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"Prince Duo"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,
sap, lemons… lots of lemons but usually of the non graphic variety,
light language Beta'ed by Mechante Fille ^_^ *snugs* Pairings: 2x4, 1x2x4, 5xM, 5x4, mention of 5x4xM,
1x2, 3x4, 1x2x3x4 Summary: A young slave finds more than his freedom
when he is purchased by the prince of a neighboring kingdom. " Prince Duo"
Noin and Sally had joined forces and stood against the man vehemently as neither seemed to have any qualms about sending an arrow through his head. Duo wondered just what the man had done to their mothers to make them hate him so much. Then again, maybe he didn’t want to know. Wufei had done some more reconnaissance and found that Quintz had spared no expense. He had brought every available man and had a force larger even than Barton’s had been. Even with the defectors from that army that had stayed and sworn allegiance to Duo they were out numbered again. Not as badly but enough to cause anxiety among the men. Duo played his part beautifully. He was cocky and sure and insufferable to the point he had Quintz pulling his shoulder length gray hair out. Hiiro wasn’t sure if the man wanted to throttle him or bend him over the arm of the throne. Either way he would have to see Hiiro dead first. The man used the ports as an excuse for his visit as Duo had foreseen but the braided boy was one step ahead of him wherever he turned. Relena had also been called in to sit in on the negotiations and had proven to be a formidable ally and confidant. By the eve of the second day Quintz had delivered his ultimatum. Their plans for the future of the ports was unacceptable and they would either surrender control of them or he would take it by force and Duo had basically told him ’bring it on‘ and sent him on his way. It wasn’t quiet as easy to pack Relena off to her room. “Why must you infuriate him so?!” the blond girl snarled. After two days of watching Duo pick at Quintz’s every soft spot she had completely lost patience with the boy. The boys had all retired to Duo’s chambers and were quite comfortable lounging around the fire and eating roast duck when the irate girl had stormed in. “You could at least try to be civil! How in the world do you expect to come to terms with the man if you’re constantly agitating…” “His terms are unacceptable,” Duo cut her off as he fed another piece of roast duck to Hiiro who was sitting on the floor by the couch he was laying on with his head leaned back on the cushion. “That may be,” she went on ignoring his obstinacy. “But you’ll never sway him if he’s always angry with you. You have to learn ...” “To kiss ass?” Duo interrupted her again. “Not unless it’s mine,” Hiiro grinned, licking the prince’s greasy fingers as he fed him more duck and chuckled at him. “Or mine,” Quarter piped in. “Or…” “Enough!” the girl barked, holding her hands up to stall Trowa’s words. “You’re going to give yourself an ulcer,” Duo sighed. “Here,” he added, holding out a piece of meat. “Sit down and eat something. You’re wasting away with all your worry.” “At least I care,” she snapped, folding her arms over her chest. “If you put half the effort into working out a compromise as you put into this lot there wouldn’t be an army sitting on our doorstep.” “Quintz is not interested in compromise,” Trowa offered. He and Quatre had already had their fill of the duck and were cuddled up together in the big chair. They were being discrete but it wasn’t easy with the blond sitting in his lap. “You didn’t even try!” the girl shouted in frustration. “Isn’t it better to share the responsibilities of the ports than to lose more lives over their ownership? Where does it stop? How many men must die to ensure your ideas?” “My idea’s?” Duo huffed. “Could you truly be so blind? You sentiments are admirable Lady, but you misunderstand the nature of this war. I have no desire to control the ports or the people as you well know. However, I will not stand down and allow that man take the freedom these people have already given their lives for. Contrary to what you seem to believe there is evil in this world and there is no other way to defeat it than to stand against it united.” “There must be a better way than sending men to their deaths,” the girl replied in soft indignation. “There is” the prince replied. “Prevention. Gaining the ability to implement that prevention is the duty of those who are willing to die for their freedom. Don’t begrudge the people that right. With or without our leadership they will not allow this man to snatch away the freedom they only just claimed no matter what the price.” She started to say something then glanced at the other boys and thought better of it though she still wasn’t convinced. However, the door opened before she could continue with her argument. Duo sat up. “What news?” he asked their raven haired friend. “He’s rallied his men, they’ll attack by dawn,” Wufei replied, nodding respectfully to the girl. “Take Relena back to her estate,” Duo commanded. “I wish to stay,” Relena countered. “No you don’t,” the braided boy replied but she stood fast and stared him down. He sighed. “You’ve no idea what you’re saying,” he told her. “Battle is not a pretty sight and I want you somewhere safe.” “I’m staying,” she insisted. “Wufei, take her to the commissary on the mountain” the prince said. “We’ll…compromise,” he