Genre: Fantasy
Pairings: 1x2, other
Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words
Warnings: Gratuitous violence, abuse, torture, yaoi, lemon, angels, demons, bigotry, hypocrisy, blasphemy, heresy, sacrilege, and general religion-bashing. THIS IS NOT A STORY FOR THE CLOSED-MINDED.
A/N: It's been a week or so, I'm doing better now, I'm hoping things will work out for the best. My family is nothing if not stoic, and sometimes a Que-friggin-Sera attitude works. XP
Infiltration
"We need a plan."
Zechs looked at Heero. The beautiful angel had been reserved and quiet for the last two days since the run-in with Oraia and Relena. He was glad the gold dragon was dead. He did not appreciate being toyed with, and he recalled with extreme satisfaction watching Wufei fling her aside like a twig. And Heero was not the only one who had been affected by that short battle. Treize had barely spoken two words to anyone, and for the first time since meeting the human, he was not clinging to Zechs' side like a limpet.
In fact, he often wandered off by himself.
Duo constantly looked like a thundercloud. His eyes looked like a horizon with a storm just out of sight. He snapped at anyone who came too close, and he hovered over Heero like a possessive, overprotective mother-hen. Quatre wasn't much better. His elf lover had been seriously injured by Relena, and he couldn't move around without aid. Trowa keeping quiet wasn't anything new, but Quatre's normal sharp humor had been dulled by anger. He responded to almost nothing, and when anyone got too close he hissed and reared up like a snake preparing to strike.
It was wearing on Zechs, so he was almost desperate for a distraction. He focused quickly and readily on Heero when the angel spoke.
"For what?" Treize said dully.
"To end this," Heero snapped.
As close to a temper as Zechs had ever heard him. Duo, sitting not far from Heero's side, nodded. Frowning thoughtfully, Zechs started pacing.
"At the very least, a plan to figure out that bitch's plan?" he suggested.
"That's a start," Heero said, sounding impossibly weary, leaning against the wall.
"Infiltration."
The softly-spoken word drew attention to where Trowa lay against Quatre. The elf was recovering well from his injuries, which included two broken ribs. With his head pillowed on Quatre's flank and the golden gryphon curled around him protectively, he looked quite comfortable. Quatre, who hadn't seemed interested by the conversation, looked a little more alert at his lover's assertion.
Finally, Treize came back to life. "Yes. I see where you're going with this, Trowa. I think that's a great place to start. I am already close to the queen, who is close to Oraia. It is also not uncommon for immortals to advance quickly through the ranks of Oraia's army, because they are typically far more skilled than humans. Quatre, you and Trowa would be excellent additions to my entourage. If we were careful, Heero, you and Duo could join in too. But Oraia knows both your faces, so we would have to make sure never to lower our guard for a second. Zechs, you are a master at the art of persuasion, which is never to be disregarded."
For some reason, it relieved Zechs to hear Treize becoming involved once more.
But Heero looked far from convinced. "If there are other immortals in your army, Treize, they will not be fooled by any disguise Duo and I could don. Eventually they would learn our true nature. I am in far less danger from Oraia than Duo."
"But immortals don't habituate human towns and cities," Trowa piped up. "They have their own. You two might be able to facilitiate operations outside of Oraia's army. Such as learning about her religion. What is her dogma? Perhaps we could glean some truth about her plans, there."
"A good way to get to know your enemy," Quatre added with a click of his beak, "is to learn their doctrine."
"Especially since her religion seems such a key component to her plans," came another voice.
All eyes looked up to see Wufei enter the cavern. Zechs, who had only seen this form a few times, couldn't get over the jarring difference. Wufei was such a powerful dragon. It made his human form seem so . . . fragile. Those eyes were the same, however, full of indomitable strength and an unbreakable will.
"I will join Heero and Duo," the Imperial dragon went on. "And before you finish the thought you opened your mouth to voice, Treize, this is not open for debate. Heero and Duo came here seeking my help, and I included you. Not the other way around. My injuries are mostly healed. I will not be caught off-guard a second time. Trowa, I know elves are masters of stealth. I will leave that part in your capable hands. Quatre, I will have need of your impressive speed and keen eyesight. I believe a few days rest are in order so Heero and Trowa can fully recuperate, then we will be off. Good night, my friends."
Zechs watched him go. Something about the dragon always made Zechs feel . . . strangely vulnerable. As though even in human form he was more than capable of taking control of any situation. The thought of all that power being used on him . . . a shiver ran straight up his spine before he could stop it.
Duo was the first to move. He rose to his feet. "I would like a little fresh air before I try sleeping. I'll be back in awhile. Good night." And he quietly left.
Eventually they headed into separate caves for privacy and sleep. Zechs, feeling restless, wandered past the lava fountains. A few fire dragons, still cavorting about, paused to give him a critical eye. Their gazes were such that Zechs had the uncomfortable feeling they were weighing and measuring down to his very soul. He wandered past. Soon voices drew the curious siren, and he blinked when he recognized Treize's voice.
". . . unused to it," the General was saying. "In my world, I always have complete control."
