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"Time Walker"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, WAFF *g*, mild language, light lemons or perhaps more like mention
of lemons. Pairings: 1x2, eventual 3x4, unrequited Rx1, eventual
6x9, eventual 13xU (can’t really put 1 now can we? O.o), Summary: When a historic timeline is thretened
a celebrated Time Walker is called in to correct the problem. However,
when he meets a beautiful young thief everything he has ever believed
in begins to shift and change as he faces the adventure of a lifetime
and fights against the complexity of his own willful heart. " Time Walker"
“What do you want?” he asked the darkness not bothering to move from the comfort of his bed. “Can you see me with your sorcerer’s sight?” Duo’s voice smiled. “I can smell you,” Hiiro replied breathing deeply of the decadent scent. “Are you saying I stink?” the thief chuckled then laughed out loud when Hiiro’s arm suddenly snagged him and deposited him in the bed. “Tis a scent sweeter than spring,” Hiiro told him gazing reverently into his sparkling eyes. Duo swallowed as he was drowned in the warmth of Hiiro hungry gaze. “That was some show this afternoon,” he breathed unable to keep the growing excitement from his tone as Hiiro’s weight pressed down upon him. “It served my needs,” Hiiro replied not really paying attention as he moved to breathe in more of Duo’s intoxicating mire. “Malidian, guide me,” the boy gasped arching back under the delicious feeling. “What?” Hiiro replied but his mind was clearly not on the conversation. “A prayer,” Duo panted wriggling as Hiiro’s hands attempted to invade his clothes. “To who?” Hiiro inquired bending to taste the tender skin just beneath his jaw. “The god… of chastity,” Duo rasped. Hiiro laughed as he pulled away and observed, “It’s a bit late for that.” “Would you consider a trade?” Duo asked instantly clamping an iron band around Hiiro’s heart. “You would offer yourself in this bargain?” he asked not entirely sure why the thought angered him so. Duo’s eyes went hallow for a moment before his face crisped and they fell away. “I have other means to offer,” he grumbled and Hiiro felt the tightening in his chest fall away. “Promise that you will offer this only to me and I will gladly listen to your proposal,” Hiiro smiled leaning down to steel a kiss. Duo groaned and melted into him so beautifully it was all he could do to free himself before they both suffocated in the heat. “Are you… laying a claim?” the boy panted aiding Hiiro’s efforts to rid him of his clothes. “A fair trade,” Hiiro smiled and Duo stopped cold to stare wondrously into his eyes. “I would have you as my own,” Hiiro confessed feeling foolish over the desire but he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for him. He wanted it too badly, needed the feeling of his touch and knew even though they could not stay together and that he would have to leave him in this world alone there was nothing he could do about the fact that he had already fallen in love. Duo’s breath began to move again as the corners of his mouth slowly curled and Hiiro felt a tidal wave rise up inside him as he whispered, “Then take what is yours.” The dawn was upon them before the fire dimmed and Duo lay at last within the confines of his arms. It amazed him how neatly they fit together almost as if the gods had created them to do so, each a singular part of the whole that they had become. He knew the depth of his sin when thoughts of how he could stay forever by Duo’s side surfaced in his mind. It was impossible of course but he couldn’t help wishing there was a way. His arms tightened around the contented body nestled trustingly to him. No, it could not be. It was the very essence of everything he had worked against his entire life. Removing Duo from his timeline could alter the future so drastically he might discover that he’d never even been born. And if he stayed the future would be irrevocably altered, of that he was sure. The knowledge he possessed was not meant for a world such as this. “Hiiro?” “Hn?” he replied forcing the desperate thoughts from his mind. “Have you considered the nature of the man your trying to do business with?” “You disapprove,” Hiiro chuckled pulling him just a bit closer but Duo apparently wanted to talk so he rolled away. “He is a false king,” the longhaired boy informed him. “His eyes see nothing that lies beyond his doorstep. He and his minions sit here within these walls growing fat on the blood and backbone of the people they govern.” “He seems harmless enough,” Hiiro countered. “Give him the means and he will take what he wants,” Duo warned. “Even if it means the lives of those who serve him.” For a moment Hiiro’s lips curled in his amusement over his new lovers concern, after all, he had it well in hand but then an idea occurred to him that crawled through his bowels like a gaggle of worms leaving his insides raw. “You have something else in mind,” he stated praying with all his might that his fears were unfounded. “Solo could see to it this power was used to benefit the people,” Duo explained and Hiiro’s arm slipped from behind him as he rolled over and sat up. It couldn’t be true but his heart was already sick with fear that it was possible. “How long have you known him?” he asked closing his eyes against the rising rage. “Solo?” Duo chuckled uncertain of the odd tone of his lover’s voice until he explained, “Most of my life.” The relief fell visibly on Hiiro’s shoulders. “You grew up together?” he asked rounding on him. “Y…yes,” Duo stammered stunned by his enthusiasm. “All your lives…here… in this city,” Hiiro persisted gripping his arms. “Yes,” the longhaired boy confirmed. “Why… what’s wrong?” “Nothing,” Hiiro breathed crushing him to his chest. “It’s just... I understand what you’re saying. You must feel strongly for the people of Cherryton.” It took a very deep breath and several mantras of ‘he safe… I don’t have to hurt him’ in his head to settle his nerves but the relief that Duo was not a Walker and would not require neutralization brought with it the sort of joy that can overcome the dark shadows of fear. “Are you all right?” Duo asked embracing him gently but all Hiiro could managed was to hold him tight. “Hiiro,” he tried again unable to understand his lovers behavior. “I know we haven’t much to offer. Gold is not plentiful in our trade but…” “I can’t give the powder to you,” Hiiro told him honestly. “Why not?” Duo asked pushing him back to arms length. His mouth had fallen open to explain before he realized what he was doing and snapped it shut again. “You have to trust me.” “I did until a moment ago,” the longhaired boy snipped scrambling out of the bed. “You don’t understand,” Hiiro tried to explain. “There is more happening here than your eyes can perceive.” “I see a good man selling his soul for the benefit of a false king,” Duo snapped jerking his pants on. “He may be false but there are far greater evils…” “Where do you think his whores are born!?” Duo growled. “Those girls in his stable were stolen from their parents under penalty of death!” Hiiro’s heart sank to hear it but it wasn’t an uncommon practice in this timeline. “Did you think the boy’s by his side were his nephews?!” Hiiro’s jaw ached as he listened. “He takes them as mere babes,” Duo sneered angrily. “Raises them as his children then seduces them when they come of age.” The relief upon hearing the man didn’t take them as children showed in Hiiro’s eyes so enraging Duo he tried to hit him but ended up with his arm twisted behind his back and crushed against the wall where he panted furiously while Hiiro held him tight. “He uses people like cattle,” Duo grunted breathing more evenly when Hiiro released the pressure on his arm. “Believe me,” Hiiro told him feeling the sorrow fill him up. “It could be a lot worse.” Duo thrashed so suddenly he managed to break free and rounded on him. “Are we to simply lie down and die then!?” Hiiro backed up a step under the force of his fury. “We will not!” he spat. “As long as there is even one citizen of Cherryton forced into servitude by this oppression The Reapers Guild will not rest, I promise you that!” Hiiro stepped back again and tried to catch his breath. He’d heard countless speeches over the years given by those with the fortitude to act on their convictions but not one in his memory had ever moved him as deeply as Duo. His intentions were pure; he could hear it in his tone and feel it in his gaze and knew deep down in his soul that he meant every word but… “I… can’t…Duo, wait!” “Don’t touch me!” the braided boy growled snatching his arm from Hiiro’s grasp. “My touch didn’t seem to bother you last night!” Hiiro snapped. “I was unaware I was lying with a coward!” Duo snarled jerking his shirt on. Hiiro gritted his teeth against the horrid things that were milling around on his tongue and tried to put things back into perspective. “You don’t understand…” “There is one thing I know,” Duo cut in wrapping his cloak around his shoulders. “Give that man power and he will feed off the souls of those around him. Become the source of that endeavor and it will be your own conscious that eats you alive.” “Duo… please,” Hiiro pleaded loosing the edge of his temper when the braided boy turned to leave. “I have no intention of empowering Dermail. You don’t understand…” “Then enlighten me,” Duo replied gazing expectantly into his eyes. Again Hiiro’s mouth opened to explain but the words would not pass his lips. “I can’t,” he finally sighed resigning himself to his destiny. “You asked before that I trust you,” Duo told him leaving a deep cut on his heart when he observed, “Yet you have no respect for me.” It was in him to force him to stay, his hands itched with the desire to snatch him close and hold on forever but he knew he had to let him go. There was no way they could ever be together; no way he could possibly make him understand. It ripped his heart out when the door closed behind him but his feelings didn’t matter anymore than Duo’s. He had a job to do and he was suddenly anxious to see it finished. ** Duo fled the castle on winged feet. Never before had he moved so swiftly through the shadows but no matter how fast he ran the pain of Hiiro’s betrayal followed. He’d been right, he didn’t understand. How could someone so gentle and loving be so indifferent to the suffering of others? It confused his mind and bewildered his soul but he would not sit idly by while Dermail gained even more strength. He paused in the trees just outside the entrance to the guilds forest hideout and clutched his chest as he fought for breath but even the rasping desperation of his flight couldn’t drown out the pain in his heart. His eyes clenched shut as a rage erupted from him sending foul and four legged creatures alike scuttling away in fear as he sank slowly to the ground. He would not cry. Never in his life had he shed a tear, not when his parents had died at the hands of Dermail’s soldiers in his quest for the crown nor when the church that had taken him in was burned, the kindly priest and nun that had become his soul providers murdered before his eyes and he’d be damned if he would let Hiiro break him. He sat for a time until the overwhelming emotions began to ebb then took a deep breath and pushed it all aside. He knew, one way or another they would make sure Dermail did not acquire the power of Hiiro’s powder and sighed with some small amount of relief as he pulled a small, gold and silver device from his pocket. It was different that the last one he’d taken but utterly foreign in its design just the same. A small disk shaped something like a clam with a crystal set into the top and bottom. The edges were rimmed in gold, the outer shell glistening silver with golden scrawling engraved therein. One side had a hoop like that of a charm for a necklace