29 Jan 2005
Title: Boundless - 3/3
Author: tkmaxwell777
Blood Type: Amaretto Sour
Category: Shonen Ai/Yaoi
Pairings: 1+2/2x1, 3+4, 1x5/5x1
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Angst, Attempted Suicide, Character Death, Language, Lemon, and Sap
Archived: Yep! Fanfiction Section at GWA - www.gwaddiction.com
TK Maxwell Original Christian and Yaoi Fiction - http://writing.com/authors/tkmaxwell
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or its characters. It is the property of Shin Kidousenki, Bandai, Sotsu, Sunrise, and other affiliated parties. This story is a parody of its defined universe and is in no way an official continuation of the original series. I consider underage characters engaging in sexual activity as Emancipated Minors. This story is for entertainment purposes and should not be read as a realistic representation of actual romantic or sexual relationships. Content is not intended to either condone or condemn lifestyles or viewpoints portrayed by these characters. I make no money doing this, so please do not sue me. I write for the love of the characters and the pleasure of feedback!
"That's it, Mr. Yuy. Now, bear more weight on it. Feel the balance?"
Heero gritted his teeth. This was getting him nowhere. He'd been trying to learn how to walk for months and was no closer to doing it. He was not used to his body disobeying him. His previous recovery times had always been impressive, and to say that this situation was intolerable was a damn understatement. Looking over at Duo's indigo eyes that were filled with understanding, Heero decided that he'd had enough. "Duo, I'm done. I want to go home."
Duo nodded, moving towards him. "Sure thing, buddy."
The therapist, a woman by the name of Ruthann, made a sound of annoyance. "Mr. Yuy, you can't just give up in the middle of a session. You're never going to make progress if you keep interrupting your exercising schedule."
"This isn't working for me," Heero grated out. "I want to find out about that other option."
"It's experimental and has been rejected by every test subject who has tried it," the woman tried to reason with him.
"Hold on here," Duo interrupted, looking confused. "What other option?"
"It's a hybrid limb that combines human tissue with mechanical components, Duo," the dark-haired man explained quietly, looking down at the floor at the conventional artificial limb with annoyance.
"You mean there's a biomechanical model? Why the hell didn't you tell me?"
Ruthann answered the question before Heero could. "If he can't cope with the simple prosthesis he has already, the other one is out of the question. It takes a month of pre-op alone, and then a very intricate surgery. They are still working on the procedure, and a mistake could render the patient paralyzed due to where the nerves are connected."
Heero glared at her before looking at Duo again. "I didn't want to say anything without giving this a chance, Duo, but I thought I would be able to walk by now." He then turned back to the therapist. "But this isn't working, and I want the information whether you think it's a good idea or not. We'll decide that for ourselves."
Huffing in exasperation, the woman flounced to her office, muttering to herself about 'damn stubborn men'.
Duo shook his head. "Testy little thing, isn't she?" He then sobered. "So do you think this is a good idea?"
"I don't know," Heero replied grimly.
The braided man shrugged. "Well, it's worth a shot, Heero. I have to admit this isn't going the way we'd hoped."
Heero nodded. "Yeah. I just feel so..."
Duo touched his arm. "So what?"
Heero sighed heavily. "I just feel so unrealistic for even hoping the hybrid will work. I mean... if she's right, and the risks are that great, I may never walk again." He flushed. "Or other things either."
Duo's face lit up, interpreting Heero's words for the promise of something more physical between them, just the way Heero had intended. Then the braided man told him, "I think you're being reasonable. Hey, we're not the kind of guys to do things the easy way, you know? If anyone can do this, you can. I have faith in you, Heero."
"I guess it wouldn't be the first time we've had to ditch a plan and start over," the dark-haired man admitted.
Duo grinned. "Are you kidding? We had a whole war of experience in that, didn't we? I'm surprised we ever got a mission accomplished at times. When the hell did anything go right?"
Heero smirked. "Hardly ever."
"Do you remember when the three of us were supposed to infiltrate that base in Asia, and it turned out the place was a factory for bicycle parts?" Duo laughed. "Man, talk about pissed! I think Wufei taught me more swear words in Mandarin that day than I ever taught him in street slang the entire war."
"I don't know about that," Heero countered, smiling slightly. "He seemed to know quite a few of them when we were undercover one time and ended up in gang territory. You should have heard some of the things he said. I still don't know the meaning of most of them. He told me later that he'd heard you talk like that during the war one time when dealing with some syndicate types."
