"Scouting Suburbia"

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: AU/Romance, Fluff, mild angst, sssap *pulls fingers from sticky kyb ^-^*, mention of lemon.

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4

Summary: A reluctant trip into suburbia provides a talent scout with more than bargained for.

" Scouting Suburbia"

Ch 1

What was he doing in this little suburb again? Well, He’d found talent in lesser places but he still thought Wufei was nuts sending him into suburbia U.S.A. He looked again at the identical houses lining Mulberry Street, the manicured lawns and matching sprinklers with two point five kids playing in the yard. The only thing he really thought he might find here was a lost episode of Leave it to Beaver. What the hell was Wufei doing in a place like this anyway? He must have family around here or something he thought pulling into the drive of 1313 Mockingbird Lane. At least the architecture was different. The lawn even needed to be mowed. Hn.

“Yees,” the old woman that had advertised a room for rent crooned as she opened the torn screen door.

“Hello, Ma’am,” he smiled. “My name is Hiiro Yui. I’ve come to inquire about the room,” he informed her.

“The room?” she repeated. “Oh yes. Of course. I’m Mrs. Carrington,” she smiled as if just remembering the add. “It’s upstairs,” she told him opening the door for him to enter. “Are you a foreigner?” she asked showing him up the stairs. He really kind of wished she wouldn’t look back like that for fear she might topple down the steps.

“My family is Japanese,” he replied politely guarding her back. “But I was raised in the states.”

“Oh,” she smiled. “Isn’t that nice.” He really hoped her room was ground level. It took almost five minutes to get up the stairs. “This is where we keep the towels,” she told him showing him a tidy little linen cabinet. It appeared she got up and down those stairs at least often enough to keep the linens supplied. “And the room’s down at the end of the hall. This is the bathroom,” she told him opening the door to a small but adequate restroom. “You don’t have to worry about sharing it because I only use the one down stairs,” she smiled. He was glad to hear it. “Are you a student?” she asked searching for fresh sheets in the closet.

“No,” he replied aiding her in her search and extracting what she indicated. “I’m here on business,” he informed her carrying the things to the room.

“Oh my,” she smiled again. It was a nice smile that made him think she must have been very cute when she was young. “You’re so young and already working,” she shook her head as if reminiscing. “Breakfast and dinner come with the room but I don’t expect you to be there for either one,” she told him. “I know you young folk have your business to attend to. There’s a car in the garage too. The keys are on a nail in the kitchen if you need to use it. I don’t drive so don’t worry about me needing it.”

“Why do you own a car if you don’t drive?” he asked curiously laying the sheets on the small bed. The room was nice. Well kept and bright. At least Wufei had steered him right so far.

“It was Harold’s. My husband,” she informed him. “I just didn’t have the heart to get rid of it after he died.”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized for bringing up the subject.

“Oh pish,” she waved him off. “He’s been dead seven years. I’m used to it by now.”

“Thank you,” he told her. “That’s very generous of you.”

“No trouble at all,” she smiled. “Maybe you could pick up some things for me while you’re in town,” she suggested.

“I’d be happy to,” he returned. “I won’t be able to stay for dinner tonight,” he told her just to be polite. “I have business in town.”

“Oh alright,” she smiled obviously grateful for his thoughtfulness. “Would you like some help dressing the bed?”

“No thank you,” he replied. “I’d like to pay for the room in advance,” he told her reaching for his wallet.

“It’ll wait till tomorrow,” she waved him off again. “I’ll let you get settled then,” she smiled turning to leave. “Breakfast is at seven sharp if you care to join us,” she told him before closing the door.

Hoooly shit. Where the hell were Ward and June? At least he could return the rental car. That is if the old ladies car still ran. Seven years is a long time for a car sit up. He’d have to check it out before he took the rental back. He dressed the bed, took a shower and called the office before getting ready for his no doubt `exciting` evening at the local art gallery’s season opening. Wufei had insisted he attend the function and hear the local entertainment. He was really starting to get the feeling this was all a trick to get him to take that vacation he kept refusing. He was going to be seriously pissed if that was the case. He really had better things to do than wander around suburbia. There was only one way to find out.

What he found when he went into the garage just about set him back ten years. He’d expected to find some old junker that hadn’t been cranked in several years but this wasn’t the case. How in the world had that old lady managed to keep the antique Goat looking so pristine? There wasn’t even a fingerprint on the perfectly polished paint. Even the interior smelled fresh. Just looking at the old muscle car was putting a charge in the seat of his pants. He couldn’t wait to see if it ran as well as it looked and was positively ecstatic when it flared to life under his touch purring as if it had been pampered by a loving keeper. Amazing.

