Hey-o, and welcome to my Lil' World of Weirdness!!
I state for the record that I don't own Gundam Wing, or the wonderful characters that will be gracing this story. . . I do however lay claim to Ensign Saratone *again*, and I use him here purely as a replacement for your average Nameless OZ Minion. Other Characters I lay claim to are Faye Bloom, the wizened old man, Chang Xiao Fao Lan, and the Angels.
Let's just say . . . when my writer's block breaks, it's like a dam breaking . . . [shakes head slowly and winces]
Parings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xM, 6X9, 13xUne, OdinxHelen and hints of DxR and JxG – I know, I know, nobody wants to imagine it, but I kinda think it's fairly cute . . .
Okay, that's the legal stuff out the way!!
Please ENJOY AND PLEASE R&R!!! THANK YOU!!
Also, thanks to my beloved Bluegoo for her ever wonderful betareading, I thank her for the many hours that she has put in with me on this one, be it correcting my terrible grammar and spelling, or listening to me mumbling large chunks of it down the phone to her . . . You're great, Blue!! Even if you are Commander and Chief of the Apostrophe Gestapo . . .
Thank you to Two-Mix for the lyrics, I don't own Just Communication!!
//Thinking//
"Speaking"
*Stress/Emphasis*
Writing/Dream sequence
Telepathic thoughts
:: Lyrics ::
~*~
For The Grace Of Knights And Angels
By Doctor Megalomania
Chapter Twenty-Two: Aftermath
The lock of hair flicked stubbornly back into place.
Heero levelled his best glare at it as he tried to brush it aside again. Helen and his father had retired to their own room, Odin insisting that he would sleep on the floor and let Helen take the bed they had moved. Heero was left to care for Duo, as the exhausted boy slumbered. Heero couldn't help but notice how much Duo and Ogama looked alike. While Ogama appeared to be the perfect version of Duo, Duo had a look that took the sparkling innocence that Ogama radiated and combined it with a deep sensuality.
//Sensuality?!//
Heero blinked as the thought echoed around his head. Why was he thinking of Duo in a sexual manner? Especially now? They were just recovering from an attack, Duo had flexed his abilities and was now too exhausted to keep his eyes open for long enough. He had no reason to feel this . . . Duo sighed in his sleep softly, his pleasantly pouting lips parting.
//--protective—why do I feel this-- Death can be so—should be scanning—beautiful, so inviting—the area is not secure—I want--//
Heero's thoughts overlapped each other; he could hardly make sense of them. He sighed and concentrated on brushing back Duo's hair. The one stubborn lock that would not bend to the iron will of the former perfect soldier bounced back teasingly as if it was embodying all that infuriated him about Duo, a stubborn persistence in taking up his attention and refusing to go away. In the war he'd found it at first a disturbing distraction but soon found that he relied on it – and soon after that Duo – a lot to get him through the tougher times. Relena may have become his target of peace, to be protected at all times but Duo . . . Duo was a counterpoint to not only the war, but also Heero's training.
Despite their professional incompatibility, Heero found Duo's company taxing, but comfortably enjoyable.
That was it, wasn't it?
He stared at the fluttering eyelids as his best friend dreamt.
That was why he felt this way, wasn't it?
He wanted to protect his best friend, not only because Duo was his best friend, but also because he owed Duo his own life, and indirectly his sanity several times over.
That was why he wanted to care for him, wasn't it?
He leant over to stare closer; Duo's face was littered with imperfections. Small scars, left over from when he caught the L2 plague, smattered over too tanned pale skin, his turned up, childish nose was slightly oily from the regressing effects of puberty and was crooked from being broken once, and his cheeks had faint beautiful freckles, and overtly long black lashes fluttered against them like a nervous moth. A naturally pouting mouth with lips that were dry and cracked, in need of a little moisture . . . and a few stolen kisses . . .
Duo snored softly, breaking the spell.
Heero blinked as he leant back, very aware that he had come close to kissing his best friend and of the excitement and protesting of his own traitorous hormonal body. He lay back on cool sheets and stared at the ceiling. His own lips suddenly too dry, his fingers reliving the feel of Duo's soft, dimpled cheek as he drifted off to sleep. As Duo rolled over and wrapped himself around the former perfect soldier, Heero's traitorous body failed to tell his slumbering mind.
Quatre blinked as he awoke slowly.
He was conscious of the fact that it was early morning, with the sunlight barely filtering though the window.
