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"Fates Folly"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, indication of future
3x4, 5xM Summary: A young assassin finds a new path when he is visited by a guardian angel "Fates Folly" “Why him?” “Is he not worthy of compassion?” the arch angel inquired. “If you wanted to be compassionate you wouldn’t be sending me,” the dark fledgling smirked. A small smile appeared under his superior’s rather regal nose before he frowned upon the youth they were considering on the Earth far below. “His deeds are…questionable,” he observed noting the smooth efficiency their subjected displayed while he assassinated his current target. “He has a pure heart,” the fledgling commented cocking his head thoughtfully. The arch angled smiled while he spread his wide wings and commented, “He’s very handsome.” “More so when he isn’t shooting at anyone,” the fledgling replied distracted by the calm flight of the young man below as he moved confidently away from where a crowd was gathering around his diseased victim so he didn’t see the knowing light in his superiors eyes. “He believes his deeds are for the greater good of the people.” “Hm,” the fledgling nodded standing to shake out his ebony wings. “But he ignores the damage they do to his heart.” “He has sacrificed so much of himself for others,” the arch angel sighed while he eyed his young companion cleverly. “Too much,” the fledgling agreed. “If only he could see…” “I will make him see,” the youngster declared just before he dropped like a stone from the sky and headed straight for the troubled youth below. The arch angel chuckled then lifted his stately form into the air and soared into the bright light of a new beginning. ** “Three ninety five,” the clerk behind the counter of the mini-mart informed his less than amiable customer. “It’s three fifty five,” the young man countered laying the money on the counter. “The register says three ninety five,” the clerk sighed heavily. “So if you want the stuff pay up.” The door sounded its bell announcing the arrival of another customer who smiled as he walked by and displayed a thigh length, chestnut braid but the young man at the counter didn’t even look his way. “The drink’s one sixty and the sandwich if one seventy five,” he informed the clerk who was having some trouble keeping his eyes off the other customer. “Tax here is six and a half percent which makes it three fifty five.” “The drink’s marked wrong,” the clerk told him though he was smiling at the long haired guy who walked up behind him at the time. “That’s your problem,” the customer informed him taking his items in hand. “Hey!” the clerk barked. “You can’t…!” “Yes,” the young man said as the clerk raised his hands and backed up cautiously while he stared down the barrel of a pistol, “I can.” “No sweat, man,” the clerk breathed nervously. “How about I pay the extra?” the second customer offered smiling calmly while he stepped forward and laid the money down. “Keep it,” the other snipped lowering his weapon. “It hardly seems worth getting banned from the store for.” “He’s skimming the drawer.” The clerk looked affronted but remained silent as the newcomer chuckled and tossed a five on the counter to cover his purchase while he winked at the clerk and commented, “Maybe he has a kid and can’t get by on the measly pay they offer in this joint.” “Hey,” the clerk grinned in astonishment. “How’d you know…I mean,” he amended flushing red while he flashed an uncertain glance at the first guy. “Get him something nice for Christmas,” the long haired guy smiled dropping a twenty on top of the five. “Hey, man!” the clerk grinned calling after him as he followed the other customer outside. “Thanks!” “He’ll probably spend it on booze.” “His boy’s four and his name is Brian,” the long haired guy smiled before turning up the chocolate milk he’d bought but all his companion did was stare at him. “I’m Duo,” he told him offering his hand but his only response was to turn and walk away. He sighed and followed giggling when his quarry ducked into an ally in an obvious attempt to loose him. “Why are you following me?” Duo froze having been unprepared to feel the barrel of a gun in his back but his lips slowly curled