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"White Knight"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: Angst, fluff, WAFF , light lemons Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5+all Summary: Duo is a young boy who has dreams - dreams of the future. "White Knight" Ch 7 Hiiro’s eyes snapped open just before dawn, his certainty that Duo had stirred burning brightly in his eyes as he rose expectantly above his braided mate but Duo’s eyes remained steadfastly closed. It seemed like a lifetime since he’d seen the light in those beautiful eyes and he sighed heavily in his despair at being denied the miracle as he shifted his attention to the quite form of Wufei where he had dozed off in the chair. It took no more than a subtle shift in Duo’s breathing to bring his attention solely back to his mate, however, and his heart suddenly raced when Duo’s brow creased. “Hey,” Hiiro cooed softly urging his lover to open his eyes, his own shining with relief when the braided boy slowly complied. “You’re here,” Duo smiled mustering enough energy to reach out and touch his face. Hiiro’s head leaned instantly into the caress, his eyes slipping closed as he relished the warmth of his palm and declared, “There is no where else for me.” Duo smiled and accepted the kiss Hiiro offered drinking in the soothing heat of his touch but as his mind became fully aware so did his memory of the vision. “I have to leave,” he told his lover wrinkling his brow in defense of the indignant scowl Hiiro beamed at him. “I’m sorry,” he told him wriggling out from beneath him. “What are you talking about?” Hiiro asked anxiously making sure to stay within easy reach of him as he crawled from the bed. “I’m needed elsewhere,” Duo explained pausing to blush brightly when he noticed Wufei then hurrying to put his pants on. “I’m coming with you,” the captain stated reaching for his shirt. “You can’t,” Duo informed him hastily donning his own. “Duo,” Hiiro sighed suddenly snatching him into his arms. “Please…” “I’m sorry,” the braided boy breathed embracing him tightly. “You will be needed on the battlefield before my return.” “I need to be with you,” Hiiro told him holding on just a little bit tighter. “You will be,” Duo promised forcing some distance between them. “Soon,” he smiled laying a small kiss upon his lips. Hiiro drank him in deepening the kiss until Duo began to shiver in his arms then crushed him to his chest and brokenly replied, “I can’t…I can’t let you go.” “Yes, you can,” Duo smiled snuggling in deeper as he revealed, “Because the next time we meet we will bring an end to the suffering of this world.” Hiiro clenched his teeth as the braided boy pulled away far enough to look into his eyes but the deep creases on his brow soften when Duo smiled and promised, “And I will never have to leave you side again.” “Duo,” Hiiro breathed once again taking his head in hand and kissing him deeply. Duo let him have his way savoring the feelings he caused inside him before forcing himself away. “There’s no time,” he explained clinging to the hands that grasped after him as he moved toward the door. “Where are you going?” “I can’t tell you.” “What?” Hiiro gasped trying harder to grip his arm. “Why not? What did you see?” “Please,” Duo pleaded almost failing in his effort to free himself from arms he longed to remain in. “Just trust me. I’ll return as soon as I can but I must go alone.” “Duo, please,” Hiiro begged, “Do not ask me to abandon you… I can’t…” “Duo?” Wufei’s groggy tone interjected. “Shit,” Duo sighed peeling Hiiro’s hands away as he turned to the dazed Chinese boy and told him, “Look after him,” just before Hiiro’s eyes crossed and he slumped to the floor. “What the…?!” Wufei gasped rushing to his side then tossing a heated glare at his friend. “Keep him safe,” was all Duo said before he disappeared into the night. The call to arms came the following morning leaving little time for Hiiro to morn his wayward mate. As his lover had predicted he was needed desperately as Duke Dermail had gathered his forces and was mounting a massive attack on Corsica in an effort to gain the power needed to defeat Treize. His army had already taken the outer lands and marched relentlessly toward Corsica. The troops that already battled were sorely pressed to slow the approaching army down so every man had been called in to defend their land. Hiiro was forced to put his longing and worry aside and take up his place at the head of their forces leading them toward what would undoubtedly become either their victory or their death. “Captain!” a young soldier cried riding vigorously to meet him. “Report!” Hiiro commanded not in the mood for the