Heero woke up sprawled on his back, a pleasant weight across his chest. Quatre was draped over him, snoring softly and Heero laughed under his breath, lightly stroking his hand over the raised scabs on the blond's back. Quatre murmured in his sleep and settled back down. Heero shifted a little, a slight jolt of excitement running through his veins at the warmth of the soft skin against his own. Quatre's back would heal soon and the promise of lovemaking hovered in the air between them.
Heero couldn't wait. He'd been dreaming of it for days. To know what true intimacy felt like. The experience of feeling the blond beneath him, to feel him tremble, hear him moan from pleasure. A thrill raced up Heero's spine and he smothered a groan into the soft curls.
Soon they would be the Kings of Ghali. The prospect didn't frighten him as much as he thought it would. Quatre would have the experience and knowledge about ruling that Heero lacked. They would have their advisers to help them along the way, including Zechs and Trowa, if the latter chose to stay. They would learn and together they would make Ghali great. They would make Sai great. Bury the hatchet between the two kingdoms and extend the hand of friendship to Borsten, Emali, and the rest of the surrounding territories.
And he would have the one person he could no longer imagine being without by his side. That was the best part of all. He had no doubt that Quatre would make a successful King. Someone who was loved and cherished by his people. It was impossible not to love Quatre. And perhaps with time, they would learn to love Heero, too.
He had a harrowing time ahead of him, though. He still wasn't sure how his family and friends would respond to his marriage, his new status. He thought he knew them well enough to know that they would accept it, even if it took time, but there was always the possibility that they wouldn't and that made him nervous. He didn't want to lose his loved ones. All he could do was hope they welcomed him, welcomed his husband.
Plotting to kill the King was a terrifying endeavor. It was risky. Something could go wrong. He could hesitate at the last moment. He'd never taken a human life before. Even the idea of killing someone who deserved it left him feeling terribly uneasy. The King was a villainous man. He'd been responsible for many unjust deaths, but he was still a person.
There was also the prospect that Quatre would have difficulty living with the man who had killed his father. He didn't know what he would do if that happened. Even if Quatre understood what must be done, the reality could end up being far different. He glanced down at the blond head, rising and falling gently with Heero's breaths. He slid his finger through a curl and gently pulled it. He released the lock and watched it spring back. Fascinated, he did it again. And again.
"What are you doing?" Came the sleepy murmur.
Heero smiled. "I like your curls."
Quatre lifted his head up and blinked bleary eyes. He grinned, showcasing the most adorable set of dimples and Heero couldn't help but press his finger into one. Quatre chuckled and leaned forward, pressing their lips together and Heero hummed happily into the kiss. When Quatre pulled away, he asked, "How's your back?"
"It's sore, but it's mending. I should be right as rain again in a week, or so." He shot Heero a lecherous grin. "I'm still holding you to your promise."
Heero returned the grin, his hand sliding from Quatre's side down to the soft buttocks, cupping himself a handful. His groin twitched with interest and he mentally told it to calm down. Now was not the time. Quatre seemed to be suffering the same disappointment. His head flopped down onto Heero's shoulder and he groaned, his tone mournful.
"Soon, love."
Quatre swung a leg over his hip and lifted himself up, straddling his waist. Heero looked up in awe at the beautiful creature, almost unable to believe he wanted him. Him, of all people. He couldn't believe his luck. He threw his head back, sucking in a sharp breath when Quatre shifted, his backside rubbing over Heero's arousal. How he ached to press up into that body. He could imagine the tight heat that would surround his cock. Quatre's eyes shined as he started down at him, a knowing smirk on his face. He leaned down until their mouths brushed together.
"It's going to feel so good," he whispered. "I promise." A pink tongue flickered out between full, rosy lips and licked over his own and Heero surged up, sealing their mouths together, rubbing his cock against that sinful little bottom. Quatre whimpered against him, his voice desperate. "We can do it just like this. It won't hurt my back. Please. I need you. I can't wait any longer."
Heero cursed, ready to explode, and nodded eagerly. "Yes. Okay. Just like this, but if it starts to hurt, we stop. Okay?"
Quatre slid off of him and Heero's groin twitched upwards, seeking the blond's heat. He watched him dash across the room and pick up a small bottle off a table near the hearth. He came back and climbed up onto the bed, sliding his nightshirt off and Heero sat up instantly, his arms encircling Quatre's waist, and sucked a tightened nipple into his mouth. Quatre hissed, his head tipping back in pleasure and he rubbed his own erection against Heero's stomach. He pressed the bottle into Heero's hands, his voice urgent.
