The Prince and The Assassin chapter 07/10
Chapter 07: "When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions" - William Shakespeare, Hamlet
*
Duo sat outside the infirmary, sobbing brokenly. He could smell Heero’s blood, metallic and warm, on his skin and clothes. His head was in his hands, finger’s clinched tightly in his bangs while uncontrollable tears flowed down his cheeks to splash on the floor.
Quatre sat at his side, stroking a hand up and down his back, trying to comfort him. His own lover had been ordered into the infirmary with Sally and Dorothy to assist in the surgery. He prayed that Heero lived not only because he didn’t want him to die, but because he feared that Duo wouldn’t survive that.
Wufei and Zecks stood guard at the entrance to the hall watching as their prince, their friend, grieved for his lover. “Ancestors! I pray that Heero lives.”
Glancing at his discrete lover, Zecks reached over and grabbed his hand. “So do I, Wufei.”
This was the scene Gertrude came upon as she stepped up cautiously to the solemn group. She had taken the time to change out of her mourning dress and gather a few things for her son before she made her way through the castle toward the infirmary.
Having caught sight of her, Wufei snarled and blocked her path. “You are not welcome here, Your Highness.”
A hand clasping gently to his shoulder took the edge from his steely eyes. Zecks kept his eyes on the queen’s startled and saddened eyes. “David absolved her of blame, Wufei. Let her pass.”
He looked back at the queen once before giving her a warning glare and stepping aside, Zecks’ arm wrapped around his waist lightly.
She nodded in thanks before hurrying passed them and stopping suddenly as she laid eyes upon her son. He was folded double in his chair heaving sobs, violently shaking, and covered in blood.
Quatre looked up, his brow creased when he saw the queen watching his best friend with a helpless frown. He stood up and walked around Duo. “Your Highness-”
“Please.” She looked at him, with so much regret. He studied her then nodded and returned to Duo’s side.
Gertrude let out a breath in relief and nervousness, then slowly stepped up to Duo and kneeled down beside him placing the neatly folded shirt, bowl of warm water, and wash cloth next to her on the floor.
“David?” Her voice sounded quiet, like a whisper. His sobs drowned her out.
She gently placed a hand on the back of his head and pulled his braid up and over his shoulder. “David, please sit up.”
The movement of his braid brought his attention from the gapping whole in his chest to the woman kneeling beside his chair. He turned his head to the side to see who she was. For a split second he thought it was Helen, an apparition of his beloved nanny.
But blinking his eyes his vision cleared and he recognized it as his mother. Sitting up he fought to control his breathing and wiped futilely at his face. “Gertrude.”
She closed her eyes and concealed the cringe she felt in her heart. “I brought you some things David.” She lifted the bowl of warm water and placed it on the chair next to him. “I thought that, when you go into see Heero later, you might want to be cleaned up for him.” She explained in quiet optimism.
Duo blinked and looked down at himself. His shirt was soaked in his lover’s blood, his hands and arms weren’t much better and he could feel his cheek was stiff from the fluid drying on his skin. “I’m not leaving him.”
“I know.” She nodded and dipped the wash cloth into the bowl soaking it. “That’s why I brought them to you.” Kneeling up on her knees she cautiously placed her long manicured fingers under his chin and turned his face toward her.
He closed his eyes and let her manipulate his head. It was strange. She had barely ever touched him as he was growing up and now she was offering to help him wash the blood of his lover from his skin.
Gertrude gently stroked the cloth over David’s cheek and watched as the blood washed away. She ran it along his jaw and erased every bloody finger print on his tear stained cheek. It amazed her, now that she was looking, just how very much he looked like his father.
Duo opened his eyes when he felt her brush the cloth lightly at his lips, taking away Heero’s blood. “Why?” He asked in a whisper. “Why are you doing this?”
She let hands fall from him and stared down at her lap before lifting her head and looking into the eyes her late husband had entranced her with. “I was never really cut out to be mother, David, but your father wanted a child so bad and I couldn’t deny him anything.”
Duo listened with a neutral face, but watched her closely as she rinsed the cloth and lifted his hands, running it over them gently. “Helen was a wonderful woman and after James died I knew she would take care of you the way I couldn’t.”
Watching the blood disappear from his skin, his tears calming under Gertrude’s ministrations, Duo said, “I loved her. She was my mother.”
Heart clinching, Gertrude fought tears. He wasn’t trying to hurt her, she knew, but his words still cut at her. “You couldn’t have had a better one.” She looked into his dull eyes and gave him a small smile.
