|
"Custos"Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing nor any of
its characters. I only own the original characters. And nobody's paying
me to write this. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, OC, Yaoi, Lemon, Language, Violence Pairings: 5x4, 1x3x1, 2x6x2 Summary: Just as things begin looking up for the
Gundam boys, Wufei disappears. " Custos" Chapter 14 Galen sat on the edge of the bed, brushing dark bangs from Aidan's forehead. Quatre stood at the foot, watching the couple. When they'd returned to the village, they all had pretty much passed out for a day or so, and Quatre and Wufei figured they needed rest first. Now, though, as he looked at Aidan's terribly pale and thin form, he wondered if they shouldn't have awakened him sooner to get some food in him. “Was he starved?” Galen shook his head. “Not exactly. Evan cast a spell on him that caused him to stay in intense pain. It also triggered visions.” He sighed and looked back to his lover. “It was near impossible to keep food in him, even when I was forced to feed from him.” Quatre's hands clenched the bed post. He'd felt the heavy hunger after Wufei fed and couldn't imagine a pain strong enough to keep him from eating. “I'm sorry you've suffered so much.” Galen turned to fully face the other blond. “Suffering is a part of war. Even those who don't physically feel the pain have to deal with the results of battles. All we can do is pray that our efforts aren't for nothing.” Quatre nodded. “I know that all too well.” The vampire smiled softly. “It is always a strange occurrence to meet a person we have witness in visions. We begin to build perceptions of them that may or may not be accurate.” Quatre's brows raised. “Who have you seen?” “All of you. The faerie, the shifter, Chang and you, and, of course, the Custos and his lover.” “Can I ask a question?” “Of course.” “Zechs... isn't he mated to Duo the same way I am to Wufei?” He shook his head. “No. The only power shared between them is length of life. When the pact was formed, in a sense, the royal heir became a gift to the Custos.” Quatre nodded. “Jarvis mentioned that. But it's strange. You'd think the lover of the Custos would be more at risk for attack, so why is he left vulnerable?” “You haven't seen all Wufei is capable of, much less your friend. When a vampire is made, their body changes. It becomes stronger, able to perform certain abilities a human can't. Now, you can tap Wufei's power, but it isn't really your own. If you pushed too far, your body would give out under the strain. “As great as Wufei's power is, Duo's is greater. It would overwhelm his lover.” “I see.” A quick tap came to the door frame and they looked to Wufei. “Jarvis wanted to know if you were ready to wake him up and give him something to eat.” Galen looked down and traced his fingers down Aidan's cheek. “Wake up, love.” Slowly, dark eyes slit open as a small whimper of protest sounded in the back of his throat. He slowly focused on Galen. “We're free?” he asked in a whisper. He smiled, running the back of his knuckles down his pale cheek. “We're free. How are you feeling?” “Tired.” He nodded. “I know, but you need to eat something. What would you like?” He shook his head. “I'm not hungry.” Galen pursed his lips. “You haven't eaten in days. Please, can't you try to stomach something?” He licked his lips and turned his face to the side. “I decided something, Galen. That if we got out of there, I'd never be a burden to you again.” He frowned. “You're not a bur-” “Yes I am. If I hadn't been careless we wouldn't have spent the last six decades chained in a basement.” He looked back to Galen. “You'd be better off without me.” “So... what? You're going to starve yourself to death?” He caught his lip between his teeth. “Galen-” “Red meat,” Galen said suddenly, looking to Wufei. “Preferably steak, rare.” Wufei nodded and left the room. Galen smoothed Aidan's hair back with his palm. “My life would be empty without you.” Quatre smiled softly and left the pair to their privacy, moving out of the room and down the steps to the basement where Duo, Zechs, Trowa, and Heero were resting. Zechs was curled on a mat, held tightly from behind by his lover. Trowa sat on the bed with Heero's head in his lap, running his fingers through his hair and calling his name softly. He looked up as Quatre entered. “He won't wake up.” Quatre frowned and sat on the