Warnings: R, 3x4, 1+R, 2+H, 5+S, 13+11, 6+9 - Sap, Angst, Lime, AU
Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
A big thanks to Katie for beta reading this for me!
FALCON'S REVENGE
Part Three - Recovery
Quatre awoke to pain like nothing he had ever experience. His left hand side burned as though a thousand tiny pokers had been placed within his body.
He shifted and moaned slightly, the noise bringing a gentle but firm hand to rest on his uninjured shoulder impeding any further movement. Quatre opened his eyes to see Heero standing beside the bed, his face unreadable.
'Heero?'
Quatre struggled to sit up but the captain frowned him into submission. Quatre glanced around the room, nothing was familiar. 'What is going on? Where am I?' he pressed and the captain sighed.
'You know you shouldn't even be alive, how you manage not only to be awake but also this bothersome in only three days is nothing short of amazing' he said gruffly before gracing Quatre with a rare smile.
'Glad your still with us my lord. After you took your wound I thought us done for, but some unexpected help turned up and defeated the raiders. Then we brought you here to see if we could patch you up.'
Quatre frowned 'Unexpected help?'
Heero nodded. 'Hn, from the forest rangers. Apparently the place we were ambushed is close to their barracks so when they heard the commotion they hurried to help us, not a moment too soon either. Their leader is a quiet young man called Trowa, I'm sure you'll meet him soon but until then you need to rest.'
Quatre was about to argue but was cut off as he yawned involuntarily, feeling fatigue begin to take over again despite three days of rest, Quatre nodded slightly 'I'm glad you are safe Heero,' he murmured before once again sleep claimed him.
The next time he awoke it was dark, a small fire burned in the heath opposite his pallet and Quatre could smell the distinctive aroma of spit roasted venison. His stomach cramped as if to reiterate to him that he had not eaten for three days.
Glancing about the small room the young lord could see no one around to tell him otherwise so taking a deep breath he swung his legs over the side of the pallet and sat up.
His side ached and his head swam but Quatre refused to let discomfort leave him like an invalid on his sick bed. Gritting his teeth he used the wall as support as he made his way across the room to where his breaches lay across a chair. Sitting on the chair he managed with much grunting and cursing to get the clothing on before turning his attention to his tunic.
Seeing it nowhere in sight Quatre assumed it had been too soaked in blood to salvage. It was still autumn though he supposed, and not likely to be too cold, so with that thought in mind the young man got unsteadily to his feet and made his way to the door of the room.
The door opened straight out onto a common area, a large fire burned brightly in the centre with a deer roasting slowly over the flames. Focusing his attention on the fire Quatre moved forward, swaying slightly but in all rather pleased with his progress. Pleased that was until a shout from the other side of the fire alerted the others the young noble's approach.
Quatre paled slightly as he saw Heero rise from where he had been sitting talking to another man. The shift in concentration caused Quatre to loose his footing and crash towards the floor.
Just before he hit the ground the young man felt strong arms from behind encircle him steadying him on his feet. Quatre turned his head and came face to face with the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Deep forest green eyes encased in perfect features assaulted his senses and Quatre's legs gave way again only to be caught and lowered slowly to the ground still held tight against a sinfully lean and muscled body.
Heero glared at the young man on the ground, 'Idiot!' he raged, 'What do you think you're doing? You shouldn't be up for a least another week, damn it Quatre don't you understand, you shouldn't even be alive!'
The young lord lowered his head. 'I'm sorry Heero. I was, well I was hungry and there was no one about so.'
'So you thought you'd make your merry way to feed yourself ignoring the fact you have what should've been a mortal wound in your side, you're an idiot; my Lord.' The honorific tacked on the end was spat with such sarcasm that Quatre winced and wondered just how he was going to talk himself out of this mess.
To his relief the man behind him seemed to take pity on the blonde in his arms. 'He seems to be sufficiently reprimanded captain, perhaps we should get lord Quatre back to bed first and then you can continue to berate him in more comfortable surroundings?'
There was an ironic wit in the man's tone that immediately adhered him to the young lord and Quatre willingly let him support him on the way back to the cabin.
He turned back to look at the captain, 'Um, Heero?'
The man's blue eyes narrowed dangerously, 'Um, I really am quite hungry, do you think,' the captain snarled making Quatre jump but he whirled round and strode off towards the camp fire leaving the Quatre and the mysterious stranger to make their slow way back to the room.
The man was chuckling under his breath as they moved towards the cabin Quatre leaning heavily on him. The young lord looked up at him his face puzzled, 'What's so funny?'
The man looked down at him giving him a half smile that made Quatre's heart pound 'Heero is usually so calm and focused, you really seem to irritate him though, I just found that slightly amusing.'
Quatre returned the laugh grinning, 'I suppose you're right, he is very young for a captain, only five years older than myself I believe, but he has a short temper.'
