Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Sea in I ❯ XV ( Chapter 15 )

Unbeta'd
Italics ~ thoughts
Warnings: Angst, MXM goodiness, death, NCS and Mpreg in later chapters, just thought I'd bring up now so all will be prepared when it happens
Pairings: 1x2/2x1, and the pen dabbles around a bit

 

Input/feedback is much appreciated

 

Note: I've edited ^_^, hope it's clearer now.

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Disclaimer: I don't own any of the sexies in Gundam Wing AC, I just love to help them live a little.
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XV

 

 

The walk was a short one, the paved road meandered out of the gully in the mountain that the village had made its home in and more than likely back out to the rocky, unpaved path they were initially traveling along. They came to a small outcropping on a high rocky ridge of a steep cavern that was only occupied by bats in its highest reaches. The entered cautiously, the interior had the remnants of being once occupied but dust testified to its long disuse. Duo's eyes were barely open slits as Heero carried him into the dwelling.

 

Wu Fei sneezed disturbing a hanging cobweb that dropped closer to the ground. He rubbed at his nose carefully, bandaged fingers stiff from pain. “Nothing lingering here. A few common dwellers, mostly small rodents.”

 

Ethan looped around, eying Wu Fei with mistrust. He stopped at Heero's side where they stood in the fading light at the mouth of the dwelling. “It's safe and defensible with a weathered window.”

 

Wu Fei glared at Ethan, following Tamien and letting his focus shift to the burden he carried. Fraix followed next, passing Heero's rigid stance and keeping an arm around Hilde who looked as if she were about to collapse. Fraix dropped two hefty packs to the floor at almost the center of the room where a round concave indention in the floor marked the dwelling's fire pit. He got Hilde moving and she stiffly removed the fire stones from one of his packs. “How be the air?”

 

Heero sniffed absently at the air, ears twitching as he tracked air flow through the dwelling, “Good.” He grunted, dropping to one knee as he laid Duo down on the floor.

 

“Kindling?” They didn't need much to start the fire, the fire stones would keep it going long after the flames consumed all there was to burn.

 

Heero grunted his jerky movement away from Duo more telling to the people who knew him than anything he could have done. He felt Fraix eyes on him as he ran on automatic, bringing him the remains of sparse but burnable furniture. He knew there was more than enough to keep the fire pit going, but he found an open wood crafted bin near the back of the dwelling. He spun around in an angry kick and broke it apart in one blow, the release was freeing. The loud snap then clamor of the wood tumbling over itself, half muffled by my something soft in between, filled the silent dwelling and he stared at it. There was more to break. The wood itself sturdier than what he'd already given to Fraix and he broke it down, even as he glanced to where Duo lay and saw that his bonded hadn't so much as twitched at all the noise he was making, drove him on. It was still controlled and no one said anything to him about. He was sure if they had he'd be venting on them instead.

 

A final crack and Heero picked up the broken pieces, noticing the small toys it had held, most of them wooden or sown but no more than an arm full. He picked up one without really looking, gave Fraix the last of the wood and held up the threadbare toy that may have once been a bear to the firelight. He could feel Relena and Fraix's eyes on him as he examined it.

 

Heero frowned, running a finger over one shabby arm and feeling the seams give under the slight touch to let sand spill from inside. He didn't feel like covering the pain slowly etching its way across his face but he took a deep breath, the action itself silent as he shuttered away the pain from his face and let it burn behind his eyes. Heero tossed the worn toy into the flame, the smell of mildew tinted smoke filled mixed with the stall air of the dwelling. Heero returned to Duo's side, lifting the unconscious man so that his head rested on his thigh.

 

He knew they could tell he was sulking, even if his face showed none of what he was feeling. They could read him well enough, knew the subtle jerks when he pushed too much to rein in the anger. In the firelight, mercurial cerulean eyes swept across their party to settle on a pale shaking hand. He then saw Tamien's cover it to steady it as he brought the water gourd to Quatre's lips and Heero felt his anger return. The twitch of muscle in his jaw, his fingers twitching out of the white knuckle grip he'd had them clenched in to pop and flex. He narrowed his eyes at Fraix when he moved closer to him, keeping a hand in his daughter's hair and she followed submissively pressing to his side.

