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"A Hidden Heart "Written By: Hemlock Inyx Disclaimer: This chick does not own any of the
Gundam Wing characters because they belong to Bandai and Sunrise.
I am borrowing them for this fict and will return them in good (if
somewhat sticky) condition.This fict is written out of love and not
for profit, don't sue. Thanks and enjoy! Rating: NC 17 Warnings: yaoi, lemon, midieval alternate universe,
some angst, violence Pairings: 5x2, 4xH, 13xS Summary: They called him Milliardo's Dragon. A warrior bold as the Chinese legend, his temper as fiery; Lord Chang Wufei was the prince's right hand. Men of power quaked at word of his arrival, for he was the sword to carry out Milliardo's judgement. 'Twas rumored he'd do any deed at the prince's bidding, avenge any slight to his master's name. Only Milliardo had the might to direct the Dragon's fury, to shape thr form of his vengeance. Or so the prince believed. But shrouded deep beneath that scaly hide, the dragon's true nature slumbered. Obscured by fire. Hidden from harm. Burried beyond reach of pain. Until he met him. The boy with the power to free the heart of the Dragon.
"A Hidden Heart "
Chapter 15 Lady Sally sat down on the bench behind her, reaching up to clasp Lord Treize's hand. "'It’s no joke, Wufei?" she asked, her voice at odds with its former stridency. He shook his head. "We've a tale to tell you, so unbelievable you'll think it’s naught but fantasy--the dark, evil kind." Duo watched his cousins. Lady Sally appeared stunned, but not outraged. // Perhaps that would come later. // Lord Treize simply looked at him with his lips quirked upward in a half smile. "You're Hilde's brother?" he asked. "So the Dragon tells me." Treize looked from Duo to Wufei at that, his gaze weighing, measuring. Duo didn't understand what had prompted his scrutiny, but it seemed he'd passed some test, for he smiled again--it was more of a grin, really--then choked back a laugh. "Are you taking him to Maxwell Abby?" Wufei tipped back his goblet and drained it before he answered. "Eventually. I'm not certain when. I believe we have Milliardo on our heels---or will have soon." He settled on a stool next to Duo. "It's not a pretty story. Let me tell you what we know thus far." Duo derived great comfort from listening to Wufei relate the tale, partly because he loved to listen to the deep, even tones of his voice. But most of the feeling came from the words he chose, and how he said them. Duo and the others couldn't possibly fail to see that he considered this his fight--their fight. His words, his voice, his reassuring looks, told Duo that for the first time in his life, he wasn't alone. Duo had gained not only a family, but a champion, as well. The mead, combined with the warmth of the room and the comfortable chair, set Duo yawning. Lady Sally rose and came to his side. "You look tired unto death. Will you permit Wufei to finish without you?" "Yes, milady," Duo replied, embarrassed to discover that he'd slipped lower in the chair, until he slumped into the cushions. He sat up, wincing as his back protested the movement. Lady Sally took his arm and helped him stand. "Then come with me now. I've no doubt my brother has dragged you across the hills with little rest and less food." She smiled, that quirk of the lips lending a teasing look to her beautiful face. "I can offer you a warm bath to ease your aches, food, proper clothing and a soft bed." "Go with her," Wufei said. "I'll wait to discuss this further, if you like." Duo shook his head. "No, please continue. I trust you, milord," he murmured. Wufei rose and took Duo’s hand. "Thank you. Treize and I have business to discuss, as well. There's no reason that should keep you from your rest." Wufei brought Duo’s hand to his lips, his mouth warm upon his skin. "Sleep well, milord." Duo hated to leave him, but he felt safe here. And he knew Wufei would not go without him. Moving slowly, he allowed Lady Sally to lead him from the room. Wufei waited until he heard the their footsteps disappear down the stairs before slumping back onto the stool. "Take the chair, you idiot," Treize said, pouring more mead into their goblets. "You look so weary, it’s a miracle you haven't slithered to the floor." Wufei flopped into the cushioned chair and sighed. "I am tired. I cannot think clearly anymore. These past few days have been strange, hectic. And the days ahead threaten to be far worse. Only Nataku knows how this will end." He drank, then held the cool silver cup to his aching head. "I apologize for carrying trouble to your door." "You did the right thing. Where else should you come, but to us? And where should you bring Duo, but to your sister?" "I could have taken him straight to Hilde at Maxwell Abby." Treize shook his head, "No. It would be too much for Duo to bear all at once. Despite the fact that he went to Milliardo in search of his family, I doubt this was quite what he had in mind," he added wryly. He took a turn about the circular room before stopping in front of Wufei. "You do realize you'll have to marry Duo, don't you? I can't see that there's any better alternative.'' Heart pounding wildly, Wufei shot to his feet and glared at Treize. "Are you mad?" Treize returned to his own seat before be answered. "Not at all. If you were thinking clearly, you'd see the sense in it. Perhaps you haven't considered all the possible ramifications of Milliardo's scheme." "What do you mean?" Wufei thought he'd looked at it from every direction, but he might be wrong. //Have I been naive all these years? I know Milliardo is capable of many things, not all of them good. But, Nataku help me, I’ve never suspected Milliardo of plotting and planning like this.