|
"The Negotiator"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, Angst, Fluff,
Sexual favors from a dragon? ^0^ (non graphic), Eventual Lemon, Mild
violence, My corky humor lol ^-^ Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 5xM Beta’ed by the wonderful Mechante Fille *hugs*
You’re the best baby! ^__^ Summary: Duo Maxwell finds himself on the adventure of a lifetime when he is hired by the future king of Lagrange to aid in dealing with an encroaching Dragon. However, he quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems. Wizards, Dragons and magic abound in this epic tale of adventure and discovery when one young man finds himself between two worlds and suddenly the future depends solely on his skills as The Negotiator. View art work commissioned
by SkyLark and drawn by t_shirt for "The Negotiator" - Click
HERE "The Negotiator" Ch 21 However, four hours later found him not only exhausted and discouraged but unable to complete the task. Try as he might he could do no more than call up the violet mist that swirled about his form. Meilan pointed out after the first few attempts that Hiiro had experienced no such phenomena when he shifted but Quatre insisted it was probably just some manifestation of Duo’s own thoughts. He believed there should be a signifying action and so there was but all the reasoning in the world wasn’t making it happen. “Just rest for a bit,” Hiiro sighed, patting his discouraged mate on the nose. “Why can’t I do it?” Duo groaned dejectedly. “You will be able to.” “Is there some reason you would rather remain a dragon?” Trowa asked. “What?!” Duo yelped, almost tossing Hiiro when he raised his head. “Why in the world would I want that!?” “I don’t know,” the jade shrugged. “But that desire could hinder your progress.” “Do you like what you are?” Hiiro smiled, seemingly pleased with the idea. “I…” Duo began but paused to consider the question. It was a kick looking down on everyone, knowing that with a breath he could effectively annihilate the entire ship. When he thought about it, it was a bit of a power trip and that whole flying thing was absolutely incredible. “You understand that if you can achieve it once you should be able to reverse the process?” Quatre questioned. “I know it,” Duo sighed, pointing one claw at his head, “Up here. But I’m scared…” “Whatever for?!” Meilan gaped. “Do whatever you must but find your true form again. That is all that matters.” “You say that,” Duo replied, quietly flashing Hiiro a shy glance. “But have you ever embraced the sky?” “You want to stay a dragon so you can fly?” she gasped. “Don’t be ridiculous! You’ve got him don’t you?” she snipped, jerking her jaw toward Hiiro. “That buffoon would do anything for you! You’ll not want for lack of air time, now change back into yourself this instant!” “Meilan,” Wufei soothed. “Is it too much to ask for a mother to see her child’s smile?” she whined, plopping down stubbornly just out of his reach. “You’re just pissed because he’s a dragon!” Hiiro snipped. “Another good reason to see the deed done!” she hissed, making him dart behind Duo’s leg when she advanced. “Meilan, please,” Duo sighed. “He should learn some manners,” the cat growled. “And you should learn charity,” Duo snipped, reaching between his legs to snag Hiiro and carry him off. “He is not a child,” Wufei commented as the cat watched them go. “So it would seem,” she sighed, turning to jump into his lap. “If you don’t mind my asking,” he smirked, watching Duo’s tail disappear around the corner of the cargo bay. “Why is he afraid of a little black cat?” “Because,” she sighed again, turning around to lie on his thighs while he stroked her head. “For all his faults, man or beast, he is no fool.” Wufei thought to pursue the subject then decided perhaps he didn’t want to know and smiled knowing that tonight his feline lover would once again warm his body and mind. * “Well, this is oddly enjoyable,” Hiiro laughed where he dangled in Duo’s mouth. “Sorry,” the dragon grumbled, laying him on the floor of the bay. “She can get a little...” “Pushy?” “Yeah,” Duo laughed. “She just cares a little too much sometimes.” “An admirable quality even for a cat,” Hiiro smiled. Duo looked down on him and smiled as he gave into the impulse to lick the entire side of his head. “Geez!” he laughed, wiping at the wetness. “If you wanted a