25-Sept-2000
Title: Demons NOTES: This is part of the Frozen Colony Arc, and takes place following The Hunt. If you are not familiar with the timeline and are curious, you can find the stories on GW Addiction and on DF's site. On GWA on the Bonne&Von page, there are numbers denoting which stories are FC Arc and should be read in what order. Duo's demons appeared first in Down Time in Hell, and reappeared in Dancin With My Mirror. This is a fic to explore their existence and origins. Liberties are taken with Duo's history and original characters from ESO appear.
Authors: bonnejeanne (bonnejeanne@yahoo.com) and vonceia (vonceia@yahoo.com
)
Archive: GW Addiction http://www.oocities.org/fenris_wolf0/ and if she chooses, Darkflame http://members.xoom.com/riouka/gwpage.html
Category: yaoi, angst
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 1x2, 6x5, various
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Warnings: LEMON. Angst. AU - we do not guarantee that our interpretations of characters or events will agree with yours, so a general OOC warning.
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Spoilers: Series, EW
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners. Our stuff is ours. No money being made here. As with all our fics so far, while our goal is to stay as in character as possible, any discrepancies are our mistakes.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
The moment his eyes opened, Duo knew he was dreaming.
He knew because of the smell, first. Colony air, dust and decay overlaid with cheap, harsh soap. Musty scent of an old, hard mattress… the distinctive semi-sweet, semi-musky smell of poor... children...
Even though the room was dark, Duo could see everything. He'd always had good night vision. Peering over his shoulder he saw the familiar rows of cot-like beds, each covered with a still or restless shape. He saw the windows covered with boards on the outside and old sacking within.
I'm back.
Reaching under his pillow he found his overshirt folded. Slipped it on without thinking. Jumping down silently, he found the black slippers where he knew they would be. Noiseless as a mouse he crept between the narrow rows to the door, avoiding the squeaking board out of habit.
Once out of the dormitory, Duo walked confidently through the dark halls of the church. He passed Sister's room and stopped, filled with an impulse he didn't understand, to peer around the door and see her sleeping, curled on a mattress as hard as any of the children's, her worn white gown buttoned to the neck, her rosary looped around her hand as always. He felt a tightness in his chest as he looked at her, and wanted to cross the room and drop a kiss on her cheek. But that would wake her and she needed the few hours of sleep she got.
So he moved on. Past Father's door. That was tricky - Father might be awake, as late as it was, reading the worn black Bible or going over the impossible accounts. Past the kitchen, goal of not a few past night-forays. Past the exit that led to the church loft. Two turns. There was the door...
*He* was gone tonight. Visiting in the home of some local Alliance officer or business owner. He wouldn't stay many more days, Duo was certain of that. This was his best opportunity.
He reached up for the doorknob and it didn't turn. Just as it hadn't when Duo had tried it earlier that day. That had been what focused his attention. Father Maxwell had never locked a door in the church the whole time Duo had been there - not even the pantry! Finding a locked door, the door of the guest room that the strange priest.. no *bishop* was staying in, was more than Duo's curiosity would stand for.
He reached back and pulled from the end of his braid - a hairpin - 'borrowed' from Sister's room. Small, deft hands worked for but a few seconds and the old lock turned. Duo slipped inside. The room was plain, like every room in the church, but it contained the visitor's luggage.
His sharp eyes and quick fingers wandered through the first valise, nose twitching at the scents of finer soap, cleaner clothes, textures of richer fabrics, more refined ornaments. The exploration might have continued for some time. But something drew him to another case, this one… fastened with a shiny new lock. Frowning in concentration, Duo studied it for a few moments, dusted his fingertips, reached out… and in a few moments it was open.
Disappointing... nothing here but... books. Wrinkling his nose, Duo nearly turned away but something - a scent... elusive... he reached in and ran sensitive fingers across the odd-looking things. They were all too big, strange sizes and shapes. Ornamented, some of them, others plain, unadorned black. He opened the case wider and tried to read the titles. 'Malleus Maleficarum'... 'Necronomicon'...
Reaching in, he pulled out the books one by one and began to flip through the pages. And there he saw his first picture of a demon.
