Gundam Wing: Angel and the Dragon

The Angel and the Dragon

Part 6

Heero's hands danced over the keyboard. It was a dance of searching, a dance of subtlety, and he drew ever closer to his goal. He knew he was acting strangely. Quatre had given up on drawing him down to eat with the other pilots. Battles over sleep were just that, and often violent. Wufei was the only one who approached him closely anymore, and he'd received a huge purple bruise on his chin the last time he'd tried.

:Duo, you baka! Where are you?:

Someone placed a steaming bowl of soup beside the keyboard and entreated him to eat. Mechanically, he complied. Soldiers had to eat; they had to sleep. It was the only way he could survive long enough to accomplish his goal.

:Duo!:

Treize was met at the landing platform by Zechs and the requisite few contingents of soldiers. As the two headed away from the powering-down shuttle into the base's gaping maw of a door, the guards came smartly to attention and saluted crisply.

Sometimes Treize felt like his entrances and exits ought to be accompanied by Star Wars' Imperial March. :I don't look good in black, anyway,: he thought.

"Your visitor was prompt, sir. You spent three days in transit, and it's only five days since we last spoke."

:Too long, my dear Milliard.: "Yes, he was even quicker to contact me then I would have thought."

"A great deal has occurred in your absence, sir." They were entering the base now, the cool, mechanical feel cutting off the dimming light outside.

"Indeed. Well, it's past suppertime in this part of the world, now. Why don't we discuss recent developments over a glass of wine? In my suite."

"As you wish, sir." Only Treize could have heard the catch in Zechs' throat. :What makes him so nervous, I wonder?:

Zechs accompanied Treize to his suite in silence. Strangely, there was a desk covered in what looked like listening equipment in the middle of the hallway two doors down from his room. The General turned to question Zechs about it, but he was looking towards the door, an inscrutable expression on his masked face.

When they arrived at Treize's suite, Zechs excused himself nervously.

"I'll let you settle in, sir, and then come see you in an hour. If you don't mind, sir."

"Not at all. I'll chill the wine and wait for you." :With bated breath. What is going on, Milliard?:

Zechs walked back to Duo's room.

"What's he done in the last few hours?"

"He turned off the lights after you left, sir. We think he slept. He got up just a few minutes ago and he's taking a shower now, sir."

"Very good. Shut down the equipment."

"Yes, sir." *click, click, hum*

Zechs entered the room and sat down in his customary seat, taking off his mask and placing it beside him. He could hear the splashing sound of someone in the shower, along with a joyous off-key humming.

A few minutes later, the shower sounds stopped. Duo stepped out of the bathroom, a towel held in one hand. He was a vision.

His hair was unbound, flowing in dripping strands almost to the floor. The white shirt that went under the uniform jacket was open at the front and clung wetly to him in places. Zechs reminded himself sharply to breathe.

Duo saw him the moment he came out and checked sharply.

"Milliard!" He blushed and grinned, his eyes sparkling. "I was wondering when you'd show your face again. It's been fucking hours, man!"

"Gomen, Duo." Zechs allowed his eyes to travel appreciatively over Duo's delicious form. "You're looking well, I see." Duo's blush deepened and his jaw dropped in shock.

After a moment, he seemed to collect himself and he sat down on the bed. He produced a brush and attacked his chestnut tangles ferociously. Zechs cleared his throat.

"May I help you with that?"

Duo stopped and regarded him for a moment. "Uh, ok." A look of pain passed over his face.

"Are you sure?"

Duo grabbed Zechs' hand and placed the brush in it. "Yes, I'd really like that." He looked away. "No one's ever asked me that before, that's all."

Zechs sat on the bed behind Duo and began working on the tangles in his hair. "You mean, Heero's never asked you that, before."

"N-nani!" Duo twisted around to look at him, almost wrenching the brush out of Zechs' hand. "H-how do you know...? I mean..."

"You talked a lot while you were delirious. It became pretty obvious that there is something going on between you and Heero."

