Who can say when the roads meet
that love might be in your heart
And who can say when the day sleeps
if the night keeps all your heart
-Lyrics to 'Only Time' performed by Enya
Elements of Great Design Part 20
Heero sighed softly as he slipped back into the groggy beginnings of consciousness following one of the most restful slumbers that he had experienced since leaving Romefeller.
Warmth was one of the first things to greet him in the form of something very physical against him. Slowly blinking his cobalt eyes open, the Fighter blinked widely in finding himself facing Duo's peaceful face.
Just before he was about to jerk up with a start, Yuy quickly recalled lying down in his bedroll with the Black Mage after a gruesome injury that he'd endured. At the thought of how distraught Maxwell had been over what had happened to him, it was little surprise to the soldier that he now found himself in a state of tangled limbs with his best friend.
Somehow during their sleep they must have sought out reassurances that all was well. Never before had he slept with anyone and this was clearly how his own body reacted to another source of heat.
What did take Heero aback was how at ease he felt in his best friend's arms. But then... this was also his best friend that he had fallen for.
Unable to help the small, tired smile that crept across his lips, the Fighter closed his eyes and burrowed his head into the nook of his slumbering partner for a quiet moment to enjoy the feeling of their closeness for as long as he could.
Several blissful minutes later, a deep sigh announced the slow waking of the son of Shinigami. Pulling back as their arms unwove themselves so that Duo could turn onto his back for a wide stretch, Heero pushed himself to sit up despite the protests of his desire for more contact.
Yawning, the braided teenager's brilliant violet eyes fluttered open in a few blinks that cleared the fog from them. "Hey," he smiled in little more than a cracked whisper for his first words that morning.
"Hey," Yuy smirked back.
Rolling onto his side towards the Fighter, Duo propped his heart-shaped face up on a hand as he asked, "How are you feeling? Quatre's healing spell looks to have done the trick."
His head nodding, Heero reassured, "I feel perfectly fine now. Everything is much clearer than it had been when I first woke up after the blow I received. Frowning, he commented, "You said that Deathscythe managed to get a good kick to my head in, but I have no idea what happened after that. There was mention that you and the others all had used their magic?"
Maxwell winced, "Ah. Well, I know that you despise black magic, but I did not have much of a choice in using it to keep Deathscythe from coming down on you again. He was pretty lost to reasoning thanks to how scared he was."
Shuddering, he sighed, "I made a smoke barrier over you to knock all of the horses hooves away, but I was too caught up in protecting you that I had completely forgotten about the oncoming stampede that was endangering all of us. Fortunately Anna managed to help Trowa and Quatre see more of their potential in quick order..."
As his voice trailed off, the braided gifted pushed himself to sit upright along with his best friend so that their bent knees were nearly touching. "I am sorry for having to use my powers as I did without your knowledge or approval, but there really was no choice in the matter. Another hit to your head like the first one you had and..." Biting his lip when a lump in his throat kept him from going on, he could only shiver and shake his head.
Stunned, Yuy was rigid in shock as he blinked his widened eyes.
Really taking in his sleep disheveled comrade, he remembered back to the reassurances that he had overheard the Keepers giving Duo. With the Black Mage's words, those comforts were not only meant to easy his worry for the Fighter's health... but they were also meant to calm his fears that his desperate actions would be unwanted... likely disgusted because of their nature.
"I hope that you can forgive me," the child of Shinigami breathed as he lowered his head.
His jaw falling open, Heero shook his head, "Oh, Duo... I..."
There was nothing that he could say to express what he was feeling properly... so he acted instead by leaning forward and pulling the surprised gifted into a fierce embrace. Blinking his enlarged violet eyes, Maxwell eased and buried his head into a firm shoulder while throwing his own arms around the soldier.
After a long and companionable silence between them, the Fighter whispered sincerely, "Thank you. What you did saved my life."
Reluctantly sitting back as their hug ended, he frowned deeply, "I know that I did not have the best of impressions of black magic... or any of your other abilities, but those feelings have changed drastically since knowing you, Duo. There is nothing vile or evil about what you can do at all. Nothing that can come from you could ever be anything but good. I know that now."
It was Maxwell's turn to reel over what was said to him. Wide-eyed and frozen, he whispered, "Y-you really think that?"
