Title: Say You Love Me
Author: KnightKitten
Summary: Duo Maxwell's only chance at a free life is by convincing the Elven Princes of the Free Kingdoms to shelter him. Sadly, Prince Heero Yuy is disagreeable on the best of days.
SHIP(s): 1x2 4x3 6x5
Rating: M
Warnings: Slash, AU, mentions of mpreg, abuse, lemon.
Duo was stepping out of the bathroom when the vision hit him. He felt himself straightening and slackening out, his eyes unfocusing and then he was unaware of his own body. His whole consciousness pulled inwards and suddenly he felt as if he were somewhere else entirely.
His gift separated itself into the visual and the physical. Most of his visions, ones that didn't involve his own direct presence, were otherworldly, like watching events unfold or just getting flashes that linked themselves into facts in his head. The physical visions, however, were events that involved his own presence intricately. Once he'd had a vision of one of the guards attacking him. He'd felt the bite of the man's sword as acutely as if he'd actually been stabbed. He'd been able to prevent that one inadvertently. It had occurred to him early that visions tended to only happen when you actively avoided them or if they were just meant to be. It was his curse that he was rarely able to change things.
The room in was like nothing he'd ever seen before; the walls were like curling lattices of wood, steel and foliage. Bright cheery silks were draped over any gaps in the structure, creating a cozy, safe feeling despite the dimness of his surroundings. Duo heard footsteps and then a warm presence at his back. He felt a hand curling around his ear and ghosting along the tip tenderly, trailing down his neck and under his arm, then around his waist. Dream-Duo's head fell back onto the taller persons shoulder and then gasped as a mouth attached itself to his neck, suckling and biting gently. Fire was coursing through his veins, his pulse raced and he could feel a mark coming up under those beautiful lips. He spun around, sliding his arms around the much taller person's neck. They were pressed against one another and there were too many clothes between them as their lips latched onto one another's in an open-mouthed kiss. The mysterious person pushed at Duo's tongue with his own, fighting for dominance. Duo gave in after a long moment, allowing the taller person to plunder his mouth as they ran hands down his back, his buttocks and smoothed over his thighs.
Duo couldn't make out the persons face no matter how hard he tried, and he was powerless to stop it as Dream-Duo pulled the strap holding a pouch of arrows to his back over his head as well as a bow and then as the mysterious other person undid the belt to his sword. Duo frowned at all the weapons, surprised that he of all people appeared armed to the teeth. He wished he could close his eyes as the two continued, but Dream-Duo was well and truly in control as he pulled at the others shirt. Most protests fled his mind momentarily as the sleek planes of the mystery mans torso was revealed to him. Dream-Duo was picked up then, long limbs sliding around his partners waist, as a blazing trail of fire was licked down his chest. Duo felt every swipe of the strangers tongue and was left gasping and flushed as he was backed into one of the walls and pinned there as his body was mapped out with the others mouth and tongue.
A hand found its way to his pants and then they were being unbuckled and pealed off reverently. Duo felt the cool touch of sheets against his thighs and back as he was lowered into the silk folds of the bed. Caring hands trailed gently over the planes of his stomach and down over the creamy paleness of his thighs, parting his legs slowly a hand teasing at his entrance. Deep cobalt eyes clashed with sparkling violet and then the vision faded.
Duo jerked and next he knew he was staring into his own flushed face. The mirror reflected glazed amethyst eyes and flushed cheeks, staring back at him dazedly. Duo breathed heavily, slumping against the dresser wearily, trying to shake the vision from his mind and the strange thoughts it instigated. He'd never felt anything like it before, fire coursing through him, encased in cooler flesh channels, only escaping through a blazing flush he could feel on his face. And he wasn't completely sure he didn't like it. His limbs were shaky and weak as he dragged himself across the room and collapsed onto the softness of his bed. Breathing deeply, he contemplated the sheets underneath him and couldn't help but compare the black satin to the creamy soft sheets of his dream.
