Note: This is in the same "universe" as "Gardenias". Sorry about the lame title.
Pairing: 6x2!
"I hate Christmas," complained a short young man with a very long chestnut-colored braid down his back. He hugged his arms to himself, scowling at the thick white stuff coming down out of the sky, coating the countryside - and himself - with a feathery blanket.
It didn't snow on the colonies. It was tried once, but the colonists didn't like cold where they didn't have to have it, and the project was abandoned. This stuff was WET and Duo hated cold anyway.
A short distance away, two individuals for whom he was beginning to feel hatred were cavorting in the snow, laughing and throwing balls of the nasty stuff at each other in a childish game. Marginally he was supposed to be guarding them, though a fiendishly smirking Wufei technically had that job at the moment, but it was better than joining the insane couple.
Duo turned and glared at Wufei once again. "What's so damn funny?" he demanded of the normally serene Chinese man.
Chang Wufei, Duo's assistant chief of security here in the Sank Kingdom, tried to sober his expression but failed. "You're the last person I'd have guessed had a dislike for snow, Maxwell," he commented, still smirking. Then, to Duo's continued ire, he lifted his face and caught a wad of snowflakes on his tongue. "Even I like snow. You know, I bet you don't know how to ice-skate, either."
"Ice!" Duo screeched in horror. "You're all demented!"
Just then, the two combatants charged up to them, their high cheekbones reddish and their eyes sparkling with health and vigor. "Duo!" the young woman greeted him cheerily, brushing golden hair out of her face with a snow-sodden mitten. "You're missing all the fun!"
"Beg your pardon, Princess," Duo fumed, glaring at Relena's excessive glee, "but getting ice crystals stuffed down my neck isn't my idea of fun!"
Abruptly two long snowy arms came around him from behind, pulling him back against a much taller body. "But when you get all frosty cold, Duo, then I get to warm you up again," a deep voice purred in his ear, adding a delicious chuckle.
Duo shivered for more than one reason. "Um..." His brain went south... for more than one reason, for cold, wet strands of platinum hair had slipped down his neck, and water from his lover's knitted blue cap was running down the side of his face. "Ewww, wet!" he exclaimed, worming out of the embrace to the music of rich laughter.
"You usually don't mind being *wet* with me, love," came back the amused reply.
Rubbing at his face, Duo whirled around to face the tall King of Sank, who while covered in snow from head to toe didn't look quite so majestic at the moment. "I do mind cold!"
King Milliard of Sank looked down fondly upon the indignant expression of his diminutive Minister of Security and Royal Consort. "Yes, you do, pet, and actually we're all cold. Let's all go inside for a steamy mug of Christmas cheer, shall we?"
"Mmm, sounds good," Wufei murmured, winking at Duo before preceding them up the steps to the North Garden door with the Princess of Sank.
"Christmas," Duo muttered. "Such a bother. I got no use for it..." He'd spoken mostly under his breath, but Milliard heard every word.
As they went inside the palace, the King wondered about his darling Duo's aversion to the holiday of Christmas. This was their first to spend together. Now that he thought about it, Duo had managed to disappear somewhere the two previous Christmases, though one of those was before he and the newly crowned ruler of Sank were a permanent item. Last Christmas... Duo had made some excuse about business in the colonies. This year Milliard had made a point of telling Duo how much he was looking forward to their first Christmas together. But as the day grew closer, it was more and more apparent that Duo actually did not care for the holiday for some reason.
Milliard supposed it was because of his past, probably when he was at the Maxwell Church Orphanage. Once he'd tried to ask him, but had gotten an icy response and didn't try to bring it up again. He'd hoped that if he'd proceeded with Christmas preparations anyway at the palace, that Duo would be swept into the holiday spirit. That didn't seem to be happening.
"What now?" Duo muttered, breaking into his thoughts as they stood in the foyer, removing their outer clothing.
"Getting you warm is my first priority," Milliard replied gently as he knelt to help Duo off with his boots.
Duo blinked, then couldn't keep back a tiny smile. His beautiful honey man sure didn't act like a King sometimes, and it was part of why he loved him. Even if the man did have a foolish thing for this ridiculous holiday season.
Then he was being embraced again, the long, wet hair carefully swept out of the way. "Mmmm, Merry Christmas, pet," the deep silky voice crooned.
"Yeah..." Duo murmured, losing himself for the moment in the feel of the strong body holding him close. "An' after that?"
"Why, we have oodles of Christmas stuff to do," Milliard explained, teasing his earlobe. "Peacecraft Tradition demands it!"
