20 Dec 1999
DISCLAIMER: All Gundam Wing characters are copyrighted by Sunrise, Bandai, and Sotsu Agency, are not mine to use, and belong these entities. Endless Waltz characters are copyright Sunrise, Bandai, and Asahi TV. Other characters belong to me. This work is for entertainment purposes only and is not for profit.
WARNING: Contains shounen-ai themes and a strong yaoi scene (lemon.) Do not proceed if you are under 18 years of age or are not comfy with the idea of romantic and sexual relationships between males.
Get Out the Map ... based on the song by the Indigo Girls
Noin's Rooms - The Lodge at Victoria
"Thanks for the help, Sally. Asuka did a wonderful job. Without her I don't think that young man - Kazusa - would have survived. He was in a pretty bad way. Besides," Noin laughed, "she and Professor Naught have been in heavy conversation since last night. I think she finally found a friend who understands her." The morning sun was just slipping through her window as Noin spoke with Sally Po on the comm unit.
"I'm really glad it worked out, Noin, although it sounds like the other two agents just did clean-up. Do you suppose I could talk Zechs and Duo into coming back to the organization?"
Noin smiled, a little ruefully, and shook her head. "I don't think so Sally. At least not at this point. They, um... want to take some time for themselves, I think. You know - get to know each other better." She picked imaginary lint off of her jeans, not wanting to meet Sally's eye.
"Get to know each other - What? Surely you don't mean that those two are..." Sally's voice trailed off.
Noin sighed and looked up at her friend. "Yes, they are. Since last weekend. They met at the Palace in Sank when they were both there for Relena and Heero's engagement party. Apparently... they both felt something pretty strong right from the beginning. They've been inseperable since."
"I heard from Relena, you know," Sally replied. "She's in pretty bad shape over what Heero's done. She's so overwrought she hasn't even tried to find him. So you know how bad it is..."
Noin frowned as the memory of the bruises on Duo's cheek came back. "I don't know, Sally. In a way I think Heero's leaving may have been in her best interest, even if she doesn't believe it right now." She thought of Heero's sobre, almost dead stare, and shivered. "Besides," she continued, "in a way I know how she feels. Seeing Zechs with... anyone else, let alone another man... Well it's harder than I ever thought losing him would be."
Sally looked critically at her friend, then made a suggestion. "Noin - why don't you come here for a little while. I don't mean to work, just... just to stay for awhile. We could talk, go for long walks, sit by the fire, ... It'll be snowing soon here - you could make a snow Zechs and slap it upside the head as often as you want - enjoy the pleasure of knocking it's head off, even. Or would that be reserved for the snow Duo?"
Noin couldn't help laughing at the image that brought to her mind. She regarded the kind-eyed woman on the screen. "Well - I never thought of spending Christmas in Siberia, but..."
"Great - then you're coming. I'll get my guest room ready and expect you sometime this next week?"
"Pushy, aren't we woman?" Noin chuckled.
"That's "onna" to you - and don't forget it!" Sally's eyes had gone mischevious. "And don't worry, he's on assignment for the next several weeks."
"Thank God!" Noin put a hand over her heart dramatically. "Not that I don't like Wu Fei, but he does have that attitude- Oh, wait! I meant to ask you. Do Wu Fei and Asuka know each other by any chance?"
"Oh," Sally drawled, a large grin sweeping over her face, "you noticed the similarities, eh? Yes they *do* know each other... *and* can't stand each other! They've each told me privately that the other is difficult to get along with!" Sally winked and then turned to talk to someone off-screen.
"I've got to go, honey," she said. "Let me know when to expect you, all right? Bye."
Noin had to smile as the vid screen went dark. /Yes - I think spending Christmas with Sally might be very good for me.../
She jumped a little as a soft knock came at her door. She crossed the room and opened it. Zechs stood there, looking delicious and carrying a basket of pastries and a small coffee pot.
"I was wondering if you'd be kind enough to have breakfast with me?" he said softly.
She smiled and tried so hard not to stare at him. At the way his tight, azure-colored t-shirt made his eyes look even more blue. At the long, smooth lines of his legs through slim-fitting jeans that were the color of sun-dried stone. At the shining, white-gold hair flowing down his back like a waterfall, and the long, soft bangs that hung in front of his face and made him look wistful. She tried to ignore all that, but failed miserably.