Something struggled inside him, even as he felt the emotions and saw the pictures. I'm dreaming, he thought. This isn't real, I'm dreaming.
Suddenly he knew what was going to happen next. He would loose himself in the pages, and for once his sharp ears would not register the lightest scraping sound of a footfall... and he'd be caught...
A surge of terror filled him and he struggled and fought with the memory, not wanting to be trapped in it. Heart pounding, he fought. Looking down on the page he saw a picture of a circle, drawn on the ground. Inside was a tall, winged figure... an angel? No, the wings were leathery and clawed, though the face of the being was scowling, Duo knew why. It was trapped in the circle. Outside the circle stood a man, holding a book and a staff. As he fought to break out of the dream, Duo found himself looking down at the picture. His ear twitched as a soft scraping sound came from outside the door but he could not move or look away.
With everything in him, Duo fought to tear his way out of the dream and suddenly it rent, and he escaped. The room dissolved and the church walls faded to nothing.
Panting, in the darkness of his mind, he looked around and felt incredible relief as he recognized the faces and bodies around him. He wiped tears from his face.
"I don't want that memory," he said aloud.
Wings rustled and tails moved restlessly.
'It's coming,' the midnight voice answered calmly.
Swallowing, Duo looked up at the tall form. "Then I'll try... but I'm afraid..."
'With good reason,' Astaroth answered. 'It's terrible. Prepare yourself. We will give you... a little more time.'
Duo tried to control the relief he felt but it was too great. "A little more time is all I need," he said.
'Then take this memory instead,' the demon said, and something flew up out of the horde and landed on his back.
Duo's eyes went wide as he stood in shock. "Oh! Shinigami..."
Heero's eyes opened and he blinked in the darkness. Dawn wasn't far off. Looking down, he found that his braided lover had turned in his sleep and now had one arm draped over Wufei, comfortably wedged between the two of them. A small concerned smile lifted the corners of his mouth and Heero quietly slipped off the bed and headed to the restroom. On his way back, he was aware that the other side of the bed was vacant. The movement of the curtains by the balcony of the room caught his attention and Heero turned. From where he was standing, he could see Zechs sitting on the balcony, nude, as the wind picked up his long platinum mane and danced it around his head.
Taking a deep breath, Heero walked over. "Zechs," he said softly, watching as Zechs turned his head slowly.
"Hi," Zechs replied. "You couldn't sleep either?"
Heero shook his head. "Had to piss," he said, watching as Zechs chuckled. He walked out and sat next to Zechs, yawning. "What's on your mind?"
Zechs looked back out in the darkness. "A lot of things. Trying to sort it all out," he said. Then, he looked back at Heero as he sat down next to him. "I was trying to think of something to do for Duo. He's given me a gift that is priceless.. a little of myself back."
Heero nodded. "Then you owe him nothing," Heero said. "Because you gave him a piece of himself back too... and me as well. I'm grateful. I'd just leave it at that." Looking into Zechs' eyes, Heero asked, "Are you mad because of what happened? You don't seem like it."
Zechs chuckled. "No, I'm not mad. I enjoyed it, in fact," he said.
Heero nodded again. "Yeah, Duo's like that... He makes me crazy," he admitted. Looking down, he sighed. "I don't know everything there is to know about sex, Zechs. I just know what I get from Wufei and Duo. It's like the closest thing I can get to what I think of as physical perfection. I'm kinda ignorant when it comes to it all. I do think I'm doing pretty good for my first year, though."
Zechs frowned, looking at Heero curiously. "Your first year?" he asked and smiled as he witnessed a rare sight. Heero Yuy, the Perfect Soldier, blushed.
"All right, go ahead and laugh now. Yes, this is my first year of having sex... with another person. Wufei was first, when we almost died on a colony during the war. Duo was second. He had more experience and taught me a lot. Since Wufei was the first person I'd ever slept with, against, who ever touched me, well, I guess I consider him mine. Duo... I'm just addicted to Duo. I love him and I can't think of living without him in my world. As far as Wufei goes, he's my heart," he said. Taking a breath, Heero looked out into the dark sky and back. "Duo's never... taken me like that before," he said quietly. "I wanted him to, but there was always something in the way. You made that possible. Thank you," he said, then stopped, feeling as though he were babbling.