Duo had heard that way too many times. "Yeah, well..." He trailed off, wishing he could think of a good excuse to get out of the "stuff".
Milliard tightened his hold, then bent to kiss Duo deeply. By the time they both came up for air, both were considerably warmer. But there was now "stuff" to do, to Duo's consternation. He had hoped that "getting you warm" included returning to the large, lavish bed they shared. But plainly the King had other ideas.
"Stuff", he soon found out to his wonder, first entailed going to the kitchens to help with what was apparently a massive food drive. [Okay, so it's understandable that the palace helps feed the needy at the holidays... no big deal,] Duo thought, mollified, though he was surprised to see both Milliard and Relena pitching in on rather simple tasks such as slicing meats and preparing packages (Mill), and mixing bread dough (Relena). Someone put him in an apron and steered him over to a table to assist in measuring ingredients for some sort of vegetable dish. To his continued wonder, Duo saw that the overseer of the kitchen was none other than Miss Noin, Milliard's Home Minister in charge of much of the rebuilding of the kingdom over the last couple years since the end of the war.
[Wufei better be on the job,] Duo fumed, wrestling open a bag of instant potato flakes. But then he caught a glance out of the window and spied Wufei and more of Duo's operatives surreptitiously guarding the kitchen wing of the palace. Because of his own position, Duo couldn't get by with working on Christmas Day. [More's the pity...]
A couple hours later, Duo was relieved to see that food preparation seemed to be drawing to a close, and a truckload of food packages were ready for delivery. Hoping to sneak away for a nap, Duo was further dismayed to see that "Peacecraft Tradition" was going to extend to delivery of said food packages as well.
Milliard came to him, a bit breathless. "Duo, love, Relena's got the north end of the city, and I have the south end. Will you come with me? I'd really like to have you at my side."
[But it's Christmas Day,] Duo thought, though he nodded. [Figures my honey man would be such a humanitarian,] he mused, changing into fresh clothes. [Which is a nice things but... eh, Christmas...]
It was a little known fact that the Maxwell Church Massacre had taken place on a Christmas morning. Duo's first truly safe haven had disappeared in blood and screams, and from them on, he'd not only taken on the moniker "God of Death", but had internally sworn to never have anything to do with the holiday again.
[He can't know the pain this brings me,] Duo mused solemnly as he accompanied his mate from one food kitchen to another, most of which were set up in church basements scattered around the south end of the capital city. Stoic, Duo endured for Milliard's sake, though he planned to get very drunk as soon as he was able to steal away. Tomorrow at the latest. [If only he knew... but plainly this whole giving thing is important to him. I won't spoil his Christmas by telling him my own sob story. Man...]
Just then he caught Milliard looking over at him. Immediately Duo plastered on a big grin for his man, but it came easier than he thought, for clearly the sovereign of Sank looked happy, helping his people with his beloved beside him. Duo relaxed then, content for now to concentrate on what they were doing and not when... or even why.
After the deliveries, Duo'd hoped for a sumptuous feast of their own back at the palace, but it seemed that their travels weren't over yet. They met up with Relena's group and proceeded to the first of several hospitals where they visited with groups of patients. Duo was stunned at the Peacecrafts' energy, and understood why they were so beloved of the people. Both King and Princess were tireless, talking gently and calmly to one sick person after another. Here Duo felt himself quite swept into the act, and found himself doing card tricks for giggling children.
It was already evening when they returned to the palace, Duo snuggled up against Milliard in the back seat of a limo which Wufei drove, Relena in the front beside him chatting about the day's adventures. Milliard was quiet and seemed content to be so, Duo noted, peering up at his love.
Christmas dinner was, to Duo's surprise, nothing sumptuous, but in fact, the fare was exactly what they'd sent out to the food kitchens. Simple, wholesome, nourishing food, nothing elaborate or rich. He knew that the Peacecrafts didn't have very exotic tastes as it was, but it was a holiday, so... Nevertheless, it was a peaceful meal with quiet conversation. [Everyone's tired,] Duo thought, yawning.
When plates were removed from the table, Milliard stood to address the gathering of about thirty - mostly friends and house staff as well as a few ministers for the government. He raised his glass of a local wine in a toast. "Merry Christmas, everyone," Milliard began warmly. "Let us drink to the memories of those who have gone before us. Today is the anniversary of the fall of the Sank Kingdom in A. C. 182 when my parents and the rest of the Peacecraft family were murdered in this hall."
