Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Broken Seal ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

I don't own Wufei, Treize or Zechs though I sorely wish I did. This chapter isn't betaed so please excuse any mistakes.

 

The Broken Seal

by Michalyn

 

Part Three

 

 

When Wufei woke the next morning, the rain had disappeared as though it had never been. A slice of brilliant blue sky peeked through the tiny window above his desk and sunlight poured onto his bed. For a moment, Wufei basked in the warmth, his mind pleasantly blank in the fuzzy aftermath of sleep. Yet, all too soon he remembered the previous night's catastrophe. Wufei's cheeks burned. What was he going to do? After ... that ... had happened, he'd left the two warriors downstairs and had hidden in his room for the rest of the night. Wufei had been afraid that Treize and Zechs would follow him, but luckily even their presumption did not extend that far. Soon after Wufei retired, they had fallen asleep on the makeshift bedding he'd given them. Now, twenty-four hours later, Wufei still did not know what to do about the two intruders in his living room.

 

That is, the two intruders who were supposed to be in his living room... Wufei frowned as he descended from the loft to the main room below. He looked about the room, but the only evidence of his guests was the neatly folded blankets stacked in the corner near the fireplace. Could they have gone to the village? Wufei fought down a surge of panic. They were guardians not demons right? If they went to the village there should be no problem, he tried to tell himself. People would wonder about their outdated dress but Dragon Glen was no stranger to travellers. As long as they suppressed their powers and did not breathe a word about being on the mountain everything should be fine.

 

Too bad he didn't believe it.

 

Wufei ran to the door. A million scenarios ran through his head and none of them were good. As he passed the kitchen, he spotted his rune stones on the table. Wufei hesitated. Should he ... or shouldn't he? Hadn't last night proven the stones were as good as useless? On a whim Wufei hurried to the table and stuffed the runes into his pocket. They might be useless but it was the only thing he had. He would need a miracle if Treize and Zechs were not what they claimed to be but he could only hope the gods were with him. Heart pounding, Wufei was just lifting the door latch when he was stopped by a string of blistering curses.

 

"God damn it, you insufferable beast! Come back here!"

 

There was the sound of footsteps followed by an incredible crash. Betsy bleated loudly and her bell clanged in a way that could only mean she was galloping about the yard.

 

Wufei blinked. What in the heavens was going on?

 

Whatever he had been expecting, nothing prepared Wufei for the sight that greeted him when he dashed outside.

 

At one corner of Betsy's corral, a flustered-looking Treize was clutching an empty pail. Not ten feet away, Zechs was sprawled in the mud, his pristine robes soiled and his scarlet cloak twisted in the muck. Betsy, on the other side of the corral, eyed the two guardians warily.

 

"What's all this rukus about so early in the morning? Can't you two act civilized for once? What are you doing to Betsy and why is Zechs in the mud?" Wufei demanded.

 

"Damned ingrate," Zechs growled, spitting out mud as he rose to his feet. "He's just as bad as the goat."

 

"What!?" Wufei was indignant. He glared at Zechs.

 

"I'm going inside, Treize," Zechs said, ignoring Wufei. "I've had enough of making a jackass of myself trying to milk that she-demon of a goat. And I refuse to add insult to injury by listening to this mageling's tirade when we were only trying to help him. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did." The blond stalked off. His cloak slapped wetly against his legs, leaving unsightly smears against his pale skin.

 

Wufei turned to Treize. "What was that about?"

 

Treize sighed. "We woke up and thought we'd help with breakfast by getting the milk." Treize nodded toward Betsy. "Obviously we did not succeed. I tried to milk her while Zechs held her but she would have none of it. Needless to say, in that kind of situation it does not help one's pride to have the goat's owner come out shouting imprecations. "

 

"I was not shouting imprecations," Wufei hissed. "I come downstairs and the first thing I hear is the two of you shouting and Betsy running about the yard as though her life depended on it. What was I supposed to think? If you'd only asked I would have told you that Betsy is extremely skittish. She's very particular about who she will let milk her. The two of you as strangers would have never succeeded. You should have just left it to me."