while he raised his hands and peered over his shoulder to ask, “Why not?” “Go home,” he was instructed while his assailant stowed his gun but he paused to consider him intently when he chuckled and informed him… “No can do.” “Are you a runaway?” the young man asked looking him over but his clothes seemed clean and he certainly wasn’t running scared with a smile like that. “Hardly,” Duo snorted shoving his hands in his jacket pockets while he confessed, “I’m just here to keep you company for the holiday.” His companion eyed him suspiciously for a moment in which his hand drifted to his gun again before he asked, “Who are you really?” Duo let the smile curl his lips slowly while a violet light crackled in his eyes and he explained, “I’m your guardian angel.” “Don’t fuck with me!” his charge growled pushing him against a brick wall while he shoved the pistol him his face. “What do you want!?” Duo laughed then blew on the barrel and his company jumped backward in shock when black feathers spouted out of it. “You can put that away, Hiiro,” he grinned delighting in the cross astonishment on his face. “How do you know my name?” Hiiro demanded while he plucked the stubborn feathers from his gun but they just kept growing back. “I know everything about you,” Duo informed him leaning casually against the wall while he demonstrated, “You’re name is Hiiro Yui, you work out of an abandoned building’s broken down utility room and you make a meager living by ridding the world of what you believe to be the scum of he Earth.” Hiiro stared at him with a cross brow and stubborn indignation in his eyes until Duo inquired, “Still not convinced?” and spread his enormous black wings whereupon Hiiro fell backward, tripped over a discarded box and landed squarely on his ass. “What?” Duo inquired when he just kept gaping. “They’re black!” Hiiro gasped looking around as if to escape while Duo’s brow fell into a pout. “Whoever said all angels have white wings?” he grumbled tucking them away again. “Are they real?” Hiiro demanded getting quickly to his feet where he nabbed his companion and turned him around but any evidence of the wings had disappeared. “Of course,” Duo giggled seeming to get a kick out of being manhandled. “Where’d they go?” “Hammer space,” Duo grinned. Hiiro stopped molesting him long enough to give him a sardonic scowl then stepped back and asked, “Why are you here?” “Don’t worry,” Duo smiled urging him back onto the sidewalk. “I didn’t come to cut your thread. I’m just here for Christmas.” “Christmas,” Hiiro deadpanned while Duo nodded happily. “You’re not here to punish me or something?” “Why would you need to be punished?” Duo asked walking out into traffic but before Hiiro could gasp and reach for him the cars simply shimmered and passed right through his body. “I…” Hiiro stammered staring in wonder, “You know what I do.” “Not everything is as always as simple as it seems,” Duo smiled stepping back onto the sidewalk. “How do you do that?” Hiiro wondered while he examined the roadway but nothing seemed amiss. “Hm?” Duo inquired turning to gaze at the passing traffic. “Oh, well, I’m not actually here,” he explained then let a wide smile curl his lips while he informed him, “And right now…neither are you.” “Wha?!” Hiiro gasped when he was pushed out in front of a bus but the vehicle simply passed right through him leaving him winded and wide eyed while he gaped at the amused angel. “Come on,” Duo chuckled tugging him back onto the sidewalk. “Am I dead?” Hiiro asked patting himself cautiously. “No,” Duo chuckled taking him by the arm. “You’re just taking the next twenty four hours off,” he grinned spreading his wings and Hiiro gasped when he was carried high over the bustling streets. “Put me down!” he gasped clinging frightfully to the amused angel. “You’re sure?” Duo asked pausing to look down at the street far below. “It’s a long way down.” “NO!” Hiiro cried clinging tighter. “I mean take me down! Take me down!” “But it’s so nice up here,” Duo smiled surveying the Earth and sky. “I don’t like heights!” Hiiro growled. Duo smiled while he cocked his head and commented, “And here I thought there wasn’t anything you were afraid of.” “I’m not afraid!” Hiiro snapped but eyed the approaching ground hungrily. “It just disorienting!” “Alright,” Duo chuckled letting him go as they touched down. “Stay away from me!” Hiiro growled taking a moment to steady himself. “Sorry,” Duo sighed as he turned his eyes toward the sky. