Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A World in a Grain of Sand ❯ Introducing ( Chapter 14 )

Author: Keiran

Title: A World in a Grain of Sand 14/?

Pairings: 1+2, minor others: 3xD (don't ask), 13x11

Rating: R, which it doesn't deserve probably. But just to be safe, it will stay.

Genre: Romance, mild angst, historical sort of fantasy.

Warnings: Shounen-ai, past slavery. Mild pilots bashing.

Archive: my site: the URL is on my profile page. If you want it, drop me a line.
Notes: Sundaire mentioned that for her Dorothy comes together with an image of leather and whip. I say, it's the power of all blondes: they have the most evil ideas. And the one to suffer is a silent, stoic mate, whose main purpose is to withstand the temper tantrums. Or another, with an equally hot temper.

Many thanks to Sundaire, for betaing this fic. ^__^ The author is very grateful.

***

Duo sighed heavily, staring at the distant forest, his chin resting on his folded arms. The world just wasn't fair. Just when he was getting used to seeing Heero everyday, his friends had come and taken his undivided attention. Of course, the thought itself was not fair either; after all they had been friends of Heero for ages. Still, since he didn't particularly like them, he decided that some complaining wouldn't hurt. It wasn't like he owed them any respect anyway. Also, such visits couldn't last forever; they were all important people, surely they had duties at court? It had already been two weeks since they had come, so they shouldn't stay for longer than a month. He hoped.

"Duo?" he heard a tentative voice. "Is something wrong?" The healer ran his hand through his hair, sighing.

"No, more or less. I'm just… thinking," he answered without turning his head. His eyes followed the gentle swaying of the leaves, allowing the movement to calm him. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, allowing the smell of fresh flowers and warm earth to fill his senses.

"You know that if you ever have to talk with someone…?" the girl offered quietly, trying to offer some help.

"I know Hilde. I remember," Duo smiled slightly and pushed himself away from the window finally, but as soon as his eyes fell on his friend he frowned. "Hilde, you look awfully. Are you sure you're eating well?"

"You should know best, you've been force-feeding me for the last month! But yes, I am sure I'm eating well. I don't know why I'm thinning so," the black-haired girl replied, slightly exasperated. She gazed at her palms, frowning. She remembered being jealous of Duo's hands - along with every other woman at the temple. Most of them, even those of noble blood like herself, were born in the country, so their hands were browned by the sun and rough even in their youth. Duo's hands were white, smooth and elegant, like the hands of a princess from stories they all knew so well. But now her own palms were pale and delicate - and it was not the creamy whiteness of healthy, well-cared for skin. They seemed almost transparent. She could trace every tiny vein with her gaze…

"There must be more than that. You're also getting paler and that cough is not getting any better, is it?" The voice of the violet eyed healer penetrated her thoughts, as he rubbed his temples wearily. He had his suspicions, but he dared not voice them. And even if he did… if they were correct…

Any further discussion was stopped when Sally ran into the kitchen at top speed. That sight alone was enough to bring a smile to Duo's lips, no matter the circumstances. She was always so eager to help, always running from one place to another like a tiny bird, fluttering from one branch to another. He remembered when he himself was like that, never stopping, always skipping, jumping, bouncing and occasionally apologizing for his clumsiness and wheezing while trying to catch his breath, just like the honey-blonde girl was doing at the moment.

"The general is here!" she announced finally. "He asked for you, healer." Duo raised a brow. He was being asked for. That didn't bode well. Nevertheless, he stood up and dusted his robe.

"Lead the way, Sally," he gestured gallantly. The girl giggled. She liked the attention. Being a servant's daughter she was never groomed to be a lady per se - she was taught how a lady should behave, in case she ever was to be a handmaid. But she had never expected to be treated as a lady before. Of course, her age made it nearly impossible, but she still enjoyed the older healer's gracious bows and playful kisses on the hand. She beamed, twirling in place and virtually bouncing out of the door. The small group (Hilde chose to follow and since it was rather warm outside Duo agreed to it) made its way outside, allowing Sally to lead them to a carriage, which stopped a short distance away.

