27-May-2001
Title: Chasing the Crown, an Extended Family Fic
ExFam Authors:
RavynFyre - ravynfyre@hotmail.com
Diane Davis - fenwyck@radiks.net
von - sablexo1@yahoo.com
bonnejeanne - bonnejeanne@yahoo.com
*Special Guest Writer! Nixie the Pixie!*
Nixers - Nixerchan@aol.com
Category: yaoi, AU
Rating: NC-17 for now, that will change
Pairings: 1x2, 3+4
Spoilers: Series, Endless Waltz, Mission: Arcadia
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners.
Kenny, Duan, Wufan, Tryan, Carter, Jack and the Ripper, and everything relating to Rip & Jack's universe are ours. No money being made here.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
Please feel free to direct feedback to any or all of the authors!
WARNINGS: AU (Alternate Universe), Original Characters, LEMON in some sections. Kiddie-Angst.
LEMON WARNING this section!
Heero's eyes opened slowly and as they did so, he blinked up at the open sky. He felt the familiar weight of Duo against him and he smiled a little as the first few rays of sun turned the sky a bluish tint. His arms tightened around Duo as he remembered the night before.
A soft sigh was the long-haired pilot's only response as he unconsciously nuzzled closer to Heero, steadfastly refusing to allow the rising sun to intrude upon his dreams.
Beneath the blanket, Heero raised his hand to stroke Duo's lower back and hip. He wondered if he should try and carry Duo back to the bed inside, or just wait until he woke up. Finally, he decided to stay where they were for a moment longer. It felt good.
As they lay on the now cool marble, Heero allowed his mind to wander, as thoughts of conversations came back to him. He was glad that he was able to express some of the things that were bothering him and that they had both reached a point where things were more in the open.
Looking down, Heero saw Duo's angelic face, content and fast asleep. It finally occurred to him that the long-haired pilot had the capacity to sleep as long as he was allowed to do so. Taking a deep breath, Heero closed his arms even tighter around Duo's body and sat up. Cradling Duo in his arms, Heero slid his arms under and around the young man, watching his beautiful lover and committing his every feature and expression to memory.
Duo's brows drew together in a sleepy pout, one hand coming up to scrub clumsily at closed eyes. A groan of complaint rumbled in his chest as he slowly blinked his eyes open. "Hee-chan?" he queried, voice slurred slightly as Duo fought between wakefulness and the cozy comfort of both dreams and Heero's tight embrace. "Wha... Th' world moved..."
"Hai," Heero said, with a small grin as he tried in vain to pull the cover back across them both. "I'm taking you back in. It's chilly out here," he said, then leaned forward to kiss Duo.
Caught in the early stage of a stretch, Duo's eyes blinked open more widely as he felt Heero's lips on his own. He let out a happy little whimper and let his eyes fall closed again, melting into Heero's arms contentedly even while he let his tongue wander and deepen the kiss. The arm that wasn't pinned against Heero's chest came up, wrapping around the Japanese youth's neck to pull him closer as Duo indulged himself greedily in the good morning kiss.
Feeling Duo pulling him closer, Heero closed his eyes extending the kiss. After a short while, he leaned back, looking down into the violet depths. "Good morning," he said, softly.
"Hm... Not sure yet... While the possibilities of reality are tantalizing, the infinity of dreaming holds an appeal, too," Duo loftily expounded, finally opening his eyes again to stare up at Heero with impish intent. "Convince me?" he asked with a wicked smirk.
Without hesitation, Heero moved forward again and captured Duo's mouth with his own. This time the kiss was more heated and intense as he thrust his tongue deeply inside. Memories of the night before returned and Heero allowed everything, and every thought to slip away as he concentrated and focused on being with Duo. His hand moved up and into Duo's hair, gently massaging Duo's scalp as he expressed his need and desire without words.
As they finally broke apart, Duo had to make a conscious effort to order his thoughts once more. He shivered slightly in Heero's arms, a fine sheen of sweat breaking out over him and slightly out of breath as if he'd just finished running. He had to try twice before he finally found his voice again. "You make a valid point, Mr. Yuy... I suppose I'm going to have to concede the argument," he sighed, letting his lips curl up in a smile, the kind that always seemed to drive coherent thought from his lover, before he continued, "But only if you promise a repeat performance sometime in the relatively near future..."
