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"Red Roses"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: Slight angst, fluff, sap, mention of
lemon Pairings: 1+R, 1x2 Summary: Hiiro’s life takes a turn when he walks into a flower shop and discovers a deeper meaning to life. "Red Roses" Ch1 “Hi, welcome to Maxwell’s. Are you looking for anything special today?” “Um, yes,” Hiiro nodded gazing around at the many different bouquet’s and flower arrangements in the shop. It was a popular place for most of the guys he worked with as none of them appeared to be capable of remembering when their anniversaries or wives birthdays were until the morning of the event but he had never had cause to patronize the little flower shop before. “Special occasion?” the girl behind the counter asked coming around to join him. “Just dinner,” he informed her gazing at a likely bunch of wildflowers. “Ah,” the girl smiled intelligently before educating him. “There is no such thing as ‘just dinner’,” she chuckled and he felt a bit better about his lack of direction. “How long have you known each other?” she asked examining a lovely bouquet of yellow roses laced with white daisies and purple lupine. “About a year.” “And you’re buying her flowers for `just dinner`?” she smiled moving to a slightly smaller bunch of red roses dusted with ivory babies breath. “It’s our first date,” he explained bringing a sappy little grin to her rounded face. “Not to be pretentious,” she began covertly, “But if you’re not, you know, passionate over her I’d stay away from the red roses.” “I respect her,” Hiiro replied uncertainly but from the look on the girls face he had said the wrong thing to warrant the red roses. “I think you would do better to go with a nice corsage,” she suggested. “What about these?” he asked picking up a bunch of chrysanthemums to sniff. “Sure,” she nodded. “If you’re having dinner at the hospital.” Hiiro was quite prepared to chuckle at the comment but his amusement was interrupted by the sound of the bell on the front door which turned his attendants head. “Oh, hi, Duo,” she smiled and Hiiro started when he turned and saw the young man that had entered the shop. “Hey, Hilde,” he smiled glancing at Hiiro. “I thought you were going to be late today,” she went on while Hiiro set the bunch of flowers on the counter as quickly as possible because he certainly didn’t want this guy seeing him standing there with a bouquet in his arms. “Sister Helen let us out early,” the new comer explained and Hiiro’s face flushed as the boy looked him over, the half grin on his lips forcing Hiiro’s gaze elsewhere but looking at the tip of the three feet long braid dangling down his back was no less disturbing. “Did you find everything ok?” the guy asked tucking his pack behind the counter. “This gentleman is looking for something suitable for a first date,” the girl smiled. Hiiro suddenly felt as if the floor had dropped away when the guy shined deep violet eyes at him smiling so sweetly every bloom in the shop paled in comparison and asked, “Male or female?” “Duo,” the girl scolded slapping her co-worker on the arm. “Don’t tease him.” “Who’s teasing?” Duo smiled offering his hand while Hiiro tried to keep his ears from catching fire. “I’m Duo,” the boy smiled. “Hiiro,” he replied taking the offered hand but the touch of his fingers was so hot he quickly drew away. “I’ll just take these,” he said indicating the bunch of chrysanthemums. “Is she a nurse?” Duo smirked. “Politician,” Hiiro responded automatically instantly wishing he could retract the comment when Duo’s smile faltered but he recovered quickly. “Wealthy?” was his next question and he smiled satisfactorily when his patron nodded. “Mums are defiantly out.” “It’s only dinner,” Hiiro protested but followed the longhaired boy deeper into the shop. “A rich politician,” Duo summarized opening a cooler door. “You can’t give a classy lady like that Mum’s,” he informed him pulling a small arrangement containing three red roses from the cooler to present. Hiiro paused to look at them glancing back over his shoulder at the girl who was back behind the counter again before explaining, “She said I should stay away from red roses.” “Did she now?” Duo smiled curiously returning the roses to the cooler. “Sounds like you’re not in any hurry to profess