12-June-02
A Matter of Heart: Heirs to the Legacy
By: Andrea Readwolf
Email: <andrea_readwolf @hotmail.com>
Rating: YA/Mature
Families: YMC Fam (Yuy-Maxwell-Chang Family: Trinity, Mara Jade, and Dylan);
Winner Fam (Quatre + Trowa, Triton&Tristan, and little sis Calista)
Peacecraft Family (Zechs Marquise/Milliard + Lucrezia/Noin Peacecraft,
Kit/Katarynna, Adrian, and Nicolette/Nicole)
Mazzolla Family (Mariemeia + Jake Mazzolla {OC}, Julian)
Catalonia-Dorian Family (Dorothy Catalonia + Relena Dorian, Regina)
Une-Po Family (Lady Une + Sally Po, Marie Une*, Michael Braddocks, Mark Braddocks, Matthew Braddocks)
Pairings: Established Trinity + Adrian, the rest? Well, we're getting there....
Archive: Yes-- www.gwaddiction.com
Warnings: The following story contains scenes that are humorous, sappy,
fluff, with Incoherence, random PoV switching, and Sexual innuendos abound.
Original Characters are presented; all characters are IC according to the
author's interpretation of them. Mainly heterosexual situations, with hints
of YAOI and YURI.
Spoilers: Previous Matter of Heart Series Arc stories: "Dance of the Heart"
Arc and "Oh Baby, Baby" Arc. Built off of "Traditions".
Feedback: C&C is always welcomed and adored.
Acknowledgements: There have been some wonderful people who have
made my sojourn in GW-fanfiction more than just enjoyable and have
inspired me to write, write, and write some more. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters belong to Bandai, Sunrise
and Sotsu Agency and are only being used for non-profit entertainment
purposes. References to printed texts, films, sitcoms, musical
pieces, and/or other fanfictions don't belong to the author either.
Original Characters, including but not limited too, the Berh
Siblings, Jake Mazzolla and "the chibis", are original and hence, the
author's own creation.
Notes: This is the story of the children, the nine children of the 6
gundam pilots (Heero--Zechs) plus the grandchild of Treize
Khushrenada. This story will not focus primarily on the characters
from the series, but rather, the generation after them. This story is
not for all die-hard fans, but runs along the lines of a more
original piece.
***These stories and the ideas contained within are copyright of the author. No reprinting or posting without permission of said author.***
~The Night of Trinity's and Adrian's Engagement Party~
Tristan Raberba Winner was the younger twin by a matter of second. Literally, the only thing that had separated him from his brother was the time it had taken the doctors to pull him from their father's body. That was, until last year when the oldest child announced his decision to continue his education... in space. It had been a difficult year for both boys, to be forced so far apart for the first time in their young lives. But it had also been a good and educational experience for them.
To many, Tristan Winner was little more than a playboy--a handsome face, well-built body, winning smile, attending his sixth year at the University without one degree to show for it, while constantly in the company of beautiful members of the human populace. In short, the media loved the young twin of Quatre Raberba Winner, and Tristan went out of his way to keep it that way. In the same token, the media also adore Tristan's older brother, Triton, who was never rude, but never overly friendly with members of the media, either. Still, this seemed to just fit with the persona created and presented to the world of one Triton Raberba Winner.
Triton Winner, who was a carbon copy of his younger brother, was an intense, focused young man who was intelligent, responsible, and capable. And next year, when he graduated, he would take over the Medical Research Division of WEI.
Not that all these things weren't true of the oldest brother, but, those who were close friends of the family knew there was so much *more*. Like the fact he was as sneaky and devious as his younger twin.
He thanked the coachman as he helped pulled his bags from the back. "Oh, my pleasure, sir," the older man replied. "I've never had a call for all the way up here. It's an honor to serve-"
The front door of the Winner Home Estate, Emerald Gardens, was thrown open, shouts originating from inside the mansion spilling out before first one and then a second blond blur dashed out the door and down the steps.
Triton rushed forward, bags forgotten as he met his little sister halfway up the steps, catching her up and laughing as they swung around. Tristan was only a moment behind, catching both siblings in a large group hug as they all laughed and rattled on eagerly.
The old coachman smiled up at the happy family reunion--all three young'uns looked too much alike not to be family--and nodded off to the casual-dressed man who came out behind the two kids and down the rest of the steps to where the old man finished fishing his charge's bags. The man paid him before picking up the young blond man's bags.
