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"SHADOWS AND LIGHT: AN UNBREAKABLE BOND" Written By: Stone Angel
Please see Prologue for disclaimer, ratings and explanations. ^_^ AN: The candle thing is sacred to me as it is one of the few memories I have of my grandmother before she died. Please don’t steal it. Yay! Humor in this chap. Oh and the thing with the heater WILL be explained better in later chapters. Honest. ^_^
SHADOWS AND LIGHT: AN UNBREAKABLE BOND:
At around Seven in the evening, Wufei awoke. Heero knew because Duo's eyes widened and he smiled faintly. After a moment he heard the bedroom door open and quiet cursing. What words he understood made him blush. 'Oh. No wonder Duo's smiling.' Wufei shuffled into the room, a hand over his chest. "Maxwell, I swear to god, I WILL kick your ass for this." Duo grinned. "Fine. Later." He stood up and stretched before turning back to Heero. "Think we could continue this later?" Heero nodded and closed his math book. "Yeah. Thanks. It makes much more sense now, but if I try to learn anything else, my brain is going to explode." Wufei snorted. "Pleasant image, that." He said sarcastically before he turned to Duo. "I'm starved. What time is it?" "Seven-oh-four." He replied with a forcedly nonchalant shrug. "We can leave in forty minutes or so." Wufei grumbled again and Heero became uncomfortable, shifting slightly in his seat to distance himself a little from the Chinese vampire. "Alright." He sighed. "You got a phone I can use? I have to call those I work with and tell them I won't be there tonight." Duo nodded and handed him a small, silver, cordless phone from the cradle off a small, couch-side table in the corner of the room before sitting back on the couch next to Heero. Wufei took it gratefully and walked into the kitchen, the sound of numbers being dialed reaching Heero's ears. He listened to Wufei make some excuse about being sick and not being able to get to work for a few nights before he heard another button being pushed and the phone being set down. He heard the refrigerator open and saw Duo jump a little. "Maxwell. Why is the handle...? Never mind." The fridge door closed and Heero heard grumbling. "This is old. And where's your heater?" Duo was really uncomfortable now, shifting in his seat and not looking to Heero. "I don't have one. I have a pot and a glass you can use but that's it." Wufei gave a small sound that could be a laugh. "Splendid." He said sarcastically. "How can you NOT have a heater? I know it's even worse reheated but you have to be warm right? I know you don't hunt enough. You never did." Duo scowled slightly at the words, still looking at the coffee table, his arms crossed. "Wufei? A little more grace?" Wufei mumbled something in Chinese and there was a moment of silence before Heero heard something being washed and pitched into the trash. "If you need the money for a heater, I'll buy you one." Came the disembodied voice before he was visible in the doorway again, leaning against one side of it. The light from the kitchen shone past his form, casting his shadow onto the living room floor and framing his form, making him somewhat hard to see, a silhouette effect. 'Do they all play light like instruments?' Heero wondered. Shadows and light fell around them as if commanded. The effect was rather artistic. Heero gazed at the Chinese 'man'. "No, that's Ok. I can afford it." Duo replied meekly. Wufei stared at him for a moment before sighing, Heero catching sight of the twin fangs gleaming in the dim light of the living room lamp. "Maxwell, I'll buy you one. You need to stop punishing yourself. I know that's why you heat it in a pot." "Shut up." Duo warned. Heero put an arm about his lover's shoulders to try to comfort him, show him that he was not repulsed by the conversation. "Maxwell, you're my friend. A damned annoying one but a friend none the less. I'll buy you a goddamn heater." Duo looked to him. "I just... I didn't want it to be found so I never had one. When I get my own place, I'll get one. Chigiru." Wufei sighed again. "Yosha." He stared up at the ceiling. "Do you want me to do anything about your land lords?" Duo shook his head. "Iye. It's kind of a relief that they know. In a weird way." He added at Wufei's incredulous look. "I don't have to lie and hide anymore. At least for a little while. It's a nice change in pace." Wufei nodded in understanding. "I suppose." He rubbed at his bandaged wound again. "You got a shirt? I can't go out like this and I think you ruined mine thoroughly. And I don't want to bleed on the rest of my clothing." Duo smiled sheepishly, a hand behind his head. "Ah. Sumimasen, ne?" He stood up and led Wufei into the other room. "My stuff is going to be a little big on you. You're shorter." "Shut up." Wufei growled without menace as he disappeared into the hallway. Heero smiled. 