idiot’s smile the boy wore but he was not to be deterred. “The gods are in our favor,” the young man beamed. “A fissure in the earth has claimed a regiment of Luxemburg’s mean to the south.” Hiiro looked to Trowa who offered him a smug smile causing the captain to smile gratefully before turning back to the messenger. “One down,” he nodded curtly. “Return to your post and prepare to make it two.” “Yes, Sir!” the soldier barked turning his mount to speed away. Hiiro’s jaw set as he watched him but his eyes turned to the horizon before he’d faded from sight. “He will return,” Trowa assured his friend. Hiiro nodded pushing the longing aside in favor of leading his men but Duo never once left his mind. They had sent squadrons to flank the oncoming army that attacked form either side in an effort to confuse them but when they crested a hill some distance outside Corsica they were faced with a force that outnumbered them three to one. Hiiro was well aware that many of the men that fought for Dermail did so under direst. They were farmers and businessmen who had taken up arms for no other reason than to protect their families from the dictator’s wrath. It pained him to think that the only way they could win was if he and Duo converged, an act that would leave every enemy before him lying lifeless upon the earth. He paused as his forces came upon the hill and gazed down at the approaching horde wishing with all his heart that there was some other way. ** “This way, my Lady,” Haven guided holding the torch in his hand higher so that Une could see clearly. She followed him silently navigating her way through the darkened passageway until the raw stone gave way to the smooth surface of milled rock stairs signifying that their journey was near to and end. Haven led her up the stairs to a door that was covered with age and dust then paused and looked tentatively back to her. “Are you sure?” he asked sighing at the stubborn light in her eyes. Nodding one last time he opened the door forcing the creaking hinges to obey and bowed slightly as the Lady walked confidently though. Une paused when the door closed behind her questioning her decision for only a moment before ascending the stairs. She paused again when they ended opening onto a dimly lit cellar. Pulling her hood more closely about her hair she moved swiftly through the maze finding the exit in good time. Her breath came in quicker as she made her way down halls she hadn’t entered since her childhood but she remembered them vividly and wasted no time locating her destination. She paused again checking left then right at the large, double doors before taking a deep breath and entering. “Welcome,” came the smooth tenor of a voice she had thought to never hear again but the years had done little to diminish the affect it had on her heart. “Treize,” she replied forcing the tremor from her tone. “You came,” the man smiled stepping from the shadows. Her breath caught as she looked into the eyes of the only man her heart had ever loved. A man that had easily forsaken her, a man that now threatened her home and her people’s lives. “What is your proposal?” she snipped needing to hear whatever it was he had thought important enough to call her there for. “You’re still as lovely as ever,” he smiled stepping closer but stopped when she retreated. “You said there was a way to end the fighting,” she reminded him sternly. “Yes,” he nodded sighing sadly. “But I’m afraid it will require a sacrifice.” “I will not betray Corsica,” Une snapped resting her hand on the hilt of her sword. Treize chuckled choosing to fold his arms instead of respond in kind. “No,” he shook his head knowingly. “You’re heart is as pure and strong as the moon.” Her brow creased as she listened but her hand remained on her weapon. “I’ve come to understand what you meant,” he told her calling up memories of a life long ago. “You were right,” he told her. “I almost lost myself.” “You lost the moment you allowed yourself to think like them,” she reiterated the old argument. He smiled once again moving closer but stopped when she pushed her sword an inch out of its sheath. “It was your words that saved me,” he told her gazing at her with pleading eyes. “You were right,” he said again. “It took me years to get into a position to defeat Dermail and all I’ve accomplished is to bring about the destruction of your home.” “You speak as if we have already lost,” she replied arrogantly. He snorted but admiration shown in his eyes for a moment before regretful despair shadowed the light. “Luxemburg marches against Corsica as we speak,” he told her wrinkling his brow curiously when she failed to respond negatively. “He will succeed