Dragons on the Doorstep
~*~ X
Life went on unstressed for many months. Little Argent grew like a weed. Heero accumulated several hundred billion Yen for the collective and for the kingdom. Quatre spent extra time in the kingdom, coming up with ideas to make his citizens’ lives better. And shopping. There was always shopping.
There were urgent healings in the kingdom, but nothing out of the ordinary. Quatre made the most of his time there by trying to educate patients to prevent urgent and emergency healings. He understood that only about half his patients would actually follow instructions. Making life changes was hard, he knew that, but he would continue to try. In the meantime, he made copious notes for the staff Healers.
Wufei talked Heero out of portaling to New York City to immolate the obnoxious businessmen that he had decided against working with. Apparently, they did not understand the word “no” and he so wanted to teach them. He was heartily sick of mirror calls, owl and pigeon messages, and those new annoyances the humans called “telegrams”. Wufei had to work to restrain his friend, when even he wanted to smack the crap out of the humans.
Wufei found that his assistant apparently could not walk and chew gum at the same time. The young dragon was in love, he declared, for the first time and had made a mess of Wufei’s books due to love sickness. It was Wufei’s turn to want to slap the crap out of someone. He didn’t, though. He reminded himself of what it was like to be in infatuation for the first time, sighed, and set about untangling the books. He did vent to his husband, and accepted his sympathy. Quatre offered one of the kingdom’s bookkeepers to help, but Wufei demurred. His own fault for not checking his assistant’s work more often. It was his job, after all.
Quatre’s nephews managed to prove Quatre’s opinion of them by getting into a fistfight over who should be chosen as heir. He just sighed, shook his head and informed their mothers that none of them were demonstrating responsible behavior and as a consequence would not be on the short list for heir. He did not broach the idea of adoption. Instead, he retreated to his wheel and began another… something or other. He’d know what it was when it was finished.
Duo finished the sweater for Heero and it looked wonderful on him. Heero was mildly surprised that he didn’t have to stretch the truth when he said it was perfect and that he loved it. Duo beamed happily and started another blanket.
One of the collective cats had a litter of kittens and precipitated an actual wrestling match between two dragons over who got the first choice of the kittens. The mother cat sensibly moved her litter to an undisclosed location for the duration.
This encouraged Quatre to inquire of the kitchens at the palace as to whether they might need a cat or two to combat vermin, and was told that if he could produce such a thing, it would be most welcome. The chef’s scullery boy produced two enormous dead rats that he had killed just that morning. Quatre called Wufei and asked him to inquire of the mother cat whether she would give leave for two or three of her kittens to go to the kingdom to solve the rat problem. She agreed, with the warning that the kittens would have to be at least six months old to combat rats and any other ROUSs that they might encounter. A pair of the collective cats offered to take a temporary position, as they hadn’t had a good rat hunt in some time. Quatre consulted with the chef and found him to be in agreement. The cats portaled over the next time Quatre and Wufei came and immediately set about eradicating the assorted ROUSs. The chef was happy to have his kitchen protected and the scullery boy was happy that he only had to collect the bodies, not hunt them down and kill them himself. The ROUSs could be tough on humans. The cats were indulged and spoiled with the best food and the most comfortable cushions for sleeping. Everyone was thrilled.
Argent, having learned to talk in the interval, discovered a new word and began using it for absolutely everything. Duo despaired of ever civilizing his toddler. And then the best/worst thing happened… Argent set a bush on fire. Duo’s reaction was priceless; “Chosen has fire, son has fire. Chosen job teach son about fire. Get on with.” Wufei ended up rolling on the floor with uncontrollable laughter. Duo took a week and went to visit Quatre in the kingdom.
Summer came, and Quatre began spending more time at the collective. Wufei rejoiced to have his husband all to himself for three weeks at a time. Well, except for the time he spent with Duo. Now that Argent was turning from a baby into a child, it fell more to Heero to raise him until he understood his dragon nature and didn’t set anything on fire by accident.
Duo and Quatre were in Quatre’s hobby room making a ceramic whatsis when the mirror chimed. Quatre asked Duo to answer it for him and hit it with a wisp of magic to open the connection. It was Trowa.
Duo stepped back, a little startled, and Quatre sighed. “Hello, Trowa. How are you today, and to what do I owe this call?”