"Please. I need you. You have to prepare me." Too aroused to even think straight, Heero unstopped the bottle with shaky fingers, drizzling the rose-scented oil onto them and reached around behind the boy. He groaned as his fingers touched the bare skin of the blond's ass, feeling the crease down the middle, and following the path until they found the tiny opening. He circled it with his index finger, his heart pounding, and then pressed it in.
They both groaned as it slid inside the velvety tight heat and Heero bit down on his lip as Quatre's inner muscles rippled over his finger. The blond panted in his ear, his hips rolling sensuously. "Another one." Heero suckled on Quatre's nipple as his middle finger slipped inside and he ground his erection into the sensitive skin behind Quatre's balls, desperate for friction. He pushed his fingers in, moaning as Quatre's body engulfed them. He slid them out, and pressed them back in again, building up a steady rhythm. Quatre keened, nearly sobbing. "Oh...Heero - oh! I'm ready."
Heero growled and pulled his fingers out, drizzling more oil onto his hand and hurriedly coated his erection, too aroused to bother with any finesse. His cock wanted inside that delightful body and nothing else was going to satiate it. Quatre lifted himself up, his small hand wrapping around the turgid flesh, positioning it against his opening. Heero's heart thumped frantically as the tip of his penis made contact with the puckered skin. Then Quatre pressed down, Heero's cock slipping inside and he hissed through his teeth as he was immersed in dizzying pleasure that far surpassed all of his most potent fantasies. He groaned brokenly as Quatre steadily lowered himself, his body swallowing the entire length. He paused when his ass rested snugly on Heero's lap and Heero nearly shouted when the blond tightened and released his inner muscles.
"Oh, God. Quat...you feel so good." He wasn't going to last. He already knew that. Quatre's body felt like Heaven and Hell and Heero welcomed every agonizing moment. He panted, his head spinning as Quatre rose up and then lowered his hips again, rolling them on every downward stroke. Heero's eyes drank in the sight of his beautiful husband, his skin flushed, his muscles taut, hips undulating erotically. His erection bobbed up in front of him and Heero wrapped his hand around it and tugged. Quatre uttered a soft moan, losing his rhythm for a moment before he picked up the pace and began to bounce.
Heero glanced down, cursing loudly as he watched his cock disappear into that beautiful body and he couldn't resist the urge to reach between them, to touch the place where they were joined. Quatre moaned, an emphatic, "Yes," and Heero pushed his hips up, matching Quatre's movements with his own thrusts. He kept his right hand wrapped around the blond's weeping erection and his left splayed over Quatre's backside, his pinky finger feeling the erotic slide of his cock as it was engulfed by the boy's body.
Neither of them lasted long. They were far too worked up and Heero unleashed a violent orgasm after watching Quatre come apart above him, dripping his seed onto Heero's belly while the muscles of his ass contracted around the Saian's cock. He held the boy when he flopped forward, his legs splayed out to the sides as he panted on Heero's chest. Heero pulled his head up and captured the swollen lips between his own and Quatre moaned into the kiss, his hips still twitching with aftershocks. Heero's sated penis softened and he hissed as it slipped out. He carefully maneuvered the blond onto his belly beside him, checking his back over to make sure nothing had been torn open. Quatre huffed against the bed.
"I'm fine. My back is fine."
"Just making sure." Heero rose up over him, scooting down to the deliciously plump little ass and swiped his tongue over the still twitching opening, tasting his own seed. Quatre yelped, his hips jerking upward, thighs spreading open. "Heero! Oh- oh God!" Heero gave him a few more licks and pulled away, savoring the sight of his husband, spread out and wrecked. He felt a smug sense of pride that he'd been the one to cause the boy's debauchery. He reverently pressed a kiss against the healing skin of Quatre's back, whispering, almost in worship, "I'm so proud to be your husband." Quatre hummed happily as Heero laid down beside him, pushing blond curls off his forehead. The blond's face was smooshed against the bed and he gazed at Heero with eyes that were sated and full of love.
"Thank you."
Heero kissed him. "Thank you. You were incredible. I never knew it could feel that good."
Quatre's brows furrowed. "You've had bad experiences in the past?"
"I've had no experience in the past."
He almost laughed when the blond's eyes widened and his head lifted off the bed. "You've never been with anyone before? I find that hard to believe."
"It's true. You're my first."