'I guess they all are self-conscious of their flaws. Just like ningens. But then they are just like ningens. Just with different diets and allergies. And super human speed and strength. And longer life spans. And mental powers that could rule the world... Ok, maybe they're not all that much like ningens. But their hearts are. If humanity found out they existed but learned how much like us they are, would they react any better? Probably not. We know how smart lots of animals are, but they're often killed or used for food, ornaments, or scientific testing.' He shuddered at the thought of the latter happening to Duo and vowed to never let it become a reality, to protect him from harm for the rest of his life the way he knew Duo would for him. Heero packed his books into his backpack and zipped it before leaning against the back of the couch and waiting for his lover and friend to emerge. He chuckled as he heard Wufei arguing with Duo about clothing. "If you even come NEAR me with that, I will strangle you with it." "Aw, come on. It's soft and I think it would look great on you." "It's PINK!!!" "Quatre gave it to me. And besides, you look better in pastels and all my clothes are dark colors. Unless you want tee-shirts?" "What about this?" "That's Heero's, you have to ask him. And I think it would be WAY too big on you, Short-shit." "Kisama!" "Oh, please. Oh yeah, you look really scary all wounded and half-naked like that. Put the shoe down and stop glaring. Look, if you really want to wear it go ask him." "Are you two that serious? I mean, there was food in the icebox. And clothes here." "Yeah." "...I'm happy for you." "Aw, I knew you cared!" "Ack! Get off me! Hanase! Maxwell!" "Gomen. Here, what about this? Long sleeves and your favorite color. Or lack there of." "Whatever. …Thank you." "Don’t mention it. It looks better on… Well. Me. But who’s gonna know?" A snort. "Baka." Footsteps returned to the living room after a moment and the two friends stepped back into the room with Heero. Wufei was wearing a long sleeved, white tee-shirt. Heero smiled at Duo. "You guys have the weirdest conversations." Wufei glared at the floor as if it had insulted him and Duo grinned. "Yep. I know." He checked his watch. "Heero, we're going to go out in about thirty minutes. We might be out late. I'll try to get us back here by Eleven, though, so if you want to go home and sleep or sleep here, either is Ok with me." Heero smiled. "I'll wait until you get back and then go home. School starts late for me tomorrow. Revision meeting in English and I don't have to be there cause it's not my meeting." Duo smiled brightly. "Cool." After half an hour of talking and watching TV, Duo picked up his keys and Wufei walked with difficulty to the door. Heero followed them outside onto the porch. At that moment, an old pickup truck was just driving up the driveway towards the three of them. "Kuso!" Duo cursed quietly. Wufei peered at the truck illuminated by pale, silver moonlight. "It's ningens. Who are they?" Duo sighed. "They're my land lords." "Shimatta." His hands curled into fists and he took a crouched position. "Wufei, don't. I don't want them to be hurt. And you're too weak right now anyway. I'll handle it. They probably want me to work in the vineyard tonight." Duo straightened his posture and approached the truck. The large vehicle stopped and the engine ceased. Martha and Elmer stepped from either side of it and greeted Duo. Duo grinned. "How are you?" Martha smiled and Elmer nodded, letting his wife speak. "We're good. You?" Duo nodded. "Me too." He looked to the two of them for a moment. "Um... Is this about vineyard work?" Martha smiled. "Just a little. But also I was wondering who was here. New car and all." Duo smiled wryly. "Come meet a friend." He walked back up the steps and Wufei backed up a few paces, a scowl on his features. "Martha, Elmer, this is Chang Wufei. He's an old friend of mine." Duo gave the Chinese vampire a pleading look and Heero saw Wufei's eyes glaze for a second and knew that Duo was begging him to be civil. "Hello." "How do you do?" Wufei grumbled under his breath, nearly growling, looking sidelong at them, and extended his hand to shake first Elmer's then Martha's. Martha's eyes widened. "Cold hands." Wufei looked to her from the corners of his eyes. "You're not wrong." His fangs were visible as he spoke. Martha nodded as she took a small step back at the sight of the sharp teeth and the look in his eyes. Heero could almost hear her thoughts himself. 