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"Duo's Salvation "Written By: Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Gratuitous violence, abuse, torture, language, yaoi, lemon, angels, demons, bigotry, hypocrisy, blasphemy, heresy, sacrilege, and general religion-bashing. THIS IS NOT A STORY FOR THE CLOSE-MINDED. Pairings: 1x2, others Summary: When the Prince of Hell is captured and taken to Heaven, it is up to the Prince of Heaven to save him. But what if he believes Duo is already being saved? "Duo's Salvation "
The capitol city of Endina sprawled over a great area, surrounded by walls of gleaming white stone. The color, Duo noted somewhat sourly, wasn't natural. It was the result of some very intricate divine magic, and he was so tempted to taint it with a little black divine magic. Heero must have guessed his thoughts, because he lightly touched Duo's arm with a faintly amused smile. "I wasn't gonna do it," Duo said with a dark little grin. "I was just . . . considering it. You know, sort of a 'what if'?" In one of Endina's smaller inns, Heero and Duo shared a room. It had two beds, but they slept in only one of course. Duo, who hadn't been able to touch Heero much lately, was quite glad of the change of scenery. They'd been in the city for three days now, and there were signs of Oraia's influence everywhere. It looked like the whole population were avid followers of the Way of Light. It kind of made Duo want to be sick. Because their chief deity was the 'Archangel Oraia,' raised to the status of demigod. Apparently the only way to God was through her. Most of her dogma was set up in such a way that it established complete control over its followers, allowing no questioning or thinking for oneself. Duo knew a religion this widespread had to have been around for at least a few hundred years. It took very little, according to the Way, for a hapless soul to condemn itself and wind up with a one-way ticket to Hell. Where demons awaited to feast on said soul and torture it for all eternity in their depraved rituals. Nothing like fear mongering. Fucking ignorant morons. Yesterday, they'd attended church for the first time. Aside from the church being absolutely enormous and luxurious-swelled with its own importance-the devotees acted like they were being saved from some horrible fate. Because, Duo had found out, those who did not attend church were just as condemned as your average murderer or rapist. It made him so angry he could barely sit through a sermon from the pompous bishop who was fat and wore robes of white silk with pure gold thread. "I want to burn the church to the ground." Duo blinked. "What?" Heero's eyes met his, and the normal cool color was dark and cloudy. "Oraia is lying to these people for her own selfish ends," he said quietly. "I hate this religion, and everything it represents." Duo broke into a grin. "So of course, you want to burn the church down. Makes perfect sense." The look Heero gave him was far from amused. Holding up his hands, Duo backed away. "Sorry, sorry, I shouldn't make fun. But you need to lighten up." Heero sighed. "You're right." His look turned slightly sheepish. "Sorry." Closing the distance between them, Duo planted a kiss on his lover's lips. "Make it up to me by committing a terrible sin?" The surfaces of Heero's eyes cleared and darkened with something else entirely. He fused their mouths back together, tongue plunging demandingly into Duo's mouth, dominating and in control. Duo yielded without much fight, too eager for anything sexual Heero gave. He was such an ardent lover. The kiss dragged on until he was afraid he'd pass out, then Heero released him, breathing a little hard. "We don't have time," he said. "There's a meeting for the 'especially devoted' starting that we need to attend." Duo shook his head. "That can wait. I want you now." A slow grin spread over Heero's face, not a very common expression on his beautiful face. "Patience is a virtue, lover." "I'm evil; I don't need virtue," Duo growled, advancing. Heero made a sound suspiciously like a snicker. "You won't convince me of that." Then, as an afterthought, "Or of that, either." As if coming to a decision, he reached out and grabbed Duo, wrapping his arms around him and squeezing like a vice. Not enough to hurt, but enough to hold him still. "Later." He planted a firm but short kiss on his lover's now-pouting lips. "Fine. All work and no play, you angels." He squirmed until Heero released him. "Are we going with