your devotion.” “We’re just friends.” Why he was explaining this to a perfect stranger was as deep a mystery as Duo’s violet eyes but he wanted him to understand. “You often date friends?” the longhaired boy chuckled moving to another door. “No.” Duo paused as if to size him up before taking two pretty corsages’s from the cooler. “The acacia is pretty safe,” he told him holding the flowers out for his inspection. “They’re a symbol of the pure love of chastity. Or, if you hope for a little more than her friendship,” he said presenting another corsage. “The orchid signifies refined beauty and the promise of unity.” Hiiro was acutely aware of the boy’s eyes watching him as he considered the two flowers, his fingers trembled unreasonably when he reached out to pluck the acacia from his hand but the relief that washed through him eased his mind when Duo suddenly beamed. “Do you really think she’s aware of all those meanings?” Hiiro asked following him back to the check out. “She’s a woman,” Hilde snorted. “You bet your sweet…” “Will that be all?” Duo cut in smoothly. Hiiro nodded taking out his wallet while Hilde checked him out but he couldn’t help asking Duo, “If it’s a woman thing, why do you know so much?” “Because I sell them,” Duo smiled leaning casually on the counter, which put him six inches shorter than Hiiro. It was the odd sensation of his stomach caving in on itself as he gazed down at him that wrinkled Hiiro’s brow. “Does your family own the shop?” he asked unwilling to leave just yet even though his purchase was bagged and ready. “Sort of,” Duo sighed standing again. “We’re run by the Maxwell Church.” “The place on the corner where the orphanage is?” Hiiro inquired. “That’s it.” “Proceeds from the flowers help fund the school,” Hilde explained. It took only a moment to realize the white turtleneck and black jacket Duo wore was exactly like the one’s he had seen on the children playing outside the orphanage. “You know, I think I will take these after all,” he smiled laying the bunch of Mums on the counter but it was the bright smile on Duo’s face that caught his eye. “For my table at home,” he explained though he wasn’t quite sure why. ** “Hiiro?” “Hn? Oh, yes thank you,” he replied leaning back to allow his date to refill his glass. “Where is your mind tonight?” she chuckled. “What kind of flowers are those?” he asked casually admiring the corsage that was pinned to her blouse. “This?” she smiled touching the delicate blooms he had given her. “They’re acacia.” “Do you know what they mean?” “Chastity I believe,” she mused and Hiiro’s lips curled in a secret little smile knowing Duo had been right. “I take it you got a lesson on the meanings of flowers when you bought it,” she laughed lightly allowing the waiter to place her food before her. “I never knew flowers could speak,” he rejoined following suit. “Well, they’re lovely,” she sighed softly placing her napkin in her lap and adding, “Even it they are a tad retroactive for us,” before taking her silverware in hand and turning her attention to her meal. ** “Hi, Hiiro.” “Duo?” “He’s in the back.” He tossed a quick smile of gratitude to Hilde before winding his way through the isles in search of his quarry but his steps stalled as the sight of him bent over a bag of fertilizer wiped all thought from his mind. “Oh, hey,” Duo smiled dusting his hands off. “How’d dinner go? Did she like the corsage?” he asked but Hiiro was having trouble recalling what he was talking about. “Excuse me?” “You’re date?” Duo chuckled. “Did she like the acacia?” “Oh, yes,” Hiiro replied, his cheeks pinking at his absent-mindedness. “But I think she would have been happier with something a little more promising,” he added on a nervous little chuckle that he quickly stifled because it made him feel dubiously awkward. “If you’ve known her for a year and this was your first date she might be hoping for more than is there,” Duo reasoned and Hiiro was momentarily stunned by his insight. “Not that it’s any of my business,” the longhaired boy added returning to his task. “What can we do for you today?” Do? Umm, what could he buy? “Is it another dinner or something more intimate this time?” Duo asked in this sort of detached tone that rankled Hiiro’s mood. “A picnic,” he replied. The pause in Duo’s response seemed to indicate, “Hilde can set