Prussian blue eyes danced over Duo's face, watching every movement as he spoke. That lazy, curving smile focused his attention and made his body suddenly ache. A little sound escaped from the back of Heero's throat as he leaned down again and kissed Duo thoroughly and completely. After another short eternity, Heero moved back. This time, he did not wait for Duo to speak, but stood up with Duo in his arms. He moved the violet-eyed beauty back inside, half dragging the blanket with them.
He placed Duo on the bed, then sat down next to him. Leaning over Duo, Heero kissed the flat plane of his stomach and trailed warm, wet kisses up to Duo's neck. Nuzzling there for a moment he then feasted on the soft, warm flesh indulging himself in Duo's body.
A strangled whimper tore itself from Duo's throat as Heero's mouth danced over his skin. As his hands wormed loose from the tangle of blanket, he arched up into Heero's touch. The soft tumble of Heero's hair slid over his fingers as Duo buried his hands in their dark brown locks. "You drive me so crazy," he managed to growl between sharp inhalations.
"It's no more than fair," Heero breathed against Duo's ear. "You do the same for me, koi." Leaning back down, he moved his mouth against the other side of Duo's neck and repeated his actions there.
Duo gasped harshly, tightening his grip upon Heero marginally as he struggled to maintain coherency. All thoughts of duty and propriety, however, went flying right out the open balcony doors when he shifted and the flushed heat of his erection brushed against Heero's bare thigh. He stiffened as if shot, lost between the sensations of Heero's mouth tormenting the sensitive hollow of his throat, and the comforting chill breeze bathing the rest of his body. He moaned as he shifted again, instinctively seeking more of that delicious friction.
Heero felt his own cock spring to life, as Duo's erection made contact with his thigh. He slid his hand down Duo's chest and over his stomach, not stopping until his fingers curled around the long-haired pilot's hardness. With a firm grip, Heero slowly moved his hand back and forth as he continued exploring the curves and valleys of Duo's neck with his tongue.
Duo mewled softly, his voice stolen from him by Heero's talented tongue and hands as they skillfully tantalized him. He squirmed under Heero, half in defense as his mind threatened to shut down at the pleasurable sensations shooting through him, and half offense as he sought greater contact with Heero. Finally releasing his grip in Heero's hair, Duo let his hands slide around the Japanese pilot's shoulders, fingers flexing and unflexing like a cat kneading the comfy pillow it would eventually settle upon. As quickly as he dared without rushing, Duo let his hands wander down Heero's back, pausing at one point to slip under Heero's arms, until he cupped the taut muscles of his lover's rear in his still flexing hands.
Heero let out a small exhalation of breath against Duo's neck as he felt strong hands against his body. Instinctively, his muscles flexed and relaxed in time with Duo's movements. Looking up at Duo, Heero moved one leg over the long-haired pilot's body, positioning himself until he could grasp both of their aching shafts in his hand. He shivered as he felt the delicious contact of his lover's body with his own. "Duo," he managed in a whisper as he moved his hips slowly back and forth.
Duo threw his head back against the bed as he felt Heero's hand wrap around their cocks. Though he tried, he couldn't quite cut off the choked cry that tore from him, managing only to lower his voice a fraction. His hand gripped unconsciously at Heero, pressing them together as he rolled his hips against his lover. He could feel the slickness of perspiration between them where their bodies met, while his heart thudded almost out of control within his chest. He opened his eyes, blindly staring up at the ceiling, though seeing nothing but the soft wash of stars from the night before as his brain slowly shut down one process after another, before it overloaded. Distantly, he thought he heard himself moan Heero's name, although that, too, may have been a memory.
Leaning his head against Duo's chest, Heero danced his hand around them both at an ever-increasing pace. Panting against Duo's skin, he felt himself on the edge as his lover's scent filled him with each inhalation. Suddenly, Heero gasped, hearing Duo's name in his voice like a plea and a sigh at the same time. His body stiffened, then shuddered as he felt his seed release over his hand and Duo's body as well.
Duo followed an instant after Heero, the whole world evaporating into nothing but Heero as he felt himself release against his lover. Darkness threatened to overwhelm him for a moment, before he convinced his lungs to remember what it was like to breathe again. His arms shifted up against Heero's spine, cradling the other pilot to him as they both slowly came down from their mutual high. Duo shifted, cushioning Heero as he drew the Japanese youth down onto the bed beside him and leaned forward to ghost his lips over Heero's gently. "Tell me again why I sleep in so often? Man... you can wake me up like that anytime, koibito..." Duo whispered before darting his tongue out to lick playfully along Heero's throat.
