sweetestsurrender | { The AU meme }

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{ The AU meme }

Ever played out something and then later wondered "What if?" Ever wondered what it'd be like to play your character a different way, but didn't feel like making a full thing dedicated to it? Now's your chance to play it out!

Using RNG you'll roll 1-3 for the level of the change, and 1-6 for the change itself, or if you want, pick your own based on what you wanted to do.

1)  Small Change: The flap of a butterfly's wings can cause tsunami's on the other side of the world.

-1: "A minute too late"- What if you missed something by a minute, or more? You missed the big meeting, the girl, helping that person, all because you were too late, what happens next?
-2: "The nick of time"- Just like the first, only that instead of missing something you got, that if you got something you missed because you were either too late, or just messed up? Congratulations! Let's just hope it's what you really wanted.
-3: "A little too early"- One more, what if you showed up early? It's suppose to be a good thing, is it this time?
-4: "The other choice"- You had two choices, left or right, heads or tails, Coke or Pepsi, now you get to see what would have happened with the other choice.
-5: "Oops!"- You slipped up, and made a mistake. Is it bad, or a blessing in disguise?
-6: Wild card/Pick your own- Thought of a slight change that'd make all the difference, or had one you wanted to play? Here's your chance.

2)  Medium Change: Didn't really see that coming, did you?

-1: Turning point change- That one thing that would have turned things in your favor went against you, and vice versa. How will you handle this critical change?
-2: "A Razor's edge"- That one moment that could have went either way has gone the opposite way of before. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing?
-3: Crossroads- You reached a point in your life where you had several choices before you, now's the time to go down another road and see where it leads.
-4: The Road less traveled- "Two roads diverged in the woods, and I took the one less traveled" Will it make all the difference?
-5: Interference- Something blocked you from getting something you were going for. What do you do once the moment is gone?
-6: Wild Card/Pick your own-Thought of a medium change that'd make all the difference, or had one you wanted to play? Here's your chance.

3)  Large Change: Why do all the people here have goatee's?

-1: Good/Evil- Use to be a good guy? Welcome to the dark side, here's your cookie. Former bad guy? Hand over the cookie tray and join the side of good. How will the change of moral compass change you?
-2: A different person- You're now a completely different person, literally. Are you taller? Shorter? A robot? A pony? Powers? No powers? Your call.
-3: The other sex- Rule!63 is in effect. Now how does this effect your relationships with the other?
-4: A change in history- Something that happened in the past now has completely change or is now gone. One domino toppling the rest. Now that you've changed your past, how will it effect your future?
-5: Giving up- You walked away from something important to you? Do you regret it? Are you happy?
-6: Wild Card/Pick your own- Thought of a large change that'd make all the difference, or had one you wanted to play? Here's your chance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"All the travelling I've done has been for work," she sighed. "Well, except between the wars, I spent most of that time in China, figuring things out, making nice with the elders. They'd probably appreciate if we spent a little time there, even if it's not actually with them. Show that you're at least not snubbing the entire culture," she rolled her eyes at the very idea of Duo snubbing much of anything. Aside from the elders themselves. "Most of what I see when I'm away is either a Preventer's outpost or a terrorist's den."

And she ignored the look they got in the rearview mirror for that. "Though this will be my first time in Dubai, and it's strictly vacation. Sally even flagged my badge so they won't even let me into the outpost."

"You think they'd think I'd snub your culture? I think they're assholes and can go suck vaccume for all I care. But I'd be down to visit China sometime." He grinned then, he wasn't paying the least bit of attention to he cabby. "I've been to Dubai... but only in passing to say hi to Quat on my way somewhere else."

"They don't get out much," she replied dryly. "Honestly, I'm surprised they had an elder close enough to meet our shuttle in Brussels. But I'd love to show you around China, and I'm sure I won't have trouble getting time off," she was expensive to keep on payroll as it was, so making sure she was getting proper R&R when she was normally resistant to the idea? Easy as can be.

The cab started heading into the airport, around the massive structure and towards their terminal. "Sounds like we're going to have to take some time to wander the city for ourselves. I'm sure Quatre will have plenty of other things vying for his attention."

If they kept their distance from him he'd be happy. There was going to be issues if they started trying to interfere in his and Wufei's lives. But he smiled for her, happy she thought she could get the time off and they could travel a bit. See some of the world. Quality time together.

"Don't see why we can't play tourist for a few days. Saves bein stuck at his place all day." Truthfully he'd not actually ever really had time to get out and see the sights. He'd gone for a meal with Quat once or twice but that was about it.

He glanced out the window when they started to slow down, and once they'd stopped he smiled and eased his arm from around Wufei, grabbed his bag and slid out of the cab.

She hummed happily in agreement. "That's going to be a new experience for me, going around and taking the time to do the touristy things. Maybe I'll finally get a tan," she chuckled, and slid out of the cab when it came to a stop, pulling her bag onto her shoulder.