Zechs found himself smiling and shook his head. Reaching over, he placed his hand around the back of Heero's neck. "You are welcome," he commented. "Thank you for telling me that. It explains a lot. What you have is something incredible and pure and you've gone farther down the path to love than most people I know." Leaning over, Zechs hugged Heero tightly. "I feel very honored to know you."
Heero sighed, feeling a little better in the midst of the chaos of the past few days. He felt himself relax in Zechs' arms and tagged him as another way station. "So do I," he said, then looked up at Zechs. "I need you and Wufei to help me with things that Duo and I can't do."
"Just say the word. What can I do?" Zechs offered.
Heero nodded. "I have some information from Father Thomas at the Church. He's the priest that's going to be going to L-2. I need you to take the information and analyze it for me. Contact Father Thomas if you need to. Duo and I are going to space and out of respect for his wishes, all I can say is that we'll probably be seeing Alpha."
Zechs nodded, the he looked up at Heero. "Someone's hurt Duo, haven't they?" he said, looking into the dark blue eyes.
"Hai," Heero said, simply.
"They are no longer needed in this plane of existence," Zechs said, recounting a bit of liturgy from the war.
"Duo has priority," Heero said.
"Of course," Zechs said, in unspoken understanding.
Heero stood, seeing the barest hint of light streak the horizon. "Come on," he said, offering Zechs a hand up.
Zechs stood and followed Heero back inside.
After Heero had left the room, silence had fallen. Then there was a soft gasp from Duo, still locked in sleep. Wufei woke, looked around, counted the missing and then turned to the one beside him. He felt the tension in Duo's body before brushing back the soft curtain of chestnut hair to reveal Duo's face, eyes tightly closed, face drawn in an expression of conflict. Wufei watched the struggle, torn between an impulse to wake the sleeping boy and the more conventional admonition to let him sleep. The tension increased and suddenly Duo sat up, hands clenched to fists and eyes open wide, breathing hard.
Wufei sat up quickly and looked into Duo's eyes. For the barest of seconds he thought something dark looked out of them at him, and felt a sudden shiver. Then Duo blinked, his mouth dropping open.
"Wu...?"
Wufei put his arms around Duo's shoulders and embraced him tightly. He felt rather than heard the exhale of breath and then felt the tension slowly drain from Duo's body. After a moment he leaned back and looked into Duo's face again. "Daijobu desu ka?" He spoke Japanese out of reflex, and Duo blinked at him, then nodded.
"I'm... okay. Was... dreaming... remembering," Duo said softly. He took a deep breath and his arms moved around Wufei, feeling the Chinese boy's body as a solid point to hold on to.
Wufei thought about the words. "What about?"
Duo shivered slightly. "Some stuff I don't... want to think about. And... other stuff too. Wu..." Duo looked at the other boy for a moment. "Sometimes I don't know... if I'm..."
Wufei looked closely into wide violet pools. "Sane?" he said softly, and saw the answer. He looked back directly. "I've had those... moments. Those questions. Doubts."
Duo looked at him doubtfully. "You? Wufei?"
The Chinese pilot took a deep breath and nodded. "Me. I think the first time was when I realized I'd been talking to dead people for a while."
Duo's eyes widened and he touched Wufei's cheek. He looked back. "I understand."
"I thought you might," Wufei said, and he smiled.
Slowly, Duo smiled back. "Thanks, Wu."
"You honor me, Duo Maxwell," Wufei said in return.
Duo sighed. "Doubt it. I was... I dreamed about when I was a child. I was... seven I think. My best friend died... almost everyone I knew was dead or dying of a plague. I was crying... there was an old Japanese man, one of the bums who lived on the streets like we did. He told me Shinigami was walking through the colony, taking whomever he wished... I asked him who that was and he... described him perfectly - tall, dark, green eyes, carried a scythe... I asked him how he knew what the God of Death looked like and he said because he had seen him earlier that day, but the God of Death's arms were too full. The old man... he was gone the next day. Guess Shingami came back for him."
Wufei listened, feeling a chill down his back. "Duo..."
