Excerpt:
He waited, but the other boy remained quiet, withdrawn, his eyes still distant and haunted by some sorrow Wufei only dimly understood. Coughing softly, he moved to the bed and unfolded the silk he'd laid there earlier. "Here. I brought you these. They're mine, but you're welcome to borrow them until Zechs can get you your own clothes."
A little life returned to Duo's face, although in the form of obstinacy. "I don't need anything from him."
"Our status is completely dependent on Treize and Zechs. We are no longer anyone. We have ceased to exist as far as any official records are concerned."
"What's that matter to me? I've never been anyone."
"Duo, can't you try to be at least a little understanding? Zechs is trying to do his best for you." Wufei nearly blurted out how nearly he'd escaped being given to Tuberov or Dermail or the others, but Zechs had forbidden him to do so. He didn't want Duo burdened by another fear, he said, although Wufei doubted his judgement. In his opinion, it was always better to know one's enemies.
"Understand?" Duo laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. "Why? How the hell is keeping me shut up here 'doing his best'?"
Without being able to mention the other men, Wufei could scarcely explain. "Duo, I apologize--I didn't come here to argue with you. You must be exhausted. Why don't you get some sleep? Things won't look so bad tomorrow."
"I'll still look like a prisoner tomorrow."
The Claim
- Author: RazorQueen
(6x2) (11x5) 54k
Only By Way Of Pain: In this alternate reality, OZ has won, Zechs never defected, and the Libra is still an OZ battleship. Now, the war is over, OZ is the victor, and the pilots have been ransomed to wardens. Zechs reluctantly claims Duo, with consequences no one imagined.
My notes: This fic has many of the hallmarks of classic 6x2 fics - power imbalances and their respective noncon aspects, virginal Duo with low self-esteem, Zechs as the noble prince (who would never ever drop a colony on a planet). It's absolutely one of the better ones in its genre, and I still enjoy reading it.