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"Nolens Volens: Willing or Not"Written By: Honor Disclaimers: If they’re yours, do you want
to play a round or two of poker? Pairings: 1x5, 3x4 (established) Rating: R Spoilers: Iie. Warnings: AU, lemon, violence, language, some
angst, romance Archived: grinsngiggles.150m.com, Gundam Wing
Diaries Betas: Velvet Author’s Insane Babbling: *emphasized or sound* /thought/
"Nolens Volens: Willing or Not " Chapter Two: Necessity
He went straight to Heero’s room, satisfied to see that Heero was dressed for travel and sitting upright on the bed. “Ready?” “Yes.” “Good.” Wufei lifted him carefully into his arms. The man was too light, probably from his bad eating habits. /Something else I’m going to have to fix./ He carried him down the three flights of stairs and to the waiting carriage outside without any trouble. Heero was slightly stiff in his arms, and a little surprised. The man carrying him so easily looked like he might blow over in a strong wind—he hadn’t thought him this strong. Molly was waiting by the carriage, smile lighting her face. She was obviously delighted to see her master up and out of his room. Wufei glanced from master to housekeeper. /Ancestors know what the poor woman has put up with these last few months./ “Is everything ready?” “Yes, Master Chang. I put some sandwiches and things inside as well.” Hm. Yes, it was nearly time to eat, wasn’t it? “Thank you, Molly.” Heero put a restraining hand on Wufei’s arm before he could attempt to climb into the vehicle with his burden. “Wait. Just put me inside, I can do the rest.” Wufei bit back his ‘are you sure?’ and simply nodded. Slowly he lowered Heero to his feet inside the carriage, bracing with both hands on the other’s back in case he lost his balance. But Heero didn’t lose his balance—he pivoted on one heel and settled down onto one of the benches with a grunt of effort. It was only then that Wufei relaxed. “I can’t say when we’ll return, Molly. It might be a week—it might be two. I’ll send word a day before we come.” “Thank you, Master Chang. And can you send word how everything goes?” /You do indeed inspire loyalty, Heero Yuy, if people are still concerned after you’ve been a grouch for eight months straight./ “Of course.” He climbed in and shut the door firmly behind him. “Go, Hopkins!” The driver started the team with a lurch and moved out of the manor house. They had barely cleared the gates when Wufei realized that it was taking a considerable amount of strength and concentration on Heero’s part to remain upright on his seat. He felt like slapping himself in the forehead for being such an idiot. /Why didn’t I consider that? It takes both legs on my part to keep upright in the seat—the same would be true for him. But he can’t use both legs! It’s only that strap above his head that is keeping him upright at all./ Wufei rose up enough to transfer seats, then caught Heero’s waist in both hands and tugged him into his lap. “Chang! What are you doing?!” “You ask that question a lot,” Wufei observed. “That’s because you never warn me ahead of time,” Heero growled back. “Hn. You can’t keep up that level of effort for two hours, Yuy. You’ll wear yourself out trying. And probably fall. Just relax, I’ll keep you upright and steady.” “I’m not an invalid,” Heero muttered. “Actually, you are. Now shut up and stop wriggling.” Heero was not at all sure how he was supposed to react. The hold on his waist didn’t slacken, however. Very hesitantly he settled his head against Wufei’s shoulder and allowed his bad leg to be propped over Wufei’s thigh. When no comment was forthcoming, he finally relaxed completely. It actually felt—nice, to be held like this. He’d had people poking at him for months, but never anything that could have been affection. The sway of the carriage, and the warm body wrapped around him was very comfortable. Wufei’s scent, something heady and very male, was almost like a drug in and of itself. It soothed his anxieties away and without realizing it his eyes closed. Wufei looked down at the slumbering person in his arms, smiling slightly. He had known that once Heero was comfortable, he would fall asleep. Pain took a very large toll on the body. After what happened this morning, Heero was surely exhausted. Letting out a sigh of contentment, he settled his head against Heero’s and fell into a light doze. + There was a welcoming party of sorts waiting for them when they arrived. Wufei was barely able to sit up a bit and try to wake up Heero before the door was snatched open and a blond head popped inside. “Chang, your notes leave much to be desired!” Quatre was peeved to have so little information about his best friend, and his dark frown at the physician let him know it. “What do you mean ‘there’s something vitally wrong, I need to operate immediately?’ And—” the blond’s voice dropped to an incredulous whisper as he finally took notice of Heero’s position “—was he sleeping?!” “Until you started yelling at people,” Heero grumbled. His eyes blinked open, focusing slowly on his audience. “What did you tell them, Chang?” “Not much,” Wufei admitted as blandly as possible. He was still wondering over Quatre’s reaction. Did Heero not allow people to see him sleep or something? /I’ll corner him about it later./ “Move, Winner. I need to get him out of this carriage and stretched out.” “Oh—certainly. Here, Heero, give me your hands.” Quatre helped steady him as Heero shifted to his feet, slightly hunched to keep from hitting his head against the roof. Wufei slid past him and partway out of the door, forcing Quatre to give way. “We’re not going to put any weight on that leg,” Wufei ordered in a calm voice. “It’s been hurt enough. I want you to shift on your good leg and turn your back to me. I’ll catch you.” Quatre and Trowa both watched in absolute amazement as Heero did exactly that. They had never seen their friend put his safety so willingly in someone else’s hands. It had taken years before he had shown that kind of trust with them—and he’d known Wufei little more than a day. Just what had they missed? Wufei caught Heero up against his chest, carefully cradling his patient so that Heero didn’t knock against anything or feel insecure about his position. Once his feet touched the ground, he breathed a little easier. “Right. If someone could open the door?” Heero gritted his teeth as he was carried into the shop. He was aware of the rich scent of the place because of all the herbs, and the neatness of the shop but little else made an impression. The ride here had stiffened him up badly. His leg was throbbing in time with his heartbeat. “Yuy?” Wufei murmured against his forehead. “How bad is it?” “Just stiff,” Heero gritted back. “Ha. Stubborn man.” Wufei slid past a thick curtain into a back room. There were three beds set up there, obviously intended for patients. Wufei gently lowered him to the one in the middle. “Stay put.” He went back out again, returning in moments with a rather well-loved jar. Heero recognized the smell of it and almost eagerly started pushing his pants out of the way. Quatre eyed the jar in suspicion. “Is that medicine?” “Yes.” Trowa was eyeing it too. “From now on, when I’m sick, I think I’ll come to you. At least your medicine smells good.” “It’s peppermint,” Heero explained as Wufei scooped out a dollop and rubbed it into his skin. “Or at least, most of it is peppermint. I’ve never heard of a medicine that works this fast, either. Or the stuff he used on me earlier.” “Pryan,” Wufei volunteered as he wiped his hand clean and put the lid back on the jar. “It’s meant to heat and relax your muscles. Now, Winner, I will explain what my note did not. You are aware of the steel still embedded in his thigh?” Quatre frowned. “Yes. I was told it was impossible to remove.” “Ha! Idiots, the lot of them. It might be difficult to remove, but I assure it is not impossible. And remove it I must if Yuy is to ever rebuild his muscles.” Quatre shared a troubled look with Trowa, then with Heero. “I don’t like the idea of reopening the wound, but—” “It’s done that itself,” Heero told him darkly. “That’s how Chang learned of it. When I tried to walk this morning it started bleeding again.” “Dammit,” Trowa muttered. “We were told it wouldn’t do anything like that. How long will it take to remove it?” “I won’t know that until I see it for myself,” Wufei answered honestly. He spread his hands in a helpless shrug. “Perhaps an hour—perhaps ten. I’d like to call in another colleague, who has had the same training that I have. He’s proven to be invaluable in the past.” “Of course,” Quatre agreed instantly. “Whatever you need.” “Very well. Yuy, don’t move. I mean that,” Wufei added with a warning scowl when he saw a protest form on his patient’s lips. “If you do move, I’ll bash you over the head for such stupidity. Barton, sit on him if you have to.” Trowa’s mouth was twitching, but he admirably tried to keep a straight face. “Yes, doctor.” “Hn. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” + Doctor Duo Maxwell was a complete shock to everyone’s system. He was charming, boisterous, with a vivacious outlook on life and personality enough for five people. He came in with his braid swinging behind him, shirt not all the way buttoned and mischief in his eyes. The only thing that leant credence to his profession was the black bag in his hands. “Hello! Duo Maxwell at your complete service!” His eyes fell to the bed and lit up. “My, my, finally I see a good looking patient that I can get my hands on!” Turning to Wufei, who had followed him inside with amused tolerance, he demanded “And why do you always get the gorgeous hunks to play with?” “Because the Goddess of Luck likes me better than she likes you,” Wufei responded immediately. “Stop ogling my patient, Duo.” “Techy,” Duo complained cheerfully. “So, Wuffee tells me that you’ve got a weapons collection going on in your thigh.” Heero didn’t miss the pained expression on Wufei’s face at the nickname. Smirking slightly he deadpanned, “I’m going for a ball and chain next.” “Well then, let’s make some room for it! Here, show me a little skin,” Duo ordered as he came around the bed. Heero dutifully tugged the top of the pants down so he could see the wound. “That’s been healing for eight months?” Duo was staring at it dubiously. “Yes.” “Huh. Damn doctors don’t know a thing. You’re right, ‘Fei, this needs to come out. It