Misjudged Fates
By Forgetfull. Would have only one 'L' but someone already had that spelling and I couldn't think of another name.
Warning: Shounen-ai.
Disclaimer: I don't think I own Gundam Wing. But if I do I'll be very happy when someone tells me. ( Not any time soon then...)
AN: Most of the next chapters will be set in Hell, but there will be some more of Quatre and Trowa soon.
Hell:
The storm lasted all night, Heero realised when he woke. He found himself soaking wet, in a very soggy alley with Duo curled up in his arms. He shook him awake and watched the Angel rub his eyes sleepily.
" It's time to get up now. I think we'd better get out of here before Father realises I never returned." Heero said, the sharp sound of his voice slicing cleanly through Duo's dream-lined sleep.
" Mmm...Alright. Huh, where are we?" Duo sat up, taking in his surroundings, and the memory came flooding back like the previous night's rain.
" In an alley in the gypsy market. Come on." Heero hauled Duo up and together they walked through the remains of the market. Chaos met their eyes wherever they looked. Stalls tipped over and half submerged in murky water. Produce and clothing littered the floor.
The carriage, when they reached it, had been deserted. The horses, by work of a miracle, where still there, even though the driver had ran off without them.
" The driver's gone." Duo pointed out.
" Then I'll have to drive." Heero replied, climbing up into the drivers seat.
" Can you?"
" I know enough. Hell's a very boring place for a child, so I busied myself learning how to swordfight, fix mechanical things and how to drive. I never thought I would put my learning to use though." Heero said, unknotting the reigns. Duo climbed aboard cautiously, and gave a yelp when the carriage suddenly bolted forward with a flick of the reigns, throwing him backwards onto the hard seat.
" Ouch! I'd like warning next time please." Duo complained, rubbing his backside grumpilly. The horses settled to a comfortable trot and Heero apologised.
" You should be quicker next time though."
" Next time?" Duo liked the idea of there being a next time. Although blubbing like baby in front of Heero was embarassing, he had enjoyed the feeling of safety and warmth when he'd been in Heero's arms.
" Yes, next time. You still don't have any clothes." Duo realised he was, indeed, still in the black outfit belonging to Heero. Heero watched the road intently, and so Duo settled down in his seat for the long ride.
(...H-H...)
When they reached the palace Duo was complaining as he clipped the evil manacle back onto his wrist. Heero pulled the carriage up beside the stables, where two stable boys rushed out to tend to the horses.
" Let's get back to my room, perhaps we'll be lucky and no-one will have noticed my absense." Heero said, peering out from behind the stables." Come on." They hurried through the gardens and under a few big, white marquees. After the third Duo began to wonder what the big tents were doing in the garden.
" Heero, what are those tents for?"
" Oh, I don't know. Perhaps Father is having another garden party." As he said 'garden' they rounded the corner and on 'Party' they both realised the mistake they'd made.
Hundreds of servants rushed about, a few richer, nobler people walked around with clipboards and papers. And everywhere tables, chairs, tents and torches were being put up.
" Oh! How could I have forgotten?" Heero muttered as his father pushed his way through the hurrying people.
" Heero! I've been wondering about you. You know we wouldn't usually start preporations for the Festival of Death without you, but no-one seemed to be able to locate you this morning." Duo fell into his slave posture, as he had been at the dinner. Heero put on a slight, fake smile. The Festival of Death had always been his favourite time of year, and this year he would still have someone to share it with. Even though Quatre was gone.
" I'm sorry, we went for a walk around the garden to look for places best for the marquees." Duo almost winced at how easily the lies slid off Heero's tongue, knowing they were all to protect him. He couldn't imagine lying to his father.
" Good, good. Right well, I'd like you to sort out the decorations for me. I know you like doing them, and I just don't have time so they're all yours." Satan said. He was tall, and wore a blue and silver outfit. He had greying, unruly hair that fell about his face and Duo didn't think him to look the bastard Heero made him out to be.
