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"Raspberry Barrette"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 Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xM Summary: Sometimes big things happen when little
things go awry. "Raspberry Barrette" Part 3
“Where’s the beret?” Hiiro teased noting that he was wearing a cream colored, knit hat with a red pattern weaved in the edge. “Back on the head it belongs to,” Duo chuckled. “Too bad,” Hiiro smiled leading him inside. “It was quite fetching.” “Hiiro,” a woman greeted from the reception desk. “How good to see you,” she smiled looking him over somewhat intently before noting the young man by his side. “And who is this?” “This is Duo Maxwell,” he informed her. “He’s come to do an assessment on the security updates I did for you.” “Oh?” she inquired with great interest while she reached for the phone. “I wasn’t aware we needed one.” “I’ve spoken to Mr. Berns,” Hiiro explained then fell silent while she spoke to her employer then hung up the phone. “Everything is in order,” she smiled. “Thanks,” Hiiro offered but he missed the odd crease on her brow when he laid his hand on the small of Duo’s back and guided him down the hall. “Is that a Strideck 20?” Duo asked when he noticed a small spot in the metal over the elevator doors. “You’re sharp,” Hiiro grinned. “Is this place that high profile?” Duo wondered impressed by the tiny, hidden camera. “They keep a certain amount of valuables on the property,” Hiiro explained. “Hence the extra security.” “You’re very good at your job,” Duo informed him sometime later once their inspection was finished. “So, you couldn’t break it?” Hiiro inquired while he led him through the lobby. “I didn’t say that,” Duo chuckled. “But it’d take a lot of planning and state of the art equipment to pull it off so unless these guys are hording something like the Hope Diamond I think they’re in good shape.” “Well, that’s nice to hear.” “Oh, hello, Mr. Berns,” Hiiro smiled turning to face the middle aged executive. “It sounds like we passed,” Mr. Berns smiled while his eyes took a trip down Duo’s thin frame. Hiiro’s brow knit crossly but he replied amiably, “The system is more than adequate.” “Good to know,” Berns nodded while he looked Duo over again and Hiiro stepped closer to his side. “All this has made me curious over my home system,” Berns commented then told Duo, “I could see that you’re well compensated if you have the time to have a look at it for me.” “Now?” Duo inquired hesitantly. Berns smile grew disturbingly feral while his eyes took a trip down Duo’s body again and he explained, “The estate is empty at the moment with the family away for the holidays. We’d have ample time to…explore the possibilities.” “I’m afraid we have other plans,” Hiiro snipped. Duo seemed somewhat off balance but played along. “Right,” he smiled offering an awkward, “Sorry,” as Hiiro nudged him toward the exit. “Perhaps another time,” Berns commented as he face fell into disappointment. “Sorry,” Hiiro grumbled when they found the sidewalk. “It’s not your fault,” Duo chuckled while he pulled his hat out of his pocket. “I can’t believe he expected you to just go along,” Hiiro snipped taking the hat and pulling it down over Duo’s hair irritably. Duo stopped to smile then pushed the hat back off his eyes and peered at his companion. “He’s probably just lonely.” “That’s no excuse to disrespect you or assume you’d be willing to…” but the rant ended when Duo laid his fingers on his lips. “It’s alright,” he soothed. Hiiro considered him for a moment in which he removed his fingers before he asked, “It doesn’t bother you?” “It happens from time to time,” Duo chuckled while he pulled on his gloves and moved them down the sidewalk. Hiiro felt his ears warming but couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Guys come onto you?” “It’s been know to happen,” Duo shrugged then asked offhandedly, “Why? Do you have a problem with gays?” “No!” Hiiro balked. “My best friends are gay after all.” “Then you should understand,” Duo smiled. Hiiro let it go for a time but he still seemed rankled and soon spat, “I just don’t see why he just came onto you like that,” then amended when he glanced at him, “I mean, I see why but…” Duo had stopped and was watching him confusedly but the words had abandoned him so he was left staring at him with nothing to say until Duo took pity on him and asked, “Do you have time for lunch?” “Hm?” Hiiro inquired then glanced back to find a small restaurant behind him. “Sure,” he nodded checking the street before they crossed. “I’m not opposed to doing the job,” Duo was saying while they munched on hoggie’s. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea after what happened,” Hiiro replied. “What if he tries something?” “Why don’t you come with me?” Duo suggested. “I really don’t think he’s dangerous but you could come along if you’re worried about it.” “I guess,” Hiiro grumbled. “We could both use the business,” Duo reminded him and though Hiiro knew he could get by just fine without the job Duo wasn’t in as good a position as he was so he agreed. “I’ll call him later and see if I can set something up.” “Thanks,” Duo smiled. ** “What in the world is all this?” Hilde exclaimed when Duo fell through the door with his arms full of bags and boxes. “Holiday cheer,” he grinned untangling himself from the bags. “Where did you get all this?” she asked gaping as she unpacked toy after toy from the bags. “I’ve been shopping!” he enthused. “And look!” he said excitedly. “New cleats for James and I found an Easy Bake for Carole.” “Duo,” Hilde breathed. “You can’t possibly afford all this.” “I won a contest,” he informed her. “So I bought this stuff with the prize money.” “What contest?” she asked breathlessly. “Well,” he grinned smugly. “I just happen to meet an incredible individual the other day who insisted I enter and I won!” She grinned at him for a moment then threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight. “That’s great! I was worried you wouldn’t hit it off.” “I don’t know how you figured it out,” Duo smiled holding her warmly. “But thanks.” Hilde’s brow creased curiously while she leaned back but before she could ask there was a squeal from the hallway and kids suddenly flooded the room. ** “Good afternoon, Mr. Berns,” Hiiro greeted the disappointed looking man who stood in the doorway of his stately abode. “Hiiro,” he smiled banishing the awkward moment. “And Duo,” he added thinking to offer his hand but Hiiro stepped between them forcing him to stand back so they could enter. “We should start with the control panel,” Hiiro informed him while Duo wandered a little way into the living room and looked around. Mr. Berns looked somewhat off center for a moment while he gravitated toward Duo and offered, “Would you care for a drink first?” “We’re on a tight schedule,” Hiiro snipped but Duo’s smile was amiable when he turned to them. “It’s a little early for spirits,” he commented asking, “Do you have any coffee or warm tea?” “Ah,” Mr. Berns breathed dropping his gaze. “I’m afraid there’s no one to fix that sort of thing at the moment.” “Everyone is still away for the holiday?” Duo inquired stepping forward which called Berns gaze. “Yes,” he breathed anxiously. “Well,” Duo smiled. “I’m pretty good with a coffee pot if you don’t mind?” “Duo…” Hiiro protested. “Coffee would be nice when we walk the perimeter wouldn’t it?” Duo smiled heading for the back of the house where the kitchen would most likely be. “You have a lovely home,” he complimented while he led them into the spacious kitchen. “Thank you,” Berns replied while he had a look around. “Though I can’t say I’ve been in here recently.” “It’s your house,” Duo commented while he searched the cupboards for the coffee. “Yes,” Berns laughed going to a cabinet and smiling with delightful surprise when he discovered the grounds inside. “But my wife banished me from the kitchen years ago.” “And the staff?” Duo asked accepting the grounds with a smile. Berns stalled for a moment while he watched him intently but just as his eyes were traveling down his back to his rounded. little tush Hiiro stepped in his line of sight. “They’re visiting their families,” he explained nervously avoiding the cross expression on Hiiro’s face. “You give them the week off?” Duo chuckled while he set up the coffee pot. “It only seems fair,” Berns shrugged. “Most people are lucky to get a couple of days off,” Duo pointed out while he ferreted out some cups. “My corporation is rather high profile,” Berns explained. “So we can afford the luxury of providing for our staff.” Duo smiled and flashed a glance at Hiiro that turned his ears red but he refrained from comment. “Do you keep any valuables in the house?” Duo asked turning to the business at hand. “My wife has her jewels,” he replied. “And I keep a small safe in my study.” “You might want to consider moving that,” Duo suggested while he poured the coffee. “The study is the first place a thief would look not to mention it’s purposely segregated from the rest of the house which makes it infinitely easier to burgle.” “Where would you suggest?” Berns asked lingering long enough to put a scowl on Hiiro’s brow when he took his cup from Duo. “You’re bedroom closet if it’s a walk in.” “Alright,” Berns agreed. “Let’s have a look at the outside then