01-Aug-2000
Category: Adventure, Action, Friendship, DARK DARK ANGST
Rating: R (Violence and adult situations. )
Disclaimer: Not mine, just playing with them not seeking to make any sort
of money. ((Except for Shelby and Penny.. they're mine. :> ))
Pairings: Those established in my timeline (Companions of Fate) this is
just Duo and Quatre out and about at the moment.
NOTES: Ahhh... I love having a day off. Hope you all enjoy a double dose of PNL!! The musical line that Quatre speaks is from Simple Minds, "And the Band Played On."
Wufei bent, lifting Quatre up in his arms easily. "Hmmmm..." he said, frowning deeply. "I am not liking what I am seeing. But... let's see if it's fixable." Then he smiled gently at the Arabian and kissed his lips.
The little Arabian gave a small squeak as he got picked up. By Allah, his torso was sore! However, he burrowed eagerly into the arms that held him. Returning the kiss a little tentatively before exhaling once again and resting his head against Wufei's shoulder. Quatre squirmed a bit and yanked the weapon out of his waistband, setting it off to the side. He didn't feel the almost maniacal need to have the gun on his person at the moment.
He'd been going over in his mind about if and what he was going to tell Wufei and Trowa for a while now. "It... wasn't his fault." He said simply, softly.
Wufei listened to the denial. "Hmmmm," he said. "Take a break. I'm not blind. I walked through the streets to get here," he said, keeping his tone light and teasing. "I'm not going to skin him alive... this time..." he smiled and kissed Quatre's nose. He sat carefully on the cot, leaning against the wall so he could keep Quatre in his lap, held against him.
"Relax. I'm here to stay until this is done. Heero called me. Told me it was almost there. Said it might be good to have another person around for backup since he has a full day with the Vice Minister tomorrow. Trowa's not coming till late tomorrow - we had a Preventer call and he took it. Nothing serious, just another interview. So you have till he gets here to figure out how to explain this to *his* satisfaction." Wufei said, stroking the awful dyed hair gently.
Quatre had been about to ask.. primus, how Wufei came to be here and secondus, where was Trowa. He stiffened a little before Wufei explained it was just another interview, then he relaxed again. He was not going to cry.. he refused to cry. His small body vibrated with the effort it took him not to fall into little pieces as he nodded to Wufei's words his small fingers grasping at the lapels of the long duster with the same blind terror that a child would cling to his father's robe in the middle of the night after a nightmare.
"How did we miss it Wufei?" He whispered. "How did I let it get this far. Were we blind? Or did he hide it that well. Even so... I'm supposed to be head of one of the major companies in the colonies. How the hell did I not see *this*. I don't blame him for being angry. By Allah, Wufei, I'm as guilty in this as the beauracrates mucking around in meetings. No wonder he was in such pain."
Wufei let Quatre spill words, continuing the gentle stroking. When the small blonde fell quiet, the Chinese pilot said softly, "We were trying to save the Colonies... from an aggressive Earth military. We were fighting a different battle, a different level. This... is why *he* was fighting. Don't expect too much from yourself." He took a deep breath and let it out.
"My colony... could have come to this. The only thing that kept us from it was pride... and stubbornness. But the mind-sickness.... was there too. I... Quatre... Operation Meteor?" he said, waiting to see the Arabian's recognition before continuing. "My... my colony agreed to it. I... disobeyed them all in the end. I was ashamed. I wonder to this day if that was why they did what they did later in the war. If they realized the wrong, and chose to pay for it."
Quatre looked up, into Wufei's face as the other boy spoke. His hand moving away from Wufei's arm up to his face, gently stroking the back of his knuckles along Wufei's cheek. "No wonder... civilian life felt so wrong. We're not done fighting. Are we?"
"I don't know, koi," Wufei said. "But if there is more to do, I'm ready. As are you. As Heero has been."