Duo turned away again, allowing Zechs to continue brushing out his hair. "Well, I mean, yeah, we slept together and all. I don't know what he feels for me, though. He's kind of an ice block when it comes to emotions, you know? They've been mostly trained out of him, and he has trouble expressing them sometimes. Well, all the time." He rubbed one cheek ruefully, remembering the latest bruise. "He tends to get pretty violent when things get emotional."

"Hmmm, I see." Zechs' voice was plainly disapproving.

"It... It's all right, though," Duo protested. "I know there's something beneath it, he's just not admitting it, yet. That'll change, though. If I can just get him to admit it..." He clenched his fists and looked into his lap. "It prolly sounds pretty bad, though, to you."

"You might say that. It's your choice, though." Zechs' voice changed its tone, becoming even more serious. "Remember that, always."

"What do you mean by that?" Zechs didn't reply. In the silence that ensued he turned his attention fully to the stubborn tangles. He knew Duo hadn't cleaned or brushed his hair since sometime before being pinned down in that warehouse, so this was a horrendous task he'd taken on. He lost himself in it.

A while later, Zechs came back to himself and found that he was running his hands through tangle-free hair that shone under the lights. With a sigh he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the pilot.

"Thank you, angel. I enjoyed that."

"No problem." A note of uncertainty and a lingering stiffness in his shoulders made Zechs pull away sharply.

"I'm sorry, Duo. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable-"

Duo turned and covered his mouth with a delicate hand. "Stop." He leaned his head on Zechs' chest and hugged him. "What happened to me down there wasn't your fault, even if you *are* in command. I don't buy that crap about you being responsible for every little thing your mooks do. I'm all right, now, and I enjoyed that too, okay?"

"Okay."

"If I'm a little weird, it's only 'cause you're, well, Zechs Marquise. I'm sorry, but it's true."

"I understand," Zechs said sadly.

"No, you don't." Duo looked up. "I'm not saying that 'cause you're Zechs Marquise that I don't like you. I just need some time, to adjust. You guys - by which I mean Oz - have done some pretty terrible things to me in my life."

Zechs smiled in relief. "All right. I can live with that." Duo buried his face in Zechs' chest again.

"Good."

The beeping of Zechs' wristcom shattered the silence. He made an exasperated sound and tapped the 'connect' button.

"What?" he asked brusquely, intending to give the soldier bothering him the message that he wasn't happy with being disturbed.

"Don't be testy, Milliard," came Treize's musical voice. Duo jerked, looking up at Zechs with wide violet eyes.

"Sir!"

"I wouldn't bother you, but it's been an hour and a half and the ice is starting to melt."

"I'm sorry, sir. I lost track of time."

There was a pause and Zechs could see Treize's amused smile even over the com. "Think nothing of it, I'm sure you'll be twice as beautiful for me when you finally arrive. I'm waiting with great anticipation, koibito." The com clicked off.

"K-koibito?!" Duo exploded.

Zechs frowned. "Yes, why?"

"You're sleeping with Treize Kushrenada?!"

"You're sleeping with Heero Yuy?!" Zechs echoed, imitating him.

Duo blushed. "Hey, that's *entirely* different."

"At least Treize treats his lovers with respect."

Duo snorted. "I'll believe that when I see it."

"I'm sure you would have said the same about me a week ago."

The blush was back. "But, he's the *General of Oz*, man!"

"That's right, he's my commanding officer and I've known him since we were both children. He's on my side, remember? I'm not a Gundam Pilot."

"Oh. Right." Zechs ruffled Duo's hair, eliciting a protesting squeak, and disentangled himself from the boy. He rose and put his mask back on. Duo's voice was abnormally quiet and subdued. "Is he going to be okay with what you've done, Milliard? He's not going to be mad at you or anything is he? I mean, this isn't exactly normal treatment of prisoners."

Zechs gave Duo a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, he'll understand."

He signaled the guards and the door opened. When the door closed, he sighed. :I hope.:

Zechs took a deep breath, tugged at his collar, which seemed suddenly to be choking him, and pressed the signal beside Treize's door.

"Come in." The door slid open.

In the dim light, Treize was sitting at his desk, his aristocratic features illuminated by the computer screen. Zechs stood in the pool of light generated by the hallway until the door closed behind him.

"Are you aware that our outer security levels have already been breached, Milliard?" Treize said conversationally.

