2-Aug-2001
Title: Chasing the Crown, an Extended Family Fic
ExFam Authors:
RavynFyre - ravynfyre@hotmail.com
von - sablexo1@yahoo.com
bonnejeanne - bonnejeanne@yahoo.com
*Special Guest Writer! Nixie the Pixie!*
Nixers - Nixerchan@aol.com
Category: yaoi, AU
Rating: NC-17 for now, that will change
Pairings: 1x2, 3+4
Spoilers: Series, Endless Waltz, Mission: Arcadia
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners.
Kenny, Duan, Wufan, Tryan, Carter, Jack and the Ripper, and everything relating to Rip & Jack's universe are ours. No money being made here.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
Please feel free to direct feedback to any or all of the authors!
WARNINGS: AU (Alternate Universe), Original Characters, LEMON in some sections. Kiddie-Angst.
LEMON WARNING this section!
Wufei woke with a momentary sense of disorientation. His nostrils expanded, taking in unfamiliar scents... not unfamiliar, but not what he was accustomed to waking to. Something on his skin felt odd, and there was an extra sensation of warmth surrounding him. He lay still and quiet, taking the input of his senses and sorting it out. A soft brush of something silky against skin, a warm weight on his shoulder, another tangling with his limbs...
Ebony eyes opened slowly, peering down to see chestnut hair and an elfin face nestled against his shoulder. Limbs over limbs. On the other side, an untamable swirl of darker hair, dark eyelashes like velvet crescents against pale cheeks, breathtaking and cleansed in sleep of all conflicts, just a boy...
Swallowing a sudden lump in his throat, Wufei closed his eyes, ignoring the sudden slip of water along his temples. Breathing... something to concentrate on. Pulling his emotions back into some semblance of order, he opened his eyes again, focusing on the ceiling. Treize... he thought almost idly. What would you think of this? Without hesitation the answer came to him, almost as if he could see the ginger-haired aristocrat's face, the slight smile, the affection with a hint of amusement as if he knew everything, always, at least you'd never catch him in ignorance. Treize would regard it as... some kind of poetic justice.
After a little while, his muscles rebelled against the stillness and he shifted slightly, trying not to disturb the other two. However the situation was not stable enough to be so easily handled -- even the slightest shift brought a brush of twined limbs against skin. A sudden rush of heat from the lowest center betrayed the reaction of his body to the contact of skin against skin. In a moment it was going to be impossible to stay quiet...
Prussian blue eyes blinked open as Heero felt the shift of the bed. Turning his head, he inhaled deeply as his mind registered the presence of Duo. Memories of the previous evening resolved into cohesiveness and Heero felt his senses settle as he felt the presence of Wufei nearby.
Wufei felt Heero move and his eyes slid down, focusing on the Japanese boy. He felt an odd suspension. What had caused these unforeseeable changes in the young man once known as the Perfect Soldier? Perfect, yes, still that. But somehow exhibiting new dimensions Wufei would not have guessed.
Heero looked up, blinking to wake up more. He reached up and touched Wufei's face, gliding his thumb across Wufei's lips as he studied the Chinese pilot closely. How could he have missed the vulnerability in the dark eyes? His eyes dropped down to Wufei's lips as he leaned forward and kissed him.
The heat jumped as Wufei felt the touch of Heero's hand on his lips. His eyes widened, recognizing the look of focus, *target* in the Prussian blue eyes an instant too late to do anything other than gasp as their mouths met. The taste was exotic, electric and intoxicating, dashing the familiar barriers Wufei had been trying to fit back in place. His body tensed as he responded instinctively, one arm tightening around Duo's shoulder, the other pinned under Heero's waist. Pulse increasing smoothly, the fire flared as if suddenly sprayed with flammable liquid.