The dive to the gallery was an odd contrast. It looked like he’d walked into a Norman Rockwell painting. Picturesque scenes abounded everywhere he looked from the giant oak in the park where several small children played with a lop eared dog right down to the mail man who was actually walking his route with a bag over his shoulder and a wary eye out for the neighborhood mongrels. One more day and he’d suffocate from lack of adrenaline.

The gallery had a little more life thank god but it wasn’t much better. At least there was motion. It was fairly crowded actually. It almost reminded him of the busy streets of his beloved city but even this didn’t compare with the most docile days in his neck of the woods. There was always something happing, always people moving, always the clamor of life all around him. He missed it already; it was just way to quiet here. He paused outside the double glass doors and looked around at the trees filled with white Christmas lights, the middle aged couples walking arm in arm around the square holding their small glasses of white wine, the total lack of cigarettes. Even the kids were well behaved enough to blush and duck for cover when he caught them staring at him. Well, he was there, might as well go in and have a look at the show.

It really wasn’t all that bad. Some of the pieces were really very well executed in his moderate opinion. He’d been to many shows of some very famous artists. He represented several of them but he preferred to stick to the performing arts. That’s what he was good at and that’s what he’d come to see. He sighed again wondering what was in store for him at a little gallery show as he gazed at a small figurine that had caught his eye. It was elegant, nothing flashy but something about it just made him want to look at it longer. He couldn’t really tell if it was a male or a female, it seemed a little abstract in that area. Mostly just a form but the motion and delicacy of it touched something inside him. It was art in its purest form really and only two hundred dollars? Way under priced.

“A self portrait,” one of the gallery matrons said slipping up beside him. She was a middle aged woman with a kind smile and high bun of thick black hair on her head.

“She must be very beautiful,” Hiiro mused looking the piece over again.

“You’re not the first to say that,” the woman chuckled. “Would you like to meet the artist?”

“Yes,” he replied. The piece really was remarkable. Perhaps this trip wouldn’t be wasted after all.

“Duo,” she called across the room.

Hiiro’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the thigh length chestnut braid and slender figure, the gentle lines of a beautiful face and bright, intoxicating violet eyes and for a moment he thought for sure he was looking at a woman but a closer look at the bright smiling face revealed it was indeed a man. It took him a moment to shake off the uneasy feeling the notion had left him with as the young man, no more than a boy really, excused himself from his current conversation and walked over to join them. Gods, he even walked like a woman. No. That wasn’t it, it wasn’t feminine it was just… attractive. Whoa.

“Mr. ?”

“Yui... Umm... Hiiro,” he smiled offering the boy his hand.

“Duo Maxwell, this is Mr. Yui,” the woman smiled as they shook hands. “He’s taken quite an interest in your portrait piece,” she told him.

“Thank you but I’m sorry,” Duo apologized. “That piece isn’t for sale.”

“It’s priced,” Hiiro informed him glancing curiously at the figurine.

“Martha?” Duo admonished the woman who was looking very anxious all of a sudden.

“Now don’t get angry,” she told him wringing her hands. “We put a high enough price on it no one would actually buy it.” she reasoned.

“I thought it was considerably under priced actually,” Hiiro told them bringing an odd quirk to Duo’s brow and a dazzling smile to Martha’s face.

“You see,” she told Duo seeming very happy with herself.

“Not for around here,” the longhaired boy countered stepping over to remove the price sticker.

“Perhaps you should consider showing your work in a more profitable market,” Hiiro suggested.

“If you’re really interested in buying something there are many other works to choose from” Duo told him. “This one, as I’ve said, isn’t for sale. I’m sorry. Now... if you’ll excuse me?” he said turning to walk away.

“I’ll give you twice what its worth,” Hiiro called after him. It was more of a test than anything else to see just how strong his integrity was. Duo didn’t disappoint him.

“I’m afraid that amount doesn’t exist,” he smiled before leaving them to their browsing.

“Well, I’m sorry,” Martha sighed gazing at the piece again. “He’s such a sweet boy,” she told him. Sweet. Yeah. That was a good word he supposed. Very… sweet. Hn. Odd. “He does have another one over by the buffet that’s very nice,” she told him. “Why don’t you go and have a look at it?” she suggested.

“Thank you,” he told her still watching Duo from across the room. “I’ll do that. Excuse me,” he said before heading off for another chat with the longhaired boy. He never got the chance however, as he disappeared into a back room before he could get his attention. Well, he was an artist in the show so he figured he’d show up again before the end of the night so he decided to check out the rest of the art work.