Heero felt his heartbeat slow and his breathing settled as he listened to Duo's words. "Mission accepted," he replied, looking over at his lover. After a few moments, he brushed his fingertips along Duo's cheek. "Last night," he said, trying to find appropriate words. "I liked it a lot."
Duo turned his head, leaning into Heero's fingers as his eyes drifted shut contentedly. He sighed softly before opening his eyes again to cast a wide, thoughtful look over Heero. "There was more I wanted to show you," he admitted slowly, "But... When I saw you out there... under the moon... it was like a dream. I couldn't..." he closed his eyes again and nuzzled close to Heero, murmuring, "I couldn't make myself wait. Just seeing you... you were so perfect, it hurt. I'll try to do it better next time, but you drive me so nuts..."
Heero frowned slightly as he listened. Part of the conversation he understood, because he'd felt the same way about Duo. "I didn't notice anything not right," Heero said, "I just hoped I didn't ruin it for you..." Heero began.
Duo drew away far enough so that he could see Heero's face again, reaching one hand up to lay a silencing finger against Heero's lips. "No. Never," he said, shaking his head before leaning in and fastening his lips upon Heero's for a quick, but fierce, kiss. "Never ruin anything for me. Ai shiteru, koibito. I... I just wanted you to know... how perfect you were... How crazy you make me because of that."
Heero looked at Duo for a long moment then smiled a rare smile. "I do?" he said, a little disbelieving. "This doesn't have anything to do with that Perfect Soldier thing, does it?" he asked, with a slight crease between his brows.
Duo's arms came up, crushing Heero to him as he shook his head. "God... You can't honestly tell me that you don't know how beautiful and sexy you are, can you?" he asked.
Heero opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. "Hn," he remarked, then said, "That's what I think about you. I don't tend to think those things about myself. It was never a part of mission parameters. I mean, I know I'm ok enough looking to blend in, but..." he added ending with a shrug.
Duo blinked in surprise as he peered at Heero. "You... really don't...." his voice trailed off to a whisper, shock and incredulity playing across his features before determination set in. He shifted, rolling atop Heero and planting another kiss on his lover before he hopped off the bed and dove into their clothing for a couple of robes. Reaching down, he hauled Heero to his feet and draped the robe over his shoulders before shrugging into one himself. "Come on. There's something I want to show you," he commanded, taking Heero's hand and heading for their bedroom door.
Heero moved to follow Duo without question.
Duo led Heero through the still quiet suite, crossing the main room to the empty bathroom. Flipping on the light, he drew Heero inside and closed the door quietly, twisting the lock before turning to face his partner. Taking Heero's shoulders in his own, he turned the Japanese pilot until he faced the large floor to ceiling mirror on one wall. Standing behind him, Duo ran his hands up Heero's arms, sliding his fingers under the robe and shifting it off until it slid to the floor to pool there. He pressed himself close from behind, leaning in to nuzzle at Heero's throat before meeting his lover's prussian blue eyes in the mirror. "Tell me what you see."
"Us," Heero replied. "I see you and I see myself."
He then looked up at Duo in the mirror to see if he had answered sufficiently.
"Describe us," Duo ordered gently, eyes still pinned to Heero's in the mirror.
"We are two males, approximately 156 centimeters tall, 40 to 45 kilograms in weight, long brown hair and medium dark brown hair, blue eyes, 17 years," Heero assessed.
Duo smiled gently as he watched Heero's eyes dart over them both. "Okay... Let's try again. This time, don't assess us with this," he said, reaching up to tap at his lover's forehead, "But describe us with this," he said, letting his hand drift down to stroke the soft skin above Heero's heart, "and this," he finished, letting his hand drift even lower to gently caress his partner's manhood. "I know it's difficult... but try..."
Heero moistened his lips with his tongue as he felt the gentle touch of Duo's fingers brush against him. "I see two people, who care deeply for each other, who'll be together and face whatever for a long time. One, my heart, my love, is lean, beautiful, and the most desirable person I've ever known. Me, I'm not too bad, I look ok. Could probably be a little taller," he replied.
Duo gave him a slightly lopsided smile. "I wouldn't mind being a little taller myself, koibito," he sighed. "Okay... Now I need you to do something. That guy in the mirror with the sexy blue eyes and the short dark hair... He's not Heero Yuy. He's never even heard of Heero Yuy or Duo Maxwell or any of the other Gundam Pilots. He's just some guy, walking down the street. Picture that guy walking down the street, the way he kinda seems to almost roll from one step to the next. You know he's had some hand to hand training because no one could manage to look that graceful and that deadly at the same time unless they had. He's dressed in a pair of body-hugging blue jeans and a tight white T-shirt. Describe that guy to me. Describe what you'd think and feel if you saw him walking down the street one day."
