Author: Alana Winters
Warnings: this fic contains Angst, AU, Lime, OOC, Strong language, Yaoi content
Pairings: just wait and see ^_^
Archive: please ask first and supply your URL
Disclaimers: Gundam Wing does not belong to me in any way, shape or form. I am only borrowing the characters and elements of the anime for a non-profit, purely entertainment purpose. Credit for this fanfic idea and such goes to P. Burford.
Thanks to Bangone and Pamela - two of my friends who gave me this idea and helped with the outline of the story as well as most of the jokes used in this part ^_^
*...* internal thought
----- flashback
**** identifies a break in scenes
[1,2,3,4,...] author notes at the bottom of fic
Author's note: well, this fic has nothing whatsoever to do with the GW universe except that the following characters are the ones from GW. There is no war between the colonies and Earth, in fact I'm not sure right now if there are colonies at all... we'll see. Also, the characters I use will not be really playing different sides at all, rather everyone will be interacting together. This is an AU fic that deals what might occur should the GW boys have grown up in a "normal" high school setting and the events afterwards... or something like that... -_-
A Class Act Prologue - Reunion Party
He's not coming.
Duo Maxwell scanned the packed ballroom for the hundredth time since he'd arrived ten minutes ago, while attempting to feign interest in Relena Peacecraft's incessant blathering.
Relena, resplendent in her impeccable white diplomat uniform, grinned up at the former sports star, displaying her mouthful of perfectly white and carefully maintained teeth. Teeth that any self-respecting dignitary could be proud of.
Duo, being the perfect gentleman that he was, carefully avoided staring at the speck of spinach that was firmly lodged between her incisors.
Relena nodded and waved one graceful, perfectly manicured hand towards a man that Duo didn't recognize. In fact, it was probably someone he hadn't spoken two words to back in the golden days of high school.
"And Vance Tibbs has his own mecha supply store here in Sank. Actually, it was his father's business, but his dad retired to Colony L2. Speaking of going into Daddy's business, did I hear you were made a partner?" she said in one gigantic breath, before turning her gaze to the tall man beside her.
He nodded. "That's right."
Relena's bright blue eyes glittered with curiosity as she glanced across the room at a stunning petite, dark haired lady, who was sharing a laugh with a taller Asian. "Aa, and Hilde, too, if I'm not mistaken."
Relena turned back to face Duo, her eyes full of unasked questions. Her curiosity was aimed directly at Duo, with the full expectations that he would answer everything.
That was all Duo needed. Relena, the class busybody full of good intentions, spreading more rumors about himself and Hilde Schbeiker. Despite the passage of ten years, he suspected Relena Peacecraft was the same compulsive gossipmonger she'd been back in high school.
Duo turned and watched Hilde for a moment. She was talking with Wufei Chang, if Duo wasn't mistaken. He'd heard Wufei had done well for himself, creating a successful chain of martial arts dojos. Obviously Hilde had heard the same thing.
Hilde was doing exactly what she always did at social functions. She was diligently working the room; in this case she was ferreting out former classmates who'd done well for themselves and might be in the market for legal services. The woman had a bloodhound's nose for money, and the bullheaded determination required to steer that money into the firm. Anything it required to make her father happy - and his - she was willing to do.
"We both made partner at the same time," he responded.
"You know, the two of you really lucked out. What with both of your fathers being founding partners of such a prestigious law firm."
Duo stopped scrutinizing the crowd and gave Relena his full attention. He arched one eyebrow and gave her a chilly look. He said icily, "I prefer to think that luck didn't have much to do with it. Just like with you and your job."
Relena smiled brightly and attempted to recover from her blunder. "Well... I just meant... um, I didn't mean to imply you didn't deserve to-"
Duo dropped his icy exterior and smile back at the flustered blonde. "It's okay. Of course you didn't. I'm sure that Maxwell Schbeiker didn't get to be one of the top legal firms by practicing blind nepotism. Besides, Hilde is one hell of a lawyer."
Yes, Hilde was one hardworking, ruthless, driven lawyer. She would have succeeded in any law firm, quickly working her way into a partner slot. But, like him, she had chosen to remain in the family business, turning her efforts into the work their fathers had established. It was what they both had wanted since they were children.