"Come in - but, where's Duo?" she asked, searching the hall behind him and noticing the distinct lack of a certain small sidekick.
"He's still sleeping." Zechs walked past her into the room and she was overcome with the smell of him. The scent of rain - that's what he reminded her of... rain on the grass and trees.
When he had gotten them settled by Noin's fireside, he looked at her long and hard over the edge of his coffee cup. "I have to apologize, Noin," he began. "For all that I've put you through these past few days. I know it sounds strange, but... when Duo and I got together I felt so happy. As if he was the one I'd been waiting for all this time. And the first one I wanted to share the news with was you."
Noin looked up at him in surprise and then murmured, "Well, I'm have to admit, I'm glad you didn't..."
He smiled ruefully at her and shook his head.
"We've shared so much, Noin. You've always been there, believing in me even when I was so far gone I couldn't see you. And it's funny - I don't think for the life of me I understood why you did it until I met Duo. But now I understand... wanting to look out for someone's welfare that much."
He ducked his head and long bangs obscured his eyes from her. "I don't know that up until this point in my life I was even capable of returning that kind of feeling. I don't think I knew how. But I want so much to move beyond all the horrible things in the past. And some of those horrible things had to do with you, and what I put you through."
For some strange reason she couldn't quite fathom, her hands had started to tremble and she clutched the soft, white napkin in her lap to gain control of them.
Zechs was leaning forward now, searching her eyes. "Know this," he said in a low voice, nearly a whisper. "I *do* love you. I love you with all my heart. You're the best person, the most noble person, that I know. And I would never want to lose your regard. You're just too important to me... Noin."
The stared at each other for a long moment, and then Noin broke the silence.
"You really do love him - like he's the One, don't you?"
A tiny smile on Zechs' face and then, "Yes. Oh, yes I do..."
Her heart gave a final snap and through the shards of it she could see how happy he truly was. Happy as she had never seen him before. And she wondered if she was seeing the man he would have been all this time, if war and vengeance hadn't been the largest part of his life. It was what she'd always wanted for him - just with someone else, not her. And somewhere deep inside of her she knew that she could accept that someday. It would take quite awhile and it would hurt like all hell, but the acceptance and forgiveness were down there. And she would find them.
They talked for over an hour, and then he left, leaning down to kiss her softly as he did - a kiss so soft and respectful it made her cry when she closed the door.
/And now it begins... putting the pieces back together again./
Zechs' and Duo's Rooms - The Lodge at Victoria (Get Out the Map)
> I'm gonna clear my head,
I'm gonna drink that sun<
Duo Maxwell stood at the window in the bedroom and basked in the rain-washed sunlight coming through the panes. He wore nothing but his long hair, still loose from its braid, and two bandages on his right arm. That arm ached, and so did other parts of him, but he felt better - freer than he had in days. Everything that lay ahead of him, everything that had to be done, could be done with Zechs. They were free to go where they pleased and do only what they wanted to do.
The small ex-pilot looked up as his lover came into the room. /I don't know where we're going,/ he thought to himself, /but I have a feeling I know what we'll be doing a lot of the time.../
> The saddest sight my eyes can see
Is that big ball of orange sinking slyly down the trees
Sittin' in a broken circle while you rest upon my knee
This perfect moment will soon be leaving me <
Zechs walked over to him slowly and reached out for his hand, pulling Duo into a warm embrace. With one hand around Duo's waist, Zechs lifted the other and stroked his cheek - staring into eyes the color of the darkest violet. Not saying a word, the tall man tilted Duo's chin up and kissed him. He began softly, just barely brushing the boy's warm lips with his own. Then, when Duo began to make soft, hungry sounds, Zechs pressed harder, slipping his fingers into the chestnut river that spilled down Duo's back.
Breaking the kiss, the tall blond began nuzzling the sensitive place between Duo's neck and shoulder, making the boy in arms shiver with pleasure. Duo took in a ragged breath and slid his hands underneath Zechs' shirt, laying his palms flat on the sleek, warm chest, thumbs sliding up to rub softly against tight nipples.
