I need a vacation....
Dec. 3rd, 2006 12:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lavandarlizard2...from my vocation. You can skip this first cut; I'm going to whine for a couple of minutes. ^__^
At my work, I discovered a couple of weeks ago that we were running out of a critical material and would be totally out before our next order can be delivered. This necessitated an emergency order from a different supplier. The alt supplier is more expensive and charges for delivery. The regular supplier is cheaper and they pay the shipping, but the material comes from overseas, so it's a solid 8 week lead time. Big Boss doesn't like to have excess material on hand, so I've only been allowed to order 'just enough' for the past 6-8 months. We got an unexpectedly huge order that sucked a black hole in all my projections, which led to us running short. So, I ask if I can (a) order more at a time or (b) order more often. Boss decides to meditate on the subject. For two weeks. I already know that the delivery that will drop in about two weeks will not cover the orders we have for January. If we want to be producing in February at all, I need to order right away, to make the window. Waiting, waiting, waiting.... Finally, I threw up my hands, said 'fuck this' and made the order for 50% more material than usual. My immediate boss signed off on it, and I faxed it in. The big boss was not in when I did this. I fully expect to get chewed on next week. *sigh* I am wall-kicking grumpy. =p
Okay. All done. ^__^ Carry on.
BFB - Part 097i - Under Fire
(FYI: POV change)
Heero let himself into his room with a grumpy sigh. He so wanted to have made sushi out of that obnoxious demon, but Q insisted on being diplomatic. Sometimes Humans were almost as big a pain in the butt as demons.
And then Tiffany yelled at him for being in the office instead of at Duo's side. He had to write his report, didn't he? And Duo was safe at home, so the Witch was being a pain in the butt too. There were days when he could not believe that his entire species was hardwired to protect Humans. Seemed an appalling waste of resources.
It *was* late, though, and much as he might have liked to drag Zephyrus out and beat him bloody, he much preferred bedding down with his safe and sound Banshee and just forgetting that this entire day ever happened. Of course, there were matters still to be decided, but that could wait until tomorrow. That part was mostly Q's purvue anyway. Likely he would be calling some of the other High Wizards to discuss the whole thing. Finding a spell-controlled demon was not a Good Thing for any of the Magical World.
And who knows; maybe he would have another chance to slice and dice the arrogant demon. The anticipation of such a possibility made him smile to himself.
He stripped off his jacket and boots and padded through the bathroom into Duo's room, expecting to find the Banshee in bed.
The bed was empty, though. Heero rumbled in annoyance. He turned toward the french doors, thinking Duo might be sitting out, but the shades were closed.
Well, what the fuck?!
And then he saw his Banshee sitting in the dark on the cushion in his 'craft corner'. He sighed in relief and crossed the room.
"Duo, why are you still up," he began, going down on one knee before the huddled figure.
Duo's head came up, eyes lasering Heero in place, even as a hand shot out, fingers tangling in Heero's dark hair. Heero started to flinch at the abruptness, but Duo yanked him foreward roughly. Heero caught himself with him hands on Duo's drawn-up knees and froze at the enraged glare in those gleaming purple eyes.
Duo hissed at him, words tumbling out so fast - a garbled mixture of English and Banshee - and so angry that he couldn't immediately make sense of them.
"...ever do that again..." "...fucking attitude..." "...kick your goddamn ass..." "...leaving you there..." "...not a fucking child...!"
Ah. The Banshee was upset at being sent home. He stared into the furious purple eyes and realised that he had once again erred on the side of over-protective assholeness.
Oh, you're going to pay for this one...
Or... maybe not...
Duo didn't get cold, hissing *furious* very often; Heero had forgotten just how... attractive a pissed-off Banshee could be. How *very* attractive...
Fingers tightened in his hair; just shy of hurting. "Angel," he breathed contritely, "I'm sorry!" And well aware of the immediate danger, he leaned in and kissed his gorgeous Banshee.
For a moment, Duo froze. Heero pressed his advantage, reaching his arms around Duo and tugging gently, hoping that the furious Banshee would cooperate rather than explode. Literally. Gradually, to Heero's intense relief, Duo relaxed. He yielded to the kiss, returning it hesitantly. His fingers unclenched and threaded into Heero's hair, drawing him even closer. He didn't fight when Heero's knees touched the floor and the Wyvern pulled him up to straddle his legs.