"Yes, sir. You'll ruin your eyes that way, sir."

"I suggest we do something to redirect their attention or you may soon have four Gundams knocking down your door."

"Specifically?"

Treize looked up at him. "My suggestion is as follows: plant data indicating that the prisoner has been moved to our base in Nepal. I will travel there to lend weight to the information. Obviously, the true information is likely to be found as well. The pilots are likely to have to split their efforts. We will lay in wait in both places, spring our traps and capture any pilots who attempt to breach our security."

Zechs nodded. "Brilliant, as usual, sir. I'll go plant the information in the computer banks immediately." He saluted and turned to leave with relief.

"Don't you trust your men, Milliard? Surely you have people qualified to do such a simple task."

"Of - of course, sir. How silly of me." Face burning and cursing himself an utter fool, he crossed to the desk and made use of the intercom, rousing his best computers man and getting him on the project, top priority. As he issued the orders, he was acutely aware of Treize's proximity. The General's shoulder brushed against Zechs' chest as he leaned over him to get at the 'com.

When he clicked off the intercom he straightened and took a step back. Before he could come up with some other way to escape, Treize switched off the computer and turned his chair so he was staring up at the Lightning Count.

"What is wrong, Milliard? Why are you trying to avoid me?"

"I - I'm not trying to avoid you, sir. I lost track of time earlier, that's all."

Treize frowned at him. "What exactly were you doing?"

"Visiting the prisoner."

"I see."

"Sir, I must tell you what's happened in the days since the prisoner has been here."

Treize folded his arms. "All right, Milliard, sit down, pour the wine, and tell me what's going on here."

Zechs did that, sitting in the comfortable armchair Treize had placed opposite him and opening the wine. He poured it and took a sip, then a larger one, then put it down hastily. Treize raised an eyebrow at him.

"I placed a certain individual - whose name is mentioned in the log - in charge of Duo's, er, pilot Maxwell's, care, and ensured that he understood your instructions." He paused and took a breath, trying to still the nervousness twisting his chest. :I can't fool this man, there's no point in even trying.: "I did not have an opportunity to meet Mr. Maxwell personally for three days thereafter. When I did, I found that my man had brutally abused the prisoner. I'll spare you the details, sir."

"Good God!"

"Yes, sir. He is currently discharged and dishonoured, not to mention up on charges. He is rotting in my prisons below." Treize nodded his approval. "At that time, I made the decision that it was necessary to oversee Maxwell's care personally. I know it's irregular, sir, but he was very sick, delirious and feverish, emotionally and physically brutalized, and I simply could not trust anyone else at the time."

"Go on, Milliard."

"He is currently housed in the room two doors down from here. Surveillance equipment has been installed and all electronic and physical outlets have been removed or altered to prevent escape." Zechs stopped and awaited judgment.

"I'm sure he has responded well to such surroundings." Zechs nodded, his heart sinking at the dispassionate tone in Treize's voice. The General leaned forward in his chair. "So, Milliard, what were you doing with the prisoner that was so important you felt it necessary to keep me waiting?"

"I, uh," Zechs looked down at his lap, discovering an empty wine glass in his hand. "I was brushing his hair, sir."

"His hair?"

"Yes," Zechs closed his eyes. "He has beautiful, chestnut hair, down to his feet... sir," he added belatedly.

The sudden explosion of Treize's laughter startled Zechs into looking up. "My dear Milliard, you look like I'm going to put you up in front of a firing squad over this."

"Sir?"

"If you like this boy, what makes you think I'm going to be upset with you?" Zechs just stared at his commanding officer in shock. Treize stood and reached out, removing Zechs' mask and putting it on the desk. "Take off that horrible thing and stop treating me like I'm going to accuse you of treason."

Zechs grasped Treize's hand and placed it against his cheek, nuzzling it. "I'm sorry, Treize. I *was* a little worried." Treize knelt beside the chair and began slowly undoing the buttons of Zechs' uniform jacket. "Actually, I'm relieved beyond words, Milliard."

"Relieved? Why?"

"There's something I've been meaning to confess to you, as well."