Quatre nodded. Thinking about the braided boy in the other room. The wound was lanced. Open to the air now to cure... to heal... even though the pain was intense. " % A coward dies a thousand times but the brave, they die just once. % "
Wufei sighed. "Baka," he said affectionately. "Now, will you rest? I'll watch you. Guard you. I'm fresh for it. Tomorrow is... a few hours away... may be an interesting day in the hellhole."
The little blonde gave a wriggle, wrinkling his nose a bit. "Actually... you four always like to tease me that I could take a bath in the kitchen sink. I think I'm going to put that theory to a test. Wash my back?"
Wufei smiled. "Of course. And dry it. And *then* I *will* put it to bed for some sleep. I don't want you keeling over at the wrong moment tomorrow."
Quatre was relaxing bit by bit, relaxing as he had been unable to since the trip started. The gentle tease a release of sorts as he shifted to get to his feet. "Sure I can't talk you into putting it *to* the bed for another use." Tired eyes, more green then they had been when he first walked in the door, twinkled in a subdued but unbroken manner at the Chinese boy.
"We'll see," Wufei said noncommittally. He lifted the Arabian once again and said, "Which way to the kitchen sink?"
Quatre wriggled little feet in the air. "Down the... " Yaaawwwwwnnnnn.. "stairs towards the back of the house." Then he paused a moment and looked up at Wufei quizzically. "What do you and Heero have planned for tomorrow?"
"I have nothing planned, except to cover your lovely ass and Duo's. Heero... I believe he said he had a full day guarding the Vice Minister. I'm afraid I can't say any more than that," Wufei said, his voice low as he moved through the house.
Quatre furrowed his brow.. a sure sign that the busy Winner brain was in action but he found his thoughts eluding him, slipping away like wisps of smoke. He couldn't make himself connect the dots. Finally he gave up, dozing a little in his lover's arms as they made their way through the quiet house. Waking back up when he felt himself being lowered by the sink. The kitchen sink was a large industrial sized double basin. A bar of soap sat up by the faucets for the washing of dirty hands.
Quatre began to pick apart the buttons of his outfit. When it was just himself and Duo he'd been able to blot out his fastidious nature. Now.. with both Heero and Wufei all lemony fresh he wanted a bath damn it. He reached into the sink and set the rubber stopper, then began to fill one side with warm water. Hmm.. if he sat on the counter like so... and sort of wriggled like.. so.
Wufei assisted with clothes and leaned on the sink, watching with great interest. The picture was incredibly charming. In the end, the little blonde actually did it. He filled up both sides of the sink. Hopped up on the counter. Slide his hips and butt into one side of the double sink, then slung his legs over the partition into the other side. Soap in hand. He went to work. Doused the kitchen floor but... scrub scrub scrub. A brillo pad was picked up and used on his nails and bloodstains on his hands.
Wufei found a large pot and ran water into it, using it to sluice over Quatre's back and shoulders, then legs, and finally, with a slight grin, his chest and lap. He noticed something dark running down Quatre's neck.
"Permanent, hum?" he muttered and began pouring water on Quatre's head. Taking the soap he lathered his hands and then proceeded to work through the mop of strangely colored hair. It was somewhat less black when the rinsing was complete.
Quatre grinned at Wufei as the other boy had grabbed the pot and helped him rinse. Once started, he did a couple of laps with the soap. Ahhh it felt sooo good! He sputtered a little as water went over his head, remembering at the last moment to close his eyes to keep soap and dye from running into them. It had been a while since he was given a bath. About 3 sisters ago in fact. Blinking up at the Chinese boy with beads of water on his lashes, he peered up at the lightened hair and beamed a tired grin.
"Oh I do hope it washes out! I feel like I'm trying to impersonate Heero."
Wufei choked, having to swallow the sudden bark of laughter to keep the noise down. "You are now... a rather saucy shade of brown with golden streaks," he said. "You can wear my hat if you need to."
Quatre chuckled softly.. since he didn't want to have to explain to Shelby what he was doing in her sink, bumping his damp hair lightly against Wufei's shoulder as he grinned gently up at the other boy. "I would, except your hat would probably fall down over my eyes. Besides... now that I'm not jumping at shadows... you look rather sexy in that hat."