Martha had been right. Many of the other works by Duo were almost as good at the portrait. He ended up buying two of them for his own personal collection. He felt bad about the revoltingly low price however, and ended up making a sizable donation to the gallery to make up for it. He was a patron of the arts, not a yard sale vulture. He was still being fawned over by the gallery chairlady when a soft melody began to rise from one corner of the room. He’d noticed the baby grand piano earlier but it hadn’t crossed his mind that anyone would actually be playing it. The gentle sound reminded him of his true purpose for being there but he had no idea how to get away from the doting ladies. Their chatter was slowly overshadowed by a strong, steady tone that touched the bones in the tail of Hiiro’s spine. It was a sure fire sign that this was no ordinary voice. He really didn’t mean to be rude but he had to go, he was calling to him and he just had to go.

It was like walking straight into a dream and as he realized the smoky voice and gentle music was coming from none other than Duo, the artist he’d taken an interest in, he realized he owed Wufei a really big thank you. Maybe a house on the beach. Why in the world had he let this one get away? He was gorgeous, talented, young, upstanding, beautiful, friendly, handsome, and really... really…. charming. Gods, what a voice! This kid was a gold mine. His playing wasn’t bad either though Hiiro longed to hear what he could do if he didn’t have to concentrate on the piano as well as the words. He played for over two hours singing song after song and sounded just as good when he finished as when He’d started. Hiiro had sat and listened to every word, every note, every expression was burned into his memory. He had to have him. He could take this guy to the top in less than six months. Four. Make it three.

“Your multi talented I see,” Hiiro opened once he managed to catch a moment with him. It had taken awhile for the influx of admirers to fade away after his performance, another sure sign that he was star material.

“It’s just something I enjoy,” Duo smiled accepting the drink Hiiro offered him. Water with lemon was always welcome after a long set by a vocalist.

“Thanks,” Duo smiled drinking most of it without stopping. “Martha said you found a couple of pieces you liked?” he asked politely.

“Yes,” Hiiro confirmed. “Though none quite as good as the first,” he admitted.

“Thanks for making the donation,” Duo told him. “It was very generous of you.”

“I don’t mind paying a just price for good art,” the Japanese boy explained. “You’d be surprised how many other’s feel the same way,” he told him. “I represent a number of artists that are very successful in their fields,” he said producing a card that Duo didn’t bother to look at or take from his hand.

“Sorry but I’m not interested,” he told him flat out.

Hn. “May I ask why?” Hiiro inquired retracting the card.

“It’s not my style,” he said smiling at someone that was waving at him from across the room. Geez. Beaver seemed to have empty nest anxiety. Goody.

“Actually I’d be more interested in your singing to be honest,” Hiiro confessed.

“You work for that talent agency don’t you?” Duo asked.

“You’ve met Wufei,” Hiiro chuckled. Now he was getting the gist of what was going on. It wasn’t that Wufei hadn’t tried to bag the boy it was that he’d failed. So he stuck Hiiro with the job. Looking Duo over again he decided maybe he’d buy him that beach house anyway. He wasn’t about to let this one get away.

“We had lunch,” Duo laughed lightly. It was such a pleasant sound Hiiro couldn’t wait to see how Oprah’s audience responded to it. “I told him I wasn’t interested,” he informed him.

“Apparently he thought you were worth another try,” Hiiro smiled. “I have to say I agree with him. You’re very talented. Our agency could put you on the top of the charts in less than six months. You’d be famous not to mention very rich,” he tempted.

“There’s nothing you can offer me that’s worth more than what I have right here,” Duo told him with a confidence that just irritated the hell out of him. This was like… nowhere! Get with the damn program!

“Would you mind having dinner with...”

“I’m sorry,” Duo cut him off. “I wouldn’t want to waist your time,” he explained. “Good bye, Mr. Yui,” he told him in no uncertain terms leaving him standing there drowning in his own failure but no, Hiiro Yui didn’t give up that easy. He’d find a way no matter what it took. One way or another, that boy was going to be his.

He woke the next morning feeling oddly refreshed. It was as if the world had taken a bath or something. Everything just appeared cleaner, crisper. Even the moderate colors in his room flaunted their beautiful simplicity as the morning sang in the dawn. The air sure did smell nice here, like... toast and fried ham? Mmm breakfast! ?

