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"Taking Form "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: Angst, fluff, mild lemon, mention of
past, attempted NCS/violence Pairings: 1x2, 3x4 Summary: When his father’s comrade takes a new apprentice Master Hiiro discovers a level of emotion he had long ago left in the past. unbeta'ed "Taking Form " Ch 1
“Again!” THHHWAP! THWAP! THWAP! THWAP! “Oh! Well done Master Hiiro! A perfect one hundred percent hit ratio again! He’s fifteen for fifteen!” Nichol shouted happily to the assembly before he rushed down field to retrieve his young master’s arrows. “Impossible.” “I believe you owe me twenty credits,” the boy’s father smirked at his dome haired companion as he stared in wide-eyed wonder at the crop of bull’s-eyes. “You tricked me,” the man replied somewhat reverently. “That is not humanly possible.” “Hiiro is not your average human. Shall we transfer the funds now?” “And you call yourself a doctor? Where is your sense of charity?” “In town with the good people who deserve it,” Dr. J replied haughtily before he demanded, “Pay up.” “Ah! Hiiro, well done!” Professor G grinned effectively ignoring his old friend as the boy joined them. “I wouldn’t have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes. Most impressive,” he praised. “Your journey went well?” Hiiro inquired politely causing the man’s face to fall. “Yes, thank you,” the Professor replied in kind. It had always been this way. They had recited the same speech every summer since the boy came to live in the large house on the hill so he knew Hiiro’s lines as well as he knew his own. Next would be… “I trust your health has been good as well?” Right on cue. However, This year would be a little different. “Actually, I did have a bout with a nasty flu just after Christmas,” he replied instead of his usual confirmation and return. However, the deviation from the norm did not appear to perplex Hiiro in any way. “You seem well now,” the boy replied adaptively. “I doubt I would have been able to visit this year had I not met my new protégé,” G smirked at the sudden shift in Hiiro’s eyes. “You’ve taken an apprentice?” the boy asked curiously. In all the years he had known the old man, not once had he shown any interest in passing on his considerable talents to the next generation. The Professor had always been a solitary man holed up in his manor with his band of misfit artisans. To Hiiro’s knowledge, the only time he left his home was during these month long visits to the doctor’s home every summer. “I have,” G grinned knowing full well his next line would rock Hiiro’s world. “He’ll be joining us by tomorrow I expect.” “He’s coming here?!” Hiiro remarked. “Yes,” the Professor smiled. “Though, tomorrow’s arrival may be a bit optimistic. He insisted on staying behind until his latest work was complete,” he chuckled affectionately. “Dr. J, do you think it wise…?” “Hiiro,” J breathed in a long-suffering sigh. His tolerance for the boy’s insistence on addressing him so formally was growing thin in his waning years but he knew he had only himself to blame. It would take time to unravel the tightly formed bonds he had instilled in his son as he had seen fit to raise him the only way he knew how after the death of his wife. It had been some years before he realized the strict military training and emotional repression he had subjected him to had become his greatest sin. His only redemption was to see to it that his son learned the value of his humanity. “The boy has been living with G for six months,” he explained knowing it to be the only thing that would ease Hiiro’s mind. “I believe he is trustworthy of a visit to our home.” “He is a wonderfully spirited young man,” G smiled enthusiastically. “And a talented artist as well.” “Of course,” Hiiro grumbled. “I expect the scenery here will provide him with a world of inspiration,” G went on. “Where did you say you met?” Hiiro interjected. “In the infirmary, actually.” “Why was he there?” the boy inquired causing J to roll his eyes silently and curse his past decisions. “Knife wound,” G informed them. Hiiro’s brow wrinkled cautiously as he began to explain. “Duo had no home before I decided to take him in. Lived on the streets. Stole what he needed until …” “Why wasn’t he arrested?” Hiiro questioned in a tone of clear disapproval. “Well, it was self defense after all,” the Professor chuckled nervously. His pleading glance at J was met with little more than a helpless shrug. “A man has a right to defend his home,” the boy countered. “Yes, but defending it in such a dastardly fashion is hardly within the limits