in nothing but to choose the day of his death,” she told him. He regarded her for a moment then seemed to recall something. “Oh, yes,” he nodded smiling wryly. “You’re secret weapon. I understand the success of it is wholly dependant upon the will of those who wield it.” Her brow creased and though she held her tongue he appeared to gain some knowledge from her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he sighed suddenly. “I just find it difficult to believe that you,” he said casting a longing glance her way, “would be willing to sacrifice the sanity of your men no matter what the price.” “Those who serve Corsica do so of their own free will,” Une informed him proudly. “I couldn’t stop them from protecting the things they love even if I wanted to.” He considered her for a long moment then dropped his eyes and replied, “And therein lies the cortex of my ultimate defeat.” He chuckled when she glared as if she didn’t understand. “It was never my intention to condone the enslavement of others,” he reminded her adding sadly, “But my tolerance of such depravity in my search for a solution has undermined the very essence of my cause.” Again his eyes gazed deeply into hers. “You were right,” he told her again. “There is no margin in the dignity of a man.” “Treize,” she breathed loosing the battle with her tears and he quickly closed the gap to take her trembling hands in his own. “I’m sorry,” he told her reaching to gently brush the moisture away. “I’m so sorry…for everything.” “Will you help us?” she asked; her mind ever on the conquest of her people. “We can defeat Dermail,” he told her lifting her eyes to gaze into them intently as he explained, “But it would mean the merging of our lands.” She blinked then blinked again pushing firmly away from him as horror settle on her brow. “You mean to take over from within.” “No,” he gasped falling unashamedly to his knees as he gripped her hands desperately and revealed, “I am offering you our service.” “You’re… surrendering?” she deadpanned. “A sacrifice made in retribution of the wrongs my misjudgment has caused,” he told her begging, “Please… I’ve ruined it all… but you… you always knew the right way. My men will follow me but I’ve lost the will to lead them. We need you,” he told her rising slowly to take her in his arms as he declared; “I need you.” “Treize,” she breathed softly melting in his arms as he kissed her slowly and for a moment all seemed right with the world then suddenly the man spun them around as the sound of a dart hissed through the air gasping when it embedded in his back instead of hers and slumping to the floor. “Treize!?” she shouted drawing her sword as she glanced about fearfully, her thin body turning just in time to avoid another of the lethal projectiles then suddenly a shadow burst from nowhere and all hell broke loose. Une bent to shield her childhood friend as the battle raged above them. Darts sang through the air then the sound of swords was heard as the shadows danced in the darkness raining debris down from above until quite suddenly a form thudded on the floor a few feet away and Une’s head snapped up as it was followed by another who stood silently watching her. Her face fell into great relief when Duo dropped his hood and rushed to her side. “Are you all right?” he asked helping to lift the injured man at his feet. “Yes,” she panted. “But he’s been poisoned.” “Leave me,” Treize coughed painfully glancing warily at Duo but the boy paid him no mind. “He’ll live,” Duo told the Lady with such confidence she stopped to gape at him. “Can you handle him?” he asked moving on before she’d gotten a handle on it but she nodded bravely anyway. “Good,” he nodded pulling some medical supplies from his cloak. “I have to go,” he told her making it clear he wished it wasn’t so. “Duo,” she called after him but the words were too many to speak. He smiled letting her know he understood regardless and left them to their fate. ** “Hiiro!” The captain turned just in time to block the powerful blow of another of their enemy, his sword piercing the taller mans chest for an instant before he jerked it free twisting and thrusting it behind him to silence another that meant to run him through the back. He stood taking a moment to look over at where Wufei was rising once again in the air, his dragon spirit clutching a soldier in its talons only to drop him when they reached a height that would serve to disable him. A glance to his left confirmed that Trowa was more than holding his own as the Earth itself rose up to aid him blocking attacks from behind and entombing random assailants before they could attack the green eyed elemental. Another moment revealed