A soft, gentle snort. "The world is always bigger than humans think, Treize." That was Heero's voice. Not a tone Zechs had ever heard him use. Unable to help it, Zechs carefully peered around the cave wall.
Human and angel were standing quite close, Treize's face drawn and haunted. He stood a full head taller than the lithe angel, who looked strangely sympathetic and compassionate. Zechs was once more struck by how angelic a figure he cut. He really would make an amazing King of Heaven someday.
Treize abruptly reached out and stroked one finger down Heero's jaw. "I had no notion, until I met you. I had only read about angels. Beings full of compassion, full of grace and beauty, pure and virtuous. I never expected literature to so accurately portray them. It's almost like all those scholars and historians were writing about you, and you alone."
Heero didn't blush. Zechs wasn't sure he would have been able not to. Instead the angel gave the human a very faint smile, but Zechs could see it didn't quite reach his amazing, cold blue eyes. "I doubt I'm as pure as you think, Treize."
Treize shook his head, and Zechs blinked. Was the human actually leaning forward? "You are everything I ever believed angels to be," he murmured. "I am honored and humbled to be serving you in your quest to free Candora."
Heero took a single step back, his hand capturing Treize's and pushing it down to the man's side once more. "We serve side-by-side," he said quietly. "That is all."
Zechs noticed finally how close Heero was to the wall. All Treize had to do was take one more step forward and trap the angel against it. The General did so, one hand laying flat on the stone alongside Heero's head. Not a threatening gesture because of the expression on Treize's face. One of adoration.
"How could Oraia turn against one such as you?" the human whispered, and he definitely leaned down. "You are so beautiful, Heero. Everything about you is poetic grace, and your eyes are so kind and wise. So beautiful . . ."
Zechs didn't wait to see their lips connect. He already felt like an intruder for watching such an intimate moment, and he did not want to watch the human steal what was very likely the angel's first kiss. Someone like Heero? Definitely untouched. He ghosted through the halls, not quite able to discern his own mood. It felt like a storm raged in his breast. He moved with purpose until he found Hilde, the dark wind dragon.
"Will you take me to the Keirwhyn River?" he asked politely.
She agreed, and soon enough he was sliding from her back.
"Do you want me to wait?" she asked.
"No."
So she left him. Zechs shed his clothing and stepped into the sluggish river. The cold water immediately chilled his skin, and he shifted forms. Silent and dark and graceful he sliced through the water, feeling the occasional slimy brush of a fish. The fool creatures always seemed to take comfort in the presence of a siren. As he roved the river's depths, he caught sight of a dark shape on the bank. Swimming closer, he was surprised to make out Duo. He broke the surface slowly, not wishing to startle the demon.
Duo didn't look surprised to see him. But his eyes were curiously blank. They appeared completely black in the darkness. Still so, so beautiful.
"I suppose great minds think alike," the siren teased gently.
After a moment, the demon's full lips quirked up in a faint smile. "Suppose so. What are you doing down here?"
Zechs hugged the bank, resting his elbows on the grassy slope. "Probably the same thing you are. A little time alone. You should apologize for interrupting my solitude."
Duo raised an eyebrow. "You interrupted mine."
"Ah, well, don't expect an apology from me," the siren said smoothly. "I am not sorry to have you to myself. Come join me, Duo. The water feels . . . delicious."
Dark, dark eyes regarded him. Zechs was instantly swept away by what he found there. Anger. Worry. Pain. Desire. Fear. Weariness. Despair. All of that and so much more, roiling just beneath the surface. Spellbound, Zechs found himself humming as he reached out and closed his fingers around Duo's hand. The demon didn't resist being pulled closer, perhaps lulled by the sweet melody. Reaching out, Zechs cupped one pale cheek in his hand, watching moonlight glint off the moisture left behind. Duo's eyes slid to half mast.
"Beautiful," Zechs whispered into his song. "I want you, Duo. I want to cherish you, I want to pleasure you into a haze of bliss, I want to watch you come undone, and I want you to know I'm the one causing it."
Unlike Heero, Zechs knew Duo was not untouched. But the demon just smiled, a flash of sharp white fangs catching the light before vanishing. "I'm a demon, Zechs. You can't follow me to Hell, and I can't stay with you on Candora. I'm the Prince. What would happen when this is over?"
That thought had crossed Zechs' mind. He was relatively certain one taste of Duo and he would be addicted, unable and unwilling to let go. "Then just let me have you until that time." He stroked the back of Duo's hand, raising it to his lips to kiss each knuckle. Never ceasing his seductive hum. "I will treasure you, Duo."
Duo pressed two fingers against Zechs' lips, but as soon as Zechs parted them the demon withdrew. He wore a strangely wistful smile. "I'm certain you would. But I can't reciprocate, and I don't think I'm the one you really want." With that he stood, stepping backward away from the river. His glorious wings burst forth, gleaming in the moonlight. In an eyeblink he was high in the air, winging higher until he was little more than a shadow.
Zechs drew a deep breath and sank back into the cold water. ". . . I don't think I'm the one you really want . . ."
