Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Walking On Glass ❯ Walking On Glass Part 2 ( Chapter 2 )
Disclaimers: They aren't mine and I am making no money for writing this or any other story nor do I own the rights to 'The Little Mermaid' by Hans Christian Anderson.
Pairings: 1x2 5+2 1xR
Category: Fusion/Angst/Death/AU
Warnings: YAOI and death
Ratings: R
Title: Walking On Glass
Author: yellowhorde
Feel free to send comments/constructive criticism to yellowhorde@hotmail.com
WALKING ON GLASS
Part Two
Thunder rumbled as the two horses pounded along the water-drenched sand. The setting sun cast long shadows out in front of them. A handsome lad with dark messy hair and Prussian blue eyes was riding the horse in the lead, a powerfully built black stallion with a white star down its forehead. The white shirt he had chosen to wear that morning billowed out behind him.
The horse pulling up the rear, a blood bay with a long scar across the chest was carrying a slender Chinese youth, whose shoulder length ebony hair was held away from his face in a small ponytail held in place by a leather cord. He urged his mount onward, but he knew it to be a lost cause. No one on the small island was able to beat Heero Yuy once he was astride his favorite steed. With a rueful grin, the lad resigned himself to being the good loser. It was not a role he was particularly fond of, but in this matter, he had no choice.
After the completion of the race, the two boys walked their lathered horses and talked of Heero's upcoming marriage. It was not a subject the boy wanted to discuss. It was to be an arranged marriage. Heero's father, a wealthy sea trader, had taken his only son's near death experience just a few weeks ago as a sign from the Heavens above. Using the accident as an excuse, he had taken it upon himself to reschedule the date of the wedding. Now instead of being forced to marry in four months, the young bridegroom to be would be joined in holy matrimony to his blushing bride in four days!
"It is really so irritating, Wufei!" Heero exclaimed aloud, kicking up a cloud of sand and his stallion, Nightfall, snorted indignantly as the sand struck him in the chest. With a soft smile, the boy laid a gentle hand on the creature's nose. "Sorry 'bout that, boy."
The two boys wandered in silence for a time, and then Heero resumed his ranting. "I mean, can't I have some say as to who I will be living with for the rest of my life?"
Wufei spoke slowly, weighing each word carefully before he allowed them to pass his lips. "Well, you know, Heero, the marriage really does make sense, financially speaking at least." Catching the dark scowl that his friend hurled in his direction, the slender Chinese youth raised his hands before him as if in defense. "Allow me to continue, please, before you think about killing me. Just hear me out."
Heero nodded once, curtly, and prepared to listen to whatever pearls of wisdom his closest friend had to offer. He knew he had no choice in the matter of his upcoming matrimonial, but maybe, just maybe, his friend would be able to give some reasonable explanation as to why he must submit to the fact. He crossed his arms across his chest and waited.
"As you know, you really don't have any choice in the matter of who you marry, at least not as far as your father is concerned. But Relena Peacecraft is a nice girl. She's pretty and polite and most importantly, her father owns a very successful plantation. If your two families were to join forces, you and your children, and your children's children would be set for life." Wufei shrugged his shoulder. "There are certainly worse situations. Just accept your lot in life, that's all I'm saying."
Heero sighed and continued walking, his bare feet digging deep prints into the loose sand. (Count on Wufei to put practicality and honor before everything else.) But he was right. He really had no choice, and there were worse bride candidates he could have been stuck with. Still, it was damned unfair.
Suddenly, something just up ahead caught the boy's eye. After a moment of perplexity, he realized what it was. There was a body lying on the ground, apparently washed up from the sea. Judging from his friend's gasp, he had seen it also. Who was it? And more importantly, were they still alive?
The two friends sprinted forward, kicking up clouds of sand in their wake. Heero arrived first, followed shortly by Wufei. Heero dropped swiftly to his knees besides the still pale figure. A small pool of blood had formed about the head.
(Oh, that does not bode well.) Heero thought.
Incredibly long chestnut brown hair at first misled the youth into thinking that the unconscious person was a woman. However, as he gently turned over the body he was given irrefutable proof that it was indeed a man. But what a beautiful man, he was!