kiss…” “You know,” Duo grinned, snagging him by the robe to deposit him in the palm of his clawed front foot much in the same way Hiiro used to do. “I’ve never had the opportunity to bathe you before.” The stunned expression in his mate’s blue eyes brought an evil snicker to his throat as he began divesting him. “But… I don’t know if… I mean…” “Shhh,” Duo smiled, wrapping his long, forked tongue around his lover’s body in a way that made him gasp and fall back enraptured. “Ahh, man,” Hiiro groaned, stretching out as the warm, velvet appendage began stroking his skin, sending wave after wave of delicious sensation throughout his body. “I could seriously get used to this.” Duo smiled and let his emotions take control, delighting in finding all the little things that made his mate writhe and call out his name. Turning the tables wasn’t so bad until things started to get more serious and Hiiro’s body began to tremble and shake. Duo hadn’t expected the rapturous fog that usually blanketed his mind when he was unable to feel the physical stimulation that accompanied such things but hearing Hiiro’s pleading cries, the taste of him in his mouth and the way he squirmed and panted while he begged for more made it very easy to understand why his mate had grown so frustrated at times. ”Hiiro,” he breathed softly as he gently washed the sweat from Hiiro’s overheated skin. “What?” he replied, still not recovered from the incredible experience of being on the receiving end of a dragon’s prehensile tongue. ”I think… I need to go flying,” Duo ground out. “Oh, Duo,” Hiiro gasped softly, suddenly realizing his lover’s position. “I’m sorry. I should have thought…” ”It’s fine,” Duo smiled, favoring him with a long, wet stroke to the side of his head. ”I enjoyed it… immensely,” he chuckled. ”It’s just…I think I need to release a little pent up energy.” “Of course,” Hiiro smiled, kissing his nose gently. “We should practice your landing anyway. Wouldn’t do to kill your passengers before they have a chance to attend the summit.” Duo marveled as his lover effortlessly shifted into his dragon form and wished with all his heart that he was capable of it because the results would have been far more fun than flying. As it were, he had to face the fact that for whatever reason he had not discovered the secret to transforming. Deep down in the back of his mind lurked the fear that perhaps he simply couldn’t, that Hiiro’s ability was due to his being the original target of the spell but his mate seemed so very sure that he would succeed that his will to keep trying stayed strong. Hiiro flew with him to the limits of the sky until all the clouds were far below and they were forced to release the fire in their bellies to keep from freezing in the upper atmosphere. Something inside him wished they could just keep going up forever and leave their world far behind but when all was said and done he turned his nose back toward the Earth and felt his heart calling him home. ”Open your wings!” Hiiro shouted from beside him as Duo aimed for a sandy beach on an island some fifteen hundred miles south of the Peacemillion. ”Use them to drag the air and slow your descent!” Duo did as he was told finding his landing incredibly easy now that he’d had more time to learn how his wings worked. He touched down without so much as stirring a grain of sand and was prepared to whoop in celebration but the wind was knocked out of him when Hiiro fell from the sky and slammed into him, knocking him to the ground. ”You’re incredible!” the blue howled, tumbling him in the sand. ”I only landed,” Duo laughed. ”By the Gods, if you aren’t a wondrous creature,” Hiiro grinned, licking his jaw, ear and neck affectionately. Duo sighed beneath him, his massive, reptilian body growing hot in the midday sun as his lover fanned the flames he had hoped the flying would tame. ”Hiiro.” ”Hn?” the blue hummed, moving down his chest to wash the satiny scales of his stomach. ”You’re not helping,” Duo groaned in a way that brought Hiiro’s eyes up instantly to regard him. ”Shift,” he begged, climbing clumsily on top of his mate. ”I… can’t,” Duo hissed in frustration, remembering how well they had fit together as humans. ”I can’t have you unless you change,” Hiiro coaxed, letting his tongue lap warmly at the sensitive scales of his chest. ”Hiiro,” Duo gasped, reaching for him. ”That’s