8-Sep-2001
Title: Chasing the Crown, an Extended Family Fic
ExFam Authors:
RavynFyre - ravynfyre@hotmail.com
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: 1+2+5, 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!
Wufei woke with a soreness that he had not felt in some time. Taking a deep breath, and inhaling the scents that were becoming familiar, becoming a part of him, he opened his eyes and found himself on his side, one arm draped over the two who snuggled together beside him. He smiled unconsciously, and then suppressed a sigh as the peaceful morning contentment gave way to a number of thoughts. The events of the previous day... the previous night... and other implications warred for his attention. Realizing some of the more likely possibilities, he carefully lifted his arm from over the other two and slipped out of the bed.
Glad there was no one to witness the slight stiffness of his first few steps, he snagged the robe Heero had dropped onto the floor and ducked out of the room. Ten minutes later he returned, damp from a shower, with fresh clothes secured in a quick trip across the hall. He'd also checked to make sure Sallah made it in and found her sleeping deeply, barefoot but still dressed.
Coming back into the bedroom and closing the door, he dropped his change of clothes in a chair and began picking up the scattered clothing items from the floor.
Heero's eyes slowly opened. He watched as Wufei walked around the room. "You left," he said, quietly, stretching. Carefully, he extricated himself from Duo's arms and dropped a quick kiss on Duo's forehead.
Wufei looked up, placing the last folded item of clothing in the pile. "I needed a shower," he said, his voice very soft. "And clothes."
Heero nodded. "Sounds like a good idea," he said, swinging his feet over the side of the bed. He stood up, then winced slightly feeling soreness.
Wufei noticed the expression and frowned slightly. He came over to Heero's side of the bed. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small round container. It had Chinese characters on it. "This will help. I could... I could put it on for you," he said, hesitating.
Heero opened his mouth to reassure Wufei, then nodded. "Hn," he said.
Blushing, Wufei unscrewed the cap and dipped his fingers in the white ointment. Moving closer to Heero, he reached around him and carefully, gently began to rub the cream into the area where the soreness was concentrated. It seemed to tingle coolly before penetrating the skin to ease the sore tissues. "I'm... sorry for hurting you," Wufei murmured without looking at Heero's face.
"I'm not," Heero replied, leaning on Wufei for support. "And you didn't hurt me. You made me sore.. There's a difference."
"Hn," Wufei muttered softly. Finishing the application, he recapped the container and put it back in the robe's pocket.
"Thanks," Heero said, "It feels better." He then moved closer to Wufei and kissed him deeply. "Good morning," he said, a little breathlessly as he moved back.
Wufei returned the kiss, sighing silently. "Good," he said simply, his color still a little high. He moved to the window and opened the curtain a little, to look out at the day.
Heero looked after him for a long moment, then picked up a pair of pants and slid them on. "I'll be back. A shower sounds good," he said.
Wufei nodded and watched Heero leave the room. He looked at the bed, watching Duo sleep for a moment. He wondered if he had not come back into the room, if the two of them would have perhaps woken to make love. Rubbing his temple for a moment he went over to where he'd put his clothes on the chair and took off the robe, intending to start getting dressed.
A small sound, like a quiet whimper, rose from the bed as Duo's sleeping mind slowly became aware that the comforting sensation of warmth that had been surrounding him before was now gone. He stirred restlessly, fisting the blanket beside him as he unconsciously sought out that measure of safety again.
The sound tugged at Wufei's heart and he left his clothes, coming over to sit on the bed, one hand reaching out to stroked Duo's back soothingly. "Keep sleeping, Duo-chan," he murmured softly. "While you can."
The long-haired pilot leaned into the touch before rolling over closer to Wufei to grasp that hand, drawing it to his cheek and settling once more. He nuzzled it briefly as the lines upon his brow which were only visible in contrast to the peaceful calm that was returning, slowly vanished.
Wufei sighed. He tucked his feet up on the bed and settled, waiting for Heero to return from his shower.
A few minutes later, Heero returned to the room, toweling his hair. He looked over at the bed. "You've been caught," he said, quietly, then stripped off the pants. Walking to the closet, he got a pair of jeans and a tank top and pulled those on.
Returning to the bed, he plopped down on Duo's other side and folded his arms across his chest. "You could be like that for a long time."
