Title: I Would Follow You Across Worlds.

Author: Zalia Chimera

Archiving: Sure, just ask me 'kay.

Pairings: Okay, this is where it gets complicated. 5x2, '5x'2 (yes, those little marks are meant to be there) and '5x2 (I'm not going nuts honest). 3x4,'3x'4 (they're really meant to be there). '13x'R (ahh, my favourite weird het pairing), 1xR (I don't know if it's possible to go any more nuts than I am anyway).

Disclaimer: I don't own the Gundam Boys *sob*. I do however own the new
costumes, Wufei's dragon symbol and the keystones.

Notes: Okay, well, there were going to be other characters here, I swear. But I
think they must have missed the plane when I came back from holiday as whatever
I wrote with them just wasn't right. *sigh*. So it's just Shenlong and Duo.


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Duo slipped his key into the lock and then paused for a long moment, debating whether he should enter. One part of him was screaming to leave, to go find Wufei and curl up watching old movies. But something drew him to Shenlong, the lure of having someone who would send him gifts for no reason... be there and never leave. And Wufei wasn't there. He was never there.

The last thought made up his mind and he twisted the key almost violently and shoved open the door, stepping inside and dropping his bag on the floor.

It took a moment for the room's appearance to register in his mind. When he had left that morning it had been... well, normal. A couch and a couple of chairs, a TV, a small table, some knick-knacks he'd acquired sitting around the fireplace. Normal. But now seemingly hundreds of candles burned throughout the room. His dingy greyish sofa was covered with a dark throw of what looked like velvet. Where his coffee table usually stood was another throw, this one richly embroidered with Chinese symbols; sitting cross legged in the centre was Shenlong.

He looked up when Duo entered and a slight smile curved his lips. My little death, he whispered, beckoning Duo over. Duo shook his head, standing firm next to the door, even though the thought of joining him was appealing to say the least. He wasn't going to let the guy unbalance him this time.

Tell me what is going on.

Shenlong inclined his head slightly. Of course. But sit first. It would be churlish of me to stay like this while my beloved is not comfortable.

I'm fine, Duo snapped, looking away from Shenlong's dark eyes.

Shenlong stood gracefully and stalked towards him; Duo found himself following obediently as his hand was taken in a firm grip and he was led towards the throw. Shenlong said again, his voice soft and insistent.

Duo did as asked and stared at the floor, fingering the soft material beneath him. *Okay... can't let him do this to me... whatever the hell he is doing. Stay focussed.* He heard Shenlong shift but kept his eyes stubbornly on the ground. *What the hell is wrong with me? I've survived torture that left me feeling less vulnerable than this!*

You wished to ask me something. The sound of Shenlong's voice drew his gaze upwards and he took a breath.

Yes. Who the hell are you really?

Shenlong shrugged. I told you. I am Chang Wufei. I am just a different Wufei from the one that you know.

Duo glared. I really hate riddles y'know. Next question. What the fuck is going on? I get a bunch of flowers and suddenly some guy who looks exactly like my boyfriend starts trying to confuse me for no reason that I can see at all!

So it wasn't subtle or eloquent. It got his point across and he'd been wanting to scream that all day.

The dark haired man chuckled. I was always amazed at you ability to switch between such coarse language and your wonderful, powerful speeches. But as you wish. The simplest explanation would be, I suppose, that I am from another reality, another universe.

*Oh great,* Duo thought, caught between wry humour and a stab of fear. *He's a complete nut job.*

Do not give me that expression my love. I am not, as you would so eloquently put it a nut job'.

Duo's eyes widened.

Shenlong almost laughed at the expression on Duo's face. To you it may seem strange, impossible even, but I assure you, in my world, it is--while not exactly common--well known about. There are some born who are able to cross the borders between worlds. Like walking through a door from one room to another. Or a corridor, depending upon how close the world is. And this one is very close to mine.

*I'm not hearing this. I am not hearing this,* Duo thought. *It's not real!* That's impossible, he he said out loud. He unconsciously reached for his gun, kept at the small of his back. Before he could grasp the metal though, his arms were caught in a vicelike grip.

How do you explain me then my little death? Shenlong hissed.

You could be someone working for a terrorist group, trying to get close to me by pretending to be Wufei. Even to his own ears, the excuse sounded feeble.

Shenlong raised one eyebrow. If I were, why would I use such an incredible story?

Duo slumped in defeat. I don't know. This cannot be real!

Shenlong pressed a finger to his lips. Of course it is real my little death.

Duo's eyes narrowed and shoved himself away from the dark haired man, drawing his gun and releasing the safety. Oh yeah? Prove it.

Shenlong sighed softly, then smiled, pulling two amber coloured stones from his pocket; he walked to the door and placed one on either side. He looked across at Duo and then placed his hand upon the handle, pausing a long moment before opening it.
Come here Duo, he commanded.

Duo walked warily towards him and gasped at what he saw. He squeezed his eyes shut for a long moment. It couldn't be real, it simply couldn't. But he opened his eyes again and there it was.

*This is ridiculous! I know this isn't really happening... I'm really locked up in a rubber room somewhere wearing the latest design in straightjacket fashion... Really I've just been knocked out and I'll wake up in Scythe during the war... This is not real!*

He took a tentative step forwards, crossing the threshold, stumbling as the heavy, damp heat hit him, almost too thick to breath. He reached out one trembling hand and touched the trunk of the nearest tree, feeling the rough, calloused bark beneath his fingertips and knowing that this had to be real. There just wasn't the technology to re-create somewhere with this clarity, and unless Shenlong had managed to have his house transported to Brazil in the space of ten minutes then...

Almost regretfully he stepped away, and Shenlong quickly shut the door then slumped against it, breathing heavily and face pale. He smiled wanly at Duo. That was a little farther than I had intended. I hope it made my point.

Duo nodded dumbly, still processing what was happening, a million new questions being dreamed up. So... why are you here Shenlong? And... why me? If you're another Wufei, then there must be another me. Why not him?

A devastated expression crossed Shenlong's face and Duo could barely hear him when he next spoke. You were murdered. He looked at Duo, doing nothing to hide the raw expression of pain. Two of your greatest friends betrayed you and you were killed. His voice cracked. You died in Relena's arms and I couldn't save you!

Suddenly, it didn't matter that he knew who Shenlong was, all he knew was that he was Wufei, and his Wufei, his Fei, was hurting and he wanted it to stop. Gently, he tugged Shenlong towards him, leading him to sit on the throw once more. Without thinking about it, Duo wrapped his arms around him, rocking him gently until Shenlong shrugged his arms away and sat facing him, all but a shadow of his pain hidden.

When he finally seemed calm, Duo spoke softly. That's why you came to this world? For me? Because where you came from, I died?

Shenlong nodded, then took Duo's hand in his own, running his thumb over it in tiny circles. I'm sorry for asking you, Duo whispered. I didn't mean to cause you pain.

Shenlong shook his hand and a strange light entered his eyes. That's why I came here. To explain to you.

His voice lowered, becoming husky and he leaned in towards Duo until their lips nearly touched. Of course, I did have another reason for being here tonight.

Duo licked his lips nervously, startled at the sudden change in Shenlong's mood, but feeling strangely unwilling to move away. What was that?

Shenlong smiled. Why... to seduce you.