Gundam Wing is not mine. I know that and so do you. ~_^
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Duo: About time you got to writing this.
Shi-chan: I didn't mean to leave it till Christmas Eve...
Duo: Imagine, she starts a fic that I actually like and
doesn't even finish it by Christmas! Bah, you onna!
Wufei: Bah.
Trowa: Humbug.
Duo: .....
Shi-chan: Um...on with the fic!
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First Christmas
~By Shimegami-chan
Part 1: Wonder
Shounen-ai, and fluff. That's about it.
Enjoy, and merry Christmas!
Duo dragged Heero cheerfully down the street, balancing
packages and singing loudly. "Oh, Hee-chan, this is gonna be greeeeeat!
Your first actual Christmas!"
"You never actually explained all of this to me,
koi." Heero growled, shifting some of the bag weight over his shoulder.
"Well, you've gotta know something about it! How
could you have not heard of Christmas?!?" Duo dropped Heero's hand and
fished in his pockets for the keys.
"I've heard of it. But only from you. And you never got
into detail." Heero inserted his own key in the lock while Duo hunted
frantically for the missing black key chain. He produced it with a grin of
triumph as both boys stepped in the door.
Duo dropped the rest of the packages and hurried over to the
fireplace. "I'm freezing! Turn up the heat, onegai?"
Heero went to the thermostat and turned the dial as Duo
began to heap wood into the basket before sticking his lighter into the mess.
The bits of paper and wood quickly caught.
"There." Duo stepped back from the small blaze
with a look of satisfaction. "Much better. I'll grab some hot chocolate,
and then I can explain Christmas for you. Okay?"
"Hn." Heero crossed his arms and sat down on the
couch. "Sure."
The Japanese pilot stared into the flames dazedly as Duo
cluttered around in the kitchen, and soon enough the chestnut-haired boy
returned with two mugs of steaming liquid. He placed them on the floor near the
fireplace and waved Heero over, then plopped down on the rug.
Heero wordlessly got up and went to sit beside Duo. Duo
cradled the mug in his hands thoughtfully.
"Well, since this is your first Christmas..." Duo
began hesitantly. "I suppose I could tell you a bit about mine."
"Go ahead," Heero urged. "I'd like to
know."
A smile graced Duo's lips and his eyes seemed to take on a
faraway look. "I was little...but I still remember everything..."
************************
Duo held the box while Sister Helen placed the last shiny
ball on the Christmas tree.
"There, all done. Isn't it pretty?" Sister Helen
reached behind the tree and fumbled with the cord. The tree became aglow with coloured
lights. "Look, Duo!"
Duo set the box down and peered curiously at the blinking
bulbs. "Yeah!"
Sister Helen leaned back in satisfaction. "It's not
much, but it's all we've got. I don't think anyone minds."
"No." Duo was mesmerized by the bright colours
that almost seemed to dance against the dark pine needles. "I've never
seen a real Christmas tree from this close before."
"You haven't?" Sister Helen began to gather
together the boxes where they had stored the garland and lights. "Is this
the first time you've celebrated Christmas, then?"
"Yeah..." Duo reached out to touch one of the
silver decorations. "I never had a real Christmas before."
Sister Helen took Duo by the hand and led him back to the
storage room. "Well then, I think you'll enjoy it!"
"Sister..." Duo stacked the box neatly on top of
the others. "What exactly is Christmas?"
The young woman looked deep in thought for a moment before
answering. "There are a lot of things that people consider to be
Christmas...some say it's the feeling in the air, some say it's people coming
together, others say it's the end of the old year and the beginning of another.
To the Catholic Church, Christmas is the time when Christ was born in the
manger, our saviour and Messiah. To children, Christmas is when people give
gifts to each other, and it's a bright and festive time with lights and music
and love."
Duo remembered the previous years when he had lived on the
streets, observing the winter celebration with trees and candles and
decorations. "Wow..."
Sister Helen placed a hand on his shoulder. "We don't
have much around here, Duo, but we do have each other. I think that's a gift in
itself, don't you?"
Duo nodded assent. "I like the feeling in the air. I
think Christmas will be my favourite time of year from now on!"
The young nun laughed gaily. "That's great! I love
Christmas too. Let's enjoy it, shall we?" She shut the door and gave Duo a
gentle push towards the door. "Now, I've got things to discuss with
Father, so run along and play ne? I'll see you tonight--Christmas Eve is a very
special time for the church!"
Duo gave Sister Helen a nod and scampered out the door and
into the softly falling snow. It wasn't as cold as he feared, and the little
boy pulled his clenched fists into the ends of his sleeves to keep warm. Then
he began to walk to the market.
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Shi-chan: More tomorrow. Merry Christmas minna-san!!!!