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"Visions in Smoke "Written By: Asymphototropic
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam wing. Author: Asymphototropic (attracted toward the
light, but never quite arrives there) Email: asymphototropic@aol.com Summary: My annual Winter Solstice offering. 21 December 2005. The story refers to a previous Solstice fic, "Ash Tree Cruel". Don't think you need to read it to understand this story. But just in case, you can read it here. Warnings: language, yaoi Rating: NC 17 Pairing: 1x2
"Visions in Smoke "
"It followed me home. Can I keep it? Please, puh-lease, please?" "Of course it followed you home. Its in the back of your pickup truck. It had no choice in the matter." "It did, though. It could have informed me if it didn't like me. And I would have respected its wishes." Heero Yuy gave up on the conversation, which sounded whimsical enough, but was offered by a totally sincere, wide-eyed Duo. Turning, Yuy studied the tiny evergreen tree. A small, aromatic, slightly conical entity bearing a scant offering of fragrant green needles. All resting above a comparatively large root ball, nestled in a dirt-filled burlap bag. It looked somewhat goofy, bottom heavy and awkward, almost like a clumsy, large-pawed puppy. "Maxwell," Heero continued reasonably. "In order to plant a live tree, you need a patch of soil in which you are permitted to dig. We live in an urban apartment complex. We are quite literally surrounded by asphalt." "I, um, er," Maxwell began, looking down at the cement floor of the parking garage, digging his boot toe into a smudged patch of oil. "Let's go inside where its warm. We need to talk a little bit." Maxwell's nervousness was making Yuy decidedly edgy. He could not imagine why his partner's having bought a plantable tree required further discussion. Nor could he account for the uncharacteristic solemnity that he read in his friend's generally animated features. Of course, Duo always puzzled him. But lately, his behavior had become inordinately baffling. Duo would take vacation days and disappear without explanation. He had traded in his junky old car on an even more dilapidated truck. He participated in mysterious online transactions that he shielded from Yuy's curious stares, quickly minimizing screens whenever his partner stopped to read over his shoulder. Maxwell was hiding something, of that Yuy felt certain. Leaving the tiny evergreen tree in the cool of the parking garage, the two friends ascended by stairs to the Preventers' bachelor officers quarters, where they had rooms next door to each other. Maxwell invited Yuy over to his side of the hall. "Egg nog? Apple cider?" "Cider. No additives, thanks," Yuy offered a wry smirk. "Me neither. I'm going back out," Maxwell vouchsafed, while pouring two mugs of non alcoholic beverage. "Duo. What's with all the mystery?" Yuy cut straight to the chase. "I bought a place. Land, outside of town." Heero abruptly set down his glass. He stared silently, trying to process the scope of Duo's revelation. "Do you mean you've bought a house?" "Erm, not exactly. I mean its got a sort of, um, building, yes. But mostly its just land. Hills, rocks, forest, pond, creek. Acreage. Trees. Lots of trees. You know?" Maxwell's voice had a strangely pleading ring to it. "I see. Does that mean you'll be moving out?" "I hope so. Oh, I didn't mean it like that. I, er, uh. Well. Shit." "Hn." All further attempts by Maxwell to engage Yuy in conversation were fruitless. Silently contemplative, Heero finished his drink. Then, saying he had some errands to run, he abruptly withdrew. xXxXx When Maxwell turned his truck off the two lane blacktop and onto the narrow dirt path, a sudden warmth of sunshine and starlight suffused his soul. This was the most beautiful place in the universe. Great stands of oak, walnut and cedar growing vast, proudly reaching toward the heavens, parted slightly before him. Sentinel guardians, granting him permission to enter their realm. He drove slowly over the bumpy, rutted roadway, stopping once to allow several whitetail deer to dart across into the denser forest beyond. Then a cottontail ran before his truck, indecisive which bank of shrubbery it wanted for refuge. The rabbit darted hastily from side to side of the road, before finally giving a hard kick and scampering away into the water meadow. Farther along his way, Duo left the vehicle idling while he struggled to clear a heavy fallen branch that blocked the road. He placed the deadfall into the back of his truck next to the little evergreen. As his vehicle progressed deeper into the forest's shadows, the sounds of civilization dropped off, falling further and further away. The distant clamor of the highway stilled to a hum, then a dull complaining mutter, and finally disintegrated to utter silence. Maxwell was alone in the dark woods. He drove until the dirt trail ended. There, he pulled his pickup truck onto the final bare patch of soil. Then he hiked up the rocky hillside to the house. It seemed to him that this place was like a