'I guess she's realizing that not all vampires are as nice and sociable as Duo.' Wufei growled quietly at the silence. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Duo spoke in an exasperated tone. "Wufei, people, play nice." He sighed and looked up to the farmers. "So what do you want done? And when?" Martha's attention unwillingly left Wufei and she turned to him. "Um. We were hoping you would help us fix a few more holes in the fence and care for the vinelings. And maybe prune a little. And we were wondering if you might want to give us a hand with the cows and horses?" Duo nodded. "Sounds good. What time?" Martha smiled. "Whenever. You are obviously busy tonight. What about tomorrow?" Duo smiled wryly. "I suppose that could work. I'll start at, say, Eleven?" Elmer nodded. "That would be great, Duo. Thanks." "You're doing their chores?" All looked to Wufei who had his nose in the air and seemed to be looking down at them over it, despite his small stature. Duo growled, making Martha's eyes widen and Elmer put a hand on her shoulder. "A: Shut the hell up. B: They pay me. Probably better than you. C: What the hell business is it of yours?" Wufei didn't say anything immediately, just turned his glare at the two farmers before walking off the porch indignantly. "Whatever, Maxwell. Are we going or not?" Duo sighed and rolled his eyes skyward before fixing the elderly couple with an apologetic smile. "Please don't take this personally. He's like that to everyone. I'm one of his buddies and he's like that to ME. But he is very defensive of his friends. That was his way of defending me. He really is a nice guy. He just doesn't show it. Ever. What can I say? He's an ass. And I would be glad to help you tomorrow night. Just leave the tools I am to use on the porch and I'll do the rest. Ok?" The two nodded and Martha did her best to smile. "Thanks, Duo." She began to turn to leave but stopped short, pulling something from her jacket pocket. "I forgot, this came for you in the mail yesterday." Duo took the sealed envelope from her, an obviously confused look on his features before he smiled. "It's the picture's from Quatre's." He said to Heero, handing him the envelope. Heero blinked. "I thought no one knew where you lived." Duo shrugged. "I guess I forgot." He grinned. "Quatre works in mysterious ways." Martha looked confused but didn't ask. "Well, Duo, goodnight." She smiled and waved as she and Elmer walked back to their truck, getting in and backing it up to turn around and leave. Heero smirked as his lover's and Wufei's eyes reflected in the headlights for a second, Duo's a deep amethyst, Wufei's a dark charcoal. He saw the farmers' stunned looks before they recovered and were on their way home. Duo sighed. "Well. That was the most fun one can have without actually HAVING any fun." He tousled Heero's hair when he chuckled. He then turned to Wufei, who was leaning against his Jeep. "Why don't we take yours?" Wufei snorted. "I can't drive. You saw to that when you put this massive hole in my chest. And if you think YOU'RE going to drive MY baby, you have another thing coming." "Yeah, yeah, ya eternal pain in my ass." Duo chuckled and got into his side of the car. He turned to Heero, looking to him through the window on the open door. "We'll be back by Eleven. Ok? Just stay in and don't answer the door." Heero nodded. "Hai." Duo looked at him sadly for a moment before Wufei growled from his seat. "Maxwell! Let's go, dammit!" ‘"Ai shite ieru."’ Duo looked back to Heero once more and shut the door, starting the car and turning around to pull out of the parking way. Heero watched the taillights disappear around the first bend in the road. Sighing, he turned and went back into the house, closing the door behind him and flipping on the TV as he put the envelope on the coffee table, day dreaming of a day where Duo would trust him enough to take him on a hunt. "Someday..." * "So are we going to Call or Hunt?" Asked Duo casually. Wufei grumbled. "I don't care." His demeanor softened a little. "It really doesn't matter to me." He looked at the country outside the windows. "Don't you have a stereo in this hunk of junk?" Duo snarled. "Excuse me? Hunk of what? This car can so kick yours' ass." Wufei sneered. "I doubt that." Smirking, Duo pointed to a little red button. The look Wufei had been wearing died. "Well, that's not standard." Duo smirked wider. "So? I'd still win. And yes, I have a stereo. A good one. What the hell do you want to listen to?" Wufei shrugged. "Does it matter?" Duo smiled at him, taking a silver case out of the center console. "The CD's are in there." He said, handing it to the Chinese man. "And I think we should call. Less work." Wufei nodded silently as he looked through the CD's for a moment before selecting one and putting it in the player. The first song began and he stared out at the trees and land. Duo recognized the song. 