it,” the blue smiled, sensing the change. ”Come home.” He hadn’t really noticed in his writhing desperation that his transformation was complete until his lover kissed him deeply and slipped between his legs. By that time he was so lost to the heat that had overwhelmed him all he could do was hang on and ride it out but his success had so excited his mate that the sun was setting before they finally parted. “What if I can’t turn back?” Duo wondered as he lay in the cooling sand under a fierce, golden sky. “All you have to do is want it,” Hiiro smiled, kissing him again just because he could. “Mmm,” Duo moaned happily, giggling when he had his mouth to do so. “Easy for you to say. You have no trouble remembering what it’s like to be a dragon.” “Well,” Hiiro reasoned. “Consider that even if you can’t I can be your wings and,” he grinned, pecking him on the mouth. “This way Meilan might choose to let me live.” The idea that the cat could cause the dragon any pain had Duo busting a gut which pleased Hiiro very much. “We should rejoin the others,” he said reluctantly. “Oh shit!” Duo gasped. “The summit! Damn it, Wufei’s probably having kittens!” “Entirely possible with that feline around,” Hiiro chuckled. “Hiiro, I don’t think I can…” ”Get on,” the blue smiled, having morphed while his lover spoke. * “Duo! You did it!” Wufei cried, tackling his friend the moment his feet touched the deck. “I knew you would! Why are you covered in sand?” Hiiro grinned wolfishly as he shook the sand from his scales leaving a crimson tinge in both his mate’s and Wufei’s cheeks. “That’s wonderful, Duo!” Quatre praised happily. “It may not be so great,” Duo replied sheepishly. “I’m not sure I can reverse it.” ”The ability is within you,” Hiiro smiled nuzzling his chest. ”You have only to need it.” “He’s right,” Trowa smiled wrapping human arms around Quatre’s shoulders. “You’ve proven yourself capable; all that remains is practice and determination.” “Always knew you were different, kid,” Howard smiled. “I see little point in the ability,” Meilan sniffed, raising her long tail in the air as she glided by and glared at Hiiro, “when the only activity you’re interested in appears to require a human form.” Hiiro morphed at the comment, slipping up behind Duo to snake his arms around his waist and smirk at the cat. “Well,” Quatre smiled, looking quite a bit younger than he had in days prior. “We’ll find a way to reach the summit whether you can fly or not.” “How many can you carry?” Wufei inquired. “Duo and yourself would be easy enough over that distance,” Hiiro replied. “Then we should go on ahead,” Wufei nodded. “The others will have to catch up but we’ve already missed a good portion of the proceedings. I only hope that we’re in time to pull together any who remain. You, I and Mei…” “No,” Hiiro snipped with certain finality. “Not the cat.” “But…” Wufei paled, glancing to his new lover with anxious apology. “As if I would lower myself to the service of a lizard,” the feline sniffed, jumping up to walk the rail prissily. “But, Meilan…” Wufei began. “Take your place,” the cat smiled for him as she promised, “I will be with you,” then jumped into the ocean. “MEILAN!” the Dragon Lord panted, rushing to the rail only to find no sign of his lover in the green water. “Don’t worry,” Hiiro soothed grinning, “She will keep her word. I’ve never seen her so taken with anyone before.” Wufei blustered, puffing up but was unable to find a defensive word as he hadn’t actually been attacked. “When can we leave?” he asked instead. “One moment,” the blue replied, turning to his mate to ask, “Do you recall the name of that mermaid you met?” “Um…Myrdal?” Duo remembered, watching curiously as Hiiro held his hand over the water. A smile spread over his lips as a bubble began to form and grow, its depths swirling with a pearly mist until it finally broke loose and fell into the briny sea. Hiiro smiled and offered his lover a wink before turning back to Wufei to inform him, “Whenever you like.” “Shall I try it again?” Duo suggested, opting to question his mate at another time. “Well, I’d love to come along,” Howard grinned, widely raising his brows over his glasses expectantly. * Evening had come to the Keep and though the surrounding land was dotted with foreign encampments, the Lord of the castle was no where to be found. Nair stomped nervously