private snow globe. The city had scarcely noted the recent winter storm, the fall of snow flakes which hissed and melted into the grimy asphalt of the stifling urban landscape. In contrast, this forest was all softly hung with pristine white fluff. The building on his land had started its existence centuries before as a log cabin. A single room, vernacular tenement with a low ceiling, a sturdy stone fireplace and an end chimney. A clapboard farmhouse had been built around the first structure, evolving several rooms that had been added gradually in later decades as necessity dictated. But the sturdiest portion of the place was the oldest, that first room of log walls with the bark still intact, standing still against the howling winter storm winds. The other walls and roofs were rickety and unsure, with as many holes as a kitchen colander. But this first room was snug and comfortable shelter. A tribute to the skill of the original builders. Duo smiled at the place, leaning his shoulder against the thick oak of the front door, kicking at a lower corner until the opening groaned wide. He hauled some deadfall from his treasured stack of wood to the fireplace, tore some carefully hoarded newspaper into the pyramid of fuel, and struck a match to it. He was really getting good at lighting a reliable fire, he congratulated himself. The room warmed perceptibly as the conflagration took on colors of heat and bright red light. Maxwell unrolled his sleeping bag upon a rather sooty hearth rug. Then dug into his back pack for some lyophilized field rations. A little tin pannikin of boiling water, a tea bag, and the young man felt as well content as any mortal could be upon the surface of planet Earth. After supper, he took time to haul the dead oak limb from the bed of his pickup, drag it up the stony hillside, and deposit it next to his woodpile. He would wait for the warmth of day before chopping it into fireplace-sized pieces. Finally he said goodnight to the little evergreen tree still resting in the back of his pickup. "You'll be okay staying in the truck for now. Tomorrow we'll scout out the land until we find the perfect place for planting. You're gonna like living here, I bet." He returned to the comfort of his fireplace, dragged off his snowy boots, then snuggled into the depths of his sleeping bag. On one elbow then, he contemplated the flames' variegated colors and pondered the future. It seemed to him that all the universe was clashing about him, and only he was willingly at peace. Yuy. Hmm. Heero seemed to relish the ongoing conflict that working for Preventers represented. Maybe his partner figured their policing efforts were making a difference between peace and the next war. To Maxwell's perception, the whole history of humankind equated to war, with mere lapses such as the current one, for catching breath during a general continuity of violence. Conflict seemed inevitable, and his efforts against future bloodshed and destruction, merely futile. He shrugged. Nothing he could do about it, he figured. Except try to survive from day to day. He fell asleep, staring into the flickering embers. He startled to a sudden noise. "We speak," the glowing embers of his fire murmured. His eyes opened heavily. He looked into the drifting, slightly fractured space before him, and stared at the little evergreen. Huh? "Thought I left you in the truck." Even as he addressed it, the lively green form of the tree stirred and shook, slowly unfurling itself with a musical laugh. "Friend Duo, well met," the dryad said cheerfully. "Wow. This is, um, fantastic. I can talk to you." It appeared to him a graceful youth, sleek and athletic, who shimmered between the appearance of the evergreen tree and some more human-looking conformation. When the entity spoke, the boyish body seemed to predominate. Then it would shake itself playfully, taking on its botanical appearance with no apparent difficulty. The whole shifting visual effect was quite dizzying. "You have been talking to me since we first met," the dryad laughed. "Ah, yeah, that's true. But now you're answering me for a change." "You have built your need-fire well. All upon the Winter Solstice Eve. The longest night of the year. The turning point. Therefore comes to you largesse in return for your care." "Okay. I mean, sounds good." "Our great lady, Ruis, Goddess of the Elder, grants this, our communication." "Well, then, tell her thanks from me." "Unnecessary. She sees your heart and instantly reads what is writ thereupon." "Oh. Gosh. That could be embarrassing." "Not so. Tell me friend, why do you make your fire of deadfall? When it is far easier to cut up live wood than dead?" "Well, in the first place, there's so much of it lying around. Fallen branches, you know? It seems a pity to let them go to waste. And then again, I can't bear the thought of cutting down the living trees. They're so old and grand and beautiful. Or young and innocent and hopeful," he added, remembering how small the evergreen was. "For these kind thoughts, the Goddess offers great gifts in return. Then too is