The Importance of Being Heero (Act 1, Part 1)
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 7:18 pm
Yes, you read the title right- this fic is based on Oscar Wilde's fabulous play The Importance of Being Earnest. I supposed that, to fit what Wilde intended the title to mean, I should call my fic "The Importance of Being A Heero". But I didn't. So shoot.
The fic will probably make more sense and be funnier if you know the original story. If you really want to have a look, you can read it at www.hoboes.com/html/FireBlade/Wilde/earnest/ (or elsewhere), or you can rent the fabulous movie version with Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon. Or I guess you could see the old movie version, too.
Also, if the chapter breaks seem to be in weird places, I'm just following the scene breaks Wilde puts in the original, so don't blame me.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In this fic, the messy-haired, Prussian blue-eyed soldier we all know and love is named Odin Yuy. Heero Yuy, who the fic is named for, doesn't exist. Make sense? Then on with the show!
DISCLAIMER: I own neither Gundam Wing nor The Importance of Being Earnest, though I think the latter might be old enough that copyright laws no longer cover it. If that's the case, HA! I own it! I own everything! What are you going to do about it? The play is MINE!
---
The Importance of Being Heero
by Eienvine
ACT 1 PART 1
The sun was climbing over the city of Sanc, the morning glow illuminating the Preventers Headquarters building at the city?s center. The large gray building was still and quiet in the moments just before the workday began. In the wing that housed Department of Defense, sunlight was streaming through the windows in the main corridor, brightening the luxurious carpeting and plush armchairs inside. One beam of sunlight fell on a door near the end of the hall, illuminating the plaque next to it:
TRAINING ROOM #1
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
PREVENTERS HEADQUARTERS
From behind the doors came the only sounds that could be heard in the corridor: the quick footsteps, pounding hits, and fast breathing that could only be caused by someone practicing with a punching bag.
In time, the sounds stopped and the door opened to reveal the director of the Department of Defense, Duo Maxwell, with a towel hung over his neck. As the violet-eyed man stretched his arms behind his head, he caught sight of the only other occupant of the hallway: Trowa Barton, the assistant director of the Department of the Defense and Duo?s right-hand man. The tall, lean man was leaning against the wall, cooly scrutinizing Duo through the one green eye visible around his hair.
Duo grinned and began pulling his long hair out of its customary braid. ?Did you watch me practice, Trowa?? he asked his quiet companion. ?No, sir,? Trowa answered in his usual emotionless voice. ?I didn?t think it was right.?
?Your loss,? Duo shrugged. Trowa raised an eyebrow. ?I don?t fight with technique,? Duo continued, too caught up in himself to notice. ?Anyone can fight with technique- but I fight with great passion. Passion is my forte.? He smiled. ?That?s what makes me better than all these boring military types.?
Trowa simply nodded. ?Quite right, sir.?
Duo glanced down at his watch. ?Speaking of boring military men, is everything ready for the visit by Milliardo Peacecraft??
As the pair started walking toward the main department offices, Trowa nodded and listed off, ?I?ve inspected all the men and facilities, and I?ve ordered a catered breakfast, complete with those strawberries Peacecraft likes so well. And Duo-? he paused and looked down at his superior next to him. ?You might try treating him a little more respectfully. He?s the head of the Preventers- and after all, he is your guardian, and your foster brother.?
If Duo felt any remorse for his lack of respect towards the man who?d raised him after the death of the Peacecrafts- Milliardo's real parents and Duo's adopted ones- he didn?t show it. ?Was my guardian, Trowa,? he corrected. ?I came of age a long time ago. He?s got no hold over me any more.?
Trowa sighed inwardly. ?He could still fire you,? he admonished. ?Then how would you fund all your parties?? Instead of acting chastised, Duo just grinned. ?Oh, Milli?s never gonna fire me- you know, family love and stuff. After all, he is my guardian.? Trowa just shook his head and walked away as Duo strolled into his office to change into a suit.
