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"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 8 They spent the night in the field in happy company and enjoyed Wufei’s hospitality. Hiiro had eaten two pigs, twenty chickens and the better part of a cow before Duo nudged him, indicating he should leave something for the men to live on, and he politely began to decline. He got a little snippy when Duo dared to think he would abandon him to sleep in a tent with the rest of the men but Duo drew the line when he tried to bathe him right there in front of the entire army. The dawn came soon enough but the frustrated dragon insisted on making a stop at the river for a little quality time before they began the day long flight to the north. Duo didn’t mind all that much since he was able to wash both his sweat drenched body and his hair once Hiiro was done with him and sported a happily content smile as they took to the sky. He mapped the land below as they traveled, noting which castles ruled over what territory and logging it on the parchment he kept in his bag. Hiiro landed after a time and produced from a small leathery pocket of sorts along his underbelly an indecent amount of gold, waving Duo’s astonishment away as he directed him to a nearby city where he could purchase proper clothing and supplies. “There are so many things I don’t know about you,” Duo sighed, tucking the large bag of gold into his belt. ”Have I never mentioned my horde?” Hiiro wondered. “Yes,” Duo replied, laughing as he shouldered his pack. “But I didn’t realize you carried it with you.” ”Oh, Mother of All,” Hiiro chortled. ”That is merely what gets stuck in the folds of my skin,” he told his befuddled mate, grinning conspiratorially as he leaned down and whispered softly, ”Not even the length and breadth of Lake Midal could contain the riches at my command.” Duo sniggered, wrinkling his nose as he thought of their cozy den back on the mountain, kissed his scaly nose and smiled, “I’m so lucky to have a rich boyfriend like you.” Hiiro was unreasonably delighted by the act but sent him off in the direction of the town, advising him to get something to eat as well because he intended to hunt while they were apart. The thought made Duo cringe and he gratefully left his mate to his task, skipping lively into the midst of the northern folk. It wasn’t long before his presence gained the attention of the locals in spite of the fact that the place was big enough to justify a stranger in the mix. It was his attire that seemed out of place in the chilly air and he had to admit the light sprinkling of snow on the ground was quickly seeping into his bones without the presence of his reptilian heater. Hiiro was a cold blooded creature yet housed an inferno inside that never failed to warm him to the core but he was on his own now and so made his first stop a supply shop. “My goodness!” the squat little shop keeper exclaimed as he stepped through the door. She was short and round and reminded him of a pastry puff with a hat but had the warmest brown eyes he’d ever hoped to see and was intent on making him as comfortable as possible. “Come in! You’ll freeze to death out there in that,” she gently scolded. He smiled at her motherly tone and allowed her to ensconce him in a blanket and deposit him by the fire. “Thank you,” he offered, accepting the cup she offered. “It was a bit chilly.” “What were you doing out in the cold half dressed at this time of year?” she asked, bustling about. He smiled again at the disapproval in her voice before taking a sip from his cup and wrinkling his nose. “It would seem I am in need of a coat,” he commented, drinking again. The flavor was odd but thick and sweet, unlike anything he’d ever tasted before but he liked it very much. “Who is your mother?” the woman asked, going to a corner where a pile of fur lined coats were stacked haphazardly on a table. His jaw dropped but there seemed to be no good reply. However, she took the necessity away by continuing without an answer, “I can’t believe she let a skinny boy like you wander about half naked.” He snorted in the delicious drink, and indeed the more he tasted it the more he came to like the rich, creamy brown liquid. “What is the name of this town?” he asked, turning his attention to the traps, raw furs and hunting weapons on the walls. There were swords and light armor and shelves of dried goods as well but what caught his eye was the blue stone in a glass case at the back of the shop. “Gardette,” she informed him, looking mildly shocked as she turned with her arms full of coats. “Don’t you even know where you are?” she asked in exasperation, nudging him out of his cozy chair. “I’ve only just arrived,” he chuckled as her attempts to measure his girth tickled his tummy. “From where?” she asked, holding his arm straight out to take in their visual length. “The south,” he replied. “Lagrange.” “Ohh?” she cooed, poking her head under his arm to goggle at him. “I’ve heard news from those parts,” she grinned delightedly, coming around to face him and hold a coat up to his chest. “They say a dragon has moved into Lord Chang’s land.” “Is