"What?" Zechs said with surprise. "What is it?"

"You may remember the account of my sword duel with pilot 05 early in the war." Zechs nodded. "Since soon after that incident, due to a combination of unusual factors, I have been involved with that pilot. His name is Chang Wufei."

"What? Doesn't he know who you are?" Zechs felt like he'd been shot in the chest.

"Of course he does."

"And you're sure he isn't trying to kill you? Has he tried to get information out of you?"

"No, of course not, my dear Milliard. What sort of fool do you take me for?"

"What sort of fool is *he*?"

"And what about your dear Duo Maxwell? Should I be similarly concerned about you?"

Zechs shook his head. "That's entirely different. He's confined, and he can't do anything to me." Zechs said this last with an uncomfortable twinge, remembering the headlock Duo had treated him to the night before.

Treize's expression plainly showed his skepticism as well. He had finished unbuttoning Zechs' jacket and started removing it from his shoulders. "Don't mistake me, Milliard. He was hard-won. He's resisted my wiles at almost every encounter. He was, in fact, the visitor I referred to, and his initial intent upon arrival was to demand the release of his comrade. However, I seem to have mostly disarmed him." He folded Zechs' jacket carefully and placed it beside him on the floor, then started working on the clasps of the black shirt underneath. "He and I have agreed that our lives in the war are to be as separate as they can be from our relationship. When we are together, I am Treize and he is my little dragon, when apart, we are pilot and general. I would suggest you make a similar arrangement with your Duo, in case we fail in this latest effort."

"Treize, it's not - it's not progressed that far. Duo is still reconciling Zechs Marquise with the man who rescued him and took care of him. And besides, he's committed - to some extent, at least - to Heero Yuy, one of the other pilots."

"Well, then, should it progress that far..."

"Yes, of course."

Treize drew off Zechs' shirt and marveled briefly at the perfection that lay beneath it. "Now, let's cease discussing our other loves and concentrate on our own, shall we?"

"Yes, sir," Zechs said, leaning forward and kissing Treize's lips. They smelled of roses and tasted of expensive red wine. Ambrosia.

He pulled off his gloves and the tie of white lace around his neck, flinging them away, as Treize unhooked the belt that held his sidearm. Then Zechs started working on Treize's vest buttons. "God damn these uniforms, sir," Zechs pulled his mouth away long enough to say.

"Hmm, yes, my designers did go a bit overboard, didn't they? Perhaps next time I should issue tanktops, skirts and crotchless underwear." Zechs collapsed onto the General in laughter, bearing them both to the floor.

"*That* is going a bit overboard," he said when he caught his breath.

"I don't know," Treize said in a musing tone. "An attractive thought, though, isn't it?"

"No!"

Treize shrugged and rolled over Zechs so he was leaning over him.

"Wait, I haven't finished-" Zechs protested, losing his grip on Treize's shirt buttons.

"I haven't even begun, Milliard," Treize purred, and then bit gently at the curve of one bared neck. Zechs moaned, his hand dropping away from Treize's half-unbuttoned shirt and collapsing bonelessly to the floor. "Don't think I don't know all your weak spots, Milliard, especially beautiful little boys."

"Don't make me sound like a pervert," Zechs said, his voice barely a whisper. "He's only five years younger then me, and you're older than I am."

"Are you saying I'm old?" Treize said, nipping once harder and then soothing the bite with his tongue.

"Too old to be sleeping with a fifteen-year-old."

"A fifteen-year-old widower. He's as qualified to sleep with me as you are, Milliard." Zechs moaned again, totally in thrall. Treize moved up to lightly hold one earlobe between his teeth, then laved the ear with his tongue, moving it in and out of the passage and marveling at the groans he elicited. Freed from complete thrall, Zechs reached up and quickly finished the job he'd started on the shirt. Treize lifted his arms from the floor one by one to help him take it off and he flung it away. He took off the tie and flung that away too, but he couldn't reach Treize's gloves. So, he gave up and began running his hands over his finely-muscled torso, teasing it in the right places so he sent shivers up and down Treize's spine.

Treize moved down, licking at Zechs' nipples and then fastening onto one with his teeth. Again, Zechs groaned.

