Darkness at Dawn Part 19
Duo was still silent as he strode into the main room of the tent house, and several people looked up in alarm. Wufei silenced the question on Treize's lips with a shake of his head. "Please have someone find Heero and Howard and bring them to us immediately."
The taller man left without a word.
It was getting steadily chillier in the room- the temperature was almost glacial by the time Treize returned with the two requested persons. Duo finally looked up from his pointed stare at the floor, his gaze directed at his great-uncle. Howard shivered, caught in that dangerous regard. "Tell me, Howard, was there ever anything about my birth that you forgot to mention?"
Howard's eyes swung unerringly to Wufei's face, and he scowled. "Speak plainly, boy."
"Very well." Duo was suddenly on his feet, moving faster than anyone would have believed was possible. "What was the Prophecy about? And why was I never told..."
Howard blanched as he looked into the younger Dawnchild's eyes. "The decision was not mine to make, boy. You were not told for a reason."
Duo almost started forward to grab hold of Howard and shake him, but he felt a hand on his arm- Heero was there. And the Angel's eyes were pleading with him to remain calm and rational... He drew back and took his seat again. "Please do me the honour of telling me now."
The older Dawnchild spared the Angel a look of gratitude before he, too, took a seat. Duo's eyes bore into him as he began to speak. "The Prophecy stated that a child would be born whose abilities would far surpass any other of his kind. Even from birth, he would be smarter, faster, stronger- more skilled in our magic arts than any mage of one hundred times his years. And that was just the beginning."
"The beginning?" Duo asked, his curiosity temporarily overriding his anger.
Howard nodded. "This individual had far greater potential than that. It was prophesised that an event would occur that would unlock the hidden power in this Dawnchild and that, when this happened, he would be unbeatable, almost as powerful as a God."
Duo sank back into his seat, his eyes wide with shock. "Why didn't you ever tell me this?!"
Howard shrugged, his hands held up in a defenceless gesture. "You were too young to understand back then, boy, and then..."
"Then what!"
"We thought..." Howard's voice sank to a whisper, "We thought you had reached your full potential during the Wars. We had thought that that was it. We were wrong. And at the time..."
Duo squeezed his eyes shut, crystalline tears leaking down his cheeks as Heero's smooth voice finished, "They thought it would have killed you to know that the power to protect everyone and everything you loved had always been in you. That it still is."
Duo shuddered hard, and his voice sank to an ugly, choking whisper, "What good is it to me if I can't access it?! Dear Guardians..."
Howard knelt quickly in front of the younger Dawnchild and took hold of his shoulders with both hands, forcing Duo to look at him. "Listen to me, boy! The past is over with- even had you known what you now know, you would not have been able to save them. They would have died anyway, and it would have driven you insane to see it and to know. Don't you understand that? I loved your mother, Helen, and Iria like the daughters I never had! It hurt me, too, and it still does."
Duo's eyes opened, glowing deep violet with the onset of his power. They swept the room coldly. "You all knew about this." The fell gaze finally came to rest on the Angel at his side. "Even you- you knew, and you didn't tell me."
Heero didn't flinch. "I knew, yes. Do you understand why I didn't tell you?"
Everyone released the breath they had been holding as the pulsing power in Duo's eyes faded back to a more normal appearance. Heero could feel his whole body aching with the need to hold the beautiful Dawnchild, though, as tears continued to course down his face. "I understand. I don't like it, but I can understand. You were right." He choked on the last word, violet eyes losing some of their glow.
His eyes downcast, Duo asked. "How is it triggered? I think I may have felt something of it... these past few times..."
Howard shook his head, though he nodded approvingly as Heero folded Duo into his protective embrace. "We still don't know, boy. All it said was that an event would trigger your power. I can only assume, given the fact that the Elemental Lords have been brought into play on this, that it will be calamitous, indeed."
Duo's head swung up, and he spared a small smile for the Angel at his side. "Friend Heero, Treize, all of you, would you be willing to let me have a few private moments with my uncle? We have a few more words to say that are for our ears only."