// "So long as Duo is alive, Hilde, Quatre and Katherine are in danger. All your damned princely cousin has to do is get rid of them and place Duo at Maxwell Abby--with or without a spouse he can control. So long as that remains possible, Duo's very existence presents a threat to his sister and to Hilde's daughter.'' Wufei nodded wearily. "I'd thought of some of that, but not all." He rubbed at the back of his neck, seeking relief from the aches of his tired body, from the helpless thoughts circling round and round in his overwhelmed mind. "Thank Nataku you know the situation well." "I was Hilde's guardian for long enough to learn something about it." Treize laughed; Wufei had to join in. Hilde had driven Treize crazy, those months when she was unwillingly under his thumb. "And there are few secrets in this family." "There are none at all between Sally and Hilde, I think." Wufei sighed and gazed into his cup. "As I'm sure you've learned, to your everlasting sorrow." "Let's just say that it's a good thing I love Hilde well, or your sister would see I paid for my stupidity." Wufei heard Treize shifting in his chair and looked up to find the other man watching him with a speculative light in his blue eyes. "What is it?" Wufei demanded. He set his goblet on the table beside him and waited. "To get back to what I was saying--if you wed Duo, it would be the best solution. For a number of reasons," he added when Wufei would have spoken. "Not the least of which is that you want him." "I’ve come to realize that. I’d never thought myself capable of caring for another man, but I do. Maybe it’s wrong, I don’t care anymore.” "It can’t be wrong, not with the way you want him. Or the way he wants you, Dragon." "There must be something wrong with your eyes, Khushrenada," Wufei snapped. "Or yours." Wufei prowled the close confines of the room, cursing his sister's predilection for cluttering up the space with furnishings. It made it damned difficult for a man to pace off his frustrations. Finally he spun and faced Treize. "We strike sparks off each other, it’s true. But that doesn't mean I'd make him---or anyone--a fit mate. Besides, if he knew even half the things I've done, he'd never come near me again." "You judge yourself too harshly, Wufei. I think you always have." "I do not. Duo was raised in a church. His mind is as ignorant of sin as any saint's." Though Duo wouldn't stay that way for long in his company, he thought as he turned to stare out the window at the dying sun. Try though he might, Wufei could not ignore the insidious heat the mere thought of Duo sent running through his veins. "I doubt he has any idea what I'm capable of." Wufei dragged his hands through his hair. He could not bear it if Duo allowed him close, then pushed him away. // How could I blame him if he did? // Wufei knew better than anyone, save Nataku herself, the darkness in his soul. He heard Treize walk up to him, felt the other man place his hand on his shoulder for a moment. "He knows, Wufei. But he wants you anyway. Take a chance on happiness, my friend. You deserve it." “Did you forget there is still one problem Treize? Duo is a male, marrying him—even it I wanted to—would be impossible.” “There are ways around such problems Wufei. We were all fooled when you brought him here in that dress, he can pass as a female if need be, and once the ceremony is done Milliardo will be unable to do anything about it.” ~~~ (***) ~~~ Treize's words lingered in Wufei's head long after he went off to rest and refresh himself. As he lay back in a tub of steaming water in his chamber, Wufei closed his eyes and let the bath soak away his tension, his worries. He'd nearly fallen asleep with his head resting back against the padded rim of the tub---perhaps he had been sleeping--when the sound of footsteps startled his eyes open. "Need your back washed?" Sally asked. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile as she clambered up onto the edge of the high bed. "If you do, I should go get Duo. I'm certain you would prefer his help over mine." "No, thank you," he said evenly. "I'll manage just fine on my own." // Nataku, is my every thought and feeling written all over my face? Trowa, Treize, and now Sally--each of them seem to be able to see far too much. // "Truly, Wufei. Is there anything you need?" she asked, her voice serious. "You do know how glad I am to see you, don't you?" He looked up and met her gaze. Her gray-blue eyes held love and concern for him. Despite their squabbling, they were very close. They always had been, even before their parents' deaths at the hands of a rampaging warlord. The arguments and teasing were simply their way of showing their affection for each other. Wufei trusted Sally with more of himself than he did anyone else; although she'd never seen all the ugliness he tried to keep hidden from her. But deep down he knew that side of him would not matter to her. Her love was unconditional, and as necessary to him as breathing. He only sought to spare her grief, for he knew how she worried about him. It occurred to him that perhaps she was more