Zechs moaned and, in one graceful movement, swept Duo into his arms and then onto the bed, laying on top of him and pushing Duo's legs up with his knees. More shivers as Duo felt the oil drip onto him, the long, probing finger spreading it inside, and the sound of cloth rustling - Zechs preparing to take him...
His mouth was taken in a deep, deep kiss as Zechs pushed his long shaft up inside of Duo. It felt so perfect, to be invaded that way, impaled on this beautiful man and made his own by the tender but insistent thrusts. The movement of Zechs inside of him, and his understanding of what it meant, made Duo lightheaded. Every inhibition he ever had was gone at this perfect moment - opening himself up utterly and completely to Zechs, being his and his alone.
Every thrust, every stroke of that long shaft inside of him, brought moans from Duo. He felt Zechs raise himself on his elbows and the next thing he knew he was up against the headboard of the bed, cradled in strong arms, his legs spread wider than he ever thought possible. He stared into Zechs' eyes, drowning in pools of ice blue water as he was touched deeper and deeper inside. Time and space were dissolving away, and the world was only those eyes and that deep, probing touch that made him feel wide open and shameless.
He felt his blood rising, an urgent need to thrust himself and when he did it was paradise to find Zechs warm hand around there to push against - to stroke him as he let his head fall back onto strong, supportive arms. The twin sensations of Zechs' deeply probing shaft and the warm rhythmic friction on his own was too much. His eyes closed and he cried out incoherently - a howling cry, full of need and want and desire completely satisfied.
Zechs, watching Duo's face soften in rapture, feeling the boy's warm seed spilling onto his hand, could only pull the slender body in closer, holding Duo tight to him, trying to get as deep as he absolutely could before the wave crashed over him, too, and left him holding Duo up off the bed for those last, deepest thrusts, moaning out his pleasure in each and every one.
When the shudders from his pulsing shaft finally stilled, he ran his lips up Duo's neck, blindly seeking his young lover's mouth and claiming it in a long, fiery kiss.
> Suzanne calls from Boston, the coffee's hot, the corn is high
And that same sun that warms your face will suck that gutter dry
With everything its opposite enough to keep you cryin'
Or keep this ol' world spinnin' with a twinkle in its eye - <
They lay in a large patch of sunlight that flooded the bed, limbs tangeled together, mouths exploring softly. Zechs sighed deeply and held Duo's head away from his a bit, looking intently at the boy who shared his bed. "Duo," he breathed, "I want to take you away from here, someplace where this wouldn't be such a rare occurance... and I want to leave today."
Duo's expression changed from glazed-eyed desire to mischeviousness in a moment. "And I want to see how many places we can do this in!" He laughed, making Zechs smile. "So where're we going, bunny?"
Zechs winked at him. "I've thought of a way of deciding that, kitten..."
> Get out the map, get out the map, and lay your finger anywhere down
We'll leave the figuring to those we pass on the way out of town
Don't drink the water, there seems to be something ailing everyone
I'm gonna clear my head, I'm gonna drink that sun
I'm gonna love you good and strong while our love is good and young <
The blond rolled over and took something out of the nightstand drawer, leaving Duo curious but certainly enjoying the view. Sitting up on the bed, Zechs opened up a small, laminated map of Earth and handed it to Duo and, along with it, a small pin with a dark blue head. "Close your eyes," he murmured, and set the pin down somewhere."
Duo stared at him for a moment and then did as he was told. He let his arm circle around in the air for a moment and then set the small pin down decisively, feeling it punch into the map. Zechs, who was leaning over him and resting his chin on Duo's shoulder, said nothing but, "Hmmmm..."
Duo, half frightened, half thrilled, cracked one eye open and looked down at the map. He opened both eyes. The dark blue head of the pin rested just to the north of London, in the European sector. He turned to look at Zechs expectantly.
"Well, it looks like London is the next stop for us," Zechs purred. "Is that all right with you, kitten?"
Duo, temporarily speechless, nodded his head and then found his voice. "You mean it? You really mean it, Zechs? We're going to London together? Oh, man - and I thought Africa was cool! London is just *so* *so* cooler! I've always wanted to go there! And... and.. can we stay in a fancy hotel? And maybe in one of those big country houses? And see Big Ben and the Tower? And-"
The rush of words was stilled by a long, elegant finger. "All that and more, I promise you, in between times like this, of course..."