Now Quatre encountered a small problem. Well two actually. One was how to get out of the sink and the second was how to dry off. Hmm.. dish towel.. dish towel. Wufei dropped one dish towel on the floor and solved the first problem by simply picking Quatre up by the waist and placing him on his feet. Then he took off his coat, revealing black drawstring pants wrapped around his ankle ninja-fashion and a dark maroon long sleeved pullover top. He wrapped the coat around Quatre's bare body and picked him up again.
Quatre had already pulled the plugs in the sink so that both sides were drained. It was a good thing, Quatre thought to himself, that Wufei had solved the problem the way he did. The bruises on his torso still made quick or acrobatic motions difficult. It was also good that the kitchen was dark, hiding the bruises along his pale skin. The coat was warm, holding the beloved scent of Wufei's body and Quatre snuggled into it with a soft sigh.
He grinned a little as he peered at his toes. "I'm beginning to think you like picking me up as much as I like you picking me up."
Wufei bent and gave Quatre's neck a little nip. "Minx," he said. "When this is over, you are back on your own two feet. A Chang is not a beast of burden for a Winner."
Quatre was busy making an up close inspection of the soft maroon pullover. He approved of the color against Wufei's dark hair and pale skin. The slight tan the active Chinese had giving just enough of a glow to be able to really highlight the darker color. Leaning back a little he raised his pale brows and as long as he was being accused of being a minx.. stretched a bit in those strong arms.
"Excuse me? Who spends the most time riding whom?"
Wufei's eyes flashed. "That's it," he said simply. "Your time of grace is over. When you get home... there will be terrible consequences. Don't even think of escaping, I have already secured Trowa's cooperation."
Ooops.. Quatre recognized that he was in trouble. Oh dear.. oh dear. What to do. Wufei sounded very serious hmm... well in true Gundam Style.. when you're going out... go out blazing.
"It is?" He cooed softly as he reached up small fingers and pulled down the edge of the pullover a little, small teeth getting hold of the skin of Wufei's throat and suckling softly.
Climbing the stairs was difficult given the distraction but Wufei managed. Back in the other room, he dropped his burden unceremoniously onto the cot from a standing position, knowing the springs of the old cot were not too good. He looked down sternly, then smiled. "Yes.... much better than when I first saw you here."
Quatre winced a little as he bounced badly. Letting the air escape his lungs and a little bit of his adore cooled as bruised muscles protested. Muscles never like to be forgotten and they could get vindictive. Still, he laid back against the nearly flat pillow and smiled softly up at Wufei.
"I'm glad you're here Wufei." Quatre spoke the words softly but full of the emotions of relief and security reclaimed.
Wufei looked down, noting every bruise. He nodded. Then he said, "You like this shirt?" He reach around and pulled it off over his head and then bent down and put it on over Quatre's head, pulling it down over the pale skin. "I brought a few changes. You wear this. Now," he said, carefully laying beside the Arabian and gathering him close. "Close your eyes."
Well, that was the end of any chance the Chinese boy had of keeping his wardrobe to himself. Trowa could have warned Wufei that Quatre was a horrible little wardrobe sneak. Quatre helped get himself into the pullover, then shifted so that Wufei could join him on the cot. Turning automatically to curl into the warm bulk of his lover's body. One slender arm flung across Wufei's chest as he closed his eyes as directed.
"Missed you koi."
Kissing the top of the less-black curls, "I missed you.... FC," he said, the tiniest tinge of humor in his low voice.
Quatre groaned softly but the little noise fell away as Morpheus clobbered him over the head firmly, causing him to go limp against Wufei almost immediately after closing his eyes.
Wufei's expression sobered as he watched his lover drop into sleep. He stroked Quatre gently. He had a good many thoughts about the situation, the escapade, the behavior of a certain braided pilot... but he knew exactly what was needed at this moment. His koi, in fact both of them, simply needed firm places to rest which wouldn't sink under them. That he intended to provide.
After Quatre had left, Heero stood over his Duo, watching his lover's uneasy rest for a while. Then he moved to the bed and gathered up the precious form against him, unable to hold himself back from it for another moment.