the building of this need-fire. What woods are therein, casting such bright and warm light, as you seek answers for the future?" Duo considered the fallen branches he had cut for his fireplace. "Wild rose, that's the twisting ones. Oak, for certain. Some walnut. Oh, and cedar. That's it, mostly." "Yes," the dryad nodded thoughtfully. "Rowan contributes courage. Oak yields strength and truth. Walnut shelters wisdom. And cedar, reverence. Taken with your earnest petitions, 'tis a prayerful flame you have lit. The Goddess grants your wishes, in as much as it is in her power to bestow." "That's great. I really appreciate it." Duo rested his cheek upon the turn of his palm and stared into the dance of the flames. "Sweet dreams," he murmured to the dryad. "And to you, your fondest wishes," the little evergreen sighed. The turmoil of swirling garnet and gold that was the fire then faded to dimness, and a peacefulness ensued that was thoroughly restful. The sudden scream was all the more alarming when it came to him. Duo bolted upright, thoroughly awake, his heart slamming into his chest. "What the hell?" he demanded of the dense blackness surrounding him. It was a baleful shriek, so terrifying that the dead themselves might run before it, appalled by the sound. Hearkening, Maxwell took a deep breath, then chuckled. He knew now what it was that had awakened him so rudely. The resident red fox and his amorous spouse, consummating their love in a manner that might roust the entire planet out of bed. The legendary banshee's cry being nothing compared to that of a real, live vixen fox when she was mating. It seemed rather perverse of her to express the extreme pleasure of her coupling by such a blood chilling noise. The mating foxes sounded like victims screaming as they were slowly killed, bits being cleaved from their writhing bodies, one gory chunk at a time. After the piercing noise, the ensuing silence was likewise painful.The agony of vulpine ecstasy settled to silence. A memory of dryad company caused Duo to glance about him at the deep shadows, scantly illuminated by the embers of his fire. He appeared to be alone now. But he had scarcely settled himself back into his sleeping bag when another alarm dragged him awake. "Now what?" he demanded of the shadows. A whole pack of baying hounds, frantically tearing through the woods. Eagerly followed by the pounding of horses' hooves. The sound of horns and the hunters' fierce cries. The tearing of underbrush, shredded foliage as the terrified prey ran before the eagerly cruel destroyers of life. Maxwell leaped to his feet, kicking aside his bedding and hastily dragging on his boots and coat. Then he ran out, shouting as he went. "Its midnight, damn it! And this is private property!" He ran toward the confused sounds, adding to the noise with his own angry cries. But the view in the near distance struck him newly dumb. Standing mist combined with stirring mist to form a dense fog, rising off of the lower water meadow, flowing with seeming intention uphill to obscure the ground of the dark forest floor. Now came the Wild Hunt. As they rushed into view, the wolf like hounds appeared huge, long legged and powerfully muscled creatures. Their snarling jaws gaped wide open as they scented the trail of their prey. Their eyes glowed flaming scarlet, as did their lolling tongues. Behind them, the horses were towering giants, trampling everything in their path under their spark-casting hooves. Hounds and horses, all blacker than the enshrouding midnight, with red eyes and gaping maws glowing hellfire. The demonic light of the hunters glowed powerfully, casting beacons of cold flame upon the surrounding trees. The restless souls of the angry dead, riding upon their devil steeds. It was just then Maxwell saw what they were chasing. A slight human form, running desperately for its very life before the pack. "No!" he screamed, and heedless of his safety, plunged directly into the path of the onrushing hounds. He was instantly surrounded by the milling beasts, who, presented suddenly with this second vulnerable prey and losing track of their original victim, responded with indecisive chaos. Feeling himself now the target of imminent destruction, Duo reflexively took on a fighting posture, as if confronted by a warrior opponent, rather than a canine mass that would shred him to quivering bits at any second. He felt the steaming breath of the monsters upon him, heard their snarling and snapping as they rushed him, braced for the cruel tearing of fangs and claws, closer and closer. Instead, to his astonishment, the pack ceased baying, yelped and growled, and then settled in an evil eyed circle, panting and slavering at him. Which event was followed by an even more unlikely occurrence. It was the sound of laughter, glittering like broken icicles off the surrounding forest. "All the Gods be witness. Now can I neither condemn nor condone such foolish bravery. But only needs laugh in amazement. Sweet fool, let me view thy countenance closer." It was the most beautiful female voice Duo had ever