Quatre's eyes sparkled and he smiled. "I'm glad I could make your first time good."
Heero pressed his thumb against the beautiful lips, grinning when Quatre's teeth bit down gently. "It was wonderful."
He wished he could have stayed in bed all day with Quatre, but he had to leave for Sai. His stomach churned as he got dressed, Quatre picking out a cream colored tunica with light blue wraps that draped around his shoulders and trailed down his back. He wound silver cuffs around his arms and stood still when Quatre placed the silver circlet onto his head and then pecked a kiss onto the tip of his nose. "You'll be fine." Heero was amazed at how in tuned they were to each other, anticipating what the other was thinking, feeling. The connection was heady, intimate, and Heero cherished it.
Heero sighed. "I hope you're right."
"I'm always right." Heero chuckled and swatted the blond's rump.
Quatre helped him wrap the straps of the sandals around his ankles as he still hadn't gotten the hang of that yet. There was a specific method to it and Heero was still awkward and clumsy about the process. He excused himself for a moment and sought out Trowa in his own chambers, prepared to face resentment as he was sure the servant had heard them having sex. Trowa glared at him as he stepped into the room and Heero hoped there wouldn't be another confrontation.
"I'm off."
"You needed to tell me this, why?"
"Because I want you to look after Quatre while I'm gone."
Trowa scoffed. "I always look after him. I don't need you to tell me to."
"You're right. I'm sorry. I just want to know he's safe."
"He's safer now than he's ever been. We got through many years without you here. We can survive a few days of your absence."
Heero nodded, point taken. "Right. Well, I'll see you soon." He turned to leave, not expecting a response and he didn't get one.
Quatre walked him down to the stables and prepared a stallion for his trip. He patted the horse's flank and gave him a reassuring smile. "You be careful. I'll miss you."
Heero hooked his arm around his husband's waist and pulled him close, dipping his head to steal a kiss. "Be safe," he whispered. "I won't be long."
Quatre nodded and Heero placed his foot inside the stirrup and hoisted himself up, gathering the reigns into his hands. He turned towards the east, where Sai lay in wait and spurred the horse forward. He galloped across the castle grounds and through the gates, unaware that General Treize had been watching, waiting for his time to strike.
***
The peasants of the Syun and Long scattered like the four winds as the man in Ghalian dress approached, but soon gathered around when they realized who it was. Heero brought the stallion to the stables and dismounted, leaving the horse to eat, drink, and rest. He patiently endured the reaching hands of his people as they wept over him and thanked the gods for his return. They touched him reverently, stroking their hands over the fine fabric of his tunica, running their fingers over the cuffs on his arm. They asked him numerous questions, each one putting him at more and more at ease. They didn't hate him. They'd been worried about him. And they still loved him. He reassured them with gentle smiles and honest words.
I am quite fine.
No, they didn't hurt me.
Yes, it was my choice.
I wish to protect our villages and this was the only way.
No, the Prince of Ghali is nothing like the King. He is good. His wish is for peace.
Yes. Yes, I love him.
His heart skipped when his father approached, Wufei and Duo in tow. Duo broke into a run when he spotted Heero, flying into his arms when he opened them for his friend. Duo wrapped himself around him, clinging for dear life and cursed at him as he sobbed into his shoulder.
"You suicidal bastard! You had me worried sick."
Heero stroked the boy's long braid and smiled. "I'm alright, Duo." Duo pulled back, looking into his eyes to make sure he was telling the truth. Heero held nothing back, let his friend see everything that was written across his face. Duo breathed a sigh of relief, tears sliding down his cheeks. He lightly tapped Heero's cheek in an imitation of a slap.
"I don't know what ever possessed you to do what you did." He sighed and shook his head. "A Ghalian Prince. When Fei first told me, I couldn't believe it."
"I did what I had to do." He turned to the older man. "Hello, Father."
Odin was a man of high principles and low tolerance. He narrowed his eyes at his son and shook his head. "You have a lot of nerve coming back here after that stunt you pulled. What the Hell were you thinking?"
Heero swallowed hard, his heart sinking. "I'm sorry, Father. I saw a chance to protect our people and I took it." He gazed at his sire, his eyes begging him to understand. Odin stepped closer and Heero choked on his emotion when his father wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into his chest, whispering against his cheek.
"Wufei told me everything. I'm proud of you, son."
Heero stifled a sob and buried his face into his father's chest. "Thank you. Thank you. I was so afraid you wouldn't accept me."
