Chapter 10 / 37
Written by Jessi Maxwell - send C&C to Megami_no_Remon@hotmail.com
Zechs was suitably impressed with the lavish dining hall in Quatre's estate. He took his seat across from Duo, glancing around. "Now I'm VERY curious as to whom our host is."
"I am." Quatre responded as he walked in, a smile on his face. "A pleasure to meet you in person, Zechs."
"You know my name but I don't know yours. I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage.'
Quatre smiled. "My name is Quatre Raberba Winner."
"Ah. That explains the wealth issue. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Winner."
"Please. Call me Quatre," the Arabian responded as he sat down. A few moments later Quatre's kitchen staff came out and served breakfast before scurrying back to whence they came. The food was excellent, as usual. Duo happily tore into his meal.
Breakfast was silent for a while until Quatre spoke again. "So...Duo tells me you may be leaving OZ...is that true? Why?"
Zechs frowned and set his fork down. "I...initially joined OZ in an effort to get close to the ruling powers. Then I could claim my revenge for the destruction of the Sanc Kingdom and take revenge for the death of my family and the obliteration of my homeland. But now it's all become pointless. And...I understand now. The battles you all fight aren't simply to protect the colonies. You fight to protect all of mankind from itself. I cannot fight against you any longer."
Quatre smiled warmly at Zechs, closing his eyes. "Then you are welcome here with us, Zechs."
Zechs looked at Quatre for a long moment, his eyes shimmering with barely contained and deep running emotion. But he merely responded with a single nod and a quiet "Thank you." His gratitude, however, was evident.
"See, told ya he wasn't all bad, eh, Q?" Duo said with a huge grin before attacking his breakfast again.
"If I had thought he was, Duo, I never would have allowed you to bring him into my home. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you two to excuse me. I have some business meetings I need to attend."
"Sure thing, Q, take it easy. See ya for dinner?"
"You should. Have a nice day, both of you." Quatre smiled and stood, heading for the door, but was stopped by Zechs.
"Quatre?..."
"Yes?" The Arabian asked with a blink.
Zechs was quiet for a moment. "Thank you. I truly do thank you."
Quatre smiled and rested his hand on Zechs' arm for a moment before heading out to take care of his business. Zechs retook his seat and glanced at Duo. Duo appeared to be making some sort of tower out of a plate of sliced fruit, but he lost his concentration on it and the whole thing collapsed after he realized Zechs was eyeing him.
"Eh, Quatre's a great guy, isn't he?"
"Yes. Even though I'm still a prisoner here...it's nice to feel ...that I am not alone."
Duo was serious for a long moment. "I know what ya mean. No matter what happens, I know I've got people that'll watch my back. That I can count on for anything. And that they all share my cause. And we'll all fight together to try and achieve world peace and end the nightmares of war. No one should have to suffer like I have. I just hope someday we find a way to make it all right."
"It is such a shame fate placed us on opposite sides of this battlefield." Zechs said, steepling his fingers and bowing his head. "We all have been fighting for the same thing..."
"Heh, yeah...kinda makes ya wonder, y'know?"
"It is necessary. If mankind never experiences the horror of war, then they'll never fight to stop it, and the world goes on in a stream of never-ending conflict."
Duo frowned but then nodded slowly. "Eh, I suppose that makes sense in a way." The braided teen pushed aside his plate and stretched as he stood up. "Well, how about that walk? I'll give ya a tour of the grounds. Just don't get too close to the walls. They're equipped with the best security a guy like Quatre can afford."
"His funds are practically limitless."
"Exactly my point," Duo responded with a smirk. "C'mon."
The two of them left the dining hall and made their way towards the front doors. Neither was in a hurry and Duo happily chatted as he gave Zechs a tour of the parts of the estate they passed through.
Zechs turned his face skyward and slipped his eyes shut when they finally set foot outside, basking in the morning sun's warm rays. It was rejuvenating, heavenly after so long spent in the dark or under the glow of artificial lighting.
Duo couldn't help but grin at the obvious enjoyment this simple pleasure had brought to Zechs. The older teen seemed so completely content for that instant that it boosted Duo's spirits just to watch. // I don't know if I can consider him my prisoner after this. If he tried to escape I doubt I'd ever have it in me to shoot him. //
The two of them walked around the ground, Duo pointing out points of interest. He led Zechs through the grounds and then into the gardens. Zechs sat down and leaned against one of the trees there, unable to keep from smirking as Duo flopped unceremoniously down next to him.