Sighing, he recalled the placid warmth and feeling of being cared for and felt a dull ache at the loss of it. Curling onto his side, Duo pulled the sheets to him feeling weak. Taking a handful of his hair into his fist, Duo pulled scrunching his eyes shut. Flinging himself from the bed a moment later he strode across the room purposefully, squashing the pessimism flowing through him. He pushed the dresser out of the way roughly, caring nothing for the trinkets that crashed to the floor. That had all been given to him by his father. Throwing the rug back he pushed a heel to one of the floor boards; there was a pocket that existed underneath where the tower room hovered over the twirling stairs from the third floor. It was almost built into the stone and encased by wooden rafters. He reached in reverently, pulling the sheathed blade from within as if it might break. He'd stolen it many years ago on the day the guard had attacked him. He was convinced the real reason he was given the vision was so that he thought to take the sword, not so that he could divert the event. That particular assassination attempt had ruined itself. Pulling the silver blade from its coiling leather prison, Duo enjoyed the rush the blade gave him.
He quickly slid the sword back into its hiding place when he heard light hurried footsteps echoing up through the tower. Scrambling to right the carpet, Duo ignored the mess littering the floor around the dresser and threw himself down on his bed curling into the cushions and closing his eyes in faked slumber.
There was a loud battle cry filtering through the door now. Duo frowned into the pillow. Khushrenarda and his father both were the only people allowed into his tower room. The guards were ordered to attack all others. Duo listened intently, feeling the itch to edge towards where his sword lay hidden. The voices were muffled but the sound of metal clashing rang out sharply, muffled voices accompanying the sword play.
His feet seemed to move off their own accord suddenly; he was very aware of the fight still happening outside. He knew he didn't have much time. Dashing to the wardrobe, he pulled out a pair of breaches and a black cotton shirt from within and slid them on. They'd never been worn; Duo didn't see the point in ever wearing anything that was so suited for outdoors when he was constantly kept inside. There was a pair of riding boots there too which he slid on as well, happy with the all black ensemble.
Duo swore as a cry rang out and one of the guards to his tower fell. He recognized old Lando's hoarse brogue and didn't terribly mind that the snide old bastard had been struck down. That left only one other guard and Duo smiled uncovering his hiding place again. Reaching into the nook, he fished the sword and other item out reverently. The long black length of material was soft and sturdy to the touch, one of the few things he had from his mother, a cloak Quatre had given him two summers ago. Clipping the sword to his belt, he wound it around his shoulders and used the coiled golden pin to secure it at the shoulder so it swirled around his figure and covered the sword. Breathing deeply Duo paused standing fully dressed, ready to step out into the real world and exit his gilded prison of so many years.
His feet moved, guided by something that he realized was much bigger than him. By some manner of fate or destiny. Moving to the door, it clicked open under his palm, and Duo could hear bolts sliding and grinding through the metal and wood of the door. And then the door was swinging open silently a slight breeze gusting up to blow his cloak around him, even as he locked eyes with kind blue orbs. Quatre smiled gently, a tall elf standing silently behind him, tucking a curved blade into a sheath at his side, gripping a tall wooden staff in his free hand. Duo nodded back, moving to take a step across the threshold. A jolt went through his body though and he was pushed back violently. Quatre frowned, turning to his companion questioningly.
'An enchantment, keyed to Duo no doubt. We don't have time to dismantle it,' Quatre nodded at his friend's words. Passing a hand over the invisible barrier and pulling it back again Quatre sighed.
'I think it's only meant to keep Duo from leaving. We should be free to enter and leave,' Saying this, the blond stepped forward, pulling Duo to his feet once inside.
'Cullyn wouldn't have hired elvish spell casters for this. Humans work with stone. The roof has wood components. We might be able to force our way up and out,' Duo blinked, fighting back his confusion. Instead he watched the tall brunette move across the room, blowing dark bangs from his face eying the shelves that lined the walls curiously. He appeared to be inspecting the roofing, when he suddenly pulled all the books from one of the shelves and climbed up it nimbly, tearing down some of the gossamer that lined the turret uselessly. Wood was revealed and he gripped the rafters and thrust a foot through the wood a thrum of magic giving out under his foot as well as rotted wood.
'Trowa!' Quatre admonished, 'That woods going to land outside the entrance and one of the guards will know instantly where it's come from,' He huffed and Duo smiled, following the blond as he climbed up next to Trowa.
Trowa heaved Quatre up, helping him through the gap in the wood and handing him a length of rope from the sack on his back. Quatre nimbly disappeared through the gap and Trowa gestured to Duo, pulling him up and helping him through the fractured gap. Duo wriggled, avoiding the splinters and letting his eyes adjust to the lack of light. Quatre was perched on the turret above him, looping the rope around the point carefully. Duo breathed in the fresh air, looking up at the stretch of stars, unhindered by stone walls for the first time in his life. He felt a laugh bubbling up in him, but squelched the urge, well aware of how high up he was and how far he had to climb down.