you up with some wildflowers,” was not the first thing that came to Duo’s mind but Hiiro didn’t know how to address the evasion. “Are you a teacher,” he asked clumsily in his reluctance to end the conversation. Duo stopped to cock a brow at him before he replied with a simple, “No.” “Then you attend the Maxwell school?” Again Duo paused turning to look him full in the eyes and his face burned with the understanding that he was pushing his luck. “I live there,” he told him point blank. “Have since I was a kid.” Hiiro dropped his gaze feeling awkwardly like he had touched on a sensitive subject but his mouth apparently had it in for him. “You were never adopted?” he asked biting down on his treacherous tongue the moment Duo’s brow creased. “Apparently, I’m a bit too much of an individualist to fit into most peoples families,” he smiled though his tone was anything but friendly. “You seem alright to me,” Hiiro shrugged. “You don’t know me,” Duo pointed out. “I’d like to,” fell from Hiiro’s lips so easily he had no hope of sucking it back in and the sudden glimmer in Duo’s eyes set his chest on fire. “Alright,” the longhaired boy grinned. “I’ve got some errands to run if you want to tag along,” he told him heading for the back where he hung his apron. “Will it take long?” Hiiro asked anxiously glancing at his watch. “I’m supposed to pick Relena up…” “Relena Darlian?” Duo gasped rounding on him. “Yes.” “You aim high don’t you?” Duo laughed donning a black ball cap and snagging a bunch of wildflowers as he headed for the front of the store. “Isn’t she running for Governor next term?” “Senate,” Hiiro corrected offering Hilde a rushed little smile as Duo got his bag from behind the counter. “How do you know her?” Duo asked leading them down the sidewalk, the brisk pace energizing Hiiro’s feet until he felt as if he were walking on air. “We attended the same college,” he smiled. “Attended?” Duo asked crossing the street. “As is past tense?” “It was an accelerated course.” “They have something like that at home.” Hiiro made a mental note of the fact that Duo called the school his home as they paused so he could drop some mail into a box. “Father keeps telling me I should enroll but I like to spend my time tutoring the little ones,” he rambled. It took a second for Hiiro to put it together and understand that `Father` was the resident priest. “Sister’s already overworked as is. It would be better if we could afford another teacher but they cut our funding last year.” “Isn’t there another way to get the money?” “Sure,” Duo grinned cockily holding open the door of the local United Way clinic. “Open a flower shop.” Hiiro worked out rather quickly that if Duo was foregoing college to help teach the shop was obviously not taking up the slack but the atmosphere inside the clinic didn’t allow for further inquires. “Duo!” three small children shouted, two from a tiny table where they were coloring and one from a bed. Hiiro felt a pang when he saw the IV inserted in her arm and the patch over one side of her face. “Hello, sunshine!” Duo laughed picking up the smaller of the two that had accosted him. “What are you drawing?” he asked peering down at the pages on the table. “Flowers!” the child sang and Hiiro tilted his head trying to find a flower in the mess of scraggly lines. “Oh, look!” Duo crowed excitedly setting her back on her feet. “There’s a daisy and violets too,” he smiled pinching a small bunch of the tiny blooms off of his bouquet to give to her. It was amazing how the little girl’s big, brown eyes sparkled at the gift but the true wonder was the warmth the expression brought to Hiiro’s heart. “And what’s this?” Duo asked the boy who was a couple of years older than either of the girls. “A black dragon,” the boy grinned proudly. “As fierce a beast as I have ever seen,” Duo praised dropping a snapdragon on the page. “Watch him,” he warned. “They’re allergic you know.” Hiiro snickered when the boy instantly snatched the flower away from his rendering as if the dragon might sneeze fire at any moment but his mirth smoothed quickly when Duo handed him the flowers and headed for the bed. “Morning, lemon drop,” the longhaired boy smiled leaning down to kiss the tired little girl on the forehead, his eyes taking in her glance at the flowers in Hiiro’s hands. “No real blossoms for