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"One and Only"Written By: Gypsie 1201 Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5x13, 6xN, R+1 Warnings: Angst, AU, Evil Relena, Fantasy, Language,
Lemon, OOC-ness, Romance, Sap, Slavery, Yaoi Rating: NC-17 Disclaimer: I don't own, just borrowing for a
while so please don't sue. Feedback: All is welcome and much appreciated. Summary: Little did Lord Heero Yuy know that a
simple bet made during a private card game among his closest friends
would change his life. However, whether the change is for the good
or the bad, remains to be seen. `…' thoughts "One and Only " Chapter 9 It was almost dark before the weary travelers decided
to stop for the night and Duo, who was not accustomed to riding horseback
for so long, was grateful for the decision. However, the minute his
feet touch the earth, he felt his legs collapse and if not for Treize’s
quick actions, he would have fallen. Looking up into cool blue eyes,
which he could not help but compare to Heero’s, he swallowed
sharply before pulling himself from the man’s hold. Treize stood and watched the boy’s back for a moment with his own feelings of guilt and regret swirling around in his mind. He knew the elf did not feel comfortable with anyone’s touch except Heero’s and possibly the others within his group. As a stranger though, he would have to spend a great deal of time cultivating the longhaired boy’s trust before his was welcomed. Finally turning away upon realizing the boy was steady enough now to stand on his own; he caught the blonde healer’s sympathetic smile. “Don’t take it personally.” Sally offered to the man. “He’s been through a lot and it’ll take some time before he’ll be able to trust a stranger.” With a nod and a sigh, the ginger-haired general was relieved to have his suspicions confirmed and went to help Wufei settle the horses while Sally set up the rest of the camp. “I’m not much help am I?” Duo asked the blonde healer as he walked up beside where she was building a small fire. “It’s ok, Duo. You’re supposed to be resting anyways.” Sally chided the boy. “I know.” the elf sighed before sitting down heavily. “But this isn’t turning out like I’d hoped.” “Oh, and what did you expect from this trip?” Sally asked, one eyebrow raised in inquiry. “I don’t know really.” Duo said softly, his eyes trained on the small fire burning in the ring of rocks. “I mean, Heero told me I could trust him before we left, but I just can’t seem to let myself do it. I can’t even let him touch me to keep me from falling without feeling like I’m going to freak out or something.” “You’re talking about Treize?” “Yeah.” Duo said and peeked up at the healer through his bangs. “Do you think I’m being paranoid?” “No, Duo, I don’t think you’re paranoid.” Sally said with a sigh of her own. “I’m going to give you the same advice I gave him just a few moments ago; give it time. It’ll get easier as you get better and you are getting better. From what Wufei told me on the way back from the village, I was expecting you to be silent and thoroughly traumatized. I must admit that when you spoke to me last night, I was a little shocked.” “I know.” he said softly, a light blush staining his cheeks. “Sometimes it’s still hard to talk but as long as I’m not too scared, I’m usually all right.” “And in time, it’ll be the same way for being with new people.” Sally explained. “Maybe.” Duo said softly as he thought about the healer’s words then sighed heavily once again. “I just wish Heero were here.” Reaching over, Sally placed her hand on the violet-eyed elf’s cheek and smile reassuringly. “I know.” ******************** Once the camp was set, Duo set about helping Sally to heat the stew that Ms. Johnson had provided for them before their departure that morning. It had been packed onto the extra horse in a covered bowl that was sealed to keep the concoction from spilling. Dumping the entire bowl into a large metal pot that hung over the fire, Sally left the small elf to stir the stew while she gathered the various plates and utensils that had also been included in their supplies. Grateful for being given something to do besides watch the others work, Duo happily stirred the pot while watching the interaction between the general and his black-haired friend. It had taken him some time to figure out the looks and touches that seemed to pass between the two during the ride that day. From his position beside Sally, he had been able to watch them closely as they had ridden in front of himself and the healer. Now that they were stopped for the evening, he noticed the small displays were becoming more and more frequent. Smiling inwardly, he was glad for his friend, as he believed Heero when he had said the general was an honorable man. However, it also caused his heart to beat painfully as his longing for his blue-eyed protector increased. Turning his attention back to the stew, he fought down the tears for what was the hundredth time that day as he continued to stir. ******************** About an hour later, the four riding companions sat down to eat their dinner. Darkness was just beginning to settle around them and Wufei had made sure their stock of firewood was large enough to last through the night. Eating quietly, the four lost themselves in their own thoughts as each contemplated the day they were just