'I'll go first,' Trowa moved to take the rope from Quatre, but the blond scowled.
'I don't think so. This whole thing was my idea, I'll go first and you follow up the back so that Duo is safe between us,' Trowa opened his mouth to argue and Duo rolled his eyes, instantly aware of the attraction between the two and knowing this particular argument could draw out easily. Sighing he gripped the rope and looped it around his waist and moved towards the edge. Duo shook, muscles tense, as he lowered himself backwards over the jut of the tower top. Quatre gave a cry of panic, having most likely spotted his errant friend, but too late. Duo smiled and fed the rope through further allowing himself to drop down a meter or so. Feet planted on the side of the tower, Duo continued edging down carefully, abseiling the side of the tower like a rocky wall. He felt bitterly triumphant as the edged past his tower window carefully, spotting a large window further down. He glanced into the room carefully, likely on the second floor. Glancing down, Duo saw that the rope wasn't long enough to reach the ground so steeled himself to swing into the room, even as panic shot through him. Stone crumbled under his feet and he clumsily pushed away, landing in an awkward standing position on the open windows stone ledge. Clinging at the stone, he dropped to his bottom, sitting awkwardly on the ledge and clinging desperately with little leverage to the rock beneath him.
Finally steadying himself, he flung the rope out, indicating that one of the elves above could begin to climb down over the ledge now. Sighing, he edged in further, sitting on the cushioned window seat and breathing in deeply to settle his wildly beating heart. Sweeping his hair back he finally looked up and almost fell backwards as his heart near pumped out of his chest. Treize Khushrenada swirled the deep red wine in his glass, seated in a plush chair perched next to a blazing fire, eyes pinned to Duo's form intently. Duo stood, hand sliding under his cloak to grasp at his hidden sword.
'Bravo Duo,' Treize purred, the fire bouncing off his seated form, illuminating him like a dark portrait, 'Very well done. A very daring escape you've staged. But surely you're not alone. After all, wherever did you get that rope?' Duo breathed in deeply. He knew the implications if Treize spotted Quatre and Trowa. He was just itching for a reason to wage war on the elvish capitals: Onalro and Yninil, and the kidnapping of a human prince made a very legitimate excuse. He wasn't prepared to be the reason behind a war against his mother's people, for whatever reason. And it was certainly no way to repay Quatre and his friend for their help. Duo needed to get Quatre and Trowa to safety inside without Treize seeing them.
Duo smirked, slumping against the stone wall at his back confidently.
'I'm quite the capable thief for a prince would you believe. I got my hands on a weapon as well as the rope through dishonest means,' Duo flicked his cape back revealing the sword casually. Treize quirked an eyebrow, placing his wine on a side table and striding across the room slowly. Duo felt himself tense in panic, but allowed the intrusion as Treize planted a strong arm on the wall above him. Treize's eyes glittered above him and Duo felt empowered to notice the adoring twinkle in the older mans eye. Duo tilted his head and smirked inwardly as Treize's eyes followed him, entranced. It seems that he held a degree of power over this lord, who was apparently as distracted as any other man by a warm body and a pretty face. Duo had almost thought Treize Khushrenarda above such human acts. And Duo realized that he was only human. Not elvish. Biting his lip he breathed in for a moment steadying himself. Opening amethyst eyes, Duo hoped that a suitably dazed looks glazed them like frosting. Treize looked briefly satisfied, like the cat that got the canary. Disgust coiled in Duo's stomach, but he bit his lip, trying to look shy and flustered. Treize ran a hand up the side of Duo's face, the touch fleeting and fluttering, but it made the elf genuinely shiver. The taller human smirked, mouth moving downwards, moist breathe flowing over Duo's cheek. Duo edged a hand up to rest against the redhead's hip, the other darting out to float over Treize's back, spread as Duo closed his eyes and concentrated, trying to block out the feeling of foreign lips moving in on his own.
Smooth cold lips moved over his own, trying to illicit a response, but for all his acting, Duo couldn't make himself kiss back, instead choosing to close his fingers, satisfied that his attempts were fruitful as the cool kiss of steal graced his finger tips. A simple summoning that Duo had learned from one of the books Quatre had given him, he had never been able to perform it, likely because of the barrier around his tower. Satisfaction rippled through him coupled with the deep hatred he felt as his first kiss was mercilessly robed from him, only minutes after his long awaited freedom had been granted. Treize drew back, an arrogant smirk of satisfaction frozen in place as Duo's dagger bit into his back harshly. He gasped, falling forward, eyes staring into Duo's, shock coloring them starkly.