Duo's eyes never opened, nor did his expression change, but the arm that had been casually thrown over Wufei's stomach slipped down when the long-haired pilot snuggled more securely against Wufei. As if homing in on a silent signal, Duo's hand wrapped unerringly around Wufei's hardening arousal, gripping it firmly. A faint, almost unnoticeable smirk teased at the corners of his mouth as his tongue darted out and lapped at the smooth skin his cheek was pillowed on.
Wufei jerked, his cock instantly coming to full erection, the fingers around Duo's shoulder closing with bruising force over skin. He gasped, breaking the kiss, his eyes darting from one tormentor to the other. "K'so!"
Heero blinked, feeling heat rush through his body as well. Leaning forward, he kissed Wufei's cheek then moved down touching his lips to the Chinese pilot's chest. Closing his eyes, Heero tested and tasted the golden skin in front of him. Moving on the bed, he squirmed lower, trailing kisses down Wufei's stomach. He smiled when he looked down, captivated and excited by the sight of Duo's hand moving around Wufei's flesh. Leaning further down, he touched his tongue to the proud, hard flesh, tasting and then enveloping Wufei in total pleasure.
A sound part groan and part growl emerged from Wufei's chest. A brief impulse to struggle with what was going on flared in his ever-independent soul, but he was no match for the talented mouths devouring him so greedily and he fell back, closing his eyes briefly as his hips tensed. The hand around Duo's shoulder eased its grip, kneading muscle and flesh, and his other arm, freed from the weight of Heero's body, rose to bury his fingers in the thick dark hair of the Japanese boy.
Duo cracked his eyes open, smiling wickedly at the sight of Heero bent over Wufei's lap. Releasing his hold to give Heero better access, Duo brought that hand up and gently disentangled Wufei's fingers from the unruly mop of Heero's hair. Twining his fingers firmly with the Chinese youth's, Duo turned his head, lifting it until he could peer into Wufei's eyes. "Morning, Fei-koi," he murmured warmly before pressing his lips to Wufei's and devouring greedily.
Wufei blinked, a sudden smile taking over his face without asking permission, for the few seconds between Duo's greeting and the kiss. His hand tightened around Duo's fingers and he surrendered to the kiss, taking Duo's tongue hungrily and sharing his own, as his body began to rock of its own accord. His chest moved, something slowly building, welling up in answer to the delicious warm, wet sensations being lavished on his body.
Heero reached down and stroked himself, feeling Wufei's body as it began to rock. Feeling a wave of heat wash over him, the Japanese pilot reached back up and closed his hand around Duo's as he moved over Wufei's swollen flesh. Closing his eyes, he brought to bear everything he had learned to give Wufei as much pleasure as he could possibly could. Focusing all of his attention on the Chinese pilot, Heero felt himself turn a corner and part of him felt freed.
Wufei moaned, needing to gasp for air, as the tide of sensation washed from the deep center of heat, rising like a sudden flood, his mind blanking as pleasure pulled him under. With an inarticulate cry, his hips tensed and his body shuddered, releasing his essence to Heero as his back arched with the force of it. The shudders continued to shake him and his eyes closed as he turned his face against Duo's chest, muffling a soft, vulnerable sound as he relaxed into bonelessness.
Duo twisted, turning and wriggling up on the bed until he could gather Wufei against his chest with the arm that had been pinned between them. He trailed gentle, feather light kisses along Wufei's temple, to the soft earlobe, which he nibbled before leaving a last few soft caresses against ebony silk. With a quiet sigh of contentment, he crushed the spent pilot to him and simply enjoyed the moment.
Heero lifted his head, leaning it against Wufei's stomach for a moment. Looking up, he moved back drinking in the sight of Wufei and Duo together. Licking his lips, he tasted Wufei on his tongue, then moved over him to kiss Duo deeply.
Duo groaned happily, sparring with Heero's tongue and gathering the intoxicating taste of Wufei from the Japanese youth's kiss. He urged Heero closer until he could reach down with the hand that was still clasped with Wufei's and gently close the Chinese pilot's fingers around Heero's straining harness. Closing his own fingers around Wufei's, Duo deepened the kiss another notch, as if he could pour the thunder of his heart through his mouth into the other boy before he exploded from the strength of it.