He was also very conscious of the arm draped over his mid-section, a comfortable weight, and of the long fingered hand curling around his body. His lips parted as he realised Trowa was curled around him like a giant cat. Trowa's breath was a steady rhythm, warm and light against his bare shoulder, parted, dry lips lightly brushing the skin. Trowa's hair tickled the under side of his chin, and stuck up at strange angles.
Quatre wiggled his legs slightly, and found himself smiling as he realised that Trowa's leg was firmly covering one of his. It was such a warm position, and Quatre found himself sighing contently. He dozed for a few more minutes, listening to the wind blowing gently outside. Trowa's hand shifted slightly bringing their bodies closer. His long fingers grazed searchingly over Quatre's side, thrilling him with their rough pads. Trowa's hand continued to tease as it traced up his body, and over his chest.
Quatre held his breath as the long fingers stole over his collarbone. The hand curled around the shoulder, and lay there still for a moment. Trowa's arm lay over his chest, warm and heavy. Quatre felt his body respond, the hairs on his arms and the back of his neck raised, his skin tightened and flushed.
"I know you're awake."
Trowa's voice as quiet, slow and broken, from sleep. Quatre smiled slightly, swallowing so his voice was a little stronger than he felt. "Good morning. Sleep well?"
Trowa shifted, and sat up. He leant on an elbow and rubbed his face with his hand. He yawned, and looked down at Quatre. "Fine." "You?"
Quatre smiled warmly, much better than usual. He sat up, and was aware Trowa's leg was still draped between his own. He rolled over and slowly, daringly raised his leg, sliding it so it rested on Trowa's hip. He raised his eyes and looking into Trowa's eyes. They were warm, dilated, and hazy. A slow smile pulled at Trowa's features. Quatre flushed slightly as the lion tamer sat up, uncurling himself. He shifted so he could hold his smaller friend tightly, as he lowered them back onto the bed. "Why don't we get some more sleep?"
Quatre swallowed, "Sure."
Trowa smiled . . . and pressed his lips lightly against Quatre's forehead. The blonde blinked, frozen for the moment. Trowa was about to pull away, his leg shifting slightly as if he thought the surprise in his friend was a rejection. Quatre blinked again, and tilted his head up to look into Trowa's eyes.
They were cooling, focusing.
Quatre smiled, parting his lips slightly. He leant forward and returned the kiss to Trowa's lips. Pressing harder as the dry lips moistened, the other's tongue slipped out and requested entrance. Quatre felt his body tense as Trowa began to push back, push him back onto the futon.
They broke off, and stared at each other. Trowa staring down at him, "You . . ." he swallowed and breathed, "You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not."
Trowa smiled slightly at Quatre's tone and leant down to claim another kiss, "Well then, that's that."
Relena Peacecraft's personal limo raced through the streets, Lady Une's voice had sounded urgent.
The occupants were tensely quiet, and everyone reflected on what could have possibly been found. Relena, Dorothy and the former Minister Darlian met Otto and Walker at the Preventers' carpark, where they were all immediately taken to Une's office.
The woman was trembling.
"Lady Une!" Relena ran up to Une's desk, "What is it?" She glanced over at the scientists, "What?"
The Gundam Scientists were also gathered, sitting silently nearby, their expressions sorrowful. Howard shook his head slowly as Une sank into her seat, and glanced up at Treize. The former commander of OZ was staring out the window.
"What is it?!" Dorothy exclaimed passionately, before Une slowly pushed a folder of information toward Relena, never breaking eye contact, even though her trembling was getting worse. Une swallowed and closed her eyes for a moment, "We've been asking the colonies to keep an eye on the outer limits of our solar system for anything they'd call odd."
Treize moved form the window, and placed a supporting hand on Une's shoulder.
"I would call this . . . more than odd . . ." Une said in a steady, but fearful voice.
Relena felt her blood run cold as she stared at the pictures, read the reports. "But . . . But . . ." She felt her knees give, and Dorothy catch her as she sank to the ground, "But . . . we're not ready . . ." Relena felt her eyes fill with tears as she stared at the massive hulking ship lumber towards them, and beyond it a massive black thing that blotted out all the stars beyond it, "But we're not ready!" Relena protested again, her hands stammering around the pictures, as fear pushed the tears from her eyes, "We're not ready!! But we're not ready yet!!"
Dorothy picked up the reports; massive quantities of metal were simply 'appearing' in local space where small mining ships were collecting it.
