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"Christmas Sprites"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, fluff and oh yeah…fluff
^-^ Totally OOC but then aren’t they all? Pairings: 1x2, 3x4 Summary: An anonymous gift turns Christmas upside
down. "Christmas Sprites"
Part 1
“Coming!” he sang hurrying to take his secret Santa present out of his drawer before going to join his coworkers. “It’s your turn,” Melody laughed urging him to the forefront by the small tree on the table by the window. “Wait,” he chuckled dropping the present under the tree before accepting the one Melody was handing him. “Go on!” she enthused excitedly then glanced at Hiiro who stood by in his usual passive way. “Alright,” Duo smiled trying not to glance at Hiiro and failing while he opened the box and froze. “What is it?” Tsumi grinned standing to have a peek then squealing while her face flushed red and she laughed. “Alright, who’s the wise guy?” Melody chuckled pulling a pair of strawberry eatable panties out of the box. “Who cares,” Tsumi laughed. “Try them on!” Duo’s eyes shifted involuntarily to Hiiro but he hadn’t changed expression before hurrying to find a seat. “Very funny,” Melody giggled taking another present from beneath the tree. “Hiiro?” He took it and flipped it open with an air of dismissal but stopped when he looked inside. “An external hard drive?” Tsumi gasped then smacked Duo. “You idiot! That’s way over the limit!” “You weren’t supposed to spend that much!” Melody chimed in. “It was on sale,” Duo defended while he ducked the playful slaps Tsumi was inflicting on him and steadfastly avoided looking in Hiiro’s direction. “We can use it at the office,” Hiiro bargained calling a halt to the punishment and Duo smiled. “There’s one more,” Melody observed digging in the back to retrieve it. “But that should have been the last of them,” Tsumi commented sitting up curiously. “It’s addressed to Duo,” Melody shrugged handing it over. “No fair,” Tsumi pouted. “Maybe someone from another department put it there,” Melody reasoned urging Duo to open it but when he did everyone stalled. Inside the box were three, small figurines in the unmistakable forms of fairies that made Tsumi and Melody cringe. “Duo…” Melody tried to console but his face was already so red he was in danger of a nose bleed. “It’s no big deal,” he lied while he closed the box and grabbed his coat. “It’s childish and cruel,” Tsumi grumbled. “Just because you’re…” but she stopped when Duo’s eyes suddenly flashed on Hiiro and his ears joined his face on the blush brigade. “I should go,” he said awkwardly while he gathered the rest of his things. “Merry Christmas, Duo,” Melody offered managing to steal a quick hug. “Merry Christmas!” Tsumi shouted after him. ** The streets were busy with shoppers and people rushing to get their last minute errands done before the holiday but he made it home in good time. The elevator was broken but it had been for over a month so that was no surprise but the stairs were wetter than usual because the snow was heavy outside. It was odd for it to snow so much so early in the season but it made it seem a little more like Christmas so he was ok with it. “Merry Christmas, Duo,” Mrs. Edlemeir from across the hall smiled when he stopped at his door. “Hello, Mrs. Edlemeir,” he replied. “Are you going to the home?” “Oh, yes,” she smiled indicating a shopping bag on her arm. “It’s my turn to call bingo.” “Have a nice time,” he told her and she smiled before they parted ways. His apartment was small but adequate though he did turn the heat up a little since he left it down when he wasn’t in. The boxes were placed on the coffee table before he headed into the kitchen to start his dinner. “Damn it,” he grumbled when he realized he forgot to stop and pick up the main course. “Assholes,” he groused while he poured himself a short brandy to warm his bones and thought of the spites that had upset him so much he forgot his dinner. He hadn’t been razed about being gay since high school which, admittedly, wasn’t that long ago but he’d hoped to leave the childishness behind. Curious over the origin of the package he went to the couch and opened the box but couldn’t think of who might have given it to him. “They’re kind of pretty,” he observed noting that the craftsmanship was superb. It was so odd but they almost looked like each one was as individual as a snowflake. “I wonder where they found male fairies?” he mused holding the little blond one up for inspection. It was so finely carved he could almost see the pupils of his cerulean eyes with bright, blond hair and wings of shimmering teal. The next was taller with emerald wings and a shock of auburn hair over one of his green eyes. “You’re a happy