Smiling sadly, Yuy replied, "Of course. And I am so sorry that you ever had to believe otherwise."
There was just the beginning of a shimmer in the violet eyes locked on him before Duo ducked his braided head and snickered to banish his tears. Pure wonder shone on his face as he shook his head, "Thanks, 'Ro. That coming from you... well, it means a hell of a lot. Probably more than I can tell you." Clearing his throat, he patted the soldier's shoulder.
Happy to have the air between them at such ease again, Heero smirked, "If there are any ill moods over what happened, it is my being embarrassed that a Fighter like myself was almost taken out because of a stampede of birds."
The Black Mage leaned in to rest their foreheads together as he laughed, "Well, as I had already said once before, we're in a lot of trouble if we are to be the hope for Gaia." Snickering, the soldier leaned into his warm touch before Duo rose to his feet with what felt to Heero like the same hesitance that he had experienced in ending their embrace.
Arms rising overhead for another long stretch, the Mage suggested, "I suppose that we better head out and round up the other four-" He was stopped short by a sudden and deafening screech not far beyond the brightening tent.
"Damn it! I was sure I had you two that time! Again!" Anna's voice shouted enthusiastically to the tune of her fellow Keepers' elated laughter. Heero shot to his own feet as he and his partner exchanged shocked expressions before they rushed beyond the closed flap of the tent.
Charging into the valley that had been covered with Chocobos only hours ago, the pair halted in their steps at the powers being demonstrated before them.
A ball of flame screeched in its blazing loop around the mile-wide, circular field while from the ground in the center of the ring, thousands of water droplets rose up and took shape until they took the form of a familiar shape that materialized into Quatre.
Soaring down from the heavens, a dark shadow grew in its steady descent to reveal Trowa floating on the wind beneath him. With the ease of a bird, the Dragoon brought himself down gracefully beside Winner at the same time that the sphere of fire joined them to become Anna.
By the time they were all full themselves in the center of the valley again, it was in a perfect synchronization.
His head falling back as his fellow Keepers laughed anew, Barton announced, "Three-way tie again!" Lying flat on his stomach from the plot of grass from where he watched, Wufei's tail wagged as he huffed out what sounded like an amused snicker.
Instantly easing at the scene, Duo and Heero approached the lot as the Mage snickered, "Well, that's one of the most impressive races I have ever witnessed. How long have the three of you been at this?"
"All night!" Quatre shouted excitedly. Jumping from the flat rock that had been the end marker, he said in a rush, "None of us could sleep after we worked together in forging that shield yesterday, so Anna has been kind enough to show Trowa and myself more on how to use our powers."
Lowering a hand to pat Wufei's head that rose above her hip when he stood beside her, the thief smirked, "Well, the two of you did all of the hard work. I only made some suggestions on how to feel your gifts without having your elements around. You have both been brilliant pupils."
That earned her king smiles from her counterparts along with a friendly nudge from the Dragoon before they stepped down to the grass to join the others.
Gently draping an arm around Winner's shoulders, Fraise winked to him, "I am especially proud of this one, since he'd had the least experience. Already, he has made leaps and bounds in catching up." Beaming at that, the White Mage hugged her against his side in appreciation.
Heero grinned, "I have to admit that I was disappointed to learn of how the three of you were able to use your powers together to form a shield while I was unconscious. That must have been an amazing sight."
"Oh, we would be happy to make a repeat performance of that for you," Trowa smiled to the other Keepers.
All too anxious to use their abilities again, Anna and Quatre nodded vehemently as they raised their hands. In a wide circumference around the lot, the ground lit up in a ring of flame surrounded by a wide moat that appeared from nowhere and boiled over from the heat.
The mist that rose from the evaporated water shot skyward with the aid of the strong breeze that came on when Barton held his palm skyward. Once it hit a certain height, the air that touched the vapor dipped in temperature to cause the haze to freeze over into solid ice that traveled upward for a couple miles, taking the shape of a perfect dome where the walls of solid material met at the crest of the rounded top.
Stunned, the Fighter's jaw fell open as he slowly turned around to take in the full picture of the glistening shield. The tales of what the Keepers of the Elemental Stones could do brought no justice to actually beholding such an incredible feat. Creating something out of nothing as his friends had was both an awe-inspiring and humbling thing to behold.