edge of the bed, studying Heero's pale face. His wings fluttered slightly as his back raised with silent, shallow breaths. He put his hand to Heero's forehead, alarmed by how cool his skin was. “His temperature is dropping?” Zechs stirred and looked up. “What's going on?” Quatre shook his shoulder softly. “Heero?” He felt his pulse and his frown deepened. “It's dangerously slow. It's more like... he's in a coma.” Duo raised to his elbow. “Coma?” Quatre chewed his lip. “He used a lot of power and it's only been a day. We should give it some time, a few more days.” Trowa hooked his hands under Heero's arms and pulled him up to his chest. Heero's face stayed slack, not even an eye twitched. He pressed his cheek to messy chocolate locks, turning his eyes from the others. Quatre squeezed his shoulder. “Do you need anything?” “No.” He nodded and pushed from the bed, looking to Duo and Zechs. “How's your leg?” “Aches a bit, but the painkillers are helping some.” Duo's lips pressed to a thin line and his eyes moved down to the splinted leg. They'd done the best they could with what they had. After setting the bone and stitching the wound, the town doctor debated between casting the leg or keeping an eye on the gash to watch for infection. He'd compromised by using wooden rods to keep the bone straight, which meant Zechs wouldn't be able to get around on his own for a while. “They're not helping enough, though,” he said of the painkillers. “I'm sorry. It's all they had.” Zechs shook his head. “It's all right.” Duo looked up to Quatre. “Can we get something for him to eat?” He smiled. “Of course. Is there anything you need?” “No, I'm good for now.” Quatre squatted down. “How's your back?” He shrugged, looking away. “It's fine.” “Have you looked at it?” “No, and I don't want to.” Quatre pursed his lips. No one doubted that Death's Kiss had appeared on his back, but no one had seen it yet. And Duo really didn't seem inclined to talk about it. Quatre tilted his head to the side. “Can I see it? Please.” The brunette scowled. “Why?” “I'd like to see it, too,” Zechs said softly. Duo sighed and sat up fully. He turned, pulled his braid over his shoulder, and lifted his shirt. Zechs studied the intricate pattern that perfectly matched the image they'd found on line. He raised his hand, lightly tracing over the dark red lines. The band around his wrist tingled at the contact and Duo shivered. “I don't think you should do that.” He pulled his shirt back down and turned. “It has interesting side effects.” A fine blond brow tweaked and Zechs smirked. “Really? I guess I have a new way of letting you know when I'm in the mood then.” Duo's lips lifted slightly and he took Zechs' hand. He ran the pad of his thumb over the inside of his wrist and Zechs' eyes fluttered as the seemingly innocent touch sent a jolt of pleasure running through him. He groaned. “Yeah, let's wait on that.” He looked to Quatre. “Food would be good.” “Anything in particular?” He shook his head. “I'm fine with whatever.” “All right.” He spared a glance over his shoulder to Heero and Trowa before leaving the room and making his way to the kitchen where Jarvis was cooking a steak for Aidan. “If it isn't too much trouble, Zechs is hungry.” Jarvis nodded. “No trouble at all. What about Heero and Trowa?” He sighed and knelt beside Wufei who sat at the table. “There's something wrong with Heero. His pulse is slow and his breathing is shallow. He's cold and completely non-responsive.” Wufei's lips pressed to a fine line. “Is he stable?” “For the moment, but I don't know how long that will last.” He shook his head. “With everything that happened, I'm not surprised he's still out. I don't know how much power he has, but he expended a lot. And we don't know what all they did to him.” Quatre nodded. “I agree, but if there isn't a change in a few days, I think we'll need to do something.” Wufei put his hand to Quatre's head, running his fingers through his hair. His gaze, however, was directed blankly at the wall. 'Something wrong?' He looked to Quatre. 'How is Duo?' 'Worried about Zechs.' Wufei rubbed his hand over his mouth. 'I don't have control over him anymore.' “What?” Quatre asked out loud in shock. Jarvis turned a raised eyebrow to the pair. “What's wrong?” “Nothing. Sorry.” He stood and sat in a chair. 'I thought you were supposed to have control for several months.' He leaned his elbows on the table. 