Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Wing and the Gods of Thunder ❯ Time to go Home ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter 15: Time to go Home

“They really need seasons here in Asgard,” Duo remarked lazily. “This endless summer sure makes me drowsy.”

Wu-Fei glared at him. “You're drowsy because you've been fucking me for the last four hours.”

“Was it only four? It seemed longer.” Duo yawned. “I tell you all these beautiful days just float by.” He stretched out. “How about we take a nap and then go for another four hours?”

“Go ahead and sleep. I'm going to look for Heero and do some sparring. I could use a work out.”

“You mean I didn't work you hard enough?” Duo chuckled. “I could go for a little longer if you want.”

“Just go to sleep! I'll see you at dinner.”

“Ok.”

Duo dozed off and Wu-Fei marched off through the trees, looking for Heero. He found Heero doing something that looked suspiciously like hiding.

“Hey, Heero. Want to spar?”

“Shush!” Heero shushed him. He looked around. “Someone might hear you.”

“What the hell are you doing?” Wu-Fei said more quietly. “Are you hiding from someone?” His voice squeaked a little incredulously.

“I'm not hiding!” Heero snapped defensively. “I'm just… trying not to be seen.”

“And that's different from hiding how?”

“Shut up!” Heero grumbled. They heard footsteps crunching along a nearby trail and Heero scrunched down. “Get down! Be quiet!” he whispered urgently.

Wu-Fei sighed and crouched down next to him. A couple of minor gods strolled by, chatting idly.

Wu-Fei eyed Heero. “So?”

Heero sighed. “It's Freya. She won't leave me alone.”

“Well, ever since she started to show…”

“It's gotta be Heimdall's. He did her right after I did and more times, too.”

“You'll never convince her until the baby shows up looking like someone other than you. Anyway, why don't you just use your armband?”

“I did.” Heero frowned. “Apparently, the glamour doesn't work on gods. They can see right through it, like looking through a veil.”

“Oh.”

“We've gotta get out of here. Isn't it time to go back to Mars?”

Wu-Fei chuckled. “You know it doesn't matter when we leave. It'll still be the same night when we get back. Anyway, we're waiting for Alexa to stop growing unusually fast. We're going to have enough explaining to do about her as it is.”

“But Quatre said she was back to normal already!” Heero complained.

“I know. We're just making sure.” Wu-Fei stood up. “Come on, let's spar. You obviously have lots of nervous energy to work off.”

Heero groaned. “If Freya finds me…”

“I'll tell her she just has to wait until I'm through playing with you before she gets a turn.”

Heero buried his face in his hands and moaned.

“You're acting pathetic, you know.”

“But what if she finds out about this?” Heero whispered in near panic. “If she finds out I did it with a beautiful woman…”

“She'll expect her fair share of your generous masculine charms,” Wu-Fei concluded.

“I can't do that! Not with her!”

“You know,” said Wu-Fei matter-of-factly, “I've never understood your reluctance. Relena's not hideous. If you just fucked her senseless every now and then, she'd probably leave you alone the rest of the time.”

“Ha! That's what you think!” Heero fixed terrified eyes on Wu-Fei. “She'd want to get married! She'd make me wear suits and gloves and go to parties where they serve drinks in tiny glass cups and make you eat little finger sandwiches! Have you no idea what hell is?”

“Hmm… When you put it that way, it does sound pretty horrible.”

“I'd die!”

Wu-Fei laughed. “You probably would at that.” He grabbed Heero's hand. “Let's go find some heroes and kill a few people. That will put you in a good mood.”

Heero perked up a little. “Yeah, that sounds good. Maybe if I lop off a few heads, sever a few limbs and disembowel a couple of torsos, things will start to look less bleak.”

“There you go! That's sounds like my Heero.”

They trotted off through the trees together, looking for warriors to massacre.

Back at Frey's house, little Alexa had grown into a charming little girl of about six. Her thick brown curls now fell to her cutely rounded little bottom. Zechs had trimmed the hair around her face to make little bangs that fluttered just above her eyes, and little ringlets dangled in front of her ears. She giggled a lot and was always smiling. There was probably not a more adorable child to be found anywhere in Asgard or Midgard. Even the gods were a little jealous, although it was impossible not to love such a sweet-natured little creature. Roku looked after her with the doting attention of an older brother. She seemed completely unfazed by his tendency to change shape whenever it suited him.

“I've been thinking,” Trowa said thoughtfully as he and Quatre watched Roku and Alexa play. “It's going to be awfully hard for Alexa to get a date when she grows up.”

