| *looks around* Behold! From the stark nothingness that is involuntary lurkerdom and my life, I give rise to a new fic! The third Book in my Stumbling Steps Arc, the heir to A Gesture of Kindness and A Way to Heal�� may I present, Soft Beginnings! Born from boredom in my second-last Chem class of the year (in which I learned I did fine on my last test. GO ME!!), this story will have the long awaited 1+2/2+1 in it. And maybe some 1x2/2x1, I�m not sure if it will work in this one yet. But if you�re expecting a lemon, you will have to wait. I completely suck at them. If enough people demand it, I may give it a shot as an omake, but it will not be a part of the story as a whole. There, I�ve said it. Now on to the more important stuff. Dedicated to my sis, who puts up with this crap on a daily basis. I�d say I�m amazed to still be alive but she�s taken swings at me before and misses every time. And they can�t all be on purpose! ^_~ And to Amanda Lee, who liked my insanity so much she put it in her sig. I�m touched, really. Arigato. And I have decided to dedicate this in perpetuity to certain people who have made this possible. Namely, Misusu, Shi-chan and my sis Tomanaiya. Forever for you. A little sidenote here: I�m basing Duo�s manic behavior on my own in a good mood/sugar high. I�ve been told I get�.. rambunctious. I�m not annoying, I�m just�� enthusiastic. About everything. And so is he. Enjoy! Title: Soft Beginnings 1/? (Book Three in the Stumbling Steps Arc) Author: Lady DarkAngel [email protected] Archive: Lady DarkAngel's Gundam Wing Fanfiction Library http://ladydarkangel_1.homestead.com/Main.html , Darkflame�s (if she�ll take it�.) and anywhere else is fine, just ask me first Category: Yaoi, angst, sap Pairing(s): 3x4, 1+2 (Finally!) Disclaimers: Gundam Wing or Shinkidousenki Gundam Wing is copyrighted and trademarked by Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency and associated parties with all rights and privileges. The characters were used without permission for the purposes of entertainment only. This is not meant for sale of profit. Any characters not created by those listed above are mine and hereby considered the sole property and copyright of the author. Anyway, I�m just a poor college student. So can I play with them? I promise I won�t break them�... much. Rating: PG-13 (to be safe) Warnings: Not much, just some swearing and Duo being his usual bouncy self Feedback: Kami-sama, YES!!! [email protected] ; any and all comments are welcome like the sweet ego-sustainers they are. <Free, free, FREE!!> Skipping down the hallway, Duo Maxwell was almost deliriously happy. No longer confined to his sickbed and room, he was once again free to wander the world as he saw fit and provoke mayhem�� err, spread joy along the way. It had been too long since he�d inflicted his peculiar sense of humor and personality on his fellow pilots and he didn�t want them to become too comfortable and complacent. <Time to liven things up! God, it�s been so *boring* and *quiet* around here! How dare such inanities defile my presence with their miserable hides! Well then, I�ll just have to put the fear of Shinigami into them so that they never show their worthless faces around ever again and let the guys know that I have returned to my former glory!> Reaching the stairwell, he hopped down, headless of his own safety as he gleefully plotted some interesting ways to provoke amusing (for him at least) reactions from his friends. <Gotta let them know I�m back to normal. That I�m just fine. That I missed them and can�t wait to show them how much. Hmmmm, paste little pink glitter hearts to their boxers and slip some in the shampoo? Maybe��> He was so intent on his thoughts that he totally neglected to watch where he was going and missed the step he�d planned to land on. Airborne not of his own choice, Duo suffered a swift moment of panic. But before he had time to start swearing mentally, he felt a strong hand lock securely around his left wrist. He jerked to a stop, but rather then hit the ground or stairs, he was swept off his feet in a smooth gesture that left him blinking stupidly at his savior. Heero gazed at him impassively, only a hint of annoyance and worry in those cobalt depths. �Hn. Baka. Be more careful; you nearly broke your neck.� Thought returned, as did his usual wit. �Did not!� <Oh no, that didn�t suck *too* badly�� Must defend self verbally or look like total idiot in front of Heero!> �I was just�� um�� practicing my Super Flying Bounce-Kick from Hell! Just in case �Fei-chan was watching, ya know? I wanna impress him with it, along with my Mega Glomp-Kiss of Death! Show him who�s the marital arts master around here�..� <Smooth, Maxwell.> He winced internally. <Where the*hell* did*that* come from ?! Either you�re severely out of practice or you�re actually *trying* to sound lame and embarrass yourself!> ��� Your landing needs work.