'I guess it works differently in this case. As soon as the markings appeared on his back, I felt him pull away.' Quatre tilted his head to the side. 'That bothers you.' 'It shouldn't, but... he feeds off vampires. Now that I don't control him, I don't know if I'll be a temptation.' Quatre reached over and pulled Wufei's hand into his. 'It'll be all right.' He smiled softly. 'You're optimism astounds me.' ****** Trowa lay on his side on the bed, running his fingertips down Heero's spine. In three days he hadn't so much as moved an eyelash. If not for the slow but steady rise and fall of his chest, Trowa would have believed him dead. Trowa tried to warm his too cool skin by holding him tightly for hours on end. It didn't seem to do any good, but he didn't know what else to do. He looked up as Quatre and Wufei came in. “Any change?” “No.” Quatre sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to trail is fingertip over the edge of one of the wings. “We're going to see if we can find out what we need to do.” Trowa frowned. “You're going to invoke a vision?” Wufei nodded and sat behind Quatre so his chest touched the blond's back. “I don't know if it'll work, but we're going to try.” Trowa nodded. “Do I need to move?” “No,” Wufei answered, putting a hand to Heero's back. “You're fine as you are.” He stared at the the side of Heero's face and wrapped his free arm around Quatre's waist. “What do we do?” he whispered. His vision shifted and he heard Quatre gasp. They saw a dragon soaring high above the clouds, Trowa on its back and holding Heero's unconscious form to his chest. A thick forest spanned the land beneath them, shifting between the lush green of summer and the rich golden colors of autumn. The dragon swooped down to a clearing. Trowa slid to the ground and lay Heero down, stepping away. Small lights swirled from the bushes and surrounded the faerie, completely obscuring him from view. They swirled around him in a chaotic rhythm before moving away from Heero. The grass beneath him continued to shift from brittle brown to thriving green. When the grass was dead, Heero was gone. When it was green, there was was a faint image of him. Quatre sucked in a breath and looked to Trowa. “The Cove of Light. Have you ever heard of it?” He nodded. “Heero mentioned it in passing before.” “You have to take him there, as quickly as possible.” “What did you see?” “He won't recover on his own. You have to make it there before autumn or he'll die. If you make it sooner... there's a chance he'll live.” Wufei pursed his lips. “They were riding a dragon. That's not possible. They're extinct.” He looked over his shoulder. “There must be at least one or the vision wouldn't have showed them on one.” “And how are we supposed to find it?” “You call it. How did you call the other one?” He shook his head. “I didn't. Daren took me to her.” “Wait a minute,” Trowa cut in. “I don't know how to get there, and, even if I did, from what Heero told me, they don't allow just anyone in.” “We saw you there, Trowa. That means somehow you'll know the way and they'll let you in.” His brows drew together. “There's no other way. He'll die if you don't try.” He didn't look convince that it would work, but he nodded. “All right. Get the dragon and I'll do whatever I can.” Wufei stood and went upstairs, mind running a mile a minute as he ran through his memories of Daria. There were no incantations or spells. He'd merely projected to her what he wanted done and she did it. He stepped out into the humid night air and gazed up at the clear sky, a full moon casting the village in a pale blue wash. He moved around the cabin and stepped out a few feet before leaping to the roof. He silently moved to the apex and gazed off in the distance. He took a breath and closed his eyes, opening his mind for projection and aiming it toward dragons. 'I am Wufei of the house of Chang, lords of the dragons. I have no desire to rule over you, but I need your help. An innocent mystic has suffered a devastating injury and he needs to reach the Cove of Light before autumn. If there are any left who hear my call, please answer me.' He reached up and raked back the hair the breeze had blow across his face. He listened in the quiet that was slightly broken by the chirping of crickets. Minutes dragged by with no response and he opened his eyes. “Please,” he whispered. “I need your help.” He waited several more minutes and sighed, turning to leave the roof. 