Duo started abruptly, stunned at the admission. He stared at Milliard, but was astonished to see that he was still smiling, not at all disturbed by the juxtaposition of that terrible event with this holiday. [How... how can he... it happened to him, too! And on Christmas!! But... how...]
Milliard was continuing smoothly. "When the Sank Kingdom was restored in 196 after the Eve War, I made a promise to myself and to the memory of our beloved dead never to allow that sorrow to be felt again on this blessed day. With the help of my dear little sister Relena, we have taken Christmas back from the horror that we've known on this day. That is our response to history; that is what we felt we must do to honor our valiant family members who were sacrificed. I know they would not want us to feel sad any longer, but would want us to return to our family's tradition of charity, not only on today, but all through the year. And so we have tried to do this, and the result is that as our nation continues to rebuild, there are now fewer orphans, fewer food kitchens necessary, and the burden on hospitals is less as people heal from the devastation committed four years ago."
Duo blinked, his eyes suddenly hot. [Man, I've been so absorbed in my own bad memories... and I haven't been willing to let go of the past as they have. Whoa...]
A hand fell upon his shoulder. "I could not have kept this promise if I hadn't found the love of my life and had help and support from all of you as well." Duo glanced up to see Milliard looking down upon him fondly. "Thank you, Duo."
"Er..." Duo blushed and fidgeted a bit.
Milliard winked at him and squeezed his shoulder, then looked back out over the gathering. "Thanks to all of you! And that's all I'm going to say. Merry Christmas!"
Murmurs of "Merry Christmas, Sire" and such rose around them. Relena then popped up to say a few words as well, but Duo wasn't hearing her. All he could think about was the fact that he'd allowed himself to remain frozen in his past, hating something just because of the ironic juxtaposition of dates.
That night, Duo slipped into bed, immediately placing his body at full length against the longer frame of his lover, wrapping his limbs around as much of him as he could manage.
"Mmmm, pet, you make for a nice blanket," Milliard murmured, wrapping his arms around his diminutive mate as well. "I'm pretty tired, but I could always get interested in something... more..."
"Mmm, later maybe," Duo mumbled into his chest, then peered up at the man's face, looking deep into the serene, ice blue eyes watching him intently. "Mill, baby... how'd you ever do it? Didn't... *that* ruin Christmas for you? How could you be so cheery today considering..." He shook his head, bewildered.
"Duo, pet," Milliard murmured, stroking his back tenderly. "So, that's what was going on inside your head today. Maxwell Church... was that today, too?"
Duo nodded, miserable. "I swore off this holiday forever. I swore never to enjoy it anymore. It was... ruined forever for me."
"Mmm, forever is a long time," Milliard mused, then kissed his forehead lightly. "I guess I did that, too. But it was easy to be a Scrooge in a boarding school. And when I went into the military, I simply stayed wherever I was based while everyone else went home for the holidays. But two people helped me find Christmas again, Duo."
"Yeah?" Duo pulled some platinum hair forward to play with. "Who were they?"
Milliard smiled warmly. "You, for one thing. And Relena. Having family again. Having someone to remind me that life goes on and that holidays are about being grateful for what I have and about being good to others. That's what's truly important. You see, I'm very grateful to have you in my life, little love." He pressed a fervent kiss to Duo's cheek, then another to the corner of his mouth.
Duo needed no more invitation and surged up closer, finding his wonderful mate's mouth with his. [Damn, he's right,] he thought as they kissed deeply. [It's about being grateful... and I sure as hell have a lot more than most people. It's right to share that... no matter when. And... I never thought about this, but I, too, can honor the memory of those who died. Damn, Mill...]
When they separated, Milliard was surprised to see tears on his beloved's cheeks. "Duo?"
Duo swiped at his eyes, but was smiling. "Aw, man, Mill, you're a damn big ol' Christmas elf yourself, you know that? It seems this nasty disease called Christmas is catching or something, you know?"
Milliard grinned, letting his hands slide down to cup his lover's bottom. "Mmmm, about time you caught some Christmas spirit, pet! Now, I haven't given you your present yet..."
Duo caught the abruptly lascivious look in his man's eyes and wriggled in his grasp. "Whoooo, and do I ever have a present for you!" Then he laughed, feeling his cares gone from his heart. "Merry Christmas, Mill!"
"Merry Christmas, Duo!" Milliard declared, happy to see the return of his consort's enthusiasm.
[Merry Christmas...mmm... but I still hate the cold...]
The End
Christmas, 2002