***

Heero perked up when he noticed the small honey-blonde girl returning with Duo and Hilde. He knew that it might not have been the best of ideas, calling this particular healer, but he had the excuse of Duo being the only healer he knew personally. He knew that there was no way that the relations between Duo and Trowa wouldn't be strained, but he still couldn't help being excited about seeing the violet-eyed man.

'Seems I'm not that bad at judging people's possible reactions,' he noted grimly when the healer and his friend inclined their heads in a polite but cold greeting. The atmosphere was tense.

That is, until Relena exited the carriage.

"Milord, I am glad to see you in good health," she beamed, curtsying. Duo raised a brow inquiringly, but returned the greeting all the same.

"Your highness. It's a pleasure to meet you again," he answered with a bow. He raised his eyes noticing Heero standing next to the carriage. "General," he said rather formally. "Why was I called?" Heero almost winced. He cursed internally. They were past the 'general' stage already! But now there wasn't much he could do.

"Lady Catalonia [1] isn't well. We were hoping you might help her," he answered almost miserably. It was so unusual, that not only his friends but even the long-haired healer had to raise a brow. Misery was not something one heard from the great general very often.

"Wouldn't the Lady be more comfortable with a female healer tending to her?" Heero opened his mouth to answer, but swiftly closed it again. Of course he knew that. But he didn't know any female healers. That and he hadn't seen Duo for two long weeks. "The Lady is with you, I trust?" the healer continued without waiting for an answer - he could figure what was going on in the general's head.

"Of course," Dorothy Catalonia answered, finally stepping out of the carriage. She stepped to the ground assisted by her husband and smoothed the creases on her dark grey dress. "And I am feeling quite fine," she added. The healer and the older novice looked at her taxingly, purely out of habit. She did look healthy - in fact they couldn't see anything that would hint otherwise.

"Naturally," Duo smiled brightly. "I am sure you do. But if you'd only be kind enough to accompany me to the temple?" The woman's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"That was a lame attempt at persuasion; I hope you are aware of this," she said furrowing her brows.

"It would be an insult to your intellect, milady, to call that persuasion. It was an invitation," the healer replied.

"In this case I will accept," the woman answered. She tugged at Trowa's arm lightly. "Let me go please." The brown-haired man did as he was told, keeping a stern gaze on the violet-eyed healer all the while. Duo met his eyes evenly, taking the Lady's arm. He assisted her all the way to the temple while the princess, Hilde and Sally followed.

Heero stared after the shining white figure of the healer miserably. Why was Duo being so cold again?

"Heero," he heard Trowa's voice interrupt his musings. "Are you still pursuing him?" The general looked at the man somewhat surprised.

"Yes," he answered curtly, turning his head. He heard the other man sigh.

"Then I guess we should offer him our apologies," Trowa muttered to himself. Heero raised a brow. That was unexpected.

"I am not going to get another 'He was your slave' speech?"

"Anything that manages to capture your attention for longer than a month is probably worth keeping," the green-eyed man shrugged. He looked at the greyish building, just as his wife disappeared inside. "Anything that manages to hold your attention, no matter how many times you look at it, is worth keeping," he added with a slight quirk to his lips. Heero followed his gaze.

"Did you consult that answer with Quatre?" he asked.

"No. Dorothy made me reconsider. But don't worry about Quatre - you know he just hates being proved wrong. As kind as he normally is, Ki… Lord Maxwell did manage to infuriate him." That rose Heero's shackles.

"He didn't do anything wrong!"

"He hurt you. You know how that affects Quatre." The great general hesitated.

"I suppose you're right," he sighed finally. "So… are you willing to give him a chance?"

"Look at my wife and ask me that question again," this time a smirk made its way to the green-eyed general's lips.

"Good point," Heero chuckled. "Let's go to check up on your wife then." Trowa nodded and followed Heero to the temple's doors. They were opened wide, so they walked in quietly, almost immediately spying the long haired man who was talking with the princess outside some door. The other healer, the girl with black hair, had disappeared. The healer and the Lady both turned their heads in the direction of the entering men.

"Is there something wrong, lords?"

"No, nothing is wrong," Trowa answered before Heero could utter a word. "I wanted to offer my apologies," he continued. "Our past treatment of you was unjust and improper. I wish to make amends," the man concluded bowing respectfully. Duo stared at the man flabbergasted.

