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"A Time for Us"Written By:Jewel of Hell Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words Rating: NC 17 Warnings: Romance/Tragedy, Angst, yaoi, lemon, language, violence, blood feud, forbidden love Pairings: 1x2, others Summary: The Maxwells and Yuys are two powerful
noble families that have been fighting for generations. Heero and
Duo are no exception. However, one fateful night changes everything
for the young heirs-a Romeo and Juliet tale with a twist. " A Time for Us" When I Die Phylia sat quietly in her bedroom, elbows resting on her knees and face buried in her hands. She felt anxious, as though her nerves were frayed and beginning to unravel. Her father had told her he spoke with Heero last night. She could imagine exactly how that had gone just by looking at the man's face. He'd looked a strange mixture between furious, chagrined, and worried. What would her brother be thinking now? She absolutely believed Heero more than capable of following through with his threat of suicide. He had the conviction and the motivation. It would come down to whether or not Takashi Yuy was capable of bending. Listening to reason. That she doubted. The telecom chirped. Startled, she moved to her desk and slipped on the headset. "This is Phylia. Heero?" "Yes," came her little brother's familiar voice. Every single muscle from her pelvis to her throat tightened at that one word. It was heavy with despair, laced with resignation. And grim determination. It took tremendous effort to draw in another breath. "How went your talk with Father?" she asked. "Not well," Heero replied. "In fact, pretty much exactly like I thought it would. He accused me of being the victim of trickery and Duo of some foul plot to eliminate me. He wouldn't listen to anything I had to say." Phylia's heart started to pound. There was something in that tone, something that spoke of a readiness to act. "Then I'll tell him as soon as he returns home this evening that you had me bring you the arrowroot elixir. That should tell him how serious you are." "It won't work," Heero said quietly. "I know it won't. It's all right, Phylia. Duo and I were prepared for this. I'm . . . done. I'm tired of fighting." "No," Phylia said at once. "No, I can't accept that. I won't accept that. You've only just begun—" "How can Duo and I erase centuries of resentment and hatred?" Heero cut her off. "It has already started!" Phylia insisted. "Damia and I have been friends for several years! You and Duo actually fell in love! There will be others in our generation who want to get past this insane fighting as much as you." "No they won't," Heero said. No more passion. No anger. Just . . . exhaustion. "Vethryn and Tarwyn are of our generation, and Tarwyn shot Vethryn." Phylia opened her mouth to say that was an isolated incident, but that would be a lie. "Heero, please don't do anything yet. Let me at least try one more time—" "It won't work," Heero said again. "We've had enough." And he disconnected the call. For a few seconds Phylia remained frozen. Then she surged up out of her chair and rushed downstairs. Lady Hauhna Yuy sat in the parlor, working on a beautiful needlework project. "Mother," Phylia said, injecting enough urgency into her tone to get the woman's attention quickly. It worked. She looked rather startled as she gazed up at her daughter. "What is it?" "It's Heero," she said. "I know where he is, and I . . . I fear he's planning something terrible." Hauhna's eyes widened. "Whatever do you mean, sweetheart?" It took considerable effort not to burst into tears. That would be unbecoming and counterproductive. "He's with Duo Maxwell, as you know. They claim they're in love. A few days ago, he had me bring him some arrowroot elixir. I think he means to take his own life with it." Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Duo gazed into the cobalt eyes of his lover. He never would have imagined at seventeen he would not only fall in love with his worst enemy but run away with him and lose his virginity to him. But even though their impulsive actions had brought about a fair bit of turmoil, Duo would not have taken any of it back had he the opportunity. Heero, sitting opposite him, reached forward and took hold of both Duo's hands. He interlaced their fingers, reassurance and love warming his countenance. Duo was nervous—he wouldn't lie about that. In fact he was terrified. He wasn't all that sure he wanted to die, and what if this moonwort, arrowroot elixir didn't work like Heero thought it would? But he also didn't want to face life without Heero and hating the Yuys just because tradition dictated he must. Even if he did die, then at least he would be with Heero in the next life. Confidence radiated from Heero's expression. "It's almost time," he murmured. They'd contacted their families a day ago. Duo had spoken with his mother, who had reacted nothing like his father. In fact she didn't even mention Heero. But the results were desirous. Heero was certain both their mothers would come, and unlike the two men at the heads of the opposing households, the only thing they would care about was their sons' well-being. And they would be almost in Boerma by now. The elixir would start working in about ten minutes, and in twenty the pair would be as the dead. Duo's hands felt cold, even surrounded by the warmth of Heero's. Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them and looked at Heero. "Once more," he whispered. "Make love to me once more, Heero." He wanted it both as physical and emotional affirmation, and to calm his fearful mind. By the look on Heero's face, he knew that. Nodding, he rose and gently tugged Duo to his feet. Heero stripped away their clothing without dawdling—they didn't have a whole lot of time. But the moment they were skin-to-skin on the bed Duo wrapped around him, aligning them. Heero's heat suffused his skin, seeping into the core where fear had taken up residence in a cold knot. Heero drowned him in silken kisses, barely giving him the time to catch his breath between each one, while his fingers made an unhesitant journey to the most sensitive places of his body. Breath hitching in anticipation, Duo broke away, head falling to the side as he panted. Heero knew just how to play his body. He responded at once, arching up into the long caresses. Heero's other hand ventured lower, fingers stroking over Duo's hidden entrance. The tiny ring blossomed immediately, and Duo flushed to feel the heat gathering there. Heero prepared him quickly. "I want to be joined with you as long as possible," he explained in a slightly breathless voice, his eyes locked on Duo's face. When he deemed Duo ready he sat up, crossing his legs and beckoning Duo to do the same. Understanding what he wanted, Duo blushed and rose to hands and knees, crawling over the bed to sit on Heero's lap. His lover caught his hips and steadied him, and he let gravity do the rest. Head falling back in bliss, Duo accepted both pain and pleasure as Heero impaled him. One of Heero's hands glided up his back and neck, tangling in his hair and gently pushing his head forward to rest on the taller boy's shoulder. For what seemed like a small eternity they simply stayed like this, both content just to feel the other as close as physically possible. Eventually the desire to reach completion and urgency of their time limit spurred them into motion once more. Duo remained as he was, eyes closed, refusing to open them and acknowledge anything but Heero and these amazing sensations. It was very easy to let his lover sweep him away. He didn't come back at all until sweet release broke over them in glittering waves and then faded out, leaving behind only a golden glow. Heero was the first to rally. He slid out from Duo's body and rose, cleaning them both off and urging Duo to dress. Then they returned to their former positions in the middle of the floor in the front room. Heero took hold of the gourd of prepared elixir. He poured two goblets, the exact correct dose for them both. Duo accepted his with a hand that trembled only a little. "Drink it all in one swallow," Heero instructed softly. "It's bitter." Nodding, Duo rose the goblet to his lips as Heero did so that they tossed back the contents at the same moment. Then Heero grabbed the empty goblets and gourd and shoved them away. Reconnecting their hands, they gazed unwaveringly at each other as they waited for the poison to take effect. Duo felt it first as an unpleasant burning in his stomach about two minutes later. It wasn't quite painful, but it was definitely distracting. He didn't break their gaze. When the time elapsed doubled so did the burn, and it was spreading to his chest. To his pelvis. And slowly to his extremities. His limbs felt heavy. Heero urged him to lay down, hands still joined, facing each other. His eyes were losing focus, but he didn't look away. There was nothing but love in his cobalt eyes. In desperate need of his comforting touch, Duo wriggled closer until he could snuggle into those strong arms. "I love you," Heero breathed into his ear just as darkness descended. It was the last thing he would ever hear. Lady Hauhna Yuy and Lady Avalon Maxwell arrived at the cabin in Boerma within a few seconds of each other. The two women barely spared each other a glance as they broke ahead of their husbands, pushing into the house. The sight that greeted them affirmed their worst fears—and that neither boy had been lying. Pale, still, and entangled around each other lay Heero and Duo. Both women uttered a peculiarly similar sound, dropping to their knees alongside their young sons, trembling fingers reaching for their necks. Indigo eyes met dark blue. No pulse. Skin as cold as the grave. What they found in the other's eyes confirmed it. Dead. As one tears sprang to the women's eyes. "Not this," Avalon whispered. "Anything but this . . ." Hauhna looked at her only a moment longer before looking up at her husband, standing next to Lord Maxwell just inside the door. Anger churned across the surfaces of her normally docile eyes. "You couldn't listen for once, could you?" she ground out, voice heavy with scorn. "You said this was a plot. You wouldn't listen, and now our son is dead!" The two most powerful men in the world looked at each other, and it was readily apparent both were thinking the same thing of the other. "This must be some trick," Durham immediately accused. "My son would never kill himself for your brat!" Takashi retorted. "Enough!" Avalon burst out, rising to her feet. Tears poured freely down her face. "Duo is dead, Durham! And so is the Yuy boy! And the only reason they felt driven to such extremes is because of you two!" "You told me yourself Heero tried to talk with you," Hauhna added, voice heated though quiet. "What did he say? That he loved this boy? And you didn't believe him, did you? Well, look what's come of it! Lady Maxwell is right. You caused this!" For several moments, both mothers were overcome with grief. "End this feud, Durham," Avalon finally managed. "I've lost my son, and Lady Yuy has lost hers. End it! Many have already died, and never did I imagine my Duo would be a casualty of your insane hatred!" "Nor I Heero," Hauhna backed her up, leveling her own husband with a dark glare. "See for yourself, Takashi. No pulse, and he's cold . . ." Sobs choked off any other words she might have spoken. Both men looked guilty and a little shamed as they moved to their sons and searched for a pulse. As if physical touch finally brought the jarring reality home, two sets of eyes widened and they rose, finally looking at each other. Without a word they retreated from the cabin. Avalon looked at Hauhna. Neither seemed able to pull herself together. They didn't move toward each other, but both could see undeniable pain and sympathy in the other's eyes. Lips trembling with her weeping, Avalon reached one hand toward Hauhna. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. Hauhna brushed her fingers over Avalon's. "As am I." "Your Majesty?" King Zechs Marquise looked up from his writing desk in his private study. "Yes, what is it Treize?" The steward of the throne stepped forward and gave him a shallow bow. "I have news from Boerma." Boerma. Not a very big city. "Go on." "Two more deaths. Reported by Damia Maxwell and Phylia Yuy." Zechs felt a headache building behind his eyes. Despite his best efforts, the Maxwells and Yuys had managed to kill each other in several skirmishes and isolated events. "Who?" He couldn't imagine any of them being important enough to report to the king. "Duo Maxwell and Heero Yuy, Sire." Shit. Zechs sat up very straight. That was definitely important enough to report to the king. The heirs to the powerful heads of both families? Both dead? That had absolutely disastrous portent. "How?" "Apparently they took their own lives," Treize said. "Damia says they were in love. They both tried to convince their fathers to end the blood feud, and neither listened. So they committed suicide rather than be parted." Zechs sucked in a startled breath. They were in love? When had that happened? His eyes continued widening fit to pop out of his head as the implications of this settled in. "And?" "Ladies Maxwell and Yuy forced their husbands to agree to a temporary truce," Treize said. "They've agreed to meet with the crown and talk." Mind racing too fast to catch up to, Zechs finally rose. "Two boys accomplished in a day what I could not in six years? And they had to give their lives to do it? I'm tempted to arrest both Maxwell and Yuy and imprison them for the rest of their lives! I knew both their sons, Treize. Good boys, both of them. Ironic I always thought if anyone could end the blood feud it would be them." Treize smiled sadly. "Contact Avalon and Hauhna. Find out when the memorials will be—I wish to attend both and extend my sympathies to both ladies. And set the day for the talks as soon as the services are done." "Sire." It shocked the powerful nation into stillness, the news that Duo and Heero had killed themselves over the blood feud. It also forced both families to acknowledge their foolishness and the absurdity of the feud. That the two youngest members of the families felt death was the only option was quite a hard pill to swallow. A long time ago, the Maxwell and Yuy families discarded the notion that a corpse should be preserved. It was the natural order of things that a body buried in the earth should return to it. So the boys were dressed in resplendent robes and both placed in open tombs until they would be buried. Candles lined the walls and walkways to the altar where they both lay, and mourners brought fresh flowers to lay inside the tomb. Zechs visited the Maxwells first, simply because their estate was closer to the palace. A pale-faced Avalon greeted him with a graceful curtsy, but he pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Lady Avalon," he said. "How did it happen?" "Th-they asked my daughter to bring them arrowroot elixir," she replied, breath hitching slightly. "At least there was . . . very little pain." He held her as she brought her grief back under control. At his request she left him alone in the burial chamber. The door closed with a hollow boom, causing the candles to flicker. He walked down the carpeted way and stopped by the altar. Even gray and still and cold Duo was still an exceptionally lovely thing. Zechs felt a sharp stab of regret. Duo and Heero were the brightest pupils M Y University had ever seen. He'd had such hopes for them both. Seeing the boy's prone form doubled his anger. Durham and Takashi were to blame for this. No one else. Drawing in a deep, calming breath, Zechs reached out and lightly brushed Duo's bangs back. And frowned. Normally, the body's skin became taut and waxy in death. Though as cold and pale as it should be, Duo's skin was still soft. He found himself checking for a pulse. Nothing. And he could tell the boy's lungs drew no air. So then . . . why? Duo and Heero had died two days ago. He knew of no drug that could stop the heart and lungs and yet not kill its victim. He knew of no drug . . . did he? Arrowroot elixir. There was no antidote. Damia had brought the elixir to her brother. The empty gourd had been found just a short distance from their bodies. Cause of death was obvious. So then why didn't he believe Duo was dead? He wracked his brain. Something was nagging at him. What? A long time ago. He was still young. Perhaps . . . twelve. Yes. A woman . . . a Yuy. Vydia Yuy. Yes. She was a strange, eccentric woman who had devoted her time to her herb gardens. They were extensive. Arrowroot had been her main study. "Moonwort is an interesting little weed," she'd said. "It's useless. Absolutely useless. Unless it is combined with arrowroot." Zechs eyes widened. Shit. So the boys had had a plan after all. It had worked just as they'd wanted. The feud would end. Only . . . moonwort and arrowroot combined in the elixir could fake death. But it would also cause death unless a specific antidote was administered within seventy-two hours. An equally useless plant that had no special properties. That meant Heero and Duo really would die unless he could get the antidote administered by tonight. Under the guise of giving Heero and Duo a royal ceremony, he had their bodies brought to the palace. Clouds shrouded the night sky, swathing the land in inky black without light from the stars and moons. The air felt breathless in its stillness. Zechs told no one of his plan. Laying the two boys side-by-side on an overly-large bed in his many guest suites, he filled a syringe and administered the antidote to them both. When they woke, he would take them both out of the country where they could live quietly without having to deal with ending the feud. They deserved the chance to live in a time without turmoil. Maybe someday they could return and resume their places as the heads of their families. But for now, they needed time to rest and recover, and
to heal.
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