finishing, including the departure from Yuy Manor, as well as the day that was approaching, which would bring their little group to the human royal palace. The possibilities and encounters that would occur upon their arrival could not be guessed at, but each of them allowed their minds to ponder them none-the-less. Finally, once the meal was complete, Wufei turned to the longhaired boy who was sitting on his left with Sally on the boy’s far side. “Duo, may we speak in private please?” “Um, sure.” Duo said with a perplexed look on his face. However, he allowed the dark-eyed young man to help him to his feet then followed him to the edge of the firelight where a grouping of large boulders provided a sitting area; not noticing the questioning look the tall general turned toward the healer. “They have a.. misunderstanding to clear up.” Sally explained cryptically to the ginger-haired man. “It shouldn’t take too long.” ******************** Once they were settled as comfortably on the boulders as they possibly could be, Duo looked up at his childhood friend and cocked his head to the side. “Ok, Fei, what’s up?” Shifting nervously, the black-haired constable met the small elf’s eyes and sighed. “Duo, there are some things we need to talk about.” “Like what?” the elf questioned, his curiosity increasing with the young man’s evasiveness. “Well, mainly, I think it’s about time we discussed the day I left the village.” Immediately stiffening, the small boy felt his heart begin to beat erratically as the old pain and depression began to stir at the fringes of his mind with the remembrance of the events that occurred that day. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” he said quietly and broke eye contact with Wufei, staring down at his hands, which were clasped in his lap. “I think it is.” Wufei stated just as softly yet his voice held a hint of command. “Sally and I talked about a lot of things on our way back to Akrin.” “Yeah, that’s what she told me.” Duo said but still refused to look up at the other young man. “It wasn’t your fault I left, Duo.” Wufei
stated. “You had absolutely nothing to do with my banishment.” “I thought Sally told that, not long after I’d left.” the young constable said, his eyes narrowed. “About a month after, she told me that you had to leave and that I had nothing to do with it.” the elf said plaintively. “But she never explained to me why. I just thought that after the way you used to yell at me all the time that you--” “Duo, you may have gotten on my nerves from time
to time, but it was never enough to force me to leave my home.”
Wufei explained. Taking a deep breath, which he let out with a heavy sigh, Wufei looked the elf resolutely in the eye. “Do you remember Chin?” “Of course, he was elected as my protector in your place after you left. Since I never officially went back to the village though, I didn’t spend any time with him.” “He was given my position?” Wufei asked a little stunned. “Yeah, the elders said he earned it or something like that. At least that’s what I was told.” Duo said with a shrug. “Why?” “He’s the reason I was sent away or part of it.” Wufei explained then continued at seeing the even more confused look on the longhaired boy’s face. “Chin and I were always good friends, from when we were very young. As we got older though, and especially after our thirteenth year, we started looking at each other, differently.” “What do you mean by differently?” Duo asked, suddenly suspicious at the tone his friend had taken. “The same way you and Heero look at each other. That kind of different.” Wufei supplied. “Oh.” the elf said and stared at his friend in shock. “Yes, oh.” “Ok, so you and Chin liked each other. But what does it have to do with your leaving?” the longhaired boy asked. “When the elder’s found out, they condemned me, saying it was wrong to be with another boy in that way. I of course, stood up to them and told them they were wrong; that as long as you loved the other person it didn’t matter whether they were male or female.” Wufei said then turned his head to stare off into the darkness, a sad look on his face. “Chin on the other hand was afraid of what they would do to us and denounced me; saying that I had seduced him even though he had not wanted it.” “You mean he said you raped him?” Duo exclaimed and stood from his seat. “No, Duo, calm down.” Wufei said, raising to stand before the boy and gripping the small shoulders gently. “We never went that far in the first place so he couldn’t claim that. He did however; make it look like I was the one who started the relationship by coaxing him into it while he was far too confused to say no.” “But you didn’t, did you?” Duo asked, a pleading look in his eye. “No, he was the one who approached me actually.” Relief flooded the braided elf at hearing that his friend was innocent of the charges placed against him. However, the relief soon turned to aggravation at the dark-eyed young man’s actions. “Dammit, Fei, why didn’t you tell me all this before you left?” “You were only ten, Duo.” the constable stated with a shake of his head. “There was no way I was going to try and explain to a ten-year-old about that type of relationship.” “Ok, I guess that wouldn’t have been such
a good idea. And besides, it probably would’ve given the elders
even more to use against you.” Duo supplied in an exhausted voice.
