"Consortium"

Written By: t-shirt

Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties. I make no money with this fic.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: AU/Fantasy Adventure, BEWARE THE FLUFFINMIESTER! Hiiro POV, There might be a curse word here and thar. Oh and some Lemony type stuff too.

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5+all

Summary: In a world desperate for peace a prince’s hand is promised in an attempt to unite the people and avert war. However, the agreement is complicated when he comes of age and finally meets his intended only to discover that the bride he had once dreamed of is, in fact, a man.

" Consortium"

Chapter 3

One bed. The thought played about the front of my mind for the remainder of the day. I have never been insecure over my masculinity nor has it ever bothered me to share close quarters with my friends and men. There have been times when Trowa, Wufei and myself have huddled comfortably together against the stinging cold of the open night so it was a wonder why I felt so ill at ease over Duo’s residency in my rooms. We needed time to talk and get to know each other. Possibly even become friends, which would ease the troubles on the long road ahead. However, the possibility that I might wake up with a knife in my ribs for having mistaken him for a woman in my sleep was less than appealing.

As desperately as I had tried to avoid Trowa that evening he still managed to find me when it came time to retire. I love him as my own brother but if he made one more joke about my present situation with my betrothed I had every intention of hanging him from his heels from the battlement for the night.

“To bed so soon?” he grinned even though it was well into the morning hours.

“What of it?” I grumbled, bracing myself for the inevitable jeering.

“Nothing at all,” he smiled, matching my brisk pace stride for stride. “But I wonder if I might have a word?”

A word? Since when did he ask me first? The strange behavior gained him my undivided attention as I stopped abruptly and glared suspiciously at him.

“Kindness and generosity have always been your way,” he smiled, setting every warning bell in my head off at once.

“Get to the point.”

“I had noticed, upon my dutiful wanderings about the palace today, that your betrothed honored the decree to relocate to your very own chamber…”

“Trowa,” I growled impatiently but he merely grinned.

“And in doing so left poor Quatre in the solitude of their room.”

Ah. “And?”

“Would it not be tragic for such a lad to waste away in solitude?” he smirked and I couldn’t stop myself from rolling my eyes as I turned to resume my path.

“Quatre is not a stable boy meant to be subjected to your wily whims.”

“Whims?!” he gasped. “I assure you, I hold him the highest regard. I merely wish your blessing in order to properly… uh… entertain him,” he grinned.

Mm hm. I stopped to face him again and paused in my reprimand at the odd quality of emotion in his emerald eyes. He might have been behaving playfully, even to the point of bitter annoyance, as far as I was concerned, but the hope I saw dancing in his eyes doused any desire I might have had to lash out at him.

“You will treat him with utmost respect,” I stated quite clearly and his smile bloomed like the rising of the sun. “Don’t even start,” I warned. “You don’t even know if he likes men…”

“He likes me,” he insisted.

“How can you be so sure?” If he had seduced Duo’s confidant there would be hell to pay but he simply smiled back at me as he disappeared into the dark and replied…

“I can feel it.”

And it hit me. An empath. There was no other explanation. That’s why I kept feeling content at odd times. It also explained Duo’s emotional attachment and the ease with which even the grumpiest of my house attendants instantly worshiped the blond boy. I knew the effect one as talented as Quatre must be could have on his surroundings—even the plants and animals would grow thick and obedient after prolonged exposure—and it crossed my mind to be concerned for my adopted brother’s heart. However, whatever he was feeling this night had nothing to do with the emotional state of the young blond as he was safely tucked away in his room, most likely sound asleep. No, what Trowa felt in his heart was real. I could see it in his eyes and suddenly the fact that I would never have the chance at such a feeling weighed heavily in my chest.

The feeling was compounded when I entered my chambers and discovered all my worry throughout the day had been for nothing. Duo lay sleeping in his bed, not mine, and it crossed my mind instantly to wonder why in the hell I hadn’t thought of moving an extra bed in there myself. I was tired. Tired and frustrated with the whole mess, that’s what it was. The past few weeks had been fraught with one hairpin turn after another and the entire affair was beginning to take its toll. At least he had agreed and I wouldn’t have to endure the incessant jibing of my peers over Quatre’s being welcome at his side when I, as his wedded one, was not.

