Lionna's Corner of Anime Fanfiction | home
Four
~ * ~ * ~ *
The Duchess often came calling for Zechs but with the help of Treize he always found a way out of any meetings.
“There's just so much work to do!” Zechs exclaimed, keeping his eyes wide with innocence.
“Oh yes, very much,” Treize added solemnly.
Noin sighed and exited Treize's apartment, closing the door behind her. The minute she was gone, Treize's arms would be about Zechs' waist, pulling the beauty to him, and they would kiss each other senseless, the scripts in their hands useless.
The Moulin Rouge was reaccessible a few weeks after the construction had begun and the rehearsals were moved into the theatre. Zechs sat beside Noin as a number of the dancers ran through one of the songs. The Duchess rested her hand on Zechs' knee, occasionally looking to him and smiling nicely. He smiled politely back at her, playing his role for her.
Treize approached them, leaning over to meet Zechs' gaze. “Excuse me. Zechs, are you available tonight to work on that new scene?”
“Oh,” Zechs glanced back at Noin, noting that she had come to attention immediately. “Yes... I would think so, is that not all right?” He questioned, looking innocently back at Noin.
“But my dear, tonight you were to have dinner with me,” Noin argued, looking rather disturbed by the new arrangements.
“Well then I guess you cannot. It's all right we'll figure out some other time then,” Treize said, sighing as he turned to go.
“No, no, this can't wait!” Zechs argued. “Oh you must understand, my dear Duchess.” He gazed at Noin pleadingly. “It's such an important scene...”
Noin didn't respond, but her gaze turned to the stage where Dorothy was working with the dancers. Zechs took it as a sign that he was allowed to leave so he stood and went after Treize.
Once the two were almost out of sight they started laughing, clutching one another's hand as they ran towards the stairs and headed up to a side balcony looking over the wide hall below. They ran down the balcony, hiding their laughter. Treize suddenly dropped next to a pillar and pulled Zechs with him, capturing the other's lip in a heated kiss.
Zechs responded with a small moan, lips parting as he invited Treize in. His hands played over the other's body, wishing that they were back in the run-down apartment, alone. He reflected on how they had just played with Noin and he began laughing, drawing back for breath. They gasped for breath, smiling at one another before giving in to yet another passionate kiss.
Below them, Noin stood and approached Dorothy. Taking the owner of the Moulin Rouge aside, she hissed quietly, “I don't like this. I have yet to have any private time with Mirialdo and once again he is busy with work.”
Dorothy searched for how to calm the Duchess; her eyes trailed along an upper balcony and she suddenly caught sight of Zechs and Treize beside one of the pillars, locked in an obvious passionate embrace. Noin's head began to turn to see what had stunned Dorothy, but the blonde quickly interjected,
“Well! He can miss a night of work. It will be just fine. He will have dinner with you, of course!”
Noin studied her. “Eight o'clock. Don't forget that I hold the deeds to this place, Dorothy,” she warned in a low tone.
“Yes, of course.”
Noin glanced up to where Dorothy had been looking earlier. Zechs was standing up alone, hand covering his mouth as his laughed. Casting one last warning look to Dorothy, Noin turned and left the building. Sighing quietly, Dorothy set her grim expression and made her way to the stairs.
Treize had broken the kiss yet again and begun walking backwards, a smile on his face. “You'll be there tonight, then?”
“Of course,” Zechs smiled, still laughing over yet another one of their acts presented to the Duchess.
“Don't forget!” Treize called as he disappeared, heading towards his apartment.
Zechs smiled, shaking his head as he gazed over the hall.
“What do you think you are doing?”
Startled, all happiness fled Zechs as panic struck him and he whirled around to face Dorothy. He fought to place a smile on his face, “What do you mean?”
Dorothy approached him, gripping both of his arms, “What the hell do you think you are doing?” she hissed. “I saw you! Are you going to throw everything away? The Duchess holds our claims to the Moulin Rouge, Zechs! You must see her tonight!”
“But...” Zechs shook his head, pain-filled eyes looking away. “Dorothy I can't do that! I lo-”
“You have no choice!” Dorothy told him, her face contorting in pain. “We can't lose this!”
“But...” Zechs choked on his argument, tears coming to his eyes. He pulled away from Dorothy, looking at her, laying his emotions on his face so she might understand. The blonde just shook her head. Trying to hold back tears, Zechs turned and ran along the balcony to get away from her.
He hurried down the stairs, choking back sobs. As he reached the first floor he walked slowly behind the pillars, tears escaping his eyes as he fought with his decision. He couldn't disappoint Treize... he just couldn't not see him; but if he went to Noin he knew that his lover would be jealous - he doubted he could go through with it either.
Biting back a sob, Zechs leaned against a pillar. “But the Moulin Rouge...” Dorothy was right. They couldn't anger the Duchess or she would close down the Moulin Rouge, ruining the life of everyone there. `Why is it all on my shoulders...?' he demanded silently. He started forward again, gasping.
He tried to inhale, realizing that his crying had sent something off. Spots danced before his eyes as he gasped for air, pushing off of one pillar and heading towards another one. He began to cough, sobbing as he did so. He fell to his knees as the coughing fit continued and he felt the pain of not receiving enough air. He fell forward, coughing continuing even as he lost consciousness.