of the law.” “There is no provision that would disallow one to protect their home. Thieves choose their fate when they decide to commit the crime. He only got what he deserved,” Hiiro argued cocking a wondering brow when the comment brought a cross light into G’s one visible eye. “Duo took a loaf of bread to fill his empty stomach,” the man informed him evenly. “That is hardly a crime worthy of his chastity or his life.” “His chastity?” Hiiro balked. “How old is this boy?” “Perhaps the same age as you,” G replied. “I can’t be sure since he has no recollection of it.” “It would seem you’ve been taken for a fool,” the boy chuckled. “Hiiro,” J reprimanded but he only paused to favor him with a tolerant smirk. “No man of my years would fall prey to any maiden unwillingly,” Hiiro continued. “I suspect it was her husband that gifted your apprentice with his wound,” he laughed dismissively. “Had there been a maiden involved I might heed your council,” G replied distantly. “What?” “Hiiro, that’s enough,” J interjected. “Are you saying this man raped him?” the boy demanded. “Nearly,” the Professor nodded. “Ironically enough, it was the fact that he saw fit to torture the boy by stabbing him in the leg that gave Duo the means to free himself.” “But… why?” Hiiro asked clearly shaken by the very idea. “Perhaps you will understand better when you meet him tomorrow,” the man smiled. “In the meantime,” J cut in as a wide grin spread across his aged face. “I believe you still own me twenty credits.” ** “Master Hiiro. Are you certain this is necessary?” Nichol asked as he perched precariously on the top rung of the ladder that offered him access to the upstairs window. “See that it is secure,” the boy ordered firmly. Just a few more windows on this side of the house and everything would be prepared. Having a known thief running around the grounds was not something he was comfortable with by any means so Hiiro had taken it upon himself to see to it his fathers home was a safe as it could possibly be. G’s yearly visits were always disruptive but the introduction of this wayward apprentice was entirely unacceptable in Hiiro’s eyes. He had training to see to, his application to Brooks Military Academy was up for approval, there was practice to attend and the annual competition in Luxenburg. There was no time to waste on trailing after some upstart street rat with a talent for trouble. Raped? The man had tried to rape him? How ludicrous was that? What man in his seventeenth year would beckon such atrocious behavior? It just didn’t make any sense. This boy had to be as much a liar as he was a thief and Hiiro had every intention of making sure things ran smoothly during his visit. “M…Master Hiiro?” Nichol called cautiously as the boy turned away from where he’d been holding the ladder. A quick glance down the path that led into town revealed the reason as a dust cloud slowly rose above the tree line. A coach? Didn’t this boy know how to ride? Or was he to be so pampered he wasn’t even expected to straddle a horse? “H…Hiiro?!” Nichol gasped as he watched the boy walking away. “Finish the windows on this side before you return to your duties,” Hiiro told him before leaving him teetering dangerously atop the ladder. Dr. J and the Professor were already on their way to greet the oncoming coach when he arrived along the front of the house and joined them. He could tell by the excited gleam in G’s eyes and the curious expression on J’s face he was on his own when it came to securing their home. Why his father would openly trust such a misguided youth was something he simply could not understand but he had no intention of allowing the man’s foolishness cost them. This boy would know his place from the start. “Thomas! Hello!” G greeted the driver having known him for some years as the same man that often drove him about during his visits to the town. “Good day to you Professor,” Thomas smiled reining in his two brown mares. “Hullo, Doctor,” he nodded amiably. “How’s that leg of yours?” he asked as he climbed down from his carriage. “Bit stiff,” the man replied. “I haven’t seen Mary yet this month. Is she staying off her feet? Getting plenty of milk?” “Think she’s making more than she’s drinking these days,” Thomas laughed. “That baby had better be a hungry one or there’s gonna be plenty left over for me!” he laughed then flushed bright red when he caught sight of Hiiro standing nearby. “Good day Master Hiiro.” Hiiro had never been able to relate to the man. Why he felt he needed yet another child after having three already was just beyond him. He was just about to return the sentiment in