He returned it with as much sincerity as he could muster. He realized that she had given him to Helen because she wanted him to be cared for, and that realization eased his feelings of abandonment the slightest bit.
They continued in silence. Gertrude washing the blood from her son was the first truly motherly act she had ever done. When she reached his right hand and she saw her late husband’s ring covered in blood her heart shivered. It had been years since she had seen that ring. It had been given to David and he had never worn it before.
She finished washing his hand and tenderly stroked away the blood from the intricate design on the ring before she brought his hand up to her mouth and placed a soft kiss over the crest. “You will be a great king David. Your father would be proud.”
He felt his throat constrict and nodded jerkily at her. “Thank you.” His voice was strained trying to fight the sibs beginning to rise in his throat again.
Smiling at him, she dropped the sullied cloth into the bowl and picked up the fresh shirt she had brought with her. “Here, put this on.”
Grabbing the crusty edge of his shirt he pulled it over his head and let it drop to the floor. After pulling the fresh shirt onto this body, he moved the bowl of red water and patted the seat next to him.
Gertrude looked at him in surprise. Her heart gave a small thud, but she quickly got to her feet and set next to her son.
Duo looked to his right and got a beautifully approving smile from Quatre before he grabbed his friend’s hand. Turning back to Gertrude he offered her his hand, she looked from it to his blank face before grasping it tightly.
The three of them sat silently on the chairs outside of the infirmary. Duo’s tears returned, but his sobs had quieted, Gertrude’s presence and Quatre’s closeness helping him control his anguish.
They had been sitting there for what felt like days before Sally stepped out of the infirmary with a grim look on her face.
Duo took one look at the doctor and collapsed to the floor sobbing brokenly. “No! Oh God no!”
Gertrude wrapped her arms around him and started to cry with him.
“David!” Sally rushed forward and grabbed his face forcing him to look at her. “David, listen to me.”
He fought for breath but when Sally deemed that he had calmed down fractionally, she explained, “He is very fragile right now, David, but he is by no means gone.”
Her words penetrated because his face went from abject despair to cautiously hopeful. “Heero- he’s alive?”
“Yes, David.” Sally gave him a small smile. “We nearly lost him, but he pulled through the surgery.” His face lit up into a blinding smile. “But we can’t know if he is going truly live until he wakes up.”
Swallowing Duo struggled to get to his unsteady feet, Gertrude on one side and Quatre on the other helping support him. “Can I see him?”
Sally nodded and turned to lead him into the infirmary. He broke away from his supporters and followed her as if he was ready to trudge through the desert if it meant seeing Heero.
They walked through the door and turned toward Heero’s bed.
Duo sucked in a breath and struggled to stay on his feet.
Heero was as pale as the white sheet draped over him, his entire chest was wrapped in linen bandages, and the blood that had flowed from his mouth had been wiped clean.
Stepping slowly up to the bed, Duo took the chair placed next to it and reached a cautious hand out toward his lover, as if afraid to touch him.
“He needs lots of rest, David. When he wakes he has a long recovery ahead of him.” Sally wisely chose not to say if.
Duo didn’t indicate that he heard her; he just stared at his lover with a mixture of fear and awe.
Finally letting his trembling finger’s stroke along Heero’s lips, Duo almost broke down in sobs when he felt a soft breath ghost over his fingers. “Oh thank you, God.” He combed his fingers through Heero’s tangled and matted bangs before stroking his hands over every bit of exposed skin reveling in the feeling of Heero’s chest rising and falling, feeling the warmth of his skin, the beat of his strong heart.
Not noticing Sally, Trowa, and Dorothy leaving the room, Duo pressed soft gentle kisses to Heero’s face, then held his right hand with both of his and entwined their fingers, placing kisses on every finger, joint, and crease of skin.
He fell asleep with his face pressed into the junction of Heero’s neck and shoulder, their hands still entwined.
*
Solo smoothed his tattered coat and puffed nervously on his pipe as he walked up the dirt path to the Castle entrance.
News had traveled so fast it was almost impossible to not have heard that the crowned prince, the kingdom’s only savior, had been assassinated. He couldn’t believe his ears when he had heard two off duty guards talking about it as he tried to lift their money purses.
The thought that his young friend, and his gang’s beloved member could have been killed mere days before he took the throne and delivered them out of the clutches of their greedy king was heartbreaking. He remembered heading back to the church and staring around at his gang, they smiled and joked, passed out their stolen goods, and were happy. He didn’t savor the thought of having to tell them that Duo was gone.
But first, he decided, he was going to pay his respects to his friend. He knew that Duo’s squire knew about the gang and his nightly adventures so he prayed Quatre would be able to keep the guards from throwing him in the dungeon for simply knocking on the door.