"No," Wufei answered. "Just until you got back to take over." He crooked his finger at the Japanese boy.
"Hn," Heero said, moving closer.
Taking Duo's hand and releasing Wufei, Heero looked down at his sleeping lover. "Duo," he said, tapping his nose.
A small, pouting frown crossed Duo's sleeping features before he sighed and shifted back, snuggling against Heero. He didn't let the transfer drag him from unconsciousness, however, once he had his back pressed against Heero's legs, he sighed happily.
Heero looked over at Wufei and shrugged.
Wufei returned the shrug and went to begin dressing.
"Hey, Duo. You're missing a treat. Wufei is taking off all of his clothes," Heero said.
One amethyst eye blinked open slowly as a grumble of protest rumbled from Duo's chest. A slow smile spread over the long-haired youth's lips and the other eyes opened as well to take in the smooth lines of Wufei's body as the Chinese pilot dressed. "Can we join a nudist colony?" he asked tiredly, not moving from his curled sprawl on the bed as he observed Wufei.
"No," Heero said, simply.
Wufei picked the shirt up and walked over to the bed. He looked down with a slight smile. Reaching down, he brushed Duo's bangs back. "You must be tired," he murmured softly.
A small purr slipped from Duo's lips as his eyes slid shut again. Even without moving, he seemed to lean into the brief touch, soaking up as much as he could. A soft sigh escaped his parted lips in something that sounded almost suspiciously like the word, "Safe," before he rolled onto his back and stretched, arching away from the bed with a groan. "Lazy American baka," he chuckled with a grin as he finished stretching.
Blinking his eyes open again, he peered up at Heero entreatingly. "Why not?"
"One through five, children," Heero said, his eyes drinking in the sight of Duo's body as he stretched. "Of course, you do make a case for it."
"Flattery will get you anything you want," Duo replied sweetly as he sat up, turning to brush his lips across Heero's while one hand groped for Wufei's hand.
Heero slid his arms around Duo, enjoying his warmth. "I will keep that in mind," he said, smoothing his hand over Duo's side and hip. "In fact, I'm feeling a bit overdressed."
"That's what I was thinking. Everyone was dressed or getting there already... Does that mean I'm not allowed to ravish anyone again today?" he asked with a small pout as he looked from Heero to Wufei.
"Well," Heero said, unfastening the top of his jeans. "What does this ravishing entail and how would you go about it?"
"What is it with you guys and your plans and questions and stuff?" Duo grumped cheerfully as he yanked on Wufei's arm, trying to pull him back onto the bed.
Wufei obeyed the yank, sitting down on the bed, stretching away to toss the shirt in his hand over the back of a chair. He looked down at Duo and then to Heero, dark eyes unreadable. "It was a good question, though," he commented.
Leaning down, Heero kissed Duo's neck. He nibbled at the warm, soft skin playfully. "I thought so," he said.
"Hm," Duo murmured as his eyes slid shut for a moment, tilting his head to one side for Heero. "Well, first... We'd hafta get rid of those clothes." He lifted the hand in his own to his lips, his tongue darting out to leave a wet trail across the back of Wufei's knuckles before taking the first finger into his mouth slowly. "After that, was just gonna improv," he said as he slid that finger out once more before moving on to the next.
"Hn," Wufei said, trying to suppress a slight shiver as he felt the warmth and wetness of Duo's mouth around his finger. After a moment he drew his hand away, and stood, unfastening his pants, but sitting again without pushing them down off his hips. "Perhaps... perhaps we should talk some time."
Heero tilted Duo's face up to his own, kissing him deeply. "Yes," he said, releasing Duo and leaning him forward a moment, to remove his jeans.
Something sparked within Duo's eyes, a bare flicker, quickly masked as he took a deep breath. "Talk... Yeah. Okay," he said, composing himself as he glanced between the two.
Heero striped the tank top off his body and sat back down, sliding his arms around Duo again. "What about?" he asked, slowly stroking Duo's stomach with his fingertips.
Wufei looked at his hands for a moment and then back to the two. He smiled unconsciously, liking the picture they made, Heero's arms around Duo, the American boy's hair draping a little over them both. They were very beautiful.