After dressing, Duo checked his reflection in the mirror in the lobby to make sure his suit was up to his usual high standards. Once satisfied, he walked into the main conference room to wait for Milliardo.
Flopping himself down on a couch, Duo began combing out his long hair. As he did, his eyes fell on the bowl of strawberries Trowa had mentioned; after quickly glancing around the office, he reached out and popped one in his mouth. Just then, his secretary Cathy opened the door. ?A Mr. Heero Yuy to see you, sir,? she said. Grinning, Duo handed her the stem of the strawberry he?d just eaten and commanded, ?Show him in.? Cathy scowled at the wet stem, but dutifully took it out of the office.
The door opened again to reveal a messy-haired man with Prussian blue eyes, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit. ?Heero! Good to see you!? Duo exclaimed around the remains of the strawberry. ?Come in and have a seat.?
Odin Yuy smirked and entered the office, seating himself in an armchair. He found it rather amusing that even after several years of friendship and fighting together in the war, Duo still hadn?t guessed that his name was not truly Heero. Oh, well, he smirked. All the better for me.
?So, Heero,? Duo said as he collapsed onto the couch again and began to re-braid his hair, ?what brings you to Sanc?? ?I was doing some work for Miss Une down in the Department of the Interior,? Odin intoned in his monotonous voice.
?Nice. So, what have you been up to in . . . where is it you live, again?? Duo asked casually. Odin gave him his patented death glare. ?Nice try. For the last time, I will not tell you, of all people, that.?
With a shrug, Duo reached out and grabbed another strawberry. ?What?s with all the food?? Odin asked. ?Who?s coming to breakfast??
Tossing the strawberry?s stem behind the couch, Duo lazily replied, ?My good old brother Commander Peacecraft and Relena. I don?t know why he brings our sister on these visits . . .?
Odin brightened almost imperceptibly ?That?s good news. Maybe I?ll stay.?
Duo snorted. ?But I?m not sure Milli will be glad to see you.?
?Why not??
?Heero, the way you and Relena flirt is embarrassing.?
Odin raised an eyebrow. ?I never flirt.?
?I know,? Duo replied. ?You don?t even smile. But when you?re here, she flirts with you something awful, and you?re not quite up to Milli?s standards for dating the renowned Vice Foreign Minister- the woman who ended the war, you know, all that stuff.?
Odin scowled at his companion. ?I am in love with Relena. I came to Sanc specifically to propose to her.?
?I see what you meant when you said you came here to work.?
?Duo, you?re the most unromantic person I know.? With a shake of his head, Odin reached out to grab a strawberry, but stopped short when Duo hit his arm with a pillow. ?Those are for Milliardo.?
?You?ve been eating them this whole time,? Odin growled.
?That?s different,? Duo replied indignantly. ?He?s my guardian and my foster brother.? He took a strawberry and began eating it. To Odin?s grunt of protest, he replied, ?When you marry Relena, you can eat her brother?s strawberries. But I don?t think you will marry her.?
Odin looked sharply at his companion. ?Why not??
?For one thing, she?s a public official, and I?m not sure she?ll make such a rash move.?
Odin shrugged.
?For another,? Duo continued, ?I don?t give my consent.?
Odin choked on the juice he was drinking. ?Your consent? Since when do I-?
?Relena?s practically my sister. Her parents adopted me before she was even born, and I?m as close to her as a brother. Before I?ll let you marry her, you?ll have to explain about Hilde.?
Only five years of military and Preventer training could keep his companion?s eyes from popping open. Swallowing a rising feeling of panic, Odin decided to bluff. ?Hilde? What do you mean by Hilde? I don?t know anyone named Hilde.?
?Cathy!? Duo called, and the blue-eyed secretary opened the door. ?Cathy, bring me that gun Mr. Yuy left in my office last month.? She disappeared, then reappeared almost instantly and handed Duo an ornately carved silver pistol.
?My gun,? Odin intoned, reaching for it. ?You?ve had it? I thought it was lost. Give it here.?