“I just heard that you got married.”
“It’s true, I did get married. Almost a year ago. King of a country, here, remember; required to have a spouse.”
“Is that spouse required to be a dragon?”
Quatre sighed again. Aaannnd here came the passive aggressive bullshit. “I was courted, I fell in love and we got married. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Were you ‘courting’ before we broke it off?”
“No, we weren’t, because he is an honorable dragon. He waited until I had ended things before he began courting me. Not that it’s any of your business. Just what are you frothing about that warranted a mirror call?” He grabbed a cloth, dampened it with water and laid it over his project on the wheel so it wouldn’t dry out.
“I can't believe you took up with Wufei!”
Quatre rolled his eyes. “I didn’t ‘take up with’ anyone. I was courted, we dated, eventually we decided to Choose and get married. Now, I ask again, what is your point? And why are you calling now?”
“Were you cheating on me?”
“Were we ever officially together? I don’t think so.”
“Quatre-!”
“No! You don’t get to ‘Quatre!’ me! Especially when all you ever did was dodge my efforts to find out where we stood with each other! It’s been well over a year now, and my life is none of your damn business! If the only reason you called was to accuse me of cheating in a relationship we never had, then you can sod right off! I thought you were starting a relationship with someone there, anyway. Were you cheating on me? Hm? You never broke up with me before you went to Rive Bartonn, remember. I had to break up with you, you idiot! And by mirror call no less! So don't you dare try to make me the bad guy! Now, did you actually want anything, or did you just call to pick a fight?”
There was a murmur in the background, and Trowa suddenly blushed. “The Elder wanted to speak to you,” he mumbled and stepped away from the mirror. His visage was replaced by that of the Kewpie Solo.
Quatre drew a deep breath, let it out and greeted the Kewpie Elder.
“Ah, friend Solo. How may I help you today?”
“Curiosity,” said the blond Kewpie. “Wondered how is Duo? Child? No ill effects from curse?”
“None that we've been able to find. Would you like to speak with Duo? He's here.” He offered his place at the mirror to the Kewpie.
“Elder Solo! Hello!”
“Hello, Duo. Are well? And child?”
“Both well! Quatre takes good care of! Baby has name of Argent. Is dragon baby. Has wings, has fire, too. Learning to talk, learning to not set drapes on fire.” Solo laughed. “Have hobby with Quatre. Do things together. Kewpie makes blankets, hats, Quatre makes ceramic whatsis. Chosen very proud.”
“Excellent! Happy for friend Duo. Hope for continued health for Kewpie and little dragon.”
“Thanks for. Settlement is well? No more Filofields trouble?”
“No more. Optimistic that Filofields trouble finished. Call just to inquire, glad Duo is well. Farewell.”
“Farewell!”
The mirror cleared. Duo and Quatre looked at each other, shrugged, and returned to their respective projects.
“Trowa call behalf of Elder Solo? Think? Seem strange…”
“It was kind of strange… Like even on someone else’s call, he just couldn't resist poking at me. He sounded so jealous, maybe…” He chewed at his lip. “I just don't know what that was all about. I thought I was clear last year. I certainly told him we weren't together anymore, maybe never had been, and to not bother me again. I don’t know how much clearer I could have been. And ‘taking up with Wufei’! How insulting! Oh, I'm getting angry again! I'm not an almighty Mage, but I could certainly give him a good case of boils if I choose! The nerve of that man!”
“Sounded mad Quatre married, Chosen. But not Trowa’s business now. Trowa didn’t court, can't be mad Wufei did.”
“Exactly. I don’t know what his problem is, and I refuse to give it any of my attention going forward. I am happily married and Chosen and Trowa’s fulminations are no concern of mine. If he has regrets, well, he had his chance and he blew it. Not my problem now.”
“Yay Quatre! Trowa so rude on call. Like different person…”
“Or maybe like the real person.” He shook his head. “It's a good thing I never went in for psychology as a speciality. People can be so odd sometimes.”
Duo nodded his agreement, then picked up his latest project. Quatre returned to his ceramic, relieved to find it was still workable. He kicked the wheel into motion and laid his hands on the clay, trying to remember what he'd been doing when interrupted.
“Hello, my king,” said Wufei, appearing a bit later.
“‘My king’? Where did that come from?” Quatre smirked.
