Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Lord of War ❯ The Houses of Lorlia ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 04: The Houses of Lorlia

Duo lay with his eyes glued to the ceiling, the images of the day replaying through his mind. It had been more than a weird day, seeing the so-called sights of Lorlia. Duo had to admit there were some things that had made him stare in awe, but the last thing he saw was the most prominent in his mind. He really didn’t know what to think, about Lorlia or Heero; especially Heero, after everything he saw earlier. Duo had originally thought that by ‘tour’ Tricieus meant a look around the market place and stuff.

“The market place? Why? When would you ever go there?” Tricieus shook his head. “No, we’re going to look around the Main Court, where most of the Lords live. I though that it would give you a better idea of your place here in Lorlia. Plus, I thought I would introduce you to a few of the Aiko that live around here. Mainly the ones in my house.”

“Oh goody,” Duo grumbled. Tricieus just smiled at him as they walked along to the first mansion. Tricieus stopped, waving his hand towards the mansion. “This is the House of Humanities, belonging to Lord Crescentius Horatius of the Horatius family. Both of his parents are still living and he has three little sisters. Lord Crescentius has one Aiko while his sisters have decided to have none.” Tricieus leaned in to whisper to Duo. “Actually, everybody knows that their parents ordered them not to, since it is easier to marry off a virgin bride.”

Duo nodded as if he actually cared. But personally, Duo would have been more shocked if they did have Aiko, since women in his tribe usually stayed a virgin until they chose a husband. His people were pretty relaxed about it, though. Besides, there was no such thing as illegitimate children to the Belvomanians, just…children. Then again, people in his tribe didn’t usually have last names to worry about either.

“The oldest sister is Lady Florentina,” Tricieus continued, “She is a beauty to behold and was promised to a lower lord under their own House. Her fiancée may be lower in esteem, but he had a good amount of wealth. The second oldest sister, Lady Hortensia, is being courted off to the Emperor as we speak.”

“Courted off?”

“It means that they are presenting her to the Emperor as a hopeful wife. Most people are very doubtful about them ever getting married, however. But the Horatius’ are scrounging for a higher name. On that matter, you’ll probably see his youngest sister around often, her name is Lady Junia. She’s about a year younger than Lord Yuy.”

Duo’s eyebrows lifted as he eyed the House. It wasn’t as big or as beautiful as Heero’s, and that was saying something since he’s only seen the back of Heero’s mansion. He found himself smiling at that fact, proud that at least his Lord was richer and far more esteemed…then he wanted to smack himself. His Lord? Since when did he call Heero that? And why should he be proud that the man was so well off? That’s it: he had officially been in Lorlia for far too long. He was starting to think like the brainwashed Aiko he had heard about through Tricieus.

Still annoyed about the earlier train of thought, but too curious about what Tricieus had said to let it bother him too much, Duo looked at him quizzically. “Why would I see her around often?”

“She’s infatuated with Lord Yuy.” Tricieus made a funny face, making it apparent that he did not approve. “Her parents are hoping that they will wed…sooner or later.”

“Does Hee--Lord Yuy like her?” Duo asked, already knowing the answer. There was no way Heero would like a girl that hangs all over him, even Duo could pick up on that. And he had only been here for about three or four days.

“I doubt it, knowing Lord Yuy’s personality.” Tricieus motioned for Duo to follow him as they walked away from the house and back down the main roadway. “But Lady Junia’s parents desperately want the connection to the House of War. They would probably pass out from pure joy if Lord Yuy did consent.”

Duo raised an eyebrow. “Is Lord Yuy that powerful?”

“Well, yes. His House is one of the oldest Houses around, only second to the House of the Emperor, as a matter of fact.”

Duo looked back at the House of Humanities as they walked on. “One of the oldest?”

“Yes. It’s easy to tell who the oldest families are in Lorlia by their last name. Families with last names derived from the old language are…well, the oldest. Like Yuy or, of course, Emperor Ikkaku. Whereas the families with last names derived from the language now days haven’t been around as long. The House of War was one of the first houses created in Lorlia,” Tricieus smiled, “along with the House I serve.”

Duo took note of Heero’s apparent veneration in this fucked up system of Lorlia as they walked on. So, Heero wasn’t just high and mighty in his own household, but everywhere else too. No wonder the guy was so cocky. But, since Duo was his--Duo shuddered a little--Aiko, then he must be a bit higher up then most others in his place. Maybe he could use that somehow. The again, it sounded like Tricieus was the same level as Duo. And look at him. “You’re from the House of Magic, right?”

Tricieus nodded proudly. “Which is where we’re headed.”

