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: I think you've suffered long enough after that cliffhanger. I know I posted a new story, but don't worry. I haven't forgotten this one.
Like Rain
Treize bolted up out of an uneasy sleep, and for several moments he couldn't figure out what had awakened him. Blinking rapidly until his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he breathed deeply until his heart rate slowed and evened out. A thin sheen of perspiration covered him, making his body feel sticky. Running fingers through his hair, he tried to discern the cause.
Nightmare? Maybe. He couldn't remember it if that was the case. Then he felt it. A questing thought, brushing tentatively over his mind. Duo.
Yes, I can hear you, he thought. What is it, Duo?
Sorry, I know it's late, the demon said, and his mental voice sounded completely exhausted, and very weak. I thought I should contact you first. I've been captured by the church, and now I'm in a prison.
If it was possible to swallow one's own heart, Treize would have accomplished it. WHAT? Duo captured? Instantly his mind began to race. It was fortuitous that Duo had contacted him first. It would make his plans easy to put into motion. Where exactly are you, Duo?
Dunno. Capitol, still? Probably, but I was unconscious for awhile.
Yes, it's likely you're still in the capitol. Very well. Thank you for letting me know first. Now, I want you to promise me something. Do NOT tell any of the others. Not yet. They would try to rescue you, and all that we're working toward would be compromised. Can you promise me that, Duo?
A long, long pause. Perhaps Duo was considering, figuring out if he could do that or not. All right. Just hurry, okay?
How long have you been captured, Duo? Treize asked, hoping the young demon had not been tortured already.
Not sure. Awhile, maybe. I only woke up a little bit ago.
That had to be good. Treize hoped so. Don't worry, Duo. I'll be there before you know it.
There was nothing more from the demon. Throwing back the blankets, Treize rose from the cot and stripped out of his nightclothes. His army wasn't far from its destination, but his second-in-command could take over. No one would dare question the general if he decided to leave. Grabbing a towel, he rubbed himself dry and quickly dressed. His pavilion would be packed by the others, no need to waste time worrying about it. He went right to the Lt. General's tent and entered without announcing himself.
Waking the man and leaving instruction took a matter of minutes, then he was saddling his horse and heading out. The sleek, beautiful black creature raced through the night like a shadow, and Treize's mind whirled. So much to do, and there was little time now. He could only hope it would be enough.
-
Duo gritted his teeth when the cell door opened. He didn't know where the church had gotten its cursed items, but the iron restraints keeping him chained to the wall burned his skin. If they didn't leave permanent scars, they would take weeks to heal. His wrists had open, raw wounds all around them now, the skin slowly blackening as it peeled away from muscle and bone. It hurt, though it was not the worst suffering that had been inflicted on him.
And fortunately, humans did not have the means to force him to reveal his wings like Oraia. Unless she came here. That thought made him shudder. He wanted to meet her again. Just not like this. Not when he was helpless and unable to fight back.
A shadow falling across him made him remember someone had entered the cell. He looked up into the face of that tall, thin man who'd murdered that girl. The sight of him made Duo shift into a more-upright position, lips peeling away from his teeth in a snarl. He flexed his claws, aching to bury them in this bastards gizzard. The expressionless face gazed down at him.
"Show your true form, demon-beast," he said.
Duo spat laughter. "You couldn't handle it," he sneered.
"It is a pitiful ruse, taking this form of relative beauty to hide your true hideous nature. Show your true form."
Leaning back against the wall, Duo let himself relax into an indolent sprawl. "I'm flattered you think I'm relatively beautiful. Do whatever you want, asshole. I won't show you my true form."
The blank countenance didn't change. Even Oraia had shown some heat beneath the ice once in awhile. Duo wondered if this man even was capable of showing facial expression as he lifted his cursed staff and used it to strike Duo across the face. It caught him high on the cheekbone, and he hissed in pain. He could feel the skin burning and peeling away on contact.
"Why are you on Candora?"
"Vacation," Duo said, adopting the flippant tone that had driven Heero nuts in the beginning. "You know. Hell's so hot, I thought I might take a trip to some more hospitable climes--"
Still no change in expression as the man struck him again with that staff. This time it slashed across his chest. "Have you come to assassinate Lady Oraia?"
