Author: Kiya Sama

Fandom: Gundam Wing

Genre: AU, Romance, Angst, Comedy, Drama

Ratings: R-NC-17

Warnings: Yaoi, shounen-ai, hints of NCS

Pairings: 2x1, 3x4, OCx2, 5+M, 1+R

Summary: Duo Maxwell is an out of work teacher who has been accused of being a pedophile. He finally gets the break of a lifetime getting to teach a mysterious and disturbed young heir.
Duo slowly discovers that he has gotten a whole lot more than he bargained for

Disclaimers: Main characters are properties of Bandai and Studio Sunrise. Song Lyrics belong to their respective artists. I make no money off them.

One:

The smoke of tobacco hung in the air as the young man sneezed again in disapproval of the stench. With a heavy sigh, he shifted the small briefcase from one hand to the other, reaching for the collar of his shirt as he tugged it restlessly. It must have been about a thousand degrees in this cramped, overcrowded and smelly room, which was home to over a hundred jobless people seeking work. Young men like himself stood in line waiting their turns in hopes of getting decent jobs that could feed either themselves or their growing families. Both young and old women lined up the aisles, many of them cradling wailing babies that added to the cacophony of the already noisy place.

The young man wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and sneezed again. He must be coming down with a cold for his sinuses felt as if they needed a break. For how long had he been standing in line? Probably since six in the morning, he figured. He had not had any breakfast and the cup of water he had gotten from the peddler down the street was all that had filled his stomach so far. He shifted the small black briefcase from his left to right hand and ran shaky fingers through his hair. This wasn't the first time he was showing his face at the Unemployment office. He was sure that the women behind the counter had already recognized his features by now. He seemed to be here every other month, looking for something bigger and better for himself.

He had graduated from the local community college last year with a degree in education. It wasn't something that was bound to bring in the money, but he loved the idea of spending hours teaching others all the things he had learned over the years. He had gotten a job at an elementary school, but had been fired after just four months due to his unorthodox methods of teaching. Duo Maxwell had never been one to rely solely on textbooks to get his messages across, he believed in expanding the children's minds with lots of extra-curricular activities and his constant requests for field trips had finally gotten on the nerves of the administration. Hence, his early exit.

His next gig had been at a local high school…which turned out to be the worst idea of the year. For, by the end of the school year, he had over half the teenage girls and some boys writing and sending him love letters and claiming that he bedded them at one time or another. Needless to say, that had not sat too well with the authorities and he was booted off the school premises. He had a feeling that his refusal to get rid of his telltale long braid was another reason for his dismissal. Mr. Handrake, the principal, had always bore some sort of grudge against him.

Sighing softly, he shifted languidly as the line moved a little and thought about his miserable small apartment that he has called home for six months now. He barely had any furniture, save for the mattress that he had managed to pouch off Mr. Lin, the kind Chinese peddler that lived down the block. His ward, Wufei Chang, a young man about his age had become friends with Duo and both of them would spend as much time as they could hanging out and talking about their so-called worthless lives. It wasn't as if Wufei had anything to complain about. The man worked in a comfortable nine-to-five job as an accountant of some firm or another, but during their Friday night drinks, he would grumble about how boring his job was and how he wished he could get something else. Whenever Duo had suggested him getting another one, Wufei would always shrug and refuse to make any comment about that. The braided man sighed even louder. He would have to fork up enough cash to pay his rent for the month. He was already late for last month's payment and he wasn't sure that Mrs. Denver, the landlady, wouldn't fall for his witty remarks and charms again.

He placed a hand against his growling stomach and winced. He was already beginning to feel faint and if he didn't eat something for lunch, he was sure he was going to pass out on the street.

"You again," came the dry comment from the bubble-gum chewing woman with too much make-up on her features. "What happened this time, Duo? You tried to rape some girl?"

The man gave a mirthless laugh as he placed his forearms on the counter top. On any other day, he would have replied with something that would have made her smile, but today…he was completely out of it. "Got anything for me, Sandy?" He asked with a weary groan.

The woman smacked loudly on the gum and flipped through the papers in front of her with a look of utter boredom on her visage. "We've got an opening for a sub down in Collins Elementary. Wanna look into that?"

"I don't need another sub job. Don't you have anything more concentrate for me? Like say…a real job as a professor at some prestigious university, like say Harvard?"

The woman eyed the man as if he had grown an extra head, before shaking her head and smirking lightly. "Heh…I always did like ya sense of humor, Duo. Pity you aren't straight, or I would sure as hell screw your brains out and then find a job at Harvard for ya."

Duo smiled weakly. "Thanks…I think…" He straightened up in readiness to leave, only to blink as she motioned for him to lean closer. "What is it, Sandy?" He asked as he did as he was told.

She shoved a small piece of paper in his hands and winked. "This number belongs to a good buddy of mine…okay, so he was the guy I screwed last night, but he is a good kid anyways. He says that he works at this place as a gardener and that this place is like a goddamn palace. You ever heard of the Yuys?"

Duo’s beautiful amethyst depths widened in surprise. "Who doesn't know the Yuys? They are only the richest bastards on this side of the planet!"

