist stationed in the foyer and pointed his feet in that direction. “May I help you?” she asked turning to pleasantly greet him and he suddenly recognized her having seen her in the elevator and parking garage in the basement. “Hi,” he greeted glancing down the long hall on her left. “I’m Duo Maxwell. Mr. Yantz said I’ve been moved up here but I’m not sure where I’m supposed to go.” “Of course, Mr. Maxwell,” she smiled. “One moment.” He took the opportunity to peek down the hallway to her right noting the paintings on the walls looked like original oils and depicted some of the most striking images he’d ever seen. The first was an abstract of what could only be the Horse Head Nebula. He still couldn’t see a horses head in it but the composition was undeniable. The next, though more difficult to make out, looked like a star map of some sort. “I’m sorry for the wait,” the receptionist interrupted his thoughts. “You’ll be working with Wufei Chang...” “Chang Wufei,” came a stern but tolerant voice and Duo looked up to see a young Chinese man walking down the hall. “You’re Maxwell?” he asked looking Duo up and down and… back up again. Shifting uncomfortably under the scrutinizing gaze Duo cinched his self respect on a little tighter and replied, “That’s me.” “Hope you’re half what Quatre boasted you’d be,” Wufei smirked. Duo felt a bit odd at the thought that Quatre had been bragging about him but shook it off. “Is that it?” Wufei asked glancing at his jacket and small bag.” “I wasn’t informed the move would happen today,” Duo explained. “But I could run home and gather my research if you’d like.” “Bring it tomorrow,” Wufei advised tossing a small salute at the receptionist before guiding him down the left hall. Duo took a moment to notice the name plate on the desk and called cheery, “See you later, Silvia,” waving at the suddenly smiling young lady before falling into step beside his new partner. “I read your proposal last night,” Wufei informed him breezing into a large office with a solid cherry wood desk, two over stuffed, black leather couches and the single most spectacular view he’d seen in the city yet. “It was intriguing but I still don’t see how you expect to isolate anomalies that haven’t been proven to exit.” “I was a bit lost on that myself but a friend of mine suggested the possibility that they might be notable in the volatile repercussion of an ion burst,” Duo replied marveling at what one floor could do but the few windows on the floor below were small and the view obstructed by the tops of the adjacent buildings. This office appeared to have been purposefully positioned to make the most of the morning sun and looked down on the park across the street. Duo smiled as he watched the sparkling sunlight dance on the small lake in the park and wondered where Hiiro might be at that very moment. “Have you ever been up here before?” Wufei smirked leaning against the desk. “No,” Duo chuckled turning to look around again as he complimented, “Nice digs.” “You like it?” Wufei grinned. “It’s bigger than my apartment,” Duo chuckled. “Good,” Wufei nodded pushing off the desk as he added, “Because it’s yours.” The sound of Duo’s jaw hitting the ground could have raised the dead. “You have full access to the network,” Wufei added turning to add as he reached the door. “Just use your social to get in the first time and choose a password.” He snickered at the ashen color of Duo’s face shaking his head almost affectionately before he smiled, “Welcome aboard,” and left. Duo looked around again as his chest began to swell until he couldn’t contain it anymore and let go a whooping shout falling bonelessly into one of the couches then bouncing right back up and dropping his ass in his new, high back, black leather captains chair and booting up his system. Full access to the network wasn’t even the half of it. He was jacked into servers all over the world, the colonies even the damn military and government networks were open to him for the most part. He was dizzy with excitement and totally engrossed when a knock came at his door so all he could muster was a distracted… “Yeah?” “Duo?” “Just a sec,” he replied not really noticing the young blond enter until he’d finished reading the article he’d been captivated by but balked when he saw Quatre standing on the other side of his desk. “Shit!” he gasped jumping to his feet. “Sorry… I was just… I mean…” “Quite all right,” Quatre chuckled. “I see you’ve been getting to know your new equipment.” “Yes, sir,” Duo breathed in relief but Quatre eyed him until