Of course, that wasn't all that Hilde had wanted... and still wanted at times. And, observing the speculative gleam in Relena's bright blue eyes, Duo suspected he'd never be able to live down his past.
Of course, that was probably no less than what he deserved.
As Duo looked around the crowded ball room, he suddenly wished he hadn't come here tonight. That he hadn't come here to the Sank Country Club of all places, a venue he avoided whenever possible, along with the shameful memories that went with it.
As it was, there was only one reason that had dragged him from his work, only one motive why he had broken down and returned back to the scene of the so called crime, accepting the invitation to his ten-year high school reunion.
And he was a no show.
Duo had deliberately arrived late to the social function, well into the cocktail hour that preceded dinner, in the hope that he'd already be there when Duo made his grand entrance. However, it was apparent that the object of his interest had more sense than he did, and had blown off the reunion.
Duo gave Relena a brief smile as she excused herself and latched onto another one of their old classmates, gouging out the events of the past ten years from the next victim. Duo watched her jabber away, giving his head a brief shake, feeling the weight of his trademark braid swing behind him.
Unorthodox in appearance, his braid had given him a somewhat notorious reputation among his fellow lawyers when he had started his career. His own ruthlessness and skill in the courtroom had helped to cement his now renowned fame. However, unlike Hilde, Duo had certain qualms about the time and places to round up business for the firm, as well as the methods used in the courtroom. Qualms that Hilde neither shared nor sanctioned. But both lawyers method of operations seemed to work, more than satisfying the criteria of their law firm, and ensuring the partnership slots for both Hilde and himself.
Yes, Duo had gotten everything he had wished for back in high school.
Well, everything but one.
And he had no one to blame but himself.
With a sigh, Duo turned around in a brief circle, once more casing the old ballroom before deciding to cut out. Unfortunately, before he could make a discreet exit, he was stopped by the arrival of a few of his former classmates.
A roly poly man with curly blond hair, a trim beard, and the worst faux tan Duo had ever encountered walked up behind the braided lawyer, giving him a friendly slap on the back. Only quick footwork saved Duo's snowy white tuxedo shirt from the crimson liquor that almost sloshed out of his stemmed wineglass.
"Duo Maxwell! I'd recognize you anywhere! You and that damned trademark braid of yours!" the man crowed, in a loud obnoxious voice. The paunchy man lowered the volume a bit as he slyly winked at the slightly flustered man and said, "Bet this place must bring back some pretty hot memories for you, ne?"
Duo bit his lip to stifle back the scathing comment that lurked on the tip of his tongue, instead resorting to glancing at the man's name badge. It read Alexi Hatcher. Duo couldn't believe it. This puffy, jowly loudmouth was the guy all the girls had mooned and pined after?? Clearly, the years had not been kind to the former playboy Romeo, "Catcher" Hatcher, once dubbed for his prowess amongst the ladies.
Duo politely extended his hand and Alexi pumped it vigourously. Duo grimaced slightly even as he asked, "How have you been, Alexi?"
"Oh, not too bad, but not as good as you. I hear from the grapevine that you made partner already. And not just you alone..." Alexi broke off his dialogue as he turned his lascivious gaze over to where Hilde was standing. "How's your golf score lately? Huh?"
Duo ignored the statement, pretending not to hear the special emphasis. He blandly said, "I currently play basketball now, Alexi."
The blond laughed. "Basketball? I've never done it on a basketball court myself. Might give it a try, providing I could be on the bottom."
Duo shook his head in slight disapproval even as he declined to comment on Alexi's sexual innuendoes about Duo's so-called infamous past. However, Alexi's comments were not the end of the thread of conversation, his other former classmates that had accompanied Alexi wishing to join the conversation.
Rhonda Devonshire, a still pretty auburn haired lady giggled and purred out with, "Oh, don't go away mad, Duo. But then again, it is a nice night for a hole in one, don't you think?"
Duo didn't acknowledge the comment, didn't even blink when someone else picked up the opening. "How's that driver of yours holding up, Maxwell?"