 

“Heero, we've come far. Done good.”

 

He understood well enough. He didn't need to be reminded. Heero glared at his uncle and Fraix gave him a soft look as his attention slid from him back down to his daughter.

 

“We be wanting t'protect all we love. S'we sacrifice…”

 

He kept his glare, watching Fraix caress Hilde's hair. He knew what they were risking by coming to this place.

 

Fraix next spoke in a quiet hard tone that matched the resignation in the weary blue eyes as they turned back to him, “Even if that be the very ones we be meaning t'protect.”

 

Heero flinched, eyes turning to the fire. Fraix had never wanted Hilde to be a part of this either and Heero had ordered him to send her the message to come, relying on Quatre to get her there safely. A firm squeeze to his shoulder and Heero had a hard time suppressing the apologetic whimper trying to force its way out his throat.

 

Fraix smiled and Heero found he couldn't resist, lulled into compliance by aged blue eyes too wise to be deceived, and his uncle pulled him over into a hug. “Heero, ye be me son. Never forget.”

 

“Don't.” Heero muttered into his shoulder, shaking as he let himself accept the comfort and give it awkwardly back.

 

Fraix chuckled, kissing the top of his head. “Ye never asked much did ye, me boy?”

 

Heero pulled back and knew all that he'd left unsaid could be seen on his face: don't leave, don't give up, and don't die. Fraix ruffled his hair, a stolen moment like he's had to hold onto countless times.

 

He knew he was being selfish but he couldn't help the anger that churned inside him. Heero's eyes slid back to the blonde wielder pushing at Tamien but then giving in when Tamien took hold of his hand and whispered something in his ear. Heero scowled as Quatre's drawn face turned to him and shadowed eyes stared at Duo then back to him. He wanted to pound the petite blonde wielder into the ground and Quatre winced, eyes still locked with his before Wu Fei blocked him from view.

 

“It was his choice to come.” Wu Fei dared him to deny it with narrowed brown eyes, the gold back-lit glow flickering in the fire light. Heero didn't need a lecture from the cat and held back the snarl that wanted to curl his lips when those eyes turned to the incapacitated blonde wielder. “Do not punish yourself for this. We're all aware of the dangers.”

 

Did the two of them send messages to each other? He wondered, his eyes flitting between Wu Fei and Fraix, before they settled on the fire, but who's awake… The bitterness curbed his anger as he fisted Duo's braid. Heero lay down beside Duo, leaning on one arm and sinking into his shoulder as he ran his fingertips over Duo's clammy cheek.

 

“Heero.”

 

“What is it?” He blinked over at Relena, eyes heavy. He pushed on his mostly numb arm, thumb and forefinger rubbing at the soft shells over his eyes. Heero tried to sit up further but stopped when he jostled the weight on top of him. He hadn't even realized he had fallen asleep or even noticed when Duo had started using him like a pillow but a quick glance at Relena had his brow furrowing. She was smiling softly at him and he realized, he tried to dislodge the braided wielder but he had his arm wrapped around him. He watched him sleep as he had when in his bedchamber, sleep clinging to him enough to make his blinks slow and just watched him. Another moment stolen…

 

“..treasured.” Morose thoughts interrupted, Heero glanced at her. Relena shrugged, sinking down into her shoulders and used the warmth of her body to warm her cheeks. “Anyone can see how much you treasure him. I saw it when we were little too.” She elaborated with an impish smirk, “Did you have a nice nap?”

 

He snorted.

 

She grinned, “Just trying to help you save face. Don't want your men to know that you're a cuddlier, do you?”

 

“Shut up.” He said only loud enough for her to hear. He nuzzled into Duo's hair, staunchly ignoring her giggle and the hot flush across his cheeks. He freed his arm, jerking it with a snapping motion, hoping to bring the feeling back faster. Heero stood up in a stretch, eyes going back to Duo briefly before taking note of everyone else, “No change?”