"I thought he'd come for me, then," Duo continued softly. "But when he did come... it wasn't to take me..." He stopped suddenly. He looked at Wufei and waited for... something.
Wufei looked at Duo and saw the waiting. He took Duo's face and kissed him.
"Give him that for me next time you see him," Wufei said.
Duo smiled, looking at Wufei wonderingly. "Think I'll keep it for myself," he said.
Heero and Zechs walked back to the bed and saw Duo and Wufei.
"We leave you two alone for one minute..." Heero began, shaking his head.
Behind him, Zechs yawned and then dropped down on to the bed.
Heero came and sat next to Duo, sliding closer to him and Wufei. Leaning over, Heero brushed Duo's bangs back, noting the look in his eyes. "It's morning," he said, then kissed Duo's forehead. "How are you two?" he asked.
"Daijobu," they said in unison, then Duo burst out laughing.
Duo added, "If you and Zechs want to make out, you didn't have to leave... Wu and I wouldn't have minded watching..."
"Hentai," Heero said, "We were talking."
"Well, you two didn't have to stop just because we came back. We wouldn't have minded watching," Zechs said, yawning again.
Wufei said, "Your yawning is not the greatest turn on, you know." He gave Zechs a little poke in the side.
Zechs jerked as he felt the digit poke into his side. "Oh, you want us to perform? Heero what do you think about this?" he asked, warding off any other attacks with his hands.
"We couldn't help it if they were asleep while we were giving the neighbors a show," Heero said. Then he leaned over and kissed Wufei's thigh.
"Thought you said you were talking," Duo said, pouting. Then he grinned. "I think... " Then he bounced up off the bed. "I need a brush! It's gonna take me an hour to get the rats out of my hair..." he said, throwing a wink over his shoulder as he began looking around the room and in the bathroom for Zechs' brush.
"Top.." Zechs began, then got up and ran to the bath to get Duo a brush. "Here," he said. "Use this one." He then handed Duo a silver handled brush from his collection.
Taking the brush, Duo perched on the foot of the bed and began the ritual. "So what were you talking about, Hee-chan?"
Heero's focus settled on the cascade of hair and the movements of the brush. He counted exactly two seconds, then moved down to the end of the bed and took the brush from Duo's hands. Carefully, he began the brushing. "We talked about a lot of things.... you.. Wufei.. my sexual experience or lack thereof." Heero said, feeling the silken chestnut hair flow through his fingers as he brushed it.
Duo's eyebrows went up. "Uh... sure," he said, sighing softly as Heero carefully worked the tangles out. He'd trained him well. "So what exactly do you feel you are lacking, in sexual experiences, then, Hee-chan?"
Zechs returned to the room with another brush. He sat down and worked on the platinum stuff.
"Nothing now," Heero said. "I was just telling Zechs that I have a year of sexual experience and not to laugh too hard."
Brushing with long, even strokes, Heero worked his way around the back of Duo's mane. "I also gave you and Wufei credit for my education," he added.
Duo rolled his eyes. "Um, yeah... well... you didn't need much instruction, Hee-chan."
Wufei nodded. "He seemed very naturally aggressive," he contributed, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"I think that's called hard up or desperate, Wufei," Heero said.
"Hard and up," Duo said, grinning. "Two really great words that go great together!"
"Agreed," Zechs said, "He also said that he loved you and that Duo was his addiction. Wufei, you've just been claimed period," Zechs added, brushing a part of his hair out carefully.
Wufei took the brush from Zechs and began brushing his platinum locks. "So?" he said, figuring no one really expected snappy comebacks from him anyway.
Duo cheered and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Good one, Wufei," Heero said. He then leaned Duo back. "Maxwell rope, or are you going rock star today?" he asked.
Duo looked at Heero, exasperated. "Rope? It's a *braid*, Heero... br-ai-d."
He added, "Not a rope, not a handle, not a bell-pull, not a leash, not a tether, not a on/off toggle..."
Heero nodded and began braiding Duo's hair. "One br-ai-d, comin up," he said, plaiting Duo's hair evenly.
Wufei said, "I'm not even going to ask. Zechs always does rockstar."