" Thank you. I'll get right on it." Satan walked off and Heero turned to Duo."Let's do this then." He said, storming off. Any trace of a good mood in Heero that morning had just been erased.
(...H-H...)
Heero had worked for hours on the damn decorations by then, and was thoroughly sick of skeletons and brightly coloured streamers. Nothing seemed to brighten the place up, not even extra lamps.
" Nothing works! It still looks like everything got painted over with black and grey." Heero mumbled grumpilly.
" The lamp shades." Duo suggested.
" What?"
" Take off the lampshades, that'll make everything orange at least, instead of black." Heero stood for a moment, considering.
" That's a good idea. I'll try it." Within a few minutes the whole area was bathed in a soft, flickering orange glow. The balloons and tables were set out, and ribbons tied on every availiable space. The serving hatches for drinks and food were there aswell, it was going to be a very eventful evening.
" Heero, what exactly is the Festival of Death?" Duo asked.
" Oh, it's just where we say thanks for everything we've got down here and blessings on the New Season (like our new year.). One great big party to honour the new harvest, the dead and whatever it was that made us all."
"You don't beleive God made you?" Duo asked, shocked.
" Son of Satan you're talking to here." Heero replied sarcastically. " I'm just the most likely person to beleive God made the world." Duo blushed, it really was a silly idea.
" Sorry. When is this festival?" He said, chaging the subject.
" Tonight. So hurry up because we need to get ready for it ourselves." Heero said, busying himself with some balloons that had managed to escape their knotted position around a champagne bottle.
When they finally finished, Heero led Duo back to the bedroom and began to get dressed. He would wear a loose, black cotton shirt with black jeans. Mortals had good clothing ideas too, shame Hell was so behind. He looked at himself in the mirror, taking in the sharp facial features, the unruly chocolate bangs and the deathly black outfit. Duo was right, he did wear to much black.
" Duo, are you done?" He called. Duo's head suddenly popped around the doorframe.
" I don't think I have anything to 'do'. Except brush my hair, which I've done so, yeah." He smiled sheepishly and then let his mouth drop open." You look...great."
" Mmm, thanks. So do you." Heero replied.
" Bullshit." They both laughed, and Heero threw open the draw on his table.
" We've both got to wear something red. It's a custom. A/N: Thanks for pointing out the spelling error. ;-) I've got a jacket but," He pulled out a shining red ribbon." There it is, you'll have to do with this." He walked over and turned Duo around, and began tying the ribbon around the bottom of his plait. At least he wouldn't look to out of place.
" Thanks. Are we all set then?"
" Yes. Lets go."
They left the room and five minutes later they were outside. All around there were Demons, Valkyries and nobles, drinking, talking and dancing to the Flamenco music. Devil-sprites flitted through the sillouhetted trees and the live band were surrounded by them, little human-like creatures with tails and wings. The idea of the devil with his horns and forked tail probably origionated from them, for they were just like chibi versions of him. Of course we all know the real Satan looked nothing like that and would probably fry us if we said he did, heh heh...
" Do you want a drink?" Heero asked.
" Yes, please." Heero swiped a couple of little red coloured glasses from a tray, one of many being carried round by serving girls. They were filled to spilling-point with a clear liquid that smelt awful. Duo wrinkled his nose in disgust." That smells...wrong."
" Yeah, it tastes pretty bad too, but it makes life seem a whole lot better. It also makes you really drunk, really quick, so don't drink a lot." Heero warned.
" I don't think I want to drink any, let alone a lot." Heero smirked and downed his in one go, like a mortal shot.
" See, it won't kill you. Have one glass now and I wont make you drink any more all evening." Duo looked doubtful, but knowing already how strong-willed Heero was, he reached out for the glass.
" 3." He began the count down.
" 2." Heero urged.
" 1!" He threw his head back and let the sour liquid make its way, burning, down his throat. He began to cough and, laughing, Heero patted him on the back.
" You'll get used to it, don't worry." Heero promised. " Can you dance?"