Finally, the Lightning Count mounted his counterattack. He attacked both nipples with his fingers, bringing them sharply erect and causing Treize to gasp through his teeth where he was still worrying at Zechs' bud. He brought one knee up between Treize's legs and began rubbing at the hardened shaft he encountered there. Treize moaned and moved his hand downward to Zechs' crotch, rubbing him in return.

Zechs rolled over, spilling Treize and ending up on top of him. He undid the zipper at the side of the pants and Treize lifted his hips to help him draw them off. Treize was just as quick to do the same to him.

Now Treize was on top and he lowered himself down, kissing Zechs fiercely as they ground their hips together. They rolled back and forth, fighting for the superior position, until finally Treize started nuzzling Zechs' neck again, causing him to collapse bonelessly to the floor.

"Not, fair," Zechs panted. Treize smiled.

"Whatever do you mean, pet?" Zechs just moaned. Treize reached up to the desk drawer, opened it, and drew out a bottle of lubricant without letting Zechs escape. He opened it and spread it over his member carefully, then tossed it onto the desk. He wasn't sure if Zechs even realized he was doing it.

He pulled away, eliciting a groan of protest, then lifted Zechs' legs to his shoulders, positioning his member at the opening. Zechs gasped and looked at him in shock.

"When did you...?"

"Shhh, Milliard." He pushed in slowly, letting Zechs take him in as far as he could, then began pushing in and pulling out rhythmically, listening to Zechs' cries to tell him when he was hitting the right spot. As he increased the frequency he added his own cries to Zechs' and grasped his friend's member, pumping in time to his own thrusts. Their cries reached a fever pitch and as they both came Zechs cried out, hearing Treize groan as he spurted his seed deep into him.

Treize pulled his softening member out of his lover carefully and curled up beside the blonde beauty on the floor.

"I could have won that one," Zechs said sleepily.

"You can never beat me, Milliard," Treize returned.

"Next time, let's try the bed. My back is killing me."

Treize chuckled. "Why don't we try the bed now, at least before you fall asleep." Zechs' eyes flew open.

"I'm not going to fall asleep."

"Of course not. Come on." They both crawled under the covers of the voluptuous bed and curled up together. Within minutes, they were both asleep.

Zechs stumbled towards Duo's room in a fog. He opened the door, without putting his sidearm on the table, but didn't forget to order them to shut down the equipment. The room was dark and inviting and he could see Duo's sleeping form sprawled out on the bed. He was naked from the waist up and had pushed the covers off of him, kicking them so they lay mostly on the floor. He looked delicious, for all he was snoring like a freight train.

Treize had awakened the Lightning Count at something approaching dawn and they had received the report that the faked transfer orders had been implanted in the computer banks for the pilots to find. Treize had left for Nepal soon thereafter, but not before treating Zechs to a little more of his particular brand of acrobatics. Between that and three nights of near-sleeplessness, Zechs felt like he'd been pushed through a small hole only about the width of his hand, and then forced to stay awake for a week.

He surrendered to temptation almost without thinking about it, and curled up beside Duo on the bed. He pulled up the bedspread to cover them, wrapped his arm around the pilot, and fell promptly asleep.

Something was tickling Duo's ear. He reached up to swat at it and brushed against soft lips. Something was stretched across his chest, and something else was holding down one of his legs. In confusion, he opened his eyes and turned his head, almost bashing noses with Zechs Marquise.

"Holy Shit!" he exclaimed, jerking away and nearly falling off the other side of the bed. Zechs opened his eyes, revealing sleepy blue orbs underneath the lids.

"Sorry, angel, I didn't mean to startle you."

Duo plastered a grin over his face and forced himself to relax. "Naw, man, you didn't startle me. I'm used to waking up with older men draped all over me. No problem."

Zechs pursed his lips in the sexiest frown Duo had ever seen. "I'm glad that I qualify as an 'older man' to you, angel. I'm only twenty-years-old, you know." :What's with this angel crap?: Duo thought. :Down boy, down!:

"Well, you know what they say, never trust anyone over twenty."

Zechs sat up, running a hand through his hair to try to tame it. "That's thirty."