But not earth's mining ships.
A familiar looking station seemed to be being built beside the lumbering ship. "The Balji . . ." Dorothy whispered with disbelief, "They're going to use the Balji . . ." She frowned as she recognised other parts of the station, "And the Libra . . . they're going to destroy us like that . . . shooting fish in a barrel?! Cowards!!"
"We're not ready!!" Relena shook her head, and looked up at Une. The older woman looked sick, and Treize wrapped himself around her in an unusual display of emotion and support. "We're not ready yet . . . we need more time . . ."
"We haven't got that time." Walker said quietly, not unkindly, merely stating a fact. This seemed to snap Une out of her shock, making her sit up. She cast Treize a thankful smile, and held his hand as she stood. "Miss Peacecraft . . ."
Relena sniffed, and nodded. She raised a hand to wipe her eyes, "You're right . . ." She slowly got to her feet, Dorothy ready to catch her if she should fall again. Relena gathered the pictures and placed them out on the desk. "We can't let this stop us . . . we must double our efforts!" She glanced at the six scientists in the room, "Tell me how much more time you need to launch the ships?"
The looks of despair faded like the sunlight, as the gathered group began to strategise, planning for the future if the knights were to fail.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh. . . Heero, seriously, you should get in . . ."
The morning found Duo slumped back against the moss-covered rock, "This is soooooo good!" He grinned, and patted the smooth rock beside him, "You should seriously try it. Just the thing when you nearly have your back broken!"
Heero sighed before shrugging out of his shirts, and shimmied out of his trousers. Duo rolled over and politely turned his back from his friend, as the dark haired boy got into the water. Skinny-dipping, the two former pilots had taken to this hot spring happily. Since the hours of the first attack, there had been nothing. Although . . . Trowa had mentioned they were being watched several times. Duo frowned, he didn't like this, didn't like that they could see him and his friends, but they couldn't see their would-be attackers. He shook his head, and sighed. Resting his chin on his arms, he stared into the undergrowth as if it would suddenly give him the answers.
Heero's fingers threaded into his loose hair suddenly.
Duo stiffened for a moment, as he ascertained his identity before relaxing again. Heero smiled slightly as his friend allowed him to wash his immense hair. Heero focused on the clumped strands which, while not as fine perhaps as Wufei's, or as richly chestnut as Ogama's, was still a beautiful mass of hair. It shimmered in the water like a fish, and spread around the clear water. He cupped his hands and poured water on Duo's head. He watched as the water rolled down the hairs, bringing out their natural reds and golds.
It was very soothing to watch, even more so to touch.
He dipped his fingers into the wet hair, massaging the scalp lightly, working down the neck, and spreading his fingers over the shoulders. He worked the muscles there lightly, pausing only to gather the hair in one hand and shift it so he wouldn't catch it and hurt Death.
The surroundings seemed to fade away as Heero felt his ever present guard relax. The Perfect Solider within faintly protested, but quickly succumbed to soothing motions he made with his hands over Death's shoulders. Slowly, he turned the other over. Death's eyes were closed as if slumbering. His chest slowly rose and fell for a moment, before bright violet eyes fluttered opened slowly. They slowly made their way up to meet his own. Before he could stop himself, he moved forward, pressing his body against the slim figure of Death's. His hands sought out, stroking gently over Death's back, pulling the other toward him.
Death hummed, purred, and smiled. Pale red lips, flushing cheeks, sparkling violet eyes. Clumps of wet red and gold hair fell over those eyes temptingly as they stared upward.
Death wound his arms around him, and pulled him closer.
Pale red lips parted, invited.
Black pupil dilated, violet turned dark amethyst.
He tilted his head, and brushed his lips over Death's. Death was sweet, tempting. The tip of Death's tongue slipped out, and touched his lips as he brushed them over again. Death tightened his hold, his dark eyes slowly closing, his pale face tilting upward.
A branch snapped.
Duo and Heero jumped, and their heads whipped toward the side of the pool. Ogama and Katana stood nearby, Ogama holding a broken branch in his hands. Katana raised an amused eyebrow, "We apologise for the intrusion."
Duo blinked dumbly for a moment and Heero pressed his face against his friend's shoulder, trying to calm down. He felt Duo's hand thread into his hair and his other hand pat his shoulder lightly. He could feel Duo's heart racing too. Raising his head, Heero glanced over at his angel and stepped back from Duo. He glanced between the two and frowned slightly, "What was that?"
