Intro: Wufei's nightmares, Une's suitor and Duo's kiss.
Author: Zalia Chimera a.k.a Shadow Sorceress
Archiving: Sure! Just ask me first.
Warnings: Yaoi and het! 5x2/2x5, 3x4, and a bit of 13+11. Errm, Angst, NCS (nothing graphic though) and Evil Zechs and Heero (okay, i normally don't like making the characters evil, but since the bad guy, Ariel, in Obernewtyn is a tall, long haired blond, blue eyed guy, Zechs kinda seemed appropriate.)
Notes: This is a crossover between Gundam Wing and one of my fave book series, the Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing (Damn!!) or the Obernewtyn Chronicles (*sniff* Not even Ariel or Domick!). So please don't sue.
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~White blond hair taunted him in his dreams that night, while phantom hands ghosted across his body. It felt wonderful at first; soft, gentle... loving, but as the moments passed the touches became harder, painful.
Stop it! he cried into the dream, voice strangled. Stop it... please.
The ghost just smiled, biting harshly at his shoulder and then whispering into his ear, You tried to escape me, little fool. But I'll have you back eventually. I promise it.~
Wufei awoke drenched in a cold sweat, covers tangled tightly around his legs. For a moment he couldn't remember where he was, fear clouding his mind. A noise across the room startled him and he jerked around, peering through the darkness. He sighed in relief as he recognised Duo's shadowy figure curled up in his own bed across the room.
He untangled his legs from the covers and straightened the sheets, then slid back beneath them, pulling them up to his chin. I don't have to worry any more he thought angrily, clutching the cover until his knuckles began to turn white. He can't find me. He doesn't even know where I am. Wufei repeated this like a mantra, but he still couldn't quite bring himself to believe it.
* * * * *
Wufei, you have to get up! Duo dragged the bedcovers away from his body, leaving him exposed to the cold. Wufei whimpered and scrunched down into the warm hollow formed by his body.
Go way Duo. Lemme' sleep.
Duo laughed and tugged at his arm, pulling him into an upright position. Come on Wufei! There's something really great happening today, Quatre says.
Wufei glared at him blearily. Why are you so cheerful this early in the morning?
Duo laughed again and sat down next to him on the bed. It's not early Wufei. It's nearly noon!
Oh. Well, that changes everything, Wufei said, blushing faintly. Why didn't you wake me?
The braided boy grinned at him. Because you looked so cute asleep like that! Wufei raised an eyebrow and Duo smirked. Okay, you looked exhausted last night and there's really nothing to do today cause of the Moonfair and I thought you needed the rest. But... Duo leaned in close to him. you do look gorgeous when you sleep too.
Wufei blushed harder and grabbed the bedcover from the floor, throwing it at Duo who spluttered indignantly when it landed over his head.
A month had passed since his arrival at Obernewtyn and his life had settled into a comfortable routine. He shared a room with Duo and helped around the House and grounds as he could. Reluctantly, he had been forced to admit, at least to himself, that he liked Obernewtyn and its people. However, he still shied away from mental contact, refusing all offers to help him use his own abilities.
Duo almost dragged him down the corridor and to the main hall as soon as he was dressed. Come on Wufei!
The two of them slipped into seats at their usual table, Sally joining them soon after with a sly smile on her face. She sipped her drink slowly, listening to Duo enthusing about the fireworks that would be the height of the festival that night, before speaking in a highly amused tone. Just wait until Une arrives if you're looking for fireworks.
Wufei shot a glance at her. What do you mean?
Sally's smirk widened. The Sadorians arrived late last night, along with Une's... ahem... suitor.
Wufei choked on his drink and Duo leaned over to pound on his back. Une? Suitor? He had come to know Une a little better, but in all honesty, the woman scared him with her unpredictable mood swings. Nonononono, you must have heard wrong. She'd kill them!
Oh, I heard right. When we went to Sador he proposed and she agreed. She took another drink. Of course she didn't realise that at the time.