added with a grin. “You can watch the battle from there and be relatively safe. However, if things go bad, get out quick. These people have no respect for our gods.” She nodded her head in agreement. “Return here once she’s settled,” he told the raven haired boy before they left. “Are we ready?” Trowa asked one more time. He already knew the answer but you never knew what Duo might pull out of his hat. “Almost,” the prince said, pulling Hiiro up to lay along the couch beside him. “I think there may be one more task to perform,” he grinned as he kissed him slowly. “Maybe two,” Quatre added, squirming around in Trowa’s lap until he sat straddling his thighs. “Mmmm,” Trowa said through the blond’s kiss. “What about...mmmph... what about… No..bwara,” he mumbled as Quatre wasn’t cutting him much slack. Duo wasn’t paying him any attention at all as Hiiro had already penetrated his ability to reason. When Wufei returned he found them all laying in Duo’s big bed dozing. He shook his head and smiled as they lay there in the half light of the waning moon, a tangle of limbs and softly lit bodies as comfortable as a sigh just enjoying each other’s presence. Quatre’s pale skin glowed like a sleepy sunbeam, Duo and Hiiro’s soft golden tones contrasting Trowa’s elven amber. They were quite beautiful to look at. He walked over and quietly laid the scroll he had brought on the bedside table and turned to leave. He paused when he felt a hand close gently around his wrist and looked back to see big, violet eyes staring up at him. He didn’t have to wonder what Duo was thinking as it was plainly written in those bottomless, amethyst pools. It had been a very long time since the two boys had known each other in an intimate way. Nearly three years. Wufei did not regret his decision as he loved Nataku very much but he did miss his friend. Seeing them all together like this made him feel like a bit of an outsider as well. He didn’t really wish to be a part of their exploits but when he saw them laying like this it made him wonder just what it felt like. He imagined it felt a lot like when he lay curled up with Nataku’s presence surrounding him. She didn’t really like being in human form too much and saved it for special occasions. Not that those occasions didn’t happen on a regular basis but she rarely just laid with him like this and he found he missed it. What he saw in Duo’s eyes that night wasn’t far from what he had been feeling himself. They’d been lovers once and it wasn’t Duo’s idea to cease those activities. He had been quite upset about it at first, until Quatre came along and distracted him. Still, a bond had grown between them that had never been broken and he could see that bond in the prince’s eyes that night. He was afraid. He smiled at him reassuringly and touched his thick fall of bangs. Duo drew his hand down to cup his cheek and nuzzled it, turning to kiss the palm. Wufei felt the old familiar heat spread up his arm; it had been a very long time but the fire was still there burning deep inside him. He truly loved him with all his heart. He gave into his age old desire and leaned down to kiss his lips gently. Duo accepted without thought, drinking in the sweet essence of his first love, tender memories of days gone by: making love in the sweet grass, swimming in cool pools of summer rain and holding each other as they dried in the warm sun. It all came rushing back as the raven haired boy reached out to taste the presence of his past. He withdrew and stood up, gazing down at Duo’s sweet face. The fear had ebbed a little and it made him feel good inside. He glanced up to see Hiiro’s eyes open and watching them, feeling the tang of guilt in his heart but he couldn’t feel too bad about it. Duo had wanted it so he had given. He gave the braided boy one last smile and tweaked his nose before he turned and left. Hiiro pulled Duo into his arms and held him tight as they snuggled up against Trowa’s back. The lanky elf made quiet a nice teddy bear oddly enough. Quatre was nestled against his chest as they all dozed together and let the night slip by. Duo opened his eyes an hour before dawn. He had no intention of going into a battle he might not come out of without making sure his lovers weren’t fully awake. He rolled over and kissed Hiiro so passionately the boy was writhing and searching for an entrance before his eyes had fully opened. Much to Hiiro’s dismay he then turned and climbed over Trowa waking the elf as he nibbled on Quatre’s ear for a moment, just long enough to make the blond groan. Hiiro had attached himself to Duo’s hips as the braided boy slipped down the blond’s body and woke up other areas of his anatomy. Trowa was caught in the middle and someone was doing a nice job of waking up his southern regions as well. It didn’t take long before the prince had the lot of them working rather hard at building up a decent rush of adrenaline. By the time they rose to face the dawn they were all feeling a little invincible. Duo took his place along the front wall with Hiiro while Trowa and Quatre led the elvin archers and foot soldiers. Rashid had the front lines covered and Sally and Noin were to come at the massive army from either side. The idea was to confuse them and hope they could outlast them. By midday Duo was nursing a tender right thigh where a cannon ball had grazed him and Hiiro was all but exhausted from the never