"I'd forgotten about that," Duo said softly, lost in memory. "We barely made it out that time. The syndicate in the area was running microchips for OZ." He paused. "I didn't think he was even paying attention. He was something else." Duo sighed before adding, "I really miss him."
Heero nodded, feeling the loss but able to face it better. "So do I. He was a good partner... and a good friend."
"Good lover?" Duo asked suddenly, apparently thinking about Heero's earlier comment, and flushing because of it.
"We didn't know how to make love at first... only have sex," Heero replied, seeing the shock on Duo's face that he was answering such an intimate question. He was a little embarrassed at being so direct, but he didn't want there to be anything they couldn't discuss with each other. If he was going to be with Duo, he needed to make it clear that remembering Wufei as his lover was important to him and something he wanted to share with Duo openly. "After we settled into our relationship, emotions began to take over, and our times together became longer, slower, more tender." He searched Duo's face for signs of jealousy, but all he saw was longing in the man's eyes. "I'd never felt anything so strongly for another person." Heero felt his heart constrict with emotion. "Until now, with you."
Duo's expression did something beautiful then, and Heero wasn't sorry that he'd said it, especially when Duo almost whispered, "I think he'd like you telling me about how much you love him still."
Heero smiled, relieved beyond words that Duo understood and wasn't upset about it. "Me too."
"I think he'd want you to go against the odds too," the former Deathscythe pilot said convincingly. "He believed in you, and so do I, Heero. You should go for it. I'll be with you every step of the way, no matter what happens."
"Roger that," Heero agreed, feeling calm about his decision and knowing there was more than one change in his future. They took the pamphlet from the therapist when she returned, and then Duo took him home - their home.
Duo paced the waiting room restlessly. He was already too hyped from the sodas he'd consumed to try to calm his nerves. For some reason, that had made sense while he was doing it, but now it seemed... stupid. Caffeine was bad for you when you were already so high strung. It made a person bounce off the walls and drive everyone crazy. It made normally reasonable people into flighty scattered individuals who couldn't keep still. He should have had tea instead. Tea was soothing. Tea was good for you. Tea was an ancient science of well being that Chinese monks and Indian medicine men had relied upon for centuries. Tea was... what the hell was he thinking about again?
"Duo, if you don't stop it, I'm going to have the nurse sedate you," Quatre said firmly, flipping through one of the business magazines from the table.
"Sedate him? I think they should put him under until Heero wakes up," Trowa added helpfully, a copy of GQ open in his lap.
Duo ignored them, making a mental note to get even with the two other men later...after Heero came out of surgery. After he began therapy again. After he could walk. It would be a while, but revenge needed to be plotted carefully, and Duo was sure Heero would help him. Heero seemed to have good ideas when it came to that kind of thing. The man had gotten even with Duo for shooting him by stealing mobile suit parts, hadn't he? What could've been better than that? Damn stroke of genius. He hadn't seen anything that vindictive in a long time. Not by a long shot. Even the Sweepers had been impressed. Yeah, it was important to plan these things right. All he had to do was... wait a minute, had he remembered to turn the coffee pot off before they'd left?
"Family for Heero Yuy?"
Duo was in front of the nurse like she was the Oracle at Delphi in mere seconds. "How did it go? Is he okay? Is he awake? When can I see him? Is he allowed to have more than one visitor? How about food? He needs food! He had a high metabolism and has to eat more often to keep his strength up!"
"Mr. Maxwell! Please calm down," the nurse replied, removing Duo's hands from where he'd gripped her uniform.
"Ignore him. He's overdosed on soda," Quatre told her, as he clotted Duo on the head.
Duo gave her a sheepish look. "I'm sorry. I'm just nervous. How is Heero?"
The nurse, a pretty redhead named Claudia according to her ID badge, told them that the surgery had gone well, Heero was now in recovery, and he was allowed to have more than one visitor; however, he wasn't awake yet and couldn't have any food until the anesthesia wore off to make sure he didn't get nauseated. Once Duo realized he'd gleaned all of the information he could from the woman, he dragged Trowa and Quatre with him to Heero's room, immediately going to stand by the unconscious man's side. Heero's coloring was better than Duo had expected, which encouraged him. He took Heero's hand and held it, ignoring the surprised looks from his two friends. Just because the other two men in the room didn't know about his feelings for Heero didn't mean he was going to hide them. He brushed Heero's hair away from his eyes, smiling gently. The hardest part of the ordeal was over. As long as there wasn't any nerve damage, Duo had no doubt that Heero would recover. Thinking about the last occasion when Quatre and Trowa had been in a hospital room with Heero, Duo grinned.