we’ll check the house,” Duo smiled taking his arm as he led him toward the back door with Hiiro following grumpily behind. They spent about an hour walking around the yard and house in which they learned way more about Henry Berns than Hiiro ever wanted to know. He was a banker early in life then married his wife, Estelle in his late twenties finding himself a partner in her father’s brokerage where he had been comfortably ensconced since. They had two children, one daughter who was attending law school and a son who he hadn’t seen in over two years but he seemed reluctant to talk about why. By the time they finished the sweep Hiiro was more than ready to be done with their meeting but Duo wasn’t in any hurry and accepted the offer of a quick drink before they left. “Is that your son?” Duo asked indicating a picture of a young man that looked like Berns on the desk in his study. “Yes,” he nodded frowning at the image. “What happened?” Duo braved and Hiiro flashed him a disapproving glare for having pressed the subject. Berns sighed then set his heavy tumbler of whisky down and confessed, “Two years ago he informed my wife and I that he was gay.” Duo sipped his drink and held his tongue until he explained, “We haven’t seen him since.” “Why not?” Duo inquired ignoring the indignant scowl on Hiiro’s brow. Berns brow creased while he replied, “I’m afraid Estelle had some trouble understanding.” “That doesn’t mean you have to stay away,” Duo commented bringing a dawning light to his eyes. “May I use your bathroom?” Duo asked sitting his half empty cocktail on the table. “Of course,” Berns nodded but his mind was obviously somewhere else. “Excuse me,” he said after a moment then rose and left clearly shaken by what had been said. Hiiro waited about five minutes before he got curious over Duo’s absence and went in search of him but his temper flared when he heard him and Berns talking as he walked down the hall. Their voices were coming out of one of the bedrooms and he was instantly enraged until he heard what was being said. “…not that bad,” Duo was saying. “What’s the worse that could happen?” “She’ll ruin me,” Berns sighed dejectedly while Hiiro hovered just outside the door. “Does she know about you?” Duo asked. “Yes,” he replied. “And she’s very angry with me for deceiving her. I should have told her long ago.” “Being married to a gay man has to be frustrating,” Duo agreed causing Hiiro’s brow to crease. “But you’re son shouldn’t be the one paying for it should he?” “I know you’re right,” Berns nodded then looked hopefully into his eyes while he coaxed, “If only there were someone worth taking the chance for.” “That someone isn’t me and you know it,” Duo chuckled pushing him back with a finger to his chest and Hiiro stood down before he burst through the door. “Perhaps,” he chuckled relenting. “But you are a difficult temptation,” he smiled. “I’m a lost cause,” Duo told him and Hiiro’s brow creased thoughtfully. “But you still have a good chance with your son. Talk to him.” Berns nodded and Hiiro scampered back down the hall just narrowly making it to the study before he was discovered. He was a good deal more amiable toward Berns while they made plans for him to return and make the changes in his security system and said goodbye but he made sure to stay close by Duo’s side for the remainder of their visit. “Is something wrong?” Duo asked at length since his companion was oddly quiet on the return trip. “Why did you do this?” Hiiro asked having realized his true intention wasn’t doing the job in question. “What do you mean?” Duo evaded. “Berns,” Hiiro persisted. “You wanted to help him didn’t you?” “Where’s the harm in that?” Duo smiled somewhat nervously. “Why?” “He just seemed so lonely and confused,” Duo shrugged defensively asking, “What?” when Hiiro snorted. “You’re seriously amazing,” Hiiro smiled shifting the indignation in Duo’s eyes to embarrassment. “Do you mind if we stop on the way?” Duo asked by way of a change of subject. “Where?” Hiiro inquired. “You know the orphanage on Fifth Street?” “Yeah,” Hiiro confirmed creasing a curious brow. “I need to drop off Hilde’s jacket,” Duo explained indicating a small bag he’d brought along. “She forgot to bring an extra and Carole spilled cupcake all over her this morning.” Hiiro laughed and agreed pointing them toward the small orphanage which had been on Fifth Street as long as he could remember but he’d never had reason to stop by. He wondered about Duo’s early life while they drove and smiled at the thought that he’d found a way to help kids who were faced with the same hardships he had endured. tbc...
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