"Pretty awesome, huh?" Duo smirked to his partner. Unable to find the words to properly reply, Heero only lowered his head to meet the violet eyes on him and nodded slowly. Around them, the air protecting them warmed to bring the mist it had frozen to fall like rain as the water and fire rings disappeared.
Giggling, Anna waved her hand nonchalantly with a shrugged, "Aw, that's nothing compared to some of the other things that we've been pulling while you two were asleep. And we're only going to get stronger the more time we have together to see what more we can do." Her smile slipping, she sighed, "Having seen the monsters that will be challenging us, the odds are still greatly stacked against us at the moment."
Trowa patted her shoulder, reassuring, "You and Wufei were caught completely unawares in that you would ever be facing such demons when Eblan was attacked. You will be more than ready for them the next time when you meet them on your own terms." Swallowing roughly, the archer lowered her head and closed her eyes as she leaned back against the Dragoon for his steadfast strength.
At the slight droop to Chang's tall ears and the soft whine that escaped him, Heero's chest constricted.
Even though the touches between Barton and Fraise were solely akin to that between a brother and his sister, there was also the unspoken need that the redhead still yearned for some kind of human contact that she had been deprived of for years. And it was paining to both her and the wolf that the gestured could not have come from her lover.
Wufei wanted to be the one that was holding her... Wufei *should* have been the one that was holding her.
It was evident that Quatre felt the churning emotions running through his friends as he winced at their intensity. Trowa was not lost to the Earth Elemental's pain and gave him a profound expression of regret as Anna straightened herself.
Duo was quiet...
...that had Heero on alert since Duo was only quiet at a time like this when he was deep in thought.
Subtly looking over to his braided friend from the corner of his eye, the soldier could see the void in Maxwell's violet eyes.
Long gone from the world to dwell over his ponderings, the son of Shinigami had his distracted gaze settled on the cursed lovers as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. Whatever had crossed his mind, it must have been a heavy consideration given the grim look on his face.
All of that was completely lost to the others as the Dragoon suggested, "We best get some sort of breakfast in, get to packing and ready the horses so that we can arrive at Gysahi with enough time to get a room for the evening and hit the shops before we have to move on again."
Broken from his focus on the child of Death, Heero blinked widely and faced the Keepers. "Good idea," he agreed. "The more people we can ask around for information on Howard, the sooner we might actually run into someone who knows where to point us."
That decided, the team headed back to their camp and set about their morning chores. All the while, the Fighter kept an eye out on his best friend who remained silent for the rest of day until they reached Gysahi.
And he longer that quiet lasted, the more of a point Yuy made in finding some time alone with Duo to find out what was on his mind.
* * * * * *
Gysahi was in so many ways a sister kingdom to Romefeller.
Nearly everything from the layout of where the castle was in the center of the land to the markets and cities was so very similar to where Heero had been born and lived his whole life. It was enough to give him a bite of homesickness for the first time since his first night on his own... except that he missed his father and friends more than the place.
The shift in the soldier's mood was enough to break Maxwell out of his unusual quiet as the travelers rode through the cobble-stoned streets of the crowded main village's marketplace. Peering over, the hooded gifted asked softly, "You okay, 'Ro? You seem... a little more off than your usual self."
Snorting at the comment, Yuy shook his head and reassured, "I'm fine. Just... thinking of the people I had to leave behind. I hope that my dad, Relena and Dorothy have been able to carry themselves and the civilians to safety without much trouble..."
His mood darkening, he gestured to the eerie black patch in the otherwise clear sky hundreds of miles ahead that had grown since the day before. Drawing a deep breath, he frowned, "And I wonder if we will have a kingdom to return to when all of this is over."
"Oh have a little faith there," Duo grinned. "If we go on doubting ourselves now, the war is lost already."
Simple and true logic that could not be argued with. One of the first teachings for every Fighter was that they needed to be sure in themselves regardless of what they were up against. If they acted defeated, they would be defeated. It was as plain as that.
Just as he began to open his mouth to thank his friend, Heero was stopped from one of the street merchant's voices that rose to announce, "Potions from a skilled Chemist! Alchemy at its best, ladies and gentlemen!" Blinking in surprise, he sought out the source of the unique offering.