"I'm sorry, angel; I didn't mean to make you angry, but I didn't want you there," he whispered in Duo's ear even as he nibbled his way around the lobe, doing his best to sound chastised. Duo sighed automatically.
"Almost eight hours, Heero!" he growled softly. "What the fuck kind of negotiations take eight fucking hours!" He smacked Heero's shoulder sharply. "I was scared, you asshole! You sent me home like a little kid, dammit!"
"Zephyrus..." Heero began, and Duo cut him off.
"Everyone keeps saying you can handle Zephyrus! But you said things could get ugly! What the fuck does that mean, Heero? 'Get ugly'?! You sonuvabitch; I was afraid Zephyrus would kill you!" He punched Heero's arm again. "I thought we were partners! I thought you trusted me!"
"Duo... angel..." he tried again. Well, yes; of course he trusted his Banshee, but that didn't mean he would allow his Chosen to be in danger... His mate-protecting hardwiring was older than his Human-protecting hardwiring, after all.
"No! NO, goddammit! You don't send your partner home with a damn babysitter!" he snarled.
Heero didn't need to hear the rising frustration in Duo's voice; he felt it in every quivering breath he took. He clung even tighter to the Banshee, sharply aware of Duo's wild porting ability.
No way was he turning loose - Duo would wind up in California or Manhatten or even Japan as upset as he was right now.
"Tiffany said if I Chose you, you wouldn't be able to send me away like this, dammit! If that's what it takes, you stubborn, over-protective, anal-retentive damn Dragon, then I -"
Effectively mesmerised by Duo's tirade, Heero almost missed the direction the rant was heading. He caught up just in time.
Heero slapped his free hand over Duo's mouth with a strangled yelp.
"No!" he cried, wide-eyed. "No, Duo!"
The Banshee froze, staring at him, his expression wobbling between anger and betrayal.
"No, angel; I don't want you Choosing because... because you feel you have to..." Heero explained shakily. He hadn't anticipated this! "I only want you to Choose me when you are *ready*; when you are sure that I am the one you want... Not because you feel threatened or coerced... Not like this..." he whispered, leaning in to caress his Banshee's cheek. "Please, angel... Tiffany had no business telling you that..."
"But I don't want to be left behind or sent away again!" Duo wailed, tears in his voice, if not in his eyes. "I'm not weak; I'm not helpless! I won't get in your way again!"
"Angel, I don't think you're weak or helpless! I just... You stepped into my magic; I was afraid I'd hurt you... And then Zephyrus... You're friends with him... I didn't want you there... if he... if I had to..." Heero shook his head helplessly; of course, having to explain himself like this, all of his perfectly logical reasoning sounded silly and patriarchal. He didn't want Duo there because he didn't want Duo stepping between him and Zephyrus, if it came to that. The demon might lust after his Banshee, but he wouldn't pull his magic the way Heero would.
"Zephyrus?!" yelled Duo. "Did you think I'd care if you had to hurt Zephyrus? Is that what that was?!"
Not entirely, but Heero felt it was better to admit to that than to mention the "P" word again. Duo didn't like the "P" word... "Um... Yes...?"
"You-you... irritating horse's ass of a damn Dragon! If you needed to kick Zeph's ass, I would've helped, dammit!" He punched Heero's arm again.
Heero rubbed at the spot; the Banshee had rather sharp knuckles.
"He is your friend..." he muttered a bit petulantly.
"He is an *acquaintance*," Duo snapped. "Wufei is my friend; Trowa is my friend, Q, Tiffany, Inazuma, Enrique, Moira and you, you big jerk - *you're* my *friends*! Damn it, Heero! You sent me away because you were worried about what Zeph might do?! Tell me you weren't; please!"
"No, of course I wasn't worried about that damn kusatteiru kazi!" Heero snapped back. "I just... didn't want you to be angry with me if I had to... to... do something to him..." Duo's head flopped forward onto his shoulder with a huge sigh.
"And people have the nerve to call me an idiot sometimes..." he murmured.
Heero hugged him close again, stroking at his hair, winding the braid around his hand, just in case. "Well... I was worried about you being there... and Inazuma too... And Zeph isn't the most stable rock on the mountain..."