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me until tomorrow night.” Hiiro was about to retort when he noticed a small crowd nearby and looked around while he demanded, “Where are we?” “Hm?” Duo inquired bringing his attention back to him then glancing around. “Downtown, why?” Hiiro’s brow creased indignantly when his gaze lighted on a speaker who was preaching about his company’s many charitable programs to a small group of people beside a cheerfully lighted backdrop before he scowled and turned away. “Hey!” Duo called after him hurrying to keep up. “What’s wrong?” “People like him represent half of what is wrong in this world,” Hiiro growled glancing heatedly toward the speaker. “He seems alright to me,” Duo commented. “He’s an egotistical, elitist too bent on greed and selfish desire to even see the evil he constructs,” Hiiro countered while he made his way across the road. Duo paused to regard the man then cocked his head curiously while he inquired, “Isn’t he offering help to the unfortunate?” “Help?” Hiiro scoffed. “He’ll set them up alright,” he explained while glaring at the cheerful man, “Then he’ll take them for every penny they have. They’re all the same. No one gives something for nothing.” Duo turned to watch the man for a moment then beamed a bright smile at his companion, gripped his arm firmly and suggested, “Lets find out,” as they shot into the sky. “Take me down!” Hiiro grumbled at once. “It’ll take too long to walk,” Duo reasoned. “Where are you taking me!?” “There,” Duo smiled as they descended in a run down section of town but the corner where they touched down was brightly lit and packed with a rag tag collection of people who looked utterly out of place in their dingy clothes and bristled beards. “What is this?” Hiiro asked then slowed to a stand still when he saw a young blond exit a building. “You know him?” Duo inquired watching while the young man wiped his hand on his apron and offered an old woman another bowl of warm soup. “He’s…” Hiiro began but went silent while he watched the people move up in the line as one plate after another was filled with holiday treats. “Quatre Winner.” “Isn’t that…?” “He’s his son,” Hiiro explained as the speaker they had been watching was the owner of Winner Enterprises. “Perhaps they’re not all the same after all,” Duo mused. Hiiro rounded on him and demanded, “Have you come to change me?” Duo smiled so softly the crease on Hiiro’s brow involuntarily eased as he replied, “Judgment isn’t my gig.” “Then why are you here?” Hiiro demanded shuffling off down the walk. “I told you,” Duo giggled floating along behind him. “I’m just here to keep you company.” “Well,” Hiiro grumbled. “If you know everything about me like you say then you know I have another mark tonight so unless you want to become an accomplice to murder you should leave.” “Sorry,” Duo apologized rising above and over him to land in front and stop his forward flight. “But you’re business will have to wait until tomorrow. You’re not exactly…in synch,” he chuckled laughing when a car wizzed through him and Hiiro jumped back because he hadn’t realized he was in the road. “You mean I can’t interact with the world at all?” Hiiro gasped trying to touch a lamp post but his hand passed right through. “Relax,” Duo soothed stepping out of traffic since watching cars pass through him appeared to disturb his guest. “Everything will go back to normal after tomorrow and you can go on living your life however you see fit.” “Why are you doing this to me?” Hiiro breathed clearly shaken but Duo only offered that soft smile that made his stomach feel light and countered… “Maybe I’m doing it for you.” “I have a contract!” Hiiro snipped. “What makes you so sure this person deserves to die?” Duo grumbled. “He’s an arms trafficker,” Hiiro grumbled walking straight into traffic in spite of the many cars. “There’s only one way to stop a parasite like him.” Duo huffed which blew his thick bangs up then followed hoping Hiiro remembered not to try that trick once the enchantment