“What do you mean?” Quatre asked in surprise. “She's so sweet! The boys will be lined up at her door waiting to ask her out.”

“That's just it. They'll be lined up waiting to ask for permission from Treize and Zechs to take her out. Those two have insanely high standards. What human being in existence is likely to live up to their expectations as an acceptable suitor for their daughter?”

“Oh. I see your point.” Quatre regarded little Alexa thoughtfully. “Well, we have all of humanity throughout history to choose from. We're bound to find someone eventually.”

“That's a good point.” Trowa grinned. “And it gives us an excuse to keep time-traveling.”

“Like we really need one.”

Alexa began laughing loudly. Roku had her pinned to the ground and was licking her face as she struggled futilely to escape from underneath him. His paws looked huge holding her little hands to the ground on either side. She kicked her feet and rolled her head from side to side, giggling happily.

“You win!” Alexa laughed. “I surrender!”

“You bet I win!” Roku retorted. He bounced up and Alexa rolled onto her knees, wiping her face with both hands.

“Ew! You got me all slobbery!”

“Not like Fenrir.”

Alexa giggled. “And my hairs all tangled up too. Mommy will get mad. He just brushed it.” She tugged at her hair, trying to comb out the tangles with her fingers.

“I'll do that,” Roku said. He shifted to human form and pulled a hairbrush out of his storage space. He knelt down behind Alexa and started brushing her hair. “Do you want me to put a braid in it, like mine and Papa Duo's? It'll stay neater that way while we're playing.”

“Yeah.”

Quatre leaned against Trowa with a sigh. “That is so sweet. Roku needed someone his own age to play with.”

“And with whom he could just be himself,” Trowa added. “On Mars he always has to be so careful about his abilities.”

“True.”

“But speaking of Mars; it's probably time for us to start thinking about going back. Alexa seems to have stabilized.”

“She has,” Quatre said. “I've examined her pretty carefully and I think she's just growing like a normal girl now.”

“That's good. To be honest, I'm a little anxious to get back and make sure we haven't changed the future. Causing the complete destruction of the Earth could have really messed things up.”

“I've been thinking about that too,” Quatre said seriously. “Let's talk to the others at dinner tonight.”

“I think we're supposed to be eating in Valhalla tonight. Frey mentioned something about a special occasion.”

“Really? I wonder what.”

“I guess we'll find out tonight.”

When everyone met up at Frey's house that evening, Zechs examined Alexa's new braid delightedly.

“I like your hair, Alexa. It looks very nice.”

She beamed at him. “Thank you, Mommy. Roku did it for me.” She twirled around so her braid streamed out. “I think it's really pretty.” She pulled it over one shoulder and looked at it.

Treize picked her up and kissed her cheek. “You always look pretty, Alexa. Just like your mother.” He smiled at Zechs.

Alexa put her arms around his neck and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, Daddy. Can I ride piggy-back to Valhalla?”

“Of course.” Treize boasted her up onto his shoulders and she hooked her fingers together under his chin. Zechs put his arm through Treize's with an affectionate smile.

Duo shook his head. “Those are probably the three most beautiful people I've ever seen. It's scary.”

Wu-Fei nodded. “I would have to agree.”

Frey appeared. “Is everyone ready? Freya's gone ahead, so it's just us.”

The group set out across the Asgard plains for Valhalla. They were still out of sight of the great hall when Roku lifted his head and sniffed.

“I smell smoke. And roast meat.” He licked his chops. “I think they're having a barbeque.”

Roku was right. As they came within sight of Valhalla, they discovered a festival going on in the field in front of the great doors. Brightly covered pavilions were set up and rugs were spread out on the grass. Several large fires were burning, with whole sides of beef, mutton and pork roasting on spits above them. Barrels of mead stood open everywhere and trestle tables groaned under the weight of boiled potatoes and cabbages, wheels of bright yellow and snowy white cheese, and loaf upon loaf of bread. Dark brown rye bread with soft crusts, fluffy wheat bread with crunchy crusts, and crispy flat breads begged to be slathered in churned sweet butter and fresh berry jam. Bowls of fresh fruits and berries drowning in clotted cream could be seen covering one whole table.

Duo's mouth fell open. “We are truly in heaven!” he breathed.

“That looks really good,” said Roku.

“Welcome friends!” Odin cried. He stepped out from the crowd and flung out his arms. “Welcome to a feast in your honor!”

“A feast for us?” Quatre exclaimed, a little confused.

Odin laughed. “Past unfortunate incidents notwithstanding, your visit has been a breath of excitement in the land of Asgard.” He put an arm around Quatre's shoulder, earning a slight glare from Trowa. “We have heard rumors that you are thinking about returning home and we couldn't let you leave without saying a proper goodbye.” Odin flung his hand out to encompass the people, food and pavilions. “This is how we in Asgard favor those who have become like family.”