While Duo spoke, he let his lids drift half shut, peering at Heero with a sultry, heated expression. His hands, however, were busy ghosting over the smooth planes and gentle curves of Heero's hips and stomach, holding his lover to him and teasing with feather-light caresses.
Heero felt his breath deepen as he listened to Duo speak. It wasn't so much the words, but the tone and caresses which caused a flash of heat to course through his body. Looking back in the mirror, he tried to gather his thoughts for a reply. Leaning his head down a little, he brought his attention back to his reflection in the mirror. "I'd think he was a pretty cool guy, if I saw him. I'd think he was attractive, handsome even. I think I might wonder where he came from and what he was thinking as he walked by."
"Would you want him?" Duo asked, his voice a low whisper as his hands strayed around to massage the creases between Heero's hips and thighs.
"I... I think I'd be attracted, maybe I'd want him," Heero said. "But, he's not you."
Duo nodded, "This is true. So what?" he asked gently, "Are you saying you can't really be attracted to anyone without long hair, or are you saying you wouldn't feel right being attracted to anyone but me?"
Heero leaned back a little in Duo's arms. "No, I'm not saying I'm only attracted to long hair. It's the person more than the hair. And yes, I'm attracted to you and I wouldn't feel right being attracted to anyone else."
Duo nodded thoughtfully, one hand sliding up Heero's body to toy with one dusky nipple, while the other hand carefully massaged Heero's inner thigh, one fingertip ghosting out to barely stroke along Heero's cock. "It's all right to feel attraction for other people, koibito," he murmured.
Heero's eyes rose slightly in the mirror to look at Duo. He could feel himself gradually, yet steadily harden under Duo's touch. "It's..." he began, then closed his eyes briefly. "But... why, should I? I have you, don't I? I mean, isn't that what people look for, what they need? Just one?"
"I'm not saying you have to find other people attractive, koi," Duo said, letting his eyes drift shut as he nuzzled Heero's neck again, "But that it's all right, and it's nothing to be either ashamed of, or afraid of. People..." his voice drifted off, and he took a deep breath before looking up and opening his eyes again to meet Heero's. "People make a lot of 'rules' for themselves that aren't always right. They confine themselves because they think it's 'right' and 'proper'. Usually it just makes them unhappy because they aren't letting themselves enjoy life. The human heart and the human libido don't care about those 'rules' or how 'proper' anything may be. The human heart is rarely wrong, koi. If it were, then we'd have never found each other. Don't let those other 'people' tell you what's right. They're usually wrong. Let your own heart decide, and don't be ashamed."
Heero's breathing became more labored as he looked back into the mirror. "Duo," he said, "I am attracted to... to other people too. I just thought now that we're ... together, I should concentrate on you... But, yes, I am attracted to other people. I'm sorry I gave you the impression I wasn't, koi." Turning his head, Heero kissed the side of Duo's mouth, looking up at him.
Duo smiled, shifting forward a bit to catch Heero's entire kiss. "Don't be sorry, Hee-chan. I'm glad."
"You are?" Heero asked softly. "Wh..." he began and then stopped suddenly as a thought occurred to him. Turning, he looked into Duo's eyes for a long while, then said, "You are trying to tell me, the same goes for me... We're really not that different, right?"
Duo blinked slowly, his expression thoughtful. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, I've been operating as though there was one set of parameters for you and one for me. I felt that because I love you and I can see how attractive and beautiful you are, anyone and everyone could see the same. Naturally, it followed that everyone in the world either would love you like I did or were of no consequence because they were too blind to see you like I do. I never gave myself credit for the same potential, Duo. Is that understandable?" he said.
Duo smiled widely leaning in to drop a kiss upon both of Heero's eyes before drawing his lover into an embrace. "Perfectly. And yes. The question is... do you believe?"
"I won't lie to you. I'm not sure, yet. I think so, but it's a new thing to me. Can you accept that?" Heero asked.
"Absolutely," Duo assured him, "I'm proud of you, ya know that, koibito?"
Heero shook his head. "No, but it makes me feel good to hear it, Duo," he said, enjoying the feeling of his lover's body against his own. "I find Wufei attractive," he said, then kissed Duo's shoulder.