Wufei felt himself slowly return from the oblivion of pleasure and the sensation of somehow merging with two other people, losing himself. His eyes fluttered open as he felt something like a shaft of velvet heat pressed against his palm, curling his fingers around it instinctively. The sight that presented itself to him was mindbending -- two incredibly beautiful faces, joined together, mirroring physical arousal as well as emotional devotion.
The image caused a sudden blossoming of fire and he took deep breaths, feeling his body recover and strength return. Pulling himself up to a sitting position, he kept his hand around Heero's flesh, stroking it slowly, smearing the liquid beading there, coating his fingers with it. Then he replaced one hand with the other, suddenly sliding the first hand around the curve of Duo's body beside him. His fingers sought the furrow between softly curved hips.
Duo broke the kiss with a small gasp of surprise, before leaning back in and reclaiming Heero's lips fiercely. He shifted position, trying to maintain his sanity, even as he gave Wufei better access. The arm that had been crushing the Chinese youth to him before lay helplessly against the flushed bronzed skin of Wufei's chest, fingers twitching occasionally like stunned rabbits from the faint electric shocks of pleasure racing along his nerves.
Heero groaned as he felt perspiration coat his entire body. His hips moved of their own volition seeking pleasure in Wufei's touch. His eyes fluttered open, as he felt himself open and vulnerable to whatever was to come.
Wufei found what he was seeking and teased the opening with slightly sticky fingers. Watching Duo's face, Heero's, he released the Japanese boy's cock from his grasp to take Duo's hand from his chest, licking the fingers teasingly before reprising Duo's action of earlier, and pressing the violet-eyed boy's fingers around Heero's throbbing shaft. Then he shifted a little, urging Duo to his knees on the wide bed's surface. Sliding around, he bent and ran his tongue along the cleft of Duo's rear, adding to the moisture and then using it to invade the opening with one well-coated finger. Moving it inside, he tested the inner contours for sensitivity. Then a withdrawal and another invasion, adding another finger. More exploration. Then a slow, demanding rhythm.
A soft, keening wail burst from Duo's lips as he thrust back against the invading digits desperately. Belatedly, he remembered the boys' teasing words about "stealth mode" and bit his lower lip hard to stifle his pleading cries. Unconsciously, his hand tightened around Heero and he stroked faster, willingly surrendering himself to the fire Wufei was stoking within the core of his body. Careful not to disturb Wufei, Duo released Heero's cock, guiding the Japanese youth closer and pushing him back onto the bed below him. Taking a cue from the Chinese pilot, Duo slicked the fingers of his free hand with the moisture gathering at the tip of Heero's arousal. Replacing his hand with his lips, Duo reached down between them and teased gently at the soft pucker of Heero's body.
Heero gripped the covers of the bed, moaning as he felt the double assault of his body by Duo. His hips moved in time with the rhythm Duo set up with his mouth. Moving, Heero lost himself, feeling his body pushed to the edge.
Duo's reaction incited Wufei to increase the pace and the strength of his touch, seeking the spot that would bring the strongest response. As he did so, his other hand kneaded and caressed the round flesh of the chestnut-haired boy's rear, then slid around his body and captured Duo's cock, stroking it in the same rhythm as he began to kiss along Duo's back.
Within him, Wufei's seeking fingers brushed against something that sent an explosion of sweet fire along his nerves and a wave of blinding light behind his eyelids. Duo trembled, every muscle in his body threatening to turn to water and drain away with the shock of Wufei's touch, and he writhed back, instinctively seeking it again. He slid forward a bit, further over Heero, and distantly, Duo could feel the back of his throat contracting and massaging the head of Heero's cock, while his fingers probed mercilessly into the Japanese youth's body, seeking to light the same fire within Heero as Wufei had ignited within him.
