Forging harmony.

CHAPTER 26: JOY IN THE MORNING LIGHT.

There was going to be a full celebration held that night in honor of the victory over Dekim and his twisted pack. All the high ranking officials would be attending the planned feast they were pressuring the princes to have. Certain members of the pack were not happy at the prospect of a long night in the very public light and stiff rules regarding slaves. They had only been back less than a day and were still exhausted.

“Heero will you stop glowering like that at everything.” Duo let his fingers run through the dark strands of silk that Wufei’s unbound hair felt like. Duo spoke to the restless Heero pacing the pack’s common room floor even stepping over books and legs to constantly keep moving.

“Come join me in a game.” offered Quatre hoping it would distract Heero for a little of the day.
They had most of it to kill before the night’s torments truly began. Both Treize and Zechs were busy dealing with the aftermath, leaving the rest of the pack in their private wing where a feeling of them being put in a gilded cage like prized objects floated about. Quatre could feel the emotions roiling about them like wraiths, heavy hearts and restless minds. He could feel how those who wore collars felt their loss of freedom more keenly.

Wolf had disappeared into her room saying she was tired, weaving the familiar curtain of shadows that became her door. Once in that room it was like she was encased in ice, her emotions distant and hollow. Quatre was not alarmed at the dark’s actions and was comforted by her predictable behaviour.

Trowa looked at his first lover, Heero, stony face hard to read and then at his new lover, brightly smiling Duo. Being himself Duo kept on talking hoping to drive those of a quieter and more brooding nature to distraction. “It’s this room.” Trowa said capturing all their attention. “It’s like a reminder.”

Heero grunted in his non-communicative way. They were all beginning to understand you had to watch his subtle body language, not listen to the few words he did managed to mumble. Right now it was screaming in agreement with Trowa.

“Oh!” Duo’s shocked face was a picture as he stopped running his fingers in the dark hair he was still playing with. “It did suck that… well yes.” he stumbled after all he was the only free man, not a slave like the rest in the room.

Soft velvet caressed and soothed his mind, where he was now mentally kicking himself. (So that’s why you’re hiding in your room?) Duo asked.

Her mental voice was very quiet as it replied. (No… yes… a little!) Outwardly Duo could not help but smile.

(Always so communicative about your feelings, you’re as bad as Heero) he felt her mental shrug and another soft caress.

Duo turned back to the conversation dancing about like a cat on a hot tin roof. Taking a deep breath he stood up and addressed all in the room. “Well if you’re all so mad at them for freeing those poor souls Dekim had enslaved, go yell at them.” Duo stopped, looking at Quatre who held a hand up to interrupt.

“Not so much mad more like upset. I can understand the earth they seemed to know her from when the city was built. But it was unexpected for the other two.” The blond could feel the room’s tension and hoped the two princes would come back soon.


In there private study Zechs looked up at a frowning Treize. “They are not going to be happy for a while; I say we bring the surprise forward.” Treize did not look up from the report he was reading as his lover continued to lounge on a chair.

“Tonight? At the banquet or afterwards in private?” The cinnamon haired man inquired.

Slipping over to rest his hands on the air element’s shoulders, Zechs kneaded the tense knots he could feel. Leaning low to whisper “I very much would like this to be public but is the world ready for more of our radical ideas. You heard what Dorothy had to say when we discussed her freeing Sally.”

“I noted your sister was very quiet on the matter.”

“Relena is not comfortable with slavery; it’s not in the Peacecraft blood.” A hand stilled his still kneading ones.

“A good thing that you don’t follow your blood or we could be missing one of the more fun things about each other.” Treize smiled at his good fortunes.

(Masters) Quatre’s flowing mental voice was heard by both princes and both scolded him for his choice of title. (Sorry.) Both pictured the young blond dropping his head.

(Go on sweet one.) Zechs thought back.

(Duo and Trowa are coming to talk to you about tonight.) Quatre almost fled there minds, nervous they would feel more than he wanted them to. The talk earlier had upset him more then he was letting on.

“Damn it, I thought we had earned their trust and more back at the battle.” Treize rose as he spoke to pace behind his desk, hands clasped behind his back. Zechs moved back over to a chair hanging one long leg over the padded armrest.

“We should cancel the banquet, it’s not like either of us want to go, just the boot licking nobles trying to curry favour.”

“But your sister and her kisst are leaving in the morning if not sooner.”

“My sister knows we love her, besides Dorothy is itching to get out of here, she has been too long delayed and I was surprised they did not leave as soon as we made it back alive.”

A knock on the study door had both men looking up yelling for those behind the door to enter.


Trowa came in first mumbling with Duo almost pushing the taller man in front of him as he joined them inside the room. They could see Treize did not look pleased, annoyance creased little lines about his eyes giving him a tired look. Zechs lounged giving off an air of boredom in his seat, blue eyes missing nothing about the two pack members that had come to speak.

“We were going to join you all later on after seeing to a few more matters.” Treize sounded annoyed even to Duo’s ears.

“We won’t go to the banquet.” Trowa said low voiced. Duo raised a finger to his friend’s ear, stroking it round the edge to calm him.

“What Trowa is trying to say is…” Duo fidgeted with the tip of his braid.

“You’re all unhappy at being shown off as slaves.” Zech spoke.

“Erm, yes.” The violet eyed man looked up hopefully at both princes. They were not as controlling like Dekim had been. But the battle had strained the still new bonds. Deep down they trusted each other but their recent actions had seemed odd.

“No.” Came the hard baritone of Trowa. “Not just that. Why free others and hold your own pack as slaves. How long before you bring Duo to the collar and Wolf is almost one of us.” His words held heat; moisture could be seen sparkling in the intense green eyes and Duo felt the feelings of the blood roiling about.

Duo was lost as to why Zechs was laughing like he had been tickled by a feather and Treize’s face suddenly eased its tense mask.

“Dur.” Duo gasped speechless. This made everyone look at him as he flushed pink.

Zechs recovered first looking at both brunettes standing in the room. “Duo, Trowa I can reassure you all that no more of you will be taken as slaves. As Heero could tell you we have a plan we are working on. This means us breaking or changing set rules of behaviour and that takes time.”

“As you know we set Lady Une free, and she and a good friend of ours called Howard will be helping the two remaining to settle and train. Once they are stronger they will be travelling to join the rest of Howard’s people.” Treize told them, but their hurt faces stopped him from saying more.

“Zechs go fetch the rest of them and let your sister’s kisst know they can leave whenever they are ready as there will be no feast tonight.” As the long flowing hair of his lover left the room, Treize got up, walking over to a locked box fingers tracing patterns over the lid. “Duo, Trowa sit down please.”