Duo snickered and then began to laugh, stopping suddenly when Une stalked into the room, a sour expression on her face. Following her was a tall red-haired man. That's him! Sally muttered to them. He's called Treize or something.
They finished their meal slowly, watching as Une smouldered in anger across the room, then left hastily as the screaming began.
*~*~*~*~*
That night saw Duo and Wufei outside, settled on a rug overlooking the courtyard where the fireworks were just beginning. Most of their afternoon had been spent watching the entertainments put on by various guilds. Quatre and Trowa had joined them briefly, before disappearing inside together when it began to get dark.
Duo turned slightly as the fireworks illuminated the sky, watching Wufei through his bangs. For the first time, Wufei's expression seemed completely open and the braided boy smiled at seeing it.
Wufei turned to him, as if feeling his gaze, one eyebrow raised in question. What?
Duo shrugged, picking at the blades of grass beneath his fingers, pulling them up and shredding them mercilessly. Nothing. Just thinking that that's the first time I've seen you really look happy since you came here.
Wufei's expression was immediately guarded. was all he said, before tuning back to continue watching the display. But his face remained blank of the joy it had shown before.
The silence between them grew and Duo fidgeted almost nervously, twisting the blanket in his hands while Wufei studiously ignored him. What is wrong with him? Duo thought. He always acts so tough, but he wakes up terrified some nights and thinks I'm asleep. A self-depreciating smile crossed his face. Not that I can be much better sometimes.
The fireworks ended with many moans and cries for more. Many people began moving, picking up rugs in their arms and heading towards the House others walking towards the courtyard to congratulate performers and speak with friends.
Duo stopped the dark haired boy from standing with a hand on his arm. I'm sorry if I offended you.
Wufei blinked in confusion. Why would you have offended me, Duo?
I... I thought that I must have with my comment earlier.
It doesn't matter. You didn't offend me. I just...
You're allowed to be happy Wufei, Duo interrupted. Just because I noticed doesn't mean you can't.
It's not like that. It's... habit, I suppose.
Oh. Alright.
There was silence for a few moments more, before Wufei stood, brushing hands self-consciously over his clothing, Duo following suit. Just before Wufei leaned down to gather the rug, Duo acted on impulse and pulled him close, wrapping arms around Wufei nervously.
Shock clouded the gypsy's face. Duo? What...
Duo leaned in, pressing his lips to Wufei's as hard as he dared. Wufei's eyes widened and he struggled for a moment before relaxing into the kiss, returning it clumsily.
A long moment passed before they broke away, both boys flushed. Wufei licked at his lips, savouring the taste of Duo on them while Duo shifted from foot to foot anxiously.
I'm sorry Wufei! I shouldn't have done that, Duo blurted out suddenly and to his surprise, Wufei smiled.
I don't mind. It was... pleasant.
Duo's face remained worried. You mean it? We can forget about it if you'd like.
Wufei shook his head, bending down to scoop the blanket up in one arm, holding out his other hand to Duo. No. I don't want to. We... we can discuss things tomorrow.
Duo placed his hand in Wufei's and together they walked to their room.
*~*~*~*~*
Duo's cries awoke Wufei that night, as happened every few nights, although he had not dared use his talent since that first time. He didn't mind, happy that they distracted him from his own nightmares.
He held Duo tightly, waiting until his breathing calmed and his mental sobs stopped. Laying the braided boy carefully back down and covering him gently with the duvet, Wufei slipped from the bed.
Something stopped him before he could cross back to his own bed and he stared down at Duo's face, now peaceful. Did he really kiss me? He knelt silently next to the sleeping boy and reached out a hand, before biting his lip and pulling back. For a moment he wavered between his desire to do... something, and his own fears.
He said it was allowed for me to be happy. It couldn't hurt...
Moving forwards slightly, lips hovering over the braided boy's as he hesitated, he kissed Duo softly.
A harsh shove sent him sprawling to the floor and Duo stood above him, eyes furious and terrified.