Heero could feel Howard's anxiety at the very thought, and his heart went out to the older Dawnchild. Nevertheless, he nodded. "Of course." He gave the Dawnchild a small squeeze before releasing him and herding the others out ahead of him.
Duo waited until he was certain the others had left before he looked up again. Howard drew back in shock as those glowing eyes bored into his. His very spine tingled as Duo stood and slowly walked to stand right in front of him, nearly bristling with rage. His voice was low and melodious. "Know this, uncle. You have not earned my forgiveness yet. Tell me the whole truth. Why didn't you tell me?"
Howard met the fierce gaze without blinking. "Fine. You really want to know? You can ask any of us who were there, boy- you would not have been able to handle it! You were half-mad already! The Great General with his enchanted scythe!" he hissed back. "And what if you had accessed the power then, hm? Can you imagine what you might have become?! Would that have been better than this, by any stretch of the imagination?!"
Duo backed off slightly. "I would have done what had to be done..."
"You, yes, but not Shinigami," Howard shot back, bringing Duo's eyes up to meet his with a painful gasp. "Face it, boy- you were out of control. You let it take you over, and even now you're fighting to escape your own anger and hate. Ever wonder why Deathscythe does not resonate your own aura, boy?"
Duo shrank back from the older Dawnchild. "No..."
Howard stood, towering over his nephew as Duo shrank back into his seat. "Because you are too pure for the anger and hatred in that blade. You are not Shinigami, you never were! You became him when Duo Maxwell couldn't take the pain any longer! Don't you get it?!"
Duo's hands shook, and he clenched them into fists to try and control it. "Guardians..."
Howard sank down next to the other Dawnchild. "You have to understand- no one wanted to deceive you or hurt you, and I regret that we ever did. It wasn't your fault- it never was. It was too much for anyone, boy! It wasn't your fault..."
Duo was sobbing silently. "Iria once said... she told me that she needed to bring me back. I... I didn't understand what she meant by that..."
"It wasn't your fault, boy," Howard repeated, cradling the younger Dawnchild against his side. "The mind does as it must to survive. You should not be ashamed- you did great things, many of them terrible, but great. And you did survive what no one else would have."
Duo wiped his face on his sleeve. "So... why do I feel differently now? Why does my own aura shoot sparks over Deathscythe every time I use it?"
Howard shook his head. "As always, you ask far too many questions, boy! I don't know. Do you still feel consumed by that anger, that rage?"
Duo shook his head, still sniffling. "No! No- I just want to protect..."
Howard smiled and blanketed the younger Dawnchild's mind with a wave of peace. "Well, then! Maybe that is just what you need to do, then!"
~*~
Lucas looked on bemusedly as Dorothy Catalonia practically growled at them. "For Heaven's Sake! You're all as bad as he is! I just want to know what you were talking about!"
He smiled and laughed. "Lord Duo told you already, young one. You have a grandfather who will want to meet you, once he knows that you exist. Got it?"
She threw her hands in the air in frustration. "There has to be more! Come on, tell me..."
Lucas was about to open his mouth again before Barton cut him off, chuckling. "Oh, stop baiting the poor child, Lucas! If she's anything like her grandfather..."
"AND JUST WHO WOULD HE BE?!"
"Well, since she is, apparently," he laughed, continuing, "she'll remember it and it will come back to haunt you."
Dorothy was angry enough to forget the promise she made to Duo, but Trowa's silent presence reminded her, and she remained seated. "Damned Dawnchild humour..." she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling darkly.
Even Trowa laughed at that. "Please, my Lady," he soothed, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the smile from his face, "try and be patient! I'm sure that Duo has his reasons for not revealing your grandfather's name to you as yet."
She glared at him, and he managed a small smile in return. "Maybe even a good reason for it."
The corners of her lips turned up ever so slightly.
Lucas smirked. "You see that?! We'll make a proper Dawnchild out of her yet!"
As she promptly began to snarl at them again, Barton finally reached the end of his patience. "Enough of that, Lucas! You're being an idiot."
The red-headed Dawnchild made a face, but dutifully shut his mouth, and Barton turned to Trowa, who stood nearby. "Do you think you will be here long, sister-son?"