With a grin, Duo pulled the gun out of his friend?s reach and made a show of examining it. ?Sorry, I guess it?s not your gun,? he smiled.
?Of course it?s mine,? growled Odin. ?You?ve seen me with it in the field a hundred times. I want my gun back.?
?But it?s not yours!? Duo exclaimed with feigned indignance. ?The inscription right here says it?s a gift from Hilde, and you claim you don?t know a Hilde.?
Again, Odin forced his face to remain calm. ?It?s from my aunt,? he lied. ?Her name?s Hilde.?
?Your aunt?? Duo asked. Odin nodded. With a nod of understanding, Duo said, ?I see, your aunt.? Odin nodded again, and Duo suddenly smiled. ?Then why does she call you her uncle??
Odin grabbed for the gun, but Duo pulled it away. ?It says right here,? the violet-eyed man said, pointing. ??From Hilde, with love, to uncle Odin.? Why would she call you her uncle if she was your aunt? And your name isn?t Odin; it?s Heero.?
Odin grimaced. Thoughts of lying crossed his mind, but he knew Duo would get to the bottom of it eventually. Best be out with it now. ?It isn?t Heero,? he replied. ?It?s Odin.?
Dropping the gun on the couch, Duo stood and faced Odin with a look of surprise on his face. ?You always told me it was Heero. I introduce you to everyone as Heero. You fought in the war as Heero. You?re on Preventer records as Heero. You look like your name is Heero. You?re the most heroic-looking person I?ve ever seen in my life. It?s crazy to tell me it isn?t Heero.?
Odin shrugged. ?At home in the country, I?m called Odin. When I come to Sanc, I?m Heero.? Duo raised his eyebrows. ?Right . . . but that still doesn?t explain why you?re your aunt?s uncle. Better just tell me now. I always thought you were a Quatreist, and this proves it.?
?A what??
?You tell me first.?
With an inward groan, Odin held out his hand. ?Give me my gun first.? Duo dropped it promptly in his outstretched hand and seated himself comfortably on the couch. Odin shook his head and explained, ?Odin Lowe, who raised me, died two years ago, just after the war, and in his will he made me guardian to his grand-daughter Hilde Schbeiker. She calls me ?uncle? out of respect, something I don?t expect you to understand. She lives at my house in the country with our governess and physician, Miss Po.?
?Where is that house in the country, again?? Duo asked innocently.
?You?re not going to be invited, so don?t ask,? Odin growled.
?Well, go on,? Duo sulked. ?Why are you Heero in town and Odin at home??
His companion looked thoughtful. ?I don?t think you?ll understand. Being a guardian means I am responsible to bring Hilde up to be a responsible and peaceful citizen. But . . .? His eyes darkened and he stared at his juice without really seeing it. ?You?ll never understand. You spent the war sitting behind a desk, ordering people around. I was out there, in space, battling in my Gundam. I miss that excitement. I miss being a soldier. After fighting for three solid years to end the Colony War, I feel my life has no meaning outside of battle.?
With a start, he came out of his trance and continued, ?After the war ended and Milliardo started the Preventers, I wanted to join, but that wouldn?t have set a very good example for Hilde. So, I pretend to have a younger brother named Heero who lives in Sanc and is constantly hijacking ambulances and blowing up military bases, so I have an excuse to come here, to save Heero from himself. When I get here, I do special assignments for the Preventers under the name of Heero Yuy.?
With a smile, Duo jumped to his feet. ?I knew it! You?re a Quatreist- a good one, too.? Scowling in annoyance, Odin demanded, ?What is a Quatreist??
Settling back down on the couch and grabbing a strawberry, Duo explained, ?You made up a younger brother called Heero Yuy so you can go to town and be a Preventer whenever you want to. I made up a permanently ill friend, a millionaire called Quatre, so I can go to the country whenever I want, to ?visit him?. If poor Quatre weren?t so ill, for example, I would have to go to dinner tonight with the Peacecrafts. As it is, I can go to Otto?s Caf? with you.?