"I don't know if it is a good idea for me to stay here," he began, finding it difficult to look each of them in the eyes. "Things are going to become... difficult soon," he added, thinking of when Treize came back.
Heero looked down at Duo, then back up to Wufei. "Hai," he said. "But I'm thinking that maybe we can help each other and that this is some time we'll need before it gets really difficult."
Wufei looked at Heero for a moment and then he nodded. "I want to help," he said quietly. His eyes drifted to Duo. "I don't want to make anything... worse. Or less..."
"Sister Helen used to tell me... that Sorrow shared is sorrow halved... But that happiness shared, is happiness doubled... or tripled," Duo said in a quiet voice before giving a small shrug. "She never lied."
Wufei nodded. "You are very complex, Duo-chan," he said, struggling to find words for what he was feeling. Failing, he simply shrugged. "Though we know each other, all of us, there are still things that I know I don't understand." Then he shook his head. "But perhaps it doesn't matter anyway."
"Why not?" Duo asked, his fingers plucking at a stray lock of his hair.
The gesture made Wufei's heart squeeze a bit. "Because I can't do anything about it," he said with a little helpless smile. "I think there are decisions I need to make, in order to act correctly, but you look at me, either of you, and I forget that decision. I only think of protecting you, or pleasing you..." He looked down and made a little wry joke. "You are as bad as the children."
A mirthless snort escaped Duo as he stared down at the chestnut strands wound around his fingers. "It's the same thing I think when I look at the two of you, too," he admitted. "I trust you both more than..." his voice trailed off helplessly as he shrugged again, "But I trust you more to make your decisions based on what you both think is right for everyone else, before what may be right for yourselves. It makes me want to.. want to be there for you." He looked up, eyes wandering over Wufei, even while his free hand sought out one of Heero's. "You say there's nothing you can do about it. You could ask, and maybe we could help you... us, all of us, understand together?"
"If I knew what to ask..." Wufei said, looking down. He looked up again. "I thought I felt something last night... but I don't know what it was. I don't want to question things... but if I'm a coward because I don't want to lose it," he continued, his voice cracking a little, "I might find out there was something I should have done..."
Heero took Duo's hand interlacing his fingers with the long haired pilot. Seeing Wufei in obvious conflict caused his chest to constrict a bit. "Last night," he said, hearing Wufei's words. "Hai. Duo?"
"What sort of things don't you want to question?" Duo asked gently, taking responsibility and hopefully offering Wufei a little bit more freedom to organize his thoughts and concerns.
"My words last night, the question I asked..." Wufei said slowly. "It upset you... it affected... what happened...?"
"I didn't mean for that to happen," Duo admitted slowly as he dropped his eyes back to his hands. "I... didn't mean for... for you two to... find out like that," he continued, a flush creeping up his cheeks and down his throat. "It wasn't you, Wufei. Please don't... Please don't hurt."
"To find out what, Duo-chan?" Wufei asked softly. Before the violet-eyed boy could answer, Wufei reached out and gathered one of Duo's hands into his own. "About your past? I could wish... you didn't mind our knowing."
"I didn't want to disappoint you guys," Duo whispered in response. "I wanted to be better. To make you both happy."
Heero sighed, looking down. "Better than what, Duo?" he asked softly. "I didn't think that was necessary."
Rather than answering Heero's question, Duo bit his lower lip and frowned at himself for a moment. "I did it again, koibito. Like the other night with the balcony. I didn't mean to. I'm sorry... But... I did it again, didn't I?"
Wufei frowned, biting his lip over a comment. He didn't know what Duo was talking about. But he gently stroked the back and front of the hand he was holding.
Heero looked up at the ceiling and then back to Duo. "What did you do on the balcony, Duo?" he asked, tilting Duo's face up to meet his. "Say what is causing you sorrow."
Duo took a deep breath, using the feel of Heero and Wufei's hands against his own as an anchor to steady the too-fast beating of his heart. "Used sex... as a weapon," he answered.
Wufei's frown deepen to a scowl. He looked at Heero to see if he could get a clue as to what Duo's words meant.
Heero thought back to the time on the balcony. The experience for him was totally different, but he understood. "You're going to have to help me explain it," he said, brushing Duo's cheek with his fingers. "I think he was trying to avoid something," he said to Wufei.
