24-Jul-2000
Title: Shades of Red
Author: Laekin (seregill@aol.com) and bonnejeanne (bonnejeanne@yahoo.com)
Archive: GW Addiction & Darkflame if she wishes
Category: yaoi, angst
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 1x2, 5x4x3 (or some weird order of the same)
Warnings: LEMON in this section
Spoilers: Series, EW but not really
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the
copyright owners. Our stuff is ours. No money being made here. As with all
our fics so far, while our goal is to stay as in character as possible, any
discrepancies are our mistakes.
Feedback: Any and all comments, feedback, critiques welcome, be they short or long.
Trowa held Wufei the rest of the way back to the estate. The green-eyed boy could not quite help a sigh of relief as he felt the limo pull to a smooth halt just outside the house. Rubbing his hand along Wufei's back and kissing the top of the sleeping blonde's head Trowa shifted to open the back door, stepping out and reaching back to take Quatre so Wufei could get out of the car.
Up in their room Duo lifted his head from where he was curled around Heero, hearing the limo pull up. Giving the half dozing Japanese boy a soft kiss on the temple and a warm whisper, Duo slid out of the bed and pulled on a pair of shorts. Heading down the stairs he met Wufei and Trowa as they came through the door.
"Hey guys." He said in a soft subdued tone, looking at the small bundle curled up in Trowa's arms. Duo bit his lip, looking a little unsure of himself and what he was about to request but then he looked at the twin strain on both Wufei and Trowa's faces.
It firmed his resolve about his course of action. Stepping forward he held out his arms. "Here, let me take him."
Trowa blinked a little in surprise and his arms automatically tightened around Quatre. Duo caught the little movement and gave both the green-eyed boy and Wufei a soft smile.
"I've got experience with people coming down off Contentment. You two look like you need some time together... and I'd like to spend some time with him, okay?"
Trowa exchanged a look with Wufei for a moment before handing over Quatre. Quatre made a little noise in the back of his throat as he was passed along, waking up for a split second, recognizing Duo and obviously okay with this plan he went back to sleep.
Duo gave a little nod and turned, carrying his small burden back up the stairs. Trowa watched the braided boy closely with a slightly puzzled look on his face, then turned to Wufei. Reaching out he took Wufei's hand and led him towards the study. Walking past the couch, he grabbed a large blanket from the back and then pulled something out of a drawer in Quatre's desk.
Tucking the small tube into his pocket he drew Wufei with him to the doorway that led to the small kitchen. Picking up a bottle of sake and a couple small glasses he drew Wufei on out the back door into the quiet moonlit garden, heading towards the willow trees.
Back in the house, Duo pushed the bedroom door open with his shoulder and slipped back inside. Walking on over to the bed he knelt one knee down on the mattress and sat carefully. Nibbling on his lip once again the American gave up a small prayer that he what he was about to do would help, and turning, he tumbled Quatre carefully onto the bed, aimed towards Heero.
Quatre woke a little as he bumped into the Japanese boy, blinking sleepily, not in a really good position to see anything. However, he was a pretty easy going little chap and Heero shared the same nice clean sharp scent as Trowa so, with a little trusting sigh, Quatre's sleep fuzzed mind sank back into sleep as he automatically snuggled against a form his instincts accepted as *safety*.
Heero opened his eyes, having let himself, for once, lapse enough into unconsciousness that he'd not woken fully when Duo went downstairs. Instead of the chestnut hair and violet eyes he expected, he saw blond silk and Quatre's sleeping face.
The instant his mind registered Quatre, his arm moved over the blond protectively, still resonating from the fear and worry of the morning. Heero looked up and saw Duo standing above the bed, his eyes looking into Heero's asking a question. Heero answered it simply by leaving his arm over Quatre and reaching out with his other hand to coax Duo back into the bed.
In his sleep, Quatre smiled as he unerringly and unabashed, nestled right into his *spot* right under the chin. Like a Gundam to a homing beacon he curled up under the protection of that arm. Duo's features relaxed and he reached for the blankets, crawling under them and on the other side of the small blonde as he pulled the blankets up over all three of them.
Settling high on the pillows, he reached down and stroked his fingers through Heero's hair, speaking softly so as not to disturb the sleeping boy tucked up between them.
