05-Nov-2000
A Standalone Fic.
2x1/1x2
Yaoi. OOC. AU (fantasy). Romance ( Probably Sap.)
Author's dedication: I finally got tired of my immoto's grumblings and wrote this fic for her. She's a hopeless 2x1/1x2 fan and has been nagging me to death about how Duo and Heero are THE perfect couple!
The portly Innkeeper smiled genially, welcoming his new customers into the inviting warmth of his bar. He adroitly assisted in the removal of the rain soaked cloaks of the couple, and directed the shivering pair towards the empty table near the hearth. He clapped the gaping serving lad behind the head, though the sharp eyed guests noted that the blow lacked any real force, and told him to quickly ready the table for dinner. He then left the two alone, showing unusual amount of tact and discretion in a mere country Innkeeper, as he overheard one of his guests whisper in a soft aside to his companion as he left their table.
The other occupants of the Inn studied the two newcomers with open interest, though no one was game enough to try to approach anyone who had a live green dragon draped around his shoulder and right arm. They had all flinched in sympathy when the jewel-eyed creature had opened its jaw and hissed menacingly at the Innkeeper for approaching too close when he greeted the mysterious couple at the door. After a while, the tense silence that had fallen in the bar at the entrance of the exotic looking young men had eased back into the familiar buzz of laughter and chatter, though a faint note of unease sounded behind the forced merriment and one by one, the hefty looking farmers and tradesmen, called for their bills and began to leave, remembering their patiently waiting families and spouses.
'Are you sure about this?' Wufei spoke at last, stroking the head of his dragon tenderly, feeling the small head vibrating as it purred happily under his touch.
Heero stared emptily into the dark red wine in his cup and felt it trembling faintly in his shaking hands as he tried to gather all his courage for this one last time. 'Yes.' He answered at last in a barely audible murmur.
'This is your last chance to change your mind.' Wufei reached over to clasp his hand over Heero's cold hands, surprising himself with the sudden concern he felt for his client. 'Think about what you are about to lose... Your home. Your family. Are you sure that you want to risk everything that you know and have? For a dream?'
Heero hesitated, feeling his resolve waver as the Sorcerer's black eyes stared at him with fierce warmth. Then his eyes dropped to the wavering golden light of the dim candle on the table and he caught his breath as he remembered the gentle smile that waited for him.
'If I have to decide between my life here,' Heero turned his eyes back on the amethyst on his finger, 'and the dream' he continued in a husky voice. 'Then I choose the dream.' He ended with uncompromising finality. 'He's waiting for me Sorcerer. I don't intend to keep him waiting any longer. Cast your spell. Tonight. And bring all our waiting to an end.'
Wufei felt a sickening lurch in his stomach as he stared into Heero's fervent eyes and nodded reluctantly. When the beautiful young lord had first approached him in his home, with the unusual request to meet his dream lover, Wufei had believed it to be a momentary whim of a spoiled noble and refused to a party to such foolishness. It had taken Heero months of cajoling and pleading before Wufei had finally given in, his patience tried beyond all endurance. And now, here they were, an hour's journey from the legendary Gateway of Worlds...
'If your ring was truly a gift from your lover,' Wufei spoke dryly, refusing to allow his own raging emotions to betray his true feelings, 'then tonight, I can open the Gate to your lover's world and send you through. But mind... ' He warned coldly, 'it all depends on that ring. There are a countless number of worlds and I can not guarantee that the Gate will lead to the correct world unless I have a talisman from that world.'
Heero touched the deep purple amethyst that sat on his hand like a gleaming tear, and felt his heart pounding with fear and excitement as he nodded, this time with complete confidence. The ring, which he had found on his hand upon waking, had been the first real proof that the beautiful lover of his dreams were not merely an illusion of his mind and Heero knew that it would lead him to his true love. He pulled the heavy white-gold and amethyst ring from his hand, with reluctance, and handed it over to the Sorcerer, who examined it carefully in the pale glow of candlelight, frowning as he studied the strange carvings on its side, noticing that the irregularity of the pattern suggested that it was a rune of some kind, which he had never seen before, rather than a mere decoration.
Wufei could sense some kind of unusual power from the gem but he had never seen its like, not even in the ancient Grimmoires. He wondered if he should just cast a forgetting spell on the obviously bewitched nobleman as his distraught parents had begged him to, before setting out on their journey. But... he suspected that even if he did, somehow, Heero would continue to be drawn by his mysterious visitations and he doubted that he could bear to live through another day of besiegement that he had endured when Heero had sought his aid. And besides, Wufei had to admit that his own curiosity regarding the nature of the visitor and the ring compelled him to see this through to the end.