The young man shrugged easily. "I have no idea. It all depends on Duo and what he chooses to do."
Dorothy shot him a look. "You know perfectly well what he wants to do, Earth Lord."
He glared at her. "You did not see him today, Dorothy. Do not presume to understand him at all!" She did not dare say any more to him, but she glared right back.
Lucas sat with a sigh. "He truly didn't know about his own Prophecy? I can't believe they managed to hide it from him for so long..."
Trowa shook his head. "His eyes were so cold! He was..."
Barton nodded in understanding. "I remember him from the Wars. In fact, I had a hard time, at first, believing that the Dawnchild who was with you had once been General Shinigami. He's just so..."
"So what?" Trowa asked curiously.
Barton shrugged, but Lucas looked up, his eyes bright. "Back during the Wars, you felt power whenever he was around, the sort of power that was so overwhelmingly great and bent on revenge and anger that it almost knocked you over. Now..." he shrugged. "The power is still there, even stronger than before, in fact, but it isn't the same."
"How so?"
Lucas smiled, noticing that even Dorothy was paying him full attention. "It feels... pure. Don't misunderstand me- Duo Maxwell is no innocent, and he and Shinigami were the same person in many ways, but the bitterness and rage are no longer there. He is... saner. More real."
Barton nodded. "Yes- he was great before, no doubting that. But he's even greater now. I, for one, would follow him anywhere."
Trowa smiled, vaguely noticing the look of shock on Dorothy's face. "I think we're all going to have that privilege."
~*~
"Oh, for crying out loud!"
Heero paused before opening the green flap- was Duo really up to talking to anyone, let alone him? He certainly sounded annoyed...
He opened the flap and walked in. And froze, his eyes wide and staring.
Duo Maxwell with his hair pulled back in a braid was a beautiful sight; but with it down... He was so gorgeous it hurt.
The cute pout on his face certainly did nothing to detract from the image he presented. Wrestling with his hair, trying to run the brush through it... Getting hopelessly tangled in his own hair...
Heero walked over with a small smile. "Can I try?" he asked gently, reaching to take the brush from frustration-cramped hands.
Duo started. "Angel! I didn't hear you..."
"Hn. I must be getting good at this 'sneaking' thing." He gently drew the brush through Duo's long hair, his eyes igniting as he saw a shiver run through the beautiful creature.
Duo tossed a glance over his shoulder. "Hmph. I wasn't aware that celestial beings were permitted to 'sneak.' I thought you called it 'moving with great caution' or something like that."
"Hn. Baka." Duo smiled- he somehow liked Heero using that word.
Heero continued brushing in silence, taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the being before him. Duo's hair was as soft as it looked and smelled fresh and clean. It fell through his fingers like silk...
"Angel, about earlier..."
The words brought Heero out of his daze, and his smile slid from his face. "Don't worry about it- we all understood."
Duo shook his head, though. "No- I have to worry about it. I was terribly rude and cruel to turn on you for trying to help me. All of you- I don't know how I'll ever truly face Howard again."
Heero stopped brushing and set the small instrument aside, placing one hand on either of the Dawnchild's shoulders and rubbing. "You learned something very difficult about yourself, Duo." He massaged gently, noting how tense the long-haired creature was. "I doubt anyone would be able to hold that little outburst against you."
He separated Duo's hair into its three parts and began braiding absently, hands flying to the task as though he did it every day. "How on Earth do you manage to care for all this hair and travel like you do?!"
Duo let out a short laugh. "Being a magical creature has its benefits, Angel, as I'm certain you are well aware."
Tying the braid off, Heero yanked on the Dawnchild's tunic, pulling it up and off the creature before he could protest, and pushed him towards the cushions. "Now lay down on your stomach."
Duo shot him a wary look. "Angel..."
But Heero simply pointed, and Duo decided to let the Angel have his way. It's not like he could truly do me too much harm, if he was still angry at me...
"Hn. Baka. I'm not angry," Heero answered his thoughts. "I'm just going to give you a massage."