fellow,” Duo laughed when he inspected the third and found a frown upon his tiny lips. He was obviously Chinese which confused him since he was aware the Chinese didn’t celebrate Christmas and his wings were black though they were mostly transparent like the others. It seemed strange that someone would spend the sort of money it would cost to buy such exquisite carvings for a prank so he entertained the thought that perhaps they weren’t given maliciously after all. Intrigued that he might actually have a secret admirer he smiled and got up to place them on the small tree that sat on a table in the corner. “You’re actually quite handsome,” he smiled while he situated them just so. “I wish you guys could talk so you could tell me where you came from though,” he said then fell flat on his ass when the figures sparkled and started flying around. “Wha!?” he gasped scooting as fast as he could across the carpet when the blond one came right at him. “Hello!” he grinned while he hovered before his astonished eyes. “I’m crazy,” Duo breathed. “I’m Quatre,” the fairy giggled doing a happy little spin in the air. “Nice to meet you, Crazy!” “No,” Duo corrected then shook his head but it didn’t help. “My name is Duo.” “He doesn’t know his name?” the one with the green wings flew over to ask. “Of course I do!” Duo snipped banging his head with his hand but that didn’t help either. “It’s Duo.” “Hello, Duo!” Quatre grinned. “This is Trowa and that’s Wufei.” “What are you?” Duo inquired giving up on knocking some sense into himself. “Why, we’re sprites of course!” “Elves,” Trowa corrected. “Elves do not have wings,” Quatre countered haughtily. “Right, Wufei?” “Do not attempt to stereotype me,” he grumbled from where he’d lighted on the windowsill. “I’ve lost my mind,” Duo droned. “He doesn’t believe in us,” Quatre giggled as if it was the cutest thing ever. “He has eyes,” Wufei sighed. “What’s not to believe?” Duo glanced at the Christmas tree while a light brightened his face and he asked excitedly, “Are you Christmas sprites?” However, Quatre’s inquiry was, “What’s Christmas?” Duo was so stunned he skipped a beat then tried again, “You know, Christmas,” while he indicated the brightly lit tree. “Oh, it’s so beautiful!” Quatre sang flying over to have a look. “Did you grow it?” “Grow it?” Duo echoed. “No, it’s artificial.” “Artiwhat?” “He means it’s fake,” Trowa enlightened him. “Oh,” Quatre sighed looking sad. “No wonder it smells funny.” “It is pretty though,” Trowa consoled coming to wrap a gentle arm around him that totally flipped Duo’s switch. “Wait,” he said while he tried to put it together. “You’ve never seen a Christmas Tree before?” “What’s Christmas?” Quatre reiterated looking so adorably lost Duo had to shake his head again. “But you came to life when I put you on the tree,” he reasoned. “Is Christmas magic!” Quatre enthused as his eyes grew large and sparkled with inhuman light. Duo laughed in spite of himself and for the first time in his life felt he was telling the truth when he replied, “Yes.” “Then that’s for us!” Quatre declared. “Wait,” Trowa cautioned. “How do we know he’s telling the truth?” “Why would I lie?” Duo inquired. “Do you see any cages around here?” Quatre asked. “Perhaps his game is coercion,” Wufei stated evenly while he rose into the air. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Duo informed them. “How did you summon us?” Wufei demanded getting right in his face and Duo swallowed nervously when his wings began to glow red. “I didn’t!” Duo insisted. “Honest! Someone gave you to me for Christmas!” “Was he a wizard?” Trowa inquired. “I don’t know,” Duo grumbled getting up so Wufei couldn’t hover in his face anymore. “It was anonymous and you came to life when I hung you on the tree.” “That tree?” Wufei scoffed. “But, it’s not even real,” Quatre commented looking to Trowa. “Can we trust him?” Wufei demanded. “I sense no animosity in him,” Quatre smiled. “Perhaps the fates intended for him to help us,” Trowa suggested. “Help you what?” Duo inquired cautiously. “Find the magic,” Quatre grinned. “Find magic?” “We’re sprites,” Quatre explained ignoring the disgruntled snort from Trowa. “So we need magic to survive. “If we don’t find some soon,” Trowa added coming to wrap a comforting arm around Quatre, “We’ll fade away.” “So where is it?” Wufei demanded. “I don’t know,” Duo replied. “You said Christmas was magic,” Trowa reminded him. “So show it to us.” “We won’t take much,” Quatre smiled reassuringly and Duo stalled when his eyes seemed to grow much too large. “I’m sorry,” he stammered. “But it doesn’t work like that.” “Why not?” Wufei snipped. “Because,” Duo sighed. “Christmas isn’t a thing.” “Can we go there?” Trowa wondered. “No,” Duo replied