He didn’t usually eat breakfast or if he did it was a cup of coffee or tea but for whatever reason he was famished that morning. The thought of allowing Mrs. Carrington to do all the cooking bothered him though so he dressed quickly and went down to help. What he found when he go there was nothing short of amazing. He simply couldn’t figure out how the woman managed such outlandish feats. The cast iron frying pan alone was more than she could possibly lift but there it was full of thick slices of sizzling ham as she poked at it with a fork.

“Oh, good morning, Mr. Yui,” she smiled turning a piece over then checking the eggs in the neighboring pan.

“Ohayo.”

“Hm?”

“Um… good morning,” he corrected. Had he just reverted back to his native language? “Please ...Call me Hiiro,” he insisted going to pour himself some of the fresh coffee in the pot. “Can I help with anything?” he offered still wondering how she managed to move all those heavy pans about.

“You could help me drain the meat,” she smiled.

“Alright,” Hiiro agreed happy to be of some help to this remarkable woman. What was that sound though? Was it coming from outside? It was strangely... familiar. Why was it making his tail bone tin…gle. “Would you excuse me a moment?” he asked setting the pan back down for her.

“Don’t be too long” she advised. “Breakfast’s just about ready. Tell the boy’s while you’re out there alright?”

Boys? He knew the moment he opened the garage door. There was no mistaking that voice but what was he doing here? And why was he under the hood of the old ladies Goat?

“Who’re you?”

He was wondering the same thing of the sandy blond that popped up from the other side of the car.

“Mr. Yui?” Duo’s voice inquired as his big, violet eyes peered from under the hood.

“You know this guy?” the guy with the shoulder length sandy blond hair asked sounding almost defensive.

“You start pretty early in the morning,” Duo observed smiling wryly as he wiped his greasy hands on a cloth. “How’d you find me?” he asked patiently.

“I ... didn’t” Hiiro admitted. “I’m renting a room here.”

“Hn... I see,” Duo smiled. “Well do me a favor then,” he said leaning back into the depths of the cars engine. “Don’t run unleaded in her. She’s stock so use the leaded in the tank,” he instructed pointing at said tank with his wrench while the second boy stood silently sizing Hiiro up.

“Sorry,” Hiiro apologized realizing his mistake. He hadn’t even thought to check.

“No harm done,” Duo replied kindly going to the sink to wash up. “Breakfast ready?”

“Um... yes.”

“You hanging around Solo?” he asked the second boy who was still none to happy about his lack of knowledge of this newcomer.

“Naw,” he replied. “I’m headed to Sadies. You going to be around later?” he asked stripping off his coveralls. He was very well built. Not like Duo though, stronger, heavier with wider shoulders though he was a smidge shorter than Duo.

“Yeah,” Duo replied.

“See ya at the Roundhouse then,” Solo told him eyeing Hiiro one more time with a little half hearted smile before jogging out the door. Apparently he was going to run to this Sadie”s house? No wonder he was in good shape. Hiiro wondered for a moment how Duo kept in shape as he peeled his coveralls off before he realized he’d just been caught starting at the boy’s hips.

“Shall we,” Duo smiled ignoring the transgression.

“Hn,” Hiiro grunted.

“Are you always this articulate?” the longhaired boy chuckled warmly shaking his head as he passed by.

“I jus... I ... umm”

“Willie.”

Willie?

“How’re things coming in here?” he asked slipping up behind the brightly smiling old woman at the stove. “Mm, smells great,” he told her hugging her fondly and kissing her cheek before slipping a piece of the meat in between his lips. “Do you want to come with me to the store today?” he asked taking over at the stove. So this was how the old woman managed all those heavy pans.

“I don’t think so,” she sighed favoring her left hip a little as she backed out of his way. Hiiro stepped up and guided her to a chair where she gratefully sat down and smiled at him.

“Alright then,” Duo replied also smiling at the blue eyed boy’s kindness. “Make me a list then.”

“Oh, you don’t have to bother with me today,” she insisted. “Hiiro’s going to pick up the things I need. You just go take care of those kids of yours.”

Duo paused in his efforts to get the food on the table and smiled delightedly at the Japanese boy. “Is that so?” he asked as Hiiro stood there trying to figure out why in the hell his heart had just skipped a beat. “That’s very kind of you… Mr. Yui.”

“Hiiro,” the blue eyed boy insisted.

“Hiiro.” There it went again. Was he ill? “I need some things for the Goat,” he added resuming his task. “You can come along with me if you like. I’ll show you around town.”

“That’d be great, thanks,” Hiiro agreed working diligently on steadying his erratic pulse. It’d been a long time since he reacted to a prospective client this way. Actually, he’d never reacted quite this way come to think of it.

~ * ~

tbc

Chapter 2

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