that a bad thing?” Duo asked, curious as to how the locals of other lands were taking the news. “Normally, I would say yes,” she replied. “But people say this one is a Celestial.” He grinned at the awed quality to her tone. “And that he has named the young Prince Wufei as Dragon Lord.” “I wonder what events that will bring about,” he prompted, wrinkling his nose at the fluffy, white abomination she was considering. “Unification!” she crowed and he was grateful to see her drop the feathery coat by the wayside. “And then our boarders will open and tourists will flood my shop!” she grinned, bouncing around him in high good spirit. He couldn’t help but laugh to see the sparkle in her eyes and knew the warmth in his heart was due to his swelling pride in his repletion mate. “What about that one?” he asked, spying a likely looking weave of tightly matted black fabric peeking from beneath the pile in the corner. She peered at it and he got the feeling she didn’t think it was worth pulling it out but went to do so anyway. “It’s a lovely coat,” she sighed, handling the garment fondly as she brought it to him. “But I’m afraid it’s terribly expensive.” “May I try it on?” he smiled, having already grown fond of it just from what he could see of it in her arms. She brightened but seemed hesitant as she held it out for him. “Should be about the right size,” she told him, sounding hopeful and doubtful at the same time. “My sister-in-law made it for her son,” she went on. “But they moved and he didn’t need it anymore.” Duo shrugged into the coat, feeling it settle snuggly on his shoulders and all at once felt toasty and warm. “What is this fabric?” he asked curiously as it didn’t seem to be fur or hide. “Wool,” she informed him. “Mabel raised Royal Llama’s and spun the wool to trade. Took her two years to make that fabric,” she confessed brushing the coat fondly. He liked the idea that no animal had had to die in the making of the thing. It had a silk lining of blackest night and pockets just freaking everywhere but they seemed to disappear into the folds of the garment. It fit him so well, tailored snugly against his slim waist and had a short cloak of sorts falling down the back to mid shoulder. Beneath the collar was a hood that could be worn or tucked away and the outer, thickly woven fabric sparkled softly here and there with refracted light. “I’ll take it,” he smiled, grinning widely when the woman fell into her chair. “Can you tell me what that is?” he asked, indicating the blue stone. “Our main business here is the mine,” she told him dazedly. “That sapphire was excavated last month.” “Is it for sale?” “Yes.” “I’ll take that, too.” He bought some dried roots and bread, a bottle of sweet cooking oil made from the blossoms of flowers, onions and a large scrub brush as well and by the time he’d left her for the inn down the way, she had packed everything up and informed him that should he pass this way again not to bother stopping by because she was going to be spending the next couple of months on a beach in the south. His new coat did little to deter the curious stares of passersby but he liked the way it made him feel and everything he had bought fit comfortably into the pockets without making him look like a cart horse. The inn was called The Breezy Wench and sat less than five blocks up the row. It had begun to snow while he was purchasing his wares so he tucked the hood around his ears and ambled into the common room, dusting white flakes off his shoulders and stomping his boots on the door step. “Good day, sir,” a round faced, middle aged man greeted, wringing his hands and smiling up with rosy cheeks. Duo had a moment to wonder if everyone in the town were small and round before the clatter of dinnerware and the smell of food stole his attention away. “Have you any vegetables?” Duo asked, pushing his hood back. “Oh, my!” the man exclaimed brightening as he smiled, “Whatever you like, Good Elf.” “I’m…” Duo started to correct him but sighed, knowing it was futile. “Thank you. Perhaps a table by the fire?” “Oh course!” the man grinned, leading him through the sparse patrons. Two men still covered in the dirt of their trade watched him with open curiosity and returned his smile when offered. A young woman behind the bar beamed but he refrained from encouraging her and informed the inn keeper he would take whatever non-animal offering he had. “You don’t care for pork?” the man asked in mild suspicion. “I’m allergic to meat.” It was an old excuse but he’d long since grown tired of trying to explain he couldn’t eat something he might have had a conversation with. He was very much enjoying a plate of roasted potatoes and corn when one of the miners approached. “Hello, traveler,” he smiled, indicating he would like to join him. “Hello,” Duo returned, but made no motion for him to sit. “My brother and I,” the guy smiled, tilting his head to include the other gentleman, “were just wondering where you’re from.” “Lagrange,” Duo relied openly, sipping his mead. The man cocked his head at his brother as if to say ‘I told you so’ and continued. “There are a lot of wild rumors coming from those