'How was he injured?' a tentative voice resounded in his mind and he almost fell from the roof in shock. 'His lover was gravely injured and, in an attempt to heal him, he drained almost all of his power.' A moment of silence. 'My father told me of the Changs and how they were blessed by our ancestors. He said it was a great honor to serve them. I will help.' He sighed heavily in relief. 'How long before you can be here?' 'You are in the Congo... at most, three days. Will that be sufficient?' 'Yes, thank you.' He hopped from the roof and returned inside. 'Quatre, where are you?' 'Our room.' Wufei climbed up the ladder to the windowless attic Jarvis had cleared a space in for them to use. He leaned against the door frame for a moment, watching the blond. He wore nothing, foot propped on the cot as he ran a towel over his shin and calf. His water darkened hair sent trails of droplets down his shoulders and chest. 'Staring is rude, you know,' he teased Wufei as he glanced over his shoulder. “You knew I was coming up.” He shrugged and returned to drying off. “How did it go?” “There's a dragon on the way. He should be here in a few days.” Quatre nodded, dropping his foot to the floor. “Good. Now we just have to figure out where the Cove of Light is.” Wufei nodded but was distracted by the lithe figure bending over his suitcase. He'd been a vampire for years and had grown accustomed to the heightened senses, but sometimes, when he was tired or hungry, his control over them would slip. The muscles rippling underneath pale skin and the scent of the soap Quatre liked to use quickly brought him to distraction. Quatre raised up and glanced in the mirror, frowning slightly at the expression on his lover's face. “Wufei?” He shook his head as if coming out of a trance and crossed to his lover. He wrapped his arms around Quatre's waist and pulled his back to his chest. The blond tilted his head automatically and closed his eyes as fangs sank in. He dropped the clothes in his hand to the floor, reaching back to grip Wufei's thighs. Obsidian eyes slit open, gazing down the length of his lover's body. He opened the link between them a little wider and Quatre gasped, hands clenching tighter as a wave of desire washed through him. Wufei sent several more pulses until the blond was trembling and he pulled it back. He closed the wound, supporting Quatre's weight as he tried to catch his breath. 'Are you all right?' He leaned his head back on Wufei's shoulder. 'Yeah... Just a little overwhelmed.' Wufei smiled. He'd handled it much better that time than he had in the library at Jason's. He hooked his arms under Quatre's shoulders and knees and lifted him from his feet, carrying him to the cot. 'Rest for a while.' Quatre grabbed his arm. 'Lay with me?' He kicked his shoes off and lay down, spooning behind Quatre. The blond sighed contentedly and folded his hand over the back of Wufei's to curl them to his chest. 'What are you doing to me?' 'Getting you ready.' 'For what?' 'For all that comes with being mated to a vampire that loves you.' ****** Wufei stepped out of the cabin and stared up into the overcast sky that was lit by the fire pits around the village. The villagers were huddled on their porches, watching with him as a massive form circled several times before swooping down to land several feet in front of him. The orange glow of the fire reflected off the green scales as he dropped down, head to the ground in a deep bow. A strangely submissive pose for a creature that was nearly the size of Jarvis' cabin. Wufei smiled and ran his hand down the sleek nose. “You are young for a dragon.” “Near a hundred,” the booming voice responded. “Are there others?” He raised his head and shook it. “I don't know. I haven't seen any, but I've been in hiding. I'm sure, if there are others, they are doing the same.” Wufei nodded and turned to Quatre. “Tell Trowa to bring Heero out.” He looked back to the dragon. “What is your name?” “Daeon, my lord.” He shook his head. “I'm not your lord, Daeon. I hope we can be friends.” He tilted his head to the side. “Do you know where the Cove of Light is?” “Yes.” “How long would it take you to get there?” “Four or five days.” He looked from Wufei as Trowa came outside with Heero in his arms and green eyes widened. “A faerie.” “Yes. His name is Heero and his lover is Trowa. He said that