"I think you guys will have a much nicer welcome this time around," he told them cheerfully.
Quatre snorted. "I hope so. If tells me to leave, I'm going to stick my tongue out at him."
Duo snickered, turning his face to look at the blond. "He didn't throw you out when you came to our place, did he?"
"No, he was surprisingly friendly," Trowa remarked. "Kind of makes us wonder what you've done to him."
"Yes. If psychology works that well on people, I need to get my degree in it," Quatre added casually.
Duo looked at them, suddenly feeling like they were asking something else entirely. "You're both about as subtle as a mobile suit at a peace convention. What exactly are you guys trying to find out without asking me outright?"
Quatre flushed. "Well, it just seems like you both have gotten really close. Even though we've kept in touch, things seemed to just... shift suddenly. Between the time we visited a few months ago and last week, it was like you guys had... like you were... well..."
"Like you were together the way Heero and Wufei used to be," Trowa concluded, getting to the point.
Duo felt his own face redden a little. "No, we're not together... like that..." He decided not to add 'yet'.
"Okay," Quatre replied, seeming to overcome his initial embarrassment. "I guess it's more like how they were when they first became interested in each other. We were around them then, so we should know."
Trowa sighed in a long-suffering kind of way "We had to endure watching all of the flirting and awkward moments, the disappointed looks and secret smiles." He seemed to shudder at the memory. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm not going through it again, so if that's what's going on, don't invite me back over until you're already sleeping together."
Duo gaped at him, too shocked to be mortified. "Uh... well... okay. I'll keep that in mind."
Quatre gave Trowa a pointed look before turning his gaze back on Duo. "Duo, we just want to make sure you guys are all right. I know that it's been hard for Heero, and I know you care about him a lot, but I don't want you getting involved out of some need to fill the space Wufei left in his life... and the place you have empty in yours."
Duo smiled. He had some pretty terrific friends; blind to their own feelings, but terrific anyway. "I've been in love with Heero for a long time, guys. I told him, and he's considering a relationship with me. I'm not rushing him into anything, and he's not trying to use me to take Wufei's place." Duo looked down at Heero, caressing his cheek then. "We've been friends forever, and even if we never become lovers, I want him to be with me... always."
Quatre was suddenly hugging Duo, seeming to be relieved... yet something else too. "We just wanted to be sure. After seeing how much the two of you have struggled, we didn't want this to interfere with your friendship."
Duo pulled away. He knew where this concern was coming from; it was time he did something about it. "Well, the best lovers are usually best friends. Look at Sally and Une. No one would have imagined that they'd get together, but they became friends, and the rest was history." His gaze flicked from Quatre to Trowa then back again. "You never know where you might find the passion you've been looking for - it might even be right in front of your eyes."
"That may be true," Quatre said, his voice becoming guarded, "and I'm sure you and Heero will work it all out, but that's not the case for everyone. Sometimes, someone is in love, but that other person isn't interested in more." He gave Trowa a surreptitious look, not noticing that the brunet was giving his own covert assessment of the blond.
Duo started to reply but Trowa beat him to it. "If you're truly friends, you'll respect each other enough to be honest. It might hurt to find out that the other person doesn't feel that way, but in the end, if the friendship is strong enough, it will last." Trowa shrugged. "I guess it's all about if you're willing to take the chance despite the risk."
Quatre's gaze locked with Trowa's as he moved closer. "And what if someone is, but the other person isn't? What if I'm too scared?" Duo noticed the blond had put himself in place of that 'someone' scenario without even realizing it.
Trowa smiled, an expression that was gentler than the one he usually wore when he indulged in his wicked sense of humor. The brunet slipped his arm around Quatre's waist, pulling him closer. "Then I guess I'll have to prove you're not alone," he said before leaning forward and kissing the blond softly.
Duo let out a 'whoop' of joy, but his impromptu matchmaking session was interrupted when Heero let out a moan. The braided man diverted his attention to the patient on the bed, taking his hand again. "Heero? You okay, buddy?"
Deep blue eyes opened, trying to focus. "Duo?"
The former Deathscythe pilot grinned. "It's me, man. How are you feeling?"