"I need to thank you as well, Duo."
Duo blinked and peered at Zechs. "Eh? Me? For what?"
"Ultimately for taking me prisoner in the first place and making all of this possible, strange as that sounds. You've given me hope and a new beginning. And after I prove myself, perhaps I will be allowed to stay on of my own free will rather than as your captive. Though I know your other comrades...especially Heero after our history...will be so eager to have me here under anything but lock and key."
Duo heaved a sigh, blowing at his bangs. "Eh, that's for damn sure. Quatre's the easy one. But hey, don't worry about it. You're welcome for me capturing you, by the way. Think it's the first time I've ever got to say that!"
Zechs grinned and appeared lost in thought for a moment. Duo was patient for a bit - but patience wasn't one of Duo's strong suits and eventually he leaned over closer to Zechs and gave him an experimental poke in the shoulder. "Hey, what's on yer mind, Zechsy?"
Duo let out a startled yelp as Zechs suddenly whirled on him, his good arm catching Duo's hands as they instinctively came up to block him and pinning them to the ground over his head. Duo lay flat on his back, startled and wide-eyed as he found himself trapped beneath Zechs. "Wh...what...hey, lemme go!"
Before Duo could make a concerted effort to escape, however, Zechs' intense gaze caught his own and snared him. The strength seemed to drain from Duo's limbs as he fell endlessly into the platinum blonde's crystal-blue eyes and his breath caught in his throat. His heartbeat hammered in his ears.
Zechs stared at Duo long and hard, the intensity of his desire raging through his veins. Neither of them moved for a moment that seemed to stretch out to the ends of eternity. // So beautiful...so perfect. Give in to me, you beautiful creature... // With the smallest of sighs, Zechs finally leaned in and claimed Duo's mouth in a firm but gentle kiss.
Duo's amethyst eyes popped wide and he froze, his entire body going taut. He broke free of Zechs' weak grip on his wrists and clutched the other man's shirt, intending to throw him off. Zechs snaked his hand around behind Duo's head almost immediately, pulling him even closer and increasing the pressure of his kiss.
Zechs felt the change that occurred in Duo a moment later as Duo's resistance melted. His luminous violet eyes slowly flickered shut and his grip on Zechs' shirt tightened a bit...though not in an effort to push the older man away. Hesitantly his lips parted and he returned Zechs' kiss.
The feeling of Duo submitting to him elicited a soft, throaty moan from Zechs. He lightly flicked his tongue out against Duo's lips for a moment before plunging inside and twining with the braided teen's in a delicious struggle for dominance, though the outcome was already determined before the battle even began.
Duo's mind had practically shut down. He couldn't think, he could barely breathe. He felt vaguely as if he was on fire as Zechs' kiss overwhelmed his senses. He found himself returning it with a feverish intensity that nearly matched Zechs' own, his grip tightening in Zechs' shirt and clinging to him, as much for support as to try and pull the other teen closer to him.
A sudden spike of panic intruded into Duo's brain and he tore himself free of the kiss, slamming his head back and actually pushing the larger teen away a couple inches. Duo's chest heaved and his eyes frantically searched Zechs' own. His face was flushed and his eyes were dark.
Zechs could feel the abrupt shift in Duo's demeanor and he relented, slowly sitting back up. Duo lay still for a moment as if struggling to get his breathing or the sudden tremor in his limbs under control before he sat bolt upright.
"I...I...I'm sorry..." he managed after a moment.
"No...it's me who should apologize," Zechs responded. "Though I can't say I'm sorry for doing it, but I am sorry to elicit such a reaction."
Duo looked at the ground and instantly became deeply interested in a long blade of grass that had somehow escaped the notice of the gardener. "I...I just...I can't let anyone get close to me. Everyone that gets close to me dies."
Zechs caught Duo's chin in his fingers and forced the braided pilot to look up at him, though Duo flinched at the contact. "I'm not about to die. I can protect myself. Even though I risk my life every time I go out in my mobile suit, I will NOT be a target for anyone that wanted to bring you pain. I am a warrior. I am not weak."
Duo quivered slightly, unable to do anything but meet Zechs' gaze. Zechs was shocked and drew his hand back when he noticed that Duo's eyes were glimmering with unshed tears. The braided pilot's voice was uncharacteristically small and quiet when he finally spoke. "I'm afraid."