9-Mar-2002
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters. It is the property of Bandai, Sunrise, Sotsu Agency and anyone else that holds copyrights to it or products/ideas inspired by it.
Title: When All The Laughter Dies In Sorrow 11/?
Author: KwyckSylver kwycksylver@yahoo.com
Rating: NC-17
Pairing(s): 6x2 in past chapters and at least 6 + 2 in later ones but overall it is 1 + 2 leading to 1x2x1.
Warning/Spoilers: No spoilers. This fic is AU - the setup is explained in the first three chapters of the fic, along with the poem that I borrowed the title from. The characters will exhibit OOC behavior at times ( i.e.; this Duo has to lie, even though the GW Duo never does - or so he claims. Heero isn't quite the perfect soldier, at least not yet. And Wufei isn't insecure like he is in GW/EW). Other than that, I am trying to keep them as IC as possible.
Heero dashed upstairs holding a plate with Wufei's sandwich on it, his own was clamped firmly between his teeth. He handed the plate to Wufei then took a big bite and began chewing.
"What'd you find?" he asked, his words muffled by the food in his mouth.
"Take a look for yourself," Wufei answered as he picked up the other sandwich and started eating.
Zechs took the cracker out of Duo's hand and laid it on the plate. He moved off the seat and to the center of the spa, kneeling in front of him. He leaned forward, crossing his arms over Duo's lap.
"I'm not going to say I love you, but I do care for you. I can only hope that eventually you'll develop some attachment for me. But in the meantime, you'd be safe, Oz won't touch you as long as you're with me," Zechs said.
"I think it's time for me to get out," Duo said as he stood up, "I still have homework."
"Don't ignore me," Zechs said, grasping Duo's shoulders, "sit down and think hard about our conversation this morning. I wasn't lying to you."
"I know," Duo said as he looked down into the water, watching it ripple and lap against the sides of the spa. His 'reward' for helping Oz had changed from exile to death unless he put himself under Zechs's 'protection', becoming nothing more than his boy toy. And how long would that last before Zechs got tired of him? He laughed at himself for being so naive and trusting. He had been stupid thinking Oz would keep its word, and he was an idiot for giving in to Zechs.
"I want to see my father," Duo said, "make the arrangements."
"I think I found him, " Wufei said, pushing his chair out of the way so Heero could get a better look at the picture on the monitor.
Treize Khushrenada and a man with shoulder length blond hair were sitting at a table with an older man and woman . They were dressed in formal attire.
"Check out the caption," Wufei said.
Heero read the words underneath, "Lord Sergei Khushrenada, Chairman and CEO of the Romefeller Foundation, and his wife Lady Isabel, host the annual Romefeller Charity Ball. Seated with them are their sons, Colonel Treize Khushrenada and Lieutenant Milliardo Peacecraft, a recent graduate of The Alliance Military Academy."
"It says, 'their sons', why is his last name Peacecraft and not Khushrenada?" Heero asked.
"Heero, I don't keep up with social gossip. Obviously she was married once before," Wufei shrugged, "this certainly puts a new spin on things."
"What? You mean they're being stepbrothers? If he's a Khushrenada, why didn't anyone know who he was from Duo's description?" Heero asked.
"I guess he doesn't crave the limelight the way the rest of the family does," Wufei said, "after all, it took us four years' worth of newspapers to find a picture of him. I'm going to ask Intelligence to dig up anything they can find on him."
Zechs lowered his head, "I'm sorry Duo, but that's not possible."
"Why?" Duo asked, "Oz promised me I could visit him, or are they breaking their word on that, too?"
Zechs looked past Duo, staring at the flower garden outside the glass room. He unconsciously tightened his grip on Duo's shoulders. Zechs took a deep breath, he did not want to be the one that had to do this. It was going to be hard enough to gain Duo's trust as it was.
Duo winced with pain as one of Zechs's fingernails dug into the place where he'd bitten him and he had a look on his face that Duo didn't like. He could feel a lump rise in his throat.
"What did Oz do to my dad?" he said, his voice cracking with each word.
Zechs braced himself for Duo's reaction. He wouldn't blame Duo one bit if he took a swing at him. He hesitated momentarily, taking another deep breath and looking Duo straight in the eye.
"I'm sorry, Duo," Zechs said, "but he was found dead in his cell a couple of days ago. They think it was a heart attack."
"I see," Duo's voice sounded thick and his throat hurt as he fought back his anger, "how do I know you're not lying to me? How do I know Oz didn't kill him?"
"I'm telling you what they told me," Zechs said, "they would have no reason to lie to me about it."