"Like I just got sideswiped by Howard's ship," came the croaked response. "Twice."
Duo laughed. "Well, you look worse than you feel then, if that's any consolation."
"Thanks. I think." The dark-haired man groaned. "Damn sedation."
"I don't think you'd want to have that done without it, Yuy," Trowa said with a smirk.
Heero seemed to take notice of his other two visitors for the first time, and although he was still hazy, Duo could tell the former Wing pilot understood why Trowa had his arm around Quatre's shoulder. He seemed to dismiss it for the moment, perhaps not knowing how to approach the subject since he had no idea Duo had already told the two men about them. Or perhaps he was just too drugged to care. Duo wasn't sure as he saw Heero shift. "That may be true, Barton, but I still don't like feeling this way. Makes me think I'm about to be interrogated."
"Tell me where you hid my chocolate bars, and I'll let you live," Duo commanded in a low menacing tone.
Quatre whined, hiding his face against Trowa's chest dramatically. "Oh, please don't get him started, Heero."
"He's never allowed to have caffeine around us again," Trowa announced solemnly, trying to keep from laughing.
Heero seemed to be waking up more because he joined in with the teasing, much to Duo's chagrin. "Caffeine?" He asked, giving them an unconvincing horrified look. "Then whatever you do, don't leave me alone with him."
"Hey! I'm not that bad," Duo grumbled, sulking in a way he knew Heero couldn't withstand.
"All right, all right... enough with the pouting, " Heero gave in, though his words were obviously meant to bait Duo.
Duo snorted in mock disdain. "I don't pout, Yuy. I sulk. It's a manly occupation that you've made an art form."
Quatre chuckled, still resting against Trowa in a way that made Duo a little envious. "He's got you there, Heero."
"On second thought, maybe you should leave," Heero amended, demonstrating that sulk to perfection, though it held no malice. He raised an eyebrow when Quatre stuck out his tongue in pure unadulterated adolescent glory.
Duo squeezed Heero's hand to get his attention. "Play nice, or I'll smack you again." When Heero flushed at the implication, Duo decided they had put off the serious matters long enough. "So, do you need anything I can get you? Are you hurting anywhere?" He wanted to ask if Heero could feel everything, but was too afraid to do it.
Heero looked into Duo's eyes, smiling. "Yes, all over."
Duo gave a relieved laugh. "Never thought I'd be happy to hear you say that!" Heero was all right...
"Though it doesn't hurt as much when I'm with you," the dark-haired man said suddenly, his gaze intense.
Duo felt like he'd been sideswiped by Howard's ship himself and could only manage to respond with, "Yeah?"
Heero reached out and grabbed Duo's braid, pulling him closer until his face was right above Heero's. "Yeah."
The feeling of Heero's lips on his was a sensation Duo had dreamed about many times, but the reality was so much more than any fantasy could have been - warm, slightly chapped, tentative yet giving, and so Heero. Even after all they'd been through together, Duo's heart hadn't been able to hope for this. As Heero deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue into Duo's mouth to make it even more intimate, Duo let himself hope as much as his heart desired.
The cemetery was empty of visitors, mostly due to the intermittent rain. Heero was grateful since he knew this was going to be very difficult for him. When he'd been in the hospital after the accident, he hadn't given a single thought to Wufei's burial arrangements, knowing that the other man had already taken care of them, but he'd been surprised to find out from the other pilots that Wufei's resting place was a traditional grave instead of cremated remains in a mausoleum. Heero had been even more shocked to find out there was another plot beside Wufei's, already reserved for him if he needed it... and an empty plot next to Heero's. It was a meaningful statement from the man who knew how to say so much with so little at times. Wufei had known that Heero would find love again. It was a sobering thought that the Chinese man hadn't thought he would've done the same if Heero had been the one who died instead.
It made Duo's words from months ago resonate within him. The braided man had been right about so many things. Duo had told Heero that it would probably take some time before he'd be able to handle going to Wufei's grave, but Heero would know when he was ready, and it seemed that time had come. He and Duo had decided to begin dating a few weeks ago, and although they hadn't done any more than hold each other and kiss, they were at a point where Heero needed some kind of reassurance... from the man he'd already loved. Wufei had always been proud, stubborn, and completely adamant in his beliefs, but the Chinese man had been wise in many things, and Heero knew that his former lover would find a way to tell him how he felt about this new love. Even in death.