though it had not been attached to any chain that he could find. It was an oddly beautiful piece though it had no blinking lights like the other one. He turned it this way and that but it didn’t seem to open or contain anything in spite of its amble weight but it didn’t matter. He hadn’t taken it because it of its uses or even its resale value. It belonged to Hiiro which meant that eventually…he would come. ** It was difficult to go about his business after Duo’s visit but he forced his hands to move. It was possible he was going to need to take the first vacation of his career when this assignment was over. He’d never felt so emotionally rung out before and he was barely three days into the mission. He sighed again, for what felt like the thousandth time and drew his cloak about him, his hands moving with practiced ease to confirm his effects when he suddenly froze. It couldn’t be! “Damn it!” he growled searching his pockets more carefully but the beckon was gone. A thorough search of the room and bed, proved no more fruitful and his desperation to recover it was becoming more dire by the moment. His hand swept the desk scattering its contents about the floor before he slammed his hand down and activated the tracker in his ring. Without the beckon he was stuck in this time, there was no way to pin point his location from the other end without it and he wasn’t looking forward to having to chase it all over creation. He took a deep breath when the hologram that hovered over his hand revealed its location three miles east in the forest. There was nothing out there that he was aware of which indicated another of the Reapers Guild hideouts but just as he was about to throw open the door and go retrieve it a thought crossed his mind. If Duo was in possession of the device he could easily be found no matter where he went. Considering his profession and self appointed mission to aid the people of Cherryton this was not an altogether undesirable occurrence not to mention Hiiro could keep tabs on him for personal reasons as well. His hand fell from the door as a small smile curled his lips at the thought of seeing Duo’s face when he chose to show up in the dead of the night to reclaim his effect. ** “I’m afraid he hasn’t checked in,” Noin reported. “But it’s been two days!” Relena whined. Une clenched her jaw saying a little prayer for patience before resuming the interview. “Was phase two completely successfully?” “I believe so,” Noin replied. “Hiiro was invited to live in the castle until the shipment arrives.” “That’ll give him a few weeks to ferret out the forces behind the breach,” the Lady nodded flashing Trowa an approving gaze. “Is there anything else?” Noin bit her lip uncertainly causing Une’s left eye brow to shift curiously before explaining, “There appears to be a … paramour.” “What?!” Relena gasped. “Hiiro?” Une gaped. “Are you certain?” she asked eyeing the woman suspiciously. “I can’t be certain,” Noin sighed knowing not only that her concerns brought up certain dangers regarding fraternization with citizens of another time but how ridiculous the idea that a man like Hiiro, with is background and record would allow himself to fall in love on a mission was. “But there’s something about him…” “That’s absurd!” Relena snipped. “You have no proof of such an idiotic notion. Hiiro would never endanger himself or us by…” “Relena… please,” Trowa sighed laying a soothing hand on the girls shoulder. Une offered him a grateful glance before resuming once again. “Watch him carefully,” she told Noin. “You understand the danger of your observation.” “Yes,” she nodded averting her eyes as visions of Zechs danced in her mind. “But I doubt even a pretty face could deter that Walker from his goal,” she chuckled. “That’s right!” Relena huffed. Une rolled her eyes but concluded the communication and hoped with all her heart and soul the Noin’s intuition proved false. ** Zechs pulled his hood more closely around him as he moved through the dark tunnels beneath the keep. Hiiro had been agreeable to his proposal but it wasn’t the gunpowder that worried him the most. “This is a dangerous time to visit me here.” He paused knowing the truth of it but what he’d come to say couldn’t wait. “A stranger has come to Cherryton,” he explained. The strange man that had come to guide his way stepped from the shadows, his blue eyes as coolly calculating as ever as he smiled in his arrogant way. “Go on.” “He has a weapon,” Zechs informed him. “A powder with great explosive capabilities that he has offered for sale to King Dermail.” The man stood silently for a time simply gazing off into the distance before Zechs finally lost patience with him. “Treize…” “The timing is suspicious,” Treize nodded. “However… the substance was being introduced to your continent during this timeline,” he commented more to himself than Zechs. “It would be difficult to deduce if this man were a Time Walker or not.” “I could search his room,” Zechs suggested but Treize merely smiled cocking his head cleverly as he countered. “Perhaps we should ask the opinion of your shadow.” Zechs tensed at the sound of something suddenly scurrying in the dark behind him but saw no evidence of it before it slipped away. Duo knew he was being followed, he could practically feel the heat of his breath on his neck. Never before had he met his equal when it came to the stealthy navigation of the dark but he knew as his feet slid on the wet stone as he rounded a bend he would not find freedom. He lunged for a drain in a last ditch effort to escape but felt his ankle firmly grasped before his slender body could slither away. “UN!” he grunted when his body hit the wall. His pursuer had tossed him bodily into the stone knocking the wind out of his lungs so that when he came for him he could do nothing but gape at the black eyes of his captor as he was taken prisoner and dragged roughly from his shadowy sanctuary.
~ * ~ tbc... |