Getting in and through security was quick and painless, with her flashing her badge and scanning their bags through security. She didn't even have a weapon with her like she normally would have, so there was a cursory glance into their bags, and they were allowed past the checkpoint.

Then it was on towards the gate, past kiosk after kiosk selling wildly overpriced goods. "The crew will know we're onboard and what seats we're in, just in case," she said as they walked, and slid her hand into his as she stepped out of the way of someone in a much bigger rush than they were.

Maybe they both could get a tan? Or just straight up have a great time together. Duo was looking forward to it.

Once inside of the airport was less of an issue than he'd expected. Somewhere deep inside he always felt a little stress, having had to sneak around and use fake passports, now it was all above board and wasn't that wild? Duo was chuckling to himself when his hand was taken. He glanced down and smiled warmly before curling his fingers around Wufei's. "Just in case? You challenging the Power of Worse, Wufei? That's a dangerous game to play."

"I'd rather tempt a minor problem into manifestation than pretend like everything's going to be fine and you end up landing the damn plane for us," she replied lightly, leading him over to a coffee shop kiosk. Because they had cinnamon rolls. Big, gooey, tasty, monstrously overpriced cinnamon rolls. This was a vacation, it was a time for excess. So she was going to fork over three times as much as she should, because she wanted to.

"Do you want one for yourself, or do you want to split it?" She asked, pointing at the roll in the bakery case. It was probably more sugar in one blob of icing than she normally consumed in a week. Duo wasn't going to be the problem on the flight -- she was.

"Minor? Have you met us?" Minor problems didn't happen around people like them. Minor problems got people killed, themselves captured or shit blown up. If they were blessed to have something minor happy, Duo would honestly believe that it was just gearing up for something major down the line. But he was going to trust Wufei's judgment here. He'd said what he'd wanted to say and if the worst happened she better be prepared for the smug 'I told you so' that was coming.

He did look amused when he was pulled in the direction of a coffee shop though and raised a brow and the item she wanted. Duo honestly couldn't remember if Wufei had eaten sweet things around him previously... Aside from the cake. And the chocolate... But back during the war days?

"Will they even let you take food on the plane?" If so he wanted a coffee. Plane coffee wasn't always the best, even in first class he couldn't guarantee it. Duo grinned though. "At that price though, get the one. I'll steal an end off of you."

"Well. Relatively minor," she conceded, because she had met them, and Duo was far from wrong.

"With the price we paid for these tickets, they'd better," she grumbled, and then smiled for the cashier, ordering one bun and two large coffees, black for herself and Duo's the way he normally ordered it. Or the way he had around her, anyway. "I probably should share it," she agreed. "It's big enough to feed me all day," and she was grinning as it was handed over, wrapped up in a little paper bag.

He was cheered when she got him a coffee, he didn't even have to ask.

Duo had to laugh when they were all handed over. He took his coffee and then eyed the bag with the bun inside, grinning right back at her. "If you don't it's fine, this coffee's good enough for me. Need me to carry anything though?"

"Oh, you're getting some," she flashed him a little grin, shaking her head at the question as she gathered up her coffee and the bag with the bun, heading towards their gate again. She even managed to juggle it so she had a free hand to snag his with. "I fully intend to turn the tables on Quatre today, and that requires us both to be on our very worst behavior." Hence the sugar rush currently nestled in her arm.

Duo just stared after her for a moment before he laughed and jogged to catch up to her, just in time to have his hand taken once more.

"You really think Quat'll be that bad, huh?" Duo had to wonder just what the hell Quatre had done to her to make her believe the worst in him. He could be a little suffocating with his affections, sure. But his heart was in the right place and he generally accepted a no when it was given. He just laughed some more. "I don't need sugar to be a menace, Wu."

She hummed in the affirmative. "Even if he's behaving himself, it's revenge for all the times he didn't. He put a great deal of effort into trying to figure me out," and prodding endlessly at her secret, trying to pry it out of her. "So it's time to pay him back tenfold."

Wufei grinned when he said that, giving his hand a little squeeze. "I remember, but the sugar helps," she said lightly. "Do you want to break into it at the gate or wait until we're on the plane?" Since they weren't far from the gate, but boarding wasn't starting for another fifteen or so minutes.

Ah, well that made more sense. Though he wished Quatre had kept his distance... Another thing he'd have to talk to him about.

"We can save it for when we're on the plane." Duo suggested with a smile. "When we're sat down and settled in. Then we can enjoy it better." It was a long flight after all. There was no need to rush. "We can just sit and drink our coffee till they call us." And so he walked Wufei over to a row of seats where he dropped himself down, his bag placed between his legs safely.

"That's part of why I didn't tell him about the 'new me', as you put it," she said, carefully setting down her coffee and roll, dropping her bag to the floor and tucking the cinnamon roll into the top of the bag before settling in the seat next to his. "And after we've driven him a little bit crazy, we can call a truce. I just want revenge first," she said, and sipped at her coffee. She was going to be so wired by the time they landed.