Duo jumped the moment arms grasped him. For a blind split second he fought till the well known scent and the iron silk hold of Heero's arms penetrated his panicked brain. Gasping in quick hard breaths he worked at getting his tense body to relax. His mind spitting out the question it had earlier rejected.
"Wha... what are you doing here?"
Heero stroked Duo's back soothingly, as he waited for him to quiet. He bent and kissed Duo's forehead tenderly. "Loving you," he answered, not intending evasion... it was the truest answer he could give.
Now that he was awake, the fine trembling came back into Duo's limbs and body. He lay half on his back, as he'd twisted when Heero embraced him. He turned fully to face his lover. Violet eyes shined in the light that streamed through the dirty window and he sought something in Heero's face. Censure... hurt ... disappointment. He sought them.. but did not find them. The truth of Heero's words reflected in his eyes to Duo and the braided boy swallowed tightly.
"I'm... sorry." Duo whispered in a strangled tone. His eyes falling and his head bowing. The apology not only for running away.. but also for doubting.
"Please... Duo..." Heero said softly, his voice calm but charged with an undercurrent of pleading only Duo could have discerned. "Don't... no need to be," he said. "Ai shiteru, koibito. I always will."
Duo's arms crept warily around Heero's body. As if he feared the boy would disappear if he grasped him too hard. When his embrace met with a firm, strong young body that did not fall apart like so many dreams in the light of day, his arms tightened to an almost punishing hold. Tearless sobs shook his body.
"You... you really are here."
Heero stroked Duo's back repeatedly. "Yes... I've been watching you since you got here," he admitted. "You... may not want me here, Duo but I am here. And you..." he stopped, unable to express those thoughts yet. When you learn what I've done for you, you may not want me around, he thought, his nostrils still full of the thick smell of blood, the blood that had covered his body before his self-appointed task was done. The blood he'd washed off three... four times before leaving the water, which had rinsed clean after the first but which still looked dark to his eyes.
He shook his head. It was unimportant. "Rest now," he said. "I can't stay. I will probably be gone when you wake up but Duo remember that I was here. It's not a dream. And I won't be far away."
No... no!!! Duo's young mind howled. It was a trick... a dream. He'd finally gone around the bend... thinking he could feel Heero in his arms, stroking his back... hear him talking... but it was another illusion... he'd just said he'd be gone. Duo fought through the tangle of his own reality. It was as bad as being on Contentment again. He couldn't tell up from down.. down from up.. reality from his own imagination.
He had to explain, he had to tell Heero before he disappeared... he had to explain!! "I.. I always want you. I... didn't want the 4th to hurt you. I...had to protect you, from the 4th... from myself. Please... please don't go." Duo whimpered, clinging though he could barely tell to what anymore.
Heero swallowed, then nodded. "All right," he said quietly. If anything happened to her... his responsibility. "I'll stay. But Duo... look at me..." he tilted Duo face up, seeking a way into the troubled heart of his lover. "You never needed to protect me from this... or from you. I've been in darker places... seen... done darker things. It's what I was made to do. It should be me here, not you, Duo. It never should have been you."
Duo looked up at Heero but his eyes were still lost. Thoughts.. memories.. images.. they jumped along his neural pathways in a jumble. Somewhere in the jumble.. two impulses collided and the memory of Relena.. Vice Minister Dorlan. being here on the 4th connected. Heero's job... what they had spoken about before Duo had snuck away. Somewhere in the chaos.. the logical thought bounced and collided. Something resembling coherency lite Duo's eyes for a moment.
"No... you need to protect Relena. This place will hurt her, even if it doesn't mean to. We can't let innocents be hurt."
"Duo," Heero said. "She's not an innocent. She went through the same war we did. She took responsibility for a country, and when violence broke out, she surrendered herself to save her country. I thought she was fool. I was wrong. She has a greater strength than any of us. But I do need to be there tomorrow. She's going into a... dangerous neighborhood. Where there's recently been... street violence and worse. But I'll be back with you, as soon as I can be."
