Author's Note: so this project is a collaborative one... haha, it came from an rpg i liked, and is translated pretty literally, so that may explain for some patchy-ness you get along the way. I'm responsible, personally, for Zechs, and as well as Duo, who shows many FAMILIAR characteristics, if you've ever read anything I've ever done. So basically, i slopped the whole thing together, with a couple of modifications, and, tadaa..! but i think it may be pretty entertaining, so give it a chance.
The story thus far:
The war is over, Zechs has returned to a high office as a Preventer (laughable, i know) and Wufei works under him. Heero is M.I.A. and Duo is left to pine away on L2 the longing of lovers lost, with Hilde whom is his business associate.
watch out for Zechs x Wufei / Treize x Zechs / Treize x Wufei x Zechs
as well as Duo x Heero and vice versa
anyway, enjoy... I don't own gundam wing.
The Finest Line by Onions Make Me Cry
first part...
Settling himself back in his chair, Zechs twined his fingers together.
As the sun tilted behind the city in the single window of the once-was Count's whitewashed office, and light streamed sweetly through the glass panes, a change came over the pale Preventer's face as he sat quietly behind the desk. For the first time in many months, the commonplace scowl which so often resided on Zechs' lips, and in his eyes, was conspicuously absent. What was he thinking? There was no way of knowing, now that the normal looks of frustration and malcontent had been washed away. Everything that was noble, and well bred, sung sweet melodies to the eyes of any present beholder, and for a minute of silence, Zechs appeared blessedly anger-free. Worrying thoughtfully on his palm with his free thumb, the gentleman sighed, and addressed his guest.
"You and I… are not friends. Are we?"
Wufei kept his expression neutral, bordering on slightly annoyed as he observed the changes in Zechs. Best not to let them know through physical reactions what you are thinking, The boy thought resolutely. And the things that whirred in his head would make any normal man dizzy. This was a very new ' light ' for the lightning count, (one that a secret part of Wufei would like very much to see again before it was shoved back into its box) and for the sake of keeping the peace, he remained in silence.
Sitting up a little straighter, Zechs peered intently into Wufei's face. "I'm sure we don't need to go into the trivial details of for what reasons we dislike one another, however, I am about to make a request of you, and I hope that, as one gentleman to another gentleman, we'll be able to put aside our differences for the sake of a common cause." the man paused, if not for the simple dramatic effect of it. He had, after all, received lessons in persuasion to rival all others from the master himself, Treize, and as in his old lover, Zechs harbored a secret love for all things with flair.
"I'd like you to tell me what you know about the whereabouts of Heero Yuy. I'd like to help."
Now Wufei's mask faltered a bit, eyes widening in surprise, jaw agape for the briefest moment. Shock was clear, for a bunch of different reasons, but as usual, it was, moments later, shoved back into its respective box and Wufei remained in control.
He thought about it. True they didn't get along, but Zechs had shown interest, even respect for Heero after the Siberian Incident… the battle in Antarctica. Even the last battle on Libra. He had sacrificed himself to save Heero. Now that Wufei thought about it... he was wasting a valuable resource...
and acting like an Ass.
Sighing and leaning forward, pitching his elbows on his knees, knitting his fingers together and holding his head, Wufei sighed again in frustration.
" There isn't much, I'm afraid. Beyond initial sightings in New Port City just before his time in the hospital and a few dead ends in space, the only new information I have that might be of any use is what I got today. My informant never tells me much unless I go and see them. But what I do know is that Heero has been traveling a lot, apparently in places important to the war. He was spotted near New Edwards a few weeks back. There hasn't been any net activity for him. Not that we could really check, the only person who could have a chance against Yuy's security protocols would be Duo... and despite my efforts to keep this bit a secret from him, and the others, I may need his help after all."
The 'Others' didn't need much explanation. His small social group…(no, his family,) consisted of the other pilots, and Sally. He looked up at Zechs, resting his chin on his clasped hands.
"Care to go with me for some coffee and some information?"
Zechs quirked a golden eyebrow, just the slightest bit surprised.
"Coffee." the man parroted, peering intently now into Wufei's face. What was the boy's motivation? It was difficult to tell. "And… information."
The thickness of the silence was palpable. It rang quietly for a good few moments as the two stared at each other, before, at last, Zechs folded his arms across his chest and leaned a little farther back, causing his chair to squeak irksomely.
"…Yes, of course." The prince at last managed, shaking his blonde head. What had he been thinking? How could he refuse? Not when his subordinate was obviously (though unexpectedly) offering an olive branch of friendship.
Friendship. Them? Friends... together.
Comrades. Companions even.
Where did the joy of the kill go? Where was the biting sarcasm? Or the backhanded power maneuvers? Could it possibly be that he, Zechs Marquise, and Chang Wufei had just conducted a civil conversation? And with each other?
And of course, there was the additional mystery surrounding the manner of delivery of the invitation. Something about the slightly relaxed posture of the boy sitting opposite him, and something in the spontaneous delivery of the line had caused Zechs to proverbially narrow his eyes in suspicion. Suspicion of a coffee date having nothing to do at all with Heero Yuy.
What a strange world this new peace was turning out to be.
"Out of all of you," Zechs announced suddenly, sounding a little dry. "all five of you boys, you were the one who always confused me the most." fragmenting their conversation again with silence, the blonde Preventer began to wear on his thumb as he stared. "I'm not a team player, Chang. I won't lie. I don't have any relationship with Maxwell, but I'll see what I can do about contacting him, if you feel strongly enough about the maneuver. Despite our formal discordances, I will assist you in any way that I can."
/Including trying to keep my tongue in check. /
(tbc in chapter 1)
Author's Note: a little tension between wuffy and Zechs now that Treize is pushing up daisies, huh? waha!