parts,” he told him. “Stories about a dragon and the new Dragon Lord.” “Yes,” Duo smiled, nodding his head. “He is a beautiful blue,” he beamed. “Wise and powerful…” “You’ve seen it!?” the man gasped and suddenly both of them were seated at his table and hungrily salivating for more. “Most everyone within our boarders has,” he evaded, pulling his meal back to a safe distance. “Man, would I like to get a shot at that!” the first man gushed, making an aiming motion in the air. “What?!” Duo barked. “Why?!” “Like any one man could take a beast like that down,” the other jeered. “Why would you want to hurt him!?” Duo demanded in exasperation, his hunger forgotten and his temper on the rise. “A fey creature like you wouldn’t understand,” the first informed him. “Yeah,” the second agreed. “It is a man’s right to conquer the animals and the land.” “But he’s a sentient being!” “It’s still a beast.” “What would you know about it!!??” Duo roared, standing so fast he scattered the table, his meal and both of the men across the floor. “He holds more humanity in his heart that either of you will ever possess!” he shouted and they scooted across the floor fearfully as he advanced. “Know this!” he roared, pointing one long finger and they cowered as if lightening might spring from the tip. “It is your deliverance that he bears upon his back! The change has come! He WILL bring order and unity to this world! Lord Chang will rule by the people’s command and even halfwits like YOU will prosper. Of that I guarantee!” He paused long enough to toss the price of his meal plus enough to buy a few new tables on the counter before growling a warning as he stormed from the room. “I strongly suggest you find a way to better educate yourselves because anyone that would be foolish enough to attack him is a dead man!” The two men scrambled to the window and watched as the beautiful stranger marched out into the square and shouted something at the grey sky. A moment later their eyes went wide and their skin paled as the mammoth form of a Great Blue Dragon crashed into the cobble stone street. The inn keeper dropped his mug as the bar maid screamed but then all grew quiet as the beast lowered its head as if speaking to the boy. The two men swallowed, glancing nervously at each other when the boy looked upset and the dragon turned cold blue eyes on the inn. The boy was pulling at it but it was moving in their direction, its brow creased in indignation and all they could do was stare dumbly as the gargantuan head filled the window. Hiiro considered them, each frozen in terror and as still as the grave then blew a sudden burst of indignant heat at the window making it fog over all at once before letting Duo board and launching into the sky. The two men slowly turned to look at each other, utter shock and disbelief in their eyes as a slow darkness seeped down and soaked the thighs of their pants. “I’m sorry,” Duo grumbled. ”For what?” Hiiro chuckled. “I shouldn’t have called you like that.” ”I am here for you,” the dragon reminded him. ”Always.” Duo smiled and let the warmth of his words wash away the residual crankiness of his anger. “They just made me so mad.” ”I think I can take’em,” Hiiro grinned, making him gaff with laugher. “That’s not the point and you know it,” he scolded, ducking his head needlessly as he admitted, “I was just showing off.” The dragon grinned and adjusted their altitude as he pointed out, ”You have a good deal to flaunt.” “Yeah,” Duo smiled, affectionately but it was clear he was thinking something entirely different than Hiiro had been. The wind grew colder as they traveled north, the mountains jutting up at ever higher elevations forcing them to climb into the thinner air until Duo had to pull his hood tight around his face to keep from getting frost bite. It wasn’t until he had to ask Hiiro to land so he could warm up for a minute that the dragon realized his discomfort. ”Damn my eyes,” he cursed, grumbling deep inside. ”I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized it was that cold.” “It’s a… all right,” Duo stammered, blowing what little warm breath he could muster onto his numb fingers. “If we could just land for a bit…” ”There is no need,” the dragon informed him and Duo was once again struck dumb as a small place on the back of his neck just above the ridge of fine horns he usually clung to split and opened. “Hiiro!” he barked, thinking for a moment it was some sort of wound as the interior of the crevice smoldered with crimson heat. ”Warm yourself,” Hiiro soothed. Duo looked down at the widening crag with open wonder, the heat from inside already wafting around him as the wind turned warm and caressed his tingling skin. He giggled as he raised his hands and felt the tremendous heat rising, barely aware of the worshipful adoration in Hiiro’s smile. “How…?” ”A slight alteration,” Hiiro explained, sounding rather proud of his individuality. ”From the wizard J.” “King Bryant’s magician.” Duo recalled. Hiiro nodded and took them down as close to the peaks as possible to stay out of the thin air of the high atmosphere. ”It was necessary to keep him from freezing during