wore off. He followed him for a time until they entered a more well kept area of the city then stopped beside him when he paused to look into the window of an elegant restaurant. “What’s this?” Duo inquired while he watched a large group of people enjoying dinner together. “Nothing,” Hiiro replied but his eyes watched the family intently. “Oh, look,” Duo smiled seizing him by the arm. “Isn’t that Wufei?” “Wha…?” Hiiro gasped unable to free himself as he was dragged across the road. “You’re brother,” Duo grinned. “Stop!” Hiiro gasped digging his feet in before he could drag him inside. “What’s wrong?” Duo asked innocently. “Don’t you want to see your family?” “They’re not my family,” Hiiro countered. “He’s your brother,” Duo insisted. “Half brother,” Hiiro grumbled. “And that’s his family,” he told him trying to move away but then Duo had him by the arm and pushed him inside. “Let’s go in anyway,” he enthused. “You said I couldn’t interact!” Hiiro growled trying to brace himself on the door frame but his hands passed right through. “That doesn’t mean you can’t see them,” Duo reasoned then stopped and smiled at the family at the table. Hiiro watched them for a time in which his breathing steadily slowed until he realized, “They can’t see me.” “Not tonight,” Duo assured him urging him forward. Hiiro swallowed but took the opportunity to observe and stepped forward. “You said the wedding will be in July?” a handsome woman of Asian descent inquired of a young man Hiiro had once called his brother. “Yes,” he smiled gracing a beautiful, young Chinese girl by his side with a light kiss on the cheek. “The invitations will arrive in June, right Meilan?” he asked the blushing girl. “If all goes well,” she smiled. “I still can’t believe how long the guest list has become.” “You’ll be thankful for such big families when the gifts pile in!” a middle aged man across the table laughed heartily. “It’ll be good to see everyone,” Wufei smiled. “Do you think Hiiro will attend?” a girl at the end of the table inquired. “I doubt it,” Meilan sighed. “We’ve sent him so many invitations already but he doesn’t even come to dinner.” “He’s a busy man,” Wufei defended. “He’s always been reclusive,” the older woman nodded. “I do hope he’s doing well.” “Why in the world would you segregate yourself from such a great family?” Duo asked at Hiiro’s ear startling him out of the moment. “Wufei is only my half brother,” Hiiro mumbled but was distracted by the conversation. “Perhaps you should stop by and see how he’s doing,” Meilan suggested. “Of course,” Wufei smiled leaning over to kiss her cheek. “What else are brothers for?” “Invite him to New Years dinner!” the older woman enthused. “All right,” Wufei agreed. “Hiiro?” Duo inquired when he headed for the door but he didn’t stop until he was outside. “You ok?” Duo asked gently. Hiiro took a moment to look up at the sky then breathed deeply and headed off down the road with Duo trailing behind. Duo stopped when they entered a seedy looking bar but Hiiro didn’t seem to recall that he was out of synch until he sat down and no one acknowledged him. He waited until Duo moseyed over and took the stool next to him then asked, “Can I have a drink?” “The enchantment won’t end until tomorrow,” Duo explained then smiled while he made little circles in the air over the bar in front of Hiiro and a small shot glass of brown liquid appeared. “But it’s a special occasion,” Duo smiled doing the same for himself. “To family,” he smiled holding the glass up and Hiiro snorted wryly before he tapped his to it and they drank. An hour later they were laughing while they tried not to knock over the pyramid they’d build of shot glasses as they added more to the top. “I still don’t get why you have to do it,” Duo was saying as his brow wrinkled in concentrated effort while he willed more whisky into existence. “If I don’t who will?” Hiiro inquired shooting his shot while Duo conjured another for himself. “Maybe you’ve filled your quota,” Duo reasoned cringing when the burn hit his throat. “You ok?” Hiiro chuckled offering a steadying hand when Duo swayed on his stool. “What is this stuff?” he inquired eyeing his glass suspiciously. “I don’t know,” Hiiro laughed. “You made it.” “Oh, right,” Duo