Zechs looked over his shoulder and Wufei. "It's cut for simplicity," he said. Then smiled up at Wufei. "Thank you, that felt nice."
Heero wrapped his arms around Duo's shoulders from behind. "How do you feel?" he asked, pressing his lips to Duo's neck.
Duo gave the thought some consideration. He placed his hands over Heero's arms, leaning back into the embrace.
"Grateful," he said, glancing at Wufei. "And awed," he bent and kissed Heero's arm. "And... a bit scared... and... very, very angry. But you know the reason for that."
"Would it surprise you to know that I'm not the only one who knows or understands this?" Heero said, softly.
Duo turned slightly. His violet eyes widened in a silent question. Then he closed them. "I'd like to say no, but yes would be closer to the truth. I'd not sure I'm ready to think about that either."
"Hn," Heero remarked. "I didn't say anything, but Wufei and Zechs are smart. They care about you."
Heero tightened his arms around Duo briefly.
Duo's expression softened. "Wufei... is amazing," he said simply. "And Zechs... he's not too bad either!" he winked at Heero as he said this.
"Yes, you would know, wouldn't you?" Heero teased.
Duo shrugged modestly. "Nah... but it doesn't matter." He looked at Heero and his eyes looked intently into the cobalt blue ones. "I have to leave. Are you ready?"
Heero nodded. "Yes," he said. "I can arrange a shuttle."
Duo tilted his head. "No commercial ride?"
Heero's lips spread into a slight smile. He moved forward and kissed Duo deeply. "I like my privacy," he said, softly.
Duo grinned. "And *I* like my own hand on the throttle!" he said, brushing Heero's manhood with his fingers.
Heero's smile widened. "I like your hand on my throttle, so I guess that's settled." He then looked over his shoulder at Wufei and Zechs. "We're going to be leaving," he said, extending his hand to Wufei.
Wufei took Heero's hand and came to the two of them, wrapping one arm around Duo.
"I know," he said. "I thought you would. Just remember one thing - I can be anywhere I need to be on very short notice. I don't know what you two have cooked up but if there's any need for another warrior, I claim that place as my right."
Duo put both arms around Wufei and embraced him tightly. Resting he head for a moment next to Wufei's, he said softly, "I won't forget, I promise. It's yours by right. Thanks for... for sharing your life with me. I'm pretty sure I don't deserve it, but that never stopped me from taking things before, and it won't stop me now."
Zechs watched and listened with quiet interest. It was easy to see the bond between the three, but it was also heartening to witness it grow stronger. He smiled then stood. "You get ready," Zechs said, moving to his wardrobe. "I'll do some breakfast for you guys," he added, pulling on a pair of cut-offs and heading towards the kitchen.
Duo looked after Zechs as he released Wufei. "That's one thing I've enjoyed about staying here... Zechs knows how to keep his guests... well-fed..." He grinned wickedly.
Zechs stopped at the door and then came back to the bed. He bent down and took Duo's chin in his hand. "Thank you," Zechs said. "Glad you liked it. And if there's anything you need, Duo, let me know." Leaning forward, he kissed Duo, deeply, then moved back and stood. Looking at each of the pilots in turn, he then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and allow them time alone.
Wufei looked after the platinum-haired man. "You may not have planned it, Duo, but you helped him. I don't know exactly how, but I can sense it."
Duo looked down, a little uncomfortable. "I'm just lucky he didn't decide to kill me for being.. um, overly fresh. Don't give me any credit."
Wufei shook his head and simply kissed Duo on the forehead. "I'll get dressed and go help," he said, getting up.
Hey," Heero said, catching Wufei before he left. "Come with us to our room. I've downloaded the information to my laptop that Father Thomas gave us. I'm going to give the disks to you for safekeeping. Could you help Zechs with the analysis and if you find out something, send it," Heero asked.
Wufei nodded immediately.
Duo jumped up, braid bouncing. "That means I have time for a quick jump into the shower," he said, and blew a kiss to the two. Then he grabbed his clothes from the floor and headed back to the guest room.
Heero watched Duo go and looked up at Wufei. He could feel what tension he felt, dissipate again. Moving forward, he put his arms around Wufei and held on to him for a moment, indulging himself. "I'm not usually so needy," he said, "But I'm glad you're here. I missed you."