Quatre smiled. “Thank you, Odin. We are truly grateful and have greatly enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of the mighty gods of Asgard.”

Odin beamed. “Well said, beautiful Quatre. Why don't you come sit with me in my pavilion and share a cup of mead?”

Quatre lifted an eyebrow at him. “Do you think that's wise?”

“I'll keep my hands to myself, I promise.” Odin winked at him. “But perhaps you'll be kind enough to treat me to a kiss or two as just payment for the embarrassment you caused me.”

“Now just a minute…” Trowa growled.

“Don't get worked up, Trowa,” Quatre said quickly. “Odin asked very politely, so it would be rude of me to refuse. One or two kisses doesn't seem like much to ask.”

“Indeed not!” Odin agreed quickly. He urged Quatre toward the largest of the many pavilions. Trowa followed, grumbling to himself.

“Let's eat!” Heero said. “This feast is for us, after all.”

“You said it!” Duo cried enthusiastically. “Come on, Roku! Let's see who can finish a side of beef first.” They raced off toward the fires.

“I'm hungry, Daddy,” Alexa said. “Can I go with Roku and Uncle Duo?”

“Sure.” Treize swung her down to the ground and Alexa hurried off after the others.

“Quatre said she had stopped growing as fast, but she still eats more than I do,” Zechs said worriedly. “That can't be normal.”

“Roku still eats more than everyone, including Duo,” Wu-Fei pointed out. “I think their accelerated beginnings must affect their metabolism.”

“It's not very ladylike,” Zechs murmured.

“That's an old wives tale,” Wu-Fei replied. “Women eat just as much as men when they're equally active, they just pretend not to. Anyway, this food doesn't look too bad. If you'll excuse me, I want to check out that bread over there.”

Heero was already heading over to where Duo was sitting cross-legged on a rug next to Roku and Alexa, sharing an enormous platter of beef ribs, beef steaks, mutton chops and pork ribs.

Zechs shook his head. “They're not eating any vegetables.”

Treize smiled. “Why don't you help Wu-Fei with the bread and I'll get some potatoes and cabbage.”

“All right.”

Everyone was eating happily when a commotion started on the far side of the field. Looking over, everyone could see the huge body of Fenrir looming up above the trees.

“I guess Loki's here,” Duo said calmly. He resumed eating.

“LOKI!” Odin's angry shout boomed across the throng. “What is that creature doing here?”

Loki grinned broadly as he trotted through the crowd. “Don't get your knickers in a twist, Odin,” he laughed. “Fenrir promised to sit right there and just eat a cow or two. He wanted to say goodbye to Roku.”

Roku hopped to his feet. “Come on Alexa, let's go say goodbye to Fenrir.” Alexa climbed onto Roku's back, but Zechs stopped them before they trotted away.

“Please try to keep Fenrir from drowning her in drool,” Zechs pleaded.

“I will.”

Zechs shook his head as they left. “She'll need a bath in about ten minutes.”

“Most likely,” Treize agreed.

Duo suddenly scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply. Everyone turned to stare at the woman he was greeting. She was a lovely creature with long dark hair and wide gray eyes. She walked demurely at Loki's side, offering polite greetings to the men who stared at her with open desire.

“It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Hel,” Duo said. “I think I had forgotten how lovely you are, or you have managed to become more beautiful since we last met.” He took her hand and kissed it. Everyone stared at him with their mouths open.

“Oh, Master Duo,” Hel replied in a soft but rich voice, “you do me too much honor.”

All around her, heads shook furiously in disagreement. Noticeable bulges were starting to show on the fronts of numerous men's trousers.

Duo smiled. “I don't think that's possible, Miss Hel.”

Wu-Fei finally found his voice. “Duo, who is this and where did you meet her?”

“This is Hel, Loki's daughter.”

“Loki's daughter?!” several people exclaimed. “But… we thought…” Everyone stared in amazement.

Hel chuckled. “It's very odd and I think I have young Master Roku to thank, but ever since the Ragnarok, my appearance has not returned to normal. I had just looked into my mirror right before the trouble began and I have retained this shape since then.” She looked around. “Alas, I see Roku has gone off. I was hoping he could explain it.”

Quatre, Trowa and an extremely irritated Odin joined them.

“Roku told me about the spell he gave you, Miss Hel,” Quatre said. He studied her closely. “This is interesting. I can still see traces of the spell clinging to you.” Then he grinned and began to laugh. “That Roku! He's such a little rascal. He used a threshold spell.”