"That's fair." If he'd been driving her crazy like that then she deserved a bit of vengeance. "Just remember that'll go two ways, Wufei. He'll drive you crazy as well." He knew Quat. He wouldn't be able to help himself.

So it was as he was talking that he pulled out his phone, as nonchalant as he could, to check his texts.

"Anythin I can do to help make 'Mission: Drive Quatre Crazy' easier?"

Even as he spoke he was sending a text to Quatre.

[ << Tell me what you've heard. >> ]

Edited 2022-02-02 21:49 (UTC)

"Oh, I'm prepared," she replied with a shake of her head. "He's going to have a lot to get out of his system, which is why I'm getting my fun out of the way when we arrive, so maybe he'll tone it down a little when he's had a taste of his own medicine. And as a matter of fact, there is. Whenever it seems like we're settling into a topic of conversation, change the subject on him," she'd be doing her best to do it, too, but he was better than she was at it. "Especially if I've just said something to surprise him," she smirked.

She was going to absolutely love being a pain in the ass for a few hours.

Quatre's reply was quick.

[ Enough to be sure I have no idea what's going on. ]

"So I'm the distraction, huh?" Duo glanced away after reading Quatre's next and smirked. "I can do that. I'll just follow your lead." It was best to let her go and do her own thing. He'd be on standby to be the asshole who interrupts the conversation with irrelevant crap. However Quatre wouldn't be fooled by him... He might have had a hard time cracking open Wufei's shell. But the little shit knew almost all of Duo's secrets...

[ << We'll be there in 6 hours. Brace for impact. Don't say a damn thing. Wufei can't know about me. >> ]

She can't know just how long, and how hard he'd fallen for her. While he trusted Quatre wouldn't just blurt something out, he also knew he would be hard pressed to keep his excitement at bay and something might slip.

Wufei hummed in agreement. "Just enough of one to keep him entirely off-balance," she agreed lightly, sipping at her coffee and watching the woman at the gate getting things ready for boarding.

[ I still know how to keep a secret. How mad is he? And over which incident? ]

"I have a particular set of skills. And I'll use em all to do just that." Duo laughed lightly and reached for his coffee, reminded about it when he caught Wufei drinking out the corner of his eye. He sipped and typed with one hand.

[ << I know you do. But you'll realise when we get there. He's not mad, Quat. But we've definitely got something to say. So keep your day clear. You'll need it. >> ]

He wasn't going to ruin Wufei's fun. But he wasn't going to be a complete asshole either. Quatre was his friend after all.

[ << I'll talk with you when I get there, Quat. >> ]

She giggled, taking another long sip. "A very, very useful set of skills, in a wide variety of areas. Might just have to get you some white armor for Christmas," she teased.

[ He never comes out to see us. Trowa and I have cleared our whole week. ] Which was actually longer than Wufei and Duo were supposed to be staying, and he assumed that whatever happened, he was going to need some recovery time.

Duo got all of ten minutes of peace before there was another text. [ Find out if he's been reading Chinese tabloids or social media for me? There are some very strange rumors circulating, or my Chinese is worse than I thought. ]

Duo laughed lightly. "I never did suit white..."

He looked down to see the text saying they had the whole week and almost laughed. Well at least Quatre could give himself a forced vacation and relax for that week. As best he could at least.

He'd just finished his coffee when the second text came through. It was almost time for boarding to start so he gave it a quick glance and bit back a sigh. Shit. Now what?

[ << What're they saying, Quat? >> ]

"Well, you're stuck with it for rushing in to save me. A knight in shining white armor, come to rescue the damsel in distress," she replied lightly. She wasn't fond of the damsel in distress trope, but it had been true enough.

[ Some of it's contradictory. The only consistent thing is that a Gundam Pilot is betrothed to his wife, but it doesn't sound like they mean him. There's talk about concubines, and some sort of an imperial decree? It's very confusing and I assume mostly false. ]

"I prefer the badass black knight come to rain down terror on the bastards who dared to imprison and lay hands on his friend." Duo replied with a wide smile. He wasn't anyone so pure he deserved to be in white. And Wufei was never a damsel in distress. She could have caused her own wave of destruction if she hadn't been tied up.

[ << That's what they're saying, huh... >> ]

Duo blinked down at his phone and considered mentioning this to Wufei... But would then have to explain why he was texting Quatre. And then would have to face the fact that he was the one to ruin her good mood. So no. No he didn't say anything to her.

But to Quatre...

[ << Mostly bullshit. But not all. We'll talk later. About to get on the plane now. Keep an eye on those tabloids... I wanna know who the hell to blow up. >> ]

She laughed warmly at that, finishing off her coffee and offering her hand for his cup. "It's almost time to board, if yours is empty I'll go toss them for us," she offered lightly.

[ I've got copies of everything stashed away. Have a safe flight, and there'll be a car waiting when you land. ]

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