Duo lagged behind him, looking around at the houses bordering the broad walkway. Stone walkway, Duo amended in his mind as he looked down. Wow, Lorlia really was rich if they could afford to build something other than dirt walkways. That made it even more obvious that everyone that lived around here had to be the higher up people; otherwise Lorlia was too rich to be real. Each house had its own grand walkway, some even made with some sort of marble, lined with lush gardens and beautiful fountains. It made Duo wonder what the front of Heero’s home looked like, if he was one of the most esteemed Lords around. Duo had been lead in through the back when he had come, bound and gagged, and that was where Tricieus and he had left from earlier. He had never seen the front of the house…and now he was curious. Damn it all.

Lost in the array of fine houses, Duo’s eyes fell upon one of the most dazzling he had ever seen. Stopping in front of the mansion, Duo could tell it was definitely made of pure white marble. Large, solid columns decorated a huge entrance that was behind an even bigger fountain with some sort of stone goddess in the middle, pouring water out of a pitcher she was holding. The gardens surrounding the walkway to the mansion were also impressive: pure green and lined with pear, apple and olive trees. The aromas coming from the ripe fruits on the trees made the mansion not only look beautiful, but smell delicious too. “Who lives there?”

Tricieus turned around walked up beside him. “That is the Winner House. They’re under the House of Humanities.”

“You mean that house belongs to a lower Lord?” Duo gawked.

“Yep. I believe you know the youngest Lord, though he does not live there any longer.”

Duo just kept staring. “I do?”

“Most likely, he’s one of Lord Yuy’s best friends, Lord Quatre?”

Duo’s thoughts went back to this morning and to the sweet blonde guy he had made laugh all breakfast. “That’s Quatre’s house! Holy shit! I didn’t know the blondie was that loaded!”

Duo caught himself and looked over to Tricieus who was in shock. Shit. He forgot that whole ‘Lord’ bit. “I mean Lord Quatre…”

Tricieus still had his eyebrows raised. He wouldn’t get Duo in trouble for something like that…would he? For once in his life, Duo was actually a little nervous. Biting his lip Duo thought of the best excuse he could. “Sorry, he was over this morning and Lord Yuy always called him ‘Quatre’, so it got a little stuck in my head.”

Duo gave him the best sweet smile he could muster and Tricieus loosened up. “Just don’t do it again. Most lords take your tongue for that. They would probably even take mine just from association.”

Somehow Duo couldn’t imagine Quatre getting mad enough to do that. //The blonde would pry cry if he squashed a bug even//. But then again, Quatre did warn him that he couldn’t get away with that type of thing with the other Lords. So maybe the only Lords Duo did know were considered odd in comparison.

Tricieus ushered him along down the walkway. Reaching a mansion grander than the others they had seen…//except Quatre’s// Duo couldn’t help but smirk, Tricieus stopped. “We’re here.”

Duo surveyed the mansion. “This is your home?”

“Yes, this is the House of Lord Primitivus Kaito. His mother is still alive and he has two younger brothers. The middle brother, Lord Secundus, is sickly and has two Aiko; while the youngest brother, Lord Tertius, is a very exceptional mage…but a bit too young for an Aiko.”

“How many Aiko does your Lord have?” Duo asked out of plain curiosity, his theory of Lorlia being ruled by kinky sex addicts now rushing back to him.

Tricieus shrugged. “Eight, including me.”

Duo blinked at him. “Eight?”

“Yep, you’re going to meet a few of them, come on.” Tricieus grabbed onto Duo’s upper arm and lead him to the back of the mansion.

He couldn’t believe it. The sicko had a harem, a guy harem from what Tricieus had told him. Duo cringed, imaging having to live like that. Waiting with nothing to do until some guy, who is apparently owns you, calls on you to…to play with. This Kingdom was really starting to creep Duo out. Imagining how he would feel if he were in that position--wait, he was in that position. Well, not exactly. Heero didn’t seem as bad as all the other Lords, let alone this Lord of Magic guy. And Duo was the only Aiko the guy had, and he was brand new at that. Man, maybe Heero was an oddball.

Tricieus led Duo through the back door to a large resting room where a few guys, dressed a lot like Tricieus himself, were lounging and talking on large pillows. They seemed to be bunched together in cliques of some sort, talking and chuckling to one another. They didn’t even look up when Tricieus and he walked in. Tricieus cleared his throat and the lounging men finally paid them some attention. “Guys, this is Duo, Lord Yuy’s new Aiko. He’s never been trained or anything, he’s not even from Lorlia, so he’s completely new at this.”

“Oooh, a newbie,” a smaller and paler boy than all the others said with a squeaky voice as he walked over and hooked his arm through Duo’s. “I take it then you’re not caught up in the latest gossip. Hell, you probably don’t even know who the hell we would be talking about!”