Heero's eyes shut tightly and his body arched as he released into Duo's throat. The shock of pleasure left him shuddering against the bed, as he gasped for air. Looking up, he watched Duo above him, unable and unwilling to turn away.
Wufei bent over Duo, his eyes flickering to be caught by the sight of Heero, his head thrown back in his moment of release. He stroked Duo's cock, and thrust his fingers into the boy's sweet body with more urgency, seeking to bring him to a peak of pleasure. Bending low, he murmured, "Come on, Duo," in a voice that was husky with desire.
Greedily drinking in Heero's essence, Duo's tongue licked eagerly along the softening flesh, cleaning his lover thoroughly before releasing him. Once again Wufei's seeking fingers set loose a maelstrom of sensation so intense, Duo could no longer tell where sight left off and sound began, where touch ended and taste took over. Wufei's quiet voice, laced with a tone Duo had never dreamed he'd actually hear, no matter how often he fantasized about it, shattered the dam holding back the torrent of his climax. Hips snapping against Wufei, and throat setting free a harsh cry, Duo fell willingly into the swirling void of his release, confident that not one, but two pairs of arms would catch him.
Heero felt his heart race at the sight of Duo and Wufei. He heard Duo cry out and smiled as his eyes widened. There was something beautiful and primal that resonated within him as he realized that he had never seen Duo quite so taken before.
Wufei felt a shock as he heard and felt Duo tumble over the edge and he held him firmly, milking the last drop from him and catching it on his fingers. He eased his hands away from the sensitive areas and held Duo's shuddering body, easing it down until he was resting beside Heero, able to pillow his head on the Japanese boy's stomach. Breathing deeply, Wufei raised his fingers to his mouth, tasting the milky, salty fluid. He sat beside the two who were resting and recovering from those moments of pleasure, gazing down with an expression of mixed appreciation, wonder, and a continued desire that only strengthened with each unexpected experience.
Heero slid his hands into Duo's hair, gently stroking him. His eyes moved to Wufei, watching the Chinese pilot, feeling his heart warming, instantly. Looking down at Duo, Heero thought about the conversations that he and Duo had had and nodded to himself. He understood a little better what love was about and it had little to do with possession.
Duo groaned softly, feeling his muscles protesting his gradual return to his senses. His eyes fluttered open and he looked up into Wufei's face with a small, sated smile. One hand rested limply upon Heero's upper thigh, fingers tracing idle patterns in the perspiration glistening on the smooth skin there. "Well," he said quietly, letting his eyes slip shut again, "The security sucks, the guest list is questionable, and the furnishings are a little on the drab side, but the room service is excellent. I'd give this place five stars..."
Wufei snorted softly, his expression not changing. "You are evil," he said, pointing a finger at a space between the two. Then he smiled.
"Hai," Heero rasped.
"Seventeen years of practice," Duo agreed, worming his other hand under Heero's leg to clutch it to him happily, while the other hand blindly sought out Wufei where he sat near them. "And an unholy knack for wickedness."
"Hn," Wufei said affirmatively. He stretched. "I have no idea what to do. Besides a shower. Dress, and go find the Crown."
"Breakfast," Duo interjected firmly. "Somewhere between a shower and saving the world, I demand breakfast." He shifted, nuzzling Heero happily. "I didn't get dinner last night," he continued with a plaintive sniff. "And we really oughtta check on the kids, too."
"Hn," Heero said. "Hey, this is only the beginning," he added.
"God, I hope so," Duo replied with a mischievous smirk as he finally opened his eyes again and stretched in a prelude to sitting up.
"Of what?" Wufei murmured dryly. "Did you plan this out between you?"
Duo glanced up at Heero and started snickering softly. "He asked me something similar when I mentioned my crack the day before about threesomes," Duo replied with a grin as he indicated Heero with a quick jerk of his thumb.
Wufei glanced at Heero, a mildly inquiring look on his face.