For once, Duo said nothing - just grinned and pushed Zechs down onto the bed to begin making another perfect moment...
> Joanie left for South Africa a few years ago
Then Beth took the job all the way over on the West Coast
And me, I'm still tryin' to live half a life on the road
It seems I'm heavier by the year, and heavier by the load <
Noin had said goodbye to them at the airfield. Although it was hard seeing them together, in a strange way she was glad that Zechs and Duo were here, seeing her off. It made things more solid, more real. She would no doubt call up this image many, many times over the next weeks or months - the time she said goodbye to Zechs and the many, many dreams she had that centered on him. Now Duo would be in that image, too. Perhaps that would keep her wishes in check.
She watched them out the window as the pilot prepared to taxi. Zechs, a picture of lean, golden elegance, smiling down at Duo on his arm, who was trying hard not bounce and was doing a bad job of it. He was grinning as usual, and making Zechs smile back at him. /Somehow I never pictured him smiling... whenever I fantasized about him, he always looked sincere and earnest. But I think the smile suits him... I glad he got it back./
Now she was dozing in the comfortable seat, sun streaming into the plane from the small window beside her. But a dream came again - a dream that made her shiver. She was back again in the small graveyard under the Montefiore, holding a bouquet of deep, red roses. She was here, she knew, to pay respects to Treize. And more than anything else, she feared seeing him.
"He's not here," said a brusque voice, coming through the mist at her. She turned in the direction from which it came and saw a figure standing by a large marble statue. Was it - Kazu? Kazu, here and standing on his own, staring at the statue and the grave it marked, his sleek black ponytail beaded with mist.
"Kazu?" she ventured.
The figure turned and she nearly jumped. Chang Wu Fei faced her, looking stern, his eyes, as always, somewhat wary, his posture rigid. "You're looking for Treize, aren't you?" he said abruptly. "Well he's not here -there's just this." He pointed to the grave and the marble statue of a grieving angel.
She paled a little and tried to explain why she was afraid, but he cut her off saying, "You knew him before it all happened. You know what kind of man he was. He wasn't bad, he wasn't evil - he wanted the best for the Earth, and he thought he knew the best way to acheive it. He was an honorable man who was put into an impossible situation - by someone he loved and trusted."
The question slipped out before she could stop it. "Are you talking about Zechs - or yourself?"
The slender Chinese boy reddened and turned to stare at the statue again, his profile severe and proud. "He's not here," he whispered again. "Not here." Without looking at her, he turned on his heels and walked away. As she stared after him, she began to feel warm - warmer than she had in a long time. The mist was parting and the small graveyeard filled with soft, green light from the overhanging trees and vines. She walked slowly to Treize's grave and put the bouquet down gently. Running her fingers over his name, cut into the stone, she felt a wave of sadness. "Wherever you are, sir," she said softly, "I hope you're happy."
> Why do we hurtle ourselves through every inch of time and space?
I must say around some corner I can sense a resting place
With every lesson learned a line upon your beautiful face
We'll amuse ourselves one day with these memories we'll trace<
Plantation House Shop - The Victoria Club
Duo had stopped into the lavish "general store" in the Club and had just finished buying some gum and a small sticker that read "Lake Victoria", when a somewhat shrill female voice called his name.
"Duo? Duo, is that you dear?"
He frowned slightly at the unfamiliar voice and looked around. Coming through the elegant displays of African pottery and khaki safari clothes was a sturdy looking woman with iron gray hair and a rather silly smile. She clutched something in her hands as she came up next to Duo, rather breathless from her little dash through the shop.
"Oh! My. I thought I wouldn't reach you before you left! It's so nice to see you again, dear, and - oh heavens, what *have* you done to yourself? Been getting into mischief?" She was looking at his bandaged wrist and leveling a reproachful stare his way.
"Ah - yes Mrs.... Korrin! From the Morning Room! Yeah, well, you know teenagers. We're *always* getting into mischief!" Inwardly he wanted to roll his eyes. /If she only knew.../
"Well," she said seriously, "my husband and I are leaving today. Can't leave our little Trixie - she's a Jack Russell terrier - alone for too long. She gets quite nervous if we do. *Anyway*, I just had to give you this, given that you request it specially." She held out the object she'd been clutching.