 

Wufei took the pail from Treize and went over to Betsy. Murmuring soothingly to the nanny goat, he patted her on the flank then placed the bucket under her. Before long, the morning quiet was filled with the rhythmic drumming of her milk hitting the pail. When Wufei was done, he rose with the pail now filled with thick frothy milk. He raised an eyebrow as he walked past Treize.

 

"Now we can have breakfast," he said.

 

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Wufei carried the milk inside with Treize following quietly behind him. He almost dropped the pail, however, when he entered the cottage and found Zech bathing in front of the fire. The blond's wet hair clung to his neck in a gleaming swath. His large muscular body was ridiculously cramped in the wooden tub meant for Wufei's smaller proportions. Yet, what should have been a comical sight was anything but as Wufei got quite the view of Zechs' broad back and slick golden skin. Heat pooled in his belly. Wufei swallowed and hurried to the table, determined not to look at Zechs.

 

Treize of course had no such qualms. While Wufei was setting the milk down and fishing out an iron pot and some spices with which to make some porridge, he heard the General amble over to Zechs and begin murmuring to him. The gentle splashing sounds of Zechs washing himself as well as the men's talking stopped for a moment and then resumed. Wufei did not allow himself to think about what might account for that significant pause. Instead he opened the kitchen window, grateful for the crisp air on his hot cheeks.

 

Wufei whistled for Nataku. The little dragon quickly answered, flapping over to Wufei and resting on his shoulder. She rubbed against his neck.

 

"There you are, girl. Have you eaten?" Wufei asked, petting Nataku's scales.

 

The dragon made a contented sound and settled more comfortably against Wufei.

 

Wufei laughed. "I'll take that as a yes then. Unless I can entice you with some of these?" He held out some of the prickly dragon fruit that had earned its name because dragons loved it so much. Nataku gobbled the pieces up from Wufei, but not without butting her head worriedly against the bandages on his arms. The pain had eased so much from the wounds that Wufei had all but forgotten them. When he remembered that this was due to Zechs' medicinal salve, Wufei felt a little guilty for having been so short with the blond earlier.

 

When Nataku was finished eating, she flew up to her favorite perch in the rafters above Wufei's bedroom and promptly dozed off. Wufei returned to the ingredients he had been preparing for the porridge, hoping that Zechs would be done with his bath so he could use the fire. Deciding to wait a few minutes, just in case... Wufei headed towards the fireplace with his ingredients in hand.

 

Zechs and Treize were sitting together on the floor cushions. Zechs had wrapped himself in a blanket and since Wufei saw nothing of the blond's soiled clothes, he guessed they had been washed and hung out to dry. It reminded him that the two guardians really only had the clothes on their backs; if their robes happened to get soiled, like in Zechs' case, they were not left with many options. Wufei frowned. Even his weekly laundry rounds would literally leave the two men naked. Wufei didn't have much to spend, but it was probably wise to get Treize and Zechs some new clothes when Jared stopped by later in the day. Besides, more normal clothes would make the guardians a lot less conspicuous. Dressed as they were now, Wufei could not pass them off as simple travelers even if he wanted to.

 

Wufei placed the pot on the fire and poured some milk into it, followed by the oats and the spices he had taken from the pantry. He stirred the mixture as the aromas of cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg hovered deliciously in the air.

 

Treize sniffed. "What are you making?" he asked. Next to him, Zechs nodded. Both men seemed to have recovered from their foul moods. Wufei tried not to look at the way their bodies leaned into each other.

 

"Just some porridge for us."

 

"Hmm, smells good. I didn't know you had a talent for cooking, Elf," Zechs rumbled.

 

"Elf?" Wufei raised an eyebrow.

 

"What?"

 

"What do you mean 'what'?" Wufei growled and Treize laughed.

 

"I think he's trying to tell us that he objects to being called tiny, Zechs."

 

"Oh?" Zechs chuckled. "And why not? He doesn't even come up to my chin."

 

Wufei set his ladle down with a clang. "Keep that up and at least one of us will not be getting a meal. And that does not include me."