“You sleep in a dress?” I heard him ask softly as my nightshirt fell neatly around my frame. I was mildly alarmed to find him awake as I usually can tell when someone is faking. However, the embarrassing question wiped it away quickly enough.

“It is not a dress,” I countered, pulling down the thick covers on my tall bed. “And what else would I sleep in? Breeches are hardly comfortable in a bed.”

“Do you always come in this late?” he asked and I must admit I was just a touch flattered by his interest. This was the very reason I had insisted we spend more time together.

“No,” I replied, crawling into the deep mattress. “Today was just unusually busy.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, I had kept busy regardless of whether the work needed to be done or not. “It appears you have made yourself at home,” I added, sitting up in the bed so I could stare over in the general direction of where his eyes should be.

“You made a valid point,” he sighed and I felt the urge to smile when he snuggled down into the pillow. I couldn’t really see him but he still reminded me of a child. “Though I wouldn’t go so far as to call it home,” he mumbled, sending my brief brush with contentment crashing to the ground.

“What would make you feel more like you belong?” I asked, curious as to how I might aid him in the transition. He had given up everything he had ever known to come here and I knew he must been feeling terribly out of place.

He remained quiet for a time, so long in fact I began to wonder if he would answer at all before he gently replied, “There is nowhere that I belong,” and rolled over, effectively ending our little chat.

My heart broke for him. Had he known his mother at all? I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to his family, how he had come to be the last of his breed and what I could possibly offer him that would ease his pain. He obviously wanted to merge our lands and ensure peaceful relations for our peoples as badly as I did, so I had little doubt we would, in time, achieve our ultimate goal. However, it became very clear in that moment that the first order of business was going to be finding a way to make Duo feel at home. There was one other small issue I had to discuss with him before I allowed him his solitude.

“Quatre is an empath,” I spoke softly, noting the slight tension in his body even in the dark. “One of rare ability, no doubt. You’re very lucky to have found someone of his stature.”

“Then you don’t mind?” he asked quietly.

“Mind?” I chuckled. “I’m thrilled. He has already blessed my home with light and affection,” I smiled in the dark and felt the tension drain away again. “Particularly Trowa’s,” I added, cringing slightly when he suddenly whirled around to gape at me.

“That hustler?!” he gasped.

“He is as noble a man as I have ever met,” I defended confidently. “And I believe his interest in your ward is as true as his loyalty to the crown.”

He paused to contemplate this for a moment before nodding and lying back down though I could tell he was anything but reassured. “Quatre isn’t my ward,” he told me, turning his back to me again.

“I thought he was in your employ?”

“He has no need of employment,” he informed me, then added sleepily, “He’s my friend.”

His friend. That was good to know. It made me feel inexorably kinder toward the blond boy. The fact that Duo hadn’t reacted negatively to the idea of Trowa pursuing him showed promise that perhaps Trowa had been right and Quatre would eventually welcome him. It wasn’t an altogether unpleasant thought to have the blond boy securely involved. Sometimes it is very difficult to tell if a man will be accepting of another man’s advances but from the way Duo acted and the utter confidence in Trowa’s tone, I had a feeling things were going to work out well for my brother. I would do whatever was in my power to see to it that things worked out favorably for Duo as well.

For the following week we followed much the same pattern. We rose at dawn whereupon our breakfast was delivered by a disdainful Middi who clearly did not appreciate Duo’s presence. Sylvia, as well, did her best to tolerate his presence and I found the presence of flowers on my pillow at night and sweet bread sticks baked by her own hand with my evening tea a delightfully flattering addition. Duo on the other hand, appeared less than satisfied with his bare portions and plain tea so I had to put a stop to the favoritism before it got out of hand.

“Gingerroot?”

My chambermaid smiled sweetly at me in confirmation as I nibbled the delicate desert bread during one evening’s tea.

“Perhaps Duo would care for a piece?” I mused, raising a brow at her sudden lack of a smile.

“I would think his preference would waver more toward common flatbread, My Lord,” she replied, wrapping up what was left of the gingerbread protectively.

I was shocked beyond words for a moment, utterly flabbergasted that my sweet angel of a chambermaid could have said such a thing. Once the shock had waned however, I found myself growing angry with the girl for the first time ever.

“Hold your tongue,” I snipped crossly, taking my satisfaction from the way her eyes instantly fell to the floor.