might be causing even more damage than we’re aware of.” Wufei had known and worked with Duo for a little over three years now, and was used to his manner. The abrupt shift from teasing to serious was something he accepted now as a matter of course. “That’s what I’m afraid of. Can you help me now?” “Let me scrub up,” Duo was back to cheerful, like quick silver. “Now, handsome, answer me one little question and I’ll be a happy man.” Heero was hard pressed not to smile at the man. His charm was irresistible. “I’m not marrying you.” “You’re breaking my heart!” Duo complained. “But that wasn’t the real question anyway. I’ll convince you later of my undying devotion. Do you want to be conscious for this or in La-La land?” “We can deaden the area where we’ll be operating completely,” Wufei offered since he knew Duo wouldn’t explain the technical aspects of it. “You won’t feel anything but you will be awake and aware. If you do not wish to do it that way, we can put you to sleep completely.” Heero was already shaking his head. “I want to be awake.” Quatre cleared his throat slightly. “Can we be in the room as well?” Wufei and Duo gave each other a glance. “Sure, blondie. Just sit on the bed and don’t get in our way. You can keep handsome entertained.” “I’ll get the necessary equipment,” Wufei told his colleague. “You know where to wash up.” “Right-o.” It took only a quarter of an hour to set everything up. Wufei lifted a pot that was recently sealed and popped the lid open, revealing a thick green substance. The smell was not appealing. Duo watched avidly, curious to what it was. He’d never seen the like of it before. “So, Dragon, what black magic have you concocted for us this time?” “The usual,” Wufei answered dryly. “Dead man’s toes, alligator nails, porcupine hairs and weeds gathered during the full moon—nothing out of the ordinary.” Heero took one whiff of the substance being spread over his skin and wrinkled his nose. “I like the peppermint stuff better.” “I do too,” Duo consoled him. “If this works better than what ‘Fei usually uses, though, you’ll be glad he’s using this instead.” “It does,” Wufei assured them absently. He put the lid back on and set it aside. “Now, if you would do the honors Duo?” “Okeedokee.” Duo carefully slit open the wound and hissed. “Damn! A lot of scar tissue here, ‘Fei.” “I see it,” Wufei acknowledged grimly. “What does that mean?” Quatre couldn’t resist from asking. He and Trowa had planted themselves on the bed next to Heero after gaining permission to stay. Trowa was turning a little white at watching someone slice into his best friend, but Quatre seemed to have no qualms with it. “For him? Pain. And a lot of it.” Wufei shrugged. “It also means that his usual range of motion is greatly limited. The scar tissue is very rigid and stronger than normal tissue. It isn’t as elastic as usual muscle, so won’t move as much.” “Oh.” Quatre’s frown became worried. “Then what about his back?” Duo removed his scalpel and put it back on the tray before he gave a considering look at the knitted skin in question. “Hm. Judging from how gnarly it looks, I think it’s probably the same way.” “Yuy,” Wufei murmured. “I think we should remove the scar tissue in your back right after we finish with your leg. It will save us time in the long run, and you a great deal of pain.” “It won’t heal up the same way?” Heero twisted his head around to look at him better. “No. I’ll make sure that it doesn’t.” “…do it.” Wufei nodded to him in reassurance before applying another herb directly over the wound. Duo saw the curious looks and took it upon himself to explain. “What he’s using now is a really cool herb. I’d tell you the name, but it’s impossible to pronounce—” “Telknarshin,” Wufei supplied absently as he started to cut away the scarred tissue. “—yeah, that. Anyway, it basically sends a message to the body to kick out anything that doesn’t belong there. Sharp, pointy objects for instance. We won’t have to go hunting for it, it’ll come to us.” Heero let out a breath of relief. “I had been worrying about that.” “Naw, you’re in the best of hands!” Duo winked down at the prone man. “And I should know, I’ve been treated by him before.” “You have?” Quatre sat up at that bit of information. “Yup. It’s a real pain finding a doctor when you are a doctor! I got my leg busted a few years back. Carriage skidded on ice and ran smack over me. I was damn lucky that Fei-cakes saw the whole thing and ran me here. Fixed me up better than I could have done. I was just a visitor then, didn’t really live anywhere, so he let me stay here. Learned more in three months from the man than I ever learned in school. I keep saying he should start a school and teach—” “When I retire from active practice,” Wufei told him. He’d been telling him the same thing for nearly three years now. “Yeah, yeah. I still say you should take a few students in now. Anyway, I know how you feel handsome.” Duo stopped talking, leaning closer to peer at the thigh. “Well, well, well! Hell~o you pretty little thing!” Wufei was instantly looking as well. “You see it?” “Yeah. You probably won’t. You’re at the wrong angle. Gimme those pincher things.” Wufei handed over the requested instrument