25-May-2002
Title: The Beast and The Beauty Part Three
Author: Phoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own GW. I am poor and that is proof enough.
This fic is for entertainment only.
Rating: R for some violence and cussing and overheard stuff
Warning: Some cussing, silliness, sap, violence, and I wrote it
Fandom: Gundam Wing
Pairing: Treize and Zechs this part
Archive: GW Addiction, CkoS, WWOMB if they want it, all others please ask
Summary: Treize has reached home, but has only a few days to make peace before returning to die at the hands of Heero. Can anyone save him?
Treize was afraid to open his eyes. Part of him wanted desperately to know if he was indeed home, the other part was terrified he wasn't. Finally, unable to stand the suspense, Treize cracked one eye open. Before him stood his house. The man so relived he almost fell off the horse. He was home and safe. For now anyway.
Quickly removing the ring, Treize dismounted. He needed to get his horse in the barn and then he could see his family. There was so little time. Zechs had to be told of the events; goodbyes given. Worst of all was knowing he couldn't tell his sons the real reason he must leave. None of them would allow the return trip and that meant the monster's coming. A sudden commotion drew his attention to the front door.
"I don't care," Duo was yelling as he came barreling outside. His second oldest child carried a pack and sword looking ready for a long journey. "He's been gone too long and I am going to find him!"
"Duo," Quatre soothed while grabbing his brother's arm. "What will happen when Father comes home and finds you gone?"
Sadness covered the longhaired man's face. "Do you really think Father is coming back after so long? You saw Romefeller's men. It's only a matter of time before they return and try to take us from Zechs. If I can just find some proof of what that bastard did to Father, maybe I can save us all."
Treize felt his heart mourn for the pain Duo had endured. It was as the businessman thought, the young man blamed himself. Leaving the horse, Treize made his way toward his arguing sons.
Zechs appeared behind the two combatants and placed a hand on each boy's shoulder. Blue eyes flashed with fury as he opened his mouth to reprimand his charges. Before he could, however, a slender figure entered his field of vision, silencing the words. Duo and Quatre continued to become louder and louder until the grip their guardian had started to hurt. Turning to him, they saw the hope and amazement on his face and followed his gaze.
"Father!" Both young men cried. Treize soon found himself wrapped in three sets of arms, feeling safe for the first time since meeting with Romefeller. Questions from all three assaulted his ears. Where had he been? How did he get away from Romefeller? Had Ole Weasel Face been the one to delay him?
The last question came from Duo. It warmed the older man to know his child recovered the normal humor and cheer usually present in his personality so quickly. As the four walked toward the barn, Treize carefully considered what to say now. He feared letting too much slip. Duo and Wufei were incredibly bright and Quatre picked up on lies like a born Truthsayer. Which reminded the ginger haired man of his first-born's absence.
"Zechs?"
"Yes?"
"Where is Wufei?" He sounded more concerned than he'd meant to let on. Yet, Duo said Romefeller's men were around. What if his child were in trouble?
"Don't worry," The longhaired blond looked like laughing. "Your son is out making sure all the men your former partner sent are having a very hard time navigating the woods. I think today's agenda called for a visit to the swamps about twenty miles east of here."
Treize relaxed a little. Wufei had been trained by Zechs and was almost as good in the forest. No common solider was going to get the drop on him. As a matter of fact, the man felt some pity for those poor men. Wufei wouldn't have any pity on them and while he might not kill them, life certainly would be filled with pain. For a second, they all shared a wide smile.
The rest of the day was spent putting the horse away, Treize describing his meeting with Romefeller, the man's demands, and his escape. All through dinner the questions continued. Carefully, the older man avoided telling of the cursed castle or the monster residing there. Instead, the conversation was twisted around to talk about his sons' activities.
Shortly after the sun went down, Wufei returned. The reunion with his father was joyous and tear filled. The young warrior had once lost everyone and the thought of losing another parent weighed heavily on his soul. Of course, Treize once more told the edited version of his adventures until it was time for the younger men to sleep. Promising more information in the morning, the father of three bid his sons "pleasant dreams."
For an hour, Zechs and he made small talk. Neither said why. In the back of their minds, however, was the knowledge there were things to say only between them. So they busied themselves, waiting until the quiet house assured them of privacy.
"Want to tell me what happened after you escaped from Romefeller, Treize?" Zechs began. His voice far too mild. "I noticed how hard you worked to avoid that part of your story."
"I never could fool you." Treize said, a soft smile gracing his lips. "After I finish my story, I will need to ask you something, love. Something you may not want to agree to, but you must."
The platinum blond sat still, stunned by the term of endearment as much as by the sudden intensity in his long time partner's eyes. For more than an hour, the businessman related all that happened; sparing no detail. When at last he came to the part of the monster and its threat, the hunter tried to interrupt with an offer of protection.
"You cannot help me, Zechs." Treize assured him. "I have seen the creature's speed. It is beyond imagining. There was barely enough time for me to reach for my sword before it struck. Not even you would stand a chance."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
"Exactly as the beast wishes. I will return in two days. None of our sons are to ever know what happened."