A high, whiny voice that could only belong to Kevin Messowitz all grown up jumped in with, "Oh, I bet it's got a few good strokes left. Huh, Duo? A few good strokes?"
Duo had had enough. He deposited his wineglass on a nearby table and turned to make his way towards the exit after murmuring, "If you'll excuse me."
Duo was almost to the exit of the ballroom when some unknown person called out, "Fore!", prompting a burst of laughter.
Duo happened to glance over at Hilde just in time to see the slow burn make its way upwards from the low, square neckline of her elegant, custom designer gown, a concoction of feminine lace and silk in a seafoam green that complemented her petite figure. He watched with slight amusement as those around her carefully watched her reaction, whispering sly remarks behind their hands.
Incredible, even after ten years, they were still the main topic of gossip and hilarity amongst their fellow classmates.
Hilde pinned Duo with a cold, unyielding stare that he recognized as the one she had perfected in the courtroom. She shook her head in disapproval, as if the lurid innuendoes were his fault!
Duo returned her gaze with a cold amethyst one of his own, conveying a silent message to his fellow partner in law: "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you've got no one to blame but yourself."
Duo continued to make his way to the exit, blindly striding through the open double doorway. Blinded by his own personal demons and memories, he completely missed the incoming person, barrelling into a strong, muscled chest. Murmuring his apologies, he struck out with one solid hand and gripped the other man's upper arm to steady him.
The next instant the quick witted lawyer was struck dumb. His heart started to hammer in his chest, slamming into his ribs like a pounding wrecking ball. And all because he knew.
Before the other man even straightened to his full height, before he'd tossed his short, thick, and unruly mop of hair out of his eyes, before he'd looked Duo in the eye. He knew.
"Well, I was hoping to make a memorable entrance," Heero Yuy said, with that distinctive, unconcerned tone of voice and intense expression Duo hadn't seen or heard in ten years. "Thanks, Duo."
Heero straightened the simple and elegant black tuxedo around his mature adult frame and raked his fingers through his thick head of hair. Heero had grown up nicely in the past ten years, his adolescently slender frame filling out well and muscular, his animalistic grace and balance more apparent now than ever.
His face has lost that boyish beauty and had matured into a sensual portrait that practically begged to be worshipped. His eyes had stayed the most compelling feature on his face, the deep Prussian blue depths vivid and focused, driven by a hidden source of light. They were still framed by the mop of hair that even now, ten years later, remained unruly and wild, adding to his aura of excitement and exoticness.
Before Duo could gather his baffled wits and formulate some skillfully offhand comment, Heero lightly smirked at him and then moved away, tossing a breezy comment over his shoulder. "So, who's here, who's fat, who's bald, who's got children, and who's already divorced?"
Just like that.
As if they'd been nothing more than casual acquaintances all those years ago.
Duo's mouth had dropped open a few millimeters, surprise etched all over his face at Heero's relaxed attitude and his spontaneity. The Heero he knew ten years ago had barely uttered more than a few words at a time, preferring to keep his thoughts and comments to himself or to when they had been alone together. It seemed that the ten years since they had seen each other last had wrought more than just physical changes.
Duo watched as Heero set a direct course for the beverage counter, greeting former classmates and friends along the way. Heero's musky scent lingered in the air, the unique essence that belonged only to the Japanese man that now exuded an air of confidence and self worth.
Duo smiled to himself as he turned back around and ventured once more into the chaos and confusion that was his ten year high school reunion. Keeping the object of his attention firmly in view, he slowly made his way across the crowded ballroom, determination spurring him on.
Heero hadn't blown off the reunion after all.
TBC...
^_^ ano, this is where I shamelessly beg for feedback on this prologue. I know the teaser for this story was sent out AGES ago, but I only finally got the chance to write down the introduction for it. I got a little interest with the fic ideas, but I hope I can generate some more interest with this prologue. Whether or not I continue this story arc depends on the amount of demand for continuation from the readers... if no one likes it, I'll scrap it and work on something else. Please send me feedback! email is: alanawinters@yahoo.com
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