Hel blinked in delicate confusion. “A what?”

“A threshold spell. It's a kind of spell where the more you use it, the more the magic residue builds up inside you. If you use it enough, you hit a kind of threshold and whatever you were using the spell for becomes permanent. People use spells like that to speed up their ability to learn new things, like playing a musical instrument or sewing. He gave you a threshold spell to change your appearance. You kept using it, so the appearance change became permanent. It probably took hold during Ragnarok because so much big magic was getting thrown about, especially when Roku fixed everything.”

Hel touched her cheeks. “Permanent?” she whispered. “You mean I won't change back?”

“I'm afraid not,” Quatre grinned. “You're stuck with that incredibly beautiful face for the rest of your life.”

“That's a hardship,” Heero remarked around a mouthful of potato.

A handsome, well-built hero sidled up to Hel. “My lady,” he exclaimed, “your beauty has me completely undone. I beg you to dine with me and let me expound upon my gentlemanly virtues in your exquisite ear, that I might perhaps convince you to share the night with me.”

Zechs rolled his eyes. “Where did these brutes learn to speak? Are none of them even remotely acquainted with the art of seduction?” Zechs looked around and noticed a pleasant-looking young man with yellow blond curls staring longingly at Hel. The decidedly pronounced bulge in his trousers indicated that he was probably better endowed then the hero trying to win Hel's attention. Zechs turned to Hel.

“My lady,” he purred in a voice as silken and smooth as honey pouring from a spoon. “I pray you to turn your eyes upon yonder gentleman, whose masculine seemliness lies shielded within the courteous charm of his youthful beauty. Look at the glistening roundness of his lips as he moistens them with the shy tip of his soft tongue. Fix your eyes on the smooth flow of his muscles as they glide beneath his unblemished skin. Can you not imagine the enfolding strength of his embrace as he cradles you tenderly to his bosom? Can you not feel the warmth of his breath against your lovely face as he whispers the secrets of his passion in your delicate ear? Can you not taste the sweetness of his gentle but passionate kiss? His heart pounds in his breast as he longs to savor the delicious, womanly charms your slender body promises. His manhood aches to awaken the full flower of your womanhood. Will you not fulfill the promise of his sweet love? What say you, beauteous Hel?”

The young man who was the target of this speech was clearly on the verge of some kind of apoplectic seizure. His face had gone from pale to flushed and back to pale again during the course of Zechs' speech. Now he stared at Hel with hope and desire plain on his face, clearly not prepared to risk speaking yet.

Hel returned his stare with large eyes. Her generous bosom was rising and falling quickly. “Oh my!” she exclaimed when Zechs was finished. “How sweetly you impress his virtues upon me! Perhaps…” She held out one slender hand and the young man stepped forward quickly to take it.

“Lady Hel,” he whispered, “I know a lovely meadow beside a swift stream where the grass is deep and the birds sing sweetly.”

“I would love to see it,” Hel replied with a sweet smile. The youth led her away.

“They won't make it,” Heero said bluntly. “He'll jump her as soon as they're out of sight.”

“Humph!” Zechs sniffed. “You underestimate the power of a seductive word. Just because all of your sexual invitations are along the lines of `why are your pants still on?' doesn't mean the rest of us are so impatient.”

Duo snickered.

Roku and Alexa returned. Both of them were dripping wet.

Zechs paled. “Oh lord!”

Alexa giggled. “I like Fenrir!”

“Me too,” said Roku. “I'll miss him.”

Loki offered them a deep bow with a dramatic flourish. “I will certainly miss all of you. You have made this one of the most interesting years of my existence. The stories I will tell of your exploits and adventures will sound in Valhalla for years to come.”

“I don't think…” Odin began.

“My favorite,” Loki continued loudly, “will of course be the story of the Goddess Odin.”

Odin turned bright red. “I have forbidden anyone to speak ever again about that which never occurred!”

Loki smirked.

“Maybe it's just as well we're leaving,” Trowa remarked casually. “If Loki starts telling that story and Odin starts throwing fireballs…”

“They'll just have to fix Asgard themselves next time,” Quatre said.

“Come on, let's enjoy the rest of the feast,” Duo interrupted. “I want to get a game of dice going.”

“Not strip poker?” Frey asked innocently. Heimdall flinched.

Duo grinned. “Why? You want to play?”

“Oh, I don't know. It might be fun.”

“Well, then,” Duo said brightly, “why don't we just slip out of sight of the children? Roku, can you toss me a deck of cards, please?”

Roku did so and Duo caught the box neatly.