“One of your brothers-in-law took it upon himself to lecture me on the proper way to address the king. He was quite indignant.”
Quatre sighed and rolled his eyes. “Which idiot was it and I'll have him strung up by his thumbs.”
“I'm afraid I'm not sure which one it was. They all begin to blend together after a while.”
“Oh, I know! That's part of the reason I don’t want one of the nephews as heir. Too easily influenced by idiot parents. I mean, I love some of my sisters, but the rest of them just haven't got three brain cells to rub together. And their choice of spouse only proves that.”
“Got it. How are the hobbies getting on?” He brought over a chair and sat where he could see Quatre’s wheel.
“Reasonably well. I had an interruption earlier.” He'd thought about it and decided he didn't want to keep secrets from Wufei. “Trowa called. I'm still not exactly sure why.”
“Wanted to pick fight,” said Duo quietly.
“Oh, did he? And what did he think he had the right to fight about?”
“I'm not sure, but it seemed like he wanted to accuse me of cheating on him with you. I'd already told him that was ridiculous and that in any case he and I clearly hadn't been together in any meaningful way since he decamped for Rive Bartonn, but I still waited to break it off officially before I even thought of seeing someone else.”
“Didn’t believe,” said Duo, shaking his head sadly. “Also angry Quatre Chose Wufei. Getting heated, Elder Solo stepped in. Asked for Duo. Inquired after Duo and baby. Concerned about curse. Told all well, offered thanks for concern. Call ended. Trowa very angry about wedding. Don't understand problem. Didn’t want to court, why angry someone else would?”
“Why, indeed?” Wufei mused. “Sounds like jealousy to me. Nevertheless, he had his chance and muffed it. I certainly wasn't going to miss my chance.” He got up to give Quatre a kiss. “Not with you as the prize.”
“Trowa surprised Quatre not pining. Expect Quatre to wait for Trowa. Not understand affair over. Even use plain language, still not understand. Trowa idiot.”
“I certainly concur with that,” said Quatre darkly. “It was like he'd got an idea in his head and just would not be dissuaded.”
“I remember your conversation from last year. He's trying to rewrite history.”
“I'm just glad you and Duo were both around to hear those calls. I almost feel like I’m being gaslighted.”
“Trowa jealous did not chase. Got on with life, found Chosen-husband. Jealous Quatre Chose dragon. Trowa started affair at settlement, affair failed. Someone told Trowa Quatre married now. More jealousy.”
“Ridiculous that the intermittent drama in my life is caused by my ex! So annoying!” He smoothed his fingers up the piece on the wheel and caught his breath. It actually looked like something! It looked like… a dish. “Wufei… Duo… Come look! It's a dish!”
“It is! Quatre! It's wonderful! Congratulations!”
“Is dish! Is perfect! Choose perfect color!”
He was swamped with hugs. Huh. Maybe he should fight with an ex more often. Wonder how Trowa would feel about a combative mirror call?
He gave voice to his thought. “I wonder if I should try fighting with Trowa more often!”
“Maybe just imagine you've fought with him. See if that's enough?”
“Hmm… I wonder if that would work? Not sure I want to try it. It would mean dealing with Trowa in some small way, and I really just don't want to. He's being an ass. I don't have the spell width for him. Or the time.”
“Just ignore him.” Wufei shook his head. “You're right that he's being an ass. I expect he'll call again, and he'll be an ass again. Whatever his problem is, you certainly don't need to make it yours.” He laid his arms around Quatre’s shoulders. “My king…” he snickered.
Quatre poked him in the ribs. “Silly!” He gathered up his new dish and carried it out to the kiln room.
Wufei turned to Duo. “Did Trowa say anything hurtful?”
Duo thought about it. “Passive aggressive yes. Almost mean, but not quite. Jealous. Overwhelmingly jealous. Being ass. Poking. Kewpie Elder step in.” He thought further. “Definitely mean-spirited. Lost deal, refuses to let go. Little bit scary. Mage.” He looked up at the concerned dragon. “Worried about future behavior. Kind of… Filofields behavior. Should tell Elder?”