Other performers had begun gathering some feet away from Zechs as the pale-haired man began to cough. Dorothy hurried up, exchanging a worried glance with Otto. She motioned for him to take the man back to a dressing room while she ordered one of the girls to fetch a doctor. Whatever was going on with her star was more than just a simple bout of fainting.
~ * ~ * ~ *
As evening fell both the Duchess and Treize waited expectantly for Zechs. Both stood at their windows, glancing back occasionally to the table and then looking to the Moulin Rouge, waiting for the beautiful figure to exit. An hour past the time when he was due to arrive, Treize retreated to his apartment and closed the shutters. Noin gestured for the servants to remove the food on the table and draw shut the long curtains of the windows.
In a dressing room at the Moulin Rouge Zechs had been placed on a cot and covered with a thin sheet as they awaited the doctor. Dorothy and Sally stayed in the room, keeping an eye on Zechs. Otto was right outside the door, gazing at the worried faces nearby. Sally was fiddling with her handkerchief again, looking at the stain of blood where she had wiped off Zechs' lips. The man was still having a hard time breathing when the doctor arrived. He ran a check-up and took some blood to test.
Sighing softly when he was done, the doctor stood and faced Dorothy and Sally. “What is wrong with him?” Dorothy asked quietly.
“I'm sorry. He has consumption of the lungs.” Gazing back at the sleeping man, he announced, “He's dying.”
Sally's hand flew to her lips and she turned away, swallowing back tears. Dorothy's lips pressed together tightly before she whispered, “Thank you doctor.” As the doctor left she looked to Otto and Sally, “He mustn't know. Don't tell him.”
She went to Zechs' side, pressing the back of her hand against his cheek. She nodded to Otto. “Place him back in his room. I'll go see to the Duchess.” That said, she left the room.
~ * ~ * ~ *
Noin frowned at Dorothy, glancing sideways at the shorter woman. “He went to confession?”
“Yes,” Dorothy replied sighing, “I'm afraid he suddenly wished to be forgiven of all his sins of the past. You see...” She looked rather unsure, and then began again, “He thought of this as his wedding night.”
“Wedding night?” Noin asked, surprised. She turned fully to Dorothy, eyebrows knit in confusion.
Dorothy nodded, “Yes. You see... he... knows that a whole new life begins for him with you and he wishes to have his slate wiped clean before going into that new life.” She pressed on, “He even said...” she bit her lip, looking around, spotting the servants. Leaning in closer she whispered, “He said that you made him feel like a... virgin.”
Giving her a skeptical look. Noin repeated, “A virgin.”
“Yes. A virgin - feels so good inside.” Dorothy nodded even as Noin's face went blank for a moment.
Watching the Duchess's face anxiously, Dorothy hoped that her explanation would be accepted. If not, it was the end of the Moulin Rouge.
“All right,” Noin finally said. “But after the performance I will have Mirialdo here, and he's not to see that writer again,” she frowned. “I don't like the way that man eyes him.”
“Fully understood!” Dorothy exclaimed, agreeing immediately.
“And I will see Mirialdo at least once before the performance,” her eyes narrowed, “or I'll cancel the funding.”
Swallowing, Dorothy nodded again.
~ * ~ * ~ *
Treize silently accepted Zechs into his apartment the next day. Softly Zechs apologized, explaining that he had been sick the night before. Treize said nothing, although he was sure he knew where Zechs had been. Sitting at his typewriter, Treize glanced towards the silent beauty sitting on his bed. The air was tense with the silence.
Zechs wore a long coat; his hand clutched the collar together as he stared silently out the window. He still hadn't fully recovered from whatever had happened the past day, and he felt truly exhausted even with the good amount of sleep he had received.
“Just tell me the truth. Where were you last night?” Treize demanded, turning to meet Zechs' gaze.
Slightly baffled, Zechs looked back to him, “What? But I've already told you... I was sick.” His brow knit in worry. “Don't you believe me?”
Treize sighed. “You don't have to try and hide it. I know you must have gone to the Duchess.”
“What?” Zechs stared at him, a bit hurt. “Believe me, Treize, I would not lie to you. I was sick and that's all it was.”
Looking rather pained himself, Treize stood and moved to the bed to sit next to Zechs. His hands cupped about the pale face as he leaned in, their foreheads touching. “I'm sorry,” he whispered, brushing his lips against Zechs'. “But I can't help but be jealous...”
Zechs shook his head, averting his eyes. “Treize... I must sleep with her the night of the performance.” Treize was already shaking his head, eyes closed. “Please... Treize...” he started, reaching a hand out and stroking the ginger-haired man's face.
“You can't...”
“Treize...” Zechs tried again, feeling torn. “I have to...” he said softly.
“No... No you don't!” Treize argued in response.
Sighing, Zechs turned his head away, out of Treize's grasp. He stood and walked slowly towards the window, staring out. “Then... then let's have a song... a song of our own so that you can sing it and won't feel jealous.” He turned his head back to Treize, face pleading. “Promise that if we do, you won't feel jealous.”
Treize joined him, embracing Zechs from behind. “All right,” he agreed softly, lips kissing Zechs' neck.
~ * ~ * ~ *