"And I have no reason to want to help you now," Duo said.
"Do it to save yourself," Zechs said, "I don't want you to lose your life because of what your father was."
"How would you know what he was? You didn't know him," Duo said. His eyes stung from the tears that were welling up. He wiped them away with the heels of his hands. He didn't want to cry in front of Zechs.
"He was a spy, Duo. He lived here, he raised a son here. He had friends, he was a part of the community. But his life was a lie and he hurt the very people who respected him and loved him. Especially you."
"Shut up," Duo warned, "you have no right to talk about my dad that way."
"Don't let love and loyalty to your father blind you, Duo. Remember, he was here under false pretenses committing acts of espionage against our government. What do you really know about the situation between the Earth and the Colonies? Why do you automatically assume we are the bad guys?"
"If that's the punch line to a joke, notice I'm not laughing," Duo said sarcastically, pulling himself away from Zechs, "I'm going to my room and I want you to leave me alone." Duo stepped out of the spa, leaving a trail of water behind as he hurried through the kitchen and up the stairs.
Zechs picked up his glass of vodka and downed it in one swallow before getting out himself. He donned one of the robes he had laid out then took the dishes to the kitchen and began cleaning up. He needed to do something mundane, like washing dishes. It would keep him from following Duo upstairs.
Heero yawned, "I'm tired, so I'm going home. See you in the morning, Coach."
"Goodnight, Heero," Wufei said, "try and get a good night's sleep. And don't worry too much about Duo. I'm sure he'll tell you what's wrong when he's ready."
Heero nodded and sighed, "I hope so."
Duo took a quick shower, washing away any lingering remnants of sex with Zechs. He almost laughed. Zechs really needed a name change. Then Duo remembered, his father was dead. It was odd how he'd forget for a moment then he'd remember. He watched the suds go down the drain and wished like hell he could wash away the last few months. Except for meeting Heero, he was the only good thing that had happened these last few months. He just hoped Heero was still talking to him.
He got out of the shower and dried off. He put a bandage over the spot where Zechs had bitten him. The teeth marks were already surrounded by dark purple bruising. He got dressed and went downstairs, to the kitchen, "I'm going for a walk. I've got some things to think over."
"Duo, I truly am sorry about your father," Zechs said.
Duo started for the door, then paused and turned back towards Zechs. "You say you care for me, then prove it," he said, "I want a funeral for my father, and I want to be there. And I want him buried next to my mother. I don't think that's too much to ask."
"No, it's not. I'll see what I can do. I promise," Zechs responded.
Duo walked aimlessly, turning any corner he came to. The tears would not stop. He thought of his father, switching from disbelief to realization. It wasn't fair that he was dead. And it wasn't fair that Duo was now alone in the world. He hated Oz, he hated Zechs but most of all he hated himself for not knowing what to do next.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and cursed himself for not bringing a jacket. He turned around and went back to the convenience store he'd passed a few minutes earlier and got a cup of coffee to help warm himself up.
"What are you doing out so late, kid?" the cashier asked.
"Family problems," Duo responded as he paid for his coffee.
"I hear ya," the cashier said, "one reason why I work nights."
"Thanks," Duo said as the cashier gave him his change. He went outside and headed back in the direction he had come from.
Duo lost track of time, he didn't know how long he'd been walking when he realized he recognized the houses. He was on the street Heero lived on. His aimless path had not been so aimless after all. He needed Heero right now and hoped he wasn't unwelcome after the way he'd treated him today. He followed the sidewalk to Heero's house and began ringing the bell and knocking on the door.
The persistent pounding and ringing woke Heero up. He looked at his clock, it was one o'clock in the morning. He threw his covers off and got out of bed, swearing he was going to kill whoever it was at his door so late at night.
He trotted down the stairs and flicked on the living room light. He opened the front door, coming face to face with Duo. A smile flickered on his lips until he realized Duo had tears in his eyes.
"Can I come in?" Duo asked.
Heero nodded as he moved out of the way. He didn't even have the door closed all the way before Duo began sobbing hard as he let go of his grief. Heero didn't say a word, he already knew why Duo was crying. Heero led him up the stairs to his bedroom and laid him down on the bed and covered him. He lay next to Duo and wrapped his arms around him, letting him cry himself to sleep. They stayed that way for the rest of the night.
TBC
End of Part 11
I apologize for such short chapters but emotional baggage is not easy to write. I've turned into a limp noodle doing this part. I keep telling myself to stick with humor, but do I listen? Of course not!
KwyckSylver
Please send comments to: kwycksylver@yahoo.com