 

Zechs made a placating gesture. "Beg pardon," he murmured, but a smile hovered about his lips.

 

Wufei ignored him. Despite his threatening words, he set three bowls on a large wooden tray and ladled some porridge into each. Treize and Zechs accepted their portions gratefully and taking his own bowl, Wufei started to eat. He sat opposite the two men, occasionally glancing up to answer some odd question about the meal ... or to sneak a glance at their continued touching. Zechs' hand was resting casually upon Treize's thigh and when a few strands of the blond's hair fell into his face, Treize brushed them away without a thought.

 

Wufei didn't want to stare but it was impossible not to. So rarely did he have the opportunity to observe visitors of any kind, much less two as different as these. He had read much about the ... ways of men ... but it was another thing entirely to observe a couple first hand, never mind they were not really human. Besides, even he had to admit they were somewhat attractive. Not that it had any effect on him of course.... Wufei quickly looked away when Treize glanced in his direction. They ate in a charged silence, though Wufei couldn't fathom why it would be that way. He thought he felt the other men's eyes on him, but when he looked up, they were focused on their own meals.

 

When they were finished, Wufei rose to gather up the bowls. "I'll go wash up," he began, but Treize stopped him. He reached out and encircled Wufei's wrist.

 

"Don't go. You've satisfied our hunger, now let us repay our debt. We haven't forgotten the way you responded to us," Treize husked. He bent his head to mouth the throbbing pulse point at Wufei's wrist.

 

Wufei's breath lodged in his throat. "That's ... that's quite all right. It was just a simple meal," he stammered. His heart was pounding so hard he could hear the blood rushing in his ears.

 

"You know, with that prickly attitude and all the protesting you do, a man might never guess how hotly you burn. This morning, in my anger, I almost forgot it, too. But I remember it very clearly now," Zechs purred. He took Wufei's free hand and in unison, he and Treize tugged on their captured limbs until Wufei toppled forward and landed between them on the cushions.

 

"What the--Wait a god damned minute!" Wufei struggled to get up. "We are not going through that again," he said shakily. His eyes darted from Treize to Zechs.

 

"Why not? There's no question of your desire for us," Treize asked. Already, he was leaning close.

 

"Indeed." Zechs' hot breath bathed Wufei's ear. "Stop fighting us, Elf. Yesterday, we barely had a chance to hold you. Now we have all the time in the world. Let us take you upstairs to that little bed of yours. Treize and I will undress you and show you what it really means to be bonded to us."

 

---------------------------------

 

"What? Th...there's no way that is going to happen!"

 

Wufei tried to rise but with Zechs' lips brushing the sensitive rim of his ear, he just couldn't seem to get his feet under him. The moment of hesitation was all Treize needed to close the distance between them.

 

"I really would like to know why you're so afraid of this," the older man whispered. "More than that, I want to know what we can do to ease your fears. Will you do that for us, Lovely? Will you tell us how to soothe you?"

 

Treize's voice held a note of promise that sent heat spiraling through Wufei. He raised his hand to push Treize away but somehow his fingers ended up tangled in the other man's tunic. Then, Treize was cupping the back of his head and kissing him soundly.

 

Wufei's eyes fluttered closed. Warmth spread through his veins as Treize's mouth latched onto the skin of his throat. Why couldn't he resist this? It had to be magic ... a sinister spell of some sort. How else could he explain the way his resolve melted beneath Zechs' and Treize's kisses like snow on a summer's day? It had to be something powerful and arcane. Wufei was sure of it.

 

While Wufei's thoughts jumbled together, Zechs' large hand had settled on his knee. Slowly, slowly it slid upwards, and Wufei moaned as Zechs' hand worked its way beneath his tunic. His cry was transformed to a desperate shout when Zechs fondled his burgeoning erection. The sensation was so unexpected, so electric that Wufei's eyes flew wide open.

 

"Zechs...I..."

 

"Mmm...." Treize's mouth covered Wufei's and the older man drank in his cry, his lips brushing Wufei's in gentle sweeps. "Such pretty sounds you make. I'd like to hear more."