"They look like a right good-looking happy family," the old coachman told the other man.
He smiled at the coachman, running a hand through silvery graying blonde bangs. "Yes, we are. Thank you for bringing my son home."
"Dad! Dad, here, let me take those!" Triton said, reaching out for the bags Trowa was hefting.
"I've got them," his father replied, holding onto the bags. "What are you doing home today? I thought you couldn't make it until next week?"
His son's sheepish smile was another to bring Trowa's own into full, radiant wattage. "I made some arrangements," Triton admitted. "Besides, I wanted to be here for Adrian's and Trinity's engagement party. It's bad enough I had to missed Ad's graduation, you know?"
"Triton!" "Triton!"
Tristan and Calista found themselves pushed out of the way as the two Chang sisters suddenly flew out of the mansion and hurtled themselves at the returned young man. Laughter abound, the three of them almost went tumbling down the steps, but Tristan and Callie-and Trowa, too-steadied the happy, reunited group.
"Welcome home, son," Quatre said when he finally got the chance, pulling the taller young man to him. "I know I'm not the only one glad to have you back."
"Even if you *were* just here last month," a sarcastic, but smiling voice added. Adrian Peacecraft grinned at them as the entourage made its way back inside the manor. After a lot of hugs, back-slapping, kisses, and handshakes, the best friend, best man, maid of honor, and the happy couple themselves, found a semi-quiet room to hole up in and play catch-up for a while.
"So, have you given any thoughts to details, yet?" Triton asked, nodding his thanks as a beaming Mara Jade handed him a drink.
"Well." Trinity began.
They looked real cute, Triton thought. Now that they were finally a real couple-the long, dark-haired young woman was tucked against the tall, dark young man's side, leaning into each other, naturally, unconsciously. They looked good together. They had always looked good together, but now that they were really together...
"December 13," Trinity said, smiling beautifully.
"In Sank," Adrian added, his fingers threading through hers.
"The guest list is still..." Trinity shook her head.
"Aunt Lena wants to invite people," Adrian explained. "And then there's all your aunts and cousins, and then the members of state that need to be invited because of me."
Triton nodded solemnly. "A real political wedding, huh? I guess it can't be avoided, what with you becoming King of your own damn country now, and all."
"Guess not," Mara Jade snorted.
"Now if only I could get this one to fit into a dress!" Trinity laughed, tossing a throw pillow in her sister's direction.
"Mara Jade? IN a formal dress?" Triton laughed teasingly. "Now there's something I have got to see!"
"She'll be a sight, that's for sure," his brother agreed, grinning.
The dark-haired girl took the pillow that had been tossed at her and aimed it straight for the younger blond's head. Dead on target. The others laughed, happily.
"Is your aim getting off, Mara J?" Tristan teased, snatching the pillow from the air before it could strike.
"No," she seethed, crossing her arms over her chest.
Triton laughed again, clapping his brother on the leg. "You know, I think I 'm gonna go track down some people I saw out there earlier," he said, catching his brother's looks before looking over at the engaged couple. "You two should come, too. After all, this party is for you."
Trinity and Adrian were at first startled by the sudden suggestion to leave the cozy semi-quiet room. but quickly caught onto their friend's purpose, standing as one and leading the way back out. "Oh, I guess you're right," Trinity was saying. "We can talk later, ne?"
"Of course."
"OH, but wait!" Mara Jade cried, reaching out to stop Triton. "You just got back...and I was... I was hoping we could talk some. Maybe, maybe you could tell me about how things are going for you in space? And I could tell you about things here--?"
"Not much has changed since last month, Mara J," Triton smiled, squeezing and giving her hand a little shake. "Besides, we have a whole week to get together and talk, ne? I won't be going back up to space until Sunday. Plenty of time."
"Oh, But---"
But he was already gone, having quickly slipped out the door. Mara Jade sighed. She so rarely got to spend anytime with the other boy. He was in space most of the time now, but even before that, he ran with a different crowd than she did. He ran with a crowd period. Mara Jade Chang was more of a solitary creature. She preferred staying home to going out; curling up with a good book to turning on the vidscreen. She liked music all right, but not nearly as much as her sister did, and she had certainly never held any desire to go to a concert or high school dance.