He dropped the ring into the prepared pouch and cast a small protection spell on it, before tucking it carefully into inside pocket of his tunic. Nataku rumbled disapprovingly from his arm, and Wufei murmured gentling words to the agitated beast, which turned angry eyes on the young man in front of her master with an angry hiss, somehow understanding that he was the source of the threat that she had sensed.
Heero eyed with small reptile with cold disfavour, disliking the way it continued to stare at him. He rubbed the empty spot on his hand nervously, feeling strangely naked without the ring that had never left his hand ever since its first appearance. He shifted edgily in his chair, feeling a strong sense of impatience rising inside him as he thought about the coming meeting. It had been over a year ago when he had first met the violet-eyed beauty in his dreams. And ever since, the vision of the chestnut haired man had never ceased to haunt him, driving him at last to seek the aid of the famed recluse, Sorcerer Chang.
And now, here they were...
The unexpected rain had forced them to seek shelter in the small, shabby inn, at least till the moon's rise, Wufei had explained patiently to Heero, who had wanted to continue onto the Ring of Stones, despite the forbidding weather. And knowing that he needed the Sorcerer in order to open the Gate, Heero had reluctantly agreed. He had to admit though that the scent of the warm bread and the spicy smell of the steaming stew in front of him was a welcome panacea to relieve the cold chill that still radiated from his damp clothing and he ate eagerly, with a hearty appetite.
Wufei carefully picked out the small lumps of meat from his stew and placed it next to his plate, so that Nataku could reach them easily without bothering to uncoil fully from his arm. He sipped the harsh, slightly acidic red wine with a faint grimace, noticing that after the first startled swallow, Heero had pushed his cup to the side and asked the blushing serving lad for a pitcher of ale instead. The serving lad, a tall strapping youth, of approximate age as the elegant young noble, was handsome enough boy, with large, round, brown eyes and long brown hair, that swung behind him in a heavy braid. He was only too obviously taken by the delicate beauty of the graceful nobleman, in his creamy shirt and silver edged green tunic. And Wufei swallowed an amused smile as the boy continued to hover next to their table, quite oblivious to the annoyed looks he was getting from the round bellied Innkeeper, who continued to try to attract his attention from the kitchen doors.
A sliver of silver light streamed in through the edge of the closed shutters and Wufei leaned his head to the side, as he closed his eyes and cast his mind's eye out and beyond the small inn, noticing absently that the dark clouds above had dispersed at last, as the full moon started its slow climb in the purple-black sky.
'It's time.' He said in a deep voice, as he got to his feet.
The wooden legs of Heero's chair scraped loudly as the young noble eagerly jumped to his feet, his eyes burning brightly in his pale face.
Without a word, the two swept towards the door, Heero stopping briefly to drop a couple of gold coins into the hands of the nearby serving lad, with a soft word of thanks that sent the boy reeling with dark flushed cheeks. They grabbed the still dripping cloaks hanging on the wall and quickly disappeared into the cold night.
The Innkeeper frowned disapprovingly as the serving lad raced to the door with wide eyes and then opened his mouth in surprise as the boy suddenly turned and ran up the stairs, only to gape in shock as he came stomping down in a few minutes, wrapped in his sturdy brown cloak, the white apron still tied around his waist, and ran out of the open door after the two strangers.
'Duo! Duo! Come back you dratted fool... ' The Innkeeper felt unexpected tears sting the corners of his eyes and he grabbed his apron and mobbed his face as he stood helplessly by the still open door. The impish faced young boy had been the bane and joy of his lonely life, ever since he had found him asleep on the doorstep one day, a three year old, barely able to walk. The Innkeeper had shrewdly guessed that one of the itinerant Mercenaries had probably left the boy, and thought he had an idea which brown haired warrior was the likely father, but like so many others, then and since, the intermittent wars in the trouble realm had guaranteed that there were many orphans like the merry little boy left on his hands, and he had simply resigned himself with a cheerful shrug to the difficulty of bringing up the child. And now the fool boy had left him, without a word, all because of a pretty face... He blew his nose indignantly and rolled his feet in anguish as he continued to stare into the empty darkness...
Duo felt his heart hammering wildly as he ran towards the faint light ahead of him, not understanding why he had just raced out into the dark, only knowing that he would die if he couldn't see him again... He had no idea why the aloof young nobleman had affected him so strongly, with just a look and a few words, but... he clutched his chest helplessly as he tried to run faster, faster...
