Disclaimer: Roses are red, violets are blue, I no own so you no sue!
AN: In a society where romantic love is overly publicized, people tend to forget that parental love is one if not the strongest type of love that exists.
Full Summary: The war has been lost. General Khushrenada has Romefellar and the world at his feet. He now hopes to build a normal life with his adopted son, the only surviving Gundam pilot Chang Wufei. To please the masses Wufei is portrayed as a miss guided war orphan who is now within the safe and loving embrace of the General. Can you form storge, parental bond with a child who is your enemy?
Can you call the man who murdered your family, father? – "because not all love is eros"
Italics donates thoughts
Philio, Storge, Agape 1
The gentle summer breeze lifted the white satin curtains still drawn across the three full-length sash windows. Sunlight streamed through the windows and leaves rustled as the breeze swept by. Even the canopy of the four-post bed floated ever so slightly as the gentle wind carried in the scent of blossoming roses.
The silk sheets slithered momentarily as their occupant shifted, seemingly resting only his breathing was too ragged and laboured. A bright metallic chime cut through the small cacophony of summer sounds floating through the open windows. The occupant jerk upright, his sleek black hair momentarily obscuring his vision and he hastily drew it back into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck. His black eyes fleetingly scanned his surroundings and he exhaled noisily.
The room, presumably his, bore resemblance to the grand counter-reformation decorations of grand Italian Villas. The thick cream carpet coupled with bright frescos and antique furniture gave the air of aristocratic refinery. Besides the exquisitely carved four-poster bed, there was a full three-piece salon suite situated around the empty marble fireplace opposite the sash windows.
One wall was aligned with bookshelves containing leather bound volumes titled in gold lettering, neatly arranged in series order. Frescos of vineyards and olive groves partially covered the ivory walls between the windows and smaller murals of mythological creatures continued along the wall over the built in wardrobes.
The young boy, for he looked no older than twelve, hastily threw off the covers and slipped into a pair of slippers arranged next to his bed, his dark blue silk pyjamas simmering in the sunlight. Scowling he tore them off him fervently and proceeded to rummage through his wardrobe, presumably for something to wear. However his scowl deepened when the choices of clothe did not meet his approval. Who ever had chosen his wardrobe for him had a definite taste for Enlightenment fashion.
Long regal coats with silk knee length breeches and white stockings, all scaled imitations of real costumes worn by the adults. Without much choice, he was not wearing pyjamas to breakfast again, the boy pulled on an embroided shirt and the required stockings with matching breeches.
Three loud knocks interrupted his dressing and loud cheerful voice greeted his ears as the door swung open,
"Wufei, my dear, do hurry up his Excellency, your father, is already at the table," the nurse, Wufei sneered in disgust, was a fat women seemingly employed by Khushrenada to fret over everything. Right now she seemed rather panicked that he had dressed later than usual. He hastily pulled on his breeches not wanting to have his privacy invaded but of course being a prisoner meant you were not entitled to any privacy.
You mustn't think of yourself that way, voices rang in his head from the many times he had been chided for referring to his position. You are now the son of His Excellency, General Treize Khushrenada, not a miscreant rebel. That sentence had been drilled into him from the moment he had fought his way back to this new and strange world
How long had it been since he had seen freedom? Perhaps two months now, two months since he had left the island. Two months since he had been damned to be Treize's son. But only two weeks since he had made his promises in exchange for Sally's life and he was not going to dishonour himself. He had gritted his teeth and churned out the word father with as much loathing as he could muster but he had done it, he had kept his word and Sally had kept her life.
The nurse was back to fretting over the state of Wufei's wardrobe and had obviously ordered the under-nursemaids, as they were called, to come and tidy it up for him. Four meek looking maids all wearing identical blue and white uniforms complete with aprons and hats trooped inside, curtseying before Wufei.
He had found that strange when he arrived. Everyone, including Treize's specials, bowed to him when he walked passed but none dared to engage him in conversation as rumours of his supernatural abilities had spread like wild fire during the war. A great deal of good that did me! A failed warrior and a dishonour to my people, whose only purpose in life is to be the pet of Khushrenada. If only I could take my own life right now. His thoughts must have registered on his face or the nurse was being extra careful today but he saw her trying to discretely signal the nursemaids to call some specials for a search of his quarters.
"I do not think a search today will be necessary, nurse," he hissed, "I doubt Khushrenada approves of what you do!" That last sentence was obviously too far as the nurse and the nursemaids both gasped and shook their heads in unison.
"Master Wufei, you mustn't talk about your father that way. So disrespectful to Treize-sama after all that he did for you -"
"Silence, you're a mere onna how can you possibly tell me anything!" Wufei exploded. His anger and humiliation at being lectured by an old woman rose through him like a dragon.
"Wufei," although the base voice was not loud, it resonated inside the spacious room. The tone though gentle was lined with steel. The nurse and nursemaids hurriedly curtseyed before Treize Khushrenada. A strange change came over the boy who had been so spirited beforehand. For a moment he looked as if he was going to simply look defiantly up at the taller man but then forced himself to bow his head in respect as if it hurt him to do so. "Good morning, Wufei," this time the tone was more chiding than authoritarian.
"Good morning ....... Father," he hissed with unrivalled loathing as he looked up at the general, his enemy. It was rather hard to glare at someone when you only came up to their elbows but Wufei was not going to be put off.
"Wufei, I heard shouting would you care to explain yourself? Your manners have improved since your debate about conditions; I would hate to see a relapse." The tall and handsome man elegantly lifted his hand to stop the nurse from interfering and looked directly into Wufei's black orbs.
"I was being rude, I apologize,"
"In what nature, Wufei?" Treize's tone was parental, coaxing Wufei to elaborate.
"I broke one of my promises, one of our rules," stated Wufei no longer able to look Treize in the eyes. Why did he feel so guilty? Because his father looked disappointed? His father, disappointed! What was he thinking!
"He was awfully disrespectful, sir, called you by your last name. I had to reprimand him for it," cut in the nurse.
"I understand, Mrs Miles, please, my apologies for his rudeness. He is still a boy; he has been through so much in his short life and is finding it hard to adjust. It won't happen again, will it Wufei?" the disappointed tone matched Treize's expression.
"No, it won't," said Wufei but Treize's expression did not change, "Father," the word carried less emotion this time and Treize nodded in approval.
"Saa, good boy, Wufei. Come breakfast is getting cold. There is no need to put on a coat today, it is far too warm," he gently extended a hand toward Wufei.
Wufei stared at the out stretched hand, it was not the first time Treize had held his hand as if he was a little child but the other times he didn't really have a choice. Treize was a very strong man.
Should he take it? He had promised for Sally's life that he would become Treize's son, his gundam pilot on a leash. If he did not do it her life would be jeopardised. He could not see why the man was doing this, he could not understand why Treize had given him home while so many other rejected him. He did not understand why Treize said he loved Wufei as his son, nor the simple conditions he had to agree to for Sally's life.
Pushing back the rising feeling of humiliation Wufei place his much smaller hand onto the outstretched palm and felt strong, warm fingers closed around his.