“You know they actually tried to stop me from seeing you that
day. They said something about you being a bad influence so I’m
guessing it’s one of the reasons you were sent away.” “Yeah,” Duo said as a mischievous smile crossed his lips. “but I don’t think they were prepared for me not coming back to the village.” “I’m sorry, Duo.” the black-haired man said. “I never meant to hurt you.” “I know that, Fei. And everything’ll be all right.” the elf comforted. “Now that I know the truth, I won’t let it bother me anymore.” “Good,” the dark-eyed man said with a sharp nod of his head. “now you better get back to the fire before you catch cold.” “Aren’t you coming?” Duo asked as he turned toward the camp. “No, I need to think about some things. I won’t be long though” “Ok.” Duo said with a smile and started back to the fire. “Did you enjoy the conversation?” Wufei asked once the boy was out of earshot. “I wish that you had told me, dragon.” Treize answered as he stepped out of the night to join him by the boulders. “What’s there to tell? It didn’t affect you so I saw no need in recounting the events.” “You wound me, dragon.” Treize glowered, a hurt look in his eyes. “You know very well that I’m more than just a little interested in your life.” “Treize, what happened at the village has nothing to do with you and me.” Wufei sighed. “It’s the past. Telling Duo was needed because he was involved in the issue” “It still would’ve been nice to know something of your past.” the ginger-haired general scolded lightly. “I didn’t even know you were in love with someone before me.” “I never loved Chin. It was more of an infatuation that I was too young to see any other way.” Wufei stated. “Besides, who ever said I was in love with you?” “Now, dragon, you’ve been saying that for two years now. I would think you’d have given up on trying to deny it by now.” Sending a scathing glare at the man across from him, Wufei turned to walk back to the fire. However, before he could take more than a step, his arm was grabbed by a strong hand, and he soon found himself pulled into a tender embrace. “Don’t be angry, my love.” Treize purred in the dark-eyed man’s ear. “It’s been far too long since we were together. I don’t want to ruin what time we have.” With a sigh, Wufei closed his eyes before wrapping him arms around the man’s waist and buried his face his neck. “It was a long time ago, Treize, and I just want to forget about it.” “All right, we don’t have to discuss it if you don’t want to.” “Thank you.” Wufei said softly before leaning back to capture the man’s lips in a much needed and longed for kiss. However, it had been nearly six months since they had been together and the simple touch caused their bodies to react instinctively as they pressed closer. Knowing the small elf and the healer were waiting nearby though, forced them to part as they fought to control their desire for each other. “We should get back before I choose to ignore the presence of our companions.” Treize said huskily. Smirking at the effect he was having on the tall general, Wufei turned and walked back toward the fire; the general following close behind. ******************** Walking slowly back to the fire and the warmth it provided, Duo allowed the conversation he had just had to repeat through his mind and while he was happy to finally learn the truth, he was seriously disappointed in the Dragon Clan elders for treating his friend in such a way. It also caused him to worry about his own relationship with Heero. While the elves did not discriminate on the basis of sex in a relationship, it would appear that humans were not so well inclined to do the same. Which left the question of how Heero would handle the ridicule and ostracism such a coupling was bound to attract. Of course, thoughts of Heero also brought back his feelings of longing and with a sigh, he hurried to the fire and Sally’s welcomed distraction. Upon his arrival though, he nearly retreated to where he had left Wufei since the healer immediately handed him a cup full of a funny smelling concoction and told him to drink it all. Wrinkling his nose at