you until you’re well,” he smiled kindly pulling something from his pocket that lit up her one visible blue eye. “But maybe you could take care of these for me until then?” he asked handing the little bouquet of silk flowers to her. Hiiro hardly heard the tiny `thank you` she breathed as she cuddled the gift to her chest but the loving smile in Duo’s eyes had him a bit distracted. “How are you feeling?” Duo asked. “Better,” she smiled. “How much longer before we can take her home?” the longhaired boy asked the stern looking nurse behind the desk. “Another week.” “That long?!” Duo whined and Hiiro smiled when the child laughed. “We get to come back tomorrow!” the other little girl crowed jumping back into his arms. “Yeap, and Sisters got all your make up work ready for you too,” he grinned laughing when she poked out her bottom lip. “Don’t worry,” he whispered to her, “I’ll help you catch up.” “Why were they here?” Hiiro asked on a whim. “Chicken pox,” the boy informed him. “Couldn’t have them getting pox all over the other kids,” Duo teased ruffling his hair, his expression indicating asking about the bed ridden child would be a bad idea so Hiiro let it go. “Get some color on those daisies before Kyle’s dragon decides to eat them,” he told the girl setting her down to go speak to the nurse. Hiiro moved closer as Duo’s tone had dropped to an almost inaudible level but he caught the part about taking the injured girl home sooner. “She needs more time,” the nurse insisted. “Kyle and Betty go home tomorrow,” Duo reasoned. “She’ll be here all alone.” “The quiet will do her good.” “Or drive her nuts,” Duo sighed. “She needs to keep her mind off it.” The woman regarded him for a moment glancing at where the child appeared to be counting the petals in her bouquet before sighing heavily. “That burn still needs a lot of attention.” “I’ll see to it myself,” Duo grinned and Hiiro knew he had won when the woman cocked a half smile at him. “Wednesday then,” she agreed earning a quick kiss on her cheek that left it tinged pink before she asked, “Is this a new volunteer?” Duo’s brow rose as he turned to consider his silent companion but Hiiro answered instead. “Hiiro Yui,” he smiled feeling that odd sort of confusion when the woman smiled coyly leaning close to Duo to proclaim… “He’s a keeper.” “I need to grab a bite to eat,” Duo informed him once they were back on the sidewalk. “Do you need to go meet your date or would you like to hang around and watch me scarf a late breakfast?” he grinned and Hiiro glanced at his watch. Half an hour. “I could use a snack,” he smiled. Relena would forgive his being late just this once. ** “You flushed their cat?” Hiiro laughed so hard he almost spit tea out of his nose. “It bit me,” Duo snickered handing him a napkin. “I was only five.” “It didn’t hurt it?” Hiiro inquired jovially. “No,” the longhaired boy replied tucking an escaping tomato back in his sandwich. “But it never came near me again.” “No wonder you were never adopted,” Hiiro laughed but his eyes were closely examining the tip of Duo’s finger as he licked it clean. It wasn’t until Duo noticed his gaze that he realized it and jerked his eyes away. “I was a bit of a handful,” Duo smiled. “But Father never gave up on me.” “So you’re a ward of the state?” “No,” Duo shook his head around a mouthful of food. “He adopted me himself.” “Is that why you work at the school?” Duo smiled as he swallowed and washed it down with a long draw off his soda. “You want a tour?” Hiiro brightened at the thought but then sagged, “I can’t today, I have to meet… Oh my God! Relena!” he gasped jumping from the table. How long had it been?! Damn it! Over an hour!? How did it get so late? “I have to go,” he explained hastily taking two steps toward the door before Duo called after him. “Hiiro!” Hiiro pivoted so fast he almost slipped going back to snatch the bouquet of wildflowers from Duo’s hands, turning for the door again then whirling back as he pulled his wallet. “Don’t worry about it,” Duo smiled but he dropped the money on the table anyway. “For the school,” Hiiro rushed to explain. “I’ll come by later!” he tossed over his shoulder hurrying out the door and Duo laughed when he popped right back in. “How late are you open?” “Four,” Duo chuckled. “Damn, tomorrow then!” and he was gone. Duo sighed softly