By Lady Saffir
Rating: G
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any rights to the characters from Gundam Wing. The presents below are also not my idea; see accompanying note at end of story.
A silly little fic that sprang to mind while doing Christmas shopping for the hubby. The muse is busy with my latest project, so that probably explains why this story has zero plot.
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Relena was enjoying a rare day off. The fact that it was three days before Christmas had something to do with it, as well as ESUN being in holiday recess, but today she was truly 'off'. The paperwork was done (for now) and there were no meetings to attend. She, Noin and Sally were out shopping, finishing up some last minute gifts. The mere mention of going out in these crowds had both Heero and Milliardo disappearing in to thin air, Heero stating he was sure Noin and Sally were more than capable of providing adequate protection should the need arise.
The crowds weren't as bad as Relena had been expecting, and the Christmas carols blaring out of every store had yet to get on her nerves. The only thing she needed to make the day perfect as to find gifts for the boys - though at twenty-five, they could hardly be considered 'boys', the term had stuck for the five of them.
The food court was predictably busy, so Relena had volunteered to hold a table while the other two women went and ordered lunch. Crowd watching was fun, she mused, smiling at the antics of a toddler while his harried mother tried to keep him and his older brother at the table.
Shifting her attention, she idly scanned the store fronts facing the table area, taking in the large sale ads proclaiming the biggest sale of the year. There was one area of blackness in all of the festive colors, and she narrowed her focus to that store, thinking perhaps to find something for Duo in its depths.
Her attention snapped back to the table as a sandwich was put in front of her, Sally's raised eyebrow leading her in to an explanation.
"I think I found a store for Duo," she stated, nodding across the walkway to the store whose windows were draped in black.
"Looks like a winner to me," Noin commented as she sat down to eat.
The three friends quickly finished their meal, anxious to get away from the toddler who was now shrieking at the top of his lungs. Crossing the busy walkway took only a minute as they dodged and wove around the people hurriedly moving along to the next store, pausing at the entrance to the darkened store.
"Definitely Duo's style," Relena murmured, taking in the shirts out on display. Wandering towards the back of the store, one t-shirt display in particular caught her eye, causing her to burst out in to laughter.
"Ladies, I think our shopping is over," Relena declared.
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Christmas morning came very early, as Duo pranked Wufei with shaving cream, the Chinese man's cursing echoing loudly down the halls to the other sleeping occupants. One by one the others stumbled out of their rooms, sleeping 'good morning's' competing with yawns as everyone shuffled down to the kitchen.
Thankfully someone had set the coffee pot the previous night, so everyone was well on their way to waking up by the time they sat down around the Christmas tree. Good natured jests were tossed about as the presents were opened, exclamations of delight coming mostly from the female half of the room.
It was almost an hour later when Relena stood, excusing herself for a moment. When she came back, she went around the room handing each man a gift.
"You have to open them together," Relena ordered, sitting down next to Heero with a smile of anticipation. The smile turned to confusion when Heero placed a present in her lap. With a shrug she tore the wrapping paper, intent on seeing what surprise Heero had come up with this year.
Duo's loud whoop of laughter, followed by Quatre and Trowa had her looking up, laughing as they compared shirts.
"Duo, that's perfect for you!" Hilde exclaimed, laughing over the black tee that stated, 'Don't be afraid - I'm right behind you using you as a shield.'
Dorothy pulled Quatre's from his hands, pursing her lips at the caption. "'Please remain calm - it's no use both of us being hysterical at the same time.'"
"I can see you saying this," Cathy said, pointing to the slogan, 'I expected times like this - but never thought they'd be so bad, so long, and so frequent.'
Wufei was torn between laughing as indignation as Sally read his shirt aloud. "'I demand Justice. Or, if there must be injustice, let it be in my favor.'"
"Zechs! What's yours, man?" Duo called, laughing as his former enemy held up a shirt declaring, 'I hope the world doesn't end on a day when I'm already in a bad mood.'
The group howled with laughter, turning to Heero and Relena, shirts still held in their laps.
"Well, you two?" Hilde asked.
Heero wordlessly held his shirt up. 'I hope you won't let my superiority come between us.'
Everyone was still laughing when Relena finally unearthed her shirt. "'The time for action is past. Now is the time for senseless bickering.'"
"I'd say this Christmas was a success," Relena murmured, leaning over to steal a kiss from her husband.
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Any one that's a fan of Despair.com surely recognizes these shirts, as they are the product of this wonderful company. My husband, who frequently channels Wufei, is getting the same shirt Wufei got as a Christmas present. This company has taken the motivational posters in a whole new direction - Demotivators. I encourage all of you to go to Despair.com and take a look around. Our favorite item is the calendar.
Happy Holidays!
You've help put me in the spirit 
:D
<---- Kawaii so desu a ne 
---->
