Okay, here's Chapter 4. Finally. Umm, thanks to the people who reviewed the last part.
Just a quick note. Bonded simply means married and bondmate means husband or wife.
Chapter 4
Quatre sighed contentedly as he fell back onto the bed of his room, carelessly kicking off his shoes. Smiling slightly, Trowa sat next to him, running one hand absently through Quatre's blond hair. Tired little one? he asked, amusement clear in his thought speech.
Quatre rolled over so he was propped up on one arm and could look up at his lover. Exhausted. I barely got any sleep last night.
Trowa snorted softly. I didn't hear you complaining at the time.
Quatre mock pouted and then smiled. I thought you had to go and report to Gevan.
Anyone would think you were trying to get rid of me. We're already a day late. He can wait a little longer.
The blond turned serious. What about Wufei? We'll have to introduce him to Gevan and you know the coercers will ask to read him and I really don't think that's a good idea. You know how badly he reacted to me.
Trowa nodded. I'll talk to Gevan. Although I would like to know why he reacts so badly to us.
Quatre shrugged. I know I reacted badly when I first came here. I'd been told all my life that misfits were evil so I tried to ignore that I was one. Then I ended up at Obernewtyn and nearly went crazy when Duo decided to speak mind to mind with me.
You never tried to kill him though.
Quatre inclined his head in agreement. True. But I'm sure Wufei will relax eventually, once he gets used to the idea of being a misfit. Especially since Duo is looking after him. Perhaps Wufei just came from a very strict, council-loving family.
But you don't believe that's the only reason. Trowa said, catching the note of doubt in Quatre's voice.
I think there's something else. He was terrified. I think that if it were just because of his upbringing, he'd be angry and disgusted, not scared. People think we're harmless most of the time. There's definitely something that we don't know about.
The room was silent for several moments as both of them carefully thought over the last few days then Trowa wrapped his arms around his lover's waist, sending out his thoughts to lap against the blond's. Forget about it for now Quatre. Duo will get him settled and we'll find out what is wrong when Wufei is more comfortable with us.
Quatre rested his hands on Trowa's shoulders and let his mindshield drop. I hope so.
******
Wufei looked around the main hall of the House, taking in every detail while Duo fetched some food from the kitchen in one of the adjoining rooms. The room was large and filled with long wooden tables and benches with one set in a prominent position near the end of the room. He had been told that this was where the Guildleaders sat at mealtimes, although now it was empty. Along the walls were alcoves filled with candles even though Wufei could see the electric lighting that hung from the ceiling.
After arriving at Obernewtyn they had ridden up to the House, with Wufei clinging to the horse's mane most of the way as he hadn't ridden for many years. Once at the House, Quatre and Trowa had disappeared, leaving Duo to drag him on the grand tour and settle him into the room he would be sharing with the braided boy.
He sighed slightly. He wasn't sure how he felt about sharing a room with Duo. A part of him was dreading it. He didn't want to get close to Duo, didn't want to trust him.
A steaming plate was placed in front of him and Duo sat opposite him smiling broadly. I hope you like it. They're too busy in the kitchens to make us anything properly, so it's just some soup heated up from midmeal.
I'm sure it will be fine, Wufei replied brusquely and began eating. Duo's smile faltered slightly at his tone but was quickly regained.
They ate in silence until they were interrupted by voices raised in anger.
I don't care about your lofty ideals Une! Your Knights and their ridiculous escapades are a liability to us! You are pursuing glory to the detriment of our cause!
Duo winced and tried to make himself as small as possible as a female voice replied acidly and footsteps approached them.
We are pursuing glory to make the un-talents revere us! We ensure that they do not see us as inferior.
A small group appeared centring on the two figure who had been shouting. The man who had spoken first was tall and slenderly built with a long suffering look and an angry flush spreading across his face. The other was a woman with long brown hair, dressed all in black, with a scarf that doubled as a hood wrapped around her neck.
Who are they? Wufei asked in a whisper, trying not to gain the attention of the group. Duo shifted sides to sit next to him. The man is Roland. He's the Guildmaster of the Healers. The woman is Une. She was the second in command
-the guilden- of the Coercers, but she found some information about knights and chivalry in a Beforetime book and set up the Coercer Knights to emulate them. They're a splinter group of the main guild. Good as their intentions are and much as it injures my pride to say this, I agree with the Healers on this one. We need subtlety, not the Knights waltzing around the colonies and showing off.
Wufei absorbed this information with surprise. From what he'd heard through rumours and whispers from the Gypsy leader, the Misfits had seemed to be a complete unit. Nothing he had heard had even suggested that there might be different factions.
Duo continued, not noticing the look of mild surprise on Wufei's face. They're both quite nice when you catch them alone, but they seem to rub each other the wrong way and then they both explode. He looked across to where the group was beginning to drift from the arguing pair, and called across to someone. Hey Sally! Over here!
A woman wearing a healer's white robe and her hair pulled into two intricate twists, glanced at them and then came over, settling herself opposite the two boys, studying Wufei with interest. Duo. I didn't realise you were back. Quatre hasn't been to the Halls yet. And who is this?
Duo grinned. It's good to see you too Sally. We only got back this morning. Quatre went off with Trowa as soon as we got back, Sally mock grimaced, so I wouldn't expect to see them before nightmeal. Duo turned to the gypsy. This is Wufei. We picked him up at Murmoth.
Sally smiled and held out her hand across the table. Pleased to meet you. I am Sally Po. The Guilden of the Healers.
Wufei took her hand , face expressionless as he greeted her formally. Chang Wufei. It is an honour to be here.
You don't have to be so formal here Wufei, she said, an understanding look on her face. You aren't with the Gypsy Clans any more.
He scrutinised her closely for a moment. You're a half breed.
Sally almost winced at he name. I hate that term but yes. She turned her attention back to Duo. So, tell me how your trip went. Any news?
The healer engaged Duo in conversation, Wufei watching her with interest. She seemed like a strong person, but Wufei could see tired lines around her eyes like she had been missing sleep for a while.
Finally she got up to leave, promising to see them soon. A wave of relief flooded over Wufei to his surprise. He hadn't liked how friendly she and Duo had been. Jealousy? he thought. How can I be jealous? I barely know Duo and what he does is nothing to do with me.
Duo turned to him once more and took away the now empty bowl silently. Wufei noticed the thoughtful expression on his face, as if he weren't really thinking about what he was doing. He returned quickly and then led Wufei away from the hall, not paying attention to his surroundings or where they were going. Tentatively, Wufei reached out to tap his shoulder lightly, causing him to turn. Is something wrong? the Gypsy asked, his eyes searching Duo's.
Duo flashed him a grin that didn't quite hide the worry on his face and he shook his head. Nah, just thinking. Wishing I could have given Sally better news. Her bondmate, Domick, is still missing.
Why am I happy that Sally is bonded and isn't with Duo? Wufei asked himself, returning to his own confused thoughts once more as he followed the braided boy down the corridor. It's not as if I care about him.
Is it?