Philio, Storge, Agape, 2
He could not help but smile down at the boy walking alongside him, his eyes trailing on the floor. Wufei was still weak from his illness and yet he seemed to sense some sort of permanent change to the boy. Wufei was being much more submissive than he had previously thought. Even though the boy was a "man" of his word, Treize could not help but laugh at the pun, he had certainly not expected Wufei to adjust to an inferior position so quickly. Particularly an inferior position to his worst enemy, for Treize knew that Wufei still saw him as the enemy.
My boy, I loved you from the moment I saw you. You are the son I never had. I promised to protect you from that moment onwards and I will. You must be so confused Wufei, you have no idea why I am doing this. It seems you cannot grasp parental love as you had none while you grew up but I shall compensate for that my little dragon.
"Wufei, did you sleep well last night?" inquire Treize lightly as they made their way through a colonnade surrounding the ornamental gardens on their way to the breakfast room. The sullen boy merely nodded and resumed watching the floor, "What? Is marble really so very fascinating, Wufei?" Wufei looked up and scowled at Treize but made no move to tug his hand away,
"I do not find marble interesting," he grumbled and looked away once again, this time at the simple reliefs on the walls.
"Wufei, look at me when I am speaking to you, it is good manners and we have talk about manner before, nee?" Reluctantly Wufei turned his head away from the wall and stared back at Treize with the most hateful glare he could muster. "Now, Wufei, I asked whether you slept well, I would appreciate it if you answered me,"
"I slept well," he pause rather guiltily, considering his response, "I slept well." he stated again with finality to his tone and glared up at Treize daring him to contradict. Treize however continued to look concerned as he studied Wufei. The boy's eyelids seemed to droop as he spoke and dark circle had begun to appear under his eyes.
"Wufei, you have not been sleeping well. You are lying to me, what have we talked about on lying to me -"
"I gave you my word that I would do no such thing and I have not broken my word! I have slept better here than I have ever before," declared Wufei his visible hand clenching into a tight fist. The nobleman looked rather taken aback, he had not expected an answer to his seemingly rhetorical question.
"I am not accusing you of breaking your word Wufei; I know you won't do that. You would not expect me to break my promises to you. I am simply concerned about you. Your happiness and welfare are my greatest concerns, as they are of any father. I understand that your sleeping patterns are being disrupted by nightmares," Wufei visibly tensed again at this remark, "It is alright to have nightmares Wufei, everyone who has been through what you have will. I have known grown men to collapse mentally after enduring half of what you have. Wufei, you mustn't blame yourself -"
"No! I am weak! I have nightmares because I am weak. Those men you talk about they are weak too! I am here because I am weak! Master O should never have chosen me…" Wufei's passionate voice trailed off into bitter silence as he stared at the ground and shook his head in defeat. "This is the price I must pay for my weakness."
"Wufei," the tone was commanding but not sharp, "Please don't interrupt me and please do not get carried away with misguided thoughts. I will not hear of you speaking like that again. I hope you will not think like that again. You are my son, not my prisoner or slave. Do you understand Wufei?" the last phrase was laced with steel and Wufei bowed his head. "What do you say Wufei?"
"Yes, father I apologise for my outburst," he said in an emotionless voice. Obviously aware he was not going to achieve much more, Treize gently guided Wufei into the breakfast room.
The room was truly delightful to behold and even Wufei could grudgingly admit to enjoy his stay here. The doors of blue glass rippled the sunlight so that it looked as if there was water shimmering on the marble floor. Across the room was the bay window dominating the wall with a breathtaking view of the bay and the gentle slopes that descended towards the sparkling water.
The large fields full of wild flowers, poppies buttercups, primroses nodded in the breeze and became blurs of bright colours against the green canvas. Below them the sea sparked like a gem in the early morning sun. The small white sailing boats in bay looked like toys as they wove through the currents with the gulls flapping above.
The sunlight poured thought the window onto the elaborate round glass, or was it crystal; table top with four chairs arranged it. However the table was only set for two people, as every morning. A lavish breakfast lay prepared to the highest standard greeted Wufei and he could not help but feel his hunger rising. Should I even be eating his food? Perhaps he has slipped in some sort of drug to control my thoughts? Or maybe even a micro tracking devise? It feels so much like taking his charity. I feel so dependent…so weak!