 

Wufei shivered, caught between Treize's teasing mouth and Zechs' stroking hand. The blond was rubbing over the crown of his erection in a hot circular motion that made Wufei's entire body clench in ecstasy. He heard his ragged moans and the wild sound he made when Zechs embraced him even more tightly but he might as well have been listening to a stranger for all he could do to stop them. Wufei's tunic was tugged over his head and he barely had a chance to catch his breath before he was lowered to the cushions and Treize and Zechs stretched out, forming a living wall on either side of him.

 

Their large bodies pressed against along Wufei's sides, hot and demanding. Zechs and Treize were looking down at him with such expressions of hunger that Wufei couldn't help feeling like a lamb thrown to the wolves. Yet, for all their insistence, Treize's hands smoothing over his belly were gentle, and the warm kiss Zechs placed on Wufei's shoulder was meant more to soothe than to excite. Such ferocity and tenderness melded together ignited Wufei as never before. He was trembling, aflame with a desire he couldn't suppress. Wufei stared at the rune mark over Treize's heart. He wanted them, he realized with startling clarity. And if that sigil spoke true, Zechs and Treize were his. Would it be so terrible to give in?

 

Wufei reached out and twined his fingers with Zechs'. With his other hand, he grasped Treize and pulled him closer. "Please," he groaned, unaware of the delicate arching of his body or the way his hips pressed against Zechs' palm.

 

Zechs' eyebrows shot to his hairline, the planes of his face sharpened by lust. A rough sound burst from him as he watched Wufei. On Wufei's other side, Treize leaned in to kiss Wufei's cheek.

 

"Oh my darling, you are not going to regret giving yourself to us," he murmured huskily.

 

"No, " Zechs agreed, hot breath washing over Wufei. His mouth hovered over one berry-dark nipple. The tiny bud puckered up, demanding attention. Zechs soothed Wufei, shaping his nipple upright with the changing textures of lips, teeth and tongue. Wufei cried out, his fingers tangling in Zechs' hair. The blond braced a hand between Wufei's shoulder blades, holding him arched while he feasted.

 

Wufei writhed and moaned. The pleasure only doubled as Treize bent to his other nipple and worried it between his teeth. Never lifting his head, Treize eased off Wufei's leggings and Wufei's swollen cock sprang free. The pink cap of him shone with wetness that spoke more of Wufei's desire than any words could have.

 

"What a delicious little thing you are," Treize moaned, touching a finger to that enticing slickness.

 

Wufei made an embarrassed sound. "I..."

 

"You are. Delicious ... delectable ...." Wufei sucked in his breath as Treize slid down his body. The General's mouth hovered over his erection.

 

"Treize, wait. You shouldn't...."

 

"Hush, hush. You're sweeter than the finest honey." Treize caressed Wufei's hips; lifted him, spread him.

 

An uncontrollable shiver seized Wufei. He could only gasp as Zechs moved behind him and cradled him to his chest, easily supporting Wufei's weight in his arms. Below, Treize held Wufei open. His thumb whispered between his cheeks, circling the furled entrance to his body.

 

"I was going to suck your pretty cock but I promised to kiss you here didn't I?"

 

A rumbling sound bubbled from Zechs' chest at Treize's announcement. Wufei felt its vibrations all the way to his toes.

 

Treize began lowering his head. Wufei moaned. His body prickled with heat and he squeezed his eyes shut in anticipation of that forbidden caress. Surely Treize wouldn't. That sort of thing was ... he had to be teasing. Yet, even as Wufei tried to tell himself that, the warmth of Treize's breath fanned over him. Wufei cried out and twisted in Zechs' arms, his emotions racing wildly between shock, desire and dread. If Treize noticed his distress, however he gave no sign of it. He only turned his head and licked Wufei just below the curve of one cheek, right where his ass met his leg. Wufei jerked.

 

"Please," he moaned.

 

"Soon, soon, Elf," Zechs purred. "Treize is going to make you feel--"

 

Whatever Zechs had been about to say was interrupted by a sudden loud rapping at the door. An urgent voice echoed beyond the wood: "Master Wufei? Master Wufei are you there?"