the presence of Quatre as a man intent on breaking through Trowa’s earthen shield met his maker when the sprite engulfed him steeling away his breath to suffocate him where he stood and Hiiro’s heart broke. All around him was death and discord, everything he longed to change about the world lay right there at his feet, a good deal of it directly under his command and suddenly the sorrow of it all overwhelmed him. He could end it… he could stop them all and bring peace back to the innocent Earth but was it truly his destiny to pass judgment on those who fought so desperately for what their hearts desired. Dermail’s men were slaves for the most part, men forced to fight battles their hearts did not believe in but they did love their families and would do whatever it took to see that they remained safe. The sons of Corsica fought for their freedom and the freedom of all mankind. Was it truly Hiiro’s destiny to silence them all? Without Duo there was no other way, if he invoked the power of the Shinning Light without him all would perish but he knew as he watched Wufei fall from the sky having taken an arrow in the thigh they were running out of time. He closed his eyes willing the carnage away but knew as his mind warned him of an enemies approach there was only one way. “AHHHHHH!” he roared lurching forward and all that dared stand before him fell to his rage until he came abreast his mount and pulled himself swiftly aboard. His eyes surveyed the battlefield and he knew in his heart the men of Corsica had lost the day but the memory of his lovers promise remained vivid in his mind. “VICTORY!” he shouted feeling the rush when the men around him echoed the cry and rushed forward in his wake as he charged deeper into the enemy line. Men fell like raindrops to his sword as he let the rage take him, the raw power of the Light bubbling up inside him until it began to seep out sending shards of brilliant death into the fray. Friend and foe alike fell to the will of the Light and Hiiro roared his fury as his control slipped further and his body began to glow. His hands shook with rage at the stupidity of it all but it was his own inability to stop what was happening inside him that truly infuriated him and just as he felt as if the world would slip away he remembered the gentle eyes of his lover. “Duo,” he breathed softly unaware that the Light had taken him and any that came too near dropped like a stone. His eyes saw only one vision, the beautiful visage of his lover and the gentle smile upon his lips. “I told you I would come,” the longhaired boy told him slipping securely into his arms. “Duo?” Hiiro gasped coming back to himself to find that his lover was indeed nestled on his lap straddling his snowy horse as the battle raged on all around them. “Did you think me a vision?” the braided boy chuckled. Hiiro gaped then pulled him close and whispered, “Perhaps that’s all you are.” “Right,” Duo grunted leaning down to pull a stray arrow out of the heel of his boot. Hiiro gaped at it then looked again at his lover going wide eyed as if he’d only just seen him then all at once he was kissing him and holding him so tightly he was gasping for air. “Hiiro!” he grunted poking the ecstatic captain in the ribs to hasten his release. “You’re here!” Hiiro beamed kissing him again. “Yes,” Duo panted. “And only in the nick of time. We must...” but the sorrow that suddenly filled Hiiro’s eyes stopped him cold. “Hiiro?” “I…” the captain began pausing to look around at the furious battle as a sad decision settled in his eyes. “I can’t do it,” he told him. “Hiiro.” “Why should they have to die?” the captain questioned showing his pain clearly on his brow. “Listen to me,” Duo told him taking his head in his hands. “You are the Keeper of the Shinning Light.” Hiiro’s eyes flashed shamefully but Duo refused to let him turn away. “YOU are the Keeper,” Duo emphasized smiling softly when his lover’s brow knit thoughtfully. “If they are to die so be it,” the longhaired boy went on. “If they are to live then so much the better,” he said wrapping his arms around his lover’s neck. “What you give them is entirely up to you.” Hiiro sat quietly as he accepted the small kiss Duo laid upon his lips, his eyes moving slowly over the battling men as his mind soaked in the meaning of the words then Duo suddenly smiled as Hiiro’s lips slowly curled and he turned to gaze into the longhaired boy’s loving eyes. “You knew,” Hiiro smiled pulling him close. “I had a hunch,” Duo grinned shifting closer. Hiiro grinned widely wrapping him firmly in his arms and the Light began to shimmer in Duo’s eyes as he kissed him warmly. “LOOK!” someone shouted as the Light