" I love to dance!" It began slow, but then the strumming of the guitar became more urgent. Drums joined and mirraccas, (1) the singer's voice rang out over the dancing crowd. Duo shook his hips and waved his arms, melting in with the other dancers who were getting more and more insanely happy as the night progressed.
Heero was whirled round to dance being passed through the crowd, everyone exchanging partners along with toffees and more of the vile yet addictive drink. Carnival music was stomping and hooting and merry shouts erupted all around whenever a new batch of Caipirinha (2, the yucky drink) was served up. Fairy lights blinked above the crowds and people in fancy dress mingled with the crowd, people on stilts and in stupid costumes. They made the crowd hoot more. Heero found Duo just as the song began to come to an end, but instead of playing something new, the band stopped and Satan took his place on the stage. The cheers died down, and when there was enough quiet to speak, he spoke.
" People of the underworld, it is almost midnight. The mortal time that marks the middle of our celbrations. I ask you to join me in the counting down to New season! 10...9...8..." The crowd began the chant, the huge clock in the middle of the tents ticked in unison.
It let out its first mournful chime and a deafening cheer went around the crowd, a roar of pure joy. And within that roar, Duo suddenly felt his lips smothered by someone elses, someone else that could only be Heero. He savoured the sweetness of Heero's lips before the two of them pulled apart, and before Heero could speak Duo returned the favour, neither caring who could see them.
(1) I have no idea how to spell mirraccas, so don't yell at me. It wasn't in my crappy, useless lil' dictionary. And my computer has no spell check so...
(2) Caipirinha is actually a Brazillian drink, and since I kinda based this on the Brazillian festival, the 'Rio De Jenaro Carnival', it just went. I've never been to that carnival, but I've been to one in spain and it rocked. Just thought Hell would have something in the form of a holiday.
I wrote this whilst listening to the 'Gypsy Kings', the songs Volare, Bambeleo, Djobi Djobi and Vamos A Bailar. Just thought you might like to know. Check them out for the sort of music that would have been playing at the Festival of Death.
Hope you liked this chapter, I know, not enough 1x2 but I'm really no good at writing soppy stuff. Maybe one of you will voulenteer to help me out? If you want to email me, I could use the help. Anyway, have a good life everyone!
The New Shinigami Hikaru: So glad you like my story so much! It's people like you that keep me writing, so keep reveiwing if you want more!
Serenity Maxwell: Don't worry, the result will be hilarious. I'll make sure of it!
Camillian: It's great you like that I broke away from the stereotypes. I was just getting bored with the same thing over and over, so I swapped it all round.
El Terrible Fizzy: Sorry, there wasn't be much of Q and T in this chapter, but they're in here somewhere so hold on. By the way, love your fics. Untitled is great!
Hikaru: Yup, I'm crappy at soppy stuff, but I'll try just for you. Keep reading! And I'm updating these fast for you Darlin' so you'd better be reading them!
YukiNoHana1: Thanks, glad you like my fic! I think it's cute too...He he.
LadyDragonWolfKnight: Thanks for all your reveiws, you must have reveiwed, like, every chapter! This is gonna be fun, it's fun to make them all squirm! (laughs evilly...)
Sofi: Don't mention Nathan! You just ruined my day. But yeah, I really don't understand how he can be that repulsive with just one head! It goes unsaid. And I am NOT a drama queen. (sticks toungue out). Just because you feel no pain...And I will try to make chapters longer. Happy you want to read more.
Felix The Pirate: Yay! Another fan. You people rock ;-). Anyway, yeah, I pride myself on updating fast. 'Cept I've got an Angelic Layer fic that I updated for the first time in seven months recently, people weren't to pleased that I took so long...
ms trick: Glad you like it! (again) Hey, why don't you be my beta? Send me your email and I'll get on it! (sweetie, I love that. I'm gonna call you that from now on. Bye sweetie!)
Next chapter up soon!
Forgetful (l)