Duo smacked him again, lightly this time. "Geez... you idiot. Just... next time, warn me, okay? Don't just toss me into the damn nursery with no explanation... I'll rip your damn ears off if you do that to me again."
Heero blinked at him. Could it really be this easy? It couldn't be; Duo was just tired and anxious right now. It would come up again; Heero was sure of that.
For the moment, though....
"I will do my best to see that you have all the relevant information in the future," he replied carefully, stroking the Banshee's back.
Duo sighed and rested his head against his shoulder again. "Over-protective damn dragon," he muttered. "That wasn't a promise; that was a creative evasion."
"Um..."
"Never mind," he sighed again. "I know - you're hardwired for this and I need to understand and just deal with it, right?"
"I wouldn't put it quite that way..." Heero protested.
"But that's what it comes down to, right?" Duo insisted. "No matter how mad I get or how much I yell, you're going to continue to be over-protective."
"Well... Probably," Heero admitted reluctantly, nuzzling the Banshee's neck. There was nothing in the world softer than the Banshee's skin... or more delicious. He swiped his tongue along Duo's jawline. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want anything to ever happen to you."
"So I should sit here alone and worry myself to death over you instead? I don't think so, big, blue and scaly. The next time you confront a demon; I'll be right beside you, or I won't be here when you get back." He leaned back to look into the Wyvern's eyes. "You got that? Are we clear on this now?"
Heero swallowed. He had a feeling things would get a lot more complicated before they got simple again. If they ever did.
"Yes, angel. We are clear on this now," he agreed with a sigh. "As long as you understand that I may react instinctively on occasion..."
Duo smirked at him. "Oh, I understand that; don't worry. Just don't send me away and we'll be fine. You can do whatever you need to do as long as I've got your back."
He could probably live with that, Heero decided. "Agreed." He stood up with the Banshee in his arms. "I feel like a hot soak to unwind; care to accompany me?"
"Fuck yes! I need to check for injuries, since I know you'll never tell me," Duo snorted. "Just don't unwind too much; I think I need to establish my territory again...."
"Looking forward to it," Heero grinned. Clothing vanished a piece at a time as they headed for the bathroom.
At my work, I discovered a couple of weeks ago that we were running out of a critical material and would be totally out before our next order can be delivered. This necessitated an emergency order from a different supplier. The alt supplier is more expensive and charges for delivery. The regular supplier is cheaper and they pay the shipping, but the material comes from overseas, so it's a solid 8 week lead time. Big Boss doesn't like to have excess material on hand, so I've only been allowed to order 'just enough' for the past 6-8 months. We got an unexpectedly huge order that sucked a black hole in all my projections, which led to us running short. So, I ask if I can (a) order more at a time or (b) order more often. Boss decides to meditate on the subject. For two weeks. I already know that the delivery that will drop in about two weeks will not cover the orders we have for January. If we want to be producing in February at all, I need to order right away, to make the window. Waiting, waiting, waiting.... Finally, I threw up my hands, said 'fuck this' and made the order for 50% more material than usual. My immediate boss signed off on it, and I faxed it in. The big boss was not in when I did this. I fully expect to get chewed on next week. *sigh* I am wall-kicking grumpy. =p
Okay. All done. ^__^ Carry on.
BFB - Part 097i - Under Fire
(FYI: POV change)
Heero let himself into his room with a grumpy sigh. He so wanted to have made sushi out of that obnoxious demon, but Q insisted on being diplomatic. Sometimes Humans were almost as big a pain in the butt as demons.
And then Tiffany yelled at him for being in the office instead of at Duo's side. He had to write his report, didn't he? And Duo was safe at home, so the Witch was being a pain in the butt too. There were days when he could not believe that his entire species was hardwired to protect Humans. Seemed an appalling waste of resources.
It *was* late, though, and much as he might have liked to drag Zephyrus out and beat him bloody, he much preferred bedding down with his safe and sound Banshee and just forgetting that this entire day ever happened. Of course, there were matters still to be decided, but that could wait until tomorrow. That part was mostly Q's purvue anyway. Likely he would be calling some of the other High Wizards to discuss the whole thing. Finding a spell-controlled demon was not a Good Thing for any of the Magical World.
And who knows; maybe he would have another chance to slice and dice the arrogant demon. The anticipation of such a possibility made him smile to himself.
