12-Jan-2003
Title: Children of the Gods 3/?
Author: Phoenix
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing. I am poor. This fic is for
entertainment only.
Fandom: Gundam Wing
Pairing: Mentions 13X6 and 13XUne in this part.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: AU, past death, some silliness, OOC, and I wrote it. Can't
deal? Don't read.
Archive: CkoS, WWOMB, GW Addiction if they want it. All others please ask.
Summary: The God of Lust and Desire meets Lady Dark. With Duo in the
middle!
Duo felt his desperate cry cut off before he could let his Aunt know where he was. The tall God turned to him with an expression of barely contained fury. It took all of the young man's considerable courage not to whimper as ice-cold eyes raked over him.
"Will you please calm down," Zechs hissed. "I'm not going to hurt you. I swear, become the God of Desire and Lust and people just assume you jump every beautiful creature that comes your way!"
All the bound Godling could do was goggle as the God paced the temple ranting. Sensing a chance for escape, Duo turned his attention to the bindings.
"I do not stoop to rape. Why would I have to? I'm a God! A great looking God! And I would never hurt the son of one of my oldest friends. Even though she did steal my first love. But then he was much happier with her. Of course, she was the reason he was killed. Or at least I think so. I don't care what Mister High-And-Mighty says about Treize vanishing."
His path led him back to the struggling Duo and he paused. The kid had spirit. No half-god could undo the binding of a God, yet the boy wasn't giving up. Focusing so hard on freedom he wasn't even aware the yelling had stopped. A smile touched Zechs' lips. So like Treize, to forget everything but the task at hand.
Silence finally reached Duo and with a start he looked up to find the smiling God leaning over him. Not good. Instead of anything dire, however, the blond merely removed all the bonds holding his captive.
"I'm not going to hurt you, child." Zechs offered his hand. With suspicion written all over his face, Duo accepted the help up. "In fact, I might just have saved your life."
"My life?" Duo wasn't sure this particular God was sane; no matter what Aunt Une had to say about him.
His thoughts must have been clear because Zechs threw back his head and laughed.
"Oh but you are a breath of fresh air. Yes, your life. Didn't your mother teach you anything about War and his Sons?"
Pain flashed across Duo's face. "My mother died ten years ago."
"Died?" How...? Shock filled Zechs for a moment. This youth did not know his true heritage. Lady Dark never told him. Why? All the Gods had children. There was no reason to hide his bloodline. In fact, it would have protected him. Heero's standing did not override the rule against any God or Godling taking another by force.
"What have you done to my Nephew!" An enraged voice rocked the temple. "Come out now you pedophilic pervert!"
"Ah, Lady," Zechs purred as he let down his barriers. "You say the sweetest things." It would not do to be angry with a furious Dark God; very quick way to die that.
Shooting off dark sparks and looking every inch the Dark Goddess she way, Une appeared between Duo and Zechs. Her eyes were pools of emptiness as she seethed at her fellow immortal. Having seen this show before, the God of Desire wasn't impressed, Duo however was another matter.
Growing terror in the boy's heart caught Une's attention. Quickly she pulled in her power. She never meant for Duo to see what she really was. Carefully masking any anger, Lady Une turned to the trembling young man.
"Duo, are you alright? Has he hurt you?"
Forgetting his earlier fear, Duo ran into her arms. "No, Aunt Une. I think he may have helped me."
Une hugged her son as if letting go meant he would fade away. How foolish she had been to think Duo would be safe. Especially after seeing the son of War wandering around. The obsessive curse all his line suffered from brought pain to any they laid desirous eyes on.
"Helped you did he?" She scoffed gently. While Zechs was the God of Lust and Desire, he really was a kind person. With anger and fear fading, Une winced at her earlier words. "Very well. I am going to send you off to the forest. Stay within its borders. I cannot protect you if you leave them."
"I won't go more than ten feet from your alter!" He declared vehemently. A day of being kidnapped, attacked, and stared at with lust was more than enough to make Duo far more cautious. For some reason the Gods were after him and he couldn't defend himself against their power.