They both fell silent as the ranger helped Quatre back in to bed, 'I seem to be at a disadvantage though, you seem to know my name but I'm afraid I do not know yours.'
The man once again gave Quatre a half smile before pulling up a chair next to the lord's pallet, 'I am the leader of you father's rangers my lord, my name is Trowa Barton.'
Heero entered the room not long afterwards to find his lord and Trowa sitting in comfortable silence as they waited for him to return.
Heero could see clearly that the young lord once again fought fatigue as his eyes kept slipping shut and he leaned heavily against the wall.
The captain crossed the small room quickly handing the blonde a platter with venison and bread, Quatre's eyes lit up at the sight and he fell into the meal with vigour, his fatigue momentarily forgotten.
'So Heero,' he said between mouthfuls, 'do we have any idea who those men were?'
The captain shook his head. 'Unfortunately none, what we do know is that they were from the kingdom Try-o-Gun, other than that none of the prisoners will talk, that leads me to the suspicion they are sworn soldiers not mercenaries as first thought. I have sent word back to your father but we have yet to receive a reply, the messenger may have been intercepted on the way so I am leaving at first light tomorrow to carry the message myself.'
Quatre was quiet for a moment before nodding, 'How long until I can return to the keep?'
Trowa answered this question, 'The fact that you're up already suggests you're quite a bit stronger than you look, you should be able to manage the journey back in about a week as long as you take it slowly.'
Quatre brightened at this, a week, that wasn't too long at all, he looked back at the ranger. 'Thank you for taking care of me, I'm sorry to be so much bother.'
Trowa looked slightly flustered for a moment and Quatre almost imagined he saw the young ranger blush, 'It's no trouble at.' before he was able to finish the sentence a sudden shout was heard from outside.
Trowa was on his feet instantly, Heero only a fraction of a second behind as the door to the room burst open and a man rushed into the room two rangers hot on his trail.
The man was verging on short with tanned skin, narrow oval shaped eyes and jet-black hair that hinted of origins from the Empire of Kanithlion.
He wore a loose black robe tied at the waist with a silver thong. Quatre's eyes went wide and the man hurried to his bedside and he waved the rangers off.
'Wufei! What brings you here?' he asked, something in the magicians eyes made Quatre dread his answer.
Wufei came to stand by the young lord's side his eyes filling with uncharacteristic emotion as he took a deep breath.
'I come with grave news, for Lord Quatre, Duke of Rebalion.'
TBC.
Disclaimer: As always I make no claim to Gundam Wing or any of its characters!
A big thanks to Katie for beta reading this for me!
FALCON'S REVENGE
Part Three - Recovery
Quatre awoke to pain like nothing he had ever experience. His left hand side burned as though a thousand tiny pokers had been placed within his body.
He shifted and moaned slightly, the noise bringing a gentle but firm hand to rest on his uninjured shoulder impeding any further movement. Quatre opened his eyes to see Heero standing beside the bed, his face unreadable.
'Heero?'
Quatre struggled to sit up but the captain frowned him into submission. Quatre glanced around the room, nothing was familiar. 'What is going on? Where am I?' he pressed and the captain sighed.
'You know you shouldn't even be alive, how you manage not only to be awake but also this bothersome in only three days is nothing short of amazing' he said gruffly before gracing Quatre with a rare smile.
'Glad your still with us my lord. After you took your wound I thought us done for, but some unexpected help turned up and defeated the raiders. Then we brought you here to see if we could patch you up.'
Quatre frowned 'Unexpected help?'
Heero nodded. 'Hn, from the forest rangers. Apparently the place we were ambushed is close to their barracks so when they heard the commotion they hurried to help us, not a moment too soon either. Their leader is a quiet young man called Trowa, I'm sure you'll meet him soon but until then you need to rest.'
Quatre was about to argue but was cut off as he yawned involuntarily, feeling fatigue begin to take over again despite three days of rest, Quatre nodded slightly 'I'm glad you are safe Heero,' he murmured before once again sleep claimed him.
The next time he awoke it was dark, a small fire burned in the heath opposite his pallet and Quatre could smell the distinctive aroma of spit roasted venison. His stomach cramped as if to reiterate to him that he had not eaten for three days.
Glancing about the small room the young lord could see no one around to tell him otherwise so taking a deep breath he swung his legs over the side of the pallet and sat up.
His side ached and his head swam but Quatre refused to let discomfort leave him like an invalid on his sick bed. Gritting his teeth he used the wall as support as he made his way across the room to where his breaches lay across a chair. Sitting on the chair he managed with much grunting and cursing to get the clothing on before turning his attention to his tunic.
Seeing it nowhere in sight Quatre assumed it had been too soaked in blood to salvage. It was still autumn though he supposed, and not likely to be too cold, so with that thought in mind the young man got unsteadily to his feet and made his way to the door of the room.