heard. Music as if from a waterfall, fracturing into glistening droplets over twining grapevines. Next, breaking in through the circle of demonic hounds, a coal black stallion strode, then stood stock still. Duo looked up and up along the steaming flanks of the massive horse, to find a view of the rider. As she dismounted, she appeared even more magnificent to see than to hear. A young woman of unsurpassed beauty. Fair golden hair falling to curls upon her back. A perfect cameo face, cream and rosebud complexion. Brilliant heather gray eyes. She was clad in crimson velvet robes with ermine trim. Her riding boots, shining supple black leather, rose above her knees to caress her muscular thighs. Upon her shoulder, restless for flight, sat a masked kestrel, ruffling its rufous plumage, affectionately rubbing the curve of its beak against its mistress' perfect face. "Churl! Kneel before Queen Holda!" One of the lady's minions had dismounted, and grasping Maxwell by the shoulder, kicked his knees out from under him. Duo, landing in an awkward crouch in the snow bank, turned to snarl at the bully. Who proved to be a skeleton, with most of his rotting flesh already decayed to dust. The empty eye sockets of the skull gleamed with hellfire. Maxwell shuddered out of the dead soul's grip, and hastened to scramble away from the hideous contact. The Goddess of the Wild Hunt reached down her hand to caress the young man's cheek. "Pretty. Speak thy name, my reckless boy. What art called, pray tell?" He cleared his throat. "Duo Maxwell." "Oh. I remember you now. The little Death Soul Seeker who refused to be sacrificed upon the altar to the cruel God Su. Still as reckless as before, so I see. You may stand now, little warrior." Duo rose as steadily as he could manage on limbs trembling with unspent adrenaline. "Elle spirit. You are sworn to do my eternal service as my page. Or have you forgotten?" Maxwell felt that swearing fealty to this Goddess was something he certainly would remember if it had transpired. But he answered nebulously, bowing his head humbly and replying "yes". The Lady laughed again, setting his heart to throbbing in his chest with an uncertain longing. She ran her hand caressingly over his face, before stooping to kiss him. He thought he might faint from the pleasure. But he reminded himself he was a warrior, and therefore should not swoon. Certainly not in present company, he trembled at the angry crowd of demonic denizens of Hades, who surrounded him. "Whatever should we do?" Queen Holda demanded. "You have interfered with the Chase, substituted yourself for our rightful prey. The angry dead are here in great numbers, seeking vengeance. Should I allow them to rend you into tiny, quivering bits? Since their other prey has run away to hide, long gone into the shelter of the woods?" Duo shuddered. But before he could open his mouth in reply, he was interrupted. "Nay, say not so, great Queen. I am here. Returned, and ready to give up my life on behalf of this comrade." "Heero!" There he stood, the familiar, compactly muscular form, sturdy and steadfast. But the wild mane of dark brown hair was shoulder length, pulled back with a leathern knot. The soldier's body, dressed in a woolen tunic and snug breeches of pale gray, with cured-hide boots, bound up the calves to knee height. A sword was buckled at his side, the belt hanging low and easy over his slender hips. And overall swirled a traveler's cloak of azure that matched Yuy's sea blue eyes. The hunter Queen chuckled with evident pleasure. "Two pretty boys then, equally mad with boldness. And equally faithful in their warrior vows. I swear, I am well pleased with you two. And what is your name, my lovely warrior thane?" Yuy swept a graceful bow that made Maxwell blink in astonishment. "Great Queen Holda. Behold your humble servant. I am Heero Yuy, of the First Sea People. Kin to all those, born, borne upon the Great Ocean. Sometimes named the Servant of the Barrow, am I. Will it please our Lady to take my life, thereby allowing her valued page to remain free?" "Hey! Don't I get to say anything in this business?" Duo huffed. "I think not!" Yuy retorted dismissively. "Says you!" "Enough!" Holda intervened, holding her sides as she chuckled. "Plainly, these two life lines are so intertwined that one may not be taken without severing the two. You are both free to go, my bravelings. My minions needs must therefore find other, more suitable prey." And so saying, she leapt astride the stallion in a single agile bound. Amidst the hallooing of the specter huntsmen, the cruel baying of the demon hounds, and the pounding of the destriers' hooves, the hellish Hunt turned and vanished instantly into the fog. "How the hell did you get here?" Duo demanded. "Following you upon the high road. Your path. Seeking the way to Traeskavelon, of course. You should not have intervened. It was too dangerous," Heero scowled. "Fuck that! You were within inches of becoming dog meat, Yuy." "I was well ahead of the pack." "And losing ground by the second. You'll just have to 'fess up this