Comprehension sparked in Wufei's dark eyes. His response was to lift Duo's hand and place his lips against the palm. After lowering it, he looked into the American's eyes. "Is this as Heero says?"
Duo nodded mutely, cheeks still dark with shame. After a long moment, he sighed and glanced down again. "I got all over your case about... about opening up the other day. I didn't want you to think... that I wouldn't talk to you, too," he murmured.
Wufei nodded. "I understand now," he said quietly, and his voice was remarkably clear, and warm. He tilted his head, watching Duo's face with an expression of deep compassion, as well as something else, a kind of energy. He stroked Duo's hand once more and then drew it down and placed it inside the unfastened opening of his pants, pressing it against his warm flesh.
Duo's head jerked up sharply in surprise, his violet eyes zeroing in on Wufei's dark ones as he felt his heart strain painfully within his chest. The hand that held Heero's tightened unconsciously as an expression of sharp vulnerability flashed across his face. "You've made a decision?"
Wufei leaned close and pressed his mouth softly against Duo's, in a warm, tender kiss. "Oh yes," he said quietly, and smiled. "I understand now what I can do. I think Heero could probably do it fine without my help, but I am honored to be given a chance to assist him." He kissed Duo's cheek, nuzzling his neck for a moment before looking again into his eyes. "It reaches us through our doubts, that's what Treize showed me. I didn't know this was yours. I'll give whatever it takes to help show you your misconception. You have nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing in your past that disappoints me. You excite and amaze me. If last night was what you call using a weapon, I'd be grateful to be killed as many times as you would like..."
Heero smiled a little at Wufei and bowed his head in his honor. He had no idea if the Chinese pilot or Duo saw him, he was just grateful.
Duo tentatively flexed his hand around Wufei, his other hand unconsciously mirroring the action around Heero's fingers. "Does that mean... that you're gonna stay here... with us?" he asked hesitantly.
Wufei's body responded to Duo's touch, firming in his grasp. "If you want, yes," he answered. He brushed his free hand across Duo's cheek. "And you *will* be as open as you expect me to be, Duo-chan," he said firmly. "I will hold you to it. For the sake of your honor."
Duo nodded again, murmuring a quiet, "Promise," as he slowly stroked Wufei. He leaned back against Heero, much of the tension that had seeped into his body melting away as he settled trustingly into the strong arms of his Japanese lover. He lifted the hand that was tangled with Heero's to his lips, kissing the fingers reverently as he mouthed a silent, "Gomen nasai," against the skin of the back of the other boy's hand.
Heero leaned down, brushing his lips against Duo's ear. "Omae o korosu," he whispered, holding Duo securely.
Wufei sighed almost silently. He lifted his hips a little, pressing up into Duo's touch. Turning a little more towards the other two, He ran one hand lightly along Duo's thigh from his knee upwards. "What are you afraid of, Duo-chan?" he said softly.
"Hurting anyone," Duo murmured, biting his lower lip even as his eyes drifted shut under the dual stimulation of Heero's lips and words, and Wufei's soft touch.
Heero's tongue darted out, licking the soft lobe of Duo's ear. He sucked it into his mouth a moment, grazing it with his teeth, teasingly. "Impossible," he whispered. "You hurt me with your sheer beauty every day, koi. Believe in forgiveness."
A quiet whimper tore from Duo's throat as his head settled back against Heero's shoulder. The hand around Wufei stroked more firmly in response, fingers slacking off briefly to wander over the contours of the heated flesh before firming their grip again. "Is there more, Fei-koi?" he asked breathlessly. "More talk?"
"Not unless you choose," Wufei answered, his voice turning husky as well. His hand reached the top of the violet-eyed boy's thigh and stretched over to caress the velvet skin of his manhood. He looked up to meet Duo's eyes, flickering to Heero's face and then back.
Duo's breath escaped him in a quiet hiss as Wufei's hand flickered over the firming shaft of his cock. "Talk... later?" he offered, "When I can... think again?"