?I didn?t invite you to dinner,? Odin grunted.
?Yeah, you forgot to ask, but I?ll overlook your rudeness and come anyway. Now I know you?re a Quatreist, I want to tell you how it?s done.?
?I?m not a Quatreist,? Odin insisted. ?If Relena will marry me, I?m going to kill Heero. I might anyway. Hilde?s too interested in him.?
Duo looked unconvinced. ?After you?re married, you may find you want him back.?
The door opened and Trowa entered. ?The Peacecrafts are in the elevator,? he said, after nodding to Odin. ?Go show them in!? exclaimed Duo, and Trowa exited. Duo turned back to Odin. ?Now, if I distract Milli for ten minutes so you can propose to Relena, can I eat with you tonight at Otto?s?? Odin shrugged. ?If you must.? Duo grinned and popped another strawberry in his mouth.
The door to the office opened to reveal Trowa, followed by a tall, imposing man with long, white-blonde hair. Odin and Duo both rose to their feet and Duo rushed forward, trying to swallow the large strawberry in his mouth. ?Milli! So good to see you!? he cried, and Odin could have sworn that the stoic Trowa rolled his eyes.
?Hello, Duo,? intoned Milliardo Peacecraft in his deep voice. As he stepped into the room, he noticed Odin, and his eyes narrowed. He nodded to the hero of the war with an icy cold glare, and Odin stared most unlovingly back.
Before either could speak, though, Duo?s voice filled the air. ?Relena! So glad you could make it!? Milliardo and Odin turned to the door, where Duo was embracing a girl with dancing blonde hair. Once free of Duo?s hug, she turned to Milliardo and Odin and smiled, and both men?s fierce expressions melted away.
Odin stepped forward to shake her hand. ?You look lovely, Relena,? he said, and she smiled sweetly. ?Thank you, Mr. Yuy,? she murmured. ?I always try to look my best.? To Milliardo?s dismay, the pair walked to a sofa in the corner and sat conversing quietly. He shook his head and turned to Duo. ?I?m anxious to see how the department?s doing- and to get some of the strawberries you promised me.?
As Duo glanced at the table, his smile faltered; he had eaten all of the strawberries. Then his smile returned. ?Sorry, Milli, but there were no strawberries available today. I sent Trowa to check twice.?
Trowa looked sharply up as both men turned to look at him. ?There were no strawberries anywhere?? Milliardo asked the assistant director. Trowa looked at his stern face, and then at Duo?s pleading eyes, and groaned inwardly. ?No, sir,? he said, trying not to roll his eyes. ?There were no strawberries anywhere.?
?No strawberries?? Milliardo asked. ?Society certainly is going downhill nowadays. Well, Duo, I hope you?re excited about dinner tonight. We?re going to-? ?I?m so sorry, Milli,? Duo broke in smoothly, ?but I won?t be able to go. I?ve just heard my friend Quatre is sick-? here he glanced over at Odin, who shook his head in only partly feigned annoyance- ?and they think I should be with him.? The violet-eyed man blinked innocently up at his foster brother.
?Your friend certainly seems to be sick often,? Milli growled. ?Ask him, while you?re there, to try not be sick on Saturday. We?re having a Board of Directors meeting, and I need you there to talk about security for next month?s ESUN conference.?
Duo smiled. ?I think I can convince him to be well on Saturday. And speaking of the security for the conference,? he said, smiling covertly at Odin, ?I?ve got the plans ready in my office. You wanna go in there and go over them??
?It?s ?want to?, Duo, but yes. Show me what you have ready.? The pair headed toward the door. Milliardo looked back at Relena and Odin in annoyance, but Duo ushered him out the door. He then exited himself, but not before turning and giving Odin a conspiratorial wink. Then the door shut, and Relena and Odin were alone in the meeting room.
END PART 1
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Wasn't that lovely? (Or something . . .) Please review and tell me what you think.
Oh, and if you're confused about how Duo and Milli are related and how they all met and what not, that should be cleared up later. Anyway, please review. Now, I'm leaving to go play in the SNOW! Yay, it snowed today! Hoorah! Right, bye.