not just anyone was allowed in the cove.” Daeon nodded. “This is true, but a faerie would never be denied.” He dropped down. “Hop on my back, little one, and we will get your lover help.” Trowa held Heero tightly and climbed up the dragon's arm to settle on his back. He looked down to Wufei and Quatre. “Will you be staying here?” “For the time being. If we have to leave, I'll give you a call.” He nodded. “Thank you, Wufei.” The vampire shook his head. “A friend could do no less. Get back to us safely.” He settle between the large wings as Daeon stood. “Are you ready, little one?” “Yes.” Trowa buried his face in Heero's hair as the dragon leapt into the air. He held his breath during the steep incline, looking up when they were no longer traveling upwards but in a steady direction. “Where is the cove?” “I'm sorry, but that I cannot tell you. It is a well guarded secret.” “Who lives there? How can they help him?” Daeon glanced over his shoulder. “Get some sleep, little one. It is a long way and you appear exhausted and distressed.” Trowa wanted to argue, but he was exhausted. “You won't let us fall off, will you?” Daeon roared with laughter. “No, little one. I promise not to drop you.” Trowa laid his cheek to the top of Heero's head and closed his eyes. His sleep was restless as nightmares plagued him. The main one that ran in circles was Heero growing colder and colder and dying in his arms. Others filtered through, battles of the past mixing with possibilities of those of the future. He awoke as bright sunlight his his eyes and he sat up, keeping an arm around Heero. “Where are we?” “Ah, you're awake. I fear your dreams were unpleasant, though.” He shrugged. “It happens. Will you land for rest soon?” “I will rest tonight if need be. I would like to get there as quickly as possible.” Trowa nodded, looking down to his lover's pale, still face. “He's a good man,” he whispered. “Of that I'm sure.” Trowa was pretty sure he would have very much enjoyed the flight if it hadn't been for the reason they were flying in the first place. As it was, he spent most of the trip watching Heero and trying vainly to keep him from getting any colder. Shadows appeared beneath his eyes and Trowa's fears grew with each passing minute, his mind telling him they wouldn't make it in time. He was startled as Daeon began circling and dropping in altitude. He sat up. “Are we there?” “Yes.” Daeon landed and lowered to his stomach. Trowa slipped down to the ground and looked to edge of the small clearing the thick trees. While the rest seemed wild with overgrowth, the half circle to the right was well manicured and surrounded by round bushes. He moved toward it and knelt down, laying Heero in the center. He brushed chocolate bangs from his forehead. “Who is it you bring us?” a tinkling voice asked. He looked around but could see no one. “His name is Heero. He is a faerie.” A faint sound like bells chiming sounded through the bushes. “He is your lover... power given to save you, yes?” “Yes,” he answered in a choked voice. “Step away, shifter, and we will do what we can.” He pressed his lips softly to Heero's. “Come back to me.” He moved away, eyes never leaving his lover as tiny lights began to sparkle in the bushes. They moved toward Heero and surrounded him until he couldn't see him. “Pixies?” “Yes,” the dragon answered. “Cousin to the faeries and subject to them.” A large claw wrapped around Trowa and pulled him back to the dragon's chest. “Do not fear, little one, if any could restore him, it is they.” Trowa allowed the small comfort and leaned his head back against the rough skin of the dragon's chest. “How long will it take?” “I do not know. I have never witnessed a magic healing before.” He wrapped and arm around the claw holding him. “Daeon?” “Yes?” “Are you the only dragon left?” He released a slow breath that rumbled in his chest. “I don't know that, either. I was barely hatched when my clan was attacked by hunters. My mother hid me in a hollow tree and told me to stay there. A few escaped but they were injured.” Trowa tore his eyes from the pixies hovering over his lover and looked to the dragon. “How did hunters defeat dragons? They're just regular humans, aren't they?” “Humans, yes, but they are well trained from a young age, and they had wizards with them. They attacked us in our sleep and outnumbered us by hundreds. Most of us were slaughtered before we even