the smell, he none-the-less tipped the cup up and swallowed the contents swiftly in hopes that he would not actually have to taste it. Once it was down, he looked back up to see Sally’s laughing eyes appraising him. “Fei told you what happened?” she asked. For a brief moment, the braided elf simply stared at her in confusion before the understanding of what she was referring to sunk in, causing him to smile softly. “Yeah, he told me.” “Good, it’s about damn time he fixed that mistake.” Sally commented dryly. “Now, take off your shirt so I can look at the burns.” Blushing crimson, Duo immediately balked at the command, knowing the sense of vulnerability from being half-naked while out in the open as they were would be overwhelming. “Um, Sal, do we have to do this now? I mean, you just looked at them this morning, can’t it wait until we’re at the palace?” Whether from the look on the small elf’s face or the sound of rising panic in his voice, Sally paused briefly. Yes, it was true that she had just examined the burns that morning but they could really use another application of Quatre’s burn cream as well as a bandage change. However, she knew the little prince was all ready quite upset about leaving the manor and she did not want to burden him further with more anxiety. “All right, Duo. We can wait until we reach the palace in the morning, but no later than that. I’m afraid that the numbing properties of the cream will wear off before we even reach the palace as it is and I don’t relish leaving you in that much pain especially riding horseback. I want your promise that you’ll let me know the minute you start to feel any discomfort.” “I promise.” the elf said softly and bowed his head humbly. Reaching over, the young healer lifted the longhaired boy’s chin back up to meet her eyes. “I’m not angry at you. I just want to make sure you’ll be ok.” “I know.” Duo said and smiled slightly at the woman, trying to put her at ease. Sighing heavily, Sally removed her fingers from the boy’s chin. “You should get some sleep. We still have a long way to go and I can tell the ride today wore you out.” “Yeah, I am kind of exhausted.” Duo said, glad for the change of topic. “Then sleep. It’ll do you some good.” Sally said with a smile. Nodding his gratitude, the braided elf crawled over
to the sleep area that had been setup before pulling a blanket over
himself and settled down to sleep; the absence of Heero’s warm
body beside him made it difficult though. Squeezing his eyes shut,
he fought down the tears that threatened to fall as the loneliness
that Heero’s absence presented began to overwhelm him. They would
not be stopped though, and whispering his love’s name softly,
he gave up fighting and allowed them to fall as he sobbed silently
into his blanket. Within a few minutes, he had cried himself to sleep. Yuy Manor was still a bustle of activity even in the early hours of the morning with the young lord of the house joining in the activity as he too helped to prepare for the journey ahead. When the clock struck two o’clock however, he found himself being solemnly escorted to his room to sleep as both Hilde and Ms. Johnson agreed they would be more than able to finish on their own. In truth, Heero was quite grateful to the two women as he felt like he was about to fall over from exhaustion and worry. However, after changing and climbing into his large, soft bed, he found he could not find the refreshing sleep he so desperately needed in order to be ready to travel first thing in the morning. Reaching over, he grabbed the pillow from the other side of the bed and pulled it close. They had been so busy preparing for the trip, the maids had not had time to change the bed coverings and the pillow still held the sweet smell of his little love embedded within. Breathing deeply of the scent, he hugged it closely to his chest as he whispered the small boy’s name, his voice full of longing. Not long after, Hilde stuck her head inside the room to check on her lord only to find the man sound asleep, his face buried in Duo’s pillow.
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