"Then off you go," she smiled softly and teleported him back. Turning to Zechs, the Dark Goddess frowned.
"It has been awhile, Une," Zechs said quietly. A wave of his hand caused a table with tea and snacks to appear between them. "Perhaps you would like to sit down and talk about old times?"
"I'm not sure how much time I have." Sighing, she accepted his offer. "I was talking with our King when Duo's cry brought me here. He's probably quite angry with me right now."
"The King can stand a little blow to his over inflated ego."
"You haven't changed a bit." And he hadn't. Zechs was always one of the most vibrant, determined, and honest Gods. Even when Treize chose her over him, he never sought revenge or to harm them. He seemed genuinely happy for their happiness.
"Change comes from change and nothing here changes." Boredom laced every word. His blue eyes drilled into her. "Why didn't you come back? You know He couldn't have stopped you if you really wanted to."
"Why return? What was there here for me after they killed Treize?"
Shock and sheering agony flared along Zechs' aura. It occurred to Une that he had spent the years hoping his dear friend was still alive somewhere; sealed away in case the King of the Gods ever needed him. She had just destroyed those hopes. Shattered eons of denial.
"I'm sorry, Zechs. He is dead. If he were still alive, even sealed, I would be able to sense him."
"I guess I always knew," he said, rising and turning from his guest. It wouldn't do for her to see his tears. "I just never wanted to admit it. Not even in my deepest heart."
Of course Treize was dead. The great and mighty King of the Gods would never allow anyone to insult him as the God of Faith had; not without punishing them severally.
Strong arms wrapped around his waist. Darkness slowly enveloped him, giving him plenty of time to fight if he did not want this. Instead, Zechs let himself be drawn into the Dark Lady's shadow. Held like a child, the God sobbed uncontrollably into her shoulder.
"Why?" He cried. "Why didn't I sense anything? I should have known! I should have been there!"
"It would have done neither of you any good. Instead I would have lost the two people I loved the most." Une soothed.
"But I should have sensed it! I loved him. I swear I did!" And that was the heart of it. Zechs felt guilt for not being able to save the one he loved; not knowing Treize was in need.
"I felt nothing either, dear friend." He jerked in her arms, shocked. "I only knew as the bond between us broke and by then it was too late."
"I'm sorry." His sobs faded. "I didn't mean to bring back your pain."
"His death was quick. Unexpected. That is why we felt nothing." This was the mantra she told herself daily. Anything else would destroy her sanity.
"Poor Treize. It must have disappointed him so." Zechs mused. "No great battle or glory."
Une gave a bark of laughter. "Such a romantic. Always dreaming of epic quests, heroes, and endings."
Time did not pass in the Goddess' shadow. Neither knew how long they stayed holding on to each other. Eventually they talked of old times. That became tales of what passed during their separation. She shared the secret of Duo's birth and why it was hidden knowing Zechs would not betray her. At last, they discussed gossip and rumor, occasionally laughing. The bond between them wasn't so much reformed as renewed. A angry burst of power from the King of the Gods signaled an end to their time.
"It would seem I am again summoned," Une growled. She truly was getting tired of the old bastard.
As light again filled their eyes, Zechs offered an invitation. "Please come back again, Lady. Soon. Bring your nephew if you like."
"Would you like to go talk with him?" She ventured. "He might enjoy learning about the Gods from someone who knows all the latest news and juicy gossip."
A tempting offer. The God of Lust and Desire was not good with temptation.
"Very well, my beautiful Lady," he laughed though it sounded a bit forced. "I will go and keep the boy company. Hurry back though." An mischievous gleam entered his eye. "Or I might being regaling him with tales of your exploits!"
Muttering a halfhearted threat, she sent him off to the forest and herself to see the grumpy King. Despite having to see the old bastard, it was good to be home. Now if only she could keep both her son and her old friend safe from whatever the King and War were up to.
End Part 3
Phoenix
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