Heero felt himself harden at the sight, sound and presence of Duo and Wufei. He held Duo in his arms, remembering his words to Duo earlier about not being able to share his regard with the violet eyed pilot. He remembered the pain and confusion and smiled to himself as he realized that both were emotional responses to the thought of losing his precious Maxwell to another. The thought of not being enough for Duo and the consuming need to hold on to his love seemed distant to Heero now. He understood that it was not that the jealousies and little unworthy thoughts would vanish and bring about a state of perfect giving and sharing, but that everything was a part of the whole. What was important was to simply remain and not run away, even when logic and sense said that running would be optimal.
He took a deep breath, feeling Duo's body react and respond to Wufei's touch. He smiled a little, feeling that he understood Wufei a bit better and seeing the Chinese pilot as a new and old soul to discover.
Wufei nodded to Duo's words and leaned forward to kiss him deeply. Then he trailed kisses down Duo's neck, and along the smooth skin and firm muscle of his shoulders and chest. His tongue flickered out, passing over one nipple, tasting and returning, fastening for a moment there to suck and tease the flesh to tautness. He lifted his mouth and then moved to the other side of Duo's chest, exploring the second bud of flesh. As he explored and tasted the American boy, his fingers caressed and stroked the firm flesh that was now jutting up from Duo's lap, smearing the beads of precum that formed at the tip and using the moisture to slide around the shaft.
Duo groaned deep in his throat, releasing Heero's hand to push the loose cloth of Wufei's pants down his hips enough to free the Chinese youth's straining member from its dubious confinement. He turned his head from where it rested on Heero's shoulder, seeking out Heero's mouth with his own desperately, as if he could find the unraveling edges of his control within the warm, moist cavern of his lover's mouth. He squirmed a little, shifting against Heero as he sought the delicious friction of the cobalt-eyed boy's cock behind him, even as Wufei continued his maddening assault upon the engorged flesh of his chest. His free hand trembled as the fingers slowly threaded through Wufei's hair, even as he increased the pace of his other hand against the searing heat of Wufei's erection.
Heero closed his eyes as he kissed Duo, thrusting his tongue deeply into his mouth. He felt Duo move against his cock, sending waves of pleasure throughout his body. Reaching down, Heero smoothed his hand over the curve of Duo's rear, moving against him as Wufei made love to him. Grasping his manhood, Heero felt a measure of relief as warm liquid from his own body covered his hand. Sliding slick fingers down and underneath Duo, he touched the small opening at his lover's rear.
Working one, then two slick fingers inside, Heero moved back a little and opened his eyes to see his lover's face and reaction.
Wufei lifted his mouth from Duo's heated and tender flesh, and shifted, kneeling on the bed's surface so that Duo could continue to stroke his cock, while he bent over the other boy and began kissing down his stomach. The unfastened pants dropped over his hips, pooling at his knees as he lifted his head to blow a warm breath of air across the head of Duo's shaft. Wufei's hips moved with the rhythm Duo was using on him, and his breath was starting to come in low gasps as the sensations caused the tide of pleasure and arousal to build.
Tilting his head, he shifted his grip on Duo's cock so that he could run his tongue along the underside, from base to tip.
Duo jerked as if shot at the electrifying contact, and he greedily sucked Heero's tongue deeper into his mouth, choking back the needy sob that threatened to cut off his breath. The hand in Wufei's hair tightened and released, kneading like a cat's paw while his other fingertips teased the velvet flesh they encircled. He broke the kiss finally, sucking in a great gasp of breath as his head fell back against Heero's shoulder again, faint tremors of desire and need flickering over his pinched features at each movement of the Japanese youth's fingers within him.
Lifting Duo a little, Heero moved his hand away and settled the amethyst eyed pilot around his aching cock. Moving forward, he felt the tight, warm opening envelope him slowly as his arm around Duo, squeezed tighter. "Koibito," Heero breathed, unable to stop his body from moving in and out of his lover. "Want you," he managed.
Feeling the shift of Duo's body, it took a bare moment to realize what was happening and the Chinese pilot smiled unconsciously. Rocking into Duo's touch, he settled as he felt the chestnut-haired pilot react to Heero's entrance, and took Duo's erection into his mouth, matching the movements of the pair beneath his seeking lips and tongue. Allowing Duo to escape the warm confines for a moment, he spread Duo's legs a little and bent low to give a swipe to the round sac below with his tongue before resuming his rhythmic devouring of the American's stiff flesh.