The blood spilled from a nasty gash on the unknown boy's forehead. Quickly Heero ripped a strip of cloth from his shirt, effectively ruining it, but he didn't care for he recognized this boy! This boy had saved his life on that stormy night in the not so distant past. Cradling the unconscious boy's head in his lap, he glanced up to see Wufei hovering nearby, looking on anxiously. In any other situation, the brown haired boy would have been amused to witness his best friend losing his carefully maintained composure. But now was not the time or place for hilarity.
"Wufei! Go and fetch Dr. Po! She was speaking with my father as we were leaving earlier. Knowing how the old man loves to talk, she should still be there! Hurry!"
(Please, let her still be at the house!) Heero begged silently.
Wufei, glad to have something constructive to do, raced off intent on retrieving the Yuy family's own private physician. In a blur of motion, the Chinese youth mounted his steed and pulled the animal about. He paused for just a heartbeat, shooting a worried glance back up the beach where his friend was kneeling. It was so frustrating! There was nothing else he could do but fetch help. The unconscious boy obviously needed immediate medical attention. It was not an area of expertise for the young man.
His mind recalled that beautiful boy, his pale almost translucent skin, that mass of thick long hair - how helpless he looked, how fragile. Wufei felt something, some strange feeling or sensation stir in his heart. It was not like anything he had ever experienced before. With a sharp shake of his head, the slender Oriental cleared everything from his mind. With a sharp "Hiya!" and lightly tapping his boot heels against his horse's flanks, both he and the stallion were off, thundering up the long stretch of beach.
The magnificent animal pounded away in full gallop, long muscular legs carrying both horse and rider towards their destination easily without any sign of strain or exhaustion despite the rigorous work he had received earlier. A prideful smile graced Wufei's handsome face. The animal, whose name was Hell's Fire, had been injured while still a foal. The young horse had been running playfully down an unfamiliar stretch of field and had run into an all but obscured patch of barbed wire fencing.
Wufei recalled how he had begged and pleaded shamelessly with his father on behalf of the mangled creature. Wufei's father, a stern and independent man, had wanted the animal destroyed. But finally the young boy had convinced him to allow him to keep the injured baby horse in the condition that he and he alone cared for it.
Wufei had diligently taken care of the animal. He tended to his wounds under the supervision of Sally Po. Yes, she was a human physician but she had a much more extensive knowledge of medical information than the young boy could ever hope to have. And after all, a cut was a cut. He had feed and watered Hell's Fire and cleaned him and cleaned up after him. The two were constant companions. They played together, trained together. As far as the Chinese youth was concerned, Hell's Fire was one of his best friends.
Moving as one, the two friends, man and beast, set off in a mad dash to save the life of one mysterious boy. Wufei only prayed that they wouldn't be too late. His stomach twisted into uncomfortable knots at the thought of failing in his mission.
(If that boy dies…)
But he would not die! Wufei simply wouldn't allow him to.
*****
Heero's eyes had tracked his friend as he had retraced their steps back up the beach to where the horses were tethered. With a sigh, he allowed himself to relax, at least marginally. Wufei would soon bring back Dr. Po. The young man placed great faith in the boy whom he had often entrusted his life. Wufei was one of the most dependable people he knew.
Returning his attention to the wounded boy laying unconscious in his lap, Heero's mind raced wildly as he carefully examined the stranger's face. There was little doubt in his mind that thus was the very person who had saved his life on that dark, stormy night! Still…
Heero vaguely recalled watching his savior retreat back into the sea right after giving his name. He had been almost certain that the one who had rescued him had been one of the merfolk sailors on his father's many vessels had often spoken of. He had seen the fishlike tail as he disappeared into the water. Or had he...? He must have been hallucinating, for the wounded boy he held was so obviously human.
Pushing all such ridiculous notions from his mind, Heero carefully placed the boy's head on the sand. Standing gracefully, he dusted sand off of his breeches in a habitual gesture and padded silently over to the water. Kneeling down, he dipped the scrap of cloth into the briny sea and hurriedly returned to his former position.