Heero sat up slowly. He looked at Wufei, then shrugged. "I don't believed we actually laid out plans. I found that I liked the idea, though. Does this make you uncomfortable?" he said.
"It's a little late to ask, don't you think?" Wufei commented, raising one eyebrow. He looked at them both sternly. Then he smiled. "It makes me terrified."
"Why?" Duo asked gently, his expression soft and open as he let his eyes wander over Wufei's face.
Heero nodded again. "I understand," he said to Wufei, rising from the bed.
Wufei watched Heero and then dropped his eyes to gaze at his hands for a moment. "I thought you would. I suppose you both are my test. Treize would say, the deserved one."
Heero moved closer to Wufei. "You two were lovers, weren't you," he said, more of a statement, than a question.
Wufei looked up. "I suppose that describes it as well as anything. When I lost the person I thought I loved, and was alone, and he lost everything, including his love, we comforted each other for a while. Until we were both a bit stronger."
Duo rose from the bed and stretched before walking around behind Wufei and wrapping his arms around the Chinese youth. "I'm glad he kept you safe, then," he murmured, tightening his arms and dropping a soft kiss atop the dark tangle of Wufei's hair.
Wufei looked up, suddenly vulnerable again. "I suppose I'm lucky," he said, with a slight tug at the side of his mouth. "Without that, nothing could have prepared me for you two."
Duo chuckled darkly and danced away to give Heero a quick kiss as well before he snatched up his robe from where he'd left it the morning before. "You ain't seen nothing' yet, Fei-koi."
Heero looked into Wufei's dark eyes for a long moment. "I guess we're all here due to someone else's intervention," he said, glancing over at Duo. Placing his hand on Wufei's shoulder, he squeezed gently. "A lot of it I still don't get," he admitted. "Especially when Duo and now you tell me I've got something to do with this. I'd sooner credit Duo, because he understands more. I'm learning, though."
One dark eyebrow lifted. "Hn. You could teach a professional something about blow jobs," Wufei mentioned.
Heero smiled. "Hn," he said, then slid his hand behind Wufei's neck and kissed him deeply. "Arigato," he said, a short time later.
"Oh, he already has, Wu," Duo replied cryptically. He blinked suddenly and then turned to offer his robe to Wufei before seeking out the nearest clothes, which turned out to be Heero's tanktop and his own boxers. "Whadd'ya say we track down that shower?" he asked quickly, offering them both a cheerful smile.
"Hai," Heero said, taking Wufei's hand.
Wufei rose and wrapped the robe around him, allowing Heero to lead him after Duo.
The birds weren't singing. That was the first thought that registered in Mariemeia's mind as consciousness slowly started nudging its way into her dreams. She could always hear the birds singing in the morning when she woke up. Well, at least she could if she'd slept the night before. Which, judging by her pleasant state of comfort, she had, so why weren't the birds singing?
Her eyes fluttered open onto an unfamiliar ceiling, while her hands unconsciously clenched on strange blankets. It took a few seconds for memory to kick back in before she understood why she was curled up in an oversized T-shirt, rather than her usual cotton jammies.
Wufei offering her a spot in his suite with Sallah, and then giving her a hug good night before he and Heero and Duo and Carter left. Sallah helping her wash up and giving her one of her large shirts to change into after climbing out of that annoyingly frilly party dress.
Mei rolled over on her side slowly to check on Sallah. Finding the older woman still apparently fast asleep, she decided to climb out of bed and let Wufan's mother keep resting. Mei slid down to the floor and wandered over to the door, absently brushing down the hem of the borrowed shirt. With one eye on Sallah, the small redhead reached up and carefully opened the door, peeking out.
A small frown creased her brow as she noticed Zechs stretched out on the couch. His eyes were closed and he was covered by a blanket and looking more peaceful than Mei ever remembered seeing him before. The door to the boys' room was closed, but the other door was open and empty. Wasn't Wufei back yet? Had something happened?