The small boy practically yanked Duo down onto the closest overstuffed pillow and then settled down beside him. All the other guys crowded around them, reminding Duo of the way girls at home acted when one of them just got a new boyfriend or something. One of the other guys, who seemed to be one of the clique over-viewers, moved closer to Duo. “Okay, well, like we usually do, let’s give you a look at.”

Duo turned to the small, pale boy. “A what?”

“Well, like, an overview of what you look like, then we give tips about it based on your Lords particular tastes. Although, you will be harder since no one actually knows your Lord’s tastes. You will have to tell us once you find out.”

The young, pale boy giggled. “Honestly, having knowledge like that will make you popular in no time. I mean, you already have a rap for being the only one so far to catch the Lord Yuy’s interests. Which I can see why,” the pale boy explained. “Welp, let’s get started.”

Speechless and lost beyond all reason, Duo just sat there as the inspection began. People started to inspect his hands, face and anything else on him that could be critiqued. The advice and comments came in a whirled frenzy:

“You should use bath oils to soften your hands up.”

“You have a great tone figure.”

“I love your eyes!”

“You’re injured! Be careful with that shoulder. You don’t want to bleed in Lord Yuy’s presence.”

“Good, you have all of your teeth. Keep them clean!”

“Earrings would look great on you.”

“Wear a necklace to accent your long neck.”

Duo was just happy that no one tried to lift up his toga. He then felt someone lift up his braid and smooth their hand down it. “I love your hair. It’s very beautiful, and long! But, ask Lord Yuy about what he would prefer as far as your hair goes.”

Duo couldn’t help but quietly smile to himself as he remembered the first time Heero and his eyes met…those dark blue eyes. Duo really did like the guy a first sight, before he knew he would become the guy’s property. It was Duo’s hair in the first place that made Heero even speak that day…//“Cutting the braid would be a shame.”//.

“He likes it long,” Duo announced in a haze, still thinking about the past, until he heard someone giggle. Duo snapped out of it to see all the Aiko smiling at him.

“Is that so?” An Aiko asked with a chuckle. Duo cleared his throat, making a few more Aiko giggle at him. Duo adverted his eyes as Tricieus mercifully changed the subject…well, at least a little. “Last night was your first night with him, right?”

Duo nodded numbly, praying that would be the end of the conversation.

“Well?” The Aiko seemed to lean in all at once.

“Well what?” Duo asked in confusion. What? Did they want details? Like hell Duo would…umm…wait. They didn’t do anything. They just--slept. How the hell was he going to explain--//“Appearances are important…”//.

Well shit. He had to admit Yuy was right about that. But that would mean he would have to make it up. That was almost worse than actually sleeping with the man! What the hell was he going to say? ‘It was good, the end’? Like hell these vultures would let him get away with that. They’ll ask specifics, and what Tricieus had told him about the experience would only get him so far in that aspect. What the hell was he going to do?

“How was it?” Another Aiko clarified.

“I don’t know!” Duo stammered out, still lost in thought. But the feeling of eyes on him broke him out of his own mind reprieve. Duo looked up to see everyone staring at him in confused silence. Fuck, did he just give their little secret away?

It was then that he heard Tricieus laughing. “I don’t think everyone got what you meant, Duo.” Tricieus kneeled down beside him and put his hands on Duo’s shoulders. “It was his fist night…period, guys.”

The air lifted around them as Duo got a bunch of understanding nods and smiles. “So you have nothing to compare it to. I get it.” An Aiko announced, clarifying the subject.

“Well, okay,” the pale boy started. “What did you do? The actual deed or does Lord Yuy move slower than that?”

Maybe this wouldn’t be too bad. At least this way they were going to give Duo leading questions. He could manage that. And he did have one hell of an imagination. But he still didn’t know what the guys would want to hear. He would just have to wing-it based on what he’s picked up from Heero. That shouldn’t be too hard. Question one was easy in that aspect. Duo put on a fake smile: if everyone was going to think Heero was fucking him, then the least he could do was make Yuy out to be an amazing lover. Well, at least the way Duo would imagine an amazing lover would be like. Fuck what these perverted freaks would like to hear. “Slower. I don’t think he likes to rush things.”

That got a few appraising ‘ahhs’ and ‘oohs’ out of the crowd. Duo could even see some of them closing their eyes, imaging what it would be like. Duo had to smirk despite himself again; proud that at least the guy that had bought him was an object of fantasy to other Lord’s Aiko. From what Duo had gathered, Yuy was the good looking and mysterious Lord of War to everyone, which would make it even easier to bullshit. “I was a bit lost, so he started off.”

That made the group close in around him again, wide eyed. “He actually went down on you first? Or did he not touch there yet?”

Duo began to think of what he would like from a perfect lover. Though Duo was a bit perverted in his thoughts most of the time, he was surprisingly romantic when it came to the thought of actually doing it. Don’t get him wrong, a good throw-down would be great, but not the first time. “He used his hands there…his mouth did other things.”