"He is," Duo agreed, shifting a little to press Heero back a slow step at a time until they reached the vanity counter, "Outside, and in..."
"Hai," Heero said, looking up at Duo.
"Should I tell him you said that? Maybe invite him to join us sometime?" Duo asked impishly as he nibbled at the hollow of Heero's throat.
Heero's Prussian blue eyes widened momentarily then blinked at the sudden pictures in his mind. "I... Is that... Have you talked to him about this?" he finally managed, as the Perfect Soldier felt his face suddenly flush with heat.
"You mean have Wufei and I sat down and discussed a way to get us all into bed together? I think that conversation might weird even me out, koi. Have I joked with him about it? When don't I joke?" Duo replied, returning his attention to Heero's throat. "I was trying to cheer him up. He looked so serious..." Duo let his voice trail off before he leaned back and met Heero's eyes again, a small smirk playing at his lips and a mischievous glint in his violet eyes. "I don't think it would take too terribly much convincing, if you were so inclined, though," he said with a small wink.
"Hn," Heero said, thinking. "Hai."
Leaning forward a little, Heero kissed Duo deeply. "Arigato, Duo," he said, a short while later.
Duo blinked, slightly dazed by both the agreement and the rather intense kiss. "No problem... Hee-chan..." He took a deep breath, eyes once again focusing on his lover. "Love you."
Heero tilted his head slightly. "Love you, too, Duo," he said. "Take a shower with me?"
"Couldn't kick me out if you tried," Duo replied with a smile, reaching between them to fondle his lover again. "Though, we'd better get to it, before the kids wake up and start demanding bathroom time."
Leaning over, Heero kissed Duo deeply again. "Yes," he said, "We had better get to it."
He then took Duo's wrist and pulled the long-haired pilot into the shower.
Quatre woke to an unaccustomed sense of warmth around him, an achy discomfort, and something soft tickling his nose.
He reached up to rub the end of that short feature sleepily and his fingers encountered a soft brush of silky strands... Opening his eyes, he realized it was Trowa's hair. The tall pilot was curled around and against him, his eyes closed, his face smoothed of all expression in sleep.
Blinking, Quatre came awake very quickly at that. Almost in spite of himself he shifted and the achy discomfort settled in to his rear. More blinking. Oh! Oh, that was... they had... Trowa...
Skin burning with a hard flush, Quatre was thankful that those green eyes were closed and unable to scrutinize him as he adjusted to the new circumstances and situation. Taking a deep breath, he felt himself relax from the slight startle, and settled against his lover.
"My lover," he whispered almost silently. His mouth curved in a tender, even a possessive smile. Then he sighed.
'Why has it taken me so long to admit that I want this - that I need it? It isn't simply some wonderful dream to have every once in a... in a blue moon or something,' he thought, the smile changing to a more serious expression.
There was no answer to his thoughts, and they wandered on to other questions, equally answer-less. At least he had some of those memories back... seeing the children the night before at dinner had peeled away some inner shield and he now realized that he'd met the little boy Kenny first... then forgotten... then somehow returned to the same place and there had encountered the other four boys, along with Heero, Duo and Wufei. He remembered a conversation in a large public room... the... the lobby of a hotel? And he remembered the misgivings that had shadowed his thoughts and feelings there. Remembered, but...
'Of course, Heero and Duo were going to bring them here, raise them,' he thought. 'One look at their faces could tell you that. At *all* of their faces. Why did I... why was I...' He shook his head without thinking, unable to completely grasp everything that he remembered feeling from that event.
Trowa sighed in his sleep. His arms tightened around Quatre's body as his eyes blinked open. For a moment, he didn't remember where he was and then it all came rushing back to him. He breathed deeply as he made note of the rhythmic beating of Quatre's heart and the sounds of his lungs taking in air and releasing it. Trowa smiled a little, then glanced up blinking at Quatre through his bangs.
"Hi," he said quietly, feeling the warmth of the blond pilot's body.
Quatre smiled back unconsciously and reached up to brush a strand of hair away from Trowa's face. "Um, good morning," he said.
Trowa looked into the teal colored eyes and felt his heart suddenly race. "Good morning," he repeated, then moved up to press his mouth against Quatre's. "How are you?" he asked, moving back a short time later.
Quatre sighed, feeling a warmth spread through him from the contact. "Fine," he said, and then his fair skin betrayed him with a blush. "I mean good... great!"