Hilde had simply nodded sadly when he asked her to help him look presentable. She had been so excited about telling Duo that she and Solo were expecting, but now, as she had helped Solo comb out his wild hair, she could barely stop her self from weeping. Solo had told her what he had overheard and she didn’t want to believe it.
Solo stepped up to the giant gate and looked from one stone still guard to the other. Clearing his throat he asked, “May I speak with Quatre Winner, please?”
The guard continued to stare into space, refusing to break his stance to even acknowledge the commoner before him.
Frowning, Solo looked from one guard to the other then puffed on his pipe in thought. He might as well just have asked the gate to shine his shoes for all the help those two bozos were.
Turning around, knowing that the guards wouldn’t move a single muscle unless he presented a true threat he walked back down the path till he was out of site then slipped into the forest and made his way to the side. He would jump the castle wall then figure out how to get to the Winner once he was inside.
Coming to the wall, Solo looked left and right before he darted out and crawled up the wall like a rat. Landing on the other side he straightened up and smoothed his fraying lapels before looking around and walking toward the castle doors on the first floor, looking for all the world like he belonged there.
Making his way into the castle it self, Solo discovered he was in the kitchens. Looking around, there was barely anybody in them just a pretty blond maid with sky blue eyes and a bored expression on her face.
Walking up to her he taped her on the shoulder making her jump in surprise. “Excuse me,” he said in all politeness, “but can you tell me where Quatre Winner is?”
“Who are you?” Relena asked looking him up and down wearily. “I don’t remember hearing about a new servant being hired.”
“That’s because I’m not.” Solo crossed his arms and puffed on his corn cob pipe sending a trail of smoke up. “I’m here to pay my respects for the prince.”
Relena tilted her head to the side and frowned. “Oh but he’s not dead.”
Solo frowned. “Miss-”
“Relena,” she supplied with out him asking.
“Relena, I don’t know where you get your information, but it’s all over town that the crowned prince was assassinated last night.” He looked at her like she was crazy.
She blinked then suddenly giggled. “Is it really all over Peacemillion?”
Eyeing her wearily, he nodded, “Yeah, now can you point me in the direction of Quatre Winner?”
“Sure thing!” She chirped her mood much more cheery now that she knew she would be earning every single gold coin Quatre had promised her. “But you should probably know, Mister…”
“Solo, just Solo.” Tapping his pipe in the palm of his hand he reached into his coat and pulled out more stolen tobacco, pressing it into the cob bowl.
“You should know, Mister Solo, just Solo that the Prince isn’t really dead.” Relena watch his actions in fascination.
He paused just before the lit match touched the dry tobacco and stared at her. “What?”
“Prince David isn’t dead.” She smiled helpfully. “Quatre told me to pretend I had found his dead body and if I was convincing Prince David himself would pay me one hundred gold coins!” Clapping her hands in happiness, she bounced a little in her seat.
Solo threw the match on the ground jammed his pipe in his mouth and growled, “That son of a bitch!”
“That’s not nice,” Relena frowned. “The queen really isn’t that bad.”
Looking at her like she had grown a third arm, Solo shook his head and turned to race out of the kitchen, determined to get to the bottom this monumental mix up.
“Wait Mister Solo!” Relena shouted after him. “Quatre’s in the infirmary! Up the stairs to the right!”
Solo waved a hand at her and took the stairs two at a time. He was going to kick some princely ass for making him worry like that.
*
Heero knew he was dreaming, but he didn’t want to ruin it and wake up. This was one of his favorite memories.
He could feel the cool grass underneath his back and Duo’s heartbeat against his rib cage as his lover snuggled against him. They were naked as the day they were born, just coming down from an orgasmic high and simply enjoying each other’s presence.
Stroking his hands lazily along Duo’s sweat slicked skin he stared up at the star covered sky and inhaled the slight smell of lavender that always clung to his beautiful lover.
Duo hummed in pleasure and slid an arm to wrap loosely around his chest, nuzzling deeper into Heero’s shoulder, his eyelashes tickling Heero’s skin. “I wish we could stay like this forever.”
Chuckling, Heero brushed his fingers up Duo’s spine. “And forget about our little plot of land with our little cottage made for two?”
“No,” Duo grinned, “We still get the land and the cottage.”
“Then we wouldn’t be staying exactly like this.” He feathered a kiss against Duo’s forehead encouraging him to lift his head and return the kiss with his lips.