"Hell yes!" Duo exclaimed. "That damn bitch is a thorn in the side of every decent demon this side of--"
Another blow, this one knocking the air from his lungs. Gasping and wheezing for breath, when he looked up the thin man looked the same. Not angry, not shocked, not appalled, not even satisfied or pleased. Just . . . nothing.
It was a bit unnerving.
"You will be executed for your crimes, demon-filth," the man said.
"What, no chance to confess and be forgiven?" Duo taunted in a somewhat breathless voice.
"Not even Oraia could save one so tainted as you."
Duo nearly choked on his cynical laughter. "Not for lack of trying!" he cackled.
The man struck him again with that staff, but it didn't cut off Duo's laughter. He knew he sounded a little insane as the thin man left the cell. The door slammed shut with gloomy finality.
-
The fat bishop was surprised to see Treize, that was apparent. Treize didn't give him the chance to speak. "A demon has been captured and brought here," he said without preamble. "You will release it into my care immediately."
The man blinked, obviously caught completely off-guard. "Ahh . . . General, I'm afraid that's utterly impossible. You see--"
"I have been issued orders from the Queen, and her orders came directly from Oraia, Bright Lady of Heaven. You will comply, bishop, or suffer the wrath of her righteous Army of Light."
The bishop paled. "Ahh . . . yes. Well, if the orders are from Oraia herself, then there's no reason not to comply. I will have the creature brought to you at once, General. In the meantime, may we offer you some refreshment?"
"No," Treize all but snapped. "Don't keep me waiting, man! Go!"
With something like a squeak, the fat bishop fled. Rolling his eyes, Treize paced in the office. So much of what he was about to do depended so critically on the right timing, and on everyone doing what he predicted they would do. Of course, if they didn't do what he hoped, his plans would crumble into ruin.
Oraia, Heero, Quatre, and Trowa he did not have to worry about. The only person he could not fully predict was Wufei. The ancient Imperial dragon was a terrible force to be reckoned with, and he seldom did what Treize expected. I doubt I will live to see my plans come to fruition. I can only hope Wufei will take care of Zechs.
At the thought of his beautiful siren, a faint smile tugged at Treize's lips. With moods like quicksilver, Treize could not accurately predict what Zechs would do, either. His actions would undoubtedly be far less destructive, that was certain. There was only one thing that needed to be ironed out. Should he tell Duo what he planned? Would the demon agree? He suspected Duo would--he seemed to care a great deal about Candora.
A tall, thin man strode into the room, dragging Duo behind him. Treize was appalled to see Duo's condition. The demon had obviously been tortured. The fat bishop followed behind, wringing his hands and looking like a fool. Treize held out his hand for the thick chain attached to Duo's restraints.
"I've been told to reassure you both this vile creature will receive his richly deserved fate," he said--a complete lie. "Oraia wished to oversee his execution herself, but at my hand."
Neither man said a word, and Treize took the chain. It was heavy and faintly warm--cursed, then. Of course, how else could they keep Duo prisoner? Even on Candora a demon was still more powerful than a human. He tugged as roughly as he dared, and Duo glared daggers at him as he followed. Treize had to stop the grin as Duo easily played along.
Outside, he ensconced Duo in his private carriage and signaled the driver. "To my villa," he ordered, and climbed in himself.
Away from prying eyes and ears, he quickly released the restraints and bit back a gasp at the damage. Duo rested his hands in his lap and studied Treize.
"You gonna tell me what's going on?" he asked quietly.
For the first time, Treize realized, he was alone with Duo without Heero there. Though burned and bruised, the demon was still achingly beautiful. Unlike Heero, there was a lingering darkness in his eyes. Reaching up, he swiped a bit of blood off Duo's lower lip.
"First and foremost, I was given a secret mission by the queen to find you and slay you," he began. "She gave me an Unsummoning arrow, and I have no doubt she got it from Oraia."
Duo blinked, not quite looking surprised. "Are you going to use it?"
"Yes," Treize said. He saw Duo swallow compulsively. "I am going to arrange for your public execution, Duo. Oraia will be there. And there I will kill her with the very arrow she gave me."
The demon broke into a smile. "Devious and treacherous. Why didn't you want any of the others to know about this?"
"I can't risk anything stopping Oraia from coming," Treize replied. "She is cautious, especially now that she knows you and Heero are here."