It was a photograph - a rather good one, too - of a large bull elephant with huge, long tusks. For size comparisons a small jeep was parked nearby and was dwarfed by the majestic creature. The picture was held in a sleek leather frame of rich chocolate brown.
He grinned broadly and then looked up at Mrs. Korrin. "Aw, man - this is great! I completely forgot that I'd asked you to get this. He must have been something to see, especially that close up!
"Yes, well," Mrs. Korrin replied, "of course *I* did not get that close, I was back a good distance in the other car. But I insisted that Blaise -that's my husband's name, you know, go up to the animal and get this shot for you. Actually, as it turned out it was a rather close run thing. He made a run for it just after the photo was taken."
"Your husband?" Duo asked in concern, visions coming into his mind of the ex-officer trampled into the savanna dust.
"No, no! The elephant. I suppose the big beast was a little shy, you know. It happens that way sometimes. With elelphants."
"Does it?" asked Duo, fascinated.
"Oh yes," she looked at him sagely, "It does."
He looked down again at the photo of the shy elephant and then gave Mrs. Korrin a quick hug. "Thanks so much, Mrs. K. You're the best!"
The Lobby of the Victoria Club
"Oh, but sir, you really *must* see the dung beetles before you go!"
Zechs stared at the concierge, wondering if the man were making some kind of strange joke. "I beg your pardon?" he said slowly.
Duo walked up to join him. "What's up, bunny?" he said looking up at Zechs.
Zechs slid him a sideways glance and sighed. "Please Duo," he said softly, "not in public." Duo put a hand over his mouth to cover a smile and tried his best to look sheepish.
"The concierge here says that we must see the dung beetles before we go," he informed Duo. "What do you think?"
Duo was battling hard but seemed to be losing his attempt to keep a straight face.
"Dung beetles? Oh. Well..." He looked up at the concierge, then back at Zechs. "If the man says we need to see the dung beetles, then of course we have to see 'em." He looked back at the concierge and nodded in agreement. "Wouldn't want to say we've been to the Victoria Club and not seen the *dung beetles*, would we?" he said to the man, who was not quite sure if he was being made fun of. "Which room do you keep them in? The dung beetles, that is?" Duo asked him.
Zechs eyes went wide. "Duo!" he hissed.
The concierge recoiled in distaste. "*No*, sir, we don't *keep* dung beetles, certainly *not* in the Victoria. I'm referring to the famous dung beetle mounds out on the savanna, of course. The man turned back to Zechs, who seemed to be the more responsible of the two, and offered a final incentive. "They *are* on the way to the airfield - just a brief detour of 10-15 minutes time."
So it was that Zechs and Duo found themselves standing in front of two huge towers, one taller than Zechs and both taller than Duo. They were a yellowish-brown color and smelled of manure. Several other towers, also apparently made by the dung beetles of the Victoria Club, were scattered around them for a half mile or so. The two of them stood there for some minutes in silence, simply regarding them, Duo with his hands on his hips, and Zechs, standing very straight, with his hands clasped firmly behind his back.
"So," Duo said at last, "these are the dung beetle mounds." He nodded his head and stroked his chin, trying to feel awed and appreciative.
"Yes," said Zechs not moving his gaze from the tubular structures, "it would appear that they are."
Duo looked up at his tall lover, then back at the mounds, still nodding. "It's odd that there aren't any dung beetles anywhere in sight, of course."
"Odd indeed," replied Zechs, gaze still fixed on the mounds. "Although if I were a dung beetle I would find a place far, far away from this smell."
The American looked up at his partner again and imagined him with two little antennae. "You'd make a damn cute dung beetle, bunny."
Zechs dragged his eyes off the impressive structures and looked down at Duo. "As would you, kitten, as would you."
Duo grinned, wiggled a bit, and then looked back at Zechs. "Can - we go back to the car, bunny? The smell is kinda gettin' to me."
"An excellent suggestion, Duo," Zechs said, a little too quickly. He turned smartly and began leading the way back to the limousine.