Humming in pleasure again and running his tongue over his plump lips, tasting Heero, Duo stroking his hands along his broad chest. “I meant like this; together, forever.”
His breath caught in his throat. “You want to be with me forever?”
Laughing brightly and lovingly, Duo licked Heero’s nose playfully. “Of course, silly!” Then calming and smiling tenderly down at him, said, “I wouldn’t be able to live without you now that you’re so far in my heart it beats for two.”
Placing his hands on either side of Duo’s face, Heero fought the tightness in his throat and pulled his lover down to move their lips together passionately and tenderly. “Forever.” He whispered hoarsely, feathering kisses over Duo’s face. “I’ll give you forever. I promise.”
Groaning deep in his throat Heero blinked up at an unfamiliar ceiling half expecting to see a black sky decorated in bright stars. His chest hurt something fierce and his throat felt dry and gritty. The memories came back to him in disjointed shots making his head hurt even more than his chest.
He tried to lift his right hand and rub at his blurry eyes, but found it held in place by two desperately clutching and warmly familiar hands. This new awareness brought the warmth draped over his right shoulder to his attention and the faint smell of lavender to his nose.
Turning his head ever so slightly he saw that loved and familiar braid trialing over his skin and that heart wrenchingly beautiful face of his beloved still in sleep. He lifted his left hand and tenderly brushed bangs away from his lover’s forehead, ignoring the ache the movement caused in his chest. Tracing the deep worry line creasing between his golden brown brows, Heero sharply inhaled a relieved and thankful breath.
He didn’t remember much after Dekim’s sword plunged into his chest, but he did remember Duo’s anguished face, his tear filled eyes, and his desperately pleading voice. Sending a prayer thanking God for letting him stay with his beloved, he stroked his fingers lovingly down Duo’s cheek, savoring the soft skin and tracing the tear tracks.
Duo’s frown deepened and he pried his eyes open to the feeling of gentle fingers moving tenderly over his skin. He recognized those reverent touches. His heart began to pound as he tilted his head up, his eyes meeting the deep blue of his beloved lover.
“Heero.” He breathed as he felt yet another wave of tears threaten to pour down his cheeks.
Smiling at his beautiful lover, Heero croaked, “Hey Duo.”
A laugh burst out of Duo’s throat as he untangled their hands and grabbed Heero’s face to rain kisses over his skin like a storm. “You’re alive! You’re awake! Oh thank God!” Then pulling back he scowled angrily. “Don’t you ever fucking do that to me again, you asshole! I almost lost you.”
Smiling in amusement Heero placed his hands over Duo’s and brought one to his mouth to place a tender kiss to the palm of his hand. “I’m sorry love. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Scare me?” Duo’s voice chocked even as he savored the feel of Heero’s warm lips brushing up his wrist. “I thought you had died, Heero. Please, don’t make light of this.”
Seeing his lover close to tears Heero tugged until Duo relented and climbed onto the tiny cot with him, curling up to his side, head pillowed on his shoulder and fresh tears trickling down to splash on his bare skin. “I’m so sorry love. I won’t ever leave you, I promise.”
“You can’t promise that.” Duo turned his face into Heero’s now tear dampened skin, inhaling his earthy scent. “God! I hope I never have to see you like that again.”
Heero placed a kiss on Duo’s brow, hair, the bridge of his nose, his damp eyelids. “I know I can’t promise that Duo, but I can promise to always be with you.”
“You can’t promise that either.” Duo pointed out as he peppered kisses on Heero’s shoulder and neck.
“Yes I can.” Heero corrected lifting Duo’s face toward his, looking deep into his tear filled eyes. “No matter where I am, if I die before you or after you, you will always be on my mind and in my heart.” He kissed Duo’s slightly parted lips tenderly. “As I will be in yours.”
A whimpering sob escaped Duo’s hold as he nodded and pressed their lips together desperately. “I love you Heero. More than seems possible.”
Heero returned the kiss, twining their tongues together and tasting Duo. “I love you, Duo. With my whole soul.” They chuckled softly together, before Duo pulled away.
Sitting up Duo looked down at Heero’s bandaged chest with a slight frown. “Are you in pain? Do I need to get Doctor Sally to come examine you?”
Shifting uncomfortably, Heero tried to hide his grimace of pain as his wound gave a wave of pain. “I’m fine. Just come back and let me hold you for a while.” He tugged on Duo’s hand and hoped he hadn’t noticed.
A deep frown creased Duo’s brow. “I saw that grimace, Heero.” He stood up. “I’m going to get Sally.”
“No!” Heero jerked Duo back to the bed with more strength than Duo thought he had. “Please, just stay for a little bit longer.”