Kneeling beside the still form, Heero gently applied direct pressure with the wet cloth to the still seeping wound on the boy's forehead. (Who are you, really?) His mind clamored. (Where do you come from? Were you the one who saved me from drowning like so many of those poor unfortunate souls who had been aboard that doomed ship?)
The pale youth winced away from the pain caused by the salt-water making it's way into his still bleeding wound. It stung maddeningly and was just painful enough to drag the unconscious teenager up from the darkness that had held him prisoner - at least temporarily. His eyes flickered open and the confused boy found himself staring into a blurry pair of blue eyes.
(I know those eyes…) he thought fuzzily. Blinking a few times in rapid succession, Duo tried to focus his bleary sight. After a few moments, his world came into slightly sharper focus.
Heero gave a sharp involuntary intake of breath as those eyes fluttered opened. Violet eyes! The boy had the most beautiful pair of eyes he had ever seen - certainly the most unusual color. How many people in this world had eyes of that particular shade? It was too much of a coincidence! The violet eyes, long brown hair, and delicate porcelain skin - there could be no doubt! He was the one! The one who had snatched him from the hungry sea, saved his life, and kissed him with such fiery passion.
"It's alright… you're safe." Heero crooned in a soft, reassuring voice. "Everything will be okay."
Duo smiled faintly and reached out one trembling hand. (…Hmm ... my fingers aren't wrinkled anymore...) He noticed absently. Gently, hesitantly, he brushed his fingertips against Heero's soft lips.
(My prince...)
Perplexed, Heero watched as the boy's lips moved as if to speak, but no sound issued forth. He did not know - how could he have known? - that the wounded youth he held in his arms had willingly- more or less- sacrificed his voice in the hopes of one day being at his love's side?
The outstretched hand fell limply away as the former sea creature felt the black void swoop around him once more. Valiantly, he struggled against the encroaching dark, but it was a futile battle. Not to be denied, it wrapped itself about him, sucking him under into oblivion.
*****
Some undetermined time later, Duo awoke to find himself in a large four- poster bed made of what appeared to be solid brass. Carefully, the boy rose to an upright position. As he did so, dizziness paid a brief visit, but did not stay long. That was good, that was, in fact, perfectly dandy. With eager eyes, Duo gazed around, taking in the countless details, large and small that greeted his astonished eyes.
It was a spacious room, actually. There was an oak night table by the side of the bed, it's top bare except for one hurricane lamp with an ornately decorated shade depicting a summer scene complete with flowers and singing birds. A large mismatched sea trunk lay at the bottom of the bed, looking rather worn and battered. Off to his right was a tall bookcase overflowing with books, maps, and miscellaneous papers scattered here and there. Actually, there seemed to be books stacked on almost every available level surface - the desk, the dresser, everywhere! Everywhere the silent boy looked there were great piles of loosely constructed towers made of books and pamphlets scattered carelessly about, several seeming to all but defying the laws of gravity.
(Whoever uses this room must be an avid reader.) Duo thought in wonder.
Glancing over to his left, Duo noticed a set of French doors propped open to allow a playful sea breeze to prance lightly about the room, gently billowing the white lacy curtains and fluttering a few of the scattered papers.
Duo's gaze traveled just to the right of the door where there was situated an upholstered plush chair in a vivid shade of turquoise. Curled in the comfortable depths of the chair was a sleeping Heero Yuy. His back was propped against one wing back and his head lolled loosely towards his shoulder. Long, muscular legs dangled over the other stuffed arm. Soft snores could be heard with each slow, steady rise and fall of his chest.
(It's would be a wonder if he doesn't wake up with a sore back.) Duo thought with amusement.
Suddenly, Heero's Prussian blue eyes flashed open and he smiled sleepily over at the youth occupying his bed. He unfolded himself from the piece of furniture with a sigh. Absently the slender teenager ran his hands through his sleep-tousled hair. It really didn't help its appearance any. Even a thorough combing failed to tame that wild mane of hair.