"You expect me to lie to them?" Zechs shot out of his chair, barely keeping his voice down. "Forget it. I will travel with you to this castle. Between the two of us, we can surely defeat this beast."
Many emotions flashed across Treize's face. He was touched by the show of loyalty, but also feared for their children should both of them die. And he had no doubts as to the chances for success. If Zechs went with him, the beautiful young man would die as well. The boys would be alone. That couldn't be allowed to occur.
"Thank you, Zechs." Treize said. "But would you leave our children alone? With Romefeller's men out there?" The blond opened his mouth to argue, but was cut off. "No. I will tell everyone that I am going on one last trip. To a far away land. It will take months just to get there. In the meantime, I will write up documents leaving all that I own to you as well as full custody of our sons. Romefeller will have a hard time contesting it. You are too well respected. By the time everyone realizes I am not coming back, Duo will be of age and Quatre not far behind."
Zechs saw the whole plan falling into place and a sense of helplessness overcame him. He was going to lose Treize. The man was going to his death and had asked the one thing that would force the Hunter to stay safe. This had to be a nightmare!
"Treize, I can't... I won't," the longhaired blond stammered, unable to get the words past the sudden obstruction in his throat. "You can't ask me..."
His protests were silenced when Treize crossed the space between them, grasped the taller man's arms, and crushed their lips together. The kiss was desperate and hungry. Lips parted as tongues warred for control. Each man's hands roamed over the other's body. Treize broke the union first.
"I'm so sorry, Zechs." Treize panted. "I promised myself I'd be strong, but I'm not. I have wanted you for years, yet lacked the courage to do anything. Now there is nothing left to lose and no time. I'm sorry."
"Damn time." The other man growled. "Damn fate and life and everything. If I can only have you for two days then so be it. I accept. Understand this, my love, I have returned your feelings forever and lacked the same courage. I will not waste whatever we have left and when the boys no longer need me, I will find the beast and avenge or join you."
Blue eyes met their equals; promises were exchanged with a look. Finally, the pair moved to Zechs' room to finish what the night had started. Neither man saw the three small figures in the hall.
"About time those two fools admitted their feelings," Wufei was grumping.
"I think we have more important things to worry about than our parents' sex lives." Duo hissed at him.
"Easy, Duo." Quatre put in. "He's just trying to hide his worry. You know how Wufei is."
"Yeah, he can't have any weakness; even if it means showing he cares."
"How I live my life and follow my beliefs does not mean I don't love Father or Zechs." Wufei said quietly.
"Sorry," Duo apologized. "This is all my fault and I shouldn't be taking it out on you."
"How is this your fault?" Quatre asked. He and Wufei couldn't see how their brother thought the tragedy should be laid at his feet.
"I asked Father for a present. It's because of me he picked that rose. If I hadn't been so greedy, he'd be fine." The surety in the chestnut haired youth's voice was frightening.
Deciding to take Duo's mind off the matter of responsibility, the brother's began to discuss how best to find and kill the beast. It must have a weakness. All things did. Quatre and Wufei talked the most as the blond had a natural knack for strategy; the Asian man knew all the hunter tricks used to kill various animals. By morning, the two boys had developed a plan they felt would surprise the monster leading to its well-earned demise. Just as dawn began to peek over the horizon, sleep claimed the young plotters.
Duo remained awake, listening to the sounds of his loved ones. Treize and Zechs were still doing whatever adults did when in love. He wasn't sure how much they could be enjoying it; whatever it was, it sounded painful. All that grunting, groaning, and moaning. Not to mention the panting.
Well, now that those two stubborn fools had finally admitted their love, the future looked brighter. They would be able to take care of his brothers and keep Romefeller in his place. So he was just an unnecessary part. A part that almost got their father killed.
Sneaking carefully into the living room, Duo searched Treize's coat. Twice during the night, the merchant had brought out a ring when he thought no one was looking. It had to be the ring the Beast gave him. Seconds later, his fingers grasped the cold metal. Removing the offending piece of jewelry, the longhaired youth stuffed it into his pocket.
Moving on to the kitchen, he packed a small basket with food. Getting back after killing the monster would be hard and food was a must. From there, a quick visit to the small armory Zechs set up gained him a sword, several throwing knives, and a couple daggers. He also grabbed some rope, leather ties, and hooks to help with the trap Quatre invented.
Rushing to the barn, the young man saddled his father's horse. Leading the tired animal before his home, Duo mounted and took one last look. Treize and Zechs were going to be furious with him for this. There was a note explaining everything laying next to Quatre. Of course, that might just make Wufei and his little brother more interested in beating some sense into him. A small smile spread across his face; he was assuming he could defeat the monster and find his way home.
Sighing, Duo drew the ring from his pocket. Just as the sun rose over the horizon, the youth slipped it on. No sign of horse or its rider were visible as the morning sun moved slowly across silent yard.
End Part 3
Phoenix
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