the polite way he always had when the door to the carriage opened and drew Thomas away. It confused him when he caught sight of the long chestnut braid. The color was captivating, so warm and vibrant with bits of sunlight dancing along the edges. He forgot himself for a moment as his mind assimilated the slender form dismounting the cab and felt a rising in his throat when his eyes lighted on the face of an angel. It was difficult to tear his eyes away as he leaned into J’s personal space to ask… “Who’s she?” Why were they laughing? “Professor! Hey!” A boy?! Oh shit. “Duo!” G returned going to half hug his apprentice. “You made it.” “Yea,” Duo breathed taking in his surroundings. He grinned winsomely when Hiiro’s eyes suddenly found the ground at his curious gaze. “Man. It sure is beautiful here,” the boy sighed inspecting the lush greenery of the rolling hillside. “I told you you’d love it here,” G smiled while J helped Thomas with Duo’s bags. “You never said it was this gorgeous,” Duo laughed tossing another tentative glance at Hiiro before going to help with his bags. “Hiiro,” J prompted encouraging his stoic son to participate in the greeting. “Welcome to Hane Hirogetai,” Hiiro mumbled still unable to quail the pink tint in his face. “Thanks,” Duo smiled setting a rather large, very heavy case on the ground that suddenly woke Hiiro up and got him moving to help as well. No wonder he hadn’t arrived on horseback, he had enough luggage to fill a small house! G and Duo took some time to catch up with each other, which gave Hiiro a much-needed moment to gather his wits after his blunder and learn a few things about their guest as well. The project that had detained Duo had been a portrait he’d been commissioned to do of the Governor’s daughter. Apparently, this boy had some amount of talent as he produced a sealed letter of gratitude to G for the completion of the work. As much as he hated to admit it, Hiiro found himself already impressed by this strangely compelling boy. Most of the luggage was taken to a large study that served as a studio for G during his visits. Hiiro easily surmised that the many cases and satchels must contain artisan’s supplies and from the look of it Duo was planning to do quite a bit of work during his stay. There was a huge bay window along the east wall that provided ample lighting in the room this early in the morning that obviously pleased Duo very much. Oddly enough, Hiiro had never really noticed the way the sunbeams filtered through the glass until Duo stepped up to it and was bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun as he peered into the garden beyond. “Is it always this bright?” the longhaired boy inquired happily. “It’s the end of Spring now,” J observed. “The rains will come and go quickly for the most part but yes, once the summer heat sets in the skies will clear.” “I can’t wait to see the rain,” Duo smiled adding a hasty, “Hey! Can I see that one?” to Hiiro who suddenly realized he had been standing immobile for some time holding the case in his hands while he watched Duo. “I know I put a sketch pad in here,” he told him opening the box before Hiiro could put it down. Violet. He hadn’t noticed before but now that he was this close he saw it quiet clearly. Duo’s eyes were violet. “Here it is,” the boy finally smiled flashing a glance into Hiiro’s eyes before he turned away that made him forget to put the box down again. “I want to record my first day here,” he said perching lightly on one arm of the couch that faced the window before beginning his sketch. “Hiiro?” G grinned. “Yes?” “Could we have that over here now?” the man chuckled. It took a moment before Hiiro understood and complied though he really could not phantom what the two old men found so amusing. However, his attention was once again draw to Duo and their mirth quickly forgotten as he strode nearer to him to get a look at his drawing. Duo shifted to accommodate him allowing a clear view over his shoulder as Hiiro’s brow knit in contemplation. “What is that your using to draw with?” he asked as Duo framed in the pains of the multifaceted window. “Coal,” Duo smiled presenting it for Hiiro’s inspection. “Your hand is filthy,” Hiiro observed. “It is a bit messy I suppose,” Duo chuckled going back to his work. “But it’s what I’m used to. You can find the best pieces in the morning when the runners leave the fires unattended,” he prattled on as he smeared hard lines into the shadows and brought the sunbeams to life. “G gave me some of the store bought stuff but it’s not the same.” Hiiro cocked his head to study the scene forming before his eyes while