 

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"Oh god!" Wufei bolted to his feet. He straightened his tunic and scrambled into his leggings. What in heaven's name was he doing? What if it were one of the village elders? The window on the opposite wall was open and wide enough to offer a clear view of the mountain road. Wufei had always used it to keep an eye on anyone who might be coming up the path. Now the sight alone turned his knees to water. What if they had been seen? It was bad enough to have to explain how two strangers had materialized in his home; but to be caught doing .... that with them-- Wufei made a choked sound. His life would be over.

 

"Elf?" Treize began.

 

"Don't say anything! Just hide yourselves somewhere!" Wufei hissed, scurrying to the door as the knocking became even louder. He took one last deep breath and smoothed a hand over his hair. Then, he slowly opened the door. He found the village merchant waiting on the other side.

 

"Jared! Ah ... good day. You're a bit early aren't you?"

 

"Oh you're here, Master Wufei. I thought you might have gone up to the temple. Folks in the village thought they saw an explosion of some kind up here last night during the storm. The elders thought I should come earlier to make sure you were okay. Seems like the mountain got the brunt of that bad weather. Is everything all right?"

 

"Yes, yes of course," Wufei stammered. "Please thank everyone for their concern, though." He stared at Jared, searching his expression for anything that might he'd seen them on his way to the cottage. When Jared's smile remained eager and open, Wufei inwardly let out a sigh of relief. He didn't know what he would have done if Jared had seen him with Zechs and Treize.

 

"And the explosion?" Jared probed, searching Wufei's features.

 

"Ah ... lightning struck the temple," Wufei replied. "There was some damage, but nothing I couldn't fix with a spell or two, myself," he quickly amended.

 

The merchant smiled shyly. "I'm relieved. I ... we were worried that you might have been hurt all alone up here."

 

Wufei flushed. "Oh no. I'm quite fine, thank you. Please let the village know that there is nothing to worry about."

 

"I'll do that. Well, now that I know everything's fine, I've brought you some mail and I have some new candles that I think you might like. They're real beeswax not tallow, so they burn nice and clean. I got a good deal on them from an Arcadian merchant and since you're the only one here learned enough to need good light for reading, I thought I'd show them to you first." Jared ducked his head. "If you're interested I can give you a nice discount."

 

"Real beeswax?" Wufei repeated. The candles probably cost more than they were worth, but he had to admit he was tempted. He often read late into the evening and his spectacles could only help him so much in the weak light of the tallow candles he owned.

 

"Yup. They're the real thing, honest."

 

"Well..." Wufei bit his lip. "Let me get my regular supplies first and I'll see how much I have left over."

 

Jared nodded and pulled out another satchel. He looked meaningfully at Wufei as he waited for him to open the door. He needed to use the table to measure out the goods. Normally, it would not have been a problem. Normally, though Wufei did not have two powerful guardians for roommates. If Jared had not seen Zechs and Treize before, there was no way he could miss them once he was inside. Wufei stalled, blocking the entryway with his body. What now?

 

"Master Wufei?" Jared was still balancing the heavy satchel between his palms.

 

"Ah ... yes ... please come in." Wufei took a deep breath and inched the door open. A thousand excuses raced through his head to explain Treize's and Zechs' presence to Jared but he couldn't think of anything that would make sense. All he could be certain of was that as soon as the merchant stepped inside, his life as he knew it would be over. Wufei's heart was in his throat as the door swung open to reveal his living room.

 

It was empty.

 

Wufei's knees fairly buckled with relief. He didn't know where the guardians had gone or how they'd managed it, but he could kiss them both for being so prudent. "Why don't we go into the kitchen?" he quickly suggested to Jared and guided him to the table.

 

"All right." Jared spread his supplies out, waiting for Wufei to make his selections.

 

Wufei cleared his throat. "I'd like to buy a little more flour and rice than I usually do. And do you have any of that salted meat you brought last time?"

 

"Sure thing. How much more of each would you like?"