giggled. “Looks like the parties over,” Hiiro chortled helping him off his stool. “Already?” Duo whined but followed along until they were outside in the cool air where he felt marginally more focused. “What’s wrong?” he asked a short while later as they passed by a large house with an iron gate. “He’s my mark,” Hiiro informed him while he stared intently at the lighted windows. “Hn,” Duo grunted then nabbed him by the arm before lifting into the air. “I wish you wouldn’t do that,” Hiiro groaned. “You’ll live,” Duo giggled then grunted with Hiiro when they ran into the tree he was trying to land in. “I just wondered if this guy is really as bad as all that,” he explained hefting Hiiro onto a large branch. “He sells guns to children,” Hiiro groused then stopped dead still when his eyes lighted on the man in question where he was apparently tucking his young son into bed. “Are you sure he’s the guy?” Duo wondered while they watched the man tuck the boy in and kiss his forehead. “He’s…” Hiiro began but took a moment to do a mental check. “He looks like any other businessman,” Duo commented. “But is business makes it possible for people to force kids to fight,” Hiiro snipped. “Evil has many faces,” Duo nodded leaning back to look at the sky while he observed, “I supposed it’s all in what you’re willing to sacrifice to fight it.” “I’ll stop him,” Hiiro swore. “Whatever the cost.” “Perhaps there’s some other way than leaving his child without a father,” Duo wondered turning to watch the small boy sleep. Hiiro turned to look at the child then dropped like a stone to the ground. Duo sighed and followed floating along until he caught up then walking by his side until they turned into an abandoned building he knew served as Hiiro’s home base of operations. At first glance it looked like any other abandoned building until you went down a flight of stairs and the décor changed into a state of the art surveillance site. “You’re monitoring him?” Duo chuckled seeing Quatre Winner on one of the monitors. “His father,” Hiiro explained going to a lap top that was jacked into the internet. “His business spans several countries. It’d be the perfect front for any number of criminal activities.” “You should be a cop,” Duo surmised. “Cops can’t kill people,” Hiiro pointed out but stopped suddenly when Duo beamed a smile at him and exclaimed… “Exactly!” “Is that why you’re here?” Hiiro asked rising to face him. “To stop the killing?” Duo smiled in a way that sent a rushing heat over Hiiro’s skin as he replied, “I’m not here to judge you.” “Then why are you here?!” Hiiro snapped. “Because Michael’s too busy with the brass to clear his to do list,” Duo grumbled folding his arms to pout. “Michael?” Hiiro deadpanned. Duo flashed him a grumpy glance before he couldn’t fight in anymore and burst out laughing whereupon Hiiro chuckled and fell back into his chair. “I’m only here for Christmas,” Duo smiled stepping forward and Hiiro’s brow furrowed when he sat in his lap and curled up to his chest. “I just didn’t want to you be alone for the holiday,” he confessed while his eyes fell lazily closed. Hiiro sat quietly for a moment then shifted and flailed his arms in the air before he prompted, “Duo?” “Hm?” “What’re you doing?” “I’ve never had whiskey before,” Duo chuckled while he squirmed around looking for a more comfortable position. Hiiro considered him then slowly let his arms rest on his back and legs. “Are there…girls…in heaven?” he asked cautiously forcing his eyes to focus when the scent of Duo’s hair intensified his intoxication. “Of course,” Duo chuckled as he turned his head up to look at him and inquire, “Why would you ask soemthi…” “Sorry,” Hiiro breathed pulling way from the warm kiss he’d laid upon Duo’s lips. “What was that for?” Duo wondered seeming somewhat off balance. “Sorry,” Hiiro reiterated. “I just…” “You like me?” Duo smiled. Hiiro gazed into his eyes for a moment then swallowed and replied, “Yeah…I guess I do.” “How much?” Duo asked as he wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him long and deep. “Nnnn,” Hiiro moaned as his chest lit on fire but his mind was racing all over the place. “Are angels…allowed to…do this sort of thing?” he asked in between kisses. “I’m not of your average