Wufei hugged Heero tightly. "Just say the word and I'll leave Earth," he said.
Heero nodded. "Fine," he said. "We have to come back here to finish this, but after that, I'd like you back. I have something for all of us, but it's not ready yet. Regardless of that, I want you."
Wufei nodded. "Then you have me."
He got up and quickly dressed so he could follow Heero back to the guest room.
Zechs sat down at the table with a cup of coffee. He had a lot on his mind, including the problem of finding out information that would help Duo. Closing his eyes a moment, he thought of the different families and ties to his former homeland. Quite a few had not survived the war, including Marquis Weyridge.
The implication of conspiracy and worse, impropriety whereas the Church was concerned was something that went beyond one young man. That immoral and illegal activity by one of the Ecumenical Council Zechs knew, had far reaching consequences involving more people than the war.
His first thoughts were to contact his sister, Relena who had become a fixture in the halls of power, but he discarded that thought. Scandals had a habit of rubbing off on the innocent and unsuspecting. She had been through enough with him and his checkered reputation.
A face suddenly filled his mind and Zechs shook his head. Even as he did so, voices in his head answered every question he posed as to why the person would be the perfect candidate. Taking a sip of coffee, Zechs sighed. "Too perfect to pass up. Now the question is have I alienated him to the point where he would refuse," he said, aloud. Standing, he walked to the kitchen window and looked out. "Time to face it," he said, quietly, noting a pair of birds making use of the birdbath outside.
Moving to the vid, Zechs sent a message reading: "Lady Une, I need to speak with Tianrui urgently. Please contact me, when you receive this message. Thank you. Zechs"
Zechs nodded to himself and then placed breakfast on the table.
Heero and Duo came downstairs, dropping their bags by the entranceway before coming in to breakfast. Wufei followed a few moments later.
"Man, I am really going to miss having you around to cook," Duo said, with a twinkle in his eyes. "If you ever decide to be a roving chef for hire, with really cheap rates, be sure and let me know!"
Zechs chuckled. "I'll send you a message personally, Duo," he said. "In the meantime, eat up."
The Deathscythe pilot did just that, sitting back with a satisfied smile. After stacking his dishes in the sink, Duo went over to Zechs. He pulled something out of his pocket and took Zechs' hand, placing the object in it. "Something I picked up as a little keepsake in Rome," he said. "I'd like you to have it. If you're not religious, just think of it as a reminder of our visit here. And like I said, don't be too surprised if we're back before too long." Duo kissed Zechs on the cheek, then on the mouth.
Zechs closed his eyes briefly at the kiss, then looked down in his hand to see what Duo had placed in it.
It was a rosary. It looked... expensive and old. The beads were some kind of dark red semi-precious stone and there were beads of silver and a silver crucifix, done in a style of great artistic beauty.
Zechs looked up at Duo and then stood. He then slid his arms around the braided pilot and hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Duo. It's beautiful. I am honored," he said, then released him.
Duo mouth quirked. "Enjoy it. I bet it'll be a while before the Monsignor even notices it's missing," he said, with a wink.
Then he turned and gave Wufei a last kiss and headed for the front door.
Heero walked over to Zechs and looked up at him. "Thanks for everything you've done, Zechs. We'll be keeping in touch. Wufei has the information."
Zechs nodded. "Not a problem, Heero. I've got a few ideas on how to proceed. I'll just give what I have to Wufei. He knows how to get in touch with you. By the way, good luck," he said.
"Hn," Heero replied. "Thanks again." Reaching up, Heero pulled Zechs' face down to him and gave him a kiss. "Take care of yourself."
Zechs smiled. "I will."
Walking over to Wufei, Heero simply placed his arms around the Chinese pilot and kissed him deeply. "I'll be in touch," he said, looking into Wufei's dark eyes.
"I know," Wufei said. "Keep Duo safe."
"Hai," Heero replied, then disappeared out of the kitchen to catch up to Duo.
End of Part 12 - TBC
What do you think?
bonnejeanne & vonceia
Please send comments to: bonnejeanne@yahoo.com or vonceia@yahoo.com