'You might think yourself mighty enough to take all you want, but I will never allow you to treat me the way Cullyn treated my mother. I'll not be your trophy elf, nor will I allow you my kingdom. I'm free now and hell hath no greater fury,' Duo hissed, watching as Treize fell into blessed unconsciousness. Duo wrenched the dagger free and dropped it, moving then to grasp hands with Quatre as he landed on the sill gracefully.
Pulling him inwards, Quatre let the rope go, gasping when he spotted the body on the floor.
'Who-?' the blonde elf glanced at his friend uneasily, 'There was someone in here?' Duo sighed, sitting on a chest wearily.
'Treize Khushrenada, my fiancé... I suppose. I used a summoning from one of the books you gave me,' Quatre nodded, moving to sit beside him. They soaked in the warmth and comfort the other provided, waiting for Trowa patiently. Duo felt no remorse surprisingly, just strangely justified that Treize was dying. Quatre had told him of Khushrenada's deeds and Duo had experienced first hand how domineering and callous the man was. Duo only wished he could have killed him in a fair fight, instead of playing on the weakness of all men, and stabbing him in the back.
Trowa dropped onto the window sill, propelling himself into the room effortlessly and pulling his staff from his back all in one movement. He eyed the body on the floor but made no comment, instead turning to Quatre, eying the smaller elf for injuries no doubt. Duo resisted the urge to smile at the silent elf, instead he moved to pick up the discarded dagger and wipe it clean on the carpet. He tucked it into his belt and looked up in time to see Quatre nodding to Trowa and disappearing abruptly as if he had stepped into an invisible bubble. Trowa took Duo by the waist gently stepping forward also. Duo felt as if he were stepping into a wall of water and getting propelled gently through a fast moving current and then they were in another room entirely. Looking at the bright yellows and greens and sky blues and the coiling lattice of foliage and metal that formed the walls and roof, Duo smiled contently, collapsing onto the cushioned floor and soaking in the warmth and light exuding from the room.
'And why didn't we just do that before?' Duo murmured rolling his head so he could look at Quatre and Trowa's standing forms.
'We couldn't take you from the barrier before moving outside it,' Trowa answered, moving to the carved double doors and locking them.
'What about on the roof?'
'Too unstable,' Quatre smiled, sitting on the floor next to Duo and carding a hand through his hair, understanding in his eyes as he observed Duo's dazed countenance.
'Oh,'
Heero was sleeping away the very early hours of the day when the intelligence came through that Treize Khushrenada appeared to be dying. He instantly felt a stab of satisfaction. Pulling on breaches blearily, he greeted Prince Quatre in the meeting room, who was flanked by two guards instead of the customary one. He recognized Trowa and nodded a greeting to both him and the mysterious youth who was only around Quatre's height and had a hood pulled up over his head. Wufei strode into the room then cutting into Heero's short inspection of the black-clad person. He was closely followed by Zechs, who looked bleary and a little ruffled compared to his usually impeccable appearance.
Heero found his eyes floating back to Prince Quatre's hooded companion as more lords and the king himself filtered into the room slowly. A blow to the humans such as this was certainly something to be discussed quickly, before any spies could plant themselves and get a spectrum for the elves true feelings towards the treacherous Lord Khushrenada, who they had never openly shown dislike for. He could feel eyes on his person, and the only someone who he couldn't rule out was the hooded being by the Onalro prince's side. It agitated him, something that he rarely allowed himself considering the sheer pointlessness behind the emotion. Sighing, he turned his attention to Zayeed Winner, Quatre's father and the ruler of Onalro.
'I assume everyone is informed about the events of recent times. Treize Khushrenada is now in a critical condition due to a knife wound to the back. It is as yet unknown as to who the culprit is, but according to the message we received from a sympathetic ally, who thought it prudent we were informed, the main suspect is Duo Maxwell,' The room was suddenly flooded with noise as everyone had something to say. Wufei chuckled into the tablecloth besides him while numerous lords around the room yelled over each other, some looking cheerful while others looked vaguely worried. Heero wasn't overly aware of the details and could see others in the room looked confused, so sent Zayeed and pointed look.