He stripped off his jacket and boots and padded through the bathroom into Duo's room, expecting to find the Banshee in bed.
The bed was empty, though. Heero rumbled in annoyance. He turned toward the french doors, thinking Duo might be sitting out, but the shades were closed.
Well, what the fuck?!
And then he saw his Banshee sitting in the dark on the cushion in his 'craft corner'. He sighed in relief and crossed the room.
"Duo, why are you still up," he began, going down on one knee before the huddled figure.
Duo's head came up, eyes lasering Heero in place, even as a hand shot out, fingers tangling in Heero's dark hair. Heero started to flinch at the abruptness, but Duo yanked him foreward roughly. Heero caught himself with him hands on Duo's drawn-up knees and froze at the enraged glare in those gleaming purple eyes.
Duo hissed at him, words tumbling out so fast - a garbled mixture of English and Banshee - and so angry that he couldn't immediately make sense of them.
"...ever do that again..." "...fucking attitude..." "...kick your goddamn ass..." "...leaving you there..." "...not a fucking child...!"
Ah. The Banshee was upset at being sent home. He stared into the furious purple eyes and realised that he had once again erred on the side of over-protective assholeness.
Oh, you're going to pay for this one...
Or... maybe not...
Duo didn't get cold, hissing *furious* very often; Heero had forgotten just how... attractive a pissed-off Banshee could be. How *very* attractive...
Fingers tightened in his hair; just shy of hurting. "Angel," he breathed contritely, "I'm sorry!" And well aware of the immediate danger, he leaned in and kissed his gorgeous Banshee.
For a moment, Duo froze. Heero pressed his advantage, reaching his arms around Duo and tugging gently, hoping that the furious Banshee would cooperate rather than explode. Literally. Gradually, to Heero's intense relief, Duo relaxed. He yielded to the kiss, returning it hesitantly. His fingers unclenched and threaded into Heero's hair, drawing him even closer. He didn't fight when Heero's knees touched the floor and the Wyvern pulled him up to straddle his legs.
"I'm sorry, angel; I didn't mean to make you angry, but I didn't want you there," he whispered in Duo's ear even as he nibbled his way around the lobe, doing his best to sound chastised. Duo sighed automatically.
"Almost eight hours, Heero!" he growled softly. "What the fuck kind of negotiations take eight fucking hours!" He smacked Heero's shoulder sharply. "I was scared, you asshole! You sent me home like a little kid, dammit!"
"Zephyrus..." Heero began, and Duo cut him off.
"Everyone keeps saying you can handle Zephyrus! But you said things could get ugly! What the fuck does that mean, Heero? 'Get ugly'?! You sonuvabitch; I was afraid Zephyrus would kill you!" He punched Heero's arm again. "I thought we were partners! I thought you trusted me!"
"Duo... angel..." he tried again. Well, yes; of course he trusted his Banshee, but that didn't mean he would allow his Chosen to be in danger... His mate-protecting hardwiring was older than his Human-protecting hardwiring, after all.
"No! NO, goddammit! You don't send your partner home with a damn babysitter!" he snarled.
Heero didn't need to hear the rising frustration in Duo's voice; he felt it in every quivering breath he took. He clung even tighter to the Banshee, sharply aware of Duo's wild porting ability.
No way was he turning loose - Duo would wind up in California or Manhatten or even Japan as upset as he was right now.
"Tiffany said if I Chose you, you wouldn't be able to send me away like this, dammit! If that's what it takes, you stubborn, over-protective, anal-retentive damn Dragon, then I -"
Effectively mesmerised by Duo's tirade, Heero almost missed the direction the rant was heading. He caught up just in time.
Heero slapped his free hand over Duo's mouth with a strangled yelp.
"No!" he cried, wide-eyed. "No, Duo!"
The Banshee froze, staring at him, his expression wobbling between anger and betrayal.
"No, angel; I don't want you Choosing because... because you feel you have to..." Heero explained shakily. He hadn't anticipated this! "I only want you to Choose me when you are *ready*; when you are sure that I am the one you want... Not because you feel threatened or coerced... Not like this..." he whispered, leaning in to caress his Banshee's cheek. "Please, angel... Tiffany had no business telling you that..."
"But I don't want to be left behind or sent away again!" Duo wailed, tears in his voice, if not in his eyes. "I'm not weak; I'm not helpless! I won't get in your way again!"