blossomed over a pair of kissing men on the back of a snow white steed. “RUN!” the call went out but too late to save them as the expanding bubble of Light grew quickly to encompass the battlefield. Men fell to their knees as they were overcome rolling in terrified heaps but the light did not stop at the edge of the fray. Farmers and nobles alike came to stare in wide wonder as the shimmering wall quickly approached, each scrambling for safety that could not be found as the world was swallowed up one pasture at a time. Mountains and plains, oceans and rivers alike succumbed to the inevitable until every last being and creature on the planet had been touched, each mind growing and reaching out until every last living thing moved and breathed in perfect harmony. When the world once again reclaimed shadow and form men and women pulled themselves to their feet with the knowledge firmly seeded in their hearts that nothing would ever be the same. A woman who often fed the birds in her garden smiled up in wide wonder as one of the sparrows came to light on her finger, her mind acutely aware of its gratitude as it was aware that she would not harm it. A man of dark skin who had been hunting in the planes thousands of miles away laid down his spear and the army of Duke Dermail rose from the ashes of the fight with smiles on their faces and love in their hearts embracing friend and foe alike as each eye turned to regard the affectionate couple still kissing each other in their midst. ** “Mmmmm,” Duo moaned loving the way Hiiro’s lips felt along his neck. “If you two don’t slow down no one in Corsica will managed to roll out of bed,” Wufei snickered strolling boldly into their chambers. “Sorry,” the braided boy chuckled rolling from beneath his suddenly grumpy lover. “Maybe you should take a vacation,” the Chinese boy suggested brightening Hiiro’s demeanor. “A honeymoon?” Duo smiled peering back at his now smirking mate. “Somewhere far away,” Wufei chuckled plopping down in a chair. “Where your activities won’t so easily affect the citizens.” “I keep forgetting how intricately attuned you are to your subjects,” Duo grinned rolling back over to wrap his arms around Hiiro’s neck. From the moment the cleansing began Hiiro had become connected to the creatures of the Earth, sky and seas on a much deeper level. For a time everyone had enjoyed the hypersensitivity marveling over how easy life had become simply because they truly understood each other but it was only Hiiro who had retained the connection. The momentary insight had proven to be all the people needed to set their hearts on a path of redemption as each learned things from the other that eased the way for compassion and generosity. In the short time afterward the world had set itself right, war had been abolished and slavery was a thing of the past. Even Duke Dermail had repented choosing to serve out the remainder of his life in retribution for his crimes by starting a school dedicated to the education of former slaves and their children. Treize had been healed the moment the light contacted him and he and Une were to be married the following spring which would bring together Corsica and Luxemburg in a unification that would henceforth be known as Sanc and resided over by the true Queen, Relena. The girl had been more than ready to assume her role having understood a great deal of what the world had learned before the cleansing but afterward any thoughts of winning Hiiro’s heart had taken flight. She understood the depth of their feelings and praised them openly for having the courage to follow their hearts winning a great number of her subjects over in doing so. It was all just as Duo had foreseen and Hiiro couldn’t stop himself from stealing another kiss in spite of the fact that it would wash the countryside with warmth. “Mmmm,” the braided boy moaned again laughing playfully when Wufei sighed heavily. “We could build a house in the Malitan hills,” Hiiro suggested and Duo beamed. “That’s fifty miles from anyone,” he grinned. “That’d help,” Wufei nodded adding slyly, “If you wouldn’t mind being out there all alone?” “I think we can manage,” Duo laughed giving into the temptation to tease his lover by nibbling just under his chin. “I’ll have a hut built straight away,” Wufei promised standing to leave. “You can live there while your house is under construction. “Mm, K,” Duo breathed already lost to his lovers careful affection. The Chinese boy smiled as he closed the door turning his feet toward the day secure in the knowledge that as long as Hiiro and Duo were around peace and prosperity would reign supreme. owari :)
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