'One Headlight? Oh man. She really did a number on him. He's totally heart broken. Poor guy. I shouldn't have made fun of him.' Duo knew of Wufei's past. The Chinese 'boy' had been made a vampire out of interest in the strength: He had wanted to be the perfect warrior, an asset to his clan. And he required the speed, reflexes sharp mind and strength to do so. He had met a woman that had been somewhat sloppy in her hunting habits and demanded to have the strength or he would inform everyone in the clan of her strange appetites. Rather than trying to fight it, she agreed, having been somewhat insane with age. When he was sired, he had gone back to his wife to tell her of this and show her that she would never have to be afraid again. That all their village’s battles would be won. Merrain, his wife, had rejected him with disgust. She had said it was unnatural and that he was no longer welcome in his own house. Eventually, she accepted the fact that what was done was done, but things were never the same between the two and she grew old and died in Wufei's arms. Though their marriage had been arranged, the two had loved each other. First as equals, then as friends, then as lovers. Duo felt a sharp stab of pain at the thought of losing Solo. 'And we weren't married. I can't imagine how hard that must have been.' He watched as Wufei took a box of cigarettes out of a pocket and lit one with a small amount of Ki, taking a drag and blowing it out the window into the night air. So long ago, I don't remember when, That's when they say I lost my only friend. Well, they say she died easy of a broken heart disease As I listened through the cemetery trees. I seen the sun coming up at the funeral at dawn, The long, broken arm of human law. Now it always seemed such a waste, She always had a pretty face. So I wonder why she hung around this place. Duo sneaked a few glances at Wufei who, aside from taking the occasional drag and sticking the end of the cigarette’s cherry out the window to knock off the ash, was looking forward blankly. He knew it was a mask. He had worn the very same one more times than he could remember. Hey, come on try a little. Nothing is forever. There's got to be something better than in the middle. But me and Cinderella, We put it all together. We can drive it home, With one tail light. Duo could feel the pain radiating off the other. 'Wu-man. Who knew you were a sensitive guy?' He wondered if Wufei and Noin were soul mates as well. 'God, I hope not. Cause if she doesn't take him back, they'll both be miserable for the rest of their considerable lifetimes.' She said; "It's cold. It feels like Independence Day. And I can't break away from this parade. But there's got to be an opening Somewhere here in front of me Through this maze of ugliness and greed." And I seen the sun up ahead At the county line bridge Sayin'; "All there's good and nothingness is dead." We'll run until she's out of breath. She ran until there's nothin' left. She hit the end- it's just her window ledge. Hey, come on try a little. Nothing is forever. There's got to be something better than in the middle. But me and Cinderella, We put it all together. We can drive it home, With one tail light. Duo thought about the way Wufei had acted around Noin at the party. As if he was afraid to open up to her. He had been brash and rude as he had to all his friends for years. 