"Don't be stupid, boy! You are and will always be my son, no matter how many hare-brained ideas you have."
Heero huffed, the sound between a laugh and a sob and he held his father close, smiling at Wufei over his shoulder. His friend shook his head at him.
"Just when I thought we'd finally gotten rid of you."
Heero couldn't suppress his laugh. He wiped the tears from his cheeks and reached out for him, closing his eyes in joy when his friend's arms closed around him. There was a distinct hitch in his voice when Wufei said, "I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm better than okay."
"I'll say!" Duo grabbed his hands and spun him around. "Look at you! I think you have Sai's entire fortune on you."
He laughed. "Not quite, but close."
Duo tapped his chin. "Prince Heero. It has a nice ring to it."
"You think so?"
"Naw, not really."
Heero chuckled, nodding. "Okay. I'll give you that. I'm still getting used to it myself."
"Well, come on in! What are we all standing out here for? Have you eaten? You must be hungry after your trip." Duo grabbed his hand and pulled him towards their cabin. "You haven't seen what we've done to the place lately. Fei started making furniture again. He made me a new table and rebuilt the bed after we broke - er...after it broke..." The excited boy continued to ramble on as he dragged Heero into the house. He shot Wufei a helpless smile. It was good to be home.
He was treated to probably the best meal he'd ever eaten and Duo preened with the praise when Heero complimented his cooking. The pheasant was perfection and the carrots and potatoes were sweet and savory, cooked with honey and herbs. He'd missed Duo's food, Sai's unique blend of flavors. Ghalian food was different, spicier. Heero liked it enough, but it wasn't the food of his home.
Wufei passed around cups of wine and mulled cider and held his own up, gesturing to Heero across the table with it.
"To Prince Heero. May we never know what bizarre situation you'll find yourself in next."
"Hear hear," said Duo and tapped Wufei's cup with his own. Heero chuckled, shaking his head as he took a drink, humming in satisfaction as he tasted the notes of pine and cranberries.
"You still make the best wine, Duo. Not even the vineyard in Ghali can top yours."
A fetching blush bloomed across Duo's cheeks and he ducked his head. Heero smiled as he watched Wufei affectionately tug his braid.
His father cleared his throat and leaned across the table, hands folded as he tapped them against the wood. "So is this just a social visit?"
"Basically." Heero set his cup down. "I had to come back and see all of you. Let you know what was going on." He hesitated, pushing down the anxiety in his belly. He didn't know how they were going to react when he informed them of what he was going to do. "I'm about to become King along with Prince Quatre."
Duo frowned. "Is the King ill?"
"No." He let the implications sink in and knew when they connected the dots. Their eyes became so wide, Heero feared they would pop out of their sockets. Duo's hand came up to cover his mouth. Wufei nearly spilled his cup of wine.
"Heero! You - you're going to -" his voice dropped several octaves. "Assassinate the King?"
"I must. I am the only one who can get away with it."
"Do you even realize what you're saying?"
"I'm very aware of what I'm saying and I'm very aware of the magnitude of this task."
Odin was calm, but Heero could see the flash of worry in his eyes. The older man shook his head, his voice grave. "This is dangerous, Heero."
"It's even more dangerous if he is allowed to live. Dangerous for all of us. When Quatre and I take the throne, there will be no more invasions on Sai, the neutral territories, or the surrounding Kingdoms."
"But - if you get caught..." Duo trailed off, not knowing how to finish.
"Which is why I must act fast. We have support from the first Lieutenant and many from the army. The King is away at the regional Summit, no doubt pretending he wants peace between the nations," Heero snorted. "When he returns, he will be tired from his travels. It will be the opportune time to strike."
Wufei was dubious. "Please tell me Quatre knows about this."
Heero nodded. "Yes. He knows what must be done. Once it's finished, the throne will be ours and we can begin working to bring peace to our kingdoms. While King Zayeed and his men are still in power, no one is safe."
Odin's lips pressed together, his face grim. "You're talking about doing this in the next couple of days."
"Yes. He returns tomorrow evening. I will stay tonight, but I must leave at first light to prepare for his arrival."
Duo chewed nervously on his nails. "How will we know if you're successful?"
"I will send a message out to you once it's done. If you do not hear from me, you will know things went badly."
Wufei reached over, placing a hand on Heero's shoulder, his eyes were solemn, glittering in the light from the fire. "Please be careful."
Heero rested his hand on top of his friend's. "I will."