Part 39
Sitting at a small table in an outdoor café in the village, Duo shuffled through his most recent purchases. Heero had kindly gifted him with a money clip that, when directly prompted, would pop out the correct amount for a purchase. It only worked with the paper bills - he always returned with a pocketful of coins - but at least he wasn't embarrassed by having to ask a clerk which bills were appropriate.
He looked fondly at the adorable outfits he'd bought for his new cousin, frothy, fluffy little dresses that were totally inappropriate for a newborn Banshee, but perfect for his darling cousin; tiny little shirts and overalls, hair ribbons galore. He had taken the liberty of checking with Raia and Tiffany, the Witch who also worked on Investigations, for any special instructions about buying for an infant, and was relieved that he had.
Only buy a couple of things, Raia had said, that would fit right now. Babies grow fast, and she would outgrow the newborn size quickly. Buy two or three things in each size, up to 12 months. That way she would always have something new and pretty from her adoring cousin. Don't buy all pink, cautioned Tiffany. Everybody in the world dresses little girls in pink. Be original, she advised.
Duo would check with the two women before he sent the package off, but he was happy with the assortment of blue, green, lavender and fuchsia; silk, satin, denim and cotton; plain and fancy. He couldn't stop grinning, looking at all the tiny things.
::Wish I could see you and hold you,:: Duo thought fondly. ::Play with you and protect you... The way Caz and Shar did with me. But you've got a mommy and a daddy to do that, and maybe, when you're old enough, your daddy will bring you to visit me. Love you, Dael...::
Along with the gifts for his cousin, he had another bag of beads and findings, as well as some yarn and a pair of knitting needles and a pattern that the shopkeeper swore was so simple any idiot could do it. He wasn't so sure, but he wanted to make something for the new baby and a knitted blanket seemed like an appropriate idea. He wasn't any surer that he had any real talent for making jewelry, but it helped him to relax and it was certainly easy enough. Most of the pieces he made were tucked away, but some that he was particularly proud of he gave to his friends. He intended to try a specific design next, and if it came out nice, he would send it to Shar.
"My, what pretty stones."
Duo jumped and looked over his shoulder.
Zephyrus smirked back at him.
"Blast! Don't you ever just say 'hi'?" Duo snapped.
"Hi," said the demon amiably, grinning at him.
"Hi," Duo replied shortly. His pounding heart was surely audible. "Do you always sneak up on people? Is that a demon thing?"
"Ah, you've been talking to whatshisname... Trowa's... companion." He came around the table and settled himself gracefully in the chair opposite.
Duo sighed, and gathered his packages, setting them on the ground next to his chair. "His name is Wufei."
"Of course it is. The little Chinese Dragon. He's quite amusing."
"It wasn't nice, what you did to Trowa."
Zephyrus was much less startling when he was where Duo could see him and with a table between them. Most of the books about demons were very firm that demons were inherently evil, but Zephyrus certainly didn't radiate malice, and he didn't look evil. If evil demons were all around, disguised as Humans, then surely his internal warning system, now that it was active, should be on alert continuously, and it wasn't.
"Trowa is gorgeous, don't you think?"
Duo shrugged, not willing to talk behind Trowa's back about him with his seducer. "Yes, he's very attractive. Why do you go around hurting people?"
Zephyrus looked genuinely puzzled. "But I don't hurt anyone. How can I hurt someone who accepts what I offer?"
"It hurts when you're suddenly not interested. When you act like you're in love one moment, and totally indifferent the next."
"Really? I hadn't thought of that." Zephyrus swept his fancy hat from his hair and settled it on the table, obviously planning to stay. This time, Duo noticed his silver-grey ears. And, dammit, he was incredible to look at.
"Well, think of it next time. How would you feel if someone seduced your sister and then left her? Or your brother?" Maybe demons needed to have these things explained to them.
"You're saying I'm trespassing? Hmm..." Zephyrus seemed to be considering the concept. "So, you're suggesting I should ask permission of the person's owner before I approach someone?"
Duo shook his head. "People don't have owners, not here, at least. Hasn't anyone ever told you it's bad to seduce the innocent and unwary before?"
"No."
"No wonder everyone hates you." Duo rolled his eyes skyward with a sigh.
"Oh, that can't be true. You don't hate me. Do you?" Zephyrus raised one elegant eyebrow.
Duo stared narrowly at the kitsune-demon. "No," he said after a moment. "No, I guess I don't hate you. I don't trust you, I don't respect you, and I hate what you did to Trowa, but I don't hate you."
Zephyrus' face lit up and he smiled. "Then you like me!"
Duo sighed and propped his elbow on the table, his chin resting on the back of his hand. "I do not like you. I do not hate you. You have not shown me any reason to feel one way or another about you."
The demon's face fell. He blinked slowly. "I want you to like me, Duo. You're very attractive. Beautiful, even."
"You want to seduce me," Duo snorted. "That's what you do, isn't it?"
"Well... But you're still beautiful." His hand crept across the table; his fingertips brushed Duo's. "Are you not attracted to me?"
Duo pulled his hand back. "You're pretty, Zephyrus, but you're not very attractive. And you can't use seduction on me, it doesn't work."
Zephyrus frowned, then pouted. "You were so shy before..."
"You startled me. I try not to react until I know what I'm reacting to."
"And now you know."
"Now I know." Duo waited, watching Zephyrus.
"You shun me because I'm a demon."
"I'm sitting at the same table; we're having a polite conversation. I'm not shunning you. I'm just not interested in a relationship with you."
Zephyrus looked suddenly relieved. "You prefer females! Ah, now I understand!"
For a moment, Duo just stared. Then he threw back his head and laughed. He laughed for several minutes. Zephyrus looked puzzled, then insulted.
"Aw, man!" Duo gasped finally. "You are a howl, Zeph!" He gathered his packages and stood up. "You just won't take 'no' for an answer, will you?"
The demon stood also. "I don't understand..."
Duo drew a deep breath, held it a few seconds, then let it out slowly. He stepped around the table and patted Zephyrus' arm reassuringly.
"Hey, it's okay, dude. Zephyrus, mi amigo, I'm not into females. I'm not seducible. I'm a Banshee. I'll be your friend as long as you're straight with me. If you fuck with me, I'll do you like I did that 6th level demon in New York." He waggled his fingers in front of Zephyrus' face, purple eyes wide. "Poof! Exploding toad! Now, I gotta go. See you later, Zeph."
Duo walked around the brick planter and down the street, whistling softly. His braid swung back and forth with his long stride.
Zephyrus watched him until he turned the corner, heading for the Castle.
A Banshee... He'd never met a Banshee before. Were they all that insane? What a fascinating thing he was, though. So bright and shining and totally incomprehensible. That long, lovely hair, and that very cute butt. Whoever invented jeans had Zephyrus' eternal gratitude.
Perhaps he could meet Duo alone again sometime. Although, he did seem to keep close company with Trowa, Wufei and Heero the Unreasonable Wyvern. Oh, yes, much better to avoid crossing Heero's path.