'He doesn't want to let her in. Or, to be exact; he wants to let her in, but he is too scared. I wonder if that has anything to do with the reason he's staying with me now.' Duo knew too well the reason Wufei was afraid of attachment. Vampires lived long lives. At least, the smart ones did. To get attached meant that one would have to become detached at one point or another when their tie died and that would always hurt so badly. It was the reason there were so many vampires. Vampires would make others out of lovers or friends to keep their death at bay. But even so, many vampires were still so afraid of attachment, so scarred were they from loved ones dying and leaving them, that they never even paired off with other immortals. Just as protection. Duo knew. He had done it for two and a half centuries. So had Wufei. But eventually, he began to have casual flings with either men or women. It was mostly women with dark hair. He would always cut himself off from them before they began to question his nature, distancing himself from intimacy on an emotional level. Well this place is old, It feels just like a beat up truck. I turn the engine, but the engine doesn't turn. Well it smells of cheap wine and cigarettes. This place is always such a mess. Sometimes I think I'd like to watch it burn. I'm so alone, and I feel just like somebody else. Man, I ain't changed, but I know I ain't the same. But somewhere here in-between These city walls of dying dreams I think her death it must be killin' me. Hey, come on try a little. Nothing is forever. There's got to be something better than in the middle. But me and Cinderella, We put it all together. We can drive it home, With one tail light. Duo cleared his throat as the song ended and he turned the volume down. "Wufei..." "Don't even say it, Maxwell." He warned. His voice was quiet, but held venom. He took another drag and blew the cloud of smoke out the window absently. For once, Duo heeded his friend's threatening tone and dropped the subject. * * * Duo helped Wufei up the steps to his house and opened the door. He smiled as he looked inside. Heero was asleep on the couch, cushions or no, and the TV was on a low volume. Wufei pushed his way past him into the house, barely paying Heero a glance as he walked/stumbled straight to 'his' bedroom. Duo watched him go and then looked back to his sleeping lover, walking forward and stroking his hair softly to wake him with one hand while the other took the remote and turned off the TV. "Heero?" Heero stirred and moaned in his sleep. Chuckling, Duo sat down next to him. ‘"Hee-kun."’ Heero's eyes fluttered open endearingly and he looked up at him and smiled. "Oi." "Oi." "What time is it?" "Ten-thirty." "Oh." He yawned. "How did it go?" Duo shifted uncomfortably. "Good. Wufei's going to be just fine. Or as fine as he'll ever be for a jack-ass." "I can HEAR you, Maxwell." Came his friend's voice from the other room. Duo smirked to Heero who chuckled. Heero stretched and yawned again as he stood. "I'd better get home." Duo nodded. "Hai. Am I going to see you tomorrow?" Seeming to consider for a moment, Heero smiled. "Of course. Like I could stay away if I tried." Duo grinned and licked a finger before placing it on a hip and making a hissing sound. "I'm just that hot, ne?" Heero laughed. "Ah." Not wanting the night to be over so suddenly, Duo stepped forward and kissed him, a light brush of lips before he licked Heero's lower lip, asking for entrance. As Heero moaned, Duo took advantage of the situation, deepening the kiss. The two encircled their arms about the other and stayed locked that way for countless moments before Heero gasped, his lack of air forcing him to break from Duo. Duo smiled and nuzzled Heero's cheek, planting an innocent kiss there. "You have to go, Hee-kun." Heero nodded, still gasping for air. "Hai." He stepped back, albeit reluctantly, and picked up his backpack. He gave Duo a sad look as he walked towards the door. "I'll see you tomorrow? I have work right after school, so it won't be until late. Nine. Ok?" Duo nodded. "Ah. Until then, Koi." Heero smiled. "Hai. Ai shite ieru." "Ai shite ieru." There was a groan from the other room. "Christ. Would you two just shag and get it over with?" Heero blushed while Duo laughed. "Oyasumi, Koibito." Heero nodded and stepped out of the house. For a moment, Duo merely stared at the closed door. 'He's gone. It's weird. But I'll see him again tomorrow. I just... He's been my touch stone through all this. What if I break down again?' He straightened his shoulders. 'I won't. I can't. I promised him I would not let this bother me. I don't lie.' He walked into the hallway, peeking into Wufei's room. Wufei was sound asleep already. 'Asshole!' Duo cursed halfheartedly. While his body craved rest as well, and he knew Wufei was injured and needed the sleep to heal, Duo wanted someone to talk to. About anything. Something to keep his mind off his own thoughts. Simple activity would not suffice and sleep, he knew, would not come easily. 