Duo nodded. "Makes sense. What do I need to do?"
"Very little. Except maybe look tortured and pathetic." Said with a crooked grin.
Snorting, Duo leaned back and closed his eyes. "By the way, Treize."
"Mm?"
"Heero won't ever return your feelings. His heart belongs to someone else."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Sorry."
For a moment, Treize tried to imagine who. Surprisingly, he found he didn't care all that much. Heero had slowly been replaced by Zechs. Or rather, it had been Zechs all along.
"What about you?" he asked presently, trying not to let demonic stereotypes blind him to the possibility of Duo being in love.
"My heart taken?"
"Yes."
Without opening his eyes, Duo smiled. "Yeah."
-
Wufei had felt it the moment Duo went unconscious. The furious dragon had swept into the crowd too late, Duo was gone. He'd rounded up Heero and Zechs to bein the search, but something told Zechs Treize would already know. He sent out a request to meet, and Treize agreed. He told Zechs where to be, and it turned out to be an enormous villa in a residential area of the city. Walled off by tall, iron-wrought gates, it looked both imposing and somehow inviting.
The General led him inside and offered him a drink, which Zechs accepted.
"You know where Duo is, don't you?" the siren said after a moment.
Treize nodded but offered nothing more.
Zechs stared hard into those dark eyes. "If Wufei and Heero find out, Treize, they will be furious."
"I know."
Setting down his glass, Zechs leaned forward and clasped his hands. "I hope you know what you're doing."
"I do."
Something about his tone made Zechs look at him hard. His eyes widened at what they found. "You expect to die."
A slight pause, then Treize nodded again. He didn't look fearful or anxious. Just . . . accepting. A little resigned. Zechs rose swiftly, closing the distance between them and grabbing Treize's arm, hoping to shake some sense into the fool human.
"You don't have to take everything on by yourself," he growled. "What are we your allies and friends for if not to help?"
A faint smile flickered over Treize's lips, briefly drawing Zechs' eye. "I swore I would do everything in my power to end this," he said quietly. "My life is an acceptable price to pay for peace."
Zechs had to restrain himself from physically striking the idiot. "According to whom? You? That's not good enough! I won't accept that, Treize, and I can't believe you are!"
Treize abruptly rose, their proximity sending a startled Zechs stumbling back. He would have fallen had the general not caught him, leaving him trapped securely in strong arms.
"Zechs," he murmured in the siren's ear, making Zechs shiver, "this is for the best. Of everyone. I have had a long time to think this through and plan everything. I would not die for anything less than final, lasting peace for all of Candora."
Zechs shook his head, shocked to feel the sting of tears gathering. "No, no. That's ridiculous."
"I won't ask you to understand," Treize went on, voice almost hypnotic. "There's only one thing I would ask, and if you decline I won't think any less of you, nor care any less for you."
Still unable to find his center of balance, Zechs met the general's eyes. "What?" Barely more than a whisper.
Words were not his answer. Instead, the human kissed him. Deep, insistent, demanding, probing, hot, and impatient. Not waiting for Zechs to offer, simply taking. Zechs felt overwhelmed, lost, overpowered as the kiss lingered on, sweetly stealing all the breath from his lungs. He felt he was ready to faint by the time Treize released him, and all his strength was stolen by the look in those deep eyes.
Treize led him to his bedroom. There were no words exchanged, no promises or endearments. Zechs couldn't find the voice to protest as Treize undressed them both and tipped them down onto his large bed. Every surface of his body was mapped with lips, tongue, fingers. Caressed, stroked, pressed, or simply touched. He had never felt so cherished, almost as if Treize were worshiping him. For the first time in his life he was lost in a mortal's arms, lost to sensation upon sweet sensation.
And for the first time, he opened his body to a mortal. When Treize's fingers sought his hidden opening, Zechs couldn't find the strength to stop him. Even through the slow burn of the human's careful preparation Zechs was lost. And when Treize opened him further to accept his rigid sex, Zechs closed his eyes and let it sweep him away. Treize was a thorough lover, leaving no part of Zechs untouched or unexplored. He seemed more focused on his partner's pleasure than his own, and part of Zechs wished he could reciprocate.
The vastly larger part of him simply let himself drown in it. Submit and give himself over as Treize made love to his burning body long into the night.