Wufei stiffened. “I think we should. This is worrying. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm not sure I trust Trowa…”
“Unfortunately, I'm not sure I can trust him either,” said Quatre, coming back into the room. “I'm going to consult Sorcerer Meisal. He established a relationship with the settlement when we were there last time. I'll ask about this. Maybe he can get through to Trowa. Or maybe the Elder can. I certainly can’t.” He took a few minutes to clean the clay from his hands and moisturize.
“This is very worrying, my love. He is a Mage… Is he a good Mage? Competent? Talented?”
“Reasonably so. He's a nature Mage, so he works best with natural elements. He's not so good with mechanical issues or manufactured things. His wand work is solid; he’s not so good with potions, but he’s very good with spells and curses.”
“I think…” Wufei said slowly, “that we would do well to guard against him.” He looked over at Duo. “All of us. Jealousy is a powerful emotion; it's what originally drove the Filofield siblings, egged on by their psychopathology. I don't think we can assume anything about Trowa from now on.” He touched Quatre’s cheek. “I need to speak to Heero.”
“All right. If you need me, send an apprentice. I'll be here, with Duo.” He sat down at the wheel again. Wufei left quickly. Duo and Quatre looked at each other. “Having said that about Trowa, I have to admit to getting a chill up my spine…” Quatre murmured. “I never would have imagined that I would ever be… afraid of Trowa… but I think I could be…”
“Will protect,” asserted Duo. “Have voice now.”
“But, remember, Trowa knows how to take your voice. I think we need to talk to Sorcerer Meisal right now. He needs to know what's going on up there, and you need to be spell safe, even more than normal.”
Quatre went to the mirror and tapped it, calling for the Sorcerer. When the man answered, both Quatre and Duo began talking at once.
“Whoa, whoa! One at a time! What's happened?” Between the two of them they managed to convey the oddness of Trowa’s call and the lingering feeling of dread it engendered.
“After what happened with the jealousy of the Filofields, we're… well, I'm a little nervous. He's acting out of character from the person I thought I knew. He's… he's acting like the Filofields. The more I think about it, the more worried… and even scared I become,” admitted the Healer.
“This is very worrying… There is something called a shared psychosis that happens sometimes amongst Mages, Wizards and, sad to say, Sorcerers. I've heard of cases involving non-magical folk. I wonder if this could be something like that? In any case, I will go there and examine Trowa. If nothing else, he needs to let go of this obsession with Quatre.” He consulted a diary. “Yes, I can go today.”
“Oh! One more thing… Trowa knows how to take Duo's voice. Can you do anything about that? We do not want Duo to be vulnerable again. Especially not with the situation the way it is.”
“Where are you?”
“At the collective.”
“I'll be right there.”
Sure enough, a portal opened a few minutes later and the Sorcerer stepped through.
“Healer Quatre! Duo! How nice to see you again! Duo, step over here and I will make sure no one can ever take your voice again.”
Duo stood where he was bid and the Sorcerer tapped him three times on each shoulder, while muttering a very long spell. When that was finished, he spoke another, shorter, spell, and drew a circle around Duo with his wand, then tapped his forehead lightly.
“There we go; spell safe for the next 99 years. For you and anyone connected to you, like your child and your Chosen.”
“Thank profusely!” cried Duo. “Was worried.”
“We both were,” said Quatre. “Trowa really was acting very strange on that call. It was almost like the Filofields… That kind of strange toxic energy. We've been broken up for well over a year, and I wasn't seeing anyone when we did break up, but he kept accusing me of cheating. Apparently, he thinks Wufei and I getting together - after the breakup, mind you - is somehow proof that I was cheating! It's bordering on unhinged. He referred to it as ‘taking up with Wufei’!” He scrubbed his hands over his face. “This is becoming a nightmare,” he whispered.
The door slid open and Heero and Wufei walked in. Duo ran to his Chosen and Wufei came to gather Quatre close.
“Sorcerer Meisal, can you make sense of this?!” demanded Heero.
“I am on my way to the settlement at Rive Bartonn. I will be having a very pointed conversation with a certain young Mage. I expect to have answers for you when I return. I won't let him weasel out of anything and I will be speaking with the Kewpie Elder. Whatever is going on here will be stopped, one way or another. You have my promise on that.” He stepped away and a portal appeared. He stepped through with a lazy salute and was gone.
“What the fuck?” muttered Heero.
“What the hell!” exclaimed Wufei.