Duo continued his narration. What a wonder it was to see the depth of the paper change with each stoke of the coal. Duo spoke casually but his hands never stopped moving, he would pause to blow away some puddle of the black power or rub some bit into the fiber of the page then pick up his chatter where he had left off. He wasn’t really saying much of anything that Hiiro understood but it was mesmerizing to listen and watch him all the same. Black streaks became windowpanes, smudges, dark shadows beneath the sill. “I suppose I’ll get used to the new stuff in time,” Duo was saying as another form began to take shape. “I like the paints but the coal was the only thing I had to play with until I moved in with G.” Hiiro’s brow creased as he watched the shadows shift and change until he suddenly found himself staring into his own eyes. Duo went on but he wasn’t really hearing him anymore, as his mind was busy trying to work out how he could have come to exist on the parchment in Duo’s lap. “That’s me,” he interjected intelligently. “Hm?” Duo paused in his rambling to study his work. “Oh… umm… yeah. It’s just a memory,” he assured him. “No one will ever see it. I hope you don’t mind.” “It’s amazing,” Hiiro praised earning him a soft smile that made his mind a bit fuzzy somehow. “It’s all in the subject matter,” the longhaired boy replied sketching in a dragonfly that had lighted on the window behind Hiiro’s shoulder in the picture. “Master Hiiro!” a young boy shouted scurrying through the door to slide to a halt in front of Hiiro’s disapproving glare. Duo chuckled lightly at his disheveled state as his red hair was matted slightly to a sweaty brow, his freckle face pale with anxiety and his breath heavy in his haste. “It’s Nichol!” “Slow down,” Hiiro soothed but the child only paused long enough to toss Duo an appraising glance. “But he’s hanging from the rose trellis on the second floor!” “Oh my,” J softly exclaimed as they rushed to their houseman’s aid. When they arrived Nichol was doing his best to try and clamor his way up onto the second story terrace near the window his ladder had once rested upon. His strength was obviously waning so it took nothing more than J calling his name for him to loose his concentration and his grip and fall haphazardly into Hiiro’s arms knocking the young man to the ground where they tumbled in a disheveled mess. “Oh! Master Hiiro! I’m so sorry!” the man chattered scrambling to his feet. “I was securing the window and the ladder just slipped away,” he stammered on helping Hiiro to his feet. “Are you alright?” G asked. “Yes. I’m fine,” Nichol returned though a flustered smile. “I’ll have the rest of the windows on this side secure before night fall,” he promised Hiiro adding, “No one will be able to breech this security,” before falling silent under the sudden intensity of his Masters glare. The confusion the silent reprimand caused was cleared up with one glance into Duo’s cold, violet eyes. “I’m afraid I must apologize…,” G began but Duo cut him off. “Why?” the boy inquired never taking his gaze from Hiiro as he added, “You’ve done nothing to apologize for,” before turning curtly and walking away. “Hiiro!” J snipped the moment he was out of earshot. “You said he was a thief!” Hiiro retorted. “I explained that already!” G grumbled. “How was I to know you hadn’t been tricked?” the boy countered clearly as flustered over his blunder as the others. “Well, you’ve done a fine job of offending him,” J sighed. “I won’t get a decent image out of him for days now,” G joined in. “What do you mean?” Hiiro inquired. “His creations come straight from his heart,” the Professor explained dejectedly. “I prefer his work when he’s happy and bright spirited. There’ll be nothing but dark shadows and misery from him now.” “I’ll make it up to him,” the boy insisted. “How?” the two men asked in skeptical unison. Hiiro stood for a moments contemplation on the subject before ordering, “Nichol, free the shudders and set the windows open wide.” “B…b…b…but M…Master Hiiro!” “The lower levels as well,” Hiiro commanded. “The entire house?!” the houseman gasped. “Have William help you,” the boy ordered. “But what if he is after our treasures?” the man tried to reason clearly unsettled by the task set before him. “He can have whatever he wants,” Hiiro replied before taking his leave. Nichol watched him go with a sinking expression and a glance in the direction of his fallen ladder. “Has he hit his head?” he asked in bewilderment. “Worse,” G chuckled. “He’s taken a blow to the heart,” J concurred
before leaving the rattled man to begin his new duty.
~ * ~ tbc... |