So, Duo let his imagination run wild. Surprisingly enough, the longer Duo thought about it, the more Duo pictured Heero in his fantasy, instead of the original faceless guy he intended upon. Caught in his own imagination now, Duo remembered the way it felt, having that hard body close behind him. What would it feel like on top of him? Under him? The feel of Heero’s hot breath on his neck…how would it feel if that hot breathe caressed his nipple? Those strong fingers that lightly grasped Duo’s neck…doing the same to his--

“That sounds amazing,” one of the Aiko practically moaned, mercifully pulling Duo out of his wrong-on-so-many-levels daydream. It was then that Duo noticed that he had been saying some form of what was going through his head out loud. He blushed a deep red and yelled at himself in his head. What the hell was he thinking? Getting lost in some messed up fantasy…and with that snobbish Lord as a main character too!

Everyone around Duo was in their own little world now, to the point that Duo was tempted to sneak off. But someone spoke up, dousing his dream of escape.

“What did you do to him?” Tricieus asked, obviously lost in his own perverted fantasy.

This was the part Duo knew he wasn’t going to like. Pretending that Heero was doing things to him was one thing but…the other way around...? //Okay, just think of what you would do with Solo. That should be good enough//. But it wasn’t. Duo’s old fantasies just didn’t seem to work in his mind anymore. He couldn’t think of anything that he would do with Solo, since that arrogant Lord kept popping up in his thoughts. The idea of doing anything in that manner with him was--was just...Duo felt himself color a bit. He had to admit that making such a powerful guy moan and writhe under him would be pretty hot. //Fucking hot// his mind amended.

Lost on what to say, Duo fell back on what he would expect from his own amazing lover; now apparently named ‘Heero’ for the crowd’s sake. “He said he didn’t expect me to do much quite yet, and told me to go off of what he had done.”

The pale boy smiled. “How does he taste?”

A few of the Aiko moaned an encouragement for the answer to the pale boy’s question, making Duo feel even more uncomfortable. What was this? A verbal orgy? Duo held back a frown as he finished his story with both of them just giving each other hand jobs. But that seemed to please the crowd enough, as they finally let Duo up for air.

Tricieus smiled at him. “He sounds amazing. You’re one lucky Aiko, having a Lord that lets you take it slow.”

Duo blinked at him. “Why, what’s yours like?”

The room seemed less energetic after Duo’s question. Tricieus was about to speak up when a servant came into the room. “Lord Primitivus wishes to see Tricieus.”

Tricieus nodded and waited for the servant to leave. “Damn, guess we’ll have to finish your tour some other time.”

“Wait, where else were you going to take him?” The pale boy asked.

“Just to the House of Science. He doesn’t know what a lower Aiko is…” Tricieus trailed off.

“Ah. Leave it to me. I’ll finish up the tour for you.”

Tricieus nodded and smiled. “Thank you.”

Not even waiting for Tricieus to turn around to leave, the pale boy grabbed Duo by the arm and yanked him out the door, smiling and laughing. “Tricieus is too serious. I’m not. Oh, I haven’t even told you my name, huh? It’s Illinus. Lord Primitivus saw me at a gladiator game and liked me, so here I am!”

“Wait, he just saw you at a public get together and liked you…and now you’re an Aiko?”

“Yep.”

Duo gawked at him. These damn Lords could apparently do whatever the hell they want! You’re literally fucked if you’re good looking and go anywhere near one of these guys. “They can do that?”

Illinus cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

“That. They can just say ‘I like you, now I own you’ and that’s it?”

That got a laugh out of him. Besides his fit of giggles, he still tried to talk. “You…you…really aren’t…from around here, huh?”

Duo just stared at the boy. What the hell was so funny anyway? It sounded absolutely horrible to him. Illinus finally got a hold of himself and dawned his usual smile yet again. “You act like being an Aiko is like a death sentence or something. It’s the exact opposite of that, really. It’s a great honor to be a High Lord’s Aiko. I live way better than I did at my family’s home, and my family was compensated for my absence. I get everything I need and then some and all I have to do for it is please my Lord Primitivus. And let me tell you, if he likes you, he pleases you right back.”

Illinus gave him a wide grin. Duo tried to smile back but only managed a half smirk, and a funny looking one at that. This was actually a lifestyle for these people. And here Duo thought he could make friends that would help him escape, but that idea was blown out the window as soon as he met everyone. If he even asked, they would probably just cock their head and ask ‘Why?’. Or worse, turn him in before he could even try. And from what it sounded like, turning him in would be the main option in their minds. “Illinus, is gossip a big thing here?”