Their respective Chosens began talking at once. It took Wufei letting out a shrill whistle to get everyone to stop talking.
“Okay, I've told Heero about the call, so what did Sorcerer Meisal say?”
“He's going to examine Trowa for any sign of psychosis and he'll be having a very firm talk with him. He'll also be talking with the Elder Solo. It sounded eerily like the Filofields. That's when we got, well, scared, and called Sorcerer Meisal. Oh, and he's made Duo spell proof for 99 years, to include Duo, Argent and Heero. So you don't have to worry about that.” He paused to take a breath. “Whooo! I have to remember to breathe when I get excited!” gasped Quatre.
“Sweetheart, I think we got most of that, but I want to know if Trowa threatened you. Or Duo.” Wufei hugged him close.
Quatre consulted silently with his Kewpie friend. Duo waggled his hand in a ‘kinda’ gesture. “Not say words, just angry and insistent. Not listening to Quatre, tone angry. Scary. Not sound like Trowa, sound unhinged. Like Filofields. Scary. Almost threaten dragons. Stop short, but angry about Quatre and Wufei. Don't understand why. Trowa not want to court. Wufei did.” He shrugged. “No conflict. Why Trowa concerned? Trowa not want Quatre, Wufei does, everybody happy. Except Trowa rage against thing not want.” He threw up his hands. “Crazy!”
“He doesn't want me, he just doesn't want anyone else to have me,” said Quatre wearily. He slumped against his husband. “Finding out that we got married must have really pissed him off. But he has no claim on me anymore. Not for over a year! Why is he still raging! That's what I don't understand.”
“Petulant child!” spat Duo, getting angry. “Wanting what can't have! Tell Trowa knock off bullshit! Or will Speak!”
Everyone looked at him. Blinked. Looked at each other.
“Duo… what do you mean?”asked Heero.
“Will Speak and tell Trowa knock off shit, leave Quatre alone. Tired of bullshit!”
Heero and Wufei looked at each other. “Did you know he could do that?”
“Uh… No.”
“Quatre…?”
“Not a clue.”
“Duo, can you do that, without causing him harm?”
“Of course! Had about enough of this! Scaring Quatre! Worrying Quatre’s Chosen! Mad now!” He jerked away from Heero. “Get portal to settlement! Will stop the bullshit now!” He stalked across the studio to the mirror. “Call Sorcerer!”
“Oh my god!” exclaimed Quatre in astonishment. “You want to shut Trowa up if he won't shut up voluntarily?”
“Just so! Tired of this! Tired of being scared of presumptuous Mage! No more!” He stomped his foot. “No more!”
It might have been cute, the little Kewpie throwing a temper tantrum, but all of them knew what that adorable little Kewpie could do when pissed off. And he was definitely pissed off now.
Quatre grabbed the mirror. “Call Sorcerer Meisal! The settlement!”
The mirror hummed and then brightened and cleared to show the Sorcerer.
“Quatre, what's wrong?”
“Have you spoken to Trowa yet?”
“Waiting for him to arrive.”
“Duo is pissed! He's ready to Speak to Trowa! Can you get us a portal?”
The Sorcerer’s eyebrows shot up. “He can do that?!”
“Apparently. Can you give us a portal to the settlement?”
“Of course. One moment…”
A portal opened in the middle of the room. All four of them stepped through to find themselves in the settlement. Sorcerer Meisal and the Elder Solo greeted them.
“I'm sorry for the presumptuous demand for the portal, but we've both gotten tired of Trowa’s tantrums. He scared us both this time and threatened our dragons. Duo… Duo wants to Speak.”
The Elder looked concerned. “Trowa threatened?”
“Accused Quatre of cheating! Angry, like Filofields! Angry at Wufei, Chosen. Had just about enough of Trowa bullshit! Will Speak!”
The Elder frowned. “Unacceptable of Trowa. Not threaten friends or Kewpie.”
There was a commotion at the door and Trowa walked in. His eyes lit on Quatre first.
“What the fuck?! You dared come here?!” he exclaimed angrily, taking a step in his direction.
“You wanted to call me a cheater; call me a cheater to my face, dammit! And then never call me again!” demanded Quatre hotly, stepping around Wufei to confront Trowa.
“You took up with him as soon as I left!”