like him than he had realized. Last year, he'd discovered the secrets Sally had kept hidden, from everyone, for many years. Those dark and anguished memories must have evoked feelings he would recognize all too well. It was no use hiding anything from her now. Who better than his sister, the last of his immediate family, to understand his fears? "I've been about the prince's business of late—too much, I think. Perhaps familiarity has blinded me to his machinations." Wufei scooped water into his hand, then watched as it trickled through his fingers. He forced himself to look up and meet her gaze. "Trowa is dead." "No!" she gasped, pressing her hand to her heart. Tears filled her eyes, making him regret the abrupt way he'd told her. "How did it happen?" "One of Milliardo's men caught him on his way to warn us. He'd been shot. He was already past help by the time he reached us. I left him there, for he felt we needed to run." How it galled Wufei to have treated Trowa with so little respect! Leaving his body there—unattended, unprotected—seemed to him a sacrilege. Evidently Sally could see how it bothered him. "Treize will send someone--" "He already has," he told her. "I'm just sorry I didn't bring Trowa's body with us." Sally climbed down from the mattress. "Would you like me to leave so you can get out?" He shook his head. "I intend to stay in here until the water is stone-cold." She gestured toward the kettle steaming on the hearth. "I could warm the water for you." "No. The colder, the better." // And even that wouldn't help. // "Ah." She rolled her eyes. "No wonder you don't want Duo to come wash your back." Her gaze settled on the fine carpet spread across the floor. "It’s just as well. That rug is very valuable, I'm told, and I'm exceptionally fond of it. I'd hate to see it ruined by a flood." He tossed the sponge at her. She batted it away with a shriek, eyeing the water dripping down her dress with a scowl. "What do you think of your new cousin?" he asked, not even bothering to hide his interest in her response. Sally dragged a chair over to sit nearer the tub. "He's beautiful, sweet, biddable--" Wufei choked back a snort of laughter. "Which part did I get wrong?" "The 'biddable' part," he said dryly. "Although you're right about the others." "That poor child--" “Man.” She sent him a triumphant grin. "That poor man needs us to help him, Wufei. I knew Milliardo was capable of just about anything, but this... This truly enrages me." Wufei stared down at the water's rippling surface. "Do you have any idea the shame I feel?" he asked roughly. "There's nothing you could have done to stop this, Wufei. You didn't know. None of us did. If we had known, it certainly would never have gone on so long." "I realize that. No, I mean shame for the things I've done." He looked up at her, seeking to make her understand. "If this had been someone else, some other family, I would probably have praised Milliardo for his impressive scheme. It is impressive--he is capable of a great and far-reaching vision. I have set his plans in motion, plans worse than this, I assure you. And I've gloried in the reputation I've gained for it. Milliardo's Dragon! I would do almost anything for him, to advance the cause." "Uniting Sank is a noble cause." "But the things we've done to gain it are not," he said flatly. "And I'm the greatest of hypocrites if I don't see that I've been no better than he." He scooped the cool water over his face and rubbed at his eyes. He heard Sally cross the room, then felt a stream of warm water splash over him. The kettle clattered to the floor, and then Sally picked up the sponge and began to rub it across his back. "Relax, brother. Be at ease," she said soothingly. "You've carried the weight of Milliardo's plots and vengeance for too long. Let us help you, for a change. You can lighten your vigilance for a while. We'll allow no harm to come to Duo." He leaned his head forward and let his tension melt away beneath Sally's ministrations. "Yes," he mumbled groggily. "For a little while." Despite his promise to Sally that he'd lie down and rest, sleep wouldn't come to him once she'd left. His body felt better once he'd bathed and eaten, but his mind refused to let him be. Wufei couldn't decide if what he felt was guilt or shame. But whatever the emotion, it surged unchecked though him. // If I sit any longer in this room, it will drive me mad. // He shoved his feet into his boots and slammed out of the chamber in search of action. He needed the cleansing release of a good, hard fight. But he found himself standing outside Duo's door. He hesitated to knock, in case the boy had better luck than he at falling asleep. Duo ought to be resting like a babe, he thought. His conscience was clear, as clean as fresh snow. He didn't intend to do anything to change that fact, either, Wufei reminded himself. His fingers had already unlatched the door before he realized that was what he intended to do. Just to see him, watch him--watch over him--as he slept. Perhaps, in the presence of such purity, he could find peace. Wufei pulled off his boots and set them inside the door, then crept across the room to the bed. His eyes swiftly adjusted to the faint moonlight as he gazed upon Duo. His hair lay all about him like a cloak, covering his shoulders, but allowing Wufei a glimpse of his silk-clad chest. The fabric clung to him, caressed Duo’s flesh as Wufei’s fingers