Slipping out quietly, she shut Sallah's door behind her and padded to the boys' room. Maybe they would know what was going on. If not, they'd want to know if something had happened. Watching to make sure she didn't wake up Zechs, she cracked the door open a sliver and peered inside.
Wufan was up and talking softly to Kenny. Tryan and Carter were fast asleep and Duan was yawning and wiping the sleep from his eyes. Turning towards the door, Wufan saw Mariemeia and smiled. "Come in," he said quietly, moving over to make some room for her on the bed.
She slipped inside and closed the door before joining them on the bed. "He's back... Are the others?" she whispered, nodding towards Carter.
Kenny nodded. "They went across the hall when they got back."
"Oh," she said, relieved, "I saw Wufei's door was open and Zechs is still out on the couch."
"Zechs was looking out for us, last night, so he's probably tired. Carter got back with Heero, Duo, and Wufei and I don't think Tryan got much sleep waiting on him to get back," Wufan said.
"Hi Mei," Duan said, still half-asleep. He reached out and hugged her, then climbed off the bed. "I'll be back, gotta pee."
She grinned and waved as he wandered out. "You guys are up early," she said, looking back at Wufan and Kenny.
"Hn," Kenny remarked. Then he smiled slightly. "Too much going on to sleep."
Mei nodded thoughtfully. "You need more updates today? I didn't get a chance to get them for you last night."
"Not sure," Kenny answered. "I think maybe mission parameters are changing. Just a hunch. The guys have been collecting intel so fast it's hard to keep up with em."
"We'll know better when they wake up," Wufan said.
"Or when they come out..." Kenny smirked. "I already been over there. They're in the bedroom with the door shut."
"Oh," Wufan said, unable to conceal a slight blush to his cheeks.
Mariemeia cocked her head, glancing from Kenny to Wufan and back again a few times, trying to mask her confusion and interest. Didn't everyone close their bedroom door when they slept?
Wufan looked down, trying to find the right words to explain. "Hn," he said, "It's like big guy stuff. I don't know exactly what, but... they'll come out soon."
"Ah," Mei replied, knowing from the blush that there must be more to it, but willing to wait and see what happened later.
"I'm back," Duan called out, trying to be quiet. "I miss anything? What time is the briefing?"
"Don't know yet," Kenny said, getting up to take Duan's place in the bathroom.
Duan frown slightly. He sat down on the bed next to Mei. "So, I guess we gotta wait on 'em. Think we could roust 'em outta bed?" he asked.
"I think that would not be a good idea. They have been out late," Wufan replied.
Duan sighed heavily, then looked up at Mariemeia. "It was worth a shot. So, you sleep good?" he asked.
She smiled and nodded vigorously. "Except that it was weird waking up to no birds. The room I'm always in when we stay here always has birds singing near the window in the morning," she explained, tucking her legs up against her chest and resting her chin on her knees. "What about you guys?"
"It was okay," Duan answered. "Got a little crowded, but it's better than sleeping on top of supplies."
Wufan smiled at Duan, remembering his friend's vagabond ways back at the base.
"Didn't you guys have beds where you grew up before?" Mei asked.
"We had some bunks, but not many," Wufan said. "Duan was always disappearing and showing up for classes in the morning. I don't think they ever found out where he hid."
Duan smiled proudly. "Not a chance," he said.
Mei grinned back at the two of them. "Sounds a little like me, sometimes... But I usually let them 'find' me once in a while. Otherwise they look harder when I'm really trying not to be found. That way I can keep some of my hiding places safer."
Duan nodded. "Good plan. I did some of that too. I learned all kinds of things that way."
"I usually learn stuff by looking small and pathetic," Mei offered, slipping into a momentary rendition of her favorite 'lonely pout' before grinning again. "Computer guys really go for that."
"That was a good one," Duan said in compliment.
Wufan nodded in agreement. "You both do stealth and tactics... Very useful."