By the way, I don't actually own the play. That was a lie. Thank you.
The fic will probably make more sense and be funnier if you know the original story. If you really want to have a look, you can read it at www.hoboes.com/html/FireBlade/Wilde/earnest/ (or elsewhere), or you can rent the fabulous movie version with Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon. Or I guess you could see the old movie version, too.
Also, if the chapter breaks seem to be in weird places, I'm just following the scene breaks Wilde puts in the original, so don't blame me.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In this fic, the messy-haired, Prussian blue-eyed soldier we all know and love is named Odin Yuy. Heero Yuy, who the fic is named for, doesn't exist. Make sense? Then on with the show!
DISCLAIMER: I own neither Gundam Wing nor The Importance of Being Earnest, though I think the latter might be old enough that copyright laws no longer cover it. If that's the case, HA! I own it! I own everything! What are you going to do about it? The play is MINE!
---
The Importance of Being Heero
by Eienvine
ACT 1 PART 1
The sun was climbing over the city of Sanc, the morning glow illuminating the Preventers Headquarters building at the city?s center. The large gray building was still and quiet in the moments just before the workday began. In the wing that housed Department of Defense, sunlight was streaming through the windows in the main corridor, brightening the luxurious carpeting and plush armchairs inside. One beam of sunlight fell on a door near the end of the hall, illuminating the plaque next to it:
TRAINING ROOM #1
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
PREVENTERS HEADQUARTERS
From behind the doors came the only sounds that could be heard in the corridor: the quick footsteps, pounding hits, and fast breathing that could only be caused by someone practicing with a punching bag.
In time, the sounds stopped and the door opened to reveal the director of the Department of Defense, Duo Maxwell, with a towel hung over his neck. As the violet-eyed man stretched his arms behind his head, he caught sight of the only other occupant of the hallway: Trowa Barton, the assistant director of the Department of the Defense and Duo?s right-hand man. The tall, lean man was leaning against the wall, cooly scrutinizing Duo through the one green eye visible around his hair.
Duo grinned and began pulling his long hair out of its customary braid. ?Did you watch me practice, Trowa?? he asked his quiet companion. ?No, sir,? Trowa answered in his usual emotionless voice. ?I didn?t think it was right.?
?Your loss,? Duo shrugged. Trowa raised an eyebrow. ?I don?t fight with technique,? Duo continued, too caught up in himself to notice. ?Anyone can fight with technique- but I fight with great passion. Passion is my forte.? He smiled. ?That?s what makes me better than all these boring military types.?
Trowa simply nodded. ?Quite right, sir.?
Duo glanced down at his watch. ?Speaking of boring military men, is everything ready for the visit by Milliardo Peacecraft??
As the pair started walking toward the main department offices, Trowa nodded and listed off, ?I?ve inspected all the men and facilities, and I?ve ordered a catered breakfast, complete with those strawberries Peacecraft likes so well. And Duo-? he paused and looked down at his superior next to him. ?You might try treating him a little more respectfully. He?s the head of the Preventers- and after all, he is your guardian, and your foster brother.?
If Duo felt any remorse for his lack of respect towards the man who?d raised him after the death of the Peacecrafts- Milliardo's real parents and Duo's adopted ones- he didn?t show it. ?Was my guardian, Trowa,? he corrected. ?I came of age a long time ago. He?s got no hold over me any more.?
Trowa sighed inwardly. ?He could still fire you,? he admonished. ?Then how would you fund all your parties?? Instead of acting chastised, Duo just grinned. ?Oh, Milli?s never gonna fire me- you know, family love and stuff. After all, he is my guardian.? Trowa just shook his head and walked away as Duo strolled into his office to change into a suit.
After dressing, Duo checked his reflection in the mirror in the lobby to make sure his suit was up to his usual high standards. Once satisfied, he walked into the main conference room to wait for Milliardo.