“Care to join us, Heimdall?”

Heimdall looked morose. “I'm no good at that game.”

“Nonsense,” Duo laughed. “You were great. I certainly enjoyed it. Let's go.”

He caught Frey and Heimdall each by the arm and led them away.

“Great!” Quatre muttered. “Frey has no idea what he's in for.”

“He did ask for it,” Wu-Fei noted.

Freya waddled over, patting her rounded tummy contentedly. “Do I not look the picture of motherly womanhood?” she chortled. “Master Heero, it will please me to tell your child all about you one day. Have you a name you would like to give a son? I have already picked out a name for a daughter.”

Heero looked panicked. Wu-Fei nudged him.

“Um… I don't know. Hadeya, I guess.” He swallowed and blinked at her.

“Hadeya. I like it.” Freya beamed at him. “I will miss you, Master Heero. But if you will excuse me, I'm going to go shove my expectant belly under Brunhilde's big nose.” She strolled away, humming happily.

“If we keep fathering children in the past like this, half the world is going to be descended from us,” Wu-Fei said. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Duo's genes are already kicking around England and probably America and maybe Australia and New Zealand. Heero's genes may end up all over northern Europe, depending on how frisky the gods get with humans, which means, what with colonialism and all, his genes could end up all over Europe, Africa and Asia. We really should be more careful.”

“It's not like I did it on purpose,” Heero grumbled.

Wu-Fei smiled. “I know. And it was your first time.”

“It was not!”

Odin put his arm around Quatre's shoulders again. “Let's go back to my pavilion. You still owe me those kisses.”

“Oh very well.”

Trowa followed them, grumbling under his breath again.

The next morning, everyone gathered in the main hall of Frey's house. They had their belongings piled around them, along with numerous gifts and goodies they had received over the past few months.

“I will certainly miss you,” Frey said. He was sitting rather primly on the edge of a chair. Heimdall sat on another chair, carefully perched on one buttock.

“We'll miss you too, Frey,” Quatre replied. “Maybe we'll come back for a visit one day.”

“That would be nice.”

“Now, do we have everything?” Quatre looked around. Zechs was holding Alexa, who watched the proceedings with large eyes. Everyone else began gathering up bags and shouldering packs. “All right then,” Quatre said when everything was picked up. “Here we go. Let's return to the night we left, one hour before dawn, please.” He flipped open his spell book, read the page and then spook the words resoundingly.

The world shifted and they found themselves standing in the middle of the living room in their house on Mars. The soft whir of the air conditioning was the only sound.

“That's way better than getting dropped in the middle of a snowstorm,” Duo announced. “Can eat before we unpack?”

“We just ate!” Wu-Fei exclaimed.

“Time-travel makes me hungry.”

“Geez!”

“If you'll excuse us,” Treize said, “we'll just step over to our house and get Alexa settled.”

“Come back for breakfast,” Trowa said. He glanced at Duo and chuckled. “In an hour.”

“Aw, man!”

“Of course,” said Treize. He and Zechs took their belongings and Alexa and went home.

“So have we come up with a good way to explain Alexa yet?” Heero asked. “She has no records and there won't be any record of her arriving on Mars.”

“Why don't you do something about that?” Trowa suggested. “You're good with computers. Create a Martian birth certificate for her and phony up an adoption record for Treize and Zechs.”

Heero looked thoughtful. “Yeah, I guess I can do that. But I'll need to use an official computer. I'll do it at work later.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Mama, may I go tell Miss Sally we're back?”

“Of course dear, but change shape first.”

“Ok.” Roku shifted to human form and bounded out the door.

Wu-Fei looked out the door and sneezed. A small jet of fire escaped him. “Shit! Where are my allergy pills?” He muttered angrily to himself as he wandered off to the bathroom, scratching one shoulder. “Dammit! I itch, too!”

“Climate change sure is a bitch,” Duo sympathized. He trailed after Wu-Fei. “You want me to oil you?”

“Yeah, just keep your hands on the scaly places.”

“Your butt's scaly.”

“I'll hit you.”

“Man!”

Trowa put an arm around Quatre's shoulder. “It's nice to be home, isn't it?”

“It sure is.”

-o-o-o-o-o-

And thus ends Gundam Wing and the Gods of Thunder! I hope you enjoyed this story. The boys' family has gotten bigger again and that certainly promises to make things interesting as they try to settle back into their life on Mars. Will they succeed? Who knows? Join Heero, Wu-Fei, Duo, Quatre, Trowa, Roku, Treize, Zechs and little Alexa in their next adventure: Gundam Wing on Mount Olympus!