“What? That’s like asking us if we drink water.” Illinus smiled as he slipped his arm through Duo’s once again. “Lorlia is notorious for gossip, especially if it is about the Four Lords. Believe it or not, the commoners are the worst about it. It’s us Aiko and the servants that have to set them strait most of the time. But you probably won’t have to worry too much about that, considering your Lord’s standing with the public. Then again, his standing might make it worse!”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, Lord Yuy is very liked by the common people since he keeps us out of wars. Also, Lord Yuy is the only Lord or Lady in a long time that has had to grow up without parents, since they died when he was four.” Illinus shivered a little, making Duo curious as to how Heero’s parents died. From the way Illinus was acting, Duo guessed they were murdered. But if people around here loved their Lords so much, who the hell would kill one, let alone the wife as well?

So, he was raised by pretty much every adult in Lorlia, common and Lordly. Believe it or not, it was mostly the commoners who did take care of him. That’s why Lord Yuy is so laid back about class relations and such. His best friend was one of his servants, even.”

“You mean the guy that bought me?” Duo chimed in.

Illinus nodded. “Anyway, since he mostly grew up without real parents, every old couple in Lorlia thinks of him as their adopted son now. So I dare you to start any bad gossip about him. On the other hand, every old couple wants to hear about how he’s doing, so gossip about him spreads like wildfire...as long as it’s good gossip. For example, I bet that by tomorrow, almost everyone in Lorlia will know you by name.”

Duo just let the information sink in. No wonder Heero was so worried about appearances. You do anything stupid or odd and everyone knows about it the next day. Were these people really that bored? Maybe Heero should lead them into war, so Lorlia could get a life. But, he had to admit, that this whole gossip thing could be pretty useful. If everyone knows him by sight, then perhaps it wouldn’t be so hard to get out of here. He would just be the ‘Great Lord Yuy’s Aiko’ out for a stroll past the gates.

Duo was still deep in thought over the new acquired information when Illinus came to a halt. Duo looked up to see yet another huge mansion standing before him. “Let me guess, this is the House of Science.”

“And philosophy, yep. The Lord here is Lord Servius. Both his parents are still alive and he has one little sister, Lady Deodatus, who is a Virgin Priestess of the Temple of Life.”

“The Temple of Life, huh?” Duo knew the place, everyone did. It was the heart of all religion. No matter what you believed personally, you were allowed to worship there. People say you can feel the spiritual energy of that place as soon as you step onto the grounds. The priests there are among the most powerful mages in the world, and train young men to be amazing warriors. Duo had met one of the warriors once. He was a bodyguard for a Celestial Gift that was passing through. Which made Duo wonder… “Hey Illinus, does that mean she’s a Celestial Gift?”

“No, not her,” Illinus smiled. “You’ve heard of Celestial Gifts?”

“Yea, I’ve met one.” Duo remembered fondly. One had saved Duo’s village a long time ago. They were having a horrible drought, and people were starting to get sick from the lack of water. But then, an older man, probably forty or so, came and used magic to end the drought. Afterward, the man disappeared and rain fell steadily for days, saving them. The guy didn’t even stay for them to say thank you.

Duo followed as Illinus began to walk around to the mansion’s back entrance. “What was his specialty?”

“Drought,” Duo answered. “He was a nice, older man. He was so humble that he didn’t even stick around for us to thank him.”

Illinus blinked at him. “You don’t know much about them, do you?”

“Well…” It was true Duo didn’t know too much about them. Just the basics, really. They were people who were born with shit-tons magic in them, but they can only do magic that will help other people. Not only that, but they were born with magic that could only be used for one purpose. There were five areas: drought, famine, plague, fertility, and war. The way you could tell which specialty they were was from the birthmark they all have.

Once one was born, they are usually sent to the Temple of Life to train, giving up their lives to learn how to help others. They were literally born to serve mankind. Because of that, people consider them gifts from the Gods, hence the name ‘Celestial Gifts’.

Duo explained all that he knew to Illinus, who just nodded as he went on. “You know your basics, that’s for sure.”

“I was surprised you knew, since I only did because I met one.”

Illinus glared at him in mock anger. “I serve the House of Magic, of course I know! Lord Primitivus is always on the lookout for Celestial Gifts.”

Duo nodded. It was of no surprise, with a kingdom this big, you would want all the help you could get. But with all of Lorlia’s power and riches, why didn’t they just try and learn the spells themselves? Duo asked just that.

“Because they can’t. No one can duplicate the spells that they do. They use the Gods’ powers, not human magic, to do their miracles. That’s why their so sought after, and why most of them have bodyguards. I mean, do you know how often one is born?”

Duo shook his head.

“One in thirteen years. One in the whole entire world in the span of thirteen years. Those aren’t very good odds, y’know.”

“You know exactly?” Duo said in amazement.