In one fluid motion the blue eyed boy stood and stretched his arms over his head in an attempt to rid his back of any kinks or cramps. Satisfied that there were none, he padded over towards the bed, graceful as any feline. The thick shag carpet muffled his footsteps. Reaching the side of the bed, Heero smiled down at the 'intruder' in his bed.
Duo, realizing that he had been staring at his host in awed wonder during the entire waking and stretching routine, blushed furiously and averted his gaze. He waited a few moments, hoping for the fires of embarrassment would be tamed. A warm chuckle startled him and caused him to turn back towards the boy he had fallen in love with.
"Well, now! It's about time you woke up." Heero intoned in mock anger, his eyes belying the effort with their merry twinkling. "You've been dead to the world for almost a whole day!" Absently, he nodded his head in the direction of the open doors where warm, vibrant rays from the dying sun streamed inside transforming everything they touched to gold, at least temporarily.
"How are you feeling?" There was genuine concern in the other boy's voice. Heero had stayed by the unconscious boy's side, sleepless from worry, since he had found him stretched out lifelessly on the shoreline the other day. After all, this boy had saved his life. It was the least he could have done in return. Only within the last few hours had he succumbed to his body's insistent plea for rest.
In response to the inquiry as to his dubious state of health, Duo raised one delicate hand to his aching brow, which was covered with a clean, sterile dressing. As his finger gently brushed against the nasty wound, he winced and mutely shook his head in a negative gesture. A brief frown twisted his lips. No, he had definitely been better. But then again, he had been worse, a lot worse- off yesterday. He shuddered at the images that danced through his mind.
Heero grunted at this response. "Not so good, huh? We'll you'll be better in no time. I guarantee it!"
(Why doesn't he speak?) The Japanese boy wondered. His mind spoke up in response to the question. (He'll speak whenever he feels up to it. Who knows what sort of traumatic experience he has been through.)
Heero smiled and thrust out his hand towards his visitor in the customary greeting gesture. "I'm Heero, by the way, but I'm sure you already know that." His smile became a grin as he continued. "And you're Duo, aren't you?"
Happiness thrilled through Duo's heart so intense it was almost painful. (He remembers my name! Oh, be still my beating heart! Someone pinch me for I must be dreaming!)
Eagerly the violet-eyed teenager took the offered hand into his own and gave a firm, hearty shake. A huge grin filled his face and his eyes danced with glee.
Pleased to meet you again, Heero!
His tongue, mouth and lips helped form these words, but his vocal chords simply refused to give up even the tiniest sound. The boy's grin disappeared as swiftly as it had come. How could he have forgotten the bargain he had mad with the Sea Witch? In shame, Duo dropped his hand and shook his head slowly, heartbroken.
(How am I going to let Heero know how much I care for him, sacrificed for him, if I can't speak?)
Concerned, Heero sat down on the bed besides the obviously distraught boy. The mattress squeaked faintly in protest to the additional weight. He gently took the other boy's chin in his hand and raised that lovely face so he could gaze into those compelling, expressive eyes.
"What's wrong, Duo? You can speak, can't you?"
(Of course, he can speak! I heard him with my own two ears, didn't I? How else could I possible know his name if he had not told me himself?)
Duo remained silent and bowed his head in utter defeat. Shaking his head once more the boy raised his hand towards his white throat and gently touched the point just above his larynx and gave a small helpless shrug. No, he couldn't speak, not anymore.
A strained silence stretched out between the two boys as each was consumed by their own private thoughts. Heero wondered if he had indeed heard his savior speak, Duo pondered over how he was going to let Heero know the feelings deep in his heart.
Finally, Heero broke that uncomfortable silence, since Duo seemed unwilling or unable to do so. "What does it matter if you speak of not? You saved my life and I will always be in your debt. Feel free to stay here for as long as you want." Taking one of Duo hands in to his own he gave him a reassuring pat before releasing it. He offered his own brilliant smile and was delighted when the mysterious boy beamed his own smile in return. Something loosened in his chest, some feeling he could not, or would not, recognize. He panicked at that feeling, afraid of what it could mean.