That conviction led Heero to make his way down the road to the headstone by a large weeping willow tree. Duo had remained at the car, allowing Heero some time alone, even though he was still using the wheelchair when going out for now. The former Wing pilot braced himself to see Wufei's name etched in stone, knowing this would be the last step in accepting the other man's death completely, but staying back so he couldn't read the inscription for that very reason. Instead, he looked up at the tree, feeling the early spring breeze as it rustled through the branches.
"Hello, Wufei," he almost whispered. He didn't look at the grave; Wufei wasn't really in the ground. His body might rest there, but the man's spirit was alive and couldn't be fettered to this world anymore. Heero believed that Wufei would visit this place so loved ones could feel his presence, but he wasn't bound to it - no, he was free now. Taking a deep breath, Heero knew that his words had to be given to the gentle wind for Wufei to hear them. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner." He paused, trying to keep from breaking down yet. There were things that needed to be said before that. "You once told me that you would watch over me even after you died, so I think you already have a good idea why I'm here." Heero looked down at his hands that were clenched in his lap. "I will always love you, Wufei. You know that what we had was something that can never be broken, not even now. It's just that... well... I've fallen in love with Duo, and I wanted to make sure... that it's... okay." His tears began to fall down his face, mixing with the light rain that had started again. "Please, show me that you think it's okay... somehow."
He remained there for some time, letting his grief flow. He remembered the good times with Wufei - the teasing, the competition, the knowing looks, and the passionate lovemaking. He remembered the bad times - the fights, the hurt feelings, and the inability to talk when things were just too hard. He remembered the honorable man that Wufei had been, and the selfish man he'd been too. He had no illusions about him, but an acceptance of all that had made Chang Wufei a real person who had his moments of glory and times of betrayal. He remembered, and in doing so, he was able to move those final few feet to look at the headstone.
Orange tiger lilies bloomed on both sides of the granite, framing it with a beauty that befitted the last of the Dragon Clan. The words inscribed on the gray marbled stone took his breath away. "Death may separate our souls by the limits of mortality, but our love will remain eternally boundless, and will never be diminished by loving another."
Heero wept openly. His lover had known that he would need those words at some point. It humbled him that even in the midst of planning for his own death, Wufei had cared enough to leave behind something to tell Heero that the other man had loved him deeply, that he'd known Heero loved him just as much, and that it was all right for Heero to go on living and loving without him. Heero smiled gently, tears still on his face, and then looked at the ground where he would rest one day when his life ended. He choked back another sob when his eyes took in the lilacs covering both plots that were still waiting. Looking up again, Heero sighed shakily... and knew his answer.
Duo flipped back the comforter on his bed. He was tired, but it had been a good day. Heero had managed to take his first steps without using the bars in his therapy session that afternoon. Both men had been in high spirits after that, going out to dinner to celebrate Heero's progress. Although Heero's body had resisted the biomechanical limb some at first, the doctors had watched him closely, and Heero had kept from getting an infection, unlike the other patients before him. Actually seeing Heero walk again had made the whole ordeal worth it, and Duo would have endured it all again just to catch a glimpse of the joy that had lit up Heero's face. It had been beautiful.
"Duo?"
The braided man turned around to see Heero standing in the doorway, using his crutches to keep from stressing his still-healing leg. "Is something wrong, Heero?" Concern filled him at the other man's uncertain look.
"No. Everything's fine... I just... " He blew a frustrated breath out then blurted. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
Duo blinked, not expecting that. They hadn't moved to that point in their co-habitation, but he was more than happy to do it. "Sure. I'd love for you to share the bed." He tried to ease the sudden tension he could feel from Heero with a little humor, grinning as he warned, "Just don't hog all of the blankets or I'll kick you out."
Heero snorted, then smiled almost shyly, as he climbed under the covers without further comment. Duo switched off the lamp and got into bed too, his heart pounding in his chest. Should he offer to hold Heero or would the other man prefer to sleep apart? Duo didn't know what to do. They lay there for a few minutes in silence before he felt Heero shift onto his left side, warm skin and muscle settling against Duo as Heero draped his right leg over Duo's almost tentatively, pressing his body flush with the braided man's. Duo's indigo gaze met with Heero's dark blue, and he could see the apprehension there mirroring his own. He took an unsteady breath as Heero moved closer.
"When you said 'sleep with me', you didn't just mean share the bed, did you?" The braided man asked huskily.