Dressed head-to-toe in yellow and bright green fabrics, a young woman with short blue hair smiled as she called to the gathering crowd, "I have everything from drinks that will heal even the worst of injuries to spelled waters that will make you stronger!"
"Alchemy," Yuy breathed as he brought Wing to a stop. At his pause, the remainder of the Alliance brought their own steeds to a halt. "There has been word of Chemists in Romefeller, but I have never actually come to know of any before now."
Peering over his own and Anna's shoulders Trowa informed, "They are a rare breed, gifted themselves in a way as they have the gift of being able to mix the concoctions that can both save and destroy. Those non-gifted who attempt to create the spells that require alchemy tend to make fatal mistakes and lose their lives in the process if they do not kill another unfortunate soul who drinks their poison."
Intrigued, Heero looked back to the smiling girl as she exchanged vials for money with dozens of interested shoppers. And once again, Duo was perfectly still as he also stared at the scene.
Once again, the Fighter spotted that distant void in his best friend's eyes.
* * * * * *
Sitting in a circle before the glowing fireplace of Anna's room later that evening, the Alliance quietly discussed their plans for an early start out to the marketplace to get the items that interested them along with asking around about Howard. Towards the end of their conversation, the redhead sat upright and hurried to the large window beside her bed.
Opening the pane, she smiled brightly as she greeted, "There you are, love. I have some fresh meat cooking on the fire for you." The large black wolf that remained ever by her side leapt gracefully inside and bowed his head to the rest of the team in acknowledgment.
Quickly closing the window once more, the thief bent at the waist to hug Wufei's thick neck as he leaned against her touch with a deep sigh. "I knew to trust that you would be able to sneak through the city after dark, but I was still worried," she whispered. "Creator knows how I despise ever being separated from you/" As she pulled away, Chang let out a low grunt to second the sentiment.
"Look at this!" Anna cheered as she patted the edge of the wide, blanketed mattress, "A real bed that we can both fit in!" Moving to the fireplace, she grinned, "And we saved fresh meat for you. I'll get it on the fire to cook right now." Wagging his tail as she patted his head on her way past him, the wolf followed close behind.
A few more plans laid out later and the rest of the Alliance got to their feet to say their good nights and exchange handshakes and one-armed embraces with their friends. Barton and Winner took their shared room while Yuy and Maxwell slipped into their own.
Once they were alone in their quarters at the closing of the door behind him, Yuy glared at his hooded friend's back and growled, "Alright. You have got to start talking, Duo." Waving his hands in the air overhead, he all but shouted, "This whole... silent stint that you are going through is driving me mad!"
Blinking his enlarged eyes, the Black Mage turned around as he discarded his cloak. An amused smile curling his lips at the frustrated expression on his partner's face, he snorted, "For the first few days that you knew me, you would have given anything for me to be this quiet. Now all of a sudden you want me to blabber on, as you called it?"
"Yes!" Heero yelled in exasperation, his arms falling heavily against his sides in relief at finally hearing that voice that he loved. "You're not... *you* when you keep to yourself as you have been since this morning. And to be honest, that is far more irritating than listing to you talk the whole day long if you could help it."
Surprised as he was, Duo couldn't help the wide smile that warmed his face at that. "Sorry," he replied sincerely. "I have just had a lot on my mind."
The Fighter nodded, "So I could tell." Tilting his head, he frowned, "What is it that could have possibly preoccupied you for that long? You know that whatever it is you might need to talk about you can say it to me, right?"
"I do know that," Maxwell was quick to respond, though his smile slipped away. Rubbing the back of his neck, he swallowed roughly before commenting, "It's just... I do not think that you or the others are ready to hear it."
Shaking his head, Heero found himself closing the distance between them and gripping the Mage's shoulders. "Duo, whatever it is, just tell me," he urged. "I would much rather know what is troubling you in case I might be able to help."
Violet eyes stared deep into the cobalt locked onto him for any sign of hesitance. "You swear that you will not think badly of me, regardless of what it is I have to say?" the son of Shinigami questioned.
"I swear it," Yuy vowed. "You know I only hold you in high regard."
The last of his tension slipping away, Duo took a deep breath and sighed. "Alright..." he whispered. "... I am going to kill Anna."
TBC...
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