The pale glow of the light from Wufei's staff shimmered around them and Heero noticed with interest that as they passed under the still dripping leaves, the water droplets gathered and glistened with a rainbow glow in the air around them, instead of drenching them as they walked under the water laden trees. He walked silently, keeping his eyes glued to the tall black haired form marching in front of him, fighting the occasional urge to flinch when a scaled head would rise up from the shoulder with a disapproving hiss.
Nataku flicked her long forked tongue over her nose daintily and glared crossly at the dark form following behind her master. There was something about the large eyed creature that she just didn't trust, he reeked of trouble and death to the perceptive young dragon and she fretted about the dangers of associating with such an unpredictable being. And she also didn't like the clumsy creature following behind the small party, wondering why neither her master, nor the silent dark haired boy, seemed to notice its presence.
Wufei dropped a soothing hand on Nataku's head, stroking her gently as she settled her pointed head with a contented purr on his shoulder. She flexed her long claws carefully, making sure not to catch her master's long silky strands, nor to touch the soft, delicate fabric of his tunic, having learned from experience that either clumsiness usually brought a word of admonishment from her fussy master. She slitted her eyes coldly at the slender form in the grey cloak that encroached too closely to her master but decided not to react since he was obviously there at her master's invitation, who had reached out and grabbed hold of the other's hand.
'We're here.' Wufei said tersely as he pulled Heero to his side.
Heero looked around the small clearing with bewilderment, having expected something grander from the title, Ring of Stones. At the very least, he couldn't help wondering aloud, 'where are the stones?'
Wufei laughed suddenly and released Heero's hand, then stepped forward and threw back the heavy black cloak behind his shoulders, to free his arms and lifted the long wooden staff into the air and chanted a spell, waiting until the staff was glowing from top to bottom with silvery white light, then ramming it down on the soft ground.
The staff shone brightly for a minute, then it grew dark again as all the light drained from it and spread across the small clearing, marking the ground in a six pointed star inside a circle. As Heero watched in wonderment, joined by a curious Duo, who peeped from behind a large tree, the ground began to shake and long grey shapes thrust out from the ground, forming a crude approximation of a ring.
The smooth grey surface of the stones began to glimmer with reflected moonlight and Wufei pulled out the small pouch holding the amethyst ring.
He turned to Heero, who could barely suppress his excitement and solemnly held the ring out to him, shaking his head silently when Heero reached out with an eager hand and held out his other hand and cast the finding spell on the ring. He released the glowing ring, which hovered gracefully in the air, Heero's eyes never leaving the beautiful purple gem.
Wufei gently shrugged, and at the silent command, Nataku uncoiled her heavy body from the Sorcerer and launched into the air, her large gossamer like wings spreading widely behind her to support her body. As Wufei chanted softly, Nataku swooped gracefully in front of him and took hold of the glowing ring, delicately in her front claws, and flew inside the circle of stones. Wufei lifted his staff again and began to shape his next spell, his entire focus on the ring and the dragon, as the air inside the circle twisted and reality itself began to rip...
Heero could hardly breathe as he kept his eyes on the blinding purple light coming from his ring in grim determination, feeling the cold touch of the wounded air, brush against his cheeks. His heart pounded as he thought about meeting the beautiful stranger in his world and wondered what it would be like, to finally to feel the touch of his warm flesh next to his own. Unthinkingly he stepped closer to the ring, stopping just before he disturbed the still absorbed Sorcerer, who continued to chant under his breath as the tear widened.
And he gasped as the tear opened to the size of a large door and he saw the tall, familiar form inside.
Long, chestnut hair that fell in a gleaming heap to the waist, the large wondering purple eyes that stared from the heart shaped face of the young man who had turned around incredulously, as he recognised the faces showing in the rift in his room from the reflection in his mirror. The silver backed brush fell from his numb hands as he started forward, calling out Heero's name...
Wufei blinked tiredly as he stared at this incarnation of Heero's dreams and strained to keep the rip in reality open, as Heero hesitantly, slowly started forward.
Only to stop... As the door behind the dream lover opened and he saw himself walking through...
Heero opened his eyes wide as he took in the situation, Duo staring entranced at a vision of himself, wearing a medieval costume, Wufei standing beside him. A glowing purple ring hanging in the mid-air and a green dragon hovering protectively behind it. He narrowed his eyes as he assessed the potential danger of the simmering vision and immediately stepped forward, blocking Duo's path as he locked eyes with his dazed partner and forced him to acknowledge his presence.
'Wha... Heero?' Duo stammered in confusion as he stared at the very real, flesh and blood Heero who stood in front of him, losing his interest in the fairytale like image that he had dreamt of for so long.