Zechs and Wufei?" "No. They're coming, but we aren't going together. Larger groups attract more attention." Duo humphed. "You and your well-thought-out plans. Fine. I'm going with Wufei then, and you can go with Zechs." With that, he stalked out of the room. Wufei idly watched Zechs watch the city through the window. He knew the siren was fascinated by human behavior. Like a human watching an anthill. As though he could not fathom their reasons. It amused the Imperial dragon. Zechs wasn't a young siren, but he hadn't spent a lot of time around humans in his life. Like most immortals he believed them inferior. Wufei was too old for ideas like that. Humans were different, certainly. Less powerful. But not inferior. They led such short lives they tended to live them with all their hearts, making foolish decisions and seemingly stupid mistakes. They didn't have time to ponder each and every action. As such, they were risk-takers where immortals tended to go with the flow. "We haven't heard from Treize in three days," the siren abruptly said. Almost startling Wufei. He'd been silent for so long it was unexpected. "He is probably quite busy. There has been a great deal of activity around the palace." "It doesn't take any time at all to send us a thought," Zechs said, not looking up from the window. "We've kept them updated. Why doesn't he return the favor?" Wufei hid a grin. For someone who held the human in such open contempt, the siren seemed very concerned with the man's doings. "I'm sure he's fine." "I know that," Zechs snapped, looking up briefly with flashing eyes. "He could at least let us know if he's learned anything." Chuckling, Wufei rose. "You're working yourself up for no reason, my old friend. Treize has more cause for caution than us. He is in the heart of the enemy's territory, so to speak. We should be leaving. That meeting is starting soon." As if on cue, someone knocked on the door. A split second later Duo sent Wufei a wordless pulse to let the dragon know it was him. Wufei sent him a wordless invitation to enter, and the demon walked in. "I'm not going with Heero," he announced with a scowl. "Zechs, you can have him as your partner in crime." Wufei did not miss the sudden disappointed look in Zechs' eye. So he had not given up his useless pursuit of the young demon. To the dragon's surprise, Zechs simply nodded and left without another word. Wufei allowed his small grin to show. "What happened?" Duo's scowl grew. "Business is more important. He is making me wait." Absolutely scandalized. Wufei nearly burst out laughing. "Ah . . . I'm sure he doesn't find our job here more important," he said, choosing his words carefully-he didn't want to offend the demon. "Just . . . time is of the essence." Mood as fleeting as quicksilver, Duo immediately brightened. "Ah, that's true. Save the world today, play tomorrow." Wufei snorted. "Something like that." Heero couldn't quite decide what to make of Zechs. In some ways the lovely siren reminded him of Duo-dark, graceful, seductive. In some ways he could not consider them more different. Duo did not have that condescending edge, that knowing gleam in his eye that came from many years of believing in one's own superiority. Heero didn't think Zechs believed himself superior to the angel, but certainly to every human he came across. It was an interesting attitude. Wufei did not act like that, and he was at least ten times the siren's age. But as immortals went, Heero was painfully young. The equivalent of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old human, most likely. Zechs would be closer to thirty while Wufei . . . was old. And Zechs' attitude toward Treize bothered the angel. He considered Treize a good man, sound of mind with a good heart. His ill-placed affections aside. He was not a fool, whether he was mortal or not. He didn't deserve the scorn. "May I ask you something of a personal question?" Zechs said abruptly, startling Heero out of his thoughts. "It depends on the question," he replied. May as well be honest. "It's actually about Duo," the siren clarified. Heero inwardly tensed. Then it really depends on the question. "I can't speak for him," he said warily. Zechs brushed it off. "You have spent more time with him than I," he said. "I was wondering if he had confided to you anything . . . well, that would make my attempt at seducing him successful." For a moment, Heero floundered. That was not what he'd been expecting. Nor even anything along those lines. "Ah . . . I