Duo collapsed back onto the tiny bed and combed his fingers through Heero’s messy unwashed hair. “Love, you need to have Sally make sure you’re healing alright. You freakin’ had a sword shoved through your chest!” He exclaimed. “You can’t just act like you had a paper cut or ant bite.”
“I know that.” Heero pouted petulantly. “I just really don’t like all the poking and prodding Doctors do.” He didn’t mention that he avoided going to see doctors, even when he had fallen out of a widow at the top of a four story mansion, because they made him nervous.
But he didn’t have to because Duo sighed and gave him a reassuring smile. “It’ll be alright, Heero. I’ll be right here the whole time. I promise.”
Setting his brow in a frown, Heero let his head fall back to the rock like pillow and sighed in resignation. “Fine. Go get the good Doctor.”
“Aw.” Duo smirked. “You’ll like Sally.”
“Right.” Heero grumbled and resigned himself to a few minutes of torture.
*
Solo reached the top of the stairs and started down the hall toward where he assumed the infirmary was, still seething.
“Goddamned blue blood fucking with people…” He grumbled under his breath not taking any notice of his surroundings and when he tried to walk passed the two sentries stationed at the entrance to the infirmary he was thrown against the wall so hard he saw stars.
“Jesus Christ in Heaven!” Solo waited till the hall stopped spinning before he realized his trusty pipe had fallen from his mouth and rolled away across the marble floor, feeling strangely naked without it he decided to deal with that later seeing as how there was a thoroughly pissed off Oriental man staring him down with a sword at his throat.
“No one passes here.” Wufei’s voice was deep and menacing. Just the look of this scraggly riffraff had his back up and his crest spiked, if he had a crest that is.
Zecks stared at the scene in wide eyed amazement and a sudden surge of lust. Wufei had moved so fast he had barely seen him. My, my, wasn’t he a lucky man. “Wufei, I don’t think we should just go throwing people against walls without a reason.”
The stressed body guard flicked his glance toward his lover then back to the nervous looking blond man in front of him. “I’m not going to take any chances, Zecks. Not after the morning I’ve had.”
Nodding his head, “That’s understandable,” Zecks took a step toward the pair and looked the pinned man up and down, noting his less than regal attire, “But perhaps we should simply ask him what he wants before we slit his throat, hmm?”
Solo swallowed thickly, his palms suddenly sweating. Out of all the guards and lawmen he’d dodged and out witted, this angry Oriental man had him up against a wall with a very sharp blade at his throat and murder in his eyes. Needless to say, Solo didn’t think any less of him self for being just a wee might scared.
“Wufei regarded his suddenly flushed and sweating prisoner. “Perhaps.” He conceded, but continued to hold him pinned to the wall.
Smiling in all pleasantness as if there wasn’t a man’s life at stake, Zecks folded his hands behind his back and gave the mystery man a jaunty head nod. “I am Zecks Marquise, advisor to the throne. This wondrously handsome man,” he gestured to Wufei, “Is the Crowned Prince’s body guard, Wufei Chang. How may we help you?”
Swallowing again, Solo opened his mouth emitting a croak before he cleared it and tried again. “Pleased to meet you.” He said with a mocking lilt. “My name is Solo and I’m here to see Quatre Winner.”
“Oh!” Zecks exclaimed brightly. “That’s such a wonderful coincidence.” He looked over his shoulder and bellowed in a reverberatingly deep voice, “Quatre! You have a visitor!”
In little to no time at all Quatre’s head popped into the hall and frowned in confusion and curiosity at the scene before him.
“Our new friend, Solo, was looking for you.” Zecks supplied.
Quatre’s eyes grew wide and he stepped fully into the hall. “You’re Solo? What are you doing here?”
Solo tried to shift away, but was brought up short when Wufei growled. “Yeah. I heard Duo got himself assassinated then a pretty blond thing in the kitchens said he paid her to spread that rumor around.” He scowled furiously despite the blade at his throat. “Now I got a bone to pick with that brat! He can’t just go getting people choked up like that!”
Quatre smirked, he was just like Duo had always described him. “Oh, is that all?” He gestured at Wufei amusedly. “Let him go Wufei. I believe David will like to see you, Solo.”
Grumbling and reluctantly letting Solo right himself and step away from the wall to retrieve his wayward pipe, Wufei sheathed his sword and retreated to Zecks’ side.
“Thanks, Mr. Winner, for pulling the pit-bull off me. I think I would like very much to speak with the royal pain in the ass.” Solo smirked at a now spitting angry Wufei and repacked his pipe.