"Shssh! Keep your voice down. Well, anyways, he tells me that they have a son and that the son needs some kind of tutor or something."

"Son? I didn't know that they had a son."

"Me neither, but that ain't the problem now. Why don't you give it a shot and see what happens, hmm? You need a job and they've got an opening."

Duo frowned. "But wait a sec…this friend of yours…how did he get such information? I mean, what if it's a hoax?"

"You want to work or not, kiddo? I am doing you a goddamn favor and you are beginning to ask me questions? You gonna take it or not? I don't mind giving it to the next guy that walks up here."

"Okay, okay, I will take it!" He cried out in desperation as he tucked the note into his pocket. "Thanks a lot, Sandy," he leaned closer to place a soft kiss on her cheek. "I owe you one."

She blushed lightly and nodded. "Sure, sure. Just make sure you don't forget us when you become all rich and famous, okay?"

"Heh…I promise."

Like that's going to ever happen.

Eyes of blackest night stared at the paper with skepticism for several minutes, before dropping it back onto the table with a light snort.

"Looks pretty bogus to me."

Duo nodded as he continued to stuff the French fries into his mouth. "I thought the same thing myself…but there's no harm in trying, right?"

"Unless you wish to make a fool out of yourself, then go for it."

The braided man licked his fingers clean and reached for his beer to wash it down. Eyeing his companion across the small table, he made a face and wiped his hand across his mouth. "You sound pissed off, Wufei. What's the matter?"

They were currently sitting in the middle of the bustling grill and bar, having dinner, as Wufei had been the one to invite the other for a night out of town. The Chinese man was dressed in a simple white shirt and black pants, his shoulder length jet black hair tied in a neat ponytail, while Duo was dressed in his usual black t-shirt and jeans. Wufei sighed softly and sipped his margarita with a light shake of his head.

"I'm sorry…it's just…family stuff that's all."

"Merian?" Duo asked with a small smile. He was quite aware of how much the other man loved his long time girlfriend and the subject of marriage had come up recently. Needless to say, Wufei was scared about the proposition and had tried to delay the inevitable as much as possible.

"Yeah, it is," came the reluctant nod as he buried his face within his hands. "She called me again last night. She wants to come down to spend the weekend with me."

"That's great, Wufei!" Duo exclaimed as he slapped a hand across the slumped shoulders of his partner. "Who knows? You guys might finally decide to go wedding shopping or something."

Wufei slid a wary look at his exuberant friend and snickered. "What about you, Mr. Beautiful? When are you going to find someone to settle down with?"

The teacher had the grace to blush as he hid his face behind the raised beer glass. Drinking down the bitter liquid quickly, he cleared his throat and replied flippantly. "When I find the right guy. Right now, nobody would want to settle with a poor, out-of-work dweeb like me."

Wufei laughed softly and pointed towards a group of men that were clearly eyeing the young church rat with interest. "Why don't you go ahead and tell them that, Romeo? Those guys look like they are ready to pounce on you and make you dinner."

Duo slid a wary glance at the said men and shook his head in disbelief as they winked at him. Groaning weakly, he lowered his gaze and stared blindly into the foaming liquid in his cup. Was he really ready to commit himself to a relationship now? He had told himself over and over again that he didn't need any one in his life right now. It was already complicated as it was and the last thing he needed was to settle down with the wrong guy for the rest of his life. And then there was the fact that he had to keep his sexual preferences from the public eye due to his line of work. One would be surprised at how much society had the tendency to think that all gay teachers were pedophiles.

Sipping his beer morosely, he replied softly. "I am not in for one night stands, Wufei. You know that."

But that didn't seem to deter the other. "Then all the more reason for you to go out and get laid, Duo. Seriously, when was the last time you actually fucked anyone?"

The blunt words had Duo choking on his drink and he had to cough for several minutes before gaping at the unrepentant look on his friend's face. "Wufei?! Geez…you don't just…"

"Well? When was it?"

Duo's face darkened with color as he tried to stare at anywhere but the intense black gaze. "About….a year now…"

"Holy shit! That's like being a monk in your world, isn't it?!"

Feeling defensive all of a sudden, Duo retorted back sharply. "Well, I am not like every other kind of guy in my world, okay? So, I don't go around looking for every piece of ass I see to jump into bed with! Fucking sue me! Damn…you make it sound like I am missing out or something…trust me…I am fine this way."

"Are you really?" came the quiet question that had Duo biting his lower lip in thought and worry. He was fine. He had to be fine. He could do without having a guy in so long. He didn't need any one at all. And besides…

"I have to call this number and find out about the job."

"Changing the subject now, are we?"

"Wufei…"

"Okay, okay…I will let you off the hook now. But don't think this is the end of it. You had better find yourself a man…and soon."

And as he watched the Chinese man beckon their waiter over, he silently wondered just why those words should worry him so much.

It was almost two o'clock in the morning and as the old elevator made its way up to his floor, Duo leaned against the wrought iron railings and closed his eyes wearily. He had spent a few more hours at Wufei's cozy apartment and despite the other's plea for him to stay the night; Duo had wanted to leave…for more reasons than one.