confess, you caught me off guard," he managed after several awkward moments. Chuckling, Zechs ran a few fingers through his silken, platinum hair. "It rather caught me off guard, too," he admitted. "I did not expect to so quickly and suddenly fall for a demon. It's just that he's so beautiful and mysterious, I find myself wanting to know everything about him." Heero got the feeling the siren had wanted to add some explicit desires onto the end of that. Perhaps realizing his company, he figured it inappropriate. Which distantly amused him. Everyone thinks I'm so pure. He gave the siren a sidelong glance. "Have you already tried?" "Yes," Zechs said. "He turned me down, but it's too late for that. I've fixated, and I'm afraid I've never wanted anything as much as I now want him." For a moment, Heero was caught up between two equally strong emotions. The first, something he'd never felt before: poisonous, possessive jealousy. He didn't want Zechs so much as looking at Duo. And second, sympathy. How could he not be head-over-heels for the beautiful, feisty demon? Duo was sensual and graceful and dangerous. And it was a lost cause if ever he heard one. He knew he had nothing to fear, that Duo would never betray him for a siren. Beautiful as that siren may be. So he opted instead for playing devil's advocate. "Are you sure you want to devote time and energy to seducing a demon? When this is over and we have done what we can, he will return to Hell, and you will most likely never see him again. He is the Demon Prince. He can't stay on Candora." Zechs closed his eyes for a moment. "Funny. He said nearly the same thing. I know that, but I can't seem to help myself. He is . . ." He gesticulated vaguely. Biting back a grin, Heero nodded slowly. "It is often difficult to deny the urges of the heart, even when the mind knows better. However, I know for a fact Duo is already madly in love. I sincerely doubt anything or anyone could convince him to turn his eyes away from his lover." Finally Zechs looked at him, his dark blue eyes stormy. "You and he must be closer than I had assumed. He confided that to you?" Oh, time to tread lightly. "We inexplicably find ourselves brothers in arms," Heero offered by way of explanation. "I know we seem an unlikely pair, but in uncertain times, unusual bonds are formed. And I saved his life, and he saved mine. That has a way of bringing people together." The determination faded somewhat from Zechs' face. He heaved a deep sigh. "Might I impose upon you for a favor?" "That would be dependant on the favor." A slight smile. "Would you mind testing the waters for me, so to speak? Ask him if there is any way I would have a chance with him?" Heero nodded gravely. "And in return, promise me you will not uselessly hold your chances in too high hopes. Understand; I say this for your own peace of mind." The smile deepened a bit. "You are a very kind person, Heero. And wise beyond your years. I appreciate it, and I promise." Finally, Heero returned the smile. "That's all I ask." Treize dropped to one knee. "Your Majesty." Looking up, he gazed into the dark brown eyes of Queen Diana Adaia III. "I have a mission for you, General," she said in her strangely husky voice, "one you must conduct with the utmost secrecy. You must speak of this to no one, not even your most trusted officers. What I say is for your ears, and your ears alone. Do you understand?" "I do, my Queen." "Very well. These tidings have come from none other than the Bright Lady herself. There is a demon, here on Candora. One of Hell's foulest has come here to attempt the destruction of our peaceful ways. I want you to hunt him down and slay him." It took every single ounce of self-control Treize possessed not to react. As it was, he blinked. "A demon? I thought the only way demons could be slain was with a special divine weapon called an Unsummoning arrow." Diana nodded, and from behind the throne she produced a long bow made of white ash, wrapped in black velvet. With it was a single golden arrow. "The Bright Lady made this herself. All it takes is a single shot. I'm entrusting this mission to you." Willing his hands not to shake, Treize took the bow and the softly gleaming arrow. He gave her a deferential bow, feeling as though his queen had failed him. "By your leave." And he turned to go. "Treize," she called quietly. When he glanced over his shoulder, her eyes were grim. "Do not miss." He simply nodded. "I won't."
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