Duo didn't have time to protest before he felt a steady weight on his upper legs, and a pair of hands began kneading their way up his back. Anything he wanted to say died in his throat as he nearly purred with contentment. "Oh- that feels good..."
Heero smiled to himself as he continued to work stiff muscles determinedly. Duo's skin glowed with health and vigour- silky soft and warm over well-formed muscles that, Heero knew, were much more powerful than they appeared. As he worked his way lower, down from the Dawnchild's shoulders, he couldn't resist the temptation to lean down and press a kiss to the centre of Duo's back, just between his shoulder blades.
The sound Duo emitted was halfway between a startled yelp and a moan of pleasure, and he immediately turned as much as he could with Heero still sitting on his legs. His eyes wide and searching in his flawless face, Duo whispered huskily, "Heero?"
The Angel could hear the Lord's words in his mind, ~ Follow your emotions- they will not lead you wrong...~ Seizing the moment, he swooped down and claimed Duo's lips in a sweet kiss.
Duo's lips parted immediately beneath his, and he felt a jolt of heat running all the way through him as he felt the heated velveteen glide of Duo's tongue against his. Strong hands pulled him down until he was laying on top of the other immortal, their bodies pressed tightly, seamlessly, together.
Heero's hands quested all over the body beneath his, and he shivered with delight as he felt Duo's hands repaying the favour. One hand strayed down over the Dawnchild's belly, and then lower-
Heero pulled back with a gasp of surprise as his hand encountered the most obvious sign of Duo's excitement, and he stared down at the Dawnchild with wide, incredulous eyes.
Duo smiled at the image that was Heero- the Angel's mussy hair was even more askew than normal, his face flushed, lips swollen from kisses, powerful chest heaving with each panting breath... He pressed himself against that hand and swallowed his own moan. "I can't help it, Angel. I know it's probably a grievous sin, but... I think..." His voice fell to a light whisper, intensified by the look in his eyes. "I think I'm falling in love with you."
Heero almost forgot to breathe entirely as Duo pronounced those words. But... he can't love me! I'm... well, I'm me! He should find himself a good woman of his own kind, and...
~Um, Angel? Given where your hand is right now, it should be perfectly obvious to you that I don't like women that way.~
Heero choked, and couldn't help the laugh that tore itself from his throat. Collapsing back into the cushions, he wrapped his arms around the Dawnchild and rolled them both over, so that Duo was straddled over him.
He cupped Duo's face in his hands. "It isn't a sin, Duo. Trust me on that." He pulled him down for another kiss.
Bodies rocked against one another as the two kissed, both immortals moaning as groin met groin and they felt each other's passion. The kiss grew ravenous as Duo mercilessly rubbed and rocked against the angel beneath him, seeking the incredible friction of him with almost mindless urgency-
With a low growl in his throat, Heero flipped them over and ground himself against the prone Dawnchild. Whatever was happening to him felt incredibly good- hot, pure... And it kept getting better, until he felt almost as though he'd-
"DUO! OH, LORD!" Heero shuddered hard as he felt something that rocked his entire soul in its intensity, his body releasing its tension and passion... He could feel Duo's heat against him, hear his voice calling his name as though it were the only spoken word he knew, and he had to pour everything he was feeling into those two syllables...
Panting for breath, he gradually became aware that they were still lying on the cushions, intertwined limbs, and...
His face flushed in embarrassment as he felt the stickiness in his pants. He couldn't believe...
"Nothing to be bashful about, Angel-love. Me, too." Duo's voice brought his face around, and he stared-
Duo's hair had come loose from its bindings and was splayed over the pillows in waves of shining, silken brown, violet eyes gleaming brightly in his flushed face, telltale signs of stickiness on his own trousers... The Dawnchild caught one of his hands in his, twining their fingers together before he pulled the hand closer and placed a gentle kiss on the Angel's inner wrist. "I love you, Heero Yuy, my Angel."
Heero felt his heart bursting as he let his body relax back down into Duo's warm arms, and he kissed him deeply, gently. "I love you, too."
~*~
Howard smirked and walked away with his hands in his pockets. He shook his head as he walked. "Hmph- kids!"
TBC...
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