Heero's answer was to lean over and kiss Duo thoroughly. The former Wing pilot teased Duo's mouth until he took over the exploration, thrusting his tongue inside Heero's mouth to taste him in return. Duo moaned as Heero ran his hand down his chest, rubbing over the former Deathscythe pilot's nipples and down to his stomach. When he didn't stop, Duo's indrawn breath seemed to be the only encouragement Heero needed to slide his hand slowly into Duo's shorts. The braided man thrust his hips up to meet the roughened fingers stroking his shaft and massaging his balls. He felt the passion overwhelming him as they kissed, but before he could lose himself completely, Duo gently grabbed Heero's wrist to still it and separated their mouths so he could talk.
"Hold on, Heero," he panted out. "I mean... it's not that I don't want to, you know I do, but... why now?"
Heero caught his breath and then said, "I made up my mind about us when we visited Wufei's grave last week. I was just waiting until I made some progress with the leg." Heero tucked the limb around Duo more firmly, the soft yet warm 'skin' feeling pleasant against Duo's. "It's taken me time to adjust, but we've waited long enough. I love you, you love me, and there's no reason why we shouldn't show each other how much."
Duo looked into the deep blue eyes above him and knew that Heero was right. They had taken things slowly, and they needed to take this final step. "All right. What do you want to do?"
Heero smiled. "Believe it or not, Wufei and I took turns." He sighed, flushing slightly. "I want you to take me this time. I want to feel you inside me."
"Then that's what I'll do," Duo replied, relieved when he didn't feel any jealousy over Heero mentioning Wufei. It was something special to have Heero trust him enough to share this part of him. Duo reached into his nightstand, having prepared for this even if he hadn't thought it would be happening for quite a while yet. "Condom?"
Heero shook his head. "Not needed unless you want to use one."
"Well, that's a 'no' then. I'll just grab the lube." Taking a deep breath, Duo turned back over to see Heero lying on his back, the image making his heart swell... among other things. "I just can't believe this is happening."
"Believe it," Heero almost whispered. "Take me, Duo. Make my body yours the way you already have my heart."
Duo kissed him deeply before moving between the dark-haired man's spread legs. Clothes were removed slowly, lubricant was applied thoroughly, kisses were traded passionately, and hands roamed freely. Finally, Duo was poised above Heero, his erection pressing against the other man's entrance, breathing becoming ragged. "Ready?"
"Ready," Heero replied, and then let out moan of pleasure as Duo slid into him in one continuous controlled motion. The former Deathscythe pilot had stretched him to allow for it, and any residual pain faded from Heero's face as the man's prostate was prodded by Duo's shaft penetrating completely. "Yes... oh yes! Move.... please, move... Duo!"
Duo groaned in bliss. "You're so fucking tight, Heero. Oh man, this is so good! So good, baby! So good..."
They began to move together, Heero snapping up his hips to meet Duo's groin as he pounding into Heero. Shouts of pleasure kept filling the room as sweat began to run down their bodies, muscles straining as they pushed higher and higher towards climax. Words quickly turned into incoherent grunts, as Duo gripped Heero's hips tighter, thrusting in harder and harder, begging Heero to find what he needed in him. When the dark-haired man reached to grasp his own erection, Duo couldn't contain the groan at watching those long fingers sliding around Heero's hardness. It only took a few strokes, and then Heero was coming. He threw his head back, screaming out Duo's name in a voice that left Duo no choice but to follow, even if the other man's body hadn't claimed his release at that moment. Stickiness erupted from Heero's shaft to cover his fingers at the same time Duo began pumping his seed inside Heero's channel. Duo knew he'd yelled out Heero's name and vows of love, but there seemed to be one thing that made Heero smile wickedly when they collapsed to lie in each other's arms.
"So, did you mean it when you promised to always let me come first?" The former Wing pilot asked teasingly as he rested his head on Duo's chest, holding onto the former Deathscythe pilot's braid in a possessive way that made Duo feel giddy inside. Let him come first? Not a problem... with one stipulation.
Duo chuckled, nuzzling the other man's soft wild hair with his nose. "Hey, only when you're on bottom, Yuy" he clarified, laughing again when Heero reached over and pinched his ass playfully. "Stop it or you're sleeping alone," he threatened menacingly. Or at least, he'd meant it menacingly. Heero could always tell when he was bluffing.
"We can't have that now, can we?" Heero commented in a smug voice, and Duo pinched his ass that time.