“Well, no. That’s the statistic we hear Lord Primitivus scream a lot whenever someone asks how the search is going. I guess it means that about one is born in every thirteen-year span of time. So one might be born in the thirteenth year of their span while the next one may be born the first year of their thirteen-year span…or something like that.” Illinus smiled as they reached the back door of the mansion. “Well, anyway, enough of this useless talk. We’re here!”

//Figures he would consider that useless talk, I was actually learning something…// Duo mumbled in his head. He was really curious about what he apparently didn’t know, since he really liked that old man from all those years ago. Could he have missed something back then?

Illinus led Duo through a similar room that they had met in and waved at the solitary Aiko sitting there as they walked through. Once they were out of earshot, Illinus stopped and turned around, facing Duo. “Okay, so, Tricieus wanted to bring you here basically because he didn’t want to explain what a lower Aiko is. Can’t say I blame him. But I don’t want you to be frightened, so I’ll give you a little bit of background. Usually, you have to do something pretty rash to become a lower Aiko, which the guy you’re going to meet did. A major criminal act, so don’t feel sorry for him. Okay?”

Duo just raised his eyebrows. “What’d he do?”

Illinus led him the few steps to the door and put his hand on the doorknob. “I’ll let him explain.” Illinus opened the door and motioned Duo to go in, but Illinus showed no signs in moving.

Duo pointed at the open doorway. “Aren’t you going in too?”

“No, I don’t consort with traitors. This one time will be your exception in that area. I suggest never talking to him after this.”

Duo just gave him a confused look as he entered the room. What the hell did this guy do? Run away with the Lords daughter? Duo pondered that as he approached the bed where the supposed traitor lay. He looked about Zechs’s age and was strongly built. He had some body art on his chest, and a scar at his hairline. If Duo had to guess, he would say warrior, through and through. Especially from the searing glare that the ceiling was getting from him right now. It was obvious he was trying his best to ignore Duo.

But other than that, nothing seemed wrong with him. Duo expected some type of torture scene or something, the way Illinus talked about it. But no, the guy was just lying in bed, stubbornly disregarding Duo’s presence. And if there was one thing Duo couldn’t stand, it was being ignored. “It’s not like I want to be here either.”

Nothing. Not even a twitch from the guy.

“At least tell me what the hell is so bad about being a ‘lower Aiko’?”

Silence.

Duo rolled his eyes and turned around to leave.

“Your hair. You’re Belvomanian.”

Duo turned around and blinked at him. “How…” Studying the man a bit closer this time, Duo noticed the tattoo on the guy’s chest was the right of passage that the Killimoni did. This guy was from a warrior tribe just like Duo!

The warrior sighed. “You were captured by slavers too, I take it.”

Duo just nodded as he sat down on the chair by the bedside, his eyes never leaving the warrior. He just couldn’t believe it. What was a member of the Killimoni tribe doing here? “Why…how…?”

“We were attacked, I was injured. The rest is history.”

“Who attacked you?”

“No one knows. We couldn’t even see their faces. They were strong through, very strong.”

That description sounded familiar. “We didn’t see the faces of who attacked us either. They wore cloaks, the cowards.”

“That is the past.” The Killimoni warrior sat up, wincing at some unknown pain. “You must worry about the here and now. How long have you been here?”

“About three, four days.”

“I know your ways, kid. But, don’t try anything stupid. What they have made you may be a disgrace, but it’s better than dying.”

“I don’t know about that,” Duo grumbled.

“Don’t say that! If you die, who will help your people? I can tell from your piercings that you’re pretty high in the ranks. If what happened to my people happened to yours, then they’ll need you to stay alive…uh…what’s your name?”

“Duo.”

“Stay alive Duo, that is your main goal as of now.”

He nodded quietly. In all reality, he would still rather die. “So, what’s your name?”

“Eutal, of the Killimoni Tribe. Tell me, what has happened so far? You don’t seem to have been punished for anything.”

“No, I haven’t. The guy that I’m with has been ‘lenient’, apparently, since I didn’t know any rules or whatever.”

Eutal nodded in thought. “That is good to hear. The asshole here wasn’t as lenient. Not that if I had know it would have changed anything.”

Duo shifted nervously. He didn’t know quite how to ask, but he just had to know. Luckily, Eutal picked up on it. “He tried to take me, I didn’t let him.”

“Ah,” the same thing Duo would have done. “So you hit the guy?”

Eutal shook his head. “Just verbally saying that you won’t allow them is enough to get my punishment.”

“Verbally?” Duo stared off into space. //“I will never let you touch me again”//. He had done that, said that. And Heero had done nothing. He just ordered him back to his quarters, that was it. And here Eutal had done the same thing and he was now a lower Aiko, whatever that was. Duo tucked that little bit of information away for the moment. “Any ideas on how to escape?”