The words Duo had been planning on using to reply refused to form. They died in his throat and on his lips, strangled by the moan that took their place as he felt himself impaled and worshiped all at once. Even his mind, which had once been capable of framing thought into word shaped bundles, shut down against the searing wave of pleasure battering his consciousness. He melted within the circle of Heero's arms, terrified for an instant that he would lose himself, disintegrate, dissolve away into the wash of Asian youths' love. And then it was upon him. The explosion of color and sound and purest sensation that had him forsaking fear, abandoning shame, leaving everything behind but wonder for the two who cradled him between them, and a depthless need and love for them. He wasn't even aware when his body shuddered and tensed up, his hand stilling around Wufei's cock in a tight grip, and his muscles clamping down around Heero with a choked cry.
Heero gasped feeling Duo's body flex around him. Clenching his teeth, he felt himself pushed over the edge as he released into Duo. His arms held the shivering young man in a steel grip as he felt his own body shudder. Breathing hard, he sought Duo's mouth, kissing the long haired pilot deeply and lovingly. "Love you," he said, softly after a few moments.
Wufei drew back, licking an errant drop of Duo's essence from his lips. His eyes were blurred with water than ran over his cheeks and quickly away. Reaching down, he held Duo's fingers around his aching cock, moving them as his hips rocked. He gasped, feeling the warm tide of pleasure rise quickly and overtake him, surrendering his body's fluid into Duo's grasp, spattering the sheet bellow. His body arched, straining, and then relaxed in a wash of passion released and emotion cleansed. Easing down onto his side, he stretched up to kiss Duo's lips tenderly, and then stretched a little more to find Heero's mouth as well, sharing the taste of Duo's essence on his tongue. He heard the whispered words of love and closed his eyes, silently vowing to do anything in his power to show both these beautiful and extraordinary young men how special they were, how worthy, how exciting, and how desirable. It was a dedication that gave his heart a sense of hope and purpose, and a deep satisfaction no matter what might come in the future to all of them. Love... they had opened a new dimension of it to him and he embraced it.
What seemed like both an eternity, and too short an instant, Duo's breathing slowly returned to normal, and he reached down, trailing fingers over Wufei's cheek, even as he settled happily against Heero. "I won't doubt either of you again," he murmured softly, a small but trusting smile upon his lips.
Wufei leaned up on one elbow, then stretched. He looked at Duo, his eyes warm but serious. "It wasn't us you were doubting. It was yourself. Tell me you won't do *that* again, Duo-kun?"
Duo's smile grew a little wry as he watched Wufei. "I can promise to try. But I will also promise that if I fail... I'll talk to you and Heero, and not let it eat me up inside. Does that work?" he asked.
Wufei nodded. His eyes flickered from one to the other of the two and the compassion was apparent. "Tell Heero," he said quietly. "That's most important. I'll be here when I'm needed, that's my promise."
Heero looked from one to the other silently. He listened to Duo and Wufei's words hearing more from the tones and feelings than from the actual words themselves. He took a small breath, glancing up at the ceiling. "You are always here," he said, softly. "I can feel you. That's what's important to me."
Wufei looked at Heero and simply bowed his head. There were still things he found impossible at times to put into words.
Sitting up, he said, "It is possible that today my... status may change. It depends on what happens and how it is handled. But I would prefer any negative consequences not involve you or the children by extension. It might be wise for me to stay out of sight until things are more settled."
"Would it offend your honor if I told you that you were shit outta luck on the not involving us thing? We're standing by you. You gotta know that, right?" Duo said.
The slight curve to Wufei's lips betrayed his more stern expression. "It is not a question of standing by, Duo. It's not really a question of honor either. I'm prepared to face the consequences of my choices. I'd just prefer to keep the children," a shadow flickered over his face and was gone, "Out of any of it. Since they need you both, that extends itself. Things have changed from the war. You have responsibilities you didn't before."
Heero nodded. "Yes," he said, "We do have responsibilities and those responsibilities will also have something to say about all of this, I assure you. I've tried to protect them in the name of their own good before... it doesn't work. Whatever happens, you are supported, Wufei."