No, the younger daughter of the Yuy-Maxwell-Chang abode preferred helping her fathers weed the garden on Saturday mornings. She meditated and practiced chi forms; wrote in her journals constantly; and above all else, stuck to her promises. That's why, when she realized she was suddenly alone in a room with the younger Winner twin, she stood to leave as well. After all, hadn't she promised herself that she would never be caught alone dead in a room with Tristan Raberba Winner?
"No, wait a minute, Mara J. Let's talk, please?" Tristan tried to stop her.
"I don't see as how we have anything to talk about," she replied stiffly, moving for the door.
His hand on her wrist stopped her. "Oh, no? Listen Mara Jade. I don't want to argue with you. That's the last thing I want to do now."
She glared at the fingers wrapped around her flesh. "Let go of me, Tristan," she told him lowly, her voice warning with venom.
"Just hear me out," he replied softly, his voice full of sincere seriousness.
She huffed, but it was that seriousness that turned her back to face him, waiting if not patiently for him to say whatever the hell it was he wanted to say, and then get the hell out of there. Maybe, if she was lucky, she'd find Triton again and get him to dance a little with her. She wasn't real big on dancing herself, but she knew the blond man liked it well enough. So--
"You know I care about you, right?"
Large indigo eyes blinked. Twice. Stared up into blue-green eyes, somewhat stunned. "We're family," she said slowly, wary of what point he was trying to get out. After all, their history was none too sweet. Their relationship was one more of rivalry than of loving cousins.
Tristan Raberba Winner could feel his pulse racing, the blood thudding in his ears. He wet his lips and took another step closer, cautious not to scare her off or set off that short fused-temper of hers. "More than just family-like, Mara J. I-" What the hell was possessing him to do this?!??! "I love you."
'Be cool, girl. Keep it calm. He doesn't look like he's setting you up for some joke or prank. But, then, he couldn't possibly--No. That look on his face; it was too serious... he was... he was serious about this.'
She wanted to sit down, but felt that would be too much a sign of weakness on her part and so forced herself to remain standing. Still, it was like her head was spinning, her heart speeding up, and she felt knocked off her center. 'He's serious. He's serious. Oh, God! He's serious- '
"Tristan, you're very sweet, but I don't think of you in that way," she said, brushing a stray strand of jet-black hair back out of her face and behind one ear. She bit down on her lower lip, worrying it, her large bluish violet eyes staring at him, pleading with him to understand. 'Don't. Don't make me do this, please, Tristan. I...'
"But you think of my brother 'in that way'," he snipped, blond bangs falling into face which he brushed away irately. His eyes swirled with mixed emotions, those blue-green orbs staring intently down at her. "Is that what you're telling me, Mara Jade? Huh?" He whirled, pacing away from her as if he didn't trust himself to stand near her for another moment. He didn't-- after all, it was a well-known fact that one of the reasons the two didn't get along well was because they both had a temper that could peal paint.
Five feet away he turned sharply, his hard blue eyes stinging, piecing into her. "News Flash: Triton's not in love with you, Mara Jade. He never was and he never will be. You know why?" He began walking closer, once again closing the distance between them. "Because he's in love with Katarynna Peacecraft. He always has been, since we were kids, and nothing you, or me, or anyone else can do that will ever change that. And you know what? Even if he *wasn't* in love with her, he *still* would make a move on you. Not one little move. Do you hear me? Never. I would kill him first!"
"Tristan!"
He whirled away. "Oh, don't play coy with me, Mara Jade Yuy-Maxwell-Chang!" He turned back to face her, his face pink with more than just anger. "I have held my heart out on a platter for you and I'm *sick* and *tired* of just waiting around here like a love sick puppy! Hoping that one day--just once!--you would look at me the way you look at him. Just once."
"Tris---"
He was against her, his body pressing up to hers, his lips moving over hers, his hands cupping her face, holding her in place for his kiss should she try to struggle. She didn't. After a moment, he stepped back, allowing the cool late-spring 's breeze to rush between their bodies. His thumbs brushed along side her cheeks as they stared at one another.
"Why..." she breathed after a moment of tense silence. This was her rival. The one person she was free to hate without hard feelings; no regrets. Why was he doing this to her? "Why did you do that?"
Tristan licked his lips and shifted a bit closer. "Because I wanted to," he answered softly, studying her face. Gods be damned, he was already cursed. From the time they were children. "Because I've wanted to for a very long time." He leaned closer, bringing their faces inches apart. "I want to again."