"Angel, I don't think you're weak or helpless! I just... You stepped into my magic; I was afraid I'd hurt you... And then Zephyrus... You're friends with him... I didn't want you there... if he... if I had to..." Heero shook his head helplessly; of course, having to explain himself like this, all of his perfectly logical reasoning sounded silly and patriarchal. He didn't want Duo there because he didn't want Duo stepping between him and Zephyrus, if it came to that. The demon might lust after his Banshee, but he wouldn't pull his magic the way Heero would.
"Zephyrus?!" yelled Duo. "Did you think I'd care if you had to hurt Zephyrus? Is that what that was?!"
Not entirely, but Heero felt it was better to admit to that than to mention the "P" word again. Duo didn't like the "P" word... "Um... Yes...?"
"You-you... irritating horse's ass of a damn Dragon! If you needed to kick Zeph's ass, I would've helped, dammit!" He punched Heero's arm again.
Heero rubbed at the spot; the Banshee had rather sharp knuckles.
"He is your friend..." he muttered a bit petulantly.
"He is an *acquaintance*," Duo snapped. "Wufei is my friend; Trowa is my friend, Q, Tiffany, Inazuma, Enrique, Moira and you, you big jerk - *you're* my *friends*! Damn it, Heero! You sent me away because you were worried about what Zeph might do?! Tell me you weren't; please!"
"No, of course I wasn't worried about that damn kusatteiru kazi!" Heero snapped back. "I just... didn't want you to be angry with me if I had to... to... do something to him..." Duo's head flopped forward onto his shoulder with a huge sigh.
"And people have the nerve to call me an idiot sometimes..." he murmured.
Heero hugged him close again, stroking at his hair, winding the braid around his hand, just in case. "Well... I was worried about you being there... and Inazuma too... And Zeph isn't the most stable rock on the mountain..."
Duo smacked him again, lightly this time. "Geez... you idiot. Just... next time, warn me, okay? Don't just toss me into the damn nursery with no explanation... I'll rip your damn ears off if you do that to me again."
Heero blinked at him. Could it really be this easy? It couldn't be; Duo was just tired and anxious right now. It would come up again; Heero was sure of that.
For the moment, though....
"I will do my best to see that you have all the relevant information in the future," he replied carefully, stroking the Banshee's back.
Duo sighed and rested his head against his shoulder again. "Over-protective damn dragon," he muttered. "That wasn't a promise; that was a creative evasion."
"Um..."
"Never mind," he sighed again. "I know - you're hardwired for this and I need to understand and just deal with it, right?"
"I wouldn't put it quite that way..." Heero protested.
"But that's what it comes down to, right?" Duo insisted. "No matter how mad I get or how much I yell, you're going to continue to be over-protective."
"Well... Probably," Heero admitted reluctantly, nuzzling the Banshee's neck. There was nothing in the world softer than the Banshee's skin... or more delicious. He swiped his tongue along Duo's jawline. "I don't want to lose you. I don't want anything to ever happen to you."
"So I should sit here alone and worry myself to death over you instead? I don't think so, big, blue and scaly. The next time you confront a demon; I'll be right beside you, or I won't be here when you get back." He leaned back to look into the Wyvern's eyes. "You got that? Are we clear on this now?"
Heero swallowed. He had a feeling things would get a lot more complicated before they got simple again. If they ever did.
"Yes, angel. We are clear on this now," he agreed with a sigh. "As long as you understand that I may react instinctively on occasion..."
Duo smirked at him. "Oh, I understand that; don't worry. Just don't send me away and we'll be fine. You can do whatever you need to do as long as I've got your back."
He could probably live with that, Heero decided. "Agreed." He stood up with the Banshee in his arms. "I feel like a hot soak to unwind; care to accompany me?"
"Fuck yes! I need to check for injuries, since I know you'll never tell me," Duo snorted. "Just don't unwind too much; I think I need to establish my territory again...."
"Looking forward to it," Heero grinned. Clothing vanished a piece at a time as they headed for the bathroom.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 03:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 05:01 pm (UTC)Duo ain't stupid; he's just exasperated. ^.o Of course, now the next time there's a demon issue, Heero has a problem that'll need a split-second decision. Poor Heero. ^__^
no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-05 01:06 am (UTC)