“A few, each as unlikely as the next. You?”

“I can’t do shit until these things are off.” Duo pulled at the sai rings around his wrists. They were the main problem. Once they were gone, Duo could easily sneak out of here. Spying and such were his specialties after all.

Eutal nodded in agreement. “The only way you can get that to happen is--”

“I know, I know,” Duo mumbled. He had already figured that part out on his own, no need to hear it out loud from someone else. “Play dead, right.”

“It’s the only way, Duo. Hopefully, the Lord that has you will turn his attentions to another Aiko after a while.”

Duo let out a short, sarcastic chuckle. “If he had any others. He only has me.”

“Then it is best to gain his trust quickly, and don’t do anything dumb.”

Duo looked at him annoyed. He didn’t want to play dead, and let some bastard //no matter how good looking they were// claim him as their own personal fuck toy. If anything, meeting Eutal has encouraged him just to kick the shit out of Heero and make a run for it. Eutal must have seen it in his eyes. “Don’t try it.”

“Why not, you disobeyed your Lord and you look fine.” He didn’t mean for it to sound so harsh, but it came out that way. And seeing the look on Eutal’s face made Duo immediately regret what he had said. Such a proud warrior, but he looked so…defeated, so lost. Seeing such a far away look in his eye made Duo get down and kneel beside the bed. His voice was practically a whisper. “What did they do to you?”

“…A lower Aiko…is an Aiko who has been lowered down to the level of a common slut. Any of the Lords lower or the same level as the Lord who has one can…well, have them.” Eutal choked those last words out as he look away. “And they…take--they took my--”

Duo looked at his inquisitively, trying to figure out what he couldn’t say. Eutal turned back and met Duo’s eyes. There was so much hurt in those eyes. Eutal opened his mouth again, but nothing came out. Instead, he broke eye contact with Duo and looked down at his own crotch, then met Duo’s eyes once again.

It only took about two seconds for Duo to get it, his own eyes widening in horror. The bastards took his–his penis. Duo sank to the floor. “Oh man…” These assholes don’t kill you, they do things ten times worse. No wonder he’s been getting so many warnings abo--Heero. Heero hadn’t even done anything close to that.

Eutal placed his hand on Duo’s shoulder. “Listen, keep your head on and think things through before you do anything, that’s all I’m asking. Now get going.”

Duo nodded numbly as he stood up and headed for the door.

“Oh, and kid.” Duo turned around. “Whatever you hear about me, don’t feel bad about it.”

Duo bit his lip, nodded once and slipped through the door. He knew what that meant, and he couldn’t say that he blamed him. Feeling beyond depressed, Duo made his way back to the room where he had seen the Aiko earlier and was met by Illinus. “So, ready to go home?”

Duo didn’t know if he could stand Illinus’s company right now. “Yea, I can make it there on my own, thanks.”

Illinus frowned. “Oh, okay. See you around.”

Duo didn’t even answer as he trudged out of the room and back onto the street. The sun was setting fast, so Duo jogged back to Heero’s, trying desperately to get the feeling of impending doom out of his head. But it didn’t work.

Getting back, Duo wasn’t too surprised when Sally came to call on him for Heero. But he was worried. Despite the way he acted and how others saw him, Heero was a flesh and blood man with, well, urges like everyone else. Who knew how long this ‘appearing to sleep together’ thing would last.

Now, lying in Heero’s bed, Duo knew there were only two ways to get outta here: threaten Heero and be lucky enough to get away, or let him--do that if he wants and gain his trust. The latter made him feel ill, but it was his best bet. It was obvious that Heero liked him, otherwise he would have made Duo a lower Aiko by now.

Duo swallowed hard when he felt the bed shift as Heero climbed under the covers. Hopefully Heero was still not in the mood. But Duo had to admit, he was liking Heero more and more, despite his current predicament. He really was different from all the other Lords.

“I hear you went to Varius’s.”

Duo turned to see Heero looking at him intently. “Whose?”

“The House of History and Philisophy.” Heero clarified.

Duo felt his stomach tighten. That was where Eutal was. Heero must know that he and Duo had talked. “Yeah.”

“Hn.” Heero turned onto his back and closed his eyes. Duo laid there and watched him. Duo had done the same thing as Eutal, he had even tried to find a weapon, but Heero had done nothing. There were a few times any other Lord would have taken his tongue or whipped him, but Heero did nothing. The annoyance of not understanding, coupled with the long silence was chewing away at him.

# # # #

“Why?”

Heero opened his eyes and turned back to Duo. “What?”

Duo’s eyes were dead-set on him. “Why? Why am I not a lower Aiko?”

Heero raised his eyebrows. “Do you want to be one?”

