Title: The Devil Has Blue Eyes
By: Aina Song
Fandom(s): Gundam Wing
Genre: Yaoi (with some Het thrown in)
Rating: PG-15
Warning(s): Contraband; Fusion; Language; Death; Murder.
Pairing(s): Heero/Quatre (constant mentionings of Het pairings)
Reviews: Yes, please.
Author's Note: (I'm afraid my usual Disclaimer will not be enough this time, so bear with me.) I, Aina Song, hereby acknowledge the illegality of the following fusion fiction, which is based very thickly upon Clara Wimberly's The Jeweled Heart of Rosemont Castle. I do not claim any rights or privileges her book may have earned her, nor do I claim credit for the book itself. This fanfiction follows her plot almost to the letter, with few changes tossed in here and there, but I must again press that it does so without the explicit permission of Ms. Wimberly, her editor(s), or her publisher(s). This fiction was not written for money; I do not profit from this in any way, shape, or form. Please excuse the illegality of it all, and I do hope my own readers will try to look past my unlawfulness and enjoy the fiction nonetheless. Thank you.
Teaser: He did not care that he was the lost heir to a winery fortune - especially since he couldn't remember that earliest piece of his childhood. He only wanted to reclaim the family that had been kept from him. But there was another who was determined to unmask him as an imposter. And, at the same time, a strange cold presence stirred again at his return, anxious to finish what it had started so long ago…
Chapter Nineteen
As he entered the dining room the next morning, his eyes went immediately to the man who'd haunted his subconscious throughout the night.
Heero was reading a newspaper and glanced up beneath his brows at Quatre. His blue eyes glinted darkly as they skimmed briefly over the blond. Then, with cool indifference, he went back to his newspaper.
Dorothy was staring at Quatre, her lips drawn together tightly in what appeared to be an attempt to keep her comments to herself.
"Quatre Raberba." It was only the warmth of Zechs' voice that broke into his thoughts. "Come, my boy, sit beside me here."
Just at that moment Treize came in, and on his arm was Hiromi. She was practically glowing, and he looked extremely satisfied with himself. Quatre was pleased to see that his walk was strong and confident.
It was the most companionable meal they'd had together since Quatre's arrival. He remained quiet, not wishing to disturb the new, fragile peace. He dared not bring up the subject of his wanting to meet the Demon. That was something he thought he should not mention to anyone, even though Zechs had urged him to tell Heero.
"What are your plans for today, dear?" Hiromi asked politely as she took her place at the table.
"I thought I'd go riding this morning, perhaps even visit Relena later." Quatre did not consider it a lie to omit that his course would take him to the mountain of the Demon.
"Heero, why don't you go with him?" Treize suggested. "You know the estate better than anyone. I'm sure he would be happy for you to show him around."
Slowly Heero's blue eyes lifted from the newspaper. He gazed first at Treize, then at Quatre. The blond could see he was not pleased with Treize's request.
"Th-that's not necessary," Quatre managed to stammer.
"Some other day, perhaps," Heero said tersely as he rose from his chair. "It looks as though we might have another spring storm, and I must see to the trellises before it rains." As he stood he shrugged his shoulders in a restless gesture, then folded the newspaper and lay it on the table. All the while he looked down at Quatre. "Besides, it won't be a morning fit for riding. Good day."
The blond stared down at his plate, embarrassed by the darker man's blatant coldness to him. He couldn't decide what angered Heero most about him. Was it that he claimed to be Treize's son, or was it because he had kissed Quatre?
The room grew quiet as Heero strode out the door.
"I'm sorry, my boy," Treize said quietly, looking at Quatre apologetically. "I'm afraid it will take Heero some time to come to terms with who you are."
"It's fine," he said, not knowing what else he could be expected to say. He couldn't tell Treize of the hole that was opening in his chest.
"I wanted to ask you something this morning," Quatre said, changing the subject.
"What is it?"
"I-I believe I will needing more clothes… of better quality… a-and suits."
Hiromi's eyes widened, and a bright smile lit her beautiful face. He could see she wanted to jump into the conversation, but she restrained herself and let Treize speak.
"I'm happy to hear that," the man said with a teasing smile. "Although I would love you just as much in your old gypsy clothes. But I must admit to some curiosity now, as to what you will look like. I predict you will be one of the finest gentlemen in the county."
Quatre smiled, relieved that he was not being met with the skepticism he had expected, and he turned to his father's wife. "Hiromi? Would you go with me? I know you must have a keen eye for this sort of thing, and I only have a limited amount of money…"
She clasped her hands together in excitement. "I would be delighted, Quatre Raberba. And I'm sure your father would agree that money is no object. He's a very generous man," she added, turning to him with a smile. "When shall we go?"
"Tomorrow is Saturday, and I've given my word to Mariemeia that we would do something together. Would it be all right if we took her with us?"