Merian had called.

Just listening to the two lovebirds over the phone had made him feel even more melancholy and empty than ever before. Would there ever come a time when he could be on the phone with the one he loved? He highly doubted that…not at this rate anyway. The doors opened slowly and he stepped into the quiet hallway, fingers reaching into the pockets of his jeans as he searched for his keys. He patted his pockets for several seconds, wondering what in the world could have happened to them.

What the…?

He remembered having them in his hands as he had left the apartment this evening…but then what? Had he left them back in the restaurant? He couldn't have. If he had, then Wufei would have pointed it out to him. His wallet was still intact, thank goodness, but his keys were nowhere to be found. Cursing loudly, he slammed a fist into the wall, wincing in pain as he noticed the dent he had just created. Great! Even more money was going to be added to his rent for that little act. There was no two ways about it. He would have to go down to Mrs. Denver's apartment to ask for a spare.

The ride to the ground floor couldn't be any slower and gritting his teeth in frustration, he nearly ran out of the enclosed space and straight towards the old lady's room, only to blink at the sign that had been placed on her door.

Gone for the weekend. If you have any troubles…ask Davy on the top floor.

"Fucking…Christ!!!" Came the bellow of frustration, which sent a door opening and a head sticking out of it. This, of course, belonged to a face that Duo could have done without seeing.

"Shit…" he mumbled softly as he began to make his way towards the elevator again.

"Oh, it's you, Duo. Why don't you come in and have some tea with me."

The braided man groaned and punched the buttons a bit faster. Why wasn't the damn thing coming down?! "Hello, Mrs. Peterson. How are you this morning?"

"Oh, you know how it is…" The woman, in her late sixties and aging by the second, stepped out of the room, dressed in a see through nightgown that showed EVERYTHING and left Duo shuddering at the sight. She tossed her hair - at least the little she had left - and smiled widely at the handsome young man. "Women like myself…need a little love now and then and it gets so lonely sometimes…"

"I am sure it does." Where the hell are you, damn elevator?!

"Are you sure you don't want to come in to have some tea, sweetheart?"

"No…thanks. I already have enough tea in my system as it is."

"You don't come to visit me anymore, Duo."

Oh, god. Here comes the whining again.

"I have been busy, Mrs. Peterson."

"But you used to come by and spend time with me. I am…so…lonely, Duo.” She sniffled softly and batted her lashes.

Thank you, lord!! The elevator came screeching down and hardly waiting for the doors to open up completely, he waved and gave a wan smile. "Maybe some other time, Mrs. Peterson. I have to go find my spare keys…"

"You mean this one?"

Duo stuck his head back out of the elevator as he noticed the very keys he had been looking for.

"How did you…where did you…? What the hell are you doing with my keys?!"

The woman smiled coyly. "You dropped it on the front porch this afternoon and you were already far gone with your friend and I couldn't reach you in time. I was going to leave it at your apartment but…"

"You could have left it in my mailbox. It wasn't locked."

"I know that, but what if someone came by and stole it, Duo? I am only looking out for you."

The teacher gave a small sigh and stepped back onto the hallway. "And I guess you aren't going to give it to me until I spend some time with you, right?"

The woman looked shocked, but Duo could tell that it was just an act…and a bad one at that. "Why on earth would you think that, Duo?! I am just looking out for you."

Tell me what I didn't already figure out.

With a heavy sigh of resignation, he began to make his way towards hell…eh…Mrs. Peterson's room. Desperation could make one do the worst things and knowing that he would have little or no say in what was bound to transpire in there, he allowed himself to be taken into wiry arms and smothered to death.

"So you really are going to do it, Duo."

"I have already taken the first step."

"Oh, what's that?"

"I called the number and spoke to the gardener guy."

"Yeah…go on…"

"Well, he gave me the number to the big house and I got to speak to one of the butlers or something."

Wufei dropped the pen he had been holding and sat upright as he clutched the phone tighter against his ear. "You are kidding me, right? You actually got through to Odin Yuy's house??? No one has ever gotten through like that!"

Duo smirked and twirled the telephone cord around his fingers. "Hehe…I did tell you that I spoke to a gardener, right? So, it was one of those connection type things. Anyway, I got through and I am due for an interview in a couple of weeks."

Wufei eyed the stock numbers that blazed across his computer screen blankly before replying in awe. "You do know that you've got to pull out all the stops, right?"

"I know that. Sheesh…could you lend me a good suit or something?"

"Dude! You need a fucking makeover!! You look like a sixties reject, Duo!"

"Wow…thanks a lot for the vote of absolute no confidence, friend."

"Just telling the truth."

"So…are you going to help me or are you just going to continue being an asshole?"

Wufei grinned and nodded with enthusiasm. "Don't worry, my friend. I fully intend to reinvent you and to make you a brand new man. You are going to make those rich guys bow at your feet by the time I am through with you."

Duo knew that tone of voice and his worry grew. "Heeeey…what are you planning to do to me, Wufei?"

The Chinese man chuckled and refused to elaborate. "Just leave it all to me, Duo. Just leave it all to me."