turning his attention back to the table where his smile grew wide when he saw that Hiiro had left enough to pay for his meal. ** Four a.m. Why was he still awake at four a.m.? Because every time he shut his eyes he saw Duo’s face and started thinking about the school and their financial problems and the way Duo laughed at him when he spilled his tea at lunch and… Things hadn’t gone to well at the picnic. No matter how hard he tried to concentrate on Relena the conversation kept circling back around to the flower shop and school. Finally, after several failed attempts to distract him into gazing at the sky she had given up and talked shop. He was happy that she was shocked to hear the schools funding had been cut and took some comfort in her offer to look into the matter but it was tacked onto a demand that he relax and forget about it for awhile. A mission he had sorely failed. It was so odd. The little church school had been on the corner for years but he had never given it more than a passing glance. Now, after meeting Duo and visiting the flower shop it was all he could think about. He wondered how long Duo had been a resident of the orphanage. At least since he was five from what Hiiro already knew. Had he known his parents at all? Hiiro didn’t know his own but he had grown up with an uncle so he had family. He couldn’t imagine what it must have been like being sent off to live with a different family every few months. He had just managed to close his eyes when the alarm crowed the dawn. “Shit!” he gasped realizing he must’ve already hit the snooze several times because he was already half an hour late. His plans to stop by Maxwell’s would have to wait until lunch. He made it just in time to be five minutes late and knew he must look a wreck when Tammy, the receptionist gaped at him. “Ohaiyo,” he nodded reaching to straighten his tie to discover he had forgotten to put it on. “Mr. Yui?” Tammy inquired cautiously. “Yes?” “Did you want me to call the Ohio branch?” “What?” “Hiiro!” “Shit,” the Japanese boy grumbled dreading the inevitable interrogation. “What in the world got a hold of you?” Wufei snickered examining the crumpled clothes, lack of a tie and blood shot eyes. “Couldn’t sleep,” Hiiro evaded heading for his office. “Couldn’t?” his Chinese friend smirked falling into step beside him. “Or she wouldn’t let you?” “I am not sleeping with Relena.” “Well, that much is obvious,” Wufei laughed catching the door before Hiiro could shut it in his face. “I’ve heard those political types can get pretty wild.” “I wouldn’t know,” Hiiro sighed dropping his things on the couch. “Yeah, you’re right,” Wufei sighed grinning as he dropped onto the couch as well. “If she’d have stayed over you wouldn’t have made it in at all.” “Don’t you have some work to do?” Hiiro asked irritably. “We,” Wufei corrected chuckling when Hiiro raised a brow. “You forgot about the Bernstein meeting didn’t you?” “That’s today?!” Hiiro groaned plopping in his chair. “But that’ll take all day!” “Since when is that a problem for the workaholic of the year?” “I wanted to… I was hoping to take lunch early.” Damn it. He’d never get done before the shop closed. “Got a hot date?” Wufei grinned. “What?” Hiiro gasped flashing on Duo’s face. “No! Of course not. It just… what do you care anyway?” he finally growled tossing a wad of paper at his coworker. “Well, whatever it is you better put it out of your mind because this deal is going to ensure your paycheck for the next six months,” Wufei reminded him rising to leave. “Yeah, I know,” Hiiro, sighed. “Hey, Wufei?” “Hm?” the Chinese boy replied pausing at the door. “Are you familiar with the Maxwell Church orphanage and school?” “It’s the one on the corner,” he nodded. “What do you think about making a contribution?” Hiiro asked distantly. Wufei’s brow furrowed curiously but he wasn’t adverse to the idea. “Corporate donations are a decent tax break,” he reasoned. “I don’t see why not. What’s got you on the do good road all of a sudden?” “I found out they lost some of their funding,” Hiiro explained. “Alright then,” his friend nodded. “I’ll mention it to Quatre. I’m sure he’ll be more than willing,” he smiled giving him another quizzical look before leaving but Hiiro never saw it, as his mind was too intent on finding a way to ensure Duo’s smile. ~ * ~ tbc... |