� Fixing his eyes on Heero as soon as the damn things would focus, Duo stared hard and pondered the mystery just presented to him. What *was* that?! Was he being serious and was thus exhibiting concern and human emotion for his partner/friend? Or was that a joke and from now on Satan would be skating to work because Hell just froze over at that impossibility? Was Heero capable of humor, especially humor that was so�� in line with his? Shaking away his thoughts, he blushed to realize that he was still safely ensconced in Heero�s arms and there was an awkward silence hanging ominously in the air. The Wing Zero pilot seemed to be waiting for something, staring at Duo with the same intensity that he had previously been using to try and decipher his partner�s little quip. <Oh�� what the hell. The worst he�ll do is drop me on my ass and I�ll tumble down the stairs. I�ll survive.> �Ne, Heero?� �Hai?� �Was that a�� joke?� �Hai.� A pause. ��� Did I do well? I think I messed up the timing, though.� �No. No, I meant that was a good comeback��. For an amateur, I mean. Kitto nowhere near the standards of the Great Snapmaster Maxwell, but you have done well, my son. Someday soon, hopefully before the heat death of the universe, you will be able to deliver such brilliant witticisms as to invoke laughter from your target. Maybe. If you�re lucky.� �Baka. What makes you think that I�d want to study Duoism?� �Duoism? Sugoi! I�ve got my own semi-religion/philosophy now! �Thou shalt not take the name of thy Master Shinigami in vain nor shall you abuse the terms �baka� or �hn�, least thy house go smashy-smash when he comes in his almighty Gundam Deathscythe to wreak his vengeance upon you!!� BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!� �Duo? Is that you?� Quatre�s voice drifted up from the kitchen. �Yep!� Duo hollered back. �Set another plate and whip up some grub! The God of Death himself will grace you with his presence at your meal tonight! Tremble in fear for I have RETURNED!!� �That�s nice. What do you want to drink? We have water, OJ, tea, some Cherry Coke and Trowa�s making coffee.� �COFFEE!!! Coffee, coffee, coffee, *CAFFEINE*!!!!!! Tell Tro I like my coffee like I like my Gundam: strong, black, undefeated and capable of sending you straight to hell!� � �K. Will do. Dinner will be ready in 5 minutes!� Heero glared. �Are you done yelling my ears off yet? I don�t think I have any eardrums left.� �Hidoi ne! So cruel. Yes, I�m done. Forward, James! To dinner and my Destiny!� �What makes you think that I�m going to carry you?� Violet eyes blinked innocently. �Because I�m kawaii and helpless and fragile and you�re a big, strong Gundam pilot who thinks I�m his mission and can�t resist me?� ��� Sometimes I hate you. Ninmu ryoukai.� Duo sighed and snuggled into the warmth those arms provided. It felt good. *He* felt good. Better then he could ever remember, with the notable exceptions of Solo and Maxwell Church. But even so, the warmth was different. Back then, it was a gentle soothing warmth that calmed him and enveloped him. It was the kind that lulled him to sleep at night after a terrifying nightmare. This strange new sensation provoked instead of soothed and sparked energy instead of draining it away. It filled him with a sense of life he had thought long gone. It made him want to jump up and yell, grab Heero�s hands and dance around in crazy circles as he celebrated something he never felt before but had always known was within him. In short, it confused the hell out of him. Were all friendships supposed to be like this? If so, then he definitely needed to work with the other guys because his relationships with them were sadly lacking. Everyone should experience this��. as often as possible. This feeling should be shared and distributed so that it was so common that people took it for granted. *That* was the way to achieve world peace. Someone cared. It makes a world of difference to know that you were loved, that you had friends. Only someone who�d known loneliness could understand just how much your life improves with companionship�� He blinked as Heero gently deposited him in a chair and claimed the seat next to him. Flashing him a grateful grin, Duo turned to greet his comrades. �Quat! Tro! How y�all doing on this lovely, lovely mornin�?� Purposely drawing his voice out in a slow Southern drawl, he continued, �Gonna rustle up some grub for your poor sick fellows? Well that�s right nice and neighborly of ya. I�m much obliged, sirs. Truly much obliged.� Quatre mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like �smartass� but since he sounded happy, it couldn�t have been that mean of an insult. He was cooking something that smelled great and Trowa was getting the plates and the mugs ready so dinner must be almost finished. �How hungry are you, Duo? I made more then enough for everyone so if you want more then don�t worry about asking��.� �Awww, just fix me what ever you want. Since when have I been shy about asking for seconds? I can just get up and get more if I�m still hungry; it�s no biggie.