The Chinese pilot took in a breath and let it out. Then he got up and began pulling on his clothes. A glance at the two on the bed... "You know, there was a time when I would have said that support makes one weak."
"'There was a time'?" Duo said questioningly.
Heero smiled, remembering another conversation a long time ago. "Then I'll tell you what I told Zechs. We're all weak. We're human," he said.
Running a hand through his hair absently, Wufei glanced from Duo to Heero. "I know," he said. "But I was taught that weakness was something to be overcome. I even thought I was pretty good at that, until Treize showed me otherwise." He shrugged. "I see different kinds of weakness now than I did then."
Duo smiled as he slowly extracted himself from Heero's grasp and climbed off the bed. He stretched fully, rising on his tiptoes for a moment before coming back to stand flat-footed before Wufei. Leaning forward, he claimed Wufei's lips for a slow, deep kiss, drawing away after a lingering caress of his tongue against Wufei's lower lip. "He's a pretty smart guy, that Treize," he observed, "Glad he's still around."
Wufei followed Duo with his gaze and simply smiled, shaking his head slightly as he reigned in his body with an effort. "It might make the difference," he said, and shrugged. "I'm going to check on Sallah. I'll be back in a little while."
Heero watched as Duo stood and kissed Wufei. Feeling a small measure of warmth from Duo's body dissipate, he looked down, then back up. He nodded towards Wufei as he spoke, then leaned back against the bed for a moment lost in old memories as he felt a subtle shift take effect. It's beginning, he thought.
"Well, since I don't hear any disaster warning sirens going off, I'm assuming that the Sank Kingdom survived Ladies Night Out," Duo said with a grin as he, too, nodded. Reaching up, he trailed his fingers over Wufei's cheek again. "Just remember... You may be as stubborn as we are, but there's two of us, and only one of you," Duo said with a grin as he let his hand fall back to his side before returning to the bed and Heero. Climbing up to displace the pillows behind the Japanese pilot, Duo wrapped his arms around Heero, resting his chin on the other's shoulder. "That... and once you feed a stray, yer stuck with it for life," he continued with a lewd wink.
Wufei paused at the door, looking back. "Hn," he remarked. "And yes, I know there are two of you. I've taken a surprising amount of comfort in that fact for longer than you might believe."
Slipping out, he closed the door behind him.
Heero closed his eyes for a moment, realizing that he was preparing himself for a battle. The image of Mariemeia came to mind and with that came memories of Wing Zero. He felt his chest constrict a little at the memory, then locked it down without thinking about it. Looking up, he saw Duo above him.
Duo's arms tightened around Heero even as he ducked his head to brush his lips over his lover's. "Share?"
Heero reached up and touched Duo's cheek. "Ghosts of the past," he said. "I was thinking about Wufei and Mariemeia. That led me to Wing Zero. Sometimes I think I feel it, but that can't be. It's gone." Prussian blue eyes looked into Duo's eyes. "That's nuts, isn't it?"
"Does it help? Or is it just there?" Duo asked.
Heero took a deep breath. "It just... aches," he said, trying to put the feeling into words. "Like remembering someone close who's died."
Duo's expression shuttered closed for a moment as he pondered that. "They stay with us as long as we let them," he murmured, closing his eyes and resting his cheek on Heero's shoulder. "The ones that watch over us and keep us safe... Keep them close. The others..." Duo opened his eyes again, shaking his head slightly before he brushed his lips across Heero's and then deepened the kiss. "Make new memories to keep in their place. And remember I'll always be here to help make the ache not so bad."
Heero lost himself in the kiss, allowing it to take away some of the sadness. "You do that already, Duo," Heero said, then glanced down. "The new memories are being made every day. They started with you... with us going to Arcadia, finding Kenny and the kids." He shrugged slightly. "I guess being here and knowing that we're about to face something big, I'm touching base with things from before."
Duo's fingers traced idly over the toned lines of muscle of Heero's chest and stomach as he nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. Perspective." He nuzzled the junction of Heero's throat and shoulder briefly before continuing, "And it's not nuts, so long as you don't let it drown out everything else. That's my job."
Heero leaned over and kissed Duo's temple. "And what about you?" he asked. "What are you thinking about?"