contritely. “It isn’t a place either.” “Then how can we find it?” Wufei wanted to know. Duo was about to tell them he had no idea but the forlorn expressions on their little faces was more than he could bear. “Come on,” he smiled. “We’ll find it together.” ** “Wooow!” Quatre exclaimed poking his head out of the bag Duo was carrying. “What is this place?” “It’s the mall,” Duo replied thinking he should have thought this over better beforehand but it was too late. “Is that Christmas?” Trowa wondered while he considered a lighted display in a window. “No,” Duo sighed while he stared at the twinkling ‘50% off’ sign. “That’s commercialism.” “Is it magic?” Quatre asked crinkling his nose at it. “No,” Duo replied. “What are we looking for?” Wufei asked ducking down when a woman and small child passed by. “I’m not sure,” Duo told him while he walked down the isle. “But all of these people are here for Christmas so maybe we’ll get lucky.” “What’s that!?” Quatre suddenly gushed before he shot out of the bag and made a mad dash for the central fountain where he laughed and giggled as he flew through the curtains of water until Trowa hit him so hard he sprinkled dust and pinned him to the bottom of the second tier. “What was that, mommy?” a young girl asked her parent as they passed by. “It looked like a dragonfly,” she mused. “In December?” the father wondered moving them along. “Are you alright?” Trowa asked while Duo swallowed his heart. “Sorry,” Quatre offered ducking back in the bag with Trowa while no one was looking. “It’s been a long time,” Wufei observed having a good look around. “Everything’s different,” Quatre agreed sadly. “We’ll find our way home,” Trowa promised tucking him close. “Just as soon as we find the magic.” Duo frowned while he thought it over but he still had no idea how to help them when Wufei asked, “Who’s that?” “Hm?” Duo hummed. “Oh, that’s Santa.” “Is he a wizard?” Trowa wondered seeing the pointed hat on his head. Duo opened his mouth to refute the idea then paused to consider his bag of mythical creatures. “It’s worth a shot,” he shrugged then walked over to get in line. “He seems a little…discouraged,” Quatre observed. Duo watched while the man with the fake beard hurried the kid that was visiting him along with a candy cane before setting the next child on his knee. “Is he a good wizard?” Trowa wondered seeing the frustrated impatience on the guys face. “He’s not really a wizard,” Duo explained then added on an afterthought, “He’s not really Santa either.” “Where can we find the real one?” Wufei demanded. “Well,” Duo tried to explain. “I’m not actually sure he’s real but…” “This is a waist of time,” Wufei grumbled sinking down into the bag. Duo considered the haired Santa and had to agree but wasn’t sure what else to try. However, his entire outlook on the situation changed when he heard someone call his name. “Duo?” “Hiiro?!” he gasped turning to find his coworker crush standing behind him. “What’re you doing here?” Hiiro wondered glancing at the line forward and back. “Oh, um,” Duo replied intelligently. “I just…wanted to get Santa to write thanks on my niece’s letter,” he lied feeling utterly lame. “You couldn’t write it yourself?” Hiiro chuckled. “She knows my handwriting,” Duo reasoned while he discretely poked Quatre’s head back down in the bag. “What brings you out?” “Hello,” a young, blonde girl smiled when she stepped up to their side. “There you are.” “Hi,” Duo replied feeling his stomach sink when she took Hiiro’s arm. “This is Relena,” Hiiro informed him. “Duo,” he offered a smile though his skin had paled. “We work together,” Hiiro elaborated when she questioned him with a glance. “I see,” she smiled. “You must be very talented to work on Hiiro’s team.” “Oh, I don’t know,” Duo shrugged. “Don’t let him fool you,” Hiiro smiled. “He’s the best artist in the company. That’s why I wanted him with me.” Duo knew it was how he felt but he’d started to entertain the idea that there was more to it than his artistic skills that brought them together. To have it stated so simply hurt in a way he wasn’t prepared for and stole his thoughts away. “Well,” Relena smiled. “It was very nice to meet you.” “Yeah,” he nodded glancing at Hiiro. “You too.” “Merry Christmas,” Hiiro offered as he led her away. “Merry Christmas,” Duo replied robotically then gasped, “Ah!” when Quatre zoomed under his shirt. “What’re you doing?” he grumbled ducking behind a display where he tried to extract him. “I smell magic,” he stated determinedly while he sniffed at his sweater. “All that’s in there is fabric softener!” Duo insisted plucking him up and putting him back in the bag. “Look,” he breathed checking to make sure no one was watching. “You need to be more careful. People will not