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"Baby Series 3"Written By: Karina Rating: PG Spoilers: None Disclaimer: I don’t own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine. Pairing: Wu Fei + Milliardo Challenge 176. Baby Series 3 #304. Takes place
following Me, Myself and I.
Blood, Sweat and Honour The fire cracked. He became aware of the silence, of the profound nature of it. He was aware of the warmth of the lips beneath his, still, relaxed. He was aware of the warmth of the fire and the greater warmth of the hands resting on his own, holding him suspended in this moment of time. It seemed distant, remote, not himself though he knew it was himself who moved. He felt himself shift, his knees folding, of kneeling before the King whose breath he had so briefly shared. Remotely he thought he heard a click and a crackle but it was lost in the snap of the fire as he settled, one knee bent, his weight resting on the other folded to the floor. His hands dropped, himself pulling away though his hands remained encased in the larger hands, bringing his hands together, and his eyes saw only the signet ring. Moonstone and sapphire, silver and gold, intricate whirls and swirls of lettering and glyphs. For an impossible length of time he stared at the ring and then he lost sight of it as he leaned forward, but it was cool beneath his lips, even with the man's body heat. They could not be homeless; he could not be homeless. It was in their blood to tie themselves to their home, to make land their home by more than shovel and plough. His blood demanded more than a gift and he knew the generosity of the man came with no strings attached but for him, for the Clan he was to head, there must be more than a gift. There must be an offering of blood and sweat and honour. "The Clan of Chang, that is the Clan of Long, the blood that flows from this clan within my veins, swears fealty to the House of Peacecraft. For so long as my blood flows within these veins, for so long as my blood flows within the veins of my heirs, shall the Clan serve the House of Peacecraft." Vaguely he thought he heard someone speak, an irreverent `shit', but the world had shrunk to the two of them and it continued to shrink. He was almost certain, in an unconscious way, that they were alone but he heard only the sounds of the flame eating the logs in the great hearth. He kept his eyes downcast, his hands remained encased in the larger hands and slowly thought stirred. What had possessed him to do this? Why, when he had been so filled with fear… where had the confidence come from that had filled him; that had somehow risen within him, setting him on this road? With conscious thought came a stab of fear, causing him to falter for the space of three heartbeats. But no, no he would not falter. Not now. He would not take back a vow even if he made it in private without witness. His blood sang to him that somehow, out of all the fear and confusion and somehow, hope, that he had made the right decision. Witnesses or not there would be no recanting of this vow. It was a sacred trust between men of position, standing and, above all, honour. What others would think when he made this oath known to the Clan he represented he dared not consider. Not now. They still had the choice ahead of them to accept his leadership or return to whatever life they could shape for themselves in space. Those who chose to remain in Sanc, who acknowledged him as their leader, must acknowledge and abide by this oath. He had made the vow and any who followed him with an oath of fealty to him, would honour it in their turn. Something he did not, and could not at this time understand, had moved him. It felt so right deep within him and he could not bring himself to back away. He only hoped the man he knelt before would understand it, perhaps better than he, and accept it graciously. For a moment the long fingers surrounding his tightened, a gentle squeeze and then released him. Those warm hands moved, shifting to encase his shoulders and draw him up and forward. Warm lips touched his left cheek and then his right before lightly touching his forehead. Then, once more, his hands were encased by the long fingers. "The House of Peacecraft welcomes the fealty of the Clan offered freely and without coercion this day. Further the House of Peacecraft bestows upon the Chang of Chang, Wu Fei by name, the title of Dux Ducis Draco and tithe to you and your heirs in perpetuity, estates in accordance with the Charter of Lands, circa 1382. A deed of entitlement will be finalised and presented at the formal investiture to take place at an agreed upon date." A shudder quivered its way up his spine. He could not stop himself from dropping his head to rest his forehead against the strong hands grasping his own. What had he done? The Elder yet to arrive within Sanc's borders would not be amused… but it felt so right! Milliardo had spoken. The King had accepted his oath of fealty and there was no going back… but what had the man thought he was doing naming him a Duke of the Kingdom? He was not born to Sanc, though he was more than happy to make his home here. Milliardo had spoken with a profound confidence that marked him as being more comfortable with his position than most, including Wu Fei, would have expected of him. It was not and never had been his intention to pass the care and governing of the Clan to Milliardo; that was not why he had offered his oath. He could not say, even now, what it was that had possessed him, but deep down he knew he could have confidence in it being the right action, taken at the right time. He would just have to analyse it later. Milliardo stirred, drawing him back from his wandering thoughts and Wu Fei stood up quickly, blushing slightly, suddenly uncertain. "You realise, of course, than we need to get you naturalised as quickly as possible, my friend?" "I… Sorry. I don't… I don't quite know what came over me." Crystal blue eyes shuttered behind near white lashes and the smile that curved his lips was devastating to the young man watching him. Wu Fei gave every appearance of being the young man he had not appeared to be a few minutes before, uncertain now and not a little worried he might be called to task for the rashness of his oath. The King rolled his head against the back of the high backed armchair and smiled. "You do honour to your people and to Sanc, Wu Fei. I had best set the cat amongst the pigeons and begin the paperwork. You can have every confidence in your ability to safeguard your people and see them prosper, my soon to be named Dragon Duke." "It was not…" A raised hand forestalled further comment and Milliardo smiled. "The title has lain vacant for near a thousand years and it is high time there was a Dragon Duke again. I think it fitting that the leader of the Clan of the Dragon should be invested with the title. Of course the estates will be a little different after all this time, the original estate was broken up centuries ago. The land grant that goes with the estate will be extensive, enough room for you to settle your kin and give them some room to grow into. The lands already gifted to the Clan by the Crown will be incorporated into the estate title deed. Make Sanc your home, Wu Fei. We are glad to have you." ~ * ~ |