Stepping to the side and gesturing for Solo to precede him into the infirmary, Quatre chuckled. “It was my pleasure, but you will have to wait until David comes out. He’s sitting with Heero right now.”
“Traveler? What happened to him?” Solo questioned with a small frown as he tipped his pipe in place of a hat to the older woman sitting in the row of chairs.
“Well,” Quatre stated lightly, “He was impaled on a dull ornamental sword and nearly died in David’s arms.”
Spinning around to look at Quatre in shock again, Solo exclaimed, “You’re shitting me.”
Chuckling again with a small blush in his cheeks as Trowa came to stand next to him placing a hand on his back, Quatre smiled at the astounded street urchin, “Um… I shit you not?”
Plopping down in the chair next to the pretty regal looking lady smiling slightly at the scene, Solo blew out a breath displacing his bangs and whipped an exaggeratedly exhausted hand down his face. “Well damn. Is he alive?”
At Quatre’s nod, Solo shook his head in amazement. “Looks like Duo’s going to have one hell of a story to tell the gang, now.”
Gertrude watched with little amusement and most confusion. She watched the handsome commoner in curiosity and listened to every thing he and the others were saying with little comprehension. “Duo?” She looked at Quatre with a frown on her face.
“When David was a young boy he snuck out of the castle and started running with a gang in Peacemillion.” Quatre explained to the astounded and horrified queen.
“He could have been hurt! Or killed!” Gertrude exclaimed with a shocked hand to her mouth.
Quatre squeezed Trowa’s hand as he began to open his mouth and point out that she hadn’t exactly invested enough in Duo’s welfare to be appalled this late in the game. His little cousin may have forgiven her for her negligence, but Trowa could hold a grudge, for a very long time.
“Damn near was!” Solo laughed, not exactly helping the queen’s horrification. “I saved the little bugger from getting his hands chopped when he was caught with his mouth full of apple he didn’t pay for. Poor kid nearly wet his pants.”
“Yes! Well anyway,” Quatre cut in with an amused grin. “The gang adopted him and gave him a street name, Duo.”
“For the two worlds he lives in.” Solo supplied suddenly wistful. “No one in the gang knows he’s a prince, just me and Hilde now. But they thought he had the face of prince and the boy certainly had the heart of street rat like the rest of us.” He smirked ruefully at the weary queen. “We named him Duo, for the sheer irony and juxtaposition of it. Yes I know what it means.” He growled at a grinning Quatre.
He raised his hands in surrender and chuckled, then returned to his explanation. “So David had a street name, a reprieve from castle life, and an escape from Dekim. He’s been sneaking out two or three times a week ever since.”
Gertrude looked down at her hands then frowned in sadness. “Was Dekim really that horrible to him?”
This time Trowa didn’t hold back despite the almost painful hold Quatre had on his hand. “You have no idea, and you never will. Marrying that murdering bastard was possibly the worst thing you could have ever done.”
“He was your father and you speak about him that way?” The queen stared at Trowa in amazement and confusion.
“He wasn’t my father.” Was all Trowa said before letting go of Quatre and stalking out of the infirmary and out of sight.
Sighing heavily Quatre took a seat next to the queen saying simply, “You don’t know a lot of things, Your Highness. I would suggest not asking anymore questions until David can answer them himself.”
Gertrude simply looked him, he looked to be forty years old just then and it surprised her. Looking back at the commoner on her other side, she noted that he didn’t seem to be affected at all by the fact that he was sitting next to royalty, just puffed on his pipe thoughtfully, lost in his own mind for the time being. Studying her folded hands in her lap, she decided that she better wait till David was able to explain things to her.
*
Sally poked and prodded, unwrapped and rewrapped then straightened, slight frown on her brow and turned to a nervous Duo.
“Doesn’t look like there should a problem with infection.” She started. “The pain will be severe, though, so I suggest you put some of that lavender salve Helen taught you how to make on it. It’ll help with the healing and the pain.”
Duo nodded, not relinquishing his hold on Heero’s hand he had been placing kisses upon throughout the examination. “How do you know I even have some of that old ointment, Sally? It’s been quite a few years since she died. Perhaps I’ve forgotten how to make it.”
“Don’t play sly with me, David.” Sally scolded. “I’ve lived in this castle long enough to know you’ve been sneaking the ingredients out of the garden and my own store room to whip it up for those poor street kids.”
Startled both he and Heero looked at the woman in surprise. “Does every body know I’ve been sneaking out?”
“Perhaps not the queen, and certainly not Dekim, but pretty much the whole castle knows.” Sally smirked knowingly.