knew we were under attack.” Trowa looked back to the pixies. “I see. I'm sorry.” “So am I, little one.” The light of the pixies began pulsing brighter and Trowa held his breath, wishing someone would explain what was happening. They began moving again, swirling in a chaotic rhythm. It lasted for almost ten minutes before they slowed and returned to the trees. Heero lay still on the ground and Daeon lowered his arm. Trowa moved to his lover and knelt down, cupping his hand to Heero's now warmer cheek. “Did it work?” “We have done all we could. His body and magic are restored. Whether he awakens now is up to him.” Trowa trailed his thumb across his cheek. “Heero, come back to me.” “Come. We've done what we came to do.” He nodded and lifted Heero carefully and climbed back up on the dragon's back, holding his lover tightly to his chest and raking his fingers though his hair. “Wake up, Heero. Please.” Dark brows drew together and sapphire eyes blinked open, slowly focusing on emerald. “Trowa,” he breathed the name, voice barely above a whisper. Trowa closed his eyes and buried his face in Heero's chest. No tears came, but he shook slightly as Heero wrapped an arm over his shoulders. His grip tightened and they clung to each other silently for a long time. Daeon dipped and Heero turned his head, eyes widening as he took in the green scaled back they sat on. “A dragon?” “Yes. It was the only way to get to the Cove of Light.” “But I thought they were extinct.” “As do most,” Daeon responded. “Even I do not know if I am the last.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Welcome back. Your friends have been worried.” He pulled from Trowa, confusion wrinkling his brow. He stretched his arms out in front of him and froze. He looked over his shoulder and stared at the wing. Everything flooded back to him and he turned wide eyes to Trowa. “I almost killed you,” he whispered. “No, Evan tried to kill me. You saved me.” He reached for Heero but the faerie moved away, horrified eyes gazing down at the green scales beneath him. “I gave in to him, Trowa. I knew what was going on but I... I was trapped in my own mind while someone else moved my body.” Trowa grabbed his shoulders and forced Heero to face him. “Exactly, he was controlling you so it wasn't your fault.” Heero closed his eyes. “It hurt, Trowa,” he admitted quietly. “Hours of nonstop pain and the only way to make it stop was to give in to him.” Trowa pulled him to his chest, anger rolling through him at the man who'd hurt Heero. A simple broken neck had been too good for him. “You're free now. That's all that matters.” Trowa's hand brushed the underside of Heero's wing and he shivered, jerking away. His face flushed and he looked to the side. “They're sensitive there.” “Oh.” He watched as they flapped gently, unconsciously on Heero's part. “Have you ever been in this form before?” “Once, when I first met Jason. He taught me how to create and break the spell.” He raked his hand through his hair. “He had a great laugh at my expense the first time I saw myself.” Trowa tilted his head to the side. “Why? You're beautiful.” He snorted. “That's why. I was disgusted.” He chuckled. “It's nothing to be ashamed of. But I was wondering.” “Hm?” “Can you fly?” He draped his forearms over his knees. “Yes, but not like birds or dragons.” He frowned. “Where are we going? Back to the village?” He shook his head and looked forward. “Where are we going, Daeon?” “America. I only have a vague sense of Chang right now, so I can't tell you precisely where he is.” Trowa nodded and looked back to Heero as a glowing fist pressed to his chest. “You're changing back?” Heero opened one eye. “Of course.” He closed it again and the blue light pulsed around him. His brows drew together and he frowned. The light pulsed again but nothing happened. He released the magic and opened his eyes. “Something's wrong.” “You can't change?” He ground his teeth, digging his nails into his palms. “What the hell did that bastard do to me?” Trowa put a hand on Heero's shoulder. “It'll be all right.” “Do you have any idea how horrible this is? It puts me at risk for the hunters and I'll have to avoid humans at all cost. I'd rather not be dissected like a lab rat.” “That won't happen. I won't let it.” Heero leaned into Trowa's chest and closed his eyes. “It hate this form.” Trowa kissed the top of his head. “We'll think of something.” TBC....
|