 

"Well I was thinking..."

 

"Ah! Wait, I almost forgot!" Jared interrupted before Wufei could finish. He handed him a small bundle. "I have some letters for you."

 

"Is that so? Thanks." Wufei didn't get many visitors but he maintained regular contact with a number of scholars in the outside world. They kept him up-to-date on the latest developments in the world of magick and Wufei in turn shared the fruits of his own studies with them. He published occasional articles, mostly about Dragon Glen's tradition of magick and the pieces were an additional source of income that he was quite grateful for.

 

In fact, a few of his articles had been so well received that he'd gotten a number of requests from other mages who wanted to come to Dragon Glen to learn more from him. Wufei always turned them down. Not because the elders would forbid it; quite the contrary. They welcomed the prestige such guests afforded. It was impractical for Wufei to ever leave the mountain because of his role as guardian but they had no objection to a visitor who would be an aid to his duties. No, Wufei simply wasn't interested in spending the time or energy necessary preparing for a visiting scholar. There was the matter of requesting permission from the elders ... finding lodging ... transportation ... suitable clothing for the temple rituals....

 

Wufei froze. Wait a minute. Food ... clothing ... shelter ... and the fire festival was coming up.... It was a gamble. Should he risk it? Wufei turned to Jared.

 

"Jared, I think I'll be buying some tunics and leggings from you. I need good quality items but nothing too exorbitant. Oh and they need to be in a large size." Wufei bit his lip. A plan was slowly forming in his head and with a little luck, he thought it just might work.

---------------------------------

 

 

"Here, try these on." Wufei put the bundle of clothes on the table.

 

Treize and Milliardo walked over and examined the tunics, leggings and folded cloaks. "What are these?" Zechs asked.

 

"Clothes. Contemporary clothes," Wufei told him. "If this is going to work, we need to start by making the two of look like the rest of us. Right now you stick out like sore thumbs in those old military outfits."

 

"Old? These were cutting edge when we were sealed away," Treize murmured, fingering the soft wool of his cloak.

 

"Unfortunately, the only thing they're on the edge of right now, is history. No one is going to believe you and Zechs are visiting scholars if you come dressed in battle armor from 1000 years ago. Go on, try on the outfits. I think I bought the right size but I'm not sure. If they don't fit, I'll need to send for Jared to replace them."

 

"All right." Treize's cloak dropped to the floor. Beside him, Zechs was already pulling his tunic over his head. Wufei quickly turned around.

 

"Are you done?" he ground out after a moment.

 

"Yes, I think so," Treize murmured slowly. "Wait, Zechs, can you help me with this belt? You seem to have done a marvelous job with yours."

 

Zechs grunted and Wufei heard the soft rustling of cloth as the blond helped his partner put himself to rights.

 

"All right, what do you think?" Treize asked.

 

Wufei turned around and his breath deserted him. Treize and Zechs looked... Wufei swallowed, unable to speak. The clothes were a perfect fit.

 

He had bought the typical outfit worn by learned men for Treize and Zechs: soft belted tunics, leggings and supple ankle boots. Long cloaks completed the ensemble. Treize was wearing a royal blue tunic with contrasting black leggings. His cloak echoed the color of his tunic but in a rich navy that made his eyes appear startlingly blue against the warmth of his complexion. For Zechs' part, he had abandoned his scarlet uniform for something much more subtle: cloak, tunic and leggings were of the deepest black. With his golden hair and pale skin the effect was breathtaking. Both men looked intelligent, elegant, and painfully attractive. If Wufei had thought them beautiful before, seeing them in modern clothing brought the point home now with heart-stopping force.

 

"Is something wrong? Did we not put them on correctly?" Zechs asked frowning.

 

"No ... no... they fit perfectly," Wufei murmured, sitting heavily at the table. Now all he had to do was figure out how to convince everyone that Zechs and Treize were scholars visiting for the fire festival. But that wasn't Wufei's only problem. There were other things he had to worry about. Like how long could he stay in close quarters with these very masculine, very attractive men and still keep his wits--and his virtue--about him.