“I ‘took up with him’ after I broke up with you because you were too cowardly to break up with me! He courted me! That's a damn sight more than you ever did! I don't owe you shit! Duo!”
Duo stepped forward. “Enough! Trowa will not speak against Quatre! Never Again! Never Speak To Quatre Again! Never Communicate Again! I Command It!”
Trowa snarled. Flipped his wand out. Solo reacted. “No! Stop! Not hurt!”
Trowa froze at Solo's words.
“Trowa knows rules. Will abide or will leave! Duo Spoke. Will abide!” Solo stalked over and snatched the wand from Trowa’s hand, shook it under his nose. “Will not have this! Unsportsman-like behavior!”
“Agree? Trowa will never speak to Quatre again. If cannot be civilized, cannot speak!”
“Agree!” snapped Solo. “Ashamed of Trowa’s behavior! Kewpie, dragons, Healer, assure no more calls from Trowa. Healer Quatre, apologize for bad behavior, insults. Will not happen again. Sorcerer Meisal, no need for intervention.”
“I appreciate that,” said the Sorcerer. “Danger to Duo is no longer a factor. I placed a warding spell on Duo to protect his voice for 99 years. Just in case Trowa wants to go again,” he explained with a sharp look at the immobilized Mage.
“Trowa will have disciplinary trial. Good Mage, just need to grow up more.”
“Thank you, Elder,” said Quatre in relief.
“Healer most welcome. Also thanks to friend Quatre for sending Healers to Rive Bartonn. Much needed in town and settlement.”
“That was my pleasure. Rive Bartonn as a whole needs to recover from the evil of the Filofields. Healers can only help.”
“Dragons, Kewpie and Healer safe now. Trowa will have attitude adjustment. Thank for bringing to attention. Be safe and well.”
Everyone bowed. A portal appeared and all five of the visitors stepped through.
In Quatre’s studio, the portal vanished and another opened. “Well, that was enlightening,” said the Sorcerer. “Regardless of the Elder’s assurances, I'll be keeping an eye on that young man. And the rest of you can relax, I think.”
“Thank you, Sorcerer; please add this to our bill.” Heero was already looking less murderous.
“No, this comes under the heading of ‘maintaining the magical order’ and is part of a Sorcerer's job.”
“Well then, thank you for not just blowing us off.” On impulse, Quatre hugged the Elder Sorcerer.
Bemusedly, the Sorcerer grinned back, and with a cheery, “All part of the service,” stepped through, taking the portal with him.
“Well,” began Quatre with a sigh, “that was rather more excitement than I expected for today.”
“Rather more than any of us expected,” allowed Heero. “I hope the ‘attitude adjustment’ works out.”
“So do I,” growled Wufei. “If it doesn't, I may have to ask you to do another burn. Not putting up with having my Chosen threatened.”
“Will not attack Quatre again. Made sure.” Duo hugged his friend. “Not allowed to worry Quatre.”
“This will sound silly, but it all feels very anticlimactic. And I am starving! Anyone want to go out for sushi?” Three ‘yeses’ answered him.
Soon they were walking down the avenue on the way to the sushi stall. Duo reminded Wufei of his promise to buy him a sushi roll after the baby came. Wufei called his treat for all of them. Nerves gave way to relaxation and dissection of the day. Heero was brought up to speed on the mirror call that precipitated the whole incident.
“The whole thing is just ridiculous,” Heero said, shaking his head. “Trowa was being willfully stupid about the break up. As a matter of fact, I didn't realize when I first met you, that you and Trowa were supposed to be together. You seemed like part of a couple, but he didn't. And he was the one to go to Rive Bartonn.”
“If he had ended it when he left, I would have begun courting you then, but as long as there was a relationship, I could not,” said Wufei. “He's the one who wanted to eat his cake and have it too. I was very happy when you ended it,” he laid his hand over Quatre’s. “And very happy that you asked me to sit in on the call. Him and his accusations,” he snorted indignantly.
“It's almost like the Filofield poison seeped into him. In the four years I knew him, I never would have expected him to behave like this. It's like he's a different person; someone I don't even know.”
“Different person from first met. Surly, jealous, not good. Maybe Solo can salvage.”
“As long as he stays with the settlement and doesn't do anything towards the two of you, I'll be happy.”
“Same here. I don't want anything to set any of us off.“