understand if they see you, trust me.” “Could you taste it?” Trowa asked Quatre but he shook his head dejectedly. “It’s gone now,” he sighed sadly. “Hey,” Duo suddenly smiled. “I have an idea.” “What now?” Wufei grumbled. “Well,” Duo replied while he headed for the other end of the mall. “You came to life when I put you on my Christmas tree right?” “So you say,” Wufei agreed testily. “So maybe the magic of Christmas is in the tree,” Duo smiled while he stopped in front of the malls twenty feet tall mass of brightly decorated, artificial greenery. “Trowa! Look!” Quatre gasped but he barely managed to call his name before he darted out and started zooming around in the branches. “Quatre!” Duo hissed going after him while Trowa and Wufei gave chase. “Look!” Quatre sang while people started to stare. “Sprites!” he gushed hitting one so hard it nearly dislodged it. “Those are wooden elf ornaments!” Duo hissed from below. “Is there a problem?” “Wha?” Duo gasped turning to stare into the cross eyes of a tall security guard. “What’s wrong with them?” Quatre wondered when the ornament didn’t hug him back. “They’re not real,” Trowa soothed trying to ease him back into the branches without being seen while Wufei zip up to join them. “What was that?” the security guard demanded pushing past Duo. “Nothing!” he chirped then amended, “It’s probably just a dragonfly or something.” “In December?” “Hey, you don’t want to mess up the tree, right?” Duo reasoned when he started to poke at the branches with his nightstick. “Whoa!” the guard gasped when he poked the right branch and Quatre bolted in terror with Trowa and Wufei hot on his heels. “What is that?!” he gasped when they did a circle around the tree then dove into Duo’s bag where the closed them in tight and smiled at the wary guard. “Open the bag,” the guard demanded. “Are you feeling alright?” Duo inquired while he backed away. “Open it!” the guard snapped moving forward as if to take it but his attention was stolen away when a tall stack of giant, faux presents that were decorating a nearby entrance suddenly scattered all over the floor. Duo’s brow knit when he saw Hiiro standing nearby smirking at him then he squeaked when he felt the sprites dart up the back of his sweater. The sound called the guards attention back to him though he was clearly anxious to go see to the mess but not before he demanded. “Open the bag.” Duo happily did as he was told and the guard’s brow knit crossly when he saw there was nothing inside but he had nothing more to offer but a wary glance at the tree before he went to attend the mishap by the door. “Thanks,” Duo breathed when Hiiro moseyed his way. “No problem,” he chuckled. “What were you doing?” “Oh, um,” Duo stammered then giggled while his sweater wiggled around on its own. “It’s nothing!” he squeaked jerking his sweater away from his chest so Quatre’s squirming wouldn’t show. “I should get going!” “Duo,” Hiiro prompted stalling his flight and he was prepared to say a firm goodnight but when he turned around the expression on Hiiro’s face dislodged him. He was helpless in the light of those beautiful, blue eyes when Hiiro reached forward, curled a finger in the top of his sweater and pulled. “Duo?” “Hn?” he hummed dreamily as Hiiro’s face was just five inches away. “You’re infested with fairies.” “Umm,” was all he could come up with. “Are they toys?” Hiiro wondered while he stared into Quatre’s big eyes. “Right!” Duo breathed backing away so Hiiro couldn’t stare down his sweater anymore. “They’re toys…for my niece!” he nodded. “I’ve never seen a toy cry before.” “Cry?!” Duo gasped jerking his sweater open to have a look. ‘Quatre?” “It was here,” he sniffed while Trowa came around from the back and took him in his arms. “But it’s gone again.” “Nooo,” Duo soothed. “Don’t cry…we’ll find it, I swear.” “Find what?” Hiiro inquired in high amusement. Duo looked up at him realizing they’d been caught but Hiiro didn’t seem to be having any major problem with it so he decided to come clean. “The magic of Christmas.” Hiiro smiled and suggested, “Let’s get a cup of coffee and you can tell me all about it.” Duo smiled so brightly the lights in the room seemed to dim then giggled and clutched his chest while they moved along and he demanded, “Stop squirming! It tickles.” “What is it?” Trowa whispered. “It’s here,” Quatre quietly replied. “But it keeps wavering so I can’t get a hold of it.” “Do you think it’s inside him?” Wufei wondered. “Is that possible?” Trowa inquired. “Anything is possible,” Quatre replied. “But if it’s in there I don’t think he knows it.” “That might hinder its escape,” Trowa reasoned. “We’ll have to stay close to him until we can figure out a way to release it,” Wufei surmised. ~ * ~ tbc... |