A light lunch had been prepared by the limousine driver, who had also gone to the trouble of setting up a small table (elegantly set) and two chairs, plus an umbrella that fit into the table and provided shade for the diners.
Duo broke into giggles when he saw it all, and was promptly hushed by Zechs, who was trying to hide a smile himself. "Oh, I forgot," whispered Duo as they sat down to their lunch. "Only the best at the Victoria." He winked at the tall blond who smiled back at him.
They were finishing the lemon sorbet when Duo brought up the subject of Miranda. "I hope she's gonna be all right," he said, his voice full of concern. "She's cooperating with the police, so I don't think she'll have legal problems, but she's pretty lost as to what she'll be doing after he vacation."
"Is she taking a vacation?" Zechs asked, resting his spoon beside his bowl.
"Yeah - with Kazu! They get along really well. Hn! Don't see how, of course, I think she's kinda *overbearing*. But he really likes her. They're gonna talk about what to do next while they're away."
"Sounds imminently sensible to me," Zechs murmured. "Did I tell you the news about the professor after I spoke with his nurses?"
Duo's expression turned serious. "No. He's doing better - isn't he? I kinda feel guilty about that - leaving him alone and everything."
"Don't blame yourself," Zechs told him. "He knew what he was getting into. If I know him he would have have a far worse time of it if he'd been left out. His doctor says he doesn't need surgery, but is keeping him on absolute rest. We'll call him as soon as he can get messages."
"Yeah, okay, " Duo kicked the dirt with a toe of one boot. "And Noin?" he said softly. "What about Noin?"
Zechs looked up across the yellow-green landscape of the savanna. "She'll be staying with Sally for awhile. She's been offered an administrative position with the Preventers - tactical organization, no front-line duty. She's considering it seriously, at least she says."
Duo smiled and bounced his heels against the grass. "I think she'll take it, " he said. "She's just too good at that stuff to stay away from it for long." He brought his heels down with a thud and looked over at Zechs. "What about... you... and her?"
Zechs stood up and stretched, then smiled down at the braided boy next to him. "She and I are friends, very old and dear friends, and I wouldn't want to lose her. Is that acceptable?"
Duo gave him a lopsided grin. "Yeah, friends are important. Take it from someone who never kept a friend in his life." It was his turn to wink at Zechs.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Zechs murmured, and pulled something out of his pocket.
> Get out the map, get out the map, and lay your finger anywhere down
We'll leave the figuring to those we pass on the way out of town
Don't drink the water, there seems to be something ailing everyone
I'm gonna clear my head, I'm gonna drink that sun
I'm gonna love you good and strong while our love is good and young<
Duo stood up immediately and skipped over to the tall man's side. "Oooh, a present? For me?" He looked down at the small box Zechs held out to him. It was made of softened tree bark, a dark brownish-black color with a pale, wheat-colored pattern woven into the top. Duo opened it cautiously. Inside, nestled on a bit of henna cloth, was a gleaming gold ring.
Duo's mouth dropped open slightly, but no words came out. He lifted the small band up to the light and saw that it was covered with an intricate vine-and-leaf pattern, etched into the sides. The front depicted two hands clasping each other.
"This belonged to my great-grandmother," Zechs said softly, "given to her by my great-grandfather. It's been passed down in my family for at least three hundred years."
Duo's jaw dropped a little more. "Oh, Zechs... I -"
"Right now," Zechs interrupted, taking the ring from Duo's shaking hand and sliding it onto his finger, "its my way of saying that I adore you for eternity." He looked searchingly into Duo's wide eyes.
"I adore you, too," Duo breathed, feeling his cheeks flushing.
"If, however, there is a time in the future that you would like this to mean even more than that, it shall."
Duo could only stare up at the tall blond man beside him. Words seemed useless at this point and he only hoped his expression would be enough to let Zechs know how much the small gift meant.
A soft smile on Zechs' face and a long, lingering kiss gave him his answer. Then Duo's prince held out a hand to him and murmured, "Shall we get on with our journeys?"
> I'm gonna clear my head, I'm gonna drink that sun
I'm gonna love you good and strong while our love is good and young <
owari
(:./kumiko/2road16)