Trowa reached up and brushed Quatre's cheek with his hand. "Good. Me too," he said. "Although, you're probably numb from me laying on you all night," he added, shifting his body a little.
"No.. not at all!" Quatre said quickly, and then his eyes crinkled at the corners a little. "Not that I would mind," he added. "It feels very nice to be here."
"Yeah, I agree," Trowa said, looking down at Quatre for a long moment. "You know that's something I've wanted for awhile now," he said.
Quatre blinked at the other boy and felt his heart speed up. He was quiet for a moment and then he said, "Trowa? Can I... can I ask you something? If... if you wanted it, why... didn't you say anything?"
It was Trowa's turn to blush. He looked down for a second, then back up. "I wasn't exactly sure how you'd take it, what you'd think of me..." he said. Then Trowa shook his head. "No, I should have said something. I was just being a coward, I guess. I know I didn't want to lose you."
Reaching out, Quatre quickly took Trowa's hand, twining their fingers together. "How I would take what, Tro?" he asked gently.
Trowa settled his fingers into Quatre's, looking down at him. "That I was and am attracted to you... physically, mentally and emotionally," he said. "That I like guys... well not all guys. But, those aren't the kinds of things men like to admit."
Quatre squeezed Trowa's fingers gently. "I thought we were past all that," he said softly. "Maybe I'm not a... a 'real man', because I have no problem at all admitting that I love you. And that I have wanted to be with you any way I could since... well since the first time I saw you."
Trowa smiled a little remembering their first meeting. "Maybe you're more of a man than me. You, at least, admitted it. And as I recall, I wasn't exactly warm to you at first," he said.
Quatre smiled fondly, remembering the same thing Trowa was. "It wasn't a situation where warmth was appropriate," he said. "I certainly didn't expect it. I could see that you were serious, a professional soldier, even though you were as young as me. I was totally impressed. That has never changed, either."
"Oh yeah?" Trowa said, "Well, you weren't bad in a mobile suit yourself, Mr. Winner." Leaning over, he kissed Quatre again.
Letting go of all the question for now, Quatre closed his eyes and melted into the kiss, opening himself completely to the green-eyed boy who had long ago stolen his soul.
When Heero and Duo emerged from their room, they discovered that breakfast had been delivered to the suite on a couple of large carts. The five boys were all dressed and had carefully each taken a small portion of the food and had scrupulously left a great deal for the two adults.
"Morning guys!" Duo called cheerfully, wrapping the last twist of band around the tip of his braid as he bounced across the suite with his normal high-energy step. Dropping the neat weave of his braid, his hands unconsciously smoothed down the hem of the cobalt blue silk shirt he was wearing, before rubbing absently down his black denim clad thighs. "Did you all sleep well?" he asked as he handed Heero a plate before taking another for himself.
Duan looked up and smiled as he watched Duo and Heero enter. "I did!" he called out.
"Me too!" Tryan answered, looking over at Carter.
"I slept well too, Duo. Good morning Heero," Wufan replied, then took a bite of his toast.
"Hn," Kenny remarked affirmatively.
Carter smiled at the two older boys and finished the pear he had been eating. "Fine, Duo," he said, quietly cheerful.
Heero took the plate from Duo and sat down. He pushed the sleeves of the black turtleneck he wore up his arms and glanced around the table. "That's good. Today is going to be a long day."
Duan nodded, wiping crumbs from his mouth. "Lots of people and stuff," he said. "How do you want us to handle them?"
"Yeah, who do you want us to watch?" Tryan asked.
Heero glanced up at Duo, then took a bite of his food.
"Hmmm... Watch? Anyone who's acting strange. I trust your instincts. As for anyone in particular..." Duo trailed off, thinking for a moment, "Other than the people you guys have already met, maybe, I can't think of anyone yet. If I do, I'll let you know. As for how to handle people, public threats of bodily harm might not be such a good idea, but like I said, I trust your instincts."
Duan nodded then took a sip of his juice. "Can we have a security camera like the Vice Minister?" he asked.
Duo cocked one eyebrow at the smaller braided boy, making a point to finish the bite he'd been chewing before asking, "Security camera?"
Kenny nodded. He glanced at Duan. "But it wasn't her room, it was the other one, the long blond hair. There was a camera on the balcony last night. Might be for security. Though they had it pointed at our windows."
Heero put the food he'd been about to eat back down on his plate. "Hn?" he queried, looking at Kenny directly.