and watched as Duo carefully inserted it into the flesh and grasped something tightly. “That’s right, come to papa…by all that’s holy! Shit, no wonder it hurt to put weight on this leg!” Duo pulled free a piece of sharp steel nearly an inch tall and an inch and a half wide. “They couldn’t find this thing?! It’s huge!” Wufei started ranting under his breath about the stupidity of local physicians, healers, and their mothers who mated with dogs to give them birth even as he applied another herb onto the wound. “I have a bad feeling that steel might have started an infection inside. This will kill it.” “I’ll let you sew him up,” Duo was back to business, eyes already glued to the lower back. “I’ll start on his back.” “Right.” “Unbelievable,” Trowa muttered to Quatre. “They just did in twenty minutes what a slew of doctors couldn’t in eight months. Do we have a list of those doctors somewhere?” “I’m sure we do,” Quatre agreed darkly. “This is something that needs to be seen to, Trowa. How many people have suffered from such incompetence?” “Too many,” Trowa was glaring at the steel that had come out of Heero. “Even one is too many.” Wufei tied off the last knot and started bandaging the area. “This should take roughly three weeks to heal. Same for the back. Speaking of which, Yuy, you are not allowed to sleep on your back for the next month. Right side only.” “Hn.” Duo started swearing. “I don’t believe this! His back is worse than the thigh was!” Wufei bent to see what he was talking about and started swearing as well. “Apply more of the anesthetic. We’ll have to dig deeper than we planned on.” “Gotcha.” Quatre and Trowa unconsciously twined hands as they watched. Heero’s hand flexed as he watched their obvious worry. “Is it that bad?” “You really don’t feel anything?” Quatre queried in amazement. “My mind tells me that it should hurt—but no, I don’t feel any pain at all.” “Wufei,” Quatre inquired politely, “would you consider being my personal physician?” “Ask me when I don’t have to concentrate on what I’m doing,” Wufei answered irritably. “…sorry.” Fifteen intense minutes later, Wufei sewed the skin back together. With Duo’s help, they wrapped Heero’s lower back tightly. Duo grabbed two pillows and stuffed them in front of Heero. “Here, lean against these.” Heero relaxed against them in relief. Holding that position had become rather tiring. “Thank you.” “No prob. Okay, here’s what to expect. You’re going to be really sore for the next two or three days, but not in serious pain. Part of that is because we’re going to keep you on some serious meds. After that, you’re going to stay sore, but nowhere near what you were.” “In three weeks,” Wufei picked up smoothly, “you’ll have almost a full range of motion again and you’ll be able to move without major pain. It’s still going to take three months to get you to the point that you can walk, but you won’t be in agony like that again.” Heero smiled for the first time in eight months. “I’m very glad to hear that.” “And right now, I’m starving!” Duo bounced around Wufei, eyes imploring. “Aren’t you going to feed me? I’ve been a good boy!” “I’ll feed you,” Quatre offered with calculation in his eyes. “And while I’m doing that, we’ll talk about making you a doctor for the army.” “…come again?” “I’ve just seen what you’re capable of, Duo Maxwell. There is no way under the heavens that I’m going to let you go your merry way without trying to gain you for my men. We frankly need doctors like you and Master Chang.” Duo paused to actually consider the idea. He was still building a reputation for himself, but the process was a slow one. He simply didn’t have the funds to set up a surgery like Wufei had done. He usually served as an assistant or back-up for his old teacher anyway. “Alright. Let’s talk about that.” “There’s a decent restaurant down the street,” Wufei offered quietly as he cleared away his tools. He’d wash them properly later after he saw Heero completely settled. “That’ll do,” Trowa approved. Standing, he went to Heero’s side and squeezed one shoulder briefly. “I’ll see you a bit later, alright?” “Sure.” “Should I bring back anything for him?” Quatre asked Wufei. “Hm…I think his system can handle it. He’s too light, anyway. We need to fatten him up.” “Hey!” Heero glared up at him. “I’m bigger than you are.” “I,” Wufei informed him haughtily, “am at the perfect weight for my height. You’re little more than skin and bones. Make it a steak dinner or something of that sort, Winner.” Quatre swallowed a smile. “Certainly. I’ll see you later, Heero.” “Hn.” “Stop pouting, Yuy.” Heero glared at Wufei. “Isn’t there someone else you can annoy?” “No, currently you’re my only victim,” Wufei answered calmly. “Play nice, children!” Duo called as he led the way out the door. Wufei rolled his eyes even as he fetched a blanket to settle over Heero. “Sleep. Your body has had a very full day and needs it.” “I’m not tired,” Heero protested even as his eyes fluttered shut. Wufei snorted as he watched his patient quickly fall asleep. “Sure. Sleep well, Heero.” ~*~*~*~ Honor: Just a note, I’m making up herbs as I go
along. Although the thing about peppermint is true.
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