 

Relena shook her head, scooting closer to the fire.

 

“You should try to sleep.”

 

Relena's smile was strained. She leaned forward, resting her head on her crossed arms resting atop her covered knees. She dropped tired eyes to the fire. “You know me, I'll nod off soon enough.” then hesitantly, “Do you think the call stopped? I dispersed them and you saw how they used Quatre… tried to use Duo. Something they've obviously done many times before.”

 

Heero looked at her thoughtfully. She bit her lip and didn't look back at him. He knew this was what she'd left unsaid earlier. His eyes fell on Fraix's snoring face, then Hilde and Wu Fei, who seemed to be guarding Quatre from a distance… there had been too many ears then. Wu Fei seemed unaffected at the news that this may be the last chance anyone has to make this prophecy happen if that was what they were going to do.

 

Fraix knew…His brows twitched at the thought but his eyes remained fixed on the shape shifter, who stared back at him, watchful as always. Heero could scent the traces of his worry on the air that even Wu Fei couldn't completely keep hidden. Black lashes lowered over brown eyes turned black pools in the firelight then he blinked, revealing that his eyes had shifted to a shocking brown speckled gold and diamond shaped pupil. Heero found himself transfixed as Wu Fei removed his tunic, the muscles in his back tense and flexing under tan skin. Yellow-gold patterned fur sprung up, thickening on every inch of exposed skin while his bones contorted underneath it all. The change was fast, Wu Fei settled into his feline skin with ease, grace and comfort in a way that woke an old ache of yearning deep within him.

 

It was something he could never do.

 

He was not like his uncle, who was born without it. He could shift halfway while he'd been a pup but the ability was lost to him the older he got. Wu Fei glanced at him and he nodded, both deciding they'd take up watch over the dead village together.

 

Tamien slipped in without disrupting Wu Fei's circular pacing, the air stirring slightly and Heero watched the shared acknowledgment between them he'd seen earlier. Tamien gave him a faint smile and then took up the position Wu Fei had left at Quatre's side but closer. Heero frowned thoughtfully at the twinge of guilt hidden behind it. Tamien wasn't one to reveal things, least of all emotions, without some deeper significance. There was something else heavier too, as the swordsman fingers carded through Quatre's hair and then rubbed a lock between his fingers. Heero's expression softened in understanding that he refused to see earlier, a reminder that one can gain and lose so much in a short span of time.

 

“This-”

 

Relena's quiet whisper, weighed with doubt diverted his attention from his long time friend and comrade's internal conflict.

 

Lost cornflower blues looked to him, “This could be…”

 

All for nothing He finished for her mentally, understanding what saying the words out loud could mean. Except for those damned dead spirits that had been trapped here. They got what they wanted. They got what they had been calling out for and in return they sent them a sense of levity, leaving half their party incapacitated. What do we do next? This is what, he realized, had left Relena so worried that she wouldn't let her exhaustion drag her into sleep.

 

The possibility that Nana's song was some stir-crazy, wronged spirits' trick to lure someone to this place to set them free was disheartening. He pushed the bleak thoughts away. He wouldn't accept that. Quatre was still of no use to them at the moment and Nana's song said nothing of this.

 

“It isn't.” He heard himself saying in an authoritative tone that brooked no room for doubts. Relena nodded, some of worry lines disappearing from under her eyes.

 

I'm not losing Duo. He told to himself, determined that they would all make it through this.

 

Ethan stumbled through the dwelling entryway. The skittish man half jumped out of reach of Wu Fei's snapping teeth. Wu Fei growled angrily, tail flicking fitfully around one hind leg. Ethan glared shakily, clumsy fingers fluttering along his sword's hilt as he walked backwards into the dwelling. He kept a wary eye on the shape shifter who slowly stalked out of the dwelling.

 

“Captain-?” came the near whine.