in her stall, agitated by the high tension of the people that passed by the stable. Men and women of all nationalities mingled in the yard, ladies from the far east dressed in their brightly colored robes, men of the south with skin as dark as umber and the pristine white furs of the northern folk but it was the presence of the Elves, fairies and centaur’s that brought about the most unease. Never before in their lifetimes had such a diverse gathering of nations taken place. Leaders from all around had come to the table at Lagrange to see for themselves this sign from the Gods but tempers were running hot due to the dragon’s absence. There were those, Kalog, the eagle king for one, who supported the proposition for peace between nations in spite of the absence of the dragon and his Lord, and others like Malden of Camera, who were bitter over the idea of unity, professing the promise to be an attempt to gain control through coercion. It was Malden who sat at the right hand corner of Wufei’s table and condemned his absent host as he had for the prior two days of the summit. “I see no benefit to Camera in this union. On the contrary, forcing us all here under the threat of a dragon’s wrath boarders on an act of war!” he stated again as Kalog argued the point through his Elvin translator. “Lord Chang did not propose any attack on those reluctant to participate!” Kalog shrieked while Midrin echoed his bird like cries with at least as much indignation as burned in his black, eagle eyes. “Nor did he mention you’re invitation in the matter!” Malden snapped. “If it is magical creatures you dislike, I and my brothers would have a word in this as well!” Caladar of the centaur’s growled, stomping his hooves. “That’s not what he said!” Ladel of the north defended her human counterpart. “But it was a bit of a shock to find the grounds swarming with Elves and brownies when we arrived.” “We could have at least been informed!” “Were it not for the dragon you would not be blessed with our presence!” Caladar snapped. “A dragon that has yet to be seen!” Malden retorted. “Yes!” Ladel agreed. “Not only is Lord Chang absent from a summit he called but this dragon he claims has not one witness!” “We have seen him!” Kiya shouted where she stood by Alicia and Catherine. “What proof have you?” Malden snarled, looking quite smug in his certainty until Catherine suddenly gasped and pointed at one of the high, arched windows that lined the hall and shouted… “There!” An uproarious cry was heard from outside as the members of the meeting rose, each gasping and murmuring their astonishment as a Great Blue dragon stirred the dust from the Earth and touched down in the yard. The people smiled excitedly, marveling at the sight of the huge creature but gave him a wide berth until another excited swelling of wonder rose among them at the sight of Wufei settled at the base of the Celestial’s long, armored neck. “Would this be the proof you require?” Elliot of the elves smiled, echoing most everyone else’s thoughts with the first words he had spoken since the summit began. Malden stood in stunned silence as Wufei slid from his perch and was greeted lovingly by his people as well as the strange foreigners in his yard. “Welcome home, Dragon Lord!” Midrin shouted at her master’s command and Wufei turned to smile brightly at the gathered leaders along the wall, his hand waving a greeting to them all even as a gleeful shout went up from the crowd when Hiiro turned his head skyward and let loose a roaring pillar of flame. The assembly opted by means of necessity to adjourn to the yard for the remainder of the day’s business, each offering their hand, be it human, elf or wing to the dragon in friendship. For all their differences there was not one among them that didn’t have ties to the dragons’ line, each having claimed at some point to be of blood kin to the ancient race. However, Malden persisted in his reluctance, shifting his tack in an effort to remain independent from the whole. “You may have the rest of them enchanted by the mere sight of this beast,” he was saying in spite of the joyful attitudes of most of the people surrounding the dragon. “But I am no fool.” Elliot laughed outright at this statement, pulling Caladar, Kalog and many of the others into the merriment but Malden did not seem amused. “I will not surrender my