Flopping himself down on a couch, Duo began combing out his long hair. As he did, his eyes fell on the bowl of strawberries Trowa had mentioned; after quickly glancing around the office, he reached out and popped one in his mouth. Just then, his secretary Cathy opened the door. ?A Mr. Heero Yuy to see you, sir,? she said. Grinning, Duo handed her the stem of the strawberry he?d just eaten and commanded, ?Show him in.? Cathy scowled at the wet stem, but dutifully took it out of the office.
The door opened again to reveal a messy-haired man with Prussian blue eyes, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit. ?Heero! Good to see you!? Duo exclaimed around the remains of the strawberry. ?Come in and have a seat.?
Odin Yuy smirked and entered the office, seating himself in an armchair. He found it rather amusing that even after several years of friendship and fighting together in the war, Duo still hadn?t guessed that his name was not truly Heero. Oh, well, he smirked. All the better for me.
?So, Heero,? Duo said as he collapsed onto the couch again and began to re-braid his hair, ?what brings you to Sanc?? ?I was doing some work for Miss Une down in the Department of the Interior,? Odin intoned in his monotonous voice.
?Nice. So, what have you been up to in . . . where is it you live, again?? Duo asked casually. Odin gave him his patented death glare. ?Nice try. For the last time, I will not tell you, of all people, that.?
With a shrug, Duo reached out and grabbed another strawberry. ?What?s with all the food?? Odin asked. ?Who?s coming to breakfast??
Tossing the strawberry?s stem behind the couch, Duo lazily replied, ?My good old brother Commander Peacecraft and Relena. I don?t know why he brings our sister on these visits . . .?
Odin brightened almost imperceptibly ?That?s good news. Maybe I?ll stay.?
Duo snorted. ?But I?m not sure Milli will be glad to see you.?
?Why not??
?Heero, the way you and Relena flirt is embarrassing.?
Odin raised an eyebrow. ?I never flirt.?
?I know,? Duo replied. ?You don?t even smile. But when you?re here, she flirts with you something awful, and you?re not quite up to Milli?s standards for dating the renowned Vice Foreign Minister- the woman who ended the war, you know, all that stuff.?
Odin scowled at his companion. ?I am in love with Relena. I came to Sanc specifically to propose to her.?
?I see what you meant when you said you came here to work.?
?Duo, you?re the most unromantic person I know.? With a shake of his head, Odin reached out to grab a strawberry, but stopped short when Duo hit his arm with a pillow. ?Those are for Milliardo.?
?You?ve been eating them this whole time,? Odin growled.
?That?s different,? Duo replied indignantly. ?He?s my guardian and my foster brother.? He took a strawberry and began eating it. To Odin?s grunt of protest, he replied, ?When you marry Relena, you can eat her brother?s strawberries. But I don?t think you will marry her.?
Odin looked sharply at his companion. ?Why not??
?For one thing, she?s a public official, and I?m not sure she?ll make such a rash move.?
Odin shrugged.
?For another,? Duo continued, ?I don?t give my consent.?
Odin choked on the juice he was drinking. ?Your consent? Since when do I-?
?Relena?s practically my sister. Her parents adopted me before she was even born, and I?m as close to her as a brother. Before I?ll let you marry her, you?ll have to explain about Hilde.?
Only five years of military and Preventer training could keep his companion?s eyes from popping open. Swallowing a rising feeling of panic, Odin decided to bluff. ?Hilde? What do you mean by Hilde? I don?t know anyone named Hilde.?
?Cathy!? Duo called, and the blue-eyed secretary opened the door. ?Cathy, bring me that gun Mr. Yuy left in my office last month.? She disappeared, then reappeared almost instantly and handed Duo an ornately carved silver pistol.
?My gun,? Odin intoned, reaching for it. ?You?ve had it? I thought it was lost. Give it here.?
With a grin, Duo pulled the gun out of his friend?s reach and made a show of examining it. ?Sorry, I guess it?s not your gun,? he smiled.