"We saw it when we scaled the balcony. It was aimed... about there," Wufan said pointing towards their balcony.
Kenny nodded. "Maybe it was to make sure no one broke in your room," he offered. "Since you guys are so important."
"Hmm. Possible... Dorothy, huh?" Duo asked mildly, popping another bite of muffin in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully, "Have to talk to her later and thank her for being so... considerate."
Heero sat back for a moment, thinking. Finally, he nodded to himself and then it struck him what the contents of the camera might have picked up the night before and his eyes widened. A deep frown etched itself onto his features. "We have to talk to her the next time we see her, definitely," he said, looking at Duo.
"Very observant, guys. Thanks. Let us know if you spot anything else like that, okay?" Duo said, waving a fork full of eggs at them all before stuffing it in his mouth.
"Sure Duo," Kenny acknowledged.
"We are on the job and ready to go," Duan agreed.
"Yeah, well, don't forget to have some fun while yer at it," Duo replied with a wink, "All work and no play makes Duo have a psychotic episode."
"Don't worry, Duo," Duan added. "We're having lots of fun!"
"Good. That reminds me. When we get back, or at least back to a routine, I'm adding some stuff to your lessons. Figure I oughta teach you guys how to use those toys I snuck in your bags, after all. Show you a few tricks I picked up on the streets when I was your age," Duo said.
"Sugoi!" Duan piped up.
"Cool," Tryan said.
"Excellent," Wufan agreed.
Kenny smiled.
Carter blinked and his eyes widened. "Ooooh!"
"There's plenty more food over there, guys. I'm sure there's gonna be a lot around and about today, but make sure you get enough now, just in case things get hectic," Duo continued lackadaisically, nodding towards the carts, "Gonna be a long day."
"Hn," Kenny mentioned. He wandered over to one of the carts casually and snagged another of those round things that weren't doughnuts, spread with that white creamy stuff.
Duan followed close behind and snagged one as well.
Heero stood. "Wufan, can you show me where the camera was?" he asked.
Wufan nodded and stood. He went over to the balcony door and pulled the curtain back slightly. "It was right over there," he said and looked up at Heero.
Leaning over, Heero peered through the curtain and noted the location. "Thank you, Wufan," he said, then gave the little boy's shoulder a squeeze.
Wufan smiled then scampered back to the table.
"Hn," Heero remarked, then went back to the table.
Sitting down next to Duo, he said quietly, "Depending on the lens angle and how powerful it was, I suspect that it picked up... everything."
Duo calmly cleaned up the last bite from his plate, nodding. "Most likely, knowing her. Probably the kids scaling the wall, too. Might be good to see about editing that out. We'll track Miss Dot down shortly," he replied with a wicked gleam in his violet eyes.
A hand shot out gripping Duo's arm. "And it doesn't bother you that... Dorothy Catalonia was spying on ...us?" Heero asked, feeling a slight warmth heat his skin.
Duo turned and quirked up an eyebrow at his partner, blinking mildly. "Ever heard of the concept of 'comeuppance', Hee-chan?" he asked sweetly before tossing his partner a dangerous, feral grin. "She'll get hers, don't worry. Besides... It'll be a nice start to my new library," he finished with a small wink.
Prussian blue eyes, swept around the table, then back to Duo. "What do you mean, your new library?" Heero asked.
Duo merely smiled smugly as he stood and took his plate back to the cart where he'd gotten it from. Setting it down, he snatched up the tip of his braid and then turned back to glance around at the boys. "So, any more questions about today?"
"Nope," Duan said, licking cream cheese from his fingers.
Wufan shook his head.
"I'm good," Tryan responded, then glanced down at Carter.
Heero watched his lover with more than a little bewilderment in his mind. He was trying to figure out Duo's reaction to being watched. Clearly, Dorothy Catalonia had committed an invasion of privacy in the highest order, but the fact that Duo was not insisting on a mission to track her and the tape down was baffling.
"No questions," Kenny said. His young face was serious, but there was a barest hint of something that might have been excited anticipation of a prospective adventure on anyone more expressive.
"Okay, then. Are you guys gonna meet Mariemeia somewhere then?" Duo asked, "'Cause I think Heero and I need to go take care of something real quick, but I don't want you guys to think we're abandoning you..."
Duan got up and walked over to Duo. He put his arms around the older boy and hugged him. "It's ok. We're fine, Duo," he said.