"Stealth and tactics?" Mei asked with a quirk of a brow, "Nah. I'm not that good. I just sneak and pout."
"Same thing," Kenny mentioned, returning to the room. He looked at Carter and Tryan sleeping and kind of glanced around. "I wonder where the mess in this place is."
"Mess?" Mei asked.
Kenny glanced at her. Civilian. "Um, lunchroom? Kitchen."
Her face brightened suddenly. "Oh that! I can show you. Lady Une comes here often, so I've learned the layout pretty good."
"Sure!" Duan replied, enthusiastically. "Should we get some clothes on, or go like this?" he asked.
"Up to you, I guess... If we get clothes, then I have to run past my room on the way. I don't think Miss Relena would care, though, if we went down like this," Mei replied.
"I got an idea," Wufan said, standing up. "Why don't we all get some clothes on. Mei, you can wear some of my stuff. Then we go downstairs and see about food."
Kenny grabbed Duan's hand. "C'mon, we can go across the hall and get back by the time they're ready."
Duan nodded and closed his hand around Kenny's. In the next moment, both were out of the door.
Mei's eyes narrowed and she grinned at Wufan. "Quick. Let's see if we can beat them and meet them in the hall."
"Okay," Wufan said and headed for the big closet where the clothes were stored.
He pulled out some clothes for himself and handed a tunic and white pants to Mariemeia. "There," he said, "That should work."
"Thanks Wufan!" she said, accepting the bundle gratefully. She hesitated a bare second before impulsively leaning forward and kissing Wufan on the cheek, then scampered past to duck into the closet to change.
Wufan looked up towards the closet and blinked. Looking down, he tried to sort out what had just happened. Then, a slow flush accompanied by a small grin etched itself on his mouth. He reminded himself to zip his jeans up and try to compose himself before Mei came from the closet.
A bare few moments later, Mei quietly called out, "Safe?" from behind the door.
Wufan checked his zipper again and then nodded. "Yes," he said.
The redheaded girl stepped out from the door, buttoning the last couple of buttons on the tunic. "Need shoes," she said apologetically, wiggling her toes in the carpet in an effort to distract attention from the slight flush fading from her cheeks.
"Ah," Wufan said, grateful for something to do. He dashed into the closet and pulled out a pair of soft leather slippers. "Sit down. I'll put these on you. They might be a little big, but they should stay on your feet," he said.
She obeyed quickly, curbing her nervous reflex to fidget. She'd seen the uncomfortable look Wufan had given the floor when Carter had kissed her yesterday, but maybe she'd misunderstood the reason after all.
Wufan knelt down and carefully put one, then the other of the shoes on Mariemeia's feet. There was a little drawstring at the top, which he laced for her. "There you go," he said, then reached for her hand.
"Thanks, Wufan," she said, smiling with a mix of relief and happiness as she felt his fingers close over her own. "Come on, before they beat us," she urged cheerfully.
Kenny and Duan were standing out in the hall, leaning on the wall. Kenny glanced from Mariemeia to Wufan and back and refrained from comment.
"They must be out cold," Duan said, jerking his head in the direction of the suite.
Wufan pushed his glasses back up on his nose. He felt a little excited and happy. "Food," he said, not letting Mei's hand go.
"So where do we go, Mei?" Duan asked, cheerfully.
"This way," she replied, turning and leading them down the hallway to the ubiquitous kitchen downstairs.
As the door closed behind the group of children leaving the suite, two blue eyes opened, showing what had become a rare reluctance to leave the realm of slumber. He hadn't quite meant to go to sleep, or more accurately, hadn't meant to go to sleep /there/, but all Zechs could really remember in those half aware moments before all memory shut down was the vague, if nonsensical notion that his own room was farther than he'd wanted to walk at that moment.