“Hiiro…” Duo began but this matter was now between Sylvia and I.

“Your behavior as of late has left much to be desired,” I told her, ignoring the tears that were already shining in the corners of her eyes.

“It is my only wish to please you,” she said softly.

“Do you think it pleases me to have my…” Damn it! I had almost said wife. “To have Duo ignored while I am lavished with luxuries?”

“Let it go,” Duo sighed.

“I will not,” I replied, glaring at my stubborn chambermaid who had yet to offer a proper apology to him.

“She’s just jealous,” he reasoned calmly, earning a heated glare from Sylvia I thought might just set his hair on fire.

“Why should I to be jealous over a seditious fool like you?” she spat and I was suddenly on my feet. Her knees hit the floor before my mouth even opened but the harsh reprimand on my tongue never made it out of my mouth.

“Oh relax,” Duo groaned, tossing his napkin on the table as his easy manner effectively robbed me of my rage. “Something’s messed up here,” he went on, urging the shivering girl to look up at him. “Why did you say that?” he asked, his gaze never wavering in its calm consideration as Sylvia turned hatefully red-rimmed eyes upon him.

“Recreant,” she sneered, lowering her eyes again when I inadvertently growled.

Duo, however, simply began to laugh and for the life of me I could not work out the perplexity of his state of mind.

“I won’t even sleep with him,” he chuckled dismissively, indicating me and I balked inwardly at the statement. “What makes you think I’d sleep with Quatre?”

Quatre?

“Everyone knows you refused Our Lord in order to live with him!” Sylvia snipped and comprehension suddenly dawned. “And now you’ve abandoned Quatre to Lord Trowa as well! You have no honor Sir!”

“Trowa?” I asked as Duo raised a brow.

“He has been seen in Master Quatre’s company quiet often as of late,” she informed us.

A quick glance at Duo confirmed he was as mildly alarmed at this news as I was. We had been so focused on learning to work together neither of us had noticed our companions’ absence.

“Quatre is my friend, not my lover,” Duo informed her.

“No more than Trowa is mine,” I added when she blinked disbelieving at him.

“But… Quatre… he…”

“He likes Trowa,” Duo smiled and she nodded. “He must be one hell of a man,” he grinned and I saw the brownie points racking up in the light in her eyes. Trowa was second only to me in the hearts of the staff. The girls had sulked for months when they finally discovered his preference for men. “Do me a favor,” he said, leaning close to softly add, “Keep a close eye on them. I’d hate to have to explain to his father why his chastity is no longer intact.”

“Yes, My Lord!” she squeaked and it became very clear he had just won over the bulk of the palace staff as she scampered away.

“They’ll not have a moment’s peace,” I smiled.

“You think?” he grinned, kicking back in that boneless manner that always made me want to take a nap.

Our evenings were spent learning more about each other. His ideas proved both useful and intelligent and before I knew it our partnership had blossomed and grown to a point we hardly needed to consult each other to know what the other was thinking. It was a comfortable accord that I was fast realizing had become the pinpoint center of my universe. It was all coming together, just as I had always dreamed. Well, perhaps not all of it but there were some changes in the scheme that had to be considered. Duo was a man after all.

I had considered more than once offering the amendment that he should be allowed to take a lover. It seemed cruel to ask him to remain loyal to someone he would never feel intimate about, but each time I approached the subject we somehow got off on another. I had decided to talk to him about it come hell or high water on the evening of our one-month anniversary but once again before I could address the problem we were interrupted. This time by Quatre, who was clearly in a vehement mood when he stormed through our bedroom door.

“Call them off!” he growled, the tousled look of his hair and clothes explaining the smug grin on Trowa’s face when he eased into the room behind him.

“Why, Quatre,” Duo sniggered unrepentantly. “Whatever do you mean?”

“Your spies!” the blond boy snapped. “Tell them to stop following us around!” Duo did his best to keep from laughing outright while I hid my smile behind my hand as Trowa grinned and licked his lips.

“Spies?” Duo mused. “I fear you have confused me with…”“Please!” Quatre suddenly begged, falling to his knees as he grasped Duo’s leg. “You have to call them off! They follow us everywhere! The garden, the library, even my own chambers!”

“What in the world would you be doing with a tall stranger in your chambers?” Duo grinned.