?Of course it?s mine,? growled Odin. ?You?ve seen me with it in the field a hundred times. I want my gun back.?
?But it?s not yours!? Duo exclaimed with feigned indignance. ?The inscription right here says it?s a gift from Hilde, and you claim you don?t know a Hilde.?
Again, Odin forced his face to remain calm. ?It?s from my aunt,? he lied. ?Her name?s Hilde.?
?Your aunt?? Duo asked. Odin nodded. With a nod of understanding, Duo said, ?I see, your aunt.? Odin nodded again, and Duo suddenly smiled. ?Then why does she call you her uncle??
Odin grabbed for the gun, but Duo pulled it away. ?It says right here,? the violet-eyed man said, pointing. ??From Hilde, with love, to uncle Odin.? Why would she call you her uncle if she was your aunt? And your name isn?t Odin; it?s Heero.?
Odin grimaced. Thoughts of lying crossed his mind, but he knew Duo would get to the bottom of it eventually. Best be out with it now. ?It isn?t Heero,? he replied. ?It?s Odin.?
Dropping the gun on the couch, Duo stood and faced Odin with a look of surprise on his face. ?You always told me it was Heero. I introduce you to everyone as Heero. You fought in the war as Heero. You?re on Preventer records as Heero. You look like your name is Heero. You?re the most heroic-looking person I?ve ever seen in my life. It?s crazy to tell me it isn?t Heero.?
Odin shrugged. ?At home in the country, I?m called Odin. When I come to Sanc, I?m Heero.? Duo raised his eyebrows. ?Right . . . but that still doesn?t explain why you?re your aunt?s uncle. Better just tell me now. I always thought you were a Quatreist, and this proves it.?
?A what??
?You tell me first.?
With an inward groan, Odin held out his hand. ?Give me my gun first.? Duo dropped it promptly in his outstretched hand and seated himself comfortably on the couch. Odin shook his head and explained, ?Odin Lowe, who raised me, died two years ago, just after the war, and in his will he made me guardian to his grand-daughter Hilde Schbeiker. She calls me ?uncle? out of respect, something I don?t expect you to understand. She lives at my house in the country with our governess and physician, Miss Po.?
?Where is that house in the country, again?? Duo asked innocently.
?You?re not going to be invited, so don?t ask,? Odin growled.
?Well, go on,? Duo sulked. ?Why are you Heero in town and Odin at home??
His companion looked thoughtful. ?I don?t think you?ll understand. Being a guardian means I am responsible to bring Hilde up to be a responsible and peaceful citizen. But . . .? His eyes darkened and he stared at his juice without really seeing it. ?You?ll never understand. You spent the war sitting behind a desk, ordering people around. I was out there, in space, battling in my Gundam. I miss that excitement. I miss being a soldier. After fighting for three solid years to end the Colony War, I feel my life has no meaning outside of battle.?
With a start, he came out of his trance and continued, ?After the war ended and Milliardo started the Preventers, I wanted to join, but that wouldn?t have set a very good example for Hilde. So, I pretend to have a younger brother named Heero who lives in Sanc and is constantly hijacking ambulances and blowing up military bases, so I have an excuse to come here, to save Heero from himself. When I get here, I do special assignments for the Preventers under the name of Heero Yuy.?
With a smile, Duo jumped to his feet. ?I knew it! You?re a Quatreist- a good one, too.? Scowling in annoyance, Odin demanded, ?What is a Quatreist??
Settling back down on the couch and grabbing a strawberry, Duo explained, ?You made up a younger brother called Heero Yuy so you can go to town and be a Preventer whenever you want to. I made up a permanently ill friend, a millionaire called Quatre, so I can go to the country whenever I want, to ?visit him?. If poor Quatre weren?t so ill, for example, I would have to go to dinner tonight with the Peacecrafts. As it is, I can go to Otto?s Caf? with you.?
?I didn?t invite you to dinner,? Odin grunted.
?Yeah, you forgot to ask, but I?ll overlook your rudeness and come anyway. Now I know you?re a Quatreist, I want to tell you how it?s done.?
