Asbestos Gelos Part 5
Deliberately teasing, Duo slipped into his sleeping gown and slid into bed beside Heero. With a small smile he leaned over Heero's chest and softly kissed his lips. "Good night Heero."
Hero stroked his hair and brought Duo's head down to rest on his chest. "Good night Duo."
Grinning sleepily Duo drifted off to sleep safely wrapped in Heero's arms dreaming of his future.
~*~
Heero resisted the urge to massage his temples. He felt yet another migraine coming on, and the continued bickering between the landed nobles were not helping the throbbing in his head.
"I will think on your complaints. Return in a fortnight and I will have a decision."
With deep bows and 'thank yous' they all scurried to the side of the room. A single woman took their place in front of the dais. Her hair was long and the color of wheat, her clear blue eyes were brought out by the identical color of her dress. After a deep curtsey she cleared her throat and waited for the room to be silent.
"My name is Relena Peacecraft, I am a representative from the village of Sank."
Hearing the name of the village that so recently tried to kill his small love, Heero was instantly attentive. "Continue."
The woman clasped her hands before her and took a deep breath. "I have been sent her by the people of Sank to humbly beg the forgiveness of Duo Maxwell. We know that nothing we could ever do can take away the hurt our village has caused him, but we feel we must try to make restitution." Tears shimmered in her eyes as she continued. "Please, I'm asking to be allowed audience with Mr. Maxwell so that I can beg his indulgence properly." Another deep curtsey and the woman waited silently for his decision.
Though Heero wanted nothing more than to throw the woman out on her ass- it was truly Duo's decision if he wanted to speak with her or not. "I will ask Mr. Maxwell if he wishes to meet with you. Return tomorrow for our answer." Rising from his throne, Heero waved his hand to disperse the crowd. "That is all."
Heero turned and slowly walked into the passage that would take him to the inner garden where he knew Duo would be waiting. The whole issue of Sank wanting to make amends was troubling. It was entirely possible that the village did want to beg Duo's forgiveness, but it just didn't seem right.
Heero shook his head. It was probably just residual anger at the people who almost took his Duo's life. With a small smile on his face, Heero stepped into the paradise that was his garden.
Knowing that Duo was already aware of his presence, Heero snuck up and wrapped his arms around the slim boy's waist anyway, smiling wider when Duo pretended to be surprised.
"You're done early." Duo turned in his arms and kissed him deeply, slipping his tongue into Heero's mouth.
Heero eagerly took up the challenge and sparred with Duo's agile tongue in a most pleasing way. "Yes..." Deciding that it would be better to tell Duo about Sank's proposal now, Heero reluctantly broke away from the kiss. "Duo, there was a representative from Sank among the petitioners today."
"Oh?" Duo rubbed his head against Heero's chest.
"She requested to meet with you and extend the apologies of the village." Heero held his breath anticipating Duo's outrage.
"Oh." Instead of fury, Duo was suspiciously quiet.
"Duo?"
Duo sighed and closed his eyes. "I can't hate them all Heero. What happened to my mother happened a long time ago, and most of the people who were involved are dead!" Duo looked up and met Heero's eyes. "And as for those who tried to hurt me... yes, I am mad, but it wasn't their fault really... it was Tsuberov and Septum's... the other people were lead to believe I was evil. It wasn't maliciousness on their part- they never knew me."
Heero stroked Duo's hair slowly. The boy's capacity for caring and empathy never failed to amaze him. "So..?"
"So... I'll meet this representative... what is her name?"
"Relena Peacecraft."
"Oh.... Yeah, I remember her. She was a few years older than me when my mother died." Duo nibbled at the end of his braid.
Heero ran his hand along Duo's back. "I can skip going to my study today. Why don't we go for a ride?" He wanted to cheer his koi up. Duo shouldn't ever have to be sad. Not while he was around.
Duo smiled a bit and shook his head. "No. You have work to do. I'm just going to stick here and tend to the plants." He wrapped his arms around Heero's neck and squeezed tightly. "I'll see you in a few hours though!!!" With a quick kiss Duo waved and disappeared into the garden.
Heero smiled and turned to go. Duo obviously wanted to be alone for a bit... and he would let him have some time. But after Heero finished with his paperwork- the boy was his. Grinning in anticipation as he quickly walked to his study, Heero never saw the narrowed eyes that had observed them the entire time.
~*~
With grim determination Duo focused on causing a small trumpet lily plant to grow and bloom. With equal determination he put the thought of meeting Relena out of his mind.
It wasn't that she was mean to him- they hadn't interacted much at all. It was because for what she stood for. All her life she had what Duo always wanted but could never get. She had friends, money, power... and both parents. Where Duo was outcast, poor, and orphaned.
He didn't want to be jealous of her... but damn, he was!
Suddenly he stiffened... someone was here.
"Excuse me, I'm lost..."
Duo turned to look up at a young woman with long blonde hair and clear blue eyes. "Well, what are you looking for?"
She took a step closer. "Actually, I think I was looking for you. Duo Maxwell?"
"Uhh yes..." Duo stood. Even when he stood and found her to be a bit shorter than him, realized she was about the same age, and shouldn't have been in this garden- he felt intimidated for some reason.
"Mr. Maxwell, on behalf of the people of Sank it is my duty to extend to you the most abject apology of the town for the grievous injury done to you and your mother. While we have no great token to give you, we hope that our words can show you the depth and sincerity of our remorse." Once done with her speech, the girl clasped her hands in front of her waist and bowed deeply.
~*~
Once finished with her idiotic groveling Relena looked up and gasped. Pointing to the stone around Duo's neck as if it were the first time she'd seen it, Relena smiled widely. "Oh my! That necklace is beautiful, where did you get it?"
She laughed internally as Duo blushed and smiled. "It was my momma's. She gave it to me..."
Quickly hooking a finger under the flimsy chain Relena pretended to examine the stone carefully. "It's positively exquisite!" It only took a millisecond for her to extend the claw on her index finger and snap the chain. "Oh my goodness!" Relena exclaimed her false surprise. She bent quickly and palmed the necklace before Duo could even look down. Switching the true necklace for the soul stone she had created to look like his hematite necklace, Relena held the new bauble to her prey. "It looks like the catch simply opened..."
Duo carefully took the imposter necklace from her hand and fastened it around his neck. It took only a spit second for his eyes to widen impossibly. Duo's hands flew to his throat as he began to make a soft choking noise.
Relena took a step forward and smirked maliciously at Duo's terror. "Say hello to your mother."
The longhaired boy fell to the ground with a soft thump and did not move again.
Prodding the body gently with her toe Relena had to hold back her laughter. Instead, she waved her hand to teleport back to her room. Her internal clock told her that only minutes had passed by.
Smiling sweetly Relena opened her door and met the gaze of the two guards posted at her door. "Would you inform me when dinner is ready?"
"Yes mi'lady."
"Thank you." Relena walked back into her room with an alibi cemented in stone. How could she have anything to do with the mysterious death of the fey boy? She couldn't have left the room without the guards seeing her. And everyone knows, people don't just walk through walls.
TBC...
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