'Reading it is, I guess.' He waltzed into his room, turning on some quiet classical music, stripping to his underwear and picking up his favorite play by Shakespeare, falling back onto the bed. * * * At around Three in the morning, Duo thought he heard sobs. He got up and turned off his stereo. Indeed, there were muffled sobs coming from down the hall. He put on his priest suit, rather than investigate in his boxers, and stepped into the hall. The sounds were coming from Wufei's room. He opened the door and ducked as something was thrown his way and caught it at the last second. He looked to the cloth object in his hand. It was Wufei's ruined shirt. "Kisama! Get out of here!" "Wufei?" Duo took in the sight of his friend curled into a ball on the floor, head resting on his knees that he hugged tightly to himself. There were a few sniffles and then than more cursing when he didn't leave. "Go the fuck away!" Duo leaned against the doorframe. Testing the atmosphere, he felt great pain flowing from his friend. "Iye. What's wrong, Chang?" Wufei seemed to choke on a sob but said nothing. Duo watched for another moment as his friend's shoulders shook before he stepped into the room. No sooner had he set foot in the room, than Wufei was scooting away from him. "I said GET OUT!!!" "No way, Wufei." Duo stepped closer and slowly sat on the floor in the corner where Wufei had moved to. He put a hesitant hand on Wufei's shoulder. Wufei struck the hand away with a snarl. "Don't touch me!" "Ok. Ok." Duo put his hands up and simply sat there. After a few moments, Wufei leaned against him. "Maxwell." He whined. Duo put careful arms around his friend. "I'm here." Wufei sobbed into his shoulder and Duo rubbed his back soothingly. "Shh. It's Ok, Wu." "No." Wufei argued through his sobs. "It's not Ok." Duo just held him and let him speak. "Sh-she...left...me...what did I do?" He sobbed brokenly. "Nothing, Wufei." Duo reassured. "Nothing. She'll be back. They all come crawling back, ne?" Wufei sobbed harder. "Not Merain. She won't be back." Biting his lip at the pain he felt radiating from the other, Duo thought of telling him about Heero. That he had once been Solo. 'Will that give him hope or just make him fall deeper into despair? I don't know. He's really fragile right now.' Duo rubbed his back in small circles. "Wufei, we all lose people dear to us and they can never be replaced. But sometimes..." He searched the ceiling as if it held the words for which he was looking. "Sometimes... Wufei, people are like candles. Love is like candles." Wufei's sobs hitched. "What the hell are you talking about?" Duo continued to rub his back. "Well, love is like the flame on a candle. No matter how many other candles it lights, it is still just as strong as it always was. It cannot be diminished by lighting others." He sighed. "We are like candles, Wufei. No matter how many people we love and lose, our love is still just as strong for the giving to others."
Duo smiled sadly. "I think you two are soul mates. Heero and I are." Wufei snorted. "That mortal? How can you be sure? He's a boy." "So are we." Wufei was silent. "What I was saying is that if you two are soul mates, she WILL realize her mistake and this will have a happy ending. If not, you will get over it and give your flame to another." Wufei nodded and his sobs died down a little at a time until they were even breaths. "Arigato, Maxwell. But if you speak a word of this to anyone, I will hunt you down and string you up by your hair." Duo chuckled. "Speak a word about what?" "Smart lad." Wufei sniffled one more time and then stood up with much difficulty to stumble onto his make-shift bed. He laid down on his side, facing away from Duo and remaining still. "I'm gonna go get you some blankets." Duo stood to do just that. Though vampires were not traditionally bothered by cold, blankets were a luxury most enjoyed. Something familiar from their mortal lives. Blankets also helped to insulate them and keep their body heat more up to human standards. He got out a large comforter and draped it over Wufei's form like a mother might. Wufei grumbled something incoherent and Duo chuckled as he walked from the room. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aw. Did anyone like the sensitive Wufei? I hope I did that Ok. I’m trying to keep him in character. Key word: "TRYING". Eh. I could have had him hop around, I suppose. (GRIIIIIN) Wufei: You BITCH!!! (According to Chinese legend, vampires are said to hop when they hunt. Hehe. Funny shit. I laughed for hours when I heard that one. Just picture it for a mo and you’ll see what I mean. Kind of a perverted Easter Bunny with fangs. Ha.) Back to
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