the long days of the Saddletine War.” Duo thought about that, the idea of someone else having sat astride his dragon bringing and odd pang to his heart. He stared at the smoldering gash and tried to picture what the knight king must have looked like with his horned armor and shining blade. It occurred to him to ask if Hiiro was like this all over inside or if this was a direct opening to whatever part of him created his magnificent flame but once on his tongue he swallowed it. Some things were just better left to the imagination. Instead he addressed his first consideration. “Did you love him?” ”Yes.” The quick reply brought a sad crease to Duo’s brow until Hiiro bent his long neck around and explained. ”He was a good friend… and a noble leader.” The sigh of relief was embarrassing but it felt so good he didn’t care. The thought refused to relent however, and suddenly he couldn’t stop his mouth from asking, “Were there others?” The dragon cocked a brow then suddenly descended like a stone heading for the nearest field that wasn’t covered in snow and setting down in the tall winter grass. He remained silent until Duo was unsaddled and warmly settled on a large stone that had soaked in the sun’s heat. ”Duo,” he began gently but stopped when he turned his eyes away. ”I am over two thousand years old,” he explained, moving to place his head in Duo’s line of sight. ”There have been some in that time that I held dear to my heart,” he smiled, coaxing the beautiful chestnut head to look at him. ”But never one that held my heart so captive as you.” “I’m sorry,” Duo sighed, pinking in spite of his wind kissed cheeks. “I guess I just hoped… I wish…” ”What is your wish?” Hiiro purred. “I could’ve been your first.” ”Oh, but you are,” the dragon hissed determinedly. “No I’m not,” Duo sulked in spite of himself. “You’ve done those things with others.” ”To them,” Hiiro corrected. ”Never with. You are the only one that has ever brought me such joy.” “I haven’t done anything.” The dragon snorted at the petulant tremor in his tone. ”Do you honestly think driving me to the point I nearly rupture with desire is nothing?” Duo sniggered under his frown recalling the last time his estranged mate had felt the need to expel a little pent up anxiety. “I really made you shoot fire twice as far as anyone else?” he grinned. ”That has never actually happened with anyone else,” Hiiro confessed. Duo snorted his gleeful laugher into the air, bringing a huge smile to his mate’s scaly face. “We’re a wretched pair,” he sighed, doing his best to hug the huge beast as he softly replied… ”As long as we’re a pair.” The silence stretched until Hiiro began to feel the weight of expectation and asked, ”What?” “Aren’t you going to ask me?” Duo inquired, letting him pull away. The snort of laugher almost blew him off his rock. ”Duo,” Hiiro chuckled. ” Look at me. I can smell a virgin at a thousand paces. I know by instinct alone that you are pure.” “Well,” Duo blushed. “I was until you got a hold of me.” ”You still are,” the dragon smiled, nuzzling him soothingly. He thought about that as well and concluded that he was technically right. There wasn’t a part of him that Hiiro’s tongue hadn’t explored but when it came right down to it, it was all oral between them and he had certainly never attempted to… even the thought made him dizzy. No, there was nothing he could do for his mate in a physical sense, not without taking his life in his hands. It seemed horribly unfair however, that he was to remain the virgin lover of a dragon for the rest of his days. He didn’t mind the dragon part but this virgin shit was a pain in the ass. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the distant call of a young girl’s voice crying… “MOTHERRRRR!” “Shit,” Duo sighed, dreading trying to explain why he and his dragon were stomping all over the local village’s crops. ”What?” the dragon inquired. “I think we just trashed the late season grain.” ”This?” Hiiro inquired, nosing the tall, cream colored grass. ”What is it for?” “Its food,” Duo informed him, adding, “Don’t!” too late to stop the huge reptile from wrapping a large portion with is dexterous tongue and sucking it into his mouth. Duo bit back on his laugher while the dragon’s face paused, his jaw chewing tentatively until he suddenly spewed the vegetation all over the field, Duo and the trees beyond. ”They EAT this stuff?!” he exclaimed, trying to wipe the sticky grain off his tongue with the claw of his wing. “It’s usually ground into flour for bread first but yes,” Duo sniggered dusting himself off. Hiiro spit and sputtered in great distaste but managed a comical, ”Oh,” before his eyes narrowed and he stepped protectively in between Duo and the sudden reappearance of the child, what was apparently her mother and a man with a long bow. “We mean you no harm!” Duo called in a strong voice, moving forward but he ran head long into a thick, reptilian wall. “I really wish you wouldn’t do that,” he sighed. ”He has a weapon,” Hiiro pointed out but his entire demeanor shifted when the man shouted… “Welcome, Spirit of the East!”
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