ending sword play trying to keep the enemy from cresting the already damaged outer wall. Nataku had done some real damage but had also been injured when she was hit by a well aimed harpoon in the soft flesh of her thigh. Trowa had every available man gathering more arrows and had all but tied Quatre to his back trying to keep him out of trouble. The blond was known for loosing his sense in the heat of battle. He just went nuts. Usually this was a good thing but not against these numbers. Everyone was exhausted and running out of steam and they hadn’t really put a dent in the opposing force. They lasted until mid afternoon before the gates fell and the castle was over run. Duo took another wound when he jumped in front of an arrow that had been intended for one of the elves. Hiiro had carried him inside in search of a medic but the braided boy had reached up and snatched it out, demanding to be put back on his feet and return to the battle. “Its over!” Hiiro shouted, holding the raging boy back. “We’ve done all we could,” he said a bit softer as Duo glared at him. “We need to retreat,” he said gently, not wanting to hear the words himself. “I can’t!” the braided boy cried. “Then we die today!” Hiiro barked. Duo looked at him for a long moment in contemplation. Slowly his eyes darkened, the fire fading from them as he realized his defeat. It tore Hiiro’s heart out but there was nothing he could do. The numbers were just too great. Duo walked toward the rampart. The men were still fighting for all they were worth but his heart had lost its will to continue. The day was lost. They would regroup and try again…someday. He picked up the horn and went to sound the retreat. It seemed so surreal to see the battle raging on. All those people struggling against each other, dying for what they believed in and he was about to fail them miserably. Maybe Relena had been right. Maybe this was the wrong way. Maybe it would have been better to compromise and meet this man half way. At least these people would be alive. He looked to the mountain where the commissary was built into the side and thought of the girl. She was the one. She was the answer to it all. All he had to do was hand her the key and she could build them all a world of peace and harmony. She had the will, not him. She had the idea and the drive and the skills necessary to pull it off. Was she watching him now? Could she see his ultimate failure? He raised the horn to his mouth and took a deep breath only to pause when he saw a man below fighting with all his might against the impossible odds. He knew that man; he was a blacksmith in town. He had… two daughters... Ann Marie and Kate... and a son... just a boy... Kan. What would become of that small boy when his father lay dead on the battle field? Duo felt his chest tighten. What would become of that boy if his father hadn’t come to fight for his freedom? He felt a sudden rush in his veins. No. He wasn’t wrong. That man wasn’t wrong and he would not betray them. He spun around to find Hiiro standing there waiting for him, his hand out stretched and their horses held at the ready by a boy in the yard below. He smiled and took his lovers hand, pausing a moment to kiss him before they leapt to their mounts and bolted for the front gate, Duo sounding the charge all the way. The sound of the battle horn and the sight of the two boys emerging from the fallen gates reenergized the soldiers and sent them hurdling into the front line, driving their enemy back. Slowly the advance failed and they were being forced back toward the gate then another horn sounded, one that swept the field with renewed hope and put a smile on Duo’s face that outshone the sun. “TREIZE!” he shouted to Hiiro practically jumping up and down in the saddle. Hiiro spurred his mount until it reared up on its haunches and raised his sword high over head. “VICTORY!” he cried as the beast began to transform and join the ranks. Duo followed suit as King Treize and his army slammed into the rear flank of Quinze’s forces, laying waste to any and all that stood in their way. The battle was won before the setting of the sun. Two weeks later, after the battle stench had been washed away, the dead buried and the living rewarded with the sweet breath of freedom, Hiiro stood beside his lover as he sat on the throne and awaited his coronation. The people of two nations had all turned out to see the event. There were great feasts and celebrations in every corner of the realm. Duo kept saying it was due to their victory but everyone knew it had a good deal to do with the boy becoming King. Trowa and Quatre stood by his side and even Nataku had perched on the roof where she and Wufei could watch through the high windows. Relena and her entourage were there as well as King Treize and his court. All went quiet when Cardinal Maxwell entered the hall with the simple silver crown that had served Duo’s family for generations. He said his prayers and blessed the boy then walked over and reached out to place it on his head. Duo held out his hand and stopped him. Curious, the man stepped back as the braided boy stood from the throne and turned to the assembly. He looked at the curious faces as they mumbled about what in the world he was up to now then walked over to Hiiro and laid a big, sloppy, wet kiss dead center on his lips. Half the congregation gasped while the other half broke out in