he add, “Quatre.” Shifting to a satisfied smile the blond promptly sat himself down on the corner of the desk and peeked at what Duo was doing. “Warp drives?” “It’s an idea a friend of mine had for isolating solar anomalies,” Duo explained. “Interesting,” Quatre nodded. “Do you mind?” Duo shook his head pushing the track ball closer so Quatre could browse through the windows he’d been looking at. He began to feel a bit guilty when he realized how many he had opened and how very diverse the information was. To a layman eye it might look like he’d simply been surfing aimlessly and though that was partially true the goal of his efforts was always dedicated to further his work. However, people never seemed to understand his unique way of researching often reprimanding him for goofing off. “You’ve been busy,” Quatre smiled sliding his track ball back toward him. Duo felt the impulse to apologize rise in this throat but it was crushed mercilessly when Quatre added, “Keep up the good work. Did Wufei explain you’re hours and duties?” “Not in so many words,” Duo chuckled forcibly holding his elation inside. “Lunch is by your own discretion,” Quatre smiled. “Work till you’re satisfied but please make sure to rest. I’ve lost more creative minds to obsessive behavior than I care to name,” he sighed missing Duo’s flabbergasted expression entirely but it shifted into pure shock when the blond tycoon asked, “Are you available for lunch?” “Wh…sure!” Duo grinned. “What time?” “Now?” Duo looked at the clock gaping as it informed him it was past three o’clock and smiling sheepishly when his stomach suddenly rumbled loudly. “Um…I’ll get my jacket.” It was like a dream that he damn sure didn’t want to wake up from. Lunch was simple but tasty and he reassessed his opinion of Quatre a little when they ended up in the park with subs made at a mobile vender by the lake. For a multi-trillion dollar conglomerate the guy was all right. He asked about his home and parents not batting an eye when Duo revealed his lack of the latter and meager status of the former. They spoke of his work and where he wanted to take it and Duo felt his smile soften every time they touched on a subject that had been brought to light by Hiiro until he suddenly realized Quatre was smirking at him. “Where was I?” he asked having lost the thread. “You’re friend had suggested bi-nuclear reproduction,” Quatre smiled. “Right,” Duo nodded but couldn’t seem to figure out what came next. Mercifully he was saved when Quatre’s cell phone rang and the blond turned his attention to it by softly smiling, “Hi,” into it. It was obvious whoever was on the other end was someone of intimate relation to him from the way he shied and smiled when he said, “Sounds wonderful. I’m in the park by the lake with Duo. Pick me up here?” Duo turned his eyes away feeling as if he were intruding but the conversation seemed to be over when Quatre added, “Ok,” and closed his phone. “I’m afraid I’ll have to cut our lunch short,” he informed him. “No problem,” Duo replied amiably. They discarded the wrappers from their meal, Duo choosing to keep his extra large soda to take back to the office and headed toward the road where a white convertible with yellow and red flames emblazoned down the sides stopped in front of them and Quatre lit up brighter than the morning sun. “Trowa!” he smiled stepping forward to take the hand of the taller guy that had gotten out of the car. Duo was prepared to greet the newcomer only to blush furiously when he gathered Quatre into his arms and kissed him smack on the mouth. “Stop it,” Quatre giggled but he sure didn’t sound like he meant it. “I want you to meet Duo. Duo, this is Trowa. My most trusted advisor,” he grinned not bothering to extract himself from Trowa’s strong arms while he offered one hand to Duo in greeting. “He means lover,” Trowa smiled chuckling amusedly when Duo gave a curt nod and quick shake of his fingers. “Lover, advisor… confidant,” Quatre grinned tweaking his nose through the long fall of auburn hair that half hid his face. “Duo understands,” he smirked turning a knowing eye on the longhaired boy. “Don’t you?” Duo nodded but that was the best he could manage which appeared to amuse his companions further so he was just as happy when they finally sped off in the flaming car together. Nope, Quatre Winner was definitely nothing like what he’d thought he’d be. It was refreshing and encouraging and just a bit scary all at the same time but at least he knew his boss wouldn’t have a problem with his sexuality.
~ * ~ tbc... |