Another round of laughter from both of them followed before they finally settled down. Sighing contentedly, Duo closed his eyes and listened to the even breathing of the man he loved until Heero was off in dreamland. Holding his lover close, Duo sighed again. His fondest wish had been granted, and he knew he needed to light a candle and give a prayer of remembrance next time he happened by a church. For now, he thanked his love's lover in his heart and smiled. Because of Wufei's sacrifice, Duo would never have to whisper his words while Heero slept again.
Heero ducked through the makeshift alley, tightening his hand on his gun as he pressed against the wall. Clicking his comm, he whispered, "Oh-two, respond."
"Oh-two in position. Status?"
"Ready to extract," Heero replied, his eyes checking his surroundings carefully for hostiles.
"Proceed with caution. Demolitions will follow."
Heero smiled. The braided man just loved to blow stuff up, no matter how professional he sounded. "Roger that."
There was a choked laugh and then, "Razzle-dazzle, man. Oh-two out."
Heero took a deep breath and signaled to his team. They began moving into the building, sweeping the rooms in a standard pattern. Resistance was minimal, so with several well-placed hits, the targets were neutralized efficiently, and the former Wing pilot made his way across the room to begin climbing the stairs. They already knew where the hostages were being held, but Duo's team needed to retrieve some data and then set charges so they could blow the building once everyone was out. It was his team's job to secure the prisoners and then provide additional support. Communications were on an emergency basis only now that the mission had begun. Heero spotted a familiar braid entering a downstairs window before leading the other two agents in his team, Stafford and Jamison, down the hall.
They took out two more hostiles before getting to the room they wanted, Heero kicking in the door. The target in the room grabbed the closest hostage, pressed a gun to the man's temple, and threatened to kill if they didn't throw down their weapons. The other two men looked at Heero, who waited for a split second for the opportunity to act. When the prisoner shifted away slightly, the former Wing pilot took aim, his assassin skills once again serving him for peace. When the last hostile in the room was down, Heero and his men helped the seven hostages get down the fire escape to the fourth agent on their team, Hawkins, who was waiting below. When the final person was clear, they backtracked to find the second team.
Duo was finishing the final charge when Heero and his men arrived. At Duo's tight nod, both teams made their way out of the building. Heero was about to motion to Duo that he was going to take point when he spied another target aiming at the braided man. Heero didn't even think, throwing himself in front of the other man to keep the fatal shot from connecting. Pain blossomed in his right shoulder blade, and he felt himself being pulled to safety beyond the delineated fire zone before being settled onto the ground.
"Son-of-a-bitch! We were almost clear!" Duo ground out, checking Heero's injury and then sighing. "Shit, Heero. That was close, though it's not life-threatening." The former Deathscythe pilot then frowned at the new agents they were training. "As you can see, even after our objectives are reached, it's still dangerous to let your guard down for even a moment. The mission isn't over until all teams are clear." Duo looked at his team. "Edwards, you were on point. Even though Johnson led us out, and Adams was closest to me, you're the one responsible to keep your eyes open for hostiles." Duo tightened his hold on Heero's. "Everyone's first priority after the safety of civilians is your team or partner. What Agent Yuy did would have saved my life had this been an actual field assignment."
Heero sat up, wincing at the bruising he had on his back now from taking the paint ball pellet at such close range. "I want my team to have five ways to improve our performance in this exercise within a half hour, and once we review, we'll go through it again with Agent Maxwell's group. Dismissed." Duo gave his own team similar instructions, but once the other agents were out of visual range, the braided man began pouting. Heero smirked at his lover, tugging on his braid and earning a glare for it. "Mad at me for saving you, Maxwell?" It was an ongoing joke between them since they'd become Preventer field specialists in the training division over a year ago, right after Heero's leg had been fully rehabilitated. So far, they had 'died' protecting each other countless times.
Duo leaned forward and kissed him, running his hand along Heero's leg in a loving gesture. "Not at all, Yuy."
"Good," Heero replied, grabbing Duo's braid in a familiar hold. "Because I intend to throw myself in front of any danger for you every single damn time I should... even if the bullets aren't real."
The brilliant smile Duo gave him was enough to make Heero fall in love all over again. Friend, partner, lover... to him, the braided man had become all that and more, and no matter how much or little time he had with Duo, Heero knew that their love would always be as boundless as Wufei had promised. Tiger lilies and lilacs sounded like a good way to share eternity.
The End
(:./tk/boundless3)