Duo gave a little nod. The training in him recognizing the need and the truth of Heero's words. He fell silent, his eyes fixing on the top of Heero's shirt but not really seeing anything.
Heero reached down and tilted Duo's chin up. "If I only knew... how to heal you," he said softly, low voice throbbing with urgency. Knowing it might be wrong, he did the only thing he could think of. He bent slowly and pressed soft lips to Duo's.
The physical touch of Heero's lips to his own penetrated the fog in Duo's mind for a moment. It was warmth, softness and comfort. All the things he could never associate with the 4th. Oh, the orphanage had given him shelter, understanding, protection from the elements but as Heero could probably tell, the old heating system wasn't too good at kicking out warmth and the pillows were not all that soft.
Warmth... softness... comfort. Duo's mind swirled around those sensations. No... no they didn't belong on the 4th. He'd never known what they were until he'd met Heero... the others. The sensations were tied directly to Heero Yuy. It couldn't be a dream... an illusion. For him to feel them... Heero had to be here... right?
Duo's puzzled mind clung to that reasoning like a drowning man to a buoy. His lips trembled beneath Heero's as he carefully returned the soft pressure. Heero continued to stroke his hair and back gently, and let his lips travel over Duo's skin. Lips... cheek... neck... forehead, slowly, not demanding or greedy, just loving. Laying each kiss like a benediction.
There was one more thing. A confession perhaps that slid past Duo's unwary lips. " I... took Quatre because I knew that...that I and the 4th could... hurt him...but not break him."
Heero nodded. "Good thinking," he said soothingly. "Good work." He held Duo, vowing silently not to leave until the trembling stopped, no matter if morning came or not.
Duo gave a little nod. He knew that his reasoning had been dangerous at the time. But he'd also known that of all of them... the innocent little blonde... could forgive what he and 4th would do. "I knew he'd forgive me. I knew that you'd forgive me. I didn't know... if Trowa or Wufei could. In the end... I could hurt him... but not you."
Heero kissed his lover again, a little more urgently. Then he said, "You can't hurt me, koi. You can't."
Duo took a shaky breath, turning his face into Heero's neck. "Whether I could... or not. I couldn't bring myself... no. I had to protect you."
"The only way to do that," Heero whispered. "Is to let me protect you."
That simple sentence... stopped the American. It baffled him. He'd always been if not the bigger kid... the quicker, faster, more cunning. He'd always done the protecting on the 4th. It was another piece to the puzzle. Another simple truth to support the claim of reality that Heero was truly here. A breath left Duo then. A breath that took the trembling and the fear away from him.
His voice was still... achingly fragile, vulnerable yet wondering at the same time as he whispered. "It will be all right. You *are* here." With those words... things clicked back into place. The storm of what was real and what was memory began to abate. With each breath, Duo relaxed further and further... though his large eyes never closed, never lost sight of Heero's face.
Heero felt and saw the changes and breathed deeply, feeling relief steal through him. He kissed his lover one more time, this kiss very deep, very sweet, but with a little throbbing passion. "This is going to be over... very soon, koi. I promise."
Duo nodded, almost blindly. Heero said it would be over soon. It would be. He returned the kiss, feeling bolder against the soft lips that touched his. Warmth, Comfort, Softness. They were real, it was real.
Heero held him close, willing him the rest, and deep, deep inside his heart he rejoiced in the private knowledge that the man who had harmed this beautiful, incredible person was now scattered in pieces all over town.
Duo fought his own demons for a moment longer. He was still afraid to go to sleep. He knew that Heero would be gone when he woke. He was afraid of being alone. ~Faith~ the word danced through his head. He had to let go. Closing his eyes, Duo retreated into his own troubled mind, taking consciousness with him.
End Part 11
(Bonne is the voice of Heero and Wufei here and she's done a great job with them! In my humble opinion. I'll take responsibility for the blonde and the braided baka. :D))
Laekin
Please send comments to: seregill@aol.com or bonnejeanne@yahoo.com