"I... I thought you might like to see him." Duo had played a hunch in that respect. The safer bet was that, once introduced into the bed, Quatre would curl up trustingly to Heero. Even though the little blonde was asleep, Duo had counted on Quatre's natural openness and love for all of them to still assert itself and in many ways he figured that if Heero saw the instinctive reaction, the Japanese boy wouldn't be left wondering if Quatre was just "being kind."
Heero nodded, his own face still much more open and vulnerable than was usual for the Japanese boy. Heero's fingers stroked Quatre's arm and side gently. His deep blue eyes moving back to Duo, tilting his head into Duo's caress. His lids drooped, then he looked up.
"Wufei and Trowa?" he asked softly but urgently, as part of his mind supplied a possible scenario for Quatre's presence... if one or both of the others were... hurt?
Duo reached around Quatre's shoulder to his chest. Wufei hadn't bothered with the little blonde's shoes at the hospital and Duo had sort of rolled Quatre out of the jacket into the bed. Now he reached and undid the upper buttons of the small Arabian's shirt. Not opening the shirt completely but making it looser and more comfortable for sleeping.
His other hand continued to stroke Heero's hair and temples soothingly and he shook his head quickly, reading that tension in his lover's dark blue eyes.
"Shhss... it's all right. They're fine, spending some time together, much needed I imagine by them both." The shirt loosened, Duo took a moment of his own to touch his *little brother's* hair gently, his violet eyes frowning a little.
"Also... I'm not inexperienced with handling drug-induced nightmares if the need should arise."
Unaware of the conversation going on over his head, Quatre relaxed further under the touch of Heero's fingers. There was nothing sexual in his response, rather it was the automatic reaction to the soothing touch of a trusted companion.
"Hn," Heero responded. He took a deep breath and let it out in what would have been considered a sigh in anyone else. He nodded. "You've had experiences," he said softly, not quite a question.
Duo finished making certain that Quatre could rest comfortably then he leaned back against the pillows. His position one of relaxed but watchful over both the boys in his care. Giving a gentle shrug he reached and began to rub Heero's shoulders and upper back.
"A few. It's the drug of choice in the L2 colonies for everything from making someone more... pliable to sexual advances, to kidnapping and some people just like the mental trip."
Duo could not quite suppress a shudder at that last part. He whispered almost to himself. "Though why, I couldn't even begin to imagine."
Heero listened, both to the words and to the tones in Duo's voice. He made a mental note to find out who had done anything like that to his lover and kill them, if it could be done without causing Duo any further anguish.
He closed his eyes for a minute, relaxing into Duo hands, which were easing his always-tense muscles.
Eyes still closed, he murmured, "By mental trip you mean hallucinations? I guess some people just aren't strong enough to deal with reality. It's not that easy sometimes." He sighed silently, though whether from the massage or his thoughts it would have been hard to tell. "That stuff doesn't work on me any more."
If there were a deity in the heavens Heero would never learn the truth, Duo thought to himself with his eyes closed. He couldn't stand the thought of looking into his lover's eyes and relating a few of those...youthful tales. In fact the braided boy might have given the impression that he wasn't listening, so still and quiet had he gone at that moment, the memories assaulting him.
Being so hungry that the man's promise of food had over-ridden his natural childish caution. The wonderful tasting food that had been laced liberally with Contentment. The feeling of his limbs going numb and the split second when his street smart young mind realized the danger and had tried to react only to have the drug hit him like a sledge hammer and take over.
Duo wasn't even certain he could tell Heero what was reality and what had been his own mind's work. There were flashes, a leering face that had shifted from a well-kept man to a twisted gremlin and back. The feel of hands on his body, which had shifted to snakes sliding across and under his skin to other twisted images. All the American could truly remember was waking up cold and uncomfortable stuffed in a drainage pipe, his clothes askew, bruises all over his small body from overeager fingers, a strange taste in his mouth and a soreness that he'd not understood until a couple years later.
He could also still remember the nightmares he'd had for the week following the incident. Duo himself had steered clear of the damn stuff after that but his street companions had not been so wise at times and the results had varied.