 

“Ethan, calm yourself. We are in this together.” Heero rolled his eyes at himself, a little quirk to one side of his mouth at the thought of Fraix hearing him.

 

Wide eyes focused on him then narrowed as a frustrated frown quickly took over the skittish man's face. “How?” He pointed outside to where Wu Fei purposely circled the entryway with an intent look toward Ethan before disappearing from sight. “He-!”

 

“He's testy. Yes.” Heero cut in, offering him a contrite lift of his brows as he gestured toward the fire, “But that's mostly because you stepped on his tail.” He shook his head, “Rest. We've all had a trying day.”

 

Ethan nodded, his pressed tightly together as he settled down as close to the fire as he dared.

 

Heero surveyed the sleeping figures and then his eyes lingered on Duo before setting narrowed eyes on Relena. “Sleep.”

 

Relena arched a brow, letting a smile stretch her lips that didn't fully reach her eyes, “Got to love it when you get all brutishly one wordy on me then grunt and expect to be obeyed.”

 

“Relena.”

 

“Yes, my Captain!” She said brightly in mock sincerity, her fist hovering over her left breast.

 

Heero snorted and went outside to join Wu Fei.

 

***

 

“Amadahy...”

 

She twitched at the call. An ache she could no longer place pained her chest and made her arch up slightly before collapsing back down, her fingers slid through the warm sand on the floor. She could feel the phantom pain leaving, but the most promising thing was that she could feel and breathe without the ceaseless pain. She wasn't sick anymore. The nausea, lightheadedness and the constant feeling of strain in her chest had all left her. Her bonded… thoughts of him slowly streaked across the white blankness of her consciousness, giving way to the dark color of memory. It snuck up on her then and she knew the spoken word for what it was a name.

 

Then she knew it was her name.

 

“...open your eyes...”

 

She obliged with a shudder and stared listlessly into the flames she could feel no heat from. She was disoriented, the hard floor making the side of her arm tingle with numbness for lying down on one side for far too long. She didn't understand why she was on the floor and not the bed. She looked and found the mattress on the floor in a dark corner as she rose up and tried to walk on shaky feet.

 

There was… She reached out a hand for a bin that used to be there near the table, but there was no table either.

 

“...full of hope…”

 

They had said that once. They had said it together and the memory pushed away more of the white fog of forgetfulness. She closed her eyes and watched it play behind her lids. But they were alien her in this place she knew. It was like someone else was watching what should and only could be shared with her and her bonded when they had lived that moment. An echo of what once was and a life lost.

 

The window… she remembered the warm air but it was dark outside the ring of fire. She could barely make out the lines of her hands in front of her.

 

A sleeping body moved on the floor, hair that looked like amber in the firelight spilled from the hood of the slumbering figure and she fell back against the wall startled. There was a sharp ache in her side and back, making her wince. But she forced it back. There was a stranger in their home. There were several bodies on the floor and her eyes rounded. They had always welcomed others into their home but for him not to be here... For him to leave her with people she couldn't readily recognize, she feared something might have happened to him.

 

She could feel him but it didn't feel right.

 

“JJ?” the name caught in her throat at the sound of a male voice coming from her mouth and the twinge of nausea in her stomach. She turned toward the light of the fire, looking down at hands larger that weren't her own and gasped. He-he… did it! Her eyes caught movement over the fire, a roundish stone rose by the flames. She stared at it, dark but reflecting light and watched the flames die down around it.

 

Her mouth quivered, her jaw shaking, “Not like t-this. I never…” She bit her tongue; the blossom of pain cleared away her jumbled thoughts. “I didn't w-want to steal someone else's life s-so that I could live! I'll not call--” She shook her head, biting her lips to stop the tremble her male voice reflected. She backed away from the hum in her ears, the rock didn't move but she couldn't bear to hear herself or speak through him again.