Back realigning itself as he stretched and sat up, he gave a small sound of lazy contentment at that. Fingering the blanket that he was fairly certain he hadn't gone to sleep with, his mind began to work over another mystery. He felt fairly much the same way, waking up this morning as he did yesterday, not quite the same snap from dead to the world to alert that he'd boasted of before the war, but that could have been pushed aside as the benefits of a younger age.
Like most of the time, he couldn't, come the morning, actually remember the night's dreamscapes, but there remained a lingering feeling that it started out like normal, but somewhere into it, something had clicked over. No more solid than the rest of the dreams, all he had was the sense of peace, contradicted by a frustration that he wasn't sure was his.
Brushing off his suit and mourning daunting-looking wrinkles in the fabric, he mused he probably /should/ have taken up Sallah's offer for alternate clothing, Wufei's reaction aside. Folding the blanket neatly and placing it on the arm of the couch, Zechs moved quietly to check on the remaining children in the suite.
As he looked in, a blond head moved and a small figure sat up, fisting sleepy eyes. Upon opening more fully, those eyes, wide and blue green, fixed on his face and a sweet smile broke across the boy's face like sunshine.
"Hi!" Carter whispered.
A little surprised to see Carter up so early after the late night excursion, Zechs returned the beaming smile with a slight one of his own. A glance at the still sleeping Tryan forestalled a verbal response in favor of a wave and a nod.
Carter didn't wait for the wave, however, and slipped out of the bed, padding over to give Zechs' knees an enthusiastic hug, since that was what he could reach.
With an expression of passing startlement and fondness, Zechs stepped back carefully from the embrace and the doorframe to sit on his heels, a far more even level. There was a slight awkwardness, if no hesitancy, as the taller blond returned the hug.
"Morning," Zechs said finally, voice not carrying far. After some consideration he added. "Last night went well then?"
Carter quickly flung his arms around Zechs' neck as it came in reach and kind of clung there quite happily. He nodded. "I think so. He feels better." Then he covered his mouth with his hand, and blushed.
The slip of the tongue didn't quite so much cause the speculative look from Zechs as the startled attempt at recovery. Shaking his head slightly, Zechs raised an eyebrow. "I take that as you don't want me to ask," the low tone of voice nearly taking the slight bemusement from the words.
Carter lay his head on Zechs' shoulder. "Not yet," he said softly. "But I don't think it will be very long."
The taller man cast the boy another look but let it drop, unconsciously filing it away for sometime when he was more awake. It was too early, in his opinion, for mysteries and fantastic suppositions.
Shifting slightly, drawing back a bit, he began, "I'd offer breakfast, but I'm pretty certain these suites lack a kitchenette. The others, I believe have gone ahead."
Carter released his hold with only slight reluctance and slid back to his feet. "They'll bring some back," he predicted. "Or Sallah will get some or Heero and Duo will." He smiled. "You going to your room?"
Zechs nodded, standing again. "I probably should. There's someone I need to find this morning," he said offhandedly.
Carter nodded. "Can I visit with you later?"
The Preventer blinked once before nodding again. "I don't see why not." A brief pause." "Anything the matter?"
Carter considered the question seriously. "I'm not really sure. There was something last night, but too many people," he said, ducking his head apologetically. "I couldn't get it clear. M' going to try again."
Golden eyebrows drew together at the vague, if worrying explanation. "If you do... be careful," Zechs said, feeling a little like he had in the hangar.
Carter nodded vigorously. "I will," he promised. Then he leaned forward and gave Zechs a quick, soft kiss and turned and scampered back to the bed. He looked back and said softly, "You be careful too."
Zechs nodded, returning the promise quietly before standing again, a little dazed. Moving out of the doorway and towards the main entrance, he shook his head, smiling to himself. Wufei was right about the 'keys' last night. He wouldn't have been able to keep them even if he had thought to guard them.
TBC
End of Part 37
Please feel free to direct feedback to any or all of the authors!
ravynfyre@hotmail.com,
sablexo1@yahoo.com,
bonnejeanne@yahoo.com, Nixerchan@aol.com.