� A sharp tug on his braid forced a small frown and correction. �Ok, Ok. *Heero* will get more for me if I�m still hungry. Itai!� �Fine by me. Just eat.� The Sandrock pilot dropped a loaded plate in front of the braided boy. �Seriously, I want that plate *licked* clean.� He returned to finishing up the other�s dinner. �GREAT!� The American chirped and then snickered. �Mama hen Quatre. What an order. Lick it. Hmmm, better yet, LICK ME!!!� A light smack to the head reprimanded him. �Geez, what�s *with* you today?! Abusive much? And getting kinda physical, aren�t we? If I didn�t know any better, I�d said you were looking for an excuse to touch me.� Missing Heero�s faint blush, he proceeded to wolf down his food, slowing only when the Wing Zero pilot�s glare threatened to *make* him chew his food and that would be painful indeed. Life was going back to normal at a rapid pace. Trowa placed the mug down in front of him. �Are you *sure* you want to drink it like that? I would have taken you for an eight-sugars-and-creams or more type of guy. This stuff straight will peel the paint of Heavyarms.� The tall pilot snagged the seat to Heero�s right and stared incredulously at his friend. �Nah, not for nighttime coffee. And I�m tough enough to take it straight. Ordinarily, my cup�d be nearly solid with it. I usually get people asking me if I have enough coffee in my sugar this morning. Trust me, Tro, you *so* don�t want to see me on one of my highs this late at night!� �Especially considering the mood you�re currently in. That would be a very BAD idea. Good evening Maxwell.� Wufei strolled into the kitchen and seated himself down next to Trowa. �Mou ii de! Wu-chan the meanie! You, sir, have no honor if you attack a weak unarmed enemy like that! 'Tis a grave injustice that will not go unavenged! And not only does he insult me but�� but he sits in *Quatre�s* seat! The boy has a death wish!� The blonde in question turned around and noticed that his spot had been usurped. He then glared the offender into submission and made him move. Once Wufei�s butt was out of his seat and the spot next to Trowa was once again free and awaiting it�s rightful heir, the evil eye faded and Quatre�s cheerful smile returned. The raven-haired boy grumbled as he plunked down in the only available seat left, which just happened to be right next to Duo. �That�s why I didn�t want it��� he mumbled to himself. �What was that, �Fei?� �Nothing that need concern you.� The harsh tone was belied by the soft gaze he gave the braided boy. �So how are you feeling? You look much better.� �Better? Better then when? You haven�t seen me in days, Wu-baka!� Duo chuckled at the look of vexation on his friend�s face and decided to answer. �I�m a lot better now that I�m up and about. It�s amazing just how much a change of scenery will do for ya. And I don�t ache any more. Well�� not really bad and it�s almost gone. I should be doin� handsprings on the front lawn and spray-painting obscenities on Shenlong in a few days.� �Nataku forbid��� �Duo, I don�t think��� �Maybe you shouldn�t��� �You will do no such thing! Your lungs are still too weak and they will be for 3 weeks to a month. Bronchitis doesn�t just fade away, baka. Especially not as badly as you had it. If you�re not careful, you�ll have a relapse.� Heero glared an accusation at him and let him know quite clearly what he thought of and would do in that scenario. �Oi, oi! Gangin� up on me! Fine, no backflips. But I reserve my immortal right to scribble �Kiss my ass if you can catch it!� on Wu-chan�s Gundam in florescent yellow 10-foot letters on the back!!� At Wufei�s horrified and slightly miffed look, Trowa decided to prevent a murder. �What do you plan on doing now that you�re�� physically limited in your activities?� An eyebrow raised in Heero�s direction indicated that he was well aware Duo�s seclusion was recognized as non-voluntary and would probably continue. The matching look he received told him what he could do with that knowledge. �Well�� there�s the kicker.� Duo deflated a little. �I�m not sure. As much as it pisses me off to admit it, I�m still havin� some trouble catching my breath. It�s like my lungs are��. Dunno how to explain it. Hollow, like they�re not expanding all the way. Deep breaths hurt. So anything that can make me short-winded is bad.� Quatre frowned as he sat down and passed out the plates. �Duo, that�s mostly everything.� �Tell me about it. So�� any suggestions? And no, Wu, I refuse to offer my braid and eternal silence to Nataku as praise and penance for my baka-ness. I ain�t that bored *yet*.� �A pity.� Wufei grumbled as Trowa tried to hide a smile. �Perhaps then you can do something constructive and yet not overtly physical instead of wallowing like a vegetable in front of the idiot box?� �TV, �Fei. It�s called a TV.� �I know and I don�t care.� �Saaaa�� sucks. Ok, something such as��.