Duo swallowed and realized that he'd stopped rubbing Heero's shoulders, he murmured an apology and restarted his attentions, trying to shake off the cold and hungry memories, seeking to bury them in the warmth and comfort of the moment.
Duo's silence had not gone unnoticed, but Heero had infinite patience. It was probably a good thing that the braided boy's thoughts had been occupied, and he'd missed picking up on Heero's last words and the implications of the words, 'any more'.
Sensing Duo's disturbed state, Heero lifted his chin and sought Duo's mouth for a deep kiss.
Duo murffed a little in surprise as warm lips found his, registering his lover's taste and feel and the kiss helped banish away the last of the memories.
Shifting a little around Quatre, Duo deepened the kiss further, seeking to loose himself in Heero Yuy. Lost beneath emotions still so raw and memories too close to the surface, Duo didn't pay attention as he rolled closer to Heero until a muffled little voice came from somewhere beneath their chests.
"Umm... guys?"
Heero leaned back, looking down at the little blond. His face held the tenderest smile Quatre had ever seen on it. "Sorry, Qua-chan," he said softly, brushing the blonde's bangs back.
Quatre was still pretty damn groggy between the last of the Contentment working through his system and the drugs the hospital had given him to counter act the stuff. However, he was alert enough to blink at the smile, the gentling of his name and the touch. Then he smiled warmly back up at Heero, fighting with his arm enough to loop it over the Perfect Soldier's side.
Duo leaned back a little with a sheepish look on his face, then he chuckled as he reached and helped Quatre get his arm settled.
"It's alright. It's nice to get to see you two being affectionate." Quatre murmured as he laid his head against Heero's chest.
Heero didn't reply, but settled back, feeling the weight of Quatre resting against him. He wanted to kiss and make love to Duo, but it wasn't appropriate right now. So he settled for looking into the braided boy's eyes and trying silently to tell him with his own.
Duo returned the look with a hunger and longing of his own. He reached over Quatre and touched Heero's cheek gently, tracing the fine contours of his features. Feeling the movement, Quatre opened his eyes and looked at Heero then craned his head around and looked at Duo.
Laughing gently to himself he began to squirm. "All right. Someone take me back to my room." There was nothing but kind amusement in the little blonde's tone as he began to wriggle a little more actively begging his heavy limbs to obey his commands.
Heero looked down, tapping Quatre's nose gently. "No." It was the "no arguments will prevail" tone. "We want you here with us."
Quatre looked up at Heero a little shyly. Is expression showed clearly that he did not expect this from the other boy. Heero was one person that Quatre wasn't quite certain where exactly he stood.
Heero took a deep breath and let it out. He didn't know what to say beyond what he had just done. He tried stroking Quatre's hair. He looked at Duo and his deep blue eyes clearly said, 'help!'.
Duo tilted his head a little to the side. This was something that Heero and Quatre would have to work out between the two of them at some point. For now though he gave Heero a little encouraging nod about the physical display and curled up tighter behind Quatre, effectively stilling the little blonde's attempt to escape.
"Later Quatre. Not now." Duo said not unkindly.
Quatre gave a little nod and stopped trying to gain his freedom, relaxing back as he had been before with a deep exhale that spoke volumes as to how wrung out he felt just from that little attempt to get his limbs to behave.
Heero tilted his head slightly as something occurred to him. He reached down, slowly, almost hesitantly, and placed his fingertip against the back of Quatre's neck. He began gently massaging the nerve bundles there, and working slowly down Quatre's shoulders and back. Heero had a working knowledge of human anatomy that was a little frightening, but generally he'd only used it for destructive purposes. Now he was simply trying to help Quatre's body relax and improve his circulation. He did not have Wufei's knowledge of acupressure but it amounted to something rather similar.
Quatre had a weakness for backrubs. It came from being a physical person, demonstrative, himself and also from being highly sensitive to touch. He took another deep breath but this one was obviously much more relaxed and as Heero moved his hand he could feel slender muscle groups turning to liquid in the wake of his fingers.
Feeling the results, Heero nodded to himself, looking up brief at Duo as if looking for approval, as he continued the massage, down Quatre's arm and then further down his back. The back of his hand brushed against Duo's chest and his eyes flickered before he looked down again.