“More than you’ll ever be man enough to bear,” Quatre countered, angrily poking anything he could reach in retaliation.

“That would depend entirely on the other man,” Duo laughed and I felt something snap in the back of my mind.

“Please, Duo,” the blond boy said more seriously. “I beg of you.”

“Your father would never forgive a failure to protect your virtue.”

“His father,” Trowa evenly intoned, pulling Quatre back to his feet and smoothly into his arms, “is no longer the most important man in his life.” He smiled then kissed him warmly and I felt my gut twist up in joy just to look at them. They were in love. True love. I had never seen Trowa glow so brightly and the emanations from Quatre could have set spring in full bloom. There was no doubt that Duo could see it too as his smile softened to one of utter affection.

“You are aware of his heritage?” he asked and I wondered why I had never bothered to ask about it before.

“As he is of mine,” Trowa replied.

“Know this,” Duo said in a solemn tone, each of us pausing at the quietly powerful undertone in his voice, the kind that lifts such words as he was about to utter from being a mere threat to a divine proclamation. “Break his heart… and I will come for yours.”

Quatre blushed while I attempted to think of a way to stay the eminent explosion but my brother surprised me by merely smiling as he replied. “A reasonable contingency.”

The conversation shifted to a more amiable note wherein I learned that Quatre was the only son of an Arabian Sheik. I knew the name Winner as they held more power and currency than most small nations but I had been unaware of Quatre’s relationship to the family. There was more, talk of a possible wedding in the future and the need to inform the staff of their proper engagement, but I heard little more than the whisperings of the wind as Duo’s words kept echoing in my mind.

<i>” That would depend entirely on the other man.”</i>

Had it been said in jest? I couldn’t stop wondering if there was more to the statement than there seemed. Nothing added up. Duo was dead set against being thought of as anything but my partner in government but he had no problem with Trowa and Quatre becoming lovers. Was it only me he had a problem with? If I had been some other man would he have been more willing to accept the arrangement? Were it not me would he be willing to entertain the idea of an intimate relationship, and more pressingly… would I?

“Are you all right?”

“Hm?” I hummed, pulling my mind back from its wandering to find Quatre smiling softly and I had the sudden thought that perhaps he knew more of the answers than I did. “Oh, yes. Fine,” I replied. “But the hour is late…”

“… and we’ve kept you up long enough,” Trowa smiled, wrapping an arm around his new mate.

We said our goodnights and began to prepare for bed and I was taken with the notion to look upon my betrothed in a completely different light. It had never been a question of beauty; I had never seen a being, man or woman, who could match him. No, the question running circles I my mind was if that beauty, coupled with the person I was finding Duo to be, could arouse in me the desire to explore physical intimacy. As he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing warm brown skin stretched over a long, shapely body, his braid shimmering softly as it glided free from the fabric, I had my answer instantly. As a matter of fact, the more important question at that point was how I was going to hide it from Duo as I changed. I had never been so quickly aroused in my life and could tell it wasn’t going away anytime soon.

“Aren’t you going to change?”

“Hm?” Damn. “Oh, um… actually. I was just thinking about a midnight snack,” I lied, turning my back to him as I headed for the door.

“There’s some bread and cheese left from dinner,” he supplied helpfully and I almost groaned out loud. Even his voice suddenly played along my senses in a way that made my skin prickle with heat.

“I prefer something sweet,” I replied, not slowing down when he called after me.

Damn it! What in the name of all that is holy was I going to do now?! Duo didn’t want this…did he? He had made it very clear he had no interest in that sort of relationship with a man but… what he had said. Perhaps it was just me? But why? We got along well with each other even to a point Trowa was hard pressed to hold a dearer place in my heart.

Oh Gods.

I felt ill and dizzy all of a sudden and paused by the well in the front courtyard to gather myself. That’s why I had been so angry with Quatre. Why I had been unable to think of anything but Duo since his arrival and the true reason for my gradual insistence that he be close by my side.

I was in love.

Hopelessly in love from the feel of it and though it brought me great joy to know my beloved was already my partner for life I couldn’t help the longing need in my heart to have more. His image brushed along my memory. Night after night, sitting quietly in the dark for hours as we talked. The walks along the river after court, his body sparkling resplendently as he pulled himself from the bath and I was suddenly reminded of the heady sweat along my thighs. Gods but I want him so badly! But how to make him mine? If it could be done. I would speak with him about it. There was no way I would be able to hide it for long. I could barely breathe just at the thought of returning to my room where he lay. We would talk and, come what may; I would do my best to make him happy.