country!” he snapped, backing away at Hiiro’s iridescent gaze. “Joining the Alliance is not a requirement by any means,” Wufei chuckled. “But we would welcome your people should you choose to participate.” “And have that beast annihilate our land if not!” The conversation was momentarily forgotten when a strange, pearlescent orb floated into their midst. Hiiro grinned; flashing Wufei an amused warning glace before the Dragon Lord straightened his spine and raised his brow as the sphere began to grow. “Mommy! Look!” a young girl squealed when the strange shapes inside the orbs swirling mists began to solidify and focus until the smiling face of Nephra, Queen of the merfolk, peered from beside her husband, Shakell, his flowing white beard moving lazily in the current surrounding them. “Welcome,” Wufei greeted amiably. “I would offer you what hospitality I am able but…” “The orb offers only a window between our worlds,” Nephra spoke for her husband. “A gift,” she smiled, bowing her vibrant, red head to Hiiro who returned the gesture respectfully. “We are honored by your presence,” Wufei smiled. “As we are by your generous invitation.” “You see?” Caladar chuckled. “Even the ocean has joined us.” “And what happens to mortal man when the world’s fairy creatures unite?” Ladel snipped, showing her fear in her tone. “Look!” someone shouted, making all heads turn toward the sky where a second dragon was coming in fast. “Look out!” Duo squealed, unable to keep control with his heavy burden of Howard, Rashid and Captain Meriy. The latter opting to jump off into a wagon of feed hay in the yard before the great beast suddenly crashed flipping head over tail, Howard flew through the air to land in the fountain and Rashid smashed into the parapet while Duo ended tail up against the far wall, his huge head top side down on the ground as steam poured from the corners of his mouth. ”Are you all right!?” Hiiro gasped, rushing to his aid. “Another one!?” Ladel shrieked as Trowa set Quatre down in the yard. “And the Winner Sage as well! Malden was right! You’re forming an army to march against us!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” “We all knew the blue wasn’t the only dragon in the world!” “Maybe she’s his girlfriend!” the little girl that had gasped at the merfolk sang gleefully. “Itaiiiiii,” Duo groaned, rolling over to shake the stars from his eyes. “Guess I still need to work on that,” he laughed, only noticing the argument at the child’s comment to which he replied, “Yeah!? And maybe your dolly would make a good starter log!” “It speaks!” Malden gasped while the child tucked her doll under her arms and stuck her tongue out at the massive, purple reptile. Hiiro laughed when Duo stuck his tongue back at her catching the grin on both of their faces before Duo turned his attention back to the gathering of much less fun adults. “He can’t be a dragon! Dragons don’t speak!” “He’s a demon!” “Actually,” Duo smiled, sauntering into their midst and everyone, even Elliot who usually stood perfectly still, jumped back when he suddenly shifted and changed into a young man and explained, “I am neither.” He took a moment to toss a wink over his shoulder at the happily smiling child and her astonished mother before Elliot began to laugh and stepped forward. “Only a demon could shift forms like that!” Ladel growled fearfully. “On the contrary,” a small, black cat interjected, once again bringing an expression of shocked awe to many of the faces around as she jumped from the fence and padded softly toward the Dragon Lord. “There are those among us who possess the ability,” she smiled shifting and causing another excited murmur among the people before she slipped smoothly into the silk robe in Wufei’s arms. “You are certainly a leader of extraordinary design if you’ve managed to call the Sisterhood to your cause,” Caladar laughed loudly in approval. “Run!” someone shouted and the call was followed by terrified screams as a phoenix sailed by lighting the darkening sky overhead with brilliant flame. “NO!” Malden roared as Hiiro rose to meet the incoming firebird. “A battle here will cost countless lives!” Those who knew the bloody history of the dragon and the phoenix shook in fear as the bright, luminous bird dove straight for the blue but Duo merely smiled and slapped Malden on the shoulder with a smile. “You might