AN: Well, aren't I rocking? Two chapters in two days, it's crazy I tell you, but I've been bitten by the plot bunny so must update compulsively…. Or something like that. Anyway, like I said, updating as much as possible and with my last year of school winding down I'm sure to be getting more done than ever!
Disclaimer: NO! I don't own them. How many times have I said it now? I lost count somewhere in the millions…. Oh well.
Warnings: shounen ai, shameless fluff and sap, entering to the last of the chapters that I actually have written….scary, I'm actually caught up.
Italics denotes thoughts
denotes scene change
Spoils of War: Ch. 25
Quatre sighed and rested his chin on his hands. He really needed to complete his studies, however, something else held his attention. Duo usually was a cheerful person, but for the last several weeks it seemed as if he'd had a complete turn about. He'd been so sullen and forlorn. Quatre surmised that a great deal of his depression had stemmed from the other boy avoiding his blue-eyed slave. Lately though, it seemed as if the braided boy were floating on air. It wasn't that the prince was angry Duo was happy, quite the contrary, but he was still curious. Duo had seemed so despondent before and now he was smiling, and smiling for real.
Laughter drifted in the open window from the courtyard. Recognizing the voice, Quatre abandoned his work and moved to the window. The sun shone down on the courtyard, warming the very atmosphere with its light. The blonde's eyes fell on Duo who sat astride Deathsycthe, talking animatedly to Heero who stood next to his horse, Wing. After a moment, Heero nodded to something Duo had said and mounted Wing. Once the boy was securely in his saddle, the two coaxed their mounts into gallops, racing into the woods. Quatre sighed again, well whatever differences Heero and Duo had were resolved now. Something about their relationship seemed stronger, closer even, because of it. He was angry at himself for it, but Quatre couldn't shake the vague feeling of jealously he experienced whenever he saw the two together.
"Triket for your thoughts? (1)"
The blonde jumped slightly as the quiet question shook him out of his musings.
"Oh… I was just wondering what made Duo so happy lately." Quatre smiled at Trowa. "I'm glad he and Heero resolved whatever conflict they had. They seem happier for it."
"Indeed." Trowa nodded.
His eyes narrowed as he thought about how they would have found a solution to their rather unique problem. With a secretive smirk he continued to read the book he held as Quatre headed back to his work. Silence dominated the room, the quiet serene and welcome.
Duo shifted slightly, laying his head against Heero's shoulder. The slave's arm tightened briefly around the other boy's shoulders, a comforting gesture. The short-haired boy lowered his face to nuzzle the top of Duo's head, rubbing his cheek against the soft hair that crowned the advisor's scalp.
"The council doesn't seem to know how to take your return to the meetings." Duo stated seriously.
"My return is viewed as a threat, but so far our acting has been so well planned that they don't know where we stand with each other." Heero replied.
"I thought that the appearance of a competent bodyguard would worry them, but I don't like their methods for stopping it." Duo growled lowly, rubbing absently at Heero's back.
"Duo," the slave took his master's restless hand in one of his own, kissing the palm reassuringly. "Stopping me from coming to the meetings was only half their goal. I'm sure, had they put their minds to it, they could've stopped me from coming at the very start. No, what they wanted was a reason for me to stop protecting you. They wanted to drive us apart so I'd stop caring and so you'd be left vulnerable. Although… the thought of you being vulnerable is ridiculous." Heero shook his head. "You're far too competent a fighter for that."
Duo glowed with pride at the prospect of not being underestimated. "If we keep up our very strictly master/slave act they might loose interest."
"That's not certain though." Heero concluded. "What we need is a way to make them lose most of their power. There seem to be far too many people involved in the kingdom's private affairs."
"You'd be right about that." Duo sighed. "Good portions of the unnecessary council are members of the Romafeller foundation. They claim a place in the council because it's their personal forces that defend the country."
"Then that's a problem that we need to fix." Heero stated.
"Quatre and I have agreed that a completely pacifistic nation is far too helpless." Duo sighed. "We both dislike war but realize that sometimes it is inevitable. The problem lies, not with differences in views, but in a lack of armed forces period."
"And I'm guessing that His Majesty, King Iman, does not condone the training of soldiers." Heero muttered.
"More than that, who would train them? I may know assassinations, but I'd hardly call myself a soldier." Duo groaned.
"Trowa and I could train them."
Duo jerked up to stare at Heero incredulously.
"You mean that?" Duo asked wide-eyed.
Heero's nod was curt. "Provide me with able-bodied men and proper arms. I'll have soldiers for Sudest in a few months. As long as they're willing to be trained by a slave."
"Thank you, Heero!" Duo threw his arms around the ex-mercenary's neck, nuzzling his cheek affectionately.
"I could never deny you anything." Heero wrapped his arms around the slender waist, holding Duo close.
Forgetting their troubles and doubts for a moment, they basked in each other's presence.
1) If you couldn't guess, the Sudest currency equivalent to a penny. (pronounced: tree-ket)
AN: Yeah, I know, not as long as the one before, but I am working on it. Next chapter is going to get a little heated…hee hee hee. And I know that was shameless fluff but I just can't help myself. The next chapter is actually incomplete; I haven't finished writing it yet. I also have an English paper due soon so things may have to be put on hold. Sorry everyone, I'll get it out as fast as I can!