"Thank you," he answered quietly after a while. "I accept you apology." Trowa offered half a smile, but he had no illusions - if there was any hope of them being friends, it would take years to blossom. Still, the apology did lighten the mood enough to allow a polite conversation, which managed to last until Lady Dorothy emerged from the room, followed by a stern-looking matron.

"Healer," Lord Barton bowed to the elderly woman, taking hold of his wife's hand. "Is everything all right?"

"I would expect so," she answered kindly, a smile gracing her features. "I dare-say you may expect you heir in half a year," she said, her warm eyes sparkling. The green-eyed man blinked.

"Pardon me?"

"A child, milord. Your wife is with a child." Dorothy smirked. The news was sudden, but not unexpected. For her at least - she feared that Trowa might be stunned for a couple more days. He shared Heero's views as far as children went, which meant he preferred to be as far away from them as possible. Such attitude would only last until he held his newborn in his arms, she had seen it happen enough times at court. After all, if the petite blue-eyed blonde was any indication, Heero was getting over his phobia without fathering any offspring himself. She supposed it had something to do with Duo, at some level, especially since most of the recent changes in the general were triggered by his decision to stay by the violet-eyed man.

"Congratulations Dorothy!" Relena said excitedly, in a manner rather unbecoming of a princess. Duo glanced at her half-amused.

"Your Highness, you're bouncing," he noted dryly. The princess immediately stopped and blushed. Heero smiled to himself lightly. It was good to hear the amusement in Duo's teasing tone - he hoped that meant the melted ice hasn't frozen again. It gave him hope.

"Well, it's not everyday my best friend finds herself pregnant, is it?" the princess said, trying to sound innocent and anxious at the same time.

"I would be concerned if this was the case," the healer replied, a small smile on his face. The group bid the elderly healer goodbye and made its way outside, into the warm sun. Heero took a deep breath as the wind ruffled his hair. They were making their way back to the carriage, when suddenly he noticed another carriage, accompanied by a group of servants. He stopped. The man on the steps looked oddly familiar, but he couldn't quite place it…

"Treize!" the general heard a joyous exclamation. Yes, that was it. The man's name was Treize Khusherenada. He looked to the side, surprised and probably a little hurt to see the violet eyes lit up with joy and wonder. He wanted that expression directed at himself. He wanted it to be for him, and him alone. Heero tried to say something, but the healer was already running across the plains to the other carriage, falling into the man's arms. Heero dimly heard a cheerful "What are you doing here?" before the princess took his arm and forcefully pulled the general to the guests' carriage.

"Good morning milord," she said, falling easily into the pattern drilled into her since birth - a kind, royal host. "It is a great surprise to meet you here, rather than at court." The tall man smiled kindly at her, releasing Duo and backing a few steps to assist his wife while stepping out of the carriage.

"Indeed, your highness. We were intending to come a bit later, but it turned out that the time that can be spared for visits occurred now rather than later. We sent letters, but as I see they haven't reached in time," he explained. Then he paused. "Please excuse my manners. I am Treize Khusherenada of Albion," he said to Dorothy and Trowa, continuing the introduction for everyone else. "This is my wife, Lady Une [2], her son, Otto Maxwell and my daughter, Mariemaia." He indicated the two curious children, about Sally's age, who managed to latch themselves onto Duo in the meantime. "Milady," Treize addressed his wife, "this is her Highness, Crown Princess of Sanq, Relena Peacecraft, Lady Dorothy Barton, her husband Lord Trowa Barton and last but not least, the great general of Sanq, Heero Yuy."

There were many things Heero was always prepared for, but having warm, chocolate-brown eyes suddenly go ice-cold on him was not one of them. He felt cold sweat trickle down his back as the sister-in-law of his precious healer stared at him with something akin to contempt on her otherwise pretty face. The expression vanished almost as soon as it appeared, but the cold feeling remained. 'It looks like winning Duo's favour should be the least of my worries just now,' he thought wryly, glad that at least his sense of humour was in place.

***TBC***

[1] Technically speaking that should be 'Lady Barton,' but I suppose that as a noble she would have a right to retain her old name and title. Since she was a Lady of Catalonia, I guess that may stay. ^__^

[2] Does Une have a name, other than 'Lady'? If not - here 'Une' is her first name, not whatever it is in the show. Author's license, in case somebody asked.