"Only after your twentieth birthday."

"Is that so."

Duo nodded vigorously. "Yes sirree." Then he frowned, noticing something. "Hey, man, you've got a scrape or something on your face."

Zechs brought fingers up to the mark, just in front of his right ear. A flush rose on his cheeks, clashing prettily with his pale complexion and hair. :Man, he even blushes sexy. What am I thinking?: "It's, uh," he cleared his throat. "Carpet burn, I think."

Duo thought suddenly that he might like to faint. "Carpet burn?!"

He nodded, his blush deepening, but now it was accompanied by a sardonic grin. "I probably have a lot more on my back. My shoulders are killing me."

"What the fuck did he do to you last night?"

"Just that, exactly."

"On the floor?"

"We, uh, never quite made it to the bed."

Duo gave him an appraising look, trying not to think about what this conversation was about. "So, you were on the bottom, then."

Zechs shrugged, giving Duo a flash of a grin. "Well, he *is* my commanding officer, you know."

"Yeah, right. So you're just fucking the General for advancement, then."

He recoiled, looking insulted. "That is not true!"

"Ohhhh, hit a weak spot, did I?" Duo leaned forward, trying not to think about their proximity, or the raging hard-on in his pants. "Touchy about that subject, are we?"

"Only because we have to keep our relationship secret, or everyone will think that," Zechs said defensively.

"Sure, sure."

"Now you're just trying to provoke me."

"And why would I want to do that?" Duo said innocently.

Zechs kissed him, deeply, full on the lips, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy. Duo jerked back in surprise, though not enough to break the contact, then felt himself melting into the kiss. Zechs' hair gave light feather touches on his face as he leaned into the older man, opening his mouth so his tongue could gain entry. He wrapped his arms around Zechs' waist and laced his hands firmly together.

All the while he was conducting an internal battle with himself.

:What the fuck are you doing, Maxwell? What about Heero?:

:Fuck you, Heero never treated me like this.:

:But you *love* Heero.:

:Yeah, well I seem to like Milliard a hell of a lot, too, and it's not like Heero's going to care if I boff another man. He made that pretty clear.:

:He took care of you when you were sick.:

:So did Milliard.:

:You know that Heero loves you, he just won't admit it yet! Don't ruin your chance for happiness.:

:Do I?:

:Yes!:

:Maybe...:

:So stop fucking kissing Milliard already!:

Duo pulled away, reluctantly but firmly, disentangling himself from the blonde vision in front of him. He kept Heero's face firmly in mind, complete with cold, dead, cobalt eyes and tried not to feel like he was acting like a fool. Zechs made a confused sound in his throat, but didn't resist.

"I - I'm sorry, Milliard. I've realized I'm not ready, for this, yet."

"Of - of course you're not. Forgive me, I forgot myself."

"It's not because of the rape, okay? Believe me, it's not like that was the first time, it can hardly fuck me up any more then it already has, at this point. And it's not 'cause you're Zechs anymore, I've pretty well gotten over that. It's-" He stopped, paralyzed by indecision again. Heero's cold mask flickered, overlaid with Milliard's kind eyes, and gentle hands.

"It's Heero," Zechs finished for him.

"Yeah," Duo said gratefully.

"I understand. I can't wait to meet this fellow in person. I'm really interested to know who it is that can hold you in such thrall, despite what he's done to you."

"It's not that bad, Milliard, really." He stopped. "Hey, wait. What do you mean 'you can't wait to meet him'?"

"You must realize that your friends will come try to rescue you. Do you really think we're going to give you up easily?"

Duo grunted. "I wouldn't be so sure of that. Besides, if Heero comes after me, it'll likely be to try to kill me so I can't give you any information."

"I'll keep that in mind. You'll be safe, I swear."

"So you're going to try to capture anyone who comes for me, eh?"

"Of course."

"Hmph, *if* anyone comes."

"Oh, angel." Zechs enfolded Duo in his arms, chastely, but tightly hugging him. "I can't believe that they don't see your value as clearly as I see it."

Duo grunted but didn't argue with him. He laid his head on Zechs' shoulder and tried to will the confusion within him to subside. :What am I going to do?:

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