The king knocked on the table calmly, instantly garnering silence. He sat, sighing slightly.
'I can see why anyone less familiar with Onalro would not quite understand the significance of this. Lord Cai Chang here,' He gestured to his left, indicating Wufei's brother, who was seated an unsteady expression on his face, one arm around his crying mate. He was tall and of eastern decent, with black hair and deep amethyst, almost black eyes, 'is the son of my most trusted ambassador from the eastern Elvin provinces. His brother, Lord Wufei, acts as ambassador between the east and Yninil and is with us today also,' Zayeed gestured towards Wufei, who's head was now bowed and eyes shadowed.
'What has this got to do with anything, if I may be so impertinent my liege,' Lady Gloria was only newly married into Onalro and so was more than likely completely clueless to the situation. A few others around the room nodded. Zayeed smiled gently, but continued.
'Cai expressed the wish, many, many years ago, that he was not interested in taking over his father's position and instead joined our great Maethor Fea temple where he served for many years, until he met my brother and the two were married. It would have been forty years ago now, when Reine gave birth to one of the few jewels that of our country. A little girl named Dulcet Chang,' Heero averted his eyes to the slight man curled into Cai's side. Wufei's brother-in-law and Quatre's uncle, Reine was a soft spoken and kind elf, who had always seemed sad, for as long as Heero had known him, which had only been a scarce 15 years. Heero sighed, knowing where the story was going.
'Dulcet was everything we could ask for in a woman and she was a shining example of Elvin royalty. She was attending a function in Yninil when she met a young Elf by the name of Odin Lowe, and accomplished sword master in the service of the Yninilian royal family. They married and were happy for the scarce years they were together. They were traveling here to visit her parents when they were attacked on the road. We suspect humans in the matter as Odin's body was found but Dulcet's was not. It was only later that we learned that she had been in Eltoo for a time, given birth to Cullyn Maxwell's son and then died in quick succession,' The room was silent for a long moment. Before Cai sighed loudly.
'That was seventeen years ago. I suspect Duo would now be sixteen, young even in human years. We do not even know whether he is Amilesse or Varnasse,' Heero cleared his voice, gaining the attention of the whole room.
'Yninil intelligence was under the impression that Duo was an Amilesse. This may also explain Treize's presence in Eltoo. An alliance was recently made between Eltoo and Treize's forces. It is our suspicion that Duo has been engaged to Treize as a bargaining piece of sorts. It is fortunate that he has appeared to escape,' the room was in an uproar again.
Zayeed had a little more difficulty calling everyone's attention this time, but managed none-the-less.
'It is our top priority to have Duo found. He is now third in line for the Yninil crown and it is imperative that he is retrieved, without the human's knowledge that we are in any way involved. We can't risk open war,' everyone was nodding, some moving to organize and utilize contacts already. Reine looked up for the first time then and cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention.
'I think it should be known that I do not believe that Duo is Maxwell's son. Dulcet and Odin's whole reason for traveling here was because Dulcet wished to inform us of something. I believe that she was coming to tell us in person that she was with child. The possibility does exist. Which means in Elvin laws, he is also a citizen of Yninil. Does this move you to help us fully, Prince Heero?' Everyone's eyes were on him fully now. Heero nodded, not taking a moment to pause. Any son of Odin Lowe was as important to him as life itself.
A/N: "How does Heero hide his gun while wearing skin tight spandex shorts?"…It's a very interesting question, rather frightening and it leads me to lack faith in the authenticity of Heero's enticing man-bulge sadly. Moving on, I think I may have made a mistake in the last chapter regarding the lay-out of the tower entrance, but we're an imaginative bunch, we'll deal I'm sure:: grin ::
Anywho, furthermore I was rather alarmed by the influx of reviews for the first chapter and I think I felt the pressure a little bit to live up too expectations. I hope you all find it satisfactory after the extremely long wait. I find myself predicting that I'll probably get a few people wanting Duo and Heero to meet and so, I added a little something to tide you over, because Duo ain't sticking around Onalro much longer.
As for the family history and the mention of the Maethor Fea's, all will be explained and I'm sorry for the heavy content!
Oh yeah, I mentioned it last chapter, but the Amilesse variety of the elves have a mark on their shoulder blades. If anyone wants to sketch me something nice, it would be most appreciated!