 

I never wanted this! It was-I didn't… what has he done?! Her hand covered his mouth, gagging at the sick feeling that engulfed her and she felt him. He was waking, confused and her skin broke out in a sweat. His legs shook and he was creeping back to awareness as she tried to push away from it. She reached for the wall to steady herself but she met open space. The window… she came back to the forefront when they nearly fell half out of it, hands gripping the seal and panting, and an acrid taste burned in the back of their throat. She looked out into the Val that had been their home, the darkness of night overlapping her last memory of a once thriving village and the smell of decay weighing heavily on the wind making her see the ruin and place of death it had become.

 

Dead…all that remains... She gasped, eyes burning with more tears and anguish then she had felt in life. She started as arms slipped around her waist, hauling her up. They were familiar to this body but not to her.

 

“Duo, are you ok?” and she let go, sagging in his bonded's arms.

 

Duo swallowed against the dizzying spin of the room and cloying chill under his skin. He dropped his head back on Heero's shoulder with a grimace, “I think… I-I'm… gonna… be sick.”

 

Heero rubbed his back as he threw up leaning out the window then helped him rinse his mouth and drink from the water gourd. He stayed there leaning on the window seal and trying to breathe until his eyes got heavy. He felt gentle hands urge him away from the window, grounding him - keeping him there with his presence. Duo gripped the arms around him as Heero helped him lay back down by the fire. He floated on the strings of semi-consciousness, jerking back to woozy awareness when he stopped touching Heero or Heero would shift out of his reach. Then there was the chill and a miserable thirst he couldn't seem to quench.

 

“Heero…” his mouth felt gummy and dry, “more water… please?”

 

He felt Heero hesitate, then start to get up. Duo stopped him, holding his arm and pulling a pliant Heero back down to the floor where promptly stretched over him like a bed.

 

Heero sighed, shifting and trying to get comfortable in his new position as mattress. He fingered the hair at the top of Duo's head. “I can't get you water if you won't let me get up,” amusement clear in his voice.

 

Duo managed a despondent shrug of his shoulders, dozing lightly in the warm glow of the fire. He slipped his arms inside Heero's robe sleeves so he could touch more of his skin. “There's water…” Duo's brows furrowed at the whisper of something at the edge of his hearing. He pushed his nose into Heero's robed chest, biting lightly at the material muffling his voice, “Mhm… water in the gourds by your shoulder.”

 

Heero chuckled, “You drank those already.”

 

Duo shook his head against Heero's chest, “There's some in them.”

 

He could hear the smile in Heero's voice as he felt the body under him stretch on one side as he reached for a gourd. “No, Duo there's-”

 

The pause stretched and he thought he'd slipped off when heard the muffled swoosh of liquid inside one of gourds. Then he heard it hit the floor with a full ploom sound. Heero repeated the action two more times, the ploom sound was starting to echo in his head painfully and Heero still had one gourd in his possession that hadn't yet followed the other two. Or was it three, he couldn't be sure.

 

He heard the cork pop, a sniff followed by a cautious sip. “Water?”

 

“Hmm?” Duo raised his head, eyes half open and he gave Heero a sleepy but grateful smile as he pressed his mouth to the opening to take a long swallow. Heero ran a chilled finger down his throat, cerulean full with curiosity that he didn't voice. Duo pushed himself closer on shaky arms, eyelids heavy and he kissed Heero on the corner of his mouth. He made a face then tried again and got his chin.

 

Confused blue violets met laughing cerulean, “I'm never kissing you again.” Duo said sounding put out, his bottom lip puckering before he let his head fall back to Heero's chest.

 

A cool hand glided along his ear then under his chin and tilted his head up enough to kiss him. It was light and sweet with Heero running his tongue across his lips. Duo shivered, tongue sneaking out to retrace where Heero's had been.

 

“Mm... Maybe not… never.”

 

Heero snorted, pulling Duo back down to rest on his chest. The feel of Heero's chin on the crown of his head, strong arms around him and the sound of his heart, grounded him against the nervous tickle at the back of his mind. With a heavy sigh, Duo slipped into a dreamless sleep.

 

Tbc…