Duo knelt down and returned Duan's hug firmly, "Okay. God only knows what all Relena has up her sleeve for us all today, so if you need us, don't hesitate to track us down, okay? You guys are a heck of a lot more important than any stupid ceremony, got it?"
"Just don't have too much fun without us," Duan said.
Kenny nodded firmly, then grinned at Duo briefly.
"Physically impossible," Duo said with a chuckle, "Okay then. Come on, koibito. We'd best get this day started."
Heero shook himself from his reverie. He looked at each of the young boys and then to Duo. "Hai," he said. "And if all else fails, yell real loud if you need us," he added.
Carter smiled. "Okay, Heero," he said for the whole group.
Heero moved towards Duo, giving Kenny the thumbs up as he passed by him.
Kenny nodded smartly.
Duo released Duan and then headed for the door, holding it open for his partner before waving back at the boys one last time and following the other pilot out into the hall.
Once they were a short distance away from the door, Duo cocked his head at Heero and gave the Japanese youth a sardonic smile. "Did you really want to have to explain to them what that camera might have caught?" he asked in a wry undertone.
"Hn," Heero said, "They might know better than I do at this point."
Duo smirked, quirking up one brow as he regarded Heero for a moment. "Oh... So you mean that wasn't you I was molesting last night?"
Prussian blue eyes looked into violet ones. "So that was molesting? I thought it had something to do with bondage and sensory deprivation," Heero replied.
"Sense Dep, yes," Duo agreed with a slight nod, "Bondage, no. Save that for later." He winked at Heero before continuing, "Don't worry, koi. We'll get the recording back. And as for my new library..." he let his voice trail off for a moment, "You don't honestly think I was going to let her keep the camera, do you?"
"Well, since I don't understand why she would do it in the first place, then I don't know. What is protocol?" Heero asked.
Duo stopped dead in his tracks and tossed a surprised look at Heero. "It's barely been an hour yet. Don't tell me you forgot about the bathroom already... A couple of sexy guys like us and you don't know why she'd do it?" he asked, shaking his head, "To be perfectly honest, I'm surprised she didn't have the room bugged and there was just the one camera. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Relena weren't in on it too. If I were smarter, I would have thought of that last night before I thought up the whole balcony idea."
"Relena?" Heero said, a bit incredulously. "Wouldn't that be a little... crass for the Vice Minister?"
"The Vice Minister who happens to be a red-blooded female who used to have the hots for you," Duo remarked before shaking his head again and sighing. "I'm not saying it's a sure thing. I'm just saying I wouldn't be surprised."
"Hn," Heero replied. "So, why would anyone be interested in watching us ha..." he began then stopped. "Oh," he said, getting the point finally.
Duo beamed cheerfully. "That's my brilliant, sexy, utterly droolworthy koibito," Duo whispered as he leaned over and tapped Heero smartly on the nose. "Welcome to the wide, wide world of 'voyeurism', Hee-chan."
Heero flashed a brief smile at Duo, then schooled his features back to normal neutral. "Voyeurism," he said, "Hn."
"Why do I suddenly have the feeling that you're getting ideas?" Duo asked with another wry grin.
Heero looked at Duo and winked in reply.
Blinking in mild surprise, Duo shook his head and muttered, "Give the kid a light saber, and suddenly he's a Jedi Master..." With a soft chuckle, he resumed walking. "Come on, koi. Let's go track down 'Miss Catalonia's' secret equipment stash."
"I'm right behind you, Obi-Wan," Heero replied, quietly.
Duo bit back a choked laugh. "Between you and Wufei stealing my sense of humor, I'm gonna end up a dry old professor before the end of this trip," the braided pilot sighed.
"Never happen," Heero said.
As the two young pilots rounded a corner, they heard a familiar voice. "Master Heero, Master Duo, you are just the two people I was looking for," Pargan said, catching up to them.
"How convenient," Duo remarked, pausing for the older man as he tossed Heero a knowing look, "What can we do for you, Pargan?"
"Ah, yes," Pargan said, "If you will come with me, I will show you the plans for your excursion. I have a list of supplies and equipment I need you both to approve and modify. Would you be so kind?"
"Of course, of course," Duo replied with a nod, "Lead on."
"Good," Pargan said and led them to his quarters and the equipment list.
TBC
End of Part 25
Please feel free to direct feedback to any or all of the authors!
ravynfyre@hotmail.com,
fenwyck@radiks.net,
sablexo1@yahoo.com,
bonnejeanne@yahoo.com, Nixerchan@aol.com.