want to stop while you’re ahead,” he advised as Hiiro opened his mouth and slowly sucked the flaming bird into his body while the people gaped and murmured around them. “He… he ate it,” Malden stammered softly. “No,” Duo chuckled. “Azu Auk lives within him. They’re… partners of a sort.” “A dragon nesting a phoenix?!” Elliot chortled. “This is a day of wonders!” “You have our allegiance,” Erin of Docksley offered. “Aye,” Odell, Princess to the Aihisian’s smiled happily. “I will not serve a demon, a dragon or a human that would sell his soul for the dark powers they possess!” Malden snapped. “I told you,” Duo smiled. “I’m not a demon,” he said morphing back into his dragon form and smirking at the wondrous reactions it caused as he explained. “He is,” indicating Hiiro, who offered a toothy grin while his lover continued. “I’m more of a… demi-god if you will.” “Does that mean you can talk to my Daddy!?” the little girl asked excitedly, rushing up to look at him with imploring eyes. “Annie,” her mother scolded gently, turning kind eyes on Duo to explain, “Her father was lost in the border wars of our country two years ago.” “No,” Duo smiled down on the child, offering a gentle nudge with his nose when she wilted. “But I know someone who might be able to.” “Really? Who!?” she smiled. “My Dad,” Duo told her. “Tell him that I miss him!” the child gushed excitedly. “And I’ve been good just like he said I should!” “I know he’ll be very proud of you,” Duo smiled. “You honestly claim that your father is a god?!” Ladel huffed indignantly. “Absurd!” Malden interjected, but paled and shut up when Duo flashed glowing amethyst eyes his way and reasoned… “Unless it’s true.” “I’ve had enough of this…!” Ladel began but Malden had seen the truth and gripped her arm in warning to cease her tirade. One after another the great nations of the world offered their allegiance and cooperation, beginning with a cease fire of all hostilities between nations. Talks would commence with Wufei and Hiiro to mediate in the coming months and though Ladel, Malden and some other’s were reluctant for many different reasons, Wufei and Hiiro were confident that once the other nations began to reap the rewards of the coalition they would soon amend their decisions. Hiiro kept his ability to transform safely hidden from the masses, knowing it would be seen as a weakness or flaw by many but Duo was readily accepted as not only his partner and interpreter but also his mate as well as Hiiro had a habit of flirting shamelessly with the braided one whenever the opportunity arose. The summit lasted another three weeks in which time none of the parties involved got to spend much quality time together but once the basis of the Alliance had been solidified and the leaders of the Earth began to depart for their own kingdoms, Hiiro and Duo took advantage of the break to return to their den on the mountain while Quatre and Trowa headed for Oasis and Wufei moved Meilan into the castle properly. It was expected there would be a wedding in the years to come but neither Wufei’s clan nor the Sisterhood would tolerate it without a proper courtship so they would live and work together in Lagrange until the time was right. Hiiro, on the other hand, being a dragon, required no such courtship nor the blessing of the gods to declare his undying devotion and expressed his intent to keep Duo by his side forever by adding a huge, four poster bed to their cave that made Duo laugh with delight until his mate decided to demonstrate what the deep mattress was meant for. “It’s strange,” Duo sighed, tugging his lover’s naked, human body a little bit closer. “The snow will be here soon but I’m not even a little bit cold.” “You have a dragon’s blood now,” Hiiro smiled, kissing the leftover dampness from his temple. “You’ll never be cold again.” “And here I thought it had something to do with your insatiable appetite,” Duo chuckled, claiming a kiss. “I would be willing to test the theory,” Hiiro grinned, pressing him down into the bed. “I’m going to need a bath,” Duo smiled happily wrapping his arms around his lover’s neck. Hiiro smiled against his neck when he moaned softly under his lips and grinned wickedly when he gasped as his dragon tongue snaked out and ran down his stomach in a long, wet path before he kissed him and gently replied, “If that is your wish.” owari :)
|
