Author: Gypsie1201
Pairing: 1+2
Warnings: Fluff, Language, Office Politics, Sap
Rating: PG-13
Archive: Debs-Dragon - GW Diaries and Akira_1x2
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its character, nor will I make any money from the creation of this story.
Beta work by darkmisstical
Summary: A horrific day at the office leads to a new life for Heero and Duo, proving that even a bad situation can have worthwhile results.
Paperclips
"Oh man, did you hear about what Maxwell did this time?" the man standing at the water cooler whispered to his friend. Heero, who was passing by at the time froze in his steps, just around the corner from where the two men where conversing.
"No, what happened?" the other man asked in return, the excitement of fresh gossip clearly apparent in his voice.
"Barbara from accounting over heard him arguing with Mr. Thompson."
"What's new about that? It's either him or Chang arguing with the man; not that the man doesn't deserve it, he's a real jerk."
"Yeah, I know what you mean; he's such an ass to those two." the first man agreed. "But this time was different. Evidently from what I've been told, Duo's spent most of the day in the basement filing old paperwork on Thompson's orders and when the man called in to complain about something he'd done, Duo blew. Cursed him out over the phone loud enough for Barbara to hear in the stairwell down the hall before hanging up on him."
"Oh man, I bet Prim and Proper Thompson wasn't too happy about that." the second man laughed.
"Got that right, I've heard that he's on his way in now to deal with Duo."
"What was his excuse for not being here today anyways?"
"Something about a rash on his hands, or maybe it was his ass, I don't know." the first man laughed. "Who can keep up with his excuses? I don't know why Mrs. Franks puts up with him."
"Hell, I don't know why she puts up with half the people around here."
From there, the conversation diverged into the normal complaining around the water cooler that was an everyday occurrence since the new Director, Mrs. Franks, came on board six month ago. Heero though, had heard enough. If it was true that Duo had blew his top at his supervisor, and that said supervisor was on his way in, then he needed to find the longhaired man and get them both as far from the impending war zone as possible. So, turning around, he marched back to his cubicle and laid the papers he had been planning to copy back on his desk before heading for the elevator. There was only one place in this building where Duo would go when he needed to cool off. And since Heero knew the other young man would not leave without telling him first, no matter how upset he was, he hit the up button and waited for the car to arrive.
It was nearly five minutes later when he stepped off the elevator on the tenth floor of their office building. Turning right, he walked down the hallway, making another right at the end. Then, at the third door on the left, he stopped and raised his hand to knock. One knock followed a second later by three more then another pause before one final knock, that was their code and it was the only way he could get the door unlocked so he could enter. But instead of just swinging open as the door usually did, it was thrown open in the next instant and a very haggard looking Duo appeared only to grab him by his tie and pull him inside a second later. The door was then slammed violently behind them and he was released. He watched in dismay as Duo then began to pace the room, his long braid of chestnut hair whipping around him with every turn he made.
"Duo." he began softly, not knowing exactly what mood the other man was in and an unpredictable Duo Maxwell could be very dangerous.
"That fucking son of a bitch, who the hell does he think he is? My supervisor, my ass; he's never fucking here to supervise. What gives him the fucking right to tell me I didn't do my goddamn job right when he doesn't even know what my fucking job is!" Duo raved as he continued to pace the room, his movements becoming more and more frantic as he spoke. Heero could see this going very badly if he didn't do something quickly.
"Duo." he tried again, but the man was past listening.
"Maybe if he fucking showed up every once in a while, he'd realize that we can't keep all this shit anymore. No, probably not since he's too goddamn stupid to see something as simple as that. And like he'd ever go down to the fucking basement to see how stacked up the goddamn files are anyways." the violet-eyed man continued as if Heero had not spoken at all. "And if he doesn't want someone going over his head for answers then he'll get his ass in here like the rest of us. Just because his uncle's some big jackass politician, he's allowed to do whatever the fuck he wants while the rest of us have to sit in the shit and damn well enjoy it!"
By this time, Duo's movements were so agitated Heero was beginning to worry he might actually hurt himself. He had never seen the longhaired man this angry before, not even during the war when they had been battling side by side against overwhelming OZ forces. For not the first time since they had taken this job for the Preventers, he wondered if they'd be better off doing something else. Of course, if the powers that be would just allow them to do field work this would not be a problem. They needed that outlet for their energies; being cooped up in an office or cubicle pushing papers was not what they had signed on for. But until they had reached a legal age, which the new government considered twenty one, they would have to. Unfortunately, quite a lot of the people in the office part of the building found it disconcerting to be working with a nineteen-year-old who could kill them with their bare hands and not think a thing about it. Letter openers were definitely not brandished around where the other employees could see them anymore; the last time had seen a rapid decrease in the staff that had left them taking up the slack for weeks.