'Duo, we're leaving. Now.' Heero spoke curtly, his tone making it clear that the subject wasn't open to discussion. And he took firm hold of Duo's hand and started toward the door, only to stop when Duo refused to budge. He glared coldly at his uncooperative partner, only to bite back an involuntary groan when he saw Duo step forward and reach out for the glittering ring, which flew towards him.
Heero stared emptily, his legs rooted to the ground as he saw himself half pull, half drag his dream lover out of the room, with the precious ring tucked firmly in the closed fist of the chestnut haired man. He held his breath, unable to breath as the rift shook and slowly closed, feeling a sharp pain cut through his chest as he realized that no one had been waiting for him. That all his dreams had only been that... dreams...
Wufei felt beads of sweat forming on his brow as he completed the spell and allowed the rift to fade away, Nataku lifting her head with screech loudly in protest when she felt the air rush back inside the circle and she found herself floundering clumsily in the miniature vortex. He sighed heavily when he saw the Heero star blankly into the circle and forbore to comment on the outcome of the young noble's quest.
Nataku hissed warningly and Wufei turned away from the white faced young man and felt a faint smile twitch at the corner of his mouth when he saw the curious brown eyes staring intently from behind the nearby tree. Duo, having forgotten to keep himself hidden, in his overwhelming concern for Heero, who was still in shock. Wufei lifted his arm and Nataku flew down to her master and wrapped herself around his neck and arm with a satisfied croon. He stroked her head and sighed again as he thought of the unexpected ending to the little adventure. Somewhere, someone had been meddling...
Epilogue...
Duo grinned smugly as he rested his chin on his hands, his eyes aglow with happiness and pleasure as they dwelt lingeringly over the flawless features facing him from the other side of the candle-lit table.
'You're staring again.' Heero said, with a faint flush on his cheek as he rested his utensils on the plate.
'I can't help it.' Duo answered back with a wide grin, his eyes remaining glued to the large eyes staring at him. 'Do you have any idea how long I've been dreaming of this moment?'
Heero grunted softly, feeling somewhat annoyed at the mention of the dream again. 'You told me. And that it was with that other version of me that we saw in your room that day. So I don't think it counts, exactly.' He finished tartly.
Duo laughed happily, he seemed to laugh a lot these days, he thought fondly, as he reached forward and grabbed hold of the hand wearing his ring. 'Yes it does. Because see, here's the ring that I gave you. In my dream.'
Heero shifted uneasily in his chair as he too looked down at the sparking purple tear shaped gem resting comfortably on his hand. 'I don't understand that. How could you give this ring to me in a dream, and then have it appear like that, out of thin air, a year later?'
Duo shrugged carelessly, as he enclosed the ringed hand possessively. 'I don't know. And to be honest... I don't really care. The old guy that sold me the ring told me that it would bring me together with the one I loved. And it did. I told you that the ring belonged to me and the inscription proves it beyond a doubt.'
Heero shook his head in wonder even as he returned the gentle squeeze of his hand, with a small smile. Remembering the furious argument he had with Duo over the risk he had taken to collect the ring, and how he had been left speechless when a triumphant Duo had shown him the delicate inscription on its side, saying 'I love you Heero. For now and for Always. Duo.'
He still didn't understand what had happened that Autumn evening and he doubted that he ever would, but looking at the dazzling smile across him, Heero realized that as Duo had said, it didn't really matter... He frowned as a sudden thought occurred to him and he said, 'do you still dream of him? That other me, I mean?'
Duo leaned over and gently captured the open mouth, unable to resist its lure any longer, and the candlelight spattered and flickered, casting long shadows behind the two lovers as they embraced. At last, he lifted his mouth long enough to whisper in a desire roughened voice, 'not anymore. Not since the night I got the ring back. All my dreams since are of you.'
He cupped the upturned face that lifted towards him and stared into the deep blue depths, lost in the warming glow that his words had produced. And he sent a silent wish of luck to his other self, the gawky youth he had seen hiding clumsily behind the tree, and then as Heero's arms wrapped around his neck, Duo forgot everything except the burning hunger for the warm flesh pressed next to his own.
~ Owari ~
Kat: It's a lot shorter than my usual fics. ^_~ I explained that this is what happens when you take all the speculation out of the relationship but... my immoto was totally adamant. Besides it was kind of fun to take my hand at a more straight forward romance, although I still couldn't resist throwing in the little twist here and there. I hope you liked this. Oh and as for what happened to the 'other' Heero and Duo... LOL. That'd be telling. I think I might keep that fantasy world in reserve for a possible other fic, I rather like that lot, especially Nataku.
Katana Rey
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