“No.”

“Then why are you asking?”

“Never mind,” Duo sighed and looked away.

Heero wasn’t too surprised that he asked. In all reality, Duo should be a lower Aiko, the way he’s been acting. But from what Heero understood about him, that would be adding insult to injury, times one hundred. Especially from what Quatre had told him earlier.

“Trowa said that Belvomanians are a very powerful warrior tribe.”

“You mean the tribe Duo is from?”

Quatre and Heero were sitting on the balcony on the west side of the House, the sun had just began to set over the far away hilltops. It had been a while since it was just Heero and Quatre talking together, and Heero had to admit he had missed it. The blonde had always been easy to talk to, and thanks to his empath ability, he understood Heero in a way that not even Sally did. Having someone like that really was a relief now days.

“In his tribe,” Quatre explained, “having a man take you is worse than dying. And if it does happen against their will, they can never return home, according to Trowa.”

So if Heero did make him do his duty, Duo could never go home. Not only that, but he would be shamed for the rest of his life. “That’s why he’s so full of venom? He’s afraid I’ll make him?”

“Not only that, but it would be hard to convince his tribe that if something did happen, it was of his own will.” Quatre lowered his eyes, almost shyly. “That’s why he’s so intent on not liking you.”

“Are you saying he does like me?” Heero chided.

Quatre smiled. “About as much as you like him, yeah.”

Heero blushed and looked away. It was true that he found Duo attractive. Who wouldn’t? But no, there was something else about him that Heero liked, something…deeper. Perhaps he was the same?

“All I’m saying is try talking to him a bit. Ask him questions. That sort of stuff.”

“You want us to be pals?”

“You do need someone to confide in, Heero. And he would pry appreciate it, being able to help you that way instead of…other ways.”

“Hn.” Quatre had a point.

Quatre stood up to leave. “Anyway, just try, okay?”

“Alright.”

Now, looking at an annoyed Duo in the moonlight, Heero couldn’t imagine trying to confide in him. It was much easier to imagine sleeping with--whoa, he was starting to sound like Primitivus now. Duo was very attractive, which didn’t make it much easier. Plus the fact that he looked even hotter when he’s angry. Damn it all.

“What do I call you?” Duo asked out of the blue, still staring at the ceiling.

Heero blinked at him. “What do you mean?”

Duo turned to look at him. Their eyes met, and Heero saw something in them, like a challenge. “What do I call you?”

“What everyone else does,” Heero answered.

Duo seemed to think about it for a while, then smiled. “Alright. Good night, Heero.”

Duo turned his back towards a stunned Heero. Who does he…Heero groaned in annoyance. Whatever. If he want to get his tongue cut off, let him. It was no skin off Heero’s back.

Confide in this pain in the ass? What the hell was Quatre thinking? Heero fell asleep to the thought of what would happen if he ever did begin to trust Duo. He would probably wake up with a dagger to his throat.

# # # #

Duo smiled, congratulating himself on his silent victory. It was mostly a test, to see if he could get away with it. And he had. Of course he knew not to call him Heero in anyone else’s presence, Duo wasn’t stupid. But, it still felt good to do something he shouldn’t be allowed to. It made him feel more in control than he had in days. Duo fell asleep with that smile on his face.

…

Duo suddenly woke, feeling a hot, suggestive hand on the middle of his back, making him jump out of his skin. Flipping around, ready to protect himself, Duo noticed that Heero was completely asleep. He had just rolled over. Duo called himself twelve ways a fool for freaking out over such a small thing, then Heero moved again. He kept tossing and turning, almost violently.

“He’s dreaming,” Duo whispered to himself, watching Heero in his sleep. Duo could tell it wasn’t a good dream, but not one where you’re fighting someone either. It was some other type of nightmare.

“…Chichi-ue…” Heero mumbled. //What the hell is Chichi-ue?//. Duo watched him a bit closer and saw a small tear slip out of one of Heero’s tightly closed eyes. Duo gawked at him, then dug his head into the pillow when he saw Heero shoot up out of bed, eyes wide and sweating.

Duo pretended to be asleep as he surveyed Heero through squinted eyes. Heero looked down towards him, checking to see if he was asleep, Duo guessed. He then wiped his face off with his hands and got up to slip on a robe. Tying the sash, Heero made his way over to the balcony. Duo opened his eyes to see Heero sitting out on the balcony, looking a little pale but wide awake.

What kind of dream could he have had to make him so pale? Duo found himself curious, almost tempted to walk out to him and ask what was wrong. But he decided against it. He did try to stay awake until Heero came back to bed, but sleep took him after only an hour of watching Heero stare out into the night sky.


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Whew! Sorry it took me so long to update, school has been evil. Anyway, I would love 5 reviews for the next one! Please!