Then there were the ones who like the idea of having a bit of power over the former Gundam pilots; Tyler Thompson being chief among them. The fact that he happened to be both Duo and Wufei's supervisor did not help things, only serving to increase the man's ego and he seemed to relish in the idea of making them do menial jobs then complaining about how they did them. When those two men at the cooler said that it was a normal occurrence for either Duo or Wufei to be arguing with him, they weren't lying. It was nearly an everyday thing and one that Heero would usually hear about when he and Duo got home in the evening to their shared apartment. It was only when the fights were bad that Duo would disappear to his special hiding place and Heero would go after him to try and calm him down before things got too out of hand.
In the past though, the fights with Thompson had never been this bad, or at least Duo had never lost his temper to this point before. Usually, all it would take was for Heero to knock on the door and most of Duo's anger would drain away, leaving the blue-eyed man with just the aftermath to deal with. But as he continued to watch the other man pace, he knew that this time was different and if he did not find a way to calm him soon, Duo might end up doing something he would regret later. So, with that thought in mind, he braced himself mentally and physically before taking a step forward, putting himself directly in Duo's path.
"Heero, what!" Duo practically snarled once he had turned to find his way blocked and for a moment, Heero thought he might actually strike him. But Duo simply stood there and stared at him, his violet eyes glinting with barely controlled fury and fists clenched painfully at his sided. He was past listening, Heero knew this, but even he was surprised by his next actions as his hands came up slowly, unthreatening, to grasp the other man by the shoulders, pulling him forward until they were chest to chest. Then, bowing his head forward, he pressed his lips to Duo's.
It was just a light brush, barely touching and more breathe than anything else, but it was enough to send a jolt of electricity through them both. When they pulled away and their eyes met, Heero could now see that confusion had replaced the fury in those amethyst depths and he could not help but smile.
"Heero?" Duo breathed in disbelief, not only at the kiss but also at the smile that had spread across the man's face. Contrary to what most people believe, Heero did smile but only when he felt like it. Duo had never seen that particular smile before though and it was enough to steal his breath away; it was so heartbreakingly beautiful.
"Are you ready to go home?" Heero asked in the next second. They were still pressed close together and Duo's head was tilted backwards just barely in order to look up at him while his hands were still gripping the other young man's arms. They fit so perfectly together, like pieces of a puzzle that hadn't realized where they belonged until just now.
"Home? Why?" Duo asked in return but he did not try to pull away. It was a comfortable feeling, being this close to Heero. Like this was where he was meant to be all along and without even thinking, his own hands came up to rest on the other young man's hips.
"I think we've put in enough for one day." the dark-haired ex-pilot answered with a smirk. "Besides, it's almost quitting time, I don't think an hour will matter."
"Hah, the great Heero Yuy ready to knock off work early, now there's something new." Duo laughed as his arms slid the rest of the way around Heero's waist.
"I think I've earned it." Heero returned, his own arms wrapping around Duo's shoulders before sliding down to his waist as well, his fingers linking together at the small of Duo's back. "So, what do you say, let's blow this supply closet and head home. We'll even stop at that Chinese place you like so well and get some takeout."
"Are you trying to spoil me, Heero?" Duo breathed as his head dropped down to rest on the man's shoulder, his breath ghosting across the bare skin of Heero's neck and drawing a shiver from him.
"Would you mind if I did?" was the muffled answer since the blue-eyed man had buried his nose in Duo's hair just above the man's ear, breathing in the scent of Duo's shampoo; cinnamon and vanilla. "I think you deserve it."
"Hmmm." Duo purred in contentment.
"Besides, we have some moving to do." Heero said and was a bit unhappy when Duo pulled back to look him in the eyes again.
"Moving? Where?" Duo asked in confusion.
"My room? Your room? I don't care which, but I think it's time to turn one into an office or maybe a den." the man answered as one hand came up to cup Duo's left cheek, his thumb sliding over the high cheekbone.
"Heero." Duo breathed as the implications of those words settled into his mind. They were really going to do this. "Are you sure?"
"I think we've been dancing around each other for long enough, don't you?" Heero stated before leaning down to capture those lips once again. This time, the kiss was deeper and more passionate. When they pulled back, they were both breathing heavier. "Come on, let's go. And once we've finished rearranging, I think it's time to start looking at the want ads too. I'm sick of making copies all day long."
"Yes!" Duo whooped as he pulled out of Heero's arms and grabbed the man's hand, their fingers lacing automatically as they headed for the door. "I can finally tell Thomson exactly what I think of him."
"I though you did that on a daily basis." Heero laughed in return as he allowed the braided man to pull him down the hall toward the elevator.
Without stopping, Duo turned his head to give the other young man a smirk. "Believe me 'Ro, I haven't even scratched the surface on that man's pedigree. But I'll most definitely put him in his place before leaving here."
Heero could only shake his head at the maniacal grin that slowly spread across that beautiful, heart-shaped face and he quickly pulled Duo close once again for another kiss before the elevator arrived. Then, laughing loudly, they entered the car, falling into each others arms as the doors slid closed.
OWARI
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