?I?m not a Quatreist,? Odin insisted. ?If Relena will marry me, I?m going to kill Heero. I might anyway. Hilde?s too interested in him.?
Duo looked unconvinced. ?After you?re married, you may find you want him back.?
The door opened and Trowa entered. ?The Peacecrafts are in the elevator,? he said, after nodding to Odin. ?Go show them in!? exclaimed Duo, and Trowa exited. Duo turned back to Odin. ?Now, if I distract Milli for ten minutes so you can propose to Relena, can I eat with you tonight at Otto?s?? Odin shrugged. ?If you must.? Duo grinned and popped another strawberry in his mouth.
The door to the office opened to reveal Trowa, followed by a tall, imposing man with long, white-blonde hair. Odin and Duo both rose to their feet and Duo rushed forward, trying to swallow the large strawberry in his mouth. ?Milli! So good to see you!? he cried, and Odin could have sworn that the stoic Trowa rolled his eyes.
?Hello, Duo,? intoned Milliardo Peacecraft in his deep voice. As he stepped into the room, he noticed Odin, and his eyes narrowed. He nodded to the hero of the war with an icy cold glare, and Odin stared most unlovingly back.
Before either could speak, though, Duo?s voice filled the air. ?Relena! So glad you could make it!? Milliardo and Odin turned to the door, where Duo was embracing a girl with dancing blonde hair. Once free of Duo?s hug, she turned to Milliardo and Odin and smiled, and both men?s fierce expressions melted away.
Odin stepped forward to shake her hand. ?You look lovely, Relena,? he said, and she smiled sweetly. ?Thank you, Mr. Yuy,? she murmured. ?I always try to look my best.? To Milliardo?s dismay, the pair walked to a sofa in the corner and sat conversing quietly. He shook his head and turned to Duo. ?I?m anxious to see how the department?s doing- and to get some of the strawberries you promised me.?
As Duo glanced at the table, his smile faltered; he had eaten all of the strawberries. Then his smile returned. ?Sorry, Milli, but there were no strawberries available today. I sent Trowa to check twice.?
Trowa looked sharply up as both men turned to look at him. ?There were no strawberries anywhere?? Milliardo asked the assistant director. Trowa looked at his stern face, and then at Duo?s pleading eyes, and groaned inwardly. ?No, sir,? he said, trying not to roll his eyes. ?There were no strawberries anywhere.?
?No strawberries?? Milliardo asked. ?Society certainly is going downhill nowadays. Well, Duo, I hope you?re excited about dinner tonight. We?re going to-? ?I?m so sorry, Milli,? Duo broke in smoothly, ?but I won?t be able to go. I?ve just heard my friend Quatre is sick-? here he glanced over at Odin, who shook his head in only partly feigned annoyance- ?and they think I should be with him.? The violet-eyed man blinked innocently up at his foster brother.
?Your friend certainly seems to be sick often,? Milli growled. ?Ask him, while you?re there, to try not be sick on Saturday. We?re having a Board of Directors meeting, and I need you there to talk about security for next month?s ESUN conference.?
Duo smiled. ?I think I can convince him to be well on Saturday. And speaking of the security for the conference,? he said, smiling covertly at Odin, ?I?ve got the plans ready in my office. You wanna go in there and go over them??
?It?s ?want to?, Duo, but yes. Show me what you have ready.? The pair headed toward the door. Milliardo looked back at Relena and Odin in annoyance, but Duo ushered him out the door. He then exited himself, but not before turning and giving Odin a conspiratorial wink. Then the door shut, and Relena and Odin were alone in the meeting room.
END PART 1
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Wasn't that lovely? (Or something . . .) Please review and tell me what you think.
Oh, and if you're confused about how Duo and Milli are related and how they all met and what not, that should be cleared up later. Anyway, please review. Now, I'm leaving to go play in the SNOW! Yay, it snowed today! Hoorah! Right, bye.
By the way, I don't actually own the play. That was a lie. Thank you.