time. Your ass needed rescuing." "Very well then. For your timely rescue, many thanks, dear friend." And with a small smirk curving upon his lips, Heero swept another low and graceful bow. Duo stood dumbfounded at the gesture. "Here, then is a blood debt that requires payment. How shall I proceed?" The smirk all the while was becoming more evident upon Yuy's mouth. Astonished with this peculiarly poetic iteration of Heero Yuy, Maxwell remained at a loss for words. But Yuy was in no wise so hesitant. He reached out, grasped Duo firmly in his arms, and kissed him solidly upon the lips, insinuating his tongue into the caress with considerable enjoyment. Duo felt the heat of the encounter would melt the snow bank in which they stood. Drawing away at last, to grab a few gasping breaths, he stared into his friend's stormy eyes. "Gods, Yuy, what was that for?" "Thank you for rescuing me." "Sure. Uh. Anytime. I've got a bit of a fire going, back at the house. You wanna join me?" "Certainly." Duo again was rendered speechless as Heero took his hand to hold comfortably, confident of his welcome, and strode along with the sturdy steps of a seasoned wayfarer. Arrived back at his front door, Maxwell showed the way inside, a bit of owner's pride beaming on his face. "So, what do you think of the place?" "A rich woods and a reparable dwelling. Very practical." "Ya think so? You don't wanna call me an idiot for taking on such a wreck of a hovel?" "No." "Oh. Good. Tea?" He placed some more wood upon the embers, stirring the conflagration to new warmth. "Real tea!" Yuy plucked the tea bag from Duo's hand, and eyed the contrivance with curiosity. Then he sniffed at the fragrant offering with appreciation. "Real tea," the young man murmured luxuriously. The eagerness with which Heero supped his hot tea was surprising. But his voracious devouring of Duo's body next was absolutely breathtaking. Yuy was everywhere at once, pressing his warm and naked body eagerly against Maxwell, taking his mouth, then the flesh at his throat, laving his nipples, and finally consuming his solid erection with the greatest of pleasure. In his young life, Duo had never felt anything so thoroughly passionate as he surrendered and succumbed to his climax. "You should be careful, falling asleep here." Duo blinked his heavy eyelids open, to stare up at a blurry image of Heero, back-lit by the rose gilt glow of winter sunrise, reflecting off glittering snow, filtering through dusty old wooden shutters. "Morning," Maxwell grinned sleepily. "If the fire dies out in the night, you could die of hypothermia. Go to sleep, and simply never wake up. Oblivious to the danger," growled Yuy. His Preventers partner, Heero Yuy. Modern, stuffy and stolid, scowling and scolding. The realization came to Maxwell with a slight pang of disappointment. Duo considered an angry retort. That he could damn well take care of himself, and had been doing so his entire life. But then he thought better of it. Instead he chuckled. "Maybe you should spend the night, so's you can keep an eye on me." Yuy surprised him with a subtle smirk. "Maybe I should. I've brought some supplies. Canteen, compass, hatchet. Propane lantern. Some camp blankets and roll mattresses. Non perishable food stuffs." "Erm. Thanks, Yuy. How'd you find me?" "Land purchase is a matter of public record." "Oh, yeah. That's right. It is. Want some hot tea?" For the life of him, Yuy could not comprehend why Maxwell blushed while making the mundane offer. "Yes, please." Duo sighed to himself, unable to suppress the memories of apparent aphrodisiac qualities that 'real tea' had had on his ancient warrior iteration of Heero. Maxwell split the steaming hot brew between the pannikin and a plastic thermos cup, which he handed off to his partner. "To the New Year," Duo toasted enthusiastically. "May it be peaceful and prosperous," Heero agreed before sipping at the hot liquid. He sighed, a slight sound of contentment. "May our sincere wishes be fulfilled." The Goddess Ruis of the Elders, by way of the little dryad, had promised him such, Duo reminded himself. "I've got an evergreen to plant. Wanna hike around? Find a likely spot for the little fellow to take root?" Yuy silently nodded agreement. After a while of walking outside, he struck up a conversation. "Do you intend to attempt repairs of the house?" "Well, it is a historic structure. I'd like to preserve as much of it as possible. It'll take time, though. And money. I'll have to do it as a long term project." "We can find online advice on timber shoring. Plastering and such. Raised seam roof repair. Should be something that can be accomplished gradually," Yuy nodded thoughtfully. Maxwell liked the sound of "we". He liked it a lot. "There's gonna be plenty of rooms when its repaired," he offered, grinning. "Yes," Yuy agreed with a smile. As the first sun of the New Year rose to its wintry glory, the snow suffused gemlike glints. The forest sheltered two comrades who walked shoulder to shoulder, at peace with the universe. ~ * ~
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