"Come Wufei, the cook has prepared some of your favourite desserts today," said Treize gracefully taking the seat facing the entrance. Wufei merely scowled and seated himself opposite him with weariness. Silently a butler, whom Wufei could only identify by his moustache, proceeded to serve them quantities of crusty French tartines with a variety of pates, elaborately decorated omelettes, fresh berries and sweet pies.
Once he was no longer needed the butler silently slipped away just as skilfully as he came, leaving the two to enjoy some conversation. Unfortunately Wufei was more preoccupied with pushing his food around the plate. "Wufei," the tone was again chiding him. Treize, he had observed, was an articulate man but preferred to articulate expressions through tone rather than words. Holding back a long suffering sigh, which would probably annoy the general and give a petty sense of satisfaction to himself, Wufei ceases his fidgeting,
"I apologise for my behaviour," he muttered and proceeded to eat so that he would no longer need to speak any more. Have I already become so trained? I am like a dog that he simply needs to break.
"That is quite alright, Wufei, make sure it doesn't happen again." There was a brief pause as Treize too savoured the delicious breakfast. "I have been meaning to tell you that Lady Peacecraft and numerous members of Romefellar will be visiting us in due course over the next month. There will be various formal occasion that you will be required to attend." He looked for some reaction from the boy and received the predicted aggression but Wufei's expression was pressed back into one of submissive neutrality.
"As you wish, sir," he muttered and turned his eyes back to his plate.
"Wufei, I realise that you do not wish to attend. I feel the same way about these tedious social affairs but I am afraid they are…necessary. I promise to make them as enjoyable as possible for you. Saa…Wufei, we all have to make sacrifices. For you, appearance in public is asking a lot, I know, but you will keep your word." The last statement bore no tone of threat and yet Wufei felt shivers down his spine. He could not afford to break his promises in front of Khushranada's guests. The occasional lapse was tolerated, thought not permitted, in private but more than his dignity would be on the line when the important guests appeared. Wufei felt as if Sally was now a collar around his neck and Treize had firm hold of the leash.
"I will," he said, and then ventured further, "Are there any preparations you wish me to make beforehand?" He could tell by Treize's features that his method of addressing the general had much to be desired, "…Father?" Treize's expression lightened and smiled encouragingly at the boy but there seemed to be the smallest flicker of menace beneath the surface. Well, you are getting very excited, aren't you Wufei? It's Relena isn't it? But you were always very tactful when it came to obtaining information. If you are thinking of escape, my boy, there are other fates worse than death for Sally. Treize mentally shook himself, he loathed to admit, but in some ways he was jealous of the influence so many people had on Wufei. So many hands trying to pry his son away, it was unfortunate that he sometimes got a little…possessive. But he only wanted the best for Wufei; he was loathed to let the boy out of his sight. Whenever he could not see his son, images of unfortunate doom would flash through his mind. However even worse were the images of his son's departure…escape to where he could not protect Wufei from the darkness that surrounded his soul. He would never let that happen.
Although Wufei had promised not to leave, Treize was under no illusions as to the boy's state of mind. From personal experience desperate people often resorted to all means. Wufei was not dishonourable, his subconscious desires were just too strong to suppress. However the boy was gradually succumbing, time was just what he needed.
"No, Wufei, there are no specific preparations for you to engage in. However you will be needing a new suit for evening wear and the tailor will be here within the hour to take measurements," if the message was abrupt Wufei's reaction did not show it. He simply nodded and continued to finish his breakfast.
I will have you one day, my son; your love and loyalty, your heart and soul. We have yet to even begin our combat.
AN: Treize is not a villain, by any means. It's quite easy in the cartoon to simply see the world in black and white. However Treize is not malicious, even if he has a few rather sadistic thoughts. He simply loves Wufei so much that he is just a tiny bit possessive.
Next Chapter: Important guests and secret meetings (not just for Wufei)