The door opened straight out onto a common area, a large fire burned brightly in the centre with a deer roasting slowly over the flames. Focusing his attention on the fire Quatre moved forward, swaying slightly but in all rather pleased with his progress. Pleased that was until a shout from the other side of the fire alerted the others the young noble's approach.
Quatre paled slightly as he saw Heero rise from where he had been sitting talking to another man. The shift in concentration caused Quatre to loose his footing and crash towards the floor.
Just before he hit the ground the young man felt strong arms from behind encircle him steadying him on his feet. Quatre turned his head and came face to face with the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Deep forest green eyes encased in perfect features assaulted his senses and Quatre's legs gave way again only to be caught and lowered slowly to the ground still held tight against a sinfully lean and muscled body.
Heero glared at the young man on the ground, 'Idiot!' he raged, 'What do you think you're doing? You shouldn't be up for a least another week, damn it Quatre don't you understand, you shouldn't even be alive!'
The young lord lowered his head. 'I'm sorry Heero. I was, well I was hungry and there was no one about so.'
'So you thought you'd make your merry way to feed yourself ignoring the fact you have what should've been a mortal wound in your side, you're an idiot; my Lord.' The honorific tacked on the end was spat with such sarcasm that Quatre winced and wondered just how he was going to talk himself out of this mess.
To his relief the man behind him seemed to take pity on the blonde in his arms. 'He seems to be sufficiently reprimanded captain, perhaps we should get lord Quatre back to bed first and then you can continue to berate him in more comfortable surroundings?'
There was an ironic wit in the man's tone that immediately adhered him to the young lord and Quatre willingly let him support him on the way back to the cabin.
He turned back to look at the captain, 'Um, Heero?'
The man's blue eyes narrowed dangerously, 'Um, I really am quite hungry, do you think,' the captain snarled making Quatre jump but he whirled round and strode off towards the camp fire leaving the Quatre and the mysterious stranger to make their slow way back to the room.
The man was chuckling under his breath as they moved towards the cabin Quatre leaning heavily on him. The young lord looked up at him his face puzzled, 'What's so funny?'
The man looked down at him giving him a half smile that made Quatre's heart pound 'Heero is usually so calm and focused, you really seem to irritate him though, I just found that slightly amusing.'
Quatre returned the laugh grinning, 'I suppose you're right, he is very young for a captain, only five years older than myself I believe, but he has a short temper.'
They both fell silent as the ranger helped Quatre back in to bed, 'I seem to be at a disadvantage though, you seem to know my name but I'm afraid I do not know yours.'
The man once again gave Quatre a half smile before pulling up a chair next to the lord's pallet, 'I am the leader of you father's rangers my lord, my name is Trowa Barton.'
Heero entered the room not long afterwards to find his lord and Trowa sitting in comfortable silence as they waited for him to return.
Heero could see clearly that the young lord once again fought fatigue as his eyes kept slipping shut and he leaned heavily against the wall.
The captain crossed the small room quickly handing the blonde a platter with venison and bread, Quatre's eyes lit up at the sight and he fell into the meal with vigour, his fatigue momentarily forgotten.
'So Heero,' he said between mouthfuls, 'do we have any idea who those men were?'
The captain shook his head. 'Unfortunately none, what we do know is that they were from the kingdom Try-o-Gun, other than that none of the prisoners will talk, that leads me to the suspicion they are sworn soldiers not mercenaries as first thought. I have sent word back to your father but we have yet to receive a reply, the messenger may have been intercepted on the way so I am leaving at first light tomorrow to carry the message myself.'
Quatre was quiet for a moment before nodding, 'How long until I can return to the keep?'
Trowa answered this question, 'The fact that you're up already suggests you're quite a bit stronger than you look, you should be able to manage the journey back in about a week as long as you take it slowly.'
Quatre brightened at this, a week, that wasn't too long at all, he looked back at the ranger. 'Thank you for taking care of me, I'm sorry to be so much bother.'
Trowa looked slightly flustered for a moment and Quatre almost imagined he saw the young ranger blush, 'It's no trouble at.' before he was able to finish the sentence a sudden shout was heard from outside.
Trowa was on his feet instantly, Heero only a fraction of a second behind as the door to the room burst open and a man rushed into the room two rangers hot on his trail.
The man was verging on short with tanned skin, narrow oval shaped eyes and jet-black hair that hinted of origins from the Empire of Kanithlion.
He wore a loose black robe tied at the waist with a silver thong. Quatre's eyes went wide and the man hurried to his bedside and he waved the rangers off.
'Wufei! What brings you here?' he asked, something in the magicians eyes made Quatre dread his answer.
Wufei came to stand by the young lord's side his eyes filling with uncharacteristic emotion as he took a deep breath.
'I come with grave news, for Lord Quatre, Duke of Rebalion.'
TBC.