Duo sank down into the water, trying to keep warm now Heero had removed his body, "I don't know. . ." He stared at the water surface, "Something. . . you. . ."
"You are drawn to each other, because of your power."
The two former pilots glanced up at Katana as he chuckled lightly, "Do not worry . . ." The small angel raised a hand and unclipped his cloak. He took it off, and sat so he could pull off his slippers. Unmindful that his trousers were getting wet, the angel of mercy dipped his feet into the water, and hummed happily, "Mmm . . ." He murmured, this is nice, he looked up at Ogama, "Perhaps you should try this . . ."
"I'd rather not." Ogama muttered as he retreated to the shadows of the trees. The dark angel sat cross-legged, by the pile of clothing the boys had left. Duo turned and swam over to Katana, "What do you mean?"
"As your magic increases, you will find that your feelings and powers will seek out holdings, allegiances. It's natural, don't worry." Katana swished his legs back and forth for a moment, before looking at the knight of death. "Mercy and Death have always been together. Every knight of Mercy tends to have passionate feelings about every knight of Death." Duo glanced over at Heero, and raised an eyebrow before turning back, "Seriously?"
"Certainly." Ogama chipped in quietly, he sighed and got up again. Pacing over so he could set crossed legged beside Katana. "But we do not mean passionate in the context you are taking it. The pair tended to be either very violent toward each other or very lusting."
"They either try to kill each other, or fall very much in love." Katana clarified, he smiled and splashed his feet a little, "Of course, most of the knights when they arrive here don't know each other . . ." He looked at the two knights before him with a knowing smile, "It will be interesting to observe how two friends deal with the stirring forces around them."
Ogama glanced at Katana and shook his head, "You are taking this too lightly . . ."
"And you too seriously." Katana shot back and smiled, he looked to Heero. "Do not fight your feelings, if they are to the positive . . ." He grinned, "But do try to avoid killing the Angel of Death."
Heero frowned deeply, and looked at Duo. This was something they would have to discuss later. He looked back at the angels, as Duo rested his chin on his arms and stared thoughtfully at Ogama. "What do you really look like?"
Ogama raised an eyebrow, "Why do you inquire?"
"Quatre told me. You were a tall woman, with a pale face and long black hair."
Pale pink lips tightened into thin line before Ogama spoke, "He did not see my face."
Duo blinked at the small being's tone, "Why would it matter?"
"Because if he did . . ." Katana murmured seriously, "Then he is a dead man."
"What do you mean?" Heero frowned furiously, he swan forward a little. Ogama's face tightened into a faint scowl as he glared at Katana. The auburn haired angel focused on Heero for a moment, before glaring back at Katana. The blue-eyed angel sighed and shook his head. "No one may look upon the true face of death aside from those who are soon to face it."
"Pardon?" Duo wrinkled his nose, "In Duo-ish?"
"Meaning . . ." Katana tilted his head and motioned Ogama, "Only the Knight of Death, Shinigami may look upon his Angel's true face and survive."
---------
And Now It's Time To LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!!
DrM: [stares at her stats with amazement] Wow. . .
Duo: [nods] I have to admit, that's something to be fairly proud of . . . but, uh . . . what are you gonna do now?
DrM: [blinks] do? I'm going to pray I don't piss anyone off . . . in the meantime, I'm going to pray for one more place on someone's favourite list . . . I know it's not about quantity, but . . . [points at stats] I hate not-rounded-numbers . . . it's like one of my comedy CCS fics, TMMMMC, is stuck on 98 reviews . . . it's such a killer!! [chuckles] well, moving on to other things. . .
Blue: [raises unimpressed eyebrow] Like the fact you've been sticking post-it notes to my ceiling?
DrM: [laughs hard] I can't help that you're well . . . uh, shorter than I am and the ceiling is so high and . . . well come on, you put a block of post-it notes out, you've got to expect me to do something with them . . .
Blue: riiiiiight . . . okay, enough alcohol and Chinese for you then . . .
DrM: [still snickering] aw, come on. . . post-it notes! [clears throat] anyway, yes, it's a double update this week because FF.net as you probably know was down last week . . . meaning I missed Blue's birthday! Damn! [shrugs] but here I am updating today! Hope you enjoyed both chapters! Please R&R and tell Bluegoo it's okay for me to stick blank post-it notes to her ceiling out of her reach. Please?! PLEASE!! I WANNA STICK POST-IT NOTES TO HER CEILING!!