"That's very benevolent of you, dear, and of course I have no objections. Tomorrow it shall be. I will look forward to it."
Zechs was watching them, not saying anything. He smiled at Quatre, and the younger blond thought he saw a hint of sadness in his silvery eyes.
Later, when Quatre entered the stable, Trowa was nowhere in sight. Quatre went to Sandi's stall and saddled her himself. As he walked her out into the dappled morning sunlight, the air felt very warm and humid. He hoped Heero was mistaken about the rain. For a moment he felt hesitant about what he was doing and what would happen on the mountain. If Quatre did find the Demon, what would he say to him? Could he manage to get to the Demon's house without encountering the wolf?
With a silent prayer he climbed on Sandi's back, pulling her head around and out toward the vineyards. He saw a few workers as he passed through the green rows of the vineyard, but thankfully Heero was nowhere in sight.
When Quatre neared the stream, he let Sandi pick her way through the water and carefully across the slippery rocks. Then they headed up the hollow, which he thought would be the easiest way to the top of the mountain. There was a wide trail clearly visible beneath the tall, slender pines and rich green undergrowth of mountain laurel. About halfway up the steep ridge they came to a deep pool of water where the stream tumbled down the mountain. The loud rush of water from the small waterfall drew him to it, and Quatre dismounted and let Sandi drink her fill from the clear stream.
He was surprised to find that the trail led directly to a small log cabin at the top, surrounded by a wide clearing. It was very neat and clean-looking. Splashes of grey indicated that curtains hung at the windows. A short stone walk led to the thick door.
Quatre immediately looked about for the wolf, but thankfully did not see it anywhere. Still, the hair at the back of his neck bristled as he surveyed the dark green shadows of the forest. Sandi's head went up, and she pranced sideways. But then she was still, leaving Quatre to believe the wolf was nowhere nearby.
He looked again toward the cabin. He didn't want to leave, and even considered sitting for a while on the grass to wait. But the sky was growing darker, and the smell of rain was in the air. Heero had been right, after all; there was a storm brewing. And, knowing how quickly mountain storms could strike, Quatre pulled himself back into the saddle and urged Sandi away toward the path the led down the mountain.
Returning down the large, slippery moss-covered rocks was more treacherous. By the time they neared the bottom, great plops of rain had begun to fall. Sandi had never liked storms, and Quatre felt irritated with himself for not anticipating what would happen. Lightning began to split the humid air and the thunder that followed seemed actually to shake the earth.
When they got to the stream, the rain was coming in dense, windblown sheets. Sandi stumbled several times on the slick rocks but finally managed to cross. As they climbed onto the opposite bank, Quatre saw a horseman coming their way. It was raining so hard by then he could not normally have made out the rider, but he knew instinctively who it was. Heero's presence was as compelling and tangible as the electrical storm that crackled around them.
Without speaking Heero took Sandi's reins, pulling Quatre's mare with him downstream, away from the vineyard and away from the castle.
"Where are we going?" Quatre shouted through the wind and rain.
The darker man pulled the hood of his rain gear lower over his eyes. He did not speak, but only motioned with his arm. Through the pouring rain the blond saw their destination. There was a small grey shack at the southern end of the vineyard. Quatre had never ridden far enough to notice it before.
He thought perhaps others waited in the shelter of the old wooden shed, maybe some of the men he'd seen earlier. But as he looked into the building he realized there was no one else. He entered the darkened room of the shack, very much aware of their isolation. He was also awkwardly aware of his wet clothes that clung to him like a second skin.
After Heero had tied the horses under an extended roof section of the shed, he came in, closing the door and throwing the room into almost total darkness. Quatre could see the grayness of light through the slits in the walls and hear the thunderous sound of rain on the tin roof.
Heero stood at the door, making no effort to come near Quatre. He did not speak, but the blond could feel those compelling eyes on him.
Quatre was shivering uncontrollably, and not only from his rain-soaked clothes. He felt the darker man move, could feel the heat from Heero's body reaching toward him. The blond took a step forward before he could stop himself, but caught the toe of his boot against a crack in the floor and stumbled. Instinctively his hand went forward to catch his fall. But instead he collided against a strong body. He could feel the heat through the cold dampness of Heero's shirt, could hear the other's sharp intake of air.
Quatre should have moved then, but found he couldn't get his body to obey. Heero's hands came forward to grip his arms. The blond was shocked at the intensity of emotion that swept over him at the darker man's touch. He wanted Heero to kiss him again, wanted to know whether it would stir the same powerful feelings as before. He was not prepared for Heero's soft, hoarsely muttered words.
"Take off your shirt."
Author's Note: I apologize most deeply for the long delay. It is very difficult for me to find time anymore. Three nore chapters are being uploaded today. I will still have a way to go, but don't worry. We will get there. And please, don't hesitate to visit my profile and browse my other stories. I would like very much to hear from you.