creed,” Duo grinned shifting to straddle his lap. “You’re…” Hiiro breathed as he gazed up into his sparkling, amethyst eyes. Duo grinned and a moment later Hiiro’s hand was buried in his hair while he kissed him blind and the night melted in a sea of decadent pleasure. “Merry Christmas,” Duo smiled when the morning light shone through the one small window along the upper, outer wall. Hiiro chuckled and pulled him close while he kissed his hair and breathed deeply of the cool, December air. He held him for a time simply enjoying the new born feeling inside him while he remember the passion they had shared during the night and his face frowned. “What’s wrong?” Duo asked having sensed his discontent. “When will the enchantment end?” Hiiro inquired sadly. Duo propped up on his chest so he could see him and smiled, “Why do you ask?” “Will you leave when it’s over?” “That depends on you,” Duo explained. Hiiro sighed deeply and closed his eyes while he surmised, “I have to give it up for you to stay.” Duo laughed softly and laid his head on his chest while he informed him, “All you have to do is follow your heart.” Hiiro smiled and wrapped his arms around him to pull him tight where he kissed him warmly and rolled them over. “I wonder how hard it’d be to earn a badge,” he grinned loving how Duo looked beneath him. “Is that really what you want?” Duo inquired looking steadily into his eyes. “I’m tired of hiding,” Hiiro told him drawing a little kiss from the corner of his mouth. “And I miss my family.” “I hear the Preventor’s are looking for a few good men,” Duo grinned. Hiiro cocked a thoughtful brow and wondered, “You’d be okay with that?” “As long as you’re happy,” Duo smiled. “Keep smiling and I’ll be happy for the rest of my life,” Hiiro chuckled nuzzling in to nibble his neck which sent him into a happy, little giggle fit. ** Michael smiled as he watched Hiiro and Duo wrestle and laugh below then held out his hand and his grin grew wider still when a small bag of gold materialized in his palm. “You’re three for five,” his brother’s voice echoed around him. “But you’ll never find that lion tamer a mate by New Years.” Michael grinned and brushed a cloud aside so he had a clear view of Quatre Winners personal shuttle where it cut through the atmosphere on its way to L3. ** “Wufei!” “What is it?” he inquired moving cautiously around the people dancing in their living room. “Happy New Year!” someone sang and he tipped his glass of Champaign in their general direction while he laughed and tripped his way toward the door where he stopped in suddenly astonishment. “Hiiro?” “Hi,” Hiiro replied nervously while he looked the busy party over. “You came,” Wufei smiled widely. “I got your invitation…” “Hiiro!” the young girl Duo had seen asking about him cried as she hugged him tight. “You came!” “Is that Hiiro?” the older woman smiled coming from somewhere nearby to hug his neck too and Duo’s smile hit ungodly proportions while Hiiro’s face turned red. “Hello, Aunt Su,” he greeted. “There he is!” the middle aged man enthused when he saw them standing at the door. “Well, let them come in,” he instructed prompting everyone to stand back so they could move further into the room. “It’s good to see you, boy,” the man smiled clapping him on the shoulder before his eyes took in the coat in his hand. “Is that a Preventor’s uniform?” “Yes,” Hiiro confirmed glancing warily at Duo who was positively beaming at him. “I joined the force recently.” “That’s incredible!” Wufei crowed giving him a one armed hug. “It’s perfect!” he grinned turning his attention to Duo. “And who is this?” “He’s with me,” Hiiro replied sternly while he wrapped a firm arm around him and pulled him close. “Is he now?” Wufei beamed delightedly. “Duo,” Duo offered his name and his hand. “He’s incredible,” Wufei chuckled to Hiiro then balked and instantly offered, “Sorry, its just he’s never shown any interest in anyone before but…man, you really got it right,” he laughed stepping back to give Duo a moment to tame the wild blush on his cheeks. “You’ll be staying for the midnight toast?” he inquired hopefully and everyone smiled happily when Hiiro tucked Duo close and replied… “We’d love to.” ~ * ~
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