Duo's eyes slid shut as he relaxed a little bit, though his arms remained firmly around Heero. "I'm thinking... Thank you for... for giving me back... whatever it was that I was missing before. About how things are gonna pan out with Treize, and Mei, and Wufei. About us... Wufei... the future." Duo sighed, shrugging with a slight twitch of his shoulders. "About what would happen if you put a Slinky on an up escalator."
"Hn," Heero replied. "Interesting experiment," he said, squeezing Duo tightly. He shook his head to clear it. "Are you ready to go and check on the kids?"
Duo grinned wickedly. "Think I oughta at least throw some clothes on first, or should I parade around naked until someone complains?"
Heero licked his lips, then kissed Duo deeply and fully. "Since I'd never object," Heero said, some short time later, "I think you're gonna have to make the call."
"It's no fun being naked if everyone else gets clothes," Duo expounded with an air of amused authority, "So I guess at least a robe might be prudent." He disentangled himself from Heero, 'accidentally' dropping one hand into the Japanese pilot's lap for a teasing squeeze, even as his other hand also 'accidentally' left a featherlight trail over Heero's chest and the dusky, sensitive nub of flesh there. Bouncing to his feet, he crossed to where Wufei had left Heero's robe, bending over in an exaggerated manner to get it before shrugging it on and tossing a brightly cheerful look over his shoulder. "Coming, koibito?" he chirped innocently.
No sooner had Duo gotten the last syllable out of his mouth, than he felt strong arms lock around his waist from behind. Heero then placed a kiss on Duo's bared shoulder, pressing their bodies together. "Tease," he said, against Duo's ear, then kissed it.
"Betcher ass," Duo replied unrepentantly. "Is it working?" he asked as he squirmed slightly in Heero's grasp.
Heero inhaled sharply as he felt his body respond instantly. "You can't tell?" he replied, reaching around and down to grasp Duo's cock and squeezing.
A sharp hiss of surprise and heat slipped from Duo's lips, his breath hitching as it picked up pace in the face of Heero's skillful touch. "Thought you wanted to check on the kids..." he managed, unable to keep himself from pressing back against Heero as he rolled his hips.
Heero leaned his head against Duo's shoulder. He was hard pressed to let go of his prize, feeling Duo's flesh come alive in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he whirled Duo around to face him and kissed the long-haired pilot with a passionate force that left no doubt of his preferences. A while later, he moved back, breathing hard. "Hai," he said, hearing his own voice hoarse. "Kids... first."
"You surrender too easily, Mr. Yuy," Duo complained good naturedly once he found his own, albeit also hoarse, voice again.
"Hn," Heero replied. "I'd call it a strategic maneuver... just in case you were getting bored with me."
Duo growled before seizing Heero's mouth for a fierce kiss. "Never."
"Even though I'm anti-social and I think I'm Evel Knieval?" Heero asked, with some of Duo's non-innocence.
"Evel Knieval was an amateur," Duo replied, eyes narrowing challengingly as he took in his lover's tone, "And if yer anti-social, then it means I don't have to share you with anyone else, besides Wufei when you let me." He stepped forward until their chests were pressed together tightly, eyes still narrowed, and flashing with heat as their arousals slid against one another.
Heero closed his eyes a second, feeling the sensation of Duo's hardness against his own. He shrugged, looping an arm around Duo's waist. "There's always Ripper," he said. "He only managed to get to the elbow area, you know."
"Didn't you mention something about him not wanting to break up the set?" Duo suggested sweetly, even as his hands dipped to Heero's cock and were anything but sweet or innocent.
"Hn," Heero purred, feeling Duo's hand close over him. "But he wouldn't have to necessarily break the set now, would he?" he said. Then he reached down and closed his hand over Duo's. "Kids... first," he said.
"I'll never again wonder why you didn't make good on all those threats to kill me," Duo sighed disappointedly as he obediently released Heero and returned his hands to a more chaste location on his lover's waist. "That kinda self control is mildly spooky sometimes," he teased lightly, though there was a flash of amethyst fire in his eyes that spoke of a willingness to take up the challenge of cracking that aforementioned self control at a later date. "Kids first. Love you, Hee-chan."
"Omae o korosu, Duo-koi," Heero replied, then retrieved his clothing before the kids were left waiting for the rest of the day.
TBC
End of Part 46
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