He was asleep when I returned, which was, in my opinion, a fortunate thing as I had no idea how to breech the subject. It would do me good to sleep on it for a night and start fresh in the morning. However, I found my nerve had deserted me when we rose and he appeared out of sorts as well. We ate our breakfast in an uncomfortable silence though I knew a good deal of that was my own fault for being so nervous. This could not continue however, so I bit back the nausea and steadied my nerve.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“…………” Ummm, he had stolen my line. What was this about?

“I’ve been thinking about it for awhile,” he told me and I felt my stomach turn over. Was he going to leave me? Go somewhere far away like he had intended on our wedding day? “There’s no reason why you should be expected to remain loyal to a spouse you never have any intention of sleeping with,” he said and what was left of my reason paused to listen hard. “I think you should take a lover.”

Son of a bitch. I felt myself swallow as the only response my mind could contrive rose in my throat. “There is someone I would consider for that role,” I told him, trying to ease into the idea but he suddenly looked as if he might either laugh or cry.

“I thought there might be,” he smiled. “You’re very popular with the ladies. I know it must be hard for you so I just wanted to tell you I don’t mind.”

But I wanted him to mind! “You… truly wouldn’t care if I were to take another to my bed?” I asked, hoping with all my heart to hear the answer I longed for.

“N…no,” he squeaked but I wasn’t sure if I believed him. I could have sworn the tone was misleading.

“Be honest with me,” I entreated, moving closer to him. “Nothing good will come of it if we cannot be truthful with one another.”

His hesitation gave me hope I didn’t dare grasp too tightly. “All right,” he finally sighed. “I would care but it’s not something I couldn’t deal with.”

“Why?” fell from my lips instantly and I found myself closer to him yet.

“Because,” he gasped softly, recoiling from my sudden advance, “It wouldn’t be right for you to go without.”

“No,” I chuckled, trying desperately to hold the giddy elation inside me at bay. “I meant why do you care?”

I had never seen him blush like that. It stirred things inside me I had never felt before making it very difficult not to simply jerk him into my arms and take him as my own.

Turning his head to hide his embarrassment he quietly replied, “Well, we are married.”

“Why did you try to run away?” I asked not certain where the question had come from but he clammed up and wouldn’t speak. “Duo? Why did you refuse to live in my room?” Gods in heaven… please.

“I… didn’t think you’d want people thinking we were… lovers.”

“Me?”

“Yes,” he sighed.

“What about you? I thought you were upset that you were being married to a man.”

“I didn’t want to stay and live with you because… I…like you. I didn’t trust myself. Ok?”

I thought perhaps my head would split in half I smiled so hard but I think it frightened him because he tried to escape.

“Is that why you refused to sleep in my bed?” I asked holding him firmly in place and though he looked like an angry lobster he managed a silent nod. “Because you’re attracted to me?” I beamed unable to hide my joy and his brow knit curiously as he began to work it out. There was only one thing more I wished to ask and it tumbled from my mouth even as I brushed my lips against his. “May I kiss you?”

His response was sudden and fierce and I found myself melting into him as he taught me the true meaning of the word hot. Never before had I known such heat. It burned in my soul and lashed at my flesh and all I could think of was how to gain more of him. How to make him completely mine and find some way of merging us body and soul into one. I needn’t have worried though, as Duo knew exactly what to do and how to do it.

He showed me things that made me more grateful to have him as my own than I could ever have imagined. For so long I had dreamed of the perfect bride. One of resounding beauty and grace but even my wildest dreams couldn’t compare to the reality of Duo. He was everything I could have hoped for but there was so much more.

By the next morning I knew I would never be satisfied with anything less and took great pleasure in flaunting our new sleeping arrangements when Sylvia and Middi brought our morning meal. No doubt, the news would spread throughout the palace before breakfast was over and no one would wonder why we hadn’t emerged. As for me, I was as content as I would ever hope to be lying in the dampened sheets with Duo under my arm. However, he apparently had a few more secrets he intended to demonstrate that I honestly could not wait to share.

owari :)

 

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