“God!” Duo slammed his head down on the bed in frustration and embarrassment. “I probably could have just waltz out of the castle gates and the guards would have wished me happy stealing!”
“Probably.” Sally conceded with a hearty laugh.
“It’s alright, love.” Heero soothed with an amused smile as he stroked Duo’s hair away from his bed planted head. “Hardly anything stays a secret in places such as castles.”
“Well, at least you took us all by surprise with your little love affair, David.” Sally grinned. “I’m pretty sure you shocked a couple of dark hairs onto Dorothy’s head with that one.”
She succeeded in getting an uproarious laugh from the prince, then took her leave and let the couple have some privacy.
Duo got over his blushing and climbed onto Heero’s cot, leaning his back against the wall helping Heero to lay his head in his lap. The image of Heero’s injury was burned into his retina and Duo knew that image would most likely haunt him.
The area had been a sickening color of blue and purple, regardless the stitches stuck out blaringly obvious against his skin, thick and black. They were sewn all the way from the bottom of Heero’s sternum to the middle of his stomach and the image made Duo want to latch onto Heero so tight he would be absorbed into him.
Stroking his fingers gently, slowly through Heero’s bangs Duo rarely took his eye off of his lover even as his breathing slowed and steadied in relaxation.
It was after several moments of companionable silence that Heero spoke up. “So I guess the little plot of land and the small heard of cattle is out of question.”
Chuckling rather sadly, Duo entwined one of his hands with Heero’s. “Not exactly. It’s just a much bigger plot of land with people instead of cattle.”
Heero laughed delicately so as not to cause pain in his chest and pulled Duo’s hand to his lips for a tender kiss. “I think I can live with that.”
Pausing in his combing, Duo gently nudged Heero’s head to face him. “You… You would stay with me in the castle and help me rule my kingdom?”
Heero’s brow creased at him in a look that plainly said “are you crazy”. “What else would I do?” He asked. “I’m not going anywhere, Duo. You couldn’t drag me away with a team of wild horses.”
“Not in your condition.” Duo scowled playfully and tapped him on the nose then sobered and said, “It’s just that it’s a lot of responsibility. I don’t even know if I want to stay.”
“Duo.” Heero scolded kindly. “You can’t just walk away from it all. Who would be king in your stead?”
“Trowa.” Duo supplied helpfully.
Heero struggled to sit up, but Duo pushed him gently back down and kept a restraining hand on his chest to hold him. “You can’t just saddle Trowa with that!” Heero exclaimed upset now.
Frowning down at his struggling lover, Duo stated, “I wasn’t planning on it, love. I just… sometimes I just wish I was really just a street rat or a kitchen boy. That I didn’t have to look after thousands of people single handedly.” His voice was quiet and saddened.
“You’re not alone.” Heero said just as quietly. “I’m here and Quatre, Trowa, and Wufei.” He clasped the hand on his chest and began stroking soothingly between fingers and over skin. “You aren’t alone in this. Not with me here.”
Smiling tenderly down at his determined lover Duo bent down and kissed him slow and deep. “Thank you, Heero. That means a lot to me.” They continued to kiss until a nervous throat cleared from the door way.
“I don’t want to interrupt, David, but you have a visitor.” Quatre smiled kindly at his friend and his lover, at the scene they made.
Straightening up with an indulgent lick over Heero’s flushed lips, Duo frowned in curiosity at his friend. “Who is it?”
“Solo.” Quatre supplied then laughed at the surprised and delighted look Duo had on his face.
“Bring him in!” Duo nearly shouted. “How the fuck did he get in here?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Solo smirked at as he practically bowled Quatre over in his hast to get into the room.
Duo gently scooted out from under Heero as his lover smirked and watched as no sooner did Duo reach his old friend did Solo grab the kid in a head lock and rub his knuckles violently on top of his head.
“You son of a bitch!” Solo laughed as Duo fought valiantly and fruitlessly to get out of his hold.
“What did I do?!” Duo whined childishly as he pulled and tugged uselessly at Solo’s restraining arm.
“Can you guess what I heard in town this morning while minding my own business?” Solo asked with a definite grin on his face as he waved in greeting to a chuckling Heero. “I heard you got yourself assassinated.”
“Oh. That.” Duo stopped struggling and Solo let him go.
“‘Oh. That.’? What is that supposed to mean?” The older street rat growled from around his pipe.
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly as he retreated back to Heero’s side and sat on the cot, Heero’s arm wrapping around his waist. “Well you see. My uncle hired Heero to assassinate me so that he could keep the throne for good.”