"I---"
Her face tilted up, breaching the distance between their parted lips. He stepped closer, she leaned forward. His hands strayed from her face to her back, to her waist, holding her closer. Her arms seemed to react naturally, moving up around him, under his arms and around his back.
Lack of breath made them part again, panting.
"I... Have wanted to do that... For a Very... Long time," he breathed heavily, licking his lips.
"I'm sorry," was all she could manage to say, staring up at him. She was sure that when this was all over, and she was home, lying safely alone in her dark room, she would think up a hundred different things to have said at this moment. But nothing better than, 'I'm sorry,' came to her lips. She felt like crying, but didn't know why, and that annoyed her more than not having anything good to say.
He smiled, his blue-green eyes traveling over her face, up and down, as if they couldn't get enough of her. "What are you thinking?" he asked softly, the pad of his thumb smoothing over her cheek.
"I don't know," she whispered back before swallowing. "My mind is racing with a million thoughts and I can't seem to hold on to one of them."
His smile deepened and he leaned forward and lightly kissed the corner of her lips. "Good. Glad to return the favor."
She pulled away--not by much, just enough to be able to look up into his face, questioningly.
"You... Have been the subject of many of my thoughts, my dreams." He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "My fantasies." He could feel and hear her gasp, her chest suddenly rising against his, and he wanted to pull her closer, and never let go. She was so soft... so... pliable in his arms. He'd never dreamed she'd actually let him hold her... kiss her... but now... now he was afraid he'd never get enough.
"I want to do things to you, with you," he continued by her ear, his hands smoothing up and down her back. "Today, tomorrow, next week, next year, forever." He pulled back to look into her eyes. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Mara Jade Chang."
She couldn't pull air in quick enough. Her head was swimming, her mind racing. She tried to pull away, shaking her head, more long strands of ebony silk escaping from its loose confinement. "Tristan."
"Sshhh," he soothed, pulling her closer, enveloping her in his arms, holding her to him, preventing her escape. "I'm sorry. I know," he whispered, raining tiny kisses down along her temple, her cheek, her neck. "I know you think you don't love me, and I know you were probably never even aware that I love you, but, Mara J... I do love you. With all my heart, body, and soul."
He pulled away now and looked down into her confused and frightened face, his heart constricting in his chest because he knew *he* was the cause of her fear. "Mara Jade, I love you... and one day, I want you to be my wife, and the mother of my children, and all that fun domesticated stuff. But not now."
She looked up, startled, and he had to bite back a laugh. "I'm not looking for a wife. I never have been--because I always knew there was only one girl I'd ever marry. And I'm not in any rush to get married. And I don't want to rush you into anything you're uncomfortable with, Mara Jade, but I do want ... I want to be with you."
She managed to pull away from him, running her hands over her face and struggling to calm her racing heart. First the news that her sister was getting married, and now this? What the hell was happening to her nice, calm life? "What do you mean? Like, dating?"
He grinned. "Yeah, sure. Dating, seeing each other, going study. Whatever you want to call it. I want it. With you. Movies, theater, dancing, the works. Wine you, dine you, sixty-nine you-"
She shot him an angry look, which only succeeded in making him grin more.
"Everything," he enunciated, shifting closer to her. "I want everything you're willing to give me, at the rate you're willing to give it."
She began to run a hand through her hair, growling in frustration when she realized how much of it was free from its bun. "Tristan, I--"
"No rush," he jumped in. "Everything at your own speed. You set the pace."
She looked at him hopelessly, looking into the puppy-dog blue eyes of his.
"At least give it a try." he asked, giving her a little twisty-shake.
She sighed. She couldn't deny him at least a chance... could she? I mean, one chance.
"It's a date then.?" he offered. "This weekend?"
Her shoulders slumped and, bemusedly, she agreed.
End Part 5
Tristan: {smirking} A Winner always gets what he wants.
Trinity: Anou... I don't know. Mara Jade can be *pretty* stubborn...
MJ: JUST WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON?!?!
Trinity: {smiles sweetly} I only want what's best for you, of course!
MJ: AND YOU THINK **THIS** IS BEST?
Tristan: Of course it is! {grinning}
Readwolf: {holding head and wincing} will someone *please* make them shut
up... or else I'll have to call your fathers.
Andrea Readwolf
Please send comments to: andrea_readwolf@hotmail.com