Duo smiled slowly and scooted a little closer. Hey, Quatre needed to be kept warm and safe, if Duo just happened to brush against Heero's hands a little more.. that was the sacrifice he'd have to make for the well being of a friend. Quatre gave the barest little giggle and shook his head where it rested against Heero's chest but he didn't say anything or move away from the soothing comfort of 01's touch.
What am I doing here? Heero thought briefly. I'm a trained killer. Why am I here with two precious people who... then he almost smiled to himself... who are also trained killers. Oh well. He continued to stroke Quatre's back, going from massage to a gentle stroking, that started from his shoulders and ended at the base of his spine. It happened to also result in touching Duo with the back of his hand, from his chest, down his stomach and lightly over his crotch. Heero watched Quatre to make sure the blond was going back to sleep, that he wasn't keeping him awake, then looked up at Duo to watch those violet eyes.
Quatre was trying to go back to sleep. In fact he was willing himself back to sleep but he just couldn't help it. It was... so very rare to get this glimpse of Duo and Heero together, relaxed enough to be seeking physical comfort from each other that Quatre found himself fascinated by it. Not to mention those soft touches from Heero's hand was having an effect on Duo's body though the American was trying to quell it.
Violet eyes danced with love and that irrepressible humor and zest for life as they watched Heero's face with loving tenderness.
Heero noticed Quatre's wakefulness and suddenly bent down with his lips next to Quatre's ear. "Good night," he said. Then he pressed on a spot at the back of Quatre's neck - firmly but not as hard as he'd have done it in the field. The result was instant unconsciousness.
Heero looked up at Duo and sighed. "I'm not good at this," he said softly.
Duo looked a little worriedly for a moment deciding he'd keep what happened here to himself but shifting a bit whispering softly. "It's alright Heero, it's complicated." He just meant relationships in general, whether they be the relations between lovers, or friends or parents and children. The whole gambit was complicated in Duo's eyes.
Shifting just a hair. "I'll take him back to his room. Even if he is completely out of it, it's still sort of inhibiting." Duo winked rakishly.
Heero frowned. "You said... you wanted to be there in case of nightmares..." He leaned up on his arm. "You stay here. I'll take a shower and get some work done."
Duo shook his head firmly. "No. Quatre is a Gundam pilot. He knows where to find comfort if he needs it and ... he's also got a bit of a private streak that we rarely see. Stay put." Firmly in that no nonsense tone, as Duo slid off the bed and reached for the crashed out blonde.
Heero scowled, sitting up. "Why'd you bring him in, then? You don't have to do this. You were worried - I saw it in your eyes. I'm not... I'm over that... this afternoon thing. I don't need taking care of - he does."
Duo frowned as he got his arms around Quatre and got the small blonde up into his grasp. "Yes, I'm worried. I'm worried about him and I'm worried about you. You say you are over it... but I can read in your face and your touch that you're not. You need me and Quatre ... in this he's strong, he... doesn't."
Heero continued to scowl, his emotions becoming confused and tangled. All he could think of was that Duo had wanted to care for Quatre and he'd somehow screwed it up by being there. He didn't like the thought of the blond being alone. Feeling responsible and powerless, he looked down, his hands clenching out of reflex. He wouldn't argue any more but he was adding this to his list of transgressions against... well everyone he cared about.
Duo watched Heero, reading his body language and he leaned against the bed a little still holding Quatre. "I brought him here... for you Heero. So you could see that he was all right, that it would be okay. I didn't want you wrestling with faceless demons and the circle of "what ifs" I saw swimming in your eyes earlier. Maybe it was selfish of me but I just wanted..." His words slowed a little and he ducked his head, shrugging a bit, "I just wanted to give you some small measure of comfort."
He straightened then, moving to take Quatre back to the quiet of his own room.
Heero watched Duo go, hearing the braided boy's words but unable to reconcile them. Staring at his hands, he thought, I know how to do so many things perfectly. All of them destructive. I'll never learn to do the other stuff right. It's not my place.
TBC
Let us know what you think!
Laekin and bonnejeanne
Please send comments to: Seregill@aol.com or bonnejeanne@yahoo.com