Sighing heavily Solo grabbed the chair next to Heero’s bed and flopped down in it, figuring he might as well be comfortable for the duration of what promised to be a thoroughly long, complicated, and amusing story.
Sure enough by the end of it Solo didn’t know whether to laugh or get up and chop the already dead king into little bits and pieces. “That’s quite the story.” He chose to say instead.
“Tell me about it.” Duo chuckled and smiled at Heero whose eyes were drooping in exhaustion.
Solo looked from the assassin to Duo then stood up and needlessly smoothed down his coat. “Well, since the both of you look like shit, I’ll take my leave.”
“You don’t have to go.” Duo protested earnestly. He wanted to show his friend around the castle and talk to him about an arrangement for the gang.
“You came all the way, Solo. You might as well stay for awhile.” Heero added though he felt like he couldn’t keep his eyes open for another moment.
“Nah.” Solo stated with a smirk. “Just came to pay my respects to a dead friend and tell him the good news.”
Duo ignored the dead remark and instead zeroed in on the news bit. “Good news? What good news?”
Breaking into an honest to goodness bright shining smile, Solo swelled with pride. “Hilde’s expecting. We’re going to have a baby.”
Duo’s mouth dropped open then he launched himself at his friend, Solo just barely managing to catch him before he knocked them both to the marble floor.
Solo’s pipe went flying again and Duo wrapped his legs around his friend’s waist whooping like a Scottish warrior on the war path. “That’s wonderful! I can’t believe it! I’m going to be an uncle!”
Laughing at his lover’s mirth Heero pointed out, “Duo, love, I think you’re suffocating Solo.”
Looking down at his captive, Duo jumped off of the father to be but couldn’t help himself from shaking the living daylights out of him. “When did this happen? How far along is she?” Then suddenly his ecstatic smile soured. “What the hell were you thinking?!”
The sudden one-eighty took the street wizened man by surprise. “What?”
“You live on the streets, Solo! You can’t raise a baby on the streets!” Duo was shaking his friend in anger now.
“Duo! You’re hurting him, love.” Heero admonished and succeeded in stopping Duo’s violence but not his temper.
“What do you have to say for yourself?” Duo glared at his friend with his hands fisted on his hips.
Solo stared at him in bafflement. “Um… it was an accident?”
Sniffing, Duo grumbled, “Accident indeed.”
Scuffing a beaten and weathered boot on the floor, Solo looked down in embarrassment. “Actually Duo, we were going to ask you if you would take the baby in once it’s born and raise it in proper society. Give it a good life, you know.”
Thoroughly shocked by this, Duo took a step back. “Solo…”
“I know it’s a lot to ask.” Solo preempted. “But Hilde and I can’t-… we don’t have the means to give it everything we want to be able to. All I’m asking is that you think about it.” Then he looked up at his young friend and gave him a small smile. “Either way, whatever you decide, we are still going to ask you to be its godfather.”
Placing a hand on his wildly beating heart, Duo could feel his throat start to tighten. “Solo that’s… I’d be honored.”
“Good.” Solo nodded and smiled at him. “Just think about it you know, about the taking in bit. I’ve got to get back to the gang and tell them you aren’t worm food yet.”
Returning the smile and light chuckle Duo grabbed his friend in a hard hug and whispered, “Congratulations, Solo and give my love to Hilde.”
“Thank you, I will.” Pulling away Solo picked up his pipe and waved at Heero. “Take care of yourself, Traveler, and don’t let this bozo run you ragged.”
“I won’t,” Heero grinned back at him. “Congratulations.”
Nodding, Solo stepped out of the infirmary and began the journey back to Peacemillion.
A tired sigh worthy of Atlas escaped Duo’s lips as he collapsed gently on Heero’s cot.
Heero wrapped his arms around him and tucked his head underneath his chin. “That was some news, huh?”
“Yeah.” Duo closed his suddenly burning tired eyes and burrowed deeper against his lover’s side, carful of his injury.
“What do you think you want to do?” Heero asked gently as he relaxed and stroked comfortingly up and down Duo’s back.
Shaking his head, Duo inhaled Heero’s comforting scent. “I don’t know. I just don’t know.”
Closing his own eyes and feeling his body already shutting down from the long hours of seemingly continuous upheavals and near death exhaustions Heero murmured against Duo’s lavender scented hair, “Just rest now, love, think about it later.”
“Mm.” Duo agreed already half asleep, he just barely mumbled, “Sound’s good,” before he and Heero were swept away in badly needed and blissfully restful sleep.
*
TBC...
Chapter 08 part 01