Author: Merula
Pairings: 1+2
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing is not mine.
For plaid- who asked for 'something dragon-y.' As usual, hers went a little beyond a drabble- that's what I get for looking up Japanese dragons on wikipedia....
Something Dragony Part 1
He dropped the blanket on the very edge of the dry sand, plopping down on top of it, letting his bare toes wriggle into the wet sand at the edge. The sun was on the horizon, not quite setting but close to it, turning the sea into a golden mass of light.
Flipping his braid over his shoulder, Duo dug the object he'd found in his uncle's safe deposit box out of his pocket. He held it up to the light, admiring the way the light shimmered on the surface of the pearl.
"This is nuts," he said to himself. But his uncle had been so damn insistent... Duo had sworn a dozen times that he'd follow his uncle's instructions to the letter- no matter how insane they seemed.
And it wasn't as if he'd left Duo destitute. Duo hadn't realized just how much money his uncle had managed to squirrel away until he'd seen the figure for himself two days ago, when he'd gone to the bank to take care of the paperwork.
That's when he found out about the safe deposit box- the note inside, the pearl resting underneath.
He pulled out the note again and scanned it, hoping for a clue.
Duo- You promised to carry out my instructions. Everything I have is left to you- including this pearl. Take it to the ocean just as the sun is setting and toss it into the waves.
Why? Why throw away something that would bring a fortune? Why hadn't his uncle done it himself?
Duo studied the pearl in his hand, watching the blue surface shimmer and darken as he turned it thoughtfully between his fingers. It was rare- and beautiful...
But he'd promised. He remembered the way his uncle had squeezed his hand at the last, the way the old man had looked frightened until Duo swore to carry out any of his instructions exactly.
He'd been the last of Duo's family... he'd lost everyone else. He couldn't let Jay down...
"Ah, hell," he said and stood up. Maybe the pearl was some sort of fake? Maybe his uncle had been a jewel thief in his misspent youth? Who knew?
The sun had touched the horizon, the sky was a deep orange gold, the waves reflecting the light.
Duo quickly changed his grip on the pearl and sent it flying across the top of the waves.
An arm appeared from beneath the water and caught the pearl neatly. Duo nearly fell over in surprise. He sat down abruptly as the arm vanished beneath the water again.
What was it? Some scuba diver? The water was icy- it was fall- no one should be out there- he hadn't seen any car above...
"Well, you aren't who I expected to see."
Duo twisted around in surprise. Standing behind him was a man, his dark hair falling over eyes the same color as the pearl Duo had just tossed into the water. He was clad in jeans and a t-shirt, and didn't look much older than Duo- but...
The stranger sat down beside Duo on the blanket, his bare feet resting on the wet sand. Duo could see a tattoo peeking out from the stranger's shirt sleeve, a blue dragon that twisted around the man's arm and spouted something that looked like sea foam down his elbow.
"Where's Jay?" The stranger asked.
"He died," Duo managed. "Three days ago."
"Ah." The stranger tilted his head, his eyes shimmering in the fading light. "And so- you would be Duo?"
How did he know Duo's name? "Yes- but I don't know you. Who are you? He never mentioned-"
"You may call me Heero. He wasn't supposed to mention me- that's how this compact goes."
"Compact?"
"Any member of your family who receives the pearl and passes the test gets to form a compact."
"Test? I didn't-"
"You tossed the pearl back into the water, right? And your uncle didn't tell you why he wanted you to throw it away?"
"No- he just made me promise to do it. I- I don't really understand..."
"Not many people are willing to throw something so valuable away. Why did you?"
"I promised."
Heero smiled. "As honorable as he claimed you were. So, Duo Maxwell, what sort of compact do you want from me? Luck? Wealth? Fame?"
Duo frowned. "I don't really understand- no one can offer those sorts of things-"
"I can." The man beside him smiled wider - revealing teeth that didn't belong in a human mouth.
Duo slid away, fear rising up inside his chest- and Heero caught Duo's wrist, stopping his retreat.
"Do not fear. It is not my intent to harm you."
"What are you?" Duo demanded.
"Something that can offer those sorts of things. I ask you again- what do you desire, Duo Maxwell? Luck? Fame? Wealth?"
"I never really wanted to be famous... I'd lose my privacy. My uncle left me enough money..."
"Luck then?"
"Luck can be good or bad... and I know which sort I'm already gifted with."
"Is there nothing you desire?"
Duo shrugged. "I don't think you can give me what I want the most."
Heero studied him for a moment- and his expression changed. He got to his feet and offered Duo his hand.
"What...?"
"It's getting dark and cold. We should go someplace warm to finish our discussion."
Duo let the other pull him to his feet. "But-"
"There's a small restaurant not far from here. You brought a car, didn't you? I hardly ever get a chance to ride in one."
"I did, but-"
"What if I offered you companionship, Duo Maxwell? Someone you couldn't lose?"
Duo bit his lip- how did he know?
"You couldn't give me someone like that...."
"I could." Heero tugged him towards the small staircase that led off of the beach. "Myself. I've already been around for 800 years or so- I'm sure I could manage another 100 or so for you..."
TBC...
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