� The blonde spoke up, aimlessly listing any old thing that came to mind and ticking them off on his fingers as he went. �Gardening. Painting. Writing. Cooking. Cleaning. Bird-watching. Paperwork. Long-distance intelligence gathering. Stamp-collecting. Prank phone calls. Hacking. Studying. Get a hobby. Wash Deathscythe��.� �Wait. Back up. *Studying*?! Outside of school? In my own free time? For no good reason? Of my own FREE *WILL*?!?!� �Yep.� �You�re an evil, evil sadistic brat, Q.� �Yep.� Heero hesitated for a moment before speaking up. �I have an idea�� if you are willing, that is.� Curious violet turned towards him. �You do? Sugoi! What is it?� �Would you like to be my assistant?� Four jaws dropped. �You�re kidding!!!!� came from seemingly everywhere at once. �No, I�m not. I am behind in my mission reports due to the time spent on Duo�s care. Dr. J has sent me many important but fortunately non-urgent documents recently that I need to sort through, study and accomplish. One of them is a proposal on how to make the environmental systems of the Gundam more efficient. If the data can be manipulated correctly, theoretically we can decrease the energy the ES needs by as much as 12% without decreasing its output. If we are extremely lucky, it may also be possible to work out a way to eke a few more ppm�s of oxygen as well.� Trowa whistled. �That would be an incredible benefit. Heavyarms� ES accounts for 37.3% of the total energy expenditure. That�s a serious drain in battles that could go towards offensive/defensive capabilities.� �Sandrock has a 36.8% rating.� � �Scythe and Wing Zero are the same. 34.7%� �Shenlong has a 40.2% rating. Yuy, I can see that this is a good idea and should be looked into immediately. But why in the world do you need Duo?� Once again, the odd hesitation appeared. �This is not a new concept. I have toyed with the numbers for Zero on my own before and attempted some radical re-wiring without any success. But�� I can�t get it to work; I can�t see past the numbers. According to standing data, it is impossible. Yet, there *has* to be a solution. I can�t find it alone.� �You want a new perspective. A fresh outlook.� Duo met Heero�s gaze knowingly. �You want someone with imagination.� �Hai. I need someone with the expertise to accomplish this task successfully but who is also not hampered or limited by their training. It is vital to this project to�� be able to �think outside the box� was the phrase Dr. J used.� Duo laughed. �Saaaa�� What the hell. �S not like I got any better offers or something else to do. You�re on. When do we start?� �Tomorrow. 7 o�clock sharp.� �Let me think about it. Nah. Noon.� Heero frowned. �7 o�clock.� �11.� �Duo, I said��� �10:30.� �Damnit, Duo. I meant it when��.� �10! And that�s my final offer! I can go no higher!� �Fine, fine! 10! And not a minute later or omae o korosu! You had better be ready because this is too important for you to screw up sleeping in!!� Cobalt eyes widened when he realized just how harsh that sounded and he quickly opened his mouth to apologize. However, he stopped dead in his tracks at the manic and not in the least offended or hurt look on Duo�s face. It was clear that a challenge had been thrown down and he was more then eager to accept it. But�� what was the challenge? �Oh yeah? I�ll be ready, don�t you worry about that, Heero. Question is, will you be ready for me?� Somehow, as they settled down to eat in silence, Heero got the distinct feeling that he wasn�t. (TBC��) Ok, there you have it. Now leave me be for a week or so until school ends and I get a job. Then I will write more. Ja ne! Lady DarkAngel ---------- Chibi Duo's Babysitter Moderator of Duo's Sugar Intake Keeper of Duo's Nice Rear-end Co-Keeper of Shinigami's Wings (with Meela) Keeper of Heero's Homicidal Intentions Keeper of Quatre's Teacup Keeper of Trowa's Mask Keeper of Wufei's Sense of Honor Co-Keeper of Duo's Chatter (with Tomanaiya) Co-Keeper of Heero's "Hn" (with Tomanaiya) Co-Writer of Wufei's Rants (with Tomanaiya) Leader of the Inspirationally-challenged Muses: Alisande, Rynvi, and Kiagara Co-Keeper of real-life hamsters named Heero Yuy (Hee-chan) and Shinigami Eagle Vision (Shini Eagle)(with Tomanaiya) Keeper of the Hit List Proud Owner of two sets of chibis: Chibi Angel Duo and Heero in leather (twins of Tomanaiya's) and Chibi Angel Duo and Heero in black flight gear with stripes from the final GW episodes Acting GOD in Charge of The Anime Muse Adoption Center and WSCT of the AMAC Proud member of SDDI, the Society of Defending Duo's Intelligence Member of the Society Against the Complete Bastardization of Heero Yuy Occupant of the Happy Hentai House Master Hacker of the Shinigami Organization Assistant Mob Psychologist for the Shinigami Organization Founding Member of Saa-EEP!!! Happy to be a member of the DuoML Member of 1x2, 2x1 Fan Club and ML Many more MLs but you don't want to know... Lady DarkAngel's Gundam Wing Fanfiction Library http://ladydarkangel_1.homestead.com/Main.html |