itched to do. A sheet lay rumpled about his legs in complete disarray, as though it had taken him a while--a restless time--to find slumber. A strand of hair clung to his lips. Wufei brushed it away, his fingertips lingering for a moment. Perhaps he'd tickled him, for his mouth curved into a smile. "Wufei?" he murmured, eyes still closed. He knelt beside the bed. "Yes, it’s Wufei," he whispered. He smoothed Duo’s hair away from his brow and pressed a kiss there. "Go back to sleep." Though he never opened his eyes, Duo’s hand reached for his and found it with unerring accuracy. He brought Wufei’s fingers to his mouth and pressed his lips upon the back of his hand, then curved Wufei’s palm about his cheek. Duo’s breathing settled back into the slow, even rhythm of sleep, his lips still curled in a smile. Wufei could not--no, would not--leave from this place for the promise of salvation. Never moving his hand, Wufei shifted into a more comfortable position on the floor and rested his head beside Duo’s on the mattress. Content at last, Wufei let his eyelids drift closed, holding the image of Duo. ~~~ (***) ~~~
Wufei knelt beside the bed, his head nestled against his chest. He'd apparently curled about Wufei in his sleep. For the first time in longer than he could remember, Duo felt warm, rested, content. Although the position Wufei was in looked far from comfortable, he seemed to be sleeping soundly. Duo didn't dare move, for fear he'd wake him from his well-deserved rest. But it was torture to lie here like this, with his breath wafting over his nipples in a subtle caress. Duo reached out to touch the dark hair curling over his brow, and his eyes snapped open, fixing him in place. "Good morning to you." The husky rumble of his voice vibrating against Duo’s sensitive flesh sent an answering shiver through Duo. "Is it morning already?" A stupid question, he realized as soon as the words left his mouth. The sun was streaming through the shutters, painting them with strips of light. Duo could hear sound rising up from the courtyard, but it was distant, remote. It seemed that he and Wufei lay in a gilded cocoon, separate from the world--in their own world, where nothing of ugliness could touch them. "Yes, milord." Wufei moved his head slightly and, his gaze never leaving Duo’s, pressed a kiss on the upper half of his chest. It was the exact spot where the silk of his shirt gave way to his bare flesh; the silk slipped over Duo’s skin, intensifying the sensation. Or perhaps Wufei’s eyes, holding him captive, caused that melting feeling. Duo was reluctant to break the spell, but still, he hadn't expected to awaken beside him. "Why are you here?" Wufei’s lowered his gaze, leaving him bereft. "I came to check on you in the night." He toyed with the strands of hair draped over Duo’s shoulder. "I needed to see you, to be near you, Duo. When I saw you resting so peacefully, I decided to stay for a while. I must have drifted off." He shifted against him, setting off more sparks. "You make a most comfortable pillow." A battle raged within Duo as he watched Wufei's face, watched the play of emotions he knew the Dragon didn't think he saw. Wufei did need him--for comfort, at least, though he'd never call it that. Even if that was all he'd ever want from him, Duo would give it gladly, in whatever form he wanted. He'd thought long and hard about it last night, when he could not sleep. Perhaps he'd come into Wufei’s life to give him something. Certainly he'd already done so much for him, Duo could never repay him. And he was selfish, he admitted to himself. Wufei had aroused a host of foreign emotions within him, feelings he couldn't imagine exploring with anyone but him. Freedom came in many forms, Duo saw that now. It wasn't just the ability to leave one place for another. There were worlds to explore without ever going anywhere. And Duo wanted to explore them with Wufei. He touched Wufei’s cheek. "Will you think I want too much if I ask you to kiss me? I swear to you, I'll ask for nothing more." Wufei’s eyes darkened, the color drawing him in like the cool dark depth of the night, providing sanctuary. "I would be honored to kiss you, Duo." He rose to his knees and rested his weight on one hand, brushing aside Duo’s sleep-tousled hair with the other. "Where shall I kiss you? Here?" His lips brushed over his brow as softly as a butterfly's wings. "Or here?" Wufei raised Duo’s hand to his mouth and trailed his tongue over the sensitive skin of Duo’s inner wrist. Duo would have closed his eyes to savor each new touch, every nuance, every feeling, but Lord Chang held his gaze entrapped within his own. By the time Wufei released him, Duo’s body felt weighted by a languorous spell. Wufei ran the tip of his tongue lingeringly up the length of Duo’s arm to his shoulder, leaving a path of liquid fire in his wake. "Or here, perhaps?" he asked, nuzzling against his chest. Duo’s breath left him in a sigh. "Yes." Wufei chuckled, tickling him. He drew back to watch Duo’s face, his eyes searching. "Which one?" He stared, transfixed by the changes passion had wrought in Wufei’s face. His features seemed sharper, more defined, and a flush rode high along his cheekbones. Black silken hair tumbled over his shoulders. His lips looked full and soft. And the Dragon’s eyes saw to his very soul. "Any of them. All of them," Duo said with a sigh. Wufei’s mouth closed over his. // Yes. // ~ * ~ |