"Let's get you something to eat!" Heero stood suddenly and strode purposefully towards the large oak door that would lead him to the rest of the house. He pushed that scary, exhilarating feeling away in a very business like manner.
Duo followed the other boy's lead, or he tried to. The moment he swung his legs over the side of the bed and placed his full weight on his feet, piercing pain lanced through his lower body. It was sharp and insistent, showing no mercy in the least. It was as if he were treading on shards of broken glass. Biting his lower lip hard enough to draw blood in the attempt to stifle the tears that threatened, Duo crumpled to the ground in silent agony. He squeezed his eyes closed as the tears began to flow.
(I will not cry!) He screamed to himself. (I have done enough crying in the last few weeks to last a lifetime!)
From out of the darkness, Duo felt a strong arm slide around his thin shoulders. Another arm was under his knees. He felt himself being lifted into the air and placed back on the soft, warm comfort of the bed. The thick coverlet was pulled over his trembling body and tucked gently under his chin. Opening his eyes, he came face to face with a very worried Heero.
Just as Heero had reached the door he had turned to ask the other boy what he preferred to eat for dinner. He had watched in horror as Duo fell to the ground, obviously in great pain. He had gotten over the terror quickly and he had been at the boy's side in just a few seconds. The smaller boy had bitten his lip and a thin line of blood trickled down his chin. His whole body was trembling.
(What's wrong, Duo?)
But he had not asked for he knew that the braided boy would not have been able to respond in a manner that he could comprehend.
He gazed down at the boy with great concern until finally the tremors that wracked his thin body subsided. Presently, Duo opened his eyes and with grim determination tried to rise once more, but Heero easily restrained his visitor. He was simply amazed at how light the boy was.
"You stay right where you are." Heero ordered in a tone that demanded complete obedience. "I will go and fetch the Doctor."
Nodding his head Duo leaned back and made himself comfortable in the pile of fluffy pillows. He was in no mood to argue. The pain had taken him by surprise. He had thought that it had been a temporary side effect from the initial spell. It would disappear in no time. Now, he was beginning to wonder. The pain was just as sharp as it had been the first time he had attempted to walk.
(How am I going to live as a human if I can't walk?) This thought terrified the longhaired youth. (I will just have to ignore the pain. I can't let Heero know how much it hurts. I don't want his pity. Surely it will eventually go away. Won't it?)
(Please God - please make the pain go away.)
Sally Po's examination of Duo showed no signs of any physical injuries other than the obvious one on the lad's forehead. She could not explain why the boy was unable to speak or why it hurt him so much to walk. His legs were strong, muscular. He appeared to be in perfect health, although his body temperature was a little low. It just didn't make any sense. She finally came to the unsatisfactory conclusion that both the loss of his voice and the pain in his legs and feet had been brought about by some sort of trauma that the young boy had endured prior to being found on the beach the other day.
Duo knew that the Doctor was on the right track, but he didn't want to cause either her or Heero any unnecessary worry. Nor did he want to be a nuisance or a burden to his new friends. In an attempt to alleviate their fears, he had risen out of the bed and slowly wobbled about the room to show them that he was perfectly fine. Nothing wrong here, folks! He had stoically gritted his teeth and hid the pain behind a smiling mask, never once letting on as to how much that casual stroll had cost him, physically.
To his mounting dismay, the pain was not fading away. Instead, it seemed to intensify with each tentative step he took. But the young Duo was determined to walk as any other human did. Proud, tall, and upright on two legs! He would do this no matter how much it hurt him to do so!
Seemingly convinced by Duo's walking demonstration, Heero turned to Sally, who was gathering up her instruments and depositing them into her black satchel.
"So," he began nonchalantly, "Is it okay for me to show Duo the sights on the island tomorrow?"
The young Doctor glanced towards the young man as she snapped closed her bag and prepared to depart. She couldn't help but smile at the eager expression in his blue eyes.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt." She muttered absently. "Anyway, even if I were to say no, you two would probably sneak out on your own." She headed towards the door. "So be my guest and have a little fun."
The two boys grinned at each other and Heero flashed his first two fingers in a V for victory.
*****
To Be Continued…
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