giggles. Hiiro just stood there gapping and wondering what in the hell he had done right. Duo smiled at him then turned back to the assembly. “It has come to my attention,” he began, swaggering across the dais like a peacock in heat. “That I am boorish, unrefined, selfish...” he paused to look at Relena and she mouthed arrogant and grinned. He raised his brow and continued, “Arrogant and of questionable moral fiber.” The people in the hall were gasping and whispering to each other, he gave them a moment to absorb what he had said before going on. “In consideration of these facts I have decided to step down as your king,” That got him a loud roar of disapproval but he held up his hand for silence. Hiiro glanced at their friends but they all just shrugged. “Fear not,” he went on. “You’ll not be rid of me that easily, I assure you.” That gained him a few chuckles and a collected sigh of relief. “We believe it is in the best interest of this nation for me to take a less direct approach to governing the land.” He walked over as he spoke and began to circle Hiiro, his eyes eating him up like he was made of hard candy and Hiiro decided he kind of liked this game. “In this way the Monarchy will remain intact and not suffer from the,” he looked at Relena for help again. “Ahh yes... indignity,” he grinned wide when he said the word, causing another giggle to run through the hall. “Of my questionable lifestyle,” he smiled and Hiiro suddenly yelped and turned beat red. He glared at the braided prince as he came back around in front of him and the assembly broke out in open laughter. “Therefore, I offer you my dear cousin, Countess Relena, as your head of state.” Not even Hiiro had seen that one coming. Everyone gasped as he held out his hand to the girl and she joined him on the dais. “Will you accept this honor, my dear Lady?” he asked formally. She turned to the assembly and waited for a moment. When there was no objection she turned back, curtsied low and replied, “Yes, my Leige.” He took the crown from Cardinal Maxwell then turned back and laid it on her honey blond hair. “Rise,” he said with a smile, “Queen Relena.” There was a cheer from the crowd as she stood and turned to face her subjects. Everyone knew and respected the girl. They also knew how closely she worked with the prince all their lives. No one was about to question his judgment so they accepted her with happy hearts. It was quite clear the boy wasn’t about to desert them after all he had done but for whatever reason he felt she was the better choice for the throne. They trusted him and could live with that. Relena remained in the west wing even though the royal chambers had always been Duo’s room. She saw no reason to put him out especially since they would be sharing the responsibilities of running the Kingdom. Her position gave her the freedom to implement new laws and govern as she saw fit but his blood line gave him the right to overrule her whenever he didn’t agree. It was a good balance. By the following summer things were looking up for both kingdoms. Slavery was a thing of the past; the ports were now twice the size they had been, importing everything from fine silk from the east to exotic fruits from the islands. Salts and spices and people from all nationalities flocked to their shores. Even King Quintz had stuck a bargain with them, offering raw metals and ore in exchange for access to the sea. Life was pretty good. Duo was in the garden taking advantage of that good life as he reminded Hiiro what true freedom really was when a familiar voice cut through the fog around his brain. “Don’t you ever stop?” Trowa grinned. Duo didn’t even slow down. “Why should I?” he replied. “One must... learn to... appreciate...” “The simple pleasures in life,” Hiiro finished for him, wrapping his legs tighter around his hips. Quatre giggled as the braided boy began to shake and Hiiro stopped breathing for a moment then suddenly they were lying spent in the soft grass. Duo panted for a moment then lifted his head. “You’re staying for awhile?” he grinned. “The whooole summer,” Quatre sang happily, leaning into his tall, elfin lover. Hiiro suddenly rolled over, knocking them both off their feet and snatching the blond up in a bear hug as they tumbled to the earth. “We missed you,” he said, kissing the boy when they stilled. Duo crawled over and kissed Trowa hello before moving to steal the blond from his lover. “Where’s Wufei?” the elf asked. “In the mountains,” Hiiro replied. “He’ll be down for dinner though. He’s modified one of the old dungeons into a decent house for the two of them.” “He lives here now?” Quatre asked. “Mm hm,” Duo replied. “They even come and snuggle with us sometimes. That lizard’s loosing up a little,” he grinned. “Unlike you, I suppose?” Hiiro purred, working on the blond’s trousers. Duo leaned back and watched him work with a grin. Trowa rolled over and slipped in behind Duo. “I still want to know what you feed this guy,” he chuckled then kissed the braided boy’s neck. “Mmmm,” Duo moaned softly as he watched his lover lean down to taste their blond friend. “Beautiful young boys,” he replied then bent down to kiss Quatre as he sighed softly under Hiiro’s ministrations. Trowa slipped his hand around Duo’s naked hips and pulled him back against his as he unlaced his pants and grinned, “I can live with that.” owari :)
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